Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has now been granted powers to pass any law that he wants. While I have previously reported this story, I think it is important to delve into the global consequences of this act.
Dictators very rarely rise to power in a vacuum. Some, like Castro, come to power during a war or "revolution." Others, such as Hitler or Stalin come to power by way of the legal process, in which a legislature gives up its checks and balances to the president. By passing these laws, a country chooses to give up democracy. History has shown us that this is not a good thing. Once one individual possesses unchecked power, many evil acts can take place.
The region near Venezuela should be very concerned about this development. In 2005, the good people of Brazil defeated a motion to ban the sale of firearms, preserving their freedom. Many countries in Central America such as Costa Rica have adopted pro-freedom governments.
The problem with Chavez is that he sees himself as the leader of Latin America and successor to Castro, though on a larger scale. This is very dangerous, because his thinking motivates him to "liberate" other countries. In the process his nationalization, particularly that of utility and oil companies will do much to wreck the economies under his control.
While Castro has always been mostly confined to his island, Chavez has the power to aid other socialist dictators in their ascent to power in Latin America. The world should act now, before it is too late.
2007-01-31
The FJ Cruiser
As promised, albeit quite late, is my review of my new vehicle: The 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Some background: The letters "FJ" have been the internal production number for Land Cruisers for the last 40+ years. Toyota even included FJ in the names of some of its vehicles such as the FJ40, a very revered early SUV that competed with the original Jeep and the formidable International Scout back in the 70's. Toyota has long dominated the 4X4 market in many areas of the world, so much that many off-road vehicles are referred to as "Land Cruisers" in many countries. This truck has some serious heritage.
The DNA: The FJ is based on the platform of the Land Cruiser Prado, a vehicle that is not sold in North America. This Hi-Lux platform is also used in the 4Runner and Tacoma, although the chassis has been modified for both applications. What you have here is not a car based SUV (i.e. a Chrysler Pacifica, BMW X3/X5, etc. which are based on sedans). The truck-based SUV's generally do not come with 4 wheel independent suspension, indeed the FJ has a live rear axle. The Engine is the 4 L 1GR-FE V6 engine, which has been used in Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners for the last several years.
The FJ comes in several interesting colors, mine is Sun Fusion (yellow) with a white roof. See the picture of the FJ40 above to understand why they all have white roofs, its a matter of tradition.
There are 3 different powertrain options: a 2WD automatic, a part-time 4x4 automatic, and a full-time 4x4 manual. I chose the last option as I have never owned an automatic transmission (I do not believe much in them, I like being in control of my vehicle at all times, I enjoy shifting, and appreciate the lower maintenance costs) and appreciate full-time four wheel drive, which is technically all-wheel drive. I also have the option to lock the center differential (means that front and rear axles move at the same speed) at high speed and low speed (for off-roading only), and to lock the rear differential (only used for very short periods of time when absolutely necessary, like when you are stuck in mud and nothing else works).
Exterior: The FJ has extremely bright headlights, much brighter than anything that is non-xenon. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which means all but the biggest campers. The wheels are 17 inches. The backdoor opens sideways, something I haven't seen before in SUVs. There is a full-size spare tire mounted on the back, this does not have to be moved out of the way prior to opening the door. There is a small glass door that also opens in the back, though it does not have much use. Other than the two main doors to get in the car, there are also two suicide doors that allow relatively easy access to the back seat, so long as a front seat passenger is there to close the doors.
Moving to the inside: The seats are high quality black cloth. Also, through several layers, some that include plastic, the seats are water resistant and can easily be cleaned with a sponge (though I have not tried this yet). The drivers seat is manually adjustable forward and back, and up and down in two ways. Both seat backs are adjustable.
The dashboard includes a driver's side glovebox (good for carrying an extra mag or 2 ;-) ), and an instrument panel with a compass, thermometer, and clinometer. There are two grab bars for both sides.
The instrument cluster includes a fuel guage, tachometer, speedometer, voltmeter, and coolant temp guage. There's also an odometer and 2 trip odoms. The climate control system is manual, which I like, as I hate buttons being substituted for nobs. And these are some really big nobs, big enough to be easily manipulated with gloved hands. The radio looks pretty cool and whenever the car starts up it displays its name the "FJammer". There is a 6 disc in dash CD player that works with MP3 CD's, satellite radio, AM, FM, an an AUX jack for iPods.
Some background: The letters "FJ" have been the internal production number for Land Cruisers for the last 40+ years. Toyota even included FJ in the names of some of its vehicles such as the FJ40, a very revered early SUV that competed with the original Jeep and the formidable International Scout back in the 70's. Toyota has long dominated the 4X4 market in many areas of the world, so much that many off-road vehicles are referred to as "Land Cruisers" in many countries. This truck has some serious heritage.
The DNA: The FJ is based on the platform of the Land Cruiser Prado, a vehicle that is not sold in North America. This Hi-Lux platform is also used in the 4Runner and Tacoma, although the chassis has been modified for both applications. What you have here is not a car based SUV (i.e. a Chrysler Pacifica, BMW X3/X5, etc. which are based on sedans). The truck-based SUV's generally do not come with 4 wheel independent suspension, indeed the FJ has a live rear axle. The Engine is the 4 L 1GR-FE V6 engine, which has been used in Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners for the last several years.
The FJ comes in several interesting colors, mine is Sun Fusion (yellow) with a white roof. See the picture of the FJ40 above to understand why they all have white roofs, its a matter of tradition.
There are 3 different powertrain options: a 2WD automatic, a part-time 4x4 automatic, and a full-time 4x4 manual. I chose the last option as I have never owned an automatic transmission (I do not believe much in them, I like being in control of my vehicle at all times, I enjoy shifting, and appreciate the lower maintenance costs) and appreciate full-time four wheel drive, which is technically all-wheel drive. I also have the option to lock the center differential (means that front and rear axles move at the same speed) at high speed and low speed (for off-roading only), and to lock the rear differential (only used for very short periods of time when absolutely necessary, like when you are stuck in mud and nothing else works).
Exterior: The FJ has extremely bright headlights, much brighter than anything that is non-xenon. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which means all but the biggest campers. The wheels are 17 inches. The backdoor opens sideways, something I haven't seen before in SUVs. There is a full-size spare tire mounted on the back, this does not have to be moved out of the way prior to opening the door. There is a small glass door that also opens in the back, though it does not have much use. Other than the two main doors to get in the car, there are also two suicide doors that allow relatively easy access to the back seat, so long as a front seat passenger is there to close the doors.
Moving to the inside: The seats are high quality black cloth. Also, through several layers, some that include plastic, the seats are water resistant and can easily be cleaned with a sponge (though I have not tried this yet). The drivers seat is manually adjustable forward and back, and up and down in two ways. Both seat backs are adjustable.
The dashboard includes a driver's side glovebox (good for carrying an extra mag or 2 ;-) ), and an instrument panel with a compass, thermometer, and clinometer. There are two grab bars for both sides.
The instrument cluster includes a fuel guage, tachometer, speedometer, voltmeter, and coolant temp guage. There's also an odometer and 2 trip odoms. The climate control system is manual, which I like, as I hate buttons being substituted for nobs. And these are some really big nobs, big enough to be easily manipulated with gloved hands. The radio looks pretty cool and whenever the car starts up it displays its name the "FJammer". There is a 6 disc in dash CD player that works with MP3 CD's, satellite radio, AM, FM, an an AUX jack for iPods.
2007-01-28
An Uncredited Inspiration For Anti-Smoking Laws
I went to DC last weekend and noticed they have now banned smoking in all bars, restaurants, etc. It seems many elements within our country have suddenly embraced this idea, and give credit to organizations like the Lung Association, the Cancer Association, etc.
I think credit should be given where credit is due, and in this case there was one man who had the courage to stand up and demand smoking be banned in his country when no one had even considered this idea before. He was a pioneer of the anti-smoking movement and deserves to have statues erected in NY and CA and now even NV(!) and all of the other places that have followed in his footsteps.
2007-01-24
Just Get The Damn Passport
There have been many articles lately on travelling to interesting places without a passport, now that rules have gone into effect requiring passports for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean for those going by air (land and sea arrivals will require passports next year). I don't see what the big deal is. I've had a passport since I was 13. It only costs $95 or so and lasts for 10 years, that's cheaper than a driver's license.
Apparently around 25% of Americans have passports. That makes me embarrassed to be an American. To have 75% of your fellow citizens too ignorant and closed minded to travel abroad upsets me. Maybe that's why we have a negative perception in some countries, because we appear to be those who never want to venture out of their little world, who are afraid to go anywhere that English isn't spoken.
If you travel abroad often, good. If not, get off your ass, get a passport, and go explore the world.
2007-01-22
Trouble In The South...
Venezuelan dictator/president Hugo Chavez has recently told the US to "go to hell gringos!" I don't really care about this statement, but it looks like Fidel's best friend is starting to go down the same road that a fiery German went down about 60 years ago. Chavez's party controls the entire legislative body down there and is about to grant him "broad lawmaking powers." To me, this sounds like the beginnings of a dictator.
2007-01-10
Made Up News
As has been news for the past few weeks, Saddam Hussein is dead.
What's news now is that the Iraqi prime minister has just said that the US did tell them not to hang Saddam just yet (it was a Muslim holiday) but that he felt it was time to do that deed.
This story is quite an obvious attempt at propaganda. We know that the US is still in control of this country. What the PM's comments are being used for is to say that Iraq can do its own things, such as execute Hussein when it wanted to, despite anything the US said.
My question is, since they are on their own now, at least publicly, where is our payment? If Bush, the Democrats, or anyone else says that we just did it in the interst of preventing terrorism, liberating the Shias, or some other half-assed excuse, I say we should ask them for payment for our deed.
Oil would be nice. Free, for at least the next 10 years. The 25 cent/gallon gas would make up for the billions upon billions to trillions of dollars we're gonna have to pay in taxes for this excursion...
What's news now is that the Iraqi prime minister has just said that the US did tell them not to hang Saddam just yet (it was a Muslim holiday) but that he felt it was time to do that deed.
This story is quite an obvious attempt at propaganda. We know that the US is still in control of this country. What the PM's comments are being used for is to say that Iraq can do its own things, such as execute Hussein when it wanted to, despite anything the US said.
My question is, since they are on their own now, at least publicly, where is our payment? If Bush, the Democrats, or anyone else says that we just did it in the interst of preventing terrorism, liberating the Shias, or some other half-assed excuse, I say we should ask them for payment for our deed.
Oil would be nice. Free, for at least the next 10 years. The 25 cent/gallon gas would make up for the billions upon billions to trillions of dollars we're gonna have to pay in taxes for this excursion...
2006-12-14
US Constitution Article I § 9
My Constitution Project has been dormant for several months. Here is some new life. Hopefully I'll be able to complete it in 2007.
Section 9 of the US Constitution places explicit restrictions on Congress. You may remember in my previous post, Section 8 told Congress exactly what it can do (although today's Congress is a far cry from what it was intended to be).
Clause 1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
Congress cannot prohibit the slave trade until 1808 but may tax $10 per slave. Obviously this clause does not apply to us anymore.
Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
Habeas Corpus is a fundamental right. Basically it means that you cannot be held in detention indefinitely without being charged with a crime. It was suspended during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln. George W. Bush has ignored it several times and used questionable legal means to delay it being applied to certain individuals accused of terrorism. I consider any president, including Lincoln, that suspends this right to be an enemy of true liberty.
Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
Bills of attainder are laws that take away rights from one person or group of persons without a trial. An ex post facto law declares something illegal and retroactively punishes people who have broken it before it was passed.
Clause 4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
Unfortunately the 16th Amendment "clarified" this. I will handle this subject later on.
Clause 5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
Interstate commerce cannot be taxed. It still isn't, at least by the federal government. States cannot charge a "sales tax" either for interstate sales, but commonly charge a "use tax" which is a tax paid to use an item in the state. Using basically means owning. These laws are largely unenforced, though my home state of Virginia asks you to fill out on your tax return the value of items you bought online. These use taxes are almost completely unenforceable. In order to know that I bought something, not only would they have to scan my credit card and bank statements for online or phone orders, but they would have to prove that those items were in fact mailed to me and not sent to someone as a gift.
Clause 6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No states can be favored more than others. Very hard to enforce this clause unless under severe circumstances.
Clause 7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
Congress can only spend money after it passes a law to spend that money, which it does much too often.
Clause 8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
This statement was almost codified into a law in which someone would be stripped of citizenship if they accepted a title of nobility. Having freed ourselves from Britain, we were tired of the knights, kings, queens, dukes, and all of that nonsense.
Section 9 of the US Constitution places explicit restrictions on Congress. You may remember in my previous post, Section 8 told Congress exactly what it can do (although today's Congress is a far cry from what it was intended to be).
Clause 1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
Congress cannot prohibit the slave trade until 1808 but may tax $10 per slave. Obviously this clause does not apply to us anymore.
Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
Habeas Corpus is a fundamental right. Basically it means that you cannot be held in detention indefinitely without being charged with a crime. It was suspended during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln. George W. Bush has ignored it several times and used questionable legal means to delay it being applied to certain individuals accused of terrorism. I consider any president, including Lincoln, that suspends this right to be an enemy of true liberty.
Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
Bills of attainder are laws that take away rights from one person or group of persons without a trial. An ex post facto law declares something illegal and retroactively punishes people who have broken it before it was passed.
Clause 4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
Unfortunately the 16th Amendment "clarified" this. I will handle this subject later on.
Clause 5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
Interstate commerce cannot be taxed. It still isn't, at least by the federal government. States cannot charge a "sales tax" either for interstate sales, but commonly charge a "use tax" which is a tax paid to use an item in the state. Using basically means owning. These laws are largely unenforced, though my home state of Virginia asks you to fill out on your tax return the value of items you bought online. These use taxes are almost completely unenforceable. In order to know that I bought something, not only would they have to scan my credit card and bank statements for online or phone orders, but they would have to prove that those items were in fact mailed to me and not sent to someone as a gift.
Clause 6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No states can be favored more than others. Very hard to enforce this clause unless under severe circumstances.
Clause 7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
Congress can only spend money after it passes a law to spend that money, which it does much too often.
Clause 8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
This statement was almost codified into a law in which someone would be stripped of citizenship if they accepted a title of nobility. Having freed ourselves from Britain, we were tired of the knights, kings, queens, dukes, and all of that nonsense.
Tacos, Jesus, and Christmas Trees
There's absolutely nothing interesting going on this week. Maybe the news outlets are tired after the donkey raped the elephant in the midterm elections? Maybe they've written the word Iraq too many times. Consider this post to be a mishmash of many of my thoughts over the past couple of days.
The big story on CNN and others now is that they think lettuce poisoned some people at Taco Bell. Why is it always the Mexican themed restaurants that have issues? Chi-Chis went out of business due to hepatitis A in one store near Pittsburgh. Who knows what Taco Bell's fate will be. In the great movie Demolition Man it was the last remaining restaurant after the "franchise wars." Time will only tell. One thing I can tell you, I'd still take a bet that Taco Bell's Mexican food is much safer than Mexican food in Mexico.
My favorite interest group to hate, Big Labor, AKA unions, have new ads attacking Walmart, using the slogan "would Jesus shop at Walmart." Some background. Unions hate Walmart because they are known for busting any unions that try to organize their stores. They have gone so far as to close entire stores down when the threat was imminent. If only GM had the balls to do that, Cadillac might actually compete with BMW.
Well, Jesus not only shops at WalMart, I think someone by that name is a greeter at the one near me... but I digress...I think Jesus, being a carpenter, would prefer Home Depot or Lowe's, but what's there not to like about Walmart. Everything they sell there is dirt cheap, and the whole shopping experience is the closest most of us will get to feeling like refugees waiting in a breadline. It's almost an adventure.
SEATAC took down a Christmas tree after being on the receiving end of a lawsuit by a rabbi. He said it wasn't his intention to remove the tree, he just wanted a huge menorah. The tree is back up, the menorah is not. My solution is to have a big tree with some dreidels hanging from it. To incorporate more religions, we can add a manger scene. We can honor Hindus by putting a cow under the tree, and honor Muslims by replacing Baby Jesus with Baby Mohammad in the manger scene.
And you thought those Danish Cartoons were a riot!
The big story on CNN and others now is that they think lettuce poisoned some people at Taco Bell. Why is it always the Mexican themed restaurants that have issues? Chi-Chis went out of business due to hepatitis A in one store near Pittsburgh. Who knows what Taco Bell's fate will be. In the great movie Demolition Man it was the last remaining restaurant after the "franchise wars." Time will only tell. One thing I can tell you, I'd still take a bet that Taco Bell's Mexican food is much safer than Mexican food in Mexico.
My favorite interest group to hate, Big Labor, AKA unions, have new ads attacking Walmart, using the slogan "would Jesus shop at Walmart." Some background. Unions hate Walmart because they are known for busting any unions that try to organize their stores. They have gone so far as to close entire stores down when the threat was imminent. If only GM had the balls to do that, Cadillac might actually compete with BMW.
Well, Jesus not only shops at WalMart, I think someone by that name is a greeter at the one near me... but I digress...I think Jesus, being a carpenter, would prefer Home Depot or Lowe's, but what's there not to like about Walmart. Everything they sell there is dirt cheap, and the whole shopping experience is the closest most of us will get to feeling like refugees waiting in a breadline. It's almost an adventure.
SEATAC took down a Christmas tree after being on the receiving end of a lawsuit by a rabbi. He said it wasn't his intention to remove the tree, he just wanted a huge menorah. The tree is back up, the menorah is not. My solution is to have a big tree with some dreidels hanging from it. To incorporate more religions, we can add a manger scene. We can honor Hindus by putting a cow under the tree, and honor Muslims by replacing Baby Jesus with Baby Mohammad in the manger scene.
And you thought those Danish Cartoons were a riot!
2006-11-28
In NYC
Maybe if NYC allowed people to carry concealed weapons, these poor fucks would have had a chance against the New York Gestapo...
2006-11-16
Milton Friedman, R.I.P.
A great American died today. His name was Milton Friedman. He spent over 70 of his 94 years as an economist. He influenced the Reagan administration and many others. Living through the Great Depression (he was in his late teens and early twenties at the time) he saw that it was government policy that turned a recession into the worst financial crisis in generations.
Throughout this time he was a great champion of liberty, both on social and fiscal issues. He viewed the war on drugs as a good signal of how the government can cause massive social corruption through policy decisions in which it need not be involved. As he once remarked, it is policies that make drugs illegal that protect the drug cartels.
He rightfully fought against unions, remarking:
"The unions might be good for the people who are in the unions but it doesn't do a thing for the people who are unemployed because the union keeps down the number of jobs, it doesn't do a thing for them."
In the 70's, he saved the economy in Chile. Throughout the late 20th century, his advice brought about massive tax cuts to the United States, as he was "in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible."
He probably did more to move us away from socialism than anyone else. Dr. Milton Friedman will be greatly missed.
Throughout this time he was a great champion of liberty, both on social and fiscal issues. He viewed the war on drugs as a good signal of how the government can cause massive social corruption through policy decisions in which it need not be involved. As he once remarked, it is policies that make drugs illegal that protect the drug cartels.
He rightfully fought against unions, remarking:
"The unions might be good for the people who are in the unions but it doesn't do a thing for the people who are unemployed because the union keeps down the number of jobs, it doesn't do a thing for them."
In the 70's, he saved the economy in Chile. Throughout the late 20th century, his advice brought about massive tax cuts to the United States, as he was "in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible."
He probably did more to move us away from socialism than anyone else. Dr. Milton Friedman will be greatly missed.
2006-11-07
Stupid Voters
Looking at early election results, I see that our country is really, really headed down the wrong path. In various states, we've got people voting against legalizing marijuana (where's the fun in that) voting against stem cell research, voting to amend their consitutions to ban something that's already banned (gay marriage. What's coming up next, "kill all gays?"), voting against using slot machines to fund education (idiots in Ohio), and voting in several states to raise the minimum wage (which will lead to huge unemployment and reduced working hours).
The one bright spot at this time is that it seems Michigan is voting to restrict discrimination against white people, known to many as affirmative action.
These are just projections at this point though, and who knows what will happen in the morning.
The one bright spot at this time is that it seems Michigan is voting to restrict discrimination against white people, known to many as affirmative action.
These are just projections at this point though, and who knows what will happen in the morning.
How I Voted
US House VA District 11: Hurst (D).
I just couldn't vote for Tom Davis. I wrote him a lot of emails asking him how he stands on certain issues. I wasn't pleased with most results. He voted against online gambling, the NRA rates him a D, and he seems like a typical big government conservative, so I figure the Democrat can't be much worse.
US Senate VA: George Allen
In the battle between two assholes, I'll vote for the one that will keep taxes low.
Gay Marriage Ban: Voted Against
These bans are a waste of everyone's time. Keep this bullshit off my constitution, there's already a VA law against it. Also there are some very real concerns about this law impacting those who want to give medical power of attorneys to non spouses, or use wills to leave their property to non-relatives.
School bonds, money for parks, money for police, etc.
Voted against all of these bonds. My county wanted me to authorize at lest $75M in bonds. I don't want my taxes going up.
2006-11-03
Auto Quality
When choosing a car, quality is usually fairly high on everyone's list as things to consider. I have been the primary driver of 3 cars in my life, two of which have been around long enough to judge quality.
I found a nifty little tool on Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/maintenance.do
It allows you to see any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that are issued for a car. These are basically "known issues" that the dealer probably won't fix for free, but have been reported by enough people that the powers that be think that dealers should be given a heads up in case customers come in complaining about this problem.
I have looked at various cars, some known for quality and some not, that have been made since 1998. The average number of TSBs seems to be around 20-30. Some of these are repeats with updated information.
My 1999 Saturn SL1 was not a high quality car, but it had only 23 TSBs from 1998 - today.
My 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT was an even lower quality car, and it had 121 TSB's issued from 2000-today. There were at least 8 major issues (leaking floor, transmission rattle, engine misfires, etc) that affected me. This is not including other issues that came up, costing me several thousand dollars. Keep in mind that I sold this car with only 60,000 miles on it!
Moral of the story. Mitsubishi's are shitty cars, probably worse than Fords, Kia's and anything else you can come up with. Stay away!
PS: A review on my new car will be coming up soon.
2006-10-26
Where I've Been
I've been here lately, but more busy than usual. I recently got a pseudo-promotion at my job. I say pseudo because my boss left and I was asked to take over, but since he was at the same official title as me, my title remains the same, as does my pay for now. I am now a Team Lead. I currently have no team to lead, but that will most likely change within the next month.
Other than that, I took a trip to Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drive is one of the most beautiful 100 miles of roadway in the country. I recommend anyone who hasn't been there to go. The hiking is great too, we hiked three trails. One was to Hawksbill the highest point of the park, another was to a waterfall and yet another was a rock scramble to a great 360 degree view of the park.
Other than that, I took a trip to Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drive is one of the most beautiful 100 miles of roadway in the country. I recommend anyone who hasn't been there to go. The hiking is great too, we hiked three trails. One was to Hawksbill the highest point of the park, another was to a waterfall and yet another was a rock scramble to a great 360 degree view of the park.
2006-10-05
Good News, Bad News
Thumbs up: Studies show that smoking weed might help prevent alzheimers disease, so do your grandparents/parents a favor and roll them a joint!
Thumbs down: Many states, including my own have banned or are planning to ban the AWOL, or alcohol without liquid. This device turns alcohol into a vapor so you can inhale it. No bad taste, no hangovers. The liquor industry was scared to death by this gizmo, since it suddenly made their product look like a drug...
But seriously, since alcohol is 100% legal for adults, why shouldn't they be able to consume it however they want? If I want to inject alcohol into my veins, why not? Not that I have done that, or inhale it, but why should we really care what other people are doing with their alcohol? Not just in bars, this law prohibits you from using alcohol like this in your own home.
Thumbs down: Many states, including my own have banned or are planning to ban the AWOL, or alcohol without liquid. This device turns alcohol into a vapor so you can inhale it. No bad taste, no hangovers. The liquor industry was scared to death by this gizmo, since it suddenly made their product look like a drug...
But seriously, since alcohol is 100% legal for adults, why shouldn't they be able to consume it however they want? If I want to inject alcohol into my veins, why not? Not that I have done that, or inhale it, but why should we really care what other people are doing with their alcohol? Not just in bars, this law prohibits you from using alcohol like this in your own home.
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