I just read an interesting essay talking about whether Israel or the EU will prevent another Holocaust. The view boils down to empowering the Jews vs un-empowering the state. Either would have prevented it/ or prevent it in the future. This is a push vs pull idea, where both sides see something moving but make a different conclusion from the available data. This is true with many issues: do you prevent highway deaths by slowing down traffic or making the cars safer? Do you cut down on crime by increasing jail time or having more police? Do you stop accidental shootings by banning guns or increasing gun safety education?
http://via.readerimpact.com/v/1/792bc4b1ec4cad1ee531faa767415e58abbea5209e0fb1f0
more thoughts when I'm up to it.
Showing posts with label Musing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musing. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Then vs now
I'm disapointed with the state of motorcycles. Yes, they generally seem to be more powerful, but at what cost? Compared to bikes 15 years ago, current machines seem to be heavier and get worse milage. My ZX-11D weighed 600lbs, and the main reason I got rid of it was due to weight. Today, sport bikes expected, as they continue to get lighter and more powerful, sport touring bikes, crusiers and full touring bikes are heavier.
Here's a comparison between my S3T and the brand new Honda NT700V. Both are sport tourers, both are twins, both have saddlebags, both have frame mounted wind protection, both fuel injected.
Bike Buell S3T Honda NT700V
New MSRP $12,799 $9,999 ($1,000 more for ABS)
Engine Size 1203cc 680cc
HP 101 55
Torque 89 41
Wet Weight 518 lbs 562 lbs
Seat Height 29.5 in 31.7 in
MPG 50 MPG* 50 MPG
Fuel Cap 5.4 gal 5.2 gal
Range 270 miles 260 miles
Drive Belt Shaft
Storage ???? 7 gallons
Now I just need to ride the S3T and see if I'm right.
Here's a comparison between my S3T and the brand new Honda NT700V. Both are sport tourers, both are twins, both have saddlebags, both have frame mounted wind protection, both fuel injected.
Bike Buell S3T Honda NT700V
New MSRP $12,799 $9,999 ($1,000 more for ABS)
Engine Size 1203cc 680cc
HP 101 55
Torque 89 41
Wet Weight 518 lbs 562 lbs
Seat Height 29.5 in 31.7 in
MPG 50 MPG* 50 MPG
Fuel Cap 5.4 gal 5.2 gal
Range 270 miles 260 miles
Drive Belt Shaft
Storage ???? 7 gallons
Now I just need to ride the S3T and see if I'm right.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Counter protest flag
Whenever I see an pro (illegal) immigration rally someone is carrying a Mexican flag. This seems the wrong idea to me. Shouldn't they be carrying an American flag? I'm trying to think of a flag one could carry to counter protest that flag. Don't Tread on me? 13 Colonies flag? Canadian flag? A sports team (local or hated opponent)? I'm also trying to find an analogy:
"Carrying a Mexican flag at an immigration rally is like..."
Help me out here.
"Carrying a Mexican flag at an immigration rally is like..."
Help me out here.
Solution to the imigration problem
This sounds simple to me, and easy to do, so I know I'm forgetting something.
A Guest Worker system, BUT the worker has to be in another country to get it. Illegal aliens can't get it.
A Guest Worker system, BUT the worker has to be in another country to get it. Illegal aliens can't get it.
Murders have families too!
Greeley was the site of the largest ICE raids of all time a week ago. While this may not have made national news, it's been wall to wall coverage here ever since. 221 people were detained, mostly for being illegal aliens and for stolen identities.
Also last week, a man on the county's most wanted list for attempted murder and kidnapping was killed. He was pulled over, ran away while shooting at police, busted down a apartment door and when the resident locked herself in her bedroom, he shot the doorknob but didn't get in. She escaped. After 3hrs of negotiation, teargas was fired. A LOT of teargas as this apartment has a weird layout. He didn't come out. When police tried to enter, he charged them with his gun. They fired and killed him.
The Greeley Tribune posts many voice, email, blog and mailed comments on their Opinion page. Both stories elicited comments about the families involved. The wanted man's family were angry he was killed, and that they weren't able to talk to him during the standoff. The families of the arrested illegals made comments about the arrested being treated like animals, being unable to communicate with them, and how they would survive without the family member and their income.
There seems to be a growing trend to not blame a person for what they've done, but to blame others. Don't want to get shot? Don't join a street gang, don't kidnap or try to murder people. Don't want to get arrested for being an illegal alien? Don't become one. If you want to do things you have to look at the possible outcomes to yourself and others.
I think this same mentality also leads to too many lawsuits. Hot coffee burns you? Sue. Feel like using your lawn mower to cut shrubs and something bad happens? Sue. Slip on the ice? Sue.
A quick rant: Auto insurance. We have mandatory auto insurance here. Yet, when you get insurance, you need liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, etc. Insurance should protect you, not protect others from you. I understand that it feels wrong for you to pay if it's someone else's fault, but it makes sense. "I got hit by some guy. My husband got injured. My house burned down. Luckily, I have insurance" Makes sense, right?
Also last week, a man on the county's most wanted list for attempted murder and kidnapping was killed. He was pulled over, ran away while shooting at police, busted down a apartment door and when the resident locked herself in her bedroom, he shot the doorknob but didn't get in. She escaped. After 3hrs of negotiation, teargas was fired. A LOT of teargas as this apartment has a weird layout. He didn't come out. When police tried to enter, he charged them with his gun. They fired and killed him.
The Greeley Tribune posts many voice, email, blog and mailed comments on their Opinion page. Both stories elicited comments about the families involved. The wanted man's family were angry he was killed, and that they weren't able to talk to him during the standoff. The families of the arrested illegals made comments about the arrested being treated like animals, being unable to communicate with them, and how they would survive without the family member and their income.
There seems to be a growing trend to not blame a person for what they've done, but to blame others. Don't want to get shot? Don't join a street gang, don't kidnap or try to murder people. Don't want to get arrested for being an illegal alien? Don't become one. If you want to do things you have to look at the possible outcomes to yourself and others.
I think this same mentality also leads to too many lawsuits. Hot coffee burns you? Sue. Feel like using your lawn mower to cut shrubs and something bad happens? Sue. Slip on the ice? Sue.
A quick rant: Auto insurance. We have mandatory auto insurance here. Yet, when you get insurance, you need liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, etc. Insurance should protect you, not protect others from you. I understand that it feels wrong for you to pay if it's someone else's fault, but it makes sense. "I got hit by some guy. My husband got injured. My house burned down. Luckily, I have insurance" Makes sense, right?
Monday, October 30, 2006
Time Estimates
Time keeps on ticking, into the future.
However, time seems to vary depending on what and where you are. Now, I'm not talking about 'a watched pot never boils' time. I'm not talking about events seeming to take longer or shorted than they seemed. I'm talking about how items actually take longer (usually) or shorter than predicted. This usually happens when dealing with individuals, rather than with people who are part of a larger system. I'm trying to generalize here instead of taking a specific area, like business, relationships, or whatever. I think self discipline has something to do with this, but also the tendency to over-promise.
If I'm driving somewhere, the further it is away, the worse my predictions become. My car GPS predicts better than I do, but I'm able to correct for conditions, rush hour, etc. Sometimes when driving to far away places I go to often, I ask my GPS to route me there, just to see what route it'll take me. Sometimes it takes different routes than I do, and I either discover a better route, or find my regular route is more complex but better.
When I was out east in mid Oct, I was using the Neverlost system, and it would take me different routes to the same place I would go to often, like from my hotel to my sister, and back. I did that route a few times, and it took me at least three different routes. I assume the time estimate was about the same for all three. I didn't mind as it got me seeing more of the area. I assume the longer route, with most of it being highway miles, was the fastest, as there were less stoplights and a higher speed. It was also easier for me as it had less turns and was better marked and lit.
When dealing with other people, I find that tradesmen and craftsman suck at these predictions. Now, I understand that the cable guy doesn't know how exactly long each job will take, but he does know what each job is, and should be able to narrow it down more than Afternoon. Others will schedule 10am, but will call letting me know he's running early or late, and that can be about an hour each way. When you go to them, like a gunsmith, TV repair, or a knife maker, I think they know what they have in the cue, know how long they'll take, and give you a good estimate. But they can't. Are Smiths closer to artists, and they need inspiration to hit them? Do they work in moods, or on an unusual schedule, like in spurts? I know that when they need items to work with that shipping is very accurate, and the shipper knows what day the order will be pulled from stock and sent out.
I wouldn't even mind broader estimates from a craftsman. 'By this time', or 'In X months' would be fine with me. I shouldn't have to take an estimate, double it and add a bit more to figure out when I should expect to see it, or contact to get an update.
I have horrible self discipline when doing stuff for myself, but am much better when someone is counting on me. When I become a craftsman, I'm going to do this right.
However, time seems to vary depending on what and where you are. Now, I'm not talking about 'a watched pot never boils' time. I'm not talking about events seeming to take longer or shorted than they seemed. I'm talking about how items actually take longer (usually) or shorter than predicted. This usually happens when dealing with individuals, rather than with people who are part of a larger system. I'm trying to generalize here instead of taking a specific area, like business, relationships, or whatever. I think self discipline has something to do with this, but also the tendency to over-promise.
If I'm driving somewhere, the further it is away, the worse my predictions become. My car GPS predicts better than I do, but I'm able to correct for conditions, rush hour, etc. Sometimes when driving to far away places I go to often, I ask my GPS to route me there, just to see what route it'll take me. Sometimes it takes different routes than I do, and I either discover a better route, or find my regular route is more complex but better.
When I was out east in mid Oct, I was using the Neverlost system, and it would take me different routes to the same place I would go to often, like from my hotel to my sister, and back. I did that route a few times, and it took me at least three different routes. I assume the time estimate was about the same for all three. I didn't mind as it got me seeing more of the area. I assume the longer route, with most of it being highway miles, was the fastest, as there were less stoplights and a higher speed. It was also easier for me as it had less turns and was better marked and lit.
When dealing with other people, I find that tradesmen and craftsman suck at these predictions. Now, I understand that the cable guy doesn't know how exactly long each job will take, but he does know what each job is, and should be able to narrow it down more than Afternoon. Others will schedule 10am, but will call letting me know he's running early or late, and that can be about an hour each way. When you go to them, like a gunsmith, TV repair, or a knife maker, I think they know what they have in the cue, know how long they'll take, and give you a good estimate. But they can't. Are Smiths closer to artists, and they need inspiration to hit them? Do they work in moods, or on an unusual schedule, like in spurts? I know that when they need items to work with that shipping is very accurate, and the shipper knows what day the order will be pulled from stock and sent out.
I wouldn't even mind broader estimates from a craftsman. 'By this time', or 'In X months' would be fine with me. I shouldn't have to take an estimate, double it and add a bit more to figure out when I should expect to see it, or contact to get an update.
I have horrible self discipline when doing stuff for myself, but am much better when someone is counting on me. When I become a craftsman, I'm going to do this right.
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