PN:
Joe’s Comment – I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed by the latest “dirt” about Trump. Only two things to say – Hillary’s team is desperate. And, it takes two to tango. Or maybe three….
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Obambi Fantasy
Thomas Sowell is one of the great thinkers and writers of our time.
Joe and I have purchased and read many of his books.
Excellently researched, written for the edification of layman and scholar alike.
Here are some excerpts of his comments on who he now considers the worst President the United States has ever elected.
Some time between the first and the second video. The first is 2008, when the inexperienced senator became the President. The second is after the re-election in 2012. This good and brilliant man is gobsmacked by the lack of common sense demonstrated by the hoi polloi:
Mr. Sowell makes his pronouncement in April of 2016:
A word (or two) from Thomas Sowell to voters in the upcoming election. His advice? If you don’t know the issues, the platforms, the impact to country, STAY THE HELL HOME ON ELECTION DAY!:
Joe’s Garage
Last Friday Joe had the privilege to breathe life (again) into an older pre-computer diesel truck from the ’70’s. Well, more like resuscitated. The truck belongs to Penny P. It was purchased by her husband Dennis brand spanking new from White Western Star in Kelowna BC for the lofty sum of $20,480 CDN in 1972. Dennis died 7 years ago, and the truck had not been used for years before. The most recent registration paper in the glove box was from 1989. Here it is embedded in detritus gathered over the years while resting in the shop –
After a few hours of poking and prodding, cleaning and checking, Joe put a set of batteries in the chassis (positive ground!), turned on the key, and pressed the start button.
The starter engaged and turned the engine. Not frozen. So far, so good.
A little digging around for power outlets in the old shop and hooking up a battery boosting charger, check for fuel, oil, leaks, animals living in the cab and engine compartment, and anything otherwise counter-productive, we turned on the key, and pushed the start button. The starter cranked for about 10 to 15 seconds and the cylinders started firing, one after the other….
Joe said I’ll be damned!
The engine smoothed out in a moment or two and settled into a smooth regular idle, as if nothing extraordinary had just occurred. Take a look at the oil pressure (in the antiquated dashboard) of this old girl –
If you can’t make it out, the oil pressure is registering 73 lb./sq.in. at an idle speed of 500 rpm. Outstanding…..
Time for a Joe lecture.
Joe says the old machines were engineered to a standard and level well below current criteria. New machines rely heavily on computer controls, extremely tight tolerances, and complex / hybrid / specialized materials and systems. New machines are capable of higher outputs, lower emissions, better fuel and maintenance economy. So what is the attraction to the older machines?
Joe says these older work horses were dependable, they were honest. The men who operated, maintained, and repaired them didn’t need special skills or advanced training to keep them working. However, the amount of work possible in a day was a fraction of that possible with today’s machinery.
How about the $$$?
The $20,480 CDN in 1972 equates to (roughly) $116,991 CDN in 2016. That is some serious coin. Look at what that money bought in 1972 –
The question is, does the higher price bring more value?
On the other side of the coin, if you have a personal project that requires such a machine, and the amount of use is prohibitive budget wise to hire out, this route is attractive.
This old truck will work all day long every day (just like a REAL truck) but can be purchased for a fraction of its new value. I.e., this old Western Star could be purchased for somewhere in the $5,000 CDN range. Daily operating costs would also be competitive.
It certainly was a thrill for Joe to drive the truck out of the shop for the first time in many years. Thanks Penny!
POLITICS, POLITICIANS, WACKJOBBERY, HUMOROUS, STUPID
GUNS, GUNNERS, GUNNERY
The following video is old and has been linked on this rant before.
Logic trumps idiocy for Joe and I every single time….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0jZZHjJJo
Katie Francis is a young shooter with a promising future in competition.
Joe and I admire the ease with which she loads and manages her favorite weapons:
SUNDAY SERMON
Joe and I have been listening to Dennis Prager recently.
We find his attitude and humor as uplifting as the topics he discusses.
The following is a recent conversation he had with Robert George of the James Madison Program at Princeton University (April 2015):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT92l7ql0Js
WEATHER (OR NOT)
This week in Vernon saw the continued coloring of the leaves, dropping of the acorns, and cooling of the nights.
The vehicle windshields are covered with dewy-dew each morning.
One morning a scraper was needed.
Oh! the humanity!
Time to hunker down.
Grow a beard.
Make stew.
Geez, I miss summer.
Joe (melancholy) Mekanic
p.s. Ramirez shines in the dark –
