brickhistory

Man, it's like the key is in the name - The United States of America. I dunno, something like The Great Compromise, The Missouri Compromise, The Civil War, Brown v. Board of Education, etc. Individual states combine into a federated system with individuals and states listed as retaining all the power except for those spelled out. There's even a rule to change the rules if you can't figure them out or win using them. But that requires effort. Much easier to demand "the gubmint" do something.

Money, brute force, hot chicks. "Elections have consequences, I won." Same as it ever was...

So in the last three days, I have flown, with an instructor, a Cirrus SR20, a Diamond DA40, and a Cessna 172. All had the G1000 panels. In the San Antonio area in September - hot and humid. First, nice to realize that some mechanical skills come back without too much effort - can turn while holding altitude, other very basic flying things. It's been literally 30 years since I last did so. Second, glass is great! The intricacies of using the panel is still in the future, but I'll be going to ground and refresher school for that, so no worries. But the ease of use/interpretation was much better than I imagined since I last used the round steam gauges for everything. Not having to have a paper explosion when crossing sectional boundaries, or when I get my instrument rating, having approach plate pages flop to the wrong one, etc. will be nice. Third, and this is how I tried to explain it too my non-flying wife - the Cirrus with its performance, interior, and AIR CONDITIONING was like being in a really nice Mercedes or BMW. The side yoke also made it much more comfortable for a 6'4" guy for leg room. My instructor used a 8x11 iPad and had plenty of room to use it on his lap as a kneeboard. I want one of these. @500K and up new, of course. The Diamond with it's stick and lots of plexiglass was new to me. Damned hot all day. Got queasy while skull down trying to read/play with the G1000 for some of the gee whiz stuff while bouncing around at 2500 ft. Not as roomy as the Cirrus or the Cessna especially for long legs. My instructor used an iPad Mini on a suction cup on the side window. The Cessna was old home week. Like being in a 1968 VW Bug with the mother of all stereos for the G1000. Also hot, but less so than the Diamond since it was less plexiglass to heat up. The yoke coming back into the lap thing is making me reassess my plan of buying a full size iPad (cuz I'm old as are my eyes) and going with the Mini. Just ain't as much room in the thing now as when I weighed a whopping 160 back then. Sticking with the David Clark's for now until I've tried multiple other headsets and decide to drop $1K or more Bottom line: Air conditioning is great in a small plane. It should be considered a basic human right. I am really grateful for all the inputs received here for recommendations and gouge.

And somewhere, a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court just earned his permanent liberal wings. Thanks, dubya!

Hypocritical politicians? I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked. I believe some guy said "Elections have consequences. I won" Or something like that. And he was correct. And now at least two Republican senators - Murkowski and Collins have said they won't vote for a nominee until after the Inaugeration (sp?) next year. I fully expect Pierre Delecto to join them. Won't be surprised if other squish GOP senators join them. And that encapsulates why I quit the Republican party in 2016. They don't seem to like to win, only virtue signal about their righteousness. Add in the disdain for Trump, who beat 16 other run of the mill Republicans to become President, and they take every opportunity to oppose the people who elected Trump and wanted stuff done or undone on their behalf. And those SOBs ain't having it. Messes up their cushy gigs and future K Street opportunities. I commend the Democratic party. When they win, they use the power given to them by the electorate. Although the "burn it all down if they appoint someone" mantra probably isn't a good look for getting elected. We'll see.

Michigan judge just gave a two week extension for mail in ballots to be collected, allowed ballot harvesting. New Jersey "just discovered" 1,600 mail in ballots from a July election. Georgia announced 1,000 instances of "double voting" from this past June's primary election. Pennsylvania just stated that the signatures on the ballot and the envelope don't have to match now. Also, Biden last night: "I'll keep fracking." "I'll phase out fracking." "China isn't a threat, it's a competitor." When the cameras were supposed to be off, Biden goes over to moderator Cooper and whispers in his ear. A) Distance/masks save lives? B) Whispering to the moderator? Didn't read about that with Trump at the ABC "townhall." Last week, Harris in a Spanish language broadcast referenced a "Harris Administration...with Joe Biden." Same day last week, Biden mumbles through a badly delivered to no one, literally, except media present about a "Harris-Biden Administration." Ladies first, I guess?

NASCAR tactics with F1 equipment today...

Re the 9/11 funding debacle: I'm reading that the transfer of funds started in 2016. That would put it in the Obama/Biden ledger. And a bad thing to do. But like everything, Orange Man Bad, the Lightgiver and his sidekick, good. That this Administration continued it is also reprehensible. I also highly doubt that either POTUS was aware of the program as the dollar amounts, in federal terms, are budget dust. Biden is probably not aware of much, so there's that. Add Bahrain to the list of diplomatic relations with Israel. While I support the only democracy in the Middle East, I don't do so blindly. (They did/do their best to steal tech at every Red Flag. But they aren't alone). I do, however, understand that literal survival is at stake for them. However, my point for introducing the topic in relations to Trump is that these developments apply pretty serious pressure to Hamas which is always a good thing. If it lessens the chances of a big war there, I'm also for that. But Orange Man bad. Obama/Biden paying off Tehran good.

I assure you it does not. Any party that countenances Pierre Delecto is not one I want to be associated with.

It is strange. Like Dennis Rodman strange. Will it eventually be a successful strategy? Meh... UAE established relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia is allowing El Al through its airspace. Bahrain is in negotiations to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. The Arab Council defeated a Palestinian measure to condemn UAE's action. So some good going on somewhere. Guess who was Vice-President? Plane loads of cash to Tehran? Guess who was in on it? Guess who was named to be in charge for: 1. Stimulus with its "shovel ready jobs" 2. China policy 3. Ukraine policy Who stood up to the President and didn't want the bin Laden op to go? Sadly, the guy now is simply trying to find the refrigerator and his green jello... So a choice between a loud braggart and a senile career politician. Which one has actually accomplished action and done things successfully other than be elected? I keep asking about Biden but no takers yet. I genuinely would like to know what the guy has done in his life beside talk?

And now some of 'em are coming home. With no pallets of cash stopping in Tehran first. Win/win.

Vettel in at Racing Point, Perez out. Wonder if Hass is replacing both next year?

Another 2,200 troops out of Iraq by end of the month. Diplomatic relationship between Israel and UAE established. (Nobel Peace Prize nomination for that one. Last guy got if for not being W.) vs. Biden's....er....ummmm...gimme a minute, I'm thinking...

It's been done: Follow up question: If you shoot down the 747 with chicks inside, do you get credit for those as well?

Sad. Not my line, but I thought it pretty funny and true: Joe has entered screen saver mode again...

At least a Master's degree in hookers and blow. Literally.

Indeed. That was a phenomenal performance going from easily first, to dead last due his team missing the call, to roaring back to 7th. He got performance from his car and, due to his really remarkable skill while, as you note, Bottas couldn't seem to get it together with the same car. I also commend Hamilton for accepting the responsibility for the missed call after he checked with the stewards. Bold move to challenge them, but then very classy to admit, "Yep, you're right. Valid call." I was really hoping old man Kimi could make it happen but he got bounced by everybody and their brother very quickly while flogging that Ferrari-lite car. I was then pulling for Sainz to make it to first, but good on Gasly. Gotta be some tension at Red Bull and Albon being nervous. Also, as noted above - Ferrari. LOL.

So to be clear and I can understand: Anonymous sources = good. On-the-record = bad. "Mostly peaceful" riots = good Church services = bad Trump going to Kenosha = bad Biden going to Kenosha = good Unending wars/military commitments = bad Trump reducing military commitments/not getting us into wars = bad

Just so there are no spoilers for those who haven't watched the race yet, let me just say: THAT was interesting and fun to watch.

Thanks to all for the gouge. Just gonna have to buy and see what works, then adjust as necessary when it's actual use time. I am grateful for the decades of experience that folks gave in their advice.

I am obliged to all the replies and info. Much appreciated!

Again, "anonymous sources" claim it. Multiple on-the-record folks say it's false. From outlets that have beclowned themselves repeatedly. Including Fox News which only corroborated, they say, part of the story. Not to mention the timing of the Democrat ads using the Atlantic article - hours after the article, boom, there are the well-polished ads. Complete with veterans against Trump letters. That's efficiency... Let those anonymous sources go on the record. Wonder why they didn't/won't?

Just not a fan of the "that's a stupid opinion" approach. Argue a position and I can listen/even change my mind with the best of them. Lecture me and I tune out. But Hamilton did say it was boring now. Both for fans and for him. As did Verstappen. I'm hoping tomorrow's race has something more than cars on parade. Would love to see a McLaren podium.

Some follow-ups, if I may. And not arguing, simply don't know... Is the mini going to be big/enough to display enough info at a size an old guy can read without constant sizing actions, especially as a student learning instruments? (Hopefully, that made sense). From my days 30 years ago, the fit then in a 152/172 was tight, esp I'm still as tall (6'5"), but 60 lbs heavier (230). Room for any of these as a kneeboard kind of a thing (especially a bigger one like the Pro) or a suction cup on a window? Roger on the Bose A20s. They are proud of their prices, aren't they?

One day, Trump will be gone. What will the media do to regain it's credibility then? But as long as their tribe wins, I guess it's worth it.