Random Thoughts Thread

[G. David Felt]

On 12/2/2024 at 8:31 AM, A Horse With No Name said:

Music cover for Monday

 

Good solid cover with a nice harmonizing of the lyrics by the two ladies. Good, enjoyable.

The original still stands strong!

 

[ccap41]

17 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I do NOT know...    I do NOT understand on how we are STILL having these discussions.  

Part of me understands the "how". It is still relatively fresh for some people and they refuse to comprehend how different we all are. It was not long ago that it was completely taboo and frowned upon by the general public. I think it'll take a generation or two for the current children growing up with a much more open mind for it truly to be "normalized". The legalizing of gay marriage is a very new thing, when you look at the grand scheme of things. I mean, it was only 2015 when it was legalized. From that point, I think about a full generation needs to pass through to be something that's truly "normal" as a whole. 

[G. David Felt]

16 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Part of me understands the "how". It is still relatively fresh for some people and they refuse to comprehend how different we all are. It was not long ago that it was completely taboo and frowned upon by the general public. I think it'll take a generation or two for the current children growing up with a much more open mind for it truly to be "normalized". The legalizing of gay marriage is a very new thing, when you look at the grand scheme of things. I mean, it was only 2015 when it was legalized. From that point, I think about a full generation needs to pass through to be something that's truly "normal" as a whole. 

Sadly, with many Americans living longer due to better health care, it could take 3 to 4 decades to normalize what was considered Taboo for most of the 1900's.

The sad part is why do people really care; they should be focused on themselves and not attempting to tell others how to live their life. Boomers seem to be very much hung up on telling others how to live, one reason I no longer speak to my own parents. My wife and I are living our best life now and are part of our kid's life as we help with the grandkids, but DO NOT tell them how to live their life's. We want to be a part of their life, but respect that as adults, they are responsible for their own decisions and actions. 

Sadly, too many parents I see today still seem to think that once their kids are past 26, they need to control their lives when in reality, they need to focus on themselves. 

I have come to realize that one's kids will want you in their life when you respect their decisions and choices. Respect is an earned thing and sadly Idiot47 and his MAGA crowd seems to think dictatorship of being told what, when and how is the way of life. This is a Failure Point, and it will not stop Humanity from moving forward.

I respect what my grandfather's taught me / showed me through actions. Fight for one's freedom and our countries freedom, respect that each of us will have our own view and discuss through civil discussions so that we can come to a mutual agreement that is best for all.

Once one tries to push a singular agenda on all, they have failed, and rebellion will happen. South Korea is a perfect example of what is happening after two years of electing in a dictator wanna be who attempted to use martial law to take over the country.

[G. David Felt]

Exciting to see Rivian leading in that all EVs are welcome at their charging locations and you do not have to have the app installed to use it, much like a regular gas station, tap to pay is all one has to do.

Rivian's Fancy New Charging Outposts Will Be Open To All EVs

[G. David Felt]

Seems Tesla is losing out to smaller rivals as Tesla is not moving fast enough under contract to install chargers, as such, Oklahoma state voted to replace Tesla with EVgo as the major Fast Charger installer along the state major highways.

Tesla replaced by much smaller rival in EV charging project

[ccap41]

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Sadly, with many Americans living longer due to better health care, it could take 3 to 4 decades to normalize what was considered Taboo for most of the 1900's.

I mean, in all honesty, that's not that unrealistic though. That would leave the first kids who were born while legalized to be adults with children of their own, that's basically the timeframe I'm talking about. 

 

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

The sad part is why do people really care; they should be focused on themselves and not attempting to tell others how to live their life.

While I'm 100% in agreeance, if you are of the mindset of @oldshurst442 and feel there is something wrong, you stand up for it, right? You intervene. 

I do not agree with that, but some do.   

[trinacriabob]

Since random thoughts could involve news:  in the last few days, the gunning down of a VIP health insurance CEO in Midtown Manhattan has been shocking.  Yes, we know that politicians need security details and that movie stars fend off paparazzi and stalkers.  But this is creepy in that business people who aren't household words are now obviously also vulnerable.

There's a lot more to this that meets the eye, I'm sure.  For one, they're finding out more about the perpetrator and there was some sloppiness such that NYPD has gotten a lot of data on him in less than 24 hours and he's not thought to be a "professional."  Let's hope they find the perpetrator and get answers for everyone's sake.

This is also weird because I have always felt fairly safe walking around Midtown Manhattan.  It's an expensive business area and there are a lot of tourists along with the regular area working folks.

The world keeps getting weirder and weirder.

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

Since random thoughts could involve news:  in the last few days, the gunning down of a VIP health insurance CEO in Midtown Manhattan has been shocking.  Yes, we know that politicians need security details and that movie stars fend off paparazzi and stalkers.  But this is creepy in that business people who aren't household words are now obviously also vulnerable.

There's a lot more to this that meets the eye, I'm sure.  For one, they're finding out more about the perpetrator and there was some sloppiness such that NYPD has gotten a lot of data on him in less than 24 hours and he's not thought to be a "professional."  Let's hope they find the perpetrator and get answers for everyone's sake.

This is also weird because I have always felt fairly safe walking around Midtown Manhattan.  It's an expensive business area and there are a lot of tourists along with the regular area working folks.

The world keeps getting weirder and weirder.

It is amazing that they have him on camera at starbucks and other places as they have been able to identify him via his cloths and face mask, yet no face exposure from drinking his starbucks? Seems very weird.

He was paid $23 plus million last year and was to make $10 million more than that for 2024. He was running United Healthcare that earned $74 billion last year and has come to be known as one of the strictest insurance companies to get approval for service. Seems if they can find a way to not pay for a service, they will.

I just learned that my PT place I have gone to in the past I cannot use as they will not accept the insurance due too to low of payment. Crazy

UPDATE

Now it will just be a matter of time as they have captured pictures of the killer on camera at various places as he waited for the United Healthcare CEO.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: New photos of suspect's face released - ABC News

[oldshurst442]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

While I'm 100% in agreeance, if you are of the mindset of @oldshurst442 and feel there is something wrong, you stand up for it, right? You intervene. 

I do not agree with that, but some do.   

 

You stand up and intervene, when you are INFRINGING on SOMEBODY ELSE'S rights?

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

not attempting to tell others how to live their life.

 

THAT quote that @G. David Felt said is what you  missing and trying to pin on me by me saying you gotta fight for your rights because somem perverse person will take it away from you.

ABORTION and the right to have one.

Women fought HARD to get that right. They fought and WON i only to have a few morons take THAT right AWAY from them...

Problem is, the same with Gay marriages, and I know you know (a you, 'you'), is that your (a general 'your') rights end where mine (a general 'me') end...  So when your religion (a general you) tells YOU not to get married to same sex because its a sin, well, YOU dont get married to a same sex person... But I, do NOT follow YOUR religion so PHOQUE OFF!!!   And I will FIGHT for MY right to MARRY andbody I want to. Same sex or opposite sex.   

The person who is sooooo religious does NOT get to be religious for his neighbour.

And so the quote from you ( a you 'you')

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

if you are of the mindset of @oldshurst442 and feel there is something wrong, you stand up for it, right? You intervene. 

Is just a perverse way you (a you 'you) of trying to undermine my argument...

In other words, a group of people shouldnt be trying to TAKE AWAY rights from ANYBODY.  THAT does NOT equate to: My right NOT to like same sex marriages because MY God says so,  so Ill FIGHT to take away YOUR right to same sex marriage. 

The right for individuals to marry which include the LGBTQ community,  does NOT infringe upon ANYBODY else's rights.  So those folk who OPPOSE same sex marriages, well, NOTHING has been taken away from them.  Therefore they do NOT get the right to fight to take away somebody else's rights and freedoms.  And if you (a you 'you') misunderstood my point about fighting for  rights, well, hopefully it is now more clear.  But I hope you dont think that I am such a doofus to confuse such sensitive definitions of rights and freedoms for individuals...

[oldshurst442]

6 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Part of me understands the "how". It is still relatively fresh for some people and they refuse to comprehend how different we all are. It was not long ago that it was completely taboo and frowned upon by the general public. I think it'll take a generation or two for the current children growing up with a much more open mind for it truly to be "normalized". The legalizing of gay marriage is a very new thing, when you look at the grand scheme of things. I mean, it was only 2015 when it was legalized. From that point, I think about a full generation needs to pass through to be something that's truly "normal" as a whole. 

Nah.

NOWAY!

THAT is just an excuse for people to behave badly...  

It has NOTHING to do with taboo or anything.  

Who the phoque actually does what the bloody bible says anyway?  NOBODY has EVER done what the good Lord has told us to do. Which is to be good little children. Like EVER in the HISTORY of the Judeo-Christian religion.  Which mostly is the Jewish Faith anyway...  All that we have in the Western world is just fragmented branched off parts of the ORIGINAL Jewish Faith. It is branched off and fragmented BECAUSE NOBODY has EVER followed what Jehova has been saying to us.  INCLUDING the JEWS themselves...    Oh...the Muslim religion is ALSO a fragmented branch of the original Jewish Faith.  And those followers too, dont really follow what their good book the Koran, tells them to do. 

Oh...you do get some goodie two shoes in ALL religions that follow their good books to a tee, but some of those the nefarious religious leaders use those goodie two-shoes to manipulate and bad things happen...

So here we are,  talkin' about how same sex marriage  got normalized recently and it was taboo before so it will take 2-3 generations to get acceptance...     

You actually believe that?

PLEASE... Them bible thumpers have probably experimented with ALL KINDS of sexual acts that would make a Hindu person with knowledge of the Kama Sutra blush.  All kinds of sexual innuendo keeps on creepin' up from the bible belt.  From pedophile priests to ironically, homosexual senators that cheat on their wives getting caught in a hotel room with either a gay lover or gay prostitute.  All kinds of sins goin' on down that bible belt area...

Nah!

Its deeper than that.   

An anecdote...

In MY experiences with bible thumpers of the Greek Orthodox kind.  These are one of the most gossipy people on the planet.  And they will use that gossip to try and DESTROY their neighbours. (Other Greek families) 

Some of these husbands cheat on their wives. They will STEAL from their business partners.  The wives, are not innocent. They will cheat on their husbands.   

Some of these Greek people I have met when I was young or now, are some of the most hatefull people I know. But they will ALWAYS shine God to you. 

Sound familiar?

Yeah...

Its not because its taboo from religion.  Its that Bible thumpers of ANY kind are full of self hate and vitriol.  And if they have nothing better else to do, that self hate just continues on inside them. Generation after generation until one generation cuts that cycle and gets a damn education... 

Edited December 5 by oldshurst442

[ccap41]

1 minute ago, oldshurst442 said:

So we are here, you talkin' about how same sex marriage just got normalized and it was taboo before so it will take 2-3 generations to get acceptance...     

You actually believe that?

How long did it take to normalize women in the work force?

Old heads with unconvincing minds just need to pass away.. it's a time thing. Is it fair? No. Is it right? No. That's just how it goes though. 

I just want to be clear here, because your rants take things to a whole 'nother level and I feel like they are insinuating I have a different belief than I actually do. I am NOT opposed to anybody getting married. I am all for anybody marrying anybody. 

[trinacriabob]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

It is amazing that they have him on camera at starbucks and other places as they have been able to identify him via his cloths and face mask, yet no face exposure from drinking his starbucks? Seems very weird.

He was paid $23 plus million last year and was to make $10 million more than that for 2024. He was running United Healthcare that earned $74 billion last year and has come to be known as one of the strictest insurance companies to get approval for service. Seems if they can find a way to not pay for a service, they will.

I just learned that my PT place I have gone to in the past I cannot use as they will not accept the insurance due too to low of payment. Crazy

UPDATE

Now it will just be a matter of time as they have captured pictures of the killer on camera at various places as he waited for the United Healthcare CEO.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: New photos of suspect's face released - ABC News

This whole thing is weird.

I have always been with the local BCBS affiliate wherever I've lived, with few exceptions.  They have been great ... so far.  They have had some dense door knobs in 800 customer service, though. I try to be low maintenance as I do not like being ill and going to doctors.  

I wonder if this sad event has some vigilante stuff behind it.  Or there's more than one person behind it.

I've had a good PCP since 2019, even though he doesn't seem to like my questions about causality and things that may be interrelated, which are very common in medicine.  I'm sorry, but "A-" was my lowest GPA in university level studies, so don't expect me to dumb it down too much.  The thorn in my side is his medical assistant who is a white trash witch.  I then look this up and see Reddit and Quora are full of threads on this very dynamic.  I now go semiannually instead of quarterly because I don't want to interact with her.

- - - - -

All this talk about religion *sigh*  I have a religion, after 16 years in Catholic schools through undergrad, and am now a "casual Catholic."  The fly in the ointment is that there are a few - not many - politically charged overly conservative parishes with a-hole priests and "holier than thou" older parishioners.  I am not going to shelve my religion, but I do not feel like being around these folks since the flavor is more negative than positive.  

[oldshurst442]

37 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I just want to be clear here, because your rants take things to a whole 'nother level and I feel like they are insinuating I have a different belief than I actually do. I am NOT opposed to anybody getting married. I am all for anybody marrying anybody. 

Fair enough.

But its because its the way you want to discuss things. Dont use semantics and gotcha moments... 

You know well enough that "fighting for your rights" does NOT mean what you tried imply for me...

37 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

How long did it take to normalize women in the work force?

 

Yes. And women fought hard for that. And women STILL, in some circumstances, dont get EQUAL pay... 

But...are you gonna deny that Harris might have lost a part of the vote because MAGA is in vogue and some of these phoquers that voted for Trump dont want women to lead them?

Women have to fight for those rights again it seems. 

And the irony is that some women, MAGA women, dont seem to mind it one bit that MAGA men want them to be barefoot and pregnant again.  And they want that too.  They dont seem to want an education or career. Which is fine. 

Its ALL fine and dandy, but Ill tell you one thing, my daughter does not want to be a baby machine. She wants to have a career. She is getting an education.  She does not want to depend on her husband for her end of days because if the husband dies an early death,  she wont have any means of monies coming in.  And THAT mentality was established IN the 1950s as husbands then used to beat their wives and womnen couldnt leave their marriage. And hence WOMEN's rights and FEMINISM on the rise in the 1960s.  Oh...BTW..she wants to have children, but she wants to have childen on HER (and her husbands) terms...    And if she might have been gay, she is not, she would want to adopt or have a semen insemination if her partner would want that.  Yeah...we discuss such topics. Its not aboo.  Its an educated thing...that liberals seem to have... But that is where the rights of an individual to have those options have been taken away by UNEDUCATED MAGA people.   Somebody has to fight for those rights again...   Trudeau fights for those rights but Canadian extreme rightist folk hate him for it... 

37 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Old heads with unconvincing minds just need to pass away.. it's a time thing

Its not a time thing.   Its an EDUCATION thing. Or a lack thereof.  

Or it could even be a dictatorship thing...   Definetely both in reality. 

Trump did say that he LOVES the uneducated...

Trump DID convince an insurrection on a perfect DEMOCRATIC election.

Trump DID say he wants to be a dictator. Even if its just for one day, he said...   

1 day becomes 2.  2 days becomes 3...     Hopefully that is not his intentions though... 

37 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

it's a time thing.

Its not a time thing.  Its a Republican not funding education for the last 50 years thing.  And THAT is NOT a conspiracy thing either. It really IS a Republican thing to want to cut school funding in the most poorest of places in the US...   And then we take away their jobs and convince them that unions are shyte and then we get a leader to yell, lets make America great again when in reality, uneducated people voted in politicians that were against their own good and the cycle continues.

How in hell do MAGA women  agree that they get to be baby machines. Agree to get no education, because they agree to be family oriented at an EARLY age,  and they have to rely on cheatin', drunkin' abusive god for nothin' men?

And Ill stereotype because ANYBODY that  got bamboozled that the elections were stolen, with NO proof, and to go try to overtake a democratic institution by FORCE..well, you GOT to be a drunkin' no good for nothin' man to do such a thing...

 

many like that pghoquing idiot.  And he is no old timer either...  A Gen X  LOSER!!!  No education. 

But you had  nefarious individuals egging him on besides Trump...   And there is NO excuse for Gen Xers, millennials and Zers to be losers like that.  But that is what happens when a population has NO education...

[Robert Hall]

On 12/4/2024 at 5:01 PM, oldshurst442 said:

 I want to believe this.  I soooooo want to believe this.  But some other charismatic a$$h@73 will eventually take his place.  A younger one. Someone who could really have the time to take away rights and freedoms for his own gain...    The cat is out of the bag.   And that cat aint gonna go back into that bag.  Trump released extreme right wing hatred and behaviour upon us. 

 

 

I assume Vance will carry the torch, and the brain washed masses that support the MAGA movement now will follow him even though he doesn't have the Trump name... 

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

But you had  nefarious individuals egging him on besides Trump...   And there is NO excuse for Gen Xers, millennials and Zers to be losers like that.  But that is what happens when a population has NO education...

There are plenty of young right wing MAGAts..it's not just the old farts...there are many brainwashed imbeciles of all ages that worship Trump, Musk, Joe Rogan, other right wing cretins... I never thought in my lifetime the movie Idiocracy would seem to be a documentary... a nation of useless imbeciles...f'em all.  I have no interest in them..

Dwelling too much on the state of politics, state of the world and the state of culture is depressing.  On the other hand, my stock portfolio is doing very well and my retirement investments are solid.  A few more years in the game, maybe I'll retire early.. working from home at my current company is very pleasant, though.  But I can't see myself staying in the tech grind until I'm 65...

For the last week, it's been wet gray days in the 20s-30s with lake effect snow... winter came earlier than usual this year. Ugh.  

Edited Friday at 12:10 AM by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

I assume Vance will carry the torch, and the brain washed masses that support the MAGA movement now will follow him even though he doesn't have the Trump name... 

There are plenty of young right wing MAGAts..it's not just the old farts...there are many brainwashed imbeciles of all ages that worship Trump, Musk, Joe Rogan, other right wing cretins... I never thought in my lifetime the movie Idiocracy would seem to be a documentary... a nation of useless imbeciles...f'em all.  I have no interest in them..

Dwelling too much on the state of politics, state of the world and the state of culture is depressing.  On the other hand, my stock portfolio is doing very well and my retirement investments are solid.  A few more years in the game, maybe I'll retire early.. working from home at my current company is very pleasant, though.  But I can't see myself staying in the tech grind until I'm 65...

For the last week, it's been wet gray days in the 20s-30s with lake effect snow... winter came earlier than usual this year. Ugh.  

Robert, I truly hope your investments do you well to be able to live the lifestyle that you want. I tend to think that many of us that think and research and invest will have a comfortable retirement. Sadly, there are far too many that must rely on SS and if Idiot47 gets his way, SS will die fast as he with the stupid DOGE wants to make everything private, so it costs the taxpayers more. Privatize under the message that we are reducing the size of the government but will then outsource services where one will pay 3 times what it is costing now.

Social Security has many changes coming January 1st 2025 and this covers all but one big important one.

Social Security's Largest Changes Coming in 2025

You can read about it here if you want, but the biggest change is pushing out the date of retirement where one can claim 100% SS payout and the max payout at 70. One can start collecting reduced benefits at 62 and your stuck with it for life. Currently depending on when you were born you can get 100% payout at various ages from 65 to 67 depending on birth year. After January 1st 2025, those born 1960 and later cannot claim 100% SS to retire till the age of 68. GOP is wanting to push this to 70 with max SS at 75 or 80.

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction | SSA

Amazing what one looses by retiring too early.

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Born in 1960 or later | SSA

While I should not need it, it will make life easier for me and what i can do for the grand kids and I love my work, so I can see working till 70 or beyond if possible. But here is what one gets when you delay taking SS.

Delayed Retirement | Born in 1960 | SSA

[G. David Felt]

According to the news/police, the words on the bullet casings come from this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7932991-delay-deny-defend

Crazy to read this, but I am not surprised, as one who has UHC for my insurance, PPO, I have been shocked at how out of date the insurance company is in using decades old software to run insurance and the length of time it takes to pay the doctors.

https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/unitedhealthcare-tells-employees

The comments on this story above is interesting;

Quote: You know your business is valid and moral when you have to run internal affairs like the mob

[trinacriabob]

On 12/1/2024 at 7:16 AM, A Horse With No Name said:

I am not sure how safe it is, but it is difficult to get into. 

So, here I am, freezing my behind off in the GTA.  I'm staying up at the northwest terminus of the TTC (subway) because it's so much cheaper.  It's at least 45 minutes from Union Station.  No regrets.  It's nice and newer up here.

My seat neighbor was a married foreign lady (who isn't foreign in the GTA? LOL) and we conversed most of the way.  We talked about many things.  It turns out she was from Eritrea.  She told me that it is possible to go there with some bureaucratic things one has to do first and that Asmara is considered safe. She said that Italian food is sort of standard ... and that it's good!  So, between seeing your YouTube and talking to this lady about life and the world, I want to go.  

I will be in the California desert for my birthday through Christmas, with a "free" roof over my head.  Yep, all those Angelenos now living in the desert ... and so many other places.  I might even have a swimming pool (and palm trees) to fall asleep next to.

[A Horse With No Name]

8 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

So, here I am, freezing my behind off in the GTA.  I'm staying up at the northwest terminus of the TTC (subway) because it's so much cheaper.  It's at least 45 minutes from Union Station.  No regrets.  It's nice and newer up here.

My seat neighbor was a married foreign lady (who isn't foreign in the GTA? LOL) and we conversed most of the way.  We talked about many things.  It turns out she was from Eritrea.  She told me that it is possible to go there with some bureaucratic things one has to do first and that Asmara is considered safe. She said that Italian food is sort of standard ... and that it's good!  So, between seeing your YouTube and talking to this lady about life and the world, I want to go.  

I will be in the California desert for my birthday through Christmas, with a "free" roof over my head.  Yep, all those Angelenos now living in the desert ... and so many other places.  I might even have a swimming pool (and palm trees) to fall asleep next to.

If you want to go, I could seriously ride shotgun...

Neat video...

 

12 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Robert, I truly hope your investments do you well to be able to live the lifestyle that you want. I tend to think that many of us that think and research and invest will have a comfortable retirement. Sadly, there are far too many that must rely on SS and if Idiot47 gets his way, SS will die fast as he with the stupid DOGE wants to make everything private, so it costs the taxpayers more. Privatize under the message that we are reducing the size of the government but will then outsource services where one will pay 3 times what it is costing now.

Social Security has many changes coming January 1st 2025 and this covers all but one big important one.

Social Security's Largest Changes Coming in 2025

You can read about it here if you want, but the biggest change is pushing out the date of retirement where one can claim 100% SS payout and the max payout at 70. One can start collecting reduced benefits at 62 and your stuck with it for life. Currently depending on when you were born you can get 100% payout at various ages from 65 to 67 depending on birth year. After January 1st 2025, those born 1960 and later cannot claim 100% SS to retire till the age of 68. GOP is wanting to push this to 70 with max SS at 75 or 80.

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction | SSA

Amazing what one looses by retiring too early.

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Born in 1960 or later | SSA

While I should not need it, it will make life easier for me and what i can do for the grand kids and I love my work, so I can see working till 70 or beyond if possible. But here is what one gets when you delay taking SS.

Delayed Retirement | Born in 1960 | SSA

Yep......its criminal....

15 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

It is amazing that they have him on camera at starbucks and other places as they have been able to identify him via his cloths and face mask, yet no face exposure from drinking his starbucks? Seems very weird.

He was paid $23 plus million last year and was to make $10 million more than that for 2024. He was running United Healthcare that earned $74 billion last year and has come to be known as one of the strictest insurance companies to get approval for service. Seems if they can find a way to not pay for a service, they will.

I just learned that my PT place I have gone to in the past I cannot use as they will not accept the insurance due too to low of payment. Crazy

UPDATE

Now it will just be a matter of time as they have captured pictures of the killer on camera at various places as he waited for the United Healthcare CEO.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: New photos of suspect's face released - ABC News

Good riddance to this piece of $h!. 

14 hours ago, ccap41 said:

How long did it take to normalize women in the work force?

Old heads with unconvincing minds just need to pass away.. it's a time thing. Is it fair? No. Is it right? No. That's just how it goes though. 

I just want to be clear here, because your rants take things to a whole 'nother level and I feel like they are insinuating I have a different belief than I actually do. I am NOT opposed to anybody getting married. I am all for anybody marrying anybody. 

You might be fine with it, good for you. The insane religious right running things isn't....which is vile. 

18 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Seems Tesla is losing out to smaller rivals as Tesla is not moving fast enough under contract to install chargers, as such, Oklahoma state voted to replace Tesla with EVgo as the major Fast Charger installer along the state major highways.

Tesla replaced by much smaller rival in EV charging project

Tesla needs to die a painful death. 

[A Horse With No Name]

18 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Exciting to see Rivian leading in that all EVs are welcome at their charging locations and you do not have to have the app installed to use it, much like a regular gas station, tap to pay is all one has to do.

Rivian's Fancy New Charging Outposts Will Be Open To All EVs

Finally, some good news. 

20 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Sadly, with many Americans living longer due to better health care, it could take 3 to 4 decades to normalize what was considered Taboo for most of the 1900's.

The sad part is why do people really care; they should be focused on themselves and not attempting to tell others how to live their life. Boomers seem to be very much hung up on telling others how to live, one reason I no longer speak to my own parents. My wife and I are living our best life now and are part of our kid's life as we help with the grandkids, but DO NOT tell them how to live their life's. We want to be a part of their life, but respect that as adults, they are responsible for their own decisions and actions. 

Sadly, too many parents I see today still seem to think that once their kids are past 26, they need to control their lives when in reality, they need to focus on themselves. 

I have come to realize that one's kids will want you in their life when you respect their decisions and choices. Respect is an earned thing and sadly Idiot47 and his MAGA crowd seems to think dictatorship of being told what, when and how is the way of life. This is a Failure Point, and it will not stop Humanity from moving forward.

I respect what my grandfather's taught me / showed me through actions. Fight for one's freedom and our countries freedom, respect that each of us will have our own view and discuss through civil discussions so that we can come to a mutual agreement that is best for all.

Once one tries to push a singular agenda on all, they have failed, and rebellion will happen. South Korea is a perfect example of what is happening after two years of electing in a dictator wanna be who attempted to use martial law to take over the country.

I find this to be mood improving and true. 

[ccap41]

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

But its because its the way you want to discuss things. Dont use semantics and gotcha moments... 

You know well enough that "fighting for your rights" does NOT mean what you tried imply for me...

You essentially said to stand up for what you believe in, right? 

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Its not a time thing.   Its an EDUCATION thing. Or a lack thereof. 

Yes, but you're not about to educate millions of 50-70 year-olds who grew up in a completely different time.

Hence, time. 

[ccap41]

15 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Dwelling too much on the state of politics, state of the world and the state of culture is depressing.

EXACTLY! Life is soooo much better staying away from that crap. 

[ccap41]

2 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

You might be fine with it, good for you. The insane religious right running things isn't....which is vile. 

I also don't believe religion should be "in" any part of government. 

Wait, I thought I was some right-wing Trump lover?!? 🙄

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I also don't believe religion should be "in" any part of government. 

Wait, I thought I was some right-wing Trump lover?!? 🙄

I am not putting you in any pigeon hole. Am statin g the current problem with the country. 

A perfect relaxing winter video.

Interesting engeneering video

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Speaking of snow, short vid of a Model A in snow...

 

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

EXACTLY! Life is soooo much better staying away from that crap. 

Exactly. 

 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

 

WOW, that is a crazy huge train set, looks like he has it throughout his yard. Impressive for the snow plowing.

[A Horse With No Name]

Interesting video. I think his reforms are both good and bad...and I want to visit Argentina. Time will tell. 

His ideas are good....

It's no secret the 65-70 Mustang Fastbacks are among my favorite cars, this is a cool vide. 

 

[trinacriabob]

Regarding this violent gunning down in Midtown Manhattan of the UnitedHealth CEO, I just took a look at the news feed and it looks like the suspect might have left NYC through Port Authority.  They were able to glean that.  I think NYPD knows what they're doing ... I hope they do.  We do not need more drama. 

I'm off to look for Cuban food ... that's what my stomach is saying to me.

[G. David Felt]

I really hope they do fail in their own incompetence as the Rich need to pay their fair share and right now letting the tax breaks for the 1% and corporations so they pay a fair share of taxes to fund the government is the right thing to do imho.

House GOP faces 'fate worse than death' because of its own 'incompetence': analysis

From the tech side, I get accountability, but who is going to keep the House and Senate members accountable to being in DC to do their job, right now they already take 1/3rd of the year off and many times members do not even show up to vote.

Elon and Vivek Issue First DOGE Decision, And 94 Percent of Feds Will Be Hit First

Interesting times we live in.

[smk4565]

I wonder what people will think when they see 25% tariffs on Chevy, Ford, Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan and VW vehicles?   People think cars cost too much now, just wait.

And if you deport all the illegals and loose construction and agriculture workers, housing prices will go up, produce prices will go up.  The inflation will hit hard, which will probably lead to recession like 2008.   Good chance Nissan goes bankrupt in the next 2 years, Stellantis is a mess (I have seen $26,000 off brand new Grand Cherokees or lease for $299 a month with $0 down, and $19,000 off 2025 Ram trucks already).  When these big companies fall it has a trickle down effect. 

The only positive will be Elon will have pissed off all the liberals that used to buy Teslas before he went "dark MAGA" and once Trump turns on him for failing to cut money from the deficit, the MAGA people will turn on him too.  

 

 

[Robert Hall]

Didn't see a thread about it, but the new Hyundai Palisade is sharp...kind of Range Roverish from the rear 3/4.   Interior looks sharp.

Edited Saturday at 10:50 PM by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

14 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I wonder what people will think when they see 25% tariffs on Chevy, Ford, Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan and VW vehicles?   People think cars cost too much now, just wait.

And if you deport all the illegals and loose construction and agriculture workers, housing prices will go up, produce prices will go up.  The inflation will hit hard, which will probably lead to recession like 2008.   Good chance Nissan goes bankrupt in the next 2 years, Stellantis is a mess (I have seen $26,000 off brand new Grand Cherokees or lease for $299 a month with $0 down, and $19,000 off 2025 Ram trucks already).  When these big companies fall it has a trickle down effect. 

The only positive will be Elon will have pissed off all the liberals that used to buy Teslas before he went "dark MAGA" and once Trump turns on him for failing to cut money from the deficit, the MAGA people will turn on him too.  

Nissan, I give 12 months at most, Renault just sold their 36% holding in Nissan and there is no new investor lined up for Nissan. They have no new products, Hybrids/EVs that the market wants. As it seems, this could be the first legacy OEM to die.

Will Nissan be the First Major Car Company Bankrupcy in 12 Months? | NextBigFuture.com

In regard to Stellantis, I would not touch a Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler product here or any other product overseas. They are bottom feeding terrible and the stories both here and abroad are continuing to state that the Executives have taken their bonuses on meeting certain goals and replaced quality of product with terrible quality due to lower skilled, cheaper paid work force abroad and the death of new product here due to taking the U.S. profits to shore up the rest of Stellantis and not re-investing back into the local brands.

Stellantis is experiencing software issues due to lower-quality workforce - ClubAlfa Global

Stellantis is struggling. Here's why - CNBC

The trickle-down affect is going to be HUGE IMHO, folks thought it was bad under Biden, they are about to find out how bad it will be under Trump as he is too incompetent as a Narcissistic person who does not know how to run a business let alone a country properly.

Musk is not as smart as many people think he his. He is a Marketing mouth piece who has been lucky to get smart people around him to build amazing tech that he takes credit for. If Musk wants the IRA dead, he needs to pull back the 10's of billions in oil subsidies the Feds give them. Then lets start by killing off the Space Defense agency that Trump approved, lets also kill off DOGE, plenty of places to go before you attack SS or Medicaid. 

Before anyone says it, Social Security is NOT an Entitlement program as much as the GOP wants the public to believe. If they kill SS, there will be many people who will be out on the street due to NOT having any income at all.

Social Security benefits aren't for everyone: Who isn't eligible

Good read if you never really understood who can and cannot get SS or why it is NOT an Entitlement program.

Education is the best way to understand your rights.

2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Didn't a thread about it, but the new Hyundai Palisade is sharp...like of Range Roverish from the rear 3/4.   Interior looks sharp.

Based on their website for press releases, I have not seen anything on a new Palisade yet.

Releases - Hyundai Newsroom

@Robert Hall Figured it out, Hyundai is calling it a carry over and very little new, so they only had a chart under the Model 2025 changes.

Hyundai Newsroom

 

[oldshurst442]

43 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

The trickle-down affect is going to be HUGE IMHO, folks thought it was bad under Biden, they are about to find out how bad it will be under Trump as he is too incompetent as a Narcissistic person who does not know how to run a business let alone a country properly.

It will be very bad for the next 4 years that will lead to be very very VERY bad for the 4 years after that.  Unless you are a very very rich person.  Trump and  Republicans in general, work for the rich folk.    Tax cuts for the rich and incredible amounts of wiggle room for corporatons to cheat lie and steal were his masterpiece achievements during his 1st presidency. Masterpieces because NOBODY really noticed what he was doing.  Inflation hits because of Covid and because his policies were for the rich and were masterfully blamed on Biden...  His 2nd presidency will be more of the same...

 

Trump is not so much as incompetent as he is a con man working for himself and the very few allies he chooses.  

He most DEFINETELY knows how to run a business. Its just NOT in the accepted conventional way of producing profit for everyone involved sharing the wealth that a profitable business usually does.  Its the fact that he runs his businesses like mafia bosses do.

1. A long term business for crooks like Trump and mafia style organized crime syndicates do is that they keep 1 or 2 or 3 businesses running smoothly as fronts so they could clean dirty money.  Dirty money acquired from all kinds of illegal activity. 

2. The other businesses that they keep are disposable. They run them to the ground ON PURPOSE frauding people and insurances and whatnot.  They will open and close businesses at will.  This is to what you refer to as a failed business man.  The thing is, he and he ALONE pocketed plenty of money while closing his businesses up. Some of his businesses went bankrupt and so he didnt pay ANY creditors, but the money he received from money lendors of all kinds went somewhere. And that would be into his pockets.  He ONLY pays to entities that he can't willfully AVOID paying.  

A fast example.  With the help of crooked evaluaters, he inflated the value of some of his utmost valuable properties and businesses that he NEEDS to keep to continue the fraud cycles, he got glorious amounts of monies to start other businesses. Got investors to invest. Again, great amounts of monies.  And then, the project that he deemed not necessary, well, he bankrupted that project.  Never paid construction companies, investors lost their investments etc...  But ALL that money that that so called failed project and HE and the Trump organization ALL got that money.  Only to start up another project with the same fraudulent practices to defraud investors and construction companies and the like.

He treated his presidency the first time around like this too.   Led MOST governmental spendings unto HIS personal businesses.  Found himself immune to any accusations since he has presidential immunity and so forth.   All kinds of accusations of this.  Of course he denied. Fake news and witch hunts he called those. 

But dont make the mistake in thinking he does NOT know how to run a business. He ABSOLUTELY knows how to get financing to defraud OTHER business men BECAUSE he knows the INS AND OUTS of running a business.  He chooses to do it the illegal way its because its probably more profitable and easier and faster money to do it this way... 

Edited Saturday at 07:11 PM by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

On 12/5/2024 at 6:12 PM, Robert Hall said:

 On the other hand, my stock portfolio is doing very well and my retirement investments are solid.  A few more years in the game, maybe I'll retire early.. working from home at my current company is very pleasant, though.  But I can't see myself staying in the tech grind until I'm 65...

 I wanted to respond to this. But then said no more politicall talk for good. The investments part that is but then I also negelected to say good for you for your investments and thoughts about EARLY retirement. 

To coincide what I wrote to @G. David Felt, I too have had investments made recently and those have SKYROCKETED. 

I sold my restaurant and got a very big amount for it.  I also inherited most of the money back when I bought out my ex-partner when he passed away. So with both amounts of monies, I invested more or less 2 years, that money stayed stagnant but when Donald J. Trump won the elections, that money INSTANTLY grew.  Like about 40%.  THAT is HUGE making ME a VERY VERY big amount of money. Of course that is all relative as I havent touched it and it could very well go down.   

But this is how the game is rigged for the very rich.  Nothing economically transpired before Trump won. And the same ole same ole situation was there when he won. Now why would my monies grow IMMEDIATELY 24-48 hours after he won all the way to now to grow to an astonishing 40%?

VW is losing money and is quite dangerously close to folding. 

Nissan is said to fold in as soon as the next 12 months. 

Investors are giddy that Trump won? You mean, slick snake oil salesmen are giddy that one of their own is in charge of the chicken coup... 

My wife and I joke often the last month that we should become Trumpsters now.  I wonder though, if poor people that voted for Trump, if their fortunes have change for the better as drastic as mine has? 

[oldshurst442]

On 11/7/2024 at 7:13 PM, oldshurst442 said:

Not just iPhones...

He tariffed Canadian wood the first time around as Pres and the prices of wood skyrocketed so American home builders bought American wood which was and is more expensive than Canadian wood.  I guess that is good for American wood producers. But for the fact that house prices also skyrocketed.  And considering that Canada and US have a more or less good trading thing going on...so not that good.  Not for the US and not good for Canada.  But Donald thinks otherwise. And all the folk that voted for him this time around think that the economy will get better?  I hope so for their sake. But Elon and Jeff B's billions rose quite a bit upon the announcement of his re-election.  I wonder if those  people that voted for him, I wonder if their wealth also rose instantly?    You poor bastards... You have no idea what is coming to you... (those that voted for him.  With the excemption of the rich of course)  

 

Donnie Rides Again

 

I wrote this post on November 7 because I saw MY investments rise in accordance to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk's wealth also rise...  I am not complaing.  But I will repeat. I wonder if the poor people realize what it means to vote for rich greedy people to lead them when these types of rich people  NEED to keep them poor...

 

[Robert Hall]

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Nissan, I give 12 months at most, Renault just sold their 36% holding in Nissan and there is no new investor lined up for Nissan. They have no new products, Hybrids/EVs that the market wants. As it seems, this could be the first legacy OEM to die.

Will Nissan be the First Major Car Company Bankrupcy in 12 Months? | NextBigFuture.com

In regard to Stellantis, I would not touch a Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler product here or any other product overseas. They are bottom feeding terrible and the stories both here and abroad are continuing to state that the Executives have taken their bonuses on meeting certain goals and replaced quality of product with terrible quality due to lower skilled, cheaper paid work force abroad and the death of  

Based on their website for press releases, I have not seen anything on a new Palisade yet.

Releases - Hyundai Newsroom

@Robert Hall Figured it out, Hyundai is calling it a carry over and very little new, so they only had a chart under the Model 2025 changes.

Hyundai Newsroom

 

It looks quite different from the current model, all new I think.     They are calling it a 2026, so the '25 is probably carryover.

https://jalopnik.com/2026-hyundai-palisade-looks-awesome-and-has-a-front-ben-1851715336

Had to hunt around to find pics that were jpgs, most are the webp crap. 

 

Edited Saturday at 11:07 PM by Robert Hall

[A Horse With No Name]

20 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Didn't see a thread about it, but the new Hyundai Palisade is sharp...kind of Range Roverish from the rear 3/4.   Interior looks sharp.

I think that unless its electric i am not buying any Hyundai?KIA products.

"Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made." - Immanuel Kant

17 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

I wrote this post on November 7 because I saw MY investments rise in accordance to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk's wealth also rise...  I am not complaing.  But I will repeat. I wonder if the poor people realize what it means to vote for rich greedy people to lead them when these types of rich people  NEED to keep them poor...

 

Exactly.

 

USA isn't the only place things are getting interesting...

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Still loving the vintage muscle car thing...

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Speaking of Chrysler products. I love the look of this.

 

[A Horse With No Name]

A question...

[A Horse With No Name]

Sign in Utah, need to be back on the road again. 

Actual Forks from the Titanic from the sea floor, amazing we can do this. 

[A Horse With No Name]

From on top of the Chrysler building in the 1930s

[A Horse With No Name]

Interesting photograph from Downtown Anderson Indiana taken by my friend Scott Ice. 

Truth

[A Horse With No Name]

Last for a little bit, a 1950's auto shop class

[trinacriabob]

Some "light reading" for Sunday:

https://www.assetprotectionplanners.com/planning/homestead-exemptions-by-state/

Go right to the table that shows the maximum homestead exemption amount by state.  It varies from none to unlimited, with both some high cost and hick states providing for some very paltry amounts that are less than the cost of a new Mitsubishi Mirage.

[A Horse With No Name]

 

25 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Some "light reading" for Sunday:

https://www.assetprotectionplanners.com/planning/homestead-exemptions-by-state/

Go right to the table that shows the maximum homestead exemption amount by state.  It varies from none to unlimited, with both some high cost and hick states providing for some very paltry amounts that are less than the cost of a new Mitsubishi Mirage.

I intend to probably retire elsewhere, so I am investigating being an expat actually. 

On 12/5/2024 at 5:18 PM, oldshurst442 said:

Nah.

NOWAY!

THAT is just an excuse for people to behave badly...  

It has NOTHING to do with taboo or anything.  

Who the phoque actually does what the bloody bible says anyway?  NOBODY has EVER done what the good Lord has told us to do. Which is to be good little children. Like EVER in the HISTORY of the Judeo-Christian religion.  Which mostly is the Jewish Faith anyway...  All that we have in the Western world is just fragmented branched off parts of the ORIGINAL Jewish Faith. It is branched off and fragmented BECAUSE NOBODY has EVER followed what Jehova has been saying to us.  INCLUDING the JEWS themselves...    Oh...the Muslim religion is ALSO a fragmented branch of the original Jewish Faith.  And those followers too, dont really follow what their good book the Koran, tells them to do. 

Oh...you do get some goodie two shoes in ALL religions that follow their good books to a tee, but some of those the nefarious religious leaders use those goodie two-shoes to manipulate and bad things happen...

So here we are,  talkin' about how same sex marriage  got normalized recently and it was taboo before so it will take 2-3 generations to get acceptance...     

You actually believe that?

PLEASE... Them bible thumpers have probably experimented with ALL KINDS of sexual acts that would make a Hindu person with knowledge of the Kama Sutra blush.  All kinds of sexual innuendo keeps on creepin' up from the bible belt.  From pedophile priests to ironically, homosexual senators that cheat on their wives getting caught in a hotel room with either a gay lover or gay prostitute.  All kinds of sins goin' on down that bible belt area...

Nah!

Its deeper than that.   

An anecdote...

In MY experiences with bible thumpers of the Greek Orthodox kind.  These are one of the most gossipy people on the planet.  And they will use that gossip to try and DESTROY their neighbours. (Other Greek families) 

Some of these husbands cheat on their wives. They will STEAL from their business partners.  The wives, are not innocent. They will cheat on their husbands.   

Some of these Greek people I have met when I was young or now, are some of the most hatefull people I know. But they will ALWAYS shine God to you. 

Sound familiar?

Yeah...

Its not because its taboo from religion.  Its that Bible thumpers of ANY kind are full of self hate and vitriol.  And if they have nothing better else to do, that self hate just continues on inside them. Generation after generation until one generation cuts that cycle and gets a damn education... 

True to an extent, but I know a bunch of really cool Greek orthodox folks. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Being from Ohio, this is interesting

 

[oldshurst442]

3 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

True to an extent, but I know a bunch of really cool Greek orthodox folks. 

Yes!  We are quite fun and friendly and welcoming to strangers (Non-Greek people)...

Edited Sunday at 09:44 PM by oldshurst442

[G. David Felt]

On 12/7/2024 at 2:47 PM, Robert Hall said:

It looks quite different from the current model, all new I think.     They are calling it a 2026, so the '25 is probably carryover.

https://jalopnik.com/2026-hyundai-palisade-looks-awesome-and-has-a-front-ben-1851715336

Had to hunt around to find pics that were jpgs, most are the webp crap. 

 

OK, Found this as there are test mules finally out and running, but way to early for any official press release on the 2026 Palisade model.

https://thekoreancarblog.com/2024/12/06/all-new-hyundai-palisade-captured-in-the-real-world/?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=ig&utm_id=6636235776901&utm_content=6636235777901&utm_term=6636235777301&utm_campaign=6636235776901&fbclid=PAY2xjawHDXHtleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAYJHnojlQGm4JNmP2Oz9OFdPchzbC4PYtxAX-sAY-8imx-fp9E0z2VqMv7KEwRGoWAc_aem_EFndyLC_BiKLqLavZF6QRg

Here is what the Korean blog site is saying is an official reveal, but nothing on the South Korean Press site, US, Global or EU.

https://thekoreancarblog.com/2024/12/06/the-all-new-hyundai-palisade-revealed-in-korea/

[G. David Felt]

Thank goodness there are still some willing to stand up to Trump and his Mobe mentality of lies to cover up his criminal activities.

Liz Cheney Responds to Donald Trump’s Threat to Jail Jan. 6 Committee

[G. David Felt]

@oldshurst442 @A Horse With No Name @Robert Hall @ccap41 I think based on our discussion here that you would all agree with the portion of this story. MAGA is a failure in they just want to be isolated and manage the decline of America. That I have to totally agree with Mitch McConnell on as usually I do not agree with this old man that should have retired 10 years ago.

The GOP of Ronald Reagan is NOT the GOP of today. Sad pathetic GOP needs to kick out MAGA and all the Old Senile people if they want a true conservative party that manages for all rather than the focused 1% criminal approach living in the past of todays MAGA GOP.

Mitch McConnell gets standing ovation after speech with indirect swipe at Trump

Interesting read for sure.

Another Interesting read.

Analyst shames GOP for hypocrisy after U-turn on key conservative gripe