z28luvr01

I think both you guys, and the world at large, should know that science and religion* are not as mutually exclusive as they are made out to be. - The Big Bang could have happened, but what or who could have caused it? - The theory of evolution could be true, but what or who spurs it along? I work in a company whose bread and butter is scientific research. My department manages a particle accelerator whose purpose, among other things, to create the conditions that existed at the time of the Big Bang. A great many of the scientists who do research here are surprisingly spiritual, following Christianity, some other organized religion*, or just acknolwdging the existence of a deity uin control of the universe. When discussing the Bible it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Take this example: our modern technology allows us to undertand what creates rain, snow, droughts, and earthquakes. Obviously during Old Testament times these weather tracking instruments did not exist, so they naturally attributed it to a supernatural force they could not comprehend (it wasn't always God). But the Bible is not intended to describe a God who manipulates the weather and people's fortunes. The Bible is about a God who loves His people and longs for them to love Him back, and this relationship is something that is totally independent of science. * - I used "religion" in this post, but a much better word would be "faith". Religion refers to rituals and practices developed by man - including what we refer to as "church" - for the purpose of worshipping God. Faith refers to yor own personal relationship with God. It is important not to get the two mixed up.

That's awesome, NOS. A lot better than my interpretation of what I'd do if I had a '77 El Camino: Bob, you're probably going to want to bar me from ever owning an El Camino for even suggesting this, but take solace in the fact that I've got my hands full already with a Corvette, and something like this won't happen for a few years at the minimum.

I'll bet the Vette and the CTS are conspiring against it. Nice ride. Older Benzes like this one just ooze class and formal style in a way that their successors can only dream about.

If that was a double entendre, very well done, my friend

Either that, or unionize EVERY single plant owned and operated by an autombile manufacturer. That aspect of the playing field needs to be leveled.

I think I would have to counter this point with a question - "What do you think happens when we die?" Scientists estimate that the sun is about 5 billion years old and has another 5 billion to go. Life on earth will likely cease once the sun becomes a "red giant" star, as temperatues will become way too hot to support life. In any event, Earth has at least a couple of billion years left. Everyone here on this board right now will exist for only a fraction of a percentage point of that. My opinion - Since I have too much trouble believing that once we die, we will just experience absolute nothingness for the rest of eternity, religion (or more appropriately, faith) serves to answer what happens once our bodies quit on us. Science and facts cannot explain what happens when we die - noone has come back to give us a report. Playing devil's advocate, if it turns out that I'm trying to have a relationship with a God that does not exist, there is no harm done. By following the set of guidelines for living set forth in the Bible, such as not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, and loving my enemies as well as my friends, I've at least lived a righteous life. Noone could argue that.

Nice! HP makes a sturdy, reliable laptop. I have a Pavilion ZT3000 that's been trouble free for the two and a half years I have owned it. I may be putting it up for auction in the near future since I recently was awarded custody of a Dell Inspiron 8200. While slightly slower and significantly inferior, it is free for as long as I work here. When the time comes to turn it in, I'll put my money towards another HP gladly. Lots of luck with it.

You guys should really take a look at "The Science of God", by...I Forgot. It does an excellent job of explaining how science and faith are not as diametrically opposed as many seem to think. It explains how evolution, the dinosaurs, the big bang theory, and various other "ammunitions against God" are in fact described in the Bible. I think it's probably time to bring this out

It seems that throughout history, governments have tried to reflect Biblical principles. From the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church was the government, to today's democracies, they all have incorporated laws and/or concepts that are ultimately derived from the Bible. Why? Because the Bible cover to cover describes a God who loves his people and will do whatever it takes for His people, including sacrificing His only son. Any government that adopts that same mentality to perfection will be successful until the end of time. However, to date every attempt to create a government that reflects the relationship between God and His people has failed, miserably. Why? Because, like in the Bible when God allowed the Israelites to be ruled by a king rather than himself, people, being sinful in nature, have an uncanny ability to screw things up. Governments slowly drift away from the Biblical ideals and become more self serving, and the people suffer one way or another.

Ford loyalists will in all likelihood not go to GM if Ford goes under, just like how many Camaro loyalists didn't buy Mustangs when the Camaro died. Of bigger importance, though, is the general Consumer Reports-reading import-buying public, who is not going to be swayed into buying American if one of the big 3 tanks. It will only further their prejudices against American cars, and they won't buy GM no matter what they offer. Long term, Ford and Chrysler need to be healthy in addition to GM if the American auto industry is to have a shot.

Interesting question. Since I have a big block Corvette as a project car and eventual toy, I would get a V8 Zeta for my primary car iff there was a significant performance boost for a marginal penalty in MPG. If they're shooting for 30+MPG out of a V8, then sign me up for one. Otherwise I'll just take the V6. If gas prices become enough of an issue, I have no problems taking the bike to work and to run errands.

I believe the LS6 is just an LS1 with a hotter cam and different heads. The LS2 is a different block altogether.

I've ridden in 2, 4, and 5. Almost bought a 6.

For the same amount of money, you can get a higher horsepower desktop than you could a laptop. Unless portability is a really big concern to you, I'd just off the laptop and concentrate on the desktop.

If you're planning on keeping it, sure, why not? I'd convert it to a stick, too, while you're at it, but I guess it's only feasible if you decide to change out the entire interior. Go with a Ramjet 350/6spd combo, for a nice balance of power, fun, reliability, and economy. Any more thoughts on that M/C dash? I think the auction ends tomorrow or Tues.

Happy Birthday, BBL!

FWIW, here's a pic of a '74 non-AC Monte Carlo project car: That definitely looks like a vent over there. Perhaps my grandfather's MC was a victim of first year car syndrome.

I have an interesting one-afternoon mini-project that I want to tackle. I have the GM Accessories premium floor mats for my Cobalt, and while they're great at catching dirt, very durable, and embarrasingly easy to clean, I have one problem with them: The tan accents on them are rather ugly and don't go well with my car's inside at all. My solution: mask off the accents and brush on some type of silver paint to cover the tan up. Does anyone know of a type of brush-on paint that will will flex with the mat so that it won't crack easily and last for a long time? Something that soaks into the mat would be ideal, because I have no reason to want to see the tan again. TIA

I'm not sure about the far right air vent....the one on our MC is an aftermarket one. My grandfather installed an aftermarket A/C kit way back before I was old enough to try to stop him :AH-HA_wink: Maybe the '77 dash is different. They make dashboard paint, but it's not all that durable. It will scuff over time. You're better off having it dyed, where the color gets impregnated into the vinyl. You don't have black seat belts? Our '76 red/red MC did. What's the difference between the Monte/El Camino/Chevelle dashes? Aside from the different emblems, they look very mich the same to me.

Before: After: Props to the guys over at MRZ Performance. I was lucky enough to catch a group buy over at cobaltss.net, and got in on the action. They ended up being 20% off list, to $50.95 plus shipping. They're laser-cut stainless steel with the Cobalt logo done in the same font that's used for the trunk emblem. Here's what the car looks like after 4.5 hours of cleaning off old man winter's wrath, inside and out: Also, here's a neat trick: to deodorize your HVAC ducts, turn the ignition on and turn the blower on full blast. Find the place where the blower sucks in air from the outside. Grab the spray air freshener/sanitizer of your choice and spray it in there. Cycle through the various HVAC settings (defrost, floor, vents) while you're doing this.

Speaking of solos from guys named Eddie: Jump back, what's that sound Here she comes, full blast and top down Hot shoe, burnin' down the avenue Model citizen zero discipline Don't you know she's coming home with me You'll lose her in the turn I'll get her Panama, Panama Panama, Panama Ain't nothin' like it, her shiny machine Got the feel for the wheel Kept the moving parts clean Hot shoe, burnin' down the avenue Got an on-ramp comin' through my bedroom Don't you know she's coming home with me You'll lose her in the turn I'll get her Panama, Panama Panama, Panama Solo - Eddie Yeah, we're runnin' a little bit hot tonight I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off of it You reach down, between my legs Ease the seat back She's blinding, I'm flying Right behind the rear-view mirror now Got the feeling, power steering Pistons popping, ain't no stopping now Panama, Panama Panama, Panama You know, after finally reading these lyrics for the first time, I can appreaciate how badly Sammy butchered this song when he sang it live.

You misunderstood me, man. I love the G8 and dont care that it's a rebadged Commodore, and I'm on record as saying that I'll buy one as soon as I'm ready providing there's no Ute-based El Camino. I was referring to the G5 and Torrent with my "rebadged Chevies" comment. Had G8 followed Solstice without the G5 and Torrent in between, I would think that Pontiac's plan for revival would appear more cohesive to the public.

Something you might be interested in Actually, take a look through that guy's eBay store. He's got a ton of 73-77 El Camino parts. EDIT: Check this out - it's non-AC, but rare in itself.

That looks similar to the steering wheel in our '73 MC We also had a '76 MC a long time ago, and I don't remember that groove being there or any leather wrapping (maybe the leather is aftermarket??). I think if you clean out the broken trim in the groove, and replace it with a custom-made aluminum ring to fit exactly in there, it would really be a very interesting look.

at RBB Seriously, don't bother. You can't give me a Neon. For the same price, take your chances on a higher-mileage J-body before you think about buying a Neon.