The Morning Rant – 4/29/2022

*****

21st Century Atavism – My Oligarch Must Protect Me From My Enemies’ Oligarchs

I am thrilled about Elon Musk buying Twitter, and grateful that he intends to promote free speech while ending the suppression of unallowed opinions.

However, I am deeply disturbed that I must now look to oligarchs like Elon Musk to protect me from oligarchs like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg.

It is dismaying that we have to turn to modern day lords for protection. Geoff Shullenberger wrote about this recently.

Twitter and the War of Oligarchs [Compact – 4/16/2022]

That only underscores the problem with market societies in which a handful of wealthy men lord over traditional and social media, wielding outsized influence over what we get to read and how to think. But these aren’t the present terms of the debate. We are instead fighting over which billionaire or set of billionaires is more beneficial to our common life.

So Elon Musk is my tribal warlord in the fight for free speech. Yay. I am not entirely thrilled with the prospect of being governed by Elon. His climate change beliefs threaten my freedom, as does his contribution toward having electric vehicles replace cars powered by internal combustion engines.

Western civilization replaced tribes, warlords, and private armies with a form of governance that provided protection for all while allowing dissent. That is slipping away.

My freedom is a threat to the left. The federal bureaucracy, as well as most of the media, universities, and corporate America, have all unified in enforcing indoctrination, with accompanying banishment for even stating simple, scientific truths that the left doesn’t approve of…truths such as “men cannot have babies.”

In a free, civilized country, I shouldn’t need a lord or an oligarch to protect me. The fact that we are all celebrating Elon Musk is an acknowledgment that we have won one important battle, but having to even fight that battle in this manner shows how woke culture has eroded our civilization. We’ve become 21st century vassals.

Hooray for my oligarch, I guess. May Providence give him the wisdom and fortitude to defeat my enemy’s oligarchs. But I’d prefer constitutional self-government.

*****

Good Luck Replacing Your Electric Car’s Battery

Electric cars can’t run without a battery. Electric cars also need their batteries replaced periodically. That is bad news for electric car owners.

It’s really bad news for ~~suckers~~ early adopters who bought GM’s Spark EV. MisHum noted this story in a recent Overnight Thread:

GM reportedly stops providing battery pack replacements for the Chevy Spark EV [The Verge – 4/24/2022]

General Motors will reportedly no longer provide battery replacements for the all-electric version of the Chevy Spark, according to a report from EV-Resource (via InsideEVs). The Chevy Spark electric vehicle (EV) was first released in 2013, and GM continued to make new models until 2016.
With the oldest model of the Spark EV reaching almost 10 years old, vehicle owners may find themselves without a working car if their battery pack fails.

The spark had an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty on its battery pack. After that, the car is ready for the scrap yard.

Even if you drive an EV other than a Spark, you’re still going to have a problem when battery-replacement time comes.

The big looming problem with old EVs: It’s really, really hard to change the battery [Driving – 8/14/2021]

This story tells of a Canadian who drives a Nissan Leaf that has lost about 40% of its range as its battery has aged. So he figured he could simply call his Nissan dealer to buy a new one and have it installed.

So Brander set out to do what he assumed would be easy: Call the dealer and buy a new battery. But the Powell River man soon discovered that virtually no B.C. dealer had ever installed a post-warranty battery, and they even struggled to quote him a price.
“They keep referring you to Nissan Canada, who refer you back to your local dealer,” said Brander, adding, “this problem is going to get bigger as more of these Leafs start to lose their range.”

If you can find a dealer somewhere that can actually replace the battery, how much would it cost?

The National Post conducted an informal survey of Western Canadian Nissan dealerships to ask the cost of replacing a battery pack on a 2013 Nissan Leaf. Estimates ranged from $8,000 to an eye-watering $30,953.28 plus $1,200 in labour.

With our own government trying to outlaw internal combustion engines by next decade, and with prominent auto companies promising to go 100% electric, surely the battery problem will soon be fixed, right?

Rivian CEO warns the looming EV battery shortage will make the chip shortage feel like 'a small appetizer' for what's to come [Business Insider – 4/18/2022]

Put very simply, all the world's cell production combined represents well under 10% of what we will need in 10 years, meaning 90% to 95% of the supply chain does not exist.

EVs have a limited range and a limited life span. They will never be able to provide the freedom that gasoline-powered cars provide. To our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate gas-powered cars, those EV problems are a feature, not a bug.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Here for the party.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 29, 2022 11:01 AM (BFigT)

2 foist

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:01 AM (MFphb)

3 not foist

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:01 AM (MFphb)

4 top 5

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at April 29, 2022 11:01 AM (otjel)

5 nooded

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (BFigT)

6 you gotta go get em, farmer. part of the gig

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (MFphb)

7 Firsticles!

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (6uV63)

8 Well we are living in an Oligarchy, not a Republic. Much like the Romans discovered in the first century BC...better have someone rich on your side. Everyone else is Little People.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (V6f9+)

9 Bet a good rant but no Monkey face

Posted by: Skip's phone at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (dI4kD)

10 Here's where I give a litany of excuses on why.
I had to get rid of an old sock.
I read some of the post before thinking to myself Hey! I could be a contendah.
blah blah blah

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:03 AM (MFphb)

11 I don't know if Elon qualifies for the oligarch moniker though. He's never been a power grabber, despite his ability to wield immense influence.

Posted by: kallisto at April 29, 2022 11:04 AM (DJFLF)

12 In a free, civilized country, I shouldn’t need a lord or an oligarch to protect me. The fact that we are all celebrating Elon Musk is an acknowledgment that we have won one important battle, but having to even fight that battle in this manner shows how woke culture has eroded our civilization. We’ve become 21st century vassals.
++++
This is no longer a free country. Vassals and aristocrats are back, warlords to follow.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:04 AM (DU+/6)

13 If we had exploited space and funded real R & D over the last 50 years, instead of building the world's largest welfare state, we might have practical battery technology to replace a number of things we can't now. But oh, no, we had to have a "War on Poverty" and a "Great Society," and "We spent billions to go to the Moon and they brought back a few rocks."

Idjits.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:04 AM (txdEq)

14 Put very simply, all the world's cell production combined represents well under 10% of what we will need in 10 years, meaning 90% to 95% of the supply chain does not exist.

Om the plus side, there will be plenty of job security for child Coltan miners in Africa.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (ZsR3z)

15 *points at nic*

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (b2nrj)

16 To our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate gas-powered cars, those EV problems are a feature, not a bug.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

You bet your ass they are. Contempt for the regular folks by the so called elites has never been higher. They think they're aristoCats.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (MFphb)

17 low spark of high heeled shmen

Posted by: REDACTED at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (us2H3)

18 Guys, this EV thing goes to hell once CA is without electricity. How hard would the be to make happen?

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (6uV63)

19 Q : Why are Dick Cheney and Joe Biden similar?

A : They both make bad Hunters

Posted by: Truck Monkey Report at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (flINI)

20 Buy a new EV every 5 years. Make the battery a poor person problem. New "pre-owned" warranty: 12 mos or 12,000 mile battery, extended to 24 mos if you buy our $4000 bumper to bumper plan.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (bg3iC)

21 17 low spark of high heeled shmen
Posted by: REDACTED at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (us2H3)

For snizzle

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (V6f9+)

22 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)

23 22 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)

========

And the USPS is going to get sued and settled into using all EVs.

I honestly can't wait.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (LvTSG)

24
The spark had an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty on its battery pack. After that, the car is ready for the scrap yard.

go buy a spark today, drive 100K miles over eight years, then throw it away

meanwhile, I'll still be driving my '01 F-150, which will be thirty years old when your spark is scrapped

Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (DUIap)

25 The electronicals will burn out before the battery. Those cars are mobile computers.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (bg3iC)

26 15 *points at nic*
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (b2nrj)

*Also points at Red Turban Somegy's Nic*

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (V6f9+)

27 This is no longer a free country. Vassals and aristocrats are back, warlords to follow.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:04 AM (DU+/6)

Highwaymen, Outlaws and Scoundrels too.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (MFphb)

28 18 Yellowstone. But its a broad brush approach.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (MkuC5)

29 22 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.
----------------
Umm, they mostly are all green.

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (6uV63)

30 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.

The new roof-mounted windmills should do the trick. Sure, they'll be a bit easier to spot, but it isn't like HIS kids will be riding in them.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (ZsR3z)

31 8 Well we are living in an Oligarchy, not a Republic. Much like the Romans discovered in the first century BC...better have someone rich on your side. Everyone else is Little People.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:02 AM (V6f9+)

And unfortunately, we are largely serfs, and not peasants. The difference? Serfs are much more subject and affected by the daily whims of the oligarchy and ruling class. Peasants just try to eke out a living on their small scratch of land, largely unaware of and unaffected by government except when when the taxman or perhaps an army (whether "theirs" or an invader's) comes through.

I'd rather be a peasant, and I think the founders would, too. Let me live my live, and I'll involve government in it when I want or need it to be.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (a/dOO)

32 This is no longer a free country. Vassals and aristocrats are back, warlords to follow.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:04 AM (DU+/6)
==
And it will be up to us, and the room Musk gives us, to take it back. Keep chipping away at the GOPe. McConnell has a shelf life - and its coming to an end. Many of those who agree with him are on electoral life support. Keep pushing.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (LyTO1)

33 meanwhile, I'll still be pushing my '01 F-150, which will be thirty years old when your spark is scrapped
Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (DUIap)

fify

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (MFphb)

34 I don't necessarily disagree with the sentiment but American business tycoons have always had a part in saving the US governments ass and in turn protecting us in some way. Carnegie , Rockefeller, JP Morgan , etc.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 11:08 AM (F1QSo)

35 regarding Musk, yeah it sucks that our oligarch v theirs is where we find ourselves. but in all honesty, it's kind of been that way for the last 30-40 years minimum. the media before the internet was always as commie, they just 1. hid it better and 2. didn't have the disinfecting light of competition shone on them.

but since we are no longer a country of laws, but rather an unserious country of men, it's not surprising we're devolving back to feudalism.

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at April 29, 2022 11:08 AM (otjel)

36 EV's have issues. Oh snap! No one thought of those problems?
Bwahahahahahahaha!

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:08 AM (H4qIP)

37 Wonder if there's an aftermarket angle for tesla to explore? Providing battery cells for discontinued EVs?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (6FeV1)

38 Are we going medieval or full evil?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (FVME7)

39 Maybe they can bring back the Crying Indian ads to Saturday morning cartoons. Instead of the guy pulling his canoe up on a shore littered with trash and looking out over a sea of big sedans, he can trip over washed-up surgical masks as the camera pans out to show a mountain of discarded car batteries.

Posted by: red speck at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (gS3OW)

40 How come Eveready isn't making EVs?

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (6uV63)

41 The spark had an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty on its battery pack. After that, the car is ready for the scrap yard.

go buy a spark today, drive 100K miles over eight years, then throw it away

meanwhile, I'll still be driving my '01 F-150, which will be thirty years old when your spark is scrapped
Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (DUIap)
==
My old Chevy Tahoe keeps on running - and it will still be running for many more years.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:10 AM (LyTO1)

42 Where is the additional power generation? Substations?

Crickets.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at April 29, 2022 11:10 AM (VFRtP)

43 Are we going medieval or full evil?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (FVME7)

yes

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:10 AM (MFphb)

44 Say, has anyone considered the Matrix approach to car batteries? I'm not saying we should install babies in place of batteries...but I'm not saying we shouldn't...

Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:10 AM (ZsR3z)

45 18 Guys, this EV thing goes to hell once CA is without electricity. How hard would the be to make happen?
Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (6uV63)

*laughs in Arizona*

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (b2nrj)

46 EVs would be ideal for mail carriers, really.

Not to side with the junta on anything, but it's a perfect example of a good application of the technology. Known routes. Expected obsolescence. Etc.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (6FeV1)

47 The future of the EV > https://tinyurl.com/43h5syzf

Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (AmoqO)

48 f we had exploited space and funded real R & D over the last 50 years, instead of building the world's largest welfare state, we might have practical battery

Batteries will NEVER

Posted by: DaveA at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (FhXTo)

49 I'm generally not a fan of the French Revolution, and think it was a bit overblown in its importance. But, history is useful. Our aristocracy is ignorant of history, however (in addition to law, biology, math, economics, etc.), and doesn't realize what will eventually happen when they continue down this road.

If and when that occurs, the French Revolution may look tame in comparison.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (a/dOO)

50 replace hydrocarbons

Posted by: DaveA at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (FhXTo)

51 I couldn't agree more. I am grateful for Elon Musk but also angry that we are so devoid of political representation.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (JTztk)

52 The National Post conducted an informal survey of Western Canadian Nissan dealerships to ask the cost of replacing a battery pack on a 2013 Nissan Leaf. Estimates ranged from $8,000 to an eye-watering $30,953.28 plus $1,200 in labour.
++++
That's one hell of a range, and that kind of range will likely compress as more vehicles need the service and market emerges. But let's take the low end. That's $9,200 CAD. A brand new Nissan Leaf is $38k CAD. In 2014 - 8 years ago, with time to wear out - the price was around $36k. So on the low end of the price estimate, it is 26% as expensive as the vehicle originally was - and you can be sure that you *will* need the service within 10 years if you baby it. It could be less. That's staggering.

Compare it to the Nissan Versa, which is a low-end ICE car (like the Leaf is a low-end EV). It costs $18k. An engine replacement should you need it - which you won't - will run you about $4k CAD. Likewise, a transmission will run you about $5k CAD. You can replace the entire powertrain on an equivalent cheap ICE car for the cost of the battery - but you won't need to.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (DU+/6)

53 37 Wonder if there's an aftermarket angle for tesla to explore? Providing battery cells for discontinued EVs?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:09 AM (6FeV1)

Ultimately the practical thing to do would be to have a universal battery. Gas (ok there's diesal) is nearly so for ICE.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (b2nrj)

54 Say, has anyone considered the Matrix approach to car batteries? I'm not saying we should install babies in place of batteries...but I'm not saying we shouldn't...
Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:10 AM (ZsR3z)

A modest propulsion proposal?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (6FeV1)

55 Guys, this EV thing goes to hell once CA is without electricity. How hard would the be to make happen?
Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (6uV63)

Electricity. Water. Taxpayers.
Which will happen first?

Posted by: OneEyedJack at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (MFphb)

56 Talk about putting all of your personal mobility eggs into one solar/wind powered lithium basket!

Posted by: Muldoon at April 29, 2022 11:12 AM (kXYt5)

57 Unless the battery storage for storage is discarded for a completely different method of supplying electricity to motors, I do not see how the EV problems are solved.

My take on this, and, it's strictly a layman's perspective, is: The physics of resistance, moving electricity from the battery to the motor, will always be a limiting factor for EV's.

Is there a battery out there that doesn't decay due to heat, and, usage? I seem to recall lead/acid has a problem with it, as do lithium ion.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (5pTK/)

58 Johnny already gave you The Word On The Street about electric vehicles. Real men drive jet cars through mountains.

Posted by: Ambiguously Gay Richard Simmons at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (n9wey)

59 >>38 Are we going medieval or full evil?

Embrace the power of "and"

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (a/dOO)

60 Avoid the rush. Go Amish now!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (FVME7)

61 " To our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate gas-powered cars, those EV problems are a feature, not a bug. "

Isn't one of the tenets of the World Economic Forum the elimination of private vehicle ownership? Yes, the EV problems are a feature. In the future you will call some form of electric pod-like vehicle to get your meals, much of which will be insect-derived protein paste. Oh, and you will be happy, they have said.

(Oh crap, I am in trouble I did not have this post approved by my oligarch.)

Posted by: George V at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (U2Tva)

62 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)
++++
What about desert combat? Green is a poor color choice for that environment.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (DU+/6)

63 and regarding the EV battery debacle, that's the one i'm anxiously awaiting, popcorn at the ready. most manufacturing contracts have a defined life for spare parts production, typically 10 years after they cease making that line. which is about the point that the batteries go dead. but how many batteries do you think they're buying to keep that fleet of cars running.

even money it's not a 1 to 1 ratio...

Posted by: SturmToddler (8D42x) at April 29, 2022 11:14 AM (otjel)

64 Willowed from earlier this morning...

In short; I used to work at a country club that had a golf course. They had a stable of 24 electric carts of which maybe half or so were readily available on any given day. Other than the ones that got abused and needed repairs most were down for battery or charging issues.

This was an everyday thing too.

Nothing's really changed.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 29, 2022 11:14 AM (BFigT)

65 If we had cheap fusion today it'd still make sense to make gas/diesel from coal for transportation.

Posted by: DaveA at April 29, 2022 11:14 AM (FhXTo)

66 As long as the oligarchs aren't hellbent on starting a thermonuclear war, I'm flexible. If this warmongering pricks start throwing around nukes, we're going to have a real problem.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 29, 2022 11:14 AM (LkM8p)

67 The internal combustion engine will become obsolete in the same year that the globe will become too warm to support life. That's according to the latest models.

Posted by: Roy at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LfMh8)

68 Fumious Brandersnatch

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (lMrg3)

69 67 The internal combustion engine will become obsolete in the same year that the globe will become too warm to support life. That's according to the latest models.
Posted by: Roy at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LfMh

========

So, ten years ago, we're all dead, and we have to give the government and NGOs complete power over everything to undo our deadness?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LvTSG)

70 What about desert combat? Green is a poor color choice for that environment.
-----------------
The best desert camoflage color is pink. Reality, is after a day or so everything is covered in dust - even the grunts.

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (6uV63)

71 "Isn't one of the tenets of the World Economic Forum the elimination of private vehicle ownership?"

Actually its the elimination of private everything ownership.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (MkuC5)

72 I'm generally not a fan of the French Revolution, and think it was a bit overblown in its importance. But, history is useful. Our aristocracy is ignorant of history, however (in addition to law, biology, math, economics, etc.), and doesn't realize what will eventually happen when they continue down this road.

If and when that occurs, the French Revolution may look tame in comparison.
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (a/dOO)
==
On the contrary - it was incredibly important. People with the same philosophical underpinnings as our revolution went full commie, while ours went the opposite direction. We are amazingly lucky we were founded by the English. Our founding is unique in history. It's worth fighting to save.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LyTO1)

73 Looks like the protest against the FL anti-groomer bill was a monumental bust:

https://tinyurl.com/55bh4mz6

Posted by: kallisto at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM (DJFLF)

74 EV's work in an extremely niche environment. Mainly one person. Same with solar on YOUR home. As long as you can get batteries.

IT DOESN'T SCALE for anything larger. Too much shit is required. An 8 unit apartment building doesn't have enough roof space. Nor a maintenance team. Nor battery storage.

All this has to be addressed AND in place before a switch over can occur. There are currently not enough batteries.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM (H4qIP)

75 it's not surprising we're devolving back to feudalism.

*******

Ultimately all resistance will be feudal.

Posted by: Muldoon at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM (kXYt5)

76 And the Spark is, in fairness, somewhat special. It was a beta test car. GM was clear that it was a beta test car. They never planned to support it into the future, and they never promised to do so. The people who bought one and expected long-term service either didn't pay attention or gambled - incorrectly - that GM would reverse course on that. GM has done this before, namely with the EV1 back in the 90s. The EV1 served a similar purpose: to act as a real-world extended beta test. In the case of the EV1, the concept failed. In the case of the Spark, it didn't and they took the lessons learned and made the Bolt.

Will non-beta cars have battery availability problems and lack of manufacturer support after some time has passed? Who knows. The ability for third parties to manufacture replacements, though, is a serious open question because so much stuff is software locked.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (DU+/6)

77 Is there a battery out there that doesn't decay due to heat, and, usage? I seem to recall lead/acid has a problem with it, as do lithium ion.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (5pTK/)

Back in my day sonny, we could add chemicals and water to a batter to give it new life, so as long as it didn't freeze and bulge the case it could in theory last forever.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (MFphb)

78 I'd rather be a peasant, and I think the founders would, too. Let me live my live, and I'll involve government in it when I want or need it to be.
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:07 AM (a/dOO)

It was a beautiful dream. But all dreams end. And we're living through the ending of the American dream.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (V6f9+)

79 All this has to be addressed AND in place before a switch over can occur. There are currently not enough batteries.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM (H4qIP)
-------------

Small modular nuclear reactors, technology that exists, by the way, are the real solution,.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (5pTK/)

80 Whooopsie. I dropped my Y somewhere. Has anyone seen it?

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (MFphb)

81 f we had exploited space and funded real R & D over the last 50 years, instead of building the world's largest welfare state, we might have practical battery
*
Batteries will NEVER [replace hydrocarbons]
Posted by: DaveA at April 29, 2022

***
I'm not saying they will, and they certainly won't today. But 50 years of research and development (instead of paying for a welfare state and endless "foreign aid" to countries which hate us) might have yielded some technology that would let us power our homes, or most of the things we use in them, reliably and without eye-watering cost.

An Elon Musk coming on the scene in 1971 might have made all the difference.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:18 AM (txdEq)

82 These cheap eco ideas are as logistical as wearing underwear on the outside of your clothes.

My man wears read leather thong or he wears nothing at all.

Zardoz's Bitch

Posted by: humphreyrobot at April 29, 2022 11:18 AM (J8LnB)

83 Even for ICE, replacing batteries can be a tricky proposition. Some are hard to access. Sizes vary, and then installation can depend on the terminal access. But there's still some similarities across brands and models, and definitely across model years, and the batteries don't use the same level of precious metals and rare earth elements.

No such thing exists for EVs. The lack of standardization is a killer for wide-scale adoption. Heck, is there even a universal adapter for charging vehicles, or do some brands/models need a special hook-up?

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (a/dOO)

84 I remember when hurricane Irma was forecasted to hit the Florida peninsula from South to North. People were told to evacuate so off they went towards Georgia and the Carolinas. Now lets imagine all those people trying to flee the path of a major hurricane on electrical vehicles.

Posted by: Floridachick at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (Bk8E0)

85 Ultimately the practical thing to do would be to have a universal battery. Gas (ok there's diesal) is nearly so for ICE.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy

Universal. Right. Just like laptop chargers or phone chargers? There's like 4 different charging plugs for ev's right now.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (H4qIP)

86 On the contrary - it was incredibly important. People with the same philosophical underpinnings as our revolution went full commie, while ours went the opposite direction. We are amazingly lucky we were founded by the English. Our founding is unique in history. It's worth fighting to save.
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LyTO1)

What do you think a revolution centered in DC would look like? An independence revolt from the frontier is very different from one in the capitol.

Urban nobility (regardless of where their estates are) tends to be much more decadent than rural notables.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (b2nrj)

87 Western civilization replaced tribes, warlords, and private armies with a form of governance that provided protection for all while allowing dissent.
__________

You believe that, if it comforts you. But it is an illusion. Yes, we had restraints on our rulers, and those are slipping away. But fundamentally, the loss is that our rulers ceased believing in any restraints. I know the nihilists and voluntarists* don't believe that, but it's true.

*Which really means most people nowadays, even here. Which is really the problem.

Posted by: Eeyore at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (R0Tis)

88 Will non-beta cars have battery availability problems and lack of manufacturer support after some time has passed? Who knows. The ability for third parties to manufacture replacements, though, is a serious open question because so much stuff is software locked.

Back to hand cranks and kick starts?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (+I4ai)

89 No such thing exists for EVs. The lack of standardization is a killer for wide-scale adoption. Heck, is there even a universal adapter for charging vehicles, or do some brands/models need a special hook-up?
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (a/dOO)
++++
There are a couple of standards, but they're all compatible in terms of energy requirements for the input. If you buy an EV with a weird connector (less common now), they come with an adapter to one of the other connector standards. The charging stations usually have two different types of connectors, IIRC, which covers the market. The connector problem was more or less solved pretty early.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (DU+/6)

90 This isn't much different than the Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, et al wars of the earlier centuries except that we are the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated peasants that have ever existed on planet earth.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (dtPto)

91 I'm thinking of converting my entire wardrobe of undergarments to olive drab. I'm just looking out for Mother Gaia.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (LkM8p)

92 My oligarch can beat up your oligarch.

Posted by: Bennet Serf at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (63Dwl)

93
*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (SWi3y)

94 If and when that occurs, the French Revolution may look tame in comparison.
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (a/dOO)
==
On the contrary - it was incredibly important. People with the same philosophical underpinnings as our revolution went full commie, while ours went the opposite direction. We are amazingly lucky we were founded by the English. Our founding is unique in history. It's worth fighting to save.
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LyTO1)

The retribution against Tories after the Revolution didn't happen. Many fled to Canada for their safety. But it wasn't encouraged to burn out your neighbor and kill him as he fled. We maybe have to revisit that too.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (MFphb)

95 85 Ultimately the practical thing to do would be to have a universal battery. Gas (ok there's diesal) is nearly so for ICE.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy

Universal. Right. Just like laptop chargers or phone chargers? There's like 4 different charging plugs for ev's right now.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (H4qIP)

Laptop chargers and phone chargers are cheap. Charging infrastructure isn't, so needing 4x as many charge stations seems wildly inefficient.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (b2nrj)

96 I have a dream that one day all people will wear masks and drive faggy looking EV cars with the windows rolled up. I have a dream.

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (6uV63)

97 "... Swisher didn’t need to spell out what was so divisive about Musk’s demand to scale back online censorship; it is now a bien-pensant article of faith that support for free speech is tantamount to fascism."

Can we put this current Orwellian Doctrine onto some kind of national referendum? "Should Americans have the freedom to disagree with Government? yes or no".

It would be dependent on elections being free and fair, but at least it gives clarity to what the WEF and oligarchs have in mind for us.

Posted by: illiniwek at April 29, 2022 11:21 AM (Cus5s)

98 our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate BAD BAD TRUMPY MANS WRECKERS AND HOARDERS

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (BplZV)

99 Oh, and you will be happy, they have ~~said~~ commanded.

Edited for accuracy.

Posted by: Oddbob at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (nfrXX)

100 Electric vehicles for everyday use are impractical and unworkable. And will be until some world changing breakthrough is made. There is little practical design difference between new electric vehicles and those available in 1915. And they struggle with the very same limitations.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (eJn7u)

101 75 it's not surprising we're devolving back to feudalism.

*******

Ultimately all resistance will be feudal.
Posted by: Muldoon at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM (kXYt5)

Crossbows or Longbows?

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (V6f9+)

102 >>> Back in my day sonny, we could add chemicals and water to a batter to give it new life, so as long as it didn't freeze and bulge the case it could in theory last forever.
Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:17 AM (MFphb)

I don't understand electricity, I sucked at EE, but I believe there are two thingies in any battery and one of the thingies is reduced in mass/volume and the other thingy gets stuff on it that will eventually render it useless. I guess you could replace the thingies.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (lMrg3)

103 I am saddened to note that the block of puts I had on ARKK that I closed out back in November because I was bleeding theta would be $53 in the money this morning.

Gloom despair and agony on me.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (MkuC5)

104 If the govt would stay out of it the transition to EV, if it happens, will be organic and not troublesome.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (dtPto)

105 91 I'm thinking of converting my entire wardrobe of undergarments to olive drab. I'm just looking out for Mother Gaia.
--------------
Shit stains are harder to notice so less washing.

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (6uV63)

106 Back to hand cranks and kick starts?
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (+I4ai)

I'd rather have a calf bruise than a busted wrist.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (MFphb)

107 Carried over from this morning...

Don't forget even with the fast chargers it still takes hours to charge your car, and there are not now and never will be enough of them because they are not like gas stations where you drive up and are gone in less than 5 minutes. People will be lined up for miles waiting to get a charge.
Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 08:52 AM (bVYXr)

Silly prole - this problem is solved by forbidding travel by non-essential people. People like, say, you. -- "Transportation" Kommissar

Posted by: I used to have a different nic, member - Ashli Babbitt Society at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (z99Zw)

108 Not only do you need capacity to manufacture batteries for new vehicles, but there will need to be capacity for replacement batteries once the current fleet gets old enough that replacement is common.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (bg3iC)

109 EV's work in an extremely niche environment. Mainly one person. Same with solar on YOUR home. As long as you can get batteries.

IT DOESN'T SCALE for anything larger. Too much shit is required. An 8 unit apartment building doesn't have enough roof space. Nor a maintenance team. Nor battery storage.

All this has to be addressed AND in place before a switch over can occur. There are currently not enough batteries.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:16 AM

There was a company called solar city that was going around New England selling people solar panels for their houses at a steep government subsidized price. You had to sign a 20 year contract and that contract stayed with your house even if you sold it or died and left it to your heirs. It was a hot mess and my old buddy almost fell for it.

The deal breaker was if you wanted a battery system for storage it cost over $8,000. And that was 12-15 years ago.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (bVYXr)

110 For reference, eight thousand bucks will buy you a brand new 400 hp 360+ cu in crate engine.

Posted by: David Gillies at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (Jipp3)

111 I'd rather have a calf bruise than a busted wrist.
Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (MFphb)
++++
Sissy

Posted by: Model T owner with two shattered wrists at April 29, 2022 11:24 AM (DU+/6)

112 103 I am saddened to note that the block of puts I had on ARKK that I closed out back in November because I was bleeding theta would be $53 in the money this morning.

Gloom despair and agony on me.
----------------
Imagine if we all just bought PSQ to start the year and forgot the market existed?

Posted by: Puddinghead at April 29, 2022 11:24 AM (6uV63)

113 Old car drives in one end of the factree, is ground up, new parts are made, new car drives out the other end! Circle of life!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:24 AM (bg3iC)

114 yeah, we're well... I can't say that in a family oriented forum...

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:25 AM (MkuC5)

115 >>>Shit stains are harder to notice so less washing.

Posted by: Puddinghead

>Shitstain drab is also very comforting. Like meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 29, 2022 11:25 AM (LkM8p)

116 Old car drives in one end of the factree, is ground up, new parts are made, new car drives out the other end! Circle of life!
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:24 AM (bg3iC)
++++
Ford's River Rouge Complex was nearly that at its peak. Raw materials were unloaded from barges at one end and cars rolled out the other.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (DU+/6)

117 What do you think a revolution centered in DC would look like? An independence revolt from the frontier is very different from one in the capitol.

Urban nobility (regardless of where their estates are) tends to be much more decadent than rural notables.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:19 AM (b2nrj)
==
It was urban nobility that led our revolution. The fact that our current "nobles" lack so much in comparison just lends credence to the argument that the founders were uniquely amazing individuals. When Jefferson said the tree of liberty sometimes needs to be fed with new blood (I'm paraphrasing of course) he never suggested anyone's blood would be a immune from being used.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (LyTO1)

118 At least with the hybrid vehicles if the batteries are kaput you still have the ICE. I'd hate to have to rely on a battery only vehicle.

Sometimes I think of our ancestors looking down and shouting "YOU FOOLS, we used windmills for power centuries ago; before something more reliable came along"

Posted by: PaleRider, simply irredeemable at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (3cGpq)

119 Laptop chargers and phone chargers are cheap. Charging infrastructure isn't, so needing 4x as many charge stations seems wildly inefficient.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy

1) cheap? Doesn't mean fuck all if you need it and don't have it.
2) inefficient? Yeah. And they are still jockeying for market dominance. And you are screwed if you guy doesn't win.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (H4qIP)

120 72 I'm generally not a fan of the French Revolution, and think it was a bit overblown in its importance...Our aristocracy is ignorant of history...and doesn't realize what will eventually happen when they continue down this road.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (a/dOO)
==
...People with the same philosophical underpinnings...went full commie, while ours went the opposite direction. We are amazingly lucky we were founded by the English...
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:15 AM (LyTO1)
_______
You're both missing something important. It was not the French aristocracy who brought about the Revolution, it was the monarchy, which had come to dominate the aristos, completely. OTOH, in England, the opposite happened, the crown becoming an appendage to the aristocracy. (It's also important to realize that, in England, "aristocracy" included untitled gentry.)

There is a common error that people believe kings and lords were natural allies. History shows the opposite. But in Europe, in the 17th-18th C, one or the other took over in almost every country.

Posted by: Eeyore at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (R0Tis)

121 Not only are they making batteries for cars, but also for home and even grid storage. That is a shit ton of batteries.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (bg3iC)

122
For reference, eight thousand bucks will buy you a brand new 400 hp 360+ cu in crate engine.
Posted by: David Gillies
______________________

LS 2?

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (SWi3y)

123 I'd hate to have to kick start the hog today. It was one thing to kick start the hog back n the day when the displacement was about 83 cuin. It's entirely different to do that today at age 29 and the displacement is almost 30% more.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at April 29, 2022 11:27 AM (+I4ai)

124 What do you think a revolution centered in DC would look like? An independence revolt from the frontier is very different from one in the capitol.

Urban nobility (regardless of where their estates are) tends to be much more decadent than rural notables.

Word.

Posted by: Katniss Everdeen at April 29, 2022 11:27 AM (ZsR3z)

125
Which really means most people nowadays, even here. Which is really the problem.
Posted by: Eeyore at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (R0Tis)

I disagree. Sure, too many people believe in some form of voluntarism.

But, assume that every person outside of the ruling class rejected voluntarism in all its forms. It wouldn't make a whit of difference. If the people in leadership positions, and the people with all the money and guns who stand behind them, unanimously adopt a weltanschauung rooted in the will to power, then everything everyone believes is irrelevant.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 29, 2022 11:27 AM (UGDPW)

126 43 Used to be the price difference between eating out and cooking was yuuuge. Now it still costs more to eat out but not THAT much more than cooking the same thing at home.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at April 29, 2022 10:52 AM (3vQN0)

Disagree bigly. If you make one or two portions, maybe. But I can make 6-8 plates of Kung Pao Chicken (for example) for the cost of 1-2. And freezing works incredibly well.

Posted by: ... at April 29, 2022 11:27 AM (7eoML)

127 114 yeah, we're well... I can't say that in a family oriented forum...
Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:25 AM (MkuC5)

Cool, but since this is Moron HQ, and not Hot Gas, you were saying...?

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:27 AM (a/dOO)

128 Wait until the electric co hits your home bill with an EV charger surcharge to replace the gasoline taxes.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at April 29, 2022 11:28 AM (bg3iC)

129 The Chevy Spark electric vehicle (EV) was first released in 2013, and GM continued to make new models until 2016.

With the oldest model of the Spark EV reaching almost 10 years old, vehicle owners may find themselves without a working car if their battery pack fails.

If they live in California, it doesn't matter - they can't get consistent electricity to charge them even if the battery works.

The grid cannot handle ten percent of the cars going to electric.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 29, 2022 11:28 AM (5kI0z)

130 If you don't own a prime mover you're not free.

Posted by: DaveA at April 29, 2022 11:28 AM (FhXTo)

131 Going long on draft horses/buggy whips.

Posted by: BignJames at April 29, 2022 11:28 AM (AwYPR)

132 >>> Gloom despair and agony on me.
Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:22 AM (MkuC5)

Hee-haw. So very subversive, my mom had no idea. It was the first show that as a young lad opened the idea of, "hey, there is something really very interesting about girls, I have no idea what it is, but wow-wee" None of those raunchy sitcoms and dramas for you, but good old wholesome country-western, sure! There I'm dazed and confused with hearts in my eyes lying on the floor in front of the tv.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (lMrg3)

133 110 For reference, eight thousand bucks will buy you a brand new 400 hp 360+ cu in crate engine.
Posted by: David Gillies at April 29, 2022 11:23 AM (Jipp3)
---------------

That's a raw engine with no water pump, alternator, electrical system. Probably another 5 grand to make it functional.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (dtPto)

134 Electric vehicles for everyday use are impractical and unworkable. And will be until some world changing breakthrough is made. There is little practical design difference between new electric vehicles and those available in 1915. And they struggle with the very same limitations.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022

***
That's my point. That breakthrough might have occurred sometime in the last 50 years, if we'd really supported the research. No guarantee that it would occur, of course. But 50 years of a welfare state sure didn't produce such a breakthrough.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (txdEq)

135 It was urban nobility that led our revolution. The fact that our current "nobles" lack so much in comparison just lends credence to the argument that the founders were uniquely amazing individuals. When Jefferson said the tree of liberty sometimes needs to be fed with new blood (I'm paraphrasing of course) he never suggested anyone's blood would be a immune from being used.
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (LyTO1)

Not at all. We had in effect no urban nobility given our development levels. Boston had a population of 15k, Washington and Jefferson were born on plantations. London was over half a million. So was Paris during the French Revolution.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (b2nrj)

136 What Buck T. Is talking about is basically a return to feudalism. With Oligarchs like Musk taking the form of the landed Lord and we as his surfs.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (eJn7u)

137 The other side of the EV coin is the damned things are solid electronics. It's like you're driving a giant iPad. There's not a single analog anything, they've even eliminated mechanical buttons. Awesome, you gotta call the Geek Squad to get your car repaired.

No doubt they'll also make sure that your old car can't update to the latest OS, which also means it's not going to run because the new charging stations won't recognize it or something equally stupid. Because of course the way cars are charged will need to be monitored in some way, so states like CA can tax the crap out of you for charging your car - since all that sweet gasoline tax "revenue" will be drying up.

Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (wAnMi)

138 125
But those people don't have all the guns.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (JTztk)

139 Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg suggested that transitioning to a monthly transportation payment from monthly car payments could be in America’s future.

Buttigieg also said a monthly mobility dividend could lie further out in the future.

If you are reading this message the ODDS that you will qualify for the monthly mobility dividend will be less than 0.0000000%.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (yrol0)

140 I also want to say another problem with EV''s is there isn't necessarily one battery pack to be pulled, but, rather, it's more of unibody type design, in that the battery is sort of built into the frame of the car.

It's not like a gasoline tank that weighs, say, 140 lbs, full and location of all that weight isn't as much of an issue. Battery packs weigh, I believe, substantially more, and, as such, need to be integrated so as to distribute the weight better.

I just looked it up. Tesla battery packs run in the neighborhood of 1200 lbs. (625KG was cited. Internet, so, grain of salt and all that)

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (5pTK/)

141
Small modular nuclear reactors, technology that exists, by the way, are the real solution,.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing

Purdue and Duke Energy to explore potential for clean, nuclear power source for campus

https://tinyurl.com/2p8nbu99

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (63Dwl)

142 I don't understand electricity, I sucked at EE, but I believe there are two thingies in any battery and one of the thingies is reduced in mass/volume and the other thingy gets stuff on it that will eventually render it useless. I guess you could replace the thingies.
Posted by: banana Dream

Listen to him guys, he's in Pre-Med!

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (nnLls)

143 Guys, this EV thing goes to hell once CA is without electricity. How hard would the be to make happen?

Posted by: Puddinghead

It is already happening. Regular brown outs, and they haven't even totally shut down all of the nuclear yet.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 29, 2022 11:31 AM (5kI0z)

144
There is a common error that people believe kings and lords were natural allies. History shows the opposite. But in Europe, in the 17th-18th C, one or the other took over in almost every country.
Posted by: Eeyore at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (R0Tis)

That's very true. A lot of history is kings trying to fend off assassination from one of the competing lords in the country. Hence, also why one form of conquering your enemy was having the entire court visit the rival lord for a few months and nearly bankrupting him through having to supply provisions for that long.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:31 AM (a/dOO)

145 The battery issue life span has been around since the first Hybrid Prius rolled off the line.

At the time, the answer was the more we build we'll be able to figure it out.

Add that these batteries can't be recycled but just buried, well, someone was wrong regarding we'll figure it out.

And given this is a hybrid, all electrical is going to be a Btch

Posted by: Steve_in_SoCal at April 29, 2022 11:32 AM (NW9xb)

146 Sissy
Posted by: Model T owner with two shattered wrists at April 29, 2022 11:24 AM (DU+/6)
---------------

Surprised you didn't lose a few teeth, in the process.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:32 AM (5pTK/)

147 No doubt they'll also make sure that your old car can't update to the latest OS, which also means it's not going to run because the new charging stations won't recognize it or something equally stupid. Because of course the way cars are charged will need to be monitored in some way, so states like CA can tax the crap out of you for charging your car - since all that sweet gasoline tax "revenue" will be drying up.
Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (wAnMi)

Many sub grids are designed so that plant can be taken off line as people go to bed and use less power. When you car looks like a 10000 BTU AC running all night long they are going to have to stick it on someones bill.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:32 AM (yrol0)

148 Jerry Pournelle had an anthology series called Imperial Stars which explored different governments. There is a reason the US isn't a Democracy. Has the Shining City on the Hill experiment come to its conclusion?

Baen blurb on Imperial Stars 2:
Democracies endure until the citizens care more for what the state can give them than for its ability to defend rich and poor alike; until they care more for their privileges than their responsibilities; until they learn they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury and use the state as an instrument for plundering, first, those who have wealth, then those who create it.

The American people seem to be learning that fatal lesson. The last forty years have seen the United States reject the temptations of empire, but nearly succumb to the seductions of democracy. We have reached the abyss, but not yet taken the last step over it. The survival of freedom itself is at stake; and that future is by no means certain.

Posted by: Saxinis Kion at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (dbdgv)

149
Buttigieg also said a monthly mobility dividend could lie further out in the future.

The Chicago City Council narrowly approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot's $12 million plan to give out prepaid gas and transit cards to provide relief from high gas prices.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (63Dwl)

150 I just looked it up. Tesla battery packs run in the neighborhood of 1200 lbs. (625KG was cited. Internet, so, grain of salt and all that)
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (5pTK/)

625KG is about the same amount of drugs coming across the open border every hour.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (yrol0)

151 You're both missing something important. It was not the French aristocracy who brought about the Revolution, it was the monarchy, which had come to dominate the aristos, completely. OTOH, in England, the opposite happened, the crown becoming an appendage to the aristocracy. (It's also important to realize that, in England, "aristocracy" included untitled gentry.)

There is a common error that people believe kings and lords were natural allies. History shows the opposite. But in Europe, in the 17th-18th C, one or the other took over in almost every country.
==
Nah - the similarity in background is rather similar - same style educated aristocracy wanted to take over the country - other of the aristocracy disagreed (our Tories). There were those of the French aristocracy who were behind the French Revolution, we just get fascinated by the lady knitting in the chair and Citizen Robespierre determining the fate of the accused. There was money and influence behind it. How do you think those two quaint figures met the same fate?

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (LyTO1)

152 You're both missing something important. It was not the French aristocracy who brought about the Revolution, it was the monarchy, which had come to dominate the aristos, completely. OTOH, in England, the opposite happened, the crown becoming an appendage to the aristocracy. (It's also important to realize that, in England, "aristocracy" included untitled gentry.)

There is a common error that people believe kings and lords were natural allies. History shows the opposite. But in Europe, in the 17th-18th C, one or the other took over in almost every country.
Posted by: Eeyore at April 29, 2022 11:26 AM (R0Tis)

The monarchy brought the aristocracy to heel in France with Versailles and then ruled the realm through a large bureaucracy (essentially populated by lower aristocracy). The bureaucracy was a huge drain on the realm and eventually the amount of aristocrats exceeded government jobs, so revolution.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (b2nrj)

153 I think there are some areas where electrical powered vehicles make *some* sense. I've noticed that the Segway, which was supposed to revolutionize personal transport, never really caught on. But I have seen a lot of college students zooming around campus using various two-wheeled (or one-wheeled) devices, such as electric-powered skateboards and scooters.

On that scale, it can be very helpful, especially if a full charge can last all day getting you from building to building and then back to your dorm at night. Assuming there is sufficient back-end infrastructure to support the charging load at night.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (YIVH2)

154 I'd hate to have to kick start the hog today. It was one thing to kick start the hog back n the day when the displacement was about 83 cuin. It's entirely different to do that today at age 29 and the displacement is almost 30% more.

I hear ya. Todays engines are too big. Why, back in my day a big engine was 61 cubes. And we were darn happy to have it. I remember once we were crossing the Dakota territories in a windstorm and...
huh? Where was I?
Anyways, they used to have on some bikes a decompressor lever or thingy to make kicking a little easier.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (MFphb)

155 Hence, also why one form of conquering your enemy was having the entire court visit the rival lord for a few months and nearly bankrupting him through having to supply provisions for that long.

What about ye olde Motel VI?

Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (ZsR3z)

156 Many sub grids are designed so that plant can be taken off line as people go to bed and use less power. When you car looks like a 10000 BTU AC running all night long they are going to have to stick it on someones bill.
Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:32 AM (yrol0)
----------------

Heh, remember when utilities would flag excess power consumption, because, a lot of times, it meant the homeowner was growing an illegal substance? Good times, good times.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (5pTK/)

157 Nissan dealerships to ask the cost of replacing a battery pack on a 2013 Nissan Leaf. Estimates ranged from $8,000 to an eye-watering $30,953.28 plus $1,200 in labour.

So after 8 to 10 years your best bet will be to sell it for scrap and hope you get enough to offset the charges for disposal of the battery. I don*t know how carbon friendly these things are going to be when they*re set on fire for the insurance money.

Posted by: Clay, unimpressed with your wokeness at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (GpDBG)

158 Jalopnik had a great column about things that cars don't have anymore that need to make a comeback.
Things like manual crank windows.
Stick shift.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (jTmQV)

159 Hee-haw. So very subversive, my mom had no idea. It was the first show that as a young lad opened the idea of, "hey, there is something really very interesting about girls, I have no idea what it is, but wow-wee"
Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (lMrg3)

I remain totes flummoxed this wasn't obvious to them.
There were many Significant Cuties on that show.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (MkuC5)

160 The Chicago City Council narrowly approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot's $12 million plan to give out prepaid gas and transit cards to provide relief from high gas prices.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 29, 2022 11:33 AM (63Dwl)

My guess is low melanin citizen have ZERO chances of getting one of those cards.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (yrol0)

161 The electric vehicle proponents and the underpants gnomes have business plans that are identical.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (5kI0z)

162 However, I am deeply disturbed that I must now look to oligarchs like Elon Musk to protect me from oligarchs like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg.

Something I also keep saying. The shape of political opposition matters; if broad based, it has staying power and can influence events, but if reliant on a small group (or, worse, an individual), well then, pray.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 11:35 AM (9a24s)

163 Used to be the price difference between eating out and cooking was yuuuge. Now it still costs more to eat out but not THAT much more than cooking the same thing at home.
Posted by: Joe Xiden

Disagree bigly. If you make one or two portions, maybe. But I can make 6-8 plates of Kung Pao Chicken (for example) for the cost of 1-2. And freezing works incredibly well.
Posted by: ...

I buy a 10 lb chub of 90/10 for about $34.00 from Sam's. Vac pack 1 lb portions. That's $3.40 for the meat each meal. I couldn't hit $25 a meal if I tried.
French fries 8 lbs for $5.91. 10 meals is .59 cents a meal. Buns $3.74 /12 pack
$1.25 buns (4ea), .59 cents fries, 3.40 meat = $5.24 for four burgers.

Still have a $19.76 buffer.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (H4qIP)

164 158 Jalopnik had a great column about things that cars don't have anymore that need to make a comeback.
Things like manual crank windows.
Stick shift.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (jTmQV)
***

Back seats the size of a 57 Chev.
Cause...reasons...

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (axyOa)

165 The whole EV plan as a replacement for internal combustion shows a complete lack of concept of scale. It is a pipe dream. It will just serve to make our lives more difficult and expensive and impossible for others.

Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (AmoqO)

166 >>> Listen to him guys, he's in Pre-Med!
Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:30 AM (nnLls)

I really truly sucked at it, and electricity might as well be magic to me. When people do the whole, "sit me down and explain it to me like I'm 5", there's a clown chasing another clown round-and-round up in my head, and although that's entertaining I get nothing. Chemistry too. I can't balance a formula to save my life, also magic. I probably had really bad teachers but at this point, I'm probably too old to fix what's wrong in my understanding.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM (lMrg3)

167 So after 8 to 10 years your best bet will be to sell it for scrap and hope you get enough to offset the charges for disposal of the battery. I don*t know how carbon friendly these things are going to be when they*re set on fire for the insurance money.
Posted by: Clay

I shouldn't be, but I am, still amazed by how many folks give no thought at all to total lifetime ownership costs of anything.

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM (nnLls)

168 The whole EV plan as a replacement for internal combustion shows a complete lack of concept of scale. It is a pipe dream. It will just serve to make our lives more difficult and expensive and impossible for others.
Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (AmoqO)

-----------------

Hmm, seems like some sort of dystopian nightmare we've lived that last couple of years.....

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM (5pTK/)

169 That's a raw engine with no water pump, alternator, electrical system. Probably another 5 grand to make it functional.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (dtPto)

That's where you go cheap and pull all that shit off your old engine.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (MFphb)

170 So after 8 to 10 years your best bet will be to sell it for scrap and hope you get enough to offset the charges for disposal of the battery. I don*t know how carbon friendly these things are going to be when they*re set on fire for the insurance money.
Posted by: Clay, unimpressed with your wokeness at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (GpDBG)

Yep. I could see quite a few "accidents" or stolen vehicle reports occurring when EV batteries reach the end of their useful lives. Let's see, $12k of work into my 8 year old car that only addresses battery but still leaves me on the hook for all other repairs, or receive $15-20k for a total loss that lets me put a large downpayment on a new truck....

That's a tough one.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (a/dOO)

171 The really big question is when the Biden and Pelosi and McConnell thingies start to crack and leak fluid due to old age, what will we replace them with?

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (LkM8p)

172 Instead of Bread and Circuses, we have Weed and Social Media

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (V6f9+)

173 Six years ago, if someone castrated their kid, slapped a dress on him, and called him Shirley, that would be considered horrific child abuse and that person would be shunned and charged as a criminal. Now you're a bigot if you question that. What does that say about our society if we're so easily rewired? Where will we be in another 6 years? Vassals might be all most people are good for.

Posted by: Joe at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (5SwM5)

174 158 Jalopnik had a great column about things that cars don't have anymore that need to make a comeback.
Things like manual crank windows.
Stick shift.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (jTmQV)

I need a cheap truck in 1999 and found a Mazda B4000 with 3 on the floor with overdrive and rollup windows. I loved that truck.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (yrol0)

175 Heh, remember when utilities would flag excess power consumption, because, a lot of times, it meant the homeowner was growing an illegal substance? Good times, good times.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (5pTK/)

LED's also really were a game changer in that regard. I'd still like to know just what congressional parasites were heavily invested in CFL's and tried like mofo's to retard development of LED technology for so many years. I'd like to have been able to sue somebody for being forced to buy permanent fixtures 10 years ago that are basically stone-age antiques today.

Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (wAnMi)

176 Blue text? I feel underdressed for such a high-end site.

Posted by: 29Victor at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (BJKQV)

177 I shouldn't be, but I am, still amazed by how many folks give no thought at all to total lifetime ownership costs of anything.
Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM (nnLls)
++++
Or lifetime energy costs, which the greenies really *should* be interested in. My 2006 V8 Lincoln with 150k miles is far greener than a brand-new Prius, and will run longer, and I will amortize the energy costs - even at a much lower MPG - over a much longer time. On an energy transaction basis, almost any used car is greener than any new car, and the older it is the greener it gets because the total energy cost per mile keeps shrinking.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (DU+/6)

178 Hee-haw. So very subversive, my mom had no idea. It was the first show that as a young lad opened the idea of, "hey, there is something really very interesting about girls, I have no idea what it is, but wow-wee"
Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022
*
I remain totes flummoxed this wasn't obvious to them.
There were many Significant Cuties on that show.
Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022

***
Same with Laugh-In, and to a lesser extent with Carol Burnett's show and other variety programs.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (txdEq)

179 My oligarch can beat up your oligarch

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (geLO8)

180 Instead of replacing the battery, simply replace the vehicle. Any one who had enough money to waste on an EV in the first place should have more than enough to buy a second one. Just think: pretty soon, we'll be seeing junk yards full of nothing but EVs. And I don't imagine the EV people would sink low enough to scrounge parts from a U-Pull-It. Maybe the abandoned EVs could be repurposed into planters. Imagine piling up your social credit by filling your beautifully landscaped property with EV planters.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- bitterly clinging to the deplorable life '70s style! at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (HVZDN)

181 Back seats the size of a 57 Chev.
Cause...reasons...
Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (axyOa)

Nobody fucks laying down anymore.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (MFphb)

182 Om the plus side, there will be plenty of job security for child Coltan miners in Africa.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 29, 2022 11:05 AM (ZsR3z)

I don't think Coltan (Columbite-Tantalite, source of Niobium and Tantalum metals) is used in batteries. But Cobalt is, and child miners are a big part of that industry in Africa.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (PsfGK)

183 I really truly sucked at it, and electricity might as well be magic to me. When people do the whole, "sit me down and explain it to me like I'm 5", there's a clown chasing another clown round-and-round up in my head, and although that's entertaining I get nothing. Chemistry too. I can't balance a formula to save my life, also magic. I probably had really bad teachers but at this point, I'm probably too old to fix what's wrong in my understanding.
Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM (lMrg3)
---
I sucked at physics. I could understand the ideas well enough, but the equations and formulas were always a challenge. Yet, when I talk to STEM faculty today, I'm always surprised by how much I remember.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (YIVH2)

184 I probably had really bad teachers but at this point, I'm probably too old to fix what's wrong in my understanding.
Posted by: banana Dream

Nah, just goofing with you. I'm with you on the sciency things. Many times, it is just a magic box to me.

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (nnLls)

185 Not at all. We had in effect no urban nobility given our development levels. Boston had a population of 15k, Washington and Jefferson were born on plantations. London was over half a million. So was Paris during the French Revolution.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:29 AM (b2nrj)
==
Boston was our urban conclave. As was Philly. The plantation men of Virginia spent a lot of time away from the Farm, sometimes even in London and Paris, right in the thick of it. Washington was worried about European fashion and manners. Robert Morris was one of the richest men on the planet.

Rural is a bit weak of a description.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (LyTO1)

186 Is mocking our politicians now a federal crime?

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (47w2Q)

187 That's my point. That breakthrough might have occurred sometime in the last 50 years, if we'd really supported the research. No guarantee that it would occur, of course. But 50 years of a welfare state sure didn't produce such a breakthrough.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

It WOULD have happened had we been going to space monthly.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (H4qIP)

188 Biden's plan to convert all military vehicles to green seems, to my uninformed opinion, uber retarded levels of retardation.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, oops, I commented again. Sorry, eh at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (eGTCV)

189 >EVs have a limited range and a limited life span. They will never be able to provide the freedom that gasoline-powered cars provide.

that's the idea
Americans have too much freedom, dammit

;^)

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (geLO8)

190 LED's also really were a game changer in that regard. I'd still like to know just what congressional parasites were heavily invested in CFL's and tried like mofo's to retard development of LED technology for so many years. I'd like to have been able to sue somebody for being forced to buy permanent fixtures 10 years ago that are basically stone-age antiques today.
Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (wAnMi)
++++
And ironically, the CFL debacle offered a huge kick in the ass to LED production development. Making LEDs for lighting was hard because it requires blue, and blue LEDs were tremendously expensive and low-yield. When the market was clamoring for a solution to the imposed CFL disaster, a lot of companies got cracking on those problems in a really serious way.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (DU+/6)

191 Our favorite Based Billionaire is having fun as the new Boss of the Tw@tter:

https://tinyurl.com/536pnrcv

Posted by: kallisto at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (DJFLF)

192 In my neck of the woods I see most of the hardcore lefties responding to increased food prices with "Eat less fattie" or "my organic veggie CSA gives me a week of food for less then $200 who need more then that?!?"

I can't imagine this is good for the Democrat's political chances in 2022.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (ESjRY)

193 >.Is mocking our politicians now a federal crime?

Posted by: AlaBAMA

soon

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (geLO8)

194 Or lifetime energy costs, which the greenies really *should* be interested in. My 2006 V8 Lincoln with 150k miles is far greener than a brand-new Prius, and will run longer, and I will amortize the energy costs - even at a much lower MPG - over a much longer time. On an energy transaction basis, almost any used car is greener than any new car, and the older it is the greener it gets because the total energy cost per mile keeps shrinking.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (DU+/6)

Pull up 2 cars. One with gas and one with gas/hybrid.
Buy the difference in gas.
You can get around the world about 2 or 3 times (48k miles) before the gas/hybrid saves in gas the cost diff.

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (yrol0)

195 Nobody fucks laying down anymore.
Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (MFphb)

Wait...WHAT???!!!
Nobody told me. Where's the damned memo???

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (axyOa)

196 Is mocking our politicians now a federal crime?

Posted by: AlaBAMA at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (47w2Q)
----------------

Yes.

Expect a raid at dawn.

Posted by: FBI at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (5pTK/)

197 "There is a common error that people believe kings and lords were natural allies. History shows the opposite. But in Europe, in the 17th-18th C, one or the other took over in almost every country." Posted by: Eeyore

interesting insight. We now have "The Party of Davos" .. which I guess is more the "Lords" (oligarchs) controlling the kings (governments)?

"The Markets" were opened to commoners, is a sense. But BigGov came to serve the markets and the BigBanks, which now Rule.

and fitting China and other tyrants in there someplace ... China Lords (crime syndicates really, as is Party of Davos) are various thiefdoms ... but they have the BigTech monopoly by which to rule them all? idk ... commoners maybe still have a voice, a chance to save the nation.

Posted by: illiniwek at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (Cus5s)

198 an adapter to one of the other connector standards

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:20 AM (DU+/6)

This phrase struck me as humorous. They could - as well as the automotive industry, in general - take a few cues from the computing industry on standards development.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (SH2Zi)

199 "but having to even fight that battle in this manner shows how woke culture has eroded our civilization. We’ve become 21st century vassals.

Hooray for my oligarch, I guess. May Providence give him the wisdom and fortitude to defeat my enemy’s oligarchs. But I’d prefer constitutional self-government."

And my kid wants a pony too - I guess it's nice to want things.

Woke culture didn't cause this. Woke culture is just the wrecking ball of choice for now. Commies - or socialists, or progs, or whatever the hell mask they're wearing at the moment - caused this, and they've been winning for a century because of people who refuse to admit the extent to which things have already fallen apart. And because people are sitting around tut-tutting about not falling to their level.

Posted by: somedood - skull mountain sherpa at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (P69fT)

200 Back seats the size of a 57 Chev.
Cause...reasons...
Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:36 AM (axyOa)

I had a vintage 1970 MB 280SL for several years, we used to call it the Mission Impossible car - because you always saw it in the original show. The trunk could easily hold 3 bodies, and still have room for the plastic tarp, shovel, bag of lime and a set of clubs. None of that backseat passthrough crap. And a proper bench backseat a 6 footer could stretch out on and take a nap - or "reasons".

Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (wAnMi)

201 General Motors will reportedly no longer provide battery replacements for the all-electric version of the Chevy Spark

What did you think was going to happen?

Posted by: GM at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (kT5Bb)

202 I probably had really bad teachers but at this point, I'm probably too old to fix what's wrong in my understanding.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:37 AM

You are never too old to learn. My grandmother was managing the day care center at our church and working on her Masters in child education, she was 65 at the time.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (bVYXr)

203 RE: kickstarting. 500 singles had a specific ritual to perform prior to starting. If you didn’t follow it, it kicked Back hard enough to actually break your foot. Hurt bad.
My Royal Enfield has an automatic compression release. Hacking is a no brainer. Easy peasy.

I had a BSA 441 Victor attempt to launch me in to low orbit once. You don’t deviate from starting ritual. And you don’t wear fukkin flip flops either.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (eJn7u)

204 [SE Cupp] Musk is going to run for President, isn’t he…

LOL. She didn't even bother to check where he was born before tweeting.

Posted by: 40 Miles North at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (uWF4x)

205 Nobody fucks laying down anymore.
Posted by: OneEyedJack

That was wrong?

If I had known that was wrong. . . .

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (nnLls)

206 You can get around the world about 2 or 3 times (48k miles) before the gas/hybrid saves in gas the cost diff.
Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (yrol0)
------------

Now do cash for clunkers.

Paid for gasoline hog, versus fuel efficient car with a payment and attending insurance costs.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (5pTK/)

207 Look at my king all dressed in red
Iko iko an nay
I bet you five dollars he'll kill you dead
Jockomo feena nay.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (Vxu+H)

208 Is mocking our politicians now a federal crime?

Posted by: AlaBAMA
***

Apparently only womenz so far. It seems the poor Nina was bullied on line by some bad personz with penises. Too stupid to realize that freedom was only a mouse click away, she has been traumatized ever since.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (axyOa)

209 Jalopnik had a great column about things that cars don't have anymore that need to make a comeback.
Things like manual crank windows.
Stick shift.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022

***
The manual windows need to be available as an option, yes. I love my power windows because, when I climb into the car on a hot afternoon, I can run all 4 down while I drive, thus blowing the hot air out before I turn on the A/C. Then I can run them all up as I drive instead of having to lean over to the passenger side to crank that window up. If I drove a small truck with only 2 windows, I could reach the other crank while sitting at a light. Not so easy with a bigger car.

As for stick shift, it would be a pain to drive in city traffic. Again, though, it should be available to those who want it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:44 AM (txdEq)

210 I don't think Coltan (Columbite-Tantalite, source of Niobium and Tantalum metals) is used in batteries. But Cobalt is, and child miners are a big part of that industry in Africa.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

African slavery never went away. It just changed it's clothes.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:44 AM (H4qIP)

211 This is obviously fake news. All the best experts say electric cars are the best! Just because you can’t use it after ten years doesn’t mean it’s still not the best! Haters

Posted by: Squid at April 29, 2022 11:44 AM (DYKQF)

212 185
Boston was our urban conclave. As was Philly. The plantation men of Virginia spent a lot of time away from the Farm, sometimes even in London and Paris, right in the thick of it. Washington was worried about European fashion and manners. Robert Morris was one of the richest men on the planet.

Rural is a bit weak of a description.
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 11:40 AM (LyTO1)

15k is not a bustling urban center. The reason urban nobility becomes decadent is they tend to be separated from real productive activity, they become bubble people. Clearly at this level for all practical intents and purposes the local elite are very involved in their businesses and local life.

The way you define it, rural nobility practically doesn't exist, which makes it difficult to describe the recurring phenomena of frontiers and marches turning around and overthrowing a decrepit government.

The entire point of Versailles was to divorce the nobility from their estates, weakening them both in terms of capability and actual power. Creating a bureaucracy to rule in their stead always seems to blow everything up though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (b2nrj)

213 My oligarch can beat up your oligarch

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (geLO

lol

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (SH2Zi)

214 Musk running for governor of Texas versus Gov Ball-less would be interesting

Posted by: 18-1 at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (ESjRY)

215 Yep. I could see quite a few "accidents" or stolen vehicle reports occurring when EV batteries reach the end of their useful lives. Let's see, $12k of work into my 8 year old car that only addresses battery but still leaves me on the hook for all other repairs, or receive $15-20k for a total loss that lets me put a large downpayment on a new truck....

That's a tough one.
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (a/dOO)

There's going to be a lot of bodies of water filling up with EV's. More than imaginary canoes I'd wager.

Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (wAnMi)

216 >> Jalopnik had a great column about things that cars don't have anymore that need to make a comeback.

that little triangle shaped vent window

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (geLO8)

217 Now do cash for clunkers.

Paid for gasoline hog, versus fuel efficient car with a payment and attending insurance costs.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:43 AM (5pTK/)
++++
There is no dimension in which Cash for Clunkers was a good decision. It was directly harmful in every conceivable dimension and facet. Not only was no benefit whatsoever, it is monumentally destructive across the board. Only a government could come up with an idea that bad and then implement with borrowed money.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (DU+/6)

218 >>> Same with Laugh-In, and to a lesser extent with Carol Burnett's show and other variety programs.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:39 AM (txdEq)

Benny Hill would have been nice but I didn't get to catch that. Ha ha slapstick, queue yakety-sax, nearly naked women chasing some guy around is just good fun! (for various broad definitions of just good fun that I wholeheartedly accept)

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (lMrg3)

219 Yes.

Expect a raid at dawn.
Posted by: FBI

Hokay. . . .

*Sets a wake up for 0300*

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (nnLls)

220 General Motors will reportedly no longer provide battery replacements for the all-electric version of the Chevy Spark

What did you think was going to happen?
Posted by: GM

I want an EV that'll run 20 years without having to replace the power plant.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (H4qIP)

221 Paul Krugman continues to audition for a position on Biden's staff: "Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom... than any president since Harry Truman."

It sounds like something a hostage would say.

Posted by: 40 Miles North at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (uWF4x)

222 and eventually the amount of aristocrats exceeded government jobs, so revolution.
--------------------

inflation

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (dtPto)

223 Things like manual crank windows.
Stick shift.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:34 AM (jTmQV)

My 2013 Nissan Frontier has manual window rollers, no electric locking, six-speed manual 4x4. It does have a CD player, so that works as I have 400 CDs. Dealer couldn't wait to get it off his lot, because nobody wanted it. I love that thing.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (xPJvm)

224 Hundreds have drowned in their cars because they didn't have the wherewithal or the presence of mind to escape their car with rolled up electric windows, which short out.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (jTmQV)

225 I had a vintage 1970 MB 280SL for several years, we used to call it the Mission Impossible car - because you always saw it in the original show. The trunk could easily hold 3 bodies, and still have room for the plastic tarp, shovel, bag of lime and a set of clubs. None of that backseat passthrough crap. And a proper bench backseat a 6 footer could stretch out on and take a nap - or "reasons".
Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022

***
Hold the sausage and lager, there. You must mean a 280SEL, the sedan. The 280SL was the sports car with only a rudimentary back seat if you ordered it, but normally it was just big enough for you to put a suitcase.

I agree, a gorgeous and very practical car.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (txdEq)

226 Murphy states that your power windows will always fail when the temperature is below freezing or the rain starts falling hard. I know this via experience.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (eJn7u)

227 At 15k pop you're still buying from farmers and they've got fresh venison at the butcher's store.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (b2nrj)

228 Pro Tip - the Chevy Cobalt is not actually a useful source of cobalt.

Posted by: Get Rich Quick Scheme Dashed at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (h5TKJ)

229 I can't imagine this is good for the Democrat's political chances in 2022.
Posted by: 18-1 at April 29, 2022 11:41 AM (ESjRY)

But that doesn't matter, because the GOPe doesn't do a damn thing when they have power. When a Republican is elected president, the subversive bureaucrats at the EPA, DOJ, IRS, etc. bunker in and hide for a few years like cockroaches, plotting and planning. When a Democrat is back in office, they re-emerge, and have plans ready to go to continue to undermine this country.

Legal? Who cares? Look at the new Ministry of Truth. Other than Trump and DeSantis, do you think any Republicans would dismantle this office and nuke everyone who had even the slightest hand in creating it? No, a Bush, Romney, McCain would slightly reform the office, putting in one or two donor lackeys, but leaving the foundation there. Then, when the next Dem is in office, it's open season again on the Constitution.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (a/dOO)

230 also- power windows can fail
manually operated windows, not so much

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (geLO8)

231 More wisdom from our overlord:

https://tinyurl.com/5n7r29ba

Posted by: kallisto at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (DJFLF)

232 EVs would be ideal for mail carriers, really.

Not to side with the junta on anything, but it's a perfect example of a good application of the technology. Known routes. Expected obsolescence. Etc.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (6FeV1)

This is true. The mail routes could be designed around the range limitations of the electric vans. And the battery-electric power train is ideal for stop and go driving.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (PsfGK)

233 I had a vintage 1970 MB 280SL for several years, we used to call it the Mission Impossible car - because you always saw it in the original show. The trunk could easily hold 3 bodies, and still have room for the plastic tarp, shovel, bag of lime and a set of clubs. None of that backseat passthrough crap. And a proper bench backseat a 6 footer could stretch out on and take a nap - or "reasons".
Posted by: clutch cargo - Now fortified with CPM-S90V at April 29, 2022

***
Hold the sausage and lager, there. You must mean a 280SEL, the sedan. The 280SL was the sports car with only a rudimentary back seat if you ordered it, but normally it was just big enough for you to put a suitcase.

I agree, a gorgeous and very practical car.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (txdEq)
***

Good post, but I hate it when blood gets on my 6 iron. Need to arrange the tarp correctly.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (axyOa)

234 If they live in California, it doesn't matter - they can't get consistent electricity to charge them even if the battery works.

The grid cannot handle ten percent of the cars going to electric.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 29, 2022 11:28 AM (5kI0z)

And the government will threaten the electric company executives with prison over this fact.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic, member - Ashli Babbitt Society at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (z99Zw)

235 My Royal Enfield has an automatic compression release. Hacking is a no brainer. Easy peasy.

I had a BSA 441 Victor attempt to launch me in to low orbit once. You don’t deviate from starting ritual. And you don’t wear fukkin flip flops either.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:42 AM (eJn7u)

Is your RE a single popper or one of the new twins?

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (MFphb)

236 Murphy states that your power windows will always fail when the temperature is below freezing or the rain starts falling hard. I know this via experience.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (eJn7u)

Or when you are about to pull into a car wash. Ask me how I know.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Gen X Ne'er-Do-Well at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (xPJvm)

237 221 Paul Krugman continues to audition for a position on Biden's staff: "Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom... than any president since Harry Truman."

It sounds like something a hostage would say.
Posted by: 40 Miles North at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (uWF4x)

Manchurian Candidate

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (II3Gr)

238 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (DU+/6)

239 When I become the Commander in Chief, SE Cupp will be my chief of staff.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (LkM8p)

240 218 After being corrupted by all the above it was a simple thing for even Lawrence Welk to provide ample opportunity for wonderment. lol

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (MkuC5)

241 >>Paul Krugman continues to audition for a position on Biden's staff: "Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom... than any president since Harry Truman."

does he offer any examples
we'll wait.

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:50 AM (geLO8)

242 Well stupid is still legal I guess. Everything else is on a scale.

Posted by: SOMEASSHOLESTOLEMYPEN at April 29, 2022 11:50 AM (ytSiK)

243 237 221 Paul Krugman continues to audition for a position on Biden's staff: "Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom... than any president since Harry Truman."

It sounds like something a hostage would say.
Posted by: 40 Miles North at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (uWF4x)

=========

I love how the Left still holds up the guy who nuked Japan. Also, the other guy who brought segregation to the federal workforce. Also, the other other guy who put Japanese people in concentration camps.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 11:50 AM (LvTSG)

244 238 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (DU+/6)

Change my oil, baby.

Posted by: Insomniac - Outlaw. Hoarder. Wrecker. Honker. at April 29, 2022 11:50 AM (II3Gr)

245 224 Hundreds have drowned in their cars because they didn't have the wherewithal or the presence of mind to escape their car with rolled up electric windows, which short out.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:47 AM (jTmQV)
-------------------

Have two identical knives, one in the console and one in the glove compartment. They have a hardened tip to break the glass and are s h a r p , to cut the seat belt.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:50 AM (dtPto)

246 also- power windows can fail
manually operated windows, not so much
Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022

***
So I always thought. As per the oldsters: "Something else to go wrong." I don't think I've ever had a problem with power windows since my first car with them, an Olds Cutlass coupe, in 1995. The windows on the Mercedes models I drove for 10 years and the 3 Buicks since then have all worked just fine.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (txdEq)

247 Oh, the oligarch's goulash looks tasty.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (J8LnB)

248 235

She is the last of the single cylinder thumpers.
No longer available.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (eJn7u)

249 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM (DU+/6)

I'd let her monkey around with my wrench.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (axyOa)

250 Well isn't that special:

"The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed consumer prices were up 6.6 percent in March compared with a year earlier..."

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (bVYXr)

251 As for stick shift, it would be a pain to drive in city traffic. Again, though, it should be available to those who want it.

It's only a pain if you're trying to type up a report and put on makeup while eating a donut. Otherwise, driving a stick is simply driving. (I'm sure I would think differently if I were driving a loaded dump truck.)

Posted by: t-bird at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (YsLD1)

252 also- power windows can fail
manually operated windows, not so much
Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:48 AM (geLO

My old CRX would beg to differ.

Posted by: spindrift at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (h5TKJ)

253 Manchurian Candidate
Posted by: Insomniac

Call me crazy but I sort of had a torch lit for Angela Landsbury then.

Which was way weird as I was young.

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (nnLls)

254 From what I understand these batteries are not recyclable either. Of course, you don't hear a peep from the "environmentalists"

Posted by: abbynormal at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (Ly/95)

255 What did you think was going to happen?
Posted by: GM

I want an EV that'll run 20 years without having to replace the power plant.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:46 AM (H4qIP)

I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 year like they should...

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (MFphb)

256 Read the content, skipped the comments as I have to go outside to cut the grass and pull weeds.

My worry about all the Elon excitement is what we're missing happening. The new Ministry of Truth being started. The war in Ukraine, which has seemingly dropped off the map. The CCP lockdowns in their largest cities.

What we're looking at is vastly less important than what we are not seeing.

That said, All Hail the Elon!

Posted by: Winston, GOPe, not one dime, not one vote at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (P+D9B)

257 The NY Post explains it all.

https://bit.ly/3Knvavq

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (FVME7)

258 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM

I call BS. Not a spot of grease or dirt on her coveralls, or bewbs.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (bVYXr)

259 I love how the Left still holds up the guy who nuked Japan.
-----------------

We should have sent another 60,000 Americans to die?

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (dtPto)

260 259 I love how the Left still holds up the guy who nuked Japan.
-----------------

We should have sent another 60,000 Americans to die?

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (dtPto)

========

I did not say it was unjustified. Thanks for playing.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (LvTSG)

261 EE Cup >>SE Cupp

Posted by: rhennigantx at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (yrol0)

262 "The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed consumer prices were up 6.6 percent in March compared with a year earlier..."

I wish. Who do they think they're fooling?

Posted by: t-bird at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (YsLD1)

263 also- power windows can fail
manually operated windows, not so much
Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022

***
So I always thought. As per the oldsters: "Something else to go wrong." I don't think I've ever had a problem with power windows since my first car with them, an Olds Cutlass coupe, in 1995. The windows on the Mercedes models I drove for 10 years and the 3 Buicks since then have all worked just fine.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (txdEq)
***
My midlife crisis car is a 2005 BMWZ 330ci. Great car...and still only 45k miles on it. I'm worried about the driver window though...it is starting to "thump" a bit when I lower it and it hits the bottom. I see $$$ to fix it.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (axyOa)

264 It's only a pain if you're trying to type up a report and put on makeup while eating a donut. Otherwise, driving a stick is simply driving. (I'm sure I would think differently if I were driving a loaded dump truck.)
Posted by: t-bird at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (YsLD1)
++++
Eh, the stick shift in heavy urban traffic gets awfully tedious. It isn't really difficult (stop-and-go on steep hills is much more maddening, though), but it does get old. Also, the stop-and-go will wear out the clutch faster.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (DU+/6)

265
EVs would be ideal for mail carriers, really.

Not to side with the junta on anything, but it's a perfect example of a good application of the technology. Known routes. Expected obsolescence. Etc.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM

you should see the EV postal truck...picture the stupidest looking vehicle in Fortnite, then double the stupid

if you pitched this design to LEGO or Playmobile, they'd throw you out of the building

Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (DUIap)

266 198 This phrase struck me as humorous. They could - as well as the automotive industry, in general - take a few cues from the computing industry on standards development.

indeed. just nake them all usb-c and it'll be cool.

Posted by: anachronda at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (qkvsg)

267 262
Their own spokespeople and voters.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (JTztk)

268 Oh, the other complaint was with modern headlights, which are a pain to replace.
My car is a 2001. The passenger side headlight, no worries, replacing it is a 5 minute job.
The driver side? You have to remove the battery, the battery holder, the brackets, and about a dozen other things, just to get access to the bulb.
I've had it take an hour.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (jTmQV)

269 As for stick shift, it would be a pain to drive in city traffic. Again, though, it should be available to those who want it.

It's only a pain if you're trying to type up a report and put on makeup while eating a donut. Otherwise, driving a stick is simply driving.

Up hill. Both ways. Numerous traffic lights. Stop & go city traffic.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (H4qIP)

270 She is the last of the single cylinder thumpers.
No longer available.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM (eJn7u)

Nice toy.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (MFphb)

271 who needs a car? You can take the bus! Cars are only really meant for people like Pelosi and John Kerry and the Obamas. And Biden, if he can find his way out the door.

Posted by: mallfly the Peach of Hoboken at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (Ynyl9)

272 I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 year like they should...

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM

Toyota for the win! The guy at the auto parts place said they hardly ever sell or stock parts for Toyota's.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (bVYXr)

273 Yes, the 1968-1972 280 or 300 SEL sedans really epitomized Mercedes in those days, and often turned up on the spy shows of the '60s and '70s. One model, the 300SEL 6.3, had a wild 250 hp (wild for those days). One particular 6.3 was ordered by Roman Polanski; he changed his mind, so Werner Klemperer bought it and drove it to work every day during Hogan's Heroes; and then comedian Rip Taylor bought it. That car saw some strange stuff, I'll bet.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM (txdEq)

274 We should have sent another 60,000 Americans to die?

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:52 AM (dtPto)
-----------

Yeah, the numbers actually penciled out to well over 1 million casualties for the invading force, The casualties on the Japanese side would, most likely, have been far worse, as women and children would have been drafted to repel the invaders.

The atomic bomb saved Japanese and Allied lives, hundreds of thousands of them. The people who go on about "oh the horror of dropping the atomic bomb on the poor Japanese" are idiots, at best.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM (5pTK/)

275 The war in Ukraine, which has seemingly dropped off the map.
---------------
_Putin rocketed Kiev while UN and Belarus president were there
_Poland is sending 200 tanks and other stuff to Ukraine
_Ukraine is taking it hard in the east but Russia is taking it harder.

Now you are up to date.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM (dtPto)

276 EVs would be ideal for mail carriers, really.

Not to side with the junta on anything, but it's a perfect example of a good application of the technology. Known routes. Expected obsolescence. Etc.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM

you should see the EV postal truck...picture the stupidest looking vehicle in Fortnite, then double the stupid

if you pitched this design to LEGO or Playmobile, they'd throw you out of the building
Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:53 AM (DUIap)
---
The *concept* isn't necessarily stupid. It would work quite well around where I live, probably, except you'd still need ICE vehicles for the rural mail routes. I agree that the implementation is going to fail hard simply because it's the government in charge.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM (YIVH2)

277 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM

That girl, that body and that cart give me ideas...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (V6f9+)

278 Now, I've become so lazy even my transmission doesn't shift anymore, but manuals keep your head in the driving game in ways that are hard to explain to those who've never had one. Certainly a worthy thing to have and a great anti-theft device too.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (MFphb)

279
The atomic bomb saved Japanese and Allied lives, hundreds of thousands of them. The people who go on about "oh the horror of dropping the atomic bomb on the poor Japanese" are idiots, at best.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM

--------

Yes.

Posted by: Seems Legit at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (DcKNO)

280 Now, that's governance!

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was in Belmont County to make a 'big announcement.'

The 'big announcement' was that Ohio has $500 million federal dollars to spend on 32 Ohio Appalachian counties. Gov. DeWine announced 50 Million of the monies will be used for the communities to help build a plan on how to use the money.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (FVME7)

281 Toyota for the win! The guy at the auto parts place said they hardly ever sell or stock parts for Toyota's.
Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (bVYXr)
-------------

Let's see what happens when we drop a building under a Toyota HiLux!

Posted by: Top Gear at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (5pTK/)

282 172 Instead of Bread and Circuses, we have Weed and Social Media

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:38 AM (V6f9+)

New slogan from Information Dissemination Bureau : "Stay Stoned and Stay Home".

Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (AmoqO)

283 EVs do have a place in our transportation ecosystem. Musk has said that - he doesn't think that the EV replaces the ICE vehicle entirely.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (9otr5)

284 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)
---

This reminds of when Chrysler was hurting for money so designed a turbine engine for the M1 Tank. It generated tons of power in the factory and on paved roads. Once it had to go into a dessert like setting, the filters for the engine clogged and the tank lost all power. The only way to clean the filter was for the troops to exit the protection of the tank. GM ended up making a regular gasoline powered engine for the tank.

Posted by: Darth Randall at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (zL564)

285 usually we save the Hiroshima debate until August of the year

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (geLO8)

286 278
Yep. You needed to anticipate speed ups and slow downs.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (JTztk)

287
The *concept* isn't necessarily stupid. It would work quite well around where I live, probably, except you'd still need ICE vehicles for the rural mail routes. I agree that the implementation is going to fail hard simply because it's the government in charge.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 11:55 AM

not the concept, Perfessor, the actual design of the vehicle is retarded

Posted by: AltonJackson at April 29, 2022 11:58 AM (DUIap)

288 Build a big Trebuchet...park it outside the Nissan/Chevy Plants. Launch the expired E-Cars into their buildings..mark them "Return to Sender", let the owner yank the launch trigger.
"I merely launched the vehicle...I am not responsible for where it ends up."

Posted by: birddog at April 29, 2022 11:58 AM (uAI4S)

289 That girl, that body and that cart give me ideas...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (V6f9+)

Ya think?
I just saw an innocent girl taking a well deserved break from her greasy dirty job.

*cue up the punch line of I guess it just ain't your day.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 11:58 AM (MFphb)

290 When I recently went shopping for a new lawn-mower, I noticed that there were a LOT of electric powered options. In one store, I casually made a comment to my daughter about one of our old neighbors was the first in the neighborhood to have one of these , back in the day, and I was surprised at how quiet it was.

My daughter grabbed a regular, gas powered lawn mower and said, " We'll NEVER get one of those! If we have a gas powered engine when the colander-face-mask-wearing-days hit, we can rig it up to do other stuff. If we are based on electric, we're screwed."

Posted by: RondinellaMamma Donald J. Trump is our duly elected president at April 29, 2022 11:58 AM (l0Cy4)

291 usually we save the Hiroshima debate until August of the year

It's a blast every time.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com. Not insurgents, counterrevolutionaries. at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (SchxB)

292 EVs do have a place in our transportation ecosystem. Musk has said that - he doesn't think that the EV replaces the ICE vehicle entirely.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM

EV's work in large cities and that's about it. I see many Tesla's driving around when I go down to the DFW metroplex. Those things are fast.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (bVYXr)

293 Ron Klain apparently agrees with Paul Krugman that 'Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom ... than any president since Harry Truman'

-
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (FVME7)

294 Silly prole - this problem is solved by forbidding travel by non-essential people. People like, say, you. -- "Transportation" Kommissar
Posted by: I used to have a different nic, member - Ashli Babbitt Society at April 29, 2022 11:23

This gives me deja vu.

One of my friends has a strange (but not dangerous) brother. He thought my small house was very nice because it's a few hours' walk to the nearest town. He figured when "they" take my car, they'll at least leave me the house because it's so small and on a dead-end street.

Maybe he was right after all.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (fxCK2)

295 "The reason urban nobility becomes decadent is they tend to be separated from real productive activity, they become bubble people."

In a sense, I think this happened to middle Americans that have most of their current wealth due to stock market gains. Some smart enough to go into BigTech for $50K or so are now worth millions ... even as those companies went Woke and even Totalitarian.

There are many that see markets as the ticket to riches, not the deplorable types that put in 40+ hour weeks, or small business owners that work their ass off. And indeed, our billionaires invested on leverage, and got BigGov to serve the "marketplace" which became WallStreet, not MainStreet. (and they sold us to China)

Posted by: illiniwek at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (Cus5s)

296 This busty blonde in overalls with very generous sideboob thinks that some EVs definitely have a pretty bitchin' "cool factor," but she's getting back to work on her reliable, easy to power, affordable ICE car:
https://bit.ly/3s2QRe1
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 11:49 AM

She's got that look like she's thinking, "You've got a problem with your Johnson Rod."

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (SH2Zi)

297 The 'big announcement' was that Ohio has $500 million federal dollars to spend on 32 Ohio Appalachian counties. Gov. DeWine announced 50 Million of the monies will be used for the communities to help build a plan on how to use the money.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (FVME7)
***

So they didn't have a plan in place when they applied for the $$$?
Ohhhh....this $50M is to "pay off" the insiders through studies and analysis of plans. Make work at $500/hour.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (axyOa)

298 Once it had to go into a dessert like setting, the filters for the engine clogged and the tank lost all power. The only way to clean the filter was for the troops to exit the protection of the tank. GM ended up making a regular gasoline powered engine for the tank.
Posted by: Darth Randall at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (zL564)

Are they driving the tanks in Baked Alaska now?

But, yeah, the M1 has always had a gas turbine. It works very well. Even in the desert.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (9otr5)

299 manuals keep your head in the driving game in ways that are hard to explain to those who've never had one. Certainly a worthy thing to have and a great anti-theft device too.
Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022

***
Driving on what to me now are steep hills in the Birmingham suburbs last year, I clicked the Buick's transmission into manual mode and shifted gears for myself, revving up the hills and using engine braking coming down. On the super-nice roads there, it was kind of fun.

I was glad to drop back into auto mode, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (txdEq)

300 So EV Cars will soon be like TVs. Not worth repairing, just throw them out and buy a new one? LOL

Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (d0Qel)

301 usually we save the Hiroshima debate until August of the year
Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (geLO

We have a blast.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (VFRtP)

302 take a few cues from the computing industry on standards development.

"The nice thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from."

-- Andrew Tanenbaum

Posted by: Oddbob at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (nfrXX)

303 New slogan from Information Dissemination Bureau : "Stay Stoned and Stay Home".
Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 11:56 AM (AmoqO)

They may not say it out loud, but I firmly believe the last two years have been the pilot program for just that.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, RIP Oregon Muse at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (V6f9+)

304 The problem is that the Constriction has never been really enforced. It started with the second President who appointed a shitty politician to the court. And then in the 30s we got the dictator FDR who over 4 trips to the oval office filled the court with his cronies.

So after all this no politician pays any attention to the constitution until a court really slaps them down, which rarely occurs.

We really do need an article V convention as long as we right the rules such that no previous politician can be appointed to the convention. And then we need it written so it has some teeth.

Posted by: Vic at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (mZwKe)

305 When I recently went shopping for a new lawn-mower, I noticed that there were a LOT of electric powered options. In one store, I casually made a comment to my daughter about one of our old neighbors was the first in the neighborhood to have one of these , back in the day, and I was surprised at how quiet it was.
---
I used to have a gas-powered weed-eater, but it was always a pain to get it started. I switched to an electric weed-eater and it's been much better. I have a tiny yard, so I don't need much from my yard tools. My mower is still gas, though. It's been a true champ for over 14 years.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (YIVH2)

306 usually we save the Hiroshima debate until August of the year

It's a blast every time.
Posted by: Blanco Basura - moronhorde.com. Not insurgents, counterrevolutionaries. at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (SchxB)

We can start tanning early.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (axyOa)

307 Ron Klain apparently agrees with Paul Krugman that 'Biden has arguably done more to defend freedom ... than any president since Harry Truman'

-
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (FVME7)M

Delusional psychopaths or congenital lying psychopaths. Most likely a little bit of both.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (F1QSo)

308 "Estimates ranged from $8,000 to an eye-watering $30,953.28 plus $1,200 in labour."

Gee, that sounds REALLY hard for the average person. Maybe only the RICH can afford to own and drive passenger vehicles, and the rest of you plebes will have to take public transportation we control. Oh, yeah....

Posted by: Liberal Technocrat Globalist Stroking Himself While Feigning Pity at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (JCZqz)

309 I for one welcome our new oligarchy. I am very pleased at the new speech police to make sure we do not speak against our dear leaders and our wonderful 100% democratically elected representatives. I am grateful to all of them and am saddened that anyone would speak against any of this. We should not question any of this.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (7ERm6)

310 ========

I did not say it was unjustified. Thanks for playing.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,
-------------------

You grouped it in a set of bad deeds therefore you did say it was unjustified.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (dtPto)

311 When I recently went shopping for a new lawn-mower, I noticed that there were a LOT of electric powered options. In one store, I casually made a comment to my daughter about one of our old neighbors was the first in the neighborhood to have one of these , back in the day, and I was surprised at how quiet it was.

My daughter grabbed a regular, gas powered lawn mower and said, " We'll NEVER get one of those! If we have a gas powered engine when the colander-face-mask-wearing-days hit, we can rig it up to do other stuff. If we are based on electric, we're screwed."
Posted by: RondinellaMamma Donald J. Trump is our duly elected president at April 29, 2022 11:58 AM (l0Cy4)
++++
LOL. Nice. I imagine a battery-powered lawn mower might work. Leaf blowers don't, except for very small jobs (the "range problem," I guess). I love my battery-powered weed whacker/string trimmer. I hate the tool itself and I always have - that part of the job sucks 100% of the time - but the battery one is great. Having the heavy battery on one end and the heavy motor on the other makes it much easier to use and better balanced, with the benefit of not having to muck about with a finicky two-cycle engine.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (DU+/6)

312 I believe in NY State all new school buses after 2030 have to be electric. Buses are already heavy to protect the children. Many rural routes are pretty long with no recharging station out in the sticks. Probably 20 miles range for the battery, should work just fine, if you don't mind your kids walking a few miles in the snow.

Posted by: Colin at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (YVx1O)

313 I've been wondering this for awhile. What is the resale/trade in value of a Tesla?

I see a lot of people with their first Tesla, I don't know anyone on their second.

The limited life span on batteries and their very high replacement cost has seemed like a problem all the EV advocates have been ignoring.

Posted by: Zombie Al Davis at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (eta58)

314 usually we save the Hiroshima debate until August of the year
Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 11:57 AM (geLO
*
We have a blast.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at April 29, 2022

***
The fallout lasts a while.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (txdEq)

315 299 Gotta say the manual paddles in the wife's 300 GLC are awesome in performance mode.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (MkuC5)

316 310 ========

I did not say it was unjustified. Thanks for playing.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,
-------------------

You grouped it in a set of bad deeds therefore you did say it was unjustified.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (dtPto)

=========

You took the wrong implication. I was writing about the left's perception of right and wrong.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (LvTSG)

317 EV's work in large cities and that's about it. I see many Tesla's driving around when I go down to the DFW metroplex. Those things are fast.
Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (bVYXr)

They work in the suburbs, too.

And most of those "adult active lifestyle communities" for those over 55? Just about EVERYONE has an EV. Of course, its a golf cart. But they have them.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:03 PM (9otr5)

318

Is there a battery out there that doesn't decay due to heat, and, usage? I seem to recall lead/acid has a problem with it, as do lithium ion.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 11:13 AM (5pTK/)

The way to make electric cars "work", as in "effectively equivalent to IC cars" is to go to interchangeable batteries. The humble "D" cell for flashlights has been around for over a century. So you settle on a small number of battery formats for electric vehicles, say no more than six types. When your charge indicator gets below 15%, you drive to a battery depot, and have a fully charged battery swapped in to replace the depleted one in 5 minutes, and you pay only for the energy cost plus handling. When you buy the car, it comes with a long-term lease on "a battery".

Home recharging would be limited.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 29, 2022 12:03 PM (3dOp2)

319 I think of a swirlie anytime I see DeWhine.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at April 29, 2022 12:03 PM (VFRtP)

320 I for one welcome our new oligarchy. I am very pleased at the new speech police to make sure we do not speak against our dear leaders and our wonderful 100% democratically elected representatives. I am grateful to all of them and am saddened that anyone would speak against any of this. We should not question any of this.
Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM (7ERm6)

Hmmm...look who spent a weekend at a Bed and Breakfast in Brattleburo.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (axyOa)

321 Adventures on Purpose with a video on how to escape from your car. I have their little gadget. They have another video on how to get out of a sinking car.

https://youtu.be/BfUknvxtFas

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (5HBd1)

322 They work in the suburbs, too.

And most of those "adult active lifestyle communities" for those over 55? Just about EVERYONE has an EV. Of course, its a golf cart. But they have them.
Posted by: blaster

Niche market. Have them drive those golf carts forty miles to work.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (H4qIP)

323 I was glad to drop back into auto mode, though.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (txdEq)

Not exactly the same thing.
Were you at all concerned about engaging first after an uphill stop without rolling backwards?

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (MFphb)

324 >>We really do need an article V convention as long as we right the rules such that no previous politician can be appointed to the convention. And then we need it written so it has some teeth.

Posted by: Vic

Could be dangerous
You take the back cover off the Constitution and start tinkering with it, anything could happen- there's no telling who might push forward and start pulling wires out...

Posted by: DB at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (geLO8)

325 295 "The reason urban nobility becomes decadent is they tend to be separated from real productive activity, they become bubble people."

In a sense, I think this happened to middle Americans that have most of their current wealth due to stock market gains. Some smart enough to go into BigTech for $50K or so are now worth millions ... even as those companies went Woke and even Totalitarian.

There are many that see markets as the ticket to riches, not the deplorable types that put in 40+ hour weeks, or small business owners that work their ass off. And indeed, our billionaires invested on leverage, and got BigGov to serve the "marketplace" which became WallStreet, not MainStreet. (and they sold us to China)
Posted by: illiniwek at April 29, 2022 11:59 AM (Cus5s)

Modern economies have changed a lot about wealth relative to typical roles and relations in society. Industrialization likely had a lot to do with the upheavals of the 20th century and also made old models impractical. Used to be, per Montesquieu, to maintain a general republic you need lots of small landholders. Well that's in an agrarian society. How do we have a population suited to a republic in a modern economy?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (b2nrj)

326 As a golfer

Electric golf carts > gas golf carts

( I should say preferable)

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:05 PM (F1QSo)

327 I used to have a gas-powered weed-eater, but it was always a pain to get it started. I switched to an electric weed-eater and it's been much better. I have a tiny yard, so I don't need much from my yard tools. My mower is still gas, though. It's been a true champ for over 14 years.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 29, 2022 12:01 PM

I have a big yard and we're in the woods so I use my tractor. I have a small mower for trimming or smaller areas. I did go to an electric Ryobi 40v trimmer and it's a beast. I like it. I know that the battery will go to shit but I won't be out 800.00 like the mowers. My old gas trimmer had to be replaced too. But the greenies are convinced that battery vehicles are SOOO much better for mother.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:05 PM (7ERm6)

328 The limited life span on batteries and their very high replacement cost has seemed like a problem all the EV advocates have been ignoring.

Posted by: Zombie Al Davis at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM (eta5

They follow the same resale path as BMW's, Minis, Rovers. High initial cost. Low resale, because nightmarish repair costs.

I bought a used Toyota SR5, drove it for 10 years, did basic maintenance, tires, brakes, timing belt, and a center carrier bearing, and sold it for basically the same price. Dirt cheap cost of ownership.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:05 PM (SH2Zi)

329 I one headlight bulb went out and I replaced both. You get to it through the wheel well.

They don't use bolts for the compartment, they have a plastic button that you rip out and replace as needed. I was against it, until I saw that you don't need access to both sides to put it in. I bought a whole bag of them for eight bucks.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at April 29, 2022 12:06 PM (44ww/)

330 I think of a swirlie anytime I see DeWhine.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory

I can just picture him in HS. He was the toddler running behind the rest of the guys squeaking: "Hey guys! Wait up!!"

Posted by: Tonypete at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (nnLls)

331 LOL. Nice. I imagine a battery-powered lawn mower might work. Leaf blowers don't, except for very small jobs (the "range problem," I guess). I love my battery-powered weed whacker/string trimmer. I hate the tool itself and I always have - that part of the job sucks 100% of the time - but the battery one is great. Having the heavy battery on one end and the heavy motor on the other makes it much easier to use and better balanced, with the benefit of not having to muck about with a finicky two-cycle engine.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:02 PM

We have a battery mower, Ryobi 20 volt. Works great. The wife does the small back yard with it all of the time. Battery lasts about 15-20 minutes depending how tall/thick the grass is. It came with a 2 amp battery so I bought an extra 4 amp battery so we can mow for about 45 minutes if we need to.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (bVYXr)

332 Niche market. Have them drive those golf carts forty miles to work.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (H4qIP)

They don't fill that market space. There is no one size fits all.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (9otr5)

333 my car's liquid chemical batteries get used up, after about 400miles.. Before then, i have to get new ones. Fortunately, the liquid chemical batteries are Super Compact, Super energy dense, and (relatively) inexpensive. Last time i replaced them, they were about $4/gal and i needed 12 of them.
Oh, and there are 4 liquid chemical battery recharging stations in my small town. It takes about 2 minutes to recharge.. Plus, the recharging station sells pizza

Posted by: gilbar at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (+E79A)

334 15k is not a bustling urban center. The reason urban nobility becomes decadent is they tend to be separated from real productive activity, they become bubble people. Clearly at this level for all practical intents and purposes the local elite are very involved in their businesses and local life....

Creating a bureaucracy to rule in their stead always seems to blow everything up though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (b2nrj)
==
I get your point, but I disagree with the assumption attached to it. If you think Washington bought his own food at his city shop which looked about the same as the shop in a big European city, which got their food from the same persons. Heck, I'd imagine that in France with the trade restrictions and territory allotments, the colonial store was better stocked.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (LyTO1)

335 Hmmm...look who spent a weekend at a Bed and Breakfast in Brattleburo.
Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM

My rations were wonderful. As were the forced calisthenics.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (7ERm6)

336 So I always thought. As per the oldsters: "Something else to go wrong." I don't think I've ever had a problem with power windows since my first car with them, an Olds Cutlass coupe, in 1995. The windows on the Mercedes models I drove for 10 years and the 3 Buicks since then have all worked just fine.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 11:51 AM

My great-aunt loved power-windows and power seats. She had emphysema but was able to drive for many years because of those innovations.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at April 29, 2022 12:07 PM (fxCK2)

337 Speaking of engines I need to change the oil and filter in mine. Today. I have a "Top Sider" that draws the old oil out through the dip stick, and the oil filter is on the top of the engine. Dang thing take 9 quarts though and it has to special synthetic.

Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 12:08 PM (AmoqO)

338 I'm hoping the regime is stupid enough to set-up a hotline to report offenders to the Dept of Disinformation. That will go well for the few hours until it is shut down, like most comments sections were in the MSM a few years ago. That was the best part of reading most MSM stories.

Posted by: Ripley at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (MxEKc)

339 Creating a bureaucracy to rule in their stead always seems to blow everything up though.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (b2nrj)
==
And perhaps this was the difference. Much more bureaucratic interference in France. There was hunger, pretty widespread at that time.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (LyTO1)

340 They don't fill that market space. There is no one size fits all.
Posted by: blaster

Except the government says it does. "We'll be EV by 2035!"

Fuck how we get there. THAT'S the problem. Gov mandates with NO ONE trying to figure out the logistics.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (H4qIP)

341 I got curious and did the math: a Tesla battery contains 69 kilograms of lithium. There are about 18.5 million metric tonnes of recoverable lithium reserves in the world.

That works out to enough lithium to make about 300 million battery-operated "cars," presuming that 100% of that lithium was recovered, none of it was used for anything else (such as laptops, cell phones, repalcement batteries for aging cars, power tool batteries, or crazy pills), and that extracting the dwindling lithium supply didn't make it prohibitively expensive to make car batteries with it.

There are currently 1.2 billion [internal combustion] cars in the world. So 1/4 of them could be replaced...only once, under an absolute best-case-scenario, which makes unrealistic assumptions.

Posted by: mr_bill at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (4inxJ)

342 There is no one size fits all.
Posted by: blaster

The Paolo, how you say, He has a comment about this. But the Paolo is currently, how you say, busy.

Posted by: The Paolo at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (nnLls)

343 I'm hoping the regime is stupid enough to set-up a hotline to report offenders to the Dept of Disinformation. That will go well for the few hours until it is shut down, like most comments sections were in the MSM a few years ago. That was the best part of reading most MSM stories.
Posted by: Ripley at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (MxEKc)
++++
Yeah, the comments are the real value with MSM news sites, which is why so many don't have them anymore. Every article was fisked in real time.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (DU+/6)

344 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (5HBd1)

345 Fuck how we get there. THAT'S the problem. Gov mandates with NO ONE trying to figure out the logistics.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (H4qIP)

We are in violent agreement here. The government mandates are bad.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (9otr5)

346 Worked with two of our no hitters from last LL game yesterday on form, mechanics, power, and hitting confidence. One looked a lot better by the end of about 40 balls on the tee, and the other just needs confidence and waiting for the right pitch.

Going to do some catching drills with my two this morning at the local field (another benefit of homeschooling).

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (SH2Zi)

347 What pisses me off to no end is the see Chevrolet reach the pinnacle of their engineering in the Corvette and Camaro lines, just to piss all away on this stupid EV shit.

Posted by: Zombie Al Davis at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (eta58)

348 I did read that Musk is preceding on his tube hyperloop development further than I thought. I know a lot of posters like to crap on this part of Musk's projects but it's the one I'm most interested in since it's been part of my view of the future since I was a kid. If I can't get a flying car I want my hypertube travel.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (F1QSo)

349 Have any Republican leaders in Congress spoken out in anger against the Ministry Of Truth?

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (wqtxH)

350 Pam Keith, Esq.
@PamKeithFL
If Joe Biden cancels student debt and decriminalized cannabis,
Dems will run the table in Nov.

-
Genius!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (FVME7)

351 Fuck how we get there. THAT'S the problem. Gov mandates with NO ONE trying to figure out the logistics.
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (H4qIP)

Critical thinking and reasoning aren’t taught at school anymore. Sadly, fewer are taught these things at home, either.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (VFRtP)

352 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM

Or try driving a truck in New York City with a 9 speed manual transmission.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM (bVYXr)

353 I'd like to remind you all that Joe is going to make all military vehicles green.

I saw the Euros gave the Ukes a bright pink LBTQ tank. I'm not kidding.

I wonder how many hours before the guys in it got a Russian rocket in their rear?

Posted by: 18-1 at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM (ESjRY)

354 Stupidest thing about the battery reolacement issue is that this problem was solve a long time ago via uniform battery dimensions. I'd suggest a standardized, slide in battery pack that installs the same way on all EVs, just like TV remotes. If you made it some enough, it could even become a fast- refueling process.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM (fj2YZ)

355 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (5HBd1)

It's no so bad. An auto is definitely preferable in those situations. But who wants to live or work there anyway?

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM (SH2Zi)

356 350 Pam Keith, Esq.
@PamKeithFL
If Joe Biden cancels student debt and decriminalized cannabis,
Dems will run the table in Nov.

-
Genius!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (FVME7)

========

"I got everything I want. I see little need for politics now."
-High hippie (who wasn't going to vote anyway)

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM (LvTSG)

357 Have any Republican leaders in Congress spoken out in anger against the Ministry Of Truth?

Honestly I think it is pretty awesome.

And I'm not even lying this time!

Posted by: Bitch McConnell at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (ESjRY)

358 Are they driving the tanks in Baked Alaska now?

But, yeah, the M1 has always had a gas turbine. It works very well. Even in the desert.
Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (9otr5)
---

Wild. I remember watching 20/20 I believe, back in the day and they did a report on the turbine engine and the trouble with the filter clogging. I would have sworn that the program said the military was switching to a diesel engine. But you are correct sir, they are still using the turbine.

Posted by: Darth Randall at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (zL564)

359 Giving my horses an extra ration of grain.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (/9tA8)

360 AOP, the battery swap model has been investigated. There is a liability risk with ensuring good connections. Imagine splicing a fuel line every time you fill up.

It would work most of the time, but the exceptions would be spectacular and litigious.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (w+EYk)

361 >>> I did read that Musk is preceding on his tube hyperloop development further than I thought. I know a lot of posters like to crap on this part of Musk's projects but it's the one I'm most interested in since it's been part of my view of the future since I was a kid. If I can't get a flying car I want my hypertube travel.
Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (F1QSo)

The name is funny The Borring Company is pretty funny and like that about him that he has a sense of humor.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (QzpS1)

362 Stupidest thing about the battery reolacement issue is that this problem was solve a long time ago via uniform battery dimensions. I'd suggest a standardized, slide in battery pack that installs the same way on all EVs, just like TV remotes. If you made it some enough, it could even become a fast- refueling process.
Posted by: Farmer Bob at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM

Except those things are heavy as hell in EV's.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (7ERm6)

363 Critical thinking and reasoning aren’t taught at school anymore. Sadly, fewer are taught these things at home, either.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory

That's because everyone is an amateur.
Amateurs talk tactics.
Pros talk logistics.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (H4qIP)

364 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (5HBd1)
--------------

I learned to drive a Ford Pinto stick shift in a hilly coastal town. It becomes second nature after a while.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (5pTK/)

365 364 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (5HBd1)
--------------

I learned to drive a Ford Pinto stick shift in a hilly coastal town. It becomes second nature after a while.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (5pTK/)

=======

I learned to drive a stick shift in SW Virginia.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (LvTSG)

366 It is mind boggling that (if we are lucky) history will look back and note that a NY real estate billionaire and the worlds richest man helped to avert the abyss.

Posted by: DavidH at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (07bnO)

367 I used San Francisco as an example because my first husband used to drive a VW bus there a lot. I've driven lots of vehicles with manual transmissions but there are places where it is a challenge to work the clutch and brake at the same time.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (5HBd1)

368 Have any Republican leaders in Congress spoken out in anger against the Ministry Of Truth?

Hahahaahahaha. That's a good one.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (7ERm6)

369 Except those things are heavy as hell in EV's.
Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (7ERm6)
++++
Yeah, the "battery swap" concept - assuming that there is an amicable way to deal with ownership, liability and other problems - will definitely require automated equipment to do the swap. That's probably not a problem per se, but it will have implications for cost of operation and site design.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (DU+/6)

370 " A former U.S. Marine was killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in the war with Russia, his relatives told news outlets in what’s the first known death of a U.S. citizen fighting in Ukraine.

Rebecca Cabrera told CNN her son, Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, was killed Monday while working for a military contracting company that sent him to Ukraine."

Posted by: runner at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (BP9lK)

371 Wild. I remember watching 20/20 I believe, back in the day and they did a report on the turbine engine and the trouble with the filter clogging. I would have sworn that the program said the military was switching to a diesel engine. But you are correct sir, they are still using the turbine.
Posted by: Darth Randall at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (zL564)
***

Filters worked OK. Just had to keep up with them.
The fun was that the wives sent their nylons and we put them over the filters. Worked great.

Posted by: Diogenes at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (axyOa)

372 Stupidest thing about the battery reolacement issue is that this problem was solve a long time ago via uniform battery dimensions. I'd suggest a standardized, slide in battery pack that installs the same way on all EVs, just like TV remotes. If you made it some enough, it could even become a fast- refueling process.
Posted by: Farmer Bob at April 29, 2022 12:12 PM

Except those things are heavy as hell in EV's.
Posted by: Minnfidel

Small enough and you can make it to the corner store and back.
Isn't there a thermodynamics law that explains all this? Size x power x output?

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (H4qIP)

373 "Yeah, the comments are the real value with MSM news sites, which is why so many don't have them anymore. Every article was fisked in real time.
Posted by: Joe Mannix"

The comments and mocking at Yahoo! LIV News were comedy gold. Too bad nobody at Yahoo had a sense of humor or was capable of learning from them.

Posted by: Ripley at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (MxEKc)

374 I'm sorry, I just can't get turned on about this.

Posted by: EV with a dead battery at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (a3Q+t)

375 Yeah, please take your stick shift and spend some time driving where there are hills, like in San Francisco. It's no problem to drive a stick on flat land.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:10 PM (5HBd1)

Yep. Different problems.
Subies have a "hill holder" clutch that works good for those conditions. Everyone else learns the quick application of power with minimal slippage and then says fuck it and gets an automatic.

Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (MFphb)

376 Pam Keith, Esq.
@PamKeithFL
If Joe Biden cancels student debt and decriminalized cannabis,
Dems will run the table in Nov.

-
Genius!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (FVME7)
---------------

Gosh, it's almost like Democrats are fine with having a King, as long as it's their guy. Who'd a thunk it?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (5pTK/)

377 339 Creating a bureaucracy to rule in their stead always seems to blow everything up though.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 11:45 AM (b2nrj)
==
And perhaps this was the difference. Much more bureaucratic interference in France. There was hunger, pretty widespread at that time.
Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (LyTO1)

It happens a number of times in Chinese history as well. How do you establish absolute monarchy? "Replace" the nobles (really they get government jobs instead) and put all power in the king, who appoints local administrators now. How does one individual run a huge country? Large bureaucracy that is highly centered in the capitol. In a few generations the bureaucrats are the ones actually running things. They practice rampant nepotism and corruption. Consistent recipe for serious issues.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (b2nrj)

378 I used San Francisco as an example because my first husband used to drive a VW bus there a lot. I've driven lots of vehicles with manual transmissions but there are places where it is a challenge to work the clutch and brake at the same time.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM

Well if you run over a few smelly losers, it's a feature not a bug. Pun intended.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (7ERm6)

379 We ate not sending troops, just military contractors.

Posted by: runner at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (BP9lK)

380 If Joe Biden cancels student debt and decriminalized cannabis,
Dems will run the table in Nov.

What will they then do for an encore for 2024? With the Number One item covered - student debt - what bribe will they need for the Big One?

I wager they keep dangling this "vote for us and we will do X" bribe works until they actually fulfill the promise then they have spent their chip.

Then the economy collapses because of an addition two or three trillion in fiat currency entering the market, prices explode further because now many people, young and old will game the Free Money enticement and want to perpetuate that forever.

Then again, the GOP can make the exact same promise and kneecap the Democrats efforts to purchase with OPM yet another election.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (AHeqJ)

381 Bah, day old sock

Posted by: Dave in Fla at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (eta58)

382 Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (5HBd1)

I lived in SF when I was in College and drove a VW 56 bug... Let's just say it was a "challenge."

Posted by: It's me donna at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (dvgPQ)

383 EVs have a limited range and a limited life span. They will never be able to provide the freedom that gasoline-powered cars provide. To our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate gas-powered cars, those EV problems are a feature, not a bug.

You will own nothing and be happy.

And don't look to the GOP to help you. They're too busy giving medals to the murderous capitol police.

Yeah, I am fucking disgusted with the country and its rotten government. Why do you ask?

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (2JVJo)

384
And the taxonomy here is wrong. Rich guys who are in cahoots with the Left are "business leaders."

Rich guys they hate are "oligarchs." And as we all know, oligarchs are... A RUSSIAN THING!!!

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (UGDPW)

385 Hereditary nobility funnily has one of the positive aspects of property rights. They're invested long-term in the welfare of an area. This disappears if they just fuck off to the capitol and are more focused on impressing their college buddies.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (b2nrj)

386 380 What will they then do for an encore for 2024? With the Number One item covered - student debt - what bribe will they need for the Big One?

I wager they keep dangling this "vote for us and we will do X" bribe works until they actually fulfill the promise then they have spent their chip.

Then again, the GOP can make the exact same promise and kneecap the Democrats efforts to purchase with OPM yet another election.
Posted by: Reuben Hick at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (AHeqJ)

=========

"They read our book!"
-Politicians forever who have wanted to own the issue and not actually implement a solution (think the GOP and abortion, or the Democrats and guns)

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (LvTSG)

387 Hypertube, if he can bore them as he says, is a lot more practical than an elevated.

It could be the next autoban.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (dtPto)

388 Pam Keith is rather uninformed it seems.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (eta58)

389 Biden shouldn't be able to cancel student debt with an EO. Congress surrendering more power.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (F1QSo)

390 I was glad to drop back into auto mode, though.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:00 PM (txdEq)

Not exactly the same thing.
Were you at all concerned about engaging first after an uphill stop without rolling backwards?
Posted by: OneEyedJack , with an onion on his belt which was the style at the time... at April 29, 2022

***
No, there was no clutch. But I had to be alert to shift at the right PRM and not let the engine rev too high. As for your other point, I don't recall if there were any uphill stops like that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (txdEq)

391 @367 Notsothoreau-Thats what parking/handbrake are for. Especially on the steep hills in Frisco. Pull up grab the parking break. Light turns green, release brake and clutch with right foot on gas.

Posted by: JROD at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (0jZnq)

392 I think this battery replacement issue could be solved using some type of high-energy-density liquids. There are some liquids, many types of hydrocarbons, that you could easily load into some tank and this "liquid-battery" could be used to power a motor, much like the electric one but it would use the process of "combustion" internal to the motor to provide energy. All of the technology involved is well understood, safe, wildly energy efficient, and great for the rest of the world.

Posted by: banana Dream at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (QzpS1)

393 My 5 speed Jetta can only be stolen by about 10% of the population. I am buying a 6 speed Acura Integra ('23) next year. Already ordered it.

Posted by: Truck Monkey Report at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (flINI)

394 Pam Keith, Esq.
@PamKeithFL
If Joe Biden cancels student debt and decriminalized cannabis,
Dems will run the table in Nov.
--------------------------------
Genius!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (FVME7)
===========
Hilarious. "Bust through Constitutional limits to get elected!". Biden has no authority to decide how to spend Federal money. Zero. None.

The worst part is this is a disguised gift to a small group of people. According to an analysis I saw yesterday here, more than half of the money (56%) is being given to only 12.5% of student loan holders in this plan.

That group is composed of grad school borrowers, some unknown part of whom are social sciences graduate degree recipients. Or, as we call them, "baristas".

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (XkUZw)

395 Old hotness: The chocolate ration has been increased from 10 grams to 8 grams!

New hotness: The travel range of your car has been increased from 300 miles to 200 miles!

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (5pTK/)

396 I lived in SF when I was in College and drove a VW 56 bug... Let's just say it was a "challenge."

Posted by: It's me donna at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (dvgPQ)

Same in Seattle with a 60s VW Notchback. You learn the E brake, gas, clutch trick.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (SH2Zi)

397 Thats what parking/handbrake are for. Especially on the steep hills in Frisco. Pull up grab the parking break. Light turns green, release brake and clutch with right foot on gas.
Posted by: JROD at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (0jZnq)
++++
The parking brake becomes your friend with a stick shift in a hilly area. And it acts as a constant reminder to keep your parking brake in good repair.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (DU+/6)

398 349 The worst part is this is a disguised gift to a small group of people. According to an analysis I saw yesterday here, more than half of the money (56%) is being given to only 12.5% of student loan holders in this plan.

That group is composed of grad school borrowers, some unknown part of whom are social sciences graduate degree recipients. Or, as we call them, "baristas".
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 12:18 PM (XkUZw)

=========

A whole lot of doctors and lawyers begins paid tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars by people who work the cash register at Wal-Mart.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, believes a man can fly with Superman at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (LvTSG)

399 Same in Seattle with a 60s VW Notchback. You learn the E brake, gas, clutch trick.
Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (SH2Zi)
-------------

Same deal with the Pinto where I grew up.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (5pTK/)

400 >>>Going to do some catching drills with my two this morning at the local field (another benefit of homeschooling).
Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (SH2Zi)

=====

I coach HS baseball (sophs and asst. Var). I subscribe (free) to Baseball Coaches Insider. They send out emails (or you can go to sir site) with coaching tips from college coaches from around the country.

https://coachesinsider.com/topic/baseball/

Posted by: Turn Two at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (B9OXP)

401 Good rants, Buck. Late to the thread, and perhaps already mentioned -- I imagine a secondary (non-dealer) market for replacement EV batteries will be created. There will likely be a market incentive.

For example, my understanding is that the original Prius hybrid batteries were expensive to replace (like $7k) and only available at Toyota dealers. Now there are numerous companies (one is called Green Bean IIRC) nationwide that will come to your residence and replace all the bad cells for something between $1000 & $1500.

As for starting gas-powered appliances, we have a couple of backup duel fuel (gas/propane) generators that are difficult for me to start by pulling -- and impossible for the wifey -- but have a push-button/remote fob option.

Posted by: ShainS at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (IN1nj)

402 I lived in SF when I was in College and drove a VW 56 bug... Let's just say it was a "challenge."
Posted by: It's me donna at April 29, 2022 12:16 PM (dvgPQ)
++++
Did the Bugs that early even have synchromesh yet?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (DU+/6)

403 What do you tell people that have awaken front a 5 year coma?

.....and then the stupid old fuck was installed.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (J8LnB)

404
And I have plenty of issues with Elon Musk, but it's hard to call him an "oligarch." Many of his business moves have been shady as far as state subsidies, but it's not as if he's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Party & State, like 99% of big business. I could rattle off a dozen names that fit the bill more closely than his.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (UGDPW)

405 Posted by: banana Dream

Liquid battery. ISWYDT.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (H4qIP)

406 I guess "military advisors " is tooooo 1970s...

Posted by: runner at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (BP9lK)

407 I drove a Toyota with a manual stick shift around the Bay Area back in the 70s. Hills were initially a challenge, especially when some AH pulled up to your back bumper at a red light.

Posted by: Vic at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (mZwKe)

408 Have any Republican leaders in Congress spoken out in anger against the Ministry Of Truth?
----
Ron Johnson

Posted by: Dave in Fla at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (eta58)

409 Yeah, I get heavy, that's the trouble with batteries right? The best are only like a tenth of the energy of gasoline, so 10x the weight for usable range. But, I mean, there's hydraulic pallet Jack's at every grocery store, heavy isn't really an issue. Good connection issue is resolved with dummy light. I think bigger issue is what you get on switch- you'd want some sort of guarantee of minimum energy. I assume thats doable.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (fj2YZ)

410 The limited life span on batteries and their very high replacement cost has seemed like a problem all the EV advocates have been ignoring.

The vast majority of new luxury cars are leased, not bought. So long-term considerations (BMW and Audi self-grenading engines, battery replacement on EVs, etc) just aren't a thing for the person who drives it off the lot new.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (ZGrMX)

411 I bought one of my daughters a Prius once upon a time. Toyota makes a helluva car. Anyway, she drove it for ten years and then the batteries were coming to end of life and within the next year were going to be replaced. She sold the car, to a dealer.

By contrast I still drive my 17 year old internal combustion car, and it's in great shape.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (XkUZw)

412 Has anyone in the R party called Bezos, Zuckerberg or Soros an oligarch? No?

Posted by: 18-1 at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (ESjRY)

413 I drove a manual Saab 900 when I lived in the Catskills. No problem at all but admittedly I would have preferred an automatic.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (F1QSo)

414
Hereditary nobility funnily has one of the positive aspects of property rights. They're invested long-term in the welfare of an area. This disappears if they just fuck off to the capitol and are more focused on impressing their college buddies.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (b2nrj)

Yeah, and serfdom sucks ass, but serfs are too valuable to hurl into pointless conflicts to enrich the weapons manufacturer who's bribing the local Baron.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (UGDPW)

415 Notice there is no Poutrage, massive backlash, demands for "Transparency", certainly no Congressional interest in determining exactly WHO took over "Drudge" and started skewing stories/coverage/reach.
How much did they pay? Where did they get the funds?

Posted by: birddog at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (uAI4S)

416 And I have plenty of issues with Elon Musk, but it's hard to call him an "oligarch." Many of his business moves have been shady as far as state subsidies, but it's not as if he's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Party & State, like 99% of big business. I could rattle off a dozen names that fit the bill more closely than his.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice

If legal = shady, ok. AFAIK, all of his "dealings" have been legal. Don't blame him because states are handing out subsidies.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (H4qIP)

417 Have any Republican leaders in Congress spoken out in anger against the Ministry Of Truth?
----
Ron Johnson
Posted by: Dave in Fla at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (eta5

--------------

Is anyone really surprised this is being done under an entity which was created when GW was in office?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (5pTK/)

418 Ron Johnson
Posted by: Dave in Fla at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (eta5

==============
Well then, Ron Johnson for Majority Leader.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (XkUZw)

419 Theyy are going after Musk really hard now, his two step caught them off guard. Did not have time to prepare.

Posted by: runner at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (BP9lK)

420 Stupidest thing about the battery reolacement issue is that this problem was solve a long time ago via uniform battery dimensions.

Why then, am I standing in front of a wall of batteries in a myriad of dimensions here at the auto parts store?

Also, contemplate the difference between a 30.06 cartridge and the .308. Basically the same power and bullet but the two differ in age and case volume. Clue: technology improves and allows for a better product.

Standardizing battery size will stifle innovation and market distinction in range and body design. Everyone gets stuck with a 30.06

Posted by: Reuben Hick at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (AHeqJ)

421 Prince Charles saves the world!

Prince Charles Thinks We Should Mask The Cows For Climate Change. Seriously.

Ridiculous ass picture:

https://bit.ly/3vuQnzw

Masks! Is there anything they can't do?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter 2022 at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (FVME7)

422 Nood

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (4q/mG)

423 Posted by: Farmer Bob at April 29, 2022 12:21 PM (fj2YZ)

***

The electric pallet jacks are shit. My drivers experience that about 50% of the jacks they have to use are worthless and they have to hand jack their cargo off the truck

Posted by: Truck Monkey Report at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (flINI)

424 Nood. Tucker.

Posted by: golfman at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (aX0CW)

425 There are currently 1.2 billion [internal combustion] cars in the world. So 1/4 of them could be replaced...only once, under an absolute best-case-scenario, which makes unrealistic assumptions.

Posted by: mr_bill at April 29, 2022 12:09 PM (4inxJ)

All that math and logic will not save one polar bear!

Posted by: Javems at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (AmoqO)

426 Small enough and you can make it to the corner store and back.
Isn't there a thermodynamics law that explains all this? Size x power x output?
Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM

I suppose they could have one as an emergency back up. But then it's even more batteries out there. I am not against giving Opec the finger. If they can make a practical and I do mean practical solution that is better for the planet than EV's I am all for it. We still need oil for tons of things anyway like the plastics in EV's even. And the batteries. Like ethanol they are worse for the earth. It's all subsidies and feel good shit.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 29, 2022 12:23 PM (7ERm6)

427 Batteries?
On the "Positive" side....Mexico just Nationalized its entire Lithium Industry.

Posted by: birddog at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (uAI4S)

428 403 What do you tell people that have awaken front a 5 year coma?

.....and then the stupid old fuck was installed.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (J8LnB)

-------

That they were lucky compared to the rest of us?

Posted by: ShainS at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (IN1nj)

429 Is anyone really surprised this is being done under an entity which was created when GW was in office?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:22 PM (5pTK/)
++++
The creation of the DHS was a formative experience for me. I was watching Bush's address to the joint session of Congress when he announced the new cabinet-level position to oversee domestic intelligence coordination called the Department of Homeland Security.

My dad literally leapt to his feet and shouted at the television, "No, you damn fool! Do you think you'll be in charge forever?"

It took me a while to understand that reaction.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (DU+/6)

430 I've had it take an hour.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at April 29, 2022 11:54 AM (jTmQV)

Invent an easy universal solution to that problem and you will make a million dollars. It is downright criminal how much trouble it is to replace a headlight bulb in some cars.

*light bulb*

*off to the patent office*

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (SH2Zi)

431 Used to be, per Montesquieu, to maintain a general republic you need lots of small landholders. Well that's in an agrarian society. How do we have a population suited to a republic in a modern economy?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:04 PM (b2nrj)

Small landholders had a minimum area of land to be viable in an agricultural society, and a lot of the smaller holders had crafts on the side, often working "off the farm" just like in the US in the 1880's on.

The Paris Commune and the later socialist/communists all called for worker investment and ownership in their workshops, however the centralized organization of factories could not be run on a diffuse ownership, and unfortunately the economies could not be run on the centralized pattern the workshops needed. All parts had to be independent of each other.

However, what do you call a suburbanite on his 1/10 - 1/5th plot of land with his own house but a small land holder?

Posted by: Kindltot at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (xhaym)

432 348 I did read that Musk is preceding on his tube hyperloop development further than I thought. I know a lot of posters like to crap on this part of Musk's projects but it's the one I'm most interested in since it's been part of my view of the future since I was a kid. If I can't get a flying car I want my hypertube travel.
Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at April 29, 2022 12:11 PM (F1QSo)

Hyperloop travel is an ostensible reason for Boring Company to exist, and funds ongoing development and operation. Actually, the businesses for SpaceX and Tesla are also.

Ultimately those exist for the colonization of Mars.

Posted by: blaster at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (9otr5)

433 ++++
The parking brake becomes your friend with a stick shift in a hilly area. And it acts as a constant reminder to keep your parking brake in good repair.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:19 PM (DU+/6)
----------------

Nobody ever taught you guys 'heel toe'?

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (dtPto)

434 I suppose they could have one as an emergency back up. But then it's even more batteries out there. I am not against giving Opec the finger. If they can make a practical and I do mean practical solution that is better for the planet than EV's I am all for it. We still need oil for tons of things anyway like the plastics in EV's even. And the batteries. Like ethanol they are worse for the earth. It's all subsidies and feel good shit.
Posted by: Minnfidel

We gave OPEC the finger with Trump and WITHOUT an EV mandate.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (H4qIP)

435 By contrast I still drive my 17 year old internal combustion car, and it's in great shape.
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at April 29, 2022

***
Well-made older cars are fun. I bought my '86 Mercedes sedan in '99; it had 130K miles on it then. Five and a half years later when it was totaled while parked, it had 198K and still drove beautifully and reliably.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (txdEq)

436 Has anyone in the R party called Bezos, Zuckerberg or Soros an oligarch? No?

And if anyone in the R party did, could Putin seize their assets?

Posted by: Reuben Hick at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (AHeqJ)

437 Many of his business moves have been shady as far as state subsidies, but it's not as if he's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Party & State, like 99% of big business.

The majority, and possibly all, of the subsidies he's gotten are available to everyone. And SpaceX is costing NASA an order of magnitude less than having Boeing and Raytheon fuck things up. As the Empress says, you'd be dumb not to take free money even if you don't think it should be available.

Posted by: Ian S. at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (ZGrMX)

438 Nood.

Tucker Carlson

Posted by: Darth Randall at April 29, 2022 12:25 PM (zL564)

439 And I have plenty of issues with Elon Musk, but it's hard to call him an "oligarch." Many of his business moves have been shady as far as state subsidies, but it's not as if he's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Party & State, like 99% of big business. I could rattle off a dozen names that fit the bill more closely than his.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at April 29, 2022 12:20 PM (UGDPW)

-------

Agreed, I don't think of him as an oligarch. And he certainly strikes me as someone who wants to be left alone and wants to leave others alone.

He also hates government agencies, especially after what the SEC did to him vis-a-vis the founding of Tesla (which he wanted to keep private).

Posted by: ShainS at April 29, 2022 12:26 PM (IN1nj)

440 Hyperloop travel is an ostensible reason for Boring Company to exist, and funds ongoing development and operation. Actually, the businesses for SpaceX and Tesla are also.

Ultimately those exist for the colonization of Mars.
Posted by: blaster
-------------------------

And his billion dollar prize for the sequestration of CO2 is for his rocket ships.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:27 PM (dtPto)

441 Invent an easy universal solution to that problem and you will make a million dollars. It is downright criminal how much trouble it is to replace a headlight bulb in some cars.

*light bulb*

*off to the patent office*
Posted by: Comrade flounder,

I'm so old, I remember going thru the front of the headlight housing with three screws total.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 29, 2022 12:27 PM (H4qIP)

442 How does one individual run a huge country? Large bureaucracy that is highly centered in the capitol. In a few generations the bureaucrats are the ones actually running things. They practice rampant nepotism and corruption. Consistent recipe for serious issues.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:15 PM (b2nrj)
==
You could argue that it was the attempt by the English crown to install such a bureaucracy that pissed off the local gentry and got them motivated to be done with England altogether. Some of the English elite understood the danger and tried to get the King and Lord North to realize the mistake being made. And there were ample opportunities to avert what happened. The English finally did figure it out, but only after they lost the most valuable of their possessions.

Posted by: Black JEM at April 29, 2022 12:27 PM (LyTO1)

443 Musk is a freaking genius.

Saving the Union, the planet and going to Mars on the same dime.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 29, 2022 12:28 PM (dtPto)

444 Really good rant, Buck

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at April 29, 2022 12:28 PM (EGSGm)

445 I'm generally not a fan of the French Revolution, and think it was a bit overblown in its importance. But, history is useful. Our aristocracy is ignorant of history, however (in addition to law, biology, math, economics, etc.), and doesn't realize what will eventually happen when they continue down this road.

If and when that occurs, the French Revolution may look tame in comparison.
Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 29, 2022 11:11 AM (a/dOO)

The French Revolution was a seminal event in world history. If the French Revolution had not occurred, would Napoleon Bonaparte have risen to power and embarked on an attempt to conquer Europe? The genocide of the Vendee' would not have happened. The streets of Paris would not have literally run with blood. By the time the smoke settled in 1815, how many millions died since 1792?

Our aristos are just as selfish, stupid and arrogant as the French were just before their Revolution. One of the things that sparked it was a famine. Our current-year globabalist Commies are screwing with fertilizer and energy; if the trends continue, things are going to get sporty.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at April 29, 2022 12:28 PM (pJWtt)

446 My soon to be 12 year old KIA "only" has 105K on it ( never thought I'd say that's low mileage). I was in for an oil change and had them check stuff at 80K, and it needed nothing. Checked at 100K, still nothing. Used to be at about 60K you were looking at, at least, a valve job. Old VWs had valve adjustment in the owners manual. Also, I am currently on factory brake pads over 100K and they measured in at a 6, whatever that means, but the guy said good. Easy foot on the pedal and knowing how to downshift.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 29, 2022 12:28 PM (lz5hY)

447 My dad literally leapt to his feet and shouted at the television, "No, you damn fool! Do you think you'll be in charge forever?"

It took me a while to understand that reaction.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at April 29, 2022 12:24 PM (DU+/6)
------------

With the "War on Terror" and the subsequent failures when Democrats took over were when i realized our government cannot be trusted when it comes to wars of choice. Which annoys me, because I obviously forgot the lessons of Vietnam. Of course, now, I do not trust our government in any way shape or form.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at April 29, 2022 12:29 PM (5pTK/)

448 The French Revolution stated out to be very good. But it did not take long for it to be taken over by the bad crowd and mob and the blood flowed like rivers.

Posted by: Vic at April 29, 2022 12:31 PM (mZwKe)

449 I suppose they could have one as an emergency back up. But then it's even more batteries out there. I am not against giving Opec the finger. If they can make a practical and I do mean practical solution that is better for the planet than EV's I am all for it. We still need oil for tons of things anyway like the plastics in EV's even. And the batteries. Like ethanol they are worse for the earth. It's all subsidies and feel good shit.
Posted by: Minnfidel

That statement demonstrates near complete ignorance of cracking oil into products. Gasoline, at one time, was a waste product until an engine was produced that could burn it and make Rockefeller the wealthiest man in all of human history.

Refiners can play around to some degree on the percentage of product that ends up gasoline, but still, given the need for so much other derivatives, there will be billions of gasoline still produced because distilling produces an unavoidable amount of liquified refinery gases.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at April 29, 2022 12:31 PM (AHeqJ)

450 AOP, the battery swap model has been investigated. There is a liability risk with ensuring good connections. Imagine splicing a fuel line every time you fill up.

It would work most of the time, but the exceptions would be spectacular and litigious.
Posted by: 2009Refugee at April 29, 2022 12:13 PM (w+EYk)

1. You could design "almost" idiot-proof connections, made so that robots make, and then test the connections.

2. Your battery lease contract includes insurance for losses incurred because of faulty connections.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 29, 2022 12:34 PM (ZNiE9)

451 Hereditary nobility funnily has one of the positive aspects of property rights. They're invested long-term in the welfare of an area. This disappears if they just fuck off to the capitol and are more focused on impressing their college buddies.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at April 29, 2022 12:17 PM (b2nrj)

Sure, if the hereditary autocrat has control of everything and has a loyal coterie around him that also care about the future.
If he has a bureaucracy with time servers who have family members that need money or friends with businesses then all bets are off. They will take that power and use it for their own interests, with the pretext that it is good for all the right people.
you might as well say "Hereditary Nobility is a system created for men who are angels" and let it go like that.

And Yarvin is an idiot for building his theories on "noble kings"

Posted by: Kindltot at April 29, 2022 12:34 PM (xhaym)

452 451 King Harv rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove, providing the serfs with a good cuppa joe.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 29, 2022 12:35 PM (lz5hY)

453 The French Revolution stated out to be very good. But it did not take long for it to be taken over by the bad crowd and mob and the blood flowed like rivers.
Posted by: Vic
---------
Now you see me, now you don't.

Posted by: Robespierre at April 29, 2022 12:36 PM (kT5Bb)

454 ---------
Now you see me, now you don't.
Posted by: Robespierre
-------

I'm good with that.

Posted by: Madam Defarge at April 29, 2022 12:38 PM (LUJEW)

455 453 Now you see me, now you don't.

Posted by: Robespierre at April 29, 2022 12:36 PM (kT5Bb)

And in the end you too got your head lopped off.

Posted by: Vic at April 29, 2022 12:38 PM (mZwKe)

456 I used San Francisco as an example because my first husband used to drive a VW bus there a lot. I've driven lots of vehicles with manual transmissions but there are places where it is a challenge to work the clutch and brake at the same time.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at April 29, 2022 12:14 PM (5HBd1)

Studebaker (and much later, Subaru) had a "Hill-holder" accessory that was very cheap. Stop on an upgrade, and depress the clutch, and the hill-holder retained pressure in the brake lines to keep the brakes applied, so your right foot was free to work the accelerator pedal when you started out again.

I remember driving my Hill-holder equipped '54 Champion on San Francisco streets in 1970-something. It worked just fine.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 29, 2022 12:39 PM (ZNiE9)

457 Better Musk than anything this system could ever throw up, and that includes the useless and arguably malign GOP.
Clearly the 'people' have no idea how to rule themselves so they are going to get 'rulers'. As you say it's only a choice between a good ruler and the dreck now on offer. I'm going for door #1.

Posted by: Dougf at April 29, 2022 12:54 PM (oL6GG)

458 147
Many sub grids are designed so that plant can be taken off line as people go to bed and use less power. When you car looks like a 10000 BTU AC running all night long they are going to have to stick it on someones bill.
----
Now imagine the power company has an AI bot on the system. Designed to work with the many smart meters and smart appliances, it knows how to lower the loads on the generators by shedding some loads and staggering power delivery when and where necessary. It doesn't necessarily 'know' what that 'appliance' at your home is actually doing, just that it is sucking too many kVA/hr so it kills the power delivery to it for 6 hours. When you get in your EV to drive to work in the morning, it has not been charged sufficiently and you are stuck in your garage or, worse, it conks out on the road. Shame on shame, you have to be rescued by a gasoline-powered truck running a diesel-powered electrical generator for an hour or so. You miss the meeting. It was about promotions and assignment of projects. You don't get the promotion. You get assigned the most shitty and least remunerative project.

Posted by: Ciampino at April 29, 2022 12:59 PM (qfLjt)

459 154
Anyways, they used to have on some bikes a decompressor lever or thingy to make kicking a little easier.

Didn't they improve it to the point that it became the starter button? (quickly leaves the room as large tomes are flung at the door.)

Posted by: Ciampino at April 29, 2022 01:06 PM (qfLjt)

460 "To our ruling class, who so zealously want to eliminate gas-powered cars, those EV problems are a feature, not a bug."

Moron: "But... an EV doesn't have the range for me to go to and from work!"

Ruling Class: "Then don't drive and learn to code."

This is the whole purpose for everything these fuckers - who are a very small minority of our population - do to us: limit freedom.

Posted by: Danimal28 at April 29, 2022 01:48 PM (klw0w)

461 "I am deeply disturbed that I must now look to oligarchs like Elon Musk to protect me from oligarchs like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg."

Even more disturbing, our champions are not Republicans. Trump and Musk came from the center left. Where are our guys? Giving Mitch secret handshakes at the 19th tee?

Posted by: Not Fen at April 29, 2022 02:21 PM (NUkEv)

462 "But I’d prefer constitutional self-government."
You can't HAVE self-government! You let them replace self-governance with amoralism. Without morals there is no "self-government". And then, there is no freedom.

You f*ed up. You trusted them.

(Rhetorical 'you'.)

Posted by: GWB at April 29, 2022 07:43 PM (d6gL5)

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