Fun Two Day Trip

Before hitting the TSA checkpoint, I empty all my pockets and put the contents inside my bag. Before getting on the plane, bought a cup of coffee and discovered my keys, still in my pocket. Had the same thing recently occur with a couple dollars worth of change at Ft Meyers. Good to know TSA is on top of their game.

Getting on a flight to Las Vegas via Phoenix some jerk tried to put his oversized bag sideways over the row I was to sit in. Called him on it; told him to move his bag. He said something about no space where he was sitting. Told him I didn’t care; I paid for my ticket same as him. He moved the bag.

Flying to Phoenix was interesting as the aspen are turning colors. Quite a sight from 29,000 feet.

Exiting the restroom at Phoenix, the man with the bag was waiting for me. Started running his mouth. I stepped away from my carryon, extended my hands palm up, and made a “come on” motion with my fingers. Turns out he was all mouth and decided he had other places to be.

Must have been a spectacle; two senior citizens chest puffing in the entryway to an airport restroom. To hell with these jerks that think the world revolves around them. The airline employees won’t do much about the carryon problem because they know their management won’t back them up.

Later, talking to youngest son, he pointed out the man probably steamed the whole two hours from Denver. Bet the outcome to his confrontation with me didn’t go the way he envisioned. Probably steamed the rest of the day. Being the perverse asshole I am, I rather enjoyed the rest of my day.

My boss goes to Expedia and buys the cheapest flight possible. I don’t care, I get paid whether I’m in an airplane, sitting at a terminal, or driving a vehicle. The company isn’t getting paid if wheels aren’t turning on the test vehicles. Not my problem, but old management habits are hard to discard.

Nice drive from Las Vegas to Denver. Tourist season is over as is a lot of construction. Did earn my pay nursing the vehicle. Pre production stuff isn’t always reliable. Guess that is why the manufacturers test them.

Evil Car Salesmen - Ongoing

As requested, another car sales story.

Mid 90’s, upscale HONDA dealership, still needed to sell their used car trade ins. The used car department was staffed by six throat rippers recruited from other stores. In walks a Japanese couple, fresh off an airplane. They wanted a Japanese car, only, at a stupid low price, for cash. Ah, a challenge.

We did have a 1990 Mercury Tracer Hatchback. This was a Mazda 323 clone. After explaining this was really a Mazda 323 (and showing them some parts under the hood with Mazda on them) we went for a test drive.

This couple had limited English. Seems they were heart surgeons, married, and were doing a year long training program at a local hospital. The woman was in charge.

After driving them off the lot to a low traffic area, I parked on the right side of the street and let the lady drive. She promptly pulled over to the left and away we go! After a short, but intense, discussion about which side of the road is used in the USA, we finish the test drive and complete the sale.

A few days later, and two days off for me, the sales manager called me over after I logged in. The Japanese woman had called the store and he had taken the call. As he explained, the call went like this.

Customer “Ah, no RIKE car.”

Sales Manager “OK, no problem. We will have your salesman find you another car.”

Long silence

Customer “Ah, NO RIKE SALESMAN.”

They came in and bought another car. The sales manager wanted me to know why I wasn’t on the second deal. Like I cared.

I didn’t lie to them. A Mazda 323 was a decent car. A Mazda 323, assembled in Mexico and sold by Ford’s Mercury Division, not so much.

For several days, had to listen to, “Ah, no rike Tank.” On the bright side, if her driving had given me a heart attack, she and her husband could have saved my life. Probably not; even in Japan they know car salesmen don’t have hearts.

Offensive and Rude Stereotyping

Traffic offenses I would like to see enacted and enforced.

DWA
Driving while Asian

DWM
Driving while Mexican

DWA
Driving while African

DWE
Driving while elderly

DWCP
Driving while Cell Phoning

DWG
Driving while gansta

DWHUA
Driving with Head Up Ass

MDBF
Mountain Driving by Flatlander

DTTinMA
Driving Turnip Truck in Metro Area

DMVLMV
Driving minivan like a minivan

DLDH
Driving like a Dirt Hauler

DLM
Driving like me

Feel free to add your own.

Obama Press Conference

When you drive prototype and pre production vehicles, you can end up on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. Such was the case this morning so I listened to the Lightbringer's press harrange. (Silly me, I thought press conferences included questions from the press). Heard it on Sirius POTOUS.

Good speach. Better if it had come a month or two after his inaguration but a hint that he is starting to "get it".

What hasn't changed is the arrogance/ineptitude. His speech started twenty six minutes late. This is his pattern. Total disrespect for other's time.

I've worked for a few, "The meeting doesn't start until I get there" types. I never worked for them very long. While I was working for them, I didn't respect them or much care for what they wanted. I can't remember one whose business prospered.

Tea Party

Recently got into a political argument (surprise, surprise) with a "progressive" who challanged me to explain the Tea Party. I don't consider myself a Tea Party member (maybe a fellow traveler) but this is what I sent her.

What Fuels the “Tea Party”

Arrogance! Those who consider themselves intellectual elites, who assume they hold the moral high ground, who should be in charge, and who know best what are the common good needs, and really don’t care to hear dissenting opinions. They "fuel" the Tea Party.

Tea Party? How about folks who are saying, not only no, but Hell No.

We will raise, mold, and install our values and beliefs in our families.

We will keep our property.

We will keep our privacy.

We will keep the tools that defend us without interference.

We will choose, not you.

You don’t care to listen to us? Then we will take your power from you.

The Tea Party is an idea, not a monolithic party. It may well be the Civil Rights movement of the 21st Century. And, just as Dr. King and others had the Deacons for Defense and Justice standing in the wings, this is an armed and organized movement.

Her response? I'm a right wing nut job! Ah, civil discourse and respectful exchange of ideas lives, somewhere.

Sunset All Laws

The continued growth of our Federal government is what is stifling our economy. What is needed is to make every law ever passed subject to expiration, i.e., Sunset, every ten years. Five years? Seven years? Timed to off election years?

This will force the bureaucrats to defend their “turf”. Congress, with all their sub committees, will focus on what we’ve got rather than creating even more new laws.

Before Sunset, you have sunshine. As Michelle Malkin points out, sunshine is the best disinfectant.

http://michellemalkin.com/

Imagine, if you will, all the lobbyists, special interest groups, etc. having to justify their existence. Some will make their case and others will go away.

The alternative? The whole damn system collapses.

Holler

Our country has a rich tradition of citizens speaking up. This results in someone being pissed off, usually a public official or politician. Contempt of cop comes to mind. Down at city hall dealing with some busybody who just wants you to go away is another. Politicians at town hall meetings nattering about "civility" are discomforted.

TSA? A couple I know have a child with medical problems. This child has been exposed to numerous x-rays in a short period of time. They refused to allow their child to go through a backscatter scanner. TSA went off on them and the mother went off on TSA. When I heard this, my response was, "Good for you"!

The old counter culture cry of "Resist Authority" still has validity. Whenever and wherever we encounter abusive authority, we need to holler. We need to support others who holler. We defeat abuse by standing up to it. Don't be bullied!

I'm not suggesting you be vulgar or engage in personal attacks. I do encourage going up the chain of command and putting the heat on those who are normally insulated from the "unwashed masses". Remember, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

The most effective person I know at doing this is my little sister. She starts out, "Honey, you don't get paid enough to get yelled at by me. Who in this place does"? Believe me when I say super important corner office occupant is about to have their day disrupted.

Most folks want to avoid conflict and just live their lives in peace and quiet. Sorry, I don't think that works. Don't be a sheeple. Suck it up and start hollering!

For a variety of reasons, MSN is my browser. Their liberal bias is blatant. Imagine my surprise to read a very negative view of the Lightbringer’s jobs speech.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44449392/ns/politics-white_house/

Is it possible reality is setting in? No matter how much you may like the man (or not), he is in over his head. Unfortunately, we are all with him.

Different subject. A young friend is again blogging. Sometimes a younger perspective is interesting. Check him out if you will.

http://beamanifyoucan.blogspot.com/



On the road for a week; light or no blogging or comments. Still working on getting another laptop or getting back one of two “loaned” to offspring.

And now advice from my friend Hal Swift.

Never carry soda pop in your saddle bags.
And, if y'do, always let the New Guy open the first one.

My cowboy friend, Dave P. Fisher, added to my observation about not carrying soda pop in your saddle bag. He said, "Don't open it on horseback, either. It sounds like a big snake."

Stay safe - see you in a week.