Random Thoughts Thread

[oldshurst442]

 

[oldshurst442]

 

[oldshurst442]

It turns out that the  the CEO at Jack Daniels might be thinking differently about Canadian sales of his whiskey... 

I do not know how much money this equates to for Jack Daniels.  Might be as insignificant as that CEO first suggested.  2% in over Jack Daniel sales he said...  Sales to Canada did drop 62% though.    Hey, might not be enough for him to cry.  But as the rest of the world stands with Canada and they too boycott Jack Daniels,  sales  declined in Europe as well. Not by much, but the trade war effects with Europe are just now going to have an affect. ...  Give this some more time though, like when people drink with a purpose...like Christmas, and we will probably see those tears come out from that CEO and corporate owner of Jack Daniels.  Sales of Jack will probably decline in the US at this time \as people wont be able to afford luxuries such as alcohol  Christmas in the US wont be so merry Im afraid.   Remember, Trump did say that you might be able to afford just one doll.  

Millennials and Gen Zers do not drink alcohol because of crazy Tik Tok trends and healthier lifestyles will soften the blow from reality I guess... 

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/company-behind-jack-daniels-says-080000061.html

 

Phoque him

Phoque Jack Daniels

Phoque American distillers

Phoque the US

ELBOWS UP!!!

 

 

Edited August 30 by oldshurst442

[trinacriabob]

On 8/27/2025 at 3:27 PM, G. David Felt said:

The 3 major airports in NY are all terrible and should be bull dozed, then rebuild modern. The remodels are a joke that they have done, especially at Newark.

The problem is that all 3 big NYC airports are complicated and expensive to get to.  I don't like Chicago all that much (blame that on experiencing Champaign-Urbana and its connectedness to Chicago), but both O'Hare and Midway are accessible by regular CTA subway car rides from the city.

[oldshurst442]

complaining and whining

whining and complaining

At 00:30 eastern time.  23:30 cst time for those in middle America. 

 

[G. David Felt]

On 8/29/2025 at 7:43 AM, A Horse With No Name said:

More Canadian boycott stuff, but not just Canada. Our economy is so going to tank. 

 

Due to the lose of Canadian Tourism, many restaurants have closed and many tourist businesses have stated on local news that this year could be their last as owners have paid employees but not themselves and they will have to think about going in debt to stay open next year or close at the end of the season.

I suspect many businesses will close as the PNW is already in recession due to tech job lay offs.

[oldshurst442]

Dear diary. He dropped a couple love bombs and complaints 14:30 eastern, 13:30 central. And that is that.   He left and as fast as he came.  

[A Horse With No Name]

On 9/1/2025 at 1:40 PM, G. David Felt said:

Due to the lose of Canadian Tourism, many restaurants have closed and many tourist businesses have stated on local news that this year could be their last as owners have paid employees but not themselves and they will have to think about going in debt to stay open next year or close at the end of the season.

I suspect many businesses will close as the PNW is already in recession due to tech job lay offs.

Lots of tech jobs going overseas, friends and family in tech are nervous. Not a good time to be an American. 

On 8/30/2025 at 11:20 PM, trinacriabob said:

The problem is that all 3 big NYC airports are complicated and expensive to get to.  I don't like Chicago all that much (blame that on experiencing Champaign-Urbana and its connectedness to Chicago), but both O'Hare and Midway are accessible by regular CTA subway car rides from the city.

I would much rather fly through Chicago, which I have done a bunch of times with zero issues. Last time i flew through JFK I engineered a 5 hour layover just because the airport is such a PITA to deal with. 

On 8/30/2025 at 1:03 PM, oldshurst442 said:

 

AS I have said a million times, I just want to leave the USA on an Embraer or Airbus, not a Boeing. Forever. 

On 8/30/2025 at 10:11 AM, Drew Dowdell said:

When it happens, you won't hear about it directly. You'll feel an electricity in the air. You'll hear car horns honking, maybe some fireworks going off, you'll have 47 unread text messages. Entire nations will be celebrating.

 

and you don't even have to ask what it is I'm talking about.

His father lived to 92 senile AF and nuts off his rocker. 12 years to go, mark my words. 

[A Horse With No Name]

We post while America burns, but burn to the ground she does. 

Will not be good for legacy car makers. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Interesting video on vinyl record technology. We might be literally unable to make Vinyl records without Japanese help. 

Interesting on Lucid Air. 

 

[G. David Felt]

WOW, Hyundai is sure selling well.

Hyundai Motor America Reports Record-Breaking August 2025 Sales - Hyundai Newsroom

Very excited by ChargePoint Press release on their 600 kW V2G charging station.
ChargePoint and Eaton launch breakthrough ultrafast DC V2G chargers and power infrastructure to accelerate the future of EV charging | ChargePoint

[A Horse With No Name]

50 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

WOW, Hyundai is sure selling well.

Hyundai Motor America Reports Record-Breaking August 2025 Sales - Hyundai Newsroom

Very excited by ChargePoint Press release on their 600 kW V2G charging station.
ChargePoint and Eaton launch breakthrough ultrafast DC V2G chargers and power infrastructure to accelerate the future of EV charging | ChargePoint

Would love to see Nissan fall on its ass though. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Thoughtful from a strategy standpoint. 

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Wheels coming off of the economy. 

 

[oldshurst442]

Economy's wheels are coming off you say?   

Maybe its just a squeaky wheel. Or two. Or three.

And for the second time farmers during a Trump administration are bankrupt.

https://katv.com/news/local/hundreds-of-struggling-arkansas-farmers-ask-federal-government-to-save-them-agriculture-ag-economy-farm-bill-commodity-prices-safety-net-big-beautiful-bill-derek-haigwood-brookland-farming-delta-farm-bankruptcy-closure-sale-trump-boozman-crawford

 

A month ago...Fox news tells their sheep followers that farmers are entering a golden age of prosperity...

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6376661804112

 

Phoque US farmers

Phoque Trump

Phoque Fox news 

Phoque the US in general

 

[G. David Felt]

7 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Wheels coming off of the economy. 

 

Shell just announced major layoffs as other countries are not willing to buy from the U.S. any longer so Shell is laying off Americans and moving production of various oil based products over seas to meet the need of global customers.

So much for the promise of cheap gas as OIL companies lay off in the 10's of thousands and raise prices for gas, oil, etc. to increase profits for the 1%.

Global oil and gas company layoffs in 2024 and 2025 | Reuters

This list is a pretty clear indication imho that a major recession will hit the U.S. this fall.

2025 layoffs: List of companies cutting jobs worldwide and why it’s happening

The sad part is the upper middle-income group will stop buying auto's and other big-ticket items as things get tight.

6 months of declining jobs, 6 months of declining growth in the U.S. Yet gotta give $3.5 Trillion to the wealthy 1% and saddle the rest of us with debt.

Auto Industry is screwed. ICE just invaded Hyundai plants in Georgia arresting people with no clear legal warrants for the arrests.

[oldshurst442]

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Shell just announced major layoffs as other countries are not willing to buy from the U.S. any longer so Shell is laying off Americans and moving production of various oil based products over seas to meet the need of global customers.

So much for the promise of cheap gas as OIL companies lay off in the 10's of thousands and raise prices for gas, oil, etc. to increase profits for the 1%.

Global oil and gas company layoffs in 2024 and 2025 | Reuters

This list is a pretty clear indication imho that a major recession will hit the U.S. this fall.

2025 layoffs: List of companies cutting jobs worldwide and why it’s happening

The sad part is the upper middle-income group will stop buying auto's and other big-ticket items as things get tight.

6 months of declining jobs, 6 months of declining growth in the U.S. Yet gotta give $3.5 Trillion to the wealthy 1% and saddle the rest of us with debt.

Auto Industry is screwed. ICE just invaded Hyundai plants in Georgia arresting people with no clear legal warrants for the arrests.

 

NFL season  just started.  This will ease the pain I reckon.  

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

NFL season  just started.  This will ease the pain I reckon.  

NFL = National Felons League

I refuse to support any pro sport as the 1% took take payers money for their palaces when they could have afforded it themselves. To hell with Pro Sports.

[G. David Felt]

We'll this is pretty much going as I expected.

Tesla Has a Problem — and It’s Not Just the Elon Musk Backlash

[oldshurst442]

10 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

NFL = National Felons League

I refuse to support any pro sport as the 1% took take payers money for their palaces when they could have afforded it themselves. To hell with Pro Sports.

You know...rich people taking other people's money, mostly from poor people's money, and hoarding it for themselves is a very American thing to do...  Why should pro sports be any different?

You know, this very thing you and  I just mentioned about rich people taking money from the poor, is exactly what is happening to your country right now in a very very massive scale...

I, myself, also dont condone rich millionaire and billionaire sports team owners who do as you accuse them of doing what they are doing. And yes, a whole lot of them do as you say.  But I also recognize that a very small minority of pro sports team owners actually DO contribute financially AND positively socially to their respective city/state/provincial markets.   

Pro Sports teams, whether the owners are rotten pieces of shyte for their players and their respective markets, or are angels in disguise, pro sports teams are a financial necessity for MOST Western cities. Whether in North America or Europe.  Even in Asia, South America and Africa...    It could also be a fabric of that society. Become a cultural thing. Which is also important. 

Montreal Canadiens, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, the Olympics.. 

Also, playing sports at a young age and well into your middle ages as a way to stay healthy, is just as important in getting an education, a higher education. Along with playing a musical instrument or indulging in arts.  A pro team sport is just a career path for the best of the best for those athletic peoples. 

I aint trying to convince you to change your opinion, just making sure that you understand there is a difference between shytty ownerships and pro team sports.  Because of greed, pro team sports are not necessarily the same thing as shytty owners... 

We see the shyttyness of the modern Olympics and how toxic and greedy they are for the very few. The advertisers and the organizers. They alone bankrupt whole cities. 

But... Its a cultural thing since the ancient times. 

 

And in modern times

 

For many countries, not only Greece.  For men, women and of different races and colours and backrounds.

 

Best showcased by this country.   Once upon a time ago... 

 

 

[ccap41]

11 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

NFL = National Felons League

I refuse to support any pro sport as the 1% took take payers money for their palaces when they could have afforded it themselves. To hell with Pro Sports.

I agree that billionaire owners should never get public money for their stadiums/arenas/fields. 

With that said, I love sports. I follow the NFL, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and F1 very closely. 

However, not every stadium is funded by public money and certainly not 100% of the bill is public money. Three NFL stadiums were paid for by private money.

[G. David Felt]

@oldshurst442 @ccap41

Good to know that some stadiums were paid for with private money.

Old's I understand the Olympics and the money trap the countries / cities get caught up in, but I do appreciate the global competition in sports as my son was part of the U.S. Gymnastics boys team from the JO program all the way up to the full Olympic program in Colorado Springs before he retired as it did wear on his body.

My disgust for Pro Sports comes from the NFL strike and the players complaining about how expensive it is to insure rare auto's and wanting more money, fancier places, etc.

In Seattle, Nintendo, owners of the Mariners baseball team as well as the Seahawks got the taxpayers to not only pay for their stadiums, but for the maintenance and the proof is that pro sports DO NOT bring in greater money than the costs of these stadiums.

While in some regards, I respected Paul Allen for his donations to various causes, as a billionaire I felt he should have paid for his own stadium. His sister who inherited his wealth and the ownership of the Seahawks had the nerve to tell Seattle they needed to continue to pay for maintenance of the stadium or she would look to move the team elsewhere.

Greed like this is what has turned me off of pro sports, I enjoy College sports, but even there at the push to allow private money in with what I see as manipulation, this next season will be interesting to see how it goes as I might end up not bothering to watch or support College either.

Interesting to see the latest info on this:

 

In the U.S., sports stadiums have been primarily financed through public funding, with many being built or renovated using taxpayer dollars. Notable examples include:
Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, which received $380 million in public funding. 

Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark, which is expected to receive over $400 million in public support. 

Tennessee Titans' new stadium, which will have more than $1 billion in public bonds. 

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, are among the few NFL stadiums fully funded by private money. 

The public funding of sports stadiums is terrible imho. Washington state funded the stadiums with a never ending 1/2% sales tax. So no matter how one feels, everyone that comes to this state funds the sports stadiums.

Very cool
Mark Carney Takes Subtle Jab at Trump Opening Toronto Film Fest: "Don't Push a Canadian Too Far"

[ccap41]

15 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

In Seattle, Nintendo, owners of the Mariners baseball team as well as the Seahawks got the taxpayers to not only pay for their stadiums, but for the maintenance and the proof is that pro sports DO NOT bring in greater money than the costs of these stadiums.

It isn't nearly as cut and dry as you're making it out to be. Below is a much better breakdown of how it was actually funded (Lumen Field, at least).

A breakdown of the funding package:

• $130 million private investment led by Paul G. Allen
• $127 million from new, sports related lottery games, similar to the Mariners’ baseball-themed scratch games
• $101 million in sales taxes collected in King County attributable to events in the stadium/event center
• $1 million per year of in-kind advertising for the new lottery games will be provided by Paul G. Allen
• $56 million from facility admission and parking taxes
• $15 million from extending King County’s share of the existing hotel-motel tax
• Paul G. Allen agreed to pay for any construction cost overruns
• All excess stadium revenues will fund youth athletic facilities throughout Washington State in addition to a $10 million contribution from Paul G. Allen
• $14 million of the public contribution will come from interest earned on the $50 million private contribution from Paul Allen
• As an added measure, the debt on the Kingdome was retired, freeing property taxes for other purposes

The way that reads, to me, is the sales tax is only for those who are attending events at the stadium. If that is correct, it seems like a fair way to publicly fund the stadium, by its users. 

[G. David Felt]

16 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

It isn't nearly as cut and dry as you're making it out to be. Below is a much better breakdown of how it was actually funded (Lumen Field, at least).

A breakdown of the funding package:

• $130 million private investment led by Paul G. Allen
• $127 million from new, sports related lottery games, similar to the Mariners’ baseball-themed scratch games
• $101 million in sales taxes collected in King County attributable to events in the stadium/event center
• $1 million per year of in-kind advertising for the new lottery games will be provided by Paul G. Allen
• $56 million from facility admission and parking taxes
• $15 million from extending King County’s share of the existing hotel-motel tax
• Paul G. Allen agreed to pay for any construction cost overruns
• All excess stadium revenues will fund youth athletic facilities throughout Washington State in addition to a $10 million contribution from Paul G. Allen
• $14 million of the public contribution will come from interest earned on the $50 million private contribution from Paul Allen
• As an added measure, the debt on the Kingdome was retired, freeing property taxes for other purposes

The way that reads, to me, is the sales tax is only for those who are attending events at the stadium. If that is correct, it seems like a fair way to publicly fund the stadium, by its users. 

The sales tax is applied to all businesses in Washington state excluding grocery stores. As such, no matter if you support or not the pro teams, but you go eat at McDonalds, sit down dinner at Anthony's seafood, etc. there is a 1/2% sales tax that you pay that is dedicated to go to the stadiums. 

As such everyone pays it. I have gone down this rabbit hole when it first quietly hit our sales tax and plenty of others here have complained about that it originally was supposed to only hit select businesses that support the stadiums, but the politicians here made it a blanket tax that everyone pays.

[oldshurst442]

6 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

My disgust for Pro Sports comes from the NFL strike and the players complaining about how expensive it is to insure rare auto's and wanting more money, fancier places, etc.

In Seattle, Nintendo, owners of the Mariners baseball team as well as the Seahawks got the taxpayers to not only pay for their stadiums, but for the maintenance and the proof is that pro sports DO NOT bring in greater money than the costs of these stadiums.

While in some regards, I respected Paul Allen for his donations to various causes, as a billionaire I felt he should have paid for his own stadium. His sister who inherited his wealth and the ownership of the Seahawks had the nerve to tell Seattle they needed to continue to pay for maintenance of the stadium or she would look to move the team elsewhere.

Greed like this is what has turned me off of pro sports, I enjoy College sports, but even there at the push to allow private money in with what I see as manipulation, this next season will be interesting to see how it goes as I might end up not bothering to watch or support College either.

Interesting to see the latest info on this:

 

In the U.S., sports stadiums have been primarily financed through public funding, with many being built or renovated using taxpayer dollars. Notable examples include:
Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, which received $380 million in public funding. 

Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark, which is expected to receive over $400 million in public support. 

Tennessee Titans' new stadium, which will have more than $1 billion in public bonds. 

 Yup. Disgusting!!!  But...no different than anything else involving big money and profits and greed in North American politics and economics.  Yes. Even in Canada. Although the Molson Center, now Bell Center, where the Montreal Canadiens play hockey was entirely funded by private monies.  The Molson center now the Bell center, was funded ENTIRELY by the Molson family. The beer company who owns the Montreal Canadiens. Who have owned the Montreal Canadiens for a very long time on two occasions.   Including all the training faculties for the Montreal Canadiens. 

The Montreal Expos, if they were to come back, WILL be funded by private monies. The purchase AND the construction of a baseball field.  Contrary to what news is out there saying otherwise. The city of Montreal and the Province of Quebec, all political leaders that have been elected to those positions have ALL stated that NO public monies will be given for a possible return of an MLB franchise in Montreal.  And ALL Montrealers all agree. And the possible ownership groups and owners involved for a possible return of an MLB team all agree to NOT accept public funds.  But...they do require the government to allow the return of an MLB team.  Example.  Allow government owned land to be bought or leased or even given for a stadium to be built. The city of Montreal to allow pubic transportation to be available and have access points at the stadium etc... 

One reason why the Expos left Montreal in the first place was BECAUSE the government of Quebec REFUSED to bail out the Montreal Expos and allow public funds to be used for a new stadium downtown.   Good decision in my opinion.  But that does not mean that Montreal lost some tourist dollars because the Expos were not in town anymore. But that does not mean that billionaires should be asking for tax payer money to fund their projects either.  That just means at the very least, billionaire  sport team projects should be a PARTNERSHIP  between the city/state/province, the citizens of the area and the ownership groups.  

But in MOST cases, I agree, it does not exist.  Greed...a terrible thing. 

27 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Old's I understand the Olympics and the money trap the countries / cities get caught up in, but I do appreciate the global competition in sports as my son was part of the U.S. Gymnastics boys team from the JO program all the way up to the full Olympic program in Colorado Springs before he retired as it did wear on his body.

Awesome that your son went as far as he did!!! 

 

The Olympics are the WORST for what we are talking about.  Pure greed.  And yes, its not JUST an American thing. Its a GLOBAL thing.  But pro sport teams are more prevalent in the US with billionaire values of pro sports teams in MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL, MLS, girls teams in hockey and basketball, university and college football, baseball, basketball and now even hockey.  In Europe, while soccer leagues and teams have just as much worth as American/Canadian ones, there is simply not as many pro sport leagues and teams in Europe. But it happens there too. 

[trinacriabob]

On 8/27/2025 at 3:27 PM, G. David Felt said:

NY

20250903_172749.heic

Greetings from a few days ago ... a few minutes after clearing the Verrazzano Br. and now out of the harbor 

[oldshurst442]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RIP

 

 

 

[oldshurst442]

 

[A Horse With No Name]

On 9/4/2025 at 7:28 PM, G. David Felt said:

Shell just announced major layoffs as other countries are not willing to buy from the U.S. any longer so Shell is laying off Americans and moving production of various oil based products over seas to meet the need of global customers.

So much for the promise of cheap gas as OIL companies lay off in the 10's of thousands and raise prices for gas, oil, etc. to increase profits for the 1%.

Global oil and gas company layoffs in 2024 and 2025 | Reuters

This list is a pretty clear indication imho that a major recession will hit the U.S. this fall.

2025 layoffs: List of companies cutting jobs worldwide and why it’s happening

The sad part is the upper middle-income group will stop buying auto's and other big-ticket items as things get tight.

6 months of declining jobs, 6 months of declining growth in the U.S. Yet gotta give $3.5 Trillion to the wealthy 1% and saddle the rest of us with debt.

Auto Industry is screwed. ICE just invaded Hyundai plants in Georgia arresting people with no clear legal warrants for the arrests.

Nothing like tanking the economy...

 

Unmitigated greed!

[A Horse With No Name]

Back to playing with tubes to escape our rapidly declining reality. 

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Meanwhile in southern Ohio....

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Meanwhile in southern Ohio....

Soo like the movie "Ready Player One" the Ohio Stacks have begun!

[A Horse With No Name]

 

[G. David Felt]

Facts are Facts and clearly the loss of jobs is proof that the Tariffs have not helped but hurt the U.S. Economy as it is a distraction from the wealthy taking more and crushing the hard workers of America especially in Manufacturing such as the Auto Industry.

Here’s how many jobs have been lost in sectors affected by tariffs since Trump’s trade war started

About time the CEOs start speaking out.

Billionaire CEO who voted for Trump sounds the alarm on Fed attacks

[G. David Felt]

We'll this is an interesting patent that could see older drivers off the road when it is deemed not safe for them to drive.

New GM Patent Could Get Old, Dangerous Drivers Off The Road

[oldshurst442]

8 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Meanwhile in southern Ohio....

 

 

 

[oldshurst442]

 

[G. David Felt]

24 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

 

 

I love 1967, the year I was born. So, this being from the 67 Expo in Canada, does this stacks housing still exist in Cité du Havre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada? I could not find any data on if they still exist today?

[oldshurst442]

32 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

I love 1967, the year I was born. So, this being from the 67 Expo in Canada, does this stacks housing still exist in Cité du Havre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada? I could not find any data on if they still exist today?

Yes.  Cite du Havre in Montreal.

And of course it still exists today.  The colour photos I posted were from google and I gather they are recent photos at that.  

The official name of this project is Habitat 67.

https://www.habitat67.com/en/

That is a link to tour the site.  I think there are a couple appartements that are vacant just for people to see how they are but the vacancy rate is zero.  People live there.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_67

 

Google maps

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Habitat+67/@45.4998316,-73.5462876,1221m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91af0fd0507f5:0x54874884e30cae4a!8m2!3d45.4998316!4d-73.5437127!16zL20vMDFmXzAy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

google street view

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Habitat+67/@45.5000697,-73.5443526,3a,90y,79.32h,88.58t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOe96tj2ad1LD5yn4aw5L_A!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.4249972270624056%26panoid%3DOe96tj2ad1LD5yn4aw5L_A%26yaw%3D79.31851360322453!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91af0fd0507f5:0x54874884e30cae4a!8m2!3d45.4998316!4d-73.5437127!16zL20vMDFmXzAy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

 

[oldshurst442]

That road leads to what was Expo 67.

The French pavillion is on the lower island too. Now its the Montreal Casino.  And the Montreal casino is on the F1 Grand Prix circuit.  Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

La Ronde is Montreal's amusement park. Its on the upper island. The upper Island is called Ile Sainte Helene.  The American pavilion is there too, Im not mistake. Now its some sort of observatory.

It also houses a fort. As you may or may not know, Montreal was a citadel. And so was that island.

The island was expanded artificially.  Made larger to accomodate Expo 67 and the Summer Olympics in 1976. It was enlarged by the dirt and rocks and earth when Montreal dug up their city for their Metro (subway) system.   

The Jacques Cartier Bridge connects Montreal to Ile Sainte Helene (where La Ronde is)and Montreal's South Shore where you could access the Casino, F1 circuit and Habitat 67.

Pont Victoria could access (small bridge though) Habitat 67 and the Casino from the other side.

Ile Sainte Helene (the upper larger islande) and Ile Notre Dame (the smaller lower island) were summer olympic venues for the rowing and canoe/kayak competitions. 

Edited 17 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

America has lost the plot.

We could make fun of European cars. Europeans.  Chinese cars. Chinese.  ALL. WE. WANT.  

But, look at the video. FORGET the narrative on the video.  JUST LOOK WITH YOUR OWN EYES AND MAKE YOUR OWN ASSUMPTIONS... 

 

 

38 000 US dollars  (for the Euro market. I doubt it could be that cheap in the US but THIS is what we need for the US and Canada).  3100 lbs.   150 HP.   250 mile range.   40 kw/h and 52 kw/h batter.

2023 Chevrolet Bolt 30 000 US dollars.  3500 lbs.  200 HP.  259 mile range.  65 KW/h battery (not the ultium battery) 

 

 

The thing is...AMERICA HAD THIS VERY THING WAAAAAAY BEFORE!!!! 

BECAUSE of mis and dis information,  America is waaaaaaay waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind the 8 ball now. Stupid stupid stupid...

 

Fun fun fun little Renault is all I know.  And no...with 250 mile range and at 3100 lbs, there is noooooo need for a bigger, heavier battery.  Better charging infrastructure yes.  But all this time rubbing our ass cheeks doing nothing, cars like the Bolt or Renault 5 EV could NEVER be given a chance in the US.  (mis and dis information).

So whine and complain about how cars are expensive and boring but be happy to buy uber expensive EVs.   SUV EVs at that.   

PS: it seems that in Europe, EVERYONE wants the Renault 5 EV. 

Chinese EVs? 

Well yes. But...we got are OWN fun and capable EVs.

What about YOU U.S.?   

100% tariffs on Chinese EVs so we dont flood the market and destroy GM, Ford and Chryco.   But we get to buy more than 40 000 dollars for heavy Blazers, and Mustang Mach E.   There is the Equinox EV.  But boring as phoque CUV... 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

We'll this is an interesting patent that could see older drivers off the road when it is deemed not safe for them to drive.

New GM Patent Could Get Old, Dangerous Drivers Off The Road

 I read the comments. 

Ill add some of them as my own in my own words as I agree with those comments.

I do agree with the technology, as harsh as it may come for some older drivers to hear the truth about their possible fallen driving abilities and eye sight and coordination and decision making/perceptions etc...

But...this technology could ALSO be used to determine how mature young drivers are.  How responsible 30-40-50 and 60 year old drivers are.  

Driving is a privilege. NOT a right.  If this technology could PROPERLY determine if older drivers could be safe and continue to drive, then THIS technology could ALSO be used to determine EVERYBODY ELSE IN ANY age group to determine if these drivers are mature, responsible and not delinquents to be able to drive RESPONSIBLY and safely. 

Therefore I am ALL for it.  IF...this technology will be used for everybody. NOT just for old fogeys.

BUT...this technology better NOT be nefarious in ANY way...

If it could be used nefariously...then PHOQUE OFF with this shyte!!! 

[oldshurst442]

 

[ccap41]

12 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

But all this time rubbing our ass cheeks doing nothing, cars like the Bolt or Renault 5 EV could NEVER be given a chance in the US.

The Bolt is coming back... 

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65035801/2027-chevy-bolt-ev-production-start-next-year/

Also, there's bee a Leaf available for over a decade now and an all new one coming this year.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65075812/2026-nissan-leaf-revealed/

[ccap41]

There is also a Kona Electric(261 miles range) and Niro EV(253 miles range) that start at 33k and 39k, respectively.

[oldshurst442]

Why was the Bolt canceled in the first place?

Why did GM re-direct its plans when they got backlash 2 years ago when they canceled the Bolt?

Where is Ford in this category?

Where is Chrysler?  Chrysler is Stellantis...  Stellantis has French OEMs, you know, Citroen and Peugeot.  Renault is a DIRECT competitor to Stellantis in France. 

What you gave me as a response are non-American OEMs...  GM had this very vehicle in the Bolt 1.0 5 years ago... They canceled it, got backlash and brought it back. But its still in hiatus waiting for it.  And its not as if GM had a flop on their hands with the Bolt 1.0...

In the USA, mis and dis information rules the news. 

I wrote about this when it first came to light.

From 2020. 5 years ago.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1130195_vw-project-to-transition-greek-model-island-to-electric-vehicles-renewable-power

 

update from 2021

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-delivers-electric-cars-help-greek-island-go-green-2021-06-02/

update from 2022

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a39784275/vw-astypalea-greek-island-electric-cars/

 

https://evannex.com/blogs/news/the-greek-island-of-astypalea-becomes-a-test-bed-for-the-volkswagen-group-s-evs?srsltid=AfmBOoo2KSjf8VkGvTEjxZT1pRK8h9BJn4tm55DvCKyys73C5C71p1cO

 

https://www.carscoops.com/2022/04/volkswagen-delivers-first-privately-owned-evs-to-its-greenified-greek-island/

 

and update from 2023

https://www.electrive.com/2023/06/14/vw-transforms-greek-island-into-mobility-and-green-energy-showcase/

 

We are now closing in on 2026.  I was not taken seriously when I first wrote about this in 2020 or 2021.  But what has our society in North American done in those 5 years regarding EVs?  We continue on playing with ourselves with mis and dis information.  Keep in mind this is on a small Greek island.  Greece aint exactly an economic powerhouse. But there was a vision.  VW too had a vision.  Plus this was a launch pad for VW to see how the tech would function on a larger scale. Including their EV tech.

The Bolt 1.0 with older battery tech mind you, is VERY competitive to this DAY with these present day offerings. 

All you got from my opinion is too try to get a gotcha moment instead of actually think about what was really said.  What I was actually opining about. 

The US HAD this thing in  the bag.   There was no need to fear China and Chinese EV start ups.  There was no need for 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs BECAUSE GM HAD the tech to overcome ANY Chinese EV onslaught. GM also had the production and sales to offset any price wars.  If the populace wasnt duped into thinking that EVS = bad and un-American. Then there was Tesla...  The LEADER...   

Too bad divisive political bullshyte got in the way. 

Too bad mis and dis information got in the way for greed and ignorance.

Too bad hatred and racism and fascism got in the way as well.

Did you get your gotcha moment?

 

Edited 2 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

Stellantis gives us a muscle car EV.

Its huge. Its heavy. And for an EV not very fast either.  And fast  gotta be a criteria BECAUSE muscle car.  Not very good.  Its OK but not where its gotta be.  

It had to convince people that EVs can be muscle cars. 

Tall order when a Hellcat is the ULTIMATE muscle car.  Plus, the US populace is a mixed bag of schizophrenic meth addicts strung out on gasoline and false thoughts of being un-patriotic. Like teenagers trying to find themselves who they are.  As if a phoquing gasoline powered car really defines ones culture...  As if V8 powered cars are solely American...   As if Benjamin Franklin wasnt American (you know...lightning and an umbrella or something like that) and Nicola Tesla  didnt have ANY connections to America either...)

Mis and dis information DOOMED the Charger Daytona EV even BEFORE it became a thing.

Maybe Stellantis should have given us a small, Bolt competitor named the Dart, instead of making the Dart what they actually made it into,  give Bolt a run for its money, force GM NOT to cancel the Bolt in the first place, but force GM to replace it IMMEDIATETLY with an Ultium battery upgrade 2 years ago, sell as many units for both OEMs and drive the fear into Chinese OEMs from EVER selling in the North American market. Or at least delay it for maybe another 5 years or so.  Of course mis and dis information should not have existed in the US in the first phoquing place.  And an EV Dart along the likeness of a Bolt and maybe masculine cuteness if you will (Dodge...) and beat Renault to the punch in Europe.  Its not as if there wasnt any market value in Europe either.  VW was doing its EV thing in Europe with the Greek isle thing and other projects.   And let us not forget the Nissan Leaf.  Forcing Nissan to vastly improve upon its Leaf and be better than the Bolt. Heck, the Leaf was on par or better than the Bolt.  Then Kia with their offerings too.  There should not have been any fear for Chinese EVs in 2025... 

Its not as if the world was not screaming for a small affordable yet capable EV at that time.  Tesla was being called out on it.  The Model 3 was a runaway success.  A competitor to the Model 3 was deemed necessary. And quite honestly, NOTHING from ANY WESTERN manufacturer to this day has an honest answer to the Model 3.  But a western OEM did have a small EV that could have defined what a small EV could do. And THAT would be GM with the Bolt.  But mis and dis information let Chinese OEMs take over in that market niche.   

Ya'll been duped by a whole lotta grifters imho.  

Edited 2 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]