Random Thoughts Thread

[A Horse With No Name]

Racism against Asian folks will become cool again. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Economy is going to tank hard...

[A Horse With No Name]

Explains things well. 

[oldshurst442]

41 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Explains things well. 

 

 

On 9/12/2025 at 5:56 PM, oldshurst442 said:

 

Id like to add:  Because it seems NOBODY wants to talk about the REALITY OF WHY manufacturing will NEVER come back to North America no matter WHAT kind of monies we throw at it to try to bring it back. And FYI, NOBODY is REALLY investing in ACTUALLY bringing back manufacturing to North America...

 PRELUDE

Nixon opened up the door to do trade with China. (not a bad thing)

Reagan allowed Wallstreet and corporate America to move manufacturing from the US to China.  (In hindsight, a very bad thing for what it was to be) 

CHAPTER 1

The industrial revolution arrived. It supercharged the British Empire and it helped to introduce a young country into being a very powerful nation in the decades to come.  We are here to talk about the young nation and not about the British Empire.

CHAPTER 2

Ultimately, the industrial revolution brought many innovations on how to produce and manufacture even more efficiently and faster.  It helped win a world war or two and the last man standing so to speak allowed this young nation become almost the sole superpower on the planet.

CHAPTER 3 

Many many many products were produced.  Many many new technologies came to be that introduced a new modern society. And those new modern products also brought with them NEW MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES.

CHAPTER 4

Remember when I said that this new nation rose up to the challenge to help win a world war or two?  Well, it was the industrial revolution ace up the sleeve that the USA had and the sheer amount of war machines produced efficiently and with speed was the key to these victories.  Especially that last world war.  When the war was over, the USA enjoyed the technology of mass production that was the envy of the world. (remember the bolded part.)

CHAPTER 5 

Eventually, manufacturing left the USA to go to China. The world followed suit.  China produces the world's gadgets.

CHAPTER 6   (THIS IS THE IMPORTANT CHAPTER THAT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT)

China has invested TRILLIONS of dollars in manufacturing. Why? THE WORLD depends on it. China holds itself PROUD to be the world's producer of goods. China wants to CONTINUE TO BE the world's producer of goods. So...China has upgraded their manufacturing plants to be very very state of the art. They will CONTINUE to INVEST not only in monies to ALWAYS RENOVATE their manufacturing plants, but they TEACH their populace to go to ENGINEERING schools so they could ALWAYS have STATE OF THE ART MANUFACTURING. 

CHAPTER 7    (ALSO IMPORTANT THAT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT)

The USA actually stopped renovating in manufacturing looong before the manufacturing plants left for China. But that is not the issue. The issue is, there are NO monies invested RIGHT now to bring back manufacturing. There are NO plants being built.  LOL tariffs...   And where are those monies from the tariffs?  

No American company has invested in manufacturing plants to be built. No American company has worked with AMERICAN engineering schools to teach graduating students to manufacture goods in the USA to actually be with techniques of the early 2000s let alone 2025.  Loooooong gone are those 1930s/1940s/1950s techniques...  We are in 2025 let us not forget.   The USA doesnt even have the TOOLING of those 1930s/1940s/1950s plants. Those were sold to China and elsewhere in the world, but those metal tooling dies right now, have probably been recycled. NEW technologies to manufacture...

 

CHAPTER 8  (A TRUTH THAT WILL PROBABLY HURT BUT DEFINITELY NOT TALKED ABOUT)

A certain American does not favour education.  This certain American favours ignorance.   MOST Americans do NOT want to work in a factory.  But ALL Americans do NOT realize MODERN factory work is NOT how it used to be.  To be fair, Apple iPhone workers in China committing suicide because of shytty work hours is also loooong gone. But then again, American media does not allow for  American peoples to know what a modern manufacturing plant consists of.  Also, engineering is too hard for those subset of Americans to actually learn how to manufacture goods in a modern state of the art way to not only compete with China, but to surpass their prowess in manufacturing to BRING BACK manufacturing from China to the USA. 

 

CHAPTER 9 (ALSO IGNORED)

And even if, some manufacturing plants came back to the USA.   There is something that we learned DURING the industrial revolution that says the USA will NEVER get ANY manufacturing plants back.  Sheer volume.  The WORLD has China to produce its goods.  China will ALWAYS remain CHEAPER to produce there just BECAUSE of economies of scale.   The skilled labour is in China.  The raw materials are shipped to China to produce whatever you want to produce. ALL the plants of whatever you have thought of producing whatever you want are ALL in China.  All kinds of different ports exist in China to accept ALL kinds of RAW materials.  ALL the ports are huuuuuge in China. ALL the ports are state of the art.  The BOATS to ship ANYTHING ALL OVER THE WORLD are ALL in China.  The boats are huuuuge and the ports could accept them.  And ALL that coordination is done by STATE OF THE ART communication, education and logistics.  

PS:  China and the Chinese government subsidize world ports. The USA once did that...  The USA declares the  Panama Canal as their own.  Past history is past history in subsidizing the canal, but China actually finances it PRESENTLY to open up a bigger canal.  The USA whines abut the name of Gulf of Mexico....   

 

In 2025, CHINA is the envy of the world in manufacturing techniques.  

 

No...manufacturing is NEVER coming back to the USA.   Forget about tariffs, ICE agents, DOGE, assassinations, school shootings and everything wrong (or right) about right wing politics  and left wing lunacy.  THOSE are  just ADDED reasons NOT to do business in the USofA. 

 

 

[oldshurst442]

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Economy is going to tank hard...

 

Again with the Millennial and Gen Z blaming...  LOL

At least THIS time the whining is legit and not blaming Millennials and Gen Zers for healthier lifestyles...

On 8/30/2025 at 3:21 PM, oldshurst442 said:

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!!!

 

 

But its not JUST the Millennials and the Gen Zers not being able to afford luxuries such as eating...well eating out.  But eventually even good ole fashioned eating will be out of reach for you phoques in america.  Wasnt the price of eggs a point of contention by your shytty population in your elections  just one year ago almost to the phoquing day today?    Oh yes it was...  And that was before all the shytte.  trump even said two months after the elections that shytty americans could only hope to afford just one doll for Xmas for 2025 and one pencil for school...  Well to be fair, school aint all that important to you american phoques anyway.  We could ignore and forget  the pencil.  It aint doing much for you and never will Im afraid.  But do not take away the fatness of your obese fast food joints though.   LOL

I said personally that by the time american thanks giving comes along, things will be bad.  Well, 3 weeks more to go.  Ill admit that american folk  are not out eating the dogs and the cats just yet, the dogs and the cats are only reserved for non-whites.  That and the non-whites have been fed to the alligators... LOL   What a shytty country... LOL

But it will be bad.  Very bad.  Soon enough.  

Patience is a virtue.  

 

Phoque chipotlePS: !!!

Phoque mcdonalds!!!

Phoque taco bell!!!

Phoque kfc!!! 

Phoque kentucky!!!

Phoque jack daniels!!!

Phoque american distillers!!!

Phoque the usa!!!

Phoque americans!!!

ELBOWS UP!!!

 

PS:

Phoque popeyes!!!

Phoque chic-fil-a!!!

Phoque home depot!!!

 

 

Edited 22 hours ago by oldshurst442

[ccap41]

I love how much Olds hates everything America (including all of the people), yet speaks exclusively to Americans on this forum. 

 

[oldshurst442]

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I love how much Olds hates everything America (including all of the people), yet speaks exclusively to Americans on this forum. 

 

 

not to you.

AT you. 
 

Im liking how you lurk just to pounce on something I say or @G. David Felt because you have nothing else in your life...

Phoque you and all folk from Saint Louis.

Saint Louis...

Named after a King...

From France. 

And you still sporting that 51st state thing...  LOL

american independence from a King of England...to a city named after a King from France to a leader that wished he was king of america with intentions of annexing a country that has an actual king of England...

LOL 

 

@ccap41  

you a phoquing clown. Just like your countrymen.

[oldshurst442]

ccap now has some entertainment for the night.  LOL

Some trolling to keep him from his reality.  LOL

*sigh*

okay ccap. 

What other come back will you have for me? Ill baby sit you for awhile...  

Until I get bored.

But...

phoque the usa though.  Always phoque the usa and its people!!!

phoque them! 

let the usa burn!!! 

[ccap41]

Just another day in America, whooping those "elbows up" canadians. Maybe get your elbows a little higher next time. 

[ccap41]

What does @oldshurst442 and Donald Trump have in common?

They both know how to drive a business into the ground.

[oldshurst442]

 

[oldshurst442]

26 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

What does @oldshurst442 and Donald Trump have in common?

They both know how to drive a business into the ground.

 True!!!

I opened up a 2nd restaurant while I had the hotdog joint. It was an Italian/Greek restaurant. Lost some money on that. Not much. But it was a disaster regarding partnerships and the overall  execution of launching it. 

The 1st store though, made me a millionaire. Had it for over 20 years.  I sold it 2 years ago. If that is what you are eluding to.    LOL(at you)

One thing though, I was never a fraud like your president.  Your president is falsely accused of running businesses to the ground because of incompetence. That is false. He bankrupts them by design. He defrauds investors, banks and sub contractors on purposely bankrupting some of his  real estate projects.  Minimal amount of actual work and time invested for a maximum total payout.  Genius moves.  Criminal. But genius.  Nah...I do not do that.  So much much different he and I.  Good joke though. 

But sadly, you bore me. 

On to hating on america!!!

Edited 21 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

LOL @ccap41

You came and read what I wrote and now you gone again trying to think of something witty to say to me.  

LOL

 

Can you guess who are these figures and who do they represent in the usa?

51st state...LOL

Anglo Canadians HATE French loyalty...and coincidentally, so do the French Canadians too. 

Anglo Canadians tolerate the one from England, but not the Quebecois.

trump and melania?  LOL   Yeah...come and try.

ELBOWS UP will turn to GLOVES OFF pretty damned quickly.

You wanna find out?

Well...phoque around first, and you will... 

 

 

 

Not trump's ballroom or trump's penthouse in NYC, but Louis XIV's domain. 

 

And my favorite couple from France.  

 

They barely beat out this new favorite couple of mine. 

In 2nd place. Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau

 

donald  and melania have a royal rumble.

Harry and Megan will probably feel the need to overtake melania and donnie for Royalty leadership

 

LOL

what a disgracefull country the usa is!!! 

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I love how much Olds hates everything America (including all of the people), yet speaks exclusively to Americans on this forum. 

 

Just a different side of other posters here on this forum previously. Right now, I just spend a lot of time listening to music, a lot of time hiking, and a lot of time up on two wheels cycling. 

Reading fiction helps also. 

I need a fictional character with some of the insanity of folks here. 

[G. David Felt]

Further proof that Tariff Turd47, Idiot47 is just way too stupid and proves how smart our founding fathers were in creating the electoral college. I originally thought maybe America was ready to get rid of it, but after all the ignorant Americans created the mess we are in, we still do not have enough intelligent people to allow a true vote by the people for the people since the 1% clearly could care less about the working class.

So many terrible CEOs that need to loose money big time since they support Tariff Turd47. 

Trump Suffers Major Loss in Medicaid Case

How can you say Tariff Turd47 represents the country with this kind of stupidity. No rational man or woman would issue death threats.

Trump Issues ‘Death Wish’ Warning to Americans Ahead of Gubernatorial Elections

Not sure what the Idiot CEO is being told but any real tech worker who deals with the AI bots who try to code know that it is like an intern and you have to check every bit as most is garbage.

Amazon Executes World’s Largest Tech Layoff—30,000 Jobs Cut to Save $6 Billion in Salaries

Banks are heading for the safety of pulling out as they see the AI bubble popping.

Wall Street tumbles after big banks flag pullback risk

 

[trinacriabob]

You wanna lose weight?

Put down the fork.

[oldshurst442]

I am not going to post any link to this as this might not be accurate...

The usa is FORCING Canada to honour the deal that Canada signed to buy 88 F35 fighter jets. Worth literally TRILLIONS of dollars in contracts for production and service and maintenance. 

Canada has paid for 16 in full.  But with all the negative implications of trump regarding Canada, and the world actually, Canada is trying to scuttle this contract.   Sweden is trying help. Germany is trying to help. Norway is trying to help.   Canada looks like its stuck with this contract.

But...the WORLD is helping Canada play the chess game that is this contract.

The usa is trying to impose an export stop through all these countries helping Canada.  But a huge upper hand the usa holds is that the SAAB Gripen, the Swedish jet that Canada is trying to bypass the F35 purchases with, uses General Electric engines. A derivative of. But the usa could stop supplying the basic engine hardware even to Sweden...

Well...Rolls Royce has apparently joined this chess game.  Rolls Royce powers the Eurofighter jet. Well, Rolls Royce apparently said that they could easily supply Rolls Royce engines for the SAAB Gripen...

Negotiations are a chess game. 

But it aint no joke when usa's OWN allies are looking to forego anything american and to go forward in a future without ANY american support of any kind.

More to come if true. 

 

[ccap41]

3 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

LOL @ccap41

You came and read what I wrote and now you gone again trying to think of something witty to say to me.  

LOL

Do you think the world revolves around you or something? You think everything you blabber requires a response? Literally nobody here *wants* to read your non-stop crybaby bullsht. Yeah, the world isn't perfect. Is this new to you? Did you just wake up in 2025 and realize the world is $h! or something? 

People, like yourself, who obsess over politics are the most insufferable people. All you do is complain, complain, and complain some more. You're turned into such a miserable human being. 

[oldshurst442]

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Do you think the world revolves around you or something? You think everything you blabber requires a response? Literally nobody here *wants* to read your non-stop crybaby bullsht. Yeah, the world isn't perfect. Is this new to you? Did you just wake up in 2025 and realize the world is $h! or something? 

People, like yourself, who obsess over politics are the most insufferable people. All you do is complain, complain, and complain some more. You're turned into such a miserable human being. 

 You read it...

 

3 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

You're turned into such a miserable human being. 

typical american projection...

look in the mirror to what idiotic americans such as yourself has allowed your shytty ass country to become...

[ccap41]

4 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

look in the mirror to what idiotic americans such as yourself has allowed your shytty ass country to become...

I've said it time and time again but, you choose to ignore...time and time again. It isn't nearly as bad as the internet will have you believing. Gullible people, like yourself, will easily cling to flashy headlines that suit your fancy. 

6 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

You read it...

Cool, you found a picture on the internet!

You don't have the balls to do this yourself and record it. 

[oldshurst442]

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

I've said it time and time again but, you choose to ignore...time and time again. It isn't nearly as bad as the internet will have you believing. Gullible people, like yourself, will easily cling to flashy headlines that suit your fancy. 

 

american education at its finest... 

 

 

[Robert Hall]

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

You wanna lose weight?

Put down the fork.

Since making major changes to my diet and walking more, I’ve taken off 10 pounds in the last month.   Still got a ways to go, but almost under 200lbs for the first time in 25+ years.  

[oldshurst442]

21 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Cool, you found a picture on the internet!

You don't have the balls to do this yourself and record it. 

Do what?

record myself burning the american flag?

This is what you want me to do?

I vote with my dollars.  I dont buy ANYTHING american anymore...

When shyte  final arrives in Saint Louis, you will be whistling a different tune. 

 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

 

 

https://1drv.ms/v/c/148803c5cab29553/EWZKva1axEZPuPZ6S_tcyi8BPy_mv9kJedG_3YEZ4rqDOA?e=bPhWAQ

 

This is the best I could do.  Took a sledge hammer to a belt buckle bought in 1992 when I visited NYC.  Harley Davidson with the shytty american flag on it.  

Id never waste my money on a shytty american flag. 

[G. David Felt]

48 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Since making major changes to my diet and walking more, I’ve taken off 10 pounds in the last month.   Still got a ways to go, but almost under 200lbs for the first time in 25+ years.  

Always been active, but with Covid and the gyms closed, I did not reduce my calories, after my summer yard projects, I have been focused since August and lost 34lbs, at 300lbs. Will be nice to get back to my 275lbs goal for ski season.

Way to go Robert, rock it my friend!!!

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I am not going to post any link to this as this might not be accurate...

The usa is FORCING Canada to honour the deal that Canada signed to buy 88 F35 fighter jets. Worth literally TRILLIONS of dollars in contracts for production and service and maintenance. 

Canada has paid for 16 in full.  But with all the negative implications of trump regarding Canada, and the world actually, Canada is trying to scuttle this contract.   Sweden is trying help. Germany is trying to help. Norway is trying to help.   Canada looks like its stuck with this contract.

But...the WORLD is helping Canada play the chess game that is this contract.

The usa is trying to impose an export stop through all these countries helping Canada.  But a huge upper hand the usa holds is that the SAAB Gripen, the Swedish jet that Canada is trying to bypass the F35 purchases with, uses General Electric engines. A derivative of. But the usa could stop supplying the basic engine hardware even to Sweden...

Well...Rolls Royce has apparently joined this chess game.  Rolls Royce powers the Eurofighter jet. Well, Rolls Royce apparently said that they could easily supply Rolls Royce engines for the SAAB Gripen...

Negotiations are a chess game. 

But it aint no joke when usa's OWN allies are looking to forego anything american and to go forward in a future without ANY american support of any kind.

More to come if true. 

 

Was interested to see what was here as many other countries have canceled their F35 contracts.

Everything seems to be from around March 2025 and as such, nothing updated so hard to say what Canada will do, but considering how terrible the F35 is and the deaths of American Pilots trying to fly these overpriced pieces of Shyte, I would not blame Canada for NOT buying anymore crappy F35 fighter jets.

Canada reconsidering F-35 purchase amid tensions with Washington, says minister | CBC News

This story about blocking is interesting as the contract was for a full 88 F35 fighters, but only required 16 as a commitment, so Canada can shop to other countries. The problem is the UK and French fighter jets they are looking at use U.S. parts which Idiot47 could block from allowing those parts to go into the jets sold to Canada. Be interesting to see what Canada ends up doing.

U.S. could block Canada from buying alternative to F-35 jet | Ottawa Citizen

Canada reconsidering F-35 purchase amid tensions with Washington, says minister | CBC News

I say YES, Canada go ahead and flip the U.S. the bird and get whatever planes you want form who ever. Freedom of choice.

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/canada-threatens-to-scrap-f-35-deal/

Canada Could Scrap $13 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Deal With US - Newsweek

Very interesting read, but also some valid points on why dropping the F35 would be bad due to the current air force of Canada being trained on all American Jets already.

Canada’s F-35 Fighter Debate Summed Up in 3 Words

[G. David Felt]

Toyota 2026 Lineup of Press Kits.

Press Kits - Toyota USA Newsroom

[G. David Felt]

Man this video story shows just how many stupid americans are out on the roads and NOT able to drive.

Highway Disaster Driver Cuts Off Semi Truck | Watch

Tariff Turd47 actually thinks we are more respected now than at any other time in the history of our country. What a moron.

Donald Trump issues Supreme Court warning before tariffs hearing

Poor leadership and foot dragging by Stellantis for Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler leads to death of an innovative startup that would have helped it with EV technology. I see Stellantis even farther behind than at the start of this year and do not see it surviving in its current form.

Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep partner files Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Partner company is dead, but the technology should live on under some other brand that buys the tech.

[oldshurst442]

30 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Very interesting read, but also some valid points on why dropping the F35 would be bad due to the current air force of Canada being trained on all American Jets already.

Not just because Canadian airforce pilots are master pilots with american fighter jets. But also because Canadian pilots also train with american pilots.  

The real problem is that the shytty american trumpster is making Canada an enemy of the usa.  So...our political friendship and being an unstoppable alliance has come to an end. 

Canada is forging out new alliances with mostly European countries, both of which include NATO countries and ones that are only in the Eurozone but all with a mindset of setting aside then usa.   But also with Asian countries.  Norway and now South Korea are front runners for our next submarine purchases.  The usa lost THAT contract in the summer. 

Canada will be fine. Canadian airforce pilots will train with fellow NATO pilots from the Eurozone and ones that are not in NATO...

No man is an island, but the usa is alienating itself...

@ccap41 thinks that doom and gloom news headlines and internet beat stories are lying about the changing political climate. 

Could be...

But...ALL of these changes are made BY president #47 of the usa.  Ignoring reality by ignoring trump's own political policies is very naive of him.  Saint Louis Missouri may look and feel good in November 4, 2025...but his very own countrymen in other parts of his country are not doing so good.  The little news he absorbs doesnt give him enough information. And depending WHAT news source he gets the little information from...

Hopefully for ya'lls sake, and mine too,  @ccap41 's reality is the REAL reality.   Hopefully it aint doom and gloom...

Tell that to them thousands that have lost their jobs in the usa and in Canada so far...

Oh yeah...I forgot.

Sensationalism...

Because "bruh, trust me! Things are not that bad if I only lay off the internet..." 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by oldshurst442

[trinacriabob]

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

Since making major changes to my diet and walking more, I’ve taken off 10 pounds in the last month.   Still got a ways to go, but almost under 200lbs for the first time in 25+ years.  

That's fantastic.  I've heard that 2 pounds a week is the maximum safe amount, so about 8 pounds a month. 

I just want to lose about 12 pounds. They are stubborn.  When they put in my height and weight at the doctor's office, it shows an above optimal BMI. I wear jeans and pants with a 34 inch waist - for at least 2 decades now - and I don't really have a stomach, so these BMI charts don't account for all situations.

The holidays really mean about 2 or 3 gluttonous meals.  The real problem is when you travel by ship.  One guy at the table back on the April crossing said that the 5 to 7 pound weight gain usually comes off on its own because you return to eating much smaller meals like an on-off switch.  He was sort of right.

[trinacriabob]

7 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I love how much Olds hates everything America (including all of the people), yet speaks exclusively to Americans on this forum. 

There used to be a fair number of Canadians on the forum.  Things change over time.

[ccap41]

10 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

There used to be a fair number of Canadians on the forum.  Things change over time.

He’s probably pushed all of them away, too. 

[oldshurst442]

16 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

He’s probably pushed all of them away, too. 

probably maple maga some of them.

Phoque them too!!! 

Phoque maple maga!!!

Phoque the usa!!!

Phoque americans!!!

https://1drv.ms/v/c/148803c5cab29553/EWZKva1axEZPuPZ6S_tcyi8BPy_mv9kJedG_3YEZ4rqDOA?e=bPhWAQ

[oldshurst442]

 

https://1drv.ms/v/c/148803c5cab29553/EWZKva1axEZPuPZ6S_tcyi8BPy_mv9kJedG_3YEZ4rqDOA?e=bPhWAQ

[surreal1272]

12 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

There used to be a fair number of Canadians on the forum.  Things change over time.

There used to be less of the childish political back and forth back then too. The increase in these posts has an effect on overall participation here. Sorry it has come to this @Drew Dowdell.

Edited 3 hours ago by surreal1272

[A Horse With No Name]

14 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Since making major changes to my diet and walking more, I’ve taken off 10 pounds in the last month.   Still got a ways to go, but almost under 200lbs for the first time in 25+ years.  

Excellent. Again, Hiking and Biking help. 

[surreal1272]

14 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Do you think the world revolves around you or something? You think everything you blabber requires a response? Literally nobody here *wants* to read your non-stop crybaby bullsht. Yeah, the world isn't perfect. Is this new to you? Did you just wake up in 2025 and realize the world is $h! or something? 

People, like yourself, who obsess over politics are the most insufferable people. All you do is complain, complain, and complain some more. You're turned into such a miserable human being. 

While I agree with your overall position here, you have to accept your role in feeding the troll during all of this.

Edited 3 hours ago by surreal1272

[A Horse With No Name]

2 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

There used to be less of the childish political back and forth back then too. The increase in these posts has an effect on overall participation here. 

I have chosen to be positive, but honest. Not sure what the future holds, I am fine with that. Might retire elsewhere, might retire here. Unsure. 

I chose time in my workshop, time on my bike, time hiking, time reading, time listening to music...spent 5 hours listening to music and doing nothing else after work yesterday. Soul healing. 

CCAP, I disagree with you on some issues, agree on others. I feel no need to endlessly post burning American flags, it does no good. 

The Ranger on the other hand, 123,000 miles on it and headed to Roanoke Virginia for a 4 day hiking trip this weekend. It's brilliant for hauling bikes, I just wish they still built the shorter cab/longer bed layout. 

Peace out, anti psychotic drugs as well if you all wish to use them. 

3 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

While I agree with your overall position here, you have to accept your role in feeding the troll during all of this.

I would love for this site to return to an automotive discussion. What I really want to discuss is road trips, not cars so much any more. 

[surreal1272]

Just now, A Horse With No Name said:

I have chosen to be positive, but honest. Not sure what the future holds, I am fine with that. Might retire elsewhere, might retire here. Unsure. 

I chose time in my workshop, time on my bike, time hiking, time reading, time listening to music...spent 5 hours listening to music and doing nothing else after work yesterday. Soul healing. 

CCAP, I disagree with you on some issues, agree on others. I feel no need to endlessly post burning American flags, it does no good. 

The Ranger on the other hand, 123,000 miles on it and headed to Roanoke Virginia for a 4 day hiking trip this weekend. It's brilliant for hauling bikes, I just wish they still built the shorter cab/longer bed layout. 

Peace out, anti psychotic drugs as well if you all wish to use them. 

That second sentence is all me as well. A lot of workshop and creating time instead of engaging in cesspool conversations with the same s*** stirrers around here..

[A Horse With No Name]

Let's talk about how all of this crap is actually affecting things, Chaos with airlines here. 

 

 

Just now, surreal1272 said:

That second sentence is all me as well. A lot of workshop and creating time instead of engaging in cesspool conversations with the same s*** stirrers around here..

its soul healing, I made something for a co worker, she was sooooo happy to get it. I am more worried about my own legacy when I die, and I want my legacy to be one of positivity and kindness. 

People who are assholes their whole lives will die without a chance to ever change that. 

10 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

There used to be less of the childish political back and forth back then too. The increase in these posts has an effect on overall participation here. Sorry it has come to this @Drew Dowdell.

Drew is absolutely a stand up guy, and the world would be an infinitely better place with more guys like him. 

[surreal1272]

16 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

You wanna lose weight?

Put down the fork.

It's not about putting down the fork. It's about changing what that fork picks up.

[A Horse With No Name]

Just now, surreal1272 said:

It's not about putting down the fork. It's about changing what that fork picks up.

Both, I find tracking macros, cutting unecessary carbs, eating a lot of veggies, and getting enough protein is huge. 

[surreal1272]

2 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Let's talk about how all of this crap is actually affecting things, Chaos with airlines here. 

 

 

And Transportation Secretary Duffy says that if the shutdown continues for much longer, flights will be shut down just in time for Thanksgiving. Ain't it grand? So glad I have no plans on flying any time soon.

[A Horse With No Name]

11 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

https://1drv.ms/v/c/148803c5cab29553/EWZKva1axEZPuPZ6S_tcyi8BPy_mv9kJedG_3YEZ4rqDOA?e=bPhWAQ

Since watergate baby, since watergate. Or even the founding of the constitution, when blacks were three fifths of a person and unable to vote. 

[surreal1272]

1 minute ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Both, I find tracking macros, cutting unecessary carbs, eating a lot of veggies, and getting enough protein is huge. 

That is what my wife has been doing to lose weight. She tracks everything these days lol.

[A Horse With No Name]

Just now, surreal1272 said:

And Transportation Secretary Duffy says that if the shutdown continues for much longer, flights will be shut down just in time for Thanksgiving. Ain't it grand? So glad I have no plans on flying any time soon.

This works perfectly for me, I have family that I love that is highly religious that I disagree with politically. This shut down worked in my favor.....not buying tickets for the holidays, its unsafe to do so. 

Good thing Ohio has rail trails to ride, lots of forest to hike, lots of brewpubs to enjoy, and Columbus has one of the best library systems in the country. I am going to have a banging holiday in solitude. 

Ohhh, and the University I work for pays 2 1/2 times normal rate for boiler room duty when we are shut down over the holidays. Paying for my last trip to Boston/Maine and paying cash for a Ranger Road trip with my wife to the Badlands in South Dakota with my wife in the spring....is a win. 

3 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

That is what my wife has been doing to lose weight. She tracks everything these days lol.

My fitness coach always says she would rather I weigh my food than weigh myself. 

12 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

probably maple maga some of them.

Phoque them too!!! 

Phoque maple maga!!!

Phoque the usa!!!

Phoque americans!!!

https://1drv.ms/v/c/148803c5cab29553/EWZKva1axEZPuPZ6S_tcyi8BPy_mv9kJedG_3YEZ4rqDOA?e=bPhWAQ

I like you, but you need to bring positive content for me to take you seriously. 

[A Horse With No Name]

12 hours ago, ccap41 said:

He’s probably pushed all of them away, too. 

A big, big part of the problem is that very few new cars are interesting. I agree with Dfelt about the new line of electric Kias, but Kia and Hyundai have had so many failures with their ICE product that it will take a whole lot of convincing for me to darken a show room door for one of their EV products. 

Not to mention, the political climate for getting replacement parts when the USA does become full on North Korea, and parts are unavailable, and Oldshurst has been killed by a CIA drone for his political views. The very fact that this last sentence is not complete parody but indeed a possibility/probability on our current trajectory.....mean we live in interesting times. 

Anyone know much about solar panels, hunting, and off grid living per chance?

12 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

There used to be a fair number of Canadians on the forum.  Things change over time.

Again, if more people just talked about cars....seems like a pretty simple solution to me. 

12 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

That's fantastic.  I've heard that 2 pounds a week is the maximum safe amount, so about 8 pounds a month. 

I just want to lose about 12 pounds. They are stubborn.  When they put in my height and weight at the doctor's office, it shows an above optimal BMI. I wear jeans and pants with a 34 inch waist - for at least 2 decades now - and I don't really have a stomach, so these BMI charts don't account for all situations.

The holidays really mean about 2 or 3 gluttonous meals.  The real problem is when you travel by ship.  One guy at the table back on the April crossing said that the 5 to 7 pound weight gain usually comes off on its own because you return to eating much smaller meals like an on-off switch.  He was sort of right.

I so want to do this crossing!

[A Horse With No Name]

13 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Man this video story shows just how many stupid americans are out on the roads and NOT able to drive.

Highway Disaster Driver Cuts Off Semi Truck | Watch

Tariff Turd47 actually thinks we are more respected now than at any other time in the history of our country. What a moron.

Donald Trump issues Supreme Court warning before tariffs hearing

Poor leadership and foot dragging by Stellantis for Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler leads to death of an innovative startup that would have helped it with EV technology. I see Stellantis even farther behind than at the start of this year and do not see it surviving in its current form.

Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep partner files Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Partner company is dead, but the technology should live on under some other brand that buys the tech.

You wonder why I now spend free time off road rather than on for the most part. Stellantis is going to go the way of the Dodo Bird. Its like when Charlie Kirk got shot and bled out, you knew the guy was dead even before it was announced publicly. Same thing with Stellantis, they are bleeding from the neck and slumped over. 

13 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Toyota 2026 Lineup of Press Kits.

Press Kits - Toyota USA Newsroom

Thank you!

This is really sad. 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/plane-crash-reported-louisville-airport-shelter-place-issued/story?id=127191889

[Drew Dowdell]

Unfortunately, it's no longer possible to disconnect politics from automotive. There once was a time when the U.S. government just set safety and efficiency standards and let the rest of automotive go about its day.   Now we have an activist government that is breaking apart decades or even century old auto manufacturing supply chains to try and score political points without any contingency plans in place.  It has forced our closest trading partners into an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" stance and pushed them to make deals with China instead of us.  It has undone progress the prior administration made in bringing manufacturing back to the US via EV regulations, entirely counter to the current admin's stated goals.   It's all just so stupid and unnecessary, but there's no way to avoid it anymore. 

I too long for the days when we could just complain about CAFE standard or the weight gained from improving crash scores.

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, surreal1272 said:

While I agree with your overall position here, you have to accept your role in feeding the troll during all of this.

You're not wrong, at all.