Category: rant
07/31/09 01:32 - 75ºF - ID#49426
just say NO!
(Well, "good" depends on your opinion of government stimulus spending.)
From the Wall Street Journal Online:
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) told Democratic lawmakers that a bill to transfer $2 billion in emergency funding from the economic stimulus plan to the program will be voted on Friday, according to a senior Democratic House aide.
The legislation would shift $2 billion from the $787 billion stimulus plan to the clunkers program, which appears to have exhausted its $1 billion in funding after just one week.
While the House, which is set to begin its August recess, will vote on the bill, the Senate is unlikely to do so until next week, according to Sens. Carl Levin (D., Mich.) and Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.). The Senate is in session next week.
No!!!
Permalink: just_say_NO_.html
Words: 151
Category: rant
07/30/09 04:15 - 78ºF - ID#49418
A Real Clunker
His column is titled, "Landfilling old gas-guzzlers for new gas-guzzlers isn't green-it's a subsidy" -- and it's worth readingin its entirety. Here are some excerpts:
Let's be honest and get one simple fact straight. The Obama administration's "Cash for Clunkers" program is a $1 billion subsidy to the auto industry. We can debate whether or not that's a good thing and how it will or won't help pull us out of our economic morass. But let's not make believe this is about protecting the environment.
...
Putting more people in busses and subways, not crushing 16-miles-per-gallon clunkers and replacing them with 18-miles-per-gallon clunkers, is the real green solution. In this light, the billion dollars that the Obama administration plans to spend subsidizing the purchase of personal automobiles is a billion dollars not spent on mass transportation infrastructure or operations.
The Cash for Clunkers program also really doesn't address the smog issue, since you can only trade in a vehicle that is 25 years old or newer. Hence, all the clunkers will already be equipped with catalytic converters and will be relatively clean. The oldest of these cars, whose pollution control systems have already failed, will stay on the road, since their poorer owners will not be able to afford new cars, even with the cash incentive. If smog was the issue, some of the clunker cash could have been better spent as grants to repair anti-pollution systems on cars whose owners could not otherwise maintain them.
And my personal favorite rant that I've been going on for weeks now:
... the Cash for Clunkers program... rewards past irresponsible, and dare we say, anti-social behavior. If you bought a gas-guzzling SUV, say, 10 years ago, when it didn't take an Einstein to figure out the environmental footprint of such a pig, you now get up to $4,500 dollars as an unearned reward.
The more selfish you were back then, and hence, the lower the miles-per-gallon rating on your clunker, the more selfish you can be today, with your new clunker only having to best your old clunker's lousy fuel efficiency by two to five miles per gallon. Hence you can trade in your used 16-miles-per-gallon vehicle for a new 18-miles-per-gallon SUV and get $3,500, or best your old pickup by two miles per gallon for a $4,500 windfall. If, by comparison, you shopped responsibly 10 years ago and bought, say, a 35-miles-per-gallon Ford Focus, and you now want to trade up to a 50-miles-per-gallon car, there's nothing here for you, since the program only buys cars getting less than 18 miles per gallon-and that new car will cost a few grand more due to all the clunker cash flowing into the new car market.
Finally, why the program discriminates against the poor:
This program only benefits those who can afford a new car. And it hurts those who can't, since the crushing of hundreds of thousands of perfectly good used cars will tighten the bottom end of the used car market, causing prices to rise. Hence, the oldest and dirtiest cars will have to stay on the road a bit longer since their owners can't afford to replace their 20-year-old car with a 10-year-old model.
The influx of all this clunker cash into the new car market will also cause prices to rise as the market heats up with more new car buyers. Hence, where automakers were offering deep discounts to lure consumers into showrooms, they now can simply advertise that they'll give you $4,500 of the government's money for your junker-and ditch the deep discounts. In this scenario, the Cash for Clunkers program becomes a direct subsidy to automakers who can now sell cars at higher prices to newly cash-rich buyers. Again, if you never bought a gas-guzzler in the first place, this gravy train ain't for you, and all you get is higher new car prices.
Cars are like anything else. Throwing away usable things so you can replace them with new "green" products isn't green. It's just a way for you to feel good about being a consumer at a time when the world can no longer afford consumerism. Only now, the government will pay you to consume, and bless your new gas-guzzler with a green aura.
Amen, brother.
Sorry if this offends. I don't begrudge anyone who has decided to take advantage of the program. At the same time, I don't have to like the program itself.
Permalink: A_Real_Clunker.html
Words: 770
07/23/09 10:35 - 69ºF - ID#49365
grrr...stupid weather, stupid Buffalo Pl
In other, better news, Social Distortion at Town Ballroom on Sunday 4 October. Mike Ness = good stuff.
Permalink: grrr_stupid_weather_stupid_Buffalo_Pl.html
Words: 57
Category: music
03/23/09 04:54 - 34ºF - ID#48166
War Child, plus four
So, at the risk of starting one of these threads where everyone bashes everyone else's muscial tastes...
I've been listening to (in no particular order):
1. The new Morrissey record, "Years of Refusal" (great show last week too)
2. The most recent Death Cab for Cutie record, "Narrow Stairs"
3. The new Franz Ferdinand CD "Tonight" (unfortunately narrowly missed these guys in London....grr)
4. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Fever to Tell"
5. War Child presents "Heroes"
The fifth one is a compilation of songs--all remakes--sold (apparently) to benefit children in war-torn countries. The original artists, who are iconic rock artists, choose a performer or band from "the younger generation" to remake one of their classic songs. Beck does a fantastic version of Dylan's "Brand New Leopardskin Pillbox Hat," Hot Chip does a groovy take on Joy Division's "Transmission," The Hold Steady does their best impersonation of the Boss on "Atlantic City," Franz Ferdinand does a great version of Blondie's "Call Me," TV on the Radio reinterprets Bowie's "Heroes," etc. Lily Allen and Mick Jones's remake of the Clash's "Straight to Hell" has been stuck in my head for two weeks. There's other great stuff on there too (complete list of tracks here: ). Highly recommended!
So, what are you listening to? What are your current Top Five?
Permalink: War_Child_plus_four.html
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10/24/08 05:22 - 52ºF - ID#46307
Belated B-day, Belated Post
Hi to (e:matthew) -- spotted you at the gym but too late to say hi before you ran off. Ditto to (e:libertad).
Also, a special shout-out to chica who is treating me to a belated birthday dinner tonight -- can't wait, it will be fun. I've never been to DiGiulio's before but I hear good things.
Have a great weekend (e:strip)pers one and all!
Chico
Permalink: Belated_B_day_Belated_Post.html
Words: 92
Category: food
08/27/08 10:12 - 56ºF - ID#45468
jbeatty's Omnivore 100
Incidentally I just read Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma. Great book. As a result of reading it I am really trying hard to buy locally grown, organic foods. Years of buying cheap, industrially produced food makes it awfully hard to pay 50 percent to 300 percent more for the good stuff, but having read the book in its entirety, it's hard to go back to the old way.
My VGT Omnivore's Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile/ Alligator (as jerky)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat's milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette (I think-in Korean soup)
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (depends)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare (if you mean rabbit, yes)
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
Wow! I'm just short of the halfway point. I'm looking at this as a glass half-full, though -- so many exciting things left to try!
Couldn't help but notice that there's no Ethiopian/Eritrean food on the list... if you're using these lists for inspiration, try a stewed meat flavored with berbere. Beg wat (lamb or goat) is particularly savory and delicious; mesir wat (lentils) is a good vegetarian option.
Also, no fine (traditional) wine on the list!
Permalink: jbeatty_s_Omnivore_100.html
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08/21/08 03:00 - 81ºF - ID#45396
update on the car situation
I am now officially sans auto! Carbon footprint: reduced a little bit more. And no worries about on-street parking this winter!
Of course the downside is that I'm now officially a ride-moocher. But hey, I sortakinda already was one anyway.
Chuck, I salute you! And thank you for your nearly seven years of faithful service. I'm sorry that tree fell on you during the October Storm of 2006. I hope your new owners, whomever they may be, will give you the tune-up and repairs you deserve. Or tear you up for parts...I suppose it doesn't hurt.
Permalink: update_on_the_car_situation.html
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08/08/08 09:53 - 62ºF - ID#45274
update, and good "beater" car for $100
Long time no post... have had the busiest craziest summer in terms of work, plus the typical trying-to-take-advantage-of-good-weather-whenever-possible types of shenanigans in and around Buffalo. Highlights: Spiritiualized at Town Ballroom (utterly fantastic), Sam Roberts Band at ArtPark, Babik and Latin jazz at Bidwell, and getting caught in the downpour at Taste of Buffalo, plus a long weekend in Niagara Falls Ontario. Good stuff.
In other news: after some soul searching, I have decided: I am letting go of my car. I'm sure I'll regret this sometime in January, but I live close enough (2 blocks) from the NFTA rail station to make this work on a daily basis, and my gf has a car, so groceries and occasional trips to Hertel, Amherst, etc. remain fairly easy. The trouble is, it's been a good car to me, and I hate to see it go.
That said, anyone need a "beater"? There's nothing pretty about the car... it's a 1992 Dodge Spirit, sort of a grandpa car. Well, actually, it is a grandpa car -- it's a two-owner car (my grandfather and me) with just under 100,000 original miles. It's light blue and has a relatively clean interior. It needs a little work but nothing overly dramatic. Here's the skinny:
The Good
low miles for old car
4 cylinder with no known motor trouble
automatic transmission
good tires
reliable battery
mechanic once said, "the only thing that'll stop this car from running is a tree"
front wheel drive, good in the snow
no serious accidents, ever; clean title
"The Dude Abides" bumper sticker
The Bad
clunking right front end, needs repair (prob tie rod) immediately
needs tune-up to bring gas mileage to where it should be
trunk leaks a little
The Ugly
grandpa car -- see pictures below
some peeling paint
small dents in trunk lid and beat-up front driver's side fender (but all lights are intact and work, last I checked)
"The Dude Abides" bumper sticker
I'm looking to sell it for $100. I believe that after repairs it will still be a little less than what Edmunds would suggest is fair market value for the car. Obviously this is NOT a luxury car or something that will improve your social status in Buffalo. But if you need a set of four wheels, four seats, and an internal combustion engine to propel you around town, you're all set.
If interested, let me know ASAP by email.
NOTE: I am not interested in fixing the car to sell, I just want someone to take it as-is. I've got too much going on at work to spend the time fixing the car.
Here's a photo off the internet of another 92 Spirit, same color and styling, with representative wear-and-tear:
If you want to see the real thing, it's parked on upper North Pearl just north of Allen Street.
Here's a front-angle shot of a slightly cleaner 92 Spirit, same color and styling:
Permalink: update_and_good_quot_beater_quot_car_for_100.html
Words: 491
Category: science/lgbt
06/17/08 12:42 - 58ºF - ID#44689
Gay Men, Straight Women: Similar Brains
MRI and PET scan studies are showing remarkable similarities between the brains of gay men and straight women, and between those of lesbians and straight men. For example, the brains of straight men and of gay women share certain common features: both are slightly asymmetric, with the right hemisphere larger than the left, ... [while] the brains of gay men and straight women are both symmetrical.
Similar trends emerged when scientists tracked connectivity in the amygdala, the region of the brain involved in emotional learning and in activating the fight-or-flight response. They noted strong similarities between gay men and straight women, and lesbians and straight men.
rainbow brain image courtesy of stianrasmussen.com
Permalink: Gay_Men_Straight_Women_Similar_Brains.html
Words: 170
Category: chores
06/11/08 10:51 - 69ºF - ID#44623
Drinking...
Permalink: Drinking_.html
Words: 23
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Tiny, the point IS to have less pollution, but the people who say it doesn't reduce pollution very much have a good point. I was simply offering something to people who want the plan to benefit the poor. Again, this means that the cars would have to be retrofitted. They would be using less resources, pollute less. Their previous owners who can afford a Prius will be happily puttering along. If it is impossible or too expensive to do this then scrap them, I don't care. In this instance the scales are so small, you're not hurting anybody, least of all Exxon.
You know, seeing as how narrow a scope it has to be, and how nobody is happy with this, and because the dollar amount is not good enough for any kind of investment, it's obvious the plan is shit and we shouldn't be putting any more money into it.
This government in power is anything but magic. I'm not on here constantly casting unfair vulgarity on the people in power. They just can't be trusted when it comes to numbers. When the politicians have to invent a statistical category nobody keeps track of to describe what the porkulus is going to do to jobs, and when they say that their health care plan is going to save money and it is found out that it is actually not going to save money, you know, it is just hard to put your faith in what they say to you. I worry more about people willfully living in denial than the politicians, at least you can boot the politicians.
We are all in the same boat, I do know that. For better or worse, politicians do what keeps them elected back home.
I like Jason agree I don't live in a world where public transportation is used daily. This is mostly because it is a hell of a lot more convenient for me not use it. However I do think that now is the time that our government should start shifting our resources to expand it. Because the price of gas is never going down. At what price will it become a necessity for me to use it? I have no idea, but I'm certain I will see the day.
If these old inefficient and resource-wasting cars could be "retro-fitted" to tolerable efficiency - why not give out the money for "retro-fitting"? If they want to do something about the transport of the poor:
a) Why not buy new efficient cars for the poor directly and give it to them? Why cycle through a chain of financing the clunker-return and then spending some more to "retro-fit" them and then give them out?
b) Why not invest this $1 billion in public transport, that is definitely more affordable? Is $1bn so less nowadays that it won't even expand the existing public transport networks?
I don't have an ideological chip on my shoulder. I am just trying to figure out what this new government policies are and explain them to myself and puzzled folks at home. I see the point you are making about the inescapable place of cars and the oil industry in this country.
I am not really that näive or falsely optimistic enough to believe that the stimulus fairy will set everything right overnight. But I do wonder about this magic government in power and about its promised change in policies. I am sure you know how much the world's economies depend on the US domestic economy and the oil markets. One false move here drives up costs enormously back home. You are not alone on this planet, you know? :)
a) gas guzzlers
b) polluting"
Yes. Dr. Niman's article, and Chico's posts, express disappointment that the plan does nothing for the poor. It is unrealistic to expect that every move the government makes can benefit the poor, but here they make a good point concerning taking an opportunity to do something for the poor when it is in front of us.
I wouldn't go along with an idea to give them $4500 for a car they can't afford, so if we can clean up the guzzlers somewhat and allow poor people to use them, they can more easily get a job farther away from home, travel to and from college, and more easily manage day care. If the cars work, and they can be retrofitted to be cleaner, it makes perfect sense. People need cars here to get things done for better or worse. I'm open to an alternate idea that isn't "help them buy a Prius" or "give them a bus token".
"Why on earth would you give them to be driven on roads again"
Because I don't live in a world where everyone crams into trains to get to where they're going, and neither do you, Tiny. Cars are here, and will continue to be here for some time. I don't have an ideological chip on my shoulder that makes me bristle at the thought of someone driving. I don't care if cars use gas or oil companies make money. We can use these vehicles to help people take better opportunities for themselves. Screw the watermelons.
Then what? Borrow a trillion more from China to buy back all the nasty unresearched greedy little vehicles of doom using debt money??
a) gas guzzlers
b) polluting
Why on earth would you give them to be driven on roads again - so that the oil companies can continue making money out of them from "poor people" instead of the original owners? Nice thinking. :/
Anyway I thought that was interesting. I would be alright with poor people getting a car as long as they were responsible for it completely on their own after they get it. If the watermelons want to retrofit a guzzler, all the better.