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WestyPop
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Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 1598
Location: SoCal
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 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Can't say for Colorado, but when the seatbelts-in-school busses-issue has come up in California, the bus companies & school districts always claim it's too expensive & successfully lobby against it. So they now require the driver to wear a seat belt , but no no one else! Supposedly that's so the driver can remain in control in a severe accident(while the kiddies go body-slamming the interior panels & being thrown through the windows?)!
Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but then my 68 VW Camper didn't come to me with any seatbelts. That is being remedied, of course.
J.R.
SoCal |
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penthink
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2004
Posts: 288
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| Mike J. Goode wrote: | | American cars sell well-almost as well as Japanese brands-in only one country and that is American. Everywhere else in the world, the are, for the most part, laughed at. |
That's actually not true. American cars represent a huge part of the foreign market. Let's not forget, Ford Motor Co. was the biggest company in the world until Wal-Mart eclipsed them last year. They didn't do that by selling cars only in America. There are a number of brands that are owned by American companies that we don't even have here (Opel, Vauxhall), and further, let us not forget that Volvo is owned by Ford, Saab is owned by GM, Benz is in cahootz with Chrysler...my point is this: for the last twenty years, I have bitched and moaned about the utter crap that America has produced, car-wise. But the cars made in the last few years, at least some of them, are damned good. They are world class in fact. I think if there was any basis for laughter on the part of the rest of the world, it would be for our size. In most of Europe, there is a weight tax on cars, and that is why our huge American behemoths don't get sold overseas very much. They are just too big. |
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Rocknrod
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Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2132
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:22 am Post subject: |
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Remember back in the 80's with the talk of GEO's. A "I'll help you if you help me" co-op of car producers.
Thats what we're getting close to, Pontiacs that are Toyota's, Izuzu's that are Chevrolets. Chevrolets with Izuzu engines.
Chrysler with their half Benz half Chrysler/Mitsubishi... yeah I bet you forgot about the old Talons, the fact that the Sebring is built in the same factory that turns out the Eclipse... which shares the same running gear.
We've got a global market, and a global economy. Our jobs have been moving oversea's since the 70's it just hasnt been in the squeeky wheel loud mouth industrys.
That being said... I dont know that I'd install a cage in a bus... The fact that you have to hit a solid object and STOP in the distance from the bumper to you... if the bumper doesnt move, the car doesnt care... but the Dale effect takes over. Head tries to seperate from the spinal cord.
Not much room to work with when it comes to a bus, but I think if you moved the seats farther back and pulled the wheel/pedals farther back you could burn off more speed before you get "hit." |
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Duncwarw
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Joined: August 25, 2003
Posts: 3096
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| Here in my neighborhood, school busses do have seatbelts. The driver's are not allowed to make the kids wear them though. |
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cree
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Joined: September 23, 2004
Posts: 320
Location: Colorado
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hambone
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Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 1607
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Don't forget, if you drive a "recycled" vehicle such as an old VW, you save manufacturing raw materials and energy as opposed to buying something new. Imagine how many resources saved by driving the same vehicle forever.....
I have a 1600 in my 69' bus, get in the mid 20s for MPG. Not as clean burning as modern cars, but not bad, considering the tiny engine. I always keep it in perfect tune, so it's running it's best.
You're all right tho, it's beyond just getting rid of all SUVs. We have to think responsibly in all aspects of our lives. When you buy an apple from NEW ZELAND (good God), imagine the cost of fuel, transportation, etc. just so you can enjoy a damn piece o' fruit for 10 mins. THEN imagine the same apple, but grown just down the road (or better yet, your back yard). The concept is old, back in the 40s they called em' victory gardens. If we all do our part, however miniscule it may appear, multiplied by millions, it will have a dramatic effect.
I bike to work and college EVERY day, year round. And, I see single occupant SUVs every morning, and it just pisses me off. Sometimes ya gotta think of the impact of your actions, beyond your own little world. It's just considerate, the way a gentleman used to tip his hat to a lady. But who the hell tips hats anymore? My point. |
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Schmooey
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Joined: October 19, 2004
Posts: 838
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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You're cool hambone. 
I just wrote a long rant about conspicuous consumption modern ethics and the fall of civilization, and had the sense to delete it.  |
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velokid1
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Joined: December 22, 2004
Posts: 1160
Location: N. Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Well said, Hambone. Vive le Velo! Or something like that.
Portland, what a town. Have a Laughing Planet burrito for me if you're over near Belmont.
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1976 Westy... almost there.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/210442.jpg |
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hambone
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Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 1607
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Bah, I'm just bitter. We've become such a selfish culture. My wife works as a therapist in public grade schools, poor screwed up kids with Jerry Springer families. Guess how much funding they get? Nickels, man. People don't have electricity in 1/2 the world, but we have our TEEVO or whatever the hell that stuff is.....
Dylan: "an if you see yer brother carrying somethin', help him with his load, an don't mistake paradise for that home across the road"
We need more moxie out there, the stereotyped Ugly American is alive and well. It's spring, time for new sheets. It feels good to give somebody a hand, see the gratefulness in their eyes. Even better to know yer not a part of that vicious black hole cycle that sucks everybody in. |
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Rocknrod
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Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2132
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| hambone wrote: | Bah, I'm just bitter. We've become such a selfish culture. My wife works as a therapist in public grade schools, poor screwed up kids with Jerry Springer families. Guess how much funding they get? Nickels, man. People don't have electricity in 1/2 the world, but we have our TEEVO or whatever the hell that stuff is.....
Dylan: "an if you see yer brother carrying somethin', help him with his load, an don't mistake paradise for that home across the road"
We need more moxie out there, the stereotyped Ugly American is alive and well. It's spring, time for new sheets. It feels good to give somebody a hand, see the gratefulness in their eyes. Even better to know yer not a part of that vicious black hole cycle that sucks everybody in. |
Amen! |
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Schmooey
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Joined: October 19, 2004
Posts: 838
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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I concur.
I'd say "ditto" but that's been co-opted by a fool. |
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WestyPop
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Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 1598
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Totally agree.
From its origins in raw materials to its final demise at the crusher, the most pollution-intensive stage of a car's life is from raw materials to the showroom floor, NOT the driving, fuel burning parts. Recycling by re-using an implement for its original task, over & over, is far more efficient even than just collecting the materials for use in a reformulated state.
J.R.
SoCal |
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DurocShark
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Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 5630
Location: Wishing I was at the beach
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in my mid-30's now.
Throughout my life I've swung from full-bore consumerism to living on a shoestring. I kept up with the PC upgrade cycles for a few years. I bought a new truck. And so on... Then I'd swing the other way. Spend my money on experiences and adventures. Enjoy life. Own next to nothing.
Since my wife and I reconciled from our most recent separation, I've settled somewhere in the middle. I don't *want* a new vehicle. I don't *want* the latest video card for my PC. I *do* want the best possible for my children. I *do* want to keep having experiences (note my recent trip to Colorado alone in my bus).
Finding that middle ground is difficult.
My mom is a member of the "disposable soceity" and as soon as something breaks she tosses it. Doesn't even consider fixing or getting it fixed. So that's something I've had to flush my system of over the years.
I still drool over widescreen LCD TV's and high-end receivers and speakers. Will I buy that TV? Eventually. Will I buy those speakers? Eventually. Will I buy that receiver? Oops. already got it. 
But I refuse to let those things DETERMINE my life. If things come together (price + funds + need/desire) then it will happen. Of course, if I can find the items used and cheap, all the better. Example: I've wanted an LCD monitor for my PC for years. I finally bought a 17" Mag last year. Used. $100. Same for the goodies in my bus. I picked up a 14" LCD used for $60. The CD player in there is the one that's been in several cars, thefts attempted and damage done. Yet I still use it. It works great, no reason to "upgrade". I'll scrounge up a tuner and DVD player for that 14" LCD for the bus eventually. Whenever I can find one used/cheap. I'm in no hurry...
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The Guacamole Bus
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hambone
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Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 1607
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Hehehe you sound like a true VW owner! Make do, don't sweat the details. I like yer point of view. |
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Rocknrod
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2132
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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| hambone wrote: | | Hehehe you sound like a true VW owner! Make do, don't sweat the details. I like yer point of view. |
Heh... I dont own a VW yet, But I sweat the details only when it comes to money, cause I dont have a choice if its on a shoe string or not! |
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Amskeptic
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Joined: October 18, 2002
Posts: 7130
Location: All Across The Country
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| cree wrote: |
We do need something to drive the economy. It used to be tech.
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{Rant ON}
We need some friggin' leadership with vision, and that is going to require us peons to show a little effort at election time. Who the hell wants to vote for some mannequin who only asks if you feel better now.
We need a Purpose to drive the economy and our souls, our community, and our future, hello, there is a lot of good necessary work to be done.
We could be the absolute coolest game in town if we put our considerable brain trust and highly technical expertise to work solving some the looming environmental questions. China would become a market for us if we had state-of-the-art pollution controls to SELL, REPUBLICANS, SELL, we could grab Europe with state-of-the-art fuel economy technology, everybody needs power plant technology, and think of the nifty little energy producing devices we could come up with running off cow shit and bat guano so they wouldn't feel the need to level the Amazon.
But NOOOOO. We have oil doodes in the White House who won't even challenge our manufacturers to get with the program and stay out front. It is insipid uninspired selfish status quo, and the world is changing too fast for them. We are gutting our own education system while we blow cash on boy-toy missile defense systems, we can't even challenge our children anymore because we are too morally bankrupt to be able to challenge them with a straight face, they are too numb getting sucked into the media/marketing/fast-food sonambulent comatose way of life we have decided is "good." Thank God for drugs, huh? Keeps the ADD kids compliant and keeps us dull.
Americorps and the Peace Corps were brilliant American outreach programs that did more good both for us and them than any defense budget or military adventure ever could. Talk to an Americorps volunteer recently? They will tell you that it was a life-changing experience. Why don't we see? The world stage is no different than any family. Come on. What works? Arrogant Uncle Sam splitting his pants at the buffet table blabbing endlessly about how generous he is while the poor cousins are out back cooking up a plot to show that fat slob a thing or two? We could show the world that the Marshall Plan was just a harbinger of our true capabilities, but as of right now, the out-sourcing stampede is robbing us of our proprietary manufacturing knowhow, it is robbing us of our edge in every single way, we are becoming the nation of has-beens who are too stupid to wake up to the fact that in countries like India and Korea and Taiwan and China, there is a burning national desire that keeps their kids focused and performing, need I say, at a higher level than our sorry primary education system. We have so many gifts. I know people who feel deeply grateful for those gifts they've been blessed with, and they will tell you nothing is sweeter than serving others with them. Then there are those blessed with great gifts who preen and declare that it was all their own hard work, bullshit, wake up (CLARENCE THOMAS I'M TALKING TO YOU)
I was born here. I did not create the great land of America. I am a damn lucky person who has yet to gather the advantages I have been privileged to enjoy of this great country and SHARE THEM in the name of service. But I'll get there. There is work to be done.
{rant OFF}
Whoo, settle down, endplay .0035, Type 4 strainer torque 9 ft/lbs, exhaust manifold nuts 16 ft/lbs cold max, OK.
Colin
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Rocknrod
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Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 2132
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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(Howard Dean on) YEEEEEAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH (Howard Dean off.)
Sorry... Political rant, had to... |
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Duncwarw
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Joined: August 25, 2003
Posts: 3096
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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One of the few things I enjoy about forums like this is that I get to post stuff in the middle of the night after a long day and a few beers.
By way of getting somewhat back on topic, I think that driving, maintaining, restoring, and being in love with a vehicle that for some here is older than the driver is a responsible thing to do.
America has jumped the tracks in a lot of ways. We used to have the local hardware store, now we have a Home Depot that in most cases you can't reasonably walk to. We have Starbucks. Funny thing, the tobacco industry wound up in court for manipulating the nicotine levels in cigarettes, but Starbucks enjoys a long line of tie-wearing junkies out the door. We went from a Pharmacist who knows your name to drive-through mega stores.
Regardless of your individual politics or beliefs in general, I think we have a special place in our glutonous society. We are a community of people of diverse circumstances who lovingly nurse 30+ year-old vehicles back to health and, for the most part, use them on a daily basis.
Gone are the days of the owner maintainable transport and the "mom and pop" stores.
Well, not quite... |
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Emily's Owner
Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2004
Posts: 611
Location: Pendleton, Oregon : Let'er Buck!
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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My bus just turned 175,000 miles today..........
_________________
Margaret
ITMC - OG Den Mother
Lead me not into temptation.....Oh hell, who are we kidding, follow me, I know a shortcut.
http://www.greencascadiaguides.com/
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Duncwarw
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Joined: August 25, 2003
Posts: 3096
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| Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:58 am Post subject: |
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Wow! Congrats!
Go for 200 |
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