Disqus - Latest Comments for Diesel3446

Re: Steve Chapman: The needless cruelty of Trump's border policy

Diesel3446 — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 19:18:41 -0000

Because when People ILLEGALLY come across the border... They become Permanent Boarders!
I do not know anyone who is anti-immigrant.
Why do people who favor allowing ANYONE to enter the US without going through the process, NEVER refer to these people as ILLEGAL?

Re: Steve Chapman: The needless cruelty of Trump's border policy

Diesel3446 — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:11:05 -0000

I believe that the ILLEGAL immigration issue and the tariff issues have some commonality. The US has done very little in the past to restrict Illegal folks coming across our "boarder", just as the US had done very little to control unfair trade from other countries. So naturally people take advantage of the situation, and the US has let it occur. ie (textiles, steel, autos, solar panels,...) China has "dumped" products into the US for decades, while China has consistently applied a 25% tariff to US autos imported to China. About 18% of China's manufacturing is supported by China's government. So if you build motorcycles in China, you sell them cheaper than the competition, and the government pays you the difference. Harley Davidson's sales have been dropping for 4 consecutive years, to below year 2000 sales. Harley has ridden the up wave and done little to adapt and increase market share. Basically the Harley fad has soured, so I think that is a bad example. Besides, Trump is practicing his normal way of operating. Being a rich, cocky kid from Queens. He expects to always get his way. And if he doesn't he threatens. So whether the tariffs actually occur, and remain in place is yet to be seen. China had already reacted to the first round of threats and has "said" at their last Congress, that they will work to level the field. When Trump told the EU that they needed to absorb more of the cost of their military, Germany has said that they will step up by 22%. With immigration issue, we have let Mexico flood our county with people, who have not done what people in the rest of the world do...go through a process. There are 9 US consulates and 1 Embassy in Mexico. One of their functions is for people to apply for asylum. So... while the US and Germany, and Japan build auto plants and other manufacturing facilities in Mexico (there are about 19 auto plants in Mexico), the Mexican government refuses to control THEIR side of the boarder. It is all about balance.

Re: Our View: What is wrong with studying mass shootings?

Diesel3446 — Sun, 27 May 2018 14:21:21 -0000

Seriously? Your best thought is to spend money to first have a study performed? What about changing the law that allows a weapons purchase if the background check is not completed in 3 days. (That is how the Charlotte church shooter obtained his Glock handgun). Or have TRAINED and armed individuals at (limited) school entrances? Or mandating Family & Child services enter data into the NICS (Background check) system, Or establishing legislation that makes the failure of an agency to enter data into the NICS system a criminal act...Each and every one of the issues above contributed to a mass shooting. Implement changes / improvements then perform a study. Your methodology make you a PERFECT candidate for our DO NOTHING CONGRESS.

Re: Voice of the people: Tina Perry

Diesel3446 — Sat, 26 May 2018 12:09:49 -0000

I see not one viable solution or recommendation in all of the above. Many states in the U S have implemented a ban on magazines for Semi auto weapons that hold more than 10 rounds. This provides very little protection as one can exchange a magazine in 4 to 5 seconds. So in less than 25 seconds, one can fire about 20 rounds with a semi auto handgun with two 10 round magazines. While a study would be needed to find more complete solutions, there are protections that can be immediately put in place. Beginning with; All schools must have classroom doors that lock from the inside, all classrooms must have an area set aside in each classroom for people to be out of the range of fire through a door window as best as possible. (Some schools have painted lines designating this area) Schools must have no more than 2 entry points for the campus, or if not viable, 2 per building, with a TRAINED and armed individual at each entry, All schools must have drills performed 4 times per year.
I believe that metal detectors or trained dogs, Such as used by TSA, would be needed at each entry point.
In addition, any state or national legislation that currently allows a weapons purchase to be completed if the FFL (licensed firearms seller) does NOT receive a response from the NICS background check in 3 days, must be changed to default to a NON PURCHASE. All Family and Child services and Mental Health departments will have access to enter data into the NICS system, Any law enforcement, Family Child health, or Mental Health agencies that fail to enter data into the NICS system shall be in criminal violation. (In states such as Florida, school employees are mandated to report signs of child abuse). All weapons purchases SHALL be entered into a national data base (NICS), and NOT through a U S state only check.(Your drivers license is in a national data base), with the number of times a purchase attempt is made by each individual. I realize there are folks that are in opposition to this... But look at how much of our information and data is "out there", and get over it already.
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’
If you keep doing what you have been doing... You will keep getting what you have been getting.
BTW, with this being Memorial Day, there are still approximately 21 suicides by Veterans PER DAY!

Re: A closer look at the Lowndes Co. bond issue

Diesel3446 — Sun, 03 May 2015 11:05:43 -0000

I am not sure what programs will be offered at the technical center... 11 M sounds like a low number.
More technical centers are desperately needed throughout the
U.S.
What post-secondary education has been provided for the 60%
of H.S. grads that do not attend college?

Re: NGV trucks: Key to energy independence?

Diesel3446 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:31:52 -0000

We missed the first opportunity as far back as 1996 when the Olympic Games in Atlanta made wide use of CNG fueled vehicles.
CNG conversions were successful and going strong due to the need to meet non-attainment regulations as well as for the feeling of being "green".
However, without a commitment to a refueling infrastructure CNG will continue to loose favor.
It is interesting that manufactures have ceased production of CNG and LPG fueled engines at a time when natural gas companies are experiencing a high success rate due to improvements in drilling technology.
The unwillingness to build partnerships of stakeholders to resolve the barriers for using CNG, as well as LPG, will certainly hurt our nation at a time when the economy will be improving, fuel prices WILL rise, and the maintenance costs of operating 2007 / 2010 emission vehicles catches up.
I believe this is the most important issue facing our nation and economy.
Increasing alternative fueled transportation must begin now in order to have time for infrastructure saturation and to be accepted as common for commercial and private use.

A good example of how NOT to increase use of alternative fueled transportation is currently seen in the school transportation market.
LPG has seen a growth in school buses due to financial "carrots" being held out, only to find a lack of engine availability.
In addition, costs connected with alternative fueled transportation must be addressed. There will be limited success in market penatration when the cost of CNG and LPG power trains far exceed the cost of 2010 emission diesel powertrains. The notion that ROI and recovering R & D costs must be instant will clearly result in shooting ones self in the foot.

If one looks back at the roads we have taken with regard to alternative fueled transportation, you see a pathway too long and to slow.
We need someone to step up and provide "GPS coordinates" for increasing alternative fueled transportation.

Re: Con-way, Schneider are against American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), H.R. 2454's cap and trade provision

Diesel3446 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:27:06 -0000

My issue with this type of legislation is that there is a large loop hole for those who have been preparing for cap and trade to be implemented. Power companies who have diversified there fuels through either plant refits or acquisitions, improved their positions and may not have any pressure to improve total company wide emissions.
It is my view that this bill adds to the inequity of the emission reduction burden by basing the burden on the quantity of emissions of all, rather than basing it on those particular emitters that have not significantly contributed to the effort.
Why are we starting from 0 sum?
Has the transportation industry not been far ahead of the curve in this national effort?
I would like to move the discussion to what I believe is the root of the problem.
I would like to see congress mandated to spend 25% more of their time in their respective districts to prevent Congress from developing legislation in a partial vacuum.
The timing of the health care issue demonstrated that when congress is on their home turf, where folks are given the ability to truly contribute to the debate, the national debate tends to focus more directly on the issues as well as being more informative to both the elected officials and the public.
Spending more time with the folks they represent would also reduce the time congress can spend deliberating over issues.
The ability for congress to hibernate in the "Loop", and pick and choose from whom they will receive input is nothing less than cowardly.