Friday, July 13, 2018

10 Animals That May Go Extinct in the Next 10 Years

https://www.scientificamerican.com/slideshow/critically-endangered-species/

How I cut out my niche with my employers

I took a job as a mechanic yesterday and within 16 hours of employment I asked, "Who updates your programs, firmware and does your disk clean and defrag"? "Who do you use for tech support such as net connectivity issues as well as with your physical wiring"? Oh, you have "several" vendors and service technicians, how much would you save if you only needed one?

I look at all employment as on the job training and by Monday morning I'm going to have a handle on the "how to's" of these devices and their programs.
That's just how I roll.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

(Paraphrase) Why is the US still in Afghanistan

*This is bullshit! America is in Afghanistan for one reason and one reason only, someone has to protect those poppy fields because we need opium to produce tons of synthetic drugs in order to sell them to you!

The latest, dreadful suicide bombings in Kabul and Kandahar, which killed more than 50 people on Monday, have again focused attention on the continuing failure of American-led efforts to stabilise the country. After 16 years of conflict, critics say, the US is in a triple bind: it cannot win the war, it cannot halt the war, and it cannot leave.

As civilian casualties rise, and with no sign that recent American and Nato reinforcements are making a difference, an already dire security situation is growing more complex. Part of the problem is that Islamic State and the Taliban appear to be competing for the title of “most feared terrorists”. Isis claimed Monday’s twin explosions in Kabul, and last week’s attack on a voter registration centre that killed 60 people. But it was the Taliban who perpetrated two infamous atrocities in January. In one, an ambulance packed with explosives blew up, killing nearly 100 people. In the other, Kabul’s luxury Intercontinental hotel was turned into a battlefield.

Advertisement
K9 Advantix® II
SPONSORED BY K9 ADVANTIX® II
Scratching And Hair Loss? Get Help From Someone You Know.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis Is Common In Dogs. Let Bayer Help You Protect Your Dog From This And Other Flea, Tick And Mosquito Dangers.

Last week, the Taliban launched their 2018 spring offensive, threatening ever greater mayhem. According to US estimates, government forces control less than 60% of Afghanistan, with the remainder either contested or under the control of the insurgents.

Another problem is the terrorists are now specifically targeting Afghanistan’s fragile, fledgling democracy. Hence the repeated attacks on government ministries, organisers of October’s parliamentary and district elections, and journalists working for independent local and western media.

Every new act of mass murder in a high-profile public location weakens the authority, at home and abroad, of Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s besieged president. Ghani unveiled an ambitious peace plan in February, offering an immediate ceasefire and unconditional talks. The only reply he has received so far is a wave of bloodshed. Ghani is not alone in his impotence. Last August, Donald Trump unveiled a “fight to win” strategy, reversing his previous hands-off stance. Trump deployed an additional 3,000 troops, increased the scope and autonomy of counter-terrorism operations, and asked Nato allies to do more to help.

Sign up for Guardian Today US edition: the day's must-reads sent directly to you
Read more
Trump’s initiative has proved almost as ineffective as his decision, a year ago last month, to drop the “mother of all bombs” (officially, the massive ordnance air blast or MOAB) on a supposed Isis cave and tunnel complex in eastern Afghanistan. Trump boasted of a big victory, lending new meaning to the word “bombastic”.

Rather than curb the violence and enforce the peace, Trump’s green light for greater use of armed drones, quick-fire US air force strikes and special forces counter-terror ops appears to have had the opposite effect. According to UN figures published in February, a rise in the number of undiscriminating attacks last year contributed to more than 10,000 civilian casualties, including nearly 3,500 killed. As in the past, most of the casualties were caused by insurgent action – but by no means all.

In the absence of a holistic US strategy, Afghanistan risks becoming one large training ground and weapons testing site for the American armed forces. Trump is now reportedly reverting to his previous sceptical stance on the Afghan imbroglio. Rand Paul, a Republican senator known for isolationist views, said Trump agreed the US should forget “fight to win” and cut and run instead. “The president told me over and over again in general we’re getting the hell out of there,” Paul told the Washington Post this week. Trump’s apparent volte-face, channelling the Grand Old Duke of York, mirrors his recent, impulsive decision to pull US troops out of Syria.

More serious students of America’s Afghan dilemma believe that whatever Trump may say, the US is stuck there indefinitely. It is broadly accepted in Washington that the war cannot be “won” in the conventional sense. Nor can it be halted, given the refusal of the insurgents to discuss peace, its growing, Syria-like complexity and Trump’s disdain for diplomacy.

“A simple win-loss dynamic is the wrong way to think about the war. America’s not in Afghanistan to win. It’s there to hold the line,” said Nicholas Grossman, professor of political science at the University of Illinois, writing in National Review.

America’s aim was no longer democratic nation-building, as in the era of George W Bush, Grossman said. There was no ideal end state in view. But the US had no choice but to stay in order to prevent jihadist groups filling any future vacuum, as happened in Iraq; to keep the Iranians and Russians out; and to keep Pakistan honest, stable, and in the US column. As the death toll mounts and the elected government weakens, the sum of America’s shrunken Afghan ambition appears to be: hang on in there – and fingers crossed.

Since you’re here…
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading The Guardian than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall. We want our journalism to remain accessible to our global audience. Our readers’ contributions enable us to maintain this openness, so we can all access accurate information and analysis.

The Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.

If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps to support it, our future would be much more secure. For as littl

Learn the Basics of Auto Mechanics

*I chose this topic because I wasn't getting enough contracts here living in the states. Me being me not to bitch or hiccup I rejoined the workforce as an auto mechanic for the same shop that my drag truck is at. (Let me tell you that ALL new cars are pieces of shit or at least they're built with garbage parts) I wouldn't own one.
Nevertheless, I began twisting wrenches at about the age of 10, started with lawn mowers and snow blowers and worked my way up to automobiles in short fashion. Now, knowing the basics, I have to dedicate an hour a day after work to catch up on the various new systems, systems upgrades with special respect towards the computer controled vehicles. There's a damned sensor on everythinhg. I've never needed a gadget to tell me my tires were low, my oil was low or that I needed servicing but oh yeah - Americans tend to be some lazy bastards, no offense.

I'll be 55 in October and from the beginning of this blog I had shared that anyone can do anything, now I'm proving it.

by Matthew Wright

Updated July 02, 2018

It can be difficult to make your own auto repairs if you don't know the basics. Mechanics have their own lingo, tools, and specifications that anyone can learn. Whether it's an emergency or routine maintenance, let's explore some of the car repairs you can easily do at home with a few tips.

Auto Repair Essentials

Mechanics require tools and there are a few essentials that you'll need to make most car repairs. A beginner's set of tools can include screwdrivers, a few wrenches, pliers, and a good pair of channel locks. Add a jack, penetrating oil, and a little safety gear and you're good to go. What you don't have means a trip to the parts store, but eventually you'll have a garage full after enough repairs, so don't worry about that.

You will also want to get your hands on a good car repair manual. A manual that's specific to your model of car can give you great insight into where parts are located and any special functions or techniques you need to use. Remember, while cars are essentially the same, different makes and models do have subtle differences that can lead to a lot of frustration if you're using generic tips.

The other thing to consider is when it's okay to buy used auto parts. Yes, you can save some cash at the junkyard, but you're also taking a risk that the part won't work. In the end, a bad choice can end up costing you more money.

In an Emergency

You're driving down the road and a tire blows out. Or, your car won't start in the morning and you need to get to work. Do you know what to do in these emergencies?

It's a good idea for every driver to know how to jump-start a dead battery because calling a tow truck in to do it can waste both time and money. Also, this can be especially tricky on some newer cars. Do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with the procedures on your car before it happens.

In case you can't get your car started, you might be able to get a friend or family member to tow you instead of calling the truck. Learning how to properly use tow straps is key to making this happen without damaging either car and to keep everyone safe.

Diagnosing Common Problems

What's leaking under my car? Is the color of my exhaust okay? Should my engine sound like that? We've all asked these questions and you can get a pretty good idea of what's causing many problems without going to the mechanic.

When it comes to fluids, you can usually identify them by color. Grab a paper towel and dab it in the leak. If it's green or pink, you're probably looking at coolant. Power steering fluid is yellowish and transmission fluid is a redder color. Every fluid has a distinct color, so this is a pretty easy one to diagnose.

Your exhaust can also lead you to necessary repairs. White, blue, or black smoke coming out of your exhaust will each point you in a different direction. It may be a problem with engine valves or your head gasket and it's best not to delay when you see these problems because they can get worse.

In addition, you should be listening for unusual sounds and which part of the car they're coming from. There are also common signs that you're low on power steering fluid and when something may be wrong with your brakes. Other common car problems include overheating and that unbearable moment when your car simply won't turn over.

The good news is that there is a reason for everything in auto mechanics. It's just a matter of narrowing it down to the real problem. That is why mechanics—pros and amateurs alike—use onboard diagnostics (OBD) to help them find these problems quickly.

Basic DIY Car Repairs

For some car repairs, you may be better off getting it to the mechanic, However, there are a number of things that you can do in your own garage. Some tasks like changing your oil or flushing the coolant are good DIY projects that can save a lot of money each year.

Beyond regular maintenance, almost anyone can change a headlight bulb or any of your rear lights. For these jobs, it's a good idea to have that repair manual so you don't turn a small issue into a big problem.

Many home mechanics can also tackle things like plugging a tire, replacing spark plugs, and even changing a turn signal relay. However, we don't suggest taking on those projects unless you know how to check your oil or top off your windshield washer fluid first.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Making URL's small enough to fit your web documents

This is a pain free process by going to Tinyurl.com

For Hudson Bay Polar Bears, The End is Already in Sight

*I can't blog this but I will link it as I care more for animals than I do for humans.

The polar bear has long been a symbol of the damage wrought by global warming, but now biologist Andrew Derocher and his colleagues have calculated how long one southerly population can hold out. Their answer? No more than a few decades, as the bears’ decline closely tracks that of the Arctic’s disappearing sea ice.

BY YALE ENVIRONMENT 360 • JULY 8, 2010

*Luckily there's a brighter picture!

Hudson Bay ice update: more thick first year ice habitat for polar bears in 2018 than 2004

Despite pronouncements from one polar bear specialist that “ice in Hudson Bay is in rapid retreat” a look back in time shows that there is more thick first year ice over the Bay this year for the week of the summer solstice than there was in 2004 – and much less open water than 1998.

Ice coverage for some other recent years are shown below compared to 1998, the year the ice breakup pattern on Hudson Bay changed. Speed and melt sequences vary according to the amount of thick first year ice present, discussed previously here.

PS. If you’re wearing white today, flaunt it! Tell your friends and colleagues that you’re celebrating the success of polar bears despite such low summer sea ice since 2007 that 2/3 of them were predicted to disappear.

There are tons of graphics in this article > https://tinyurl.com/y9hp5jbt

IS TRUMP INSANE ENOUGH TO BLOW UP THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION?

The World Trade Organization was created in 1995 with the primary purpose of regulating international trade, ensuring that trade between its 164 member nations flows, in its own words, “as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.” Given that these words are in direct opposition to his ethos as a human being—not to mention the fact that the U.S. entered the organization before he was in office—you could probably have guessed that Donald Trump hates the W.T.O. with every fiber of his papaya-colored soul. On the campaign trail he called the organization “a disaster” and, as with NAFTA, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Iran deal, threatened to pull out of it post haste. And while he hasn’t made any moves to do so during his first year and a half in office, having more urgent fish to fry such as separating toddlers from their families, passing a giant corporate tax cut, and fighting with kneeling football players on Twitter, a terrifying new report suggests he’s finally ready to scratch that itch.

According to Axios, Trump has told top White House officials that he wants out of the governing body, having “[threatened to withdraw] 100 times.” A source who has discussed the subject with the president, and who knows such a move would “totally [screw] us as a country,” says that Trump has frequently told advisers, “We always get fucked by them [the W.T.O.] I don’t know why we’re in it. The W.T.O. is designed by the rest of the world to screw the United States.” While some aides have attempted to hold the president’s hand like the small child he is and explain to him that, in fact, the U.S. has done very well with the W.T.O., the arguments have been lost on him. (He apparently has not considered the 2018 “Economic Report of the President,” signed by him, that states: “[T]he United States has won 85.7 percent of the cases it has initiated before the W.T.O. since 1995, compared with a global average of 84.4 percent. In contrast, China’s success rate is just 66.7 percent.”)

Perhaps even more disturbing, considering the catastrophic global fallout that would result from the U.S. leaving the W.T.O., Trump’s economic advisers seem to be treating the president like he’s a thoughtful, rational human being rather than a capricious, unpredictable carnival barker:

[The] advisers do push back in the moment when he raises the idea of withdrawal. But they’ve never put in place a policy process to take the idea seriously, according to four sources with direct knowledge of his private comments. That dismissive attitude in the face of Trump’s insistence could ultimately prove to be a mistake—as history has shown with other policy ideas of which aides do not approve.

Take this one out the door @ https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/06/trump-world-trade-organization

Israel loves to play the victim

Really?

What was this?

Israeli / Saudi Arabia Tactical Nuclear Strike on Yemen 2 stage dual warhead ! Bunker Buster Weapon ! A nuclear bunker buster, also known as an Deep Earth-Penetrating Weapon (EPW) First blast is the first stage blasting the surface layer and second blast (a few second later is the Main Charge detonating deep under the ground. This is not the Big ass Nukes of yesteryear. !

Care to read the rest?

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/09/...

Navigation for new visitors

Trade War Basics

In the end what you will witness is a "redistribution of wealth and spending". The US as the top world superpower days are over and you are witnessing the downward spiral.
I don't like or dislike it, it's the nature of the beast, no one, no group, no product or service remains the best forever, handle it.

My S-10 revisited

I only received 3 emails on my truck and this post should answer all the questions.

This truck has every trick in the book, brand new carb, brand new nitros with 10pd bottle, relocated oil filter, fuel cooler, 12" rear - 3:83's, brand new Hoosiers, almost new exhaust with crossover, line lock, MSD, Too much to even add here.

At present I'm asking $12,000 but that's about to go up as I'm having more work done as far as the torque converter and possibly another transmission.
*I also have 2 videos with sound to share, will make a couple more at the track.

The price is firm. *******************GUARENTEED 9 SECOND TRUCK

*I went and took pictures of the suspension to answer 2 emails and as you can clearly see, you couldn't build the suspension and exhaust for under 10K unless you have your own machine shop.

Cold start.