"And suddenly I realized that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct, only I was in a different dimension." - Ayrton Senna
At a certain point, technology will surpass what we consider to be driving. Soon enough we will be driving autonomous cars, free to read, text, do our hair, and whatever else we need on our way to work. With each vehicle I've bought and sold, I try to stay connected to my car, the road, and my experience behind the wheel, because that's what driving should be. An experience.
As I look back I realize at the time of my last post I was still driving my 2001 Grand Cherokee and praying it wouldn't leave me stranded (again) on my next road trip. I was back and forth between home and every time I was there the Jeep was up on jack stands and I was putting another band aid on the failing dyke that was the 4.7 drivetrain. In a career where I rely heavily on my wheels to get me to recruiting events for 5 months of the year, this was just not acceptable.
So, as I began pondering what my next automotive move would be, I started a checklist of things I wanted in a vehicle. Reliability, toughness, road manners, fun factor and other categories of the sort peppered a spreadsheet on my computer. As I filled in vehicles of different shapes and sizes and test drove a dozen or so, my list began dwindling to one: Toyota Tacoma.
I drove a Tacoma at a dealership in Middletown and immediately fell in love. It was a silver '06 TRD Sport with a short bed and 70,000 miles. It was perfect: drove well enough on the highway, had a toughness factor and a good aftermarket following that would make modifications easy and (relatively) cost-effective.
As we swung back into the dealership, I looked at the salesman with me and asked "So, how much is this beauty?"
He rustled through his papers, found the stock number, and confidently stated, "This one is only $26,899"
You could have knocked me over with a feather. Come again? I was still living in the Jeep bubble, where a 6 year old Grand Cherokee can be had for well under $20k. (For instance, just found a 2011 Overland with 75k for about $21k)
I pointed to a brand new Tacoma sitting next to me, looked at the salesman with true bewilderment, and said, "So you're telling me that this 6 year old truck is the same price as the brand new one sitting right there? That's absurd!"
He looked at me, clearly annoyed, and said "Well, THAT'S what they go for, OK?"
I handed him the key without saying a word, turned, and walked away. My first experience with the inflated resale values that keep Toyota faithful sticking with the brand.
I then began looking through for Jeeps and some other smaller company SUVs and test drove some more. Even found a couple lower priced Tacomas, but with the mileage on them it just didn't make sense for me to buy them. I had gotten to the point where I was going to step away from the market for a bit and let some new blood filter in, and had one more vehicle to go and look at, a used Jeep. I pulled up to the dealership, and out of the corner of my eye, I see a Toyota with a hood scoop tucked in between a few other SUVs. I walked up to it, and was discouraged when I discovered that there were no stickers on the windows.
I walked inside and found a salesman, and inquired about the steel blue beast.
"Oh, that one's contract just fell through, guy found a better deal somewhere else and left us high and dry." He tapped away at his computer, and when he looked up he said, "Price is $15,400."
We walked outside to a gorgeous 2004 4Runner Sport with a V8, and get this, 48,000 miles. It checked every box of reliability, ruggedness, fun factor, and with the XREAS suspension underneath, was a breeze on the road. While it didn't have some of the creature comforts I was looking for, I knew if I didn't jump on it I'd lose it. So I did.
I spent two years behind the wheel of that 4Runner, and put over 45,000 blissful miles on the odometer. I only had one major repair which, thankfully, was covered under the extended warranty I had purchased. I upgraded plenty, went on some incredible adventures, and have timeless memories from behind the wheel of that truck. It was everything I had ever wanted in a vehicle.
Unfortunately, the fact that it just wasn't PRACTICAL for me at the time ultimately closed the book on my torrid love affair with TRex (only vehicle I've ever named...). At 95,000 miles I decided it was as good a time as any to get out from an SUV and into a car. I was able to sell TRex to a guy who appreciated Toyotas, and knew the truck was going to a good home. I cried a bit when he pulled away with it. TRex was the first vehicle I had ever bought on my own, and first I had ever truly loved.
In a decision that still has me scratching my head at times, I went off and bought at 2014 Mazda 3 with the 2.0L engine and a 6 speed manual. I had a couple parameters that needed to be met for me to make the ultimate leap to a car...
Car had to be fun
Car had to be unique
Car had to be manual
If there is one thing that has always been on my mind, growing up as a gear head, is that I wanted to DD a stick shift at least once in my life. And, for the most part, am glad that I did. The moments I'm unhappy with that decision tend to pop up quite often on the I95 corridor...
Driving a stick shift is a holistic driving experience on a daily basis. One major perk of having to row my own is that I am on my phone exponentially LESS than I was in the 4Runner. You have to pay attention, make sure you're in the appropriate gear, downshift coming up to lights and through the twisties. When you're driving around a slush box, you're only utilizing half of your legs, and hence, half of your brain. It is much easier to be distracted when you're driving an auto.
After two years behind the wheel, I don't need to look at the tach to shift. The car has a gear display that shows shift points, and I can hit those points just about perfectly by feel. I can grab the shift knob and know what gear I'm in just by the positioning of my hand. I can have music bumping and know what gear to downshift to or when to upshift without listening to the engine. You begin to understand your car and the dynamics of driving. It makes you a better driver overall.
Unfortunately, the manual gear box is a dying breed. Automatics are more advanced and more efficient, they shift bette,r and have more gears. Hell, Chevrolet and Ford share a 10-speed auto that is said to be fantastic, regardless of whether your bopping around the block or jumping the Raptor on a Baja track. Exotic auto makers are opting for dual-clutch automatics that complete shift faster than a human can blink their eye. Technology has surpassed what we used to know as "ultimate performance." And with stricter efficiency standards, auto makers are looking for MPGs anywhere they can.
The Mazda was a car that caught my eye from the moment they rolled the production cars out at the auto shows. They were a vastly different look from the previous generation with fantastic body lines and a big, aggressive grille. Their driving dynamics were vastly improved, and with two engine options, appeal to a wide variety.
I was also looking at a couple other cars, including Corollas, but I wanted something that I didn't see a ton of. And I see a LOT of Corollas. On a regular basis, I still only see 2-3 Mazdas in the city, and they still catch my eye on the highway.
Another selling point for me was the vast array of options you could get on an economy car. I bought the Grand Touring edition, so I have heated leatherette seating, Navigation, Bluetooth audio, blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, and a back-up camera.
(If you don't think a Back-up camera is worth noting, consider this: on a BMW M240i, a $47,000 coupe, a backup camera isn't available without spending $950 on the "Driver Assistance Package." They are standard on the Mazda 3i Sport, priced at $17,800.)
My biggest gripe about the car, and will be the reason I sell it for an SUV: I. CAN'T. SEE. ANYTHING.
I turn my head to back up, and all I see are the seat backs. Swooping body lines make for some reduced visibility out of the back windows. Thankful for the backup camera.
I turn my head to check my blind spot, and with my seat position (important with a clutch) I have a nice view of my B pillar. Thankful for blind spot monitoring
I try to pull out of a driveway with vehicles parked on the side of the road, and. Well. There's not a gadget for that... Let's just say I pray a lot more than I used to. I literally feel as though I'm taking my life in my own hands pulling out onto a busy city street. The fact that I haven't been T-boned in the city of Hartford is still baffling to me.
I get into traffic and have to rely on the brake lights of the car in front of me to read the flow of traffic. Do you know how many cars' brake lights DON'T WORK? TAKE CARE OF YOUR DAMN CARS, PEOPLE!
The one saving grace of the Mazda, on par with the company's ethos, is that it is a fun car to drive. Even with 16" wheels it handles well, tracks straight on the highway, and gobbles up speed without me thinking about it. Yes, there is road noise, but you'll have that with any lightweight economy car. However, getting into an on-ramp at 60mph and hugging the inside of the curve in 3rd gear, and rocketing past the flow of traffic as I upshift to 4th gets more and more fun each time I do it. I take the back way home quite often in the warmer months so I can put it through it's paces. The fact that I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in this bright-red machine is a marvel.
The other surprise for me, was it is a decent vehicle in the snow. I have gotten back into skiing in the last coupe years, and being able to get to the hill is important for me. I bought a full set of Blizzaks for it and it is a regular mountain goat. I only had one situation on my way up the hill to Stratton this year, but I was able to crush 15 days this year through snow storms and slush without a worry. Now, would I prefer a bigger 4x4 SUV? Absolutely. But for what it is, the Mazda does just fine.
My view on life from closer to the ground has definitely been an experience. The Mazda has brought me back to the roots of when I learned how to drive on my father's property. It has reminded me to be more attentive to the road and my car. It has brought me happiness even though it is not the perfect vehicle for me. If only every one could have this connection to their vehicles.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Sunday, November 27, 2011
First Car Memories
Happy holidays everyone! I hope everyone made it to and from Thanksgiving destinations safely and enjoyed time with families and friends.
Well, it's been 17 months since my last post, but today I was inspired and figured I'd get my thoughts down on a subject that's close to heart. Currently, Chevrolet is running an ad campaign entitled "Chevy Runs Deep," where they're showing scenarios where people are choosing to save or recalling their old Chevys as fond memories of their childhood or first adult car.
Their latest commercial is a story of two brothers who search for and find their father's 1965 Impala SS, a car he had sold to finance his sons' education. For five years, Jared and Derek Younger searched for their father's Impala across the country, always one or two steps behind it changing hands and being sold and relocated.
Their final US contact, an older man in Maine, informed them that he had sold the car a month beforehand to someone based in Canada, and they had brought it across the border. In a last-ditch effort, Jared searched online and found the car for sale in Montreal. The outcome is depicted below, the 1-minute TV commercial.
I would be remiss if I didn't admit the wave of emotion that hits me every time I watch this commercial. Watching the father's reaction to seeing his car for the first time in 30 years is enough to bring any grown person to fighting back the inevitable tears. It hits home for me because I think about conversations I've had with my brother about restoring my father's 66 Corvair in the past.
The 5-minute full documentary type film tells the story behind the motivation for the search. In short, both brothers grew up to be successful because of the sacrifices their parents had made to put them through school. They wanted to give him something to repay their father, and what better way than to return the prized car that he had given up for them. This is my motivation behind the Corvair restoration. My father has held onto it since his days at SU. It is the only car he held onto through his college career, as he constantly rebuilt and sold cars to pay tuition.
The amount that my father (and mother) did to put us through college and now help us post-college is incredible, and a level of support I hope to give my children one day.
What this commercial also does is bring up the question - what is it about a first car that is so memorable? Is it the initial freedom that it brings? Is it the right of passage that a license and car represents? The memories I have of my first car are so vivid that I wonder why I ever sold it. I also think about my second and now third car, and I don't have nearly as many memories in those. I remember bringing my Blazer home like it was yesterday. My first big road trip was to Rochester for a recruiting trip at SUNY Brockport. I had my first kiss leaned up against it. I can still remember how easy it was to do oil changes and all of the "upgrades" I put on it.
Now I can still remember working on my first Jeep, and some of the trips made in that, but no where near as many as that first Blazer. I guess there are many reasons to remember the first car, but there will always the next one as well. All that we can hope is that the memories made in the new ones are as good as the memories made in the first.
Well, it's been 17 months since my last post, but today I was inspired and figured I'd get my thoughts down on a subject that's close to heart. Currently, Chevrolet is running an ad campaign entitled "Chevy Runs Deep," where they're showing scenarios where people are choosing to save or recalling their old Chevys as fond memories of their childhood or first adult car.
Their latest commercial is a story of two brothers who search for and find their father's 1965 Impala SS, a car he had sold to finance his sons' education. For five years, Jared and Derek Younger searched for their father's Impala across the country, always one or two steps behind it changing hands and being sold and relocated.
Their final US contact, an older man in Maine, informed them that he had sold the car a month beforehand to someone based in Canada, and they had brought it across the border. In a last-ditch effort, Jared searched online and found the car for sale in Montreal. The outcome is depicted below, the 1-minute TV commercial.
I would be remiss if I didn't admit the wave of emotion that hits me every time I watch this commercial. Watching the father's reaction to seeing his car for the first time in 30 years is enough to bring any grown person to fighting back the inevitable tears. It hits home for me because I think about conversations I've had with my brother about restoring my father's 66 Corvair in the past.
The 5-minute full documentary type film tells the story behind the motivation for the search. In short, both brothers grew up to be successful because of the sacrifices their parents had made to put them through school. They wanted to give him something to repay their father, and what better way than to return the prized car that he had given up for them. This is my motivation behind the Corvair restoration. My father has held onto it since his days at SU. It is the only car he held onto through his college career, as he constantly rebuilt and sold cars to pay tuition.
The amount that my father (and mother) did to put us through college and now help us post-college is incredible, and a level of support I hope to give my children one day.
What this commercial also does is bring up the question - what is it about a first car that is so memorable? Is it the initial freedom that it brings? Is it the right of passage that a license and car represents? The memories I have of my first car are so vivid that I wonder why I ever sold it. I also think about my second and now third car, and I don't have nearly as many memories in those. I remember bringing my Blazer home like it was yesterday. My first big road trip was to Rochester for a recruiting trip at SUNY Brockport. I had my first kiss leaned up against it. I can still remember how easy it was to do oil changes and all of the "upgrades" I put on it.
Now I can still remember working on my first Jeep, and some of the trips made in that, but no where near as many as that first Blazer. I guess there are many reasons to remember the first car, but there will always the next one as well. All that we can hope is that the memories made in the new ones are as good as the memories made in the first.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Driven: 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
I forget each year how much I really enjoy Summer time. Warm temps, plaid shorts, and Camp Winaukee are things that I look forward to as much as I look forward to the snow in the Winter. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work at a Summer camp in NH each year. Not only am I out in the sun, coaching the game I love, but I am around true friends and live on an amazing lake for almost 3 months.
Cons:
Each year we have a few rental vehicles: a couple 15 passenger vans, and a couple smaller vehicles for short trips around the lakes region. This year we were lucky enough to be given a steel blue Suburban LT, which sits on the same platform as my dream vehicle, the Avalanche. I have been looking forward to getting behind the wheel of one of these for a while, and last week I had the opportunity to drive to Manchester for a pick-up.
My first reaction after climbing into the Sub was the realization of how big these trucks really are. This is the first vehicle that wasn't lifted that I've had to climb up into. I have driven mid-size SUVs my whole life, so I'm not used to the big step up.
After I familiarized myself with the interior, I threw some CDs into the 6-disc changer and headed on down the road. The instrument panel is laid out very well, and everything is very easy to reach from the driver's seat. The steering wheel controls were very simple, so taking my eyes off the road for anything was vastly reduced. The gauges were very easy to read, with a white backlight lighting up the cluster. The sound system was very good, even though it wasn't the Bose package available on the LTZ. Leather was soft and the seats were supportive.
It took me quite a while to get used to the drive-by-wire system utilized on the accelerator. There was a lot of travel in the pedal before you got to any serious accelerating power. The 5.3 felt underpowered for that size vehicle, especially in the hills that I have to drive to get out of camp. The longer wheelbase and increased weight of the Suburban are to blame for this, though. I have ridden in a Tahoe before and didn't feel that it needed any more. With a rear axle ratio of 3.08, it would probably benefit from a 3.55 ratio or the 6.0 engine..
I was very impressed with the way the Sub handled in the twisties. I never felt out of control, and body roll was nowhere near what I expected. I took the access road at the same speed I would have in my Jeep, and I would say that the Sub felt more substantial and better planted. I never noticed the extra length or size that I had around me.
I stopped to gas up, because the last guy to take it was inconsiderate enough to leave it on E. The 35 gallon tank was a shocker to me, and the $75 price tag for a tank of gas was a bit sobering. I haven't seen that kind of gas bill since the price for a gallon was around $4.
On the highway, the Suburban truly shined. 70mph felt like it was nothing, and the body-on-frame platform absorbed the road bumps very well. Road noise was minimal, and once I got a hang of the accelerator, finding that sweet spot for the passing gear was effortless and smooth. It had decent power coming out of a toll booth, but again, still felt a bit underpowered.
I was very impressed with gas mileage. With the Cylinder Deactivation System, I saw about 19mpg on the trip. On flat stretches of highway, the V4 symbol came on pretty often, but the extra 4 were needed more than not.
Overall, the new GMT900 platform is incredibly solid, and the product that Chevrolet is putting out is great. Interiors are nicely appointed, even for an LT, and final fit and finish is high quality. The drivetrain is good, especially with a tried and true 5.3 V8. It seemed a bit underpowered for this application, but you can't argue with 19mpg out of a 3 ton SUV.
Starting price for the LS Suburban is around $40,000, LTZ models start around $55,000. The price tags are a bit hard to swallow, but for the product you receive, it is right on course with others in its class.
I am very excited to get my butt in the seat of an Avalanche after driving its big brother for a day. Kudos to GM for finally putting out a product to be proud of.
2010 Chevrolet Suburban
5.3L V8
320hp/335lb-ft torque
3.08 Rear Axle ratio
Pros:
- Plenty of room for all your stuff
- Great road manners
- Interior fit and finish
- Controls are easy to reach/read/use
- Incredibly comfortable
Cons:
- 35 gallon gas tank: hope you have a big wallet
- Drive by wire has a lot of dead travel
- Underpowered
- Sticker shock
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hurricane in Baltimore
Memorial Day means quite a few things for me. First of all, it serves as a memory to all those that have served and lost their lives for this country. I also shout out to my family and friends who are currently in the military, serving without question. I thank you all for everything you do for this country and the freedoms you protect.
I also get excited for Memorial Day weekend because it marks the end of the lacrosse season. Each year, my family and I make the pilgrimage to the stadium hosting the National Championship Weekend, which was held in Baltimore, MD this year. A weekend of great lacrosse, great friends, and spotty memories was just what the doctor ordered after the non-stop schedule I have been living for the last couple months.
Five of us piled into my father's Jeep for the trip down, which we decided to take because of the amount of room we would all have. The back seat is a little cramped, but with the amount of stuff that we have to shlep down there, it was the best choice. We all split driving time, and the trip took us a total of about 7 hours. We decided that it would be best to avoid I-95 like the plague, especially with an ETA of about 4pm in Baltimore.
The weekend is basically a huge tailgate party. Tens of thousands of people buy parking passes and every single one stops at at least one party on their way through. Most popular game that I saw was probably Ladder Ball or Polish Horseshoes. Both easily packed into your trunk for a couple hours of fun.
The thing that makes lacrosse so different than other sports is that there is a camaraderie between all laxers. No matter who you played for or how old or young you are, everyone is equal. It's about the sport, it's about the experience. I could have walked up to any tailgate this weekend and introduced myself and I would have been offered a beer. I have never experienced a tailgating atmosphere like I have at a lacrosse event.
Notre Dame ended up losing the Championship to Duke, but a record setting game and the crowning of a first-time National Champion made the game special in its own right. Congratulations to the Blue Devils and Coach Danowski on completing a stellar season. Tufts University won their first D3 Championship as well, as CW Post repeated as the D2 Champions.
After three days of good lacrosse and a seemingly endless flow of beer, it was time to head home. Unfortunately, this year they decided to push the National Championship game back to 3:30, so we didn't get out of Baltimore until 6:30. As I passed the entrance to I-95, I breathed a sigh of relief that I wouldn't be on that road. The line to get on was at least a mile long. We headed up I-83 and bumped across PA on I-78. If you are traveling on any holiday to Baltimore, I strongly suggest this route. Not a lot of traffic, and it only took us 5 1/2 hours to get home.
As I pulled into the driveway, I was thankful to be home. I was also thankful to be a part of something as unique as the sport of lacrosse. I truly believe that this sport will grow exponentially over the next decade, and will be a primetime sport very soon. The "Fastest game on two feet" will take this country by storm.
I also get excited for Memorial Day weekend because it marks the end of the lacrosse season. Each year, my family and I make the pilgrimage to the stadium hosting the National Championship Weekend, which was held in Baltimore, MD this year. A weekend of great lacrosse, great friends, and spotty memories was just what the doctor ordered after the non-stop schedule I have been living for the last couple months.
Five of us piled into my father's Jeep for the trip down, which we decided to take because of the amount of room we would all have. The back seat is a little cramped, but with the amount of stuff that we have to shlep down there, it was the best choice. We all split driving time, and the trip took us a total of about 7 hours. We decided that it would be best to avoid I-95 like the plague, especially with an ETA of about 4pm in Baltimore.
The weekend is basically a huge tailgate party. Tens of thousands of people buy parking passes and every single one stops at at least one party on their way through. Most popular game that I saw was probably Ladder Ball or Polish Horseshoes. Both easily packed into your trunk for a couple hours of fun.
The thing that makes lacrosse so different than other sports is that there is a camaraderie between all laxers. No matter who you played for or how old or young you are, everyone is equal. It's about the sport, it's about the experience. I could have walked up to any tailgate this weekend and introduced myself and I would have been offered a beer. I have never experienced a tailgating atmosphere like I have at a lacrosse event.
Notre Dame ended up losing the Championship to Duke, but a record setting game and the crowning of a first-time National Champion made the game special in its own right. Congratulations to the Blue Devils and Coach Danowski on completing a stellar season. Tufts University won their first D3 Championship as well, as CW Post repeated as the D2 Champions.
After three days of good lacrosse and a seemingly endless flow of beer, it was time to head home. Unfortunately, this year they decided to push the National Championship game back to 3:30, so we didn't get out of Baltimore until 6:30. As I passed the entrance to I-95, I breathed a sigh of relief that I wouldn't be on that road. The line to get on was at least a mile long. We headed up I-83 and bumped across PA on I-78. If you are traveling on any holiday to Baltimore, I strongly suggest this route. Not a lot of traffic, and it only took us 5 1/2 hours to get home.
As I pulled into the driveway, I was thankful to be home. I was also thankful to be a part of something as unique as the sport of lacrosse. I truly believe that this sport will grow exponentially over the next decade, and will be a primetime sport very soon. The "Fastest game on two feet" will take this country by storm.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Police Brutality? Nope, just another day on the job...
I saw this clip a few hours ago and still cannot wrap my mind around it. About a year ago, a man was shot and paralyzed in what seemed to be a standard traffic stop. The police officer claimed that he felt that the man "had a gun," but no weapon was found on his body. I have provided a link to the dash cam video of the incident
Video
You tell me, at what point during the situation did the man on the bike pose any threat? He watched his friend huck his bike over a curb, turned to see what the cop was doing, and took a bullet in the spine. I didn't hear the officer shout any warnings or any directions, and there is audio accompanying the vid. After shooting, the officer screamed at the victim to get his hands up.
Gee, officer, I would really like to put my hands above my head, but the hunk of lead you planted in my spinal column has different ideas. Guess he forgot he doesn't live in the Old West, where the adage "shoot first, ask questions later" was the first chapter in the deputy's handbook.
The officer is facing 2-8 years in prison if he is convicted of felonious assault. The jury must decide if the officer was justified in shooting the 24-year old. I must now ask, what jury would find in favor of the officer after seeing that video?? That officer has a snowball's chance in hell of getting off of that rap.
It is completely embarrassing to see that these are the people that we allow to be police officers. Now, I understand that traffic stops are dangerous, but there also has to be a bit of restraint shown on the part of the officer during one of them. And where did the other police car come from? Did he call for backup because he was chasing down two guys for a jackrabbit start?
It sickens me that officers like this are under our noses. I'm not one to scream about "The Man" coming down on me, as I have had multiple positive encounters with police officers. It worries me that it's only a matter of time until one of these bad eggs comes down on me or someone I know. Wait, I know of someone like that....
A few months ago, my father was pulled over at the end of my road by a state trooper. Now I will be the first to admit that I don't live in the bumbling metropolis or even suburbia. I live in the boonies. To even see a trooper in our neck of the woods (yes, pun intended) is an event in it of itself.
The officer performed multiple sobriety tests on him, such repeating certain words and following the flashlight, and finally demanded that he take a breathalizer test. My father had informed him multiple times that he hadn't touched any alcohol that night, but the officer insisted that he was lying. Dad agreed to the breathalizer, and informed the cop that it wasn't necessary, because it would come up .00. Lo and behold, the machine beeped and showed .00.
Instead of calmly walking away and telling my father to have a nice night, the officer decided to rip the mouthpiece off of the machine and chuck it into the grass. He then proceeded to berate my father for "touching the yellow line" and having a tail light out. My father stood there and took it, and once the officer threatened with both tickets he retreated to his car. Five minutes later, he came back out and told my father to "get home, you're lucky tonight."
These are the types that are patrolling our highways? How can anyone take them seriously anymore? I have respect for authority, but at what point do you say "fuck you, dude!"
Thankfully, not all police officers are like this. I will say that the police friends that I do have are good guys and wouldn't be the subjects of these stories.
My advice to people is that if an officer is mistreating you or their power over you, get a name, badge number, and report them. A complaint to the department goes a long way.
Video
You tell me, at what point during the situation did the man on the bike pose any threat? He watched his friend huck his bike over a curb, turned to see what the cop was doing, and took a bullet in the spine. I didn't hear the officer shout any warnings or any directions, and there is audio accompanying the vid. After shooting, the officer screamed at the victim to get his hands up.
Gee, officer, I would really like to put my hands above my head, but the hunk of lead you planted in my spinal column has different ideas. Guess he forgot he doesn't live in the Old West, where the adage "shoot first, ask questions later" was the first chapter in the deputy's handbook.
The officer is facing 2-8 years in prison if he is convicted of felonious assault. The jury must decide if the officer was justified in shooting the 24-year old. I must now ask, what jury would find in favor of the officer after seeing that video?? That officer has a snowball's chance in hell of getting off of that rap.
It is completely embarrassing to see that these are the people that we allow to be police officers. Now, I understand that traffic stops are dangerous, but there also has to be a bit of restraint shown on the part of the officer during one of them. And where did the other police car come from? Did he call for backup because he was chasing down two guys for a jackrabbit start?
It sickens me that officers like this are under our noses. I'm not one to scream about "The Man" coming down on me, as I have had multiple positive encounters with police officers. It worries me that it's only a matter of time until one of these bad eggs comes down on me or someone I know. Wait, I know of someone like that....
A few months ago, my father was pulled over at the end of my road by a state trooper. Now I will be the first to admit that I don't live in the bumbling metropolis or even suburbia. I live in the boonies. To even see a trooper in our neck of the woods (yes, pun intended) is an event in it of itself.
The officer performed multiple sobriety tests on him, such repeating certain words and following the flashlight, and finally demanded that he take a breathalizer test. My father had informed him multiple times that he hadn't touched any alcohol that night, but the officer insisted that he was lying. Dad agreed to the breathalizer, and informed the cop that it wasn't necessary, because it would come up .00. Lo and behold, the machine beeped and showed .00.
Instead of calmly walking away and telling my father to have a nice night, the officer decided to rip the mouthpiece off of the machine and chuck it into the grass. He then proceeded to berate my father for "touching the yellow line" and having a tail light out. My father stood there and took it, and once the officer threatened with both tickets he retreated to his car. Five minutes later, he came back out and told my father to "get home, you're lucky tonight."
These are the types that are patrolling our highways? How can anyone take them seriously anymore? I have respect for authority, but at what point do you say "fuck you, dude!"
Thankfully, not all police officers are like this. I will say that the police friends that I do have are good guys and wouldn't be the subjects of these stories.
My advice to people is that if an officer is mistreating you or their power over you, get a name, badge number, and report them. A complaint to the department goes a long way.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Grinding Gears
This Grinding Gears segment is taking a bit of a step back from the car world, and going a bit political. I try to keep my head out of the political realm, but this one really chapped my ass.
Last week, 5 high school students in CA were sent home from school for wearing "inappropriate" t-shirts to school. The assistant principal felt that the shirts, which bore the AMERICAN FLAG, were inappropriate because it was May 5, and that they "could offend other students."
These kids were asked to leave around noon, and no complaints had been placed to the principal's office against them at that point.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy throwing back a tequila or two on Cinco de Drinko, but to say that they can't wear a shirt with the american flag on it because it is a Mexican holiday?? We're in the United States of America, if you don't like patriotism, then get out.
The kicker is that Cinco de Mayo isn't a holiday that is recognized in all regions of Mexico! It signifies the day that the Mexican militia defeated the French Army in the Battle of Puebla. The capital city of the Mexican state Puebla celebrates this day, and it is somewhat recognized in other parts.
Mexico's independence day is September 16.
The level of "political correctness" has gone way too far in this country. Now we're infringing on our own basic rights to speech and expression for the sake of hurting someone's feelings.
Now, some argue that if this should be allowed, then kids should be able to wear whatever they want to school based on the same principle. There is an easily discernible line between what is and isn't appropriate. I don't think that a kid should be able to wear a shirt that has foul language or images of death/sex to school. It's not the place for them.
Plus, there has been a softening of rules that I have seen in recent years, and the effect of this hasn't been positive. Kids are rude, brash, brazen, and don't have any respect for authority. Everything they ask for is given to them, and the sense of entitlement is out of this world. No one wants to work for anything, they just want it all handed to them on a platter.
What better reason to give these kids for rebelling but to persecute them for being patriotic? Can you say, 1776?
The parents of these kids are considering suing the school district. I say, bravo! Kick them where it hurts, and make a statement for the rest of this country that there should be no punishment for being patriotic.
Hopefully someday soon we will start to realize that this country is getting further and further out of our control.
Last week, 5 high school students in CA were sent home from school for wearing "inappropriate" t-shirts to school. The assistant principal felt that the shirts, which bore the AMERICAN FLAG, were inappropriate because it was May 5, and that they "could offend other students."
These kids were asked to leave around noon, and no complaints had been placed to the principal's office against them at that point.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy throwing back a tequila or two on Cinco de Drinko, but to say that they can't wear a shirt with the american flag on it because it is a Mexican holiday?? We're in the United States of America, if you don't like patriotism, then get out.
The kicker is that Cinco de Mayo isn't a holiday that is recognized in all regions of Mexico! It signifies the day that the Mexican militia defeated the French Army in the Battle of Puebla. The capital city of the Mexican state Puebla celebrates this day, and it is somewhat recognized in other parts.
Mexico's independence day is September 16.
The level of "political correctness" has gone way too far in this country. Now we're infringing on our own basic rights to speech and expression for the sake of hurting someone's feelings.
Now, some argue that if this should be allowed, then kids should be able to wear whatever they want to school based on the same principle. There is an easily discernible line between what is and isn't appropriate. I don't think that a kid should be able to wear a shirt that has foul language or images of death/sex to school. It's not the place for them.
Plus, there has been a softening of rules that I have seen in recent years, and the effect of this hasn't been positive. Kids are rude, brash, brazen, and don't have any respect for authority. Everything they ask for is given to them, and the sense of entitlement is out of this world. No one wants to work for anything, they just want it all handed to them on a platter.
What better reason to give these kids for rebelling but to persecute them for being patriotic? Can you say, 1776?
The parents of these kids are considering suing the school district. I say, bravo! Kick them where it hurts, and make a statement for the rest of this country that there should be no punishment for being patriotic.
Hopefully someday soon we will start to realize that this country is getting further and further out of our control.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Saturn Sky
This past weekend was Easter, and I was lucky enough to spend it with my family. We had a great time, as always, with many laughs and stories going around of what everyone is doing. My younger cousins were incredibly entertained by my older brother, so I had the opportunity to nurse my hangover behind a pair of shades and a couple dozen glasses of water.
I ventured out in front of the house quickly to watch the shenanigans my cousins were putting my brother through, and noticed a gorgeous silver (I believe the name they give it is "Sly") Saturn Sky RedLine sitting in the driveway, which belongs to my Aunt's new boyfriend. I have always liked how they looked, but I have never had the opportunity to get a good, close look at one.
I must say, what an impressive car. Strong fender lines and an aggressive front fascia really make this thing look mean. Hood intake openings a-la 67Chevelle SS give a little retro flare. It has much more character than it's Solstice brother. Simple rear tail lights and a trunk mounted lip spoiler pull the rear end together, and the chrome tail pipe peeking out from under the rear diffuser is awesome.
The interior is very similar to the Solstice, with moderately bolstered seats and a nice dash configuration. I must say I was very pleased to see it was a 5 speed, because no sports car should have an auto.
Thats right. Sports car.
If this car isn't the definition of a sports car, then I don't know what is. A 260hp turbo 4 turns this little guy into a silver missile, and with the upgraded suspension package it does pretty well in the twisties.
Even though I didn't have a chance to drive it, Len raved about how it drove. He compared it to an old Triumph TR-6, a fun, sporty 2 seater that will keep up with just about anything on the road. Well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but you get my point. Knock on wood, he hasn't gotten into trouble with it. Yet.
I had said in an earlier post that the Solstice GXP was a dream car of mine. I take it back. Put my ass in a Sky RedLine, and my smile will go from ear to ear.
I ventured out in front of the house quickly to watch the shenanigans my cousins were putting my brother through, and noticed a gorgeous silver (I believe the name they give it is "Sly") Saturn Sky RedLine sitting in the driveway, which belongs to my Aunt's new boyfriend. I have always liked how they looked, but I have never had the opportunity to get a good, close look at one.
I must say, what an impressive car. Strong fender lines and an aggressive front fascia really make this thing look mean. Hood intake openings a-la 67Chevelle SS give a little retro flare. It has much more character than it's Solstice brother. Simple rear tail lights and a trunk mounted lip spoiler pull the rear end together, and the chrome tail pipe peeking out from under the rear diffuser is awesome.
The interior is very similar to the Solstice, with moderately bolstered seats and a nice dash configuration. I must say I was very pleased to see it was a 5 speed, because no sports car should have an auto.
Thats right. Sports car.
If this car isn't the definition of a sports car, then I don't know what is. A 260hp turbo 4 turns this little guy into a silver missile, and with the upgraded suspension package it does pretty well in the twisties.
Even though I didn't have a chance to drive it, Len raved about how it drove. He compared it to an old Triumph TR-6, a fun, sporty 2 seater that will keep up with just about anything on the road. Well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but you get my point. Knock on wood, he hasn't gotten into trouble with it. Yet.
I had said in an earlier post that the Solstice GXP was a dream car of mine. I take it back. Put my ass in a Sky RedLine, and my smile will go from ear to ear.
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