Car designers are not scared to do dumb stuff.  Most of the time, for no reason at all....adding features or elements that add nothing to the functionality or reliability or pleasantness of the vehicle.  Just to do it to do it....keeps them in a job I guess.

The first time I noticed this newest mind boggling accent.....the cheap black plastic wheel well arches, was on the updated Lexus RX 350.  Once a fantastic all around  crossover with clean lines and unmatched reliability, which proved to be one of the marque's best sellers.

Then, in addition to the overstyled grill that ages horribly, they added black plastic exaggerated wheel well arches....something you'd see on a down market model.  What were they thinking?

2015:

2019:​

The fender outlines are cheap black plastic....and is seen on all trim levels.  This is a $50k vehicle.  The tires now look too small, thanks to the illusion that the wheel wells are much larger.  What purpose does this serve?   It's busier, more complicated, and cheap looking.

Then, I started noticing it on most newer crossovers....the Ford Explorer being the most egregious offender.  Take a look at the 2020 LIMITED....not base.....LIMITED.

What is going on?  It's cheap looking, visually deceptive, and on most colors, makes the tires look too small.   So why?

Keep an eye out.....you won't be able to un-see it.

How pathetic, ignorant, and out of touch can one person possibly be?  Yet he still has one laser focus agenda: pander to his fellow ignorant, uneducated people.  

You may have heard about the very large baseball salary deal this past week for Gerrit Cole.  Maybe you haven't, but the details aren't that important.  

What you need to know, is that Bernie Sanders, a confused hypocritical man running for president, seems to think that there is a relation to how much a privately employed entertainer is paid to how much public school teachers are paid.

THIS MAN HAS SUPPORTERS!  PEOPLE SEND HIM MONEY!   IT'S MADNESS!

What is he talking about?  Who is this 'we'?

Mr. Cole's boss pays him what he wants to pay him.   It has nothing to do with how much teachers are paid...and in many cases, teachers are paid more than $60k.  Quite a few variables have to be factored in....area of the country, years of service, level of education, etc.  Such ridiculous statements are dishonest and dangerous.  

How low can you go Bernie?  Just keep promising more stuff and money to people that don't fully understand the American economy, just like yourself.  It won't get you anywhere.

So Richard Branson, of Virgin Enterprises, has partnered with a commuter train operation in Florida.  It seems to be going relatively well, with plans to expand the high speed service in other markets.  He's even visited the States to take a ride on the Florida train.  

There is just one problem, drunk, stoned impatient, and disturbed people are getting taken out by it at an elevated rate.

Branson's deal seems to be paying off for everyone and is a positive thing for the economy and commuters....but the mouth breathing headline writer focuses on deaths that are in no way the train or operator's fault?

The author, after writing:
" The majority have been suicides, while most others involved impatient motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists who misjudged the trains’ speed and ignored bells, gates or other warnings. Drugs, alcohol or both have been found in many victims’ systems."

Then states:
"Why Brightline has so many deaths is unclear; other area railroads haven’t had nearly as many."

I think it's pretty obvious why there are more deaths on this particular train route. Don't you? When did we get this lazy?  Has the demand for content driven people this loopy and inattentive to what they are even typing?  I hope the author can concentrate enough to get across the street safely.

Full article here:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/richard-bransons-florida-train-kills-more-per-mile-than-any-other-in-us

I've wondered that very thing, but it never really bothered me enough to look it up, even though its a household name..even gun people know what it is.  (an evil assault rifle probably)

Well, not surprisingly, it's named after the guy that had the idea and made it a reality.  From Israel no doubt.  Major Major Uziel Gal

Now that you know that, enjoy this Hickhock45 video putting an Uzi, suppressed and non-suppressed, through it's paces.  

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Let's go ahead and say it out loud, because some don't know it yet.  
The president doesn't care about you.
The Vice President doesn't care about you.
The Governor of your state doesn't care about you.
The Mayor of your town doesn't care about you.
The local Elected Sherrif doesn't care about you.
None of your elected officials, who have the power to take your property, your children, or your life if they deem it neccessary, care about you.
But they care when those ever increasing taxes aren't paid.

Need proof?  Keep reading.

Recently, in a small former Tobacco farming town in North Carolina, a piece of trash, no doubt hammered on Bud Light, drove his vehicle at 100 mph into the back of a stopped minivan, killing a grandmother and a teenager.  Two local proud North Carolinians that did not deserve to die.  The worst part?   The above mentioned criminal is in this country illegally, can't speak English, and only sprained his wrist.  Why is he in this country illegally you might say, while bashing your head on the wall?   Well, go back up and start reading from the top.  None of your elected officials care about YOU or your family as long as you are a legal citizen who keeps to themselves, takes care of family, and asks the government for nothing.  Some claim they are going to do something about the invasion, but it's obvious nothing but talk.  Some are a bit more ballsy and just flat out welcome the invasion, to hell what the vast majority of the population thinks, as to not offend one person. 

For example, the recent elected pandering goon sherrif of Wake County NC had the guts to say out loud that he would not be cooperating with ICE officials in order to notify them about any illegals that are arrested.  All ICE is requesting is to notify them and hold the....keyword here......CRIMINAL, until ICE can come get them or process them.  This is a process that keeps hard working, tax paying legal citizens of all races safer in a variety of ways.  To end that because you value votes over the safety of the majority of the population tells me all I need to know about that spineless man.

Oh, and guess who is going to be paying to feed, clothe, house, this illegal invader killer, who also needs a tax payer funded lawyer and interpreter?  Don't worry, I'll wait.....

Just imagine if the innocent people, cut down by an illegal foreign invader, had been Nancy Pelosi's sister and grandchild......or Chuck Schumer's......or Barack Obama's....or Trumps.....or anyone's relative that has turned a blind eye to this scurge.  Would something be done then?   Nothing will change unitl it benefits your elected official.

Or it could have been you and your son that was taken out.   Then who will care? 
Sure, people commit crimes in this country every single day.....but at least in this instance, it was 100% without a doubt preventable.   Every single person in elected and appointed office up to this very day has blood on their hands.  These people's blood is only the most recent.  Rest in peace Marjory Howell Wagner Regan and Ethan Michael Handly.

Picture this:  You're on strike from your trucking job.    You have some day time beers with a co-worker.  You decide to go shoot at and disable the trucks still running in spite of the strike, but you hit a truck carrying dynamite (or ammonium nitrate..whatever) and you blow out windows twelve miles away.  OOPS.

49 years ago that happened, and left a 40 foot crater in the middle of an interstate in Missouri.  And killed the driver....just trucking along.

Might be time to put the beers down.

​Thanks to CDL life

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Guy Martin.  Son of an engine builder, went on to become a Lorry (truck and bus) mechanic.  No big deal.

He also happens to be one of the fastest ever a motorcycle at the Isle of Mann track.  No small feat.  All while holding down his day job.

It's no surprise, then, that he likes to go fast.  His car resume is as you'd expect....M3, 911, Aston Martin, Volvo Amazon.   Yep, an Amazon.   The fastest car in Britain.

Thanks to the UK's "The Sunday Times" Driving Section, we get a small taste of Guy's (down to earth) life,  some details on the 40 year old Volvo wagon, and how it takes on all opponents.  

What a great story.   

So a few countries, rich with untold resources, are basically broken due to the morally corrupt and generally unintelligent politicians, are (well have been) encouraging it's citizens to rush the US border.  They encourage this because we have become so politically correct we can't even begin to dream to deny anyone entry, no matter the reason, and that gets the social burden off of the corrupt governments to the south.  

BUT!

It's Trump's Fault.  Of course it is.    These people can't be serious.  Yes, he has made some bold claims, and yes, he wants to close the border 100 % (which, by the way, would stop the overrunning influx of illegal immigrants) and allow the courts and DHS officials time to catch up with the millions that are in the country now, most are now out in the land, unaccounted for.
The article above keeps stating that the problem is now at its worst, where it was not that bad under Bush Jr. and Obama.  What they don't mention, is that every day that goes by, more word gets back that you can claim asylum and you can't be touched.  Of course people are going to flood the border.  How can we confirm or deny their claims?  Trump doesn't want this.  Most American citizens don't want this.  Trump didn't create the asylum rules.  Trump and his voters want the border shut from all illegal crossings and anyone caught to be turned back.  Again, this would alleviate the 'crisis' in short order.

How can we be so obtuse?  We enact these rules regarding asylum that no one thinks to the future about, the rules are abused and exploited to the extreme, we bend over backwards to not say "illegal immigrant" so no one's feelings get hurt, we feed and provide healthcare, at considerable tax payer expense, to the same people who lied to get in, allow the system to become completely broken, and now it's the Presidents's fault?

Trump did not cause Central America and Mexico's issues.  In fact, American companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into these countries over the past decades.  We even  look the other way as billions of US dollars are sent back to these countries every year.  Money that could be used to make the United States a better place for it's legal citizens.  We keep their economies afloat with our generous trade policies.   Guess that's not enough.

We need a full revamp of the anchor baby policy and the asylum process, there is no doubt.  However, that takes the will of both houses of Congress working together.  Should we hold out hope?  

You probably shouldn't hold your breath.  Why?  Because even trying to reduce DHS and HHS spending even the SLIGHTEST, is met with blind opposition.

The United States, as part of the 1997 Flores Agreement, houses the children of illegal immigrants and so called Asylum seekers for a certain amount of time.  It also outlines how these children are to be treated.  For some reason, our elected officials agreed to offer education and recreation services to people who broke in or lied to get into this country.  Services such as English language classes and soccer fields.  This is in addition to the food, clothing, air conditioning, and health care that they receive, ON TOP OF the legal costs that is paid by you and me.

Now, the Office of Refuge Settlement wants to TEMPORARILY stop using resources that are not crucial for life, like some education and recreation.  Bet you can guess what happens next.....a lawyer for the illegals cries out,

“We’ll see them in court if they go through with it,” Holguin said. “What’s next? Drinking water? Food? . . . Where are they going to stop?”

This guy knows that the US government is not going to stop feeding and providing water to these children.  How can you be so blatantly dishonest and misleading?   That statement helps no one and makes a bad situation worse.  

This dishonest mindset and way of thinking may be more detrimental to the overall health of the US than an invasion of a million illegal immigrants.

Sure, the issue is super complicated, of our our creation though.  However, Trump didn't create it and in fact wants to reduce the burden on the system by not letting anyone else in and allowing the system to recover.

Someone needs to step up and present clear legislation that slows the influx to a crawl. We all voted for it. We need to stop offering the world to anyone that can crawl across the border.  The American taxpayer should would appreciate it.

"A rolling piece of art" gets overused.   Not here.  It's 100% truth, Truth. 





​This needs to be the centerpiece of my living room.  Maybe even build a house around it. 
Not only is it stunningly beautiful sitting still, it's got enough power to tame, or worse, even the most skilled pilot.

Scary Beautiful. 

It's a good thing there are only 79 of these in the States...as that much power and beauty, left unchecked, could cause the break down of society.

This motorcycle is based on the BMW S1000RR, a beautiful Siren in it's own right, but has been tuned, trimmed, and lightened.  A Carbon fiber frame and wheels keeps the total ready-to-ride weight down to 377 pounds.  You'd be correct in thinking that this power to weight level would need some serious traction control.  It has that, with 14 electronic adjustments.  It has wheelie control too, but that can be overridden.  Because WHEELIES.

One of these irresistible monsters is for sale over on Bring a Trailer....with only 1 mile.  Brand new 2018.

However, before you go and bid, check out an in depth first hand review:

Drag racing engines have come A LONG WAY in a short time, mainly due to trial and error.  How much air and fuel can an engine block and crankshaft take?    That is a question that is asked every time a tweak is made to an engine already on the ragged edge.

Let's revisit......a 500 cubic inch V8 making 11,000 horsepower.  Wrap your head around that.   Over ONE THOUSAND horsepower PER CYLINDER.  Just to go a thousand feet.  Don't forget the noise.  The ground shaking noise.   It's worth it.

Not to mention the 18 gallon fuel tank.   That is sucked down via a 2.5 inch fuel line.  It's all gone at the end of the run.    72 gallons per mile if you're commuting to the track in your dragster.

Drag racing seems kind of low brow to the common observer, but the top tier teams are working with cutting edge materials, design, fueling, electronics (internal and external stress/strain gauges gathering data many times a second), and tire compounds.

Thanks to Hagerty, we a get a deep dive into the tech and process of building and rebuilding a Top Fuel engine, with detailed commentary.   Lots to learn here.   Did you know that someone has optimized the engine run time so that the spark plug tips melt away and are used up right at the thousand feet mark?  That has to be optimized for each track.  The details don't stop there.  

Pay attention, each frame has something to learn:
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