Warning- political rant and revolutionary fervor.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, …”

Recognize these statements?  The first is from the Declaration of Independence.  The second is taken from the Constitution of the United States.  While I didn’t cut and paste the documents in their entirety, I did take the time to read them.  Now, I’m no scholar, but it seems to me that those two pieces of paper (taken together) convey a simple meaning.  It would appear that our founding fathers believed that government was appointed at the bequest of it’s people and that its only function was to ensure our liberty and safety.

What happens when a government does neither? What happens when a government seizes personal property because the owner refuses to allow a spot search of that property based solely on the suspicions of a government hireling?  Do we owe any allegiance to an institution that spies on us and then lies about it?  Why should we continue to enshrine a government that cannot even protect the physical borders of our nation from incursion and violation?

These musings were prompted by an article I read.  The article was about a group of Vermonters that were advocating secession from the union.  Much like every one else I thought that was amusing, but then I actually thought about it- and it became less amusing.  What do I gain by being a citizen of the United States?  I have the right to be kidnapped in the middle of the night by black clad men- if one of my neighbors tell them I’m dealing drugs.  I can be incarcerated without evidence or trial- if I’m suspected of being a terrorist.  Soon I won’t be able to fly around “my” country without a government ID card that contains all the information about me my government wants handy- passbooks in the finest tradition of the KGB and Gestapo.  We allow uncounted numbers of foreigners to enter our country and do as they please- making a mockery of the very concept of nation hood.

I could go on, but my point has been made.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and I’m sick of the “good intentions” I’m ensnared in.  Sometimes liberty can be painful and bloody, and it is not always pleasant, but that is the nature of the beast.  In the movie “I, Robot” the robots become tyrants trying to protect humanity from itself, and every day our government spends unimaginable sums of money to protect us- from ourselves.  Government is not omniscient- DNA testing has proved that on death row- so why do we act as though our government is not out of control?  Why do we drive to work every day secure in the belief that just because it was just and correct in 1776 it must be functioning as designed today?  Every machine requires periodic adjustment, and our government is not exempt from that reality.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."- Thomas Jefferson. 

Thoughts about the worlds greatest game. Let's go for 30 years baby.

This blog was started while looking at Classicbattletech.com one day, so I think it’s appropriate to post some Battletech related thoughts.  You’ve probably already seen it (both of you), but I thought I’d cut and paste any way.  Enjoy, and send me good one’s as you think of them. 

If you have no idea what I’m talking about in this post, it’s time you learned how to play the world’s greatest board game.  Also the world’s greatest computer game.  What’s not to like about free online turn-based real opponent wargames?

Can I get an “Amen!!!”?

So, does anybody else think the SRM6 is god's gift to crit seeking?

And as long as we're talking about the SRM6, let's hear a round of applause for the Javelin.  Toss that sucker at the enemy and stick it in.

Does anybody else think the Jagermech is a really heavy light mech? Kind of a Mackie redux?

Why isn't there a canon level 1 missile boat without design flaws?  Maybe an up-armored Valkyrie?

Ammo crits blow.

The King Crab is a feared design, but it needs one fewer large laser, more HS and more LRM ammo.  Anything that slow shouldn't be bringing only one ton to the party.

Precision ammo in an AC2 rules.  Reach out and touch from waaaayyyy out there.

Did I mention the SRM6 is a big bundle of crit seeking goodness?

Can I get a big hand for the Ultra AC5 Rifleman?  That thing is a low heat damage monster. 

Don't get close to anything though.

The Wasp and Stinger, at any tech level, aren't worth the cab fare it takes to get them to the battle.

Locusts rock, particularly in groups of two.

Did you know that Urbies can flip arms?  Yeah.... well... Firestarters don't like 1 hex range AC10 shots to the torso.

Did you know in MegaMek infantry are so dedicated they'll jump into a fire without complaining?

Did you know in Megamek that if you jump infantry into a fire they die?

Trust me on that one.

Did you know that some people become really attached to small bits of digitized and pixelated data?

I want an Atlas.

Even before TW came out tanks and infantry weren't dead.  Ever see what a KV-70L Ivan and three groups of SRM infantry can do to a Wolfhound in a forest fight?

Why do people put SRM's behind 6 points of armor?  Stupid FASA and their stupid ammo crit rules.

The only Commando worth having is the -3X.

Whitworth's rock.

The most glorious thing is when your opponent realizes that he just walked his Riflecan around a corner into a stationary Hunchback G.

Six hexes is a bad place to be in front of a stationary Catapult.

I forgot to mention that Warhammers PWN.

What's not to like about the Bombardier?  Cheap, easy, throw away LRM 20 goodness.

The Rifleman 5M is a solid design, but I sure would trade one of those ML's for more ammo.

A decent LRM20 boat will always root out camped heavy tanks.

Even the JM6-S has it's uses.

Infantry need trees.

Swarm tactics work when you get initiative.

Some people think that there's absolutely nothing wrong with bringing a Marauder II and 3 infantry platoons into a fight.

ATM's RAWK!!!!!  Does the IS have something comparable?

Why do people call the FS9-M the Mirage?

Is the Cicada good for anything but charging?

CASE was sorely needed.

I can't figure out if DHS are the games single greatest innovation or an ugly tool of the devil.

Whoever designed the ON1 should be enshrined in the engineers hall of fame.

Why wasn't the Hunchback designed with 5/8 speed?

Never, ever, ever……, ever park your best unit behind a hill which allows 3 opposing LRM 20 launchers 6's to hit on the punch table.  Unless you’re playing me, of course.  I’ll take that WVR into my unit, throw a new cockpit on it and throw it back at you any day of the week.

All else being equal, I think I like the LL over the PPC.  It just seems like you have to give up too much to get that extra range and damage.

The IS ERPPC should always be replaced with LRM's, armor, and either DHS or more backup weapons.

The original ML is only great when you have lots of them.  But if you have lots of them, wooo mama.

Mechs that move 8/12/8 or faster should be outlawed.

The Hollander is a stupid idea in any incarnation.

I can't stop using the Cent, but I don't really like it.  What's that mean?

Some of the level 1 Wolverine variants, Grasshopper variants, and Orion variants are still competitive in level 2 engagements.

The Locust was designed for TAG, and not much else.

Speaking of Locusts... why hasn't a canon locust been refitted with an XL engine?  Can you imagine twin Medium Lasers on a chassis with around 13/19 speed and near max armor?  It'd be the ultimate spotter/backstabber.

Still liking the Javelin, but I wish there were a 6/9/6 or 5/8/5 medium with twin SRM6's and good armor.  Put a LL on it and go to town.

Have I mentioned just how much I hate the Hauptmann?

LRM's are good.  In the right terrain.

I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay....

The Crab can really take a beating.

I know I’ve covered this before, but the King Crab is lacking that indefinable "something" that makes it great.  You'd think 2xAC20, 1xLRM15 and 1xLL with near max armor would be great, but it's not.

Firestarters are a great back-up mech.

The Spider should have been named 'Undead Jumping Flea from Hell".

What moron was responsible for the "Ost" line?  Let's take one example: 144/201 armor, 3LL, 15 SHS.  It can't stand still and fire two weapons, much less run.  And it's cold meat for a Clint.

The HLL version of the Adder has 1 too many HLL's.  Can a brother get some good bracket fire weapons?

Light mechs with Gauss Rifles make more sense under Zell.

The Hollander still blows under any system.

I refuse to call it anything other than a Vulture.  I don't care how bad-ass it is or how many battles it wins me.

Battle armor..... may have it's uses.  I'll get back to you on that.

LRM infantry is probably under-rated and usually over-ignored.

Both of my readers (Womblie and Mopar) have already read this.  It's a rant I got off on over at http://forums.classicbattletech.com/index.php/topic,5724.msg143807.html#msg143807 and I thought it good enough to transplant.  If you're new here (fat chance) it's the usual "GM can bite me" stuff I get off on.

Enjoy, all three of you.

Sales on both the Sentra and Altima are down.  Although the Altima is only down a small amunt, the Sentra is down significantly.  The Solstice (to address an earlier conversation) is selling about 50% more units than the Miata.  ref: http://paultan.org/archives/2006/02/08/2006-pontiac-solstice-trashes-miata-sales/  (Ignore the hyperbole- the guys a fanboy).

Nissan –16% at 75,860 (July 2005: 93,905)  Ref: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/by-the-numbers-july-2006/  Nissan is [u]NOT[/u] doing well, with Detroit like sales collapses.  The Sentra surged in sales late last year when gas prices got ugly, and it is having a good month this month, but overall sales have dropped something like 50% since 2003-2004.  I'm not dogging the Sentra- I'm saying that when GM lets a car hang around with minor reskins for 8 to 10 years it's a tool of the devil, but when Nissan does it with the Sentra no one cares.  That is a problem, and that bias extends to most Japanese cars.  Different rant for a different thread.

The Altima, new Maxima, and 350Z (which are carrying Nissan right now) were jammed through, [u]against Japanese wishes[/u] by Ghosn.  I'll take the Maxima off the board because it's positive sales are offset by the Titan and Armada, but that still leaves two very good (and profitable) vehicles Ghosn babied through the process.  It was not the executives in California that did this.  They, in fact, fought against it since the last Z car was a flop and the last gen Maxima was a good seller.  Losing that bunch of reactionaries and nitwits is not going to hurt Nissan at all. I suggest you read "Turnaround: How Carlos Ghosn Rescued Nissan" by David Magee to get a good view of what the company went through and who put it there.

When I suggested spending money on talent what I meant was hiring the absolute best in a field, and paying them #1 draft pick money to do it.  The way Ghosn went about it, he didn't have to pay severance packages to those executives- they quit.  That is a very smart and politically brutal move, and that is the kind of thing Ghosn does.  He didn't just save money moving to BFE Tennessee (sp?), he did it in a way that it cost him very little in payroll capital.  If you don't recognize the brilliance of that move, you're not looking hard enough.

The whole start of this discussion was my assertion that GM needs to find a new CEO, and do it fast.  I recommende Ghosn because I've researched him and know what he's capable of.  I'm sure there are other execs that could do the same job.  I am crystal clear on the concept that Rick Waggoner can not. 

I am a GM fan.  I've had as many as 5 GMs in the driveway at one time- 1968 Malibu, 1986 'Vette, 1985 IROC-Z, 1998 Crapalier, and a 199 Suburban.  I grew up driving GMs.  I "met" my first girlfriend in a 1965 Pontiac LeMans.  I have to confess- I took my driving test in a 1986 Jaguar Vanden Plas.  But I am so sick of GM that I'm shopping Subarus, Hondas, and BMWs.  I sincerely hope that the Camaro comes in at 20Kish for a 6 cylinder and 28Kish for a V8- just like the Mustang.  If it doesnb't, I'm buying a WRX (or clone)

I just graduated college, and entry level positions in my field pay 45K with a signing bonus.  I have very little debt, and you can bet your ass I'm buying a new car in the next year to 18 months. I say this because I also frequent boards like Car Craft and Hot Rod, and the sentiment is the same there.  If GM (and FoMoCo and DCX) don't get their act in gear they're screwed.  If GM doesn't provide the Camaro I want, my wife will be driving a Toyota minivan.  That's something that the big three don't get about America and Japa does-  when you lose one segment of business (midlife crisis toy car, lets just say  ;D ) you lose many segments of business (like family haulers).  I'm sure there's going to be lots of anecdotal evidence about how dad drives a 300C and mom drives a RAV4, but not only was I in the automotive industry for 5 years every paper and research project, including my senior thesis, was on an automotive company.  Well, except for the one on Marsh & Mclennan Comapnies.  The evidence is overwhelming that people are brand loyal.  More importantly, they don't like dealing with more than one dealership.  They'll do it, but they don't like it.  What do you think has been driving the consolidation in the industry?  No more Jim-Bob's GMC.  Now it's John Elway Subaru/Toyota/Maserati/Yugo/Frozen Yogurt.  That's because people try to shop, buy, and service at one place.  Doesn't always happen, but the impulse is there.

Bottom line?  GM better get its feces together, or there's going to be a ton of defaulted corporate bonds out there.  

You know what I really want?  A '69 Camaro.  If you have a running and driving one for $500 or less, I'll take it.

The job hunt goes well, thanks for asking.

The Israeli's keep killing Lebanese.  The end is nigh, if you read the good books.  I believe that there are four (good books), plus continuing revelation.  You can believe (not that you need my permission) whatever you want.

Baseball sucks.  Almost as bad as soccer.

Wanna buy my house?  Somebody has to.

I got to drive a '69 F250 with a worked 390 and a 4 speed for the last two days.  I absolutely HAVE TO get rid of the Cavalier.  I don't care how much gas costs.  If I have to beat that little crap-can around town much longer I may just run it into a bridge to force my wife's hand on a new (to me) car.

Still no '69 Camaro's?  Well.... I'll keep hoping.

Anybody else (other than MM) hit a buck twenty on public roads?  Yeah, me neither....

How come Jews killing Lebanese is a UN crisis, but Moslems killing Sudanese is only important to Angelena Jolie?

Should I shave my head and then tattoo flames on it?

Does the mexican election fiasco make Mexico look 1st world, or does it make Florida look 3rd world?  I mean, have you been to Miami?

On the whole Ford vs. Chevy debate, I come down on the side of "anything that's front engine/rear drive with a V-8".  Except the Lexus LS cars.  If I wanted to drive one of those, I'd strap a big block to my couch.

Why haven't you called me to sell me your ailing relatives 1st gen f-body?  Man, you people have no heart.

Thanks for reading.

Just a fast note to all the bankers, postal delivery clerks, and sanitation relocation engineers out there- July 3rd is not a holiday.  We celebrate our independence day on July 4th.  Sop why don't you get back out there and hand out my cash, deliver my mail, and pick up my trash.  I'm all for 3 day weekends, but a 4 day weekend is alittle much.  For pete's sake, we're turning into France around here.

Maybe we should just put Independence Day on the first Monday of July every year- similar to Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and MLK Day.  That way we get a guaranteed 3 day weekend in July, and businesses and government offices can get something accomplished the other 4 days of the week. 

After all, Independence Day is all about boating drunk and f^&%!ng off as much as possible, right?  So why make anyone work on Monday?  Let's just move the f*&^%$g holiday.

Screw the founding fathers.  What did they ever do for me?

Aside from the bill of rights, the temporary cessation of tyranny, and the creation of the first modern demo(oliga)cracy.

That was sarcasm, BTW.

Thanks for being here.