The Dukes of Hazzard

I want to buy a 1970 Dodge Charger, paint it Union Blue, paint an American flag on the roof, make the horn play "Marching Through Georgia" and paint General Sherman's name above the door. I mean, if you are going to commemorate a Civil War general, might as well commemorate the one that won.


I wish I had thought of this, I heard it somewhere, (don't remember where) and thought I needed to post it.

Film Review Part II

"There Will be Blood" - Excellent. Well written, well acted, well directed. Compelling story of a oil baron in turn of the 20th century Texas. The only problem I have with this film, is it isn't really clear whether you should be rooting for the main character, or not. As he isn't the most virtuous. Not that there is anything wrong with that in a film. (NON SPOILER SPOILER) Put it this way, I laughed really hard at the ending. To the point that I needed to rewind the TiVo and watch the last scene another 2 times.

"Into The Wild" - Decent. This was another one where I wasn't sure whether or not I should be rooting for the main character. Knowing the real story ahead of time kinda ruins the ending. Although overall, it was a good story. So if you want to be surprised, stay away from the Google.

I have also been watching "The West Wing" (Yeah, I know, not a film) I kinda feel bad that I never watched it when it was on. As it is probably up there with the Sopranos for best TV drama of the last decade. Also, as I am currently in the first year of President Bartlet's 2nd term, I kinda wish that they would have followed the next President after Bartlet leaves office. As I am about half way done. However, better to end early than late. Having Ed O'Neill as Vice President, would have been humorous.

Taxes

The Cook County board narrowly voted to not override Todd Stroger's veto of a measure to repeal an earlier sales tax increase. What was brought up by suburban commissioners, was sales revenue was down in the fringe cities of Cook County, due to people crossing county lines to make purchases. As a McHenry County resident, I concur. When in June, I was going to buy the MacBook Pro that I am typing on right now, I had several options for where to shop. I wanted to go to the Apple Store, because Apple had a deal where you buy a Mac and get a free iPod. Me wanting the iPod for my Mother. The two close Apple Stores in my area are Woodfield Mall in Cook County, or the Deer Park store in Lake County. I prefer the Woodfield Store, as it is bigger, I went to Deer Park, because it would save me a few (I don't remember the exact figure) bucks. I think a lot of others are doing the same. As they should.

Mayfield Redux

So now NASCAR is saying that Mayfield failed a second test. Mayfield is saying that he has 15 tests that he has passed since his first failed NASCAR test. Jeremy is claiming NASCAR spiked his urine tests. Also, he is suing his stepmother for wrongful death alleging she killed his father, and called her a whore. His stepmother is claiming that Jeremy has done meth in front of her numerous times. This circus is going to be in town for a while folks.

Jeremy Mayfield

I am not a Jeremy Mayfield fan. I am glad that Jeremy Mayfield won his injunction against NASCAR. I respect the guy for speaking his mind, but he never got more then a "meh" from me on the list of drivers that I am a fan of. He was one of the first ones (before Adam Petty's or Dale Sr's death) to try to speak out an regards to drivers getting concussions and continuing to race, without proper clearance. As (totally off topic) professional wrestler Chris Benoit taught us, repeated concussions is not good by any means. In fact, every concussion dramatically increases the likelihood of severe brain damage. The number of pro football players in their 50s and 60s who are barely coherent also illustrates this. Jeremy went against the corporate line that NASCAR tried to tow about the safety of the wall and car system that killed Adam and Dale. Unfortunately, several drivers had to die for NASCAR to realize that Jeremy was right. I am sure that going against NASCAR didn't get him any brownie points. (Not to mention the whole Ray Evernham - Erin Crocker thing)

Getting back to the issue at hand, I don't know that I totally believe Jeremy that he only took Adderall and Claritin-D, causing the false positive. However, I think that it is far more likely that he is telling the truth, than NASCAR is telling the truth. I do believe that his test came up positive for amphetamines which is easily explained with both drugs that he claims to have taken. NASCAR made a big deal about their new drug testing policy. NASCAR didn't want the embarrassment of Aaron Fike to happen again. They don't really care about the drivers, they care about their image. NASCAR cares about TV ratings, NASCAR cares about asses in seats. Nothing would be better for their drug policy that they tout the seriousness of, than to have a sacrificial lamb to test positive and be the example of NASCARs strictness. NASCAR couldn't just pick their patsy out of a hat, so they waited. Waited until a backmarker who has been a thorn in a lot of peoples sides to have a easily explainable positive test, that if it was Dale Jr, or Jeff Gordon (The two token examples of popular drivers) it never would have seen the light of day. Because it was Jeremy, they decide to bring down their hammer, and hope that Jeremy Mayfield would go away, thinking that NASCAR was too big, too powerful, with too much money, too many lawyers, to ever do anything other than go along with their ruling.

I think NASCAR underestimates Jeremy Mayfield.

I was not a Jeremy Mayfield fan. But I, and I believe a lot of NASCAR fans, are rooting him on in his fight against NASCAR

Ford: Success is Failure.

As of now, Ford is the only American automobile company to not declare bankruptcy, or be on it's door. While a lot of the reason that is true is simply the luck to get guarantees for future loans before the market collapsed. Leaving people with a better perception of Ford than of GM or Chrysler, because they have not taken government funding. The interesting thought, is the idea that it would be wise for Ford to declare bankruptcy to deny GM and Chrysler that advantage. While bankruptcy is a huge PR nightmare, (people won't buy from a company that they don't think will be around) When Chrysler and eventually GM emerge from bankruptcy, they will have a huge advantage in terms of debt obligations. While Ford is relatively in a good position compared to the rest of the American manufacturers, they are not in a great position compared to the rest of businesses as a whole (Although everyone is hurting to an extent in the economy). What GM and Chrysler will be able to do, is get out from under contracts from suppliers, and more importantly the UAW that are not favorable to them. A bankruptcy judge could decide that the UAW will get a stake in the company (which will happen) but the UAW and the company will go to the bargaining table and renegotiate those contracts to make them sustainable for both parties. Ford wont have that luxury. They will have to try to ride out those contracts and hope to take advantage of GM and Chrysler's contracts with the UAW and suppliers by just trying to get the same contracts without Ford declaring bankruptcy. Ford at the bargaining table could say "Either give us these contracts now, or we'll declare bankruptcy and you will end up giving us these contracts anyway." I hope this is how it goes for Ford. I have a personal stake in them making it. One year ago today, my mother bought a Focus, a good little car that has met all expectations. The interior materials are a bit cheap, but I can overlook that when it is a cheap car. Ford has started to understand that people will put up with cheaper interior materials when the car is cheap to buy, and own, but not put up with it when it is a expensive car. Chrysler and GM haven't gotten this memo. Unfortunately they might benefit financially from their ignorance.

The Game.

I was watching Mantracker on the Science Channel the other day, when I had an idea for a fun adventure based game (for adults) that could easily be done over a weekend.

Here is the premise.

There are two teams of as few as 1 as many as 4, the hunters and the prey.

Each team has a car.

The prey's goal is to avoid being caught by the hunters. (Caught being defined as either touching their car by a member of the hunters with the prey in it, or physically touching one of the members of the prey by one of the hunters)

The prey has to stay within a certain geographic area (a medium sized suburb for example)

The prey gets a head start (30 minutes, 1 hour) and they go hide.

The hunters go after them, and the hunters have a period of time (24 hours, 48 hours) to go find them

The prey can move around as much or as little as they want, but they cannot go into any garages (they need to be in an area accessible to cars / public view. )

The prey cannot switch cars (ie, go rent a different one so that the hunters are looking for the wrong car)

the hunters can not use any outside methods or people to assist in finding the prey (no calling your buddies and have them look for the prey also, no police friends sending out an fake APBs)

Each team gets a set amount of money ($50, $100) for gas, food, etc.

the prey team can bring anything with them that they choose for sleeping accommodations (blankets, pillows, ) but no food or water. (adds the element of having to go somewhere for it during the game)

Food / drink can be eaten in the car, and bought for that purpose, but it can't be bought during their head start time)

Any tickets are an automatic DQ for either team

Both teams have cell phones and the phone numbers of the other team and home base (the referee) so if time expires in the game and the prey wins, the prey can reveal their location to the hunters. Also in the case of any need to call off the game for any reason ( injury, etc ).

Maybe more to come...