RA1

I have never used the 300 minutes I pay for each month. I hate talking on a cell phone, probably because of the lack of clarity and dropped calls. This is exacerbated by years and hours of flying with little to no hearing protection. Now, I never leave home without it (hearing protection). However, I have to "be in touch" at all times, so I carry one. Give me a land line any time. Best regards, RA1

You mean liberals like to spend other people's money? What a novel idea. Of course, all pols like to spend other people's money, don't they? People seem to forget that even though there are government services worth spending money upon, the government makes no products; it only spends money. There is no free lunch, although seemingly a lot of people either think there is or wish there were. Best regards, RA1

As president of Haiti or the US? Best regards, RA1 MsGuy- Some of the elements of the "simple, cheap cure" may not be available at any price. When things go silly, like this, they go very, very silly.

Sorry to be obtuse. The first reference is about the "head" of Fox who has made a lot of money and certainly has made Fox News a landmark. The second is merely a reference to the movie "Ferris Bueller" and refers to one of his teacher's remarks. Best regards, RA1

You have a comomon lament that undoubtedly affects us all, but dieting in the usual sense is not the "correct approach". Don't misunderstand, I have weight problems also. However, what I am apparently not willing to do and what is apparently necessary to do, is make a life style change to reflect the current state of calorie necessity. Many, if not most, Americans are not willing to do that and, to some extent, neither am I. I do try to eat things that are good for me. I do not use salt in my cooking and avoid it as much as I can otherwise. I do not eat fast food except a VERY few times a year when I would otherwise go without food. I limit fat intake and do whatever I can to promote a "healthy plan of food intake". That is not always easy or successful. But, the first thing to do is try. I am sure you do. Best regards, RA1

I am sure some of you have read the political topic on the "other" site that discusses Fox. The prime mover and shaker there is someone surely to be emulated, if your aim is money + what most agree by widely held opinion of success. Any of you liberals want to "turn coat"? Anyone, anyone? I am sure most of you will recognize the last reference. Best regards, RA1

I love to travel but really don't like the airlines. However, some of those places are a bit unrealistic to reach by private aircraft unless money is no object. It is an object for me. or Of the places I have been and would like to re-visit, I would include in no particular order: New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, England, Scotland, Switzerland,Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, many of the Carribbean Islands, Thailand, Crete, Bahrain, and probably a few more I have neglected to mention. Places that I would like to visit and have not yet include: Brazil, Argentina, Japan, more of China, Russia, more of Greece, South Africa and probably several more I have neglected to mention. Some of the places I would NOT like to re-visit include: India, Egypt, Pakistan and probably a few others. In the US and Canada, places that I have particularly enjoyed (although there are very many others) include: Alaska, CYVR, CYYR, CYQX, St. Croix (STX),ORD, BGR, RIC and, again, so many more, I cannot mention them all. Sorry for the airport ID's; in order, they are Vancouver, Goose Bay,LAB, Gander, NFLD, US Virgin Islands, Chicago, Bangor, ME, Richmond, VA, etc. Best regards, RA1 I cannot and should not fail to mention NYC and LA. I have friends in both places and,even if they were not wonderful places to visit otherwise, the friends would make them so.

" Most of it is invested with banks and stockbrokers to simply make more money, and the jobs created are in China and India. Not picking on you Charlie but whose fault is this? Best regards, RA1

MsGuy- Your comments could very well be true for any number of states. I am expecting a LOT of reform and fairly soon. Best regards, RA1

I don't know what this means but I can truthfully say I have never watched any program on either list. Maybe 5 minutes or so of one or two before I lost interest. What I find interesting is that there IS such a list. Who knew anyone cared about whether Demo's or Rep's thought more or less highly of one program or another? Of course, in this day and time with so much air time or band width to fill I suppose there is a list delineating what color of butterflies are more sexually attractive or active. Best regards, RA1

You have some money, how much should the US tax you? I think you entirely miss the point. But, that is OK. I forgive you. Best regards, RA1

I am one of those who certainly believes that local control is better. If TX can keep from sending those billions to DC and then, with full accountability, offer local health care, then, more power to them. The federal government is the prime example of more is less and that more volume does NOT save money. The feds suck off the top and then, reluctantly and with many regulations, send some of it back to the states. The states are not error free. The most local control is the best with accountability just a phone call or walk down the street away from recipients. I certainly understand there is some economy of scale but the feds have ruined this concept with their concept of how this works. Best regards, RA1

I am afraid that both parties are talking out of both sides of their mouths and their rear ends also. Without a doubtt the US needs to address the widening gap between the very wealthy and the rest of us but more taxes is NOT the answer. Less spending will help, a LOT. We need to get the bottom and middle UP, not the top DOWN. The government needs to get out of our lives and let "real" capitalism thrive. That means the almost indistinguishable "both" parties. As far as the US being a banana republic as regards the "spread" between upper and lower income groups, what is the income of those in the bottom of the BR's? How does that compare to the lower end in the US? Let's compare apples, not bananas. Best regards, RA1

I think there are a lot of cars you can't get in the US that few here would want. However, that might be changing. If the US is no longer the largest market (by volume, I would assume) where do we stand in dollar volume? Just a rhetorical question. I can research it as well as anyone. As far as the fastest pick-up truck, I think the disclaimer of "production" pick-up truck has to be added. The Jet Truck, based up a Chevy S-10 can go 275 MPH, a good bit faster than 169. Thanks for the link. Best regards, RA1

I don't know why you have a bee in your bonnet, Lucky, because I know you don't just accept whatever the Demo's or liberals have to say without question. Neither do I. I don't think very much in this article is currently "provable" and it will take time to know what the results are. We are still debating the efficacy and appropriateness of US president's actions or lack thereof as far back as FDR and everyone in between. Maybe HST gets a bit of a free ride? When I am flying I am suspicious of every aspect of the flight. Any strange noises, any unusual guage indications, the weather, ATC, day or night; all those and more get my constant attention. Perhaps this carries over into my politics as well. Best regards, RA1

So, you went as the back end of a horse? Best regards, RA1

Great spin on things, but, is it true? Only time will tell. Best regards, RA1

lookin- You really know how to turn me on. I completely agree with local participation and leadership, if not even more. The feds need to be led by the nose (or other parts). Thanks. Best regards, RA1

Some of the "other" airlines do not have RR engines and they should be in the air, no doubt, already. Not taking advantage of the latest and greatest is, of course, a personal decision. However, you are not emulating Lucky Lindberg, are you? The FAA has already approved single engine aircraft for "public transport" aka on demand charter. Change will slowly happen. It took a long time for twin engine aircraft to be approved for operation when not near "suitable" airports. Now, some of them can go 210 minutes away from such. That is a long time to be flying around on one engine. Ditto to get 2 person crews approved. Now you never see more than that unless the flight is so long that the crew must be "augmented" with relief members. Aviation is pretty conservative but not unwilling to move forward. Best regards, RA1

So far, what we know is an engine had a catastrophic failure which resulted in no injuries and little damage to the aircraft. The crew followed SOP, standard operating procedures, by dumping fuel to get down to landing weight and returning to the nearest suitable airport, which, in this case was the one of departure, Singapore. These kinds of things will happen with immature fleets. It is only prudent that the airline, the airframe manufacturer and the engine manufacturer as well as various air agencies should temporarily ground the aircraft for further investigation. You will no doubt note that an airline which has different engines installed has elected to continue operations as per usual. No doubt all the other airlines will resume operations shortly as soon as RR and various others are satisfied that it is completely safe to do so. This news article was much less inflamatory than some others that I have read. There was no mention of miraculous landings and no one injured in this one. That is how it should be. A routine landing after a failure of an important component, namely one of the 4 engines. No harm, no foul. Best regards, RA1

I laughed at this 50 years ago, when it was new to me. Best regards, RA1

The result of the election will likely be a log jam until the next election. The R's cannot repeal the health bill or likely very much else. However, the House can defund the various agencies that operate it. Personally, I see little difference between the two parties. Pols cannot be trusted period. However, the one result I do see is if the Congress (and perhaps administration) does not pay attention to the discord prevalent in the nation, there WILL be a REAL re-shuffling in the next Congress as well as the White House. Therefore, the voters HAVE to take responsiblity for their own welfare and benefit and MAKE the pols pay attention. I know, little hope. Best regards, RA1

You just did. Now, go wash them. Best regards, RA1

I must have had one or two of those VO's + DC when I wrote this. Not only did I write "now" when I meant "not" but also signed as my alter ego from another site. Of course, anyone who reads both sites already knew that and more than one poster on this site has mentioned it before. Not a secret. Best regards, RA1

How can anyone or any system justify spending 27 million to recover 869,000 from Madoff? Best regards, RA1