RA1

They drink, not sure about any other mind altering drugs. Best regards, RA1

Well, being the anal folks you know and love, they get to control where the water comes from also. I am sure they ship syrup to bottling plants, just not retail outlets. You know why they locate plants that make cans right next door to beer plants, don't you? The can cost more than the beer; in out one door and in another with the can and out comes a can of beer. At least that is how they did it here when our brewery was in operation. Best regards, RA1 Hey, it is all part of the world economy, isn't it? A "hot" topic these days.

You are correct about high profit. As I recall, a case of Coke syrup cost 2.20. That was four gallon jugs of syrup. The syrup was mixed at 5 or 6 to one with cabonated water and that was served in a 10 ounce paper cup filled with ice + the 7 ounces of Coke. I think that sold for 10 cents. A case of syrup made 512 of that size drinks or 51.20. The cups cost about a penny; the ice and carbonated water less than 1 cent, so the gross profit was about 43.88 on a case of syrup. Even if that drink cost a nickle, the gross profit was 21.94. Not a bad return on a 2.20 + cups + CO2 + ice investment. Pepsi was about 2.00 a case, so you can see there was a certain amount of what I call unnecessary greed involved. Of course, there was plenty of other overhead with equipment, drive-ins not open all year in those days, etc., etc. Also, Coke provided "free" the dispenser which had their logo all over it and their "perfected" nozzles. Best regards, RA1

Coca-Cola is an interesting product, kind of the MS of the day and still going strong. I have two quick stories about Coke. When I was growing up, my father was in the restaurant supply business. As now, Coke and Pepsi were in mortal combat. In those days, "drive-ins" usually had post mix drink dispensers which means they poured syrup into a cooled dispenser which mixed soda water with the syrup per each drink. Coke syrup was about 10% more expensive than Pepsi. So, some people used Pepsi syrup in their dispensers and called it whatever the customer wanted, Coke, Pepsi or whatever. They claimed that most could not tell the difference. This alarmed Coke. They thereafter homogenized their syrup so that continued use of any syrup other than Coke in their special "nozzles" would stick and gum up the works. Now, most everything is pre-mix which means the drink is already "made" before it is dispensed. More expensive because of the transport of water vs. syrup. A couple of years ago, when the CEO of Coca-Cola ATL was visiting MEM, they sent an advance team to the Fixed Base Operator at MEM to make sure the "vending area" had Coke machines and Coke products. They arranged and paid to have a generic machine changed for a Coke machine just for the visit. After the visit, everything was reversed. Now, I find it very difficult to imagine that the CEO of Coke, ATL who arrived in a Gulfstream V was going to go to the vending area to see what was there and certainly not to acquire a can of Coke. However, stranger things have happened and I suppose if the CEO was that anally inclined he might do it just to see what was there. I don't think he did. Best regards, RA1

The craziness was there all the time. Now, it is just more public or is that pubic? Best regards, RA1

People have been saying that all my life and, according to my parents and grandparents, all their lives, too. Best regards, RA1

I am hoping that this will not become law and will fall into the category of oddities that are still on the books or still recounted in various states such as any car has to have people going ahead of it to warn of its' approach and to not scare the horses. Every state has such and/or contemplated such. Best regards, RA1

LOL. Best regards, RA1

We do try to do some things correctly in TN. This isn't one of them. Best regards, RA1

I understand your point but even MS or maybe especially MS would still be a couple of guys hanging around in a garage if they had not gotten their first contract, in other words, money to go forward. Best regards, RA1

Interesting but, right now, it seems to be just an idea. There is no telling how many "wonderful" ideas remain ideas because of a lack of money to develop them. However, thanks for the link. Best regards, RA1

None of this thread would apply in MEM. Not that we are so law abiding but that once the cop writes the ticket, no one short of the judge or DA can "fix" it. A clerk might try but that has led to striped sun tans. Of course, each speeder or other traffic law offender can try whatever with the cop but he or she should be very careful. Escalation of infractions and penalties might ensue. About the best one can do with the DA is hire an atty to "suggest" a driver's ed class as the "best" penalty and state the reasons for doing so. That might or might not work but is the best shot, at least around here. Best regards, RA1

Wow. I was not thinking about "owning" the medallion when I said 25,000 but an annual fee. Even at NYC's exorbitant fares, one year's revenue will not take in that amount of money (766,000). 800 a week + gas + maint seems pretty hard to swallow also. Last time I checked a seat on the NYSE was going in this same neighborhood but it has declined at least once or twice; it appears the medallion never has had a "bad" year. The 10 bucks in 1937 was a real deal. The average wage then was 897 per year so this was only 2-3 days work. Best regards, RA1

I wonder what a medallion costs these days. I remember many years ago a driver telling me it cost 25,000. That was his way of quickly justifying the fare. That was a lot of money then and I have no idea if he was fibbing or not. Best regards, RA1

Like most people who were alive when John-John was born, I have followed him and liked him from day one. It is indeed unfortunate that he, like too many intelligent or wealthy folks, let his ego get ahead of his ability and killed himself and family. I say that with much sadness. Best regards. RA1

Of course, it is our fault. That is why we are here, isn't it? Best regards, RA1

I mustn't let my curmudgeon reputation lag,so, isn't the camper van more nostalgia than reality? It was under powered, not very well made, difficult to maintain but had a lot of "reverse" sex appeal. The early cars were the same way; almost no heater, no air-conditioning, no auto transmission, easy to roll over and deadly when hit by something larger (almost any thing else). The newer ones have been made in Mexico for quite some time now. I have no idea about their reliability or construction but they are very different cars from the original idea. They have the engine in the front vs. the rear and the "US" amenities expected, more or less. The rear now is a storage area that you can almost put two loaves of bread into. Best regards, RA1

Aren't you? That is a rhetorical question and one without an answer, except philosophically. Never mind, I love you anyway. Best regards, RA1

Climate change is real enough. Who or what caused it is not as clear. The earth has experienced many climate changes during its' history and one going on now is not unusual. Does mankind need to do "better"? No doubt. Is mankind the one and only cause of "climate change"; not very likely. There are many causes and many more to come, I hope, meaning we shall survive. Best regards, RA1

How do you guys find the time to read this crap? Regardless of whether it is factual or not, it is still crap. OK, let's assume it isn't. Then the Muslims and the right wing Christians are going to, in concert, eliminate all of US. Being in a blue state or a red state will not matter. We are all doomed. Question: Do you think the right wing in the US is more likely to be persuaded to give some tolerance to gays or the Muslims? Your turn. Best regards, RA1

I agree that you cannot legislate greed and stupidity aka morality, but, that does not keep the Congress and others from trying to do so. There is no doubt in my mind that they will fail but, in the meantime, it is costly to everyone, taxpayers and "others". Greedy sheep and sophisicated investors are contradictatory. I realize that some are both and some are neither. That is a fact of life as I see it. Best regards, RA1

But, the Congress has to point fingers; after all, they were complicit in the housing market bubble and collapse, weren't they? Best regards, RA1

They are waiting for the market to "come back" or fuel to come down in price. Good luck on either one. In the meantime, they have a house boat, so to speak. Best regards, RA1

BBB- You talked me into it. # Best regards, RA1 Not intended to be a factual statement. :)

BBB- I like your WG quote. Best regards, RA1