Hey all- "all" if anyone is actually reading still, especially after my long absence.
The Hard Drive on my laptop crashed, and I wasn't about to write a blog post on my cell phone, so I've been MIA for a bit.
And now, I return with a pretty... well, pretty controversial post. (yeah, "controversial"- to put it lightly)
Because, as I'm pretty sure you all know, we are as a country rapidly approaching the FISCAL CLIFF. (dramatic music- *DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNN*)
Now, having been living in a hole called Afghanistan for 6.5 months, and then for the last year in a hospital, focusing exclusively on therapy and rehab, I usually don't find out about things until they've already happened. Like, three weeks after they happened. And then:
"Hey, did you hear about ___? Isn't that INSANE?!"
"Uh... yeah, that's old. You didn't know about that?"
For example, I didn't know that Steve Jobs had died until February.
However, even living under such a large, dense, heavy 'rock' as I currently do, I hear about big things- so long as they're important enough that it filters to me through Facebook, or through muted news programs I see in the hospital whose headlines are arresting enough that I look it up later.
Such is the case of this "Fiscal Cliff".
I honestly had no idea what this was for a while. I paid some mild attention to the frustrating (to put it mildly) world of United States politics, and I didn't hear a word about this situation. Not once did I hear a single person say, "Yeah, the Election is important, but they need to buckle down and change some stuff so we don't go over the "Cliff"!" Nope. Not once. Reporters are so quick now to point fingers and say, "Congress should have put aside politics and made changes to avoid this catastrophe!" But I can't help but remember all of these same reporters during the campaigning, doing nothing but talking to NO END about the politics of the campaigns.
And then, beyond the Cliff, there is a concern which has simply *angered* quite a few people whom I know: the UN's 2012 Firearms Treaty.
This one has a lot of my friends ranting about stockpiling, living "off the grid", rioting, etc.
Me, I don't see it happening. The United States of America exists because citizens own their own firearms. We have been guaranteed possession of our own weapons since the founding of the Nation, and it has been an assumed freedom- a right- which has been inherent to our citizenship throughout this country's history. Even ignoring the whacked-out nut-jobs who live in their self-sufficient cabins with a massive stockpile of semi-legal firearms and their cousin/wife in the basement, regular citizens of this country (of which I can't really claim to be one- I'm not very normal) simply won't stand for such a massive law.
Oh, but you hear all the anti-gun people talking every day, so it seems like there are a lot of them, right?
No. Not really. Now, if I were in politics or television, and I was low enough in my humanity to use something like the deaths of children to gain support, ratings, whatever, then I could easily go on TV and talk about how all of these crimes in the nation are clear proof that we need harsh, uncompromising gun control! And I wouldn't be lying. However, I'm not (I think) that despicable, and as such do not in any way intend to use something as tragic as a death- not even just "a normal person", but an Elementary School student's death- to build an argument.
So, all I will say is that there is a very strong argument for each side; but that our right to own, bear, and carry arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment. And that until such a time as this country changes so drastically as to make amending the wording of the Constitution acceptable, there is no way around that.
And that is, honestly, the end of that argument.
Anyway, I talked to a friend of mine last night, and he seems to think that this Cliff is going to be the final catalyst; that within the next decade, possibly the next two years, the country will be in anarchy. My, I don't quite see how that would be possible- see, I can't help but think that there is a HUGE difference between saying, "Oh, I'm not completely happy with ____." or "I think that ___ should ____...", and picking up a shotgun, leaving your home and all the comforts of a life within your government's protection, however unpleasant it is, to risk everything you have to bring about a violent regime change.
So, no, total government overthrow isn't going to happen. It just isn't- not any time soon.
I do think that, if this situation isn't controlled- if the United States allows itself to continue spinning out of control, burrowing a trillion dollars a year further into debt and placing military beachheads in every nation we can get away with it in- then eventually, something will happen.
It won't be all that sudden; something like this isn't a flashpoint event. It would have to stem from a long period of unrest; a steady, strong surge of popular demand for a gross overhaul of the government. However angry people are with their leaders, it is so, so much easier to simply sit in the comfort of the home (powered, heated, and watered by the State's grid) and complain. I'm not trying to be hypocritical here- I would spend a long time going through preexisting networks and channels to bring about changes to an existing system, before I went native and fled to the jungle to spawn a guerrilla uprising- I'm just stating the fact that it will take time to come.
And if it does come, then the time leading up to it would have to be a time of serious detrimental change. The state of our nation would have to degrade to a point nigh unthinkable right now for a large enough force of citizens to march on D.C. to overthrow the government.
(I'm kind of rambling, I think, but it's been a while- bear with me)
And then, my little personal addition:
This country's core belief, since its inception- and indeed the reason for its creation- is that when those in power are either incapable, unwilling, or unable to protect and provide for those people who have given their allegiance to those leaders, the people have not only the absolute right, but the RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.
That's why we are Americans, and not British; this has been a cornerstone of this Nation's beliefs, a pivotal tenet, since its birth.
As of now, I don't believe that this country is at a point where I would advocate for a rebellion. I do know that we have an awful lot of.... problems, but that it is better to be beneath a bumbling, but existing, government than it is to live in a tree in the jungle all alone, with no one to help you to live. I absolutely do not agree with, well, a *lot* of the things that our government deems necessary and right, but then, I'm not representative of the entire population. (I like to think that I don't represent very much of the population at all, because I can *think*. That doesn't make me feel better for the world, because then I realize that if everyone is really that stupid then we're doomed; it just makes me feel better because then I feel superior to the "sheeple" (that's a word that's been playing around in my head more and more lately...))
Anyway, I'm going to sign off for now because I think I'm rambling. Maybe I'll get back on later and write more about this, because I'm pretty pissed at the Government and at "our" populace right now (and almost ALWAYS), or if you want to clarify/argue something you can comment, or email me, or something...
Whatever. See if I care.
20121229
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
IT'S ALL MINE!!!!
Well, here we are, my friends...
And here IT is!
"IT", of course, is my brand-new, personally owned and insured, completely MINE, car.
"IT" is a 2013 Ford Focus ST; it's Tangerine Scream (above ^); it has full leather Recaro seats (front bucket seats, AND the rear bench is even done by Recaro!); it has a Navigation System which comes with Ford SYNC; it runs with a 2.0L, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine which has 250 HP 273 lb-ft of torque, and is harnessed to a 6-speed manual- MANUAL- transmission (and doesn't even come with an Automatic option!); it has 18" alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle summer performance tires; I got a moonroof; and I'm very very happy with it.
Now, I haven't really been driving a whole lot in a while; and this is a brand-new car, with a sporty clutch- a clutch which I'm not used to- so I am having some.... rough starts. Jumpy shifts. Harsh changes. You know- it's annoying, and frankly a little embarrassing- and I really want very much to just drive it a lot and get more used to it... But, considering the fact that I don't have a left foot, so I'm using a metal shaft with a piece of carbon fiber on the bottom to operate the clutch, I think I'm doing rather well. Not having an ankle means that my knee controls all the movement for the pedal, which does mean that my leg has been bumping into the dash around the steering wheel, making the pedal that much more difficult to operate smoothly, but it does work.
So, let's have the review (the BRIEF review):
The seats are, as just about every single other person who has reviewed this vehicle has also said, possibly- almost certainly- the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in in a car. They are incredibly supportive; they're comfortable, but firm enough to keep your body aligned and sitting properly, so your back doesn't get sore; it wraps around you, hugs you- hips, back, and shoulders- so that you don't shake or bounce around. They are really superb.
The clutch disengages suddenly, and the pedal doesn't quite seem to move smoothly- although I'm not at all sure if that's the pedal itself, or the way my leg is working (my knee isn't as functional as it should be, and, well, I don't have my own foot)- but the gear shifts are crisp and swift, and when you get it right the clutch is very smooth and solid.
The steering is excellent- tight and controlled, but not excessive. The turning radius is a little wide- pulling into parking spaces may take a few points, and there are times when you think "I should be able to just get in there..." but it doesn't turn *quite* hard enough- but it doesn't affect normal driving, only parking and tight spaces, and I can live with that. There are turn assist lights. (turn the wheel to one side, and a light illuminates next to the headlight to show you what is on the ground where you're about to turn)
I do also love the suspension. It's tight, because it's a sporty car- I do definitely notice that the car finds roads much rougher than other cars do, it sort of shakes as you're driving- but it isn't a hard knocking. The suspension is firm, much like the seats, so that it's tight but controlled. It's firm bouncing, not rattling. It's not like hitting hard rocks or potholes; it's bouncy and shaky, but not in a frightening way. It's tight to preserve the sportiness of the car, and it does so very well; but it's also soft and comfortable enough for a daily driver, and soft enough that it isn't harsh or at all concerning.
The Ford SYNC system is a little annoying; there is no way to change the annoying female voice, and perhaps most frustrating- definitely most frustrating- is that you can't interrupt her. Automated phone machines will stop if you speak- if the answering machine starts to give you a list, and you interrupt it to say an option it has just said, the voice will stop and it will take your answer; however, the Ford SYNC system *will* finish its full monologue, with its annoying voice, and if you do say something before it finishes its list, it will not record your choice; it will play its "beep!" (like a phone's answering machine) and then wait for your choice. However, the range of options and choices which it controls is impressive and useful. If the machine allowed you to interrupt its long, long lists of choice options, I would honestly be very pleased with its inclusion into this package.
The car has HID Headlights; I like them very much. They are very bright, and very *white* (as opposed to the blue-ish color most HID headlights appear to be) and they show the terrain ahead very well. There are ambient interior lights; these lights are in the foot wells for the driver and passenger, in the cup holders in the front, and in the interior door handle inset and the door pocket. The ones in the door are my favorite: when the door is open, they change from their standard color, to RED, to show that the door is open! =D Also, there are 7 colors to choose from for the lights- white, light blue, blue, green, orange/amber, red, and purple. The lights are very useful, and I really like the way that the interior looks with them on- it looks much cooler. =)
The instruments are simple, but effective; they aren't jumbled, or cluttered, but neither are they excessively plain. They are clear and easy-to-read; they are well-lit and useful. The Navigation system also gives you heads-up directions right next to the speedometer- the next turn is indicated by a simple arrow (either pointing left, straight, right, or in a U), the target street's name, and the distance to the street. 2 trip odometers, the distance to travel until your gas tank is empty, the current trip's time, the Settings, and Vehicle Information are available in the center of the instruments; they are navigated through by a steering-wheel-mounted 4-way/OK-button pad. The instruments include: the Tachometer, the central information screen, the Fuel gauge, Water Temp, and Speedometer; above the central console- the Navigation screen- there are 3 gauges: the Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, and Turbo Boost indicators. (I believe these were included simply to increase the car's perceived sportiness) The central column has the Nav screen at the top; beneath it is a single CD slot, with a Power button (for the radio/CD/general entertainment system's sound) and an Eject button at each end; then, the Volume knob, surrounded by left/right Skip buttons, and up/down Seek; further out, there is a horizontal Seek to the left, and Sound to the right; below that is the automatic, Dual-Zone climate control system's controls.
I honestly don't really know what else to say right now.
If any of you have questions, go ahead and ask me, and I'll answer them- if they're substantial, or numerous, enough, then I'll write a whole post to answer them; if it's a simple question, I'll simply answer your comment.
And honestly, you should ask questions; anyone who wants a sporty, stable, comfortable, dependable, *good* car should, absolutely, consider this option. Now, I battled for quite a while over getting this, or getting a Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. (it's the same car) However, I settled on the Focus ST because I wanted an entire package. I didn't want to expend a lot of time and money, *after* buying an entire, *brand-new* car, to make the interior comfortable, nice, and just.... a nice place to be. I didn't want to go and blow a good deal of money to make my new car into a complete package- I wanted it to be a good car when I got it. Sure, something I *can* put work into, to make a 'serious' car- IF I decide to- but which, stock, is a good, sporty, nice car.
The Focus ST was my choice for that; I saw it as the best option. And now, having sat in it, driven it, and looking forward to owning it for the near future, I'm quite sure that I did make the best choice!
And here IT is!
"IT", of course, is my brand-new, personally owned and insured, completely MINE, car.
Now, I haven't really been driving a whole lot in a while; and this is a brand-new car, with a sporty clutch- a clutch which I'm not used to- so I am having some.... rough starts. Jumpy shifts. Harsh changes. You know- it's annoying, and frankly a little embarrassing- and I really want very much to just drive it a lot and get more used to it... But, considering the fact that I don't have a left foot, so I'm using a metal shaft with a piece of carbon fiber on the bottom to operate the clutch, I think I'm doing rather well. Not having an ankle means that my knee controls all the movement for the pedal, which does mean that my leg has been bumping into the dash around the steering wheel, making the pedal that much more difficult to operate smoothly, but it does work.
So, let's have the review (the BRIEF review):
The seats are, as just about every single other person who has reviewed this vehicle has also said, possibly- almost certainly- the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in in a car. They are incredibly supportive; they're comfortable, but firm enough to keep your body aligned and sitting properly, so your back doesn't get sore; it wraps around you, hugs you- hips, back, and shoulders- so that you don't shake or bounce around. They are really superb.
The clutch disengages suddenly, and the pedal doesn't quite seem to move smoothly- although I'm not at all sure if that's the pedal itself, or the way my leg is working (my knee isn't as functional as it should be, and, well, I don't have my own foot)- but the gear shifts are crisp and swift, and when you get it right the clutch is very smooth and solid.
The steering is excellent- tight and controlled, but not excessive. The turning radius is a little wide- pulling into parking spaces may take a few points, and there are times when you think "I should be able to just get in there..." but it doesn't turn *quite* hard enough- but it doesn't affect normal driving, only parking and tight spaces, and I can live with that. There are turn assist lights. (turn the wheel to one side, and a light illuminates next to the headlight to show you what is on the ground where you're about to turn)
I do also love the suspension. It's tight, because it's a sporty car- I do definitely notice that the car finds roads much rougher than other cars do, it sort of shakes as you're driving- but it isn't a hard knocking. The suspension is firm, much like the seats, so that it's tight but controlled. It's firm bouncing, not rattling. It's not like hitting hard rocks or potholes; it's bouncy and shaky, but not in a frightening way. It's tight to preserve the sportiness of the car, and it does so very well; but it's also soft and comfortable enough for a daily driver, and soft enough that it isn't harsh or at all concerning.
The Ford SYNC system is a little annoying; there is no way to change the annoying female voice, and perhaps most frustrating- definitely most frustrating- is that you can't interrupt her. Automated phone machines will stop if you speak- if the answering machine starts to give you a list, and you interrupt it to say an option it has just said, the voice will stop and it will take your answer; however, the Ford SYNC system *will* finish its full monologue, with its annoying voice, and if you do say something before it finishes its list, it will not record your choice; it will play its "beep!" (like a phone's answering machine) and then wait for your choice. However, the range of options and choices which it controls is impressive and useful. If the machine allowed you to interrupt its long, long lists of choice options, I would honestly be very pleased with its inclusion into this package.
The car has HID Headlights; I like them very much. They are very bright, and very *white* (as opposed to the blue-ish color most HID headlights appear to be) and they show the terrain ahead very well. There are ambient interior lights; these lights are in the foot wells for the driver and passenger, in the cup holders in the front, and in the interior door handle inset and the door pocket. The ones in the door are my favorite: when the door is open, they change from their standard color, to RED, to show that the door is open! =D Also, there are 7 colors to choose from for the lights- white, light blue, blue, green, orange/amber, red, and purple. The lights are very useful, and I really like the way that the interior looks with them on- it looks much cooler. =)
The instruments are simple, but effective; they aren't jumbled, or cluttered, but neither are they excessively plain. They are clear and easy-to-read; they are well-lit and useful. The Navigation system also gives you heads-up directions right next to the speedometer- the next turn is indicated by a simple arrow (either pointing left, straight, right, or in a U), the target street's name, and the distance to the street. 2 trip odometers, the distance to travel until your gas tank is empty, the current trip's time, the Settings, and Vehicle Information are available in the center of the instruments; they are navigated through by a steering-wheel-mounted 4-way/OK-button pad. The instruments include: the Tachometer, the central information screen, the Fuel gauge, Water Temp, and Speedometer; above the central console- the Navigation screen- there are 3 gauges: the Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, and Turbo Boost indicators. (I believe these were included simply to increase the car's perceived sportiness) The central column has the Nav screen at the top; beneath it is a single CD slot, with a Power button (for the radio/CD/general entertainment system's sound) and an Eject button at each end; then, the Volume knob, surrounded by left/right Skip buttons, and up/down Seek; further out, there is a horizontal Seek to the left, and Sound to the right; below that is the automatic, Dual-Zone climate control system's controls.
I honestly don't really know what else to say right now.
If any of you have questions, go ahead and ask me, and I'll answer them- if they're substantial, or numerous, enough, then I'll write a whole post to answer them; if it's a simple question, I'll simply answer your comment.
And honestly, you should ask questions; anyone who wants a sporty, stable, comfortable, dependable, *good* car should, absolutely, consider this option. Now, I battled for quite a while over getting this, or getting a Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. (it's the same car) However, I settled on the Focus ST because I wanted an entire package. I didn't want to expend a lot of time and money, *after* buying an entire, *brand-new* car, to make the interior comfortable, nice, and just.... a nice place to be. I didn't want to go and blow a good deal of money to make my new car into a complete package- I wanted it to be a good car when I got it. Sure, something I *can* put work into, to make a 'serious' car- IF I decide to- but which, stock, is a good, sporty, nice car.
The Focus ST was my choice for that; I saw it as the best option. And now, having sat in it, driven it, and looking forward to owning it for the near future, I'm quite sure that I did make the best choice!
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