EspressoBuzz

"We can roughly estimate the value of a Model T today by adjusting for inflation. At an average growth rate of 3.21% per year, over 103 years, we can calculate a present value of $850 as: $850 x (1.0321)103 =$850 x 25.90 = $22,017 "The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour. The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year . A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year." Comparing a model T to a modern car is a waste of time, the Model T was four wheels and a motor, today's car is so much safer and reliable that the "T' ever hoped to be. The real fact to take away is percentage of earnings a vehicle purchase represented. Even with 30 years of wages that have not kept pace with inflation a car is in many ways more affordable today to lower class Americans. The Gov't propping innovations and inventions is nothing new and one of the reasons America has been the leader in innovations and inventions, whether you like it or not.

Cough up the dough, sort of like the iPhone? I don't see it all rosy but I do see a place in the urban landscape for quiet electric vehicles that can help you navigate the crowded and busy environment. While you see it as the nanny state I see it as a means to free people from mundane tasks or aiding the handicapped.Only time will tell if a self driving car is more or less dangerous than your 80 year old neighbor who really shouldn't be driving. Where you see a vast gov't driven conspiracy to control Americans through technology I see people with vision driven to realize that vision in an all American way. Nothing ever invented was perfect or for that matter inexpensive with the first model issued, but does that mean we shouldn't try? As the easily checked facts I have posted below indicate your idea of what "lower class" American earned is incorrect. While what Ford did with mass production was revolutionary what he did by providing a good job at a good wage was even more important as he created his own customers and the largest middle class in American history. My KIA is 10 years old the electric windows work just fine. "We can roughly estimate the value of a Model T today by adjusting for inflation. At an average growth rate of 3.21% per year, over 103 years, we can calculate a present value of $850 as: $850 x (1.0321)103 =$850 x 25.90 = $22,017 "The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour. The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year . A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year."

Automakers Don't Care That People Don't Trust Self-Driving CarsWe need to be honest with ourselves: the era of autonomous vehicles will soon begin. In fact, it already has. Automakers and major technology companies such as Googleand Apple are all heavily investing in the technology, and there’s not going to be any slowdown. According to a new IHS Automotive study, sales of self-driving vehicles are now expected to reach nearly 21 million by 2035, an even higher number than previously predicted. http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2016/6/11/Automakers-Don-t-Care-That-People-Don-t-Trust-Self-Driving-Cars-7733949/

Tesla Knows When a Crash Is Your Fault, and Other Carmakers Soon Will, Too Everyone makes mistakes, and many people try to cover them up. But if you try to hide an error made behind the wheel of a car made by Tesla Motors, you are liable to be caught out. In fact, trying to hide what really happened in any kind of car accident could soon become just about impossible. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601657/tesla-knows-when-a-crash-is-your-fault-and-other-carmakers-soon-will-too/

Judge dismisses one of the gun charges against Ammon Bundy, 7 co-defendants A federal judge has dismissed the charge of using and carrying firearms in the course of a crime of violence against Ammon Bundy and seven co-defendants, finding the underlying conspiracy charge doesn't meet the legal definition of a "crime of violence.'' more: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/06/judge_dismisses_one_of_the_gun.html

then tell me what you mean.

Rattler, Time is a fire in which we all burn. We can burn brilliantly with a beautiful light or we can smolder and smoke and choke those around us. I'm sure you are right, I personally know of people who grew up in the 50's who wish they could have stopped love canal before it was polluted and caused birth defects, or DDT before it took it's toll on avian wildlife or even stopped Nixon from opening the door to China so all our jobs wouldn't go there (Yes, a republican did that). But hey I get what you're saying the 50's were great Rock and Roll was new and everyone knew their place, the football team could beat the crap out of that effeminate kid and not get in trouble. Good times for (almost) all!

http://www.pcmag.com/news/344958/googles-self-driving-car-learns-rule-1-of-road-rage-honkin Google's Self-Driving Car Learns Rule 1 of Road Rage: Honking "Beep beep'm, beep beep, yeah: Google has taught its autonomous vehicles to honk. But in keeping with the theme of improving upon human drivers, the cars are programmed to blow their horn in the most cordial way." What's next? A prosthetic arm rises up to flip you the middle finger?

Watch Saturn Shine on Friday, No Equipment Required Astronomically speaking, Mars and Mercury dominated May. But now that it’s June, Saturn has a chance to shine. Our solar system’s “Lord of the Rings” will be at opposition starting the early morning hours of Friday, meaning it will align with Earth and the sun. This arrangement will provide amateur astronomers with one of their best opportunities this year to see the butterscotch beauty with the naked eye. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/03/science/saturn-opposition-rings-titan.html?_r=0

In America, domestic extremists are a bigger risk than foreign terrorism By David Alpher George Mason University http://rockrivertimes.com/2016/06/01/in-america-domestic-extremists-are-a-bigger-risk-than-foreign-terrorism/ I have spent nearly 15 years studying how the risk of violence grows within societies around the world, and running programs designed to stem the tide. I have seen rhetoric like this used to mobilize violence in countries like Iraq and Kenya. This same dynamic, I argue, is taking shape within American society now. If it continues, it represents a greater threat than anything we face from terrorist groups outside our own borders. I know many won't read past the first line because it's been written by a college professor but don't say you haven't been warned

Poll shows Nevadans favor balanced approach to public lands issues CARSON CITY — Nevadans love their open space and public lands, favor renewable energy and are less likely to vote for a candidate who supported Bunkerville rancher Cliven Bundy in his 2014 standoff with federal authorities. Those were the findings of a poll released Wednesday by the Center for Western Priorities, a nonpartisan conservation and advocacy group. The survey found Nevadans overwhelmingly agree public land issues use should be prioritized collaboratively rather than through conflict with the federal government. http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/elections/poll-shows-nevadans-favor-balanced-approach-public-lands-issues You know a few on this site have come out and called the Occupy Wall Street protesters bums, fools, mis-guided idiots and worse, but they organized and held protests for what they believed and in a non violent manner. It seems to me the people in Nevada prefer their land issues be solved the same way. AND yet there are still some who will not condemn the violence and feel it is fully justified.

Attacks against Federal Range and Forest Workers on Rise http://yubanet.com/usa/Attacks-against-Federal-Range-and-Forest-Workers-on-Rise.php#.V03z6PkrKM8 Washington, DC May 31, 2016 - Assaults against national forest and rangeland employees and facilities rose sharply last year, according to figures released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Reported incidents nearly doubled (87% increase) on rangelands overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and increased by more than half (60%) on national forests. So i ask you was the FBI right to say these guys are a bigger threat than anyone imagined?

Right-wing Utah sheriff threatens to arrest federal agents over bizarre conspiracy theories <Despite sharing an interpretation of the Constitution and a mistrust of federal authorities, Perkins declined invitations — and, in some cases, resisted pressure — to join the Bundys and their militia supporters. “I said it at the time, and I’ll stand by it, that is nothing but domestic terrorism,” Perkins said. “Yes, there’s been a story, a lot of these guys have been bullied around by the BLM, but you don’t handle it that way.”> https://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/right-wing-utah-sheriffs-threaten-to-arrest-federal-agents-over-bizarre-conspiracy-theories/

Me and my cabal got together over good cigars and fine scotch to hatch the next phase of our conspiracy... requiring all bow hunters to show native american ancestry! <Dr. Evil Laugh>

Happy Birthday Grampy!

I've run across them in NJ along the AT, in Mass along the AT and on Tongue mountain on the west coast of Lake George. I have always let them be but I have hiked with others who shoot them on sight.

I have always been a fan of sword and sorcery movies since my teen years with Conan graphic novels. So I can't help but love HBO's Blood & Boobies.

Silence Eh Papist? Afraid to voice your convictions?

Taconic-Herford Multiple is very crowded with joggers and bikers. Try Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area too. OH yeah, read the regulation again....

Tell me Papist do you feel they have good cause to go to war with the Gov't? Is there any other group in America you would feel has good cause to go to war with the Gov't? Have they exhausted peaceful protest? I am curious what in your mind justifies going to war with the Gov't?

’I’m not independently wealthy’: Bundy lawyer wanted Koch brothers to pay defense feesThe defense attorney for Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy tried to get in touch the billionaire Koch brothers to help them fund his client’s defense, according to an email obtained through a public records request. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) obtained an email that shows Joel Hansen, the defense lawyer for Cliven Bundy, contacting Utah state Representative Ken Ivory, hoping that the legislator could help him get in touch with the billionaire Koch brothers, who are known for donating to conservative causes. https://www.rt.com/usa/344143-bundy-koch-lawyer-fees/

The people have spoken but will these nut jobs listen? A Big Fat Voter Rejection of Bundy-Loving Candidates in Oregon Voters in Harney County turned out in record numbers to reject candidates who backed illegal Bundy occupation of Malheur Wildlife Refuge Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Thursday that “Harney County citizens voted decisively in this week’s primary for candidates who opposed the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge” and that “voters were clear they preferred candidates who opposed the occupation.” That’s not good news for so-called “Patriots” who believe the right to trample the rights of others. Unsurprisingly, the victims of the armed invasion by the Bundy insurrectionists went out and voted, OPB reporting that “Harney County had the highest voter participation in the state, with 72 percent of eligible voters submitting ballots.” http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/20/big-fat-rejection-bundy-loving-candidates-oregon.html

Dogs howl at the moon, turkeys gobble at Mars?

“Nile crocodiles were responsible for at least 480 attacks on people and 123 fatalities in Africa between 2010 and 2014,” according to a statement on the museum’s website. “They are generalist predators and eat a wide variety of prey. In Florida, everything from native birds, fish and mammals to the state’s native crocodile and alligator would be fair game for the carnivorous croc.” None in Florida by Nile crocs. BUT.... http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/Alligator-attacks-man-fleeing-Florida-police-379427581.html Alligator attacks man fleeing Florida police

Bowguy is right about surveys but a study (this study) uses the numbers, of animals poached. of animals hunted and the hunting regulations in the same area. They did not go out and ask people in these areas if they thought poaching went down and why. All studies have to provide information about how the info was gathered and where, etc. Even surveys have to provide some info as to who was polled , age, income, party, location and how many polled. Often the media to make a story exciting will pull out a thread of the study and over emphasize the point but do the studies information and conclusions a dis-service.