Michael Steele - same old same old

Michael Steele was on the John Gambling (710 AM) show this morning (some guest host Dom G??) saying the same old tired stuff. He talks and talks about the bad old Democrats and never tells us how he is going to clean up his own party. How can we trust a guy who blasts Democrats for their health care, cap and trade, etc. etc. and yet won't call out his own Republican party members who vote to pass that stuff.

He talked about Republicans listening to the people. BUT, when I wrote to my Republican congressman who voted 'yes' on cap and trade, I never got a response. Seems like the RNC is still a bunch of hypocrites in for the politics and not for serving the nation or its citizens.

I am worried that the current administration will totally wreck this nation and or the economy in short order. I am concerned that a third party would take so much time that it would be too little too late. But at this point, although it is a long shot, I'm leaning towards a third party as the only chance.

Three Law of Robotics

Isaac Asimov wrote the three laws of Robotics in the early '40s (although the time is vague and Campbell gets some credit too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics). Perhaps you heard about them in the movie I Robot (very loosely based on an Asimov story).

I wrote my first computer program in the late '60s.

I bought my first personal computer in '79.

We have all (at least the windows users) gotten accustomed to the endless parade of security breaches and hot fixes. Not exactly the utopia we dreamed of while watching the Jetsons or perhaps Star Wars. But Microsoft has made it somewhat tolerable by automating the process and allowing you to tailor how much interaction you want in the process.

Of course there is the bad side. How many times do you need to reboot? Do you wonder why they have to issue literally hundreds of fixes? Why do they issue the same fix for three or four different OS versions when they claim to have completely rewritten the code? Do you live in fear that when your computer tries to reboot for the 10th time, it won't restart?

It isn't just Microsoft. My daughter brought a Droid a couple weeks ago. It has automatic updates too. So far she has lost the auto-rotation of the screen. Sometimes. And sometimes the speaker stops working. Earphones still work. But it's not all bad. All you have to do is reboot the phone.

Motorola says they are working on the rotation problem. I have seen lots of complaints about the speaker issue, but no promise of a fix yet.

I got a Blu-Ray player a couple months ago. It's pretty neat. Streams Netflix movies and other cool stuff. But I was kind of weirded out when I powered up and got this screen tonight. I guess I'm glad that technology can help me so much. But really? My movie machine is asking me to download and install hot fixes?

I think it may be time to check myself in to a museum. Just sprinkle some dust on me, stand me in a corner and check back in 100 years.

The bottom bracket

Got the Americano back on Sunday. A $120 later and I have a new bottom bracket.

I haven't ridden it yet, but I wiggled the cranks the same way as I did before when I could feel a bit of play. All the play is gone so hopefully this is worth it. I also feel better that the BB won't fall apart when I'm pedaling to Key West next year. Hate to have the thing break while trying to out run an alligator.

Hopefully the 'click' while pedaling that started all this is also gone. The owner of the LBS said he had tried it out and had heard the click in the same place I had heard it. I don't remember whether he said he rode it after the new BB was installed and heard no click. Hopefully so.

I thought about trying to do this myself. But I would need to buy at least one new tool that I might use but this once in my lifetime. The tools in this Park Tool article on replacing your bottom bracket has a list. I might have everything else but the larger wrench. The tool I definitely have to buy is that Bottom Bracket Tool. And you need one of those for different types of bottom brackets. I'm pretty sure my older Cannondale T700 would use a different tool. I suspect a different tool will be required for the next bike too.

So, in the end I took it down to the Local Bike Shop and talked to Timmy. Maybe I should have just wheeled next door. That's where Timmy lives. Yep my next door neighbor.

AARP - decepticons inc.

I got an email from AARP yesterday. This was just the latest from them talking about health care. As usual, they go on about the myths that people are putting out there and how the all mighty AARP is here to dispel the rumor spewed by the great satan (or astro-turfers to NancyP). In this email, they have you enter a zip code and present you with a list of local newspapers. AARP will send a Letter to the Editor in your name. Below are their points.

Health care reform isn't socialized medicine and will not lead to rationed care. You'll still be able to choose your own doctor and health insurance plan.

Under health care reform, any decisions regarding your health will continue to be made by you, your doctor and your family – not by the government.

We can't afford not to fix health care. If we do nothing now, the cost of health care premiums will double in the next seven years.

Health care reform will strengthen, not hurt, Medicare. For people in Medicare, reform will protect your benefits, ensure you can choose your doctor and strengthen Medicare so it's there for your children and grandchildren

Now how does AARP know all this? It is really interesting how when you quote from HR3200, the proponents tell you how there is no bill, there are many bills, or some such nonsense to indicate how foolish you are. But when they speak, it is with the absolute certainty as you can see above.

What does AARP get out of this? Who knows. What we do know is that the head of AARP donated thousands to the Obama campaign last year. Of course as a citizen, it is his right. However as the head of what is supposed to be an impartial organization, he should show some better sense.

I won't be renewing when my current membership runs out. The small benefits that I get from membership isn't worth my soul.

Congraduations Lance

Armstrong, not that miscreant we have for a congressman.

The guy retires having won an unprecedented 7 tours in a row. Four years later he comes out of retirement as one of the oldest (but I think 2 years off the oldest) in the race and wins third place alongside someone who is about 10 years younger and a guy who was probably still in diapers when Armstrong began his career in the amateur ranks.

You must have an ego to get to this point in the sport. Yet when his teammate Cantadore violated the team orders and took off for his own glory, Armstrong worked with the team that day losing valuable time. Would that have made the difference and gotten him the yellow jersey? Probably not, but he must have been tempted.

Now it appears Astana is dissolving although I haven't heard anything official about that. Armstrong apparently is starting up a new American team backed by Radio Shack while Contadore is rumored to be leaving Astana as well and I think Johan Bruyneel has announced his departure too. I do hope Bruyneel ends up with Radio Shack. He has a great record.

So where does that leave Levi Leipheimer? I sure hope he bolts and goes with Radio Shack too. He is one of my favorites. And what of George Hincapie? I had heard that he was staying at Columbia, but someone has since told me that he is rumored to be maybe leaving too. Levi & George joining in on Radio Shack. That would be terrific. And if they could get Kloden too, they would sure have a contender.