Song of the Week #3

Well, you can see a million miles tonight, but you cant get very far...

Why Toyota is beating GM

In a project I have to complete for an IE class, I needed to collect information relating to a new car loan (interest rates, loan term, etc). I went to two seperate chevy dealerships, where I was instantly dismissed by the salesmen as soon as they learned I wasnt interested in buying a car. Dejected, I decided to try my luck at a Toyota dealership I had passed on the way to the second Chevy dealership.

Not only was the salesman at the Toyota dealership MUCH friendlier than either of the chevy dealership, but within five minutes, he had all the information I needed to complete my project. He understood, unlike the chevy salesman, that I am going to graduate college someday. Someday, a 30 year chevy is going to die. And on that day, I am going to want to buy a new car.

If it werent for my unbreakable bond with GM, I would be unlikely to ever set foot in a chevy dealership again. I am the exception, not the rule. The average consumer has no brand loyalty. Turning a student away today is as good as turning away a customer tomorrow.

Gun Control Means....

...hitting your target, of course!

These shots were taken at 25 yards from a .22 rifle. For people who are good at shooting, doing this off a benchrest is nothing special. Im still a beginner though, so I still have lots of room to improve!

If you've never been shooting before, and are among those who feel that all gun owners are just a nervous breakdown away from a shooting rampage, be aware of this: Shooting well requires traits that are just the opposite of those you would expect to see in a madman. The patience and discipline required shoot well encourage responsability.

If you have never had the pleasure of going shooting, I highly suggest you give it a try. I can promise you that you will have fun.

Song of the Week #2

What can i say, a great country song. Who among us hasnt now and again thought about life as a cowboy?

Corvette ZR1

After years of rumors and speculation, the infamous "Blue Devil" is finally a reality. Packing a supercharged V8 putting out more than Six Hundred horsepower, this is, without a doubt, the most powerful corvette ever produced. It marks yet another upping of the ante in the new horsepower wars. A decade ago, it took a "mere" 400 horses to be considered for the supercar club; then 500, and now 600. One must wonder when this power craze will end. I think we are reaching the pinnacle of automotive performance now, and within a decade rising fuel costs and increased emmissions regulations will once again stifle these monsters. If you want to know what the big car at Barrett-Jackson will be in 40 years, you are looking at it. If you have the funds, buy one and put it in a garage somewhere. Bring it out in 40 years. It will probably sell for more than a million.

This car really pushes the limits of what the corvette's mission is. Intended as "The People's" sports car, it is rapidly rising out of the price range of many middle class Americans. The ZR1 will most likely cross the six-figure threshold. Its an awesome car, but dont expect your average guy to be able to bring one home.

Also, for a $100k car, couldnt they have made it just a tad better looking? Honestly, the carbon fibre roof and stupid clear hood section; what were they thinking. I much prefer the looks of the Z06 or even base model.

Rights, Liberty, Safety

"Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
-Benjamin Franklin

I dont think it can be put any more simply than that. Trading away fundamental rights in exchange for safety (real or perceived) is perhaps the most foolish thing we can do; many people do it gladly. Surely living in a cage your entire life, with no freedoms whatsoever, would be totally safe. But what sort of life is this in which you are totally safe. I realize the rights that we consider trading away dont result in as obvious or severe prison sentences, but they are prison sentences nonetheless.

For example, suppose we ban the Qur'an. "Who cares?", you may say. It promotes Islam, and perhaps the radicals who hate America so much. Well, for one, if books cause people to kill people, then i should start writing books telling people to give me money. Thats another issue, though. Lets suppose 10 years from now, you suddenly decide you would like to read the Qur'an, for whatever reason or no reason at all. You suddenly realize that you no longer have the right to read whatever you want. The right you traded away so simply a decade earlier has not come back.

The truth is, most rights traded away don't come back, or at least dont come back easily. Think carefully about how much a minuscule increase in safety is worth to you. Some claim that the radical muslims hate us for the free society we embrace. Im not sure if this is true or not, but if it is, trading away your rights lets the radicals win. Perhaps you care so little about your freedoms that you are willing to whore them out for a bit of safety. If you are willing to compromise yourself, so be it. As for me, I dont think anyone should be willing to trade away their freedoms. Ever.

Why Does Anyone Need A Gun?

This question was posed in a comment on another blog and I gave the poster what I thought was a reasonable, intelligent answer, which I plan to expand upon here.

First and foremost, the right to defend one's self is inherent and inalienable (some would say God-given). This right is protected (not granted) by our bill of rights. This is something that many people, even gun owners don't always understand. If something is a right, by its very nature, it cannot be granted or taken away by a mere piece of paper. Your right to speak as you wish would still exist even if the bill of rights did not. The bill of rights exists to protect these rights from being infringed upon by our government. It is yet another check wisely placed by the founding fathers upon our leaders to (hopefully) ensure they didnt get too power hungry. Whether the bill of rights has been successful in maintaining our ability to exercise all our rights is debateable, but for the most part, I think it has.

Secondly, as free individuals, you should not need a reason to buy anything. Suppose you went to a restaurant and the waiter asked you to provide a reason why you needed the hamburger you are ordering. You would probably either laugh in his face or become angry, because you are aware (or at least should be aware) that in a free society, you are able to purchase things independant of need. Maybe the person who buys a gun had his or her life threatened. Maybe he or she wants to go hunting, or target shooting. Maybe he or she simply wants to own a gun for no reason at all. It doesnt matter.

Thirdly, the practical reality is that there is crime in this world, and you can either be a victim or you can do something to protect yourself. Though the newspapers dont always report on successful use of firearms for self defense, they happen more often than you might be aware of. If you choose to be a victim, thats your decision; just please dont attempt force your decision upon me. I dont try to shove a gun in anyones hand, dont try rip one out of mine.

Someone (I dont remember who) once said "you rarely need a gun, but when you need one, you need it bad." It is entirely possible for a gun owner to go his or her entire life without drawing or firing it in self defense. I would love it if that was the case with everyone, but it isnt, and probably wont ever be.