Impact of the Dollar Drop

[Atlantic Central]

Traffic - "low spark of high heeled boys"

I still have my orginal copy of that record - yes record, round, black, vinyl - in mint condition (always played only on my top notch equipment) - along with about 1800 other album titles.

The proposed policies of Presidential Candiate Ron Paul would fix the dollar, make us all richer (at least those of us who work for our money) and end the suposedly unpopular war. Why is no one listening? - could it be they all want the government to "do" something for them and Ron Paul would simply get the government out of their way to let them do it themselves?

If the war was really the "issue", Ron Paul would be leading the race. He's the only one who really wants to end it.

Personally, I, like Rich, live well within my means. My house is paid for, my cars are paid for, my furniture is paid for, I actually own my investments and have money in the bank and the safe - and I am stocked up on ammo to defend it. Lessons I learnd from my parents and grandparents who survived the depression and WWII.

Many years ago on this board I took issue with a gentlemen who said he would not weather his locos in case he had to sell them when he got older. I commented that something like model trains was a poor investment and should not be bought with money one might need to live on.

But what do I know, I'm just a hick with a pickup truck and a gun.

Sheldon

[Yampa Bob]

Sheldon
Have you ever thought of transfering your vinyls to CDR?  I have about 100 very old albums, including a complete classical collection, all mint condition.

I got this program called Rip Vinyl from England for $7.00.  Spent last winter making CDs.  You have to stand by to set the record level and turn it over.  It makes tracks automatically.  I even made a few bucks making CDs for friends at $15 a pop to finance my hobbies.   

Bob

[r.cprmier]

Sheldon;
Some time ago my insurance provider wanted to know if I had a burglar alarm in my house, and who installed it.  Well, we all know I am an electrical contractor, but I decided to have some fun:  I told him I have a fail-safe system;  It is called a big black dog, long Uncle Louie, and "my little friend" (a sawed-off shotgun).  I faxed that over to them, and within five minutes received a call from a very nervous lady-my agent, imploring me to please re-write it, leaving "your little sawed-off friend, your uncle louie and your best friend out of the letter!"   The only ammo i have is salt-shot loads.  I am not interestd in killing anyone, just stopping them.

RIch   

[Yampa Bob]

We have signs posted at the ranch gates, a picture of Yosemite Sam with guns a'blazing, and the note "Don't even think about it you mangey varmint"

Others say "Beware of the Dog, she's always hungry".

Bob

[WoundedBear]

I once had a sign on our gate that read....

"Salesmen welcome.....dog food is expensive"

Sid

[Atlantic Central]

Rich,

I don't care one way or the other about killing them, but my Beretta 92FS is loaded with hollow points, 16 of them, and another 15 round mag is laying right next to the gun.

Yampa Bob,

I have thought about it, and I even own the equipment to do it, but I don't know that I ever will. I'm not much of a "traveling" listener, for the most part I only listen to music when I can sit in my family room, in front of the speakers I designed and built, getting the full effect. So why would I need them on CD's? Just so I could degrade the sound quality? I think not.

Sheldon

[WoundedBear]

Bob....

My email should show under my profile now. Use the shaw.ca addy....not hotmail....Lord, anything but hotmail...lol.

Sid

[rogertra]

Sign at local pet store.

"Children not on leash will be eaten"

[Jhanecker2]

The Dollars buying power will go up and down . Sometimes it hinders some times it helps different sectors .  But Living beyond your means is always unwise. Having said that , we probably should  clean house in Washinton DC much more often and not elect incompetent self-serving BS artists. Regarding  sound systems : I can't see the need . I have worked in manufacturing plants for over  30 years and don't yearn for more noise. If I wish to hear train noises , I just open a window or go outside . I live on Rairoad Street in Marengo ,IL across the street from a  UP/CNW freight line going west to Belvidere. Trains come and go every 3 or 4 Hours loaded with auto containers.  I even saw  UP's demonstration train go buy. Check out theirweb site for more info.

[pepegalego]

Quite obviously the dollar drop is affecting the global market because of bad practice and this unstoppable desire for possession.
The housing markedt has gone through the roof forcing people to live beyond their means, feulled by publicity and this "fantastic" online fantasy tv world of home celebrities. 
Regarding model railroading, here in Europe it is cheaper to buy stuff because of the favourable currency exchange but the problem with hobbies like this is that once they have got you you are under theri power: its an addiction!

What had shocked me the most from this interesting thread is that people can boast of having offensive weapons in thier home as if that is the roght thing to do. Are you so scared that you need guns loaded with hollwo point bullets? I think you should emigrate!

[r.cprmier]

Pepe;
This past year (2007) we in Connecticut had one of the most tragic and heinous crimes one could commit, executed; not by an irate person, but by two known felons, who were-God only knows why-out of prison-where they belonged-deep away from society.

The town of Cheshire, Ct. lost one of its better families, and the incident shattered the father and husband, a well-known doctor in the state.  These criminals had weapons, every criminal violation concerning violence is with weapons, either knives or firearms.  These firearms are probably illegally got, so we can negate the great "to bear arms or not" debate.

You want to know why I keep a sawed-off gun in my house?  You need a picture?  I can send you one of that family.  I have no signs on my property telling people with bad intent to stay off; I will not subsidize anyone's stupidity or wanton evil by doing so.  If I catch you in my house without my prior knowledge or permission, I will hope you will have a really good excuse-and a fast one at that!

On my second day of boot camp, we were told by one of the drill instructors these words:  "Self-preservation is the first rule of survival!" 
That never left me, and is that much more in evidence today.  An armed society?  Yup.  Did I make it that way?  Not my choice, but when in Rome...Which-incidentally-is burning.

Rich

[SteamGene]

Rich,
Just out of idle curiosity, just how sawed off is it?  You know that beyond a certain amount they are themselves illegal.  I don't think that you can pay the $200 annual fee necessary for a full auto.  Not good to defend home and family and then get arrested because your weapon is illegal. 
Pepe,
I don't think Sheldon was boasting, per se, but rather drifting back to a discussion of a year or so ago.  Just for your information, I have an M1911A1 .45 with army issue ammo.  It doesn't need hollow points.  I also have a .22 bolt action Winchester 95 which I received for my 11th birthday.  I haven't shot either in years.  At one time I was quite good. 
Yes, this is another country.
All this said - the local news today is that a six year old boy was shot and killed in his home.  It sounds like either he was playing with a loaded gun or his seven year old friend was. 
In addition, a firearm is useless when the person doesn't know how to use it.  I carried my issued .45 the first incident I was in in Korea.  The next day I requested an M-14, which I carried for the rest of my tour.  A little heavy, a little awkward, but I knew how to bring effective fire with it and I didn't at the time with the .45.
Gene
Gene

[Atlantic Central]

A few thoughts,

It is tragic when irresponsible adults do not keep guns, or any other dangerous tool, out of the hands of small children, BUT statisticly, in this nation of 300 million people, such tragities are actually quite rare.

Ah yes the M1911A1, one of my favorite guns, I'm going to buy one real soon.

Pepe, I don't know where you live, and actually it does not matter to me. I am very happy in this country even though it has changed in ways I am not happy about. It is still more free than any place in the world. I don't need or want to be cared for by any government and this remains the least Socialist country on the planet.

Self defense, by any means necessary, is a God given right and the natural order of things. The police can not protect you. It is very peaceful where I live, because many people do have guns and the bad guys know it. Unlike London where home invasions are epidemic since the criminals know that no one will fight back.

Sheldon

[TonyD]

Don't worry Gene, you aren't getting any older at all !!...have you noticed on the news how many m-14's, now with scopes and a camo paint job insted of oiled walnut, are on patrol in the hot zones? I believe the 1st batch of 14's left the armory....51 years ago this month? .... just like New Haven FL-9's...pretty good life spans for failed experiments huh? Just came back from a wake for a ret. LT.Col. in the 104th/26th YD...some of the guys there today joined in 1936...... and drove home....

[chuff_n_puff]

In reference to the limited sound you can get out of a 1" speaker, it is true it will only put out so much. But, the sound comes from the baffling, not the speaker. I disected a Bose radio and used its technology in HO speakers and you wouldn't believe the volume of sound I have came up with in a small place! You can not use over half the volume or it will give you a headache. And with small modifications on baffling placement, I can control the treble and base mix! I was going to start manufacturing these until I found out Bose wasn't too happy with that idea, so I guess I will just enjoy them myself. I get a kick out of people asking me how I get louder than O scale sound out of HO! I also already run them in stealth mode and only turn the sound on for demo, as its like trackside at a Nascar event!