should auto workers take a pay cut to save the industry? chat & forums.

Posted In Forum:

Home

MyForums

Show ALL Forums

Author

Thread: should auto workers take a pay cut to save the industry?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 35 (view)

should auto workers take a pay cut to save the industry? Posted: 11/29/2008 10:10:48 AM
Hey Buddy! Don't knock the AMC Javelin! I bought a '69 Javelin used, 15 years old. It was the daily-driver of a guy in Edmonton, hence, no rust! Brought it back to Ontario and, drove it daily for another ten years! Never had a major break-down, and, parts were cheap, and the same ones were used on many different models! Thanks to Rust Check, it never rusted out here in Ontario either! The HVAC system was waaay ahead of it's time for '69 as well as many other features in the design of the car! The only real downside to the car were the Vacuum powered windshield wipers. They'd slow down if you floored it! Kind of an amusing kink anyhow! The very best, most reliable, and cheap, and easy to fix vehicle I've ever owned....and there's been quite a few of them over the years! Darned good looking too!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 34 (view)

should auto workers take a pay cut to save the industry? Posted: 11/29/2008 9:54:50 AM
If they want to keep being employed they should give it some hard thought! If someone can convince me why I should subsidize their pay and perks, by an even heavier tax burden, when they have a substantially better pay/benefit package than most, ...well...that ain't gonna happen. Reality check people! The price of a new car is out of the reach of most these days, because full-time real-jobs have been lost to: outsourcing, downsizing, permanent part-time/temporary, and the incredible exponential explosion in executive pay packages. The auto industry, much like the real-estate industry, has simply responded to the reduction in earning power of the average individual and/or family , by simply finding ever more creative ways of getting these over-leveraged people financed. And....we can all see just how well all of that brilliant strategy is playing out on the world stage now! People need REAL JOBS in order to buy stuff! The base has been steadily eroded over the years through corporate greed until now, what we have, is an inverted pyramid of wealth flowing from the bottom to the top.( Elite auto workers can include themselves in this. ) Anyhow...inverted pyramids tend to fall over! End of story! Like a long distance runner, the economy has hit "the wall" No one has any more credit because they are all "maxed out"! My real earnings have increased over the years, but, due to inflation, I actually have less at the end of it all. So, it's gonna be a tough sell for me, and, I suspect most others, as to why we should all be subsidizing an industry that's paying it's people a rate that most of us "wage earners" can only dream of, to produce vehicles that the rest of us can't afford anyhow! From the TOP on down! Reality Check People! Take some substantial cuts or join the rest of us out here in the real, hard cold world!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 217 (view)

Good-Bye to Canada Posted: 6/1/2008 7:45:45 AM
I'm curious about one thing in particular. In Ontario, the OPP cruisers have been white with blue and gold decals for years. The idea was for them to be more Visible than the old black and whites of days gone by. And, the warning lights were all red, only red. For the past several months, the white cars are being phased out and are being replaced by...you got it...the Old Style black and whites. It's true, they are much harder to see than the white cars! Additionally, they have gone to using blue and red warning lights on the new cruisers. Just like the Americans. I don't recall any debate, discussion, or announcement about this anywhere, and/or explanation of the reasons behind it. Sure does make them look more like american " State" patrol cars to me. Things just get curiouser and curiouser as time goes on! Anyone out there know anything about this? Something is afoot here, and I don't like the smell of it!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 753 (view)

Why is Hillary losing? Posted: 5/3/2008 11:06:40 AM
Hillary seems to have lost sight of the bigger picture. I'm thinking that she's been blinded by her own ambition and is forgetting that Obama is, after all, on the same team as her. He's in competition with her for the nomination but, is not an enemy. Methinks she's damaging the greater good of the whole party. Doing the republican's a major favour, and giving them a free ride, while she expends all of her energies trying to take down someone from her own party. Much too negative for my taste. This is supposed to be about something for the greater good of the whole country! She's coming across to me, as all, and only, about her own ambitions. IMO....she's making Obama look classier every day! I'm just an interested observer, and that's my two cents worth.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 208 (view)

Hilary Clinton.... Posted: 4/28/2008 5:43:21 AM
The more she talks, the scarier she gets! Saying that she'd "obliterate" Iran, if it attacked Israel? Just what you all need! Another war to get into... Yiiikes!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 7 (view)

CDL Drivers Posted: 4/13/2008 5:18:01 PM
CRST is known to be a reasonably respectable company. Just understand this...graduating from trucking school and having your CDL in your pocket is only the beginning of the learning curve.....it's a very very long one! You will be in the most danger somewhere around the time that you think you have a "handle" on things and know what you are doing. For what it's worth...Trucking should be recognized as a trade, complete with an apprenticeship program. Pay by the mile should be banned outright, and drivers should be paid on an hourly basis, just like any other job. This is something which must be pursued. Trucking companies and shippers have, for far too long, been exploiting and ripping off truck drivers for years. You can fully expect to be working an average of 25 to 30 hours per week for NOTHING! There is a saying in the business, " We work 100 hours a week, Log 70, and get paid for 40." It's not really all that far off the mark! Perhaps this might explain why they are willing to { pay } for your shcoling. Believe me, you will be paying for it! They can't get people to stay in the trucking industry because of the rip-off that it is for the drivers. I wish you the very best of luck...but, respectfully suggest looking at somethng else.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 61 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/27/2008 6:04:10 AM
^^^^^ Come to think of it....Ford has never quit the rear drive full size market! Think, Lincoln Town Cars, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis! There are gazillions of them on the roads, and people who understand and repair them. They are particularly popular with Taxi drivers. Most cabbies, that own and drive their own cars, have a knowledgeable, reliable, and, best of all, an affordable shop, to repair and maintenance them. It doesn't matter that you have a GM. There are more similarities than differences, between the cars themselves. Try to talk to some cab drivers....sooner or later someone will get you pointed in the right direction. Remember, these guys need their cars to work well every day and put HUGE #'s of Kilometres on them. There are very few problems that a car can have, that they are not experienced with!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 60 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/26/2008 6:33:13 AM
car club for monte carlo's eh well im in Calgary alberta, if you find of any lemme know lol Any kind of car club where the members are "Old School" ! In other words, folks who know about cars other than Front Wheel Drive Honda's and such! I live in Ontario. You have a much better chance of finding out about local car-enthusiasts than I do. Rear wheel drive has never gone away anyhow, anyone who works on pick-up trucks will be familiar with rear-drive and front ends for non-front-wheel-drive vehicles. I do know that there are one, or maybe two, pick-up trucks running around in Alberta. Best of luck

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 57 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/25/2008 8:03:33 AM
Iv drove the car with out even touching the Heater or A/C witth the fan turned off and the heater/ac turned off. And it still makes the same noise at the same level, Iv even pushed the rear window defroster to the off position just to make sure as well, and i can still hear that weird noise Not being there to hear it, not too much more I can say. I think for the steering i need a new Gear Box or something. I mean my CV joints and tire rods and wheel bearings should be all good, i dont actually hear any noises or clicks or anything at all, when im just driving and turning. It was just THAT ONE time right before the steering wheel locked up i heard a quick pop or a quick snap sound then it wouldnt turn. SO either it is a front end component that needs replacement and its just in its EARLY stages of going out then i gotta pin point it before it gets worse. You DON"T have CV joints! It's NOT front wheel drive! You do have a Steering Problem....it should never make any noises at all....let alone lock in any position at any time. Get this thing into the Alignment shop of your choice. ASAP! They will be able to inspect and repair whatever is wrong and report to you on the condition of the front end. You really do need to find someone in your area with some knowledge of this type of car. Perhaps a local car club?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 55 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/24/2008 7:19:11 AM
So i guess i dont have to worry about that clicking sound for now. unless my air conditioning stops working lol, but i never noticed that sound before, so im still a little hesitant to just rule it out as an air conditioning related problem. It is simply your AC system "cycling" it's supposed to do that, although, it's probably low on freon and "lubricant". There is oil in the freon that keeps everything moving freely. The AC compressor will still operate whenever you are using the defrost and/or bi-level settings on the controls. It does this to run the air through the "dryer" which keeps your windows from fogging up. Best to have this checked out, tested for leaks, fixed if need be, and re-filled with a comapatible substitute for the original stuff, and, make sure that a "lubricant" oil comes with it! Running it "dry" will only cause damage and cost you more money later. Better to fix it now. There are "aftermarket" kits for this. Parts source may have them. Best to have it done by someone who knows and has the right equipment....so that it's not "overcharged" and that there are no leaks. It's unlikely that a power steering fluid problem is causing your steering to lock upand make popping noises. However, a good idea to drain and re-fill it anyhow! More likely to be a front end component. You need to get it up on a hoist, and have it all inspected and Lubed. Ensure that everything is tight that needs to be tight, everything moves freely that should, and, that everything is lubed! Once again, don't continue to drive it until this is sorted out, you will only cause more damage and cost yourself more money in the long run if you do. It will all get better with a wee bit of time. ! Cheers

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 51 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/23/2008 10:43:29 AM
Some further research here has turned up a plug gap of .035 for that engine. Also, a recommedation to use the "wire" type gap measuring tool. Perhaps a visit to your local NAPA auto parts store....speak to the guys behind the parts counter. As a very LAST RESORT.....for anything....Canadian Tire.....and NEVER EVER have them do any service work for you. But, you should be able to get plug and wire info there. Most boats are still using Carbs....hence marine repair shops can help you out in that department. Anything they can do, can be done, as well, if not better, and, definitely cheaper at a small auto-shop. Do some looking around, there are always tons of small shops with good honest guys running them, who can do most work you may need to "farm out" . It's not always best to do "everything" yourself. In many cases, it will be cheaper AND more productive to have a pro do the work! If nothing else...to save you from yourself! Most "franchised" repair places are to be avoided if it's possible. Perhaps you, or one of your friends know a small local used car dealer. They will usually have an independant shop where they send stuff for repair. They need stuff to be done "right" and as cheaply as possible....it's worth a try. Feel free to email me with any specific questions. I'm not a mechanic, or, an expert, but, do have an extensive history of buying older cars and using them as daily drivers! Most things can be fixed well...and fairly cheaply....if ya look hard enough and find the right connections. Best of luck!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 50 (view)

Car Problem Question?? Posted: 2/22/2008 4:38:13 PM
Ok...so you are into doing it ....as much by yourself as you can...You need to learn some basics. Fluid colours. Green=Coolant Red - Transmission....use Dexron Red- Power steering....check manual for correct one....or may actually have it indicated on the Cap for the resovoir. Oil...nice clean oil should be honey coloured...it will turn black quickly enough. Brake Fluid.....should be clear...if it's black...it's contaminated. That's Rubber Particles! It's an alberta car. This usually means that the Metal parts are somewhat rust free. It also means that MOST Rubber parts...have dried out/cracked and will need to be inspected....many/most will have to be replaced. The good news, they're not usually too expensive. Grease! Take it in and have it lubed! Make sure that each fitting is actually "taking grease" ! If they are not, the fittings will have to be replaced. The fittings are cheap..the little ball bearings will seize up over time and no use. Get ALL FLUID SYSTEMS....flushed, cleaned out, and then re-filled. Ensure that spark plugs are "gapped" correctly. .030 is a good aproximation for that engine. Brakes! Change out all "flex" rubber hoses. Flush system completely, refill and bleed out the Bubbles! Change ALL belts and hoses. 4 New Shocks....just because they are not "broken/leaking" does not mean that they are working! See if you can find a "shop" manual for it....try ebay...look for "Clymer" manuals...they are not too bad. Get a BIG can of RUST CHECK at Canadian Tire. It's awesome as a penetrating oil, waterproofing, minor lubricant, and electrical system friend! I picked up a 69 AMC Javelin in Edmonton many moons ago ago and drove it back to Ontario. Loved the thing...learned a lot too! Just like you! Best of luck....will help if I can Best advice I can give you is this.....don't be in such a rush to drive it just yet. I know that it's tough not to do that but, do yourself, and your "project" a favour, take it slow so that you don't Hurt each other! It will all happen in good time. The really nice part about this car is that it's one of GM's big mistakes....they made them too simple and too strong....there are tons of them still on the road, even here in Ontario, as daily drivers! See them every day! '80s GM's...be they Chev, Olds, or Buick. So, parts and knowledge should never be an issue. The 305 should not be too hard on gas...however, it's no Honda! You need to make sure that everything is CLEAN, Plugs you have....Plug wires s/b changed too....Distributor cap and rotor too! Can't remember if that car has "points" ....I'm sure that it does. They should be changed too! So much for a train of thought post..hope that it helps a bit. Cheers!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 45 (view)

Marriage vs Dating Posted: 2/13/2008 6:57:49 AM
Did the marriage thing....learned a few things along the way. Rights, and what's right, are most distinctly, two different things. If you are a male, you are guilty until proven innocent, of anything, real, imagined, or otherwise. Come to think of it, forget about being proven innocent...that'll never happen! Forever, is for as long as she says it is. Women may come, and women may go,.....ex-wives never seem to go away, ever... Just because she's talking a lot about a "forever" comittment....see above...She's talking about YOUR forever comittment, not hers! I used to Believe in marriage and making a lifetime comittment....so much for that dream. As for the ladies that will take exception to my remarks and attitude....too bad, so sad. The deck has been stacked against men. It's a one-sided contract that no-one, if it were done in business, would ever sign. My lawyer told me once. He said: "Getting married is probably the most romantic thing that you will ever do. And, getting divorced is the most hard-nosed business action that you will ever enter into." He was right! Don't blame the men for being "comittment shy" . It's just not a good deal anymore.....as in not worth the hassles, or the risks. All of the rules have been re-written by the women, for the women. I want to know....what's in it for me? You ladies have no-one to blame for this, but yourselves!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 26 (view)

Does the USA need a new third party? Posted: 1/26/2008 11:58:32 AM
Funny I was just thinking the other day about Ross Perot. I think he would have been an excellent president because he would have stemmed the tide of outsourcing. He was very outspoken about trade issues, and he turned out to be right on NAFTA. What was it Ross Perot said,.... that if NAFTA went through, all you'd be able to hear would be a loud "sucking sound" of business heading south. Well, lots of that, in addition to offshore anywhere! Just called in to activate a new Amex card today...the call centre was in India. Nice.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 18 (view)

U.S. government stimulus plans Posted: 1/26/2008 10:31:19 AM
With the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Corporate America finally divorced itself from any loyalty to our country or the people who live here. All responsibility any corporation might be held to the economic good of the American people was absolved at that time. You will notice, that's when people started talking about the shiny new " service " economy. That's when we slowly stopped manufacturing goods and started providing services. That's the point where the American middle class really started to decline. It was a mistake we might not ever recover from. Take a good hard look at Mexico....that's the direction things are going ! There will be a wealthy elite....and then the rest, trying to get by as best they can. Monopoly capital run amok! The American dream is slowly turning into a nightmare, for the many! Households indebted up the wazoo, trying to hold on to the trappings of a viable economy, that's being steadily eroded away. The few...are quite pleased with themselves. I don't like it any better than you...don't shoot the messenger...ok?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 479 (view)

FREE Federalized Health Care Posted: 1/23/2008 7:55:51 AM
Good post Rustbane!^^^^ The problem with any type of healthcare system, or, for that matter any human endeavour, is the problem of Greed/Stupidity. They always seem to go hand in hand when it comes to destroying systems designed to help people. It doesn't appear to matter whether it's privately funded or, a public entity. The greedy/stupid get in there and begin finding ways to de-rail the system in order to line their own pockets and, feather their own nest, so-to-speak. The greedy/stupid are only concerned with themselves. Their narcissistic tendencies prevent them from seeing the big picture and, how their actions, in many ways, work against their own best intrests. Their selfishness is so all-ecompassing that they can't see that, they are actually working against themselves, while they actively work to destroy, milk, and exploit, whatever system is in place, for their own personal gain. Which, in the long run, is actually a loss, on a personal level, as well as to their society at large!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 455 (view)

FREE Federalized Health Care Posted: 1/21/2008 3:07:32 PM
I will point out that living in Toronto, 3 of the country's 196 MRI are pretty close to you (There is one MRI for every 168,368 people in Canada, compared to one for every 27, 273 in the US) . Further, if you'd ever come down here to visit even a small city, you'd find it was almost if not as well equipped as your biggest hospitals. Very interesting....Consider this...Many of your MRI's are built right here in Cambridge, Ontario. I've personally, had the pleasure of delivering many of them to the USA, directly from the manufacturer.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 1487 (view)

Ever Wonder Why Single Men Do Not like Single mothers? Posted: 1/21/2008 1:49:03 PM
It could be perhaps, that they are exercising their right to self-preservation. Perhaps, the attitude towards the last sperm donor is showing. Perhaps, these guys are not willing to be used and discarded....like that last one. Perhaps these guys are wise to the lies.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 454 (view)

FREE Federalized Health Care Posted: 1/21/2008 12:49:01 PM
Your assumption that anyone who is against UHC is Ok with spending all that money on the War is Wrong. It's quite simply the other side of the "socialised" coin. You already have a Universal military care program. It takes care of the military needs of every citizen. Equally! Whether or not you, personally, have a use for it! You are protected by it, and get to pay for it. A "Protection" racket perhaps? I certainly don't see any clamouring for a "user pay" system in that regard? Perhaps, only those who are going to benefit from it, should be the ones to fund it and "man" it. A true "user pays" system. It would then be argued, I submit, that everyone benefits, so everyone should have to pay. Funny how that works...isn't it? Perhaps, it's a perfect new business venture for the insurance companies? Oooops...imagine trying to deny benefit claims though....yiikes! this could get messy! Perhaps, have the military and health care switch places? That way, all americans can benefit from Universal health care, in the same way that they all share in the more dubious benefits of the Universal military care program. Military protection may then be provided through private insurance and, service providers. That way, people can choose whether or not to subscribe to it. This should work, if the argument that private, for profit, insurance and service providing, will result in greater competition, lower costs, and better services! I do somehow doubt, that as many would be willing to buy into this exciting new insurance product. So, nothing is free...no argument.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 452 (view)

FREE Federalized Health Care Posted: 1/21/2008 10:36:45 AM
First off, there is no such thing as free! Of course there's a cost. I'd be willing to argue that the costs of doing nothing are greater! The idea that "competition" between service providers will lower costs and improve services would be fine, if not for monopoly capitalism. Simply eliminate the competition, but, maintain the illusion of it, and Voila! A monopoly of the few! And now, back to business as usual. I find it interesting to read the number of posters who passionately argue against something that would benefit ( almost ) ALL citizens of the USA. Of course, with the exception of a very few, who would be forced to search out a new income stream. Kudo's to Michael Moore for taking the time and making the effort to go and search out what other advanced, and some not so advanced, countries, are doing for their citizens. Cuba does suffer, but, mainly due to the embargo by the US, and many of Castro's policies. They will pass with time. Canada does have it's own problems with health care. Changes are being demanded and, will be made! In the meantime, add me to the list of people who are ever so thankful to be living in a country that has such a system. We ALL benefit from it! You should be most suspicious of those who are so passionate about defending a system that denies such a basic human right as health care, to such a substantial number of it's citizens, who, at the same time, don't seem to mind at all the expenses incurred pursuing wars which no one asked for.....

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 19 (view)

You Lookin At Me? Posted: 1/21/2008 9:56:45 AM
I haunt the forums. Sometimes I like to see a bit more about the person, who's posting has caught my attention. Other times, I see a pic of someone, who, for some reason, I find interesting, and get curious to know more. Being one of the over-the-hill gang...I don't think so much about the dating thing in here. I have galpals in the real world, who know me....there's a difference. Ever so very rarely, I'll message someone that, I find exceptionally interesting/attractive. Sometimes it leads to some great further chats, and at others, it's a read/delete. There are a few that I've "met" in here that I'd make a point of trying to meet in person, if, for any reason, I found myself heading towards their neighbourhood. For me, it's more about a meeting of minds. That said, I'm still a sucker for a happy and open smile!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 42 (view)

Jump starting a diesel ? Posted: 12/30/2007 5:58:06 PM
I see that someone has mentioned the Espar Hydronic...had one on my last truck and it worked great! Webasto also makes a similar product. They are both good. Your truck is too small to bother with ProHeat. Besides, they are heavy and expensive. Installation is only a couple of hours. Have it done by the dealer, any heavy-truck dealer and/or many heavy-truck service shops can point you in the right direction. Just ensure that you have good, well maintained batteries, and your worries are over. The start/stop systems do beat the cold but, the wear factor is worth considering. I'd not bother. Also, do go to a synthetic oil for all season use if you intend to keep this thing for any length of time. Best of luck!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 51 (view)

I need advice or maybe just a kick up the arse?? Anyone?? Posted: 12/30/2007 2:02:37 PM
^^^^^^^ What he said!!!!! I can laugh at me...don't get yer knickers in such a twist! They are knickers? Right? Just a ruffling your feathers for shtiz n giggles I loved Buffy!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 40 (view)

I need advice or maybe just a kick up the arse?? Anyone?? Posted: 12/30/2007 1:16:43 PM
Any advice, abuse or general ear bashing would be appreciated :D thank you. OK...abuse and bashing is in order! Was it Halloween when all those pics of you were taken? I'm 5'10" and, for years and years I was in love with a gal who is 6'1" and, in my eyes, drop-dead gorgeous, as well as being the most fun person I had ever known! However, she was all hung up on the height thing about guys. She loved me as a friend, and, every so often, as more than that! And, we're still great friends today. However, she kept insisting on holding out for, and dating, only those guys who met her height requirements. She also wanted "rough n tough" guys. And, she found them. They invariably messed up her world and left. Thirty years have gone by now, she's single and alone. Not getting any kind of dates at all now. If you keep on going like you are, eventually, you will reap what you have sown. A good and honest re-evaluation of your priorities might be in order. Are you sure it wasn't Halloween?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 33 (view)

Does Stephen Harper Watch the News? Posted: 12/27/2007 4:20:44 PM
^^^^ Ho-Hum....jeeez...the CBC getting all pissy...now there's a surprise! Not! Harper is simply playing a defensive game, and knows that he has to be very careful about how he gets his messages out to Canadians, so that what he wants to say, actually gets out without being "spun" by the media. I don't blame him one little bit for being cautious. The Canadian media is, by and large, left-leaning, and will do anything that they can to trip-up Harper. For the most part, they're all pissed that he's not giving them much of a chance to screw him over. The Toronto Star and the CBC. Their stuff is so tilted to the left I doubt that their staff can even stand upright. I like nice straight-up news reporting and read a number of different publications a week. Most, news outlets tend to lean a bit one way or the other, and some, allow dissenting views on the same pages. With enough info gathered from enough different sources, some semblance of balance is attainable. The press gallery have only themselves to blame. They have to stop playing their little games and leave the editorialising to the columnists.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 28 (view)

Does Stephen Harper Watch the News? Posted: 12/26/2007 10:53:07 AM
^^^^^ FYO I've been most active in the area's of energy conservation, alternate sources, and pollution reduction for pretty close to thirty years. Most of that time, trying to get industry, and, individuals to pay attention to the coming malaise and to be pro-active. For the most part, almost a complete waste of time. Why? Because people are generally pretty uninterested in anything until they "discover" the "crisis". Now, all of a sudden...it's big news...and, it's all gotta get fixed...yesterday! The Big-Picture is this! We cannot afford to go with the soft-hearted = soft-headed approach. To do so will only make us even more of a "sucker" nation in the eyes of: Russia, China, India, and the USA. They will simply cheer us on, while they take full advantage of the situation, as we hobble our country's economy, and, by extension, subsidize, theirs! However, please don't let anything I have to say drag your head out of the clouds of liberal wishful thinking. Mr. Harper is very much a pragmatist and a realist. I'd much rather have him at the helm than well-meaning, "useful idiots" . The same one's who have played deaf on this matter for the better part of the past thirty years! There was lots of opportunity to do something, and lots of people trying to get them to do something, and they did nothing. The reason is simple, they have no vision, save for whatever popular "cause du jour" that might keep them in power. It's been their only interest. No backbone at all.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 26 (view)

Does Stephen Harper Watch the News? Posted: 12/23/2007 7:25:01 AM
OP...you have got to be kidding me...right? That's like blaming Harper for the presence of Zebra Mussells....I'm one of many Canadians very happy and proud to finally have a PM who "gets" the big picture and isn't solely concerned with pandering to the Lib-left, the-sky-is-pink crowd! Ya know, the one's who take a poll to find out what everyone is getting excited about and then run like hell to the front, so they can Pretend to be leading the way! All they are really interested in, is remaining in power. The libs have been nothing more than destructive lying sleazeballs going all the way back to Trudeau and the NEP. Lied like all get-out after that idiot Joe Clark screwed up over a 0.17 cent per gallon gas tax bill. Which would have supported the Canadian oil and gas industry. Oh yeah...that was when we could still buy gas by the gallon, before metric was imposed. I'll never forget the ads on the radio, promising that if the Libs were re-elected, that increase wouldn't happen. Same liberal lies as with the GST! We got the Libs, still got the GST...funny eh? Trudeau brought in the NEP, shut off the "lights" in Alberta, imposed metric, and, while the confusion over that had everyone in a spin, more than doubled the taxation and the price of gas while everyone was sooo confused over what they were getting for their money. There is quite simply no point, in little, by comparasin, Canada crippling itself, for the precious little difference it would make, while the HUGE polluters like; Russia, China, India, and the USA do not sign on as well. Get a grip! It'd be much like thowing a brick into the Grand Canyon, for all of the difference it would make to the big picture! So....puhleeeze! Spare me your ill-thought out rants about Harper.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 6 (view)

One child per household, will it ever come to this? Posted: 12/4/2007 2:57:54 PM
If we humans don't wise up, and soon, we will populate ourselves right out of existence! You may wish to have as many children as you can support, and, many do...here comes the big BUT...the earths resources are quite finite...it's ability to absorb the wastes produced is also quite finite. Think for a bit of what kind of world your children and grandchildren will be inheriting. You should know by now what happens when there are too many fish in the tank!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 12 (view)

brian mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber, any thoughts pro or con? Posted: 11/29/2007 2:01:54 PM
so what do you all think about this? Methinks that Myron Baloney will get all the "justice" that he can afford.....which is considerable! He's been robbing the til for years! It is to weep!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 2 (view)

Gory Banner Posted: 11/29/2007 1:41:22 PM
^^^^^^ Some might call them pictures only of a mass of cells. Nothing more gory than can be seen on regular tv these days. CSI anyone, or, a dead skunk in the middle of the road? It certainly appears to have raised a stink! Some might call it exercising a matter of "choice". Freedom of expression perhaps? How interesting that "authority" gets so excited over the presentation. Truth isn't always pretty. Interesting the lengths that humans will go to in order to present euphemisms, as opposed to the real deal. Heaven forbid that someone's sensibilities might be bruised. Guess folks are only "free" to have the "correct" opinions and express them in the "accepted" fashion. How very interesting.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 29 (view)

Anybody? Posted: 11/26/2007 3:51:04 PM
How about instead we work as diligently as possible to find a way to offer Mexico and Canada statehood. Thanks...but...NO THANKS!!!! Methinks I can easily speak for the vast majority of Canadians in saying that we have NO interest at all in becoming a part of the USA.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 90 (view)

disturbing death Posted: 11/25/2007 4:20:46 PM
I mean the Polish government wants those cops down!! I think these "cops" should be deported to Poland and see what happens. BWAHAHAHAAH I wonder if they'd be smart enough, to "get", the irony of that? Sure! Put them on a plane to Poland! Make some video of it too! Make sure that ALL cops and wanna be cops get to watch it too! With great power comes great responsibility! For those who think that I'm being too mean about this, too bad. The idiots didn't even check for vitals, and, begin CPR! It was obvious that something was very wrong. They were all trained in basic first aid and CPR....and did nothing! Adding insult to injury!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 19 (view)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Posted: 11/25/2007 4:05:02 PM
Went to see them in Hamilton last night. I've been to many a concert over the years and these guys are absolutely the best! The sound system was crystal clear and powerful, the light show was dynamic and the whole ambience of the show was mesmerizing! It was a big WOW after every number! I didn't know a lot about them and had only heard a few tunes before going. I really had no idea what to expect...I wasn't at all prepared for what they did. Never seen anything like it before! I'll be back!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 18 (view)

Wounded soldiers asked to return signing bonuses Posted: 11/25/2007 3:54:48 PM
For once I'm almost speechless.....Now I've heard almost everything... un-effing believable.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 27 (view)

disturbing death Posted: 11/21/2007 12:08:02 PM
Attn: Msg # 25 ^^^^^ Another one who's experience in the wider world means that he's been two county's over from where he's lived his whole life! Additionally, there was a Polish speaking employee available at the time that this was going down and no-one thought to ask him to help out. AND he was in the office getting some paperwork when airport security called in to the office....and not one of these twits thought to ask him to help out. He then went outside the building to do what he had to do. It all went down while he was still at work. Later, when he found out what had happened, he asked as to why no-one had asked him to assist. He's since been fired. Probably to shut him up while the mucky mucks try to cover their collective azz! Dumbassed, brain-dead, swivel-servants at their collective stupidest! As for the people that are taking issue with the man acting out. I'd like to see any one of you stuck in a strange country where you neither read nor speak the language, spend the number of hours that this man did, left alone, with no food, water, or washroom available, where no-one has offered to assist you, and have you stay cool as a cucumber? I've seen more than enough people seriously freak out over substantially less, a great number of times!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 13 (view)

disturbing death Posted: 11/19/2007 3:13:29 PM
Very disturbing. 12 minutes to get a paramedic? An OD "frequent flier" (a skid row over dose who has been brought back to life several times) would have had a fire truck and an ambulance respond and be in hospital in that time. Ya got that right! Pompous Airport Security, Pompous Customs Agents, Pompous RCMP*gs; none of whom could be bothered to treat this man with respect or provide some actual service. All of whom could only think to be confrontational/adversarial. Absolutely correct! Dumbass twits! Send in the goons! I can't think of anything in a very long time that has made me as angry as the actions/non-actions of these assorted meat-heads I fail to see the threat....the man had already flown internationally, cleared airport security at both ends, and, Canada customs! He was left to wander about for over 6 hours after landing here, and none of these "bright lights" did a thing to help him out. OFFICIAL DUMB! at it's worst! The idiot meat-headed cops decide in less than thirty seconds that the man has to be subdued! Violently! .....Nothing like making a situation as bad as it can possibly be, as quickly as it can be done! I have to wonder what was the big hurry. After all, the man wasn't considered a threat for hours, for that matter, he wasn't considered at all! A smile, and an extended hand of friendship, and helpfulness, would have gone a long way to defuse the situation! That this situation was handled in the way that it was....completely inexcuseable.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 143 (view)

Catch him and keep him Posted: 11/18/2007 11:55:54 AM
Seems a negative response so far. Has anyone found any golden nuggets of good advice in these books? What are the best tips? Best tip ever! Always treat others, as you would like to be treated yourself! It really is that simple! How is that so difficult to understand?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 28 (view)

No Jobs, Hence, No Illegal Aliens Posted: 11/17/2007 12:36:27 PM
What does Canada do with Illegal Immigrants? Canada lets them file a refugee claim that takes effin years to process! In the meantime, we pay for them!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 12 (view)

firefighters delayed while hotel burned Posted: 11/17/2007 11:41:43 AM
I was reading some articles about the border problems in Rouses Point. Apparently the border runs right through the centre of the town. A little common sense can go a long way. Should be a pre-requisite for wearing a uniform & badge....not to mention carrying firearms. Some people need to attend to a 12 step program for paranoia. I used to travel Canada & the USA. Used to cross the border every week, and, sometimes twice in a week. I've done this type of trucking on and off since the seventies. These days I just stay in Canada, can't be bothered with the border crossing nonsense anymore. It sucks being treated with suspicion, if not outright hostlity by some, on a regular basis. If, after all of this time, they haven't figured out that I'm not who, or what, they are looking for, they never will. That goes for both sides! Besides, we're only one "event" away from a complete lockdown of the borders. Which amounts to little more than closing the gate, "after the horses have gotten out" so to speak. There's more than enough ways and means of causing mayhem available to anyone of a mind to do such things easily sourced almost anywhere in the USA, without going to the trouble of trying to sneak stuff across borders! HELLO!!!! Canada not being the source of these things for that matter either! Shouldn't take it personally I suppose, but, the truck-driving schools are graduating whole classes of rookies every week. Literally thousands of us experienced and knowledgeable drivers have "retired" from this abuse in the past couple of years and more and more are opting out every day. Good luck with that! Just think of how many guys & gals are out there on the highway with you for their very first winter!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 10 (view)

EX MAN Posted: 11/12/2007 5:56:12 AM
I was with my ex for 3 years we split up in january as he was spanish and i was lonely in spain ,i come home and called him plenty crying but he hated me Did everyone else in here miss something? OP, you dumped him! It's pretty easy to see that he had made a "COMMITTMENT" to you. Then, you called and called. Lotsa salt rubbed into the wounds...nice. I doubt that he ever hated you, but, you surely hurt him! YOU made the CHOICE to bail on him. he broke my heart YOU DUMPED HIM! Now you're crying the blues because he won't/can't do what you want? IT is, after all....of course...all about you. Obviously, the man still has strong feelings for you. Otherwise he'd not want to see, or hear from you, again! I doubt that you two will ever get together again. If he's smart, he won't go there. Someday, you'll be crying the blues about some guy who won't give you the committment that you want from him. Then, think back.... What goes around comes around sometimes.

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 149 (view)

men want an open minded woman... Posted: 11/11/2007 7:36:39 AM
esad Msg. 117. Very well said! However, It's a no-winner in here. There's almost nothing that you can say here in POF that will not be miscontrued as something, that it's not! There are those who can find nothing but "bad" intent in darned near eveything posted in a profile, or, in a forum. At least, in a forum, you get a chance to attempt to correct the "misunderstanding". oldsoul! Luv the way you think!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 148 (view)

men want an open minded woman... Posted: 11/11/2007 6:59:49 AM
I've not got that in my profile. Actually, there's not too much of anything in it, other than a few basics. I think that, perhaps, it means not having a mind that's "on rails" like a train. That's how I would like to think of it. <div class='quote'> Maybe sometimes what they mean is that they want to meet women who aren't on the "Wanna-be-a-Soccer-Mom" Fast Track??? You know the kinds of ladies that I mean, right? They're the ones who want a "relationship" right away, who want exclusivity and they want the guy to empty out a drawer in his dresser so that she can leave some "things" at his place for all the nights that she'll be sleeping over.....AND she wants it oh....around date number 3?? Then around date #4 she's asking him "where he sees this heading"??? I met one of these twenty odd years ago....she started in about what our kids and life would be like on the second date! RUN FORREST RUN!!!! I was only 19, but, could sure see that train a coming! I'm friends with some of her family. Fast forward to today, she's been married 7 times and has five kids. Yiiikes! Currently is single, still quite a "looker" number 8 should be getting lined up anytime soon. Recently met someone in the real world, did the same thing! Yiiikes! <div class="quote"> Maybe an "open-minded" woman is someone who's NOT wanting those things...but wants to take her time, and most of all....has HER OWN LIFE. Such is my idea of it, anyhow! PS: It can also mean someone who's willing to admit that he/she doesn't "know everything", already! Never realized before reading the posts in here, that it was so often interpreted only in a sexual sense...silly me...what was I thinking?

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 12 (view)

Bored with your city? Posted: 11/10/2007 3:41:16 PM
I grew up in Belleville. That town has done nothing but get a little more boring every year. Quite an acomplishment. Living in Barrie now and loving it! Lots of places to go and things to do. Lotsa bands playing in the bars downtown if live music is your thing. Kind of in-between seasons right now. Too cold for boating and not enough snow for skiing or other winter activies quite yet. Barrie Rocks!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 153 (view)

What have you learned . . here . . ??? Posted: 11/10/2007 10:02:00 AM
I've learned that, as bright as I like to think that I am...I can't hold a candle to many of the posters in the forums. Thge UP side to that...is that I get to get educated on sooo many different things, and to levels that I had never imagined! Love it! Spend lotsa spare time cross-referencing and thinking about various topics. One of these days, might even get a life! But, in the meantime, I'm enjoying the many-splendoured thing that POF is!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 245 (view)

she got pregnant! Posted: 11/10/2007 8:54:51 AM
^^^^ It's been interesting. Have to admit to being, only a little bit surprised at the anger, and outright hostility, to be found in some of the postings here. However, much of what I already suspected to be the case, is confirmed. Some people, do not understand the idea of an intellectual discussion/debate, or the exploration of ideas and philosophy. There is only one way to think...and that's the "correct" way, according to themselves!. Like putting to gether a crossword puzzle, individually, each piece seems to be irrelevant, however, as they are placed together, the theme of the bigger picture begins to emerge. It's about as unpretty as I had imagined. I'd like to thank many of the posters for their honesty!. " Met" someone in here that's quite interesting. Don't know where that might lead, if anywhere.... I wish the very best of luck to the OP! I hope that her decisions turn out to be the best thing for all parties involved, especially the little one! Cheers to all!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 230 (view)

she got pregnant! Posted: 11/8/2007 6:24:19 PM
^^^^^^ Perhaps he was bewitched? Hornswoggled even!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 228 (view)

she got pregnant! Posted: 11/8/2007 4:38:25 PM
^^^^^^^ Ceratinly no shortage of misandry to be found here. From Wikipedia: Masculist writer Warren Farrell argues: "In the past quarter century, we exposed biases against other races and called it racism, and we exposed biases against women and called it sexism. Biases against men we call humor." Farrell compares dehumanizing stereotyping of men to dehumanization of the Vietnamese as "gooks." [4] Look here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry If perhaps, a man has not consented to the use of his "seed" by a woman for the purposes of procreation, and, it follows that it is a part of "HIS" body....wonder if that could be construed as a form of "theft"? Just wondering

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 159 (view)

she got pregnant! Man not involved, Mandatory abortions, no child support if man doesn't want to pay Posted: 11/6/2007 7:55:33 PM
I only wish the young couple in question, the very best of luck in finding an agreeable solution that works for them all. It's good to be over-the-hill sometimes.....

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 151 (view)

she got pregnant! Posted: 11/6/2007 6:50:44 PM
Somehow dont see that working..court says abort..Hell have you ever had a lawsuit..it will take 5 years just to get a trial.......And needless to say..slight constitution problem Things evolve and change all of the time....It all depends on what's "Politically Correct" at the moment. Suddenly... the laws change, quickly, to suit the prevailing political wind. What was ok today, is not, tomorrow. Our constitution is another matter...thanks to P.E.T. Now we're all slaves to the "Supreme's". Just can't wait to see what they come up with next!

intheswim

Joined: 1/8/2007

Msg: 147 (view)

she got pregnant! Posted: 11/6/2007 6:37:28 PM
Are you seriously suggesting that if your in a long term relationship some judge should be able to tell you what to do about a pregnancy? Fact is...judges tell people all of the time, exactly what they have to do...depending on the prevailing winds of the law, at any given point in time. And, yes, with their own bodies too! Sometimes it's something like...you're going to jail, or, you're going to do one thing, or another. Your body..it's sorta kinda along for the ride at that point! It's called a fact of life! Laws are written in pencil...they get erased, and changed, time and time again. At this moment in time, your particular view may prevail, later on, it may not. That's the way it is!

Show ALL Forums