Monday, April 30, 2012
Learning from an unexpected source
In watching Ken Burns PBS documentary on prohibition, I was struck by how this constitutional amendment was passed by the work of a small dedicated group of activists. I don't recall the exact percentage, but I believe it was less than 20% of the U.S. population that took on the powerful brewers and distillers, and all the people who were drinkers. Truly an amazing feat!
My grandmother, a stern Iowa farmer right out of American Gothic, was one of those prohibitionists; she only voted based on whether a candidate favored legalization of drinking.
As much as prohibition was a disaster--just as prohibition against marijuana is today--I have to admire the political achievement of this group of activists, and think it has something to teach us. If 98% of climate scientists are correct that global warming will make the planet unlivable within 100 years, then we need to be just as dedicated as my grandmother and the prohibitionists were in stopping this real evil.
We have to go after fossil fuels with the same fervor and in the same single-minded way they went after alcohol. Defeating Mitt Romney with his $200 million from the Koch brothers is just a start.
My grandmother, a stern Iowa farmer right out of American Gothic, was one of those prohibitionists; she only voted based on whether a candidate favored legalization of drinking.
As much as prohibition was a disaster--just as prohibition against marijuana is today--I have to admire the political achievement of this group of activists, and think it has something to teach us. If 98% of climate scientists are correct that global warming will make the planet unlivable within 100 years, then we need to be just as dedicated as my grandmother and the prohibitionists were in stopping this real evil.
We have to go after fossil fuels with the same fervor and in the same single-minded way they went after alcohol. Defeating Mitt Romney with his $200 million from the Koch brothers is just a start.
History of Bugatti by Nikita Bridan
Great work by Nikita as support for his final thesis at art center college of design in Pasadena, California.
Keywords: conceptual bugatti renderings for thesis project at art center college of design by nikita bridan the untold secret stories of the bugatti brand book concept
Keywords: conceptual bugatti renderings for thesis project at art center college of design by nikita bridan the untold secret stories of the bugatti brand book concept
An MGB owner's view of the new MG Icon
The MG Icon might look like a sporty, small off-roader in the vein of say, Nissan's Juke but the concept car's British designer reckons it pays tribute to MG's sports cars of the Fifties and Sixties, particularly the MGB GT coupe which would have been a familiar sight on Britain's roads after its introduction in 1966.
Anthony Williams-Kenny, MG's chief designer, said: "The MG brand has a unique set of values and heritage and allows us to offer individual design values to our products. The MG Icon represents our vision of a modern MG and we feel that the small SUV canvas demonstrates MG’s capacity for progressive design with respect for its long heritage. "We have balanced familiar brand cues, such as the wide and powerful front end graphic interpretation and, as one would expect, with a strong focus on the unique MG octagon.
The MG Icon clearly demonstrates a progressive and soulful British spirit and has a lithe and powerful stance – its proportion harmonised by feature lines interpreted from MG’s iconic greats."
The car has already won an award for Best Concept from the Beijing show's organisers but as an owner of one of the original MG BGTs from the early Seventies I'm not so sure; details like the way the lights sit on top of the rear wings worked well on the crisp coupe, but on the Icon they look a little bloated and out of place, while the rest of the car seems dominated by the enormous rear wheelarches.
It's certainly challenging but it does at least doff its cap to the company's heritage, and is more obviously a descendant of MGs of old than the MG6 and the soon-to-arrive MG5 are.
Share your motoring stories with David Simister by sending an email to david.simister@champnews.com
#30DaysofBiking: Zoo Hill
Today is the final day of the #30DaysofBiking and the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. It's a damp, misty morning here in Issaquah but I rode up Zoo Hill, a 1000 foot climb up Cougar Mountain.
Bicycleclimbs.com describes Zoo Hill thusly:
Zoo Hill - named after the small zoo at the bottom - is arguably the toughest climb in the Seattle area. Ascending 1200 feet over 2.5 miles, it has an average grade of about 10%, with common gradients in 15% and some sections approaching 20%. This is not a climb to be approached lightly.
Or, as one rider noted, "Zoo Hill is the puke-inducing lactate-producing gasp-fest that I avoid unless taunted"
I didn't do the top stub of the climb that goes up to the old Nike Missile Site so I "only" got 1000 feet of climbing in before I looped back for home via Lakemont Boulevard. BTW, I neither gasped, puked or walked. I did spend a lot of time spinning the lowest gear on my Allant, however.
13 miles this morning. The total miles for the month is 310 miles.
Keep 'em rolling,
Kent "Mountain Turtle" Peterson
Issaquah WA USA
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Aventador J sold ! One of the most expensive toys at RM8.3 million
This car may not be legal on the Malaysian road, but at RM8.3 million ringgit it sure is one of the most expensive Sepang toys you can buy! It's unique design is based off the road-legal Lamborghini Aventador. This unique roofless variant uses the same V12 engine as the standard Aventador, producing 700 hp through a lightweight seven-speed automated transmission. It's weight has been reduced to just a meagre 1575kg. 0-100km/h in ? You would not believe it, slightly over 2 seconds! Well it is faster than an Ariel Atom, better looking and more exclusive. It also costs much much more. Talk about value for money! Check out the Custom DIY Ariel Atom, made in China! How about a DIY Aventador? China has it all.
Now we are waiting for Replica car makers to make an affordable version for the rest of us!
 |
The Stig Approves. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)