My grandfather had everything in a home by the time the depression era hit. A few more modern appliance additions were made over the decades, but the old household goods lasted the family into the 1960s. Antique everything was eventually retired in beautiful working condition.
In the many years since, none of my new coffee makers or toasters have lasted longer than 5 years. My wife's $100 iron lasted but 18 months before burning up and out. How can you screw up making these common goods?!
Today we live in a disposable goods society - few goods are made with the long term in mind. Cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, and countless other devices are bought by the millions - obsolete on sale day but reaping billions in ongoing profit. Cheap cars won't last much longer than the warranty. Good cars are too complicated and expensive to maintain in old age. If we make a car that lasts forever, who will need to buy more 10 years from now? Quality is bad for the economy, apparently.
Do we blame the consumer, the culture or industry for the proliferation of failing manufactured goods? Who's forcing us to buy inferior imported goods? It used to be the sure sign of junk product was stamped "Made In Japan." Thank goodness the Japanese quickly used their pride and honor to make better. Korea has shown a penchant for rapid improvement as well, but for learning on millions of exported tons of real junk.
Now we're all looking at China - perfecting the business of imperfect copycat products. Everyone makes money selling Chinese goods at American prices - who can argue with them economics? It appears we consumers are no longer given the choice buy Made In America! The $100 iron from Sears (wouldn't return) was made in China - no doubt for about $5. No one in China cares what happens to the junk they make we buy - too busy making more and squirrelling our money.
Some day they shall give us our money back, but in trade for our land, used beads, and any items still in good working order.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Auto/Car Insurance - Institutionalized Scam
Insurance is a great concept.
Everyone chips in to provide a big enough pool of cash reserve to take care of the unfortunate few that suffer losses. Most of us have had to make a car accident claim at some point - it sure takes the sting off the pain of the moment. One must be sure to insure with quality companies that will be there for you in your time of need.
With car insurance regulated by governing bodies, there shouldn't be much room for ripoffs. Some regions even have government only auto insurance plans - we should be safe right? My experience shows not.
Insurance companies set their rates based on market values for vehicles, or at least their version of current prices. I drive old classic cars - some are works in progress. It's hard to place a value on rarity - book value for most 50s, 60s or 70s cars is laughably low. Figuring I'd be insulted with settlement offers far below the replacement cost of my cars, I've always declined collision insurance premiums. Over years of my safe driving I can save enough money to pay for my mishaps as I go. This strategy worked nicely until a few years ago.
Once, I made a mistake. Ran a red light - no visible damage to the bus that barely bumped me.
The regional government insurance agency also owned the transit company - another mistake. In 6 or 8 months I got a notice from the insurance company that they had settled with the bus company. I couldn't believe what I read. The bus somehow acquired $2000 damage, though both drivers inspected the moment and saw nothing. There was a picture of the damage but it was on the wrong side of the bus.
The bus driver apparently was more shaken up than he let on. He somehow needed 3 weeks off work for pain and trauma, as well as multiple trips to the back doctor. It was a done deal. I was not happy to be on the end of such a blatant scam. I proceeded through the appeal process, hell bent on exposing the fraud. They had a ready made wall committee ready to fend off any claims the contrary. After countless, fruitless hours I gave up. My insurance went up, naturally.
Not long after, driving another old car on a 6 lane street - the light ahead turn red. I was in the middle lane with no one near, pulling into the empty left lane. As I did I could see a Dodge Neon a full block behind - but coming at 60+ miles an hour. He was surprised by the light car and slammed on the brakes. He skidded a full half block into the back end of my car and ended up ahead and to the side of me. My big sedan received a broken tail light and scraped bumper. No worries for me, I thought - rear-enders are always the rear car's fault. Right?
Then I get the call - I'm at fault in the accident. The small text on the rulebook says if the driver ahead turns into the lane of oncoming traffic it's your fault. Because I left the scene without getting any witnesses it was his word against mine. Ripped off again.
Another car, 'nother day. Turning left, the light turns yellow - 5 lanes of cars ride the yellow, then the red. When all was clear, we began the long journey across said 5 lanes on the turn. Ever vigilant I see a BMW screaming towards me in the far lane - no intention of stopping. Only problem? My big boat is in the right of way and people are already in the crosswalk. I had plenty of time to tell my passengers to hang on - we're going to get hit. Without screeching his brakes he slams into my back wheel. The young whip driver (whose foreign name I couldn't spell let alone speak) shmucked his daddy's 7 day old Series 7.
No problem - I have 2 witnesses in the car. I got the name of a witness at a corner business. A whole month later I get a call from Jill at State Farm Insurance - tell her the details. Another month passes, then another. I figure Jill is a real loser - quite disorganized. Eventually she calls my witnesses more than 90 days after the accident. After all this time, apparently my passengers (from out of state - not familiar with the intersection) and the bystander gave slightly different views of which lanes we were all in. Naturally the speeding idiot said the light was green - as if I could make a green light turn there in rush hour.
State Farm blamed the accident on me - with success. Without collision on my Allstate policy, I was on my own - they declined to help or intervene. Interestingly, State Farm never asked me to pay for the damage to the BMW. If I was really at fault you'd think they might have pursued this further. I'm out $2000 for repair and my beautiful classic is forever saddled with bondo - no such thing as replacement metal for a rare car.
In 3 crashes I get ripped off 3 times. I'm either too honest or too naive. What might I learn from this?
Accident 1 - lie to save my company repair costs and time off work
Accident 2 - lie to get free car repairs and save increased insurance premiums
Accident 3 - ignore the truth until no one remember it any more
What did I really learn from this?
Keep a disposable camera in the car
In case of an accident take pictures of everything as soon as you can - the placement of the cars before moving, the cars sitting there waiting and watching (license plates are handy), and any other conditions of the incident. Some day on-board video cameras will be the norm. It will be hard to hide the lies with proof.
Find Witnesses
Immediately ask any other car drivers in range if they saw what happened - get names, phone numbers and license plate numbers. Look for gawkers - everyone loves an accident (if not involved). Call them later to review the details of the accident - make sure they have the story straight. Write down the details and draw a map of the accident - give a copy to your witnesses so they can describe the incident properly when interviewed.
Insist on immediate witness interviews
After months go by, people are bound to forget some of the details.
Buy collision insurance
Unless you can afford the possibility of suffering fraud or incompetence, you might well need the backing of your company's lawyers on your behalf. When their money is at stake they work harder. Insurance companies don't like to rip each other off - they have no problem bullying you as a helpless individual.
Don't buy insurance from STATE FARM
If you see the name STATE FARM on the opposing driver's documents, beware. They know how to play the scam game - you are in for one. There's probably a scammer school for insurance adjusters. Jill did a perfectly incompetent job to save the company from paying a small claim that would be obvious liability to any other observer. She saved a first time idiot driver from paying for his stupidly - he go on to do more damage without the lesson learned.
Spread the word. I need to get my money's worth of bad publicity out of STATE FARM's institutionalized scam policy.
Everyone chips in to provide a big enough pool of cash reserve to take care of the unfortunate few that suffer losses. Most of us have had to make a car accident claim at some point - it sure takes the sting off the pain of the moment. One must be sure to insure with quality companies that will be there for you in your time of need.
With car insurance regulated by governing bodies, there shouldn't be much room for ripoffs. Some regions even have government only auto insurance plans - we should be safe right? My experience shows not.
Insurance companies set their rates based on market values for vehicles, or at least their version of current prices. I drive old classic cars - some are works in progress. It's hard to place a value on rarity - book value for most 50s, 60s or 70s cars is laughably low. Figuring I'd be insulted with settlement offers far below the replacement cost of my cars, I've always declined collision insurance premiums. Over years of my safe driving I can save enough money to pay for my mishaps as I go. This strategy worked nicely until a few years ago.
Once, I made a mistake. Ran a red light - no visible damage to the bus that barely bumped me.
The regional government insurance agency also owned the transit company - another mistake. In 6 or 8 months I got a notice from the insurance company that they had settled with the bus company. I couldn't believe what I read. The bus somehow acquired $2000 damage, though both drivers inspected the moment and saw nothing. There was a picture of the damage but it was on the wrong side of the bus.
The bus driver apparently was more shaken up than he let on. He somehow needed 3 weeks off work for pain and trauma, as well as multiple trips to the back doctor. It was a done deal. I was not happy to be on the end of such a blatant scam. I proceeded through the appeal process, hell bent on exposing the fraud. They had a ready made wall committee ready to fend off any claims the contrary. After countless, fruitless hours I gave up. My insurance went up, naturally.
Not long after, driving another old car on a 6 lane street - the light ahead turn red. I was in the middle lane with no one near, pulling into the empty left lane. As I did I could see a Dodge Neon a full block behind - but coming at 60+ miles an hour. He was surprised by the light car and slammed on the brakes. He skidded a full half block into the back end of my car and ended up ahead and to the side of me. My big sedan received a broken tail light and scraped bumper. No worries for me, I thought - rear-enders are always the rear car's fault. Right?
Then I get the call - I'm at fault in the accident. The small text on the rulebook says if the driver ahead turns into the lane of oncoming traffic it's your fault. Because I left the scene without getting any witnesses it was his word against mine. Ripped off again.
Another car, 'nother day. Turning left, the light turns yellow - 5 lanes of cars ride the yellow, then the red. When all was clear, we began the long journey across said 5 lanes on the turn. Ever vigilant I see a BMW screaming towards me in the far lane - no intention of stopping. Only problem? My big boat is in the right of way and people are already in the crosswalk. I had plenty of time to tell my passengers to hang on - we're going to get hit. Without screeching his brakes he slams into my back wheel. The young whip driver (whose foreign name I couldn't spell let alone speak) shmucked his daddy's 7 day old Series 7.
No problem - I have 2 witnesses in the car. I got the name of a witness at a corner business. A whole month later I get a call from Jill at State Farm Insurance - tell her the details. Another month passes, then another. I figure Jill is a real loser - quite disorganized. Eventually she calls my witnesses more than 90 days after the accident. After all this time, apparently my passengers (from out of state - not familiar with the intersection) and the bystander gave slightly different views of which lanes we were all in. Naturally the speeding idiot said the light was green - as if I could make a green light turn there in rush hour.
State Farm blamed the accident on me - with success. Without collision on my Allstate policy, I was on my own - they declined to help or intervene. Interestingly, State Farm never asked me to pay for the damage to the BMW. If I was really at fault you'd think they might have pursued this further. I'm out $2000 for repair and my beautiful classic is forever saddled with bondo - no such thing as replacement metal for a rare car.
In 3 crashes I get ripped off 3 times. I'm either too honest or too naive. What might I learn from this?
Accident 1 - lie to save my company repair costs and time off work
Accident 2 - lie to get free car repairs and save increased insurance premiums
Accident 3 - ignore the truth until no one remember it any more
What did I really learn from this?
Keep a disposable camera in the car
In case of an accident take pictures of everything as soon as you can - the placement of the cars before moving, the cars sitting there waiting and watching (license plates are handy), and any other conditions of the incident. Some day on-board video cameras will be the norm. It will be hard to hide the lies with proof.
Find Witnesses
Immediately ask any other car drivers in range if they saw what happened - get names, phone numbers and license plate numbers. Look for gawkers - everyone loves an accident (if not involved). Call them later to review the details of the accident - make sure they have the story straight. Write down the details and draw a map of the accident - give a copy to your witnesses so they can describe the incident properly when interviewed.
Insist on immediate witness interviews
After months go by, people are bound to forget some of the details.
Buy collision insurance
Unless you can afford the possibility of suffering fraud or incompetence, you might well need the backing of your company's lawyers on your behalf. When their money is at stake they work harder. Insurance companies don't like to rip each other off - they have no problem bullying you as a helpless individual.
Don't buy insurance from STATE FARM
If you see the name STATE FARM on the opposing driver's documents, beware. They know how to play the scam game - you are in for one. There's probably a scammer school for insurance adjusters. Jill did a perfectly incompetent job to save the company from paying a small claim that would be obvious liability to any other observer. She saved a first time idiot driver from paying for his stupidly - he go on to do more damage without the lesson learned.
Spread the word. I need to get my money's worth of bad publicity out of STATE FARM's institutionalized scam policy.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Bad Drivers - Give Us a Sign-all
In the age of commute multitasking, a surprising number of automobile drivers make any number of turns and manoeuvres through town without the need for turn signals. While most of us are mind readers and know exactly what everyone else ahead and to the side of us on the road is going to do, these people apparently don't feel need to help us figure out their flight plan.
Yes, I know - you can't drive with one hand, shift gears with the other and talk on the cell phone or hold the stupid poodle with the other - and also manipulate that pesky turn signal lever. Yes, I know - that math doesn't work for me either.
Is it laziness? A lack of consideration? Bad road manners? Cluelessness? Whatever the excuse, it's a matter of personal and public safety. Tell me which way you are going to go or what you are going to do. That little stick on the left side of the steering wheel goes up and down to activate lights on the front and back corners of your vehicle. I'm going to do my best to not be in that same space at the same time if you give me an indication (the British call it an "indicator" for this very good reason).
Give us a sign. It's your life at stake - please involve the rest of in your decision making.
Yes, I know - you can't drive with one hand, shift gears with the other and talk on the cell phone or hold the stupid poodle with the other - and also manipulate that pesky turn signal lever. Yes, I know - that math doesn't work for me either.
Is it laziness? A lack of consideration? Bad road manners? Cluelessness? Whatever the excuse, it's a matter of personal and public safety. Tell me which way you are going to go or what you are going to do. That little stick on the left side of the steering wheel goes up and down to activate lights on the front and back corners of your vehicle. I'm going to do my best to not be in that same space at the same time if you give me an indication (the British call it an "indicator" for this very good reason).
Give us a sign. It's your life at stake - please involve the rest of in your decision making.
Bad Drivers - Fog OFF
You don't drive around in your car with your bright lights on do you? It's very inconsiderate not to mention dangerous for oncoming drivers to be distracted by the brightness. In most cases the bright light driver doesn't notice the little bright indicator light on the dash. It's easy to do. You won't get far before someone flashes their quads to remind you - a common courtesy.
So why do so many people think it's OK to drive around with their fog lights on and perfectly clear nights? Sure the fog lights are low and sometimes less illuminating, but why do some drivers think it's OK four lights to two?
Fog lights are a useful option on a vehicle - pretty much standard issue on most new cars. Mounted at the bottom of the body, they shine low on the road - under the fog, helping you see the road. They only work on low beam - there is not much sense driving in fog with your brights on. You're just lighting up the fog, reducing your vision. For the 99.9% of the time when there is no fog, they aren't really necessary.
To be fair, most drivers are likely oblivious that they are even on - there's no magic light on the dash to indicate so. The ignorant masses don't realize or care that they are invading others' eye space. If you flash your brights - they flash theirs back (fogs turn off a blip), then continue to drive on inconsiderately. They don't get the hint. Repeat ignorant.
Many drivers knowingly drive with the fogs on. It looks cool and heck - it lights up the road better. If you notice what kind of cars are the typical offenders, it's often the fast driving rich young punk cars - Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche and the like. No making light of these peoples' senses.
The only revenge is to get your own fog light - big ones! Then you have to do the light dance. Turn those big babies and and burn a hole in their heads. They don't like it - they'll flash the brights - oblige by turning your fogs off and brighting the regular lights. Repeat as often as needed until the idiots pass. They still won't get it, but maybe if we flash back and word gets out these morons might catch on. OK, not likely, but the playing field is four on four.
Fog Off. Rant Off.
So why do so many people think it's OK to drive around with their fog lights on and perfectly clear nights? Sure the fog lights are low and sometimes less illuminating, but why do some drivers think it's OK four lights to two?
Fog lights are a useful option on a vehicle - pretty much standard issue on most new cars. Mounted at the bottom of the body, they shine low on the road - under the fog, helping you see the road. They only work on low beam - there is not much sense driving in fog with your brights on. You're just lighting up the fog, reducing your vision. For the 99.9% of the time when there is no fog, they aren't really necessary.
To be fair, most drivers are likely oblivious that they are even on - there's no magic light on the dash to indicate so. The ignorant masses don't realize or care that they are invading others' eye space. If you flash your brights - they flash theirs back (fogs turn off a blip), then continue to drive on inconsiderately. They don't get the hint. Repeat ignorant.
Many drivers knowingly drive with the fogs on. It looks cool and heck - it lights up the road better. If you notice what kind of cars are the typical offenders, it's often the fast driving rich young punk cars - Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche and the like. No making light of these peoples' senses.
The only revenge is to get your own fog light - big ones! Then you have to do the light dance. Turn those big babies and and burn a hole in their heads. They don't like it - they'll flash the brights - oblige by turning your fogs off and brighting the regular lights. Repeat as often as needed until the idiots pass. They still won't get it, but maybe if we flash back and word gets out these morons might catch on. OK, not likely, but the playing field is four on four.
Fog Off. Rant Off.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Shoot First, Ask Questions Later
We all have to respect the challenging and dangerous conditions our police forces face in the line of duty. Officers never know which car or which bar a nut job will stagger out of or what the consequences will be. Every police man and woman expects and deserves to finish the end of every shift. While they protect us they have imminent domain to protect themselves.
You have to be a special person to be in the police. I grew up thinking I'd like to be a policeman. When I was finally old enough, I figured the pay wasn't worth the lifestyle. It's a 24/7 job with a lot of crap to tolerate from all parts of society, including the police department and city council.
We're all better off with highly trained professional police that can adapt and react to a wide variety of situations. However, police are real people with real emotions, real fears; others have real egos and some have real problems just like the rest of us. While the vast majority of police officers uphold the law to the highest degree, human nature dictates that there will be bad police too.
Wearing a gun and a badge is sometimes taken as a license to play overlord. With bullets in pocket you can be judge, jury and hangman on the spot. If you follow the rules to the letter, a simple gesture by a suspect can mean death. Better the alleged bad guy than the police, but an alarming number of Americans die because of trigger happy good guys.
If you are stupid enough to pull a gun or shoot at police, the old "survival of the fittest" rule applies. You deserve to be shot before you shoot someone else. Shot to death? Maybe not. More disturbing are police shootings when the bad guy has a weapon other than a gun. Sure knives, pipes and sticks can be lethal, but surely other options such as bean bags shotguns and now tazers can disable the most obnoxious suspect.
This week a man with a sledgehammer shot was to death by LAPD. How much range does a hammer have? Use a long stick to whack the idiot. I also watched via TV helicopter as a delirious, staggering woman was tazered after a car chase with no police even near the picture. I would have just walked up and wrestled her down. Are the police that scared of bad guys or gals (often defenseless) that they can't take more reasonable steps to resolve the problem? If necessary surely a bullet to the shoulder or leg would disable most problem children. Is it fear or is it legal joykilling?
How many times a month do you hear that someone was killed while reaching under their belt when there turned out to be no weapon? How do we know this is even true when that's the story given? The police buddy system ensures that full support will be provided for such choices.
The lower level, troublesome people in society have families, lovers, friends, jobs, and other real life things. Some of them do stupid enough things that are deserving of life lost. Even so, police shooting to kill should not be an acceptable automatic option.
You have to be a special person to be in the police. I grew up thinking I'd like to be a policeman. When I was finally old enough, I figured the pay wasn't worth the lifestyle. It's a 24/7 job with a lot of crap to tolerate from all parts of society, including the police department and city council.
We're all better off with highly trained professional police that can adapt and react to a wide variety of situations. However, police are real people with real emotions, real fears; others have real egos and some have real problems just like the rest of us. While the vast majority of police officers uphold the law to the highest degree, human nature dictates that there will be bad police too.
Wearing a gun and a badge is sometimes taken as a license to play overlord. With bullets in pocket you can be judge, jury and hangman on the spot. If you follow the rules to the letter, a simple gesture by a suspect can mean death. Better the alleged bad guy than the police, but an alarming number of Americans die because of trigger happy good guys.
If you are stupid enough to pull a gun or shoot at police, the old "survival of the fittest" rule applies. You deserve to be shot before you shoot someone else. Shot to death? Maybe not. More disturbing are police shootings when the bad guy has a weapon other than a gun. Sure knives, pipes and sticks can be lethal, but surely other options such as bean bags shotguns and now tazers can disable the most obnoxious suspect.
This week a man with a sledgehammer shot was to death by LAPD. How much range does a hammer have? Use a long stick to whack the idiot. I also watched via TV helicopter as a delirious, staggering woman was tazered after a car chase with no police even near the picture. I would have just walked up and wrestled her down. Are the police that scared of bad guys or gals (often defenseless) that they can't take more reasonable steps to resolve the problem? If necessary surely a bullet to the shoulder or leg would disable most problem children. Is it fear or is it legal joykilling?
How many times a month do you hear that someone was killed while reaching under their belt when there turned out to be no weapon? How do we know this is even true when that's the story given? The police buddy system ensures that full support will be provided for such choices.
The lower level, troublesome people in society have families, lovers, friends, jobs, and other real life things. Some of them do stupid enough things that are deserving of life lost. Even so, police shooting to kill should not be an acceptable automatic option.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Upcoming Subjects
I've resisted the temptation long enough. Time to fight back with words. I live a good life and have little to complain about, but I think a little can be gained by speaking above the din. Being unafraid to speak candidly can lead to either good or bad. I hope I can bring some good to this space.
My current perspective comes from living in greater Los Angeles, but I'm an outsider here. I'm not beholden to the local view that nothing else exists beyond the ocean and mountains that surround us. While many outside this area deride the way of California, it's truly a great place. There are more kinds of people here than anywhere else on earth. This provides much fodder for a wide perspective on life.
This column will highlight what comes from this life. Stay tuned - keep posted for rants and raves, kudos and compliments for the good and bad that life shoots across our bow.
people places things quotes news olds movies tv music business planes trains automobiles
Whatever happens - we'll pick it apart into a slice of life. Hope you enjoy. Tell us what you do and don't!
My current perspective comes from living in greater Los Angeles, but I'm an outsider here. I'm not beholden to the local view that nothing else exists beyond the ocean and mountains that surround us. While many outside this area deride the way of California, it's truly a great place. There are more kinds of people here than anywhere else on earth. This provides much fodder for a wide perspective on life.
This column will highlight what comes from this life. Stay tuned - keep posted for rants and raves, kudos and compliments for the good and bad that life shoots across our bow.
people places things quotes news olds movies tv music business planes trains automobiles
Whatever happens - we'll pick it apart into a slice of life. Hope you enjoy. Tell us what you do and don't!
Pick Apart Begins
Welcome to Pick Apart.
This weblog can be expected to be edgy, forthright, and - well, a bit opinionated. OK, just like any other. We hope we can contribute to to the debate of issues that some are afraid to talk about. In a new world of stifling political correctness, we hanker to let it all hang out. Contrarian are us, but we're not against the world. Just all the stupidity, greed and other bad humanity inherent within!
We look forward to your support or rebuttal.
This weblog can be expected to be edgy, forthright, and - well, a bit opinionated. OK, just like any other. We hope we can contribute to to the debate of issues that some are afraid to talk about. In a new world of stifling political correctness, we hanker to let it all hang out. Contrarian are us, but we're not against the world. Just all the stupidity, greed and other bad humanity inherent within!
We look forward to your support or rebuttal.
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