gowestyoungman's recent activity
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Comment on Are you tech-savvy enough? in ~tech
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Comment on If you had to buy a car today, what would you buy? in ~transport
gowestyoungman Link ParentYeah, that's the tricky part all right. I do work on them myself and I do have a fair bit of 'backyard mechanic' experience so I do have some basic tests for any vehicle. Things like checking to...Yeah, that's the tricky part all right. I do work on them myself and I do have a fair bit of 'backyard mechanic' experience so I do have some basic tests for any vehicle. Things like checking to see if the engine is cold when I arrive so I know the seller hasnt warmed it up to get rid of any starting issues. Giving it a thorough inspection when the engine is running to look for oil leaks, vacuum leaks and especially odd noises. Opening the oil filler cap when running to see if there is smoke or blow by (valve leaks). Checking the exhaust color. Checking the coolant for color and level. Smelling the transmission dipstick for burnt smell. Bouncing the body up and down to see if the shocks are still ok. Checking all the accessories for proper function. And a good test drive of course listening for unusual sounds, odd handling, or anything not working smoothly.
But the other main factor is reading the seller. I always buy privately and I ask questions from the seller. If Im lucky they're somewhat meticulous and can show me all the maintenance thats been done on the vehicle for years. I look for someone who's honest - they not only tell me about the good things but also share the things that might need repair or are soon to be failing on the vehicle. I stay away from young owners, from people who have only owned for a short time, those who have no clue about their vehicle, or just seem to be evasive about answering any questions.
Cant say Ive never been screwed, but its rare. I did swap an old classic Chevy truck for a very nice looking Suburban a couple years ago and on its first trip, pulling a loaded car trailer, not only did the transmission slip but the engine bent a valve. Basically sold it for scrap value but thats one out of 50 so Id say the odds have still been in my favor. Well, that's a long winded answer for ya.
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Comment on What quotes inspire you? in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentNo, I looked it up. But its origin is disputed so rather than wrongly attribute it, I put unknown.No, I looked it up. But its origin is disputed so rather than wrongly attribute it, I put unknown.
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Comment on If you had to buy a car today, what would you buy? in ~transport
gowestyoungman LinkI have a type (like some people have for dating) of a vehicle I buy. I should say Ive had over 50 vehicles because Ive bought, restored, driven and sold quite a few over 40 years as a hobby. My...I have a type (like some people have for dating) of a vehicle I buy. I should say Ive had over 50 vehicles because Ive bought, restored, driven and sold quite a few over 40 years as a hobby.
My type is something older, with high mileage, but well taken care of. And I lean toward SUV more than car since I live in a place with snowy roads in the boonies and I do a lot of long distance road trips. I generally start shopping for something about the time most people think it's 'aged out' and are getting rid of it. Which is why my current 03 Toyota Sequoia has 440,000 km, my 05 Honda Pilot has 420,000 km and my 03 GMC Yukon has 410,000 km.
Why buy old and high mileage?
- Because they're cheap. I rarely spend more than 5k on a vehicle, usually closer to 4k.
- Because anything that's made it to 350k plus km and still is in good shape has been babied, and for the right drivetrain its still got 100k to 150k more to go
- Because I abhor car payments with a passion. And leasing is the worst financial decision you can make - literally 'renting' a depreciating asset.
- Because if I end up wrecking a cheap car, its no big deal. If I would crash any of my vehicles today and I would just scrap them, no need to spend money on a 5k vehicle.
- Because insurance is really cheap
- Because Ive saved SO much money over the years buying cheap vehicles that I paid off a house with the proceeds I didnt pay in car payments. That house is making me money as a rental instead of costing me money in a car.
- Because I appreciate having different vehicles for different uses, and having three or four cheaper cars offers me far more utility than one big expensive one.
- Because no matter how efficient a newer, more fuel efficient engine is, the gas savings will never catch up to the much lower cost of a 4k initial purchase price.
- Because there's really minimal depreciation at this age. I can buy a 4k vehicle, drive it for 5 years, clean and shine it up and sell it for 3500.
- Because if you have three cheap vehicles and your wife comes into the house and says hey there's a flat tire on one, you just say take a different one, and you still have a vehicle for yourself lol.
The OP's Ridgeline is a decent SUV/truck. Id stick within the Honda family and get a newer Pilot for the family and for road trips.
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Comment on What quotes inspire you? in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - unknown "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words" - St. Francis of Assisi"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - unknown
"Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words" - St. Francis of Assisi
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Comment on Enough with the bullshit (a letter to fellow bullshit sufferers) in ~tech
gowestyoungman LinkI taught a whole unit on 'bullshit detection' to Grade 7 kids way back in 1990 (with a slightly more polite name, Media Awareness) But it was so easy then. See this ad where the guy holding up...I taught a whole unit on 'bullshit detection' to Grade 7 kids way back in 1990 (with a slightly more polite name, Media Awareness)
But it was so easy then. See this ad where the guy holding up this pill bottle is wearing a white coat? Is he a scientist? No, but the ad implies that he is just because he's wearing the same coat a researcher wears. Its faking scientific authenticity.
See this lip balm that's got a seal that says its "Endorsed by the Institute of Natural Medicine"? Anyone ever heard of that institute before? No? That's because its created and operated by the advertiser's marketing department.
Print ads weren't too hard to disassemble. But no one was prepared for an era where kids would be inundated with TikToks algorithmically catered to their interests with 3D animation and filters and AI voices to completely overwhelm their bs meter. The fight for their brains is huge, but how the hell does a teacher compete with all of that?
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Comment on What's the oldest tech you use, and why do you still use it? in ~tech
gowestyoungman LinkMy main stereo system is Marantz 2225 receiver that I bought used when we got married. Its circa 1975 so 50 years old and still sounds great through the Yamaha three way speakers (with tunable...My main stereo system is Marantz 2225 receiver that I bought used when we got married. Its circa 1975 so 50 years old and still sounds great through the Yamaha three way speakers (with tunable tweeter) that came with it. Quality matters and Marantz 2225 are now vintage collectibles for a reason. I sometimes see them selling for more than I paid for the entire receiver, turntable and speakers: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/296737896578
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Comment on Mark Carney elected as leader of Liberal Party, becoming Prime Minister-designate of Canada in ~society
gowestyoungman Link ParentThat's for sure - This morning's headline said, "Like a knife fight in a phone booth" Interesting times ahead.He might still win the election, but I think it'll be close.
That's for sure - This morning's headline said, "Like a knife fight in a phone booth" Interesting times ahead.
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Comment on Mark Carney elected as leader of Liberal Party, becoming Prime Minister-designate of Canada in ~society
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentWell to clarify, I have no idea who you are, nor did I even look at your username before I replied so my reply has absolutely nothing to with any comment about the convoy protest. My response was...Well to clarify, I have no idea who you are, nor did I even look at your username before I replied so my reply has absolutely nothing to with any comment about the convoy protest.
My response was to your statement "The real goal is to introduce FOX News style media empire into Canada and remove all dissenting major media publications from a political standpoint." My reply pointed out that the only party that has tried to quiet voices is the Liberal party with their bill C36 and C63. Thats not conjecture, thats fact, which is why those bills didnt make it past the Senate. Even LPC party members had problems with them.
And yes, Pierre has said he wanted to defund the CBC. Firstly thats for a fiscal reason. We give them 1.4 billion a year but the CBC doesnt have to show where they spend it. And after the last round of bonuses paid to its bureaucrats, while at the same time cutting staff, thats pretty offensive to struggling Canadians. The just departed CEO, Cathy Tait, made up to $551,600 PLUS bonuses. That's 100k more than the PM. Does that make sense for the head of taxpayer funded news agency?
The second reason is that the CBC is definitely moved from relatively unbiased to quite left leaning. Unlike years past (Ive been listening to CBC radio for about 50 years now) when they could claim that they were middle of the road, that hasn't been true during the Trudeau years. And that definitely has collapsed support from a great number of Canadians, especially Conservatives.
They do have some great content, like the Fifth Estate, and if they stuck to that kind of investigative, in depth journalism I think they'd have a lot more love. But then they venture into things like ex CBC producer Tara Henley said: "People want to know why, for example, non-binary Filipinos concerned about a lack of LGBT terms in Tagalog is an editorial priority for the CBC, when local issues of broad concern go unreported. Or why our pop culture radio show’s coverage of the Dave Chappelle Netflix special failed to include any of the legions of fans, or comics, that did not find it offensive. Or why, exactly, taxpayers should be funding articles that scold Canadians for using words such as “brainstorm” and “lame.”
If your claim is that "MAGA" style campaigning is 'party over country' I would agree that he's strongly campaigned that its time to get rid of the Liberal gov, and the majority of Canadians agree. Im not sure how that makes him "MAGA" and the attempt to tie him to Trump when he has no ties is just 'guilt by association' when theres no association in my view. They're both on the conservative side of the spectrum but they obviously have vastly different policies and leadership styles.
Im not sure what you consider "CPC approved news sources" but personally my daily reading list consists of at least 15 news sites a day, from CBC, BBC, Reuters, AP, National Newswatch, Guardian, Ground News, CTV, Global, Hill Times, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CP24, Newsweek and a little from RT and Al Jazeera for more international perspective. Are those "CPC approved, because those are the best I could find? Occasionally I read The Tyee or Press Progress but the blatant left wing pandering is a bit thick on those :)
ps. I just was reminded that the CBC sued the Conservative Party in 2019 for using some of its clips in an ad. They lost. Taxpayers had to pay for the 400k lawsuit. That probably didnt endear them to the party.
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Comment on Mark Carney elected as leader of Liberal Party, becoming Prime Minister-designate of Canada in ~society
gowestyoungman Link ParentMy comment is accurate. He's completely inexperienced as a politician. He's very experienced as a banker, a technocrat but not as a politician. If you want to compare credentials, he has a good...My comment is accurate. He's completely inexperienced as a politician. He's very experienced as a banker, a technocrat but not as a politician.
If you want to compare credentials, he has a good resume - if we were looking for a banker. However, in watching his first moves, so far what he's done is copy what Poilievre has been saying for months - get rid of Trudeau, axe the Carbon Tax, and get rid of the capital gains increase. I watched him during the LIberal leadership debate, I didnt see him saying anything that Freeland didnt say, other than admitting our economy is a lot weaker than what the gov has been pretending it is.
However, he's been Trudeau's financial advisor for years and he's been head of the Liberal Economic Task Force for 7 months and I havent seen any new policy that came out of that other than the very poorly received momentary pause on the GST for a few weeks, which didnt really help anyone, and definitely hurt small businesses trying to implement it.
Meanwhile, Poilievre has accurately predicted that the money printing that the Trudeau gov did during covid would lead to massive inflation. Carney said it wouldn't. It did. Polievre said the Carbon tax would drive up food prices. It did. So the career politician has been accurate for years, the Liberal financial advisor with the nice resume has not.
He is strongly against pipelines, he's made an entire career on forming 'Net Zero' banking and is against pipelines - unless it profits his company as they invested in Brazilian pipelines. NOW he's saying maybe we should build east-west pipelines, something Conservatives have been saying for years. Whether he'll actually reverse the entire stance of his green economics career is doubtworthy.
If you're going to vote for someone you have to go past the pictures and soundbites and read their plans and then look at their policies. A pretty resume isnt going to change anything from the last 9 years, especially since he was already advising Trudeau for more than half that time because it appears his advice isn't very beneficial.
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Comment on Mark Carney elected as leader of Liberal Party, becoming Prime Minister-designate of Canada in ~society
gowestyoungman Link ParentYou do realize that its the LIBERAL government that has been pushing to introduce new legislation to control online media for several years now, right? Bill C-36 was introduced as the 'Online...You do realize that its the LIBERAL government that has been pushing to introduce new legislation to control online media for several years now, right? Bill C-36 was introduced as the 'Online Harms Act' with the pretense that it was there to protect children by stopping child porn, which of course no one would disagree with. But under that pretense it also wanted to kill "hate" speech, with little definition of hate. And if were offended you were supposed to be able to a Digital Safety Commission who could block or take down your site for your "hate" comments as well as fine you or even jail you.
But of course the devil is in the details and the Liberals couldn't get this bill passed because just about anyone who looked at it in any depth said this is nothing more than giving the gov the power to censor anything they dont want Canadians to read as "hate". They tried again with a revised version, Bill C-63 but since they prorogued Parliament that bill is also now dead.
Your comment is mostly conjecture, fair enough, but very little fact and if you're looking at who wants to control online media you're obviously overlooking the party that tried hard to do it.
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Comment on Mark Carney elected as leader of Liberal Party, becoming Prime Minister-designate of Canada in ~society
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentUnlike some, I not only like him, I personally encouraged him to run. And despite some naysayers, he's still got a comfortable lead over the current Liberal Party thats been in power for 9 years....Unlike some, I not only like him, I personally encouraged him to run. And despite some naysayers, he's still got a comfortable lead over the current Liberal Party thats been in power for 9 years.
One of the main reasons hes leading polls (and will win the next election) is that he's not a Liberal. As much as the current Liberal Party is trying to trumpet their new leader, Carney, as the saviour of Canada, he's a completely inexperienced politician who's already stumbled badly on his very first day in office by appointing a Minister as his Chief of Staff, Mendecino, a guy who had already been kicked out of cabinet for his terrible track record. Carney also has a huge backlog of resentment from the majority of Canadians over the Liberal Party's poor performance and Poilievre's doesnt have to work very hard to point that out - housing has doubled, inflation has doubled, national debt is up massively, food bank use has doubled. There's very very little that the Liberals can point to as a 'win' over their term and the two things they claim, Childcare and Pharmacare, were actually forced on them by the NDP in a deal to keep them in power.
Now, as for Poilievre, what I like is that he's first and foremost a fiscal conservative. He's said he would introduce legislation where for every dollar of new gov spending, a dollar must be cut elsewhere. After 9 years of 'spend spend spend' Canada desperately needs that kind of fiscal control. More than likely he would force gov payrolls to shrink by attrition, retirement or firing, but given that the gov payrolls have swollen to $67.4 billion in 2023, a 68 per cent increase over 2016, when the federal payroll sat at 40.2 billion, there is obviously a lot of fat that could be trimmed.
A second excellent Poilievre policy is housing. Canada has a huge lack of housing and combined with the incredibly high immigration policy of the Liberals, there is far too much demand and not enough houses. Under Pierre's proposal, cities would have to increase the number of homes built by 15 per cent each year — a rate that Poilievre said might alleviate the housing crunch. Local governments that fail to meet that target would see their federal grants withheld at a commensurate rate, Poilievre said. A city that increases the number of homes built by only 10 per cent in a given year would see five per cent of its federal funding withheld or clawed back. And if municipalities build more than the 15 per cent target, they would get a "building bonus," he said.
Speaking of immigration, Canada has always been immigrant friendly. But the numbers let in have been wildly out of control leading to huge strain on all of our programs and infrastructure. Liberals were letting in over 1 million permanent and "temporary" foreign workers a year, which is insanely high for a country that only had 33 million. We're now over 41 million. Poilievre wants to dial that back to a much more manageable 250k or less immigrants a year. He stated that a future Conservative government would look at tying the country’s population growth rate to a level that’s below the number of new homes being built. He also said they would consider factors such as access to healthcare and jobs when considering immigration targets. A very common sense approach.
Fourthly, and very important to Canada's safety, is that Poilievre will end the Liberals VERY soft stance on crime. In Canada, with our present laws, you can kill someone and get a pathetically short sentence. You can murder your spouse and get as little as 10 year sentence, sometimes as low as 7 years. Just insane. You can get a longer sentence for possessing weed in the US than you do for murder in Canada. Its led to a very significant increase in crime and Poilievre will put an end to that and introduce much stronger sentences. He will also end the revolving door policy we have where violent offenders are caught and released on bail numerous times, only to commit more crimes. Enough is enough.
I admit its annoying sometimes reading the tripe about Poilievre being "just like Trump" or that he somehow has nothing but three word slogans and no policy. Actually, his Conservative Party has 50 pages of policy and its published online: https://cpcassets.conservative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23175001/990863517f7a575.pdf and he is most definitely NOT a Trump supporter as he has made clear many times. But thats politics in the social media age. Most of his detractors dont bother to read what he actually says and yes, the media is guilty of only publishing sound bites.
Poilievre, barring a catastrophe of epic proportions, will defeat Carney in the next election. Not just because he has solid policy, not just because he does have common sense, not just because he's an experienced politician, but because he's the best man for the job and Canada needs a leader to get this country back on track.
Cant wait for the election to be called. We need a PM with a mandate immediately.
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Comment on Photos and videos of latest Kilauea eruption - March 6, 2025 in ~enviro
gowestyoungman Link ParentI see what you did their.I see what you did their.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
gowestyoungman LinkI hate to admit it but I spent the majority of the week doom scrolling about the tariffs on Canada. Ug. What a depressing way to spend the week. It DID get me to write some letters to some US...I hate to admit it but I spent the majority of the week doom scrolling about the tariffs on Canada. Ug. What a depressing way to spend the week.
It DID get me to write some letters to some US governors and it did fortify my decision to buy more Canadian goods, but all in all it felt quite pathetic. I hate the way that US actions completely dominate our Canadian news. -
Comment on Five failures in the Oval Office in ~society
gowestyoungman LinkA well reasoned and honest evaluation of that disastrous meeting. I hope many Americans are in agreement with him.A well reasoned and honest evaluation of that disastrous meeting. I hope many Americans are in agreement with him.
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Comment on A boutique German car customization house has given the Tesla Cybertruck a radical exterior and interior makeover in ~transport
gowestyoungman LinkA midwife once said, "Not all babies are cute. When someone gives birth to a homely baby I just say very enthusiastically - Well, LOOK at that!! You had a baby!!" Well, LOOK at that. You have a...A midwife once said, "Not all babies are cute. When someone gives birth to a homely baby I just say very enthusiastically - Well, LOOK at that!! You had a baby!!"
Well, LOOK at that. You have a truck!!
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Comment on US President Donald Trump cuts short talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Oval Office blow up in ~society
gowestyoungman Link ParentSocial engineering by sock puppets. That indeed is exactly what you're seeing in the comments. Fortunately right now its fairly obvious to anyone with a few years of online experience, a critical...Social engineering by sock puppets. That indeed is exactly what you're seeing in the comments.
Fortunately right now its fairly obvious to anyone with a few years of online experience, a critical eye and a healthy dose of skepticism. I do wonder what happens in a few years when AI is even better and the usernames aren't so obvious. -
Comment on US President Donald Trump cuts short talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Oval Office blow up in ~society
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentAll I heard when Vance was claiming that Zelensky wasn't grateful enough was a not so veiled, "Bow and kiss the ring! Kneel and grovel before the king, servant!" I can't believe the level of...All I heard when Vance was claiming that Zelensky wasn't grateful enough was a not so veiled, "Bow and kiss the ring! Kneel and grovel before the king, servant!"
I can't believe the level of narcissism. Its the same thing when Trump signs his executive orders in the Oval Office. The orders themselves are worrisome, but its having his subjects stand there and fawn all over him with ridiculous, excessive flattery that just boggles my brain. Is this really happening or is this a Saturday Night Live sketch, I can't tell anymore?
For the record, as a Canadian, the backlash against his ridiculous comments about Canada becoming the 51st state have highly offended my fellow Canadians. There is a very strong and growing backlash against all American goods, services and especially tourist spending in the US.
I'm shocked at how Trump ever made it this far in politics and now I'm quite worried for the US as well. He's making enemies out of friends and he's destroying America's reputation on the world stage. Who the hell can get his outrageous ego under control? Even Putin seems like a rational leader in comparison.
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Comment on Swiss church installs AI-powered Jesus in ~humanities
gowestyoungman LinkDuring a recent discussion on a theological matter, I used ChatGPT 4.0 to ask for some clarification on a question. I was quite amazed at its 'knowledge' of biblical passages and ability to...During a recent discussion on a theological matter, I used ChatGPT 4.0 to ask for some clarification on a question. I was quite amazed at its 'knowledge' of biblical passages and ability to formulate a very credible theological viewpoint that would've got a passing grade with any evangelical pastor I know.
I've been in the position of having to write a sermon just a few times (a class way back in college) and its pretty challenging when you know a hundred or more people are going to be listening and judging what you say. I think the use of AI is going to make formulating a sermon pretty easy. The question is whether that sermon, birthed from a good prompt to AI is going to come across nearly as sincerely and heartfelt as one that's born from hours pouring over biblical passages, commentaries and scholarly books, the old school way.
As for church, well, between live youtubes and an AI bot that can answer some of your questions albeit not the deepest existential ones, that's going to be enough for a lot of people. But there's still something to be said for being in the midst of a congregation doing some hearty singing and discussing whether you're going to Arby's or Wendy's or the new buffet place after the service is over. Y'know, the important Sunday stuff.
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Comment on Jasmine Crockett dares Republicans to say Russia invaded Ukraine in ~society
gowestyoungman LinkDid I hear the chair correctly? That there are no facts, there is only speech and its up to people to decide what's factual? It's all relative?Did I hear the chair correctly? That there are no facts, there is only speech and its up to people to decide what's factual? It's all relative?
I immediately flashed back to an old Dilbert cartoon.
Dilbert (looking over dinosaur's shoulder as he works on a computer): What are you doing?
Dinosaur: Using my computer.
Dilbert: Why are you using your computer?
Dinosaur: It saves me time.
Dilbert: What do you with all the time you save?
Dinosaur: I work on my computer.