An American Revolution, and Happy Holidays from Scott Settlemire
12-30-2003, 12:30 PM
#31
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 6,166
FWIW, no one is forcing anyone to use EZPASS, and I doubt toll booths would ever go to an all-electronic setup. EZPASS exists because people are tired of stopping all the time to pay, want the feature, and aren't paranoid about it being abused by someone. If you don't like it, keep stopping to pay the tolls, it isn't going to affect you. 
How did we make this gigantic leap into Orwellian politics in this thread? Over EZPASS???
How did we make this gigantic leap into Orwellian politics in this thread? Over EZPASS???
12-30-2003, 01:19 PM
#32
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: The land of ice and snow.
Posts: 528
Originally posted by Red Planet
Hey ZMarcus -- I hear you for perhaps one or two tolls...but for anyone who has ever driven on the Garden State parkway (for one) where there's a toll every few miles, EZ Pass is a Godsend!
Hey ZMarcus -- I hear you for perhaps one or two tolls...but for anyone who has ever driven on the Garden State parkway (for one) where there's a toll every few miles, EZ Pass is a Godsend!
). Oh well... it's an annoyance I can live with.
12-30-2003, 02:49 PM
#34
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 45
Originally posted by TABAHR
God help us all. I predict we will see a day where our cars report our speed and location at all times to a government agency, and if we speed it will bill our credit card directly. If you don't pay, or keep your registration current you car will be shut down remotely.
Give it 20 years, we are all frogs in hot water. We need to put our feet down. EZ pass could be good if it only added up charges and sent a bill. Why do they need my credit card number? Does it matter what time I went through the booth? Who cares which booth it was? Why not just collect the billing info, and forget about the other data?
It is a control thing, our government beurocrats know what is best for us all, and want control. Screw our freedom. Look at taxes... we pay and pay. on average we all work until MAY 6TH just to pay combined taxes (state, local, federal, realestate, capitol gains..)!! They take our money away from us, because it represents power. They (think they) know how to spend our money better than we do!! LET US KEEP IT! If I could keep more money, I would spend more, the economy would grow, people would get jobs and revenues would increase again. PLEASE lower our taxes. If I sold one of my duplexes the Gub-ment would take 40% of my prophit from it's sale. WHY?? Why are we being punnished like that?
Ok, i'm upset now.. Time to cool off, besides I'm off topic.
To top it off our current republican president has not vetoed a single spending bill yet. I voted for republicans because I wanted less spending. These jackasses have been spending at a rate greater than FDR, in fact this is the most spending in the history of the country! (I do like his tax cut, though) this economic boom we are currently enjoying is a result of said tax cut and massive government spending....
OK, now i'm really off topic, i'm out.
God help us all. I predict we will see a day where our cars report our speed and location at all times to a government agency, and if we speed it will bill our credit card directly. If you don't pay, or keep your registration current you car will be shut down remotely.
Give it 20 years, we are all frogs in hot water. We need to put our feet down. EZ pass could be good if it only added up charges and sent a bill. Why do they need my credit card number? Does it matter what time I went through the booth? Who cares which booth it was? Why not just collect the billing info, and forget about the other data?
It is a control thing, our government beurocrats know what is best for us all, and want control. Screw our freedom. Look at taxes... we pay and pay. on average we all work until MAY 6TH just to pay combined taxes (state, local, federal, realestate, capitol gains..)!! They take our money away from us, because it represents power. They (think they) know how to spend our money better than we do!! LET US KEEP IT! If I could keep more money, I would spend more, the economy would grow, people would get jobs and revenues would increase again. PLEASE lower our taxes. If I sold one of my duplexes the Gub-ment would take 40% of my prophit from it's sale. WHY?? Why are we being punnished like that?
Ok, i'm upset now.. Time to cool off, besides I'm off topic.
To top it off our current republican president has not vetoed a single spending bill yet. I voted for republicans because I wanted less spending. These jackasses have been spending at a rate greater than FDR, in fact this is the most spending in the history of the country! (I do like his tax cut, though) this economic boom we are currently enjoying is a result of said tax cut and massive government spending....
OK, now i'm really off topic, i'm out.
As for OnStar and other electronic communication devices, law enforcement has been experimenting with ways to remotely shut off your car to avoid, or end, a high speed chase using your onboard computer. The technology has been in development for almost a decade. Do a search on the internet and you'll see.
So embrace these new convieniency inventions my friends and don't forget to take your Soma
"Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east. …"
01-01-2004, 03:35 PM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CA
Posts: 325
a bunch of grown men acting like ***** farts! quit bitchin like children about simple ****... if you dont like it, DONT BUY IT! life can get a lot worse than someone knowing if you have **** stains in your underwear because you have onstar.
01-02-2004, 12:22 AM
#36
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: san leandro ca
Posts: 154
ok, this thread started about cool new cars and it seems some are tied up about about new tech pieces!! keep your 57 studabaker, and let some of enjoy new things!! they are called options for a reason!!
01-02-2004, 12:23 PM
#37
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 45
About the new "American Revolution".
I think the new C6 looks pretty cool. The nose is a little Miata like with the headlights taken from a Ferrari 575M but otherwise a real nice lookin car. The SSR looks badass! Once they hit dealerships I'll take one out for a spin. I hear they'll have about 300hp stock. It's nice to see the car manufacturers building higher HP cars again. Only took 30 years to bounce back from an oil crisis and smog laws lol
I think the new C6 looks pretty cool. The nose is a little Miata like with the headlights taken from a Ferrari 575M but otherwise a real nice lookin car. The SSR looks badass! Once they hit dealerships I'll take one out for a spin. I hear they'll have about 300hp stock. It's nice to see the car manufacturers building higher HP cars again. Only took 30 years to bounce back from an oil crisis and smog laws lol
01-05-2004, 10:13 PM
#40
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Petersham, MA
Posts: 1,697
The new Vette is sweet...
Now what about the other 99.99% of Americans that want muscle without having to sell off their firstborn son to get it?
GM is lost in space. Until they understand what "musclecar" means, they won't see one red cent from me.
Tell GM to go back to posting about Malibus and minivans on WWW.SOCCERMOM.COM ( if it exists).
Now what about the other 99.99% of Americans that want muscle without having to sell off their firstborn son to get it?
GM is lost in space. Until they understand what "musclecar" means, they won't see one red cent from me.
Tell GM to go back to posting about Malibus and minivans on WWW.SOCCERMOM.COM ( if it exists
).
01-07-2004, 12:34 PM
#41
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,943
Future F-body suggestion!
Scott,
Thanks for being there for us, past, present and future…I know I'm looking forward to a new F-body.
I'm an old fart (my first new car was a 1973 Formula 400) and I've owned a few other F-bodies including my 2000 Z28 so I've obviously seen the changes over the years. That said, as some others have expressed here, I would like to say that out of any new F-body model line, I hope there will be one model that leaves most of the "tech" stuff behind…if it doesn't make it go faster and/or handle better I'd just as soon not have it.
I for one would like to see a model that is all about performance with very little given over to comfort, and convenience and I'm willing to pay a premium for it.
The Z06 is a good example of what I'm talking about…power windows, AC and a kick-*** stereo is about as "convenient" as I want…I'm much, much more concerned about flat out performance (in all performance categories) that whether I can call 911 through On-Star or get through a toll both quickly.
No doubt that for the "masses", luxury, convenience and high-tech gizmos are important considerations but I think there are enough of us who think like I do to make a true performance model a viable option.
Here's to the future!!!
Robert (Bob) Armentrout,
Nashville, Tennessee
Thanks for being there for us, past, present and future…I know I'm looking forward to a new F-body.
I'm an old fart (my first new car was a 1973 Formula 400) and I've owned a few other F-bodies including my 2000 Z28 so I've obviously seen the changes over the years. That said, as some others have expressed here, I would like to say that out of any new F-body model line, I hope there will be one model that leaves most of the "tech" stuff behind…if it doesn't make it go faster and/or handle better I'd just as soon not have it.
I for one would like to see a model that is all about performance with very little given over to comfort, and convenience and I'm willing to pay a premium for it.
The Z06 is a good example of what I'm talking about…power windows, AC and a kick-*** stereo is about as "convenient" as I want…I'm much, much more concerned about flat out performance (in all performance categories) that whether I can call 911 through On-Star or get through a toll both quickly.
No doubt that for the "masses", luxury, convenience and high-tech gizmos are important considerations but I think there are enough of us who think like I do to make a true performance model a viable option.
Here's to the future!!!
Robert (Bob) Armentrout,
Nashville, Tennessee
01-07-2004, 01:45 PM
#42
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Nashville, TN area
Posts: 11,157
I just wanted to remind everyone who is interested that Scott and pretty much the rest of the automotive industry is tied up for the Detroit Auto Show. You may not see much of a reply until things calm down.
01-16-2004, 11:24 AM
#44
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Posts: 284
You know, after reading the initial post in this thread, and then seeing all the off topic replies, relating to EZ-Pass, Big Brother, taxes, government spending etc. I have come to realize that there are a bunch of whining, ***** *** ****'s driving around in f-bodies. WTF is that all about.
We have Sun-Pass here in FL probably just like EZ-Pass up north except we only have slow down to 25
I dont use it because I don't travel the toll roads enough to warrant it. Would I , Hell yes!!! would I fear of being scammed Hell No!! Speeding Tickets in the mail from ariving at a tool booth too quickly. Hmm not heard of that here yet. If you speed you will get caught, plain and simple, Speed is for the track not public highways. Please don't start a flame saying if you travel 10 over or whatever, no one around here gets a ticket for going 10 over the posted speed limit on the highway.
To the guy that thinks his IP address is not pointing to his location. You sir are way disillusioned. It may not point immediately to your street address, but it does point immediately to your ISP. A quick phone call is all it takes. Internet traffic is routed. Any traffic (packets) from your machine, contains a header with source and destination IP amonst a few other little details. I work with Cable Modem Termination Systems from Cisco. There is a command in the IOS called cable intercept that allows the Router to forward all packets from any subscriber to a monitoring IP address. This command can be used to comply with the United States Federal Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) and other law enforcement wiretap requirements for voice communications. Although I have never had to use this in my systems, It is not difficult at all to initiate.
Now back on Topic, the new Vette looks Bad A$$ a little Ferrari but still resembling a vette. The SSR what can I say, Well.....its cool!!! kinda like the dodge prowler when it was first introduced a little risky but very unique.
We have Sun-Pass here in FL probably just like EZ-Pass up north except we only have slow down to 25
I dont use it because I don't travel the toll roads enough to warrant it. Would I , Hell yes!!! would I fear of being scammed Hell No!! Speeding Tickets in the mail from ariving at a tool booth too quickly. Hmm not heard of that here yet. If you speed you will get caught, plain and simple, Speed is for the track not public highways. Please don't start a flame saying if you travel 10 over or whatever, no one around here gets a ticket for going 10 over the posted speed limit on the highway.To the guy that thinks his IP address is not pointing to his location. You sir are way disillusioned. It may not point immediately to your street address, but it does point immediately to your ISP. A quick phone call is all it takes. Internet traffic is routed. Any traffic (packets) from your machine, contains a header with source and destination IP amonst a few other little details. I work with Cable Modem Termination Systems from Cisco. There is a command in the IOS called cable intercept that allows the Router to forward all packets from any subscriber to a monitoring IP address. This command can be used to comply with the United States Federal Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) and other law enforcement wiretap requirements for voice communications. Although I have never had to use this in my systems, It is not difficult at all to initiate.
Now back on Topic, the new Vette looks Bad A$$ a little Ferrari but still resembling a vette. The SSR what can I say, Well.....its cool!!! kinda like the dodge prowler when it was first introduced a little risky but very unique.
01-16-2004, 01:18 PM
#45
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Posts: 2,947
SnkEatr You know, after reading the initial post in this thread, and then seeing all the off topic replies, relating to EZ-Pass, Big Brother, taxes, government spending etc. I have come to realize that there are a bunch of whining, ***** *** ****'s driving around in f-bodies. WTF is that all about
lt1hatesme a bunch of grown men acting like ***** farts! quit bitchin like children about simple ****... if you dont like it, DONT BUY IT! life can get a lot worse than someone knowing if you have **** stains in your underwear because you have onstar.
Anyways, my point was that, IF I don't want "On Star", I should be able to buy my vehicle W/O it...for whatever reason...
Yeah, fear IS an effective "sales tactic" BUT, we should ALWAYS "fear" anything using "fear" to sell itself....
And yes, I know, and DON'T blame the product designers for their "Good Intentions", but it can and will be abused by "powers that be" under the New "Bills".
I guess I should stop "whining" about "stuff" getting trampled like,
"No Expose Facto Laws"(what's in the Constitution, can't be anulled by NEW LAWS.)(WTH does the "Patriot Acts do??)
"Aposycomatotus"...soon to be history..(military must be separate and not enforce domestic law...it's coming...SnkEatr, should have seen the Yugoslavian police"TROOPS" training in "sunny FL. in "ninja masks..b/c our troops won't fire on our citizens..)
ANYWAYS, Back on topic;
I like the direction GM is heading as a whole and understand it'll be getting some "tweaking" as it goes. I just hope they "Stay in touch with John Q. Public" as they do..
I'd like to see, the muscle car's rear suspensions "tweaked" for traction as in acceleration, or be easily upgradable to acomplish this.
I'd like to see more "turbo's available as optional power plants, especially on the more compact cars.
I'd like to see our compacts get away from the "cookie cutter" look of import labels.
And don't take a good looking car like a Grand Am and make ALL of the rest of that make's cars look like it....(No cookie Cutters)
I know there are restrictions dealing with "set platforms" but general shape similarities won't hurt anything, as long as you don't see the SAME "grills", headlights, tail lights, body moldings etc on all cars of a "make"...