LongJim

Unethical and illegal. The situation won't improve until the pain is no longer tolerable though.

Try this one. https://getpocket.com/explore/item/a-frustrating-history-of-the-claw-machine

This is a pretty amusing article. I always loved/hated this game. Even Sid Won Once In A While "Perhaps it would help you to better accept the reality of the claw machine by reexamining how you view it. Instead of seeing it as a balanced game of skill that you can master — like skee-ball or Super Shot Basketball — think of it as a game of chance instead, like a slot machine...Rather than regulate how the machines are built or operated, though — which may be complicated as many are built overseas — the states dictate how much the prizes inside are allowed to be worth. By limiting the value of the prizes, states feel that this becomes less of a gambling game and more of a game of chance for kids, since all that can be won is some shitty stuffed bear."

This is some good info, but there's a difference between weight and--essentially--footprint, which is what Edmunds was describing as the factor that determines the fuel efficiency requirements of the vehicle. Maybe that's what you're referring to as well?

The gist of the article isn't really about fuel economy, data, or who passed what law, and I couldn't give a shit. The article is about HOW the automakers gamed the legislation using the constraints imposed by the legislation itself. So easily misdirected...

Here you go: https://www.doi.gov/ocl/hr-3682 "(T)he BLM has concerns with the bill’s provisions that would waive any cost-sharing or fee requirements when obtaining a permit for a historical-traditional use by a land grant-merced. We believe this will result in a substantial loss of revenue, and more importantly, the BLM is concerned that these provisions could have unintended consequences resulting in the inconsistent treatment of other BLM users, including our tribal partners. The BLM would like to work with the Sponsor and Committee on adding clarifying language to ensure consistency with other applicable laws and Federal regulations and requirements."

One reason, is because they have to meet fuel-economy standards mandated by the government. And how to do that? Check this out: https://www.insidehook.com/article/vehicles/why-pickup-trucks-keep-getting-bigger "Americans like using pickups for personal use, and once we get a little taste of something we like, we want, as Tim Taylor said, more power. But when Barack Obama became president and we as country started to have conversations about fuel economy, wouldn’t we have seen a decrease in the size of trucks? Actually, it was the opposite. In the Obama era, Edmunds explained, fuel economy regulations “changed from just a straight average across the board to what’s called a platform-based fuel economy standard. So your fuel economy target for a given vehicle is based on its wheelbase and its tread width, which is the width between the tires left to right. So if you multiply that you find the area of that rectangle and there’s a table that shows what your fuel-economy target is. The bigger the vehicle, the smaller the target.” In other words, the regulations put in place to get better mileage out of vehicles also led to an increase in truck size."

Thread title sucks.

Sure can. That has been the federal law for a few years, which a lot of people aren't aware of. The point is that now, you can be prosecuted for the second offense of "trafficking in firearms" as well.

I think this law definitely generates some unintended consequences. And, as a lot of prohibitive laws do--will disproportionately affect members of society that the law was perhaps ostensibly designed to protect. The high points are below. The law expands background-check requirements for gun buyers younger than 21, widens the categories of people who are not allowed to buy firearms, and provides federal funding for states with "red flag" laws, which authorize court orders prohibiting gun possession by people who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act raises the maximum sentence to 15 years and prescribes the same penalties for "trafficking in firearms," which is defined broadly enough to include receipt of a gun by someone who is legally disqualified from owning one. The latter provision covers not only people with felony records but also cannabis consumers, even if they live in states that have legalized marijuana Anyone who has ever been subjected to involuntary psychiatric treatment, whether or not he was deemed a threat to others And other categories of people who have never done anything to indicate that they are dangerous Since receiving a gun is a felony for them, it also qualifies as "trafficking in firearms" and can send them to prison for both offenses if they are caught.

Hill of beans.

I like chorizo and egg. Even bean and chorizo is good. Papas con huevos is good too, but needs to have bacon or sausage in there. Maybe a little cheese. And lots of hot sauce.

I like the fact that its location means that it impossible to miss if you're traveling 35W or 35E.

I didn't get that from the article. Interesting take.

The wheels of government bureaucracies turn slowly. Very slowly. https://reason.com/2022/07/07/fda-finally-admits-it-caused-the-baby-formula-shortage/ ******************************** "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally determined what's to blame for America's recent shortage of baby formula. The FDA. More specifically, it's the FDA's unnecessary and protectionist rules that effectively ban foreign-made baby formula from being imported into the United States. On Wednesday, the agency announced plans to tweak those rules so foreign formula manufacturers can permanently import their goods into the U.S., giving American consumers greater choice in the marketplace and ensuring more robust supply chains. "The need to diversify and strengthen the U.S. infant formula supply is more important than ever," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement. "Ensuring that the youngest and most vulnerable individuals have access to safe and nutritious formula products is a top priority for the FDA." That might be true now, but it clearly hasn't been the case in the past. When the Abbott Nutrition plant in Michigan was forced to close temporarily due to an FDA investigation into possible contamination, it created a supply shock that left store shelves empty and parents scrambling to find formula. Because of the FDA's protectionist rules (and high tariffs levied on foreign-made formula), markets could not adapt quickly to the shortage here in America—instead, we got political stunts like the White House's "Operation Fly Formula" that accomplished little. In testimony to Congress, FDA officials admitted to botching the response to the contamination at the Abbott plant. But the real culprit of the recent shortage was a deeper and more pervasive one. No matter what nationalists like Sen. Josh Hawley (R–Mo.) might suggest, closing off the country to international trade is not a recipe for resilience. The baby formula crisis demonstrated that it is quite the opposite."

The other suggestion I would make is to invest in a good digital thermometer. Get a regular "probe" type, and a wireless one if you can. They're a big help on long cooks, and to accurately measure done-ness. The other is grill gloves, and get two kinds. The ones you handle food with, and another pair of gloves to handle grates and hot metal/grill stuff. The other essential BBQ tool--that all grill chefs MUST possess in whatever design desired--is below. These are not optional:

Thanks Deep. I enjoy doing it. Not as much as I like eating it, though!

Oh absolutely. Enjoy. You can make delicious stuff in there. Most of the fun with BBQ is tackling a recipe and seeing what you end up with! You can try low and slow/indirect roasting in the gasser. Just use burners on one side and a smoking tray. Lots of recipes out there, but I'd suggest a pork loin or shoulder to start with. They're easier to get good results with. Good luck and have fun.

My go to is actually a 22" Weber Kettle, which (IMO) is the greatest BBQ tool ever invented. Everyone should have one. I have a BGE and a gasser as well. I like to cook chicken and hamburgers on the gasser generally, because it's quick and easy. If I have time, I use the kettle or BGE for low and slow or steaks. I generally use the kettle because it's so versatile. We did 2 pork butts for the 4th, and they turned out great. It's kind of difficult to use a gas grill for smoking, and to be honest, you'll be happier with the results from a kettle or stick burner. Here are the butts pre-cook: Here's one after the cook: Here's a brisket from a while back: Here's a meatloaf. Didn't sauce this one. Yeah, you can do these on the grill. You won't go back to the oven. Another brisket...15 pound packer IIRC: And a prime rib. Only way to make 'em: The above were all cooked on a 22" Weber grill. Pizza is great on a grill as well. Very versatile. Enjoy your gasser though. They're great too.

Not even close.

Folks go into them and blow them up by going off on a tangent about nothing related to the topic. Hot weather we've been having though! Here comes summer! You guys ready for the 4th??

Interesting article here. Lots of factors at work to drive prices up, but the salient point of the article, in my opinion: "To review, Biden’s position on oil refining is that new refineries should not be constructed, the ones that exist should be regulated with increasing stringency if not closed down, and even if they do stay in business, they shouldn’t be allowed to make too much money — but please do me a solid and refine more oil, or else." Even all they ever wanted had a problem

I know there may be a few that laugh up their sleeve at this--not sure why--but this kind of $ donor and willingness to invest in the university can transform the entire school in virtually unlimited ways.

Might even be encouraging that not everybody is wanting to go to "college". There are plenty of jobs that don't require it. I think it's desirable to have some sort of training for a career after HS, but college is definitely not mandatory for lots of great jobs, and as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing.

Hilarious. That horse left the barn long ago.