SH8KDWN

I always think of this song when I see McCain from Black Sabbath, who coincidently also wrote Iron Man Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses Evil minds that plot destruction Sorcerers of deaths construction In the fields the bodies burning As the war machine keeps turning Death and hatred to mankind Poisoning their brainwashed minds, oh lord yeah! Politicians hide themselves away They only started the war Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor Time will tell on their power minds Making war just for fun Treating people just like pawns in chess Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah! Now in darkness, world stops turning As the war machine keeps burning No more war pigs of the power Hand of God has sturck the hour Day of judgement, God is calling On their knees, the war pigs crawling Begging mercy for their sins Satan, laughing, spreads his wings All right now! So tell me, cause maybe I'm not filled in, what was the last major war we "won"? I mean one where we truly overthrow the government, brought democracy, and instilled peace? The 1st Persian Gulf war? (my brother was in that one) The Vietnam war? (my father was in that one) The Korean war? (my grandfather died in that one) War doesn't end well. I'm not saying that its never justified but at what point do we stop throwing the bodies of our youth into the fire?

Two sides to each story. It's enough to be there without acknowledging each soldier for their efforts. This could be perceived as more of a faux pau then a snubbing or a true reflection of poor character. Did he not spend enough time, did he walk too fast, did he not salute properly, did his socks match his pants? Who cares?!? Let's get back to the most important issue. Does Capt. Jeff think it's best for us to be in Iraq for the next 12 months or for the next 12 years? That's one of the key issues that actually impacts our soldiers and all of us.

Someone watches Fox News I think this election will be a yeardstick to measure how far we have come as a society. Clearly there were multiple blunders of the previous administration and it should be a lay-up for Democrats but there is a wild card. No, definitely not McCain. The wildcard is our own ignorance and prejudice as a people. I was speaking with a die-hard democrat in her late 70s the other day who backed Hillary. I asked what would happen if Clinton didn't get the nomination. She said she wasn't sure, "I don't want one of them in the White House!" I probed her as to what "them" meant and she said she would have a hard time voting for someone who was black. I told her she was only half right about that. My 90 year old grandmother still uses the term "colored". Let's not forget that the civil rights movement really wasn't that long ago and it's not like a switch flipped 40 years ago that ended discrimination. I know we all bring our own biasis to the table and can each pick and choose one or two things that will "prove" our bias. Please look big picture as to what will actually be best for our country as a whole. This is a major election. As an aside, I have seen the american flag lapel worn by Obama several times and I can't remember if I placed my hand over my heart during the national anthem at the Monster Truck Jam last month. Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law where he was the president of the Harvard Law review. He was also a professor of law at the University of Chicago. I wouldn't mind having that on my resume. Fun fact...Obama has a mere 3 years less experience in public service than both Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy had before they ran for President.

Let me first off start by thanking Chuck for his time and efforts in building, maintaining, and baby sitting this site. The community and knowledge far surpasses what I have found anywhere else. If only there was more S60 exposure (which will eventually happen) I would be here more often. BTW Chuck, your post kind of got me amped up and I will soon renew my "supporting member" status that just lapsed so I can help support this forum. About George and Viva...I honestly have little problem with him as a person. I cannot fault him for trying to appeal to a more affluent clientele and pedal his higher margin products. He's a business man in that sense and he has to go where the money is. Hell, he got me for a set of Samco hoses for my S70 that I could have found cheaper but I was willing to pay a mark-up for the convenience of knowing it was tried and truly would fit. I knew I overpaid and had a little buyers remorse BUT that was my own fault...not Viva's at all. His customer service was good and he has answered many of my inquiries timely. Unfortunately his VS bashing is disheartening to hear but it is also third (or fourth) party information at this point. It is troubling to think that a vender would ostrasize a group of enthusiasts that will eventually be his strongest customer base. I am proof of what Val said. I started out with an S70 and traded it in for an S60R. Had I witnessed such VS bashing I would have been entirely turned off to said vender and even paid a premium not to associate myself with them. With that said, I have not witnessed any such violation in-person or on threads on Swedespeed. However, I will take Chuck's information under consideration and do a little more shopping around for my next purchase. Let me once again thank Chuck for all his help in the past as well as going forward. I believe his creation here has brought all of us a more enriched Volvo experience.

Looks like you had a good Christmas Mike. Lots of Volvo goodies uner the tree. Have fun with the install, I'll keep tabs on the progress.

Soooo jealous right now. I chased a 70 year-old lady down 3 weeks ago to ask her if she wanted to sell her saffron V. Too bad the answer was "no!". That combo is my favorite 70 series. Congrats again. P.S. For what it's worth I like the XC grill on thr VR, it ties in nicely with the mesh in the lower bumper.

Yesterday I saw 2 Ferraris, 1 Lambo, and a Porsche Carrara GT. living in S. FL is ridiculous! I caught this on the highway the other day.

That sucks, glad you turned the car off when you did. I had something similar happen 2 weeks ago when I was on the FL turnpike. A 2X4 got flipped up from a car in-front of me. I saw it coming at my windshield but there was nothing I could do, concrete wall on one side, garbage truck on the other. It came down on my front bumper and continued to tumble end over end under my car breaking the plactic oil pan guard and it actually tossed the backend up in the air. That's not something I want to experience again (especially when doing 70 + mph). The IPD skidplate will be ordered soon. It's not a bad idea considering your luck as of late.

What is the plate on the passenger side for?

Interesting, I was expecting the huge wing on the back.

My brother-in-law was driving down a dark road, around 2am, back to town one night several years ago and what they thought was a deer ran infront of the car. It came from the woods and jumped right into the windsheild. They pulled over to the shoulder. My sister was freaking out because there was glass all around the cabin and my brother-in-law got out to check the car. The front was trashed as was the windsheild. He decided to check on the deer to make sure it was dead....turns out it wasn't a deer. After the investigation they found that the guy that jumped into their car was walking back from a bar, extremely drunk. He had a history of suicide attempts and had lost his job several days before. My brother-in-law was completely sober and found not at fault but it still disturbs him to this day. Sad stuff.

kewl stuff!

Seagrams makes me sick too...you are talking about the winecoolers right?

I'm thinking about lambo doors in the front and suicide-doors in the back. i must be drunk! I think it would be the bomb-biggity on a wagon.

Update, chicks left and so did the knowledgable, sage like, older dude. Now I'm alone, save the busted chicks at the end of the bar with the 7 pack/day smoker voice. Shoot me...or just order another wiskey. PS. I've always wanted to say this, I'm going to beat my hotdog like it owes mw money.

Oh snaps, I'm drunk. Talking to a 60 year old ex portfolio manager for Meriil Lynch....wild

Yeehaaa! I love having a blackberry. I am sitting at the bar now 6 Jameson whiskeys deep and within stumbling distance from my hotel room. Yay...bacherlorette party just walked in. 7 total, 1 smokin asian, 2 pretty hot, 3 homely chicks, and a fatty. I need at least 2 more drinks before I either talk to them and make an ars of myself or I fall down trying to get off my bar stool.

It's not even 4, I'm sitting in the Airport with 2 double Bombay Saphire G&Ts down, and I' on VS...Darn I love my new job. I'm going for another double before I board...hee hee. Wow, a 40+ year-old Milf just made a double take, too bad about the gunt (or fupa for those of you who prefer acronyms). Peace Ft. Myers, FL....here I come Philly!!!!!!!!!!!

Are the Columbia Christians the same ones that saw the virgin Mary's image on a piece of toast and drew worshippers from hundreds of miles away? I can't remember.

There wasn't much pot smoking there but there was some drinking. It did bring the issue to the forefront of discussion among people who would have never known/cared about Africa. I was in Africa 6 months ago and my stepfather has worked there for the past 4 years (about 6months/year) trying to develop better ways to procure and distribute medicine for anything from Malaria to HIV. The people are so impoverished and in need of outside help that it is gut wrenching to see. A lot has changed since the 70s and 80s but still there is quite a ways to go. You are right, the corruption is rampant and there is a huge divide between those who have and those who have not. It will not change without some sort of outside pressure. I'm not sure that Live 8 is going to solve anything and collecting money was not the major goal. The concert was free (except for the 1,000 or so reserved seats @ $18/ea). They accomplished what they set out to do, raise awareness. Now it is up to people to act on it.

Oil companies would never gouge anyone...they are just passing the higher cost of crude onto the consumer and still netting the same amount...just ask them. Oh....wait...then why did Exxon Mobil post record profits for the 1st quarter, $7.86 Billion in NET Income, a 44% profit gain? Royal Dutch had a 28% gain. Consumer so confused :blink: