This forum is for any and all topics that you want to discuss in a serious manner. Please do not clutter other peoples threads with useless thoughts and posts that have no bearing on the original topic.

For example:

Lets say you got your girlfriend pregnant and wanted to gather input from others in the forum. Would you want people to make fun of you? Or make a joke of the situation? No, you would want serious opinions and that is why you would post it in "On Topic"

Another example:

You're looking for advice on new home purchase or looking to buy some real estate...


~Eric

First, an introduction to who I am and what I have done in the past.

I am a 21 year old regular car nut. I first got my feet wet when I fell in Love with a local 12 second talon. I drew up plans for what I would do when I bought mine. I researched for hours and hours. I never bought a DSM. Instead the first car I bought was the first car I bought in Gran Turismo, the 3000GT.

I've been involved in quite a few project builds witnessed many more and driven and ridden in some stupid fast cars.

Highlights:

My personal 3000 GT with TT upgrades. I've basically done everything short of rebuilding the engine. When I got the car I hadn't even changed the oil on a car let alone done a timing belt water pump ect. It is now a very fun twin turbo car.

95 Talon TSI - This car has become the epitome of a DSM. Everything that can go wrong has and its one thing after another. It was supposed to be a simple 14B with simple supporting mods. Turned into big 16G FMIC HKS cams head work ECT ECT next after a new 20 psi tune is AWD conversion and bigger turbo. (NOW WITH 20G fun)

EVO 8 with 20G turbo Hks Cams ECT pulled like a motha and didn't stop. power on at 4000 RPMS and this thing screamed. Fastest car I've driven.

911 turbo with larger turbo... not much to talk about as the owner just said its got larger turbos. No traction in first. (its awd) and in second gear the seat tries to eat you. Fastest car I've ridden in. and I've driven stock 911 turbos this was by far much faster.

HPA's Turbo Beetle making 600 AWHP It gets sideways on low boost

I've noticed lately a lot of newbies with the mind set of GO BIG OR GO HOME!! This meaning they have to have the biggest fastest car on the block. While theres nothing wrong with being the best at anything, not having a realistic goal or need is what gets people in trouble.

I'm writing this not for the guy who has the money and the team and know how to build a car for a specific reason but for the average guy or gal who wants a car that they can hop in on Monday drive to work or class, beat 90% of the cars on the street, take the new girl out on Friday with out worrying if its gonna break, go to the track on Saturday and beat the piss out of it and let your mother drive it to church on Sunday and not have to worry about her stalling it because of the clutch choice that was mismatched.

One of the biggest mistakes I notice is the numbers game. Whether it be I want 500 WHP or I want 20 PSI of boost. First 20 PSI on x turbo is x amount of power while 20 psi on P turbo is P amount of power. But that is another discussion.

The number games I'm talking about now is the horsepower game. Any number you want, think it right now, It could be 400, 500, 550, 1000, 2000, it doesn't matter what number you want its what you can realistically do. Not with the parts available but is it realistic with your budget and YOUR needs for this specific car. Sit down and look at your budget, being honest with yourself is really important because you NEED to know what you want to do with the car. Are you going to take it to the track every weekend and be competitive? Are you going to road course it? Destroy Hayabusas on the highway? Or do you want a car that you can drive every day, car that will be reliable AND fun to drive on the street? These are the most CRUCIAL questions you will ever have to decide on.

Staying on the horsepower thing. How much is to much? I used to think there was no number and internet communities today would have you thinking the same thing. These car forums will make you think a 500 WHP car is the normal and anything less is inferior and not as fun. I for one will tell you that is bull shit! I have driven a 1136 RWHP Supra before... At 70 MPH in 6th gear with the tires warm the fucking car will get sideways. THIS WILL MAKE YOUR BALLS SHRINK. End of story never again that is to much power.

I can't really tell you what horsepower level is safe for you but a general consensus is that anything over 500WHP is to much for the street. Its just not safe to have that much power on an unprepped surface.

But then you ask me, "Hey what about that time I saw a stock 2JZ, 6G72, LS1 bottom end do 900 HP on a dyno" YES you can make that number on a dyno, once maybe twice or even 10 times. Now try to do that on the street and every day? That thing will be spewing its guts before you can blink, and thats only if you have managed not to crash or put other people in danger by using that much power on the street.

Ask anyone with more then 500 RWHP or more then 600 AWHP how their car drives on the street. I WILL tell you how it is from personal experience. IT BLOWS THE BIG ONE. Is it fun... ehh its great till you see the speedo coming up on 160 and you realize you JUST got traction and you are on a public road. Yeah because thats safe.

Once you break the tires loose you are no longer in control of your car. There is no argument there. Your just not. There is not a street tire on earth that can handle that much power.

While everyone's preference on fun is different, It truly is no fun for me to drive a car thats gutless for 5000 rpms and then explodes with a fury for the last 3000. And this is a problem mostly with small displacement import vehicles that rely on forced induction to produce the big amounts of power. The more power you want to make, the more driveability you lose, response goes down the shitter and all you get back is a short period of time where your car is an uncontrollable beast thats ready to throw you into a wall or into a ditch.

If you know someone with a car that makes about 500 hp ask them for a ride, ask them to show you what its like to have a car with that much power. I can almost guarantee nearly anyone will do it, its one of the reasons we build these cars, for our own enjoyment and to show off to other people! I will tell you this: you will be in for a world of surprises, 500hp is REALLY FAST! In this internet world it may sound like you're behind the curve and need at least double that, but its WRONG!

If you still decide to go all out and be the biggest motha ever then PLEASE listen to me here when I say take NO SHORTCUTS!!! NONE! Not ONE! You will only be shooting your self in the foot. One weak bolt on the suspension could mean your death or someone elses.

Stay safe and hopefully this will wake some of you up.




E

Lets do it again.

What Sunday in February works best?

Well chaps. The reason i haven't mentioned anything about this before is because i hadn't got clearance from the ACM, now i do.
As a paint sprayer i'm qualified. All the yokes i painted and restored are done by my own hands. I have done road racing on a honda CBR 600 race tuned bike around N Irish country roads. I also fly helicopters in the British Army,hence my avatars, (i fly aerospatile HC1 Puma, HC2a Chinook and AHmk1 rapid response Lynx) I'm out here quite alot so only get to the computer at weekends.

The reason I didn't want to mention this is because here in N Ireland this info can get ya dead real quick. But ya all seem like sound chaps an my service in NI is well an truly over thought i'd let ya know. I'm a Flt lt by the by.

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My real name is Greg but pwee has always been my nickname since 8th grade football. My pads were bigger than my body and I looked funny.

I'm 26 years old and have been working on cars with my dad since I was about 6 or so. changing brakes and shit like that until I was about 19 when I bought my first eclipse. Thats when I started building engines. I found it to be very exhilerating and extremely fun to create a specific engine for a specific purpose.

I completed 5 years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania obtaining a Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Science and a minor of Athletic Training. I hold the certification of Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist(CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association(NSCA). I am currently enrolled in a Master's program at California University in Pennsylvania studying Rehabilitation Sciences. I am employed full time at Lancaster General Bariatrics as a Bariatric Exercise Phyisologist.

During my time in school I was part of a group of guys that did some racing. 2 of our guys were part of Brent Rau's crew when he was affiliated with slowboy racing. If you don't know who Brent Rau is you've been living under a DSM rock. if you don't own a DSM go to youtube and search his name....you will find out.

Since graduating i've built 3 cars, one of which was for myself but since i'm not handy with wiring harnesses I couldn't get it to run so I sold it. One other blew up because the guy I built it for took it up a mountain road wide open for the first few miles of the engines life. He made it to 4th gear before it spun a bearing and locked up. I almost cried. the third still lives as far as I know, has put down some good numbers but was for sale the last time I heard. The 4th car is mine and the one i'm currently working on. This one will be pretty fast car. I hope to eventually make about 800-850awdhp, 10,000+rpm redline 2.1L or 2.3L that will probably make me shit my pants a couple times.

Other than that, I just hang out with my dog, my friends, my beer, and post on here mostly because i'm bored at work in between patients. The wife and I are looking for a house to live here in Lancaster, PA for about 4-5 years and then move back home to the Allegheny mountains where we belong. Back to Steeler country WOOT!

so my laptop is broke and unrepairable from what i understand (not that big of a computer buff)

what i need to know is what is the best entertainment laptop (play some games, watch movies, wireless internet, all the things a guy would need on a deployment to the most baren place on this planet)

i'm looking to spend as close to under a grand as i can (1000 was kinda my wifes budget) but i'm sure i could argue up to 1100 or so if its really worth it.

let me know what you guys think and thanks for the help

-mike

So I have had a 1997 Eclipse GS for the past 6 years, and she decided it was her day and she quit runnin on me. Decided to get a newer car instead of the work that needed to be done to the 97 and I just found one! It happens to be an 03 Eclipse GS, burgundy, black interior... CLEAN! with 43,000 miles and he's asking 6,500.

This is where I need your help! I've looked everywhere trying to run a free carfax on the car and can't seem to find one. Does anyone have free unlimited carfax capabilities??!!!!

If you do and could run this vin # I would really appreciate it! =) 4A3AC44G23E168110

Thanks!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=4198416&page=1


The 18-year-old behind the wheel of a BMW that crashed this weekend, killing five Florida teens, was reportedly online hours earlier seeking advice on how to handle the $80,000 car at speeds of 140 mph and above.

You can **** yourself up pretty well in a Civic or a Ford Explorer, let alone an M5. If you think you are so good at handling a car, and you live anywhere that it snows, just go to a big open unplowed lot some night with a few inches of snow. Drive around at about 30, making turns here and there. When you least expect it, let your passenger jack the E-brake in the middle of one of your turns and see how well you recover. Unless it's "PERFECTLY" then just shut up and go take a class.

If you are a parent of a new driver, pass up that boost controller or whatever the next $400 mod is going to be, and get that kid into a performance driving class. If you are a kid with a sports car, spend your own **** money to go get into a class. It's not going to make you drive faster, it's going to make you understand this car that you think you are controlling a little bit better. So you will think a bit sooner, and NOT DO the stupid stuff.

Don't tell me you can't afford the class, because I know you are eyeballing some rims or some other mod for this car, or you could give up your next 20 pizzas or something like that. And if you are a parent, you can probably get this class for about 10% of what the funeral will cost you, and you won't be crying for the next 30 years.

Has to be the only forum involving cars that people seem to actually act humane, and at least give me the illusion that they respect me.

I greatly appreciate all of you being so nice and kind and still having a good sense of humor. I also am very thankful that you all understand my situation and that I can't make a really super fast car but I make the best of what I have.

Most importantly, my car runs now like a charm, and mostly because of tips and advice from members of the site.

Hey guys (and a few gals)

This is a friend of mine who I know on another board. Please read though this and go to the website. If you cant take in a pug, but have been blessed with funds, please donate to these people. You will be doing a great service.

Thank you,

Raven

PROS Pug Rescue has begun to be affected greatly by the home foreclosures that are devastating CA. We have far more pugs being turned into us and unfortunately some people have turned their pugs out into the street as strays to be picked up by animal control. This turn of events has meant that we are stuffed to the brim and there is now a waiting list of pugs to come into rescue. Our biggest problem is the lack of foster homes. A lot of you have adopted from PROS and you know of the work we do to make these little Pugs wonderful additions to a family. That's why we need your help. There are too many Pugs and PROS has been hit recently with some very needy Pugs. We have so far this year done 3 patella luxation surgeries and recently Spike had liver shunt surgery. Each surgery had to be done by a specialty clinic and cost us dearly but each Pug is more than worth it. Each pug has to be kept in rescue for many more months to rehabilitate before they can be adopted and in the mean time each foster home where they live has no room for more foster Pugs. PROS always needs donations to help with their care but right now we need foster homes.

Right now I have at least 5 pugs needing refuge. They range anyway from the age of 2 years up to 8 yrs old. I've been told that most are in good health, one is almost blind and has ear infections. Tomorrow alone I am getting in 3 Pugs - 2 of them from a Bay Area shelter and both ill; one was facing euthanasia and we have gotten 6 in the past 1 1/2 weeks. Please, if you can help by fostering even short term please get in touch with me. Every pug rescue in CA is jammed to the brim right now and we need help.

I do want to thank all of you for your continuing support of PROS - every foster Pug owes you all a great debt.


Gena Austin, President/Coordinator
PROS Pug Rescue
www.pugpros.org I GoodSearch for PROS Pug Rescue. Raise money for your favorite charity or school just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo!

We need to do a texas meet for eclipses wether its in austin dallas some were any one down for it?

I had my first near-death experience today, and I feel truly grateful to still be alive... I was really scared I was going to die today for a split second.

I was running a bit late for work and so I was driving 70mph or so on the highway (2 lanes)... And I'm about to pass this black Chevrolet Cavalier around a very easy curve... He swerves into my lane, and I think "idiot, I'm going around the other side" and as soon as I change to the other lane, he swerves back into it! I have to hit the brakes hard and jerk the wheel to straighten the car... I felt the tires lose a bit of traction but they heated up a bit and stuck well. Thank goodness I bought new ones... He luckily moved back over quick enough because I would have hit him, and possibly kill us both, or swerved off the edge of the highway into a ditch and killed myself.

As I passed... I looked in the rear-view mirror to see two teenagers laughing like it was some kind of a joke. In anger, fear, and embarrassment, I really wanted to kill the driver but I would not gain anything from that... He started chasing me for some reason, but I lost him in the traffic. I got to work shocked and worried but okay...

Now my brake rotors are glazed with an oily purple shine again, and have some strange markings that make scratching noises... I have to replace them AGAIN.

Then to make things worse, I was pulling out onto one main road, carefully observing some useless whore in a white truck in the farthest lane over on the right approaching, so I pull out and turn left to hear screeching tires and a horn honking, then see her swerve back into the right lane.... She saw me coming and thought it was a good idea to make an unnecessary lane change toward me!? What the fuck? Is everyone out to kill me today!?

Pretty simple topic... Anyone here draw? And if so, can you post some pages of sketches or out of a sketchbook? I think the sketchbook is more interesting than any single piece, and I like trying to figure out the techniques used. In a finished piece it is usually difficult to examine just one technique, as many are used; but in a sketchbook, the artist could be practicing a technique, experimenting how one technique combines with another, and so on and so forth...

alright! so besides my eclipse, my other passion is photography. i just found out about this contest and i need to have enough votes to crack the top 20 in order to be eligible for a chance to win a trip to do my dream photo shoot. help a buddy out! the link is here:

http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the...efuge-on-earth/

u just need to register but it's quick and spamless. if you guys have any additional questions about my idea feel free to ask here. if you guys are interested in seeing some of my past work also feel free to ask here. thanks.

hey guys. i'll be leaving to iraq here in less then a month. (it was supposed to be japan, last minute change, over my head anyways)

well i just wanted to say bye just incase i can't log on there. i'll be on when i can and hopefully be able to keep MOD, if not i'm sure they can find someone smarter than me.

either way, i'll be keeping you guys posted on how its going and wish me luck.

- AE3 Lewis (NAC)

I'm addicted. I'm actually looking forward to it.

My exercise itinerary for tonight.

Its a Chest shoulder tricep work out night. So after I warm up and get myself loose it will be...


Bench press 3 or 4 sets of 8 - 10 reps

Incline press 3 or 4 sets of 8 - 10 reps

Dips pretty much to failure

Tricep push down 4 or 5 sets of 8 - 10 reps

Then I'll hit the bench for another set of 8 - 10

At this point I'll walk around for a minute and push my partner to get his ass in gear.

Then onto:

Military press 3 or 4 sets of 8 - 10 reps

dumbbell fly 3 or 4 sets of 8 - 10 reps

shrugs 4 or 5 sets of 8 - 10 reps

Lateral rise 4 sets of 8 - 10

Maybe some treadmill. Probably play catch... with a 15 pound medicine ball.

We do this ab work out where one guy lays on the bench and does sit ups while the other tosses the 15 LB med ball at the go on the bench's face... or off to the side.... err we did this once... two weeks ago... my abs still are killing me.

I'll post my numbers tomorrow. last time I got on a scale I was 198 at 5'11"

From DOWN RANGE TV

Industry News
Why America's gun owners are justifiably up in arms
By Alan Gottlieb and Dave Workman
Dec 1, 2008 - 3:34:03 PM
From the prospect of an incoming president and vice president with decidedly anti-gun-rights voting records, to a liberal West Coast mayor determined to ban firearms by executive order without benefit of city council or legislative review, American gun owners have good reason to doubt the sincerity of Liberal Democrats now in control of Congress and soon to control the Oval Office, who claim to support firearm civil rights.

Far too many red flags are being waved for gun owners to take a benign posture just six months after a landmark Supreme Court ruling confirmed what they had known all along; that the Second Amendment affirms and protects a fundamental individual civil right to keep and bear arms.

President-elect Barack Obama is on record supporting gun registration, permanent renewal of the ban on so-called assault weapons, slapping an exorbitant increase on the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition, and banning handguns outright. His buffoonish vice president-elect, Delaware's Joe Biden, is a veteran gun control advocate who authored the original assault weapons legislation.

Recently, it was revealed that prospective Obama Administration employees were being asked this invasive question: Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage

Aside from demonstrating a serious ignorance of gun laws, only five states require some level of gun registration, and only in New York City and in New York's Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties is there a renewal requirement – this question suggests that gun owners, or kin of gun owners, will face anti-gun discrimination in their job search. Call it guilt by association, either with firearms or with a relative who owns one.

If this is the kind of change we can expect under the Obama administration, gun owners have reason to worry. The more that Democrats change the more they stay the same. American citizens flocked to gun shops after the election. Many of those people, ironically, were first-time gun buyers or gun owners who voted for the Chicago Democrat. Obama reinforced gun owner apprehension by appointing Rahm Emanuel point man for the Clinton administration on gun control issues as his chief of staff. Eric Holder, his nominee for Attorney General, signed an amicus brief in support of the Washington DC gun ban, while arguing that the Second Amendment does not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms, positions soundly rejected by the Supreme Court.

Both houses of Congress are controlled by Obamas Democratic Party, and leadership positions are occupied by devoted anti-gunners. As we detailed in our recent book, These Dogs Dont Hunt: The Democrats War on Guns, the party excels in pro-Second Amendment rhetoric, but labors to reduce that right to a highly-regulated privilege.

This brings us around to Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle. He has promised to ban even legally-carried guns from city (make that public) property, by executive order. Nearly 250,000 Washington State residents are licensed to carry concealed handguns, and it is also legal in the Evergreen State to carry handguns openly, without a license.

Nickels was advised by the State Attorney General that he lacks the authority under Washingtons model pre-emption law to enact a gun ban, but he has vowed to do it anyway. (Where I am)
Gun owners see this as imperial arrogance, and suspect that if Nickels can ignore his own states preemption statute, then Congress and a Democrat president might just presume to ignore the Constitution.



***
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nations oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.



© Copyright 2008 by DOWN RANGE TV

Just something Im passing along.

"We all like to have fun with our cars, and I assume all of us drive 'a little' over the speed limits at times , but there is the right way and the wrong way to enjoy our cars.

My message today - if you want to have fun, do it where the greatest risk is to get a speeding ticket, and try not to needlessly endanger other people. I you really want to drag race, there are tracks designed just for that.

Yesterday, I was at the barn getting my horse ready for a ride, and the lady in the crosstie next to me started asking about my car. After talking a little, I aksed how she new what it was. Well, she is the mother of the 16yr old girl that got killed 5 years ago in a 3000GT street racing on Kirkland city streets at 4:30PM The horse she was riding used to be her daughter's (a little 'to hot' or me - she said ). I apologized for reminding her of the accident with my car, but told her I would share this with my fellow 3s buddies to remind them to be reasonable.

It was the 18yr old's first car (a TT VR4 ). She actually blames the parents more than the kid.

That was a very sobering experience.

I shared with her my personal rules for driving a sport car:
1. Don't drink and drive. Not even 1 beer. Period.
2. Respect other drivers and give them some space.
3. Don't tailgate or 'slalom' between other cars (Refer to #2).
4. 'Push it' when you have the space to do it and don't endanger other people.
5. Keep racing for the track.

Kind of a 'have fun but keep it safe message'.

For reference, the article about the accident:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/111071_crashfolo05.shtml

"

Since Calin has gotten me the Mitsy it seems that the Stang is acting a bit off.

Last night I kept having this really weird feeling that there was something wrong.
and when I say wrong I mean that feeling deep in your gut like you are in trouble.
Like the feeling that you got when you were a kid and you heard your mom or dad
scream your full name.

I passed it off as driving in icky conditions (there was ice all over the roads) and
remained safe on my way to work.

This morning when I started my car to let her warm up while I was briefing the MEPS
applicants. When It was time to go I get into my car and notice that her RPMs are a
low. Her normal while driving is 500 at an idle/stoplight. It was half that.

I am afraid she wont be able to make it much longer. This breaks my heart because I
do love this car.

Everyone says that I need to just adjust her idle screw. But I cant seem to find this
stupid thing.

I am going to finish my soup. And try and screw around with it again. Hopefully
I will be able to fix this before I go to work tonight.

If you have any advise for this it would be greatly appreciated.

I want to build it who would like to see it get one of these

basically, i want to chase Shep(tall order). the problem is.........funding. since this is a free site I doubt the owner would want to send money or parts to help it get built.

I'm delivering pizzas for Pizza Hut.

I won't get paid too much, but it'll be enough to pay for car insurance and gas. I expect that eventually I can buy a new (used) car too. One that can handle the beating of this job until I get a better one.

As I see it, this job may be temporary...although I told the manager I would stay as long as I can.

So I guess it's nice to be able to make some money again. Even if it's not a lot, it's still enough to get by. Better than borrowing money from family all the time.

I hear that my hourly wage is going to be minimum ($7.00/hour) plus $1 per delivery, and then tips. If I can be very nice to customers, I guess I should be able to make tips. Especially since I'm hired at the Pizza Hut in the richest neighborhood within 25 miles of here.

Do you know if the employer will actually check inspection stickers? I thought mine was due this month but apparently it was November. Really all I have to do is work enough to build up $80, get my exhaust fixed, fix my intake gasket, (free, I have the stuff already) and I'm set. Then I'll have to spend $30 to get it inspected. I think it'll only take a week worth of work to get this together.

I did not write this, and I take no credit for it.
This little poem means a lot to me, and I think of my Grandfather who was in the Pacific in WWII, as well as every Marine around the world.
This is for you.......

A Marine Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home, of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them. I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
and grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees, and started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted of into sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine, from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his t-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shinning moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him, so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep, he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas day, all secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi, and goodnight.

I just want to make this clear. I am here to help anyone with problems or questions about their car. I can’t tell you how many PM’s I have received asking me questions about something specific. Funny thing, I’ve done it as well. I don’t have all the answers but I try my best to find them. Either I’ll suggest asking someone else on the forum, or I’ll ask my mechanic. I’ve even posted threads on other forums to get an answer before.

I come off arrogant and like I know everything and I apologize for that. I’m not here to boost my Ego or make my self feel better. I was reading something on another forum tonight and then came back to this forum and read a post regarding not wanting to ask for fearing being flamed and it upset me.

I don't have problem helping someone out when they genuinely want to learn, its those people who are both ignorant and arrogant. I have dealt with plenty of them. People get called stupid and get ignored all the time on here, I know I have done a lot of the calling but I’ve also asked a question or two that never really got answered.

You have to remember when you ask somebody something there needs to be a certain amount of humbleness to it. There is a reason you are asking them. Telling the person they are wrong right after you ask them for help isn't going to make them want to treat you respect.

The people with the answers had to work to find those answers, either from doing it the wrong way the first time, paying attention to the people doing it the right way, or spending a lot of time researching. And I'm sure they are all grateful for the help and answers they got along the way. But they aren't going to be too quick to hand out all their wisdom to somebody acting like they already know it all. And you might be confusing that "elitist attitude" (superior attitude) with pride.

You have to walk the walk before you can talk the talk. The people who have already walked the walk have a hard time dealing with ignorant people talking when they are just standing there with their hands in their pockets.

The best way to learn is by asking questions. God knows that’s the only reason my 3000GT is running right now.

-SSI

Im about SHIT my pants when I got my first Florida utilites bill. It was $312.19 and in Michigan my highest utilities bill was $56 HIGHEST. Now get this, they tell me I live in the highest percentage city in all Florida. Tallahassee just went up AGAIN for power useage October 1st. I had a guy come out and give mea free audit to make sure everything was accurate. He told me every month they charge me $123.xx just to have power go to my town home apartment. So im in debt before I even turn on a light. Fucking crazy and BS

Which ones do you guys subscribe to?
Which ones do you guys find to be the best?

I saw a 12 month subscription for $45!?!
What happened to the $19.99 for 12 months? This is crazy

Do I have to list jobs on my application if I only worked at them for 3 weeks to a month?

With all the moving around I've had 4 jobs in the past year, one for 7 months i quit cause I moved, one for 2 weeks quit cause I moved again. One for 1 week I quit because it SUCKED and I had a better job. One for 1 month fired for being sick.

I hear from a friend that if I didn't make it past 90 days, I don't even have to report those jobs to a new employer. Is this true?

Playing Chicken 2nd Amendment Style
By Paul Erhardt on Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The instant that Barack Obama was declared the winner it started the clock on a massive game of chicken between an upcoming Democrat majority, and all that that entails, and gun owners. The problem with a game like this is the Democrats with their significant wins in the House and closing in on 58 seats in the Senate have a much bigger car than we do. And maybe we aren’t very good at driving.

The transition work starts today and we can expect some bipartisan outreach from the new Obama administration but that outreach isn’t likely to extend into the debate on the 2nd Amendment.

Democrats have never liked guns and have led the effort to ban private ownership of firearms. There are of course those Blue Dog Democrats that strongly support the 2nd Amendment and they enjoy the support of firearms owners from both parties. But they are not going to be driving the agenda.


The Democrat agenda on guns will come from Sen. Schumer (NY) who has long bashed the second amendment. Not only does he now have a Democrat in the White House and a Senate majority better positioned to end a filibuster, but he has a V.P. in Joe Biden who has happily pushed through gun control in the past.

Biden is particularly dangerous in that he will on one hand talk about owning a Beretta shotgun, and on the other ridicule gun owners. Having lived and worked in Delaware, and been very active in state politics, I can tell you I never heard him talk about being a sportsman or heard the NRA leadership in the state ever talk about Biden as a sportsman.

He may have a shotgun. He may have gone shooting. But his willingness to stand up to protect your rights does not exist.

So legislation is on the horizon. We can expect a new assault weapons ban without a sunset provision. We’ll have restrictions on magazines with capacities over 10 rounds. We’ll probably see a one gun a month effort. The .50 caliber rifles will be targeted for restriction. And we may see an attempt to register guns, probably through a backdoor effort at ATF using the NICS system under the guise of crime fighting.

Most importantly we’ll see judges appointed to the federal bench that do not agree with the Heller decision and will support local restrictions. The federalist style argument of local restrictions will be a popular tact with the Obama administration as they have already hinted at it when speaking on guns during the campaign.

So where do we go from here in our game of chicken? We buy guns.

I got a call about a month ago from a friend who is a VP for one of the major gun companies. He wanted to know what I thought the response would be in the market place to the election.

I told him we’re looking at a run on those firearms we anticipate being banned. There won’t be a run on bolt action rifles, pump shotguns or even revolvers. We’ll see semi-auto rifles like the AR flying off the shelf. Those will be the first target of legislation and top everybody’s must buy list. Already friends are buying ARs and mags. One has 50 30-round mags shipping to him already.

The industry will see a considerable increase in sales of ARs, other black rifles and semi-auto pistols with “hi-cap” mags. During this period the industry will make money hand over fist – at least the black rifle makers and handgun companies will. The traditional hunting companies will see growth but nothing like the others unless they have a strong tactical product line-up.

This run on guns will accelerate as we get closer to legislation but will hit the wall when legislation passes. The assumption is that gun control will pass, and the industry is ill equipped to stop it. As an industry we did not inject ourselves into the national debate for president. Roger Simon pointed this out in the Politico when he wrote, “one of the McCain’s biggest mistakes so far has been, in my opinion, his failure to exploit issues that Republicans usually do well with. Take gun ownership.”

It was we who let guns fade from the national debate. We let the Obama campaign claim pro-gun footing without really challenging it. We lost the opportunity to inject guns as a jobs issue early in the debate during the New Hampshire primaries when the state is home to four major gun makers. We let guns come up late in the race but only as a story of increased sales. Most of those stories didn’t carry quotes from industry leaders. We remained quiet even when battleground states have strong sportsmen/gun owning traditions.

We did however preach to the choir, as we usually do, so we can feel good about that I guess. Oh, and we did bring down upon the Obama campaign the full force and might of the industry in the form of a cease and desist letter for using the SHOT Show press list without permission. How that didn’t derail their campaign I’ll never know.

But now we are in a very big game of chicken and the clock has started. It’s time to buy guns, magazines and ammo. Do it now before the prices go up or the shelves go bare. If you don’t you may find yourself in the future looking at a regular old AR and thinking $2,000 is a good price for a “pre-ban” rifle you could have bought for $800 today.

It’s time to break open your piggy bank, unearth your secret stash, trade some guns or whatever you need to do to get the cash to buy now….and don’t forget to grab a beta-C mag or two.

Honor a Veteran and Celebrate Veterans Day
Freedom. We know it's meaning. We understand it's importance in our lives. Yet there are times we forget how hard our Veterans had to fight for the very freedom we experience today. In November, 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, the first Veterans Day. Armistice Day was proclaimed to honor Veterans from World War I. It became an official holiday in 1926, with revisions to the holiday in 1938 and again in 1954, when the title of the day was changed from Armistice Day, honoring World War I veterans to Veterans Day, when all Veterans were honored from all wars. The History of Veterans Day (Most Americans confuse Veterans Day with
Memorial Day?)

What Do You Know About Veterans Day?

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, most Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, reports the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What's more, some Americans don't know why we commemorate our Veterans on Nov.11. It's imperative that all Americans know the history of Veterans Day so that we can honor our former servicemembers properly.

A Brief History of Veterans Day


Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.

Celebrating the Veterans Day Holiday


If the Nov. 11 holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday is observed by the federal government on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management — a complete schedule can be found here. State and local government closings are determined locally, and non- government businesses can close or remain open as they see fit, regardless of federal, state or local government operation determinations.

United States Senate Resolution 143, which was passed on Aug. 4, 2001, designated the week of Nov.11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as "National Veterans Awareness Week." The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day


Memorial Day honors servicemembers who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

President Eisenhower’s letter to Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, designating him Chairman, Veterans Day National Committee

The White House Office
October 8, 1954

"Dear Mr. Higley:

I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.

I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.

Sincerely,

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER"

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Don't forget to vote bitches!!!


not that you could with maxiumus posting mccain stuff on here everyother day.....

Well I wanted a OEM CF hood for my project, but have access to a CF evo hood. My only worryment is, the vent is like open isnt it? What if it rains really hard? Wouldn't that be BAD on a hot engine and cause warped head over time? I myself dont like the look of a Evo hood on anything BUT a evo, but like Pwee told me, its more power because more air being brought in.

discuss your opions

LOL I went to the stealership again to purchase someplugs and wires, cuz Im STILL at 17 mpg and dont fricken know why. Anyhow on my way out, I was walking through the showroom, and I just spouted out WHY did they change thelookof the EVO's? What a shame lol. The guys liek hounded me and offered me $4000 trade in on my eclipse towards a new galant or $2000 trade in on the new Blue Evo. I looked at him and started laughing. I told him if he gets in like a 05 style evo, then call me, but dont try to sell me the new lancer or evo bullshit. God ugly cars

only band ever that EVERYONE knows, EVERYONE has heard AND liked at least one of their songs even if you don't like that type of music?








































I will post the answer at the end of the week, and when i do i'm sure there will be some people that say, "Oh, I don't like them." but then as soon as they hear one of their songs they say, "they did that song?"

Whats wrong with it, i know its been down a while now but i just kept figuring it would be back up a few days.

Add yourself.

http://www.myspace.com/mitsubishi_forums

So everybody, I was looking at a book full of methods that have been used as torture for a history class. I came across waterboarding, which I have known about for some time now, but just recently read into. In my opinion it has to be one of the top 5 methods of torture that can be administered.

It seems much more devestating than any method of torture used in the middle ages, because through my study of the process, it seems as though more people dies via these old methods. With newer methods, you may live to be 80 years old still.

What do you all think... is it that bad, are there much worse?

And mike... I have heard stories that the government has been waterboarding its own troops to get them to understand the rigors of torture, is this true?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. He launched his political career in William Ayers living room. Ayers is a domestic terrorist.

2.Obama was raised a Muslim. His dad was a radical Muslim.

3.Obama is an admitted cocaine user.

4. Obama spent 20 years in Rev Wrights church. Wright is a racist and has said G D America.

5.Obamas relationship with convicted felon Tony Rezko.

* Tony Rezco built low income housing substandard all over Obama’s district when he was in state government with free money he got from the government.
Did Obama have anything to do with that?
* Those housing units are now boarded up and in disrepair, the money is gone and no low income people are being housed. Obama claims he knows nothing about this even though it was high visibility in his district.
* Tony Rezco was one of Obama’s finance committeemen in his state campaigns. He was on his board of advisers.
* Tony Rezco facilitated Obama’s purchase of a large and expensive estate in the North Suburbs of Chicagoland which indirectly benefited Obama over a hundred thousand dollars tax free. Obama claims he is innocent.
* Tony Rezco is well connected to the corrupt political machine in Chicagoland and was a financier of the fellow Democrat Govornoer of Illinois. For this corruption regarding the Governor Rezco is on trial.
* Tony Rezco was a large contributor to Obama’s campaign. Over $70,000. In view of the fact that Obama raised 50 million in February he was well able to give all of that $70,000 to charity.

6. Obamas radical views ..ion. He supports killing the baby, if it survives an abortion.

7. Obama is the most liberal member of the senate.

8. Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and even his running mate Joe Biden have all warned that Obama is not ready to be president.

9. The naming of Joe Biden as his running mate. Joe Biden is a noted Draft Dodger.

10. Obama has Zero executive experience.

11. Michelle Obama has called Americans ignorant and has said she has never been proud of her country until Barack was runnign for pres.

12. Crisis on wall street.. Obama is #1 recipient of Fannie Mae money. John McCain canceled campaign events to go help on the bailout bill. Obamas response was "call me if you need me.
"

**Mitsubishi** ""We are seriously re-evaluating our U.S. operations""


The source









And discuss

FIRST RULE! if you badmouth the spot i'll delete your post and you'll get at least a few days ban.

NOW,
post where you wrestling, your stats and what not. and we can discuse anything.

What else do you drive? Is the Lancer your daily driver or weekend warrior?

The Lancer (2.0l cvt, sunroof) is my daily driver. My weekend warrior (when I can afford to put gas in it ) is my Camaro SS (5.7l 6spd, t-tops).

Seriously, I'm not joking about this... the image contained on this post is NOT for the young of age. You must be 18 years of age or older before reading this topic! YOU HAVE BEEN FORWARNED!

Now... for all you mature folk...

I live in Chicago, but I frequently visit the suburbs because my friends live there and one of the better outdoor malls is located there as well. I decide to take a different route home and as I am driving, I notice a... peculiar road. Now before I actually POST this picture on the topic, I want you to navigate to it yourself!

Hit MENU on your Navi, then hit Address/Intersection... here's the details.

State: IL
City: Skokie
Street: Dempster St
Intersection: Kostner Terrace

Yeah... we got some nasty people in the burbs. Makes ya wonder what's going on inside the Evanston Golf Club! BOOM CHIKA WA WA!

...

If the suspense is killing you and you really don't feel like going to your car to check out the map OR if you do not have the Navigation Package (you're welcome FMP), then you may click the link below. You have been warned...

Nasty Map
(Excuse the quality of my craptastic phone)

... and I'm going to sleep I'll update later .

Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

Yeah, According to www.websiteoutlook.com this site is worth $18381.40


The Stats