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Ultima linie de apărare a Japoniei: cei 50 de kamikaze nucleari

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:10:00 +0200

http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/mapamond/ultima-linie-de-aparare-a-japoniei-cei-50-de-kamikaze-nucleari-219677.html

Bărbaţii descrişi mai sus sunt câţiva dintre cei 50 de tehnicieni care încearcă cu toate forţele să prevină un dezastru nuclear. Numele lor nu au fost făcute publice, feţele lor sunt necunoscute celor 35 de milioane de oameni din regiunea Tokio care ar putea fi afectaţi de o posibilă catastrofă. Însă acesta este probabil ultimul lucru la care acei tehnicieni se gândesc acum; pentru ei, nu siguranţa familiilor lor şi în nici un caz propria siguranţă nu reprezintă o prioritate - ci să îşi facă treaba cât pot de bine, şi până la deznodământul final - indiferent care va fi acesta. Datoria înainte de toate, acesta este motto-ul lor.

Misiunea lor este dificilă, iar condiţiile, grele: să pompeze apă de mare în reactoarele 1,2 şi 3, încercând să răcească combustibilul nuclear şi să prevină o topire totală a acestuia, topire care ar putea arunca mii de tone de praf radioactiv în aer şi ar pune în pericol zeci de milioane de vieţi. O parte dintre tehnicieni au rămas ca voluntari, alţii au fost chemaţi, niciunul însă nu s-a ferit de enorma responsabilitate, deşi de la cutremurul din 11 martie până astăzi, cinci muncitori de la Fukushima au murit în urma exploziilor, alţi 22 au fost spitalizaţi şi doi sunt daţi dispăruţi.

Desigur, tehnicienii cunosc riscurile la care se expun - guvernul japonez tocmai a ridicat limita permisibilă a radiaţiilor la care aceştia au voie să lucreze de la 100 la 250 de milisievert - drept care în unele părţi ale centralei atomice, unde radioactivitatea este acum prea ridicată, lucrătorii stau la coadă pentru a face o anumită muncă pentru numai câteva minute.

Tehnicienii unei centrale nucleare sunt un grup unit, ca pompierii sau membrii unei trupe militare de elită, legaţi de un spirit de camaraderie ieşit din comun; în pauzele de masă, discuţiile purtate revin adeseori la subiectul central al vieţilor lor: ce ar face în cazul unui accident grav? Consensul este că, după ce îşi vor avertiza familiile, toţi vor rămâne la posturi atâta timp cât va fi nevoie. La urma urmei, de eforturile lor depinde dacă Japonia se va confrunta în zilele următoare cu o catastrofă nucleară - sau nu.

"De ce nu sunt jafuri în Japonia?"

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0200

"De ce nu sunt jafuri în Japonia?" se întreabă, pe blogul său găzduit de The Telegraph, jurnalistul Ed West. Împărtăşesc aceeaşi întrebare zeci de alţi jurnalişti şi comentatori din toată lumea care încă îşi amintesc imaginile cu devastarea supermarketurilor şi bătăliile armate pentru apă şi mâncare din Haiti, New Orleans sau Chile.

Ed West spune: "Poate că mai impresionantă decât forţa tehnologic a japoniei este forţa societăţii nipone, cu supermarketuri care au redus preţurile şi cu proprietarii de automate ce distribuie bauturi care oferă acum produse gratuit".

"Cel mai remarcabil lucru dintre toate este acela ca nu au existat jafuri", mai scrie West, care crede că "este un lucru destul de neobişnuit printre culturile de pe glob."

Prin comparaţie cu ce se întâmpla acum în Japonia, imaginea jafurilor care au urmat, de fiecare dată, după marile dezastre ale ultimilor ani e şi mai şocantă.

După ce urganul Katrina a devastat New Orleans, în august 2005, apele nici nu se retrăseseră şi hoţii au dat năvală în magazine. Nu doar după apă şi mâncare! Au furat tot ce se putea: bijuterii, haine, scutece pentru bebeluşi, medicamente, chiar şi televizoare - deşi nimeni nu avea curent electric.

Mai mult: Incredibila solidaritate japoneză. Cum crezi că ar reacţiona românii într-o situaţie similară? - Reportaj | Libertatea.ro

secretele barbatilor

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:30:00 +0200

(http://www.femeiastie.ro/dragoste-relatii/barbatii-si-nevoile-lor/dragosterelatii---barbatii-si-nevoile-lor)

Oricat de usor de ghicit poate sa para un barbat, uneori sunt ceva mai complicati. Si desi au o intuitie renumita, se pare ca femeile nu stiu chiar tot… Mai joi iata cateva secrete din viata barbatilor:

Barbatii iau in serios angajamentele, majoritatea dintre cei insurati raspunzand ca daca ar putea alege din nou, s-ar casatori cu aceaiasi femeie.

Barbatii isi intaresc relatiile de cuplu in primul rand prin activitatile facute impreuna, considerand ca aceste activitati sunt utile pentru a se simti mai aproape de partenerele lor.

Barbatii uita si iarta mai repede decat femeile, asa ca daca vrei sa discuti cu el despre cearta de aseara, s-ar putea sa nu mai stie despre ce era vorba.

Barbatii raspund la cuvinte de lauda, asa ca este foarte important sa-ti apreciezi iubitul, asa cum il ai.

Barbatii se gandesc foarte mult la sex, iar fanteziile lor sunt mult mai variate.

Barbatii considera ca sexul este un act foarte important intre doi oameni care formeaza un cuplu si ca acesta influenteaza mult relatia voastra.

Barbatii se indeparteaza atunci cand nevoile lor nu sunt indeplinite, atunci cand nu se simte iubit sau apreciat, de cele mai multe ori cautand asta in alta parte.

Oricat de usor de ghicit poate sa para un barbat, uneori sunt ceva mai complicati. Si desi au o intuitie renumita, se pare ca femeile nu stiu chiar tot…

Fiecare dintre noi avem aceleasi ganduri, atat femeile cat si barbatii doresc sub o anumita forma sau alta acelasi lucru, sa fie iubiti. Doar ca barbatilor le este este greu sa recunoasca sentimentele si de aceea, pentru a stii ceea ce simte pentru tine cu adevarat, ia-l pe ocolite.

88 Important Truths I’ve Learned About Life

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:15:00 +0200

(http://www.raptitude.com/2009/07/88-important-truths-ive-learned-about-life/?awesm=fbshare.me_AOn89)

Everyone gets drilled with certain lessons in life. Sometimes it takes repeated demonstrations of a given law of life to really get it into your skull, and other times one powerful experience drives the point home once forever. Here are 88 things I’ve discovered about life, the world, and its inhabitants by this point in my short time on earth.

1. You can’t change other people, and it’s rude to try.

2. It is a hundred times more difficult to burn calories than to refrain from consuming them in the first place.

3. If you’re talking to someone you don’t know well, you may be talking to someone who knows way more about whatever you’re talking about than you do.

4. The cheapest and most expensive models are usually both bad deals.

5. Everyone likes somebody who gets to the point quickly.

6. Bad moods will come and go your whole life, and trying to force them away makes them run deeper and last longer.

7. Children are remarkably honest creatures until we teach them not to be.

8. If everyone in the TV show you’re watching is good-looking, it’s not worth watching.

9. Yelling always makes things worse.

10. Whenever you’re worried about what others will think of you, you’re really just worried about what you’ll think of you.

11. Every problem you have is your responsibility, regardless of who caused it.

12. You never have to deal with more than one moment at a time.

13. If you never doubt your beliefs, then you’re wrong a lot.

14. Managing one’s wants is the most powerful skill a person can learn.

15. Nobody has it all figured out.

16. Cynicism is far too easy to be useful.

17. Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.

18. Whenever you hate something, it hates you back: people, situations and inanimate objects alike.

19. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s works alone can teach you everything you need to know about living with grace and happiness.

20. People embellish everything, as a rule.

21. Anger reveals weakness of character, violence even moreso.

22. Humans cannot destroy the planet, but we can destroy its capacity to keep us alive. And we are.

23. When people are uncomfortable with the present moment, they fidget with their hands or their minds. Watch and see.

24. Those who complain the most, accomplish the least.

25. Putting something off makes it instantly harder and scarier.

26. Credit card debt devours souls.

27. Nobody knows more than a minuscule fraction of what’s going on in the world. It’s just way too big for any one person to know it well.

28. Most of what we see is only what we think about what we see.

29. A person who is unafraid to present a candid version of herself to the world is as rare as diamonds.

30. The most common addiction in the world is the draw of comfort. It wrecks dreams and breaks people.

31. If what you’re doing feels perfectly safe, there is probably a better course of action.

32. The greatest innovation in the history of humankind is language.

33. Blame is the favorite pastime of those who dislike responsibility.

34. Everyone you meet is better than you at something.

35. Proof is nothing but a collection of opinions that match your own.

36. Knowledge is belief, nothing more.

37. Indulging your desires is not self-love.

38. What makes human beings different from animals is that animals can be themselves with ease.

39. Self-examination is the only path out of misery.

40. Whoever you are, you will die. To know and understand that means you are alive.

41. Revenge is for the petty and irresponsible.

42. Getting truly organized can vastly improve anyone’s life.

43. Almost every cliché contains a truth so profound that people have been compelled to repeat it until it makes you roll your eyes. But the wisdom is still in there.

44. People cause suffering when they are suffering themselves. Alleviating their suffering will help them not hurt others.

45. High quality is worth any quantity, in possessions, friends and experiences.

46. The world would be a better place if everyone read National Geographic.

47. If you aren’t happy single, you won’t be happy in a relationship.

48. Even if it costs no money, nothing is free if it takes time.

49. Emotions exist to make us strongly biased towards or against something. This hinders as often as it helps.

50. Addiction is a much greater problem in society than it’s made out to be. It’s present in every person in various forms, but usually we call it something else.

51. “Gut feeling” is not just a euphemism. Tension in the abdomen speaks volumes about how you truly feel about something, beyond all arguments and rationales.

52. Posture and dress change profoundly how you feel about yourself and how others feel about you, like it or not.

53. Everyone thinks they’re an above average driver.

54. The urge to punish others has much more to do with venting frustration than correcting behavior.

55. By default, people think far too much.

56. If anything is worth splurging on, it’s a high-quality mattress. You’ll spend a third of your life using it.

57. There is nothing worse than having no friends.

58. To write a person off as worthless is an act of great violence.

59. Try as we might to be otherwise, we are all hypocrites.

60. Justice is a human invention which is in reality rarely achievable, but many will not hesitate to destroy lives demanding it.

61. Kids will usually understand exactly what you mean if you keep it to one or two short sentences.

62. Stuff that’s on sale usually has an annoying downside.

63. Casual swearing makes people sound dumb.

64. Words are immensely powerful. One cruel remark can wound someone for life.

65. It’s easy to make someone’s day just by being uncommonly pleasant to them.

66. Most of what children learn from their parents isn’t taught on purpose.

67. The secret ingredient is usually butter, in obscene amounts.

68. It is worth re-trying foods that you didn’t like at first.

69. Problems, when they arise, are rarely as painful as the experience of fearing them.

70. Nothing — ever — happens exactly like you pictured it.

71. North Americans are generally terrible at accepting compliments and offers of help.

72. There are not enough women in positions of power. The world has suffered from this deficit for a long time.

73. When you break promises to yourself, you feel terrible. When you make a habit of it, you begin to hate yourself.

74. A good nine out of ten bad things I’ve worried about never happened. A good nine out of ten bad things that did happen never occurred to me to worry about.

75. You can’t hide a bad mood from people who know you well, but you can always be polite.

76. Sometimes you have to remove certain people from your life, even if they’re family.

77. Anyone can be calmed in an instant by looking at the ocean or the stars.

78. There is no point finishing a book you aren’t enjoying. Life is too short for that. Swallow your pride and put it down for good, unfinished.

79. There is no correlation between the price of a brand of batteries and how long they last.

80. Breaking new ground only takes a small amount more effort than you’re used to giving.

81. Life is a solo trip, but you’ll have lots of visitors. Some of them are long-term, most aren’t.

82. One of the best things you can do for your kids is take them on road trips. I’m not a parent, but I was a kid once.

83. The fewer possessions you have, the more they do for you.

84. Einstein was wiser than he was intelligent, and he was a genius.

85. When you’re sick of your own life, that’s a good time to pick up a book.

86. Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.

87. The ability to be happy is nothing other than the ability to come to terms with how things change.

88. Killing time is an atrocity. It’s priceless, and it never grows back.

Articole: "Oameni care muncesc şi oameni care o freacă"

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0300

http://lorenalupu.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/oameni-care-muncesc-si-oameni-care-o-freaca/

Oamenii care muncesc se bagă în seamă moderat şi doar atunci când au ceva relevant de spus. Oamenii care muncesc nu îţi pierd timpul – pentru că timpul tău pierdut e şi timpul lor pierdut. Oamenii care muncesc comunică raţional, îţi ascultă argumentele şi caută logic modul prin care se poate ajunge la un consens.

Oamenii care o freacă au impresia că le datorezi atenţie oricând, oricum, oriunde – pentru că oricând-ul lor e atât de fluid. Oamenii care o freacă se poartă cu timpul tău de parcă ar fi avutul lor. Oamenii care o freacă nu au nimic de comunicat raţional. Nu au decât reproşuri, pretenţii şi aşteptări nerealiste. Nu îţi ascultă argumentele, nu caută consensul, ci dramatismul situaţiei. Oamenii care o freacă îţi irosesc în mod nejustificat timpul şi nervii.

Şi da, ştiu că nu spun nimic nou, dar am simţit nevoia să îmi mai exprim o dată ura pentru cea de-a doua categorie şi reprezentanţii ei. Ştiţi ce v-aş face, băi, muiştilor? Mi-aş face plantaţie de bumbac şi v-aş face sclavi pe ea. Şi aş plăti dispeceri-de-futut-la-icre, să vă facă dramolete în timp ce eu vă mân cu biciul. Abia atunci aţi înţelege, cretinii pulii, cât sunteţi de ofticanţi în strădaniile voastre de a fute ziua omului. Muie vouă.

articole: Din dragoste pentru copilul meu (Maria IORDĂNESCU)

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:25:04 +0300

E firească dorinţa oricărui părinte de a-şi proteja copilul. Vreau să-l ţin cît mai departe de orice i-ar putea face rău, de mizerii, promiscuitate, abuz fizic, cuvinte murdare. Aş vrea pentru el o lume perfectă, în care oamenii respectă legi scrise şi nescrise şi în care protecţia micului cetăţean să fie infailibilă. Dar ştiu bine că o astfel de lume nu există, nici măcar în poveşti – de altfel, populate cu personaje negative în aceeaşi măsură cu cele pozitive. Ce soluţii am deci, pentru a-l ajuta pe cel mic să răzbată în lumea imperfectă în care am ales să-l aduc?

Cel mai simplu pare, la prima vedere, protecţia prin izolare: mă interpun între el şi rău, anulez întîlnirile cu oamenii sau întîmplările care l-ar putea răni, îl ţin aproape de mine ca-ntr-un marsupiu atotprotector, şi nu las nimic din ale lumii nedrepte să răzbată pînă la el. Pe termen scurt, pare soluţia cea mai seducătoare: adun lîngă mine toate armele şi instrumentele care pot face curat în jurul lui. Şi, pentru că nu pot fi îndeajuns de prevăzător – chipul răului are infinite faţete şi căi de seducţie – construiesc pentru copilul meu o seră, în care nu vor pătrunde decît aer, prieteni, rude, situaţii atent selecţionate. Pe termen lung însă, soluţia ridică nenumărate întrebări: cît de mult timp pot face asta? Ce se va întîmpla cu el, dacă eu, într-o zi, nu-i voi mai putea fi alături? Dacă sera asta construită pentru protecţia lui îl va priva şi de bucuria de a întîlni oameni, experienţe cu adevărat benefice? Ce îmi dă certitudinea că voi şti întotdeauna ce e bine şi ce e rău pentru el? E, oare, drept să-l fac dependent de judecata mea, presupunînd că niciodată nu va fi în stare să o dezvolte şi să o folosească pe a lui?

Prima consecinţă a adoptării acestei soluţii este aceea că îmi voi transforma copilul într-un neputincios. Eu, adultul cel mai aproape de el, primul chemat să creadă cel mai mult în forţa şi inteligenţa şi aptitudinile sădite în propriul copil, sînt, de fapt, primul care îl socotesc pe acesta inapt să înveţe din experienţe. Cu alte cuvinte, pornesc la drum prin viaţă, împreună cu el, cu prejudecata că, odată sărit din grădina mea hiperprotectivă, are în faţă un viitor plin de nesiguranţă, erori de judecată, înfrîngeri.

Fireşte că în strategia creată pentru protecţia copilului meu trebuie să intre reguli, principii, legi care să-l ţină departe de orice abuz fizic şi emoţional. Îmi folosesc experienţa, dar şi dragostea, pentru a evita situaţiile, oamenii care i-ar putea face rău. Dar pentru a fi eficientă, pe termen lung şi pe zone extinse, strategia mea ar fi bine să cuprindă şi lecţii prin care să-i ofer copilului meu propriile arme şi instrumente pentru a se apăra. Cum pot face asta? Lăsîndu-l, cu prudenţă, să experimenteze. Să-şi rezolve singur, cu spatele apărat de mine, conflictele. Discutînd cu el despre efectele propriilor fapte asupra celor din jur şi ale celor din jur asupra lui. Învăţîndu-l să recunoască din timp ce anume din ce vede, aude, întîlneşte i-ar putea fi de ajutor şi ce l-ar putea răni.

Sigur că mizez, în educaţia lui, pe modele pozitive. Pe oameni, fapte, întîmplări care nasc efecte benefice. De ele aş vrea să se apropie copilul meu, ţinîndu-se departe de cele negative. Dar cum va învăţa s-o facă altfel decît în confruntarea directă şi cu unele, şi cu celelalte? Un mod sigur de a-l face să le aprecieze pe primele şi să le evite pe ultimele este acela de a-l lăsa să experimenteze consecinţele – emoţiile, gîndurile, faptele – provocate de întîlnirea cu toate, deopotrivă.

Maria Iordănescu este psiholog.

Joe Stack (1956-2010)

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

If you're reading this, you're no doubt asking yourself, "Why did this have to happen?" The simple truth is that it is complicated and has been coming for a long time. The writing process, started many months ago, was intended to be therapy in the face of the looming realization that there isn't enough therapy in the world that can fix what is really broken. Needless to say, this rant could fill volumes with example after example if I would let it. I find the process of writing it frustrating, tedious, and probably pointless… especially given my gross inability to gracefully articulate my thoughts in light of the storm raging in my head. Exactly what is therapeutic about that I'm not sure, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

We are all taught as children that without laws there would be no society, only anarchy. Sadly, starting at early ages we in this country have been brainwashed to believe that, in return for our dedication and service, our government stands for justice for all. We are further brainwashed to believe that there is freedom in this place, and that we should be ready to lay our lives down for the noble principals represented by its founding fathers. Remember? One of these was "no taxation without representation". I have spent the total years of my adulthood unlearning that crap from only a few years of my childhood. These days anyone who really stands up for that principal is promptly labeled a "crackpot", traitor and worse.

While very few working people would say they haven't had their fair share of taxes (as can I), in my lifetime I can say with a great degree of certainty that there has never been a politician cast a vote on any matter with the likes of me or my interests in mind. Nor, for that matter, are they the least bit interested in me or anything I have to say.

Why is it that a handful of thugs and plunderers can commit unthinkable atrocities (and in the case of the GM executives, for scores of years) and when it's time for their gravy train to crash under the weight of their gluttony and overwhelming stupidity, the force of the full federal government has no difficulty coming to their aid within days if not hours? Yet at the same time, the joke we call the American medical system, including the drug and insurance companies, are murdering tens of thousands of people a year and stealing from the corpses and victims they cripple, and this country's leaders don't see this as important as bailing out a few of their vile, rich cronies. Yet, the political "representatives" (thieves, liars, and self-serving scumbags is far more accurate) have endless time to sit around for year after year and debate the state of the "terrible health care problem". It's clear they see no crisis as long as the dead people don't get in the way of their corporate profits rolling in.

And justice? You've got to be kidding!

How can any rational individual explain that white elephant conundrum in the middle of our tax system and, indeed, our entire legal system? Here we have a system that is, by far, too complicated for the brightest of the master scholars to understand. Yet, it mercilessly "holds accountable" its victims, claiming that they're responsible for fully complying with laws not even the experts understand. The law "requires" a signature on the bottom of a tax filing; yet no one can say truthfully that they understand what they are signing; if that's not "duress" than what is. If this is not the measure of a totalitarian regime, nothing is.

How did I get here?

My introduction to the real American nightmare starts back in the early '80s. Unfortunately after more than 16 years of school, somewhere along the line I picked up the absurd, pompous notion that I could read and understand plain English. Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having 'tax code' readings and discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful "exemptions" that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law (with the help of some of the "best", high-paid, experienced tax lawyers in the business), and then began to do exactly what the "big boys" were doing (except that we weren't steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God). We took a great deal of care to make it all visible, following all of the rules, exactly the way the law said it was to be done.

The intent of this exercise and our efforts was to bring about a much-needed re-evaluation of the laws that allow the monsters of organized religion to make such a mockery of people who earn an honest living. However, this is where I learned that there are two "interpretations" for every law; one for the very rich, and one for the rest of us… Oh, and the monsters are the very ones making and enforcing the laws; the inquisition is still alive and well today in this country.

That little lesson in patriotism cost me $40,000+, 10 years of my life, and set my retirement plans back to 0. It made me realize for the first time that I live in a country with an ideology that is based on a total and complete lie. It also made me realize, not only how naive I had been, but also the incredible stupidity of the American public; that they buy, hook, line, and sinker, the crap about their "freedom"… and that they continue to do so with eyes closed in the face of overwhelming evidence and all that keeps happening in front of them.

Before even having to make a shaky recovery from the sting of the first lesson on what justice really means in this country (around 1984 after making my way through engineering school and still another five years of "paying my dues"), I felt I finally had to take a chance of launching my dream of becoming an independent engineer.

On the subjects of engineers and dreams of independence, I should digress somewhat to say that I'm sure that I inherited the fascination for creative problem solving from my father. I realized this at a very young age.

The significance of independence, however, came much later during my early years of college; at the age of 18 or 19 when I was living on my own as student in an apartment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. My neighbor was an elderly retired woman (80+ seemed ancient to me at that age) who was the widowed wife of a retired steel worker. Her husband had worked all his life in the steel mills of central Pennsylvania with promises from big business and the union that, for his 30 years of service, he would have a pension and medical care to look forward to in his retirement. Instead he was one of the thousands who got nothing because the incompetent mill management and corrupt union (not to mention the government) raided their pension funds and stole their retirement. All she had was social security to live on.

In retrospect, the situation was laughable because here I was living on peanut butter and bread (or Ritz crackers when I could afford to splurge) for months at a time. When I got to know this poor figure and heard her story I felt worse for her plight than for my own (I, after all, I thought I had everything to in front of me). I was genuinely appalled at one point, as we exchanged stories and commiserated with each other over our situations, when she in her grandmotherly fashion tried to convince me that I would be "healthier" eating cat food (like her) rather than trying to get all my substance from peanut butter and bread. I couldn't quite go there, but the impression was made. I decided that I didn't trust big business to take care of me, and that I would take responsibility for my own future and myself.

Return to the early '80s, and here I was off to a terrifying start as a 'wet-behind-the-ears' contract software engineer... and two years later, thanks to the fine backroom, midnight effort by the sleazy executives of Arthur Andersen (the very same folks who later brought us Enron and other such calamities) and an equally sleazy New York Senator (Patrick Moynihan), we saw the passage of 1986 tax reform act with its section 1706.

For you who are unfamiliar, here is the core text of the IRS Section 1706, defining the treatment of workers (such as contract engineers) for tax purposes. Visit this link for a conference committee report (http://www.synergistech.com/1706.shtml#ConferenceCommitteeReport) regarding the intended interpretation of Section 1706 and the relevant parts of Section 530, as amended. For information on how these laws affect technical services workers and their clients, read our discussion here (http://www.synergistech.com/ic-taxlaw.shtml).

SEC. 1706. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN TECHNICAL PERSONNEL.

(a) IN GENERAL - Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:

(d) EXCEPTION. - This section shall not apply in the case of an individual who pursuant to an arrangement between the taxpayer and another person, provides services for such other person as an engineer, designer, drafter, computer programmer, systems analyst, or other similarly skilled worker engaged in a similar line of work.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE. - The amendment made by this section shall apply to remuneration paid and services rendered after December 31, 1986.

Note:

* "another person" is the client in the traditional job-shop relationship.

1. "taxpayer" is the recruiter, broker, agency, or job shop.
2. "individual", "employee", or "worker" is you.

Admittedly, you need to read the treatment to understand what it is saying but it's not very complicated. The bottom line is that they may as well have put my name right in the text of section (d). Moreover, they could only have been more blunt if they would have came out and directly declared me a criminal and non-citizen slave. Twenty years later, I still can't believe my eyes.

During 1987, I spent close to $5000 of my 'pocket change', and at least 1000 hours of my time writing, printing, and mailing to any senator, congressman, governor, or slug that might listen; none did, and they universally treated me as if I was wasting their time. I spent countless hours on the L.A. freeways driving to meetings and any and all of the disorganized professional groups who were attempting to mount a campaign against this atrocity. This, only to discover that our efforts were being easily derailed by a few moles from the brokers who were just beginning to enjoy the windfall from the new declaration of their "freedom". Oh, and don't forget, for all of the time I was spending on this, I was loosing income that I couldn't bill clients.

After months of struggling it had clearly gotten to be a futile exercise. The best we could get for all of our trouble is a pronouncement from an IRS mouthpiece that they weren't going to enforce that provision (read harass engineers and scientists). This immediately proved to be a lie, and the mere existence of the regulation began to have its impact on my bottom line; this, of course, was the intended effect.

Again, rewind my retirement plans back to 0 and shift them into idle. If I had any sense, I clearly should have left abandoned engineering and never looked back.

Instead I got busy working 100-hour workweeks. Then came the L.A. depression of the early 1990s. Our leaders decided that they didn't need the all of those extra Air Force bases they had in Southern California, so they were closed; just like that. The result was economic devastation in the region that rivaled the widely publicized Texas S&L fiasco. However, because the government caused it, no one gave a shit about all of the young families who lost their homes or street after street of boarded up houses abandoned to the wealthy loan companies who received government funds to "shore up" their windfall. Again, I lost my retirement.

Years later, after weathering a divorce and the constant struggle trying to build some momentum with my business, I find myself once again beginning to finally pick up some speed. Then came the .COM bust and the 911 nightmare. Our leaders decided that all aircraft were grounded for what seemed like an eternity; and long after that, 'special' facilities like San Francisco were on security alert for months. This made access to my customers prohibitively expensive. Ironically, after what they had done the Government came to the aid of the airlines with billions of our tax dollars … as usual they left me to rot and die while they bailed out their rich, incompetent cronies WITH MY MONEY! After these events, there went my business but not quite yet all of my retirement and savings.

By this time, I'm thinking that it might be good for a change. Bye to California, I'll try Austin for a while. So I moved, only to find out that this is a place with a highly inflated sense of self-importance and where damn little real engineering work is done. I've never experienced such a hard time finding work. The rates are 1/3 of what I was earning before the crash, because pay rates here are fixed by the three or four large companies in the area who are in collusion to drive down prices and wages… and this happens because the justice department is all on the take and doesn't give a fuck about serving anyone or anything but themselves and their rich buddies.

To survive, I was forced to cannibalize my savings and retirement, the last of which was a small IRA. This came in a year with mammoth expenses and not a single dollar of income. I filed no return that year thinking that because I didn't have any income there was no need. The sleazy government decided that they disagreed. But they didn't notify me in time for me to launch a legal objection so when I attempted to get a protest filed with the court I was told I was no longer entitled to due process because the time to file ran out. Bend over for another $10,000 helping of justice.

So now we come to the present. After my experience with the CPA world, following the business crash I swore that I'd never enter another accountant's office again. But here I am with a new marriage and a boatload of undocumented income, not to mention an expensive new business asset, a piano, which I had no idea how to handle. After considerable thought I decided that it would be irresponsible NOT to get professional help; a very big mistake.

When we received the forms back I was very optimistic that they were in order. I had taken all of the years information to Bill Ross, and he came back with results very similar to what I was expecting. Except that he had neglected to include the contents of Sheryl's unreported income; $12,700 worth of it. To make matters worse, Ross knew all along this was missing and I didn't have a clue until he pointed it out in the middle of the audit. By that time it had become brutally evident that he was representing himself and not me.

This left me stuck in the middle of this disaster trying to defend transactions that have no relationship to anything tax-related (at least the tax-related transactions were poorly documented). Things I never knew anything about and things my wife had no clue would ever matter to anyone. The end result is… well, just look around.

I remember reading about the stock market crash before the "great" depression and how there were wealthy bankers and businessmen jumping out of windows when they realized they screwed up and lost everything. Isn't it ironic how far we've come in 60 years in this country that they now know how to fix that little economic problem; they just steal from the middle class (who doesn't have any say in it, elections are a joke) to cover their asses and it's "business-as-usual". Now when the wealthy fuck up, the poor get to die for the mistakes… isn't that a clever, tidy solution.

As government agencies go, the FAA is often justifiably referred to as a tombstone agency, though they are hardly alone. The recent presidential puppet GW Bush and his cronies in their eight years certainly reinforced for all of us that this criticism rings equally true for all of the government. Nothing changes unless there is a body count (unless it is in the interest of the wealthy sows at the government trough). In a government full of hypocrites from top to bottom, life is as cheap as their lies and their self-serving laws.

I know I'm hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. It has always been a myth that people have stopped dying for their freedom in this country, and it isn't limited to the blacks, and poor immigrants. I know there have been countless before me and there are sure to be as many after. But I also know that by not adding my body to the count, I insure nothing will change. I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at "big brother" while he strips my carcass, I choose not to ignore what is going on all around me, I choose not to pretend that business as usual won't continue; I have just had enough.

I can only hope that the numbers quickly get too big to be white washed and ignored that the American zombies wake up and revolt; it will take nothing less. I would only hope that by striking a nerve that stimulates the inevitable double standard, knee-jerk government reaction that results in more stupid draconian restrictions people wake up and begin to see the pompous political thugs and their mindless minions for what they are. Sadly, though I spent my entire life trying to believe it wasn't so, but violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer. The cruel joke is that the really big chunks of shit at the top have known this all along and have been laughing, at and using this awareness against, fools like me all along.

I saw it written once that the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over and expecting the outcome to suddenly be different. I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let's try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.

The communist creed: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
The capitalist creed: From each according to his gullibility, to each according to his greed.

Joe Stack (1956-2010)
18/02/2010

ARTICOL: Invidia (ANDREI CORNEA)

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0200

Intr-o zi, vecinul nostru de bloc si-a luat un aparat de aer conditionat.
Era un zaduf ingrozitor, dar noi n-aveam aparat de aer conditionat si nici bani ca sa ne cumparam unul. Sufeream de caldura si de invidie. Aveam insa o biblioteca. Ne-am uitat in ea si am scos cugetarile lui Seneca. Am citit de acolo o pagina-doua despre bine si sensul vietii si, desi cald tot ne era, nu l-am mai invidiat pe vecin.
Ceva mai tarziu, vecinul si-a deschis un butic si a inceput sa umble imbracat la costum la patru ace. Noi - tot cu blugi. Nu-i nimic - ne-am zis linistiti, citind un capitol din Etica lui Spinoza.
Apoi vecinul a aparut deodata intr-un Megane argintiu. Noi n-aveam nici bicicleta, dar l-am dispretuit citind din Phaidon al lui Platon. Mai tarziu, vecinul a schimbat Meganul pe Mertan. Nu ne-a pasat, caci si noi il schimbaseram deja pe Platon cu Aristotel. Si-a luat si un 4x4, cel mai mare de pe strada. Noi l-am luat pe Marcus Aurelius, care ne-a facut sa zambim impacati.
A mai trecut o vreme si vecinul si-a luat nevasta noua: blonda, frumoasa, tanara. Noi - tot cu cea veche, dar am luat Evanghelia dupa Ioan.Vecinul si-a imbracat soata cu o garderoba intreaga si cu blanuri, basca bijuteriile. Noi ne-am imbracat spiritul citind din Eclesiast.
In fine, vecinul s-a mutat intr-o vila la sosea cu gard mare, bodigarzi si piscina.
Am rezistat si de data aceasta eroic citind Richard III. A urmat o a doua vila - la munte. Dupa ce am vazut-o, ne-am consolat cu Macbeth. O a treia - la mare: am recurs la Invierea lui Tolstoi, al carei efect l-am consolidat cu Ghilgames, Ghandi si Declaratia de iubire a lui Gabriel Liiceanu.
Ne-am simtit cu mult mai bine.
L-au dat la televizor la o emisiune foarte populara. Ne-am stapanit emotia cu o portie de Caragiale. L-au dat a doua oara cu mare succes: am fi suferit daca nu ne-ar fi ajutat Ananda Coomarasvamy, Cartea lui Iov si Cazul Wagner si al lui Nietzsche.
Asa a trecut ceva mai mult timp... Vecinul isi lua case, masini, iahturi, gagici. Noi raspundeam cu Balzac, Thomas Mann, Hegel, Berdiaev. Lupta era stransa, dar echilibrata. In sfarsit, intr-o zi l-au aratat cu catuse la maini, umflat de PNA. Am rasfoit atunci fericiti Apocalipsul. Dar peste vreo doua saptamani, vecinul nostru era eliberat si chiar si-a anuntat candidatura pe listele unui partid majoritar.
Scarbiti, ne-am uitat in biblioteca. N-am mai vazut nimic. Ne-am uitat pentru a doua oara. Nu ne-a venit sa credem. Pentru a treia oara ne-am uitat cu atentie. Acelasi rezultat: citiseram toate cartile. Si atunci ne-a cuprins invidia...

Evasive Driving by T. J. Steele

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0200

Evasive Driving by T. J. Steele

Disclaimer
It is unlawful, as well as unsafe, to exceed posted speed limits or otherwise disregard the vehicle & traffic codes. Reckless driving can easily cause a serious accident, possibly resulting in litigation, property damage, physical injury, or death. Litigation can involve fines, lawsuits, incarceration, and loss of driving privileges. Injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents often include paralysis, disfigurement, loss of limb(s), or severe burns. Many of the tactics and techniques enumerated herein are unlawful, as well as extremely dangerous, to actually implement and should not be practiced! This material is presented solely for the purpose of academic study, and under no circumstances should it be considered as "instructive." Persons wishing to practice evasive driving techniques must only do so in a controlled environment under professional instruction. Neither the author, nor the publisher, shall be held responsible for anyone�s stupidity.

NOTE
Under advice from legal counsel, certain offensive driving techniques (such as the various methods of ramming other vehicles off the road) have not been detailed. Nor have been: techniques for driving at night without headlights, methods of constructing and installing vehicle-mounted weaponry, and tactics specifically meant for eluding lawful police pursuit. This decision has been made due to the aforementioned information�s high potential for misuse, and we hope that these minor exclusions will not detract from your enjoyment of this publication.

WHY WOULD ANYONE NEED THIS SORT OF INFORMATION?:
That is an excellent question, and one that is not easily answered. Most people who would be inclined to read a book like this are merely curious about the subject matter, and have little inclination to risk damaging their personal vehicle (or injuring themselves) by foolishly engaging in unsupervised experimentation of the techniques enumerated herein. Of the few persons who might be inclined to practice reverse 180s in empty parking lots or speed down rural highways at 4 AM, almost none of them would ever consider engaging in any sort of lawbreaking (aside from speeding). The minute percentage who might have a tendency towards unlawful behavior (and the resultant police pursuits), and who are already inclined to flee from the police, just might be able to avoid colliding with innocent motorists simply by remembering a few pointers and safety tips. With predatory criminals and psychotically aggressive drivers marauding along the public motorways, anyone is potentially at risk of being seen as a "target of opportunity." What if some reckless lunatic suddenly flies into a rage because your vehicle just happens to be in his way when he�s in a hurry? What would you do if the SUV tailgating you suddenly began ramming your rear bumper? What if your vehicle happens to be the exact same make, model, and color as that of a demented motorist�s most hated enemy? What if a car has been tailing you for miles, and you�re far from help and without a cell phone? And what if you are required to transport a dying friend to the emergency room ASAP? By applying the knowledge contained herein, your chances of successfully reaching your intended destination will significantly improve. However, a mere text is no substitute for
intensive practice with a qualified instructor. Never attempt to drive beyond your abilities!

INTRODUCTION:
Any monkey can step on a gas pedal. Any punk teenager can spin his tires or do donuts in the mall parking lot. And anyone. . . yes, anyone, can be killed, crippled, or maimed in a high speed motor vehicle accident. Performance driving requires skill, focus, and a properly maintained vehicle. A moment�s distraction can cost you your life. Once you have lost control of your vehicle, you are in serious trouble. There is no room for error. Whether intended as such or not, a motor vehicle is a lethal weapon. Far more people are killed in motor vehicle accidents each year than in all gun fatalities combined (suicide, accidental discharge, murder, criminally negligent homicide, justifiable homicide, criminals shot by policemen, and "miscellaneous") over any given decade. You can easily kill a pedestrian or bicyclist, as well as other motorists, your passengers, and yourself. If you are careless, reckless, or stupid, people may die as a result. . . consider this.

PREREQUISITES:
Your vehicle must be well maintained to ensure its reliability. Your suspension and brakes must function perfectly. Your tires should all be the same style, be inflated to the proper pressure, and be in nearly new condition. You should have recently had a front alignment as well as an oil change. All fluids should be topped off. Your windshield should be clean, inside and out. Your headlights must be kept clean. All lugnuts must be tight and free of crud and corrosion. Before starting out, your seat and mirrors must be adjusted for comfort and visibility. If there is snow or ice on your vehicle, it should be completely removed. Be sure to warm up the engine prior to leaving your parking space � never push a cold engine hard! You should always have a nearly full tank of gas, never allowing it to get below half a tank. Preventive maintenance and common sense are of the utmost importance. Optimally, your vehicle should be a mid-sized to large sedan that is low to the ground. Smaller cars may be quicker on the start and more maneuverable, but they tend not to be able to withstand accidents very well, and are easily bumped off the road due to their lack of mass. Vehicles with a high center of gravity tend to be unstable around sharp turns. It should be equipped with an "anti-roll bar" fixed between the front axles (stock equipment on many passenger cars), to reduce the stress of hard cornering. Your vehicle�s engine should be powerful and well tuned. For evasive driving purposes, an automatic
transmission is generally far superior to a stick shift. A manual transmission can be utilized by an expert when driving evasively, but for most people (lacking the reflexes and "muscle memory" of a master wheelman), it would prove to be a significant handicap (furthermore, clutch cables tend to snap at the most inopportune times, and unless your vehicle�s transmission is equipped with a top quality synchromesh, you could be in a lot of trouble). Mercedes Benz, Audi, and BMW sedans seem best suited for evasive driving, along with American "muscle cars" built during the 60's and 70's (although nearly any stock passenger car in serviceable condition can be used � with varying degrees of success."

EQUIPMENT & MODIFICATIONS:
You must have a spare key upon your person at all times (not only will this eliminate the possibility of a lockout, but it will allow you instant access to your car key in the event of an emergency). You should have a locking gas cap to prevent unauthorized access to your petrol supply, which could easily be siphoned or contaminated. Your car must have a fullsized spare, quality jack, jumper cables, and a bundle of tools secured in the trunk. In addition to these mandatory items, you should also have an emergency replacement belt, a hose repair kit, several long burning flares, a small can of WD-40, a quart of oil, windshield wash fluid, a gallon of water, a blanket, and some emergency rations (energy bars and trail mix are preferable) neatly stored within the trunk (plastic storage boxes, or small gymbags, will help you to keep these items organized). You should have a first-aid kit, flashlight (preferably heavy duty aluminum with kryptonbulb), halon fire extinguisher (if you can find one), and magnum revolver in the passenger compartment. All equipment stowed within the passenger compartment must be properly secured (with tie-downs, snap clips, or mounted storage boxes). Items which are not properly secured can roll under one�s brake pedal, become distractive during high-speed maneuvering, or be transformed into lethal projectiles in the event of a collision or rollover (Of course, the occasional bag of groceries that won�t fit in the trunk may still be placed on the rear floorboards with a reasonable expectation of safety). The magnum revolver is recommended for a variety of reasons:

1. COMPACTNESS: Unlike a carbine or pistol-grip shotgun, it is small enough to be stowed within the glovebox or an underseat lockbox.
2. POWER: Unlike other handguns, the magnums have enough power and penetration to pierce windshields and car doors. It is possible that a round from a magnum revolver may even be able to crack a vehicle�s engine block.
3. SELF-TERMINATION: In a worst case scenario, if you have had a high speed motor vehicle accident in an untraveled area, and no medical assistance will be forthcoming, you may very well decide that you no longer wish to be pushing your intestines out of your face as you dangle upside-down in your demolished vehicle. Be advised that if you take it upon yourself to dispatch a mortally wounded passenger, who is screaming for someone to please kill him, you will be convicted of homicide!
A "Life-Hammer" device (or one of the inferior copies) should be mounted within reach - if you cannot procure one of these excellent crash extrication devices, a serrated sheepsfoot blade (for detaching frozen safety belts) and a centerpunch (for shattering window glass) may be substituted; the "First Response Knife" from Taylor Cutlery (also sold under the Smith & Wesson brand name) combines both. If you intend to use your vehicle for serious driving and want to invest in modifications, consider: heavy-duty radiator hoses, stainless steel brake lines, high-performance tires, top quality foglights, high-wattage backup lights, a high-decibel horn (or even an airhorn), and a "wig-wag" switch for your high beams (which makes them flash alternately, as on emergency vehicles). If you are so inclined, further modifications could include: a large fuel cell, a rollcage, racing harnesses, and a switch activated fire-extinguishing system. A crowbar and winch are both valuable accessories that can help to get you back on the road and mobile in the event of a wipeout. Various defensive options (Kevlar door panels, nightvision goggles, pony air tanks, pepperspray dispensers, gunports, and even smoke generators) are also available if you feel the need exists. Offensive options (such as oil slicks, paint sprays, remote fired guns, or calthrop/mine dispensers) are all highly illegal and should not even be considered.

THE BASICS:
You need to be comfortable driving your primary vehicle. . . it needs to become an extension of your body. You need to be intimately familiar with your vehicle�s capabilities. All cars handle differently, especially around curves, so it is best to stick to one specific type of vehicle � though you should familiarize yourself with the idiosyncracies of as many vehicle types as possible. You need to be able to feel the road through the steering wheel and pedals. You need to know how wide your vehicle is, where your passenger-side tires are contacting the road, and the size of the smallest gap your vehicle can fit through without clipping the side mirrors. You need to know how your vehicle handles, at various speeds, on: dry pavement, wet pavement, flooded pavement, grooved pavement, rough roads, gravel, packed dirt, light snow, deep slush, glare ice, wet grass, and mud. You need to know exactly how fast you can take a ninety degree corner on dry pavement without going up on two wheels or spinning out. You need to know how quickly you can come to a dead stop from eighty miles per hour, without losing control by locking up the wheels (attempt this at low speeds first, to see if your vehicle pulls to the side; if you lock your brakes at speed, a portion of each tire will be scuffed flat, which will make the car vibrate until new tires are mounted). You need to know how fast you can safely drive in reverse, and for how long. You need to know ways to stop your car in the event of brake failure. You also need to know approximately how well your vehicle can withstand various accidents, collisions, and rolls. As a general rule of thumb: any impact with a fixed solid object at a speed exceeding 15 mph will sustain serious damage to your vehicle, and if your speed at impact is exceeding 35 mph, you can reasonably expect your car to crumble like a wad of tinfoil, crushing any occupants within. . . you want to avoid driving into fixed solid objects. Once you have compiled an accurate assessment of the forementioned data, you can progress.

THE CARDINAL RULES:
1. AWARENESS � you need to be cognizant of everything happening in your immediate vicinity as well as what is happening far ahead of you. You need to be aware of any vehicles in your "blind spots" as well as vehicles approaching from behind. You need to be prepared for evasive action so you can react instantly without fear of causing an avoidable accident.
2. SMOOTHNESS � all movements of your vehicle must be as smooth and precise as possible, this includes acceleration and braking as well as steering. Lack of smoothness and precision is equivalent to lack of control.
3. EXPERIENCE � it is necessary to have first practiced performance driving under somewhat controlled conditions before attempting to drive at double the speed limit while negotiating traffic. If you are uncomfortable driving at high speeds, you cannot reasonably expect to do so safely in the event of an actual crisis situation (such as evading a psychotically aggressive driver or medevacing someone to the ER). It is imperative that one have confidence in his abilities.
4. DISCRETION � simply stated, it is necessary to be able to differentiate between a calculated risk as opposed to a foolhardy risk. Certain evasive driving techniques � like passing on the wrong side of the road or squeezing between two cars at a high rate of speed � require lightning fast calculating in addition to quick reflexes. A master wheelman will not pass on a blind curve (or rise) with the sun in his eyes, nor will he attempt to squeeze through a gap narrower than the width of his vehicle (including side mirrors). Only drunks, lunatics, and teenaged car thieves drive in such a reckless manner.

COMPETENCE:
You need to be focused 100% on driving. . . there can be no distractions. Music is acceptable if it does not detract from your concentration. Music should never be so loud that you fail to hear sirens or the sound of someone�s wheels locking up. You should focus your attention well ahead of your vehicle, paying close attention to activity alongside the road or at approaching intersections. Move only your eyes, as there is no need to turn your head, and never direct your gaze away from the road for more than a second at a time. You need to be able to drive defensively, knowing that often other drivers will behave carelessly or recklessly, and never become complacent. Never assume that another driver will check his blind spot, look before pulling out into traffic, stop at a red light, or turn in the direction his blinker indicates. Motorists fall asleep at the wheel and slam on their brakes for squirrels, they also drive while applying makeup, consulting maps, arguing on their cellular phones, disciplining their children, or eating hamburgers. Motorists drive while fatigued, while enraged, while suicidal, while crying hysterically, while rushing to appointments, while taking prescription medications, while under the influence of illicit drugs, and while drunk.
The number one cause of motor vehicle accidents is the idiocy of other motorists, followed by distraction, excessive speed for conditions, and "driver error." A very small percentage of accidents are caused by "unavoidable" collisions (usually deer) or vehicular malfunction (usually brake failure or tire blowout). If you wreck your car, chances are it was because you fucked up, either through not paying attention or through driving beyond your vehicle�s capabilities (the rules of physics apply no matter how loud your stereo is cranked). If you are properly focused, you will not fuck up. Needless to say, inebriation and uncontrolled emotions will impair your ability to focus.

COURTESY:
Generally speaking, you need to obey the rules of the road as well as be courteous to other drivers. This means no tailgating, no cutting people off, no flipping people the bird, no screamed profanities, and no bumping. Furthermore, you should refrain from speeding in residential areas, blowing through yield signs and yellow lights, zipping in and out of rush hour traffic at double the speed limit, recklessly swooping across several lanes at once in heavy traffic, or driving at highway speeds through shopping center parking lots. Many people consider the aforementioned activities to be rude, and may take personal offence, depending upon their degree of emotional stability. Offense may manifest itself through aggressive driving, better known as "road rage." Persons driving aggressively may slam on their brakes to deter tailgating, may attempt to run offending motorists off the road, may decide to follow an offensive motorist home, or may even fire a handgun at the object of their dismay. Passive-aggressive busybodies will simply call the highway patrol on their cell phone and tell them your plate number along with a detailed (and quite possibly exaggerated) description of your violations of the vehicle and traffic code. Typically, the goal of the typical aggressive driver is to "teach that asshole a lesson." Enraged by another motorist�s perceived incompetence, arrogance, or recklessness, the aggressive personality (imbued with a distorted sense of self-righteous indignation) considers the offensive behavior of other motorists to be unacceptable transgressions which must be immediately dealt with by "putting that bastard in his place." These sick people look upon simple lapses of courtesy as personal attacks necessitating retaliation. Common manifestations of retaliatory behavior include: tailgating, "shadowing" (deliberately driving in the blind spot), and overt pursuit. More severe aggressive activity may entail: bumping (from behind), "clipping" (passing close enough to scratch paint and break off the mirror), or cutting in front and suddenly slamming on the brakes. Astonishingly, these deadly menaces not only tend to be "respected members of the community" with clean criminal records, but also truly believe themselves to be justified in their actions! Scary, isn�t it? The moral of this section is that it isn�t prudent to blatantly provoke strangers into committing acts of violence against you. The majority of the "victims of road rage" had done something, often deliberately, to antagonize the aggressor immediately preceding the incident. Victims who did not provoke their aggressor via unsafe maneuvers or derogatory gesticulations either were driving slower than the posted limit and were not allowing others to pass (usually by speeding up in the passing zones), or presented an offensive appearance in some way (either by emblazoning their vehicle with obnoxious stickers or by flaunting wealth in an impoverished area). A very small percentage were either random targets or victims of mistaken identity. Do not allow bad behavior or stupidity to make you a target. While most aggressive drivers are mentally ill psychopaths, consider that nearly anyone can be temporarily deprived of their faculties when subjected to extreme stress, such as the loss of a job or the dissolution of a relationship. Stressful situations can make even the most meek and inoffensive people lose their shit. A weak individual is suddenly transformed into a force to be reckoned with upon sliding behind the wheel, and may choose to abuse his newfound power. Never assume that an aggressive driver can be made to "back down," as this often escalates the situation to an entirely new level. Not only must one be aware of the fact that one shares the road with potentially aggressive drivers every day, but one must take care to avoid becoming one as well. By viewing one�s vehicle as an extension of oneself, it is easy to suddenly become enraged over idiotic behavior which causes one to instantly react in order to narrowly avoid an accident. It is also common to lose one�s temper when rushing to an important appointment and finding oneself stuck behind a slowpoke who not only refuses to pull, but speeds up on the straightaways. In such situations, it is important to remain calm and consider why the offending motorist is driving in such a manner. A reckless driver may be: rushing someone to the hospital, fleeing police pursuit, dangerously impaired, or simply a wild teenager who hasn�t even considered the possibility of causing an accident. A slow or erratic driver may be: inexperienced, ill, elderly, drunk, or experiencing car trouble. Remain focused and don�t irrationally take their actions as a personal insult to be answered in kind. If you�ve left for your destination early, and have been checking your mirrors frequently, this is much easier to accomplish. You need to be aware of your surroundings, be wary of unsafe conditions, and use a modicum of common sense. As a rule of thumb, you should always leave for your destination at least five minutes earlier than necessary to allow for traffic and so you do not feel compelled to rush. If someone is impatient to pass you, allow them to do so, even if it means pulling over to the shoulder for a moment. . . never speed up if someone obviously is attempting to pass you, but apply your brakes instead. If you are passing someone, you should be doing at least 10 mph faster than they are (I see idiots trying to pass at exactly the speed limit, often resulting in two idiots driving alongside of each other for several minutes). Once you have passed someone, wait until you are at least 2 car lengths ahead of them before re-entering their lane, and do not immediately decelerate after having done so. If someone is merging into traffic, do not block their progress. If someone appears frustrated that there isn�t an opening in traffic for him to pull out into, provide that opening. If someone looks like they�re about to cut you off, apply your brakes. If someone is driving like a psycho, stay away from them, even if it means taking the time to pull into a parking lot or circle the block. If someone is tailing you and won�t be deterred, drive to the police station instead of leading them to your home. Simple solutions to common scenarios, but you would be astounded at the vast number of people
unable to draw similar conclusions. If you see an unsafe situation approaching, place yourself out of the way. Not all unsafe situations involve fellow motorists. If you see bicyclists, joggers, horses, or pedestrians near the shoulder of the road, the courteous thing to do is to provide them with plenty of space. You should reduce speed and, if feasible, edge over the centerline. If you see bicyclists or pedestrians behaving carelessly or foolishly, you should further reduce speed, provide even more room for them, and sound your horn once to let them know you�re there. If children are playing dangerously close to the road, you should take even further precautions, and be prepared to suddenly stop, if necessary. Failure to extend these simple courtesies to non-motorists angers some people � a few of which may have long memories and harbor a grudge. Persons who harbor a grudge versus the driver of a particular vehicle may vandalize it upon finding it unattended in a parking lot, or may begin driving aggressively if they again encounter the vehicle while behind the wheel themselves.
You should not make a practice of driving like an asshole. Revving your engine and squealing around corners serves no purpose but to alert the general public (as well as the police) that a street racer is approaching. Such antics tend to draw adverse attention to yourself and upset the taxpayers. If, through no fault of your own, you have an accident while driving like this on public roads, everyone will assume that you are to blame. You must strive to be a careful, competent, and courteous driver. If you make a practice of leaving early, driving at a reasonable speed, and being polite, it is unlikely that you will incur the ire of your fellow motorists.

FOCUS:
A driver should be concentrating only on the act of driving. Distractions, such as loud music, unnecessary conversation, or even one�s own thoughts should be avoided. If the vehicle�s interior is uncomfortably warm or cold, that too would qualify as a distraction, and should be remedied (if possible). A moment�s distraction, especially when negotiating sharp curves or heavy traffic at speed, can easily result in a potentially fatal wipeout. After familiarity with a vehicle has been gained, it is possible to notice minor changes (such as vibrations, rattles, odors, or miscellaneous noises) which could give warning of an impending breakdown that can be avoided through preventive maintenance. After intimate familiarity has been achieved, one can have the sensation of "melding" with the vehicle; in this altered state of consciousness, not only is it possible to feel minor imperfections in the road surface through the steering wheel and pedals, but your sense of awareness is drastically heightened, you make adjustments to the wheel to compensate for curves automatically, and you are able to react to the unexpected instantaneously. At speeds exceeding 120 mph, it is easy to enter what has been described as a "zen trance." Not only do you feel as one with the vehicle, but you have a feeling of total calmness, everything seems to slow down, and you may experience some minor distortion of time and space (like reaching one�s destination earlier than possible, or taking a sharp curve in defiance of the laws of physics). This is a true altered state of consciousness in which you feel separate from your everyday persona. Many would be inclined to dismiss what has been stated here as so much pseudo-mystical balderdash, but those of you who have been there will know of what I speak. Some things cannot be adequately explained in words, and thus must be directly experienced in order to be understood. When the experienced driver is driving his vehicle at speed, whether he be competing in a race, eluding pursuit, engaged in combat, participating in an emergency medevac, or simply driving fast for his own enjoyment, he will be completely calm. Calm does not necessarily mean "relaxed," however, as a keen sense of alertness will be apparent, as will a degree of muscular tension, but all detrimental emotions (such as anxiety, fear, panic, anger, or rage) will be completely eliminated as if a switch had been thrown, disconnecting one�s emotions altogether. . . indeed, the strongest emotions a driver in this state might experience are mild annoyance at a given situation or satisfaction that a difficult technique had been performed flawlessly. Such a driver will not lose control of his emotions regardless of the circumstances.
The totally focused driver will be concentrating solely upon the actions required to keep his vehicle on the road. If an accident is unavoidable, he will use his remaining fractions of a second prior to impact maneuvering his vehicle in such a way as to absorb the energy with as little harm to himself (or other occupants) as possible. If he goes flying over an embankment or into a wooded area, he will keep his eyes open and his hands on the wheel in an effort to guide the vehicle to safety. Even if the vehicle is airborne or in an uncontrolled spin, the calmness attained through total focus will effectively prevent panic and reduce the amount of adrenaline released into the bloodstream. Focus is good.

HAZARD LIGHTS:
Your hazard lights (also known as: warning lights or 4-way flashers) are a valuable asset. They enable you to forewarn other motorists that your vehicle might pose a possible danger to them, which (hopefully) will sharpen their focus, thus enabling them to avoid a possible accident.

Common applications of the hazard lights include:
1.) Indicating that your vehicle has come to a halt (either in traffic or on the shoulder). This often occurs when you�re faced with either a line of vehicles stopped due to an accident ahead, or debris that is blocking the road. Your vehicle also may have come to a halt due to a breakdown or a flat tire. Your hazard lights will warn approaching motorists of the danger.
2.) Indicating that your vehicle is traveling at a speed significantly under the speed limit (i.e.: 45 mph in a 65 mph zone). This can prevent a preoccupied driver from inadvertently plowing into your rear bumper.
3.) Indicating that you have cargo (properly flagged) extending beyond the confines of your vehicle.
4.) Indicating that your vehicle is disabled (misfiring, overheating, power steering failure, brake failure, loose exhaust system, etc.).
5.) Indicating that your vehicle is being towed.

Less common applications of one�s hazard lights include:
1.) Indicating that your vehicle has come to a halt in the motorway because:
a.) You�ve been flagged down or signaled to stop.
b.) You are picking up, or unloading, passengers.
c.) You have observed a dangerous (or suspicious) situation ahead.
2.) Indicating that your vehicle is reversing into, or against (on a one-way street, or on the shoulder of a highway), oncoming traffic.
3.) Indicating that your vehicle is performing a hazardous maneuver (such as a 3-point turn in rush hour traffic).
3.) Indicating that you have an emergency, and intend to disregard traffic lights and other traffic safety devices (be sure to lean on your horn as well).
4.) Indicating that your vehicle is traveling at a speed significantly higher than the speed limit, and may be weaving through traffic.
5.) Indicating that your illegally parked vehicle will be returned to momentarily.
Proper use of one�s hazard lights (which can be augmented with either "wig-wags" or strobe headlights, if not an actual detachable emergency light and siren) can alert other motorists, not only to the unavoidable dangers of everyday driving, but to dangerous actions deliberately undertaken � and hopefully, such forewarning will enable one to perform hazardous maneuvers with a slightly greater expectation of safety.

DANGER!:
Certain situations should set off "alarm bells" in your head � particularly if you appear to be a lucrative target (particularly for a carjacking or robbery) or have dangerous enemies. Be aware that even an older car of little apparent value to a thief may be targeted for a carjacking if the criminal needs a stolen car for a getaway or to be used in the commission of future crimes (such as armed robberies or driveby shootings). In the event that you are accosted by an individual with a gun, and for whatever reason cannot return fire or escape, you should willingly give up your vehicle and belongings, but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ALLOW AN ASSAILANT TO DRIVE AWAY WITH YOU! If an armed assailant demands that you accompany him, you can be assured that he intends to do serious harm to your person. If an armed assailant simply manages to pull open your door and attempts to shove you over into the passenger seat, you should open the passenger door and continue out of the vehicle. If you are ordered to "drive," at first opportunity you could slam on the brakes, go into a spin, or have a minor collision before taking your keys and fleeing the vehicle. If you allow yourself to be driven away from safety by a menacing goblin, you can reasonably expect to be slowly tortured to death at its leisure. If someone intends to rob, injure, or kill you, there will usually be some indication that something "isn�t right". . . if this feeling is quite intense, it is a reliable indicator that you may be in immediate physical danger. If you believe yourself to be endangered, you should take immediate precautions, such as hyper-vigilance and distancing yourself from the potential threat. Most spontaneous threatening situations (such as those resulting from an enraged person out of control due to intoxication or mental illness) are immediately apparent to nearly anyone, but a remeditated attack by an experienced predator is more difficult to discern. Typically, any individual other than a uniformed police officer or road construction flagman who approaches your vehicle in traffic should immediately command your immediate attention; and if they appear the slightest bit threatening or suspicious, you should immediately depress the accelerator and flee the area (while scanning the road ahead for any dangerous situation, such as a motor vehicle accident or a downed powerline, that the individual might�ve been attempting to warn you of). If the individual (s) in question is brandishing a weapon or deliberately blocking your only escape route, you should feel no compunction whatsoever about accelerating directly into his body. A few common indicators of a potentially dangerous situation follow:

1.) BEING SIGNALED TO STOP: You may be flagged down by an individual feigning distress (often a female is used as the decoy, while an armed companion(s) lies in wait). It may indeed be a legitimate emergency, or it may be a devious lure to get you to stop (and possibly unlock or exit) your vehicle. If you feel it may be an actual emergency, and you feel morally obligated to stop, it is advised that you take the following steps:
a.) Ascertain that you have a weapon within reach.
b.) Make sure all doors are locked and windows are up.
c.) Carefully scan the immediate area, taking in the situation and looking for signs of a potential ambush (such as the three guys running towards you from behind). If it is dark and you have a spotlight within or mounted upon your vehicle, now is the time to use it (while still at a distance from the scene).
d.) Stop the vehicle by applying the brake. Keep your vehicle in gear with a foot poised over the accelerator pedal. Switch on your hazard lights.
e.) Ready your cellular phone or CB radio for immediate use.
f.) Roll down your window a crack � no more than 2" � to speak to the individual. Make sure you can see their hands! Offer to call a tow truck/ambulance/policeman/other. Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings, particularly your blind spots.
g.) Do not exit your vehicle under any circumstances! Do not allow anyone to enter your vehicle! If you feel endangered, do not attempt to communicate with anyone and leave the area immediately!
Those are "the rules" for dealing with situations where you are being flagged down by a stranger under questionable circumstances. . . of course, there is an exception to every rule, and one is expected to use discretion. People are also commonly flagged down by hitchhikers. Everyone says "never pick up a hitchhiker," which generally is very good advice, but again there is the occasional exception to the rules. If you are considering picking up a hitchhiker, follow these guidelines:
a.) NEVER, under any circumstances, pick up a hitchhiker if you have anyone (or anything) in the vehicle whose safety you are responsible for, such as your wife or
children. The potential risk is unacceptable.
b.) Ascertain that you have a weapon within reach.
c.) Observe the individual. Does he (or she) appear ill, dirty, drunk, or deranged? If so, keep driving.
d.) Are there any other individuals? Do they have parcels? Do they have a pet? Is there anything unusual or suspicious about them? You need to take all of these factors under consideration.
e.) Find out what their destination is (If they say "just get me over the state line" that would be a bad sign) and look for any possible weapons before unlocking the doors and allowing them into your vehicle. If they immediately start tugging on the door handle, just drive off. Remember, you are encased in over a ton of steel capable of generating great power, and they consist of a bag of liquids draped over a thin mobile framework. If a threatening individual chooses to boldly block your path or leap onto your vehicle, he is, in effect, daring you to kill him. A driver of a motor vehicle has this capability over all pedestrians, and only the law and one�s personal sense of ethics protects surly jaywalkers and drunken idiots. A deranged individual attacking one�s vehicle has waived said protection through
his own free will.
2.) STAGED ACCIDENTS: Many robberies and kidnappings are preceded by minor fenderbenders. Such incidents usually amount to little more than a bard bump from behind, resulting in minimal damage. The instigator is hoping that you will then exit your vehicle in order to assess the damage and exchange insurance information � that is his signal that it is now safe to perpetrate a crime against you. Be aware that this tactic is very common. If you have any reason to be suspicious, lock your doors and do not exit your vehicle � especially if the other motorist was at fault. Keep your vehicle in gear with your foot on the brake as you converse with the individual through a cracked window. If you have a cellular phone or CB radio, use it to summon the police. If the other motorist asks
for assistance with an injured passenger, or demands that you "accompany him to the police station," do not be tempted to do so � it is most likely a trick. If you are a VIP targeted by assassins or kidnappers, be aware that terrorists often use a "crash car" to disable a target vehicle, relying upon a support vehicle for their escape.

3.) OBSTACLES: A common ruse is to roll an object into a vehicle�s path (such as an old tire or baby carriage), with the expectation that the driver will slam on their brakes. . . once the moving vehicle has come to a complete stop and the occupants are momentarily stunned, they can be mobbed by attackers and pulled from the vehicle through an unlocked door or broken window (you do NOT want to be pulled through a broken window. . .wearing seatbelts will make it far more difficult for occupants to be pulled free). A similar ruse involves a youngster on a bicycle or skateboard deliberately plowing into the side of a moving vehicle and pretending to be knocked unconscious in hope that the driver will not only stop, but actually exit the vehicle. Once you have exited your vehicle, you are at the mercy of a predatory gang unless you happen to have a cellular phone in one hand and a high-powered automatic pistol in the other.

4.) BARRICADES: Barricades are improvised roadblocks meant to stop or divert traffic. Barricades are often encountered during urban riots, but can also occasionally be found in gang controlled neighborhoods as well as impoverished rural areas far from "civilization." Barricades are commonly used by bandits in many underdeveloped countries. Barricades can take the form of: sawhorses, garbage cans, worn out furniture, old bathroom fixtures, rubble, pallets, crates, 50 gallon drums, felled trees (or utility poles), dumpsters, beat-up cars, or any other readily available item large enough to impede traffic. Sometimes, barricades may be doused with fuel and set alight to make them appear more intimidating. Barricades are often manned by armed miscreants and should not be approached. . . the "Jturn" is the textbook procedure for dealing with roadblocks. Fragile roadblocks, such as one composed of several flaming garbage cans set atop an old sofa, can usually be blown through by simply shifting into low gear and accelerating, although this is not recommended due to the potential risk of damage to windshield, radiator, and tires. Be wary of broken glass, roofing nails, or spiked boards which may be strewn in front of the barricade, as well as the possibility of substantial reinforcement (I-beams, cinderblocks, concrete, steel cable, 50-gallon drums filled with water, or holes (including open manholes). If you attempt to ram through a barricade, you can reasonably expect to be fired upon.

5.) PROPS: A common ploy is for a predator to impersonate a police detective. In order to pull this off, the only props needed are a cheap suit and a realistic-looking fake badge; but in many documented cases police impersonators have gone so far as to obtain the same style of vehicle as those used for unmarked police cars and equip it with a flashing light and multiple antennae. Due to the fact that "badge-freaks" have been implicated in numerous abductions and rapes, many states have prohibited unmarked police cars and plainclothed officers from making routine traffic stops. If an unmarked car signals for you to pull over by flashing its light at you (dash-mounted and magnetic emergency lights can be obtained via mail order with no documentation required), or if a suspect individual pulls up alongside you and displays a badge, you are advised to immediately contact the police on your cellular phone or CB radio for instructions; failing that, you can immediately activate your hazard lights and proceed, at the legal speed limit, to either the nearest police station or a densely populated area with plenty of witnesses. If you have any suspicion whatsoever that the individual attempting to stop your vehicle is not a police officer, you are not obligated to pull over. . . especially if you are a female driving through a secluded area. A ploy which has been used by terrorist groups in the past is to either impersonate
construction workers doing emergency roadwork, or ambulance attendants at a crash scene; with the intent of slowing or redirecting traffic until contact is made with the target vehicle. Unless you are a political or corporate VIP, however, such a scenario would not be applicable.

6.) EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING: If your window is broken or a door is ajar, you should approach your vehicle with caution (if at all), due to the possibility that the miscreant could be inside (or in the immediate vicinity). If your tires appear to have been deliberately deflated, the possibility exists that you might have been set up for an ambush. If you see a red or green puddle seeping from your vehicle, it is possible that your brake lines or coolant hoses might have been slashed, which also could be a setup. If you see a cut belt lying under your vehicle, if your headlights have been broken out after dark, or if the door lock has been deliberately jammed up (with super glue or toothpicks), there could be someone waiting in the shadows for you. If you see wires leading away from your vehicle; or if you see fresh debris underneath it (specifically snippings of insulated wire, alligator clips, cable ties, wads of duct tape, or a loose alkaline battery); or any protruding wires (especially near the wheelwell or driver�s side door); or suspicious parcels beneath, atop, or inside your vehicle; you can reasonably assume that your vehicle has been boobytrapped with explosives and should immediately vacate the area and alert the police bomb squad. At one time, only persons with serious political or criminal connections needed to worry about the possibility of having their car bombed, but nowadays, with the proliferation of readily available bombmaking instructions (from several sources, including the Internet), disgruntled employees, spurned suitors, and various hate-filled zealots all can potentially construct an explosive device (with the possibility of actually doing so successfully).

7.) SNIPERS & SHIT DROPPERS: It is a sad fact of life that some demented freaks feel compelled to engage in acts of random violence. This often takes the form of either shooting at passing cars or dropping heavy objects upon them from an overpass or pedestrian walkway. Due to their extreme anti-social proclivities, freaks of this nature tend to be teenaged, as they are almost invariably discovered and incarcerated before their twentieth birthday. Snipers tend to favor the .22 bolt-action rifle, as it is easily accessible and able to be discarded, if necessary. If the sniper is able to obtain a .22 autoloading rifle (which freaks like to "militarize" with folding stock, muzzle brake, and multiple high-capacity magazines), he will be far more dangerous due to the capability to deliver numerous rapidfire bursts at his target. The .22 projectile usually will not penetrate an automobile�s windshield, but it can easily shatter side windows, and possibly even penetrate unreinforced portions of the chassis (like the roof). If the deviant either lacks a firearm, or is unwilling to commit himself to using one, a high-powered pellet gun may be used instead, with similar results. If your windshield is ever suddenly starred � and no vehicles are ahead of you to kick up gravel � you can reasonably assume that you are being fired upon and immediately take evasive action (zig-zagging and accelerating in the event of an attack from the side or rear, and the immediate execution of a "J-Turn" if you are being fired upon from ahead � if you are on a highway, you can drive the wrong way by flipping on your hazard lights and staying on the shoulder). There is generally no forewarning of a sniper attack unless you are fortunate enough to see either the reflection of his scope or the dot from a laser designator. Be aware that a serious sniper will use something like an autoloading .308, which can easily punch through windshields as well as car bodies, but such an individual is unlikely to pick his targets at random. Persons who drop things from overpasses and walkways can usually be spotted behaving in a suspicious manner immediately prior to the act. Always be cautious of persons milling about aimlessly over a highway, especially if no protective chainlink fencing (sometimes referred to as an "anti-drop barrier") is evident. These persons tend to favor large rocks and cinderblocks, which can easily crash completely through either the windshield or roof, resulting in serious injury or death.

THWARTING A TAIL:
Persons being stalked may often find themselves tailed, as may celebrities, politicians, and other prominent members of the community. Occasionally, average individuals with no known enemies suddenly find themselves being tailed by persons unknown, often after inadvertently cutting off the vehicle in question, but sometimes for no apparent reason (it could be a case of mistaken identity, or perhaps they found one of your bumperstickers to be offensive). Usually, a tail proves harmless. It could be a simple case of immature harassment, a legitimate investigator (law enforcement, insurance, journalism, or licensed private) may lawfully be monitoring your activities, an acquaintance may need to contact you (and happened to spot you while in an unfamiliar vehicle), or it could be someone with no interest in you whatsoever who just happens to be taking a similar route to their destination. Sometimes, however, a person may be tailing you with intent to cause you serious bodily harm, either at the first possible opportunity or at some time in the near future. If you believe you are being tailed, it is recommended that you take the following steps:

1.) Ascertain that all doors are locked and all windows are up. Double-check your petrol level � are you in danger of running out of gas?
2.) DO NOT DRIVE HOME!!! Once a miscreant has your home address, he may elect to zoom off and possibly come visit you at a later date. . . or he may instead decide to block you in and perform an act of violence upon you in your own driveway!
3.) Take note of the make, model, and color of the pursuing vehicle, paying special attention to any distinguishing features (rust, dents, custom paint, modifications, etc.). If possible, memorize the tag number.
4.) If you are uncertain as to if you are actually being tailed, you can perform one (or more) of the following maneuvers:
a.) Suddenly take a sidestreet without signaling.
b.) Circle the block.
c.) Pull into a parking lot, then immediately exit in the opposite direction.
d.) Perform a "U-turn" in a safe spot.
e.) Pull over to the curb (or shoulder) and wait for a reaction.

If you are indeed being tailed, your pursuer will have to either abort or continue. If he chooses to continue, you can reasonably assume that he is committed to performing an act of violence upon your person (assault, robbery, rape, etc.). It is unlikely that anyone but a true psychotic (less than 1% of the population, but by no means a rarity) would wish to perpetrate a crime of violence in the presence of witnesses, because then he would have a high risk of becoming incarcerated. You are thus advised to proceed immediately to the nearest police station (or police car, if you happen to chance upon one) or, failing that, a well-lit and highly-populated area. If you have a cellular phone or CB radio, call for assistance. When you reach a safe destination, stay in your vehicle and lean on the horn to alert others.

EVASION:

If you are being pursued, and for some reason cannot get to a police station or well populated area where witnesses and assistance can be had, you may elect to evade pursuit. If you have a magnum revolver within easy reach, as well as a cellular phone or CB radio, you are almost as safe as if you were in your own livingroom. If you have neither protection nor communications, evasion is no longer an option but a necessity. A common misconception is that evasion requires driving at unsafe speeds and ignoring red lights and "one-way" signs. . . nothing could be further from the truth. Whether on city streets or back roads, you seldom want to exceed 60 mph. If you go too fast, you cannot negotiate sharp turns, nor can you compensate for unexpected obstacles or the stupidity of other drivers. If your vehicle is low to the ground and you are being pursued by a vehicle with a high center of gravity (such as a "sport utility vehicle"), you can put more distance between your vehicles by accelerating through sharp curves and taking unexpected turns which a more top-heavy vehicle would need to slow down for to avoid tipping. The only time speeds in excess of 100 mph are permissible is when you are being pursued on a wellmaintained, multi-lane highway and feel you have a good chance of safely outdistancing your tail (for example, you are driving a new sports car and they are in a rusted out pickup truck with bald tires). You do not want to drive beyond your abilities or your car�s capabilities. Once you wreck, the chase has most likely come to an end. Tires are speed rated. Most passenger cars have tires that the manufacturer says can safely withstand a sustained speed of 85 mph. Once you exceed 110 mph, your tires begin to heat up and deform, becoming more oblong than round. If your tires are worn, damaged, or subjected to the stress of sudden lane changes, they can easily burst, resulting in a blowout. If you have a massive blowout (as opposed to a gradual deflation) at over 100 mph, you may go into a spin or a roll. . . at such high speeds, and without a roll cage, most cars will break apart, smearing their occupants along the asphalt like strawberry preserves. Buy the best tires you can afford, and be aware of the stress of high speed maneuvering. Tires may rupture upon high speed contact with a pothole, curb, railroad track, or debris.
They also may rupture if they contact the wheelwell due to leaving the ground or hitting dips and inclines. They can rupture due to the heat and friction of repeated skidding, such as from controlled skids, 4-wheel drifts, J-turns, and bootlegger turns. If your fender is crumpled due to contact with either an obstacle or the pursuing vehicle, metal may dig into your tire and rupture it. As anyone who has watched televised police chases knows, it is possible to drive for miles on a flat tire or bare rim, though speed and control will be significantly impaired. As long as you remain in motion, you are in little danger from your pursuer. As soon as you stop, crash, or are otherwise rendered immobile, your car will become more of a trap than a refuge, and you will need to either evade on foot or stay and fight. If you are unarmed and facing overwhelming odds, fighting may not be the best option.
Aside from outrunning pursuers, which often is much more dangerous than simply allowing the pursuit to continue at a reasonable speed, you have the options of:
1.) Shaking a pursuer via sudden unexpected turns;
2.) Ditching a pursuer by making the prospect of further pursuit difficult; or
3.) Hiding.

A simple example of shaking pursuit would be to suddenly take a sidestreet in a controlled skid, without giving your tail a chance to react (I don�t think I need to tell you not to use your turn signal), then roaring off and making a series of turns that would make finding you nearly impossible. If you are driving along a straightaway at speed and your pursuer is starting to overtake you in the passing lane, you can execute a "panic stop" (slamming on the brakes without losing control of the vehicle), which will make him overshoot your position and give you opportunity to reverse your direction (best done by means of the "Jturn").
If you feel you must drive the wrong way on the highway or a one-way street to evade pursuit, stay on the hard shoulder with your high beams and hazard lights on. Ditching a pursuer can be done by driving through terrain unsuitable for a passenger car. You can drive across the median strip, down an embankment, or through a lawn. You can drive along a sidewalk, through a park, or into a shopping plaza. You can also drive through hedges and small fences. It is even possible to jump ditches and drive off road for an extended duration. Few marauding motorists would be bold enough to follow you, even if you are moving relatively slow.
Hiding is only an option if you are able to outdistance your tail long enough to get out of his line of sight. Driving behind a house, down an alleyway, or into a huge parking lot - then parking out of sight and waiting, is a good trick. Be aware that if you drive across damp sod you will leave visible tracks, and if you drive across dry dirt you will leave a dust cloud - either of which can reveal your position. After a few minutes of frantic rushing around and backtracking, most pursuers would give up . . . and those that don�t can be ambushed.
If you must hop a curb, it should be done at a 45 degree angle and at less than 45 mph. The lower your speed, the lower your chances will be of blowing a tire, breaking a wheel, or damaging your front-end. If possible, it would be best to do this at under 15 mph. . . any faster, and you will be taking a substantial risk of disabling your vehicle.

ESCAPE:
This section has deliberately been minimized. In order to learn escape techniques, first you must retain a qualified instructor (or at the very least, obtain a video or well illustrated book created by a qualified instructor). Next, you must spend hours practicing the techniques in a safe area. If you lack either guidance or experience, you have no business whatsoever attempting these maneuvers. . . it is far too easy to roll over or slide into a ditch. I refuse to take responsibility for the consequences of your actions. The first escape technique to learn is what police know as the "J-turn." It has also been called a reverse 180 or a moonshiner�s turn. To perform this procedure, come to a complete stop, then shift into reverse and accelerate to approximately 30 mph (any faster is unnecessary as well as dangerous). When this speed is reached (you�ll need to estimate, as your speedometer will not work), crank the wheel sharply to the left, then apply the brakes, slam it into gear, straighten the wheel, and punch the accelerator. . . it will take practice to get it right. If the maneuver is performed correctly, you will do a perfect reverse 180, finding yourself facing the opposite direction in the proper lane and speeding off, giving you a considerable head start. This maneuver is hard on the transmission, but I haven�t stripped one yet. You will need to practice in an empty parking lot with orange cones before attempting this on a road with ditches and guardrails. Be forewarned: hubcaps will go flying, and after a half dozen practice turns, your front alignment will be thrown way off and your front tires will be worn down to the steel belts. . . remove all hubcaps and have a pair of full-sized spares ready. The second technique is known as a "bootlegger�s turn," or simply as the "180." It is three times as difficult as the J-turn, and takes that much longer to master. A skilled driver, with competent instruction, can master the J-turn after his second attempt. . . it will take at least a half-dozen attempts for most drivers to feel comfortable doing the bootlegger�s turn. To do it, the driver slows to about 30 mph, then cranks the wheel to the left and yanks on the emergency brake lever, keeping the button depressed. Almost immediately, he releases the emergency brake while straightening the wheel and flooring the gas pedal. Performed correctly, the car will instantly spin around facing the opposite direction and take off at a high rate of speed. To perform this maneuver with a foot pedal emergency brake, minor modifications must be made (these vary, but disabling the brake release with vise grips - or a piece of wood carved to fit - and stretching elastic from the pedal to the dash will work and is easily reversible). Practicing this will also screw up your front alignment and destroy your tires, as well as possibly ripping out your emergency brake. It is strongly advised that you practice these techniques in a rental car of the same type as your primary vehicle. Practicing on gravel, snow, or other low friction surface will greatly reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, but proficiency on asphalt must be attained before attempting to perform this maneuver for real. The G-forces created by both the forward and reverse 180 turns are such that if you are so stupid as not to be wearing your safety belt, you may very well find yourself laying across the passenger seat. Never attempt either of these turns � or any high speed cornering � in a sport utility vehicle, Jeep-type vehicle, mini-van, jacked-up truck, or any vehicle with a high wheelbase or center of gravity, as such vehicles can easily be rolled. Some automobiles will stall upon performing a 180. Other techniques involve ramming, jamming, and smashing. These are usually practiced in a field or abandoned parking lot with $100 beaters equipped with modified seatbelts (like the "H-harness" used in race cars). These maneuvers are extremely dangerous, involving either sending another vehicle spinning off the road or busting through improvised roadblocks. I will not reveal how these moves are performed. What I will do however, is tell you three important things:

1.) Sideswiping your opponent�s vehicle � shown to be an effective technique on countless action-packed television shows � will not work! Slamming into your
opponent�s left front quarterpanel as you cut him off may work in theory, but in practice you have a fifty percent chance of actually sending your vehicle spinning out of control.
2.) If you are being rammed from behind at an odd angle by a large vehicle moving 15 - 20 mph faster than you, your vehicle can easily be sent into a spin. If you are being bumped or rammed, and it appears unlikely that you�ll be able to outrun your pursuers, SLOW DOWN. If you are only doing 30 mph, you cannot easily be sent into a spin. Or, you can come to a complete stop, slam it into reverse, and it�s demolition derby time! Slam one of the rear corners of your car through the radiator or driver�s door to put a quick end to his foolishness.
3.) If someone is trying to run you off the road, especially if you believe them to be in possession of a firearm, DO NOT allow them to pass you or even get alongside you. This means that you will need to keep a close eye on him in your rear view mirror, cutting him off whenever he attempts to pass. If they succeed in drawing alongside you, they can fire into your vehicle. If they succeed in passing you, they can pull broadside across the road, forming an impromptu roadblock. If you have a passenger, he should get in the back seat and roll both windows down, the better to fire a weapon or throw things at your pursuer�s windshield (for example: newspapers, laundry, glass bottles, canned and jarred grocery items, or any heavy item that could conceivably break a windshield). If, despite all this, he still manages to pass you, you can execute a moonshiner�s turn to escape. If going back the way you came is not an option, (and you cannot go around the roadblock by hopping a curb or plowing through underbrush) you can come to a complete stop, slam it into first gear, tell everyone to keep their heads down, and ram the trunk area behind the wheelwell to knock his vehicle aside. Ramming is only to be done when you are in imminent danger of being killed and there is no other option. Unless your vehicle has heavily reinforced push bumpers, it will probably become disabled. If your vehicle becomes disabled, but is still mobile, keep going until it will go no further. You�d be surprised how far some "undrivable" cars are capable of going. If you intend to practice ramming techniques � or if you want to be able to continue driving after engaging in an impromptu demolition derby with an irate motorist � you need to be driving a vehicle that is sturdy and dependable. Individual opinions vary greatly in this regard. Many people favor "sport-utility vehicles" (SUVs) for their high damage to survivability ratio. Drivers in demolition derbies, however, tend to favor the big V-8 sedans from the 60's and 70's, which had solid frames and lacked wussified "crumple zones." The Plymouth Furies and Chevy Impalas are favorites in the derbies. The �74 and �76 Impalas were especially favored, due to the amount of empty space between the radiator and engine block (which lessens the probability of a rupture upon impact). Stationwagons have always fared particularly well, with special mention being made to the �53 Chevy and the �62 Ford. Retired police cars, like the Plymouth Grand Furies and Dodge Diplomats, also tend to do well. If you intend that your vehicle can safely withstand the impact from ramming other vehicles, as well as being rammed or run off the road yourself, it is imperative that you install the necessary safety equipment (rollcage, racing harness, fire extinguishing system, fuel cell, etc.), and you might want to consider offensive modifications as well (reinforced pushbumpers, fender rams, or concealed tire cutters and radiator piercers � all welded securely to the frame). Again, I reiterate: doing 180s requires both professional instruction as well as hours of practice in a safe area, and ramming another motorist can cause you to wreck or otherwise disable your vehicle. Both maneuvers are unlawful to implement. Do not mess around with these techniques if you don�t know what you�re doing!

ALBERT EINSTEIN - QUOTES

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:33:22 +0300

Collected Quotes from Albert Einstein

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love."

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."

"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax."

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

"The only real valuable thing is intuition."

"A person starts to live when he can live outside himself."

"I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice."

"God is subtle but he is not malicious."

"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character."

"I never think of the future. It comes soon enough."

"The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility."

"Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing."

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."

"Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it."

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."

"God does not care about our mathematical difficulties. He integrates empirically."

"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking."

"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal."

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."

"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible."

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school."

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

"Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater."

"Equations are more important to me, because politics is for the present, but an equation is something for eternity."

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

"As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."

"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods."

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

"In order to form an immaculate member of a flock of sheep one must, above all, be a sheep."

"The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there's no risk of accident for someone who's dead."

"Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves."

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!"

"No, this trick won't work...How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?"

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."

"Yes, we have to divide up our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever."

"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."

"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeeded be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."

"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."

"Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion."

"You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat."

"One had to cram all this stuff into one's mind for the examinations, whether one liked it or not. This coercion had such a deterring effect on me that, after I had passed the final examination, I found the consideration of any scientific problems distasteful to me for an entire year."

"...one of the strongest motives that lead men to art and science is escape from everyday life with its painful crudity and hopeless dreariness, from the fetters of one's own ever-shifting desires. A finely tempered nature longs to escape from the personal life into the world of objective perception and thought."

"He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." (Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton)

Copyright: Kevin Harris 1995 (may be freely distributed with this acknowledgement)

ARTICOL: Fie-ne tranzitia usoara

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:00:00 +0200

"Fie-ne tranzitia usoara" - de Radu Paraschivescu,
cu subtitlul Perle romanesti,
in editura Humanitas.

"Lumea are voie sa aiba doua conturi ; unul in lei, unul in valuta si inca unul pentru economii. Mai mult nu. - Florin Georgescu (fost ministru al finantelor)

"s-au verificat toate actele pe fostii trei ani pe care am fost primar" - Marian Vanghelie

"A garanta proprietatea inseamna a limita dreptul omului asupra proprietatii lui " - Ion Iliescu

"Bancile sunt conduse de bancheri in toata lumea in afara de Cismigiu si Herastrau" - Bogdan Balthazar (director de banca)

"Cineva a vrut sa vina la Cornu ca sa-mi numere gainile. I-am sugerat c-ar fi mai bine sa vina sa-mi numere ouale." - Adrian Nastase

"Becali e un brand. Eu la Avicola Iasi pot sa fac pui Gigi Becali, daca vreau " Gigi Becali

"Doar prin hazardul inconstient social nu se putea ajunge in sfere atat de aureolate si in plan financiar" - Cornel Dinu (antrenor de fotbal)

"Dumnezeu e cel mai tare serviciu de informatii din lume - stie tot, chiar si-un fir de par" - Gigi Becali

"Am ratat clipa in favoarea eternitatii, iar eternitatea nu ne apartine" Dinu Sararu (regizor)

"Biblia e ca un far luminand in noapte, in jurul caruia roiesc ca mustele toate celelalte carti " - Corneliu Vadim Tudor

"Familia e sfanta, pe cand patria....cum sa va spun patria e sacra " Dumitru Dragomir (presedintele Ligii Profesioniste de fotbal)

"Destinul meu a fost marcat de soarta" (Dan Iosif ( copil al strazii apoi revolutionar, apoi consilierul lui Iliescu, in prezen parlamentar si om bogat)

"Omul este o persoana umana" - Gheorghe Hagi (fotbalist)

"Noi am pierdut multa vreme o perioada de timp" - Ion Iliescu

"Nu mai e mult pana mai e foarte putin" - Gigi Becali

"Nu am facut afirmatii generale, ci dimpotriva am facut afirmatii de sens opus " - Emil Constantinescu

"In politica cel mai bun adevar este minciuna, cu conditia sa nu fie dovedita. " - Doru Viorel Ursu (fost ministru de interne, in prezent avocat)

"Cred ca noi ne indreptam spre undeva, iar acest undeva nu se cheama nicaieri" - Doru Ioan Taracila (parlamentar, fost ministru de interne)

"Decesul i se poate intampla oricui" - Adrian Nastase

"Isus Cristos s-a nascut intr-o pestera foarte modesta" - Teoctist

"Becalizarea Romaniei inseamna ca Romania este intr-un cancer moral si spiritual din care se va salva prin becalizare" - Gigi Becali

"Fiecare om are ingerelul lui. Invatamantul romanesc n-are un ingeras pentru fiecare om - Mihail Hardau (ministrul invatamantului)

"Este vointa lui Dumnezeu ca eu sa pasc acest popor" - Gigi Becali

"Domnul Ion Cristoiu a spus despre mine ca sunt corupt pe vremea cand nu eram, in 1993" - Viorel Hrebenciuc (parlamentar P.S.D.)

"Eu in tinerete eram amfitrion pe oriunde ma duceam" - Gigi Becali

"Eu sunt pe toate listele de corupti si arestati, dar nu am nicio greata" - Viorel Hrebenciuc

"Avocatura este judecatorul dracului" - Ion Iliescu

"Daca dansul are tupeul sa fie de fata si voi fi citat cu domnul Iliescu si el o sa apara pe post de Parchet, eu una din doua; ori ma spanzur imediat, deci imi fac harakiri, ori ma leg de Tribunal cu lanturi " - Antonie Iorgivan (avocat, parlamentar P.S.D., parintele constitutiei)

"Sunt oameni care nu poti sa le bagi lucrurile in cap nici cu forcepsul" - Loredana Groza (cantareata)

"Petre Mihai Bacanu seamana cu un sobolan fiert in ulei de frana" - Corneliu Vadim Tudor

"Nu trebuie sa fim mandri ca avem creier " - Adi de la Valcea (cantaret rom)

"Nevasta-mea este o femeie care, oricate greseli as face, tot o iubesc" - Vali Vijelie (cantaret rom)

"Pe la voi prin Chisinau trece Volga, nu ? Cum ? Nu mai trece ? - Loredana Groza

"Adi de Vito si Virgil Iantu au devenit tatici in aceeasi zi, desi nu sunt casatoriti " - Cristian Groza

"De doua zile in judetele Giurgiu si Ialomita ploua cu lopata" - Marilena Nedelcu

"Dubaiul e o natie care are o pozitie care o merita in lume" - Irinel Columbeanu

"Cele publicate de acest ziar sunt un neadevar inexact" - Ilie Verdet

"Sigur ca am auzit de El Nino. E numele unui cantaret de muzica latina, nu ? - Loredana Groza

"In Bucuresti si in general in Romania, circulatia e scelerata" - Mircea Badea (crainic de t.v.)

"N-am citit Karma Sutra, dar m-ar tenta foarte tare s-o rescriu" - Irinel Columbeanu

"Mai, animalule!" - Ion Iliescu

"Ba, maiestate !" - Sergiu Andon (ziarist, parlamentar, avocat)

"Avem nevoie de lideri adevarati, nu de maimutoi implementati. - Marian Vanghelie

"daca va dori cineva, ii putem oferi inclusiv functia de imparat. Avem solutii" - Victor Ciorbea

"Exista aici, in aceasta sala, tineri care au murit in revolutia din decembrie 1989" - Viorel Catarama

"La noi, sefii de partide sunt ca vacile in India" - Antonie Iorgovan

"Domnul Iorgovan e un fel de electron sarit de pe orbita" - Adrian Nastase

"Omar Hayssam apartine tarii, este un bun al intregului popor" - Adrian Nastase

"Vreau ca Romania sa intre in Europa cu picioarele inainte" - Lia Roberts

"Domnule presedinte, noi n-am facut nimic, cartela e acolo, in banca, voteaza de una singura. Uitati-va. Noi nu avem nicio vina aici" - Attila Verestoy (parlamentar)

"Tariceanu, VIP ? Va spun eu ce VIP e, Very Import Papagal. Auzi la el, ce tupeu obraznic!" - Gigi Becali

"Partidul Noua Generatie va fi biserica politicii romanesti, iar eu voi fi Sfantul Petru." - Gigi Becali

"Noi am fost si cu unii si cu altii, dar daca faceti o analiza o sa vedeti ca unii au fost deja cu altii, iar altii au fost deja cu unii" - Marko Bela (parlamentar - seful UDMR)

"imi fac mia culpa" - Dan Voiculescu

"Un militar nu are voie sa ocupe decat o functie cu un grad mai mare decat propriul grad" - Teodor Atanasiu (fost ministru al apararii demis)

"Cine se va dovedi ca a avut un angajament cu securitatea va fi dat afara, in frunte cu mine" - Dan Voiculescu

"Traian Basescu are o atitudine de maidanez; vine, musca si pleaca" - Dan Voiculescu

"Am puterea sa recunosc ca nu sunt vinovat" - Gheorghe Stefan (presedinte de club de fotbal)

"Nu pot sa spun ca am plans, dar mi-au dat lacrimile" - Cosmin Moti

"Eu prin presupuneri deduc" - Gheorghe Stefan

"Nu avem sanse insa cu toate acestea o sa ni le jucam pana la capat " - Vasile Jercalau

"Gestul domnului Mihai Stoica a fost unul de premeditare intempestiva" - Cornel Dinu

"Bineinteles, daca e nevoie pot sa locuiesc si intr-un clocnotes" - Claudiu Raducanu

"Nu pot sa va dau niciun pronostic, dar cred ca vom bate sigur" - Nicolae Vacaroiu

"Daca Mihai Stoica m-ar fi injurat pe mine, n-ar fi apucat sa deschida gura" - Ion Horoba

"La examen mi-a cazut Comuna din Paris, dar le-am spus sa-mi schimbe subiectul, ca nu prea le am cu geografia" - Raducanu Necula

"Eugen Trica este un pisat de vaca uscat de vant" - Adrian Mititelu

"M-am certat cu Mitica Dragomir, dar fara jigniri. El m-a facut oligofren, eu l-am facut zdreanta, dar nu ne-am insultat. In schimb Marian Iancu e obraznic si umbla cu tot felul de jargoane care nu e bine sa le dai la presa" - Gigi Becali

"Va urez, cum se spune, sa fiti fanatic pana la moarte, dar in sensul bun al cuvantului" - Horia Ivanovici

"Fiecare are gusturile lui in muzica.. N-are cum sa asculte toata lumea numai Schopenhauer" - Costi Ionita (cantaret)

"Dom'le, eu muncesc 24 ore pe zi, iar uneori chiar si noaptea" - Dumitru Dragomir

"In Romania, daca n-ai un dram de putere si un pic de bagabonteala, nu rezolvi nimic" - Marian Vanghelie

"Am ajuns la o varsta la care mi-am dat seama ca trebuie sa fiu cinstit" - Dumitru Dragomir

"Cu privire la gripa aviara, in raport s-a strecurat o confuzie. Am confundat gaina cu curca" - Radu Timofte (fostul sef S.R.I.)

"Acel tanar care s-a transformat in trei sute este vorba de unul singur" - Marian Vanghelie

"Pentru Uniunea Europeana este relativ greu sa produca tarani" - Dan Voiculescu

"Sa stiti despre mine ca simt francofon, dar vorbesc mai mult anglofon" - Adriean Videanu (primar al mun. Bucuresti)

"O sa ma dea in judecata francofonia ca am facut-o vaca. Dar vacile sunt frumoase" - Ion Cristoiu (ziarist)"

Exista oameni in acest parlament al Romaniei carora nu poti sa le ridici imunitatea nici cu viagra" - Paula Ivanescu (parlamentar)

"Primul rezultat notabil al acestor doi ani este ca inca mai guvernam" - Adrian Nastase

ARTICOLE: knock down, box knock

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:30:00 +0200

============================================= Hook
A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots clockwise, turning the left heel outwards. Upon contact, the hook's circular path ends abruptly and the lead hand is pulled quickly back into the guard position. A hook may also target the lower body (the classic Mexican hook to the liver) and this technique is sometimes called the "rip" to distinguish it from the conventional hook to the head. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand.

============================================= Medical concerns
It should be noted that knocking a person unconscious or even causing concussion may cause some permanent brain damage. Furthermore, there is no clear division between the force required to knock out a human and an amount of force which will kill them. More than 350 amateur and professional boxers have been killed in the ring since 1945,for example, Duk Koo Kim who on November 13th 1982 held a fight with Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini which led to his death five days later.

In 1983, The Journal of the American Medical Association called for a ban on boxing. The editor, Dr. George Lundberg, called boxing an "obscenity" that "should not be sanctioned by any civilized society." Since then, the American Neurological Association, American Academy of Neurology and British, Canadian and Australian Medical Associations have also wanted to abolish the sport.

Many support the ban because it seems that causing injury to another athlete is the goal of the sport. Dr. Bill O'Neill, boxing spokesman for the British Medical Association, has supported the BMA's proposed ban on boxing: "It is the only sport where the intention is to inflict serious injury on your opponent, and we feel that we must have a total ban on boxing."

Professional boxing is forbidden in Norway, Iceland, Cuba, Iran and North-Korea.

=============================================== Fatalities versus brain injury
In 1984, R.J. McCunney and P.K. Russo published a study entitled Brain Injuries in Boxing.
The study argued that boxing is relatively safe compared to other sports by citing the following figures on U.S. sports fatalities:

Fatality rates per 100,000 participants

1. Horse racing: 128
2. Sky diving: 123
3. Hang gliding: 56
4. Mountaineering: 51
5. Scuba Diving: 11
6. Motorcycle racing: 7
7. College Football: 3
8. Boxing: 1.3

Dr. Lundberg replied: "It's not the deaths but the chronic brain damage that is so frequent."
The AMA reports brain deterioration in three out of four boxers who have twenty or more professional fights.

To date, there has been little research regarding the long-term effects of amateur boxing.

sursa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing

ARTICOLE: fenomenul downshifting

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 17:00:00 +0300

Fenomenul downshifting - sau "dincolo" de top management
de Aurora Liiceanu

Downshifting-ul s-a nascut din refuzul al societatii occidentale (care de fapt este o expresie postmaterialista) de a nu deveni sclavul valorilor materiale si de a-ti consuma toata existenta alergind dupa bani, dupa o pozitie ierarhica. Downshifting-ul inseamna refuzul de a intra intr-o anume inregimentare (prin dresaj), refuzul pozitiei, refuzul salariilor mari etc. Ideea de baza este ca de fapt calitatea vietii individului, care este data nu de felul in care se pozitioneaza el din punct de vedere material -nu iti trebuie atit de multi bani ca sa poti sa fi fericit, multumit in viata -, ci de faptul ca poti profita, sa zicem inteligent, de timpul pe care il ai de trait, astfel incit sa nu devii un sclav al muncii. Prin urmare, e vorba de o etica a muncii.

Downshifting-ul nu poate fi la noi, pentru ca noi sintem o societate care am demarat dupa '90 in plin materialism grosolan si exagerat, in care banul si acumularea de bunuri materiale este o dominanta a vietii.Toata lumea priveste cu admiratie si invidie desfasurarea cursei achizitiilor materiale, lucru care in strainatate a inceput sa fie pus sub semnul intrebarii. Din aceasta perspectiva un om din est (din tarile postcomuniste) o sa fie mai bine imbracat decit unul din vest, o sa isi doreasca o masina mai buna, o sa fie, cum se spune, victima societatii de consum intr-un mod cu totul necritic, o sa-si ia tot ce este mai scump si o sa o faca ostentativ si in mod excesiv.

Deci noi, in momentul de fata, sintem o societate cu valori materialist - excesive, spre deosebire de cealalta societate, in care oamenii profita de tot ce este modernitate pentru a spori confortul vietii, dar si calitatea ei.

Eu cred ca nivelul de la care pornesc ei este mult mai inalt decit al nostru. Adica ei nu au o populatie care supravietuieste ca la noi si aceasta conditie bazala, minima pentru a trai relativ decent este realizata cam la toate categoriile sociale. Faptul ca exista oameni care stau pe strada, sau care refuza sa intre in alt tip de inregimentare, in aceasta ordine a vietii, tine si de o patologie sociala care este legata de postmodernism, nu tine de saracie, pentru ca in strainatate abundenta de lucruri materiale fac sa existe o anumita satietate. Cu alte cuvinte, cu doua perechi de blugi si cu zece maiouri poti traversa o vara. Noi cred ca sintem intr-o perioada in care a inceput sa se vada aceasta adictie de shopping, care tine de centrarea de materialism, prin manipularea sau si prin manipularea data de publicitate, care indeamna necritic catre consumerism.

Asta nu inseamna ca la ei nu exista asa ceva, insa sint mult mai potoliti si ceea ce este interesant este aparitia acestui curent critic ca schimbare a stilului de viata. La noi nu exista deloc o atitudine critica, ba dimpotriva, cum am mai spus, este vorba de invidie si chiar o rautate de a scotoci, sa vezi cit si-a mai luat, cite vile si-a luat, cum e vila etc. Exista o dorinta evidenta a unora de a fi invidiati pentru bunastarea lor materiala excesiva pe care ei

o coreleaza cu reusita sociala sau cu reusita existentiala. Numarul, cantitatea conteaz�, si pretul.

In general downshifting-ul pune accentul asupra unei idei importante: exista si alte laturi ale vietii care sint importante si pe care le poti realiza daca ai bani, dar nu neaparat foarte multi bani: relatiile, prietenii, placerea de a sta la ora 11 dimineata pe malul unui riu, sau trezitul de dimineata la ora 10, cu gazeta in pat etc.

Vedem o graba teribila a tinerei generatii de alerga dup� bani si de a uita sa traiasca. Pentru ca sa ilustrez acest lucru am gasit un text foarte critic, in care un specialist in marketing se refera la ce se intimpla la noi in Romania:"am vazut fete care, atunci cind s-au angajat in agentie, erau ca niste mere sanatoase din care iti venea sa musti cu pofta; astazi sint niste scovergi iradiate de computer. Oricum, ar gasi cu greu un barbat la ora la care pleaca de la birou si daca ar apela la solutia cea mai la indemana, un coleg de birou, tot nu ar plesni-o: e cunoscut faptul ca stresul cauzeaza sterilitate masculina.Probabil ca la ora la care scriu aceste rinduri ele se afla

tot la birou bibilind un mediaplan sau pregatind press release-ul unui client isteric si mitocan care nici macar nu stie sa spuna "multumesc". Pentru si! mplul motiv ca "doar te platesc, nu?" In nici un loc, sau meserie, densitatea de impostori pe metru patrat nu e mai mare ca in marketing si publicitate.

E interesant ca mai mult este afectata partea feminina, pentru ca, daca inainte exista acest stereotip - cind ai o fata este bine sa intre in invatamint (invatamintul a fost totdeauna feminizat, pentru iti permite sa mai cresti un copil, sa mai faci o mincare, sa mai stai pe acasa si sa ai timp pentru datoriile de femeie, care trebuie sa tina si o casa), astazi, este ciudat pentru ca nu se mai intimpla, fetele nu se mai fac deloc profesoare - intra in jurnalism, daca au noroc lucreaza la televiziuni -, iar cele care mai exista se duc mai degraba la gradinite particulare pentru bani mai multi. Deci, majoritatea intra in jurnalism si in marketing, profesii extrem de consumatoare de timp, extrem de mobile si de dinamice, la care salariile pot fi substantiale, dar daca stai sa te gindesti mai atent iti dai seama ca de fapt sint foarte prost platite pentru cit de rar dai pe acasa.

De ce a aparut downshiftingul? Pentru ca este vorba de manipulare, de o anume conditionare in privinta statutului de consumator. Se zice ca femeile vin tarziu acasa, dar cu foarte multi bani, cu banii aceia cumpara foarte multe lucruri si il fac pe copil sa devina la rindul lui consumator si il conditioneaza. Copilul, la rindul lui, este plin de bani, dar fara parinti - copilul neglijat dar cu bani, poate ajunge violent, sau poate fugi de acasa. Consumul de droguri este si o forma de protest nu numai o adictie, un semnal de alarma pentru parinti, pentru ca imitatia nu este suficienta ca sa explice raspindirea acestui fenomen.

Ca fenomen, downshifting-ul nu merge la noi, mai ales pentru ca el are si o componenta intelectuala, care include preluarea critica a valorilor, posibilitatea de a fi reflexiv cu propria ta viata, plasarea intr-un cimp al invatarii de calitate si al cresterii personale, practic imposibila in conditiile in care stai zece ore la serviciu, te duci la workshopuri, teambuilding-uri (aflate la noi in plina moda).Toate duc la confiscarea individului pentru profit.

Tineti minte ca in '90 atractia fata de domeniul privat a fost marita si prin schimbarea limbajului de nomenclatura a muncii, orice contabil era director economic. Toate aceste etichete care citeodata nu mai aduc bani, dar care psihologic motiveaz� individul si il fac ca sa accepte sa lucreze mai mult, uneori fara o crestere salariala, pentru prestigiu, flateaza nevoia de statut. Este vorba despre o nevoie psihologica folosita foarte mult in manipulare. Atita vreme s-a spus ca nu este bine sa existe relatii sot-sotie la slujba, acum se reia ceva care seamana foarte mult cu comunismul. Dimpotriva, trebuie sa fie casatoriti, sa stea cit mai mult acolo, sa aiba gradinita pentru copii si unde sa manince, individul nu mai are decit week-endul care uneori poate fi petrecut cu colegii de la slujba in continuare, deci practic este o "deprivatizare" a individului. Acesta se intimpla la noi si oamenii nu a! u nici un pic de spirit critic, au sarit cu atita graba in aceasta poveste care este realmente gindita foarte bine, tocmai pentru a confisca total un individ in favoarea profitului. Psihologii s-au gindit foarte bine, creste numarul de divorturi, femeile si barbatii nu mai pot sta impreuna nici macar in week-end deoarece toate aceste reuniuni (teambuilding-uri) se fac de obicei in afara, se cheltuie foarte multi bani, te incinta ca este un hotel scump, dar trebuie sa raspunzi la intrebarea ce se intimpla cu familia, pe care nu poti sa o neglijezi.

Ideea transmisa prin downshifting este aceea de a invata sa stii cind sa te opresti, pentru ca nu ai nevoie de mai mult ca sa poti sa ai satisfactii nebanuite in viata, sa nu devii un robot, un om "simplificat", un nevrotic sau un isteric. Acesta necesita o depasire a ideii de supravietuire, un om care supravietuieste fie nu mai face nimic si atunci il tiraste societatea ca stat, fie intra in aceasta cursa pentru ca nu mai vede nici o alta alegere. Cind ai foarte multi bani si continui sa muncesti ca un robot, sau cind ai mult mai mult decit iti trebuie, ideea de a reconsidera ce iti trebuie (cu cele doua componente: materiala si spirituala) e vitala. Partea spirituala nu se poate face in supravietuire. Deteriorarea relatiilor interpersonale este o consecinta a lipsei de timp. Vedem in filme politisti extraordinar de motivati, care lucreaza foarte mult si sint parasiti de sotii (aici poa! te ca nu este vorba de partea materiala ci de faptul ca nu esti in stare sa ai o proportie fericita, echilibrata intre investitiile pe care le faci profesional fata de cele pentru familie), care stau cu o sticla de whisky singuri in camere destul de modeste. Este vorba de a-ti regindi existenta si de a vedea ce prioritati trebuie sa ai in raport cu o existenta in care sa nu uiti ca exista si natura si timp liber, sa revalorizezi prietenii si lectura, sa te uiti in dreapta sau stinga, sa ai surse multiple de satisfactie personala. Acest lucru cred ca la noi inca nu este posibil, sintem inca morti dupa vitrine.

Cred ca downshifting-ul aduce o mai buna convietuire intre "a fi" si "a face", pentru ca se zice ca occidentul este centrat pe "a face" , fara simt critic, iar ceilalti sint pe "a fi", fara simt critic (se zice ca in India exista obezitate spirituala, iar in America exista obezitate materiala). Totusi in civilizatie exista nevoia de confort, de a nu te chinui, nu poti dormi pe strada, nu poti trai in halul in care se traieste in tarile cu obezitate spirituala. Nu sintem in stare sa luam ce e bun dintr-un loc si ce e bun din celalalt loc si sa facem o sinteza care sa fie superioara fiecareia din cele doua forme, sa nu traim in extreme.

Retina isi pierde sensibilitatea atita vreme cit nu mai exerseaza alt peisaj decit canile de cafea, aparatele de facut cafele si monitorul computerului. De altfel si lectura s-a pierdut tot din acest motiv si cred ca se petrec anumite lucruri foarte interesante din punct de vedere psihologic: se mareste nevoia aceasta isterica de alternanta, de schimbare pe care o propune modernitatea in detrimentul capacitatii de concentrare. Filmele de actiune induc un ritm alert al vietii, care se rasfringe asupra psihismelor noastre.

Toefler spunea ca oamenii nu mai investesc in alti oameni, investesc in obiecte de aruncat, de unica folosinta. Un anumit tip de cultura a relatiei se pierde, avind in vedere ca sintem intersanjabili, oamenii nu se mai fixeaza in relatii de lunga durata, sintem ca intr-o miscare browniana, toti oamenii sint frumosi, frumusetea se vinde, aceasta cursa de a fi altul si un refuz de a fi tu pina la urma.

Aceasta necorelare intre nevoia de afirmare a Eu-lui (a devenit din ce in ce mai mica afirmarea de sine, trebuie sa semeni cu Cher, cu Britney Spears) si dependenta de altii, de grup, reprezinta o negare a unor principii psihologice adinci, care sigur modifica structura personalitatii. Nevoia excesiva de imitare - modelele celebritatii -, admiratia pentru persoanele cu vizibilitatea sociala, care apar la televiziune, publicitatea, aceste identificari care se propun si care sint preluate cu totul necritic este proprie prezentului. Televiziunea este o oportunitate foarte cautata pentru ca vizibilitatea sociala poate avea efecte pozitive: gasesti o slujba, iti faci relatii, te poti cupla, poti sa faci aranjamente, te poti "marketa" etc.

Downshiftingul este un si un refuz al formei fara continut. Astazi, industria schimbarii, a denaturarii, sau a renaturarii chirugia estetica, de pilda, e la moda pentru ca inegalitatea prin natura era singurul lucru care facea ca oamenii sa fie diferiti cel putin din punct de vedere fizic. Acum daca se pierde acest lucru - cum este si firesc - posibila explicatie ar fi ca nu putea sa se nasca decit intr-o epoca in care s-a lansat transplantul si clonarea. Cineva

spunea intr-un interviu ca "toti oamenii vor fi foarte diferiti, foarte frumosi, la fel". Nu este decit o schimbare a formei, continutul nu conteaz�. Imaginea este totul.

Sintem in pline provocari ale identitatii: cine esti, ce alegi, de unde esti, din ce grupa faci parte. Avem foarte multa informatie, cimpul de alegeri este urias, dar ne lipseste discernamintul si ne lipsesc criteriile. De ce este bine asa si de ce nu este bine asa? Daca inainte opozitia �ntre bine si rau avea o demarcatie clara, existau percepte religioase - asa e bine, asa nu e bine -, astazi nimeni nu iti spune ce e bine si ce e rau. Tu trebuie sa alegi si sa

suporti consecintele.

ED: Estimati ca vor exista niste apropieri intre marile companii si fenomenul downshifting, pentru a impiedica exodul de capital uman catre aceasta deschidere a vietii?

AL: Nu stiu, ma gindeam ca exact acest evazionism va fi preluat de cineva care va vedea un profit, l-ar prelua si apropia, l-ar transforma intr-un profit in sensul ca nimic din ce rasare ca germene de interes nu ramine ascuns. Aici cred ca exista un pericol pentru ca sint de acord ca s-a nascut transplantul. Apar, insa, si forme patologice ale unei intentiei bune de la inceput. De altfel, in cartea lui Beigbeder chiar acest lucru se spune: ca te refugiezi pe o insula si acolo se reia acest ciclu, in sensul ca incepi sa te plictisesti ca ai numai natura, ca maninci, ca stai degeaba, ca ai multi prieteni si intri intr-un alt tip de nevroza.

ED: Vorbim de o limita a downshiftingulul, daca mergi catre extrema aceasta te paste ruperea totala de lume.

AL:Haideti sa luam fenomenul "hippies", care sa zicem ca nu poti sa il vezi ca un downshifting, insa intr-un fel de avangarda poti sa il vezi daca fortam putin lucrurile. Refuz scoala, refuz caldura, refuz apartamentul, acest mit a lui Robinson Crusoe care ne bintuie din cind in cind si pe care se bazeaza si evaziunea catre tara, catre rustic. Dar ce s-a observat pina la urma? La primele boli mai dure, au fugit la spital. Prin urmare, e foarte greu sa iti asumi ceva cu totul nou. Pina la urma sintem convinsi si de beneficiile socialului.

Ideea este ca stilul de viata a devenit o problema, a alegerilor in societatea de astazi. La un moment dat se spunea despre femei: te mariti repede, faci repede un copil, il cresti pina la 26, 27, 28 de ani si la 28 ani cu un copil mare iti incepi viata. Poti face o facultate, esti inca tinara si poti sa iti reiei o alta viata. Se poate si invers, iti incepi cariera, lucrezi de innebunesti si la 34, 35 ani cind esti pe ultima suta de metri faci un copil. Acum la noi se poarta adoptia, anumite categorii, din varii motive s-au gindit sa impace si capra si varza si atunci isi fac o cariera, castiga bani si fiind si mai eliberate de maternitate, adopta copilul ca o forma de a compensa frustrarile. Pe de alta parte, copilul devine o forma de lux, pot sa imi permit un copil in conditiile astea, nu ca il fac sau il iau si il cresc, pentru ca eu fac banii, eu i-am facut si nu depind de nimeni. Este o actiune voluntar - monoparentala la aceasta categorie. Avem foarte multe forme. Una peste alta ideea este ca stilul de viata incepe sa preocupe foarte mult individul si cred ca daca o luam filozofic, motivul se naste din ideea aceasta a utilitatii vietii. Inainte viata se traia, acum trebuie sa ii gasesti o justificare.

ED: Adica intii traiesti particica aceea de viata si dupa aceea iti mai trebuie alti 15 ani sa o explici.

AL: Exact. In orice caz omenirea este extrem de pestrita si exista foarte multe formule pe care ti se propun ca fezabile. Cind am zis de subdiviziuni m-am referit de exemplu la casatorie. Vrei relatii seriale fidele sau vrei hopuri, urcusuri si coborisuri, incet incet, ai facut o investitie in cineva, sau mergi in aceasta idee de relatii seriale. Ai de ales. Era mult mai comod cind ti se spunea cum trebuie sa faci. Era clar ca era inspre binele tau sa pre-iei un model. Acum esti pus in fata multor modele, submodele sau contramodele si trebuie sa alegi ce vrei. Ideea este ca viata nu are sens, ca trebuie sa ii dai tu un sens. Inainte avea un sens in sine, acum trebuie sa ii gasesti tu sensul, ceea ce reprezinta o intreprindere destul de dificila. Uneori am vazut ca acest lucru poate fi si una dintre explicatiile sinuciderii la tinerii care nu gasesc acest sens. Cel care sa-ti spuna ca merita sau ca este o datorie! sa traiesti. Generatiile mai vechi nici nu si-au pus problema, traiau pur si simplu.

ED: In privinta mediului romanesc spuneati ca downshifting-ul nu e de interes, de actualitate. Puteti face o estimare, in privinta a ceea ce ar mai trebui sa treaca peste noi, ce ar trebui sa mai invatam pentru a ajunge in ipostaza de a marsa catre acest fenomen?

AL: Cred ca ar trebui sa fie mai multa bunastare materiala, pentru ca reflexia fata de propria viata in termeni mai evoluati nu se face decit in momentul in care ai asigurate conditii de viata decente. Nu neg ca oamenii care sint foarte saraci nu isi pun probleme de ce sint in halul asta de saraci si de ce viata este atit de amara, dar o fac in alti termeni decit cei care au tot ce le trebuie, sau in orice caz sint multumiti si isi pun problema ce fac cu viata lor. Primii trebuie sa lupte ca sa traiasca, iar ceilalti trebuie sa dea un sens vietii. Este o mare diferenta.

Cind am citit despre downshifting pot sa va spun ca mi-a venit in cap un banc destul de banal, de altfel, care prinde extraordinar de mult acest fenomen: un om sta pe malul marii si cineva vine si ii spune sa ii prinda niste peste, iar el ii spune ca nu, pentru ca sta pur si simplu si contempla marea. Acesta ii spune: iti dau bani si nu o sa mai ai barca asta prapadita, o sa iti iei una mai buna. Tot nu vroia. Acesta incepe sa ii arate care sint avantajele: aca prinzi peste mai mult cu barca cea buna o sa poti sa iti iei un vapor si daca iti iei un vapor o sa iti poti face o fabrica de conserve de peste si o sa lucreze altii pentru tine si tu nu o sa faci nimic, la care omul raspunde: si acum ce fac?

Probabil ca acel om avea o casa deasupra capului, vremea era destul de ospitaliera cu el, peste putea sa isi prinda daca ii era foame si nu isi dorea sa intre in aceasta cursa.

ED: Considerati ca oamenii care au beneficiat de provocarile downshifting-ului intr-o anumita portiune a vietii lor vor fi capabili sa genereze alte valori pentru societate decit cele la care au apelat initial, adica vor putea sa genereze valori postmoderne? Daca da, in ce sens?

AL: Cred ca da, in sensul ca poate sa arate faptul ca avea de mic mai multe motivatii, hobby-uri, de a fi plasat mai realist intre principiul placerii si principiul realitatii, te face ca oricind sa te poti opri si sa ai ce face, sa nu ramii gol. Hobby-ul, cum se zice in sociologie, raspunde unui eu neutilizat. Vorbeam de principiul placerii si principiul realitatii: exista principiul realitatii, trebuie sa faci un pact cu lumea, cu nevoile, dar trebuie sa iti ramina ceva care, sa raspunda unor nevoi personale, sa-ti dea satisfactii. Este de dorit sa iti ramina permanent niste lucruri pe care vrei sa le faci. Trebuie sa stii ce sa faci dupa aceea. Sint foarte multi oameni care se plictisesc, care nu isi dau seama ca ar putea fi folositi, iar societatea nu ii foloseste, ei devin resurse umane care se irosesc.

Dar la noi exista acest curent, daca nu-ti da bani sa nu faci. Aici remarc o deosebire fata de lucrurile bune pe care le-am descoperit in strainatate, ca mai poti fi util, ca mai poti sa te duci undeva, socializarea in orice caz este un fapt pozitiv, nu poti sa te retragi din lume.

Este nevoie in aceasta viata de relatii, ori pentru aceasta trebuie sa intelegi ca uneori ti se face un bine, ca lucrurile nu sint alba - neagra, ca sa poti sa spui ca te duci sa te ocupi de niste copii parasiti sau de natura, dar daca nu imi dai nici un ban mai bine stau acasa. E foarte gresit pentru ca foarte multi oameni intra in depresie tocmai pentru ca nu sint relationati sau nu-si gasesc o utilizare. Acesta este un lucru negativ in societatea romaneasca. Sigur ca exista oameni saraci care trebuie sa alerge dupa bani si nu pot face astfel de lucruri, dar sint oameni care care ar putea face ceva, dar care prefera sa stea pasivi.

Downshiftingul presupune o schimbare de stil de viata pina la urma, stilul vietii se schimba total, dar pe de alta parte el nu putea sa apara la noi in societate, la noi este prematur sa admitem o asemenea evolutie. Nu neg insa ca sint oameni care ar putea sa faca downshifting si nu fac, ceea ce inseamna ca fie sint definitiv pierduti, fie ca nu au alte resurse, fie nu au nici o motivatie intrinseca, adica in sistemul lor de valori prietenia, natura, lectura, informatia, etc, nu exista.

In incheiere as spune ca oamenii cauta frumusetea vietii in marile reusite si asa mai departe, fara a acorda importanta gesturilor mici, cotidiene. De fapt acestea fac cursul vietii. Viata are si ceva care trebuie trait, adica munca e foarte buna, insa ideile despre munca si activitate trebuie reconsiderate. Lucrurile mici sint importante. Este ca atunci cind esti concentrat pe ceva si nu mai vezi nimic in jur.

ARTICOLE: inmatriculam si noi ceva?

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:00:00 +0300

De la 1 ianuarie 2007, va fi introdusa o taxa de inmatriculare pentru autoturisme si autovehicule de import de pana la 3,5 tone, inclusiv.
In cazul masinilor second-hand, taxa variaza in functie de normele de poluare Euro si de varsta autoturismului.

DUPA CILINDRE SI VECHIME
In cazul masinilor cu motor Euro 3, cu o capacitate cilindrica mai mica de 1.600 cmc si cu o vechime de cel mult sase luni, taxa este de 612 euro. Pe de alta parte, pentru cele cu o capacitate cilindrica de peste 3.000 centimetri cubi (cmc), mai vechi de sase ani, suma care trebuie achitata este de 5.070 euro. Pentru restul masinilor cu motor Euro 3 de peste 1.600 cmc si pana la 3.000 cmc, prima inmatriculare costa intre 700 si 5.000 euro. Pentru o masina Euro 2, cu capacitatea cilindrica de 1.600 cmc, taxa va fi de 2.704 euro, iar pentru cele cu o capacitate de peste 3.000 cmc, aceasta va ajunge la 6.240 de euro.

POLUAREA COSTA SCUMP
Posesorii de autovehicule din clasa Euro 1, cu o capacitate cilindrica de pana la 1.600 de cmc vor achita 3.744 euro, iar la autoturismele cu o capacitate de peste 3.000 cmc taxa este de 7.020 de euro. In cazul masinilor noneuro, taxa de inmatriculare este de 4.000 euro pentru motorizari de pana in 1.600 cmc si de 7.500 euro pentru masinile cu o capacitate
de peste 3.000 cmc.

ARTICOLE: Weird Weight-Saving Tips

nospam@example.com (Iancu Rasta) — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 22:00:00 +0300

Aweight weenie is a rider obsessed with reducing the rolling weight of his bike and body. Weight weenies are creative, ingenious and extremely annoying people. They suffer from a sickness that requires them to constantly examine and reexamine every component in terms of grams, ounces and pounds. Their tools (other than the coveted Ohaus scale) include rattail files, pipe cutters, airdryers, X-acto knifes, sandpaper, scissors and cable cutters. Hey, we told you they were sick.
This is why we are warning you up front. Reading the following weight-weenie tips and actually using them might prove the disease to be contagious. Yes, you might become a weight weenie yourself. Proceed at your own risk.

KEEPING SCORE
You need a scale to get into the weight weenie business. Ohaus scales can be found used for between $40 and $70. A digital postal scale from a store like Office Depot is a cheaper alternative. These modern little scales will measure in both grams and ounces, but may not be able to weigh heavy items like downhill tires, shocks and forks. We use the Digital Alpine Scale from Ultimate Support, (800) 525-5628. While the Digital Alpine Scale can weigh small components, we
favor it because it weighs the entire bike.

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA
A lot of weight weenies measure their conquests one component at a time. There is a more effective and accurate way to keep score. Weigh your bike, apply the weight-saving tips
and weigh the bike again. Sometimes by shaving weight in one area, you add weight in another, so the net weight loss is negligible. The whole bike weight doesn�t lie.

WHERE TO SAVE
Start with components that rotate. You can break this down further by concentrating on the parts farthest from the center of the rotating mass. Wheels are an important component for shaving weight (they rotate) and tires are more important than hubs for saving weight (tires are further away from the center than the hubs). The next area to concentrate on is unsprung weight. These are components that move during their operation (like suspension links, shocks, fork sliders and swingarms).

INTOLERABLE TOLERANCES
There can be as much as a five percent weight difference between two of the same tires. This is due to manufacturing tolerances. You can save weight by weighing every tire you buy. Same goes for tubes. Weenies have been known to weigh 20 tubes (same brand, same model) before making a purchase. Aside from angering a bike shop employee, this practice can save you a few tenths of an ounce. Is the hassle worth it? To a true weight weenie it is. And weight reduction of the tire
and tube is a great place to reduce weight on your bike.

STRIP THE STRIPS
Scrap the rubber rim strips and replace them with rim tape from Velox or Maxxis. Cut the tape so there is no extra material. This may be the smallest weight savings in the wheel department, but
it is worth it because of the location where the weight is saved.

UNSTICK THE STICKERS
Frames, forks, stems, seatposts, rims, hubs, bars and even saddles come plastered with stickers. The stickers may be the brand name of the product or actual graphics (like racing stripes). They gotta go. Warm them with a hairdryer and peel them off. The racing stripes and logos peeled off a set of wheels can reduce the rotating weight by over half an ounce! Some bike companies apply a clear coat over the stickers on their frames. That�s a bummer because you won�t be able to
peel the stickers off and the clear coat adds vanity weight to your frame. That drives weight weenies crazy.

PAINT REMOVAL
That thick coat of paint on your frame is vanity weight. A true weight weenie will break a bike down to its frame, strip the paint off and then polish it. One 18-inch Cannondale 800 frame lost four ounces with the paint removal and polishing treatment. The frame weighed just over three pounds before the treatment. That�s a lot of work for four ounces�to everyone except a weight weenie.

FOAM AT THE HAND
Trash-can rubber grips in favor of foam grips. The weight savings can be as high as six ounces. Don�t like the feel of foam? A true weight weenie is willing to sacrifice comfort for lighter weight.

GO TO BED
Weigh the foot beds in your shoes and replace them with lighter beds, trim them, or, if the shoe is well-made, pull them out and ride without them.

TRIM THE WEIGHT
Cables and cable housing are sometimes too long. You can save ounces by trimming them to an adequate length. Your chain is another weight reduction target. Why pedal extra weight if you can remove a few links and still have a drivetrain that performs properly? One friend even removes the cable end caps and applies a few drops of Super Glue to keep the cables from unraveling.

QUICK TIPS
� Shorten the straps on your hydration pack.
� Use an old hydration pack bladder. They are lighter than the new ones.
� Remove water bottle cages.
� Remove bottle cage screws. Plug hole with a small amount of glue.
� Cut off any threads that protrude through a nut.
� Take the caps off the presta valves of your tubes.
� Cut off excess seatpost.