Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

How bad was my revocation docket today?
I asked the bailiff, "Can I borrow your gun? I promise to only use it on myself."
His reply- "Only if you promise to shoot me first."

This is bail revocation? I guess some people just can’t control themselves.

In a city near me they just arrested an 18 year old professional porch pirate on 17 warrants plus 5 more for stealing from the local CVS. He had been arrested multiple times and just never appeared in court. He had warrants for that too.

They let him out again.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

How bad was my revocation docket today?
I asked the bailiff, "Can I borrow your gun? I promise to only use it on myself."
His reply- "Only if you promise to shoot me first."

This is bail revocation? I guess some people just can’t control themselves.

In a city near me they just arrested an 18 year old professional porch pirate on 17 warrants plus 5 more for stealing from the local CVS. He had been arrested multiple times and just never appeared in court. He had warrants for that too.

They let him out again.

That would never happen in my county; even if I was stupid enough to suggest a low bond for a repeat offender the judge wouldn't go along.
"Hug a Thug" is not the mission statement for my office.

driver100

sda said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

That reminds me of when our Samsung Smart TV in the bedroom started acting up. I called
the Samsung number. He said to do a hot reset.

I didn't know what he meant.

He said pull the plug with the thing operating. That forces a complete reloading of the
information. That fixed it.

On cars, the radio repair guy loves to tell people to remove both leads from the battery and connect them together to drain any residual power in various computer modules. Don't just
remove the negative lead which removes the power.

Leave for 30 minutes or so. Then reconnect the battery and hope odd behaviors from modules
are fixed.

The day before thanksgiving our oven just died, no power going to it at all. I unplugged it for a minute and then plugged it back it and it started right up.

Electronics!?#*!

When the TV in the bedroom stopped working my IT specialist friend told me to plug the earphone jack into it and out of it a few times. Sounded crazy to me, but, it worked!

driver100

Now you can unsee the striped shirt...replace that thought with my new solid color shirt;

driver100

....and to see the C250:

snakeweasel

@driver100 said:
Now you can unsee the striped shirt...

I really don't think there is enough booze in the world to make anyone unsee that shirt.

andres3

So I've been told a longitudinal V6 such as in the Audi S4 is much more time-intensive and difficult an engine swap as a traverse mounted 4-cylinder (such as in every TT/A3/Golf). GO!

26 hours.

jmonroe1

@snakeweasel said:
The day before thanksgiving our oven just died, no power going to it at all. I unplugged it for a minute and then plugged it back it and it started right up.

I heard that turkeys belong to a union that causes oven failure the week of Thanksgiving. You just proved their dues money wasn’t wasted.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@oldfarmer50 said:
This is bail revocation? I guess some people just can’t control themselves.

In a city near me they just arrested an 18 year old professional porch pirate on 17 warrants plus 5 more for stealing from the local CVS. He had been arrested multiple times and just never appeared in court. He had warrants for that too.

They let him out again.

I think some courts look at this kind of behavior as, “He’s just a kid. He’ll grow out of it”.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@driver100 said:
Now you can unsee the striped shirt...replace that thought with my new solid color shirt;

That ruined a nice car pic.

jmonroe

andres3

As a longtime I-phone smartphone user, and getting my first Android based Samsung this year from a new employer, I have to say, there's NOTHING smart about an Android. The Atari 2600 showed way more ingenuity.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

It's a good time to commit a crime! There's a new slogan for you.

explorerx4

@driver100,
That's what is happening.

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

As a longtime I-phone smartphone user, and getting my first Android based Samsung this year from a new employer, I have to say, there's NOTHING smart about an Android. The Atari 2600 showed way more ingenuity.

I used to use iPhones but one time I decided to try a Samsung Galaxy Android and I will not be going back anytime soon. I use an iPhone for work and I can honestly say that I prefer the Samsung over the iPhone.

driver100

@explorerx4
Agreed.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

Nah, in NY it’s mainly bail reform. In the same county there was a similar case of a 15+ arrest criminal who was released without bail only to reoffend each time. There have been proposals to turn the county jail into a homeless shelter.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

Nah, in NY it’s mainly bail reform. In the same county there was a similar case of a 15+ arrest criminal who was released without bail only to reoffend each time. There have been proposals to turn the county jail into a homeless shelter.

Exactly- in KY there's a push to eliminate cash bail as well as eliminate the Persistent Felony Offender sentencing enhancement. Apparently it's wrong to give repeat offenders longer sentences.
In any event, our detention center is far from empty; between myself, my first assistant, and an assistant county attorney we revoked probation on six individuals yesterday and today.

stickguy

seems like rentals must be stabilizing. My daughter and her BF flew down tonight for the weekend. After discussing logistics earlier today, and finding out she added more side trips to the itinerary, needing a 2nd car really seemed to be the way to go. So she went online to look for rentals (at about 1:00 to pick up at 10:00). Multiple options. Ended up with a "Jetta" from budget for about $40-$45/day (total with fees I think was about $220 for 4 days with early Monday AM drop off). I had checked the night before through AAA and they offered up an Escort sized car for $40 + fees. With availability.

She got a Camry instead. Not sure what year or miles (I only saw it in the dark). Of course I will go out tomorrow and clean the windows for her!

stickguy

the whole rental was a rush job, talking with her while she was walking back from lunch to her office and I was trying to get out to mow the lawn. After it was too late to change, I did some more looking and finally figured out Turo. Turns out she could have saved some money getting something tomorrow out here, and dropping it off Sunday evening. With me then picking up and dropping off at the airport. Oh well. You want a good plan, need to plan earlier!

but at least now I don't have to spend the weekend driving them around or fighting over the car.

Good thing is she also finally figured out the way to work the Turo app. now when she is back again in the summer and needs a car for a couple of days, she knows how to get one.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

the whole rental was a rush job, talking with her while she was walking back from lunch to her office and I was trying to get out to mow the lawn. After it was too late to change, I did some more looking and finally figured out Turo. Turns out she could have saved some money getting something tomorrow out here, and dropping it off Sunday evening. With me then picking up and dropping off at the airport. Oh well. You want a good plan, need to plan earlier!

but at least now I don't have to spend the weekend driving them around or fighting over the car.

Good thing is she also finally figured out the way to work the Turo app. now when she is back again in the summer and needs a car for a couple of days, she knows how to get one.

JRgo is starting a Turo fleet. Maybe you could rent his 2013 Dodge Dart with 100k + miles. What could go wrong?

I don’t know if the rental situation is improving. Today we were sent riding all over VT almost into NH to pick up used cars the company bought to put into the fleet.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50, roadburner,
Here in CT, many cases, mostly juvenile, were not being prosecuted since early on in Covid.

stickguy

Camry looks nice. Seems to be an SE. Platinum color.

oldfarmer50

Going off topic.

Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security.

I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector.

Where’s Sandy when you need him?

stickguy

You can get both if you work long enough under SS too.

Sandy would know the rules of course.

Though I think you need 10 years of SS wages (40 quarters) to get anything.

ab348

I remember seeing posts from Sandy about that issue. I do not remember the details but recall that he was unhappy with how his situation played out.

stickguy

Most old time federal employees don’t seem to complain about their pensions though. Plus they never contributed to SS, so really shouldn’t expect to get anything out of it.

kyfdx

There is a windfall provision that reduces the amount of SSA benefits, based on whether you were exempt from SSA withholding.

My mother had a state teacher's pension that reduced her SSA benefit (that she received as a widow, once her husband died)

abacomike

@kyfdx said:
There is a windfall provision that reduces the amount of SSA benefits, based on whether you were exempt from SSA withholding.

My mother had a state teacher's pension that reduced her SSA benefit (that she received as a widow, once her husband died)

I was exempt from Social Security for 21 years, but because I had part time employment all those years that did take out SS and Medicare as well as 20 years of full time SS and Medicare deductions, my SS benefits were not reduced (33 years of payments into the SS trust fund eliminated the windfall reduction in benefits).

graphicguy

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

Nah, in NY it’s mainly bail reform. In the same county there was a similar case of a 15+ arrest criminal who was released without bail only to reoffend each time. There have been proposals to turn the county jail into a homeless shelter.

Exactly- in KY there's a push to eliminate cash bail as well as eliminate the Persistent Felony Offender sentencing enhancement. Apparently it's wrong to give repeat offenders longer sentences.
In any event, our detention center is far from empty; between myself, my first assistant, and an assistant county attorney we revoked probation on six individuals yesterday and today.

Out of an unhealthy dose of curiosity, I’ve often wondered how that works.

So, assuming a family doesn’t post a cash bond, I’ll assume most bonds are posted by Bondsman (and women). If bond is revoked, does that mean the bondsman is out the bond? IF that’s the case, the perp doesn’t have any skin in the game. They get bond revoked, but it wasn’t their money to begin with, right? Or, am I misunderstanding how that works?

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

Going off topic.

Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security.

I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector.

Where’s Sandy when you need him?

My sister was a postal employee that started before 1983, she does not get social security. Nor can she continue to collect her husbands social security if he dies before her. Can't talk about retirement without her complaining about that.

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The courts are worried about Covid, so they are trying not to incarcerate people.
That's just the policy right now.

Nah, in NY it’s mainly bail reform. In the same county there was a similar case of a 15+ arrest criminal who was released without bail only to reoffend each time. There have been proposals to turn the county jail into a homeless shelter.

Exactly- in KY there's a push to eliminate cash bail as well as eliminate the Persistent Felony Offender sentencing enhancement. Apparently it's wrong to give repeat offenders longer sentences.
In any event, our detention center is far from empty; between myself, my first assistant, and an assistant county attorney we revoked probation on six individuals yesterday and today.

Out of an unhealthy dose of curiosity, I’ve often wondered how that works.

So, assuming a family doesn’t post a cash bond, I’ll assume most bonds are posted by Bondsman (and women). If bond is revoked, does that mean the bondsman is out the bond? IF that’s the case, the perp doesn’t have any skin in the game. They get bond revoked, but it wasn’t their money to begin with, right? Or, am I misunderstanding how that works?

With a bondsman the bondsman may send someone AKA a bounty hunter after you to bring you back.

Here in Illinois bondsmen are illegal and all someone has to do is put up 10% of the bail money. If the defendant doesn't show up they lose that money and have to come up with the remaining 90%. I do believe that there are other states that do that too.

kyfdx

I don't think bail bondsmen are allowed in KY.

If you are poor, you go to jail. If you have assets, you get out.
Which is the main argument against cash bail. Keeping in mind, that you are innocent until proven guilty.

Revoking probation isn't the same thing as bail, though. Those on probation have been convicted. Bail isn't involved.

kyfdx

abacomike said:

@kyfdx said:

There is a windfall provision that reduces the amount of SSA benefits, based on whether you were exempt from SSA withholding.

My mother had a state teacher's pension that reduced her SSA benefit (that she received as a widow, once her husband died)

I was exempt from Social Security for 21 years, but because I had part time employment all those years that did take out SS and Medicare as well as 20 years of full time SS and Medicare deductions, my SS benefits were not reduced (33 years of payments into the SS trust fund eliminated the windfall reduction in benefits).

My mother didn't qualify for an SSA benefit, except as a spouse. Since she didn't earn that benefit, it was subject to reduction.

stickguy

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Going off topic.

Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security.

I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector.

Where’s Sandy when you need him?

My sister was a postal employee that started before 1983, she does not get social security. Nor can she continue to collect her husbands social security if he dies before her. Can't talk about retirement without her complaining about that.

If she didn’t pay in, why would she expect to get a benefit out? The postal pension was an alternative.

snakeweasel

@stickguy said:
If she didn’t pay in, why would she expect to get a benefit out? The postal pension was an alternative.

Her big gripe is that she would not be able to collect what's his name's social security if he dies before her.

explorerx4

My Mom was a teacher who didn't contribute to SS but she was able to collect something from SS when my Dad passed.
All the money went into an account for my niece. My sister forgot about it until recently, so it's still sitting there 6 years later.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Going off topic.

Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security.

I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector.

Where’s Sandy when you need him?

My sister was a postal employee that started before 1983, she does not get social security. Nor can she continue to collect her husbands social security if he dies before her. Can't talk about retirement without her complaining about that.

If she didn’t pay in, why would she expect to get a benefit out? The postal pension was an alternative.

I was thinking that the postal situation was a bit unfair. After all I collect a state pension plus social security. Granted, I paid into both those systems. But then I realized that all the social security taxes taken out of my pay since I retired don’t increase my benefit either.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Going off topic.

Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security.

I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector.

Where’s Sandy when you need him?

My sister was a postal employee that started before 1983, she does not get social security. Nor can she continue to collect her husbands social security if he dies before her. Can't talk about retirement without her complaining about that.

If she didn’t pay in, why would she expect to get a benefit out? The postal pension was an alternative.

I was thinking that the postal situation was a bit unfair. After all I collect a state pension plus social security. Granted, I paid into both those systems. But then I realized that all the social security taxes taken out of my pay since I retired don’t increase my benefit either.

Yeah, they recently updated the calculator on the SSA website. Previously, it assumed you would earn the current amount each year, until you started drawing. Now, you can change that number.

I don't earn very much, but I thought it might change a little bit, but it doesn't. If I quit tomorrow, or keep working at this rate, I'll have the same benefit at age 70.

explorerx4

There is a SS break even point in your early to mid 80's.
The amount you can collect is adjusted for inflation each year.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

There is a SS break even point in your early to mid 80's.

Yeah, that's why I'm waiting until 70. If I die before 83, then I won't need it. If I live a long life, the bigger benefit might make a difference.

ab348

Most pension terms and conditions vary from each other. My buddy who moved up-country is retired from the Feds here. His pension is fully COLA-adjusted annually. He also gets to use the same federal gov medical benefit plan he had when still working (also his wife) regardless of age. I retired from the provincial gov here. For the first 5 years my pension had a breathtaking annual increase of 0.5%. For the next 5 years that is zero. Also when I turned 65 my retiree medical plan ended and I went on a much inferior plan for the entire population of those 65 and over which doesn't cover nearly as much. Both his pension and mine are "harmonized" with CPP (similar to SS in the US) so that if you retired early, when you turn 65 and start collecting CPP, your gov pension is reduced by an equivalent amount to keep you whole but not let you reap a windfall. I really don't have a problem with that as the contribution rates of the gov pension plan I paid into took that into account. However, the pension plan for workers in the city I live in does not do that, so those folks often end up taking home more in retirement than they did while employed. Crazy.

snakeweasel

Going off topic. Yesterday the crew had a discussion on whether a formal postal worker can receive social security. I did some research and it seems that anyone employed by the post office after 1983 was in the social security system from the start but I could not find any information on what happen to those who worked under the federal pension system prior to 1983. They would get a federal pension because that’s what the contributed to, not social security. I’m still confused about postal workers who got the federal pension and then went on to work in the private sector. Where’s Sandy when you need him?

My sister was a postal employee that started before 1983, she does not get social security. Nor can she continue to collect her husbands social security if he dies before her. Can't talk about retirement without her complaining about that.

If she didn’t pay in, why would she expect to get a benefit out? The postal pension was an alternative.

I was thinking that the postal situation was a bit unfair. After all I collect a state pension plus social security. Granted, I paid into both those systems. But then I realized that all the social security taxes taken out of my pay since I retired don’t increase my benefit either.

I think the issue is not that it's a pension but that the pension is a Federal pension. There is a pension offset with social security if there is a Federal pension.

explorerx4

I'm going to start drawing my SS when I reach FRA(Full Retirement Age) in about 6 months.
I'll supplement from my other sources.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

I'm going to start drawing my SS when I reach FRA(Full Retirement Age) in about 6 months.
I'll supplement from my other sources.

Everyone has a different plan. My wife hits FRA, 22 months before me. It's possible one of us will draw at FRA, and the other at 70. After all, it's most likely that just one of us will be drawing the highest benefit, at some point.

stickguy

I just sent in papers to start my pension 1/1, since I hit max age on it to not be reduced by taking early. Private (not government) from prior employer. Not indexed at all so never changing, but still a nice bonus to cash flow (to pay for my new Maverick collection)

One nice perk, for the first 30 months, I get a SS supplement. More free money!

Maybe I should buy more cars, since I’m also still working for at least that long, or until all debt paid off, whatever comes later

explorerx4

Just have to share the picture of a unique fence I saw while walking the kids' dogs.

stickguy

Creative.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

I'm going to start drawing my SS when I reach FRA(Full Retirement Age) in about 6 months.
I'll supplement from my other sources.

The only thing I know for sure is if you continue working and make more than the earnings limit, it’s not worth it. I took it at 62 and had to back out a year later (you could do that back then). Then I took it again at 65 because I needed the money. If you don’t need it, wait until 70.

oldfarmer50

“ I don't earn very much”

Really? I just assumed from the number of cars purchased by this group that every one of you had a gold mine in his basement.