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Dino, click on your icon here next to your last post. That will take you to your profile. Click on "edit profile" in the upper right corner of that page. On the "edit" page, you will find a list of items at the top left of the page. One of those items is "Signature". Click on that. You should then be able to insert info into a box such as the cars you have, etc. Click on "save" when you have completed inserting the tag line you want to appear at the bottom of every post. Then go back to "profile", and that should do it.
Let me know how that works out for you, dino.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Yep.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Me too. LOL
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
http://cdn.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Fire-hose-through-a-BMW.jpg
How come firemen pick on BMWs?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
something to do with the owners, if you believe the old stereotypes.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
@driver100 said:
"How come firemen pick on BMWs?"
Quite frankly, if the BMW was parked by a fire hydrant, they should have stood it upended before they left. On the other hand, if it was not parked by a fire hydrant, the fire department should be sued for a new replacement BMW.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The Boston one was directly in front of the hydrant. dead center on the driver's door.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Let's try. Got it!
Thanks!
2018 430i Gran Coupe
"Let's try"
If it doesn't work for you, I will try to post each step, one-by-one. I'm on my iPhone right now so I won't be able to tell because the forums' mobile set up is very basic and nothing shows up except posts.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
@abacomike,
Yes dino001 now has a pic (BMW wagon if I'm not mistaken).
don't see her attempt to intervene.
Tough to tell what the driver was doing (bus doesn't seem to be moving) but most drivers these days would be fearful of lawsuits if they did anything but call 911. Transportation management REFUSES to back up a bus driver involved in a physical confrontation and will prefer to fire a driver at the first hint of legal action. We don't have the status of teachers in the educational system and are viewed like Kleenex, to be used and discarded. Not suprising that drivers are afraid to do anything.
Having said that there are drivers such as myself that won't tolerate bullies. A few years ago there was a fight on my bus and I decided to break it up. I grabbed the attacker and threw him, farther, as it turned out than I had planned. He flew across the isle, bounced off the window and dropped down into the seat with a shocked look on his face. I was sure that was the end of my career but I must have scared the s*** out of him because he was never a problem again and I guess too scared to tell his mother.
Just today I had a confrontation with a high school kid who wouldn't sit down and cursed me out when I asked him to sit. As I was in his face I realized this "kid" was about 6'6" and 250lbs. And could have broken me in half. Lucky for me my "crazy look" intimidated him enough and he sat down.
School buses are becoming powder kegs due to new mainstreaming requirements. Severely disturbed children who previously would have ridden specials needs buses are being placed on the regular runs. I still remember a special needs training event where we were told that these children might act up violently, attack other children or attempt to wrest control of the bus from the driver. We asked what techniques we should employ to counter this and were told "just deal with it". That statement met the state's requirement for "special training".
That's why we have a turnover rate only exceeded by car salesmen.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
More!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Since we were discussing fire hoses I thought I would post this hoping that a train didn't happen to come by.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"That's why we have a turnover rate only exceeded by car salesmen."
When I was a school principal, I always went outside at dismissal, if I was available, to make sure all the buses were loaded properly and that the kids were sitting appropriately and behaving themselves.
If there was an issue on one of my 10 buses, I would receive a write-up from the transportation department identifying the students involved and the infraction(s). I would call the involved perps into my office and if I saw fit, I would suspend the student(s) from transportation services for up to 2 weeks. I called the parents in and informed them that they would be responsible for getting their kid to and from school for 2-10 school days.
Parents frequently appealed to the school board if both parents worked or in the case of a single parent, she worked and could not get their child to and from school. The school board always supported my decisions. That's why I rarely received transportation write-ups - the kids and the parents knew how their principal would act.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Generally speaking (ha), stereotypes have a fair amount of validity -- they weren't developed out of thin air. It's not a universal, but tends to cock people's perception in a certain direction. It's a question of whether a-holes seek out BMWs (look at me, aren't I special? -- the rules don't apply to me) or the people who drive their BMWs aggressively are perceived by others as a-holes.
I've driven very aggressively and very, very fast across the wide open spaces and/or curvy roads of western North America over the years, but my #1 rule was to make sure that absolutely no one witnessed me doing it. Hard to do in the crowded country east of I-35, but fun in the West. Don't do much of it anymore, probably due to, oh yeah, low T.
Excellent and very interesting post. I held a commercial license (with a B.C. air brake endorsement) for a number of years, but I wouldn't last 20 minutes doing your job.
You're certainly a better man than I (admittedly a low bar).
>
Interesting, and does make sense, but, I know 3 people who have bmws and they are all nice people.
On the other hand, I have my egocentric self-centred neighbor who has upset everyone around him by cutting down 6 30 foot trees, to put his stupid swimming pool in, and he has 2 older Chevy Blazers. Two neighbors that are very nice both have 2 Jettas each. Hmmmmm. One very nice neighbor has a Toyota Venza, another an Explorer and a Lexus - but he buys those because his son sells them.
I am not sure the theory holds up...it could just be some people are jealous or actually do have a preconceived idea. I usually find the rudest people have Honda Civics that are lowered, and they are driven with a guy with a baseball cap, and usually, though not always, it is being worn backwards
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have no idea how you do that job....and, if you do it you should be worth at least $50 an hour. No one should have to put up with that, without a difinitive solution....such as handcuffs or a seatbelt that locks the kids in.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"...and they are driven with a guy with a baseball cap, and usually, though not always, it is being worn backwards"
Maybe to you the guy is wearing his hat backwards - but from his perspective, he's wearing it frontwards - to keep the nape of his neck from getting sunburned!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
@abacomike, Yes dino001 now has a pic (BMW wagon if I'm not mistaken).
Percentage of New Station Wagons With Manual Transmissions Sold in the US-------.09%
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yep, and mine having a manual and sports pack, I may not be excaggerating.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
"...and they are driven with a guy with a baseball cap, and usually, though not always, it is being worn backwards"
If only someone could invent a hands-free device for keeping the sun out of your eyes....
I never had the opportunity to run a supply line through a car that was blocking a hydrant. Definitely on my bucket list, though, regardless of make/model blocking.
That is hilarious! (I pressed lol below your post - it's the first time I thought of doing it - noticed it after the "flag" discussion)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Wow, that's great. Just what would make driving safer and easier.
Doesn't work that way at our school unfortunately. With over 200 buses you'd never make it back into the building. Yesterday I heard on the radio another driver calling in about a riot on her bus involving 7 kids. The dispatcher told her that everyone had left the school (Friday before Spring break) and to just write the kids up.
That must have been a fun ride home for the woman driver. Trying to steer while a gang of knuckle heads rolled around on the floor.
As to bus suspensions, here in NY the law says we have to transport or provide home tutors so the real bad characters get personal limo service.
One the positive side, I saw my first Tesla the other day. S model. Nice car but if I had $90k I think I would shop elsewhere.
Have seen a couple of Chevy Volts too. I like the style of these. I might buy one if it were a regular gas engine for $25k but at $40k ($32k after tax credits) it's too rich to make a green statement.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I doubt that. LOL!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Don't sell yourself short, farmer! You might not be a better man than pinhead, but you are certainly a better bus driver - RIGHT!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
lol....on yesterdays news they said there could be a shortage of truck drivers in the near future.
Many of the current drivers will be retiring. Also, many people don't like the long hours and being away from home for long periods of time. They also said many of the newer drivers are women. A driver can make $50K up into the 6 figures.
Personally, I would rather drive a truck than put up with kids like the ones I am hearing about, the extra $$$s would be a bonus.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Also note that the tax credit is a non refundable tax credit. that means the tax credit cannot be more than your tax liability (usually line 46 on form 1040). So if you have a tax liability of $3K your tax credits will be only $3K.
That's my beef with prices after tax credits, not everyone will get the full tax credit.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Allow me to vent on a different but sort of related topic.
Speaking of truck drivers, well in higher education we are spending a fortune on PhD education for foreign students. What do we get in return for such spending? A bunch of inarticulate assistant professors whose accents are so awful that they are turning off a vast number of college students who tune them off. A peek at the PhD in Management program at Boston University reveals these startling statistics :
Domestic students enrolled in Management Ph.D. program: 27%
International students enrolled in Management Ph.D. program: 73%
Domestic students enrolled in Math Finance Ph.D. program: 0%
International students enrolled in Math Finance Ph.D. program : 100%
The situation is even worse in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) PhD programs. Who do we blame for this? I am not sure, but American high schools should shoulder a share of the blame. AP (Advanced Placement) science classes that were once the domain of male students is now filled with female high school students. Women excel in virtually all high school academic subjects leaving the boys in the dust.
Unable to compete these boys don't even try anymore. Of course there are exceptions but that loathing has become the national trend. It reminds me of the sad state of British science which once dominated the world. Today, the Brits are "also rans" in science behind their French neighbors and others.
So what do we do about it? Continue to outsource our STEM (broken-English) college professors or get at the root of the problem, high school math and science education with special attention to boys. Some even advocate separate math and science classes for boys and girls in 9- 12 grades. I am inclined to agree with this point of view.
Comments?
Might make an interesting survey but it was the media that jumped on the fact that it was a BMW. Driver stereotype of folks who feel entitled getting their come uppings. Had it been a Prius, they would have jumped on that as well. Tree hugging sandle wearing environmentalist.
Just changed my profile pic in honor of those who serve on the frontlines risking their lives to keep us safe. Thank you.
I have to differ with some of what you said,bwia. I do not believe it's the high schools' problem or that they are the cause of the declining skills in the United States. I believe you have to go back to the entire Public School System in this country. Let me explain:
Public Schools were once revered by immigrants as the gateway to true assimilation into the American Society. It was the one place where their children could excel and make something of themselves. Back at the turn of the 20th century, when immigration was intense, public schools where doing a fine job of educating children. This persisted through WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, and even most of the Viet Nam Conflict. Gifted programs where thriving, Colleges and Universities were graduating the leaders of our future. And then something happened, didn't it? No longer were the public schools improving, but rather they were declining during the late 70's and early 80's. They are still declining at an alarming rate.
Enter the Teacher's Unions - the AFT and the NEA. They became one of the strongest organized group in our country - dictating to the local school boards and the states how to to pay, what benefits they expected, and who was going to "stay" in teaching - protecting incompetents from losing their tenure. In the beginning, in the early 1960's, when the teacher unions were growing, it was necessary to start paying educators a living wage. So bargaining for a better wage was warranted - I know because I was there at the time. But now, they dictate who, what where and how much, not the local schools boards or the States.
During the 90's and early 2000's, private schools and academies began to grow and prosper because the public schools were failing to adequately educate the "masses". The burden put on public schools resulted in schools failing. You can't educate the masses without accountability and a system of checks and balances that curb power, influence curriculum and provide a means for students to succeed. If a student faces failure upon failure, they will continue to fail or drop out. If students are put in situations where they will succeed more than they fail, they will strive to succeed. But the "home" is not involved enough in supporting public education.
Private schools and academies succeed because parents pay for that education - thus they will see to it that their children get what they are paying for - a quality education that will provide a child with the means to succeed in the American System. I've been in both venues, Public and Private - and I can tell you that if Public Schools operated more like private schools, things would begin to change. Give each public schools "their own money" to do with as they see best. Eliminate tenure in all 50 States. Pay teachers what they are worth and those who can't teach should be fired on the spot.
Everything begins with a sound, solid education for our nation. Each and every child is entitled to a superior education - the same education that is found in the best of private schools. Good grief, we spend enough on public schools - but the money goes to pay slews of administrators in the downtown offices that contribute little, if anything to the public school system. Thus, make every single public school a private school - give them all the money (2000 schools in the state, divide that pot up by 2000 - providing a differentiated amount for elementary, middle and high schools.
Run schools like a business is run. The product is a superior education instead of a profit, that's all.
How does this relate to your original post, bwia? Simple - well educated students rising up through the levels so by the time it's time to get into college or the university. they are well prepared. Thus, the problem is the system, not just the high schools.
Let me take a breath here and finish my rants. Thanks for the opportunity to vent, bwia.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
So only the rich people get the full benefit? Typical government program.
I have little withheld from my bus pay and nothing from the farm. I have to pay in just over $2000 this year so I would get stiffed buying a Volt. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I bought one and then found out the credit was 1/4 of what I thought.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
No, someone making 70K and only taking a standard deduction could get the full benefit. A family of 4 earning $60K won't.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
tax liability is what you owe, not the net +/- to pay after withholding. so if you owe $2,000 in total taxes, that is how much your credit is. But if your total tax bite is 10K, and you had 8k withheld, the max credit could be 10K, and they would owe you a refund.
speaking of credits, I really missed being able to tax a college tuition credit this year on my son. Of course, I didn't miss actually paying tuition. that fun (and credit) starts again this year.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mike, this partially explains the problem but not the gender gap. According to the U.S. Department of Education: Boys make up two-thirds of the students in special education and are five times more likely to be classified as hyperactive. (http://www.pbs.org/parents/raisingboys/school.html)
"Mike, this partially explains the problem but not the gender gap. According to the U.S. Department of Education: Boys make up two-thirds of the students in special education and are five times more likely to be classified as hyperactive."
It seems the more data that is collected regarding HD/ADD and the varying degrees males are affected more than females, the more evidence points to the genetic deficiencies associated with the makeup of the male of our species. Special education has been bombarded with children suffering from this genetic abnormality. One of my grandsons is one of those boys.
It has also been discovered that boys who suffer from these disorders, including OCD, have above average performance IQ's, but low level verbal. IQ's - the result of the communication disorders found in these autistic children. The degree of autism varies of course.
You mentioned the skewed numbers of foreign born teaching assistants and assistant/associate professors at the college level. That would be expected given the numbers of foreign students who are granted degrees in US colleges and universities.
One further problem has to do with not only the cost of a college degree in the US ($100,000 - $250,000) which has limited enrollments, but the fact that hundreds of thousands of graduates with degrees are not acquiring employment opportunities in their field and are forced to work at jobs for which they are way over-qualified.
It's a vicious circle - fewer Americans going to college and fewer college graduates getting jobs for which they are qualified.
The employed labor participation market is at 63% of the work force. That means of every 100 workers who are able to work, only 63 are employed. Thus, the Federal Government is running huge deficits not just because of outrageous spending, but also due to the fact that not enough people are working and paying Federal Income Taxes (not to mention less collection of Social Security taxes).
It's a mess - and there is no hope of things getting better on the near future (the next 3-5 years). Something better change quickly or life as we knew it back in the mid-80's to 2000 will be an unattainable dream.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Thought my troubles were behind me.
After having nothing but trouble using the car pricing part of this site I thought I had solved the problem by deleting all cookies from my computer. Seemed to help but just today I was trying to get a TMV for a car and I'm back to the same nonsense. The site keeps kicking me out after I enter the data. Must have tried 20 times.
Guess I have to start going to Edmunds competitors.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
"Guess I have to start going to Edmunds competitors."
The Edmunds TMV is not as valid as they would have you believe. If you are researching used cars, their pricing is not a definitive as a wholesale/auction price where you then add a profit for the private party or the selling dealer. If it 'a new cars you are researching, take invoice and do the same thing - like $300 which would be your walking price.
The other venues are not as good as Edmunds. Their invoices and used car values are more accurate than just about anything out there.
Try to work with Edmunds whenever possible.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I would love to work with Edmunds. The system is so glitchy however that I can't get ANY information, including invoice figures. My most recent frustration was in trying to price a 2014 Mustang. I followed the screen prompts for engine, tranny etc. but after I do I'm kicked entirely off the site.
I have no trouble using the forums but the car pricing site which I assume is Edmunds bread and butter is useless. Kristie has told me to contact the help desk but I fear they would start asking jargon laden questions and I'd get frustrated all over again. I'm really computer illiterate.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Mike, what a great post. I agree with you 100%. Also when kids grow up in a bad system like ours has become, what they learn stays with them for the rest of their lives. They see that slackers can not only get by, but can prosper as long as there is no accountability. Unfortunately this has permeated our entire society. Monkey see monkey do.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
"I have no trouble using the forums but the car pricing site which I assume is Edmunds bread and butter is useless. Kristie has told me to contact the help desk but I fear they would start asking jargon laden questions and I'd get frustrated all over again. I'm really computer illiterate."
What operating system are you using on your computer? Which Windows are you using? If it's earlier than Windows 7, it is possible that's the problem - Microsoft no longer updates the earlier versions with security updates. If you have a mobile smart phone, you can download the Edmunds App and get your info that way.
Let me know.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
"Also when kids grow up in a bad system like ours has become, what they learn stays with them for the rest of their lives."
Yes, they can't compete with others because they lack the basic skills.
From kindergarten through high school, kids must be taught strategy and how to use strategy to solve problems. What I mean by strategy in this context is to learn how to overcome adversity in life; how to use the study of variables - and to readily determine controllable and uncontrollable variables so as to not waste time and energy and resources tring to control or change uncontrollable variables; to observe and measure dilemmas and situations and learn which skills to use/implement to overcome them; to study matrices and possible solutions which can be implemented to correct errors or problems before they cause bigger problems; to learn to work as a team with others who possess skills that can contribute to team problem solving, etc.
We are teaching kids to read, to spell, to write, to use math, but we are not teaching them how to implement those skills in problem solving situations. If you don't give kids a good reason why they are learning a specific set of skills, they will lose sight as to how to use them and when to use them.
Teaching strategy has gone by the wayside and in its place we are teaching subject matter and math and language skills in isolation of each other. These learned skills must be intertwined into a set of strategies for problem solving at every opportunity.
But Public Education has gotten bogged down by politics, unions, the Feferal Government, and interference from a host of other sources. You cannot teach a child to write without giving them writing skills in conjunction with a "reason" to write.
I guess that's my take on it.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Ha ha operating system? What's that? I've tried on my wife's 2 year old IPad and an old obsolete computer which I think has XP. Same result. Funny thing was, I thought the problem was over because after a month or so the glitches went away. Now they're back.
I have a phone that's smart enough to hang on the wall.
I'm not kidding, for me just turning a computer on is an accomplishment.
I sent an e mail to Edmunds help desk so maybe they'll tell me where to kick something.
On a positive note:
I was watching the Barrett-Jackson car auction from south Florida and wished I was a millionaire. Some beautiful cars.
Is that near you? Is it open to the public? I'd love to just hang out at one of those.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
"I was watching the Barrett-Jackson car auction from south Florida and wished I was a millionaire. Some beautiful cars.
Is that near you? Is it open to the public? I'd love to just hang out at one of those."
I noticed it was on TV but did not watch. What city is it near? Some are held in Ft. Lauderdale and dome in Miami. Sorry I didn't catch it.
Usually you need to register w/Barrett Jackson and I believe the either require a bond or letter of credit. So it is open to the public but with tight restrictions.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Farmer, here's a website with 2014 Mustangs at the best price you'll find probably anywhere. Use this as a guide for pricing or go there and buy. It's in Charlotte, NC About 2 1/2 hours south of me...I'll go with you if you pick me up.
http://www.townandcountryford.com/new-inventory/index.htm?model=Mustang&&&&
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
probably anywhere. Use this as a guide for pricing or go there and buy. It's in Charlotte, NC About 2 1/2 hours south of me...I'll go with you if you pick me up.
Thanks, I'm really liking that Ruby Red Metallic color. That "True" price they list is close to a car I configured on "True Car". Actually about $100 better.
Seems the 2014s are going for $4-5k under MSRP. I bet you won't see that kind of discount on the 2015s.
I'm up for a road trip with you, just have to come up with $30,000 first.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Sure, you can drive my Mustang there from my house. Nothing like pulling up in a GT to buy a GT. My best friend has a CDL and so far is the only other person to drive my car. I figure if you can do 2 speed rears and air brakes, a Mustang is no problem.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Sales story here!
Helped my daughter buy a MINI Countryman S ALL4 today. Smooth transaction at the dealer - got the hoped for trade value on her 2010 MINI Cooper Hardtop, and with $3000 of discounts and incentives, we ended up with a decent price all around. Plus, this dealer doesn't add on a 'doc fee' so that's another few hundred saved.
The only downside is that the car is currently in transit from the port and won't be here until next week. Then, they will tint the windows and deliver it to her work and take back the loaner Roadster S they gave her to drive.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige