BillyBadAss

I don't understand why every industry in the US not associated with healthcare is not lobbying hard for universal, single-payer coverage. It has to be a big drain on every employer to administer and pay for the plans. Someone educate me why this is not the case.

I could argue (not seriously), that the rich will be disproportionately affected by climate change. The rich tend to live in coastal areas (rising sea levels, hurricanes). They have homes in forested areas (wildfires), bla bla bla. It's a stupid argument because it doesn't matter. Just as the opposite is a stupid argument. If some of the worst effects of climate change take shape, we are all affected. The fact that we are arguing over who is affected more is exactly my point. We should be agreeing that climate change is the biggest problem human kind faces, and be looking for world-wide solutions to it; Not trying to slice out groups who are getting more screwed by it than others. What purpose does that serve? It is counter productive. If anything we should be highlighting that "hey, you people in power, it will affect you just as much as everyone else. It's not just a problem for 'other' people".

The poor will be disproportionately affected in that any bad thing that happens is usually magnified by being poor, sure. It still makes no sense to conflate the issues. I think we should be trying to unite around addressing climate change. The science is pretty clear. The implications of doing nothing are pretty clear. The effects are in many cases effectively permanent and non-reversible. We should all be able to be on the same "side" and agree to do something about it. We should not be trying to conflate it with other politically contentious issues.

But it's says climate change has exacerbated racial, social, etc. injustice. That's a stretch for me, and unnecessarily adds political baggage to an issue we should be striving to remove politics from - if the goal is to truly address it. It just doesn't make sense. Climate change as a problem can fully stand on it's own. It affects everyone in the world. It has security, economic, even existential implications. WTF would you try to conflate it with issues of social/racial injustice. It seems asinine.

I read the GND text. I support a good number of the items mentioned in it, but it almost feels like it's trying to turn people off to it rather than get people behind it. For instance: "Whereas climate change, pollution, and environmental destruction have exacerbated systemic racial, regional, social, environmental, and economic injustices (referred to in this preamble as “systemic injustices”) by disproportionately affecting indigenous peoples, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrialized communities, depopulated rural communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth (referred to in this preamble as “frontline and vulnerable communities”);" Do you need that statement to make the case the climate change is a huge problem and needs to be addressed aggressively? I would be trying to frame it that climate change affects us all, and to a large extent all equally. But that statement frames it in terms of race and injustice which obviously brings baggage into the issue. It just doesn't seem helpful to the cause.

delete - wrong thread

Yeah, that NYT article seemed to say a lot of nothing

I have a Crepe Myrtle and a Vitex (Chaste) tree planted in front of my house. Both trees have gotten too tall for where they are planted close to the house. Wife wants me to trim them shorter. I know a lot of folks top their Crepe Myrtles, but I also read a lot of spots online that recommend against the practice. (I don't know if the Vitex can be topped like a CM). Am I best off removing them completely and replacing with shorter varieties, or is it "ok" to top them off at the height I want?

I assume the volume of air your body would have to heat up would be a big factor as well as any insulation.

To change the subject.. I think the Eureka Timberline 2 is one of the most versatile and perfect tent designs ever. You can dial in the cross ventilation from completely closed to all the way open to the ground and everything in between. Works great in the heat or cold. Simple, tough, stable, weather resistant.. the only downside is weight. If someone made a lightweight version I think it would be a perfect backpacking tent. QED

I'm my experience car camping in Texas, heat is your biggest enemy. To combat it, you want as much mesh on the tent as possible and going down as far to the ground as possible. Think cross breeze across your head. Most Coleman's I've seen are not good in this regard. I've had an REI Basecamp 4 and kingdom 6. I liked the Basecamp a bit better, but for 4 ppl and the current sale the kingdom 6 is pretty good.

Marmot Precip is one of the best, 30% off right now ($70) at REI: https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/894605/marmot-precip-rain-jacket-mens You can find something for cheaper, but it probably won't have pit-zips; and since rain jackets don't really breath I'd view them as essential. If you want something a tad nicer the Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow is also 30% off, but twice as much ($140): https://www.rei.com/product/894312/patagonia-stretch-rainshadow-jacket-mens?cm_mmc=aff_AL-_-145262-_-180150-_-NA&avad=180150_c14fcf925

Speaking of old bikes.. After years of hibernation I dusted off my 2002 Bianchi Grizzly in the hopes to start riding again. It looks just about like this except mine came with a celeste saddle as well. Specs: https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=37559 It turns out in its slumber MTN bikes have completely evolved. And the fork is shot and can't get parts to rebuild, yada yada. Rockshox makes a recon silver tk that'll fit, but it's heavier and likely a step down from the Marzocci it would replace. Long story short, I was advised I'd like riding even a modern budget HT more than this if I tried to fix it back up as a trail bike. I took that advice and after a bit of research ordered a new Giant Fathom 1 which looks to be a pretty decent bang-for-buck HT. But now I'm trying to figure out what to do with the Bianchi. It was such a sweet bike in it's day, I'm not sure I'm ready to part with it. I was thinking if I put a rigid fork on it and some street tires it could serve as a tool around the hood, ride to the store kinda bike. I'm also wondering if it's possible to replace the front DT with a single ring and run it as a 1x9, keeping the rear derailleur and cassette. Or is it not so simple? Thoughts?

Suppose a white guy dresses as Michael Jordan for a costume party. I think most would agree it would be fine to wear a 23 Bulls jersey and Air Jordans. What if he covers his hair with a plastic thing to make himself appear bald and more like Mike? Still ok? Now suppose he uses dark makeup. The intent is not to make fun of Jordan or denigrate his skin complexion or race. The intent is just to make the costume look closer to the real thing. Is that ok? Does intent play into it at all, or is it never ok? NOTE: I understand that the picture in question is different. The KKK costume and blackface costume together communicate an intent different from what I describe above.

@DougO - I had a related experience recently. I had a pair of Wolverine pull-on boots like Academy sells I used for hunting in a muddy/marshy area that were starting to fall apart. So the last time out I worse some waterproof hiking mid boots. The boots did just fine, however, they were a much bigger PITA to clean afterwards than the Wolverines were. The wolverines were fairly smooth, more like a wellington, and easy to hose off. The hiking boots had various textures, seams, and crevices where the mud would cake in that was a pain to get out. So something to consider when looking. Moabs are great boots and comfy out of the box, but would similarly be a pain to clean, if you care about that.

So, we had been planning a R2R Grand Canyon trip for May. Applied for permits the first day we could, but just heard back that we didn't get them. Our original plan was for 4 days in the canyon, self-supported. So now we're scrambling for an alternative and looking for ideas. We're prepared to fly to wherever, and rent a car to get to a trailhead. We'll need to do a loop or have a way to get back where we started. I don't think we have a huge preference for the type of terrain, etc. Just something that we can do in about 4 days which would be cool. Ideas?

NOTE: Texas Exes members get a 15% Vonlane discount.

I checked Vonlane. Looks like basically a first-class type seat. Free wifi, no streaming; satellite TV. They estimate the trip at 3:15, which is not much longer than I could drive it. Prices are $105 each way, $210 round trip. Parking is $30 per 24 hour period. Interesting.

Someone in passing told me second hand about some express shuttle bus service between Dallas and Austin. The way it was described was as an alternative to air travel, with snacks, wifi, etc. (i.e. - not some crummy Greyhound experience that takes 5 hours). Has anyone ever heard of this?

I've used the "bludawg method" a few times. It's a hot-n-fast method, pretty easy, and has always turned out a very good brisket for me. You'll find it posted on various BBQ forums - I've quoted it below. For trimming and seasoning, there is a Franklin video on youtube that's been helpful to me. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmTzdMHu5KU

Well, they took longer than I expected, but turned out pretty good. Had them on for about 6hrs 45mins, temp average around 290.

9 pounds total. 2 racks, 4 bones each. They came in a 2-pack from HEB very similar looking to what deft posted near the top of page 2. edit: a lot like the 2 pack you (Dr Fear) posted on the last page as well. One rack is bigger, thicker than the other.

I'm being brave and trying beef ribs (chuck ribs) for the first time for xmas dinner. I'm trying to plan how long they'll take, and see varying times from different sources. I'll be cooking on a UDS, which can tend to be a bit faster than an offset it seems. I think I'll probably cook at ~285 at the grate (maybe at 300 depending on the responses I get here). Planning to go bone down. Not planning to wrap them unless it looks necessary - if I do I'll wrap in butcher paper. Thoughts / tips from my UDS brethren?

I had a 96 TLC I recently sold. Loved it. But that was before they were quite so luxury focused. I'm sure I'd love a new one too, but 85 grand seems like crazy money to spend on a vehicle to this this cheap bastard.

That's awesome, Biff. Are you doing it all in one go? How long are you thinking it will take? The average looks to be about 5 months.