[near horse]

I know we have “strayed” from the original post about fuel prices but I want to add that, I agree John, the whole system of global industry and trade stinks. We ship decent scrap steel to China and get poorly made crap tools in return AND some business (not necessarily based in China but just as likely here in the US or the UK) reaps the profits. We lose the jobs, the industrial power and control AND are presented with pure and simple junk. Somebody makes serious money off this setup and it’s not the poor saps making the crap – they’re getting paid peanuts or, as you say, are kids.

It really is hard to buy some things locally made – food is one thing but when you’re talking about machined goods…. it’s a lot tougher.

BTW – A year ago I went to my 30 yr high school class reunion and most that were there and had been laid off were machinists, pressmen and other manufacturing folks. Those who were doing well were in the consulting and information areas – didn’t seem like they were producing anything at all yet were living very well. Sad.

Funny thing – I was reading on a woodworking site (I’m NOT any type of woodworker, just needed a design for an outfeed table for the tablesaw) and these guys had what they called “HARBOR FREIGHT GEMS”. Harbor Freight is the epitome of Chinese junk tools – and dirt cheap so folks buy their crap. The “gems” were the one or two things that didn’t break right out of the box.

[near horse]

John,

One reason China can’t (I’ll say won’t) call in the US debt is we are the cash cow of their current economic growth. As long as they keep loaning us money, we continue to carry on as usual and buy Chinese goods (I use the term loosely) – like a good parasite, you never kill your host.

[near horse]

Carl –

The bridle chain in your first pic looks like it’s attached to the roll not the runner or are my Mr Magoo eyes failing me?:o

Brad – when you say the bracket is “mounted” on the runner, are you saying it’s bolted on? In Carl’s pics, there appears to be a bolt hole in the base of the U – or do I have this all screwed up? If the Ubracket is bolted on, does that mean that your bridle chain setup is a permanent part of your bobsled?

Sorry if I’m confusing things.

[near horse]

Just a thought and not to “split hairs” but do you think they were hauling concrete or actually just Portland cement? Seems like there’s plenty of aggregate around there that there should be no reason to carry it as a premix. Does that make sense? Still just as heavy.

[near horse]

It will be a sad day when one can’t afford the fuel necessary for self-emolation!

[near horse]

Hey Murray –

Over in the equipment section I just posted some links to plans for building an overhshot stacker, buckrake etc Just in case you’re building something for your loose hay setup.

All the best!

[near horse]

OldKat –

In the first part of your post you say ” had a discussion with one of our analysts yesterday about gasoline prices. I work for a large diversified energy firm & AJ is one of our analysts that track energy costs on a micro and macro level for the company. His take was pretty much in agreement with what you posted, with a few modifications.” The “you” referred to is blue80 who had 4 points – one which said supply and demand aren’t driving the market but speculation IS and a second which said that if all of us quit driving IT STILL wouldn’t change the price of fuel. Do you agree or not agree with blue80 (and apparently your analyst)?

Plus, I don’t see how: 1) you can tell the difference between real demand and speculative demand – they both apply the same pressures to supply and do the same thing to prices.

So, speculators ARE also market forces. Speculators create a demand not based on their current needs but based on what may happen in the future (like the futures market). That perceived increase in demand causes a run up in price because it looks like supply can’t meet demand – get out (sell) before the market drops and you’ve made a tidy sum. And on who’s dime? The average working class stiff who is caught in the system and has to drive to work, buy goods that are transported using fuels etc and foots the bill of higher prices on his fixed salary. BTW – there was good evidence that the last price spike in 08 was highly influenced by speculators (Merrill Lynch was one big player if I recall).

I also don’t understand why the 2-3% changes in supply/demand causing prices to move was a revelation – 2 to 3% still represents tens of billions of dollars (at least).

The other factor not addressed AND really the initiator of this “oil price alarm” is reducing output so as to raise prices (as OPEC announced recently).

After seeing and experiencing firsthand how despicable and low down the oil industry can and will go to get their way, I can’t help but have great disdain for them. Here in Idaho we just got railroaded by our own Dept of Transportation in conjunction with Conoco Phillips and Exxon Mobil – now we get to have giant oil field equipment headed for the Alberta oilsands trashing one of the most scenic highways in the country (and they’ll be so wide as to touch the fog line on each side of the road). These clowns managed to trample on tribal rights (at least 50 miles is on Nez Perce land) as well as those of the local citizenry – the oil companies’ needs take precedent. BTW – there will be no new jobs created from this and the trucking company is not even a US company.

It’s funny that many think that this will get things right and force people to use less fuel – the impact of outrageous fuel prices will hurt the US citizenry more than “credit default swaps” ever did. We, as a society, have designed and built an infrastructure based on cheap fuel and switching to something else SIMILARLY PRICED and available can’t happen overnight without hurting a lot of innocent people while making fortunes for a few. Yah, I’m pissed.

[near horse]

They still mine borax just west of Death Valley near a place called Trona -might as well be Death Valley. DV is someplace you’ve got to see to believe – Devil’s Golf Course, Dante’s Palette, old beehive charcoal kilns (and some feral burros) …. pretty neat.

[near horse]

Nice one Jim and thanks for thinking of me (I think?)! Pokey is quite a ways from me (I’m thinking 12 – 13 hours) and the wind does blow there – but I can still laugh at that one:) How are things in NH? Have you started tearing into your mower? Don’t wait too long or it’ll be mowing time!

[near horse]

How soon should we make a decision on where to hold the next field days? I know ASAP, but do we want something agreed upon by the end of the 16th meeting? If so, then our options need to be ready to discuss by then (as I think you’re saying Erika).

Also, do we need to revisit any of (or all) the categories we had on our transition list? Some of them were “limited” and I don’t think there’s much to discuss (like the legals of fiscal sponsorship …..). We could have any updates on what’s happened with SFC sponsorship (I thought we passed on them but maybe I’m wrong) – and what we need to do to proceed with RV (Rural Vermont – right?).

The banking situation is/was resolved – correct?

So – next question – how do we know when we’ve “transitioned”? Once we have fiscal sponsorship then do we proceed into how to apply for 501c3 status? Is that beyond the scope of the original transition plan?

Other thoughts – since this meeting will include those who were part of the original “planning group” but not on the transition team, will they be up to speed on where we’re at and what we’re trying to do? Just might save time if you don’t have to rehash some stuff.

BTW – there’s a nice fairground here with a lot of what we’re looking for ….. oh, that’s right IT’S 2000+ MILES AWAY IN FREAKIN’ in EAST IGGY GIG!:(

[near horse]

It sure is amazing what those mules will haul – I imagine you’ve seen the video (was on RH television) of the mules w/ snowshoes carrying the US mail (in the Sierra Mtns of N. Cal). That same video even had pics of one carrying a casket and another, an engine block. 😮

Nice pic Carl –

[near horse]

Hi George,

Just curious – what are you running for bar length and chain type?

FYI – I have an old (mid 80’s) Jonsered 625 (3.8 ci) w/ a 20″ bar –

[near horse]

I’m glad you all were able to enjoy that old film – I really liked it too. I thought it was pretty cool that the film maker identified the teamsters by name as they were hauling out loads. Nice bit of history.

Not necessarily DAP related but I have to add these 2 sentences that came from an 1904 book – “The Modern Blacksmith …..”

“Every smith should connect himself with a branch of the church and be punctual in attendance to same.”

“The danger for the smith becoming a drunkard is greater than for any other mechanic.”

Great stuff! I understand better why my daughter wants to be a librarian!

Whoops – I better go get something done!

[url]http://www.archive.o…age/16/mode/2up[/url]

[near horse]

Rod – That’s quite an array of solar panels you’ve got visible in the 3rd pic. Are you completely off the grid?

[near horse]

Thanks Jason- I’ll have to take a look at your video clip.

As far as running a hay chopper, John, you’re not talking about a tub grinder are you? Those buggers take a serious amount of tractor HP but guys throw in whole round bales at one time. I’m trying to think of what other style choppers I know of. Maybe a hammermill? Can you help me out here?

[Author]

Posts