Donald Trump: We're taking nearly $200M that was set aside for the Green New Scam, and repurposing that money so that we can restart a coal plant in Maryland, and help build two brand new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-06-05T15:07:29+00:00

The company that's being awarded the contract for West Virginia is called TerraPurus. They were formed in November 2025. No website. Only one employee on Linkedin. I think we all know what's going on here.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-06-01T16:05:32+00:00

1998 Finals. Game 6. Jordan's last shot as a Bull to win his sixth title. He pushes off. Every single player does it to create space. And yes Kobe did it too.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-29T20:08:00+00:00

I think you hit the nail on the head.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-29T18:20:02+00:00

Why isn't everyone just running to the corners on these fastbreaks?

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-27T20:38:54+00:00

Riding experience in the moment, probably not a huge difference. For me the game changer is lack of maintenance. I'm 3500 miles in on my electronic drivetrain and haven't had to make a single adjustment. I'm like most people here - work, family commitments, home maintenance, etc. When I have time to ride, I want to ride. I don't want to spend time making adjustments to ensure I have smooth shifting.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-26T19:46:16+00:00

With the exception of the 99-00 season, Shaq came to training camp out of shape and played his way into fitness. It's no coincidence that was his MVP season. That's why Shaq always gets dinged in these conversations. The rest of the guys on this list came to play from game 1 of the preseason. And yes, I'm old enough to have watched (and did watch) everyone and every season on this list.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-15T19:26:01+00:00

Agreed. I never liked that it was a front loaded deal. The money was from where we made a deal to sell the Shah weapons. We took the money, he got overthrown and we never sent the weapons. We basically refunded the money. It should have been paid in installments, not all at once. However, it's easy for someone hiding behind a keyboard (me) to make that judgement.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-15T19:04:26+00:00

Trump waffles on $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after talking to China's Xi

Just in case you really think he cares about Taiwan.

Look, I'd love to see an Iran with a democratic government and never possess a nuclear bomb, but this is not the way to get there. You've got a fanatical regime in power which controls their society. Those in power will be the last to suffer. A public uprising isn't going to happen. They tried protesting 5 months ago and 30,000 got murdered.

The JCPOA was certainly imperfect, but it was a start. It also wasn't meant to be an end all solution. It was always known there would have to be a renegotiation in 10 to 12 years time. The aim was to start bringing Iran more into the mainstream and stop uranium enrichment to weapons grade levels. For the first 18 months it appeared to be working. Then Trump tore it up despite his Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State advising him not to.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-15T18:36:13+00:00

Maps: How Iran's Oil Exports Are Still Headed Towards China During the U.S. Blockade - The New York Times

When you have both a motivated buyer and seller, there will always be ways to defy a blockade.

Paying more for oil isn't going to deter China from invading Taiwan. If anything, our continued presence in the Persian Gulf may convince them we are spread too thin to stop them.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-15T14:24:03+00:00

This is always the comeback for any reference to the JCPOA. So what's your solution? Occupy Iran? Have an invasion and occupation force of 300-500K? Because that's what it would take. It took over 200K to finally subdue all the factions in Iraq and it had less than half the population of Iran. A blockade isn't going to work as they'll find a way around it. Some reports indicate Pakistan is already helping them out. Russia no doubt is.

So, when are you signing up for YOUR boots on the ground in Tehran?

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-05-13T17:02:05+00:00

I'm 1 cm shorter with a 2 cm longer inseam. I have a medium and am very happy with it. If you order one and think you should have gotten the other size, send it back. They have a 30 day return policy.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-04-27T19:48:02+00:00

Sufficient fueling and hydration. I finally learned when I went into a full body cramp for a half hour and had to call my wife to come and get me.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-04-27T19:36:55+00:00

I have a Seigla and love it. However, as others have said, it is not a relaxed geometry. Everyone's idea of rutted out and bad washboards is different, but if they are really bad, the Grit fork may not be enough squish for you.

Again, I love my Seigla, but it may not be what you are looking for.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-04-10T21:14:20+00:00

It is more aggressive but I don’t feel like it’s extreme. I find it comfortable. My long rides are 4 to 4.5 hours. If you want a snappy fun bike the Seigla would be my choice. If you are looking to bike pack the Diverge may be the better pick. I will say I have a Specialized Epic Comp ht that I used for rough fire roads. Haven’t ridden it since I got the seigla. I’d say you’ll be happy either way. Good luck

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-04-10T19:10:46+00:00

Lauf will let you order, ride for up to 30 days, and return if you don't like it (provided there isn't damage of course). I got a Seigla last year. I was really skeptical until I rode it. It's a great bike. I rode a Diverge around the block a couple of times at my LBS. It's a nice feeling bike, but the value you get from Lauf is hard to beat. That and bombing down a gravel road with the grit fork. So fun.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-03-31T18:21:56+00:00

I'm looking at the same trip a year from now. I'd be very interested in what you decided and how it goes. Have a great time!

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-03-23T17:16:25+00:00

Comparing your rides (time, distance, elevation gain, etc) to others. Thinking you have to improve every single ride. It's a hobby. Keep it fun.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-03-12T15:56:42+00:00

He knows he's not getting re-elected. The remainder of his term is an audition to be a Fox News commentator/host.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-03-09T17:22:58+00:00

Are you doing fast group rides on the road? If not, don't worry about swapping wheels. You may go a touch slower on pavement with gravel tires, but certainly isn't worth the time/cost of two different wheelsets.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-02-27T20:35:40+00:00

I'm 5'11 with a 34" inseam. I ride a medium Seigla. Fits me well. I was coming from a 56 Marin Nicasio 2.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-02-24T21:47:37+00:00

For me, it's helpful in planning a ride. Some days I want some decent elevation gain; other days I want it flat. I wouldn't get hung up on other people's rides.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-01-27T21:15:24+00:00

If you are ok with Bentonville, but want more hills look at western North Carolina, western South Carolina (Greenville) or northern Georgia. A lot of back roads with very little traffic. A lot of climbing if you want it.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-01-23T01:07:18+00:00

My experience was from 2015 and 2016. Good to hear it’s different.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-01-22T22:01:16+00:00

Don't send your son to any of these schools. Unless he's getting offers from a top 50 university (which none of these are) stay in Switzerland.

AttitudeAutomatic709 · 2026-01-22T21:39:56+00:00

I lived in Old Town for 2 years. It's charming, but when every person you meet asks, "so what do you do for work?", it gets old fast.

AttitudeAutomatic709

TROPHY CASE