uncledj

Interesting / informative read. Looks like it can have some REALLY deadly effects. I just don't understand why I still don't know anyone who's been sick from it. Seems like everyone I talk to knows someone, or knows someone who knows someone who's had it. I'm down here in Myrtle Beach for a few days, and there are mask requirements, and threats of fines, but I'd say only about half the folks are wearing them. I'll put mine on if required to enter a facility, then notice that I'm one of about 3 people wearing one, so I'll take it off....can't breathe well in those things. Sanitize hands when I think I need to, try to keep my distance when appropriate, and try to enjoy life. Crazy times we're livin' in.

Most forums consist of a bunch of folks with a similar interest. I haven't come across one yet where the members are so civil to one another. On top of that, it's a great resource for info for the Venture, and just about anything else. Beyond that, the get togethers make us much more than forum members...it makes us friends...and beyond that, family. I've been a member since I bought my first Venture in 08, and I can't see myself ever leaving. Thanks Don for putting this together, and thanks to all my Venturerider family for being the great people you are.

I hear ya !!! Lisa and I are leaving Saturday Morning for Myrtle Beach to spend a few days with friends, then driving home Wednesday, then loading up the motorhome and heading to Rally at the Shores on Thursday. Should be there around dinner time. And, being an Air Conditioning guy, work has been nuts lately. Not just from service calls, but we've a program going on where we're focusing on demonstrable improvement in efficiency for our customers. I have a guy from AEP going around with me documenting the results of improvements we're making. I'll be glad when this week is over.

This kind of stuff scares me. Not so much for myself, but when I have Lisa on the back. It makes it even harder to maneuver these big beasts in a bad situation. Had a rear tire blowout on the freeway at speed a few years back, and I doubt I'd have been able to keep it up with her on the back. That's one of the reasons we're considering a Can Am for two up riding. I'm VERY pleased that your incident didn't turn out worse....hope it doesn't sour you on riding.....Law of averages says you should be good for a while.

Might be time to consider a trike or a Can-am. I love my Venture, but wife's pushing me hard to get a Can-am.

I had a 01 Ram for 13 years and had pretty good luck with it. It had the 5.9 which was not a horsepower monster, but adequate, and still towed pretty well. Gas mileage sucked though. It was fairly comfortable, and the extended cab, although having a small back seat area was adequate as well. There were a couple of times 6 guys rode up to the cabin in that truck. I kept it maintained and never had any real issues with it, other than the rust that kept creeping up. That shouldn't be as much of a problem for you.....it's a SWAMP here where I live. (Humid) It was sad to see her go, but it was time. I went with another Dodge, and so far I'm LUVIN' my 2017 Ram. Best of luck with your new truck.

Was the lower "neck race" (outer race?) worn to where it had to be replaced? I'd guess it's a tapered roller bearing? It's hard to imagine there being that much wear just from the steering....triple tree.

I would think that Rally at the Shores IS essential.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!! Let's hope for 50 more.

INSURGENCY... What you’re seeing isn’t new, and is bigger than just grievances with the police department—taking shape is a communist-style revolution disguised as protests. We must view it from a strategic perspective so that we may understand, contain, and ultimately defeat it. An insurgency is an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a government through the use of subversion and violence. The objective of most insurgent groups is to control a particular area or country, which differs from that of terrorists who aren't looking to form an alternative government. An Insurgency typically begins before it is recognized by the government in power. It is by no means an instantaneous movement. Insurgent leaders learn about local issues, and then teach communities to blame those issues on a particular class and the government. Over time this builds an anti-government sentiment that insurgents use to fuel their rebellion. However, grievances alone are not enough to spark an uprising. Insurgents must find a compelling issue they can use to create a narrative to justify their use of violence. When a narrative is linked to grievances related to a particular ethnic or religious group, it is politically and socially persuasive. Insurgencies have always been a tool for regime change and capitulation. Three conditions must be present for an insurgency to be successful. A. Vulnerable population - the federal and local governments’ inability to provide security for property, and it’s people. Insurgencies grow in areas where police are reluctant to patrol, giving the Insurgents freedom to become tactically and operationally more effective. B. Leadership available for direction - A leader that can shape, mold, and direct the frustration of the population. C. Lack of Government - Failures of government to provide basic services, such as health care, justice, education, a stable economy. Moreover, when these three things exist simultaneously, an insurgency can operate in the open. The use of kidnappings, extortion, assassinations, and other forms of terrorism to advance political agendas become common. There are five elements of an insurgency—leaders, guerrillas, political cadres, auxiliaries, and supporters. 1. Insurgencies are often headed by leaders who are charismatic, rank high in public esteem, and posses a relatable personality. 2. Guerrillas are the forces who do the actual fighting for the insurgency. This can include unemployed youth getting paid to conduct acts of terror, to the criminal gang leader exploiting a state of lawlessness. Members can also include people seeking an escape from boredom. 3. Political Cadres - These are people in positions of power that are at best sympathizers of the movement, or at worst, members of the insurgency. They do not report insurgents to counterinsurgent forces, usually out of sympathy for the cause, and anti-government sentiment. Political Comrades work to implement policies provided by the insurgency leader. They often continue in their regular position in society, but lead a second, secret life for the cause of the insurgency. 4. Auxiliaries are active sympathizers who provide essential logistical support such as funding, communication, transport, supplies, weapons, early warning, housing, creation, and spreading of propaganda. Still, they do not directly participate in combat operations. 5. Mass Base supporters - The followers of the movement, the people who mindlessly repeat and disseminate propaganda that the other elements have fed them. This is the neighbor down the street who watches mainstream media and believes the narrative. Insurgent groups can organize dozens of front organizations, in such a way, that seemingly independent entities are simultaneously advocating the same things. This is done to give the impression that the cause has the support of the majority and to force widespread compliance. An effective insurgency can be waged with the support of only a few individuals, but requires the inaction and compliance of a majority of the population. Shunning and shaming are used to apply pressure to individuals not participating in the insurgency. A defining event is needed before an Insurgency can began to operate in the open and rationalize the use of violence.

"Protests" have been going on down this way in Columbus for a couple of weeks. Christopher Columbus statues have been defaced and are being removed. Talk has been going on that they want to rename the town. .....Really?..... Downtown businesses damaged and looted. Mayor told police to stand down tonight during the planned "Protests". What the HE double hockey sticks is going on? Tick Tock

At this point, Lisa and I are still planning on being there.

Please don't beat up on me for my ignorance,.....but will someone tell me what Ashville is all about....what goes on?......Maybe Lisa and I should plan on it, but I'd like to know a little more about what goes on.

Not sure where the regional rally section of the forum is.

I think the grass has been pretty "green" right where we are. The US and it's capitalist economy and it's representative republic form of gubment has not only lifted the US to the top of the game, but it's lifted the entire world up along with it. Are we somewhat Imperialist....sure....is there ALL KINDS of inequality...sure...unfairness...of course.....racism, sexism, and all the other ism's.......yup......it's part of the human condition. But, as they say, let's not let the good be the enemy of the perfect.....and we're pretty derned good. The US is the place the downtrodden flock to....let's not turn it into the sort of place they're fleeing; which seems to be what these "protesters" want to do. I guess that if I want to conserve the greatness that is the US...that makes me a conservative. I'm proud of my country, ...I feel truly blessed to have been born here...and I'll support the values and ideals this country was founded on 'till I die. God Bless the USA !!!

In Hong Kong, they're having pro-Democracy demonstrations, while here in the US, they're demonstrating in an attempt to move toward Socialism. You can't make this stuff up. Tick Tock.

Will do. When I do such things, and find a minute of solitude to say a prayer for someone I don't actually know, I like to be able to mention their first name. What was his name?

My Dad told me that when he was a child, my grandfather took him and his buddy and drove them a while to a remote place where he dropped them off in the woods. They had some food...bologna and such and told them he'd pick them up at the same spot in a week. Dad said he'd have been around 10 years old, which was in the early 30s. He said they'd ran out of food after a few days, and he was shooting birds with his BB gun and they'd cook them over a campfire and eat 'em. Sounds like child endangerment, and I know it'd be illegal today, but he spoke of it as a great adventure, and a great time. He was a tough old bird. Miss ya Dad....sniff....

Do we now KNOW that this is going to happen? Are there going to be any restrictions in NY? Face masks? ......Not gonna do that..... Will there be any rides?.....I'm planning on bringing the motorhome and trailering the bike. Will probably take a ride up to the Falls. Is there anything I should plan on bringing? Questions, questions, questions.

My neighbors fit the other side of the spectrum. I have a guy two doors down that flys the Confederate flag, and has anti-Hillary,....anti- Biden and anti- Obama signs in his yard. I moved out to the country for the peace and quiet, and it's mostly been that way, except for the neighbors who like to shoot so much. ....Makes the dogs crazy. It is nice to see the riots / looting only as something on the news. Don't have to worry too much about that out here, and if it did make it up this way....I'm sure the folks around here would be able to deal with it. What a bunch of ignorant, wreckless, misdirected foolisness going on.

I was out "Protesting".... I needed a new pair of work boots and I figgered they would still be on the shelves of the stores being looted.

https://www.prageru.com/video/what-is-the-medical-impact-of-the-lockdown/

Guess I must just be really lucky.

Reading over the posts....I gotta say,...I still don't know anyone who's had it....or anyone who's been sick...or certainly anyone who's died from it.....and I know a lotta people..... Just sayin'

Out and about working on the roof of a pretty good sized mall today....Then down into the stores, I noticed that pretty much all of the sales people had masks, but only maybe 10 or 20% of the public did. Funny thing was at a small boutique store who had placed a service call. (No A/C). I walked into the store and was advised by a sales girl that I had to have a mask to be in the store....I told her I was here to work on the AC and the mask was no longer an issue...lol.... Funny thing I've noticed over the years are that they're happy to see you when you're there to fix the heat, but when you're there to fix the AC...they think you're Superman. lol Anyhoo, this thing seems to be drawing down in Central OH. Now we'll just wait for round 2 to get everyone stoked up again.