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Title: Freedom Is a Smoky Burnout
Source:
TAS.com
URL Source: http://spectator.org/archives/2012/04/10/freedom-is-a-smoky-burnout
Published: Apr 13, 2012
Author: Eric Peters
Post Date: 2012-04-13 07:07:44 by CZ82
Keywords: None
Views: 3149
Comments: 7
Freedom Is a Smoky Burnout By Eric Peters on 4.10.12 @ 6:05AM How long before it becomes a crime to drive a pre-computer vehicle? I take comfort in the fact that I can still drive old cars instead of new ones. I don't have to have six air bags, stability control, back-up cameras or OnStar. If I like, I can use an old F100 pick-up as my daily driver. Or enjoy the computer-free rowdiness of my ancient muscle car. I do not want all the Stuff that today's (and surely, tomorrow's) vehicles are fitted with, by order of D.C. I don't feel the need. It's expensive, often absurdly complex -- and a lot of it is simply overbearing. I don't like being assaulted by a "belt minder" buzzer if I choose not to wear my seat belt. I don't have any use for a back-up camera (never having run over a child). And most of all, I like being able to squeal the tires without being countermanded by an electronic Mrs. Doubtfire. I definitely do not want a vehicle fitted with any sort of data recording device or GPS transponder -- which pretty much all new cars now have. If I'm signing the check, I'll do what I like with the damn thing. But I fear this window is closing. At some point, probably within the next five years if not sooner -- older, pre-computer vehicles will be forcibly decommissioned. It will become a crime to use them for anything other than "parade" or "cruise" events -- strictly monitored and enforced. It will be done in the name of the environment -- or safety. Maybe both. Several states have passed laws making it much harder to register and drive an older vehicle on public roads. In my home state of Virginia, for instance, the police have the authority to conduct roadside "inspections" of any vehicle wearing antique plates. If, in the opinion of the cop -- who is a cop and not a mechanic -- the vehicle does not meet either safety or emissions requirements, he may physically seize the car's plates and registration on the spot -- and have the vehicle impounded. It's then up to you to prove your car has not been unlawfully modified (just as it's up to you to disprove whatever charges are filed against you by the IRS). Other states have repealed laws that once exempted antique vehicles more than 25 or 30 years old from the emissions inspections required of modern cars -- even though the number of cars over 30 years old in regular use is so low that their impact on air quality is nil. That's the leading edge of the spear. Rigmarole such as the above can be a hassle -- but at least, it can still be dealt with. Most old car hobbyists are fastidious about maintenance -- and keeping their cars up to specification is already par for the course. But there's the rub: "... up to specifications." What happens when laws are passed requiring older cars to meet current safety and/or emissions specifications? You know the answer. It will be the end of the road. Old cars will become true museum pieces. We will no longer be able to operate them on public roads -- unless you're rich enough to retrofit your car into compliance. At the very least, I expect the government to pass a law requiring that every motor vehicle be fitted with a GPS transponder. Progressive Insurance is already pushing for it -- voluntarily, of course. For the moment. Don't doubt it -- the day is coming when it will no longer be voluntary. The "safety" lobby and environmental fanatics will demand it. Government will be happy to oblige. It wants information, in real time -- all the time. And most of all, it wants control. Your movements will be kept track of, the information stored in computer banks and cross-referenced against other bits of data to aid the state in properly profiling you. It is already happening. To expect that it will not happen to cars is wishful thinking. The technology exists to erect the "intelligent highway" -- one where transponders in your vehicle communicate in real time with satellites overhead and receiver/transmitters posted along the side of the road. It is possible to make driving any faster than whatever the speed limit is impossible simply by sending a set of instructions to your car's computer. And if a cop wants to stop you, he'll be able to shut you down at the touch of a button -- literally. GM's OnStar system already has this capability -- and it has been used. So far, only against car-jackers and other deserving parties. But that's just the opening chorus of the opera. Any old car that can't be monitored, that isn't subject to immediate control, will be outlawed. Preventing you from doing a burnout is only the beginning.
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#1. To: CZ82, *Gear Heads* (#0)
(Edited)
And you know what? Most of the so-called rat rodders and the other posers will be just fine with this because they don't use their cars as cars to start with. They have them to draw attention to themselves at venues where other groupies gather. If that venue is much over 10 miles from home they bring the cars to the event in closed trailers,and then unload them to drive around hoping somebody will take their picture. I have no idea why they don't just buy about $7,000 worth of skull and dagger tattoos,leather drawers with chrome-plated zippers,a trendy Harley unfit to ride like one of the pieces of shit put out by OKC,and a trailer to haul the bike around on. Wouldn't that be cheaper and take up less storage space in the garage beside the wife's Lexus? We will no longer be able to operate them on public roads -- unless you're rich enough to retrofit your car into compliance. The people described above will absolutely LOVE that. Just think about what a status symbol their fairground rides will be then! At the very least, I expect the government to pass a law requiring that every motor vehicle be fitted with a GPS transponder. Progressive Insurance is already pushing for it -- voluntarily, of course. Progressive Insurance is owned by Warren Buffett,so no surprise there.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
;o)
What is that a 68 or 9 Blazer or Pickup, it's kinda hard to tell.....
"If you voted for Obama in 2008 to prove you're not a racist, you'll need to vote for someone else in 2012 to prove you're not an idiot."
Thanks, I didn't know that.
Progressive Insurance is owned by Warren Buffett,so no surprise there. NEVER! At least NOT here in Alaska. Unless it's "voluntary" we have our libTARDS also who have no problem giving up LIBERTY for alleged safety. But we can already get "a spot" for about $200. that sends your GPS position and a message on manual or automatic so ... no tagging of rigs is required. Anyhow, NEVER here in Alaska, or at least after I'm dead and gone. The Feds will TRY. F 'em. (I didn't know that about progressive, but I do know that progressive SUCKS AZZ.)
Spoiled, stupid and ignorant, brain dead phuckwads, libTURD fools, tools, and idiots, are the real sickness; the messiah "king" obammy and his regime are only the symptoms.
Progressive is owned by Buffet,and GEICO is owned by Soros. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say chances are the feral government isn't going to crack down on insurance agencies anytime soon.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
It's actually a 70 K10 pickup, but with either a 67 or 68 nose on it.
It will become a crime to use them for anything other than "parade" or "cruise" events -- strictly monitored and enforced. It will be done in the name of the environment -- or safety.
#2. To: CZ82 (#0)
#3. To: We The People (#2)
#4. To: sneakypete (#1)
Progressive Insurance is owned by Warren Buffett,so no surprise there.
#5. To: sneakypete, CZ82 (#1)
At the very least, I expect the government to pass a law requiring that every motor vehicle be fitted with a GPS transponder. Progressive Insurance is already pushing for it -- voluntarily, of course.
#6. To: Fred Mertz, Mad Dog, ALL (#4)
Progressive Insurance is owned by Warren Buffett,so no surprise there. Thanks, I didn't know that.
#7. To: CZ82 (#3)
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