I finally got to read the VeloNews.com interview (Part 1 and Part 2) with Lance Armstrong. Lance was forthcoming, to say the least. What struck me most was how he talked about the Postal / Discovery team as if he were one of the principals instead of just being a rider. I've always said that to be a top athlete you also needed a large ego. Well, despite the post-cancer humility, Lance's ego is alive and well. And yes, I am still a Lance fan.
I also give VeloNews credit for posting Lance's much less than favorable comments about their publication.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Fox (So-Called) News
I was watching the emergency landing of Midwest Airlines Flight 210 on CNN this evening. The reporting on CNN was not stellar but it was fair and reasonably accurate. I switched to Fox News after CNN switched to one of their regular news programs and I was almost immediately shocked and disgusted by what I heard.
The anchor person, "Catherine," was interviewing a spokesperson from Midwest Airlines and was discussing aircraft safety systems (a technical topic of which I have some first-hand experience). She noted that some modern airliners have video cameras in the wheel wells of the aircraft so that the aircrew could better evaluate an emergency situation. She asked the spokesperson if the Boeing 717s in Midwest Airline's inventory had this kind of system. The spokesperson said that he was not a technical or maintenance person so that he could not answer the question with certainty, but he did not think that the aircraft had that capability. Immediately, Catherine asked if Midwest Airlines had considered such a system or would consider such a system given the evening's events. The spokesperson gave a bit of a non-answer, noting that these types of failures were rare but if there was a significant safety issue they would consider it.
Catherine, at this point, put words into the Midwest Airlines spokesperson's mouth saying that he thought that such a system wasn't cost effective. She immediately went to a former airline pilot and again said that Midwest Airlines thought that the video system wasn't cost effective and whether or not the pilot thought the same. The pilot replied very diplomatically and indicated that Midwest Airlines, to his knowledge, had a great safety record.
If this is Fox News' example of fair and balanced reporting then their definitions of those words is far different than mine.
BTW, Catherine kept calling the airline Midwest Express instead of its proper name, Midwest Airlines.
The anchor person, "Catherine," was interviewing a spokesperson from Midwest Airlines and was discussing aircraft safety systems (a technical topic of which I have some first-hand experience). She noted that some modern airliners have video cameras in the wheel wells of the aircraft so that the aircrew could better evaluate an emergency situation. She asked the spokesperson if the Boeing 717s in Midwest Airline's inventory had this kind of system. The spokesperson said that he was not a technical or maintenance person so that he could not answer the question with certainty, but he did not think that the aircraft had that capability. Immediately, Catherine asked if Midwest Airlines had considered such a system or would consider such a system given the evening's events. The spokesperson gave a bit of a non-answer, noting that these types of failures were rare but if there was a significant safety issue they would consider it.
Catherine, at this point, put words into the Midwest Airlines spokesperson's mouth saying that he thought that such a system wasn't cost effective. She immediately went to a former airline pilot and again said that Midwest Airlines thought that the video system wasn't cost effective and whether or not the pilot thought the same. The pilot replied very diplomatically and indicated that Midwest Airlines, to his knowledge, had a great safety record.
If this is Fox News' example of fair and balanced reporting then their definitions of those words is far different than mine.
BTW, Catherine kept calling the airline Midwest Express instead of its proper name, Midwest Airlines.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Posting on Forums
Saw this funny link on this photography forum that I visit daily.
In addition, you should count to ten and take a deep breath before you click the send or post button.
In addition, you should count to ten and take a deep breath before you click the send or post button.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
More on Drugs in Sports
This is no longer news, but I still wanted to comment on Roberto Heras' positive drug test (both A and B samples) following this year's Vuelta a Espana. As with Tyler Hamilton's positive test, I want to believe that Roberto's test is faulty, but at the same time I do believe that drug testing, properly administered, is the only unbiased arbiter in deciding if an athlete is clean.
I still feel that the spectre of drug testing is not enough of a deterrent because if it was bicycle racers would have stopped using performance-enhancing drugs many years ago. Instead, there is still enough rationale and reward to use drugs for the purpose of winning. We need to start eliminating the reasons that exist for using drugs.
Are the tests perfect? Are the testers saints?
The answer to both of those questions is probably no. Yet we don't have anything better at the moment.
I still feel that the spectre of drug testing is not enough of a deterrent because if it was bicycle racers would have stopped using performance-enhancing drugs many years ago. Instead, there is still enough rationale and reward to use drugs for the purpose of winning. We need to start eliminating the reasons that exist for using drugs.
Are the tests perfect? Are the testers saints?
The answer to both of those questions is probably no. Yet we don't have anything better at the moment.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Going to High School
Can someone please explain how we "evolved" to our current state of applying to high schools in Long Beach? The past few weeks have been just short of the process that I went through to decide which college to attend. Reading propaganda about various educational programs within and between high schools, listening to schools pitch the virtues of their programs, and visiting high school campuses to hear even more propaganda has been just a part of this insanity.
My eldest son has to literally apply to high schools and specific programs within those high schools. He has to decide which program or school best suites his academic needs and he has a score which is an accumulation of his GPA and standardized test scores.
Now I am somewhat overstating the overall effort required for this process as, for us, it definitely is easier (or at least I anticipate that it is easier) than what we will encounter when he starts applying to colleges. However, it is orders of magnitude more difficult and complicated than the process that I had of going to the high school that was in my district (where my family lived).
Will my son receive a better education because of the "choices" provided by this process?
Arguably, he might. But consider this, educators who knew my aptitude and some of my educational goals, recommended me for enrichment programs and advanced courses offered within our school district. I would like to think that educators could advise him in a similar manner. I just hope that in the intervening three years before my youngest goes to high school that the process does not get any worse.
My eldest son has to literally apply to high schools and specific programs within those high schools. He has to decide which program or school best suites his academic needs and he has a score which is an accumulation of his GPA and standardized test scores.
Now I am somewhat overstating the overall effort required for this process as, for us, it definitely is easier (or at least I anticipate that it is easier) than what we will encounter when he starts applying to colleges. However, it is orders of magnitude more difficult and complicated than the process that I had of going to the high school that was in my district (where my family lived).
Will my son receive a better education because of the "choices" provided by this process?
Arguably, he might. But consider this, educators who knew my aptitude and some of my educational goals, recommended me for enrichment programs and advanced courses offered within our school district. I would like to think that educators could advise him in a similar manner. I just hope that in the intervening three years before my youngest goes to high school that the process does not get any worse.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
GM to Ax 30,000 Jobs, Close 12 Facilities
(sfgate.com, Nov. 22, 2005)
GM will not rise from their current situation by laying off workers and reducing production capacity. I fear that we will see another great American manufacturing company decline to the point of extinction as we have witnessed the extinction of Douglas Aircraft Company and its commercial airliners. We as a country need to stop being so superficial in our business thinking and approaches else the United States will become inconsequential in the global economy.
GM has been crippled by high labor, pension, health care and materials costs, as well as by sagging demand for sport utility vehicles, its longtime cash cow.I find it quite amazing that business reporters and business professors just don't get it. Toyota's current and strategic advantage is not based on its labor contracts, health care costs, gasoline prices, or... Toyota's ability to "make cars more cheaply and offer vehicles with designs and features that increasingly appeal to American buyers" is because of their commitment to the principles of the Toyota Production System.
GM will not rise from their current situation by laying off workers and reducing production capacity. I fear that we will see another great American manufacturing company decline to the point of extinction as we have witnessed the extinction of Douglas Aircraft Company and its commercial airliners. We as a country need to stop being so superficial in our business thinking and approaches else the United States will become inconsequential in the global economy.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
"Blinkers"
While I'm on the subject of cars, either the reliability of turn signals in today's cars is abysmal or turn signals are now an option on most cars. (Rhetorically he asks) "Why don't people use their turn signals anymore?"
Did they stop teaching people how to use them in Driver's Ed? Do people believe that they can transmit their driving intentions telepathically? Did they take the need to use turn signals out of state's vehicle codes? Perhaps the need to use a turn signal (especially with a large SUV) has diminished greatly in a society full of "go for it" people.
Personally I think that the diminishing use of turn signals is merely a symptom of the diminishing consciousness of our collective society. Most people are so wrapped up in the small world of their personal vehicle that the well-being of their fellow drivers is a minor consideration. How often do you see someone in front of you who has the "body language" of wanting to change lanes or make a turn? When do they actually use their turn signal?
It seems that most people use their turn signal as a last resort. I am supposed to know that they want to change their direction of travel. As part of my hobby of observing human behavior, people end up using their turn signals after they start to actually make the maneuver (changing lanes, making a turn, etc). The use of the turn signal becomes an after-thought or worse, a statement of "I'm coming through whether you like it or not!"
Do I see this problem resolving itself soon?
No. In fact, it is getting worse rather than better.
Why?
How many people can hold on to a steering wheel and a cell phone while using their turn signal, all at the same time? :-P
Did they stop teaching people how to use them in Driver's Ed? Do people believe that they can transmit their driving intentions telepathically? Did they take the need to use turn signals out of state's vehicle codes? Perhaps the need to use a turn signal (especially with a large SUV) has diminished greatly in a society full of "go for it" people.
Personally I think that the diminishing use of turn signals is merely a symptom of the diminishing consciousness of our collective society. Most people are so wrapped up in the small world of their personal vehicle that the well-being of their fellow drivers is a minor consideration. How often do you see someone in front of you who has the "body language" of wanting to change lanes or make a turn? When do they actually use their turn signal?
It seems that most people use their turn signal as a last resort. I am supposed to know that they want to change their direction of travel. As part of my hobby of observing human behavior, people end up using their turn signals after they start to actually make the maneuver (changing lanes, making a turn, etc). The use of the turn signal becomes an after-thought or worse, a statement of "I'm coming through whether you like it or not!"
Do I see this problem resolving itself soon?
No. In fact, it is getting worse rather than better.
Why?
How many people can hold on to a steering wheel and a cell phone while using their turn signal, all at the same time? :-P
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Why hybrids? (I mean the cars, not the bicycles.)
Hybrid cars are becoming more popular (OK, that's a bit of an understatement) and I'm all for it. Yesterday (Nov. 21, 2005), the Los Angeles Times ran an article about hybrids in the business section. They note:
Look at emission controls. Initially they caused significant fuel economy and horsepower hits. Now engines gasoline engines are cleaner than ever without needing all of the "contraptions" of the initial implementation. Technological evolution and breakthrough combined with economic and consumer forces have moved us to having clean engines and (relatively speaking) good fuel economy.
Another point is further reductions in pollution from hybrid technology. As an avid cyclist, I am frequently exposed to exhaust fumes -- especially while waiting at an intersection. Numbers of cars sitting still with their engines idling produce exhaust emission while sitting still. Hybrids allow these engines to shut down while the vehicle is stationary. I see this as one of the biggest advantages of hybrid vehicles, yet almost no one talks about it.
So, bring on the hybrids, even if they are large, lumbering SUVs or trucks. The world will be better with more hybrid technology in any vehicle.
BTW, we are a two-Prius family.
American automakers are launching hybrid versions of those vehicles to remain competitive in the areas where they are most profitable, said Anthony Pratt, an analyst who covers hybrids for J.D. Power & Associates in Westlake Village. It's cheaper to modify an existing model than to build a new one, and SUVs have more room for adding hybrid components than sedans, he said.I am a bit irritated at either the true feelings of the "environmentalists" or the way the article characterizes them. Any implementation of hybrid technology into any vehicle is a win. The effect of the initial implementation is not nearly as important as the implementation itself.
To attract drivers looking for large and luxurious vehicles, automakers such as Lexus and General Motors Corp. are building hybrids with the look and size of regular cars. The focus on performance sacrifices some of the efficiency that got hybrids noticed in the first place.
Environmentalists say automakers are squandering fuel-scrimping technology that reduces air pollution as well as the nation's reliance on foreign oil.
"Consumers are enthralled by hybrids because they sip gas and don't guzzle it, and they pollute less," said Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's global warming program. "So if you have a hybrid that guzzles and doesn't pollute less, then what are you doing?"
Though sales of large SUVs have taken a hit, luxury and mid-size SUVs continue to do well.
Automakers say gas guzzlers also have the most room for improvement. But some hybrids barely get better mileage than their non-hybrid counterparts.
Take the hybrid Chevrolet Silverado, which gets the same 19 miles per gallon on the highway as a regular Silverado. On city streets it gets 17 mpg, 2 mpg more than the non-hybrid.
The Silverado is among six hybrids available from or being designed by GM, the world's largest automaker. All but one are SUVs or trucks.
GM says small improvements make a big difference.
Upping an SUV's performance from 10 mpg to 11 mpg will save 109 gallons of gasoline every 12,000 miles. That's more than the 100 gallons saved over the same distance by lifting a sedan's fuel economy from 30 to 40 mpg.
The reason for the greater fuel savings in an SUV is that the SUV uses so much more fuel than a sedan does. The 11-mpg SUV needs 1,091 gallons to go 12,000 miles; the 40-mpg sedan needs only 300 gallons.
An estimated 220,000 hybrids will be sold in the U.S. this year, about 1.3% of the market, according to J.D. Power. That's a major jump from last year, when 87,000 hybrids accounted for 0.5% of car sales.
Look at emission controls. Initially they caused significant fuel economy and horsepower hits. Now engines gasoline engines are cleaner than ever without needing all of the "contraptions" of the initial implementation. Technological evolution and breakthrough combined with economic and consumer forces have moved us to having clean engines and (relatively speaking) good fuel economy.
Another point is further reductions in pollution from hybrid technology. As an avid cyclist, I am frequently exposed to exhaust fumes -- especially while waiting at an intersection. Numbers of cars sitting still with their engines idling produce exhaust emission while sitting still. Hybrids allow these engines to shut down while the vehicle is stationary. I see this as one of the biggest advantages of hybrid vehicles, yet almost no one talks about it.
So, bring on the hybrids, even if they are large, lumbering SUVs or trucks. The world will be better with more hybrid technology in any vehicle.
BTW, we are a two-Prius family.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Drugs in Sports
Let me be perfectly clear, I do not condone the use of drugs for the purpose of enhancing one's athletic performance. Let me also be perfectly clear that I believe that we, as sports fans, put too much pressure on athletes to perform. Sport is about achievement, not just winning. It's natural to focus on winning, but not at the expense of sporting integrity.
I know that there are people who don't care if an athletic feat is enhanced by drugs but I believe that they are in a very small minority. Most of the people that I know want our athletes to be "clean" and we disdain those who are discovered to be cheating. So I can only imagine the immense pressure that is on an athlete to perform when he or she knows that their fan base will be destroyed when (and I use that word purposefully) they get caught.
So tomorrow (Nov. 21, 2005) the drug testers will test the "B" sample from Roberto Heras to see if it confirms the positive result of his "A" sample from this year's Vuelta a Espana. Could the testing protocol be flawed? Perhaps, yet without it how many drugs would athletes be pumping into their bodies? I really hope that the result will be negative as most people have viewed Roberto as one of the good guys.
More importantly, let's try to figure out how to eliminate the current incentives to use drugs.
I know that there are people who don't care if an athletic feat is enhanced by drugs but I believe that they are in a very small minority. Most of the people that I know want our athletes to be "clean" and we disdain those who are discovered to be cheating. So I can only imagine the immense pressure that is on an athlete to perform when he or she knows that their fan base will be destroyed when (and I use that word purposefully) they get caught.
So tomorrow (Nov. 21, 2005) the drug testers will test the "B" sample from Roberto Heras to see if it confirms the positive result of his "A" sample from this year's Vuelta a Espana. Could the testing protocol be flawed? Perhaps, yet without it how many drugs would athletes be pumping into their bodies? I really hope that the result will be negative as most people have viewed Roberto as one of the good guys.
More importantly, let's try to figure out how to eliminate the current incentives to use drugs.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Here we go again...
OK, I'm going to try this blogging thing again. I'll be posting things from my personal and business life (within the bounds of corporate policy and government regulations). :-P
Why am I blogging? I'm not sure. Maybe it's a way for me to express my thoughts in less private way without necessarily exposing my whole persona. (Maybe it will be very public if people actually start reading this thing!)
I hope to share my views on bicycle racing, motor sports, computers, digital photography, lean (aka the Toyota Production System), politics, and more.
So, if your interests are similar to mine or if you are a blog voyeur, enjoy.
BTW, the posts from 2001 are from my prior attempt to blog using an old web site. I've copied those entries verbatim for, if nothing else, my own posterity.
Last big time auto race of 2005
The final weekend of NASCAR racing is coming up and it's also the last weekend of major motorsports for the year. My wife is always happy when the motorsports season ends.
Once again, Mark Martin will not win "the Cup" and I hope that Jimmie Johnson doesn't either. Wouldn't it be remarkable if Carl Edwards won? If not Carl then Tony Stewart (who's currently leading the standings) is OK by me.
Why am I blogging? I'm not sure. Maybe it's a way for me to express my thoughts in less private way without necessarily exposing my whole persona. (Maybe it will be very public if people actually start reading this thing!)
I hope to share my views on bicycle racing, motor sports, computers, digital photography, lean (aka the Toyota Production System), politics, and more.
So, if your interests are similar to mine or if you are a blog voyeur, enjoy.
BTW, the posts from 2001 are from my prior attempt to blog using an old web site. I've copied those entries verbatim for, if nothing else, my own posterity.
Last big time auto race of 2005
The final weekend of NASCAR racing is coming up and it's also the last weekend of major motorsports for the year. My wife is always happy when the motorsports season ends.
Once again, Mark Martin will not win "the Cup" and I hope that Jimmie Johnson doesn't either. Wouldn't it be remarkable if Carl Edwards won? If not Carl then Tony Stewart (who's currently leading the standings) is OK by me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)