SMART CARS

I saw my first Smart Car up close today. It was cute, and cuter still it gets 45 miles to the gallon, and is $17,000. It's by Mercedes. Now I'm a van person, I carry so much junk and BBQ Sauce, and stuff that I couldn't possibly fit everything into this cute lil' thing. But for that price and that milage, I'm thinkin' about it.

The drawback. Yes, there is always a drawback. Though the company is offering extended waranties, you can only take it to a licensed dealer. Where I live here in Bellingham, the closest one that could work on my car is in Seattle; two hours away. Will they give me a loaner (free)? They are so new, what wears out first on them. The lady I talked to has had hers less than a year, and Mercedes has offered to give her a new transmission free of charge, though nothing is wrong with hers (that she knows of) mmmmmmm.

Only time will tell, but I bet Americans will get on the band wagon for smarter cars. As small as hers is, if GM would make a slightly larger model for that price, to get that milage - I'd go with them. I want to buy American.

So much of our Real Estate is owned by forign countries, I would hate to see our Automakers be sold to forigners too. Please GM, Chrystler get it together. We the people love you. Don't we?

Pirates, Pirates EVERYWHERE!!

Okay, it seems like nowhere is safe. SOOOO, the question is what shall we do people? Are citizens doing everyday normal, honest work really going to be at the mercy of thugs at sea? PLEEEEEEEEZE! I am a peace lover, I don't believe in violence, but I do think there is a time to protect yourself.

If the waters are not safe to travel, then I feel everyship doing business has a right to bear and use arms. If that means the crews are trained in self-defense, so be it, do it and use whatever means necessary to protect your crew.

Am I alone in this? Please tell me what you think should be done.