JerryBaumchen

Hi Joe, Given: The T engine was known for its simplicity, reliability, and economy. I think that a fair amount of them could have moved into Model T mechanics. They were very simple engines: Ford Model T engine - Wikipedia I think it's a lot different today, where a 50-55 yr old person employed in manual labor, is hoping to move into the high tech world. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Wendy, I've often wondered what a farrier, working in Detroit in Oct 1908, might have thought as he watched all of those Model T's coming out of the factory. Jerry Baumchen

Hi airdvr, And, Trump would have left them behind even earlier than Biden did. Jerry Baumchen PS) There are many casualties in war; all types of wars & all types of casualties.

Hi Bill, Spot on. This is exactly what my original post was all about. I am a ret'd engineer [ but, I am still an engineer, that will never change ] and I love new technology. The big BUT is what about those that have been replaced? As you said, the $64,000 question. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Joe, Wasn't Slim riding that baby into Moscow? Jerry Baumchen

Hi Joe, IMO parenthood & grandparenthood brings a joy that no other human activity can surpass. Jerry Baumchen PS) As to what I think you are alluding to: Yes, the days of 8 - 10 offspring needs to be behind us. My mom & dad were both one of eight. I have two children & each of my children have one each.

Hi Bill, That is the gist of my original post. I won't be around as the problem becomes one that cannot be avoided; but, I think my children will. If not them, then my grandchildren. Putting one's head in the sand does not solve any problem. Jerry Baumchen PS) While I am glad I did not have one of those mindless jobs, they did provide a good wage & brought us the success of the middle class.

Hi Wendy, Re: a manufacturer of electric towers and the like that sells worldwide Was it these guys: SAE Towers - FROM DESIGN TO EXECUTION, MUCH MORE THAN ENERGY, TRANSMITTING LIFE. I've been to their facilities numerous times; both for production & for tower testing. Fun times. Re: The US doesn’t really have much of that any more Yup. I've worked with Bethlehem Steel, US Steel/American Bridge, Flint Steel, Falcon Steel - all gone except Falcon Steel, who are now owned [ I think ] by an overseas company: Steel Lattice Towers | MICA Steelworks All of those companies had lots of good paying jobs for the working class. The vast majority of those jobs are now gone. Some of it was because they did not institute more automated production methods. Other companies overseas [ mostly Japan in the late 70's - early 80's ] did automate & took those jobs for their people. Re: Which ignores the existence and needs of many who aren’t of above average intelligence and/or education (I.e. half the population), who are more and more being relegated to positions of asking for things like food stamps and other assistance, and who have trouble finding decent places to live they can afford This why I mentioned the minimum annual income. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Stumpy, From your link: Smarter people have better outcomes in almost every domain of activity: academic achievement, job performance, occupational status, income, creativity, physical health, longevity, learning new skills, managing complex tasks, leadership, entrepreneurial success, conflict resolution, reading comprehension, financial decision making, understanding others’ perspectives, creative arts, parenting outcomes, and life satisfaction. I do not disagree with this premise. However, it does not address the gist of my post; that jobs are being eliminated every day. Not everyone benefits from the advances of high tech. You can argue that 'everyone' benefits somewhat due to the advances; but, if your job goes away, is that truly a benefit? For every manual labor job eliminated, will there be a job in the high tech world? On a 1 for 1 basis, I do not think so. Jerry Baumchen PS) In the early 90's, I was at a production plant in Brazil watching people assemble insulators. There were about 9 to 11 people sitting at a large Lazy Susan installing parts. I mentioned to the Production Mgr that I could develop some machinery to do it automatically & for less money. He said, 'At these prices you can't.' Where was the last piece of clothing that you bought manufactured?

Hi folks, Actually, the end of manual labor has been the goal for a long time. However, it does look like the efforts are beginning to really make progress: Corvallis robotics company says new Salem factory could employ up to 500 people - OPB University of Washington engineers and computer scientists give assembly line robots a helping hand - OPB The unemployment lines are going to be longer. I once posted on here that every day, all over the world, people were working on automating all forms of labor. I see no change in that assertion. Will we need a guaranteed minimum annual income? Something to consider. Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, As been said many times, you cannot fix stupid: Anti-vaxxers, flush with cash, now have political power - POLITICO I've reached the point where I am just fine with them being as they are. Let'em die; we are better off without them. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Wendy, If I look at the totality of my voting history, that would be correct. For POTUS, not so much. That is what I was referring to; I should have been more clear. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Wendy, Great post - you could not be more correct. Jerry Baumchen PS) Re: where it’s more important to vote against the worst Been that way most of my life.

Hi John, As a younger man, I drove from Oceanside, CA to Beaverton, OR in one go [ 1044 miles ]. Then on 12 Sep 2001, I drove from Los Angeles, CA to Beaverton, OR in one go [ 960 miles ]. That was somewhat of a necessity as no airplanes were flying. And, Not doing that again! Jerry Baumchen

Hi John And, not the first time he has been indicted. If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, . . . Jerry Baumchen

Hi jakee, Re: After Biden won South Carolina everyone bailed Actually, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and others bailed just before the SC primary. Brent still has not seen the ball since kickoff. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Joe, Ever wonder about the size of the rearview mirrors on his vehicles? Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, As of right now, that would seem to be his only option. I've heard that crow does not taste very good. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Joe, A Freudian slip? I mean, what woman wants to grab a soft weenie? Jerry Baumchen

Hi Bill, I, among many others here, are closely following this: Opponents of Measure 114 gun laws say case is about “individual rights” in trial opening - OPB We're trying; just hope that the courts agree. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Phil, Rudy is the poster boy for 'post-trump-legal-actions.' Anyone considering jumping on the Trump bandwagon should stop & take notice. Then again, 'I love the uneducated.' When will they ever learn: Where Have All The Flowers Gone? (Remastered) - YouTube Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, IMO these are 'flash-in-the-pan' careers. Just like Trump will be mostly forgotten if he does not win the White House again. Once she is out of office, she will be history. Our tabloid-based society does not tolerate losers. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, I am no medical expert, but that sure looks like the early stages of dementia to me. Hopefully, he will continue to go downhill; and the sooner, the better. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Joe, 1. I never said it was an absolute. 2. I stand by my post. Jerry Baumchen PS) And some people think King Airs are better jumpships than Caravans.

Hi Wendy, IMO a well-educated child will become an informed voter. That's better for all of us. Jerry Baumchen