Changing a Carburetor

After dealing with removing a fuel tank, cleaning the tank, changing the filter, and putting everything back together, my efforts were a failure. My four-wheeler was still dying, and now became really hard to start. I had to do more. I had good spark, but I still needed to check the coil to determine if it was weak.

I checked the coil. The ohm reading indicated it was good. That left removing the carburetor and either rebuilding it, or replacing it. This led me to looking at the price of a new carburetor, or a rebuild kit. 

The manufacturer price for the carburetor was $450. A look at Amazon found a rebuild kit for $33, or a replacement carburetor for $32 delivered to my doorstep. I crossed my fingers, after reading reviews, and ordered the carburetor. The next step was the arduous task of removing fenders, the fuel tank, the air filter housing and finally: the carburetor.  

The carburetor was delayed in arrival, but finally arrived late Monday morning. Installing it was the reverse of removing it. I finally reached the point I could check the operation around 6:00 pm. It ran like a champ, so I started replacing all the parts required to complete the assembly. I finished right before dark, put up my tools, and breathed a sigh of relief. 

So, I have to give the engineers credit for designing the machine. The details required to design it, insure the operation, have all the parts either manufactured, or bought, and mass producing the machine is an accomplishment. The task is way beyond my expertise, and I'm impressed. 

Ignorance Can Hurt

 I was reading an article about a CNN reporter that was hit with a rubber bullet fired by a police officer in Los Angeles. Considering the orchestrated media coverage, how many individuals are videoing the mayhem, and how any police officer wouldn't have the time to differentiate rioters from media, wandering into the melee is pure madness. Ignorance can hurt, and it seems many in the media are afflicted with this ignorance. 

Like Matt Dillon

I've been watching old Gunsmoke episodes. The best are the thirty-minute episodes of the first six seasons, which were more succinct in revealing the plot, and the ultimate conclusion. Usually the conclusion was lawless behavior didn't benefit a healthy society, and regardless of opinions, laws against public safety sometime require drastic actions for prevention and vigilantism can be more dangerous than any crime. Most importantly, the show revealed the imperfections in law enforcement, and how the anarchic nature of people can appear when there are no rules for a good society. That, and how corruption can destroy a city, and outright attacks sometimes require drastic actions.

The L.A. riots currently happening are the epitome of a group of people out of control, desperately needing to be stopped, and unhindered by either a feckless, or complicit government. Sending in the National Guard guarantees two things: One is the safety of those arresting illegal invaders, and the other is the protection of the rights, property, and safety of citizens not involved. It never should have reached this point, but there is a seditious effort to destroy the city, those involved are desperate, or paid, and the drastic step of sending in the National Guard is the last measure to insure the peace of the city. 

Many in California proclaim how important the state is due to the size of the economy. The same could be said if the cartels were given full control. It's not about the money. It's about the rights of all, and the guarantee crime is not used to achieve a selfish goal. When unbridled violence is used to control, the result is a society fearful of its safety, and actions that can only be described a terrorism. 

To Some, It Was a Short Day

I've read that the landing scene in "Saving Private Ryan" is the best portrayal of the actual event. Watching it causes a visceral reaction, and those that were at the landings on Normandy were forever branded with the ravages of a battle that changed the world. Many died before they ever reached the beaches, while some died trying to secure the beaches for the landing of more troops and supplies. Those that survived were destined to continue until Germany failed. Those that made it home would mostly never talk about their time during WW2, and quietly try to reassemble what were once the thoughts of young men. The bizarre thoughts of a one time paper hanger had marred their existence.

After 81 years, even the youngest that fought on D-Day are centenarians or gone. Pausing to remember them is important. What they fought against wasn't isolated, and the sentiments of those that hate are still present.

Venting

I received a notice that my Medicare supplement insurance premium is being raised. It's more of the same line of crap that is being peddled by everyone, including Trump. Regardless of opinions, the way to solve many of the nation's problems requires solutions harder than just letting the Baby Boomers die off, and being rid of their ridiculous ideas about religion, work, responsibility, and national pride. Stringing them on a few more years removes many, and even those still alive can be easily handled due to their age.

*spit*