I expect you’re right. Reputation matters, and American manufacturers—particularly with regard to small cars—have a really lousy reputation. One that’s not unearned or undeserved, by the way.

I love Cadbury Dairy Milk (not the US version) but whenever I’m in Canada, I stock up on Aero bars. I’ve loved them since I was a kid.

My problem with NB (the one company that made a 13B) was that the soles peel away from the structure within a week or two of purchase. I first noticed this in the ‘70s. I try a pair every five years or so, and always run into the same problem.

Yeah, some companies make wide shoes. You know how many make a 13B? I can think of about one, off the top of my head...

Yeah, the current Kinja system can make it difficult to find where a thread begins...

Understood. “Green” is a relative term, but I did suspect that you were talking about electric. Caveats: It’s not just coal going into the electric grid. There’s also oil, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, and a little solar. Plus the conversion efficiency of most generators is far higher than that of most automobiles, and…

“The carbon footprint generated in making “green” vehicles is far higher currently than even a gas guzzler car.”

I ride a road bike with drop handlebars, and that position is known to cause problems for riders (I’ve seen more than one plow into a group of riders they were overtaking because it’s easier to keep looking down). I know of at least one cycling fatality where the rider pedaled at speed right into the back of a van.

Yeah, for a few years in the ‘90s I worked on a product called P***E that depended on parallel-port dongles to authorize access. At some point, ISTRC that we got rid of dongles, but they were out there for a long time.

35 years ago, I got hired in a pickup band so that the groom could sing “Just the Way You Are” to the bride. There are worse songs, but “don’t change” isn’t, IMO, a really good recipe for a long and happy marriage.

MGBs used to come in British racing green. Much to like there as well...except for the reliability of the systems under the paint...

MGBs used to come in British racing green. Much to like there as well...except for the reliability of the systems under the paint...

I learned to drive stick in my dad’s early ‘70s Capri--almost the same as the one in the photo, but blue. Of course, had I been a little older, I would have learned stick in his ‘67 MGB (also blue). The Capri was much more practical than the MGB for Minnesota winters.

Let’s see...ownership for both me and Spouse, starting in 1989:

What does that say about the US right now...?

I know that a lot of people will pay attention to this because it’s 007 on screen. I’d like to point out that it’s M speaking.

Yep. It’s an interesting cultural thing that groups can use derogatory terms and make jokes about themselves that would be incredibly offensive if made by someone outside the group. There’s a song by Joe Jackson that includes the following verse:

I got that; but when I see a joke based on gender, I try to think how I would feel if positions were swapped. Or if it depending on other stereotypes.

You know, it was a stupid remark. And you know it was a stupid remark.

Dude, the 50s are looking for your attitude.