July 15, 2017 — Andy Arthur.org

President Trump May Be in the White House But He’s Out of Control

Andy | July 15, 2017

President Trump May Be in the White House But He’s Out of Control

"He can't get Congress to send a health care bill for him to sign. His own family is causing public relations (and possibly legal) problems. He was something of an outsider at the recent G-20 meeting in Germany, emerging with no major deal and left behind as his international counterparts forged ahead with a climate change agreement the United States has now abandoned. Leaks – some of which are apparently coming from his own staff – reveal a White House foundering and struggling to get traction."

"President Donald Trump, made famous by being a dominant boss on reality TV, has lost control of the biggest enterprise he has taken on, the running of the federal government, analysts and experts say. And the one thing on which the Twitter-happy president has kept a firm grip – his mobile phone – has only gotten him in further trouble, with his tweets used against him in court decisions and by his political foes."

Pimped out roundabout

Andy | July 15, 2017

"A roundabout in rural Wisconsin is tricked out with decorative brick, intense landscaping and a "complete street" despite there being little to no chance of pedestrians. This is happening while funds for urban improvements -- where there actually are people walking -- remain elusive."

Cars With Carbon Ceramic Brakes Are Going to Be the Used Car Plague

Andy | July 15, 2017

Cars With Carbon Ceramic Brakes Are Going to Be the Used Car Plague

"As some of you know, I'm currently mired in the search for a new car to replace my ancient Range Rover daily driver, which I've had for the last five years or so. One of the cars on my short list of Range Rover replacements is the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon -- and while I can't afford a newer 2014-2016 model, I've been eyeing them anyway, because they're perfect for me: cool, high tech, all-wheel-drive (good for winter!) and exciting to drive.

So I found a nice E63 Wagon for sale on Autotrader, and I sent it to my friend Peri, and he replied: "You know that one has carbon ceramic brakes, right?" Apparently, the gold-colored calipers give it away."

"Carbon ceramic brakes? In a luxury station wagon?"

"I looked it up, and Peri was right. Beginning in 2014, Mercedes-Benz started offering carbon ceramic brakes as an option on the E63 AMG and the E63 AMG Wagon -- and not just any option, but an option with a sticker price of just under $13,000. Mind you, the base price of a 2014 E63 AMG Wagon was only $103,400. This single option was nearly 13 percent of the car's entire price. Imagine, if you will, a $2,500 single option on a Toyota Camry."

Gun owners more likely to be politically active, says Pew Research Center

Andy | July 15, 2017

Gun owners more likely to be politically active, says Pew Research Center

"In addition to the political implications tied to the issue, the Pew survey also revealed deep cultural divides on guns."

"About half of gun owners said all or most of their friends also own guns, compared to just 1-in-10 non-gun owners who said the same."

"And in the long-running debate over guns and crime levels, more than half of gun owners — 54 percent — said they think more Americans owning guns would reduce crime, while 23 percent of non-gun owners said the same."

"Mr. Gottlieb said gun control advocates are the ones looking to play up such divisions."

“This divide has been created by media and politicians who are hostile to gun ownership who use terms like gun violence epidemic when in fact crimes committed where guns are used is in fact down,” he said."