I have hated global warming for a long time, not the idea that the world is heating up and we are all going to die, but the fact that they have known we had dinosaurs living here in tropical times and then an ice age that killed them off and ever since then we have been thawing out..it's just been a big natural cycle which all of a sudden the polititions have decided is our fault..
Anyway the idea of global warming has started to appeal to people like me who suffer these endless cold winters and cold wet summers, and some of us think global warming will be a good thing...
So now the governments have changed the name from global warming to climate change..
Every electricity and gas bill has an extra charge now and it is called a climate change levy (CCL) this month mine is (£15.71) and there is a VAT (Value Added Tax) charge of 20% on top of that..OK so the CCL is a tax because someone is enjoying better and better weather..They have actually found a way to tax the weather..but how does value get added to a tax?
John.
That's political speak, John. It DOES add value to your tax. Your original tax was only £15.71, but now with the Value Added Tax, the VALUE of your tax will be 20% HIGHER, or £18.85. Isn't it wonderful how our politicians can use modern math to further fleece the public!!! >:(
I can remember as a child worrying about the "coming ice age"...
When you figure the weather people, despite all the technology and super computers we have, cannot with certainty tell me its going to rain on a specific day next week; its very difficult for me to take their prediction of global catastrophe in x number of years very seriously.
And, since they tell me the reason they cannot predict the weather with more certainty is the number of factors involved in the equation, some still unknown, some beyond human prediction, I am ever more skeptical they can with certainty tell me it is MAN causing their predicted global climate change disaster.
Nah, this is politics and greed- a political agenda designed by people who want reputation and gold- not science IMHO.
At least they didn't start taxing you to cover the Mayan end of the world prediction. $30 a month to pay for a fantasy would piss me off too. Hell, the whole concept of VAT makes me angry... fortunately, we don't do that here... yet!
(Hey John, you aren't an actor are you? John Hopkins is an actor on Midsomer Murders...)
Quote from: chief on March 19, 2013, 10:07:05 AM
(Hey John, you aren't an actor are you? John Hopkins is an actor on Midsomer Murders...)
I did appear in a film in 1957 called return journey where the producer made me run like Flash Gordon in the old black and white series..
but no I'm Anthony Hopkins twin brother..See..worlds fastest indian..I do all his riding..
he was born in Wales and I was born in Scotland 7 years earlier..we are identical twins but I am the good looking one..
It's all in the book..
John.
That all makes perfect sense....
Oops..sorry you don't know about the book...Well Ratman has the only copy in Canada and there is one copy riding around the USA..Google the book of John Hopkins..
John.
Well John, I just watched Zulu for the 800th time last Sunday... you a tenor or a baritone... all Welshmen can sing right?
Quote from: chief on March 19, 2013, 18:09:25 PM
Well John, I just watched Zulu for the 800th time last Sunday... you a tenor or a baritone... all Welshmen can sing right?
That's right, well military men anyway..I almost sing in the key of A Flat major...well A fat squaddie...
John.
I guessing you didn't google the book..
John.
have not heard that term in years.....squaddie
last heard working with the BAOR in Germany
Was that during the BAOR WAR?
Now that from a vet who served under the command of Lieutenant John Chard at the battle of Rorke's Drift......
Sorry Troll I'll get Chief to change the fonts so you can see them better typed BAOR not BOER , and that would be BAOR = British Army on the Rhine, not the BOER War that you fought in as a young 20 something cavalry man......
I'm not getting involved in this I was actually part of the B.A.O.R and before that I failed my first driving test by overtaking the man with the red flag..
John.
Sorry, I got that confused with the Boxer Rebellion....
ok Troll founding member of the AARP before you hijack this thread all togather.....lol...
Never was in South Africa....however, I did get a nice sweater from Lord Cardigan....
And boots from Lord Wellington?
Maybe something to eat from the Earl of Sandwich,
And your roof repaired by Lady Thatcher.
John
Sorry JH, I don't "google" I "bing"...
Wow chief, you are right...
you can't bing my book..
John.
I have loaned out said book about 8 times now since I got it, I am personally halfway through it but always some one wants to borrow it, the parts I did read were really good and interesting......
In case anyone is interested the USA copy of the book is heading for Texas.
http://www.travellerspoint.com/member_map.cfm#/tripid/365293
John.
Going to google.co.uk did the trick...
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=john+hopkins+wales+on+a+motorbike&oq=wales+on+a+motor&gs_l=hp.1.2.0i22i30l4.11596.17703.1.21092.16.14.0.2.2.0.145.1032.13j1.14.0...0.0...1c.1.7.psy-ab.LFz-qk1_b6k&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.eWU&fp=120e4ab0961367f&biw=1920&bih=951
Quote from: John Hopkins on March 21, 2013, 06:24:26 AM
In case anyone is interested the USA copy of the book is heading for Texas.
http://www.travellerspoint.com/member_map.cfm#/tripid/365293
John.
So how do we get on the list?
There is only one copy in the USA and because I have three Honda Shadows I am a member of the honda shadow forum..You could look at the map to see where it is now and if it is on your route join the forum to get on the list..You have to make three posts to prove you are not a spam bot, and then you have to ride towards the current holder of the book and carry it home and then towards the next in line..everyone has to sign it with their name and hometown..Or you may be able to arrange something with Ratman...Or do something special and I will send you a free copy to start your own journey..But it is not easy and you can't buy it...
Edit... I notice it has followed the east coast up until now, there is no forward direction planned the book goes where the riders take it, there is no reason why it can't head inland or even into Mexico and Canada, as long as there is a road that book will travel..
Anyone who visits my hometown can have a free copy..
John.
GreenBar, Sir, I have told people about it and so I am letting people read it and it comes back to me and I just keep it moving among the bikers in the near north..........
for those of you that can not read it does have a lot of pictures......
I looked at the map, and we're not really very close to the current route. I'm about 450 miles from the two closest stops. So, as much as I would love to see it, I don't really have the time anytime soon to make two big road trips like that, at least not in the near future.
Quote from: John Hopkins on March 21, 2013, 14:21:45 PM
Or do something special and I will send you a free copy to start your own journey..But it is not easy and you can't buy it...
So how special are we talking? I happen to have a
very nice, Like New 18 mm spark plug wrench (see other post on said plug wrench woes) - evidently mistakenly put in my 800 toolkit from a Drifter 1500 tool kit - that I'd be willing to ship you.... It would fit your drifter nicely, John.... Even if you have one already, you'd be the only one I know that owned TWO... one for the bike tool bag, and one for the work shop!!! Seriously, though, what does it take to get one of these books, I'd really like to know.
The book is still moving and the weather is getting warmer, I suspect when it starts it will move fast, I have no control over the direction but it is pretty close to Texas now so It might move that way next, there has been interest in getting it to Canada, I keep an interested eye on it's travel..
As to special..well the USA owner did two things, first he picked up a new bike about 2,700 miles away and rode it home in bad weather, and second, he started the idea of the travelling book..each person who travells to get the book meets the previous holder half way where they meet probably for the first time, they share a meal at the handover point, take a few photos and ride home, the new holder reads the book, signs it, then rides to meet the new holder, and so it continues..
I think it shows the spirit of adventure is not dead in the USA.
John.
Wow. That is really a neat concept. I've never heard of anything like that. Unfortunately, if it's almost to TX, then it's WAY farther than I thought. Does the current location show on the travelers point website you directed us to in your earlier post?? I can't seem to see anything other than the start and end and in-between points, but it doesn't show current location or anything. Maybe I would have to subscribe and sign in??
Anyways, I'm afraiad I don't measure up very high on the "special" scale - sadly about 10% of the other fellow.. My bike was purchased only about 270 miles away, and I trailered it home - only had my motorcycle permit at the time, and no experience. But it was bad weather! low 40s and raining if I remember.....
So if the book gets back up north again, someplace close to central ohio, I would be honoured to meet someone and see it.
Again, this is a great and unique idea, thanks for sharing it with us.
The map shows that it arrived in Gonzales, Louisiana, USA. on 9th feb 2013..I think 30 riders have relayed it so far..to join that ride somewhere you would have to sign up to the hondashadow.net forum, the book will end it's travel in Vermont New Hampshire..I don't know who will take it next but I would love to see it go through Texas towards California then follow the coast up to Vancouver, maybe reach Alaska in a few years...Have you seen the size of Canada...
John.
QuoteHave you seen the size of Canada
seems I have on a couple of trips.......2 days to get out of Ontario west from my place. North Bay to Hearst along highway 11 , then to Upsula then Border of Manitoba....1629 kms and 2 eight hour days so about 22 hours....lol
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 21, 2013, 21:42:51 PM
seems I have on a couple of trips.......2 days to get out of Ontario west from my place. North Bay to Hearst along highway 11 , then to Upsula then Border of Manitoba....1629 kms and 2 eight hour days so about 22 hours....lol
I'm sorry I gotta ask...2 eight hour days so about 22 hours...Is that a language difference or are they metric days..
John.
lol no I was doing the time you would be riding, the computer program said 2 days 5 hours and some odd mins, the program likes 8 hour days, that is why I said 22 hours...lol....ok sorry for the confusion....