CURT'S NEWSLETTER

July 2002

MAILING LIST

The mailing list is getting too large. The Redhead and I, mostly The Redhead, because she's much better at this than am I, spend 3 hours or so stamping and labeling the newsletters. Thus it's time to trim the list. Remember, the entire newsletter AND MORE is on the web at www.curtrich.com, so I'm not taking anyone off who wants it.

1. If you got on the mailing list more than 5 years ago, you will be getting a letter with a return card. Send in the card, and you stay on the mailing list. Don't, and you don't.

2. If you got on the mailing list more than 5 years ago and DON'T get a letter for some reason, call/write/e-mail me, and you'll stay on the list.

3. If you move and don't send a forwarding address, you go off the list. I've followed some of you 3 or 4 times, but now if I get a newsletter back with a forwarding address, it's off the list.

4. Those of you who want to stay on the list will STAY on the list. You don't have to buy a car. I send the newsletter to people I KNOW will never buy a car here for various reasons.

5. If you don't get a newsletter in a month and fear you might have accidentally been taken off the list, call/write/e-mail me, and I'll make sure you stay on.

6. Buy a car, and you stay on the list!

4-WHEEL DRIVE PRIMER

Four-wheel drive systems can be confusing and complicated. Let's see if we can simplify things.

What is four-wheel drive?

This simply means that all four wheels are connected to the engine using shafts and axles. This allows all four wheels to receive a portion of the engine's power, provided they are engaged.

Four basic types of four-wheel drive systems:

1. Part-Time Four-Wheel Drive

This is the most basic form of four-wheel drive. The vehicle is two-wheel drive until the driver manually engages the four-wheel drive system. The four-wheel drive should only be engaged and used on very slippery surfaces.

Examples: F250, Rodeo, Durango, Jimmy, Blazer

(Note: Vehicles may have options upgrading the FWD system. Examples are for base models.)

2. Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive

This system is also a two-wheel drive system; however four-wheel drive is engaged automatically. Under normal conditions, the system remains two-wheel drive. When slip is detected, the four-wheel system engages.

Examples: Explorer, Blazer, Trooper, 4Runner

3. All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive refers to a system that is always sending some degree of power to both the front and rear wheels. This system does not include a two-speed transfer case and is considered light duty. It is not used on vehicles intended for serious off-road driving.

Examples: Quattro, Cross Country, Outback.

4. Permanent Four-Wheel Drive

This is a higher form of all-wheel drive in that the system is always sending engine torque to both the front and rear wheels, but this system also incorporates a two-speed transfer case. This type of system is used on purpose built SUVs. These vehicles are designed from the ground up to accommodate the more complex drive train.

Examples: M-Class, Range Rover, and LX470.

What is a differential and what is it used for?

As a vehicle turns a corner, the inside wheels will turn more slowly than the outside wheels. If the wheels are not allowed to turn at different speeds, one or both of the wheels would have to slip during the turn, causing a loss of traction and control. The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds, usually sending power to the wheel that offers the least resistance (open type). This is why you might see one wheel spinning in slippery conditions while the wheel on the other side of the vehicle, perhaps with more traction, doesn't turn. The axles connect the wheels to the differential.

What additional components are needed in a four-wheel drive system?

Different systems use different components; however, at the very least, you would need an additional front or rear differential (depending on vehicle design), two axles between the added differential and the wheels, and a center differential or transfer case to distribute the power to the front and rear.

What is a center differential or transfer case?

The center differential or transfer case connects the front and rear wheels and axles together. As soon as the engine's power comes out of the transmission, it is sent to the center differential (or transfer case) for distribution to the front and rear differentials through drive shafts. From there, power is distributed to the wheels through the axles. Both the center differential and the transfer case can be "open" or may have a "locking" mechanism.

What is the difference between a center differential and a transfer case?

They are very similar in function, both distribute the engine's power between the front and rear wheels, allowing four-wheel or all-wheel drive. All four-wheel drive vehicles must have one or the other. The term center differential, however, is generally used on light-duty vehicles with transversely mounted engines and no low-range feature. A transfer case, which contains a center differential, is heavier duty and often offers low range. Normally front-wheel-drive-based vehicles like the Lexus RX300 and the Acura MDX use a center differential, while rear-wheel-drive-based vehicles, like the M-Class, Lexus LX470, and Range Rover, refer to this component as a transfer case.

What is the difference between an open differential and a locked or locking differential?

A differential is said to be open when the wheels or shafts are allowed to turn at different speeds with no attempt to control the power flow from one side to the other. Most differentials are open. A locking differential, on the other hand, contains a mechanism that will help to distribute the power more evenly between the two wheels or shafts. Locking mechanisms are necessary if there is no other system to allow engine torque to non-slipping wheels. Early forms of the locking differential were known as limited slip and posi-traction.

What is "Low Range" and how is it used?

Low range is simply an additional lower gear (two speeds) in the transfer case. In low range the engine is allowed to turn faster at lower vehicle speeds, producing more power for heavy work. Driving up steep grades and pulling a boat out of the water are situations in which low range can be used. In low range, the top speed of a vehicle may be less than half of its normal top speed.

What is a viscous coupling and how does it work?

The viscous coupling, usually located inside the center differential or transfer case, uses a silicon fluid that when heated, engages (locks) the front and rear drive shafts together. As it cools, the coupling releases. This action happens very quickly, and wheel slip is required to create the friction and generate the heat needed to thicken the silicon fluid.

Are the systems used in cars different from SUV systems?

· Audi Quattro uses a longitudinally mounted engine with a center differential called Torsen. The Torsen differential uses additional sets of internal gears to proportion the engine's power between the front and rear axles. This system is mechanical and has no electronic controls.

· BMW 325xi and 330xi is a rear-wheel drive platform and thus has a longitudinally mounted engine. Both the front and rear differentials and the transfer case differential are open. As with the 4Matic, brake application to the slipping wheels allows engine torque to the wheels with greater traction.

· Mercedes-Benz 4Matic has its engine mounted longitudinally and uses a single-speed transfer case. 4ETS uses throttle intervention and brake application to allow power to the wheels with the greatest traction. By stopping or slowing spinning wheels, the brakes allow power through the differentials to reach wheels where there may be traction.

· Porsche 911 Carrera 4S has its engine longitudinally mounted in the rear of the car. The center differential supplies power to the front wheels through a viscous coupling.

· Volvo XC is a front-wheel drive vehicle that has been converted using a center differential and viscous coupling. The engine is mounted transversely and a traction control (brake application) system is employed below 25 mph.

What types of systems are in the marketplace today on SUVs?

· Acura MDX is front-wheel drive based, with a transversely mounted engine, as it is derived from the Honda Odyssey minivan. The center differential uses wheel speed sensors to deliver power to the rear wheels when needed through a system called VTM-4. The rear differential has an electric locking mechanism, operated by a button on the dash, and functions in reverse, first, and second gears only up to 18 mph.

· BMW X-5 is based on the 5-Series rear-wheel drive platform, and thus has a longitudinally mounted engine. Both of the front and rear differentials and the transfer case differentials are open. As with the M-Class, brake application of the slipping wheels is used to allow power to the wheels with greater traction.

· Buick Rendezvous, derived from GM's minivan platform, features front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. Both variants use a transversely-mounted engine. The four-wheel drive models use a center differential with an electronically controlled hydraulic pump to engage clutches, sending an equal amount of power to the front and rear wheels. The system monitors wheel slip electronically to determine the point of engagement.

· Cadillac Escalade uses a single-speed transfer case containing a viscous coupling to transfer power between front and rear axles. The engine is mounted longitudinally and the full frame platform is shared with the other GM SUVs and pickup trucks.

· Infiniti QX4 is available in two- or four-wheel drive versions, both with a longitudinally mounted engine. The All Mode 4WD system has a two-speed transfer case with electronic locking. A dash-mounted switch offers rear-wheel drive, automatic four-wheel drive, 4WD and 4WD low range. Four-wheel drive and four-wheel low can only be used on very slippery surfaces.

· Lexus LX470 has a longitudinally mounted engine with an electronically locking two-speed transfer case. The center differential is locked using a dash-mounted switch. A traction control system, called "Trac", modulates the throttle and applies the brakes in reduced traction situations.

· Lexus RX300, offered in front-wheel or four-wheel drive, has a transversely mounted engine. The four-wheel drive variant uses a center differential with a viscous coupling, which will engage, sending an equal amount of power to the front and rear wheels.

· Lincoln Navigator is derived from the full-size ford pickup trucks. The single-speed transfer case contains an electronic locking mechanism that is activated based on wheel slip signals from the wheel speed sensors.

· Mercedes-Benz M-Class has its engine mounted longitudinally and uses a two-speed transfer case (low range). 4ETS+ uses brake application to allow power to the wheels with the greatest traction. By stopping or slowing spinning wheels, the brakes allow power through the differentials to reach wheels where there may be traction.

· Mercedes-Benz G500 is similar to the M-Class in design and function. However, the center, rear, and front differentials can be electronically locked, giving mountain-goat ability to the G-Class. Like the M-Class, the transfer case has low range (two speeds).

· Range Rover employs a box frame with a longitudinally mounted V8 engine. The two-speed transfer case contains a viscous coupling to direct power to the front and rear axles. In addition, a traction system called 4ETC applies brakes to slipping wheels when necessary.

Benefits of the Mercedes-Benz systems:

M-Class

4ETS+ uses brake application to allow power to the wheels with the greatest traction. By stopping or slowing spinning wheels, the brakes allow power through the differentials to reach wheels where there may be traction. The M-Class uses the existing wheel-speed sensors to detect slip, making the system simple and effective. Benefits to the owner are durability, simplicity of operation, and impressive foul-weather performance.

G500

The G500 system takes 4ETS to the highest level, with the addition of positive locking for one or all of the differentials in high-slip conditions. It is the most serious form of four-wheel drive available in the consumer market. When all the differentials are locked, all four wheels receive exactly the same amount of engine power and will turn at exactly the same speeds. However the G500 must be off-road when the driver is using the locking differentials or the drivetrain could be damaged.

When the differentials are unlocked, the G500 uses the 4ETS system, incorporating throttle intervention and applying brake force to the wheels that have the least traction, transferring power to the wheels with the most traction. The benefits are clear: this vehicle can go places where other SUVs cannot. Add to this the luxury and comfort features, and you have a vehicle that takes you places in style.

Which System is best?

Finding the best system depends on how you intend to use the vehicle and your expectations of four-wheel drive performance. The 4ETS system on the M-Class models has the ability to automatically allow engine power to a single wheel that may have traction. In most situations, on or off the road, this system benefits the customer by being simple, direct, durable, and effective. Viscous couplings require friction and heat to engage. The Torsen system contains gears. You still are unable to control the transfer of power from one side of the vehicle to the other as you are with the 4ETS design. If you are looking for the best off road system of all, it would have to be the G-Class. The ability to lock all three differentials at the same time gives it the best off-road performance.

LOCAL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PHONE #

We've discovered that sometimes MB Roadside Assistance will dispatch a truck from a dealer further away than we are because of their Gerrymandered "territories." Additionally we can sometimes put a truck on the road and sort things out with MB on the way, saving several minutes. The way to get our Roadside Assistance guy is to call 713-291-7709 instead of the national number. Sneaky? Perhaps, but we're trying to help our customers, and we'll leave no stone unturned in this quest.

MISC. RAVINGS

Hollyweird and War Movies

Now that war movies are "in" for a while (at least until the next crop of children take over Hollyweird), there are some rules for war movies that do not mirror reality.

1. All explosions are 10x realistic size and full of orange flame. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I got into the Army and saw my first live fire demonstration and realized how puny the explosions looked. None had any big gasoline fired flames except, of course, napalm. Now when you're inside an artillery barrage it does get rather intense.

2. Grenades are a paradox in war movies. They make huge, flame filled explosions; appropriate for a 500 lb. incendiary bomb, but if they go off near the main character, he ducks and keeps on running, unhurt. In reality grenades make a dull "whump" sound and have little or no flame. I believe the kill radius is 15 feet, so a grenade near you will leave you full of holes.

3. In movies you can kill hundreds of Japanese or German soldiers with a Thompson sub-machine gun fired from the hip on full automatic even at 100 yards. It never runs out of ammunition except when a Japanese officer with a Samurai sword is nearby and the Thompson shooter is the best friend of the main character. It is capable of incredibly long bursts of fire. In reality the stick magazines were 20 rounds, good for a little over a second of full auto fire. The drum would give a longer burst, but not as long as Hollyweird types would have you believe.

4. Colt Model 1911A1 pistols hold 13 rounds in movies vs. 8 in real life. Military regulations were that you only carried 6 rounds. Of course that was religiously adhered to in all areas where you were unlikely to need the pistol.

5. No weapon has any recoil in movies. Duh, blanks don't recoil, so if the actor doesn't bother to simulate recoil it looks like they're shooting blanks.

6. Grenades and other explosive devices in movies act as trampolines for the people near the point of the explosion, sending them into the air in elegant acrobatics. But then, what high explosive munitions do to men near the point of the explosion is too ugly even for an R-rated movie.

7. Actors never seem to carry the normal field load we did, between 50 and 100 lb., depending on the unit and mission. Maybe it's in their contract.

8. The average soldier in WWII was 26.5. The average soldier in Vietnam was 19.5. In the movies they all look 40, just as actors in high school movies look way too old.

9. Senior officers in movies are usually idiots. Hmmm, they had to get something right. The John Hayes and David Hackworths were rare.

The Last Purple Heart

A newsletter from the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart mentioned that the organization would soon cease to exist, say 20 years or so. WWII Purple Heart holders are dying off. Korean War recipients aren't far behind, and Vietnam Vets have 20-30 years more at most. No significant number of Purple Hearts have been awarded since Vietnam (250,000± then). A Purple Heart is a rare thing even in the war on terrorism. It rates headlines now instead of being just a badge of office for someone in an infantry assignment. (80% of Purple Hearts were awarded to Infantrymen). Of course, I hope he's right, that during the 21st Century the awarding of the Purple Heart remains a rare event worthy of headlines. I'd prefer it if we had already awarded the last Purple Heart, but that's too much to hope for in a world of maniacs who hate us without reason.

Tools

You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.

If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape.

The Jerk Driving School

For some time I've been recommending some high performance driving schools, Bondurant, Skip Barber, etc. I just discovered the most successful driving school in the country. It has offices in most major cities. You see their graduates everywhere. BMW gives a free 3 day course with the school with every vehicle purchase. Most light truck drivers are instructors at the school.

Things Jerk Driving School graduates are taught:

1. If you tailgate close enough, it will intimidate the person in front, and eventually he will move over. Forget the 2 or 3 second rule. The proper following distance is 2X the length of a trailer hitch. If the car in front is preceded by a long line of cars, making him move over will have no effect on your progress, but tailgate for intimidation anyway.

2. If someone tailgates you, do not move over. Only wimps would move over and let faster traffic though. It's your right to drive at 40 mph in the left lane of a three lane freeway with an average speed of 75.

3. Never use turn signals. Never. Other drivers might figure out what you're trying to do and cut you off. Cut off anyone using turn signals to change lanes. BMW and Porsche, at the school's request, remove turn signals from their cars before delivery.

4. The left lane is just as good as the right for exiting. Only dweebs drive in the right lane. Exit from the left. The other traffic will move over for you. And never stay in the same lane for more than 30 seconds. Zig Zagging is the true sign of a superior driver.

5. When you rear end someone it's their fault for not moving over. Whatever you do, don't exit and find a parking lot for exchanging insurance information. Wait for the cops to show up right where the accident took place so the policeman can tell what happened. Don't worry about the traffic you're blocking and the secondary accidents you're causing.

6. You have the right to read, talk on the cell phone, put on makeup, shave, eat, discipline the kids in the back seat, and have sex while driving, preferably simultaneously.

7. Smoothness is for sissies. Jerk that wheel when you want to pass someone to show them what asses they are. Jerk it again to get back in front of that ass. Now slam on the brakes. Never pass someone without immediately slamming on the brakes, making them slow down. It's the appropriate punishment for driving on your road.

8. The middle finger gesture is appropriate for any driver who has dared to get on the same road with you.

9. No matter what you're doing, you have the right of way because you're better than everyone else. Exert your rights!

10. Anyone who responds negatively to your superior driving style should be shot on sight. Feel free to open up on anyone who dares honk or flash his lights at you. The jury couldn't convict O.J. How could they convict you?

The "Hmmm" File:

Drivers kill more deer in the USA than hunters do. (And hunters are trying.)

Lieutenant

Michael Martini, son of Star's Service Manager Mike Martini, has graduated and been given a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve. He is working here because the Army is so well stocked with lieutenants that his services aren't required until next MARCH whereupon he will go to Infantry Officer's Basic Course at lovely Fort Benning, Georgia. After that he will attend wonderful Ranger School and Air Assault School. He is already airborne qualified. In preparation for this extremely physical assignment, he has already built his body into a pretty formidable machine and spends much time in appropriate exercise. I expect him to be far ahead of his contemporaries, having been in military school for several years, and he has his head on straight and knows the job requires abnormal physical prowess. I suggested he run 5 miles a day until he got good at that then start with 5 lb. in his pack and work up to 50. There used to be some brutal runs in Ranger School. The Army still sends its troops into combat with too much stuff, and if they don't, you can't have too much ammunition, too many smoke grenades, etc. He's doing the right things to increase agility, weight lifting capabilities, and endurance. I've also suggested 2 weeks at Thunder Ranch, one with an AR15 in Urban Rifle 1, one with the (awful) Beretta in Defensive Handgun 1. Being able to shoot well is a part of a lieutenant's job description, and it also impresses seniors. My pistol shooting got me some good duty as a lieutenant back when the earth was flat and dinosaurs walked the earth. A good lieutenant, a rarity in the military, doesn't show fatigue or fear, and he is able to do any task that any member of his platoon can do. It's a tough job. I wish Michael well at it.

Freedom of Religion

The US promises freedom of religion, but apparently only for certain religions. Currently a young American who converted to Islam wants the State of Florida to allow her to have her face covered except for her eyes for her drivers' license photo. Leading Muslim clerics say that it is perfectly acceptable for the state to have a photo ID that actually shows a Muslim woman's face. (There are states that allowed her to have the eyes only photo. It reminds me of when I had to have a SCCA Photo ID card for races. I had the picture taken with my full-coverage helmet on-with a tinted visor. Great ID. I was never challenged. My long time rally partner, the late Russell Brown had the photo of a chimp on his FIA Rally License.) At least until September 11th, Sikh men were allowed on airplanes wearing their ceremonial daggers, the ones their religion requires them to wear all the time. I'm a Cooperian, the Church of the Holy .45. We're required as a tenet of our faith to always be armed with a .45, and the gumment violates that all the time. Now, do we have freedom of religion or not? Like the bumper sticker says, "Is your church BATF approved?"

Books

Two to recommend: Steel My Soldiers' Hearts by David Hackworth. For those who don't know of him, Hack was a highly decorated (8 Purple Hearts) combat soldier who left the Army to great publicity because he was disgusted with the way the Vietnam War was being run. Before he did that, though, he was given command of the worst infantry battalion in Vietnam. In the 4 months he was in command (before being relieved for getting wounded too many times!) he made it into the most effective fighting unit in the Army. This book is about how he did it. It's a great read and required reading for anyone in the military. My copy went to Michael when I finished. Hack worked for the same man I did, John Hayes, then a Colonel. He had 3 years combat experience in Korea and 6 years in Vietnam. After he left 9th Division he became Senior Advisor for Advisory Team 70, my unit. He turned it around pretty dramatically. When he was forced to go home after 6 months his replacement managed to undo most of what he did in about 3 weeks. His replacement was relieved shortly after I left, not a moment too soon.

Slander, by Ann Coulter. Aside from being the prettiest political columnist in the US, Ann is smart, witty, and funny. The book is a fast, easy read, and it's hilarious in its well-documented recording of the liberal media's attacks on conservatives. She pulls no punches and takes no prisoners.

California Legislature Bans Respiration

First the California legislature, in a backhanded attempt to regulate fuel economy, passed draconian new limits on CO2 emissions on automobiles, SUVs, and light trucks. The federal gumment alone can enforce fuel economy standards. This will effectively mean the end of SUVs and pickup trucks in the United States because 12 Northeastern States follow California regulations, including New York. It is logistically impossible for a car manufacturer to sell cars that do not correspond to these draconian, unreachable regulations by simply not doing business in those states. Too many states are involved.

Then it was pointed out to the Californicators that most of their pollution now is coming from China via the jet stream and stays there because of the Rocky Mountains. No matter what they do to eliminate vehicle traffic in their state pollution there will increase because of Chinese pollution. Their first attempt was to regulate industry in China. When this proved to be impossible because a lack of cooperation by the Chinese, the legislature asked what the next greatest source of CO2 was. When they told that the process of respiration involved the inhaling of oxygen and nitrogen, and the exhaling of CO2, a by-product of respiration, they immediately voted 50-30 to ban respiration. The vote was strictly along party lines, 50 Democrats controlling the California Legislature. Questions concerning enforcement of the law were rebuffed by the spokesman.

(Only part of the above is meant to be satire. Most of it is true.)

Billy Joel

Billy Joel fans might be glad he drives a Mercedes. He checked himself into rehab after totaling his Mercedes while drunk. He walked away as most people do from Mercedes crashes.

Another Crash

We heard of another terrible Mercedes crash, a head on between a E320 and a KIA at a closing speed of 150 mph or so. The driver of the Mercedes climbed out with minor injuries. The people in the KIA, well, you know what KIA stands for.

George

I'm sure getting tired of reporting on the loss of friends. George Olmsted died at his computer June 19th. He was an airline pilot with quite a history, an aerobatic pilot, a combat pilot. He survived plane crashes and bullet wounds to die peacefully but way too soon at 46. He had just met and married the love of his life, Valerie. I met him first at Gunsite at the Special Pistol Course, (499), back in 1985. The Redhead and I had stayed with them last September, and I stayed with them again when I went to the SASS Nationals in February. George was an America West instructor pilot. When the latest America West fiasco hit the news I wanted to e-mail him for his wickedly acidic comments. But I no longer have his address.

Truth in Advertising

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE-seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping, and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours.

Call xxx-xxxx and ask for "Daisy."

Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Local Humane Society about an eight-week-old black LABRADOR retriever.

PETS AND SLEEP

A study showed people with pets got less sleep than people without pets. I can't understand that. What could pets possibly have to do with how much sleep you get?

Well, first of all, at 10 PM I'm usually a pumpkin, having slept through the ending of Law and Order. But Browning, our dangerous 8 lb. Miniature Pinscher, needs to be walked. The Redhead is fast asleep. That puts me trying to get sleepy again between 10:30 and 11 PM. Usually I'll turn the light out before 11. Then Emerald, the shaded silver Persian, will scratch to get in the bedroom at about 11:05 PM, waking me. The Redhead is fast asleep. I'll get up and let her in. This disturbs Browning who will crawl out from under the covers and curl up on my pillow while I'm up. I come back and move Browning. He spends 10 minutes finding a good spot between the bedspread and top sheet, turning around and around when he finds it (houndwounding) then goes plop against my legs and begins licking his feet. (Sleeping under the covers and licking their feet is a characteristic of Miniature Pinschers.) He will continue this until I wake up enough to tap him and say, "no" three times. He will settle down long enough for me to fall asleep. The Redhead is fast asleep.

Then he will decide I've disturbed him by causing him to stop licking his feet, and he will get up and go to his dog bed, waking me. I'll fall back asleep. The Redhead is fast asleep.

Then a loud, frightening, mournful sound like a lonely lion will shake the house, rattling the windows. Twice it's been loud enough to set off the motion sensor. It is Merlin, the white Persian. I've never figured out what he is calling for. He will do it for about five minutes, waking me, upping my heartbeat to about 150 per minute and making me think for a split second I'm back in the jungle. It'll take a while to get back to sleep. The Redhead is fast asleep.

Then all is quiet for at least 2 hours. Then one of the animals will get hungry and go into the bathroom and eat dry food noisily for fifteen minutes to two hours. The Redhead is fast asleep.

Then when things quiet down Bear, the alpha male cat, a blue Persian, will come down off his headboard perch and begin purring loudly in my ear and licking my hair. He will do this for half an hour or so. The Redhead is fast asleep.

When he stops Merlin will jump down onto my pillow and begin purring and kneading, finally curling up on my head, purring loudly until the TV comes on at 0530. He seems quite vexed that I don't jump up immediately when the TV comes on. After all, it's time to get up.

The Redhead, who sleeps wearing earplugs, sleeps soundly from 9 till 5:30. Pets don't' cause people to lose sleep. Just ask her. She'll tell you.

Curt Rich July 2002

Stuff that wouldn't fit in the snailmailed Newsletter and links:

What's a Military Family Worth? by Rush Limbaugh, June 25, 2002

I think the vast differences in compensation between the victims of the September 11th casualty, and those who die serving the country in uniform, are profound.

No one is really talking about it either because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11th.

Well, I just can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country.

If you lost a family member in the September 11th attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.

If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct deathbenefit, half of which is taxable.

Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry.

And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18.

When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people that are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough.

We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11th families are getting.

In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.

You see where this is going, don't you?

Folks, this is part and parcel of over fifty years of entitlement politics in this country.

It's just really sad.

Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."-Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.

Every time when a pay raise comes up for the military they usually receive next to nothing of a raise.

Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low rent housing.

However our own U.S. Congress just voted themselves a raise, and many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress onetime to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month and most are now equal to be millionaires plus.

They also do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system.

If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7 you may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed you in harms way receive a pension of $15,000 per month.

I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting

When do we finally do something about this ??

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (As modified by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals)

I Pledge (if I am emotionally so inclined, but otherwise make no commitment whatsoever) Allegiance (or if not, at least a passing interest in) to the Cloth Symbol (known by most but not necessarily myself as "The Flag") of the loosely associated group of governmental regulatory bodies known as The United States of America (which may also be referred to as a group of ethnically diversified persons living in the same place at the same time) and to the Republic (please refer to the aforementioned disclaimer regarding the USA) for which it stands, one nation (please refer to the aforementioned disclaimer regarding the USA), under (or maybe even over) an unspecified deity (or not if you so choose so as not to possibly offend any member of the ethnically diversified group herein assembled to recite or not to recite this statement of allegiance or interest depending on the mood of the moment) indivisible (or invisible or visible or whatever) with Liberty (because you have to have liberty even if there is no commitment or responsibility whatsoever) and Justice (whatever you may define that to be) for All (and by "all" we may mean just one lousy individual who wants to, with the help of his A.C.L.U. court appointed attorney, ruin everything for everybody else.

2003 ML500 OPTIONS

Colors:

Std:

040-Black

960-Alabaster White

Metallic Colors

189-Black Opal

359-Capri Blue

345-Orion Blue (Special Order Charge)

567-Bordeaux Red

693-Desert Silver

744-Brilliant Silver

816-Everest Green

Designo Edition Colors:

247-Designo Mystic Green

486-Designo Cognac

Interiors:

261-Charcoal Leather

264-Java Leather

268-Ash Leather

Option Packages:

103-Convenience Package

(Power Folding Mirrors, Memory Power Seats)

105-Sunroof Package

(Sunroof, pop-out rear quarter windows)

152-3rd row leather seat

168-Bose Sound with 6 disc CD changer

172-Xenon headlamps with headlamp washers

772-Sport Package

Designo Editions:

198-Designo Cognac Edition

199-Designo Mystic Green Edition

206-Designo Pearl Edition

207-Designo Savana Edition

208-Designo Sable Edition

Individual options:

220-Parktronic

Rememberences of the Return of the Vietnam POWs

When I was a boy, my dad was a doctor in the Air Force. (As they explained to him "deferment" means NOW we want you.) He was stationed at Travis AFB in California.

In one of those powerful childhood memories, I recall standing on the tarmac with my dad as C5s landed and unloaded "those skinny men" in the summer of 73. At the time, I didn't understood why it was important for me to be there or why my dad stood saluting and tears ran down his face. And the men kept coming and coming. Some limped and some wore bandages and they did their best to salute the Majors and Colonels who stood at attention. Somehow, I contained my fidgits. I saluted most of the time and smiled back at the few who looked at me at all. When the last man had passed, steel cases were unloaded from the planes. We stayed for a while, but dad had to get to the hospital. There were still cases unloading when we left.

Now I can't recall this moment without tears gathering in my eyes. My dad won't talk about treating those men. The wounds of war touch all. The honor of those men still humbles me.