Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[Jeff Buchanan]

Just wait, Liney ........if you're listening to the naysayers, gas prices are going to go through the roof. Most rational analysts and posters here have mentioned that there are too many variable affecting the price of gas at the pump, from extractions, to how will company's involved in supplying refined petroleum products react to the tariffs (switch to other suppliers beside Mexico or Canada, eat the cost of tariffs), to refining, to supplying large distribution centers in the US, to bringing the refined product to gas stations from there, to predict major price increases of gas.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Those howling Marxists at the Farm Bureau are unhappy, unpatriotically expressing dismay over the new tariffs. Expect many of those billions raised through the Trump Taxes to go right out the door to bail these people out.

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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall today expressed alarm about potential harm to farmers resulting from the order signed by President Trump imposing stiff tariffs on the United States’ top three agricultural markets by value. An economic emergency was declared to put duties of 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, with limited exceptions, as well as 10% on all imports from China. Canada and Mexico both announced they would impose retaliatory measures.

“Farm Bureau members support the goals of security and ensuring fair trade with our North American neighbors and China, but, unfortunately, we know from experience that farmers and rural communities will bear the brunt of retaliation. Harmful effects of retaliation to farmers ripple through the rest of the rural economy.

“In addition, over 80% of the United States’ supply of a key fertilizer ingredient — potash — comes from Canada. Tariffs that increase fertilizer prices threaten to deliver another blow to the finances of farm families already grappling with inflation and high supply costs.

“Farm and ranch families answer the call to feed America’s families and the world, and these tariffs and the promised retaliation will put further stress on their livelihoods. More than 20% of U.S. farm income comes from exports, which are dominated by these three markets. Just last year the U.S. exported over $30 billion in agricultural products to Mexico, $29 billion to Canada and $26 billion to China – our top three markets and nearly half of all exports by value combined.

“The uncertainty hits just as operating loans are being secured and spring planting approaches, leaving farmers in a tough spot. We look forward to working with President Trump to position our farmers for success while also ensuring American strength and leadership on the international stage.”

AFBF: New Tariffs Will Impact America’s Farmers | News Release | American Farm Bureau Federation

[Mike]

New info this morning about the DC plane crash indicates that the control tower data showed that the helo WAS at 200 feet which is about 150 feet off from its actual elevation. They don't have the black box from the Blackhawk yet but I wonder if the onboard controls were wacky also. It still just seems like a terrible area to be conducting those exercises in the first place.

[Dr. Strangelove]

New info this morning about the DC plane crash indicates that the control tower data showed that the helo WAS at 200 feet which is about 150 feet off from its actual elevation. They don't have the black box from the Blackhawk yet but I wonder if the onboard controls were wacky also. It still just seems like a terrible area to be conducting those exercises in the first place.

So it's possible this will turn out to be some sort of mechanical/computer problem?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Thomas Sowell and Milton Friedman: communist stooges

[Mike]

So it's possible this will turn out to be some sort of mechanical/computer problem?

Possibly. It just seemed like an important new piece of information. It would serve to exonerate (or at least greatly diminish) the role of the air traffic controller if the info he was getting indicated the helicopter was flying within parameters. No idea what was going on in the Blackhawk, though. Seems odd that their altimeter would be that off.