jdreyer wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 14:11:
They require all that stuff for vehicles in TX? That doesn't sound right. What about freedom?

Freedom is only for corporations. If you are an average person, you're going to get absolutely fucked. For example, last year my auto insurance went up by $500 per annum. I called and asked why. The lady was super apologetic and said "Even though you've been with us for decades and never had an at fault claim, you live in Texas. We have to process so many claims from there. It's not you, Mr. Burrito, it's the other drivers". Then, because counties don't want to lose tax revenue (because taxing corporations in this state is the equivalent of crucifying white Republican Jesus), the counties upped the value of everyone's home to get around Abbott's proposed home tax cap.

Prez, I lived a similar experience. Was driving the family Ford 8N at 10 and when I was 12 or so, my mom would send me to the local market for milk, eggs, flour, sugar, or whatever else she needed. Sometimes I'd take the tractor, sometimes I'd take the old farm truck if my dad wasn't using it. Sometimes I'd even go in to the store with the Ruger .22 I would have on my hip for snakes. I'd totally forget it was there as I was so accustomed to it. Nobody batted an eye. To this day, sometimes you'll see someone in overalls with a gun belt on in Tractor Supply because they just need something real quick.

jdreyer wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 14:11:

Burrito of Peace wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 12:39:

Ha! I mean, yeah, that is a possibility. But, at least here, it's mostly "Got too many DUIs and can no longer legally operate a motor vehicle" or "Too broke to afford a car, registrations, insurance, inspection, taxes, gas, and maintenance. "

They require all that stuff for vehicles in TX? That doesn't sound right. What about freedom?

You laugh but in Tennessee, pretty much every one of my coworkers who didn't grow up in the inner city was driving by the time they were 12. It wasn't on anything close to a major road on which they were driving, but that shocked me when I first learned it.

Burrito of Peace wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 12:39:

Ha! I mean, yeah, that is a possibility. But, at least here, it's mostly "Got too many DUIs and can no longer legally operate a motor vehicle" or "Too broke to afford a car, registrations, insurance, inspection, taxes, gas, and maintenance. "

They require all that stuff for vehicles in TX? That doesn't sound right. What about freedom?

The Flying Penguin wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 11:38:
Walt is confused.

That's actually what the C stands for in WaltC

Though I did once see a dude just absolutely hammered driving a riding lawn mower to the local convenience store and on my way back, he was returning with two cases of beer strapped to the to the hood. I laughed so hard at that.

I would have loved to see that myself! That is what I picture in my head when someone asks me what it really means to be an American! 😀

Prez wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 12:22:
If illicit substances are involved, I am pretty sure that not even they themselves know why they are doing it. 😁

Ha! I mean, yeah, that is a possibility. But, at least here, it's mostly "Got too many DUIs and can no longer legally operate a motor vehicle" or "Too broke to afford a car, registrations, insurance, inspection, taxes, gas, and maintenance. "

Though I did once see a dude just absolutely hammered driving a riding lawn mower to the local convenience store and on my way back, he was returning with two cases of beer strapped to the to the hood. I laughed so hard at that.

Burrito of Peace wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 09:44:

Prez wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 09:22:
Where did you drive it? Just curious because in Florida it seems that they are driven everywhere but on lawns. I don't know if it's the same in Texas.

On my lawn and down the street for a bit.

The only time you see someone seriously driving a riding lawn mower for personal transportation, you pretty much know why they are doing it.

If illicit substances are involved, I am pretty sure that not even they themselves know why they are doing it. 😁

Walt is confused. Musk himself made the robotaxi announcement on X and stated an unveiling date of August 8th. From the Musk's own mouth: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1776351450542768368

What Musk recently denied, concerning a Reuters story, was that internal documents and Tesla insiders say that Tesla is abandoning plans for a $20k electric car.

Being that Reuters is an international news organization, widely recognized for it's lack of bias, and Musk likes to talk out of his ass, and Tesla's PR department has neither confirmed or denied when asked for comment, I'm betting Reuters knows what they're talking about on that one.

Prez wrote on Apr 7, 2024, 09:22:
Where did you drive it? Just curious because in Florida it seems that they are driven everywhere but on lawns. I don't know if it's the same in Texas.

On my lawn and down the street for a bit.

The only time you see someone seriously driving a riding lawn mower for personal transportation, you pretty much know why they are doing it.

Burrito of Peace wrote on Apr 6, 2024, 23:42:

Prez wrote on Apr 6, 2024, 21:31:
Old sensible boring guy alert: you should ALWAYS buckle up. ALWAYS.

Psssshaw. I drove my riding lawn mower today and didn't buckle up.

Where did you drive it? Just curious because in Florida it seems that they are driven everywhere but on lawns. I don't know if it's the same in Texas.

WaltSee wrote on Apr 6, 2024, 14:25:
Musk has rebutted this story--at least, the Reuters version of it...;) Ah, Roto-Reuters....!

WaltC, which, in your mind, has been more factual more frequently?

Where did you drive it? Just curious because in Florida it seems that they are driven everywhere but on lawns.

It's so simple.
Electronic circuits and sensors in a car with autopiloting, may suffer extremes of temperature, humidity, shocks (potholes, bumps, etc), dust and whatnot, so deteriorating over time.

They don't get a serious service like an airplane.
Eventually, the precautions against accidents will fail.

They aren't sufficiently reliable at brand new peak efficiency.
Give them time to get shabby and ...

Don't bet your life on them.

Prez wrote on Apr 6, 2024, 21:31:
Old sensible boring guy alert: you should ALWAYS buckle up. ALWAYS.

Psssshaw. I drove my riding lawn mower today and didn't buckle up.

Old sensible boring guy alert: you should ALWAYS buckle up. ALWAYS.

NKD wrote on Apr 6, 2024, 19:46:
Well I don't have any children for them to run over so there's that I guess.

What part of Innocent People Have To Die in the pursuit of self-driving automobiles don't you understand.
Get to procreating.

Well I don't have any children for them to run over so there's that I guess.

Musk has rebutted this story--at least, the Reuters version of it...;) Ah, Roto-Reuters....!