RE: US 20--IOWA-NEBRASKA
Certainly one of my favorite drives. I can think of many great things to say about this route and NO negatives. If you have the time and want a relaxing drive, this is it. Enjoy.
RE: snowmobile Yellowstone in the winter
Wolves and wolf reintroduction are continuing problems for everyone living in the contiguous states around Yellowstone. None of the "scientific" projections that were proposed by the pro-wolf people back in the 80's anticipated the degree of increase in population and the predation this misguided reintroduction has cost the economies and balance of nature in this area. The pro-wolf biologists were simply wrong about the effects of reintroduction.
Tourists were flocking to Yellowstone long before the wolf was reintroduced so the argument that "sighting wolves" has increased visitation to Yellowstone simply does not hold. Considering what the predators have done to the vast elk herds in the area whatever small benefit the wolf brings is offset by the damage they cause.
The argument that we need to stop hunting wolves in the area because collared "research" wolves are being shot is simply silly. Wolves have been "studied" to death in the last 30 years and every meaningful thing necessary to know about them and their habits is known. The fact that some graduate student in biology "needs" this information for some Phd dissertation or because some university is getting federal funding for wolf research does not mitigate the need to control these predators.
The simply facts are that the pro-wolf people were wrong in reintroducing these things the cost and the damage as well as the controversy is not worth the "value" that wolves bring to the area.
RE: Stability on the interstate
Pick carefully, wind and wind push have been a problem for me since day one with my pusher and it is so serious, particularly out here in the West that I am just about spooked to the point of selling the thing--I don't enjoy driving the thing. I'm not sure that MH's are "easier" as you age--given my experience, the older I get the more constant fear of driving my unit in the wind becomes. I know it is kind of like the luck of the draw and before I bought a coach, I would make sure to test drive the thing on a very windy day and on a interstate with lots of semi's. I'm not kidding--if you are serious about a unit try to test it out in a serious cross wind.
RE: stupid adults bring up stupid kids
I don't think reading had anything to do with it and the fact that these appear and sound like a group of foreign young tourists who's only experience with wild animals are with zoos and National Geographic kinds of videos. Looks to me like a small group of kids broke away from what ever guides were present and decided that getting up close and personal with a buffalo was just par for the course in Yellowstone. Obviously adults were present, you can hear them discussing the situation but I'm betting they weren't responsible for this group of kids. Yes it is stupid but, hell parents buy cell phones for their kids and let them text while driving and that is more dangerous than walking up to a buffalo. If we want to get into a discussion about how stupid parents can be, let's start talking about television programming and somewhere late in the night we'll get to "kids and Yellowstone".
RE: stupid adults bring up stupid kids
I believe this isn't a matter of bad parenting as much as bad guiding. Look and listen carefully to this video and it is obvious that these kids are not American--they come from a different culture, probably very urban, with little exposure to wild animals in a natural setting. I watched this over and over and I also see these tour groups come thru this area on their way to Yellowstone and know they aren't at all familiar with dangers of approaching a wild animal. It is just too convenient to blame parents and I'm betting that there were no parents present anywhere close to this place--I'm also betting there is tour guide that is sweating bullets over allowing these kids to endanger themselves.
RE: RV type and Aging
Don't you can generalize about the type of RV and difficulty with aging operators as much as you can generalize about age itself. At some point, which varies from individual to individual, whatever you have is difficult I suspect. I have much more difficulty operating my Class A now than when I bought it--it is harder for me to drive, much harder as my reflexes and eyes have lost some sharpness. I do wonder if handling a pickup pulling a fiver would be easier but hesitate to make the change.
RE: Smoke in Oregon and Idaho
We were at Redfish the first of August and it was pretty hazy from the Halstead fire which is indeed huge.
This has been a terribly smokey summer here probably the worst that I remember and normally that doesn't bother me but I do believe this summer it has--don't know whether it is psychological or just physical but I can feel it. Probably a good time to avoid that area up around Stanley. Might be better next month as we are finally getting some rain.
RE: Have you ever?
You mean like fifteen different screw drivers or crescent wrenches? Yes, just about every time a go into a big box lumber store and see one with a different handle, length, a ratchet device, etc.
RE: Please offer your unbiased opinion-Moving cross country
You couldn't pay me enough to move to Alaska, by the way, do you have any concept of what a gallon of gas or heating fuel costs in Alaska; or even a box of cheerios?
Have any idea what a rancher could get for a side of beef in Alaska?
RE: Please offer your unbiased opinion-Moving cross country
I guess my response is to point out the obvious--someone, 135 or so years ago gave up a "family heritage" somewhere else to create the farm you now live on. What was the consequence of that release of a heritage? Why to give you and your predecessors a decent lifestyle.
Now it is time for you to initiate a new heritage for someone to fret over in 2250! I say, "Follow your dreams!", it is the things we don't do that often create the most regrets in our lives.
RE: Geo method
Save your money and the environment and make a one time pop for 20 bucks, keep plenty of water in the black tank and you have an odorless tank that dumps completely.
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40595-Cyclone-Sewer-Plumbing/dp/B003P64XU4
RE: Traveling Montana
We just left there and are now in Idaho. The song that came to my mind was "America the Beautiful" the purple mountains majesty!! So awesome!!
Can't do much better than that!
RE: Car & Truck insurance went up 70%
"I personally think it's absolutely ridiculous that a credit score can be used to determine auto insurance rates. Let's face it, a person with great credit can be a horrible driver, and a person with horrible credit can be a great driver. Statistics can be spun any way wanted to "prove" a correlation. So the insurance companies believe there is a connection between poor credit and high claims - you could probably determine that the majority of these people also worked M-F between 6am and 6pm."
If you're "personally" of that opinion then you must support your claim--what evidence to you have there is NO "correlation" between credit and loss ratio? Of course a person with great credit can be a bad driver and vice versa but we aren't talking about one person but the averages of millions of people with millions of credit ratings and millions driving records and if there is a statistical significance between credit and driving record (and there is) for those millions of drivers it should be used to set rates so those with good driving records and credit scores and all the other factors can get the best rate possible and those with less sterling records pay a higher premium that they have earned.
You have the right to be skeptical but you also have the responsibility to back up your claim with evidence and I will tell you that the "correlation" between credit and loss experience is a solid one because very active consumer groups fought this use of credit from day one and they never convinced anyone that the actuaries were wrong on this use of credit for underwriting.
Credit Score and Insurance Rates
Yes and from your citation this:
"It might seem that credit scores would have nothing to do with insurance. But insurers have found a strong correlation between credit scores and claims: People with low scores are a lot more likely to file insurance claims than people with high scores.
In 2004, the Texas Department of Insurance conducted its own study to see whether this was true. After studying the claims records of two million insurance policies, the insurance department found "the difference in claims experience by credit score was substantial," according to the regulator's report. The 10% of policyholders with the worst credit scores were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to file a claim than the 10% of policyholders with the best credit scores, for both auto and homeowners insurance. They also found that drivers with the best credit scores are involved in about 40% fewer accidents than those with the worst credit scores."
Read more: http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/ask/archive/2009/q0813.htm#ixzz24s8ei0UK
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Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/ask/archive/2009/q0813.htm#5ywmfMvSR4IUPkBg.99
RE: Camper removed by SWAT team at Wal-Mart
"...this includes the more than 50% of the homeless that are US military veterans abandoned by their country."
THIS is a grand exaggeration--50% of the homeless in America ARE NOT veterans and most of the veterans that ARE homeless are homeless because of post service substance abuse and darned little of that substance abuse has to do with their experience in the military.
Advocates for the homeless have thrown this canard around for years--using the alleged "homeless" and "abandoned" (by whom?) "veteran" as a attempt to wring more money out of the taxpayer for the homeless.
I won't argue that too many people are incarcerated in prisons in America but much of that has to do with lawless attitudes in some populations in the country. Perhaps a solution would be for outraged people like yourself to form communities of the outraged that would take these CONVICTED criminals from the justice system and provide understanding, comfort, education, and training while, of course, guaranteeing that these criminals would stay within your control until rehabilitated--all, of course, without the use of high walls, steel cells, and nasty guards. How's about it?
RE: Car & Truck insurance went up 70%
"I personally think it's absolutely ridiculous that a credit score can be used to determine auto insurance rates. Let's face it, a person with great credit can be a horrible driver, and a person with horrible credit can be a great driver. Statistics can be spun any way wanted to "prove" a correlation. So the insurance companies believe there is a connection between poor credit and high claims - you could probably determine that the majority of these people also worked M-F between 6am and 6pm."
If you're "personally" of that opinion then you must support your claim--what evidence to you have there is NO "correlation" between credit and loss ratio? Of course a person with great credit can be a bad driver and vice versa but we aren't talking about one person but the averages of millions of people with millions of credit ratings and millions driving records and if there is a statistical significance between credit and driving record (and there is) for those millions of drivers it should be used to set rates so those with good driving records and credit scores and all the other factors can get the best rate possible and those with less sterling records pay a higher premium that they have earned.
You have the right to be skeptical but you also have the responsibility to back up your claim with evidence and I will tell you that the "correlation" between credit and loss experience is a solid one because very active consumer groups fought this use of credit from day one and they never convinced anyone that the actuaries were wrong on this use of credit for underwriting.
RE: Any law enforcement care to comment?
I might call my wife and suggest that if she was in the act of shoplifting that it might be a great time to reshelf the stuff. Other than that, what can we deduce from five police cars in front of Walmart? Multiple shoplifters? A medical emergency? Lost child? Nothing really.
I guess my advice would be to marry someone smart enough to handle dicey situations with some common sense. I don't see much hope for someone who has to get directions from a spouse that isn't even in the situation--natural selection does and probably should apply. I think the last thing my DW would even think about in store robbery or shooting (the emergency your post implies) is to call me and ask for advice--I would hope she would be ducking and weaving, making like a shepherd and getting the flock out of there!
This whole idea of "situational awareness" is just creepy--I don't even want to think about it--I want to just keep on toddering around WalMart, looking for bargains, running into old friends and clients, exercising my mind by picking what I think is going to be the fastest check out lane (really a skill, somewhat akin to golf in which you are never perfect but can lower your handicap with practice)instead of shivering about "what might happen".
The only time I want to practice "situational awareness" is when I pull off the wrong exit in some big city, wherein the above reference to a "shepherd" is probably the best strategy.
RE: Auto Insurance online quotes
Yep, anytime you make a partial payment of the six month premium a "payment fee" is added. There is always a problem with online quotes because they are often based on limited information. An Allstate agent can probably give a bit more accurate quote because they know the individual rating territory, driving habits, driving records, cars, a bit more intimately. If the agent, having checked all the information says they can save you money over an online quote, they are probably correct.
You don't have to worry about the "Good Hands" folks--they are good people for the most part--I have a unique and intimate insight into that particular company. I think most Allstaters are pretty professional--always a bad apple or two but for the most part....
RE: Car & Truck insurance went up 70%
Wow, I have never heard that credit rating is a factor in car insurance rates. My driving record, as far as I know, is the only thing considered in calculating my rate (and also if someone has been canceled and tries to get insurance, it will be more difficult and more expensive).
I've been with Geico for a long time, I have found their rates to be very competitive and when I was in an accident their concierge service was great. I had no problems with getting a rental car, filing claims, etc.
Credit rating as a factor in underwriting new auto and homeowners policies has been used for about fifteen years by most major carriers. It was an absolute boon for credit reporting companies who have made many fortunes selling reports on applicants.
However, the creators of the use of credit have the statistics that show that people with bad credit are significantly higher risks for accidents and questionable claims--especially in the areas of homeowner theft and B.I. claims. The use of credit as an underwriting factor even is a more reliable predictor of loss than tickets and prior accidents--according to studies I have read.
However, it is rarely used to raise rates for long time insureds at renewal and I doubt, if your loss history is as stated, that that is the reason your company raised rates. I would immediately get in touch with a senior supervisor in company service OR a senior underwriter with the company and ask some hard questions.
My insurance rate didn't go up. I did have an accident but they did not increase my rate even at renewal.
I would think that if they are using credit score to determine insurance rates this should be disclosed, especially for people who are declined. I have never had any indication from my insurance company that my credit score went into my rate calculation. Whether or not it is a reliable predictor is moot and I don't argue the logic - BUT if this is the case they should be telling their clients this and I was never informed of it in all my years of having auto insurance if they do in fact do this. My credit score is average so I don't think it would affect me one way or the other, but I think it shady if they are not telling people they use this as part of their rate criteria.
Rarely is a credit rating used for "renewal" rating, however, if there is an identifiable "trend" with a particular customer toward the negative, i.e. increased losses, then the insurer MAY apply rate increases using, among other things, credit score. Doesn't happen often because most renewal business, even with an occasional loss, is more profitable than new business for insurance companies. Most of the time your credit score only comes into play when you apply for a policy with a new insurer.
That is why I think the OP was given the run around by the person he talked to with his own company and why I advised him to investigate what he was told further by going to higher ups in the insurance company food chain. Long time customers usually get the benefit of the doubt, especially when there have been no losses and despite what some of the posters here believe, there is a "loyalty factor" that applies to long time insureds and it starts with the agent and goes right up to higher management. If you have been with a company a long time your business is appreciated and the company will try to give you a fair hearing for most reasonable requests. Consumers often choose to simply quit and walk away when a few persistent phone inquiries to the right people will resolve the issue to their satisfaction.
RE: Car & Truck insurance went up 70%
Just because a person may have some debt, doesn`t mean they will destroy their stuff just to get paid by the insurance co. all that a credit rating is to the insurance co. is a reason to charge even more than what they are already charging. and that is already too much!
You are correct not ALL people with bad credit destroy their stuff or have accidents but, according to statistics gathered over many years, people with bad credit DO have more accidents and more questionable homeowner losses ON AVERAGE than people with good credit rating. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure that out--in many, many cases bad credit is caused by bad judgment and carelessness--the same kind of personal character traits that create casualty losses. Note here: I am not talking about ALL people with bad credit and I am not talking about those that have lost their good ratings because of health issues and/or loss of a job, etc. I am taking about those who, over a long period of time are simply reckless with their spending and borrowing. You know who I am talking about.
RE: Car & Truck insurance went up 70%
This is why the insurance companies need to be regulated! when you can raise rates because of credit ratings there is a problem.
All states regulate insurance companies. Why do believe that rates should NOT be raised because of bad credit ratings? Do you know something about credit and loss ratios that the insurance companies don't know--especially since having a good credit history saves you money on your insurance premiums?
