Ready for some "Coaling"

[Rob Hall]

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to make this about Left vs. Right ideology. I AM saying that people who simply want to be nasty and abusive to other people are trying to use political ideology as an excuse to be nasty and abusive.

That's true... there are definitely politically motivated people in the 'coaling community', though. I have no problem with people legitimately using diesel trucks for work or pleasure, but these jerks that are intentionally polluting and harrassing people, that's a problem...

[Ace-Garageguy]

It says a lot when you look at who these tough guys target for coal-rolling: women and children walking on the street, minivans carrying children, elderly people driving Priuses; all people they think can't (or won't) fight back. They love to talk about Liberals being weak, while choosing safe targets and then running like stone-less wonders.

Then people who use diesel vehicles for actually doing work have to deal with the societal fallout from these fools' activities (like the person earlier in the thread who got pulled over by a cop looking for a coal-roller).

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to make this about Left vs. Right ideology. I AM saying that people who simply want to be nasty and abusive to other people are trying to use political ideology as an excuse to be nasty and abusive.

I'm really happy to see someone who gets it, the truth of the situation, and spells it out in plain English.

[Danny Lectro]

That's true... there are definitely politically motivated people in the 'coaling community', though. I have no problem with people legitimately using diesel trucks for work or pleasure, but these jerks that are intentionally polluting and harrassing people, that's a problem...

I'm not anti-diesel at all. Also, the apologists may be right in saying that the coal-rolling has a minimal environmental impact, since the soot just drifts down to the ground. However, these fools are using the soot to, essentially, assault other people. Kids are getting stuck breathing in the soot before it has a time to drift to the ground. Other drivers are being left unable to see through their windshields, possibly leading to accidents. Such behavior is not exactly indicative of an individual taking personal responsibility.

[Danny Lectro]

I'm really happy to see someone who gets it, the truth of the situation, and spells it out in plain English.

Hey, I admit to personally having a pretty strong association with a political ideology, and I admit to thinking that parts of the opposing ideology's platform are just plain wrong. However, I AM capable of seeing when a jerk is a jerk, and I do my best not to judge an entire group of people by their worst examples.

[Harry P.]

Hey, I admit to personally having a pretty strong association with a political ideology, and I admit to thinking that parts of the opposing ideology's platform are just plain wrong.

That's true of everyone who has strong opinions one way or the other. Obviously if a person strongly believes in something, then by definition they think that those people who see things differently must obviously be wrong.

[Danny Lectro]

That's true of everyone who has strong opinions one way or the other. Obviously if a person strongly believes in something, then by definition they think that those people who see things differently must obviously be wrong.

Ummm... obviously.

I notice you focused on semantics, instead of the main gist of my statement:

...I do my best not to judge an entire group of people by their worst examples.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Danny Lectro

[Harry P.]

Ummm... obviously.

You said "I admit to thinking that parts of the opposing ideology's platform are just plain wrong"... as if you were admitting some sort of secret or something unique to you. At least that's how I read it.

[Danny Lectro]

You said "I admit to thinking that parts of the opposing ideology's platform are just plain wrong"... as if you were admitting some sort of secret or something. At least that's how I read it.

I made that statement because it's a "thing" lately to claim, "I'm not partisan," or, "Both of the parties are out to screw us," while the rest of their discourse is devoted to blaming only one particular political ideology for all of their problems.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Danny Lectro

[Harry P.]

I made that statement because it's a "thing" lately to claim, "I'm not partisan," or, "Both of the parties are out to screw us," while the rest of their discourse is devoted to blaming only one particular political ideology for all of their problems.

I see what you mean.

Of course, we are all partisan. I have yet to meet a person who has no political opinions.

[Danny Lectro]

Of course, we are all partisan. I have yet to meet a person who has no political opinions.

Which would, of course, explain why the "no politics" rule here is not equally applied.

[Harry P.]

Which would, of course, explain why the "no politics" rule here is not equally applied.

It's as equally applied as I can apply it. Remember, I don't see every post, every time. The best I can do is deal with blatantly political posts when I see them (or when someone sends a report).

If you think you can do better, PM Gregg and tell him you want to be a moderator.

[Modelmartin]

I have yet to meet a person who has no political opinions.

Really? There are a ton of ignorant people out there who are incapable of having anything even remotely resembling an informed or even a half-assed opinion. That is part of the problem. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything!

[Harry P.]

Really? There are a ton of ignorant people out there who are incapable of having anything even remotely resembling an informed or even a half-assed opinion. That is part of the problem. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything!

The worst people are ignorant people with strong opinions. Remember... I never said anything about an informed opinion... just an opinion. Everyone has opinions, even though, like you say, many times their opinion isn't based on critical thinking or even knowledge of the issue at all, but generally on emotion... or worse yet, what "everyone else" thinks.

[Ace-Garageguy]

The worst people are ignorant people with strong opinions. Remember... I never said anything about an informed opinion... just an opinion. Everyone has opinions, even though, like you say, many times their opinion isn't based on critical thinking or even knowledge of the issue at all, but generally on emotion... or worse yet, what "everyone else" thinks.

Yes, I think exactly what Harry thinks on this .

[Harry P.]

Yes, I think exactly what Harry thinks on this .

Of course you do. You're brilliant!

[Joe Handley]

Not surprised that somebody is doing this..........sadly, I'm not exactly upset by it.

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/could-rolling-coal-become-illegal-nj-downside-diesel-123450102.html

[Harry P.]

Not surprised that somebody is doing this..........sadly, I'm not exactly upset by it.

Why not? Why would you give such obnoxious juvenile behavior a pass?

[Joe Handley]

Why not? Why would you give such obnoxious juvenile behavior a pass?

I meant not having an issue with writting a bill to curtail coal rolling.

[Harry P.]

I meant not having an issue with writting a bill to curtail coal rolling.

Oh, ok. Gotcha. But why are you "sadly" not upset?

[Joe Handley]

Oh, ok. Gotcha. But why are you "sadly" not upset?

Usually stuff like that screws over all enthusiasts, hopefully this will be more targeted and have some specifics as to what can be ticketed for. A little black smoke under accelleration isn't bad, but there needs to be something in the law to keep the "I'll know when I see it" enforcement from happening.

[clovis]

I had no idea that it was called "coaling", but it is a common sight around here.

Most of the people who are coaling appear to be:

1. Rich farmer's kids who have plenty of money to blow.

2. Young guys who can claim "my grandpa/uncle got me a job at ____________ (we only have one blue collar employer that still pays stupid amounts of money for a 40 hour work week) and I have money to blow like there is no tomorrow.

3. My dad owns a super successful business, including the truck. The truck and the fuel are tax write offs.

4. Any combination of the above.

I mean really, who has $60,000 for a new Cummins diesel truck? Who has the money for $4 diesel??? Who has the money for $5,000 rims and tires, not to mention the thousands spent on lift kits, pipes, computer chips, and the like???

The majority of the kids that I see driving these $90,000 trucks are twenty-somethings, and young twenty-somethings at that. In fact, I've never seen any 'old guy' driving a vehicle like that. Not once, not ever.

When I was a twenty something, I was proud of myself when I finally achieved the financial ability to pull in a gas station, and full up my tank, and it not crater my bank account. Of course, gas was 1.25 a gallon back then.

Heck, these days, it hurts me to fill up the tank on my Chevy sedan, let alone having the money to blow black smoke for a mile as I tromp on the accelerator.

Edited August 15, 2014 by clovis

[Harry P.]

Heck, these days, it hurts me to fill up the tank on my Chevy sedan, let alone having the money to blow black smoke for a mile as I tromp on the accelerator?

I hear ya! I don't get that "coaling" thing either. As it is, I spend more than enough $$$ gassing up my Mustang. I can't imagine spending even more $$$ just so you can waste fuel!

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't get what's "cool" about having an 8 mpg vehicle, with an engine and chassis designed to actually do WORK, and using it as nothing more than a body-part extension.

Guess I'm just past-it.

'Course, I never really understood the need for a 200 mph street machine, either.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[metalhead]

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger with just over 100k miles on it. Very well maintained and it has a four cylinder in it. I'm 26 and more than happy with it. These twenty something people who drive these monsters that want to make a statement is nothing more than an excuse to make up for the lack of size elsewhere. I'm a very hard working man trying to earn a living and I'm proud of what I have accomplished. That's the only statement I ever needed to make.

[clovis]

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger with just over 100k miles on it. Very well maintained and it has a four cylinder in it. I'm 26 and more than happy with it. These twenty something people who drive these monsters that want to make a statement is nothing more than an excuse to make up for the lack of size elsewhere. I'm a very hard working man trying to earn a living and I'm proud of what I have accomplished. That's the only statement I ever needed to make.

This forum, IMO, seriously needs a 'like' button. I'd hit the like on your post in a hillbilly heartbeat.

If more people were like you (and I), we would live in another world.

I have some neighbors who think that because I drive old, paid for cars, that I can't get credit, or can't afford to buy a new car. These people, I kid you not, live paycheck to paycheck because of their insistence to max out their credit to the nth degree, just so they can be considered 'successful'.

What is funny though...I have chosen not to buy new cars, and this neighbor has been extremely vocal with his opinion about me buying a new car, even though I have never, ever once asked for his opinion, or even brought up cars with him, I have witnessed three repos out of his drive, and there have been numerous times that their primary vehicle is no where to be found or seen, for weeks, and weeks, and weeks at a time.

Keep on doing what you are doing, young man. It will pay off in spades down the road. Every month, and every mile you can eek out of your 2003 is like money in the bank.