Philo Northrup is responsible for giving his Honda Element named Daisy Singer an extreme makeover and in his own words this is what he had to say:
"Daisy Singer is so named because of two objects attached to it. I started to artify this brand new 2004 Honda Element in Marcola, Oregon, with my mentor, Jack DeVore. He had an old SINGER sewing machine treadle and an old DAISY stove door. The names on these iron relics just seemed to fit for some strange reason. Later I found out that Daisy Singer, sewing machine heiress, left her fortune to whoever found her will in a bottle. She tossed this bottle into London's Thames River in 1937, and it washed ashore in San Francisco in 1949 to be found by a very lucky beachcomber named, of course, Jack.
So Daisy Singer it is!
My ambitions with this ArtCar are formal, not thematic, focusing on design & texture. I am creating something antique and curvilinear out of a new shoebox. I am indulging my love of oxidation - the patina of decay. Daisy is an earthy ArtCar, which fits in nicely with the fiery Truck in Flux, and the aquatic Buick of Unconditional Love. Like the Buick of Unconditional Love and the Truck in Flux, this ArtCar features a living garden on the roof.
Daisy has already traveled extensively from Canada to Arizona and I plan to take it on ArtCar tours to schools & hospitals around North America." via
Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup


Daisy Singer Door Panel Close Up

This Art Car Fest video was taken on my first event with my Mercedes Pens Art Car and was featured in it as well. They interviewed artists from all over the US & Canada who gathered for the 2005 ArtCar Fest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the other art cars also featured were: Amethyst, Cinnabar Charm, Temple Bus, Siren, Von Tiki, La Sirena, Science Is Golden, Periodic Table Car, Glass Quilt, Daisy Singer, Truck In Flux, Buick of Unconditional Love, Banana Bike, Sopa Box Derby Coffin and many others. Enjoy

Samonberry is the creator of the Amethyst the Magic Bus who learned his craft at the Old-world school of Gypsy Painters. His art is very true to the original psychedelic art of the 60's and has managed to do a great job of capturing that era. His art includes posters, stickers, fine art, clothing along with this amazing 72 VW bus called Amethyst. I saw Samonberry at my first Art Car Fest in 2005 and was also featured in a video in which he describes how his art car came about.

Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry

Car Engine Does Not Crank Over - Auto Repair Tips
By Dennis Bandy

I remember years ago a customer of mine called because she was stranded at McDonalds. Her car wouldn't start, it wouldn't even crank over. Luckily I was only about five minutes away and was able to drop by to check her car for her. The battery terminals were after-market, the type that has two 7/16" bolts that clamp over the bare cable end. These are a quick easy repair for the battery cable but sometimes they do loosen over time. That was exactly what had happened in this case. I was able to just tighten the terminals where they clamped to the bare cable ends and she was on her way.

A car that doesn't turn over at all, usually has a battery related problem. Many cars are towed to auto repair shops every year due to loose or corroded battery terminals. If the car engine doesn't crank over at all, the first thing to check is the battery and terminal connections. Here's a quick auto repair tip, turn the lights on and try the horn. If the battery is any good at all this will be a quick preliminary check. If there's no horn and no lights, try wiggling the battery connections. I leave the lights on while trying this so I can tell if I'm making a better connection when moving the battery terminals.

Still no luck? A load test with a battery tester is the next step after checking the connections at the battery. Many times a battery will show signs of failure by turning the engine over slowly when it's beginning to fail, this is an early warning to have the battery tested. Unfortunately other times batteries will just fail with no prior warning. Temperature changes can sometimes reveal a problem with a battery that otherwise may go unnoticed. An increase or decrease of temperature will typically send cars in droves to the repair shop or parts stores with sluggishly starting cars. Batteries will need to have a good charge before they can be properly tested. Modern battery testers will indicate if the battery has a sufficient charge to be checked.

Alternators that are not charging properly can cause a car to have similar symptoms. It's always a good idea to check the alternator to make sure the output is within the manufacturer's specifications. The parts store or auto repair shops have the test equipment to check the alternator output for you. They will check the amperage, volts, diode pattern and check to see if the alternator has a draw or short that may be excessively draining the battery.

Starters can draw excessive amps or have an open circuit completely. After checking to make sure a good battery is installed, check the big cable connection at the starter which is the 12v one that comes directly from the battery. Then check at the starter solenoid (the small wire) to see if it is getting power when the ignition is turned to the start position. If power is going to the starter solenoid but the starter is not engaging, more than likely the starter has an open circuit or is binding. Sometimes the starter can be tapped with a hammer while the ignition is in the start position to get the car to start. This is basically to get the car into the shop for starter replacement. I've used this trick many times over the years to keep from having to push the car into my service bay. The starter can also be tested to see if it is creating too much of a draw on the battery. This can happen when the starter begins to to drag or bind and puts too much of a toll on the battery. The amp draw is measured with a battery and electrical system tester to see if it is excessive.

My tips and tricks have been picked up over the years with real hands on experience. Many auto techs don't like to share their techniques, but I've been selling tools since 2005 and it's time to share what I've learned during my time as a Master Automotive Technician. I hope my article helps many people to figure out what's going on with their car and just maybe help prevent them from being stranded.

Battery/Charging System Testers
DenLors Auto Tool Blog

Brenda Warner cuts her hair again and hogs the camera the entire pregame. (At least we won't have to hear about Kurt bagging groceries for 12 hours.)

In a fit of senility, Cardinals fans try to board the Red Line after the game to head to Kitty O'Shea's.

Cardinals 21, Steelers 13.

I have had an issue with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am Stalling when it idles down like at traffic lights. It would start right back up, but as soon as I let off the gas, it would go dead. I asked my Mechanic and he gave me the answer I was looking for--cheap and easy to fix! So if your 2001 or similar body style 4 cylinder Grand Am is Stalling at traffic lights, check this first!

In the front of the engine there is a small Vacuum hose, remember I am no Mechanic. It is rubber and is behind a few small plugs, but directly in the front of the engine. The Vacuum hose gets dry rotted and allows air to escape and makes the gas mix too rich, this will also affect your fuel mileage. The best way to check is to start your car, push on the hose and see if your car tries to stall--BEING CAREFUL OF MOVING PARTS AND FANS! If you are like me and not a Mechanic, don't get too cute. But, to make a long story short, I paid $2.00 for the hose and hooked it up myself, so you know it wasn't too hard. Problem fixed so hope this helps someone else save some money--if you have problems finding this hose, leave me a comment and I will try to elaborate or take a picture.

Beardog Racing and AB Slotsport PRESENTS: THE PINK PERIL

This is a new car released by Beardog racing which is available through ABSlotsport.com and can be seen here as well.

Contact Beardog directly at: beardogracing@comcast.net

THE 1964 S&H PINK STAMPS LOTUS 30.

HISTORY

HISTORY: In January 1964 the Lotus 30 was introduced at the Racing Car Show in London, as a logical extension of Lotus’s Indy car program with Ford. The intention was to build a ford powered sports car to compete in the Can-Am series for unlimited sports cars.

Colin Chapman utilized the famous backbone frame idea that had worked so well in his Lotus Elan. Len Terry designed the car utilizing a one piece glass fiber body and Dave Lazenby directed operations for both the sports car and Indy car programs, and Jim Clark was the designated driver.

But alas even the great talent of Jim Clark could not tame this beast. So Lotus made the type 40, then gave up.

This Lotus 30, was delivered from Lotus Components to John Willment’s Race Shop in component form, it was assembled by the Willment team, and a Ford Advanced Vehicles, Lotus modified 4.7 litre cast iron V8 was installed. The car was the 5th car made of the series two, type Lotus 30. The car is identified as a 30/40 because it was updated to the Lotus 40 specifications.

The first race for this car was May 1st 1965, driven by Brian Muir at Goodwood in the Tourist Trophy FIA International Race for prototypes, painted (as per reference photo) in Willment team colors of red with white stripes running longitudinally down the length of the car. The car was then raced at Mallory Park, Silverstone, Zeltweg, Brands Hatch, Nurnburg and finally on Oct 31st at Riverside California for the Times GP Can-Am race. The car had varying degrees of success but did mange to set several track records. By the time it reached California the car had been fully updated to Lotus 40 configuration.

For the first part of 1966 the car toured the U.S. and Canada as a Ford show car, it now had the familiar chopped tail you see on the model. The car was shipped back to the U.K. and continued to be campaigned in international racing in Willment colors, but managed by CarCraft racing Organization. (Ford Advanced Vehicles).

During 1968 and 69 interest in Group 7 sports cars slowly waned in Europe, so the car was sold in 1969 to Paul Gresham, who obtained sponsorship from Sperry & Hutcheson. The car was now painted in the familiar bright pink because S&H trading stamps were pink in the U.K. instead of green as in America. John Markley was contacted as the driver and the car was entered the U.K.’s National Racing Series.

At this time the car was modernized, modern racing tires were added, the wheels went from 13” to 15”, fender flares were added, and fuel capacity was reduced. This is when ‘The Pink Peril’ started wining races, out of the 18 races it was entered into in 1970 it was the overall winner at 4. It was during 1970 that it was fitted with a new JW 365 bhp Ford engine, still with Tecalemit fuel injection (an option included with this model) and a tuned exhaust sytem.


At the end of 1970 the roll bar hoop was added, and during 1971 still raced in the pink livery, but without S&H sponsorship, it won 3 races out of the 7 entered.

In November of 71 it received it’s final and most powerful engine. Sourced from Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, a 5 litre experimental pushrod motor with Gurney/Weslake Mk IV cylinder heads, and four dual throat Weber 48IDA carburetors was installed, this engine was good for 453 bhp @ 6,000 rpm.

In 1972 Pinkie raced in 6 events for 2 outright wins. The final race of the season was at Mallory Park unfortunately John crashed the car while in 4th position damaging the rear of the car.

After the race at Mallory the car was repaired and in 1978 shipped to the U.S. for resale. It was purchased by Dick Keves, and John Strange and started undergoing restoration in Oregon, and is now in better condition than when it raced under S&H sponsorship.

So to recap, ‘The Pink Peril’ Lotus 30/40 competed in over 50 international races, and has a total of 21 wins, 10 seconds, 5 thirds and 8 lap records.

A more complete history, full specs and far more than you ever wanted to know about this car and other Lotus 30’s is available at: www.lotus30.com

PINK PERIL SPECIFICATIONS:

CHASSIS: Chapman designed steel backbone chassis.

BODY: Len Terry designed Glass-Fibre.

ENGINE: 5 litre Ford pushrod V-8 with 48 IDA Weber Carbs, and Gurney/Weslake heads.

WHEELBASE: 7’ 10 1/2”

TRACK: 4’ 5” (stock Lotus 30)

Oh yeah? Well, I wouldn't want to fuck you either.

January 28: 183 pounds.

I have a real six-pack for the first time in my life.

36 Days.

"...and one thing led to another..."

----------

Few people know this, but Blago was actually an extra in Dawn of the Dead:



"Moneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!"

----------

SLOT MINIAUTO 52 – FEBRUARY

Slot MiniAuto highlighted on the cover of February the new Power Slot Opel GT. It also sets out the final results of the 2008 Car of the Year Awards. This issue also includes an extensive list of all brands new models for this 2009.
In the interior can be found the track test from the Scx Ferrari FXX, the Minardi M01 of Ninco, Porsche 911 Carrera, Jaguar C Type AutoArt, Chevrolet Dekon Monza Carrera, Porsche 936 Spirit, Citroën DS Safari by Hobby Classic, and the first pics of the Flyer's Sunred SR21, the new Williams FW07 Fly Car Model and the next Lola T-298 of Power Slot.
(More information on www.revistasprofesionales.com)


COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

SLOT MINIAUTO 52 - FEBRERO

Slot MiniAuto destaca en la portada del mes de febrero el nuevo Opel GT de Power Slot. También se dan a conocer los resultados finales del Concurso Coche del Año 2008. En este número se publica además un extenso avance de las novedades de todas las marcas para el 2009.
En el interior se puede encontrar las pruebas en pista del Ferrari FXX de Scalextric, Minardi M01 de Ninco, Porsche 911 Carrera, Jaguar C Type de AutoArt, Chevrolet Dekon Monza de Carrera, Porsche 936 de Spirit, Citroën DS Safari de Hobby Classic, y la presentación del Sunred SR21 de Flyer’s y del nuevo Williams FW07 de Fly Car Model y las primeras imágenes del Lola T-298 de Power Slot.
(Más información en www.revistasprofesionales.com)

You have seen plenty of art car pictures but seeing them in action at the 2009 Houston Art Car Parade is something else. Check out this fun art car video and see some of the famous art cars in real life.

Museu da Tecnologia da ULBRA
Originally uploaded by Omar Junior

This is a very cool Corvette Showroom!

http://www.scxworldwide.com/ipb/index.php?showtopic=1232

Ok, this is a serious one... you must vote if you have an opinion. Even if that opinion goes against the other votes on the topic. This is an all-hands-on-deck vote...SCX is trying to make a decision about whether to have the RX42 (15,000 rpm or so) as the standard motor for their analog cars, or the more powerful RX42B (about 19,000 or so) as the standard motor. If you feel that a 15k motor is not competitive enough or if you like the 15k motor in your SCX cars you should vote please at that link.

http://www.scxworldwide.com/ipb/index.php?showtopic=1232

Here is another one of them crazy pimp my Japanese motorcycle jobs.

This is a new one, a truck in Africa is covered in people and goods, and somehow ends up looking very artistic.

Maybe this guy had his license suspended and all he had left was his remote control tank to get around town.

Check out this link to see the results from the Wyoming Valley (Pa.) Slot Car Association's 2-Hour Enduro 1st Anniversary results.

The new SCX Porsche 911 UPS deco will be available soon.

Stopped in at New Wave Coffee for a delicious bowl of carrot and ginger soup and a double espresso this afternoon.



The place with packed. It's the return of Filter without the smoke or the greasy hashbrowns/hair.

And speaking of greasy hair, the espresso the barista pulled for me was stronger than Lou Ferrigno. About 2 minutes after I downed it I felt the caffeine pulsing through my teeth. If Clif could ever figure out how to pack that much jump-juice into one of their shots without making it taste like their current Double Espresso flavor...

----------

January 25th: 185 pounds.

39 Days.

"Dude, you want to compare number-of-women-slept-with?!? I will carpet bomb you!"

With this Skinny VW Bug you never have to worry about parking, because you can always find some space that will work. I am sure you could even park in a motorcycle parking spot if you wanted.

It must be Saturday night by the looks of these guys in their convertible salvage mod. Smoking up a storm,(obviously the cool crowd) they are ready to go cruising. I am so jealous because I am stuck here blogging.

Via

The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing in Germany has a new plan to prevent drunk driving by using this Bug Eyed Bug to saves lives. There is a whole fleet of these crazy bugs cruising public events to raise public awareness and have been very successful in raising awareness about the campaign. Agency: Scholz & Friends Berlin, Germany.

I have seen many hot motorbikes but this Pez Motorcycle is simply a sweet ride.

Its about time someone invented the Motorcycle Time Machine with a flame thrower.

Motorcycle Time Machine at Night


Motorcycle Time Machine in the day time

The Knitted bus from Mexico is covered because they get cold at night.

via

The trailer for "Truth in 24" let's see how long it is before I'm told to remove this...


Well I'm very glad to see that ESPN is producing a documentary (that's what we call "reality TV" these days because "documentary" sounds too educational I guess) about Audi's pursuit of a win in the 24 Hours of LeMans during 2008. In an article I just read in AutoWeek (Jan.26th edition page 38) there's a description of the filming of the documentary, "Truth in 24" and it struck me that it's about damn time that racing got some kind of TV show. We have lots of reality shows with drunken fools and crab fishing Alaskans (BTW, I love Deadliest Catch so no emails please) but nothing to show the real drama that unfolds on the track from race-to-race about sports car racing. Recognizable cars (which are much closer to what you will see on the street...ok not the LMP's), races held at night, in the rain, what's not to like?

BTW, you've got to check out the promo's on the website...http://www.truthin24.com/#/the_story/

The story line, according to AutoWeek is that Audi is no longer the favorite (uh...ok) at LeMans and they're in a heated battle with the attack by Peugeot with the 908HDi. The viewer gets to see the action in the pits and an inside look at the Audi Motorsports efforts during the race using multiple cameras and wireless mics on the pit crew. Well it sure sounds like this has all the makings of an "event" not to be missed and also one to be recorded and played over again doesn't it?

Hopefully this will lead to some sort of modest awakening of the sports-watching-public that there's a really great racing series here.

Truth in 24 airs on ESPN at 8pm on March 20th, the night before the season opening race at Sebring... I know where I'll be that night. Watching ESPN for the first time in years!

On a personal note I read in the article that NFL Films shot the footage which means 2 things, the quality of the photography should be top notch AND... sometime during filming one of the NFL shooters filming either intentionally got in the way of a still shooter or got into a fight with a still shooter. Those NFL Films guys are a pain in the ass (any pro photogs out there that might read this will be nodding as they read this). During a previous career I'd gotten into more than one "discussion" with them on the sidelines.

I will make a note of this which will auto update that day so folks can be reminded to watch ESPN that night.

Dave K
Publisher, Slot Car News

This and other Revell releases are now in the US or soon will be.

85-4892 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 #28 Fred Lorenzen Retail $54.39

08345 NSU TT Bergmeister, ltd Edition Retail $142.29
08346 BMW 320 DRM 1977 "Winkelhock" ltd Edition Retail $142.29
08339 Audi Sport-Quattro SWB-Rallye Ivory Coast '84 "Blomqvist/Cederberg" Retail $57.79
08399 Audi Sport-Quattro SWB Rallye Monte Carlo '85 Rohrl/Geistdorfer Retail $57.79
85-4896 Ferrari 275P Retail $45.39
85-4897 Ferrari 250 GTO LM/64 Retail $45.39

Thanks to REH Distributors for this news!

Blago's Senate trial starts Monday. He's been in the news the last couple of days whining about the fact that he won't get a fair trial.

So?!?

A) It's not a civil trial

B) It's not a criminal trial sooooo...

C) Shut the fuck up about it and wait until the above actually happens to complain about fairness.

You've been using your position as the defender of the state constitution as your own personal lemonade stand and now suddenly you've started reading the fine print?! "And if it means I have to sacrifice myself to a higher cause, for the people of Illinois and for the principle of due process and the right to call witnesses, then so be it," Blagojevich said.

And you're Jesus?

I think Jesus would've been smart enough to file his objections to the evidence by the deadline. You instead when for a jog and whined to the press tailing you.

You constantly cite the "will of the people" who elected you. Trust me. You don't want to the turn the decision over to the people. You won't fair much better with us.

When all of this is written in the books, after however long you drag it out, I hope the sentence you receive after your "fair" trial reflects the pain and suffering you have inflicted on everyone. Those forced to endure your pompous, self-inflated pronouncements and declarations - and hair - on the news every night, instead of being blessed by you just going the fuck away - need to be considered.

Slot Car News will publish a review of the new Sideways Daytona Prototypes soon. Until then enjoy the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona!

Sloting Plus make now rubber front tires low profile. Dimensions are 16,40 mm exterior diameter x 8,5 mm width for 15 mm wheels and superior diameters ...
The reference is 7001 with 4 units in a pack.

I have been trying to add social bookmarks to every post for months now and today I have conquered the beast. I found this great tutorial at  blogger plugins that was easy to read an implement. "They" say this is the thing to add to your blog to generate more traffic so here goes.

You, know...just because you're blind, doesn't mean you get to lollygag.

New from Racer Slot Cars:
RCR47A - Alfa T33/3 - #4 - Buenos Aires 1000kms 1970 - N.Galli/R.Stommelen
RCR47B - Alfa T33/3 - #6 - Buenos Aires 200miles 1970 winner - A.deAdamich / P.Courage

January 21: 186 lbs.

43 days.

"When it gets nasty, get down to biznezz!"

-----------

What's the definition of a good coach?

One who schedules your next rest week over Valentine's Day.

-----------

Lance. Don't look him directly in the eyes. (Credit to Kozak.)

-----------

From the Urban Dictionary
Farticus:

One who farts in a spartan manner. One who farts frequently and shows a cavalier attitude about it. A connoisseur of rectal wind.

Thanks, Newt. I'm having a recital.

On the way soon the "muddy" SCX Hummer H3.

You find yourself in Afghanistan in the middle of a war zone and you have to get back home. All you have is a car with no roof, and your buddy riding shotgun, what do you do at the border crossing?

1. Act normal

2. Don't say anything

3. Pretend there is nothing at all wrong with your car.

4. Show your papers and pray to God.

5. Stay cool

Car with no roof in Afghanistan

I found this VW covered in tubes a long time ago and I thought it would be great for wacky wednesdays. If you can tell me what it is I would appreciate it.

VW art car covered in tubes

What we have here with the Apple Car two very different interpretations. One is a literal view of a car filled with actual apples on the way to the market I assume. The other Apple Car, a fanatic of the Apple Computer who decided to cover his Saturn in Apple Stickers. There is no better way to say "I am a super crazy user fan of the apple computer" than by plastering your car with apple stickers.

Apple car filled with apples

Car covered in apple computer stickers

The Sideways Daytona Prototypes will arrive in stores later this week in the US market.

Tis that moment, just past a night of despair
A newborn breeze - glowing, sweet and delicate
Gift us with assurance to look past the breaker
To shed fear and bias in the absence of light
Be not a hero, a shining knight, or savior
Simple words have always pushed to greater heights

Tis your words that will inspire
A struggle carried on our backs
Gift us with strength and fire
To overcome our tears, to
Be
Free

Get ready because this ride is going to be a bit crazy with the Kool-Aid Car. Do not fear because as long as you keep drinking Kool-Aid you will remain calm and cool at all times. So get in, fasten your seat belts, turn up the volume grab your self a cup of your favorite flavor Kool-Aid and enjoy the ride.

Kool-Aid Car Front

Kool-Aid Car Rear

by Chorca

This is a day of national consecration. And I am certain that on this day my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency, I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impels.

This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure, as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunk to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; and the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.

And yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered, because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply.

Primarily, this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.

True, they have tried. But their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. Faced by failure of credit, they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped of the lure of profit by which to induce our people to follow their false leadership, they have resorted to exhortations, pleading tearfully for restored confidence. They only know the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.

Yes, the money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of that restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.

Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy, the moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days, my friends, will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves, to our fellow men.

Recognition of that falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing. Small wonder that confidence languishes, for it thrives only on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, and on unselfish performance; without them it cannot live.

Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation is asking for action, and action now.

Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing great -- greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our great natural resources.

Hand in hand with that we must frankly recognize the overbalance of population in our industrial centers and, by engaging on a national scale in a redistribution, endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land.

Yes, the task can be helped by definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products, and with this the power to purchase the output of our cities. It can be helped by preventing realistically the tragedy of the growing loss through foreclosure of our small homes and our farms. It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, the State, and the local governments act forthwith on the demand that their cost be drastically reduced. It can be helped by the unifying of relief activities which today are often scattered, uneconomical, unequal. It can be helped by national planning for and supervision of all forms of transportation and of communications and other utilities that have a definitely public character. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped by merely talking about it.

We must act. We must act quickly.

And finally, in our progress towards a resumption of work, we require two safeguards against a return of the evils of the old order. There must be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments. There must be an end to speculation with other people's money. And there must be provision for an adequate but sound currency.

These, my friends, are the lines of attack. I shall presently urge upon a new Congress in special session detailed measures for their fulfillment, and I shall seek the immediate assistance of the 48 States.

Through this program of action we address ourselves to putting our own national house in order and making income balance outgo. Our international trade relations, though vastly important, are in point of time, and necessity, secondary to the establishment of a sound national economy. I favor, as a practical policy, the putting of first things first. I shall spare no effort to restore world trade by international economic readjustment; but the emergency at home cannot wait on that accomplishment.

The basic thought that guides these specific means of national recovery is not nationally -- narrowly nationalistic. It is the insistence, as a first consideration, upon the interdependence of the various elements in and parts of the United States of America -- a recognition of the old and permanently important manifestation of the American spirit of the pioneer. It is the way to recovery. It is the immediate way. It is the strongest assurance that recovery will endure.

In the field of world policy, I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor: the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others; the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in and with a world of neighbors.

If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize, as we have never realized before, our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take, but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline no progress can be made, no leadership becomes effective.

We are, I know, ready and willing to submit our lives and our property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership which aims at the larger good. This, I propose to offer, pledging that the larger purposes will bind upon us, bind upon us all as a sacred obligation with a unity of duty hitherto evoked only in times of armed strife.

With this pledge taken, I assume unhesitatingly the leadership of this great army of our people dedicated to a disciplined attack upon our common problems.

Action in this image, action to this end is feasible under the form of government which we have inherited from our ancestors. Our Constitution is so simple, so practical that it is possible always to meet extraordinary needs by changes in emphasis and arrangement without loss of essential form. That is why our constitutional system has proved itself the most superbly enduring political mechanism the modern world has ever seen.

It has met every stress of vast expansion of territory, of foreign wars, of bitter internal strife, of world relations. And it is to be hoped that the normal balance of executive and legislative authority may be wholly equal, wholly adequate to meet the unprecedented task before us. But it may be that an unprecedented demand and need for undelayed action may call for temporary departure from that normal balance of public procedure.

I am prepared under my constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken nation in the midst of a stricken world may require. These measures, or such other measures as the Congress may build out of its experience and wisdom, I shall seek, within my constitutional authority, to bring to speedy adoption.

But, in the event that the Congress shall fail to take one of these two courses, in the event that the national emergency is still critical, I shall not evade the clear course of duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis -- broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.

For the trust reposed in me, I will return the courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less.

We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young alike. We aim at the assurance of a rounded, a permanent national life.

We do not distrust the -- the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it.

In this dedication -- In this dedication of a Nation, we humbly ask the blessing of God.

May He protect each and every one of us.

May He guide me in the days to come.

When I saw these Motorcycle Mailboxes I thought maybe there was some hidden positive message in them. Life has a way of reminding us valuable lessons and I think if you had one of these Motorcycle Mailboxes you too would be reminded of something positive every day. Here are my 5 daily reminders.

1) Daily reminder that life could be worse.

by -mrh

2) Daily reminder that you are surrounded by beautiful nature.

by Wiking66

3) Daily reminder that bigger is better.


4) Daily reminder that life is short.

more info

5) Daily reminder that when life hands you half a bike, you make a mailbox


Be sure to check out Ugly Mailbox for more mailbox fun.