ColinAke.com…until I write a book.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had a very interesting interview with the New York Post. It’s definitely worth a read, as this guy could throw his hat in late for the Republican Presidential Nomination.

Some highlights:

• Says it’s no accident that Rudy Giuliani is polling very well due to his past leadership
• “Somebody who fits the mold of a normal, regular Republican will have zero possibility of winning the general election.”
• “The President is supposed to be the Commander in Chief. He’s not”

I think this guy deserves a serious look. Newt has been touring and interviewing lately promoting what I believe is the most conservative (and accurate) view on current events, when compared to any other presidential candidate. Now, maybe Newt just knows how to use the Media to promote his agenda best, but he seems dead on when it comes to the war, healthcare, immigration, and I believe he may be open to the FairTax (but don’t quote me on that, I could be mistaken). Check out his views at www.newt.org - read some articles and be informed. After that, think he should run? DraftNewt.org is demanding a 21st century Contract with America. One thing I especially like is his view on space exploration - he would prefer to see most space exploration done with prizes and tax incentives outside NASA.
It will be interesting to watch this unfold over the next six months. I personally think Newt will declare sometime in August/September and play the role of the reluctant candidate who is for the people. Now, will that resonate? We’ll find out.

What do you think?

ca

Sitting at the dinner table with my family is always an interesting experience. Conversation is always very random and covers a variety of topics, some pertaining to reality, and some pertaining to random abstract concepts and the like. Tonight, my sister’s 16th birthday dinner (Happy Birthday, Melissa), was no different. As we discussed the tragic bus wreck in Atlanta (5 minutes from where I live) Friday morning, the conversation turned to the speed the bus was driving, and then to the speed limit.

I think the speed limit should change. Constantly.

I believe the first time I heard of this concept was on the Neal Boortz show. He maintains that we should have the freedom to drive however fast we want to, at whatever point in time, so long as we are not endangering others. Since that in and of itself is a sticky concept, he maintained on this show (forgive me, Neal, if this wasn’t you) it would be the police’s responsibility to determine the definition of “safe.”

Once I got to thinking about this concept, I thought of some better concepts. I hold to the true form of this argument, that we, as drivers, shouldn’t have to drive 55 MPH ITP on a Sunday morning at 6 AM. If I want to drive 80 or 90, I shouldn’t be at risk of getting a ticket when there are maybe 2-3 other cars in sight. We have computers these days that could count cars on a given highway, and determine the safe speed based on the number of cars present. Heck, you could even factor in the weather conditions. During rush hour, as you approach a big block of stopped cars, you could be alerted before you had to slam on your brakes, as the speed limit would decrease increasingly as you got closer to the gridlock. Just think - 40 MPH in absolute hellish pouring rain, 35 in rush hour, and 95 Sunday at 7 AM. After all, let people have freedom to drive fast as long as they’re not endangering other people.
And on Saturday or Sunday morning at 6:30 AM when I want to drive over 55 (which is ALWAYS), I wouldn’t have to worry about getting a ticket for going “too fast.” Cause 65 MPH on 75 isn’t too fast when you can only see 3 other cars.

Now, do I think this will happen? No, it’d take the speed trap ability away from the cops. They could no longer use the speed limit as a revenue generator, but they could pull those who were being reckless given the current conditions. I think this setup would optimize safety, speed, and personal freedom.
I think we’ll eventually see this, sometime in the future. My family didn’t think it was feasible. Bryan suggested that a large DCM (Data Crunching Machine) take care of calculations and actually control individual car speeds. Dad said we shouldn’t have to steer either. And Mom didn’t like the idea of me driving 90, no matter what the conditions (you could see it on her face) - thanks Mom, I take that as a “I love you and don’t want you to get hurt.” :)

Dinner is always fun at the house - and I imagine it will continue to be fun as we all grow up and gain more opinionated positions on meaningless subjects like this one.

I’m heading to bed here. There is only so much data out there on the internet worth reading, and the more I spend my time on it, the less time I can spend on it without getting bored.

ca