Will the Bahrain GP happen?

I'm working on a post on the boycott and just emailed a contact at Human Rights Watch. 

Aung San Suu Kyi and Benazir Bhutto

To almost everyone's surprise, there is an election in Burma tomorrow.

The image of Suu Kyi waving from the sunroof of her Montero/Pajero is ominous.  You see, after years of house arrest, Suu Kyi reached an understanding with the military government and is running for office.

Benazir Bhutto, after years of exile, reached an understanding with the military government but was killed two weeks before an election.

Mega Millions $540 million jackpot line/queue

I bought a few tickets last night.  If I win, I vow to amass the greatest Youngtimers car collection in the world.

Osama Bin Laden commemorative coin ad

Hey kids, Xmas is just nine months away.

2012 Nuclear Security Summit captions

Leaders from over 50 countries convened in Seoul to talk nuclear security.  Here are some photos from the talks:

 When did Jordan's King Abdullah II become William Shatner?

 Am definitely not a fashionable guy, but I've always dug the cut of Medvedev's suits and his tie knots.

 Say what you will about Kazakhstan's Nazarbayev, but he did unilaterally give up his young nation's entire nuclear weapons stockpile.

 No matter how powerful you are, you always feel like an outsider at social functions.

 I guess the Polish environmental minister memorized the chapter about bowing in Asian cultures on the flight over.

 I now pronounce you man and Sheila!

How did Chile get to stand in the middle of the whole photo op?  Did they draw straws?

Uh-oh

While filling up this morning, the shop owner was admiring the Popemobile. "Oh sure, I've worked on one of these before. Then the owner died in a light aircraft crash."

Check out Alan's new car blog Auto Neurotic Fixation

McLaren F1 test mules post

I'm mentioning and recommending this blog not because I know the author (longtime commenter Alan).  I am recommending it because it covers really cool cars in an entertaining and well written way.  

It seems that in this day and age, every make and model car ever produced has been written about, ad nauseum, in a million-and-one car blogs.  After you've visited Alan's blog, you'll realize that's not the case at all.   I am sure you'll enjoy it. 

Saab Monster post

Obama-Medvedev hot mic exchange

This happened in Korea yesterday.  They were talking about nuclear arms reduction and the European missile shield.  It's a brief and interesting glimpse at political realities (and Medvedev's proficiency in English).  Obama's opponents are interpreting this as proof that after November 2012, Obama is going to sell us out to the Russians.

Tibetan self-immolation photo

Around 30 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China within the last year.  Their remoteness and the power of the government have so far prevented images of those fires from being shared abroad.

This is Jampa Yeshi, 26, a Tibetan refugee in India this week.

Come discuss my Rides of Heads of States recap

My two-year labor of love has been recapped and posted on Hooniverse today.  Check it out!

Late afternoon stroll

Obamaville by Rick Santorum

A big day for Mexican car lovers

Popemobile in Mexico.

Sergio Perez finishes second behind Alonso in Malaysia.

A little experiment

For the next 24 hours, no screens.  No TV.  No computer.  No navigation.  No smartphone*.

Let's hope I don't end up like that KONY 2012 guy.

*Except the telephone function.

Santorum at gun range today (video and audio)

To be fair, Santorum condemned the Louisiana woman for what she said.

Romney Etch A Sketch moment brought to you by

that guy who co-hosted America's Funniest Home Videos with Daisy Fuentes.  Huh?

Since this flub, Etch A Sketch stock has tripled and Romney's opponents have props in hand.

 

Transmission sink

Via streetsidestig from Opposite Lock.

The Hunger Games Is The Running Man

Ripoff!

Painting of Obama burning the Constitution

From the artist's FB page:

“’I pledge allegiance to the United States of America,
And not to an ideology, which can never stand,
One nation under socialism, divisive,
With no liberty or justice for anyone.’
This November, you will make a choice. Will you choose One Nation Under Socialism?”

Romney's Secret Service codename is Javelin

His father was the head of AMC.

3 year anniversary of 2009 shootings of Oakland police officers

It has been three years now since my friend Dan and three of his fellow officers were shot and killed by a convicted felon with a semi-automatic handgun and an SKS rifle.  I am still at a loss for words.

Every year, 30,000 Americans are killed by firearms.  This includes homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings.  Since the 2009 incident, there have been scores of mass shootings, including the Tucson shooting that critically injured U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords (and killed six, including a federal judge).  Nevertheless, there has been no discussion about gun control.  Nothing about high capacity magazines.  Nothing about preventing the mentally ill from obtaining and keeping firearms.  Absolutely nothing.

Americans have the right to own firearms for protection and sport, but the wholesale capitulation on the issue of gun control to the NRA and the firearms industry is both mind-boggling and sad.  To find out more about the issue, go to the Brady Center website.

Here is Metallica's Enter Sandman.  I'm not sure if this was Dan's favorite song, but he played it often, and he played it loudly.  R.I.P.

Santorum at church last Sunday

Thanks, but if I want to live in a theocracy, I'll move to Kandahar.

5th to 1st

As a Heidfeld fan, you have no idea how many times I wished this would happen.

Late '80s Mustang and Camaro

Back in high school, these were the cars to have.

Carspotting (Baku, Azerbaijan, edition): 1 of 20 GAZ 13 wagon

Frequent commenter Tarlan shared these wonderful photos.  One day, he decided to take a different route to work.  And what does he find behind a gas station?  This!  Approximately 20 GAZ 13 sedans were converted into wagons for ambulance and hearse duty (for the very powerful in the CCCP).  Another wagon in similar condition was selling recently for $50,000.

This will go up on Hooniverse on Wagon Wednesday.   Here is an example of a clean one.

Carspotting (San Francisco Outer Richmond edition)

After a week of continuous rain, the clouds parted and we went out yesterday.  We had lunch at Red Tavern, a neat Russian place.  We then walked about ten blocks to the Legion of Honor.  Despite living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 17 years, I had never been to that museum before.

These four American cars were parked near each other, so I suspect they all belong to the same guy. 

Sorry for the semi-NSFW picture.  Dang kids.

This Ranchero will be a Truck Thursday topic on Hooniverse.

Here's a bonus shot.