Buying Cars.

I am in the market for a truck. My old Ford Ranger XLT has so many ills that I'm not sure it can be repaired, but boy has it been a good vehicle.
I bought this truck used, from a new car dealer, and it has given me wonderful service I'm not in the business of endorsing any one brand of car or truck over another, But I think that all of us should take a close look before we buy a replacement vehicle. For myself, I want to drive a car made by American Workers, at least assembled in the good old U.S.A. Many people, I feel judge a car just by the Cost, others, by the appearance, etc, but I think that if people were really smart they would spend a lot of time before investing a hefty sum in a car or truck, Look it up on the internet and see if the vehicle has a good record. Look for any recalls, and if found, find out how serious they (the recalls) were. In short be a smart consumer. Lets face it , excepting a home, a car will probably we your biggest expenditure in life, and you should really, REALLY, spend quite a lot of time in making your choice. I myself, go by the theory that the only way to spent money smartly on a car is to carefully select an automobile or truck, take good care of it, drive it sensibly, and keep it, basically, until it is worn out. That is the only way you will even approach a point at which the vehicle will pay for itself.
Lets face it folks, a car or truck is basically a hole in the driveway that you throw money in. Most vehicle will never appreciate, instead, the moment you drive it out of the car lot, it is worth a great deal less than you paid for it. And sure, I know that to a lot of people, a car is a status symbol, but you want to know a secret? , a generous Bank Account is a much greater status symbol.
Be smart folks, and lets hear from you. Any and all comments welcomed.
Be well
The Old Professor

National News

Is it just me, or did anyone else think that the President of Columbia University did a lousy job of introducing the President of Iran.
Now don't get me wrong. I DO NOT agree with anything the aforementioned Prez. of Iran. stands for, and I think that his public statements suggest a diseased mind, BUT, the proper thing, I think< for the University President to have done, was to let the Nutto speak, AND THEN rebut his remarks, all of them. I think it is patently absurd to have even given this character a forum for his insane pronouncements. I think, in the Way the Prez of U, did inadvertantly gi ve

some substance to this idiot, by not following a logical and sensible plan for a rebuttal, instead of a preface. My Daughter was once married to a Iranian Man (against my wishes) and one would have to look for a long time to find a nicer more loving person. I still think a lot of him. He calls us and writes us periodically, and refers to my Wife and I as "momy and Dady" He told me that the majority of the people in Iran absolutely love the United States, and its people. He says that the problem with Iran is not its people, but rather the Mullahs and religious radicals. He says that they are all a bunch of idiots, and that Iran will never be free until the people have another Revolution, and toss these nuts in the can. all that being said, I think it behooves the U.S. to get to know our enemies better. Of course with GWB in the White House, we're not in much better shape than Iran. Incidently, my ex-son-in-law is now an American Citizen, and freely admits to sheding tears of joy after he took the Oath of Citizenship. More later, the old professor