Tapped out….

This Ryobi pack wouldn’t take a charge. After removing the “tamper proof” Torx screws I had my answer as to why: one cell had gone out of whack and fallen to 1.2 volts or so.

I tried boosting it up a little to see if it’d come back but the charger only ran for about a minute. I know, terrible idea, yada yada…

The protection/balancing board is neat. It’s got some kind of serial data connection on it (which doesn’t go to the tool, it’s for factory test/calibration) and two BIIIIG MOSFETs on a heatsink that I’ll be stealing for use in other adventures. But alas, this pack, it’s pining for the fjords.

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Curious condition in which the battery sees the charger but the charger doesn't see the battery.

Lithium ion batteries are kinda known to have a shelf life, so it’s not entirely unexpected that it’d go after a few years.

Are we going to keep overlooking the obvious?

Q. What do you call a system of government in which one person is granted power to make immediate and sweeping changes that adversely affect life, business, travel, and well-being for large groups of its population?

A. A dictatorship.

While the ability for a U.S. president to issue executive orders bypassing the normal legislative processes has existed for a very long time, it has never before been used by a President to play fascist dictator…. Until now.

This capability needs to be reviewed and amended right the fuck now— unfortunately, with the latest Executive Order as of today, it’s possible there will be nobody left to do this.

Now I’m guessing this is also a death sentence to the EPA, effectively, turning its responsibilities over to the states. Get ready to have Florida’s water resources entirely managed by Big Sugar’s paid cronies with no oversight.

You might want to keep a few cases of bottled water in the closet.

EXECUTIVE ORDER

– – – – – – –

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR REORGANIZING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Purpose.  This order is intended to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the executive branch by directing the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director) to propose a plan to reorganize governmental functions and eliminate unnecessary agencies (as defined in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code), components of agencies, and agency programs.

Sec. 2.  Proposed Plan to Improve the Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Accountability of Federal Agencies, Including, as Appropriate, to Eliminate or Reorganize Unnecessary or Redundant Federal Agencies.  (a)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the head of each agency shall submit to the Director a proposed plan to reorganize the agency, if appropriate, in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of that agency.

(b)  The Director shall publish a notice in the Federal Register inviting the public to suggest improvements in the organization and functioning of the executive branch and shall consider the suggestions when formulating the proposed plan described in subsection (c) of this section.

(c)  Within 180 days after the closing date for the submission of suggestions pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the Director shall submit to the President a proposed plan to reorganize the executive branch in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of agencies.  The proposed plan shall include, as appropriate, recommendations to eliminate unnecessary agencies, components of agencies, and agency programs, and to merge functions.  The proposed plan shall include recommendations for any legislation or administrative measures necessary to achieve the proposed reorganization.

(d)  In developing the proposed plan described in subsection (c) of this section, the Director shall consider, in addition to any other relevant factors:

(i)    whether some or all of the functions of an agency, a component, or a program are appropriate for the Federal Government or would be better left to State or local governments or to the private sector through free enterprise;

(ii)   whether some or all of the functions of an agency, a component, or a program are redundant, including with those of another agency, component, or program;

(iii)  whether certain administrative capabilities necessary for operating an agency, a component, or a program are redundant with those of another agency, component, or program;

(iv)   whether the costs of continuing to operate an agency, a component, or a program are justified by the public benefits it provides; and

(v)    the costs of shutting down or merging agencies, components, or programs, including the costs of addressing the equities of affected agency staff.

(e) In developing the proposed plan described in subsection (c) of this section, the Director shall consult with the head of each agency and, consistent with applicable law, with persons or entities outside the Federal Government with relevant expertise in organizational structure and management. 

Sec. 3.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    March 13, 2017.

Megabits!

Just switched from Boost Mobile to MetroPCS.

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Not regretting this one bit. I’ve seen the congestion throttling everyone cries about and…. big deal, it dropped to about 4 megabits/sec like a home DSL line.

Have not observed any holes in the coverage yet either.

The Red Cross’ Secret Disaster – ProPublica

https://www.propublica.org/article/the-red-cross-secret-disaster

Facebook does not allow this to be shared, interestingly…

It’s a great article I saw mentioned in Ted Koppel’s “Lights Out” on how the Red Cross mismanaged their emergency response in Hurricane Sandy.

I’ve seen many of these same issues with the Red Cross from working with their Miami chapter; while they do a good job of helping out small groups of people after things like house fires, they only appear prepared to deal with a larger situation and are not given the resources to actually provide mass care.

Now why does this URL get Zuck’d?