Medicinal Marijuana

In my opinion, the people fighting the "war on drugs" are absolute morons. I see that the federal government is again trying to determine whether individual states allowing medicinal marijuana use is legitimate. I have a few major problems with opposition to marijuana in general, both in a medicinal sense and a recreational sense. I also believe that those who oppose it medicinally and are trying to prosecute sick people for growing several plants in their own homes need to get off their high horse and move on to bigger and better things.

First of all, as to the safety and effectiveness of it for medicinal purposes. Do people not realize that anyone can go to the pharmacy and buy over the counter medicine that they can use to kill themselves,but they could smoke pot all day long and all that would happen is they would be high as a kite and probably have some serious munchies. No one has ever died directly from marijuana use, but people die regularly from overdoses or complications of prescription medications. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

As to whether or not it is effective I can understand the debate. But when people who will die otherwise try it as a last resort to ease their pain, why should they go to jail? I'm sorry, but I don't think a seventy year old woman growing a marijuana plant or smoking pot is a danger or a threat to anyone, in any way, unless she gets behind the wheel. But I would still rather have a high 70 year old driving before one doped up on prescription meds. Also, marijuana is 100% natural and been used for many things for thousands of years, and I'm pretty sure prescription medication is all made in a laboratory in some way, similar to, ummm, oh yea, CRACK.

And as for it being abused and a gateway drug... Didn't Rush Limbaugh, Mr. Conservative, recently have some issues with a little addiction recently?? And how many people do you know who abuse prescriptions like Vicodin or percocets (drugs more dangerous than marijuana), and use them to get high?

I find it absolutely ridiculous to know that a sick person smoking pot could be arrested and thrown in jail like a criminal.

And as for recreational use, again, it's debatable, but I say, if someone wants to sit around smoking pot, let them. They're not hurting anyone. If the government is serious about its drug policies and knowledgeable about the facts, I'm sure it realizes that tobacco and alcohol kill millions of people every year, while marijuana kills NONE. And if they were smart they would realize that rather than waste insane amounts of money on the "war on drugs", by legalizing it and regulating it they could both MAKE money and cut violent crime, which often is related to drug trading.

Absolute idiots. And so are the people who blindly oppose it. And by the way, I'm not advocating drug use, nor am I a pot smoker, I'm simply making a point. Just because the government says it's so doesn't mean it's true!

My Holiday Weekend

I had a good Thanksgiving Weekend. To start it off I went to a Godsmack / Metallica concert Wednesday night at the San Diego Sports Arena. Ordinarily not the type of show I would go to (I'm too mellow for those high energy shows), but nonetheless it was good. Godsmack opened, and they were real good. Then of course everyone went nuts when Metallica came on. It was too loud in there, and at times I couldn't tell what they were playing, but I have been told that the acoustics in the Sports Arena suck.

Then I spent Thanksgiving Day with my girlfriends' family. And on Friday we headed out to Las Vegas for two nights. Vegas is always fun, although the weather was quite cold and windy (by desert standards), in the 40s during the day. I didn't win big, but I came home with money which is always a bonus when you spend your weekend in casinos.

We tried to get out to the Hoover Dam, but the traffic was backup up quite a bit so we turned around and went back to the hotel. The excitement for the weekend came when we almost got hit by a plywood sized piece of paneling that fell off the top of the MGM Grand tower. That's how strong the wind was...

Then to top it off, it took 8 hours to get back to San Diego, because people drive like crazy and when you're in the middle of the desert there is no where to get on or off the highway, and traffic bunches up. We hit one accident which stopped us for about half an hour, then for no real reason at all we were going around 20mph for about 2 hours (still about 60 miles out of Barstow), and then it cleared up out of nowhere and was fine the rest of the way home. But going that slow in the middle of NOWHERE with no option of getting off the highway is not fun, I can tell you that.

Is it just me?

I can never figure out which has changed, my perspective or the world around me. Until recently I never paid much attention to politics, to me they were just that. Politics. But now I follow things quite closely and have opinions that a couple years ago I would have never been able to justify. It really seems that this election has stirred a lot of people. I think that many, myself included, are waking up to what's going on in the world around us. I mean, I've always voted, although I can't say I was properly educated when it came to election and politcal knowledge. But I knew a lot of people who didn't vote because they just didn't see the need to.

This was the 3rd presidential election I've been eligible to vote in (I've voted in all 3). Maybe I was sheltered in my younger years, but it seemed that when I was growing up, everything was just fine. Nothing bad was happening, or at least nothing (when I say nothing I mean on the scale of things going on now) that I ever saw in my limited media exposure. So many people my age grew up just assuming things would always be fine, no problem, you know, there was no real reason for people to educate themselves and take a stand on issues and voice their opinions.

Now all those people, again, myself included, are saying, "Holy shit" what's going on, and are educating themselves. Or maybe it's just me?

Nothing much

I finished The Da Vinci Code the other day. Great book. Not how I expected it to end though... Now I want to go out and research Leonardo Da Vinci. The book really makes you think, as I mentioned in a previous post.

I'm thinking about signing up with Blog Explosion. I know a blog is really an online version of a journal, and normally journals are only for yourself, but I have to say, it's fun to have random strangers stumble across my blog and actually read what I write, even if they leave comments that aren't so nice.

Lie, cheat, and steal

Over the past weeks, months, and now even year, people have expressed their opinions about the war in Iraq and the war on terror. As we know, there are people who are for the war and support it, and conversely there are those against the war and think it is wrong. And then of course both sides have their own strong opinions, and likely have trouble understanding the other side.

I was thinking about it today, and I don't really think the issue is as divided as we all might think. I believe that everyone, conservative, liberal, and all those in between, are in support of the humanitarian aspect of it. Everyone agrees that there are people around the world who need our help, and everyone agrees that we, as the United States, should be partially responsible for helping. I also think that everyone agrees that Saddam was a bad man, who didn't deserve to be in power. And finally, I think that everyone is in agreement that terrorism is a problem and there is no reason why terrorists shouldn't be sought out and exterminated. So at the root of it all, I think that the majority of people would under normal circumstances support our actions. (I am leaving the other issues, such as prisoner abuse and other war related issues out of this for now.)

Interestingly, I regularly read a blog from a traveler who has spent time in Iraq and the Middle East, and he says from his experiences that Iraq was indeed a breeding ground for terrorists and we are doing the right thing by removing Saddam from power. This I don't doubt, and I certainly respect his opinion as he probably knows far more than me, but the thing I think that really divides people is not the intent, but rather how the administration went about it all. It is clear that there were a plethora of ulterior motives and hidden agendas that led us to the current situation. The means of going to war was through lies and deceit of the public, and has continued in that track with media control, corruption, and the installation of fear. Ask any of the questions that people have been asking since the start. If it was WMD related, why Iraq rather than North Korea? If it was humanitarian, why Iraq rather than Sudan or any other number of places? If it is to remove a leader who was a bad man and a threat, why Iraq and not Cuba or any other number of places? And why Halliburton and the gross misallocation of taxpayers' money? And most importantly, why are we now actively in Iraq and not AFGHANISTAN, which since the start of the war has become one of the biggest drug states in the world?

And while I'm at it, who are we to say we can have a nuclear program, Russia can have a nuclear program, but Libya, Iran, North Korea can not or else they will face repercussions? And why the grave concern for unborn babies but not those already living? Why a presidential yacht but cuts to college financial aid funds?

Why is the administration so concerned with Iraqis and their subpar living conditions but not those residents of South Central, Gary, Indiana, or any other ghetto here in our own country? And after claims of an improved economy and the creation of thousands of new jobs (which is really only because all those people laid off from jobs that were outsourced to India or China under the current administration are now working some half ass job making half as much money), why won't the president sign the Kyoto Treaty to cut global emissions as one of the largest polluters in the world (blagantly disregarding the current reports of significant loss of the polar ice caps) claiming that it would hurt the American economy due to loss of jobs?

To me, it is 100% clear that in a normal world with a trusted administration (ha ha ha), a war in Iraq for the right reasons would be acceptable, but not with this administration, not with all the lies, and not when the entire bush administration is crooked and becoming worse as we speak. And anyone who supports this war is supporting and encouraging this administration to continue to lie, cheat, and steal, regardless of how much they want to believe that are helping Iraq and the rest of the world.

Conspiracy Theory

Man, I'm turning into a conspiracy theorist. I hope I don't end up locked in my room in fear of "the man". Although I doubt that will really happen.

In all seriousness, I've always been suspicious of the government and any organized groups, and even in every day situations I tend to be cautious of unknown situations and encounters. But in light of the situation with the election, the war in Iraq, the questioning of the news media, I really don't feel that we're (we're = normal everyday people) being told the truth. But it's hard to say what "the truth" is. One side of the story might stretch the facts one way, while the flip side stretches them the other way. So really the what we're being fed as truth in these situations is anything but.

I'm in the middle of reading The Da Vinci Code, and I'm loving it. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it, but man, it makes you think. I've always been skeptical of religion, and where some people say the Bible is the truth, I say, who says so? I don't disapprove of religion, but for me to buy into something I have to truly believe it. (Does believing in something make it true? Or is truth in the eye of the beholder?) For all I know I could be wrong, the Bible could be the truth, but who's to say it's not a book that someone fabricated to sell their ideas?

As the book interestingly points out (yes I know it is a fiction book), history books are always written by the winners. So really even history books in a vague sense could be no better than propaganda. It really makes you wonder.

So by me now believing that there is voter fraud and that votes were miscounted and taken away and messed with, am I just buying into the hype? Maybe. But again maybe not. I always figure it's good to be suspicious. Some people dismiss these claims as being far fetched. But who's to say? I don't believe everything I hear, but I also don't necessarily think everything is driven by some mad conspiracy. I simply stake my place in the middle, and consider both sides. And then of course I can have my opinions, right?

Voter Fraud Follow Up

Follow up to previous post. RE: Voter Fraud.

Follow this link, http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/BOE/results/currentresults1.htm, the official link for the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Ohio. Or to be certain go directly to http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/, then click on Election Results. To see why people are assuming there is voter fraud, start at the top and pick a county, I picked Brooklyn Heights V, (Registered Voter Count of 1144), then scroll down bit to the ballots cast section and you will see that 1869 ballots were cast.

Thanks to the Randi Rhodes Show site for pointing this out.

Voter fraud

The latest stories are of voter fraud in places around the country, particularly Florida and Ohio. There is an entire website dedicated to fraud and voting machines, and a movie documenting some of the problems.

The president of Diebold had supposedly said something back in August to the effect that he would virtually guarantee president bush's relection in November. There are reports, which I can't find links to (but if anyone has some, feel free to pass them on), of counties submitting more vote counts than registered voters, and of blue counties with overwhelming Republican support based on election results. Further, there are reports of intentional cut backs on the number of voting machines in Ohio to lengthen wait time, people being denied provisional ballots, and even having absentee votes coming in from overseas not counted. There are even places where people voted all Democrat using the electronic voting machines, and upon confirmation their vote was showing up for bush. A new study even reports that some counties' results were nearly statisically improbable.

It appears that a recount will take place, of course the mainstream media isn't reporting on it just yet. Imagine if it goes through and the fraud is exposed to the rest of the country who has no inkling of the underhanded things which may or may not be going on. If they haven't heard about it already, they'd probably dismiss it at garbage anyway, the same way that they dismiss reports of the problems in Iraq, or any other unfiltered news which to them is heresy. You know, it's just the liberal media trying to cause a stir. Shut em up and let's win this war... uhhh. OK.

Update:
Here is another applicable link
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1118-30.htm

Back to Politics

And now it's back to a post about politics. For starters, here's the link to the circulating Sorry Everybody apology site. I first saw this on CNN Headline News late last week.

I watched Control Room, last night, a documentary about the Iraq war and the media's coverage of it, especially Al Jazeera. It wasn't quite what I expected, but nonetheless it was good. And it really brought up a point which often bothers me, the lack of an objective media coverage. Understandably people will be upset with Al Jazeera for broadcasting and showing gruesome images of war casualties, and perhaps including anti American sentiment. But I say, bring it on, it's about time there's some news that isn't sugar coated to appeal to a sense of American patriotism.

As the whole mess in Iraq began to unfold, I always thought that the media filtered things too much. They say they have to, that they should show the positive rather than the negative, that graphic images are too powerful and are not suitable for viewers. I say that's absolute crap. It's a war, and as long as the media hides the truth, censors the reports, and fails to show the disgusting, repulsive images and stories, many will fail to see the hideousness of it all. There will always be people who say death and destruction is inevitable with war, or that they support the US government and their decisions, but I firmly believe that if they saw the mangled civilian corpses and dead American soldiers, they would at least be forced to think about their opinions.

Understandably each media outlet will attempt to appeal to their demographic, but really it would be nice if they stepped up and showed the facts, regardless of whether it is pro or anti America, and let viewers draw their own conclusions. Or at least don't claim "fair and balanced" coverage if you're not fair and balanced. Fair and balanced to me would be showing a coalition assault, describing the intentions of it, and then following it with a look at the outcome, including the success or failure of the assault and the losses suffered for soldiers on both sides and civilians.

Any suggestions for objective news sources, whether online, on the radio, or on TV, let me know.

Slacking at work

Sometimes I feel like a slacker while I'm at work. It's strange, because I'm an incredibly motivated person, but when the pressure is off I struggle trying to be proactive. Don't misinterpret this, I am a hard worker with a good work ethic, but sometimes my thoughts just wander and I find myself thinking of anything but my work. I have all sorts of side projects - this blog, my Worlds Revealed site, I'm also in the midst of reading The Da Vinci Code - which I do in my spare time, and I'm incredibly focused with those. I don't know what it is, maybe because no one is telling me to do those things.

I often find myself sitting at my desk in my cubicle thinking of and doing all sorts of things, which are usually never work related. But when the pressure is on, I always perform. In fact my reviews thus far have always been great, and when people have work to be done, often they request that I do it, knowing the quality and timeliness will be good. I even remember at my previous job, the speed with which I finished my tasks often led to amazement by coworkers and superiors.

As I sit at work, I will lay out the tasks which I hope to accomplish, then somehow I convince myself that I will get down to it with full focus later, or maybe tomorrow. Then I end up reading the news, listening to the radio, writing my blog (as I'm doing currently), reading others' blogs (which incidentally seem to be updated during work hours as well, hmmm), checking my email, doing personal research, daydreaming, checking stocks, thinking of ways to better myself, etc, etc. And if it's any consolation, I really do feel guilty about this.

All this often leads me to one thought. I know how much I slack, I know how much I work, and I figure that if I had non stop work to do and constant pressure to do it, I surmise that I could be 100% more productive. That's right. 100%. Which really means that I'm only operating at 50% capacity in relation to what I could actually achieve. So my question is, what the hell do all the other people sitting in offices all day actually do if this 50% performance is impressive?

On a slightly different note, sometimes I wonder if this performance is actually acceptable to employers. I recall when I was in my first year or so at my job, after I would complete and submit work on a project, sometimes several days would go by before I would get another assignment. And I know for a fact that it was known that I had no work to do. That really made me wonder.

Another reason I wonder. Companies are constantly downsizing and cutting work force, and from what I understand, the end productivity doesn't necessarily decrease. Which means to me that there was slack somewhere. (I realize that sometimes this is due to the remaining workers being forced to work more hours.) My company had a RIF (politically correct corporate lingo, Reduction in Force) several years ago, and my group lost 2 of 6 employees, meaning 33% of our force was immediately gone. Following that time, I did pick up more work, but still never worked more than 40 hours a week, and as far as I know none of the other remaining 3 did. So to me this these two facts are evidence that companies are aware of the slack, and only care about it when money is tight or productivity is deceasing.

Travel

I am not a traveler, but in a way I wish I was. I do travel, but I am not a traveler. I don't think I have what it takes. I am too cautious, and not bold enough to do it. I don't mean a vacationer, but rather a traveler. Going where you want when you want for as long as you want.

I like to live vicariously through travelers. The stories are great and I get to peak into a world I would otherwise not know. I have traveled, but there is a big difference. During time off from work I go places and see things, but it is temporary. I am lucky though, because I do get to see more than most people. But I stay in hotels and I stay safe, seeing select things geared mostly for tourists. And then I go back home and go back to my ordinary working life. Maybe some day I will see what it is like to be a traveler.

I only bring these things up because I have just read another installment of Andy the Hobo's newsletter, and I have now added his blog to my read list. To me it is excellent reading because it is not like ordinary news or syndicated travel information, instead it is straight from the mouth (or fingers) of a real person who has been to real places and seen things that tourists and vacationers do not see.

Jogging Pigeons

I saw a blurb in the local San Diego Reader about pigeons and why they bob their heads when they walk. I tried to get an online version to link to, but couldn't find it. (It must get posted later on, because the online version seemed to be a few weeks behind.)

But I did find a little bit about it online. It seems as though at some point someone did a study and found a potential answer by putting a pigeon on a treadmill. Interestingly enough, when the treadmill speed became equal to the walking (or jogging) speed of the pigeon, the head bobbing stopped.

And there are real physiological reasons for this. Their eyes are on each side of their head, so as they move they get two different images, which if they kept their head still while moving would register to them as a big blur. So bobbing their head forward allows them time to have their body catch up, in turn maximizing the time the head is still, keeping focused on one image.

I guess scientifically it's called optokinetic response. Avian vision differs from humans in that we are able to piece together scenes while continously scanning, while they capture whole pictures without piecing them together. So ultimately the pigeon ends up with a series of "fixed snapshot images, rather than a long, continuous blurry one."

Thanks to the following two links for setting me straight.

http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9505d&L=birdchat&F=&S=&P=16368
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Answered/Question32820-1.asp?Page=1

A couple things

A friend sent me the following link. Note: if you are easily offended do not read further and do not follow the link, it contains explicit language; if you don't like the link, don't blame me, I'm just passing it along because I got a good laugh out of it. http://www.fuckthesouth.com

If you care for an interesting take on how rising abortion rates may be linked to conservative economic policies, read this post, found at the Preemptive Karma blog. I found it to be quite interesting.

Logic and Reason

I was surfing around yesterday, and via one of the newest blogs I read, Preemptive Karma, I found a site about Deism. It interested me because I've never been religious, thought I have always been curious about faith. I wasn't raised with religion as a part of my life, and somehow in the back of my mind I have always thought it to be a bit intrusive and contradictory. Nonetheless, I have tried to at least educate myself to a point where I can understand it when others talk about it. In fact, I'd like to delve a bit deeper into each of the major world religions to further my understanding.

I'll admit, I have some opinions about religion (which I won't fully go into in this post), but the thing that strikes me most is that from what I have seen the most fanatically religious people are also the most close minded and the ones who tend to give up reason and logic at the hands of their faith. Not to say that these people aren't educated, but they have a blind faith that I could never personally accept for myself. I've had conversations with Christians who in explanation of something will say that they know because it's the truth. I will say, but how do you know? Well, because it's in the Bible. And that's where my doubts lie.

Especially most recently with the election and the discussion of controversial topics such as abortion and gay marriage. And the people who most oppose those things are those religious people who are guided by their morals and their faith, ironically also those who supposedly should by "loving thy neighbor"... But anyway that's not my point. My point is that in visiting the Deism site I found an interesting quote:

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- Galileo Galilei

Why conserative Republicans are a danger to America

Soon I will be out of the political mindset, but before I am, I want to post my views of why conservative Republican policies are dangerous to America.

I have no problem with people being conservative, or Republican for that matter. In fact, when it comes to financial policies, I tend to be more on the conservative side. The problem comes in to play when these ideals are used as the basis for policy that affects all Americans. In America, we are supposedly free to worship as we please, and free to think as we please. This is generally true, but as policy changes or shifts to the right, it becomes increasingly untrue.

When lawmakers put their conservative or religious views behind their policy, they are in effect taking freedoms away from those that do not share their beliefs. When a conservative President starts using his religious beliefs to guide his decisions when it comes to the law, he is effectually restricting others the exact same rights which he is exercising.

Consider the debatable topic of abortion. By pushing for a pro-life policy, it removes the freedom to choose from those who want it. Whereas the liberal or Democrat policy of pro-choice does not infringe upon those who wish to be pro-life.

Consider the debatable topic of gay marriage. By banning gay marriage, you are removing the freedom to choose from those who want it.

Consider the topic of religion. People who are religious generally believe that their way is correct, that their beliefs are the right ones. Thus, when it comes to policy they will not consider alternatives. Whereas those who do not associate with a single religion do not close their minds to other options.

The list could go on. Of course financial topics are debatable, because once you are liberal on financial policy, the trend is reversed. You are essentially imposing payments on those who do not wish to pay. But I would bet that most people would not be opposed to liberal financial policies if they knew their money was actually doing some good! And as for gun control, who cares? Who really needs a stockpile of automatic weapons anyway? And moral values? Do people really believe that liberal Democrats are against family and moral values?

The difference I see is that for the most part liberal ideas don't punish or penalize or restrict those who are conservatives, and are generally open minded. Generally, liberal reforms or laws don't restrict conservative ideas or limit conservative freedoms. But the reverse is not true. Conservative ideas repress and attempt to control those who wish to be liberal.

Huh?

Huh?

Who can possibly think that 4 more years is a good thing? Let me restate that I'm not a Kerry supporter, but rather anti-Bush. I'd vote for anyone before him.

Every article I've read which give opinions of people outside of the US says that the majority of the world did not want Bush to win. The only explanation I have is that most Americans are ignorant, and that they don't understand the ramifications of these past four years on the world as a whole. The world (except those in the pockets of America) largely disagrees with American policy, and it's going to do nothing now but get worse. But then again, here in America, we rule, right?

People who support Bush say they are afraid bad things would happen if Kerry got elected. Bad things?? Worse than getting attacked, going to war, killing innocent civilians and military people, lying to the American public, robbing American taxpayers to pay a company with relations to the administration, ruining the American economy, sending American jobs overseas while American unemployment rises, not controlling rise healthcare and drug costs, closing the gap between church and state, the list goes on. Worse than that?

I stick to the fact that approximately 51% of Americans don't get it, and I'd like to think that it's not that they support the current administration and want these things, but rather that they want to believe in their hearts that they are doing good by lending their support. Kinda like a religion. Oh wait, it is like a religion (25% evangelical vote in Ohio, I'm talking to you). They believe what they believe, and that's that, without even considering that there are alternatives.

But seriously, who cares if you don't like Kerry, wouldn't it have been better to at least give it a shot, rather than just give up 4 more years?

Pacific Nissan Body customer service sucks

I don't know if this site is indexed in google or any search engines, but if it is, hopefully the following will help someone.

Let it be known to all that Pacific Nissan Auto Body Shop, 4700 Santa Fe St, San Diego, CA, sucks!

After a tree fell on my car, I needed to have it towed to a shop, so I selected Pacific Nissan Auto Body Shop because it was on the list of recommended shops by my insurance (who I also was disappointed with) and in a convenient location. The shop arranged the towing.

Whether or not it was their fault, I had to call several times because after 4+ hours the tow truck had still not arrived.

Next problem, two days later I still did not have an estimate as to the body damage, so I spoke with the guy who supposedly handles all Allstate claims. He tells me that he will fax me the estimate Friday evening before he leaves for work. But nope, he didn't do it.

Had to call twice Monday to ensure he finished it. He claims to me that he thinks it's a total loss, so ball is in the insurance companies hands to get an adjuster out to the lot. Two days later, I've heard nothing so I call, and turns out the car has been towed to another lot for storage even though a claims adjuster is supposed to go look at it. Also, turns out that the vehicle's value was miscalculated by the shop, so the insurance company says it's not a total loss, to tear it down and see if there is any hidden damage that would put it as a total loss. But of course they can't do it because the car isn't on their lot anymore!

So after this, the manager of the shop calls me, apologizes, and gives me a rental car for the week. I go to the lot to remove my stuff from the car because I no longer trust these fools. Of course, I can't get into the car, which means. . . I must go back again and face these fools once more.

Monday morning. I've found out that the car is totaled, I drive to the shop to now get my stuff from it. My stuff is not all in the car. Ironically, the stuff of any significant value is there, but the stuff that wasn't worth much (a crate with auto supplies; oil, brake fluid, rags, etc) is not there.

After several phone calls, no one can locate it. I don't care that it's not the end of the world if I don't get it back, but the fact remains, my personal property is not in the car anymore. So this is why Pacific Nissan sucks my a**. I do not recommend anyone going to the shop. Even if this was an isolated incident, I still had trouble getting phone calls returned to me by anyone there. To top it off, I don't even know if their body work is ok because they didn't have to do anything. But if my experience there is any indication, I'm glad the car was totaled.