So you can print to your kodak diconix battery operated ink-jet printer, of course!

Heh... break out the soldering iron and put a relay between the battery contacts. We'll teach that pesky router!

"The device itself is about as reliable as other consumer level networking gear -- meaning you need to power cycle it now and then to make it start working again. It has a remote web admin interface, with no way to remotely reboot it. You have to physically touch the thing to power cycle it."

Way-back-when, I had an old x-10 serial controller and a power outlet adapter. I wrote a script that would check for gateway connectivity and if it failed it would power cycle the DSL modem and router. We were having issues with line quality during the summer (lead based wire to the home) that presented as a problem similar to what you describe. it worked and made sure my connection came back up automagically within 10 mins of going down.

Wasn't this the basic plot of Serenity? They tried to make some type of "peace" drug and ended turning the population that didn't outright die in to "Reavers"?

He's a mad man with an evil mind!

Nope. It was Electra woman and Dyna girl. And maybe Wunderbug.

Dementia can wreak havoc on someone's ability to do stuff. Cues like "smell" would certainly help someone who isn't too far down the dementia path.

"And yet it *IS* conservative groups that are opposing net neutrality. So there's something wrong with your reasoning."

No. There's something wrong with yours. I *DONT* want to see any tiered services. Net neutrality would prevent this. Yet I'm apposed to it. Because I'm against a bloated central government trying to do control a very heterogeneous population (culturally and economically) over a wide geographic area. What works in NYC probably wont in Baker, CA. Let local governments and the market place deal with stuff like this.

The larger our Federal government becomes the more likely we are to see a balkanization of the US. Geez -- we've already fought this battle once and sacrificed what? 3/4 of a million of our kids to preserve the union? 10 years ago the idea of a balkanization would have made me laugh. Yet now there are rumblings that cannot be ignored.

"that's why they do it."

Could it be that there is a record of horrible public school performance over the last few decades that is prompting this "school choice" movement? To allow those locked in to poorly performing public schools a shot at a better performing school? And maybe NOT trying to turn schools in to a business?

I'm sorry, conservatives are not evil. Libertarians are not evil. Liberals are not evil. Jeez. I can have opinions that are different than yours without you being EVIL and trying to control my life -- AND vise-verse.

I drive a 1988 tan toyota pickup. I've received a single speeding ticket in this truck -- 1989 in Santa Maria. Cop was pissed because he pegged me going 85 and he KNEW I was going faster but suspected I slowed down because I saw him. I actually was going about 95 (trying to race a friend back to Cal Poly SLO who had a major exam that morning) -- and slowed down because I entered Santa Maria (where there was a very high cop to car ratio). I just didn't slow down fast enough.

Anyway, I typically drive "as fast" as the cars around me and it is a vehicle that doesn't really stick out in any ones mind (unless you are a Hispanic gardener -- and if you are, NO! My truck isn't for sale! Stop asking!)

Lucky for them. All that money they save will help fight the lawsuits they'll have for accidents on freeways and intersections...

"And if you're really in medical need, ambulances will come pick you up."

Costing you more of what you don't have.

That said, I think there's a place for something like this -- but it's being used in an over-bearing way. Set it so that when activated, it will not prevent the car from being started if the car has been not running for more than 8 hours. That will prevent freeway/stop sign activations.

Further, there should be some notice (not saying it wasn't in their loan agreement that they would have SIGNED). But there should be some mailing saying you are x days late -- on date y, you car will no longer start until you make your back-payments.

"As to my fears, I am strongly opposed to the concept of my languishing in a nursing home, bereft of my mind, drugged and draining my accumulated wealth. a pointless existence - possibly painful, likely very unhappy existence - that in my mind is much worse than death."

What's stopping you? off yourself now and save a lot of trouble. My entire point was missed by your inability to see past YOUR nose, never mind your accusations of me not being able to see past *MY* nose. The point being that placing some arbitrary limit of 75 as being a good time to die is flipping lame and your response is "fuck you". Wonderful. For some reason this is a trigger issue for you. I've read your posts in this thread and they are many. You should back up, take a deep breath, count to 10 and exhale. It's not about you.

And WTF do you care if your accumulated wealth is draining if you are in the condition you state? Seriously? If you wanted it to go to your family, you would have made sure they would have had it at an earlier time. If not, then great -- let it take care of you instead of draining your family or living off the state. I for one am not interested in dime from my parents/in-laws estates. Let them use it to take care of themselves in a manner they see fit for as long as their comfortable. It's THEIRS, not MINE. They earned it.

"I have one thing to say. Fuck you. "

An excellent point. I must be wrong.

"Don't demand other people act as you think they should, and drop the annoying superiority act."

I don't think I "demanded" anything. I did strongly suggest that it's wise to learn to live with our limitations rather than say "I don't want to live not being able to do what I want when I want". I've too many happy 80+ year olds in my life who despite their pain and/or infirmity are enjoying their life and family. And if you can't see that then maybe my "annoying superiority act" isn't an act -- at least where you are concerned.

"There are living fates much worse than death. "

And of course I said exactly the opposite of that, didn't I? Or are you reading your own fears and insecurities in to what I ACTUALLY said?

If you don't want to be a financial drain to those you love then you must try to make sure you have assets available for yourself should you require them at that age. Or, when the time comes you move to a state where whatever aid is available to you (SS, SSI, whatever) brings more bang for your buck.

Or ENJOY the fact that your family is taking care of YOU now. The whole circle of life thing.

My mother retired to AZ. She had zero money saved, got a mobile home for $500 in 'decent' condition and had $1700/mo coming in (pension + social security). That's QUITE a comfortable income in Arizona. She lived there until she was 82 (about 10 years) when she came back to be closer to family and entered an assisted living home. Her memory isn't great, can't controller her bladder that well, needs help taking her meds regularly and requires a walker, but she's still truckin'. Still smokes a half-pack a day and walks to the near by gas station store to pick up her cigs if we dont bring them to her.