Wooster

joined 2 years ago
[–] Wooster@startrek.website 6 points 1 year ago

Mm… again not a lawyer, but I think that question goes beyond the scope of the document.

It basically gives the government permission to hold renters accountable for using software to artificially raise prices. What form that accountability takes is not addressed. Either that’s covered under existing collusion laws or is up to the courts.

So, it’s an essential ingredient to the cake that you’re describing… but unless prosecution (or whatever the term actually is) brings that up (I assume?), it won’t happen.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 15 points 1 year ago

The joint legal brief clarifies that it is indeed collusion. And continues to explain how this is a technological evolution of the handshake.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 48 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I just read the joint legal brief, and, I have to say up front that I am not remotely a lawyer… but the document specifies how and where to identify price fixing, and that motions to dismiss those charges are to be dismissed.

So it doesn't dictate the penalties for price fixing (I assume that's on a trial by trial basis—but again, not a lawyer), but it makes it impossible(?) to ignore, and suggests that (to me), users of 'RENTMaximizer' will be in the crosshairs… while not actually stating that.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

An exceptional shortfall in hydropower due to extreme droughts in the US, China, and several other economies resulted in over 40% of the rise in emissions in 2023 as countries turned largely to fossil fuels to plug the gap.

I’m honestly surprised Hydro (or rather lack thereof) accounted for that much of the difference.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 12 points 1 year ago

The range of both vehicles is comparable, so I’d argue it boils down to which dealer is more convenient to visit for the odd maintenance.

(That aside, I’m personally dubious of opting for a lease, especially if money is tight long term. But I’m the sort of person who’d opt to get every damned mile out of a vehicle I could before begrudgingly admitting it’s time for a replacement.)

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Semi-off topic… but I’m surprised they aren’t making/marketing a Lightning Bug.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

"I think the biggest concerns are that people elsewhere forget about us and they think, 'Oh they're just the conservative state, and they're all country bumpkins. Don't worry it will never happen here.'

"And the next thing you know, it is happening in other states that are ultra-conservative."

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

On paper, that’s a great idea.

In practice though, you can expect the dealers to markup the difference, so the consumer pays exactly the same.

At least with the tax credit, dealers still have to account for sticker shock.

Edit: Looks like you’ve edited the message since my reply. So continuing:

They do offer subsidies on home chargers, both installation and the device itself, also through tax credits. Though you have to be careful, if your tax credits on the car exceed your taxes for that year, the credit for the charger is worthless.

I may be smart to make your EV purchase towards the end of one tax year, and the charger at the beginning of the next.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But why not just reverse the polarity of the primary power coupling?

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 4 points 1 year ago

I appreciate this level-headed take from someone knowledgeable on the topic. It's very easy to get riled up over the issue in Gaza, and it's important to discern where certain actions are sanctioned or not.

That said, I suspect there were better ways to deescalate the issue on Girl Scouts' end. Threatening litigation over a contentious humanitarian issue is begging for bad publicity. But, I'm not privy to the exchanges that brought it to that level.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 10 points 1 year ago

IMO, it’s more a consequence of a black & white morality. Nuance isn’t even a blip on the radar. I guarantee they aren’t considering the ramifications, and wouldn’t understand them if explained.

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 32 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Good point. I admittedly missed that part when I skimmed the article.

I found the Ukraine page on Girl Scouts’s website… it certainly paints a damning picture on Girl Scouts end.

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