A New Approach by NYPD to Reducing Car Theft on Staten Island

 

This news video reveals a different approach to combating car theft -- slowing traffic and catching thieves in a traffic jam orchestrated by the police. Additionally, careful surveillance of plates and plate readers make a difference. Thus, it is not just about onboard technology, alarms of other deterrents I the car, but rather thoughtful and dedicated police strategies that make a real difference.

You Might Risk Your Life for Your Dog -- Riding on the Thieves" Car Hood

 

Hell yes, I would kill somebody if they stole my cat! But my Subaru -- I doubt it! What we love determines what will will do to make sure we do not lose it.  In an America that is reft with loneliness and selfishness, and where individuality reigns supreme. those we love get our ultimate devotion.

Car Theft by Hacking -- It is Now Commonplace

 Back in 2014, Rebecca Morales and I in our Stealing Cars: From theModel T to Gran Torino (Johns Hopkins Press) discussed the role of hackers as the new threat to auto thievery. It a well  known possible technique back then, and really as early as 2011 in IEEE publications. But the industry did not completely follow through on the threat -- and note that the above video was done only several weeks ago! There is a pandemic of auto thefts in the U.S. and Canada, some of it due to sloppy theft deterrents, some of it the consequence of a lack of serious priorities from manufacturers. And of course there are careless owners.

But I also think in many cases the rise in auto thefts is many Americans really just see there cars as an appliance, like a toaster, and don’t take special steps to protect them. As longs it is insured, do you really care if someone takes your crossover or SUV?

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton to Part Ways after the 2024 Season

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows. The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, commented: “In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”

Lewis Hamilton added: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”

	Lewis Hamilton – Career Stats So Far
		Starts	Drivers‘ Titles	Wins	Podiums	Pole Positions	Front rows	Fastest laps
MB Power		332	7	103	197	104	175	65
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team		222	6	82	148	78

One Hell of a Ride -- "The Passenger,” 2023

 

Currently a serious question exists about the relatively poor performance in higher education  and professional careers of young American males. Their apathy, lack of ambition, and social isolation have resulted in more females than males enrolled in colleges and universities and in the pursuit of valued careers. The main character in this film, Randolph Bradley (Johnny Berchold), is outwardly competent, but inwardly weak of character. That is, until a fateful day when he is forced to confront his past and assert himself.  What does constitute a remarkable life? Can an ordinary person like a black waitress have a remarkable life? 

The film, shot in New Orleans and surroundings, is not special in terms of scenery or architecture despite the location. What transpired could have taken place anywhere. So too the car is 1970s Detroit iron of little or no interest. However, the driver and passenger are the focus of this psychological drama.  The plot and narrative are simply powerful, with little fluff.

At the start, Randy Bradley wakes up to get to the fast food restaurant where he begins work with a disinterested manager, two yahoos, a male and female who don’t mind displaying public affection, and a rather mysterious co-worker who is cleaning up before opening. Randy is told by his manager that he is different from the others and has a future, although one wonders what that might be in this burger joint or another store. Randy is quiet, possessing a rather fearful visage and mannerisms, not surprising when we learn of his inner turmoil. But that inner world is about be be challenged as never before, when after being bullied, Benson snaps and kills the two coworkers and porn-watching manager. The bloodied bodies are moved to the walk-in freezer with Randy’s reluctant help, and the short road trip begins! 

The drive takes us through flat land  and fields, as one might expect in rural Louisiana. After a quickstep at Benson’s home to get cigarettes, The pair first visit Randy’s former girlfriend at her work, where we learn that he was dropped because of his apathy. Then the scene moves to the high school, where after getting the address of Randy’s 2nd grade teacher in a rage, Benson beats to near death the vice principal . The teacher, Miss Beard (Liza Weil)  has one eye, the consequence of a fit of anger on Randy’s past years ago when he threw an eraser at her.  A very attractive womnan wearing an eye patch, her life was ruined (although after seeing Randy again she will alter that interpretation), as was Randy’s. That traumatic event  is why Randy is so fearful, insecure, and internal frozen to confront life as it is. Finally Benson, is about to shoot this teacher in her living room  when Randy steps in, asserts himself against the evil that is Benson, and becomes a strong human being. It is that moment of decision that changes everything. 

One decision can change your world. Our character is the sum of our decisions, but there is always time to focus on God, the universal Redeemer inside each of us, and transform yourself in a most positive way. Thus a rather dark film can illuminate a troubled soul -- perhaps that is you!

Impressions from Watching "Fast X:” Or Why Cars and Drivers No Longer Matter

 I finally caught “Fast X” after it was made available on Prime the other day. I loved the early to mid-Fast and Furious Franchise releases, but this one didn’t sit well with me. Maybe I am just getting too old.

That said, I am very interested in themes central to "Fast X” beyond automobile culture and history -- family, honor, legacy, loyalty. It’s these Biblical notions that have drawn me to these films -- although the speed can cars were a part of my fascination as well. There is a touching moment with a cross, but it is just a moment, and the meaning can be easily lost.

This film was the fifth highest grossing film of 2023, and over $350 million was spent on making it. It is star studded -- with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriquez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludicrous” Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniella Melchior, Alan Richardson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Stathem, Jason Momoa (the bad guy who might as well be a clown at times), and Charlize Theron.

The car featured electric Dodge Chargers, along with a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, Lamborghini Gallardo, Alfa Romeo 159, and a Porsche 911 997 GT3 RS. And then there is the bad guy’s Chevrolet Impala. 

The scenes were exotic -- Rome, Turn, Portugal and more. But the settings are so blurred with high-powered action. Is this what life is all about now -- a quick rush, but not an introspective sensitivity?

The line that stuck with me was that in our own time cars and drivers no long matter -- how true that might be with autonomous vehicles on the horizon and being introduced currently. But the real problem I had was that the themes of honor, family, etc. were diluted to a large degree by the silliness, distractions, pace so fast that it was seen as frenetic for this old man. 

There can be too much of a good thing, and I believe this movie demonstrates that point.    Vin, as you bring this series to an end, slow down some.