2 hours ago, Mainecat said:

Seems the natives are restless…..

Former ICE Agents Speak Out on Why They Quit Amid Trump's Deportation Quotas

A growing number of former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are coming forward, exposing the disturbing work conditions and internal pressure that led to their resignations. According to The Atlantic, these agents say President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy—pushed by his “One Big Beautiful Bill”—has turned their jobs into a quota-chasing nightmare.

One former ICE officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said that what started as a patriotic duty has now turned into a job they no longer recognize. “Even those that are gung ho about the mission aren’t happy with how they are asking to execute it – the quotas and the shift to the low-hanging fruit to make the number,” they explained.

Another ex-agent became even more blunt, revealing that the emotional toll of the job had become too heavy, saying they would rather quit than “arrest gardeners.” Under direction from former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, ICE agents have been expected to make 3,000 arrests per day. And the kicker? Many of those arrested have no criminal records at all. In fact, according to The Atlantic, arrests of non-criminal migrants reportedly spiked 807% since Trump took office.

For some former agents, the turning point came when they realized the job was no longer about national security or justice—it was about feeding the numbers. They also report long hours, relentless overtime, and a disturbing lack of focus on mental health.

Read more:
https://hollywoodunlocked.com/former-ice-agents-quit-trump-deportation/

Fake News.

1 hour ago, Deephaven said:

Lord, thought you were a sledder. I've blown up every brand and many more than once. Not melting down a two stroke only happens when you don't ride.

Sleds, Bikes, ATV's, SXS's, Drag Boats, Hydroplanes, Drag Cars, fishing boats.

3 minutes ago, XCR1250 said:

Then I would assume it's a way over-blown story from Poo haters.

I've been riding Poo sleds among other brands since 1967 and Poo wheelers since 1998, not once did I ever have any issues except one broken axle, had 2 500's 1 600, 1 700, 1 800, 1 850, 1 325, and 3 1000's, maybe more that I've forgotten about..lol, never a fire and almost zero issues with them, just tires and some clutch rebuilding, couple of u-joints.. I do all my own work here.

1 minute ago, Bontz said:

Cool story ... still doesn't mean all the QC issues at Polaris don't/didn't exist. I have an extended family member that works at Polaris - I don't hear about fires from him either

Then I would assume it's a way over-blown story from Poo haters.

1 hour ago, Bontz said:

Nope. There's a lot of things I haven't seen, but just because I haven't seen something in person doesn't mean it's untrue.

10 years ago we had a recall on both of our regular Poo XP 1000 ATV's, they put reflective panels in above the exhaust to prevent overheating of the fender on the exhaust side..never had any recalls on our RZR XP 1000 SXS though.

We're at the very large local Poo/Doo dealer every week, they are family friends of ours, they were begging I come to work for them some years ago, we helped them with getting items during the Covid farse... they never mentioned any fires on Poo ATV's/SXS's which I'm sure they would have as I converse with them a lot about wheelers and sleds while we're there.

They've been to my home numerous times and I gave the owner many cords of free firewood.

9 minutes ago, Bontz said:

Hey, that's great you don't see it. That doesn't change the fact it's happening .... a lot.

Have you witnessed any Poo SXS fires?

29 minutes ago, Bontz said:

I had to quit right at that point. Sorry Don ... I'm a fan of Polaris products, but their track record with quality control issues over the past 5+ years (or longer when it comes to SxS fires) isn't exactly living up to that statement I quoted.

Ya know we SXS's ride every week, only SXS fire we ever came across was a CanAm SXS, few years back on the Big Chip there was a Doo sled burning up after he jumped over the CTH CC.

Trump judge pick declines to rule out 3rd Trump term, denounce Jan. 6 rioters

Polaris might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of the world’s largest automakers, but it absolutely should be. Founded in 1954 in Roseau, Minnesota, Polaris built its reputation in the snow by being the pioneers of the modern snowmobile. However, it soon evolved into a juggernaut in powersports, developing insane off-road vehicles, military-grade machines, and then developing beautiful motorcycles as well.

Recently, I was invited to experience that legacy firsthand. What I learned is that Polaris isn't all about mass production or chasing the numbers game. Instead, the brand focuses on engineering excellence, relentless testing, and a true passion for adventure. That mindset fuels the team's innovation, all the way from Indian Motorcycles to the world-dominating RZR lineup.

Small Towns, Big Dreams: The Wyoming And Roseau Facilities

When I stepped into Polaris’ sprawling 300,000-square-foot Wyoming, MN facility, it became instantly clear that this is so much more than just another R&D and testing facility. Situated on over 700 acres of land, this is where all the magic happens. This is where the most rugged off-road vehicles, and Indian motorcycles, are conceptualized, tested, refined, and perfected.

Again, it's in no way the largest facility I have visited, but every corner of the Wyoming facility breathes engineering and passion. It’s home to Polaris’ R&D hub for both their legendary off-road lineup and Indian motorcycles. From state-of-the-art durability testing chambers to futuristic sound labs (yes, sound matters a lot here), this place is a living, breathing beast of innovation.

But what I have learnt in all my years visiting factories and OEM facilities across the globe, is that what sets them truly apart is the people who work there. I had the pleasure of meeting incredible minds like Jenna Lueck (Sr. Brand Marketing Manager), Cory Bombard (Director of Engineering), Alex Scheuerell (Director of Off-Road Motorsports), David Elia (Sr. Product Director), and Dave Borowicz (Production Director). These folks are passionate individuals who live and breathe the Polaris lifestyle. Their commitment, as well as the entire workforce, is visible in every product, every idea, every inch of this place.

Polaris
Then came the visit to Roseau. This was a more intimate, and much more specialized, part of Polaris’ operation, and one that left an even deeper impression on me.

Firstly, Roseau is the birthplace of Polaris. It's only 10 miles away from the Canadian border. It's a very small town, and it's safe to say that the majority of its approximately 3,000 residents probably work for Polaris. And then, the facility itself is on a much smaller scale than the main Polaris production sites, but this one is mighty in impact. Here, a team of just 35–40 people assembled military vehicles for the US government, and now something extraordinary: Polaris formidable RZR Pro R Factory race machines.

Polaris
The RZR Pro R Factory isn’t built in large numbers. It’s not rolling off assembly lines by the hundreds. Instead, it's built by hand, with precision craftsmanship, using cutting-edge tech. The process is lean, precise, and packed with pride. Each component is assembled using a combination of manual expertise and highly specialized machinery. The vibe is closer to a Formula 1 garage than a traditional factory. Some of the components used in the vehicle are so complex that they are in fact used in F1 machines as well.

Polaris
What’s even cooler? This isn't a top-secret prototype for elite racers only. Anyone (with deep enough pockets) can place an order for the RZR Pro R Factory, which starts around $140,000. Even though it's built to order, using manystock RZR Pro Rcomponents (yes, the same parts you’d find at a Polaris dealership), this version is fine-tuned, race-prepped, and elite-tier capable.

Polaris created this race monster after seeing how independent race teams were modifying stock RZRs—and often falling short. The company knew it could build something better to help these racing teams, and wow… did they ever.

The RZR Pro R Factory: The Dakar Racer You Can Actually Buy—And It’s Insane

Polaris
Let’s talk about the real star here - the Polaris RZR Pro R Factory. This machine is absolutely insane. And I am not just saying that because we got to see it being built. We were given a hot lap in this vehicle which I will share in another article later, and it absolutely blew my mind - it’s a full-blown, engineering flex.

Built for endurance, toughness, and domination, this vehicle made its presence known on the global stage at none other than the Dakar Rally—the most brutal, grueling off-road race on the planet. In its debut, American rookie driver Brock Heger and navigator Max Eddy Jr. totally crushed the competition. The duo won the SSV class at the 2025 Dakar Rally by a two-hour margin, leading the pack for 10 out of 12 stages.

So, what makes this beast so unbeatable? Just the basics, really! Take a high-strength, lightweight chassis which is built meeting FIA SSV specs. Throw in the race-tuned ProStar Fury 2.0L, delivering 225 to 255 horsepower, with power delivered to a drive system with true 2WD/4WD/4WD Lock Pro Performance setup.

Mate that to an automatic PVT with Low/High gearing. Throw in a rear-mounted radiator with dual 500W fans and integrated transmission cooler, And then let all of that sit on FOX Factory Race ESC EVO 3.0 Internal Bypass Shocks. All of that can then race over nearly 5,000 miles of Saudi desert terrain, which is the ultimate durability and reliability test.

Polaris
But here’s what’s very impressive, and the Polaris folks kept trying to drill this into our heads. Despite its racing pedigree, the Pro R Factory retains key components from the stock RZR Pro R—engine, driveline, suspension. That proves Polaris is building consumer vehicles tough enough for war zones and the world’s gnarliest terrain.

Polaris: The Unsung Hero of American Engineering

Polaris
My visit to Polaris was a window into a world of passion, and performance. Whether in the sprawling Wyoming R&D center or the smaller, hyper-focused Roseau assembly line, one thing became clear to me: Polaris is king of powersports. This was further proved once we got to sample the RZR Pro R and the RZR Pro R Factory. Those experiences will be shared soon. So, stay posted.

Polaris may not be one of the biggest names in automotive manufacturing, but they sure as hell are one of the most important when it comes to creating enthusiast vehicles. And after visiting the facilities, meeting the incredible people behind the machines, and witnessing the engineering marvel that is the RZR Pro R Factory, I want my own RZR Pro R now.

3 hours ago, ViperGTS/Z1 said:

Keep that inflammation at bay with Fish Oil and Olive Oil. I take both and also keeps an ideal blood pressure for me with zero meds..... It allows me to still party @63.......

https://totalshape.com/supplements/olive-oil-vs-fish-oil/

I take those also, plus beet root juice/powder, blood pressure right now is 97 over 63..BPM 57.

On 7/8/2025 at 2:46 PM, Mainecat said:

Trump says a new 50% tariff on copper imports is coming

Last edited Tue Jul 8, 2025, 02:34 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: CNN Business

Updated 2:09 PM EDT, Tue July 8, 2025


CNN — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he’s imposing a new 50% tariff on all copper. However, it’s unclear when the new tariff would take effect.

“Today we’re doing copper,” he said at a Cabinet meeting, adding that he believed the rate will be 50%.

This would mark the fourth across-the-board tariff Trump has imposed during his second term. Currently, imported cars and car parts face a 25% tariff while imported steel and aluminum face 50% tariffs.

Trump ordered a Section 232 investigation into copper imports in February.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/business/trump-copper-tariff

This is great news.

2 hours ago, Snake said:

You are more than welcome to cover whatever amount of food or cash you want to give.

No one is saying 37 million kids should get a job. But maby their mom and her 5 'baby daddies' could get 1 or 2 and chip in.

Always ready to excuse the piss poor choices of those under you... pathetic.

But watching everyone else walk off to war while you slide can easily give you that type of attitude.

That's what I was getting to, not the young kids getting jobs, but Dummy MC doesn't know have reading skills.

1 hour ago, Mainecat said:

37 Million children on Medicaid and Chip should get a fuckin job?

Really you are too stupid to even comment on this.

LOL, you are the dumbest he/she/it or whatever you call yourself, on this site..

1 hour ago, Mainecat said:

And you follow me like a puppy.

And you follow me like a puppy.

Gawd you are so stupid!

10 hours ago, Mainecat said:

I don’t get owned shorty.

Yes you do, everyday that post post your BS.

Maybe they should get a Job.

1 hour ago, akvanden said:

Area and how many does it sleep?

Near Lemington, I've seen 16 Bear hunters there at once. Has 3 sleeping areas inside.

To rent a Cabin in this area? $20 per person per day:

10 hours ago, EvilBird said:

Cool. My 7 year old Son wants to see it bad . Gonna take him soon.

Watch it on your wide screen TV, that's what I did.

• boomer cohort born between 1946 and 1964 will actually have paid more into the system than they will receive in benefits.

• With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day, many believe the sheer size of that generation is putting undue pressure on Social Security’s funds.

• But it turns out that the earliest beneficiaries, from back when the program was created in the 1930s, were actually the ones who received more money than they paid in.

• Policy changes made around that time contributed to the missing reserves that program faces today. To fix that, it will require tax increases, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

You’ve probably heard before that baby boomers are to blame for Social Security’s money woes.

Yet new research from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College suggests otherwise.

Tom Merton | Getty Images

The thinking typically goes that boomers have put undue pressure on the system because of the size of their generation.

About 10,000 people turn 65 every day. Many of those individuals are claiming Social Security retirement benefits, which has created the perception that they are draining the system.

However, the Center for Retirement Research found the boomer cohort born between 1946 and 1964 will actually have paid more into the system than they will receive in benefits.

There is a group of retirees, however, who did receive more money than they contributed: people who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. That’s because they generally worked for fewer years before collecting benefits.

And the policy decisions that were made in the early years of the program, namely to make it a pay-as-you-go system, helped set it up for the funding problems we face today, the research found.

“Whenever you have a pay-as-you-go system, it’s going to be more expensive than a fully funded system,” said Geoff Sanzenbacher, associate director of research at the Center for Retirement Research.

‘Missing trust fund’

Social Security has made headlines for the funding shortfall it could face if nothing is done to change the system.

The latest report from the Social Security Board of Trustees projects the system’s trust funds will be depleted in 2035. At that point, only 80% of expected benefits will be payable.

At its inception in 1935, Social Security resembled a private insurance plan, where the funds coming closely matched the contributions and benefits for the different age cohorts.

But that was changed with amendments that were made in 1939 adding benefits for spouses and minor children of retired workers, as well as survivor benefits for families if a worker died. At that time, benefits were tied to average earnings.

Those changes meant that some retirees received more in benefits than they had contributed to the system. Payroll tax receipts were used to make those payments.

However, that prevented the system from expanding the trust fund. Without those increasing reserves, the system also misses out on interest the money could be earning.

The “Missing Trust Fund,” as it is named in the research, makes the program more expensive for current participants, because they have to contribute money both for their benefits and to make up for those missing funds.

As it stands, today’s benefits are roughly in line with costs, and consequently are not too generous, Sanzenbacher said. “But we need to deal with this legacy debt,” he said.

Possible solutions

There are a couple of approaches that could be used to make up the shortfall, according to the research.

One way would be to raise taxes. Any increase would need to be permanent, according to the research.

Another possible solution would be to increase taxes temporarily until a sufficient trust fund is established. Once that money is there, the system could return to today’s level of payroll taxes. The current Social Security tax rate is 12.4%, which is evenly split between employers and employees.

The tax increases could come in several forms: by increasing the payroll tax percentage and maintaining the current Social Security cap of $132,900; increasing the payroll tax and eliminating the payroll tax cap; or shifting from a payroll tax to income tax.

Small tax raises could be used to supplement interest the trust fund hasn’t been earning as it is being depleted, while larger increases could help replace the trust fund itself.

“There are different ways to deal with this issue,” Sanzenbacher said.

That will require considering whether to put the burden on current generations, future generations or something in between, he said.

“We’re going to have to do something,” Sanzenbacher said. “We’re not trying to propose whatever it is we do.

“We’re just trying to make the point that you can make different choices.”

Jurassic World Rebirth

Climate is always changing, with or without humans burning fossil fuels | Letter

Robert Umbarger

Sat, July 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM UTC

1 min read

In your Sunday, June 29 VOP section, a writer claims that our current heat wave is partly due to climate change caused by burning fossil fuels.

It is a fact that Earth's climate is changing, has always changed and will continue to change, with or without human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.

For example, recall that the northern United States was once covered by a very thick glacier. It melted long before the Industrial Revolution and widespread use of fossil fuels. It is also a fact that Earth's climate variations closely follow well-known solar cycles. Most scientists won't tell you this because it would dry up the climate hysteria gravy train.

Advertisement

Some time in the future, people will be praying for more heat, because Earth will begin to cool again! The best we can do is adapt to the changes and quit wasting money trying to control them.

Robert Umbarger, Munroe Falls

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Climate is always changing, with or without humans | Letter

2 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Your inability to understand obvious sarcasm is really sad

Yes yours is definitely sad and everyone here sees it daily.