BBC Blog Network

User Profile

BrynRoberts

Listed below are comments made by BrynRoberts between Monday, 8th September 2008 and Monday, 23rd November 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Why cars are greener than buses (maybe) 07:25am on 23 Nov 2009 "189. At 02:11am on 21 Nov 2009, Tommy Edison wrote:
As for 4x4's it stands to reason that carrying around the weight of a spare driven axle and spinning an unused diff & final drive will make a vehicle less fuel efficient. There was a time, when winters were colder and roads were less well used, maintained; and on the whole more challenging to drive on. The only 4x4's lacked any creature comfort so the only people who actually used them really needed to (farmers on farm tracks - not rural commuters) and the rest of managed well enough. Some in real Minis that managed 50mpg."
Hi Tommy
Whilst your comments certainly would have had significant weight 20 or 30 years ago, car design has moved on quite significantly. My off-roader has rear wheels driven by electro-magnetic motors and doesn't need a heavy rear axle, lockable diff, transfer box, or any of the other older items which substantially increase the weight of the car. And I must say, my real mini, even when driven at 55mph, never gave 50mpg.
However, the point I was trying to make was that the generally-uninformed use the term "4x4" as a form of abuse, without any proper consideration of whether or not the vehicle in question actually has the adverse properties that they're complaining of. And, whilst the truly severe winters of the 60s and 70s may have gone (for the moment), over the last week I've had to drive through water that was 2 feet deep - something you can't do in anything other than an off-roader - and I've lost count of the number of times that I've done similar things over the last few years to bring back stranded family members, or had to tow stranded family cars.
Ultimately, this is about personal choice. I have chosen to drive an off-roader because it suits my needs, and because it's highly practical and a pleasant place to be - it's a car, a van, a load-carrier and a rescue vehicle, all-in-one, and I'll never change from off-roaders now.
Why cars are greener than buses (maybe) 6:00pm on 20 Nov 2009 I wondered how long it would take for someone to trot out the old "4x4" cliche? About 20 posts!
Let's get this straight - I drive a "4x4". My 'enormous' 4x4 is shorter than a volvo estate, narrower than a BMW 5-series, and not as tall as a Ford Galaxy. Furthermore, it's less poluting than a mini cooper, it averages around 35mpg, and most of the time I run it in 2 wheel drive However there are times when 4 wheel drive is either useful or essential. I therefore object to the uninformed assuming that all off-roaders are like Hummers - they're not!
As for whether cars can be more green-friendly than public transport, I live on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Public transport is virtually non-existent, and in bad weather it can't run anyway. So cars are not only a better option, but the only option. Perhaps, one day, those in government (and those intent on insisting that all cars should be banned) will understand that cars are sometimes the ONLY way to get around.
Connections and patronage 07:39am on 12 Dec 2008 NoRashDecisions (#104)

You said "If the queen were aposed (and able to express her opinion) to the Fawklins invasion would she have been able to stop it from happening?"

Presumably you were enquiring whether, if our Monarch were opposed to the invasion of the Falklands Islands, she could have done anything about it.

I'm sure she was opposed to the invasion. I certainly was. It was an invasion by forces from Argentina, and many lives were lost (on both sides) before the legal status quo was restored. Please don't make the mistake of believing that it was the British who invaded the Falklands. We re-took the Falklands, liberating the British residents of those islands from a foreign invading force.

Just to bring a little historical accuracy to the debate!

Peace, all.
Connections and patronage 07:26am on 11 Dec 2008 David_Hazel (#73)

Just for clarity, the ruling Monarch of the time certainly has political power.

Theoretically (and, essentialy it is just that, but nevertheless it exists) the Monarch may choose not to endorse a bill passed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords - hence bills only become Acts when they have received Royal Assent. Whilst this power of veto has not often been exercised (the last time was 1999), it nevertheless allows a Monarch to refuse to allow a Bill to become law.

In addition, it is the Monarch who chooses to dissolve Parliament (albeit generally upon a request from the Prime Minister of the day).

Whilst the Queen may, in general terms, be a figurehead for the Country (and the Commonwealth), she does retain certain constitutional powers which can have a significant impact.

Peace, all

Bryn
Connections and patronage 07:03am on 10 Dec 2008 OldSouth posted:

"... not to whine overly much, but ... isn't the whole history of the British monarchy about 'role of family connections and patronage?"

Good point, well made. And it's absolutely true, and executions did indeed happen on occasion.

However, the British monarchy (or any other monarchy for that matter) never claimed to be a democracy. They are a monarchy. The arbitrary appointment of those in power by their friends (or people who can give them additional power or influence) should be stamped out as soon as possible.

Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson - take note!
BBC iPlayer on Nokia N96 mobile phone 6:31pm on 08 Sep 2008 Frankly, it's a complete waste of time.

So far my experience of the iPlayer is that, at quiet times, it's slow; and at busy times it's inaccessible.

Furthermore, it slows the loading of pages, and requently locks internet explorer.

Perhaps the best thing for the BBC to do would be to either scrap the system, or give us the option of accessing the website without it.

Sorry, but it's just rubbish.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

BrynRoberts