Founding Documents
Here are a few of the more interesting political documents that are commonly referred to in web discussions.
Declaration of Independence
The first statement against Colonialism and the first expression of the eventual end of Mercantilism. The United States were the first colonies to break away from Great Britain.
http://www.constitution.org/usdeclar.pdf
United States Consitution
Everyone thinks they know the Constitution but most of us know only the parts we like. The Constitution is an integrated document. The parts don’t really stand on their own so the whole document must be known to be understood.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.pdf
European Union Treaty of Lisbon
It’s interesting to compare and contrast the political thinking of the 18th century as embodied by the US Constitution and the 20th as embodied by the EU Treaty of Lisbon, Treaty of European Union and Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (originally titled the Treaty Establishing the European Community).
http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/full_text/index_en.htm
Sharia/Fiqh
Sharia/Fiqh is an outstanding example of a living political system that fully integrates Church and State. Over a billion people today are governed by some or all aspects of Sharia/Fiqh.
Well, all the old links that translated most of the basic documents of Sharia/Fiqh into English are broken. A quick web search turned up no extensive or trustworthy translations. Too bad. Sharia/Fiqh is a fascinating look into our past.
March 9, 2010
Fiat 128
My brothers and I shared a Fiat 128 in our high school and college years. We loved that car. The 128 is one of the best designed cars in the world ever and easily the most fun to drive. Manufacturing execution wasn’t the greatest but we learned to keep it running in top shape. The 128 body rusted away, the exhaust manifold cracked and clutch cables could no longer be found in America so we sold it for $150 after 12 years of solid driving fun.
The Fiat 128 was an Italian car designed in 1969 that was very, very ahead of it’s time. Ours was a 1972 hatchback and was the first “hot hatch” ever designed and built. A couple of the 128’s advanced attributes are four wheel independent suspension using McPherson strut and wishbone on every wheel. This was a highly advanced suspension concept for 1969 and was used on only a few specialized racing cars. Front wheel drive with transverse integrated engine/transmission. This layout had never been used in any car before the 128. Fast forward 15 years and every small car was built this way although, with the possible exception of the 1985-1995 Honda Civics, the designs were never as good as the 128.
Fiat 128 Specs
- Engine: 1100 cc SOHC, iron block, aluminum head
- HP: 55 bhp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 57 ft/lbs @ 3500 rpm
- Max RPM: 7000
- Weight: 1800 lbs
- Chassis: Unibody, 3 door hatchback
- Suspension: 4 wheel independent McPherson strut/wishbone
- Color: Red with black vinyl interior
- Measured Top Speed: 85 level, 90 downhill, 60 uphill
- Fun Factor: Infinite
Fun Things to Do in a Fiat 128
- Corner on two wheels.
- Jump the car on certain hills in North Augusta.
- Do 360’s on bald tires in the rain while exiting the interstate.
- Drive through the woods to go “camping”.
- Go on week long rambling road trips.
- Taste the freedom that comes with driving like Rémy Julienne.
Interesting Fiat 128 Fact
The car can be steered by shifting passenger weight. To go left, everyone jams over to the left side. To go right, everyone jams to the right side. To go straight, everyone sits evenly apart.