The USA's all-powerful EPA has another little surprise in store for us
called OBD III which stands for "On-board diagnostics Version # 3". This
is the instruction set on new car electronic engine management systems that
control all aspects of the car's operation. A fine example is the new
Cadillac NorthStar models. What the consumer is told about this system is
in the event of an accident, and the airbag discharges, the OBD sends a
signal via satellite to GM. GM calls the cell phone of the vehicle, calls
emergency services and records the "event" details. Nice, huh? How about
this though - the car begins to run poorly, discharging emissions outside of
limits. The car sends a signal to GM who sends the owner a letter
identifying the problem. Go 30 days without doing anything. A second
letter. Go 30 more days. GM sends a signal to your car and disables it.
No go. Dead Caddy. Get a tow to the shop for the repair and reset of the
OBD. Nice, huh? These systems record everything about the car - throttle
position, speed, engine RPM, suspension loadings at each wheel, steering
wheel position, braking forces and so on. Guess where the insurance
companies are going first in the event of a crash? That's right, straight
to GM for a download of the OBD logs. The ACLU is fighting these systems
now. If they (we) lose, mercury batteries going away will look like a walk
in the park.
----- Original Message -----
George M. Anderson <george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ranted:
> 2) On a VERY similar note, the all-powerful vaunted US EPA (who, of
> course, is the agency which banned mercury), in concert with the
> California Air resources board, the PAC-money rich oil companies and the
> corrupt, totally bought and paid for politicians (Pete Wilson, Gray
> Davis, Willie Brown(who also takes more tobacco money than anyone else)
> amoung the worst offenders) have foisted a FAR WORSE environmental
> disaster on the people of California - in the name of clean air! I
> point this out simply as an hypocrisy primer.....
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