I have done my share of stupid things in my time.  Driven cars with marginal
brakes and tires on long trips up and down the East Coast.  Dumped gas into a
barrel with a fire burning in it.  Jimmy rigged windshield wipers that broke
in the middle of a downpour with a coat hanger and kept driving.  And, praise
God, I am still here to tell the tale.

The problem comes when we start to confuse something that is a product of
grace with our own abilities.  That somehow, because we are better or smarter
than anyone else, we can do unwise things and get away with them.  Lately we
have had a rash of these posts on the list.  "I dumped a substance in my
coolant system 40k miles ago that clearly states on the container is only for
temporary use, and everything is working great!"  "I towed trailers weighing
more than the weight of the vehicle towing it, with tottally inadequate
brakes and horse power across the country and made it without crashing or
blowing the engine up!"  Etc, etc.  They are confusing a situation that most
people would look back on and say, "Man, I can't believe that I made it." to
something that they accomplished.

I would have stayed silent on this issue but I fear that other people on this
List would also be encouraged to take chances with thier safety as well,
thinking, "Well this person did it, and they turned out OK."  Don't look at
the exception, look at the rule.  If you don't take good care of your
vehicles they will break down and leave you or your loved ones, stranded on
the side of the road in the dark and cold night (been there, done that).  If
you tow something with a vehicle that can barely stop itself you are asking
for an accident.

Being human, I will probably do more foolish things in the future as many of
you may.  However please don't come on the list and brag about them.  It
makes you look bad and could lead others down a foolish path.

<<Preach mode off>>
Happy Friday,

Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16

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