George - Very good commentary. Thanks for posting it as it says things we need to hear. As for flaws in our constitution and whites having no history, I'd love to see someone post that in China. Tell Xi Jinping he's flawed and has no history. Tell him Mao Zedong's vision of the CCP in 1949 was flawed and see how long it takes the author to be hauled away to a gulag. Some of us forget about how precious our 1st amendment rights are.

The Oxford dictionary defines flawed as blemished, damaged, or imperfect in some way. So being human means being flawed to include all of us on the planet. We do the best we can coping with that. America as an idea, has been referred to as an experimental form of government which exists only here. Some people hate us while others pile in. Being critical of anything is fine but when it lacks ways to fix problems then it's just empty complaints headed nowhere. Cancel culture is a bad and unsustainable idea. Better if we learn history (both good & bad) and use those facts to build a better nation, unite, avoid repeating mistakes and solve problems.

The very XT225 bikes we enjoy riding are flawed in some ways. Do we not ride them because of that? When we do ride are we obsessed with those flaws or do we enjoy where the bikes shine? As for those who are preoccupied with America's flaws (and there are plenty), I'd suggest they live in China for a while or someplace else they believe is less flawed. One current flaw I see is our inability to unite. For those that see America as a noble nation, it's imperative we unite under common causes or we'll lose the nation as we knew it. Some think that loss is a good idea and that America (the flawed nation) needs to be remade. From the naysayers camp, I've not heard one constructive suggestion on how to better this nation. What I do see is censorship repackaged as "content moderation", a government weaponized against the people who elected it, individuals persecuted for political beliefs, name calling, greed and corruption. When the mind is ready a teacher appears. Seems unlikely in the years I have left. I hope those wanting to reboot America find themselves content with their new home.

To 'kick start' this discussion, let me say that I agree with you - there are any number of reasons why one might see the core American values enshrined in our Constitution and set forward by our founding fathers as being flawed.

America's founding fathers were no more perfect than any of us have been, or ever will be. The founding fathers were products of their time, just as we are products of the time we live in. Their views on issues critical to their time were largely shaped by the circumstances and prejudices of their era, just as our views are shaped in large measure by the circumstances and prejudices of our era. The 'Declaration of Independence' states that "all men are created equal - endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights," yet America's founding fathers owned slaves, as did many at that time and for decades afterwards.

American values have been interpreted in different ways at different times. Even what it means to be 'American' has changed over the years, and different groups have different interpretations of the values that the founding fathers espoused. For example, given the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution and the legal rulings upholding it, people see their right to bear arms as an essential American value. Others insist that our 2nd Amendment right to 'keep and bear arms' is a relic of a bygone era. That the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't seen things their way is something these groups struggle to deal with.

The fact is that American values have not always been applied equally. Throughout American history, groups of people have been denied the full benefits of American citizenship. Native Americans, African Americans, Japanese Americans and women have, at various times during our history, been treated as though they did not merit 'equal access' to the benefits and values that most of us take for granted. Still today, there remain disparities in the way core American values are applied to different groups. Is that 'right and just'? Not at all.

In light of these facts, some will argue that the American values codified by our founding fathers are so deeply flawed that they can't be seen as a benefit to today's Americans, a view that a great many so called 'proofs' can be offered in support of.

Nevertheless it's essential that we remember these core American values have been the very foundation of our American democracy for nearly 2 1/2 centuries. They helped those who came before us create a country that is, and long has been, more just (but not 'perfectly just') and with greater equality of opportunity (but not 'perfect equality of opportunity') than any other the world has ever known.

The one thing our country asks of us was set forward eloquently by President John Kennedy when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." That seems to have escaped the notice of of those who most loudly demean America these days, those who see their own failings reflected in their disparagement of our Constitutional Republic, hating both themselves and the 'others' that they blame for these failings.

While our Constitutional values are not perfectly applied, and no one would argue that they are, they are well worth striving for on every plane of life - and well worth defending as the need arises, as American patriots have long done and will continue to do, no matter the cost..

That's a start.. Now, if you'll expand, in detail, on your suggestion that "American Values," as set forward by America's "euro-american founding fathers," are somehow "flawed," we may find that a worthwhile discussion takes place, and that would be a good thing, YF..

...


I see.
the difference.


Portions were Redacted and all was Classified, meant for the 'house mice' ???

Guess, they,
De-classified with their mind..


youngfred

...


The American Values
stated by the euro-american
founding fathers, are flawed.

"We The People" - which 'People' ?
Which Human Beings?

Our euro-american citizens continue
to tell-us, who they are,.from their
position of - The Privileged.

.All of us listen.

White Americans
have no History.

Who are You?
I'm an American.

euro-americans
have on history, other than -'
White'

Poor things.

~

But wait, the Hyphen
has arrived.

euro-american-I am somebody.

Our newest minority, yea !!!

No longer, just, 'White'.

Now

You'll get a whole Month
to celebrate your history:

euro-american History Month.

Welcome,
euro-americans.

______________________________________________

*...when they tell you, who-they-are - listen.









.


\

..

Hi George - +1. As for popular and sensational writing, I'd offer William Shirer's book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" copyright 1959 as suggested reading. Much of what is documented in that book is going on today for those able to connect the dots.

...


youngfred

. . . ?

I have to believe you can do better than that, YF..

Pulp

. popular or sensational writing that is generally regarded as being of poor quality


youngfred

Fascinating article by liberal feminist author Naomi Wolf on what Tucker Carlson has come to mean to her and others like her.

Detailing how her view of Carlson slowly transitioned from rabid unapologetic dislike and disdain to a balanced understanding of what he and other conservative journalists and reporters have to offer liberals like herself who will listen, as well as independents and conservatives alike.

Setting aside the rancor, untruths and mindless tribal think that characterizes our national dialog these days, her new insight and appreciation for the honest dialog she discovered Carlson capable of was a 'common ground' experience, one she describes in detail in her linked 'The Meaning of Tucker Carlson' article..

----------------------------------------------

Naomi Rebekah Wolf (born November 12, 1962) is an American feminist author and journalist. Following her first book 'The Beauty Myth' (1991), she became a leading spokeswoman of what has been described as the third wave of the feminist movement.

Feminists including Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan praised her work. Others, including Camille Paglia, criticized it. In the 1990s, she was a political advisor to the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

---------------------------------------------------

'The Meaning of Tucker Carlson'

https://brownstone.org/articles/the-meaning-of-tucker-carlson/

------------------------------------------------

Whatever your political views may be, this is an eye opening account of one influential liberal author's slow awakening to a set of truths that she had spent years convincing herself could not possibly be meaningful in the broad scope of things political, as she had understood these things to be for a very long time..

Thanks - will check

Cleaning the carb is always a good idea if it hasn't been done. I use Berryman B-12 cleaner. Watch your eye when using the spray.

The other thing to check is rust particles in the gas tank. Make sure your fuel in clean. A vacuum leak in another possible problem which will lean out the mixture. Also check the Coaster Enrichment Cover for problems. I had this issue and it essentially creates a vacuum leak. Good luck and ride safely.

PS: Watch cleaning passages in the carb body. Don't use anything that might damage them like steel wire. A rebuild kit might be indicated.

Sounds like a clogged carburetor and you're having to use the enrichment circuit (choke) to get fuel into the engine. Time to pull it and clean all those jets out. I believe there's a post here that has a carb cleaning how-to.

Riding home the other day the bike died. Now it runs as long as the choke is on, but as soon as I close the choke it dies.
All suggestions welcome.

What year is it?

...


"...I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that."


youngfred

Basically it translates as, 'The fox never sees its own tail, nor the skunk - its bottom'.

In other words, people have a difficult time 'seeing themselves' (and those they identify with) for whom they really are - which is something most of us learn (or strenuously avoid learning) all too well over the course of our lifetimes..

...


* La zorra nunca se ve su cola, ni el zorillo - su fundillo.

You're okay. That's what it means.


"Know Thyself"
_____________________________________________________________________

* "...they were denied counsel and did not understand what was being said."


youngfred

Such conversations can go in a lot of directions. No nation, including America, is without its jaded past. As for history, ever look into what the Apache and Comanche tribes did to their neighboring tribes? Also without any council as we know it. Violence was horrific which seems to have plagued the human race since it existed. No other animal species engages in this type of behavior. My thinking is how do we improve and make the world a better place for everyone? Is that even possible? Some of the most brilliant minds on the planet have pondered this without arriving at any answers. It's complex. As an American I salute our flag and support our constitution knowing our nation isn't perfect. Anyone wishing to dredge up negative past events will find plenty of material. Those wishing to broad brush stroke the nation with negativism are entitled to do so under our first amendment. History needs to be told which should include not just all the bad events. Studying history should help us avoid making the same mistakes.

As for slavery, it's been going on for thousands of years well before Lincoln, who took steps to correct that problem. America, unlike other civilizations, realized slavery was wrong relatively soon in our history. The black community is divided on their stance as to whether we dwell on past events or move forward. I don't know how the Indian tribes would weigh in on their history. Debating these topics usually leaves us all in no better position to move forward.

Regarding killings, you might want to check out the dictators Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong to see how they stack up to Lincoln who championed freedom in America. Albeit not perfect, I prefer to support America's constitutional republic and try to imagine ways we can improve it. Any positive suggestions come to mind?

I don't speak Spanish so I don't know what your last line says??

...


"Know Thyself"


Thirty-eight Native Americans were hanged on Dec. 26, 1862,
as ordered by former President Abraham Lincoln

They were denied counsel and did not understand what was being said.

------------------------------------------------------------------

* La zorra nunca se ve su cola, ni el zorillo - su fundillo.


youngfred

It's the time elapse element that's interesting. So if you run the bike in the morning and shut it off will it start fine when completely cold later in the day? Is this problem tied to sitting overnight? Any change in the situation if you run it out of fuel or leave it wet?

You can check the choke (really an enrichment valve) by pulling it after the bike is hot. You should see the engine stumble on a rich mixture. If pulling the choke does nothing, then it isn't working. A couple of simple things to try that will help with diagnostics. The other possible problem is a leak in the coaster enrichment cover. Thread on that HERE. Good luck.

Wealth in America has created easy times. That leads to laziness and entitlements. Victim-hood fits like a glove over entitlements. There are just so many moving parts to the problems our nation is facing. The mood in the middle class circles I travel in is glum. One can almost cut it with a knife. You see it everywhere which is sad. Our nation should be firing on all 8 cylinders but isn't. As we engage in partisan division, the reality is the most serious problems have nothing to do with partisan politics. The challenge is to get people to unite under our flag and US constitution to pull in a common direction. Either you view America as good and a noble nation or you don't. You ask younger people who George Washington was and they'll say isn't he the guy that owned slaves? When do we start to see the glass as half full instead of half empty? Not sure and maybe not in my lifetime.

Choke not working? When it finally does start, is the idle high or low?

Hello all, I have a 2003 Yamaha xt225. Have had this bike for about 5 years now and for the first few years it was my daily driver. The bike always started fine and has always rode fine. I know this topic is fairly common along this forum but I have a couple things that are different that I can't find info on. I live at 7000 feet elevation and the carb was always stock. I inherited a few other motorcycles from my father and the xt225 sat for a while. I ended up getting a carb rebuild kit and cleaned the carb and replaced all the jets. The bike started perfectly right after the build but then would always start hard even after only sitting for one day. The bike even seems to run better with improved throttle response after the carb rebuild but starts hard. I went back into the carb and made sure the float was adjusted to spec and even cleaned and put back all the original jets as they were in good condition.

The only thing I left was the new Float Valve Needle as the original had worn. Brand new fuel, 91 octane (93 octane is tough to find in my area), non ethanol fuel used and shut the petcock off after starting and allowed bowl to run dry. Still hard to start after only sitting for one day.

Any ideas my fellow xt fans?

^This. In a nutshell. Especially the personal responsibility part. Seems a high percentage of our population these days doesn't believe in that - anything that goes wrong, its always somebody else's fault.