Kevin Shasteen

You use a pejorative term to describe Capital. Why? Johnc, I hope you realize you are opening a huge can of worms here? lol. I need to know first/foremost why you think I have used its term in a negative manner...as opposed to actually using the term in its proper manner. If you dont understand instruments-then you would naturally think I was putting a negative slant on capitalism. For a healthy discussion I'ld be more than happy to play along. I only have one condition-and that is that your comments are not based on feelings. I have found that people will discuss the very issues we are discussing on this thread and use legalistic vernacular in a generic form. When discussing economics you cant use legalistic vernacular in a generic form-it only leads to confusion and denial. I'll be glad to answer your question, if we agree to my one conditioin. I will also need you to first clear up what you are talking about when you use the word Capital-do you mean: 1) Capital account 2) Capital assets 3) Capital case or crime 4) Capital budget 5) Capital contribution 6) Capital costs 7) Capital Expendentures 8) Capital gain 9) Capital gains tax 10) Capital goods 11) Capital impairment 12) Capital improvement 13) Capital increase 14) Capital investment 15) Captial lease 16) Capital leverage 17) Capital loss 18) Capital markets 19) Capital offense 20) Capital outlay 21) Capital ratio 22) Capital recovery 23) Capital return 24) Capital punishment 25) Capital stock 26) Capital stock tax 27) Capital structure 28) Capital surplus 29) Capital transaction 30) Capital: paid in...(paid -vs- discharged-there is a difference) 31) Capital: stated or, are you using the word Capital in a generic, syntaxical error, to mean money? This would also require us to define the word money...told you this is going to open a huge can of worms: it is a great discussion and a worthy one none the less. So, to start our fun discussion I guess we would have to define Capital before we can discuss this issue further. So, how would you difine Capital, and is this a legal definition or is your definition for the word based on feelings? Is your definition the same definitions the bankers are using...and how would you know? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Talk about a powder keg (lol). I find it easier to undestand this world if all issues are placed under one of three sub-categories: Economics, Politics, Religion. I was watching one of the main news channels a few months ago and their little ticker tape down at the bottom read that over 3million American jobs had been lost post 911. This number did not account for the millions of jobs that had been lost pre 911 due to GATT and NAFTA. To say this is the bottom line-and then give an ipinion...is impossible, simply because there are many bottom lines when manimpulating an economy or attempting to keep one afloat via Problem Reaction Solution. I say manipulating an economy because our economy is a debt based economy. The dollar bill is a debt [instrument]. If anyone has ever read the constitution, how many nowadays even knows where to find a copy of the constitution(?), you will read that only Gold & Silver can discharge a debt. So then where has our Gold & Silver gone and why are we now only using Paper Instruments? No need to give me an answer as I already know the answer....I also know that most people reading this will not understand it. You can not have a free trade when the trade is not allowed to take place freely. In a debt based economy you and I-the consumer are required to continue borrowing, this ensures that the debt borrowing will continue: therefore the debt based economy flows as well. If you and I dont borrow-then the state will have to do it for us. The state, govermnet, is only good at creating one thing-at that is war. This is similar to the movie "Beyond Thunderdome" when the underground decided to "stop the poop from flowing". Once the poop stopped flowing the economy came crashing to a halt. Our debt based economy will do the same if the debt ceases to flow. This is why the mfg's are giving such great deals on loans...American or non-American products: such as 0 down/0 financing and 0 payments for 1 or 2 years. Think about the debt based economy next time you pull the debt based paper instrument out of your wallet. You only have that paper instrument because someone before you made a loan (borrowed). The nuances of instruments are way too involved to put it into one thread. It almost takes a lifetime to understand. The reality is that our economy is being globalized. Globalization is here, only now are we the stubborn, and most of the time pre-occupied/stupid Amerians, refusing to see it: yet the growing pains are there. America as it was suppose to be, ceased after the Civil War. Yes-a lot of this dives into the politics and religion and dare I say it, a spritual realm of who is going to be the top dog? Cornwallis after being defeated during the Revolutionary War proudly proclaimed that they, "The Brits" would have America under its control within 200 years. Who was he speaking for when he said "we". He wasnt speaking for the Brits, he was speaking for his financers...the king and the kings bankers: which translates into the "law merchant" which can be further translated into contracts. The 13 Colonies were not initially nations, they were a corporation of the king. Corporation = commerce = law merchant. These very issues being discussed on this thread were being argued thousands of years ago...it was a different dance-but the song was the same. Back then the fight was against the individual -vs- the king. Then once the king conquered the people the battle was king -vs- Papacy. Then somewhere along the 1200-1300 Century came this odd character...the Law Merchant. The Law Merchant slowly gained power till hundreds of years later all of our laws are now surrounded by this law merchant. The conflict now is National -vs- International. All laws are based on the form of money being used. When we had the Gold/Silver Standard we had common law. Once our glorious political leaders did away w/the Gold/Silver Standard we lost our ability to discharge a debt. Now all we have are paper instruments...which is regulated by the UCC. We are a nation of law merchants. The individual no longer has a say...unless it is time for re-elections, then we have the perception of making a difference. BTW: you are not suppose to be an employee-you are suppose to be a worker. The defintion of an employee is a public definition whereas the term worker is a private definition. States/Feds have a duty to regulate public commerce but they dont have a duty to regulate private commerce. Yet, just try and have a rational conversation of inherent rights w/any officer these days-moot to say the least. If a nation of people dont know their history-then they are doomed to repeat it. We are repeating our past downfalls simply because no one understands the distinctions between private -vs- public. IMHO: I say our problem is humanity. Anytime we choose to impose our will on someone else we have crossed the line. IMHO: our problem w/the world is not something you can put a finger on unless you understand that our economy is not in a vacuum and that things dont happen simply by accident: we are fighting a spiritual problem. Like Terry said....enjoy it while you have it because it wont last too much longer. Our economy is a debt based economy that is fighting to not go belly up. Oh well, that is my .02c's worth. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

An Ex-Olds guy speaking here (gotta lerve them ole 442's with their W25 Hood dual snorkel Hood Scoops). 1) We are not using Olds 350's simply because a kit doesnt exists for them. I'm not too sure about eh Olds 350 being lighter than a SBC...was your spec (15#'s lighter) taken from a fully dressed Olds? 2) The Olds bottom end crank mains are 3" to the SBC's standard 2.45": with the 400 SBC as the exception coming in at 2.650". This makes for a rock solid bottom end on the Olds-providing you are not expecting to go far beyond 4000rpm's. This extra bearing surface requires a more efficient oiling system-lots of blue printing involved to make an Olds survive at high rpm's. 3) Aftermarker Cyl.Heads for an Olds engine are too expensive compared to the more popular SBC's. Stock Old's cylinder heads have ports which are too small and this yields a redline that comes into play way soon than the SBC's. 4) A larger crank main, and intake ports being too small-are not reason enough to not use the Olds engines as much as the cost involved to overcome those two very serious problems. Joe Mondello, aka: Mr.Oldsmobile, even says the ultra ultra one area that can not be over looked on a true HiPo Olds engine is the Oiling System...then the Intake Ports to Cyl.Head Ports would come next. 5) The last reason is because there isnt a kit being offered-combine this with the previous cost prohibitive reasons-oiling & cyl.heads whose ports are too small...why would you? All those reasons are why I sold my Rallaye 350 a few years ago. After all the weekend's prepping the engine/trans (rest of the car were in decent order) I didnt like the performance. Heavy car-320hp was just not enough. The car sounded neat-with killer looks (1970) but the car was a led sled....for me-not a led sled by today's standards Now put that 320hp in a ligher car & performance would be quite different-still you can not dismiss the investment costs that brought about the meager 320hp Olds engine as opposed to the costs involved in reaching a 320hp SBC. The parts on an Olds that require tweaking to make them live at higher rpm's must be done by experts who understand the Olds engine....not by machinest who work on Fords & Chevy's all day long: which translates into extra dollars from the project's budget. Not so on the SBC. The parts needed to make a 320hp SBC are shelf bought items...no tweaking involved. Did I mention there is no kit for the Olds to go into a Z? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Beautiful car-too bad AMC wimped out or we would have had an Italian mid-engined car w/an American V8...besides the Pantera. The picture of the car you posted looks similar to the 1970 Prototype AMX/3 Sports Car that AMC never put into production....only AMC never thought of a Hemi BTW: according to the first post below-AMC actually released their Prototype prior to Ford releasing their Pantera...hmmm-didnt know that(?). For those of you who have never seen the AMX/3 go to http://www.amxfiles.com/amc/amx3.html http://www.prismacars.com/AMX3%20Photo%20Page.htm Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Hey, that Neon is not a "Chick Car or a Gay person's Car"...after all it has a Borla exhaust on it: It is a Manly-Man's car From reading the Neon Post it appears this guy is great at talking about others, giving his opinion, but when others give their opinion-relative to him, he cant take it....you gotta love hypocracy-the roosters will always come hope to roost, it is just a matter of time. BTW...it is time for your daily affermation-Very nice Z Aux. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

which one? £ = Pounds ₤ = Lira copy it from the Character Map, and paste I've never gone out of my way to learn how to paste-guess I will have to change. The Cold War between myself and computers ended only a little more than 2 years ago: now you are telling me I have to know how to paste-when will it end . Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Forget your Boost Controller-what about me? Bred, born, and raised in Texas....still cant speak correct English to date(?). Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I would also add that the Cyl. Heads & Intake Manifold used for the SBC Chevy Should've Built article were Aluminum...not Cast Iron. If you attempted to build an engine w/those high DCR & SCR's to be ran on today's pump gas, chances are you would experience Detonation regardless of which rotating assemblies are being utilized. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

PeteP, I have not read Vizards latest article...I will have to go buy it when I get a chanve. Thanks for the heads up. Fearlessrogue, Regardless if you are an electrical or mechanical engineer-if you wish to know the differences in rotating assemblies: con.rods, Piston Comp. Heights (PCH), and Crank Strokes, then you need to understand the Slider Crank Mechanism & how to create your own personal Crank Angle Charts. As stated by other in this post the connecting rod alone is not going to "Make Your Engine". An engine is a total package, no one component stands alone. If you were to look at the Crank Angle Chart comparisons between a Stock 350 and the 350 (actually a 352) that Chevy Should've built you will see there is very little difference. Keep in mind that this articl utilized a Comp Cam's XE270HR10: this cam has an Intake Valve Closing (IVC) of 61* ABDC. When we speak about the IVC we are dealing w/the amount of volume still remaining after the IVC-which is a reference to the size of the actual Cylinder Displacement that gets Compressed. In other words, "How much of the Bore x Stroke Remains after the IVC"...this remaining volume after the IVC is the Cylinder Volume that we plug into the Compression Ratio Formula in calculating our Dynamic Compression Ratio (DCR). The DCR is the spec that ties our Total Chamber Volume to our SCR for your level of required/desired performance (also, sorry JohnC-but the math doesnt lie). Stock 350: 4" Bore 3.48" Stroke "B x S" = 716.93 cc Cylinder Volume 5.703" Con. Rods 1.560" PCH 1.64 R/S Ratio 11:0.1 SCR = 71.7 cc Total Chamber Volume IVC @ 61* ABDC = .802 (Percentage) of Stroke remaining after IVC IVC of 61* ABDC = 575 cc Cylinder Volume 575 cc Cylinder Volume + 71.7 cc Total Chamber Volume = 9:0.1 DCR 352 SBC Chevy Should've Built 4.155" Bore 3.25" Stroke "B x S" = 722 cc Cylinder Volume 6.209" Con. Rods 1.190" PCH 1.91" R/S Ratio 11.0:1 SCR = 72.2 cc Total Chamber Volume IVC @ 61* ABDC = .793 (Percentage) of Stroke remaining after IVC IVC of 61* ABDC = 572 cc Cylinder Volume 572 cc Cylinder Volume + 72.2 cc Total Chamber Volume = 8.9:1 DCR The entire point for the article, "The 350 Chevy Should Have Built" was to show the important of airflow velocity. They built an engine that keeps airflow velocity high and allows the piston to dwell longer in the TDC range. This means the Piston remains longer at TDC during the ignition phase of the Combustion Stroke. Therefore-the spark is applied to the combustible gasses for a longer period. The important factor is to not focus only on the Con. Rods-but also the Cyl.Heads the article utilized. It is a complete package-no one component stands alone. You should be able to look at the remaining Cylinder Volume of each engine and clearly see that there is not that much difference between a .802 and .793 percentage of stroke. So, if this doesnt make that much difference then why bother? You have to see the 352 for what it is: it is a large bore moderate displacement Small Block. The engine utilized smaller Cylinder Head Intake Ports with an Intake Manifold to match-this keeps the port pressures high leading up to the Cylinder for combustion. High Port Pressures means good/high Cylinder Pressures (which JohnC was correct on ). The article on the 352 also utilized a 270 cam.....NOT A 290 cam! So there was still enough Cylinder Pressure after the IVC for a decent idle and power to boot: the perfect street engine! It is a total package-no one component stands alone. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I agree about the "Bigger is not always Better" cliche. A turbo's A/R ratio and Efficieincy is kind've like the relationship between your Intake Manifold Ports/Cyl.Head Intake Ports: providing SCR & DCR are not changed. The larger the Cross-Sectional Area of your Ports leading up to the Total Chamber Volume & Cyl.Volume you have-the longer your [PEAK] airflow velocity is delayed from surfacing till later in the rpm range: likewise, the larger your A/R Ratio the later that turbo will spool. The smaller your A/R Ratio the sooner the turbo will spool. On a normally aspirated engine you can delay the airflow velocity from peaking too soon by utilizing Intake Manifold Ports and Cylinder Head Intake Ports that are slightly larger than what you really need. This way torque will not max out at low rpms-your engine will likewise, not over power your car: because this airflow velocity is minimized at lower rpms your peak power will then surface at a later rpm when you really need it most. The A/R Ratio of a Turbo works in this same manner. You dont have to have "Big" anything to meet your objective when installing a turbo(s). What you need is the "Correct" something to meet that objective. Obtaining the correct size housing to turbine (A/R Ratio) will allow you to choose when you want your peak power (peak airflow velocity) to surface. If you plan on keeping your higher SCR then you will want a Turbo w/an A/R ratio that allows the turbo to spool up at mid to upper mid rpms as a HiPerf. 383 should make plenty of its own torque down low. If you do alter your SCR and go w/a lower SCR then you will also want an A/R ratio that compliments the lower SCR: as said before-all we are doing is manipulating the airflow velocity w/our modifications. If you have not purchased one or two turbo books then you really need to do so: read them till your brain hurts. Make sure you understand the math-no matter how long it takes you. Once you have done this then you wont have any problem reading turbo maps & choosing the correct turbo's. FWIW: I have both Corky Bell's and Hugh MacInnes (sp?) turbo books. I like Corky's book the best. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Fred, I used to work in East Dallas, near the State Fair, at the corner of Peak & Perry. There you will find a shop named "Automotive Test". The owner's name was John Maresh: we rebuilt Hydraulic tools for all the tool truck guys. I have not been over there in quite a few years: the ph# 214.827.6720 Since the area codes have changed a few times since then-you might try looking him up in the phone book or calling infomation. Heck, he may not even be there anymore-but atleast try looking him up. If he is there you can atleast get an estimate of a rebuild for your gun prior to buying a new one. What usually happens to air guns is their users will not oil the gun prior to using it: the vanes in the air motor will wear away due to friction. A rebuild will get you new gaskets, seals, & vanes. Good luck, Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

That's a good story/picture. Reminds me when I had to babysit my younger brother years ago. He was 7 years younger than I. When he got to the point where he wouldnt mind me (he was probably 4 around the time this story took place), I would go into a mello-dramatic temper tantrim and proclaim to my brother that I have had enough-when Mom & Dad get home I instructed my brother to tell them that I ran away all because he, my brother, would no longer mind. Then I would hurridly walk out the door, slam the door, then begin walking down the road. BTW: we lived out in the boonies then, and our house had a large 3' x 6' window that faced the road. I would get about an 1/8th mile down the road and then watch from the ditch. When I saw my brother peek thru the blinds a couple times, usually about 10 to 20 minutes post my emmy award winning exhibit, I would then go back in the house & advise my brother I have decided to give him one more chance....he would then usually ran up to me, apologize-sometimes trying to hide the tears, and gave me a big hug-then promised not to act up again. I remember someone, a comedian, talking about why Grandparents & their grandkids usually get along so well-its because they have a common enemy Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

If you have kept abreast of the Homeland Security Dept's Patriot Acts then you should be aware that any attempts by you to foil their ability to monitor you qualifies as "Terrorism" and makes you an enemy of the State. You are dang'd if you do and dang'd if you dont. Perception is everything isnt it? They see you as energy for their machine while you just want to be left alone (true American dream): what-tdo, what-tdo? I say its time we jumped in our Z's to flee the enemy as we ride off in the sunset-must go faster to evade the enemy...m-u-s-t g-o f-a-s-t-e-r....m---u----s----t g---o f---a---s---t---e---r..., as I look in my passenger side view mirror I notice the enemy has lost ground. About this time I notice the tiny enscription on the mirror that reads, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear." DOH! Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

There used to be a list of red-flag/trigger words that clued Echelon systems when to eaves drop on a converstation...it was a little over 100 words. I think it is humerous-if you want to trigger their systems just throw in one of those red-flag words every sentance or two. When their system is overloaded w/useless nonsence it is basically useless. Too much data is too much data. BTW: the word "Echelon" was one of their trigger words I guess that makes me a terrorits for using the word Eschelon(?). Let's really trigger some data bases....Drug Dealer, Funny Money, Bomb, Smuggling, Patriot, Malitia..., hit the enter button.....Now! Anything that goes thru a satelite/phone line is/can/will/might-be/is subject to..., being monitored. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I hope it is fizzling out: if it does erupt-how bout an immediate road trip to Florida in our Z's...fun in the sun: fresh vegetables for awhile, beaches, and babes For anyone wishing to keep track of the "rumblings" at Yellowstone go to: http://www.seis.utah.edu/helicorder/heli/yellowstone/index.html This site allows you to view that day's seismographic charts for each location that is currently under watch. Kevin,

I'ld like to form an opinon about personal accountability...but for now, neither my state representative nor the 10o'clock news has expressed what my opinion should be-so I'm kind've sitting on the fence: after all, we wouldnt want my opinion to be politically incorrect now would we. For now I'm simply wearing a colorless-see thru ribbon for all those, who like me need to form an opinon but cant because they too are disenfranchised: as they are also waiting to hear from their state rep or nightly news to tell them how they should think and feel. I think we need a group hung...can someone please strike the gong so we can all hum in unison while channeling our positive feelings and good thoughts towards all of humanity? Hey, I'm hungry-where's the nearest Micky-D's? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I have been around....been lurking more than posting-due to time limitations. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Wouldnt that defeat the purpose for installing a Mechanical Cam? If you are dead set on this-perhaps you should call the tech line of the cam company where your cam was purchased. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

What I think is really mind blowing is that we have all heard each one of us "Normal" people only use about 10% of our brains....on a good day: while the sevants (sp?...special autistic sp? types) manage to grasp a skill that elevates them, while they are utilizing this skill, into the category of a genius (did I spell genius correct ). The last uncharted earthly territory is our brains...BTW, has anyone seen mine I believe I forgot it the other day and have been somewhat lost w/out it sense. Kevin, (Yea,Still looking for my other 90%)

Well that stinks guys, sorry to hear about the IT world caving in on you. I knew a lot of IT jobs are going out of country (India) ect., but I didnt know it was as bad as ya'll are proclaiming: my eyes have been opened now. I too put more value on working for yourself as opposed to being a slave to someone else who will constantly be putting their thumb in your pie. Anyone keep stats on which City/State is in a boom -vs- which City/States are in a bust situation? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Have you checked out Corzette's offer on Mikelly's thread, "Oh what a difference an employer makes"....found in this same forum just a little further below this thread. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

They are across the hwy from Dallas's main Post Office....they have been around forever-and I have also used them a handful of times in the last 15 years. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

If I know I am going to be under the Z for awhile then I go ahead and jack all four up: get the car off the ground so as to remove the possibility of the car rolling forward or backwards. BTW: once I have it up on jack stands-I will also use two scissor jacks to balance the car, just for a little peace of mind. It may be a little more time involved-but an ounce of prevention.... Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Well, all I can say is that Perception is everything and hind sight is 20/20. I too didnt care to get caught up in the hype of doom and gloom-so I decided to do some research. As you should know Yellowstone, the "Super-Volcano", is being touted as 1500-2500 times larger than Mt. St.Helens. Also, the magma loci depth at Mt. St.Helens was only .5 km when the Scientist were thinking that "it would not erupt" and Yellowstone's magma loci depth is currently 3.7 km. The difference is that Yellowstone, as said earlier, is a "Super" Volcano, so the ratio for concern should be scaled up proportionally. I found this timeline of Mt. St.Helens on the net: here it is, Timeline of Mt. St.Helens: 1) 1978 - US Geological Survey's (USGS) Dwight Crandell & Donald Mullineaux warn that Mt.St.Helens has been more active and explosive during the last 4,500 years than any other volcano in the US. 2) Mar 15, 1980: After a 5 year period in which the mountain had 44 earthquakes (e-quakes hereinafter), Mt.St.Helens enters a week in which 100 are recorded. 3) Mar 21: A magnatude 4.2 e-quake north of the summit triggers an avalanche 4) Mar 24: The mountain experiences about 20 e-quakes 5) Mar 25: Five e-quakes exceeding 4.0 occur in one hour. Forest Service officials close the Spirit Lake Info Ctr, access to the mountain above the treeline, and several roads leading up the mountain. The FAA restricts flight above the volcano. A large crack appears in the snow at the top of the mountain. 6) Mar 27: E-quake frequencies increase. A hole in the summit icecap appears followed by a loud boom, ash, smoke, a 4.7 e-quake, and a 7,000 ft tall black plume. A 200 ft crater is left behind. 6a) Hundreds of loggers, forest service employees, and residents are evacuated from a 1.5 mile radius. To accomodate mudflows and flooding-the Pacific Pwr & Light begin draining down three resovoirs to the south side of the volcano. 7) Mar 28: A dozen more e-quakes take place 8) Mar 30: Ninety-three explosions take place in one day. 9) Mar 31: Cowlitz County Commisoners declare a State Emergency. Cabin owners begin complaining of being restricted from their cabin homes. 10) Apr 1: Explosive plumes of steam and ash reach 20,000 ft. Scientist anticipate the magma explosions and ash from under the crust. 300 loggers return to work nortwest of the volcano. 11) Apr 3: Summit crater is now 1,500 ft wide and 300 ft deep 12) Apr 8: A series of explosions last 4 hours: the longest yet 13) Apr 19: Scientist notice the mountain's north flank is [bulging] outward 14) Apr 25-May 15: Scientists notice explosions subside, resume and subside again...this is the lull equal to the eye of a hurricane where all appears to be calm 15) May 17: The bulge begins to grow 5ft a day. USGS David Johnston replaces Harry Glicken at the monitoring station 5 miles north of the mountain. 16) May 18 (A.M.) 8:31.20sec's: A 5.1 e-quake occurs one mile beneath the volcano. Rock and Ice slide into the crater. 8:31:21sec's: The bulging north flank begins to ripple, churn, and slide away in blocks. A giant debris avalanche reaches speeds of 180mph. 8:32.45sec's: A huge explosion blasts out from where the north face slid 8:33.00sec's: A lateral blast of rock, ash, and hot gasses heads northward. 8:33.20sec's: The blast increases to nearly supersonic speed and overtakes the debris avalanche: burying Truman and 20 or so summer homes around the North Fork of the Toutle Valley. NOTE: Within an 8 mile radius, virtually everything is obliterated or carried away. Inside this blast radius is Johnston's famous last words, "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" 8:34am: Within a 15 mile radius, everything is flattened. Enough timber is blown down to build 300,000 two-bedroom cabins. NOTE: 57 people die, mostly from suffocating on hot ash. They are the first recorded fatalities from volcanic activity in the continental US. 8:35am: Mudflows of volcanic debris and water begin at Pine Creek, Muddy River, Swift Creek, the Kalama River, and the south fork of the Toutle River. 8:47am: A vertical column of ash & steam rise in a mushroom cloud 12 miles above the volcano: this column creates lightning. Planes are seen circling the outer parameters of the column. 10:00am: Ash clouds reach Yakima. Darkness sensitive street lights turn on. 11:45am: Ash clouds reach Spokane. 1:00pm: Mudflows beign in the north fork of the Toutle River as water saturated parts of the avalanche slump and flow. More than [65 million] cubic yards of sediment are sent towards the lower Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers. The Columbia River navigational channel is cut from 39ft to only 13ft. 3:00pm: Toutle Creek rests at about 21ft above normal 5:30pm: Eruption subsides after ejecting [540 million] tons of ash. 17) May 29: Bathtub ringed mudlines in the region indicate mudflow had reached the 60 ft depth. Ash clouds arrive in the Central US. 18) May 25: A less energetic eruption puts ash 9 miles into the air, producing ash falls in the SW Washington and nearby Oregon. 19) June 1: After circling the globe multiple times most of the ash falls out of the upper atmosphere while the smallest fragments will remain in the jetstream for years to come. 20) June 12: After several weeks of occasional steam marked with a nighttime glow at the crater, the volcano erupts again and forms a dome of lava at the crater floor. 21) July 22: Several eruptions destroy most of the dome. The volcano continues to have periodic eruptions into 1984, with the dome rising more than 800ft. At the current rate of growth it will take a century for Mt.St.Helens to reach its former height. Bottom Line: It only took 21 days for these events to unfold from the moment Scientists believed it was going to erupt to the moment it actually did erupt. I agree about not looking at this as doom/gloom-rather take if for what it is: a Super-Volcano that for some unknown reason has decided to become active Perception is everything. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner not far enough away from Yellowstone)