The Nucor (click for my previous Nucor articles) thing continues to escalate. I won’t bore you with details of today’s many inbound phone calls but will tell you I am both flattered that I am, apparently, considered the go-to guy in the industry for answers, and irritated at the amount of work it’s generated. At least it’s nice to know I’m very well respected in my industry.
I’ve contacted both of our state’s Senators requesting emergency action. Also, my complaint was received by both the US Secretary of Commerce and the ITC today. I spent nearly 6 hours today on the phone total and my ear actually hurts. All these calls had some interesting discussions. I mention this because a question repeatedly came up today: What is the difference between a screw and a bolt? The answer is easy but complex. Amazingly, very few people really know. Most websites I looked at have the wrong answer (never trust the Internet) and many of those handyman’s guides have it wrong to. I’ve done it up in layman’s terms on our webpage’s Myths and Misconceptions page. I believe you’ll find it interesting. And, I assure you, my answer is correct.
If you work in any industry that uses BOLTS or NUTS (not screws), please consider writing your senator about this Nucor filing. The price of your parts will go up 250% within 120 days if you don’t. That’s not an exaggeration. A bolt that costs you $1 will cost you $2.45 on March 20th. Unless changed, all bolts and nuts sold in this country will see that happen. A 145% punitive duty is proposed. This is public record. If you need help and/or direction, contact me at my office and I will help you — even if you’re our competitor — because this is for the good of our industry. Time is of the essence.
Many of you had spoken to me about privacy concerns with the new RFID passports. RFID is readable whether or not you want it to. Someone can stand next to you and read the data on your passport. I’ve referred those concerned to websites offering “Faraday Bags” (sometimes called Faraday Cage) — these bags prevent RFID signals from being read even at close range. Many credit cards now have RFID chips. If you’re on a bus, train, in line somewhere, someone with a reader can read your chip. A company called ACM now has credit card Faraday dispensers; I have not tried them, but I thought I’d let you know they exist. As an added bonus for Lost fans, now maybe you know why they gave Daniel Faraday that particular last name. (Those of you in Florida who bought the old-style SunPass units, were given a Faraday Bag with it in case you didn’t want to use it, and have it record tolls if you were in someone else’s car. This bag will work with credit cards but is too small for passports.)
I got my new DirecTV receiver, set it up, and it worked. For five minutes. They sent it a reset signal and it’s working now. However, I can’t record anything yet because it won’t let me record any series until it downloads the guide, which may take 24 hours. So, I’ll miss tomorrow’s episode of Skins. I am irate. Oh well. (And yesterday’s blocked visitor has snuck in through another address. He/she must think I’m stupid.)