Bostonian In MO

I've seen a sudden infusion of hate-mail here in US Taxes. None of it sticks around long enough to figure out what their problem is. Did someone do or say something to upset someone, or is it just some unstable nutcase?

I recently replaced an old leaky toilet with an American Standard Champion 4 model. I'm a pretty competent DIY'er but am a bit concerned about how tightly to run down the through bolts that attach the tank to the toilet bowl.

The instructions say, and I quote: "With the tank parallel to wall, alternately tighten hex nuts until tank is snugged down evenly against bowl surface."

OK, here's my concern. If it's overtightened you risk breaking a new $300 toilet. But the rubber gasket is fairly tightly compressed and the tank is not yet touching the lands on the back of the toilet bowl. It's tilted slightly forward (about 1/8" inch space between the rear lands than the front one where the tank is touching the bowl) but does not wiggle with moderate pressure. Everything works fine, no leaks, etc. But it just looks like it's not tightened down enough.

Do I risk breaking the new toilet by carefully running the nuts even tighter until the rear of the tank rests on the lands on the back of the bowl? (A test fit without the gasket had the tank squarely on the toilet bowl.) Or should I leave it as is since everything works properly even though the tank IS still tilted slightly forward?

Any guidance from experienced plumbers is greatly appreciated.

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."

Just curious what they have to say in the context of the so-called Patriot Act, illegal wiretapping, etc.

Punctuate and capitalize the following so that it makes sense. You may not add or delete any words or change their order.

john while jim had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher

Of those of you who profess to 'Support the Troops', how many of you have actually DONE something to support the troops? Aside from sticking a Made in China decal on the back of your car, that is?

How many of you have just shaken the hand of a GI in an airport?

How many of you have offered up the use of your cell phone to a GI returning from Iraq?

How many of you have volunteered at: The USO, a VA hospital, or a military Family Support Center?

How many of you have had the guts to speak out against an unjust war and the deaths of over 3,000 of our sons and daughters?

How many of you have had the guts to speak out against the folly of diverting the troops to Iraq for a needless death yet leave UBL to run free in Afghanistan or Pakistan where they are TRUE HEROES and HEROINES for a JUST CAUSE that virtually the entire world supported?

I've done all of the above. Have you done even one??

Stand and be counted, or sit down and just shut up!

There are many loan scams that are being posted in this area. One user, using the ID "chris p" is scamming loans from Nigeria. He asks for significant advance fees -- typically over £200 -- as "security" for his "loans" and also asks for your bank details.

I have already filed violation notices on several of his posts. Be warned that if you contact him or any of the other scammers that post those ads you WILL lose any money you send him AND your bank account will be drained if you are foolish enough to provide your bank details to him.

You have been warned!

I've got a 1996 C220. The A/C recently quit working. I've got a buddy who is a certified A/C tech who is willing to check it out but we can't find the low-side service port. We found the high-side port tucked away behind the fan guard but the low-side port has been elusive. Any Benz techs out there who know where the low side port is? Thanks!

Texas Air Control Tower

Dallas ATC: "Tower to Iraq Air 911 -- You are cleared to land eastbound on runway 9R."

Iraq Air: "Thank you Dallas ATC. Acknowledge cleared to land on infidel's runway 9R - Allah be Praised !!"

Dallas ATC "Tower to Iran Air 711 -- You are cleared to land westbound on runway 27L."

Iran Air: "Thank you Dallas ATC. We are cleared to land on infidel's runway 27L. - Allah is Great !!"

Pause: Static.............

&nb! sp;

Iraq Air: "DALLAS ATC! DALLAS ATC!!!"

Dallas ATC: "Go ahead Iraq Air 911?"

Iraq Air: "YOU HAVE CLEARED BOTH OUR AIRCRAFT FOR THE SAME RUNWAY GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS!!! WE ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE!!! INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE!!!

Dallas ATC: Well bless your hearts. Y'all be careful now and tell Allah "hey" for us -- ya hear?.