Joe Jenkins

I remember the big buy American push from the late 80's and early 90's and I wonder if me showing up in a Hyundai or VW could damage my reputation (I do realize some of them are built in the USA).

The company: mostly union workers like diesel mechanics, machinists, welders, etc. It's not an auto company.

Position: non-union company management supervising above mentioned union employees.

I know my work speaks for itself. Should I be concerned about this as the new guy making first impressions?

Right now I have a Jeeps and a Mustang, but would like to pick up something less expensive to operate.

with:

1) Navy suit, black shoes - black or navy socks?

2) blue shirt, khaki pants, burgundy shoes and belt - navy or tan socks?

Lots of cars now have locking lug nuts. I've heard lots of horror stories about tire places screwing up the locks trying to get them off.

Does anyone know if they actually stop theft? Or, with stock wheels, are they even stolen much anymore?

The car is a 1999 Mustang Convertible V-6. The manual states that you should place the jack, "in the jack notch next to the tire you are changing." The manual only shows a picture of jack placement relative to the rear wheels. I'm not sure what to do with the front end. Where is this jack notch specifically and what does it look like? A picture of the underside with location would help.

Does that mean no tickets for a certain number of years?

No delinquent fines?

No serious infractions?

No accidents?

Or, is just some combination of all of the above?

The spring squeaks in the magazine tube when I insert shells. What do I use to lubricate the spring to make it quiet?

I want to buy some comics as a gift for a friends son. I'm not sure what to get him at his age. I was thinking Spiderman, Ironman or maybe the Hulk.

I am an electrical engineer by education, but I've spent the last 10 years in the Air Force. It was engineering but non-PE type work, so not really related.

There's not much in the way of formal education programs for fire protection engineering. I need that first job working for a Professional Engineer (PE) to get started. What can I do to get that job? What sets me apart from other applicants? Would NICET certification help?

If now under Obamacare, you cannot be denied coverage for a preexisting condition, what keeps the insurance company from just sending you bill for $5M for the year? This is not saying they won't take you as a customer. It just forces you to decline due to high cost.

The government would decide if your action was justified and if they should prosecute you. Assuming it was justified do you get documentation stating this? Could they come back years later and decide to prosecute you?

If you were born in the US and have US citizenship, could you move to Canada to work and gain citizenship there without giving up your US citizenship?

I'm looking at jobs working in the oil fields and am not sure what kind of vehicle I need. I'm looking at TX, NM, OK, but I think the job could take me anywhere. In those oil rich areas it seems like everyone drives pick ups.

It looks like there's a lot of driving to job sites so something fuel efficient like a car seems good.

Would I need a truck for ground clearance to get to the job sites? If so, 2wd or 4wd?

I like to set light timers when we leave the house for a trip. Ideally, I would like to have a television turn on and run by a timer as well. Now that televisions no longer have real two position switches for on off this doesn't seem that easy.

Are there any brands of televisions that have timers to turn themselves on? Or, are there any modern televisions that would turn on when power is restored from an external timer?

Also, is it possible to disable the auto off function on a Dish Network receiver or would I just need to use an antenna?

Federal Civil Service employees under the FERS retirement system are paying 3.1% of your income in contributions to your pension.

Do you see that as a deduction on your pay statement or is that paid by the employer on your behalf?

If you win the lottery I think you have three major concerns: financial, legal, and security. How do you find good people to advise you and avoid getting scammed, kidnapped or something else bad?

My Jeep has had trouble starting like it is struggling to turn over the motor lately. Is this a sign of a failing battery? It's at least 5-6 years old. There's quite a bit of corrosion on the terminals and battery cables that I haven't had a chance to clean off. Could that cause similar symptoms?

I can get estimates on a used cars value from Kelly Blue Book and other sources. How much higher should I price it over my desired sale price to account for negotiation?

We've tried may things to clean out the jets and it looks like they continue to grow a pinkish slime. Now my wife will not use the tub.

Can we block the jets off and use the tub without making any permanent or damaging alterations? We rent so I don't want to mess anything up.

It seems like the automatic sprinkler systems under the ground often spring leaks. What causes this?

I'd like to do something special for Christmas dinner and was thinking leg of lamb. It occurred to me that fresh lamb may not be available this time of year. I live very far south along the US/Mexico border. Could I expect a butcher to be able to get this?