Questar should have made a 5" Mak-Cass

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:14:24 PM UTC-5, RichA wrote:
On Tuesday, 1 March 2016 19:33:38 UTC-5, wsne... wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 6:48:06 PM UTC-5, RichA wrote:
On Tuesday, 1 March 2016 14:13:08 UTC-5, wsne... wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:49:56 PM UTC-5, RichA wrote:
On Tuesday, 1 March 2016 09:57:59 UTC-5, wsne... wrote:



Here's another 90mm 'scope from ~the same era:

http://www.philharrington.net/skyscop.jpg

Don't like the mounting. TWANGGGG!

The mount can be replaced, but for looking at the Moon and some bright objects, is usable.

Probably has a spherical mirror, given its focal ratio and aperture.

~1/12 wave, assuming it's a good sphere.

I highly doubt that figure.

The formula is:

wavefront error = 22D/F^3 , where D is diameter in inches and F is the focal ratio.

I used D=3.5 and F=~10

David Levy had one of these and IIRC he thought its optical performance was quite good. I've looked through one and tend to agree.

wrote:
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00:17 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:03:04 PM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Their money comes from the pockets of people like me.

Then don't buy their products and services. Problem solved.

And their government subsidies and tax breaks?

Get rid of the income taxes and there won't be any subsidies or tax
breaks, not that they are actually getting such things now.

What about commercial TV. I watch very little of this but the higher prices
due to advertising costs can't be escaped.
Commercial free to air TV channels cost everybody, even those with no TV,
much more than the BBC.

Spoken like a true communist.

In fact, advertising usually LOWERS prices through increased sales and
competition. Not that how a business runs its business is any of YOUR business.

How a business is run is everyone's business. Without health and safety
laws workers are in danger from unscrupulous employers. Business needs to
operate within a framework of laws to protect the public. Do you think
restaurants should be run without hygiene inspections?

And if advertising lowers prices why is it that I can buy supermarket
own-brand goods for 25 percent less than the identical goods in the
manufacturers packaging.
I'm talking the same goods here not copies.


So does all the money
paying for parasites like tax lawyers,

Making your tax system fair and simple would obviate the need for tax lawyers.

Certainly would. But your "fair tax" would make things far worse. You would
need a whole Stazi to prevent fraud.

You clearly do not understand the fair tax or anything about how it would
be administered or implemented.

I understand perfectly having lived with VAT. The details are different but
the effects and methods of dodging the tax are broadly similar. You have an
Oriel-like blindness to these shortcomings.


public relations consultant,
advertising agencies

No doubt the NHS has spent some (tax) money on PR and advertising.

Public service announcements only. Useful for vaccination, public health,
epidemics etc.

Such announcements should be unnecessary. The British sheep should
simply show up on schedule for their shots and always do as they are told.

I'm afraid you don't have a clue about the NHS. And how it' s much freer
than the US system. Nobody is refused school because they haven't been
vaccinated in the UK. We value individual freedom here and don't allow our
health to be controlled by insurance company bureaucrats and con artists.


and accountants that they employ.

You've never had to hire an accountant or financial adviser?

No. Explain why I should.

Why do you need an accountant. Explain why they are necessary for you.

If you have no need of them, then have no opinion about them.

I have no need of cannibals but I have an opinion about them.

I have income. I pay tax on it. Since I'm not trying to fiddle it it's easy
to deal with tax demands. This is much easier here than in the USA because
of PAYE. I received my tax code today for the next financial year. What
else do I have to do - nothing unless I dispute it. But it's correct.

When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 6:59:02 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00:17 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:03:04 PM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Their money comes from the pockets of people like me.

Then don't buy their products and services. Problem solved.

And their government subsidies and tax breaks?

Get rid of the income taxes and there won't be any subsidies or tax
breaks, not that they are actually getting such things now.

What about commercial TV. I watch very little of this but the higher prices
due to advertising costs can't be escaped.
Commercial free to air TV channels cost everybody, even those with no TV,
much more than the BBC.

Spoken like a true communist.

In fact, advertising usually LOWERS prices through increased sales and
competition. Not that how a business runs its business is any of YOUR business.

How a business is run is everyone's business.

Incorrect.

Without health and safety
laws workers are in danger from unscrupulous employers. Business needs to
operate within a framework of laws to protect the public. Do you think
restaurants should be run without hygiene inspections?

All businesses would be subject to following the same health and safety laws, but each should be free to decide whether to advertise, run promotions, etc. If you feel that a product or service is not a good value then don't purchase it.


And if advertising lowers prices why is it that I can buy supermarket
own-brand goods for 25 percent less than the identical goods in the
manufacturers packaging.
I'm talking the same goods here not copies.

Actual real world example:

http://www.pricingforprofit.com/pric...ail-prices.htm

You can choose to buy either the store brand or the name brand depending on which you think is the better value (or don't buy at all.) Some people think name brands are better and as a result store brands must compete on price.

So does all the money
paying for parasites like tax lawyers,

Making your tax system fair and simple would obviate the need for tax lawyers.

Certainly would. But your "fair tax" would make things far worse. You would
need a whole Stazi to prevent fraud.

You clearly do not understand the fair tax or anything about how it would
be administered or implemented.

I understand perfectly having lived with VAT. The details are different but
the effects and methods of dodging the tax are broadly similar. You have an
Oriel-like blindness to these shortcomings.

The details ARE different and YOU have NOT educated yourself about the difference!


public relations consultant,
advertising agencies

No doubt the NHS has spent some (tax) money on PR and advertising.

Public service announcements only. Useful for vaccination, public health,
epidemics etc.

Such announcements should be unnecessary. The British sheep should
simply show up on schedule for their shots and always do as they are told.

I'm afraid you don't have a clue about the NHS.

Incorrect.

And how it' s much freer than the US system.

Incorrect, it ISN'T "freer."

Nobody is refused school because they haven't been
vaccinated in the UK.

Irrelevant.

We value individual freedom here and don't allow our
health to be controlled by insurance company bureaucrats and con artists.

Incorrect.

and accountants that they employ.

You've never had to hire an accountant or financial adviser?

No. Explain why I should.

Why do you need an accountant. Explain why they are necessary for you.

If you have no need of them, then have no opinion about them.

I have no need of cannibals but I have an opinion about them.

Accountants do not sneak up behind you and throw you into a pot of boiling water. They seem to mind their own business and their clients'.


I have income. I pay tax on it. Since I'm not trying to fiddle it it's easy
to deal with tax demands. This is much easier here than in the USA because
of PAYE. I received my tax code today for the next financial year. What
else do I have to do - nothing unless I dispute it. But it's correct.

All irrelevant.


When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

Irrelevant.

wrote:
On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 6:59:02 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00:17 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:03:04 PM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Their money comes from the pockets of people like me.

Then don't buy their products and services. Problem solved.

And their government subsidies and tax breaks?

Get rid of the income taxes and there won't be any subsidies or tax
breaks, not that they are actually getting such things now.

What about commercial TV. I watch very little of this but the higher prices
due to advertising costs can't be escaped.
Commercial free to air TV channels cost everybody, even those with no TV,
much more than the BBC.

Spoken like a true communist.

In fact, advertising usually LOWERS prices through increased sales and
competition. Not that how a business runs its business is any of YOUR business.

How a business is run is everyone's business.

Incorrect.

Without health and safety
laws workers are in danger from unscrupulous employers. Business needs to
operate within a framework of laws to protect the public. Do you think
restaurants should be run without hygiene inspections?

All businesses would be subject to following the same health and safety
laws, but each should be free to decide whether to advertise, run
promotions, etc. If you feel that a product or service is not a good
value then don't purchase it.


And if advertising lowers prices why is it that I can buy supermarket
own-brand goods for 25 percent less than the identical goods in the
manufacturers packaging.
I'm talking the same goods here not copies.

Actual real world example:

http://www.pricingforprofit.com/pric...ail-prices.htm

You can choose to buy either the store brand or the name brand depending
on which you think is the better value (or don't buy at all.) Some
people think name brands are better and as a result store brands must compete on price.

So does all the money
paying for parasites like tax lawyers,

Making your tax system fair and simple would obviate the need for tax lawyers.

Certainly would. But your "fair tax" would make things far worse. You would
need a whole Stazi to prevent fraud.

You clearly do not understand the fair tax or anything about how it would
be administered or implemented.

I understand perfectly having lived with VAT. The details are different but
the effects and methods of dodging the tax are broadly similar. You have an
Oriel-like blindness to these shortcomings.

The details ARE different and YOU have NOT educated yourself about the difference!


public relations consultant,
advertising agencies

No doubt the NHS has spent some (tax) money on PR and advertising.

Public service announcements only. Useful for vaccination, public health,
epidemics etc.

Such announcements should be unnecessary. The British sheep should
simply show up on schedule for their shots and always do as they are told.

I'm afraid you don't have a clue about the NHS.

Incorrect.

You don't have a clue about the NHS.

And how it' s much freer than the US system.

Incorrect, it ISN'T "freer."

Try searching through posts from US expats in the UK. The consensus is that
it's easier to find a GP in the UK, easier to get an appointment, a shock
on the first visit when there are no fees or copays and a real gain that
they can change jobs without worrying about losing medical benefits.



Nobody is refused school because they haven't been
vaccinated in the UK.

Irrelevant.

Relevant: We value individual freedom here.

We value individual freedom here and don't allow our
health to be controlled by insurance company bureaucrats and con artists.

Incorrect.

Your system is controlled by Medicare which the insurance bookmakers use
for their framework of charges.

and accountants that they employ.

You've never had to hire an accountant or financial adviser?

No. Explain why I should.

Why do you need an accountant. Explain why they are necessary for you.

If you have no need of them, then have no opinion about them.

I have no need of cannibals but I have an opinion about them.

Accountants do not sneak up behind you and throw you into a pot of
boiling water. They seem to mind their own business and their clients'.


I have income. I pay tax on it. Since I'm not trying to fiddle it it's easy
to deal with tax demands. This is much easier here than in the USA because
of PAYE. I received my tax code today for the next financial year. What
else do I have to do - nothing unless I dispute it. But it's correct.

All irrelevant.

Perfectly relevant. I don't need an accountant to do my taxes. Again look
at reports by US expats in the UK.


When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

Irrelevant.

No! To have tax problems you need enough money. At the time for me enough
money to have tax problems would mean I didn't have money problems.

On Friday, March 4, 2016 at 3:38:17 AM UTC-7, Mike Collins wrote:
wrote:
On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 6:59:02 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

Irrelevant.

No! To have tax problems you need enough money. At the time for me enough
money to have tax problems would mean I didn't have money problems.

Yes, I've heard that old joke before. But that doesn't make it relevant.

Just because the poor may lack sympathy for the rich doesn't give them a right
to steal from them.

John Savard

Quadibloc wrote:
On Friday, March 4, 2016 at 3:38:17 AM UTC-7, Mike Collins wrote:
wrote:
On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 6:59:02 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

Irrelevant.

No! To have tax problems you need enough money. At the time for me enough
money to have tax problems would mean I didn't have money problems.

Yes, I've heard that old joke before. But that doesn't make it relevant.

Just because the poor may lack sympathy for the rich doesn't give them a right
to steal from them.

John Savard


Just because the rich despise the poor it doesn't give them the right to
cheat and exploit them to make them even richer.

wrote:
On Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 6:59:02 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 7:00:17 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:
wsnell01 wrote:
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 12:03:04 PM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Their money comes from the pockets of people like me.

Then don't buy their products and services. Problem solved.

And their government subsidies and tax breaks?

Get rid of the income taxes and there won't be any subsidies or tax
breaks, not that they are actually getting such things now.

What about commercial TV. I watch very little of this but the higher prices
due to advertising costs can't be escaped.
Commercial free to air TV channels cost everybody, even those with no TV,
much more than the BBC.

Spoken like a true communist.

In fact, advertising usually LOWERS prices through increased sales and
competition. Not that how a business runs its business is any of YOUR business.

How a business is run is everyone's business.

Incorrect.

Without health and safety
laws workers are in danger from unscrupulous employers. Business needs to
operate within a framework of laws to protect the public. Do you think
restaurants should be run without hygiene inspections?

All businesses would be subject to following the same health and safety
laws, but each should be free to decide whether to advertise, run
promotions, etc. If you feel that a product or service is not a good
value then don't purchase it.


And if advertising lowers prices why is it that I can buy supermarket
own-brand goods for 25 percent less than the identical goods in the
manufacturers packaging.
I'm talking the same goods here not copies.

Actual real world example:

http://www.pricingforprofit.com/pric...ail-prices.htm


Thus doesn't take into account the government subsidy for advertising
which. Everyone has to pay extra tax because if tax breaks for advertisers,

You can choose to buy either the store brand or the name brand depending
on which you think is the better value (or don't buy at all.) Some
people think name brands are better and as a result store brands must compete on price.

When the own brand is exactly the same as the named and intensively
advertised brand the only reason to buy the more expensive item is the
brainwashing of the advertisers. Which everyone has to subsidise through
their taxes whether they use the product or not. This is theft.

So does all the money
paying for parasites like tax lawyers,

Making your tax system fair and simple would obviate the need for tax lawyers.

Certainly would. But your "fair tax" would make things far worse. You would
need a whole Stazi to prevent fraud.

You clearly do not understand the fair tax or anything about how it would
be administered or implemented.

I understand perfectly having lived with VAT. The details are different but
the effects and methods of dodging the tax are broadly similar. You have an
Oriel-like blindness to these shortcomings.

The details ARE different and YOU have NOT educated yourself about the difference!


public relations consultant,
advertising agencies

No doubt the NHS has spent some (tax) money on PR and advertising.

Public service announcements only. Useful for vaccination, public health,
epidemics etc.

Such announcements should be unnecessary. The British sheep should
simply show up on schedule for their shots and always do as they are told.

I'm afraid you don't have a clue about the NHS.

Incorrect.

And how it' s much freer than the US system.

Incorrect, it ISN'T "freer."

Nobody is refused school because they haven't been
vaccinated in the UK.

Irrelevant.

We value individual freedom here and don't allow our
health to be controlled by insurance company bureaucrats and con artists.

Incorrect.

and accountants that they employ.

You've never had to hire an accountant or financial adviser?

No. Explain why I should.

Why do you need an accountant. Explain why they are necessary for you.

If you have no need of them, then have no opinion about them.

I have no need of cannibals but I have an opinion about them.

Accountants do not sneak up behind you and throw you into a pot of
boiling water. They seem to mind their own business and their clients'.


I have income. I pay tax on it. Since I'm not trying to fiddle it it's easy
to deal with tax demands. This is much easier here than in the USA because
of PAYE. I received my tax code today for the next financial year. What
else do I have to do - nothing unless I dispute it. But it's correct.

All irrelevant.


When I was young and not earning much I told my father in law who was
grumbling about the tax he paid that it had always been my ambition to have
tax problems.

Irrelevant.

On Friday, March 4, 2016 at 5:38:17 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Try searching through posts from US expats in the UK. The consensus is that
it's easier to find a GP in the UK,

Opinion.

easier to get an appointment,

Opinion.

a shock
on the first visit when there are no fees or copays

Fees and co-pays help keep hypochondriacs and malingerers out of the doctors' offices and ERs.

and a real gain that
they can change jobs without worrying about losing medical benefits.

One can buy private insurance in the US. Unfortunately Ohbummercare has made that more expensive and difficult, with valid choices taken away from many.

Relevant: We value individual freedom here.

You value it because you don't really have it.


Your system is controlled by Medicare

Hardly:

http://blog.ehealthmedicare.com/2015...cept-medicare/

which the insurance bookmakers use
for their framework of charges.

Insurance is -supposed- to be a form of gambling, but then so are most human endeavors. Everybody pays for Medicare even if they don't want/need it or aren't entitled to it yet. That is socialism.

Perfectly relevant. I don't need an accountant to do my taxes. Again look
at reports by US expats in the UK.

Cruz wants a tax system so fair and so simple that one can fill out one's return on a postcard.


No! To have tax problems you need enough money. At the time for me enough
money to have tax problems would mean I didn't have money problems.

Actually, even poor people can have "tax problems" and "rich" people can still have money problems (often due to unfair tax systems in both cases.)

On Friday, March 4, 2016 at 7:34:35 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Thus doesn't take into account the government subsidy for advertising
which. Everyone has to pay extra tax because if tax breaks for advertisers,


Were you trying to form complete sentences or what?

When the own brand is exactly the same as the named and intensively
advertised brand the only reason to buy the more expensive item is the
brainwashing of the advertisers.

Then don't be brainwashed. I know that's probably difficult for a socialist, especially a British socialist.

Which everyone has to subsidise through
their taxes whether they use the product or not.

To what specific taxes are you referring?

This is theft.

Ah, finally you created a complete sentence with a subject and a verb and everything. Now, what do you mean by "this." I already understand that some taxes can be theft.

On Friday, March 4, 2016 at 6:50:40 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

Just because the rich despise the poor it doesn't give them the right to
cheat and exploit them to make them even richer.

Rich socialists love poor people... that's why they work so diligently to make so many people poor.