Tbf I'm more concerned that the moon is made of actual cheese

It really does seem like manufacturers trying to get into retail often doesn't go well.

I'm in a completely different manufacturing industry, we've dipped our toes into first-party distribution and we just cannot manage to do it profitably. It's just such a completely different skillset that our organization isn't set up for.

Similar story with Andersen windows. Manufacturing is fine as far as national brands go, but the Renewal by Andersen sales arm is totally predatory.

I really don't know about Trek's internal setup, but if it's anything like what I've seen elsewhere, there are targets set by the higher ups, with healthy incentives for the Sales Dept to him them, which leads to unsustainably aggressive behavior.

Yep for sure, the Narragansett NBX is a great local "real" bike shop.

The slightly-insider (former owner of a different shop) story I heard is that it wasn't such a friendly thing like he was already trying to sell and Trek kindly came along to help out...it was a bit more coerced.

> Then he did something once he pulled off with a shovel at the door where the zamboni came on and off the ice.

Just cleaning up the extra ice/water/slush that the truck leaves behind.

I do appreciate you looking out for the worker, but 25 minutes in 25 degrees with 25 mph winds is plenty safe. Even at negative two or whatever it's going to be, it's not that dangerous to be out if you have reasonable protection.

I go winter hiking in the Adirondacks, and our early morning starts are generally below 0 (lowest so far is -17), and it's really not too bad. Still shedding layers after walking for a bit.

FWIW, Trek Bikes' retail strategy has been a bit predatory and you may want to look into it a bit more before patronizing them. They have a habit of freezing out independent shops, not allocating Trek bikes for them to sell, buying them out when their business drops, then converting it to 100% Trek sales. For example, the former NBX Warwick is now Trek Warwick. NBX Warwick used to carry Trek, Scott, Santa Cruz, Cervelo, and a dozen other niche brands. Now the Trek store just sells Trek. In my opinion, that's a loss for the biking community as a whole.

I don't believe they have uphill in Minnesota

My personal opinion: useless.

The cost is the same in total either way, so the difference is just whether I do my budgeting or RIE does my budgeting, and I do not trust RIE to do my budgeting. Then anecdotally, seeing the high and low bills keeps me more connected to my energy use, and a high bill can be a kick in the pants to keep my energy waste in check rather than just floating along paying the same every month.

What's more, they still reserve the right to change your monthly amount if your usage or their price changes, so you're not even fully protected from unexpected bills.

I assume you're read through their FAQ, but here's the link for anyone else thinking about it: https://www.rienergy.com/RI-Home/Bill-Help/Budget-Billing

I hope it will be a strong start, but ultimately $27m is a tiny amount when it comes to public infrastructure. The quote from the ABC6 story, “advance engineering and systemic construction” makes it seem like maybe this will go toward designing blueprints for shared use roads, that will be implemented with other infrastructure dollars in the future. Like, making the technical engineering drawings for substrates, surfaces, markings, barriers, etc. to be used, that will eventually lead to a cohesive network of accessibility rather than a mishmash like how bike lanes are handled different ways in different parts of the city.

Er, nope that's not what I'm saying.

>Like why aren't any of the vigilantes being charged but the one guy who fought for his life is?

Well, because one is dead and the others are being pursued as we speak. I hope they're found and charged too, for sure.

Nah man you gotta go to Mystic, they're cool over there

I said it's too bad they didn't stop a killing, yes.

I am not sure how that means that I also think all owners are deranged killers or anything else you said.

Huh? You are arguing against so many things I have never said. My comment you're replying to is affirming your right to have your own opinions and work to make the state what you want it to be, even if that's different from someone else's wishes.

> This is exactly how they want us, divided and at each others throats.

You seem to be succumbing to that in the very comment you're calling it out in. Look at it...I said let's all agree that we can have differing opinions and stop telling everyone to leave, then you spiral into a mountain of assumptions about me stripping your rights, that I don't know anything about guns, and how politicians are the enemy.

Erm, what? Do you have me confused for someone else? I don't remotely believe anyone with a gun is a deranged killer, and I can't imagine I've implied that anywhere either.

> So then how do you enforce these laws?

I don't, because I'm not in law enforcement

> You can make as many unconstitutional laws as you like

No I can't, I'm also not in the legislature anymore

Ah got it, thanks for the correction.

I mean, obviously not. Are those really the only two options you see, either murder civilians, or ignore laws?

I guess it wasn't clear...I also think that laws regarding evictions, threatening with a deadly weapon, etc. ought to be enforced too.

> I noticed in all your posts that have to do with firearms

That seems to be the case for you too

> would be better suited for you since you seem to live them so much.

Do you need me to invite you to leave for somewhere with gun laws that align with your preferences too?

Or can we just all agree that there's value in seeking to improve where we live, and that the "if you don't like it you can leave" mentality is pretty meaningless?

Yeah it must be annoying not being able to just say whatever you want without regard for its accuracy

A source for you, in case anyone doesn't think what you said is accurate:

> When it comes to using deadly force to defend yourself, Rhode Island is a “duty to retreat” state, as opposed to a “stand your ground” state. The duty to retreat means you must first avoid the danger by retreating to safety before you can exercise deadly force, if you are aware of an available way to escape the situation.

https://www.thomasianlaw.com/blog/2020/december/self-defense-in-rhode-island/

Too bad they weren't enforced sooner or a life may have been saved

> Don't have time to find it but the NY Times did a piece on it like a week ago.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/realestate/black-real-estate-agents-discrimination.html

The language you use in this comment seems to more accurately convey speculation, as opposed to how you initially phrased it.

I don't know.

You are allowed to leave your apartment when there's someone else there anyway. There's no buddy system law as far as I know.