>>>>I was talking about mnufacturing moved to China while the smarts stayed in the home nation- which would be the case for all the examples you quote.
>>OK
>>Now, let's suppose that those "home nations" - Korea and Japan - decide to align with China rather than with the US.
>>Crazy?
>>Look again.
>>If that happens, where did the US' manufacturing base just go?
>>Hey, Sammie, Victor and Kevin - do you know what a 13mm open end wrench looks like?
>>No?
>>Well.. that's the problem.
>
>I don't know the difference between a 13mm open end wrench and a pop-tart.
>
>(Except that pop-tarts are frosted)
>
>That's what I have JB for - I call him when I have hardware questions :)

I learned a lot of my car mechanical skills out of pure necessity. Most places and mechanics refuse to work on the cars I get - or know nothing about them - simply do not want to work on them - or are just afraid too. I can't even find a place that will change the oil lol.