Articles written by Bert Meinders

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About me - Bert Meinders

I'm 56 years old, single (although I'm working on changing this), cultured and sometimes scholarly. I have a wide range of interests, and I can write coherently about some of them.

I live in a small town, in a smallish house on a large section, ride a BMW

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Autos > Cars First car memories: 2 of 59
They don't make them like that any more.It was a Saturday morning and I was at an informal car market in a central city carpark. I was half-heartedly looking at cars I couldn't afford, when I saw it. It was a white Triumph Herald, a very early one with the 948cc (sub)Standard engine which had underpowered its ugly predecessor... More..
Autos > Cars Why the US auto industry is dying: 1 of 27

Why is the US car industry dying? For as long as I can remember (about fifty years), I have been aware of a fundamental contradiction of people's perception of American cars. They have always been popular here in New Zealand, in the sense that when car shows are held they tend to be dominated by American cars and light truck... More..
Autos > Classic Cars Classic cars: Why drive a classic?: 1 of 18
In the 37 years since I bought my first car, I have owned and driven a number of classics. The list does not include anything given the name "classic" by its manufacturer (tantamount to admitting that it is not and never will be a classic ) such as certain deservedly forgotten offerings by Ford, American Motors and Honda (on ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Fantasy: 36 of 584
It was an exquisitely beautiful Winter-postcard scene, an orange early-morning sun reflected in the unstirringwaters of the lake. As it rose it poured a rosy glow over the walls of the castle sitting on the shoulder of a hill. A bored sentry paced monotonously back and forth along the ramparts, cursing his chillblains and occ... More..
Autos > Classic Cars Classic cars: What is a classic car?: 1 of 14
More than thirty years ago, wanting something faster and more comfortable than my Honda CB175, something with a longer range than the 85 miles dictated by both the microscopic fuel tank and the excruciatingly uncomfortable seat of that bike, I bought a 1972 Ural 650. It was designed by BMW, in about 1938, and built, badly, by... More..
Arts & Humanities > History (Other) Writing about history: 1 of 12
History is too often presented as a collection of important events, usually having something to do with kings, generals and prelates, which happened on precise dates which have to be remembered if the student wants to pass. Once out of school and free of any pressure to recite who did what to whom, where, when and in the reig... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Should the Bible continue to be used for swearing-in ceremonies and in courtrooms?: 15 of 149
This is a difficult and often contentious question, one which many people will find impossible to answer with "yes" or "no". In an age when most people believed that the Bible was the inspired word of God, there was less argument about its use in reinforcing truthfulness in court or in sanctifying public ceremonies. That sa... More..
Autos > Cars 10 cars in history that flopped: 1 of 9
Making cars is a risky business, which is why so many cars are not only stupefyingly dull to drive, but also frustratingly difficult to identify in a crowded carpark. Even with the greatest of care, most long-established carmakers get it wrong once in a while.There are many cars of which few were made, but not all cars were i... More..
Autos > Motorcycles & Scooters Motorcyclists should always wear helmets: 7 of 60
In 1972 (I think) it became a legal requirement in New Zealand for motorcycle and scooter riders and passengers to wear approved helmets. Exemptions were granted, usually for migraine or claustrophobia, subject to a speed limit of 30 mph. In an era when "real men" routinely disregarded safety guidelines, it was not a popular ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Can democracy survive in a politically correct world?: 3 of 25
The annoying and sometimes inconvenient socio-political phenomenon known disparagingly as "political correctness" is not inimical to democracy. It is perhaps a threat to people who have become accustomed to seeing the world exclusively from their point of view, unable or unwilling to accept the fact that people different to t... More..