Removing Stuck Tape in Play Position from GE VCR

I was transferring a VHS tape to DVD via a Dazzle-type device when the GE VCR model VG4025 stopped working during the play process. A burning smell confirmed that the VG4025 was not going to power up again.

How to get the tape out? I did online searches, and there were lots of good tips for removing a stuck tape if the VCR could power up. But, mine couldn't. So, the only thing to do was open up the player.

First: UNPLUG THE UNIT. You don't want to be working with anything that could have power going through it.

photo 1

I opened the top of the case by removing three screws on the back and sliding the top back and then lifting up. (see photo 1).

Then there was a metal plate on top of the tape that had two screws on each side that had to be removed. (see photo 2)

photo 2

The next job was to get the tape out of the tape trail. It was an easy process except where the tape passed by the main roller. There was a metal piece on top of the roller and a spindle through which the tape passes. So, you can't lift the tape up and out (as with the rest of the trail). But, you can slide it under the main roller if you prop the roller open. It has a lot of tension to keep it closed, so I used a screwdriver (see photo 3) to hold it open while I slipped the tape under the main roller with a long pair of tweezers.

The tape was free and by manually turning the main roller the tape was taken up into the cassette.

photo 3

photo 4

The final problem was getting the cassette released from the play position, where it is held firmly in place, and out of the machine. I couldn't find any mechanism to do this through pushing and poking gears and levers. So, I decided to try to lift off the metal band on top of the cassette holding it in place there. (see photo 4) (Unfortunately, I took the tape out before this photo, and when no cassette is in the machine it's hard to distinguish the band from the gray metal plate underneath the cassette but easy to see when the cassette is in place. The lettering on the plate in the photo is near the top of the plate).

I thought maybe I could pry it off without damaging the cassette by putting a screwdriver under the part next to the two prongs to force it off as gently as possible (making sure the pressure was on the plate and the front of the VCR case not on the cassette). I pried on one end. No luck. I pried on the other end and suddenly the tape popped up into the release position, and I took it out through the normal loading slot. Phew!

For other models there are apparently squirrel screws or other screw mechanisms to forward the eject motion of the VCR, but I couldn't find anything like that on this GE model.

Clemens' and Our Win

Roger Clemens/photo by Keith Allison

Another (rare) win against an out-of-control government. The New York Sun's editorial explains.

"The acquittal yesterday of Roger Clemens of all charges that he had lied to Congress and tried to obstruct an investigation into whether he used steroids is a moment to savor for those who maintain a decent respect for the Constitution. It’s just not every day that an ordinary citizen throws a no-hitter in the courtroom against batters as powerful as the combined might of the Congress and the Department of Justice. The government’s five-years-long pursuit of the great hurler was ended by a jury in just a few hours."
. . .
"The whole thing got going in 2008, when the Congress of the United States dragged Mr. Clemens through the mud over allegations of his use of so-called “performance-enhancing drugs.” That was a hearing that never should have happened. It got out of control largely because of a disgraceful performance by Henry Waxman and became an action of Congress against an individual. Yet Congress is prohibited in the Constitution itself from acting against individuals. The prohibition is in Article I, Section 9, which is the part of the Constitution that lists what Congress may never do under any circumstances. One of the things is that it may never pass a bill of attainder."
. . .
"We like the way it was put by our erstwhile baseball columnist, Tim Marchman, who said of Mr. Clemens: “He probably juiced, he probably lied, and he’s probably the greatest pitcher who ever lived. It would be nice if it there were an easy way to separate those things from one another, but there isn’t, and anyway it’s a job for baseball historians, not prosecutors.” The government eschewed that wisdom and retried the case. It failed to reckon that the whole matter had long since stopped centering on the behavior of Mr. Clemens. It was really the government that was on trial, and what happened yesterday is that at the bottom of the 9th, the government struck out."

As for the "Hall of Fame" question, my own view is that the Hall of Fame stands somewhat higher, but in the same league, as the Nobel Peace and Literature Prizes. (cf. Dave Zirin)

Major Oregon Newspapers Continue to Lose Circulation

The Audit Bureau of Circulations statistics for Oregon newspaper circulation shows a decline in all the major newspapers in the state between March, 2011, and March, 2012. (This is the first full year period under ABC's new metrics and these figures cannot be accurately used to measure circulation growth or loss from previous years.)

The Statesman Journal had the smallest percentage decline (-3.66%), and the Bend Bulletin had the biggest (-28.25%).  The most common decline rate was around the -5% level.

Here are the figures for daily circulation (usually Monday-Friday):

Newspaper           March 2011       March 2012      % decline
Oregonian              260,248              247,833               -4.77%
Register-Guard        56,966                53,812               -5.54%
  (Eugene)
Bulletin (Bend)         44,314                31,796             -28.25%
Statesman Journal  38,349                36,946               -3.66%
  (Salem)
Mail Tribune            24,046                22,292              -7.29%
  (Medford)
Democrat-Herald    15,636                14,283               -8.65%
(Albany)
Courier                   14,471                13,748               -5.00%
(Grants Pass)
Gazette-Times        10,868                 10,287              -5.35%
(Corvallis)

13 Heroes Fighting in the Afghanistan War Who Died June 4 to June 15, 2012

June 4 - Pfc. Vincent J. Ellis, 22, of Tokyo, Japan, died in Landstuhl, Germany, from wounds suffered June 1, on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with improvised explosive devices and small arms fire.

June 6 - They died in Qarah Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their helicopter crashed. Killed were:
- Capt. Scott P. Pace, 33, of Brawley, Calif., and
- 1st Lt. Mathew G. Fazzari, 25, of Walla Walla, Wash.

June 7 - Pfc. Brandon D. Goodine, 20, of Luthersville, Ga., died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

June 8 - Cpl. Anthony R. Servin, 22, of Moreno Valley, Calif., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. This incident is under investigation.
- Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler Jr., 47, of Gulfport, Fla., was found deceased in his berthing compartment June 8 on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He was assigned to Enterprise as a logistics specialist. Enterprise is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

June 9 - Pfc. Nathan T. Davis, 20, Yucaipa, Calif., died in Tore Obeh, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

June 10 - Spc. Bryant J. Luxmore, 25, New Windsor, Ill., died in Panjwai, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when he encountered enemy, small arms fire.

June 12 - Sgt. 1st Class Barett W. McNabb, 33, of Chino Valley, Ariz., died in Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device.

June 12 & 14 - They died in Panjwa`l, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Killed were:
- Sgt. Joseph M. Lilly, 25, of Flint, Mich., who died June 14, and
- Spc. Trevor A. Pinnick, 20, of Lawrenceville, Ill., who died June 12.

June 13 - Cpl. Taylor J. Baune, 21, of Andover, Minn., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

June 15 - Sgt. Nicholas C. Fredsti, 30, of San Diego, Calif., died in Spedar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

20 Heroes Fighting in the Afghanistan War Who Died May 20 to June 2, 2012

May 20 - The Department of Defense announced the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan J. Wilson, 26, of Shasta, Calif., died of complications associated with a medical condition in Manama, Bahrain.

May 21 - Spc. Arronn D. Fields, 27, of Terre Haute, Ind., died in Qal-ah-ye Mirza Jal, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with rocket propelled grenades.

May 23 - 2nd Lt. Travis A. Morgado, 25, of San Jose, Calif., died in Zharay, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his patrol with an improvised explosive device.

May 24 - Pfc. Cale C. Miller, 23, of Overland Park, Kan, died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

- Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey, 22, of Boring, Ore., died May 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Oregonian reports:

"He was born on Aug. 21, 1989 in Portland and was the son of Grant and Inger Coffey. He grew up in Boring and graduated from Damascus Christian School in 2007. Keaton completed a year of college at George Fox University and enlisted in the USMC in August of 2008. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and was assigned to the 1st LEB (REIN), I MHG (FWD), I MEF (FWD) Military Police where he was a working dog handler. On Nov. 19, 2011, Keaton proposed to his best friend and soul mate, Brittany Dygert. They were planning to be married on July 14, 2012. Keaton enjoyed animals, fitness and surfing and his world revolved around his true love, Brittany. Keaton also had a heart for service and aspired to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a firefighter. Keaton is survived by his parents, Grant and Inger Coffey; his fiancee, Brittany Dygert; and his dog, Denny; along with many close family members and friends. A Celebration of Keaton's life [was] held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Community Church."

May 25 - Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza, 28, of El Paso, Texas, died in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.

May 26 - Hospitalman Eric D. Warren, of Shawnee, Okla., died of wounds received in action due to an improvised explosive device blast in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
- Spc. Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, 21, of Salinas, Calif., died in Zharay, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
- Lance Cpl. Steven G. Sutton, 24, of Leesburg, Ga., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

May 27 - They died in Chak-E Wardak District, Afghanistan, when their unit was attacked by enemy forces. Killed were:
- Spc. Kedith L. Jacobs, 21, of Denver, Colo, and
- Pfc. Leroy Deronde III, 22, Jersey City, New Jersey.

- Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, of Wilmington, Calif., died in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

May 28 - They died in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when their helicopter crashed. Killed were:
- Capt. John R. Brainard, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; and
- Chief Warrant Officer Five John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Va.

- Sgt. Julian C. Chase, 22, of Edgewater, Md., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

May 30 - Cpl. Nicholas H. Olivas, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio, died in Zharay, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
- Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean E. Brazas, of Greensboro, N.C., died while conducting combat operations in Panjwa’l, Afghanistan.
- Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Witsman, 23, of Covington, Ind., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. This incident is under investigation.

May 31 - Staff Sgt. Alexander G. Povilaitis, 47, of Dawsonville, Ga., died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when the enemy attacked with an improvised explosive device.

June 2 - Spc. Gerardo Campos, 23, of Miami, Fla., died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.