Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Trouble for the Auto Industry Bailout

Reports indicate that there is less confidence that the auto indusrty bailout will be passed. Many Republicans and some Democrats question whether the bailout bill will use taxpayer's dollars effectively. The Bloomberg article Democrats Back Off Prediction of Automaker Bailout Approval describes the latest version of the bill.
The Democratic proposal would let the president appoint a so-called car czar to oversee industry restructuring, and give taxpayers stock warrants equal to 20 percent of the loans. It would prohibit the automakers from paying dividends and owning or leasing corporate jets, and pay and bonuses would be limited.

This, however, does not address the inherent problems with these businesses. Preventing the "paying dividends and owning or leasing corporate jets, and pay and bonuses" addresses none of the major problems with these companies. A limit on excesses misses the basic fact that these are failed companies, who can't garner loans from anyone other than Congress. The only check or change that this bill implements is 'a car czar'; the powers of which Chairman Barney Frank tried to explain...
‘Head-Knocking’

Frank told reporters today the bill would give the car czar “a great deal of head-knocking ability” with “a lot of the powers that you would get in bankruptcy.”

The official would have the power to veto participating automakers’ plans to invest abroad, Frank said. Lawmakers want to ensure the companies don’t “take American taxpayer dollars and expand in other countries rather than here, or shut down a plant in America while expanding a plant elsewhere,” he said.

Because Bush and President-elect Barack Obama are unlikely to agree on a czar, Obama will likely replace Bush’s pick as soon as he takes office, Frank said. The Bush administration has said the official should come from the Commerce Department.

So this 'car czar' a likely member of the Commerce Department will be apparently appointed by President Bush then replaced by the future President Obama, and he shall be granted 'head knocking abilities'.

Chairman Frank went on to state that the auto industry will likely need to be granted more money in the future, something Speaker Pelosi has also stated. This does not instill confidence that this bailout will be anything but a waste of money.

A few basic questions for lawmakers...

How will this money fix the failed business policies of the auto industry?

How many bailouts and/or how much money will be paid to the automakers total?

What's wrong with bankruptcy?

What are the requirements for being granted a government bailout?

This is still not an rational solution. Ask your representatives not to support this bailout bill, and make them at least answer the basic question, 'how will this money fix the problems that the auto industry faces?'

Contact Your Senator

Contact Your Congressman

Continued Problems with the Automaker Bailout

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Against the Bailout Part 2

Yesterday's article Oppose the Auto Bailout was not intended to be anti-union or anti-auto company, it's simply the opinion of an old fashion cheapskate. If the government is going to spend taxpayer dollars they need to ensure that those funds are not being wasted. There has been little effort to explain why pumping money into failed businesses will fix that failed business model. Voters should contact their lawmakers and let them know they will hold them responsible if they give automakers billions of taxpayer dollars only to see those business collapse in the future.

Contact Your Senator

Contact Your Congressman

Similar sentiments we're expressed by Senator Mitch McConnell (R - KY).
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding proposed auto legislation:

“The auto industry is vitally important to our nation’s economy and it is vitally important to my home state of Kentucky. This is not in dispute. The question before us is how to reverse the decline of some of these auto manufacturers after decades of complicity between management and labor.

“I understand congressional Democrats sent a revised proposal to the White House late last night. We will reserve our judgment until we see the latest text. But the proposal we saw yesterday afternoon fails to achieve our goal of securing the long-term viability of ailing auto companies.

“I want to support a bill that revives this industry. But I will not support a bill that revives the patient with taxpayer dollars yet doesn’t secure a commitment that the patient will change its ways so future help isn’t needed.

“To do so would be a betrayal of the millions of hardworking taxpayers who are not at fault for the troubles in the auto industry. And it would be unfair to the millions of Americans who depend on these companies.

No Auto Bailout Part 2

Blogging

I started blogging this election cycle as a way to support Senator McCain for President. Now that race has ended, I'm interested in blogging at different sites for different purposes. I will continue my original site Broad Side of the Barn as a light hearted site with some useful resources, however, it is in serious need of updating. Blog topics typically will fall under the heading of internet or politics, but other topics will be addressed as well. Some of these sites are derivatives of ones set up during the election, many of them still need significant work. Here are the blogs I plan on posting to and developing at this time. Thank you for visiting.





































































































































Experimental Blogging Trial and Error Site
StatesLocal Theme
Surround the Web Random
Purple People Vote The old version Purple People Vote
Divied Up Random
Cracked Back Random
Linked the Web Random
Web Driven Web Topics
U.S. Independent Politics - Independent
Circle the Web Random
Blog Gobbers Fun / Random
Practical 1 PoliticsPolitics
More PolsPolitics
Independent VotersPolitics
Local Republican RacesPolitics...only if contributors want it to continue
Indie-Site Politics / Independent
McCain Blogger Resources Internet? - Form? - Maybe?
Battleground States 08Politics
Web InquiryInternet
Independent VotersPolitics / Independent
Who Do I Vote For?Politics
Round FourRandom
Broad Side of the Barn StoreInternet / Sales - Affiliate Programs
Change Candidates Politics
Scienceless Tech and Science Interest
Fiscally Conservative Socially Moderate Independents Politics / Independent
BroadSideoftheBa... Humor Random
The Online VolunteerPhilanthropy
Blue Collar VotersPolitics
Independent Voter ResourcePolitics / Independent
Rambling WebPhilanthropy
In New HampshireNH Local

Here are a variety of other sites of interest. The Maine Tool Room, Dr. Dog Health Care, Blogs for Victory, USA.gov, Network for Good, The Red Cross, The Smithsonian, Zannel, AARA News Service, Real Clear Politics, Joe Lieberman, Righty Blogs

Websites and Blogs

I started blogging this election cycle as a way to support Senator McCain for President. Now that race has ended, I'm interested in blogging at different sites for different purposes. I will continue my original site Broad Side of the Barn as a light hearted site with some useful resources, however, it is in serious need of updating. Blog topics typically will fall under the heading of internet or politics, but other topics will be addressed as well. Some of these sites are derivatives of ones set up during the election, many of them still need significant work. Here are the blogs I plan on posting to and developing at this time. Thank you for visiting.





































































































































Experimental Blogging Trial and Error Site
StatesLocal Theme
Surround the Web Random
Purple People Vote The old version Purple People Vote
Divied Up Random
Cracked Back Random
Linked the Web Random
Web Driven Web Topics
U.S. Independent Politics - Independent
Circle the Web Random
Blog Gobbers Fun / Random
Practical 1 PoliticsPolitics
More PolsPolitics
Independent VotersPolitics
Local Republican RacesPolitics...only if contributors want it to continue
Indie-Site Politics / Independent
McCain Blogger Resources Internet? - Form? - Maybe?
Battleground States 08Politics
Web InquiryInternet
Independent VotersPolitics / Independent
Who Do I Vote For?Politics
Round FourRandom
Broad Side of the Barn StoreInternet / Sales - Affiliate Programs
Change Candidates Politics
Scienceless Tech and Science Interest
Fiscally Conservative Socially Moderate Independents Politics / Independent
BroadSideoftheBa... Humor Random
The Online VolunteerPhilanthropy
Blue Collar VotersPolitics
Independent Voter ResourcePolitics / Independent
Rambling WebPhilanthropy
In New HampshireNH Local

Here are a variety of other sites of interest. The Maine Tool Room, Dr. Dog Health Care, Blogs for Victory, USA.gov, Network for Good, The Red Cross, The Smithsonian, Zannel, AARA News Service, Real Clear Politics, Joe Lieberman, Righty Blogs

Google Brings Social Networking Capabilities

From etech.eweek.com Google Opens Up Social Networking

While many site providers have been intrigued by the idea of adding social networking capabilities, for the most part efforts in this area have been unsuccessful. This is mainly due to the fact that the last thing most people want to do is join yet another social network, especially one that is tied to a specific Web site.

But this week may see a big change in the ability of Web sites to add social networking capabilities. Both Google and Facebook released services that make it possible for Web sites to easily add social networking features that don't require visitors to join a brand-new social network.

For the last couple of days I've had the chance to test out the beta of Google Friend Connect. Google Friend Connect lets any Web site operator easily add functionality to a site that lets visitors join the site, see other users of the site, and participate in social networking activities such as commenting on and rating content.

From a strict feature standpoint, there isn't much in Google Friend Connect that seems all that new. In fact, Yahoo's MyBlogLog service has been providing similar capabilities for some time now.

However, what makes the Google Friend Connect service stand out is its extreme openness and its potential for near-unlimited extensibility. That's because, rather than using proprietary technology, Google Friend Connect heavily leverages open technologies such as OpenID, OpenSocial and OAuth.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Buy an AeroCar

From Wired Get Your Own Vintage Flying Car for $3.5 Million
"Just six Aerocars were ever built, and they did fly when they were built. Marilyn Felling bought Aerocar No. 2 more than 25 years ago, but never restored it. She insists it has been examined by a mechanic and could be made airworthy in a few hours. Of course, N103D hasn't flown since the Ford Administration, so that may be optimistic.

Still — how cool would it be to own a flying car that'll do 60 mph on the highway and 110 in the air? Just think of the joy you'd feel. And if you can't think of enough good reasons to own it, the folks at aerocarforsale.com have spelled them out for you.

You can pick one up "for inclusion in your private collection." Or if you're feeling philanthropic, buy one "for a donation to your favorite museum." Maybe your kids or grandkids would appreciate it "as a legacy for the heirs of your estate. "Our favorite is the promise of "a 1031 property exchange," though we have no idea what that means. "

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Crack Pipes Being Sold in Convenience Stores

There are several reports of 'glass roses' which are used as crack pipes being sold in convenience stores around the country. The following report comes from Georgia Georgia Police Chief Suggests Ban on Glass ‘Rose’ Pipes
"Police Chief Dennis Bell of Arcade, Georgia, is asking lawmakers to ban the three-inch glass pipes with a fake rose inside, the Associated Press reports. Bell says the novelty items, sold in many convenience stores, masquerade as crack pipes.

Known as “The Rose,” the pipe has a piece of cork on one end with a flower in the center. Bell said he is hoping the other police chiefs in Jackson County and the local sheriff will join him in seeking legislation to outlaw the pipes, the newswire reports."

On the VH1 reality show 'Celebrity Rehab' they show former patient Seth Binzer going to the 'Corner Mini Mart' in Pasadena, California and buying a 'glass rose' for drug purposes. This is seen in the following clip...



The store in this clip is
Corner Market
342 E Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
(626) 792-5256

Crack Pipes Being Sold in Convenience Stores

Friday, December 5, 2008

Obama Hung Up On

From Politico Ros-Lehtinen hangs up on Obama. Twice.

On Wednesday, the Republican congresswoman got a call from President-elect Barack Obama, didn't believe it was him, and hung up on him. Twice.

According to Ros-Lehtinen's flack Alex Cruz, the congresswoman received the call on her cell phone from a Chicago-based number and an aide informed her that Obama wanted to speak to her. When Obama introduced himself, Ros-Lehtinen cut him off and said, "I'm sorry but I think this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio stations known for these pranks." Then she hung up.

Moments later, Obama tried again, this time through his soon-to-be chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

"Ileana, I cannot believe you hung up on the President-Elect," Emanuel said. And then--yes, you know what's coming--she hung up on Emanuel saying she "didn't believe the call was legitimate."

A short time later, Ros-Lehtinen received an urgent call from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who informed her that she indeed hung up on Obama.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Affordable Green Christmas Gifts

Excerpt from Montana's News Station Gift ideas for a "green" Christmas
Saving money is a top priority for many of us this holiday season, but you can still give gifts that save the environment, too.

Remember when you were a kid, and you made coupons for chores or services as gifts because they were free? Well, promising to shovel the sidewalk and mow the lawn, or even take care of the recycling, are very green gifts to give this Christmas. And even if you're an adult now, those coupons are still free.

And you can still go "green" without putting too big of a dent in your wallet.

For instance, why wrap a CD when you can take your loved one to an actual concert? Gifts of an experience are more personal, can cost less, and don't involve the waste of packaging. But if you still like the sound of that CD, try an iTunes gift certificate. They're available everywhere and they eliminate shipping and packaging.

Gift baskets are a great way to give your green gifts a personal touch...and they can cost as little or as much as you're willing to spend. And if you use recycled, reclaimed, organic, and/or natural products that makes your gift even more green.

You can do any kind of combination you want; for instance, you can simply raid the natural and organic section at the local grocery store.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Shades of Gray

Seeing a campaign up close this past election was an excellent learning experience. However, one of my biggest disappointments in viewing our current two party system is that there is little tolerance for anyone who breaks with the party line, and that appears to be the case for both parties. In real life it's fairly rare to come across people who wholly subscribe to one party's platform. However, in political circles it seems rare to find people who break with the party line. This is one of the major hang ups in making the government truly representative.

In each party's defense, it's the ideologues who participate and volunteer; so it makes sense that their views would be the most prevalent. However, there are a myriad of issues that are simply not black and white. In my case, I opposed the death penalty up until the Oklahoma City bombing. While I still would not categorize myself as pro-death penalty, that tragedy made me believe that there may be some circumstances where the death penalty is appropriate. I give this example, because I don't see this as a particularly abnormal or radical view, but it is one that is not represented by either party. Instead of issues receiving a full hearing, party politics often result in viewing issues as either black or white, when shades of gray often exist.

Shades of Gray