MY TWO SENSE ●
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MY TWO SENSE ●
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DEAL MADE
Within hours of President Obama's ultimatum to GM, and GM's CEO Rick Wagoner's forced 'retirement,' it appears that GM has cut a deal with FIAT. Was Wagoner pushed out because he wouldn't sign on the dotted line? Now that he's gone, what's his Golden Parachute? Could the revelation that Wagoner's GP is huge weighed against the poor performance of GM under Wagoner's tutelage become yet another problem for the Obama Admin? Stay tuned.
Posted: March 30, 2009 2:04 P.M. (comment
ABOUT AMERICAN CARS
The troubles the American car companies find themselves in today include, according to those in the know, that they haven't kept up with the times and continue to bank on gas guzzlers, that they are at a disadvantage with the Japanese because of their union contracts, that labor is too high in the U.S., you've heard it all.
But frankly, that's a mere pittance of the story. The truth is, Detroit is manufacturing lackluster product. But even this isn't Detroit's big problem. The biggest is that the American car industry has a simply AWFUL reputation. So I assert that the major way to fix Detroit's problems is to come up with a bang-up PR campaign, Detroit's only hope.
Therefore, I'm suggesting that PR Guru, David Axelrod, be hired to remake the image of the Detroit car manufacturers. After all, if Axelrod can take a less than one year of experience in the Senate legislator whose skin color, which should have been his Achille's Heel, and turn that negative into his best asset;a man whose wife had a mouth that she seemed to like putting her foot in at every turn and turn her into Donna Reedi -- surely Axelrod can rebuild the reputations of Ford, GM and Chrysler.
Anyone who thinks that simply "greening" American cars is going to do the trick or cutting new deals with unions in order to lower the cost of producing American automobiles will do the trick simply doesn't get it.
Firing Rick Wagoner was a smart move but not for the reasons that Obama did it. It was smart because Detroit needs new leadership with innovative minds that create clever new ideas.
Sometimes the answers to business problems aren't to be found only in the numbers, but in the ideas.
Posted: March 30, 2009 10:53 A.M. (comment
KRUGMAN VS. GEITHNER ROUND TWO +
"Geithner's plan is to rearrange the deck chairs and hope we don't hit the iceberg." ~ Paul Krugman
Posted: March 29, 2009 7:04 P.M. (comment
BREAKING
CNBC is reporting the GM CEO Rick Waggoner is stepping down. Bet he's thinking, What a ride it's been! UPDATE: The resignation comes as a condition from the Federal Government to give any further government assistance to the ailing auto co.
Posted: March 29, 2009 5:03 P.M. (comment
MITCH MCCONNELL, A LAUGH A MINUTE ~ NOT
Posted: March 29, 2009 4:47 P.M. (comment
AXELROD RE-SPINS JOE BIDEN
According to the NY Times, the master, David Axelrod, has begun to work his magic on Joe Biden, who took some heat at the beginning of O's admin, being called "garrulous, loose-lipped," well, you get the drill. I like this retooling of Biden better. The straight-talking Veep has always fought the out-of-the-STUPID-mold of Washington tradition that one must be circumspect at all times in order to be believed. What? Despite Joe's warm personality, the guy knows what he's talking about, particularly on foreign policy issues. No, he's not always right, but he's right more often than not. You go, Joe. LINK
Posted: March 29, 2009 9:11 A.M. (comment
IS THIS NECESSARY?
I think not. LINK
Posted: March 28, 2009 8:15 P.M. (comment
SAY IT ISN'T SO
One of the many named to serve on President Obama's new task force on tax reform is a member of the AIG Board of Directors. WHF!?
Posted: March 27, 2009 6:59 P.M. (comment
OBAMA MAKING A GEORGE BUSH MOVE?
Just as the budget battle comes front and center, POTUS resurrects the war on terror to diffuse the incoming flak, a tact that the Republicans can recognize and chuckle over. Smart, surely. Smarmy, yes. And necessary.
Posted: March 27, 2009 10:39 A.M. (comment
A NEW ANTI-SEMITISM OR ANTI-ISRAEL OR BOTH?
My thoughts: The new anti-Israel is the new anti-Semitism cloaked as always in the coat of ‘It’s the Jew’s fault.’ Hamas has been performing unspeakable atrocities on their own people, including using innocent civilians as decoys, and hardly a word. A few misguided Israeli soldiers (if true) and the world is up in arms and the MSM does a report on the unproven on the evening news. Your reader who wrote, it is “kewl with the creative class” to hate Israel and the Jews gets it. But the reason that this is happening no one wants to discuss. It is POTUS who by the positions he has taken on the Middle East conflict since taking office is saying to the rest of the world: We are no longer siding with Israel, perhaps years too soon. Because what has held anti-Semitism in check worldwide has been that all the presidents of the United States since World War II have stood firmly behind the Jewish State. The underlying anti-Semitism that has never gone away is now resurfacing worldwide with Obama’s, if not intended, subtle permission, even, as we are now learning, in the United States. These are scary times.
Posted: March 26, 2009 4:58 P.M. (comment
THOUGHTS
I don't have time to say what I want to say concerning the recent rise of anti-Israel sentiment that's out there. I am going to link something I think everyone should read and come back to the subject when I have the time to devote to say what I want to say. Meanwhile, tonight I'm on blog radio pitching A YEAR IN MY PAJAMAS WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA, the Politics of Strange Bedfellows on a Blurb radio at 9. Today and yesterday, I shot a ridiculous YouTube video for the book, which tells me that I have absolutely no shame. Look for it here and at YouTube. Now, here's the LINK on the article. We'll talk about it soon. LINK
Posted: March 25, 2009 4:58 P.M. (comment
A NOTE TO MR. PRESIDENT
If you would behave as you have this evening, I wouldn't have to write columns such as I did today. Tonight you appear thoughtful, serious, knowledgeable, confident and trustworthy...presidential. Cute doesn't suit you, so it's nice to see you standing as a man, not the precocious smart-ass kid you've been projecting too much of late. By the way, it's also nice to see the press asking 'adult' questions. Wow, imagine, a real press conference.
Posted: March 23, 2009 8:52 P.M. (comment
MEGHAN MCCAIN, A NEW KIND OF REPUBLICAN
Frankly, she's the party's best hope. Someone should start taking her seriously. She gets it. LINK
Posted: March 23, 2009 8:35 P.M. (comment
OH JOY-NOT! REDUX
Norm Coleman willing to take his case to the US Supreme Court. What an idiot. You can bet he'll say that he's doing it for his constituents. You can bet he's a liar, besides being an a**hole. LINK
Posted: March 23, 2009 8:20 P.M. (comment
OH JOY-NOT!
A new film starring Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton and Julianne Moore as Hillary Clinton, Special Relationship, which explores (hasn't it already been 'explored' ad nauseous) the relationship between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky? LINK
Posted: March 23, 2009 8:14 P.M. (comment
REPUBLICANS BALK AT CHENEY
Dick Cheney has been waxing ineloquent of late, which appears to be making Hill Republicans cringe. They are asking the former Veep to fermé his la bouche, so reports The Hill. LINK Chances he'll listen?
Posted: March 23, 2009 8:34 A.M. (comment
INTERESTING ARTICLE
On how the internet is changing the political landscape. It is. LINK
Posted: March 22, 2009 5:51 P.M. (comment
DON'T MISS POTUS ON 60 MINUTES...
Here's a preview of the president's 60 Minutes interview. Tell us what you really think, BO!
Posted: March 22, 2009 9:17 A.M. (comment
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT...
Pour a glass of wine, sit back, relax and enjoy A Man and a Woman...
Posted: March 21, 2009 9:42 P.M. (comment
DISGRACE
Conn AG says AIG paid 218M in Bonuses, not the 165M previously disclosed.
Posted: March 21, 2009 10:38 A.M. (comment
BODY OF NATALIE HOLLOWAY FOUND?
BNO News is reporting Natalie Holloway's body was found in Aruba. UPDATE: Aruban police deny rumor.
Posted: March 20, 2009 1:23 P.M. (comment
SECOND THOUGHTS ON GROVELING
Ah, the new propaganda. We used to drop leaflets from the sky. Now the president of the United States virals YouTube videos in order to reach the street. Still, there's a bit of a**-kissing in it all that's very unpleasant to watch.
Posted: March 20, 2009 1:23 P.M. (comment
POTUS GROVELS TO IRAN
The response was a slap in the face.
Posted: March 20, 2009 11:38 A.M. (comment
NO MORE MYSTERY AND SECRETS
Vladimir Putin KGB agent "playing" tourist. Lovely. What a world!
Posted: March 19, 2009 5:44 P.M. (comment
MYSTERY AND SECRETS
Wondering what this is all about? Me, too. LINK
Posted: March 19, 2009 4:26 P.M. (comment
IT PAYS TO BE POTUS SOMETIMES LATER RATHER THAN SOONER
Under the heading of: Get a load of this deal or Such a deal! LINK
Posted: March 19, 2009 10:57 A.M. (comment
THE TMZ HITS DC
The TMZ's Harvey Levin is sending his little video-camera holding elves into the halls of power, Washington DC. Watch out world, we're about to get a look at our leaders we may not want to see...or maybe we do?
Posted: March 19, 2009 10:19 A.M. (comment
GRIM
Oil is trading above 59 bucks, the White House is being warned to expect outrageous budget deficit projections at the end of the week, jobless claims about to rise again and the stock market expected to open lower this morning. POTUS, you'd better be very, charming on the Tonight Show this eve, very charming indeed.
Posted: March 19, 2009 8:30 A.M. (comment
TOO GOOD TO PASS UP
Twitter from the inimitable Jake Tapper the first sentence of his new novel: "Our love spoiled like a jug of milk left in the sun -- curdled and funky but perversely delicious." Jake, keep your day job.
Posted: March 19, 2009 8:07 A.M. (comment
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." — Franklin Delano Roosevelt, U.S. president
Posted: March 19, 2009 7:58 A.M. (comment
BREAKING NEWS
Natasha Richardson has died. The family of Natasha Richardson is "shocked and devastated" by the tragic death of the actress. Full statement at http://adjix.com/xtnr. UPDATE: BULLETIN -- "THE ENTIRE FAMILY ARE SHOCKED AND DEVASTATED BY THE TRAGIC DEATH OF BELOVED NATASHA" - STATEMENT.
Posted: March 18, 2009 8:02 P.M. (comment
BREAKING NEWS
Fed to buy 1.2 T in bonds and mortgage-backed securities to contain the recession. LINK
Posted: March 18, 2009 3:04 P.M. (comment
HEARTBREAK
Liz Smith is reporting that Natasha Richardson was taken off life support. This is too sad a story. Such a talented, young woman, with two young sons. Unspeakable horror. LINK
Posted: March 18, 2009 2:41 P.M. (comment
ABOUT TIM GEITHNER
Get him off the front page! What's with you Axelrod? You seemed so smart. My goodness, it took you days to turn around Michelle O's awful image. Now months in, and you've got a Geithner problem and you're letting it percolate. He may be smart, but he has zippo charisma. Diversion time! Find a front for Geithner, quick, before it's too late.
Posted: March 18, 2009 8:15 A.M. (comment
DICK CHENEY, PLEASE STOP WHINING!
Former Veep Dick Cheney can't seem to pass up an opportunity to deride W for not pardoning Scooter Libby. His latest harangue says that they in effect left Libby "hanging in the wind." No, Mr. Cheney, YOU left Libby hanging in the wind. In fact, you sold him to the Devil when you let him take the rap for you. That Libby was dumb enough to do it accounts for his predicament. But you could have saved Libby if you hadn't put yourself first, Mr. Evildoer. So glad you're gone. Now fermé la bouche.
Posted: March 16, 2009 8:22 A.M. (comment
COMEDY CENTRAL
Here's the link for the must-see showdown between CNBC's Jim Cramer and Comedy Central's Jon Stewart. O my. LINK
Posted: March 13, 2009 9:07 A.M. (comment
PRESIDENT OBAMA SHOULD SHUT REP. CLYBURN'S MOUTH
Is there anything anyone can say that Jim Clyburn doesn't see as racist? Apparently, not. So here he goes again today going after S.C. Governor Mark Sanford. Enuf, Clyburn. Ferme la bouche!
Posted: March 12, 2009 2:26 P.M. (comment
LINE OF THE DAY
I'm not exactly sure of the source but here it is with apologies to whoever said it: "Newest Obama appointee's office raided by FBI. Left finally comes to terms that Obama is not Jesus. Jesus could actually build a cabinet." Here's the background story. LINK
Posted: March 12, 2009 2:20 P.M. (comment
SHOULD POLITICIANS BE HELD TO A HIGHER MORAL STANDARD?
Former Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidate John Edwards came out of the closet last night making an appearance at Brown U after the details of his tawdry affair with Rielle Hunter, the father of his baby? came to light. Mostly, the question of his affair was not addressed by the 600 people who attended the event.
So, I ask, should politicians be held to a higher moral standard than the rest of us mortals? The smart answer is that they can do as they please as long as they don't get caught. Another, they are not Priests who have dedicated their lives to G-d. The reality, much as they'd like to think otherwise, is that politicians are like us: mere mortals.
Yet, imo, if you take the public stage, you'd better be prepared to stand as a role model and not let your followers down. As a leader, you get options in this life the rest of us don't get. Personal sacrifice comes with the perks of the job.
And what of forgiveness when our leaders do succumb to their human frailty? As in the case of President Clinton, time heals all wounds. Or a leader's gifts are worth more than their sins.
John Edwards certainly wants to return to the political arena, thus his appearance. But Edwards is no Bill Clinton. Before he can re-enter the political sandbox, he needs to show us he is more than the pretty face that was always a part of his public persona. He needs to use his talents in a way that changes the image we all have of him now since the details of the smarmy affair d'loins came to light.
Appearing at Brown University isn't going to prove to us that he is something special. Mr. Edwards, you need a cause.
Suggestion: Men taking responsibility for their illegitimate children.
Posted: March 12, 2009 9:59 A.M. (comment
SOMEONE IS LISTENING TO ME!
It appears Energy Secretary Steven Chu agrees with me that a rise in oil prices could set the world economy into a further tailspin. He said he is going to speak to OPEC members to discourage any change in production they are planning. Now, old friends of the Cartel, Tush and Cheeky, both begged OPEC just months ago not to cut production, and the Cartel told them to, well, you know what. That was the beginning of the mess we have now. If OPEC doesn't heed Chu's demands, it will be time for the U.S. to declare World War III against OPEC's member nations. We will know soon enough if they discard Chu's request that what we're really involved in is an economic war with the Arabs. Stay tuned, this could be quite a bumpy ride, to say the least. LINK
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