Bury (Parts Of) The Big Three

So now the "Big Three" American auto makers are blaming their pending collapse on the economy.

It couldn't be that they are lobbying Congress for an additional 25bn (50 billion total) because they failed to learn from their past mistakes. It couldn't be that these auto makers failed to develop desirable products at the pace of their foreign competition.

Even those too young to remember the Edsel, Nash or AMC have probably seen a Plymouth (defunct - 2001) or Oldsmobile (defunct - 2004). Sometimes brands just outlive their usefulness. Wikipedia list 543 defunct American automotive brands from the past.

These companies' business models are predicated on people buying new cars at a rate that is unsustainable. Our disposable economy seems to have come back to have bitten us in the azz. American car companies build too many adequate cars instead of focusing on just a few excellent ones.

GM-
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
GM Daewoo
GMC
Holden
Hummer
Opel
Pontiac
Saab
Saturn
Vauxhall
Wuling

Ford-
Ford
Lincoln
Mercury
Mazda
Volvo

Chrysler-
Dodge
Chrysler
Jeep

Honda-
Honda
Acura

Toyota-
Toyota
Lexus
Scion
(majority shareholder - Daihatsu, minority shareholder - Isuzu and Yamaha)

I'm not saying that Detroit doesn't produce any good products. But that they don't produce many good products. Maybe it's time for Detroit to shed some of their lesser performing brands or models.

Honestly, what's the difference between a Dodge and a Chrysler?

Why does Ford keep it's Mercury brand? Mercury could just be absorbed into Ford while eliminating a nondescript brand. Mercury could become the company's alternate-fuels label and in the end share it's progress with it's sister brands.

GMC's Buick, GMC and Pontiac lines could be folded into one mid-range brand to complement their upscale Cadillac and main stream Chevrolet lines. (Chevrolet is HUGE in China and Russia. Chevy is the fastest growing brand overseas, so it becomes one of the streamlined company's keepers.)


Maybe we should allow Chrysler and GM to merge and financially support the new company with incentives to build next-generation vehicles.
We could use the rest of the money to help a new and more lean Ford speed it's progress in alternate fuel vehicles.

Don't Blame Peak Oil.
Oil production and price have little to do with Detroit's woes.
When was "Peak Coal"? Did our country fold or adapt? Detroit's marriage to the "Seven Sisters" seems to be their choice as well as their burden.
The costliest blends of gasoline to produce are those that are not widely available. There are 11 special blends of gasoline nationally with 45 variations of these blends. Why can't the companies just produce the tougher California blends for the whole country? This seems to be Big Oil saving a penny in the short term to lose a dollar in the long term.
Back in the late sixties, members of Congress were taken for rides in cars that were steam fueled with clean burning engines. The Big 3 and Big Oil balked at this prospect.
John DeLorean states (In Jack Doyle's book - Taken For A Ride); "...As a matter of fact, because the California laws were tougher, we sold 'cleaner" cars there and dirtier cars throughout the rest of the nation..."
The Big Three won their battle with the states to overturn the Zero Emissions Mandate, ending any short term financial need to develop higher performing vehicles.


In 1983 - a four cylinder Honda Civic was rated at 46/59 mpg. Twenty five years later, the Hybrid four cylinder Honda Civic is rated at 40/45 mpg. Progress? What progress? Most other models rated at 66% of the current top performing Civic model's fuel economy are considered as doing well.

Killing Brands Is Costly
Not only in the lost jobs at the factories but in all of the down stream operations. Dealers would have to shut down. Parts suppliers would close. All of the workers at these and other aspects of the brand would lose their jobs. All of these workers would lose their health care and other benefits.

Retooling the factories in an environment of no credit couldn't be done. What would these factories build? More of the same cars produced elsewhere?

What is an American car?
Is it a brand that is owned by Americans but produced, in large parts, overseas?
Is it a Toyota or Honda that is manufactured mostly in America?
The average cost for a factory worker is about $28hr.
Detroit pays about $78hr (in wages, taxes, benefits, etc.) while Honda and Toyota spend about $48hr per employee.
Which companies are more beneficial to the American economy?

Speculation
The International Monetary Fund is seen largely as a branch of the US Treasury Department.
According to Russel K. Kick and G.A. Swanson - Daily, over 1.4 TRILLION dollars is moved electronically for the sole purpose of speculation, while 20 billion dollars (or 1.5%) is spent on the actual purpose of economic trade. (For every $1 that is spent on daily trade, $66 is spent on speculation. Before electronic transfers, the speculation to trade ratio was 4-1.)
These instruments create tremendous wealth for the few while bankrupting entire economies.

The IMF had known for years that Argentina's policy of Pesos for Dollars was one that was not sustainable. The IMF encouraged Argentina to borrow money to support it's Peso. When the worldwide recession hit in 2000, the IMF said; pay us...NOW. Argentina's economy collapsed. Argentina's populace overthrew the government.

Before 401k's, hardly any workers were directly effected by fluctuations in stock prices. Today, most of us have a direct interest in whether a company overseas (or in this country) fails. They've taken our money, promised some type of return, lost our money, and now tell us that they need more.
I used to gamble. I had the same problem.
Sometimes you have to just walk away to eliminate more losses.
Sometimes it's just better to start over from scratch with a more solid plan.

Again, we're at the point where we are being asked... no TOLD that we must provide loans to companies that never had our best interest at heart. We are told that the bribe (disguised as a stimulus package) to keep us from complaining is in our best interest.

We are being told that the creators of this mess are those best qualified to fix this mess.
Are we Neo (from the Matrix) searching for the source in order to find the inherent flaw in the system that was created by the creator(s)?
Didn't Neo die at the end of that movie?

What's News

They're just campaign promises. Don't expect the world to change.
http://www.good.is/?p=13184
I told you that the whole problem with the failed economic policy and practices was that they were like selling Noni Juice, PrePaid Legal or AmWay.
http://www.infowars.com/?p=5955

But when all the news we hear are lies, exaggerations and bad news - the only thing left is to make up our own.

http://gothamist.com/2008/11/12/fake-new-york-times-hits-readers-php

Mixed Mentality II

Sheila - Mixed race people may want to entitle themselves mixed race or otherwise...
cnulan - I believe you may be over thinking it...
sjp - I think you have to consider that he is half African and how that influences him...

Thank you for your input.
I may have been unclear in my original question.

If Obama (or cnulan or myself or...) were caught stealing a television and hopping through a window - no witness would say that it was a mulatto, mixed or half black male. The witness statement would state that it was a Black male. I'm sure that when someone asks our race, we simply state "Black" (although for census or statistical situations I always check all that apply). I understand and accept the "One Drop Rule". There is no shame in being Black.
That's one of the reasons I use the UBJ moniker. Anyone can call me whatever they hate, no problem. When people try to use the excuse that I'm not really Black and must be mixed with something (usually after I've bettered them in one pursuit or another), I simply say that I'm ALL Black.

Sheila - I'm not trying to entitle myself to any special status. On the contrary, every time I go to a new 'hood, I have to prove that I can still "throw dem dogs". Even in somewhat affluent Black neighborhoods, the people later tell me that they thought that I was stuck on myself. People in certain areas assume that I must think that I'm better than them. I always hear from my friends how they used to hate me. When I tell them that I knew but didn't care, they tell me that it's that attitude that made them hate me. The reasons for being more easily accepted in one situation balances out by being an outsider in a different situation for the same reasons.

But thinking that success is largely psychological, both in it's acquisition and pursuit, I was asking why some people have no desire to buy into the limitations of race and why others believe all that has been told to them regarding the inferiority of their race.

Cnulan - Maybe a bit. I've failed to reach people in many situations while trying to help them progress. I'm not sure if I'm trying to help them be better or if I'm trying to make them into myself.
I just spent the last couple of days with one of my young cousins. This young cousin stated that; "all dark Black women stink". We hung out at the car wash, barbershop and mall. We listened to Blacks reciting to groups of other Blacks how Blacks were inferior to whites in most things, or how all light skinned Blacks were "soft", or how a "Dark Brotha'" couldn't get ahead, or how now that Obama was President, Blacks were going to have everything that whites (or ambitious Blacks) had...
I understand that this is the South and most of the families are one generation removed from Segregation - but why do so many still buy into the limitations of the past. After the weekend of dealing with various people, I asked him why he feels as though dark skinned Black women smelled bad and explained to him his projecting of his own insecurities. I tried to show him how he was judging people by their color (or hue) and that he shouldn't put limitations on people based on color.
I wasn't stating that "Light is better than Dark" but was curious to know why some believe the hype. I was curious to know whether being influenced by more than one culture had the effect of opening one's eyes to a more varied palette of ideas.

sjp - A great example.
African immigrants do better scholastically than any ethnic group. Obama didn't have the stereotypical African-American mentality (along with it's seemingly defeatist ways) but one that was purely African and aspirational. What cultural variances provided him with the mentality to overcome situations that many others where overwhelmed by.

I've read comments on many blogs giving the reason for Obama's success as being that he was raised by his white grandmother - as though through osmosis, the whole of European accomplishment would rub-off on Barack. I've read comments that Obama isn't really Black because he was raised in Hawaii.
Barack knows that he is Black.
I know that I'm Black.
My question is - what makes one less likely to buy into the racial limitations put upon them by others?

Dystopia

It's the end of the world!
Or so some in the blog world would have you believe.
How does Barack Obama go from being the first Black President Elect to the Savior to the Anti Christ in a little more than a week?
I'm pleased with the Obama win, but I'm not placing a nimbus around Mr. Obama's head just yet. Are people really so afraid of a Black man? How does one go from being perceived as unable to run a country to being able to destroy the world - in eight days? A November 6, 2008 article in ReconsiliationTalk states that the words " Obama, Peace and Anti Christ" were becoming more often searched on Google ( http://reconciliation.typepad.com/reconciliationtalk/2008/11/obama-peace-and-the-antichrist.html ). I've read references to Nostradamus' quatrains referencing the last Pope as a Black Pope, and having some connection to Obama. I've seen connections made between the recent brawl between Jesuit monks (The Jesuit Superior General is often referred to as the Black Pope) in a Jerusalem temple and Obama's pending exaltation. I've read articles citing Obama's Middle Eastern peace plan as contrary to Christianity and the Fundamentalist/Evangelical/Zionist philosophies.
I'm no dispensationalist nor do I wish for some sort of Illuminati inspired dystopic world. I've read references to Obama being the Anti Christ mentioned in the Biblical books of Revelations, Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Luke and 2Thessalonians. Really? A Black guy becomes President of the United States and the speculation among the Catholic Church's leaders starts to turn to how that opens the door for the next (Black) Pope http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5097668.ece ?

I know that reading is good for us.
Maybe I'm reading the wrong things.
Maybe I'm reading to much into things.

Texas - The (Almost) Antebellum South

Texas sucks. Why do I stay? Because Texas sucks. I was arrogant enough to think that I could make a difference.

The Alamo Remember the Alamo? Why? You lost that battle. What are you celebrating?

Confederate Flags Why? You lost the civil War too.

Oklahoma Panhandle Why does Oklahoma have a panhandle? Because if the border of Texas went further north (under the Missouri Compromise) they would have had to free their slaves.

Juneteenth Why are you celebrating? The rest of the country had freed their slaves three years earlier. We celebrate being freed late?

Jasper, Texas is synonymous with dragging deaths, Crawford with W. and Houston with Enron. (Okay, Texas Tech does look pretty impressive this year. I'll give you all that one.) Friday night lights? The best thing to do in the state is (until this year) watch a high school game?

Separation Anxiety - Keeping It Real But Doing It Wrong

Genesis 12:1 "...Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee..."


The military has boot camps in which the new recruits are taken away from their families and friends and taught the ways of their particular institution to ensure the best results.
From Noah, to Shem (the father of all Semitic peoples), to Abram (Abraham), to Moses to Jacob, to Daniel, to Christ - the Bible is filled with stories of people who left the familiar confines and expectations of their kindred in order to pursue their own greatness (at the ultimate benefit of those who were left behind).


If ; Cullen Jones had played football, Venus and Serena had played basketball, Oprah had been a maid, Tiger Woods had chosen baseball and Barack Obama would have stayed in the 'hood and become a plumber - what difference would they have made?
True progress doesn't come from someone succeeding in what is generally accepted - but in excelling in ares that are unexpected. In professions that are outside of a prescribed existence.
Some of those mentioned above may have still had an impact and been successful in their chosen fields - but what difference would it have made?

Micheal Jordan's legacy won't be that he changed the way the game of basketball is played (that would belong to Wilt Chamberlin) but that he changed the way that the game of celebrity marketing is played. Before Mike, athletes were pitchmen. After Mike, athletes (and entertainers) seemed to have learned the importance of branding.
Rappers seem to have learned this best, many have become owners rather than employees.


Keeping It Real - But Doing It Wrong
Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. writes - "Success is like a pyramid, broad at the bottom but narrow at the summit; the higher you go, the fewer people go with you".
Everyone knows the story of "Crabs in a Bucket".
Most Black people have been either the one pulled down by his own people
or one of the many pulling one who is climbing higher back down.
Maybe there is a real need to get away from the other crabs.
Maybe there is a need to seek a change of environment.
Maybe it's our familiar confines that end up holding many of us back.
Maybe our inability to accept that someone else might know more or be better than ourselves is what keeps many of us from making progress.
Maybe it's the common desire to retain one's ghetto pass.
Maybe it's our fear of being seen as "acting white".
IMO - The racist limitations put on Black people (by other Black people) does more harm than the racist limitations put on Blacks by racist whites.


The need for a lower class
I'm not saying that Blacks are the lower class predicated on race. But I am saying that our society has a need for a lower class.


But by what criteria?


Education (either formal or empirical) is a good measure of one's social class.
Would an uninformed, xenophobic moose hunter be a good pick for the Vice President of the United States? Nope (well at least not for the benefit of the majority of our country). Would it be fitting for an Ivy League educated Black man, who overcame the struggles of single-motherhood, poverty and time spent helping in the 'hood, to be a janitor?To anyone other than a racist, nope!

There is a real need for some sort of social as well as intellectual education.
Being informed doesn't make one smart - being able to use that knowledge in a profitable manner does.


Money is another good measure of one's social standing and success. But money without knowledge and experience and social skills often lead to failure.

How many former athletes failed to adopt the mentality of their new social and economic class but instead retained their 'hood values? Most failed to realize that success doesn't change who you are - the benefits and resources of success add to what you already are.

In a perfect world, those who worked the hardest and the smartest, those who helped others and remained humble would be rewarded and receive most of the benefits of our society.
Those who complained and made excuses, those who were lazy, selfish and contentious would have the least.
The world isn't perfect.
How do we expect to benefit when doing less than is required in a perfect situation?


Race is a false measure of one's class. But race is the one measure that most racist whites and frustrated Blacks buy into.
Not everyone is qualified to do all things. "Cousin Pookie" probably deserves his lot in life. "Shanaynay" can't handle a position of responsibility. Let them be responsible for their desires. We need janitors, fruit pickers, ditch diggers, garbage men and dishwashers (which was my first real job in the restaurant industry).

Our society couldn't function with a population of billionaires who sat abound waiting to be served. I'm not promoting a Metropolis type of society.
Our society needs every level of separation that exists.
Our problem isn't separation.
Our problem is the fair access to the next level.


But what next?

ESL - Contrary to popular belief, white people don't pop out of the womb speaking Standard American English. Learning SAE isn't "talking white". There is no such thing as "talking white". French, German and even Spanish are European languages. Does knowing these languages qualify as "talking white"?
Knowing how to properly conjugate a verb, understand syntax and tense should be standard. Expecting every Mexican in America to know English is the same as businesses expecting Blacks to know SAE.

It's not about you.
Contrary to most prosperity church teachings - Blessings are not the first lesson in the Bible.
If you believe that all you have to do is pray; Luke 12:31 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God : and all these things shall be added unto you." There is a level of responsibility that first has to be met.

If we desire equal authority with the country's dominant culture - an equal responsibility and accountability is required.

Stop Flossin' I like nice things. I like to go to nice places. But I hate to show off.
When I'm around people who have the same or more than myself, I can relax. When I'm around those with less than myself, I'm more subdued.
Our current financial situation was caused by too many people trying to appear as though they had more than they actually possessed.


I'm in favor of segregation (by class).
Segregation reduces resentment.
Segregation creates stability.
But prolonged segregation limits progress and creates fear and insecurity.

Mixed Mentality

Does race really matter?

Either genetically or culturally - does race really determine one's level of success or accomplishment?

I've never felt limited by the limitations put forth by one racial group or another. Maybe it's my racial background. Or maybe it's my lack of one socially accepted racial background. I've always gotten to do what ever I liked.

Does Obama's success reflect his rejection of the perceived social norms? Does his apparent acceptance of all of his racial background and influences make him more open to more resources and opportunities?

Are mixed race people more apt to think of themselves as all cultures (Obama) or as rejecting the perceived inferior culture (Tiger Woods)?

Are mixed race people more apt to create a new culture of their own?

The Hollywood Effect

With the high cost of living, smog, crime, wildfires, earthquakes and other social problems - Californians have been leaving the state for places like Colorado, Nevada and the South.
Did these recent immigrants effect your local (and our national) elections?

Fuel Grows on Trees

Gliocladim roseum - Maybe fuel does grow on trees. A new fungus has been discovered in South America that has the potential to remove the step of fermentation from the process of creating bio-fuels (dubbed mycro-diesel). The fungus digests the cellulose making the production of bio-fuels easier.

(Source - Daily Mail)