Quality Weenie

I Am So Going To Win!

On Friday we are going down to Indianapolis, IN for a playdate. The Indiana Italian Greyhound Rescue puts on a fund raising playdate for IG's and on average there are 150 IG's that attend the playdate.

They have games, vendors, etc. One game is the Barbie Dog, it's where the dogs are dressed up quite fasionably and there is a 1st and 2nd place prize. The past 3 years the same person has taken both 1st and 2nd place with their costumes for their 2 IG's.

There rein has come to and end ....

Maggie is soooooooooooo going to win. She also has a princess hat with veil to go with the dress. Lance is going to be her Prince Charming.

It took me all day with one major re-do to the dress, but I so pleased with how it turned out now!

I ROCK!!!!!

Chrysler Gives Middle Finger to Iacocca

All that Iacocca has done for Chrsyler and this is how Chryslers repays Iacocca.

Lee Iacocca, the car executive credited with saving Chrysler from bankruptcy in the 1980s, is to lose a big chunk of his pension and a guaranteed life-long company car due to the U.S. automaker's bankruptcy filing two decades later.

Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli told a U.S. bankruptcy court on Thursday that Iacocca's pension would be among the obligations Chrysler will no longer have to pay if it gets bankruptcy court approval to sell itself to a "New Chrysler"

This would be funny if it wasn' so sad.

His pension is unsecured, which means in bankruptcy Chrysler no longer has to pay fo unsecured claims.

I guess all those salaried workers (retired and current) that are losing their pensions won't feel so bad now that they know the Iacocca is getting screwed also.

Fair Trade Is All We Ask For

Ask anyone in Detroit what they really want for the automotive industry and most will say Fair Trade.

Alot of the problems in the automotive industry is other countries making it near impossible for the Big 3 to sell their vehicles there.

We know it is happening in Japan and China, even though people insist it's not. Malaysia has come out in the open about their protectionism of their own automotive companies.

In 2006, the government reduced import taxes on most imported vehicles and lowered car prices to make Malaysia a regional auto hub. But it still has high taxes on locally assembled foreign cars and privileges are given to national carmakers.

But when the U.S. cries unfair advantages the WTO says that they don't see anything wrong with what other countries are doing but the minute anyone in the U.S. brings up the subject of raising taxes on imports or limiting imports into the U.S. all the other countries run to the WTO and cry foul and the WTO gets all over the U.S. for just thinking about protectionism.

Recently banks hiked lending rates for foreign cars, giving an unfair advantage to national cars.

The banks even charge more for loans for foreign cars, in Japan people who buy foreign cars (especially from the Big 3) are ostricised for it.

"We cannot continue to have protectionist policies forever. We have committed to open up for the auto sector," he said.

But Proton and Perodua officials cautioned that any further liberalization must be done gradually and not harm local companies.

It's all about unfair advantages ...

"We should not be afraid to protect ourselves. At the end of the day, it's every country for themselves. We have to liberalize but it must not be overnight. It must be done in stages," he told reporters on the sidelines.

"The mind-set has changed. The very same countries that advocate free trade are now" protecting their own companies, said Proton Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir.

Malaysians auto companies are confusing bailouts with protectionism. The U.S. maybe trying to save Chrsyler and GM but they have not raised taxes on foreign cars coming into the U.S, or have put limitations on the number of vehicles coming into the U.S. or banks are not making loans on foreign vehicles higher.

There is a big difference between help and protectionism. When is Obama going to go to the WTO and complain about thep protectionism that is going on in other countries which is hurting our domestic auto makers? We know the answer to that is never, wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of other countries now would we, he would rather our domestic auto makers go out of business first.

New Market Awaits, with less workers, plants and dealers

Obama is telling Chrysler and GM that if they follow his plan then a whole new market will await them when they emerge from bankruptcy.

President Barack Obama said General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC must emerge from their restructuring as “leaner, meaner” companies and that a substantial market awaits them if they make the right decisions.

And by right decisions he means his decisions. And we all know what his decisions include ...

Obama said in an interview broadcast today on C-SPAN that the beleaguered automakers should aim to have product lines that appeal to consumers — and that means fuel efficient and high-performance vehicles that Americans hunger for.

And by vehicles that americans hunger for he means vehicles he feels that americans should be driving.

And in other news GM just announced that it will be getting rid of another 3,400 white collar workers ...

General Motors Corp., facing a probable bankruptcy, is making plans to cut about 3,400 additional white-collar jobs in the United States, the Free Press has learned.

Want to bet that GM was told by the Car Czar that they would be losing 3,400 more white collar jobs or else.

That represents about 13% of GM’s salaried U.S. workforce of about 26,000.

13% of all it's salaried workforce will be gone in one fell swoop.

I am going to have to do some digging and find out how many jobs the Big 3 has shed since this whole downturn started a few years ago. I am going to guess probably at least 100,000 jobs have been shed by the Big 3 alone.

Auto Czar Has Own Agenda

Congresspeople and their constiuents are finally realizing that the Auto Czar and Obama have differnt priorities then they originally thought.

A group of Republican and Democratic congressmen sent a letter to President Barack Obama today raising concerns over actions by his auto task force and the impending loss of thousands of jobs as Chrysler and General Motors shed dealers and plants.

What orginally was proposed and what is now taking place are miles apart.

The letter, signed by 36 members of Congress, was sent by Rep. Steve LaTourette, an Ohio Republican who has introduced a House resolution demanding the White House produce “all documents, records and communications” connected to the decision that led Chrysler to decide on shedding nearly 800 dealers by early June and close six plants.

Before the bankruptcy actually took place, things were settled on what would be closing, how many people to be axed and what to do with the dealers. Now that Chrysler (and soon to be GM) is in bankruptcy the Car Czar and Obama have made new demands to be met or else.

One of those plants is Twinsburg Stamping, located outside Cleveland in LaTourette’s district. Initially told it would stay open by Chrysler executives – and taking the president at his word April 30 that the restructuring plan would not “disrupt” any additional Chrysler communities – he learned later it, along with several other plants, would close. The White House has since said that the closings were part of the original Feb. 17 restructuring plan and weren’t considered new to the program as Chrysler headed into bankruptcy.

Obama's real agenda is coming to lite quickly, hence the need for a very quick run through bankruptcy so no one can challenge what is happening. Kind of like what happened with the stimulus bill.

LaTourette said today he wants Obama to step back and call off his task force before more dealers are closed and more plants are shuttered.

“I think he has been ill-served by his nonelected automobile task force,” he said.

They are serving their master exactly how the master wants it to turn out.

Obama Urges Us To Pay Respect To Veterans

Obama is urging Americans this weekend to pay tribute to Veterans, well Mr Obama unlike people of your ilk we Americans do not need to be reminded to pay respect to Veterans.

Also Mr Obama, you have no idea what Memorial Day really is about, maybe you need to read a history book ...

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.

It is a day to pay respect and tribute to those that have died while in military service.

Mr Obama thinks Memorial day is ...

Obama said he was committed to giving troops the training and equipment they need and making certain the Veterans Affairs Department had the money it needed. He also noted that he had signed a bill into law that would eliminate waste in defense projects and was working to improve the economy so that veterans can find a good job, provide for their families and earn a college degree.

"That is what Memorial Day is all about," Obama said.

You sir are an ass

Obama's Path To Vehicle Destruction

Well Obama took another step yesterday towards controlling what everyone can drive.

The higher mileage and emissions standards set by the Obama administration on Tuesday, which begin to take effect in 2012 and are to be achieved by 2016, will transform the American car and truck fleet.

Transform in this case means destroy.

That means cars and trucks on American roads will have to become smaller, lighter and more efficient.

ie scarier

Eric Fedewa, vice president of global powertrain forecasting for the auto consulting firm CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich., said the changes will make pickup trucks so much more expensive that they will be used almost exclusively for work.

The lefts plan all along ...

"I think what you'll see is a lot more creativity in interior packaging," Fedewa said. "You'll get more rows of seats where you traditionally had cargo space."

We don't need no stinking storage space ...

And what is the cost going to be for all this?

The Obama administration says the changes mean the average vehicle would cost about $1,300 more, although some private analysts say the increase will be much heftier. The administration says gas savings will make up the difference in about three years.

Bwahahahahahaha and if you beleive that I have a bridge I can sell ya ...

The money shot and what their goal really is ...

And instead of a minivan or SUV, more parents will haul their families in much smaller vehicles with three rows of seats

They are not even hiding their attempts to get rid of SUV's and Trucks anymore.

Oh and don't think that the new rules were being objected by just the Big 3, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and several European companies joined forces to try and get this stopped.

Cities Morn Dealership Losses

I remember early on when GM and Chrsyler were asking for loans and everyone said just let them go under, the effects won't be that bad.

Well lets see what happens know that 1100 GM dealers and almos 1000 Chrsyler dealers are being cut. People don't understand how much communities got from those dealers.

GM's action compounds the pain for dealers and communities already reeling from Chrysler LLC's plan, announced Thursday, to eliminate 789 retailers by early next month.

Together, the moves promise to dramatically shrink the number of dealerships nationwide. That could boost the profitability of individual stores but also result in higher prices for consumers, who will find it harder to pit dealers against each other or receive steep discounts once competition decreases.

Right off the bat you will be paying more for cars because less compeition means dealers don't have to cut prices to attract buyers.

Cutting 1,100 GM dealerships will result in 63,000 lost jobs, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association.

The company's eventual plan to shut down about 40 percent of its U.S. dealership network will result in roughly 137,000 employees losing their jobs and eliminate an estimated $1.7 billion in sales tax revenue for state and local governments. Plus, GM will lose an estimated $35 billion in sales revenue, NADA said.

137,000 employees from dealerships alone losing their jobs and $1.7 BILLION in lost revence for states and local governments.

Not to mention the lost revenue from the dealerships buying parts from local places, eating out at lunch/dinner, etc.

And lets not forget about all the little league teams, schools, charities, and groups that dealerships sponsor.

And that is just from GM, Chrsyler will post similiar numbers. So cities with both GM and Chrysler dealerships going under what will it do to those cities?

There is a high price to pay by all.

Japanese Layed Off Workers Lose Housing

I hear everyday about how auto workers get this benefit and that benefit but the Japenses don't give their workers all those benefits.

The truth comes out ...

Toshio Ohta lost his job at the local truck plant here two months ago. Now the former Hino Motors Ltd. worker is trying to keep Toyota Motor Corp.'s truck unit from throwing him out on the street.

The 39-year-old Ohta, along with about 25 other laid-off temporary workers, have refused to surrender their rooms in the company-owned dormitory next to the factory. They are staying put partly to draw attention to the plight of temporary auto workers in Japan, but also because they have nowhere else to go.

What?

Japanese auto companies give their employees housing?

And that is not all ...

In Toyota City, idled temporary workers from Brazil and Peru are being allowed to stay in their flats, but complain that they are having a hard time securing necessities in a country that provides few resources for foreigners.

"They are lacking basic supplies, like baby milk powder," said Makoto Yuasa, an activist who has championed the cause of Japan's growing army of unemployed workers, many of whom have lost their jobs at automobile plants and parts factories because of the decline in exports to the United States. He says companies like Toyota are unwilling to help.

They also give them "necessities" like baby milk.

Auto makers in Japan are responsible to provide housing and life necessities for their workers, yet they screw their employees in the U.S. in wages and benefits. Guess they need to use all those profits to provide housing for citizens of Japen.

Pay For Playing

As if John Conyers hasn't done enough damage he now wants radio stations to start paying artists each time they play their song.

The Michigan Broadcasters Association vowed to defeat a bill passed Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee, charging it could cost stations in the state more than $63 million annually and threaten the survival of African-American radio outlets.

The Performance Rights Act would require AM and FM radio stations to pay a performer's fee to play songs, as is true of satellite, cable and Internet music services.

Wonder how much money Mr Conyers has gotten from artists to introduce this bill into Congress?

But Councilwoman Martha Reeves said she wants to receive royalties. Reeves of Motown fame said she's a part of a group of about 300 artists who helped initiate Conyers' bill.

"The artists whose records that are being played, they should be paid," Reeves said. "I'm representing my career and legacy. We've had music played for 40 years, and we're not being paid for it. ... We deserve this money."

Eventually free radio as we know it will cease to exsit.

Toyota Cutting Production, Again

With all the bad news coming out of Toyota and the other Japanese automakers you would think someone, somewhere could at least admit that the domestic automakers problems are not all of their own making.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will cut vehicle production 28 percent this year to its lowest level in seven years.

Toyota, what is thought of by politicians as the auto worlds Messia is falling quite fast but the politicans probably think Toyota's problems are the domestic automakers fault too.

Toyota has already said it expects the current fiscal year through March 2010 to be its worst ever financially, forecasting a net loss of 550 billion yen ($5.7 billion).

The carmaker has struggled to keep up with falling demand, especially in the U.S. and Europe. It has suspended production at factories, cut temporary workers in Japan and offered buyouts to American workers.

Geez, those actions sound familiar. Now where have I heard about other companies doing the same thing?

Hmmmm, it's a mystery to me.

10

10 months ago today I got layed-off from my job.

I seriously didn't think I would hit double digits in unemployment, the longest I had been layed-off before was in 2007 for 5 months.

I am hoping I am wrong, but I do see the possibility of not being able to get a job until next spring.

Nobody is hiring, especially now with Chrysler in bankruptcy and looks like Obama is pushing GM that way also. The bankruptcy's are going to effect a lot of suppliers and I see in the near future many smaller suppliers going out of business.

This sucks and contray to what others think being layed-off this long is hard on a person mentally and physically.

And people's (ie relatives) comments, I know they don't mean harm but they come out very hurtful. I can see that most people think it's my fault I don't have a job yet and not all the issues with the automotive industry.

The worst think about being unemployed this long? I have no idea from one minute to the next what day it is, I ask poor Mr Weenie several times a day what day it is. And hell, don't even think of asking me the date or even the month, chances are I will get it wrong. To me it still seems like it's March.

Put Gitmo Detainees WHERE?!

Reading the news this morning, came across this article by a former Michigan governor and nearly had a heart attack

That's one way to look at an idea floated recently by former Gov. John Engler to offer the Upper Peninsula, already home to a dozen state prisons, as a place to move the 200 or so enemy combatants and terror suspects now housed in a camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

WHHHHHAAAATTTTT?

Put Gitmo detainees in our backyard? (well ok, it's about a 6 hour drive straight north, but still)

OH HELL NO!!!

Engler throws out the "well it would create jobs" reason for putting homicidal terriorist in our backyard.

The other enticement is the jobs that would be created to build and secure such a facility in the UP, where unemployment is approaching 14%.

I don't know of anybody who is that desperate for a job to allow terrorists into their backyard, not even dumocrats I bet (btw Engler was/is a Republican)

He feels that because the UP of Michigan is so isolated and has rugged terran and lots of snow in the winter flight risks are minimal

In some ways, the UP is an ideal location. The security of a presumably "super max" prison would be enhanced by the region's climate, isolation and rugged terrain. Locals say the few walkaways from UP prison camps during summer months seldom last more than a night on the run because of the bugs. And they don't go anywhere in winter.

Desperate to escape terrorists will not let bugs, snow or rugged terran stop them.

This will not happen with me living in this god forsaken state, this state is not that desperate for jobs or money to allow some of the worlds worst terrorists to live here.

14

14 years ago today, I do's were said, drinks flowed and much merriment was had by all!

Happy Anniversary Mr Weenie!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

From in front of our house, the Pear Tree (back), Crab Apple and Phlox are all blooming.

How pretty!

Phlox

Crab Apple

Pear Tree (It doesn't produce fruit, they just call it a Pear tree)

Swine Flu Way Overblown

I can be silent no longer. This is a serious case of trying to cause huge fear reactions from the public, the WHO is up to something and now we find out the real reason for WHO scaring the crap out of everyone.

Phase 6 would also trigger increased support for developing countries which lack the drugs, diagnostic tests, and medical staff to respond appropriately to the flu

They just want the aid for developing countries. Without the Level "OMG we're all gonna die" 6 declaration they won't get a dime.

Check out these statistics for the Swine flu ...

The number of confirmed infections continues to rise, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 898 infections in 18 countries as of May 3, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tallying 226 confirmed cases in 30 states.

In the entire world there are only 898 cases.

898 cases.

In a regular flu season just in the U.S. there are approx 20 MILLION cases of Flu

20 MILLION

Why don't they go all "OMG we're all gonna die" every flu season, cause an average flu season is 22,271% worse then the Swine flu right now.

There hasn't been one death outside of Mexico (they are counting the one death in Texas as a Mexican death since they came from Mexico for treatment, but came to late).

And according to the WHO a panademic is when ...

A pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges and starts spreading easily from person to person, and then from country to country. (To declare stage 6, the WHO needs to see sustained spread of the H1N1 virus in multiple regions of the world; so far, it's only happened in North America.) A pandemic doesn't mean that the new virus is unusually deadly, only that it spreads easily - as H1N1 seems to do

So how can they declare a stage 6 if they are not seeing sustained spread of the virus in multiple regions?

It all comes back to wanting that money for developing countries.

The school district that I live in has closed all schools for 2 days (maybe longer, we will find out tomorrow) because a middle school girl isn't feeling good and she had a friend that returned from Mexico last week. The girl that returned from Mexico has absolutely no signs of the Swine flu, none, nadda, zip, zero but because the girl that doesn't feel good had contact with the girl that went to Mexico they are closing the entire district for 2 days.

This has just gotten out of hand.