The article from the AFL-CIO Blog outlined how Rush Limbaugh was once again wrong.  Everyone knows that the Massey Energy Big Branch mine was not union.  Just read the blog post from the AFL-CIO and you will see.

Limbaugh Lies About Big Branch Mine: No, Rush, It Wasn’t Union

by Mike Hall, Apr 16, 2010

It was Sen. Al Franken (D- Minn.) in his previous incarnation as an author and comedian who called Rush Limbaugh “A big fat liar.” Well, others can address the first part, but Limbaugh himself has again offered solid evidence about the liar part.

Last week, Limbaugh lambasted the Mine Workers (UMWA) for not protecting their members who, he claimed worked at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, W.Va., where 29 coal miners were killed when the Massey Energy Co. mine exploded.

Of course as we all know, and has been widely reported in mainstream media–and even on  Fox News–Upper Big Branch was non-union coal mine. While he never acknowledged his mistake, at least he piped down for a few days.

But yesterday, with a full bag of gas at the ready, Rush claimed he had irrefutable facts to back him up, that UMWA did certainly represent the miners at Upper Big Branch. He said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had ordered Massey to hire union coal miners.

There were union workers at this mine…You people, it’s been 21 years. At some point you are going to learn: If you go up against me on a challenge of fact, you are going to be wrong. It’s just that simple.

Let UMWA President Cecil Roberts throw the challenge flag on this one.

Yesterday, Rush said on his program, “But in 2009, the [NLRB] agreed with the decision that Massey Energy rehire 85 coal miners who said they had been discriminated against because they were union members. So there were union workers there. So the United Mine Workers should have been overseeing their safety, the United Mine Workers of America.”

Wrong again, Rush. The decision you refer to was AT ANOTHER MINE! And, Massey is appealing that decision, meaning the workers who were discriminated against at the Cannelton mine (in another county from the Upper Big Branch mine) have yet to reclaim their rightful jobs as the NLRB ordered.

Those are the facts. Who’s wrong now, Rush?

While Limbaugh may have lost a few pounds, that liar part still fits quite snuggly.

All American Clothing is a company dedicated to providing the highest quality clothing for the discriminating worker and casual wearer, ME. Up until recently they carried my preferred brand of work pants the Carhartt work dungarees.  You can still purchase them of the discount rack for 50% off.  Which is where I found UnionLine carpenter jeans which I will be using to replace my Carhartt jeans as they will eventually wear out.  Carhartt has decided to discontinue their Made in USA line for their imported lines.  Though they are not closing the North American Plants they are taking away the ability from the distributors to only order Made in USA Carhartt.  In turn they will be alienating retailers like All American Clothing and in turn taking my business else wear.

If you ask me send a message to Carhartt by not buying from them until they bring back the Made in USA line.

ATTENTION Coupon Shoppers:

For all union Brothers and Sisters you a 10% discount during checkout by using coupon code UNIONPLUS.

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China may appeal the Tariff to the World Trade Organization according to the Wall Street Journal and according to the New York Times China denounced the new 3 year declining tariffs within hours of its announcement.  Appeals and denouncing the tariffs are probably on the horizon as it is in China’s best interest since the USA is likely the largest importer of Chinese exports.

Tariff’s will begin September 26th at 35% for one year with 30% the second year and 25% the third in the form of an Ad Valorem tax in addition to the duties and taxes in place prior to the announcement. The Ad Valorem tax, often called VAT, will only cover tires for cars, light trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.

The timing of Obama’s announcement is particularly suspicious as the meeting of the top 20 economic countries, known as the Group of 20,  is in 2 weeks.  This will come off to many, and me, as a political move to pay back union members for their support and financing his election and will be used as a trading card in the Pittsburgh meeting.  The opposition argument will be protectionism, like Daniel Ikenson of the Cato Institute, or international obligations. This bold and perhaps controversial move by the Obama Administration will be put on the chopping block for other political gain in the international politics marketplace.  My early prediction is that Obama’s stand for Tire Workers is short lived or best case scenario will be scaled back.

My biased opinion is we have to take care of ourselves first.  As a friend of several tire workers I have seen the impact of globalization of tire manufacturing.  With plants closing, hours cut, and jobs lost the illegal flood of Chinese made tires has impacted domestic tire workers and most importantly my family and friends. If the tariff does stand it sets a precedent for other Ad Valorem tariffs to come.  I hope it will be a Tariff on Steel Products particularly Tubular as it is cleaner than steel pipe made in China.

The post you are reading now is post # 101.  For the 100 published post there are another 100 that never did get published.  Since February of 2007 when I began tracking visitors I have had 12,400 different visitors.  737 of those visitors came to read about Free Starbucks Coffee on election day.

The top 10 Things or Keywords people came to my site looking for where:

1. Chris Estes
2. Free on Election Day
3. Free Starbucks on Election Day
4. GM Youtube
5. free Starbucks election day
6. fire tony franklin
7. tony franklin fired
8. estes.com
9. christopher estes
10. ken persel

My top 10 post where (by Traffic content):

1. Metrolink Bans Text Messages – with 2,587 page views
2. Free Starbucks Coffee on Election Day – with 1,548 page views
3. Friendships or Contacts? – Social Media – with 908 page views
4. Fire Tony Franklin – Auburn Offensive Coordinator – with 613 page views
5. Sarah Palin’s Email Cracked – with 613 page views

*Note:  I had some other mildly successful posting that did not get listed here.

The number one page that brought visitors directly to my blog was the Metrolink Bans Text Messages post being referred to by StumbledUpon.

The top three countries my blog post were referred from where:

1. USA
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom

The top 5 Cities my blog was viewed from was:

1. New York
2. Washington DC
3. Arlington
4. Chicago
5. Birmingham

Off all of my visitors:

81% use a Windows Based Computer and 2 visitors used the Nintendo Wii to view my site.  (who would have guessed any hits from the Wii?)  53% look at my site with Mozilla Firefox. 5,413 visitors used cable internet while only 225 used dial up.  People still have dial up?

It is always interesting to see the statistics about who comes to read my rantings.  I wonder if people really enjoy my post.  I have had 100 comments on all of my post combined.  Though I would like my post to be thought provoking they seldom spark back and forth banter.

Regardless of the reaction I love to write the  blog post.  Stay tuned I hope to have another hundred.

What do you think of First Lady Obama’s sporty new shoes?

Michelle Obama was caught sporting her new pair of casual tennis shoes with a hefty price tag of $540.  I have never heard of the French Fashion company Lanvin – but can tell you $540 for a pair of dog walking shoes is expensive.

My New Balance 574′s usually do the trick for comfort and reliability.  But if you really want a pair of shoes like First Lady Michelle Obama you can for a nice price tag.

Check out the NY Daily News article below or live on their site, here.

First Lady Michelle Obama steps out in Lanvin sneakers and they’re only $540!

BY Amy Diluna
DAILY NEWS FASHION EDITOR

Friday, May 1st 2009, 3:22 PM
They’re in poor taste. That’s way too much to spend on sneakers, especially in a recession.

Michelle Obama has taken casual to a haute new level.

While volunteering Wednesday at a D.C. food bank, the First Lady sported her usual J.Crew cardigan, a pair of utilitarian capri pants and, on her feet, a sneaky splurge: trainers that go for $540.

That’s right: These sneakers – suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps – are made by French design house Lanvin, one of fashion’s hottest labels. They come in denim and satin versions, and have been a brisk seller all spring.

They’re out of stock at posh Meatpacking District boutique Jeffrey, and Barneys New York boasts a limited selection of the sneaks, which are a cult favorite among fashionistas.

It’s likely Michelle got hers through Ikram, the Chicago retailer that often outfits her.

“They’re shoes,” the First Lady’s reps sniffed when curious reporters inquired about the fancy footwear.

Michelle has stepped out in Lanvin before while getting down to business. A week ago, she shoveled dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line’s chiffon tank.

Dresses and strappy pumps cost upward of $1,500, while tops go for $400 to $1,000.

Other celebrity fans of Lanvin’s costly kicks include Ellen DeGeneres and Kanye West, who has blogged about his faves.

As the family’s primary dog walker, Michelle clearly requires comfortable footwear.

“I got up at 5:15 in the morning to walk my puppy,” she joked Thursday. “That’s how my day starts. Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I’m still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out.”

She’ll be trodding on New York’s sidewalks Tuesday for the first time as First Lady. Michelle will meet with staff at the U.S. mission to the United Nations. Later, she headlines Time magazine’s “100 most influential people” gala.

adiluna@nydailynews.com

With Kenneth R. Bazinet

This post isn’t about history or so much about social awareness of my fellow American’s as it is an introduction to a series of post I am writing about American Made goods I have bought and used over the past few months.

I plan to do a post about each of the products.  I have no time-line for completion or number of post.  As a disclaimer I have not been paid or even requested to do reviews of these products. So far I plan to do a review of:

• Work Boots
• T-shirts
• Jeans
• Socks
• Tools

You know the basic guy stuff.  My inspiration comes from a fellow blogger Stephanie at On My Mind.  Stephanie runs a website,dedicated to goods “Still Made in the USA.”  Stephanie’s Why Care page states it well the reasons I care and what my intention of the post to come are about:

According to consumer polls, most Americans don’t know or care where products are made, and if asked will say only that they would buy American-made products if the cost were the same or nearly the same as the imported versions.

With our single-minded pursuit of low prices, we have attained unprecedented levels of material possessions, but what have we given up? The answers are all around us if we would but look. The more I read and listen, the more reasons I find to pay attention to where things are made.

The purpose of StillMadeinUSA.com [in my case the corresponding post] is not to stridently criticize, but to gently persuade. The decision to be an informed consumer must come from within. Below I suggest some reasons why consumers should care about looking for products that are made in the U.S.

Stay tuned for more info and post to come. Don’t forget you can sign up to recive post via e-mail.

Imaged adapted from TandTINC.com

For those of you that have been following me know the last year or so have been tough.  So I’m going to take a break and explain it all to you and give you the update on my status.

As many of you know I lost a job in Washington DC then moved to take a job in New York City.  For various reasons that job lasted until the mortgage crisis hits its high and the banks didn’t need contract labor.  So I once again packed my bags to move home to Birmingham because I decided to start my own Business stemming from my work with SEO by Chris and start a business of my own called Birmingham SEO. During the few months after my move back to Birmingham I need to get my health in check.  I had all kinds of physical and emotional problems that required some overnight stays for testing and observation.  Most of these so called “Problems”  were all related to stress and being overworked.  Some might just call it “exhaustion”.  So about the middle of June all is well and I’m ready to get back at it full time. Plus we all know money doesn’t grow on trees it comes from somewhere.

Image Adapted from library.thinkquest.org

During June I built my business plan and implemented the web portion.  In the process I picked up a couple sites of my own that I would use to supplement my consulting income.  The websites did show real potential. But all the while not producing money.  So into July I took a short term contract as a political consultant for the Humane Society Legislative Fund while trying bring in some revenue and potential clients down the road.  The revenue part worked well but the clients were hitting a slow.  I would make calls and look through the want ad’s for people needing services.  The state of the economy was starting to really hurt my target business and they did not or could not afford services.  So in turn business hit bottom.  I put a lot of time in building up my sites that have turned out to be only a supplement and produce about enough for a Mc Meal a day.  Since we all know money doesn’t grow on trees I have decided to get back into the regular employment market to make ends meet while I wait for my customer base to come back around.

I am currently in the process of talking to several employers but they are either almost too scared to hire or want someone with many qualifications and years of experience.  The current employment situation is a company’s dream.  They get a much better pool of applications to choose from.  I got turned down for a job that the only posted job requirement was “Pass a Drug Test” and “Graduate High School.”  The person they hired had a Masters Degree and Spoke 3 languages.  If I was the hiring manager that person would have been my choice too.

Logo from IBEW.org

Adapted from WoodFramers.com

So I am going back to my roots and what I know.  I’m a third generation union worker with an electrician brother.  Blue Collar work runs through my veins.  I have fought it and tried to change it – you just can’t change who you are.  So the most promising leads for employment is with craft unions in Birmingham.  Accepting  one of these jobs will still enable me to pursue and grow my business.  Weather it be with the Carpenters or the Electricians I hope to find the fix to my economic woes.

So really the state of the economy has effected me.  I’m not bad off like some places.  I am very fortunate and do see that if the economy doesn’t rebound and correct itself I could quickly be with the others.  My business plans are on hold for the moment.  Not really on hold – I’m waiting for the market to rebound and allow me to get back to work.

Wish me luck and wish America Luck.  Times are tough for many people. My contribution is buying American.  It may be more expensive but is a better product almost always.  Plus it helps out your neighbor.  If you neighbor is working then that means things are going to be ok.  If we get Americans back to work our Economic Crisis will be over.  Its really simple.  if people are spending money then that means there making money.  So help me do my part and make it yours.  Buy American.  Real Patriots buy American.

Image adopted from Wikinomics.com

Pres. Obama inherits a two front war in the Middle East.  A weakened economy full of scandal and turmoil that directly effects the falling employment rates.  Many people from around the world will be  looking to the Leader of The Free World for guidance.

So to spare you the obvious problems that face America lets take a look at days gone by with information from the United Steelworkers Rapid Response.  Only history will tell the legacy of Former George W. Bush today’s stats are dim and perhaps indicative of how history will be written.

The Legacy of George W. Bush

Printable format

	When Bush Took Office	Today
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	7.2%
National Debt	$5.7 trillion	$10.6 trillion
Manufacturing Jobs	17.2 million	13.0 million
Americans without Health Care Coverage	40 million	46 million
Employers Offering Some Type of Insurance Coverage	69%	63%
Annual Premium Cost for Family Coverage	$6,230	$12,680
Americans in Poverty	31.6 million	37.3 million
U.S. Trade Deficit	$362 billion	$688 billion
Cost of College6 Public Private	$3,766 $17,377	$6,585 $25,143

1. U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics Survey, Manufacturing Employment, 2000 & 2008.
2. Kaiser Family Foundation, Employer Health Benefits, 2008 Annual Survey.
3. Kaiser Family Foundation, Employer Health Benefits Surveys.
4. U.S. Census Bureau, most recent available data is for 2007.
5. U.S. Census Bureau, data is from a 12-month period of December-November for both timeframes.
6. College Board, Trends in College Pricing, data is for tuition and fees only.

Image from Counton2.com
Statistics eblast original source for USW.org

But rising gas prices are going to hurt others that are already hurting and don’t work in the industry.  So as a socially responsible citizen I try to transfer the funds to companies that make goods here.    So my buy American Attitude is in full swing.

I doubt the projection of $1 a gallon gas is probably not going to happen.  That failure is probably good.

Check out the CNN.com Artilce

Gas-price slide shifts into reverse, rises 12 cents in 3 weeks

(CNN) — The U.S. average price for regular unleaded gasoline rose by nearly 12 cents in the past three weeks, marking the first increase in six months, according to a national survey released Sunday.

“It is the first rise since July 11 last year when prices hit their all-time high,” said Trilby Lundberg, publisher of the survey.

The average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.78, according to the Lundberg Survey, which is based on responses from more than 5,000 service stations nationwide. The latest survey looked at prices January 9.

“The price had to hit bottom sometime,” Lundberg said.

She said part of the reason for the price spike is recent indications of production cuts among OPEC members, which are aimed at driving up oil prices during a time of year when there is a decreased demand for gasoline.

“January historically is the lowest gasoline usage month,” Lundberg said.

Despite the increase, gas prices are still $1.29 lower than they were on January 11, 2008, she said.
Drivers in Billings, Montana, had the cheapest gas on average, paying $1.34. Motorists in Anchorage, Alaska, paid the most, at $2.32.

Birmingham SEO an Alabama Based Search Engine Company

On Wednesday night Birmingham News Source CBS 42 the 10:00 broadcast announced that a boycott of Alabama had been started. The boycott is calling to boycott Alabama made goods and not patron Alabama’s tourism. The website was basing this off the fact that Senator Richard Shelby has made comments that aren’t pro bailout. While we are unsure at this time of these statements we do know that this is an attack on the good hard working people of Alabama.

In response to this atrocious action from a group in Michigan we have launched a response ourselves that is currently in development to help promote the business of Alabama. We started the site Buy Alabama. This site will be used to develop a place where Alabama Business can feature their products. We also plan to in the future open up a store showcasing some of the products to be bought and sold direct from the site. The store is just an idea and no plans are being made. Birmingham SEO will be providing the Search Engine Marketing and Optimization plan for the website for free as a duty to promoting our state.

We also believe as a duty that we help promote the whole of the US and buy American Made. You can find out more on American Made products from Made In The USA. We do not wish to boycott any state and only encourage buying American but Buying Alabama is Buying American.

I am not going to give a link to the group that is calling for the boycott but lets just say it is one crazy nut that doesn’t like Senator Shelby.  Though I know Joe Babisiaz is trying to earn support for bailing out the Big Three.  Which as you know I am fan of.

Message to Joe:

Calling for a ban on Alabama is down right un-American and wrong.  You state on your website “this is not an attack on the hard working people of Alabama”. Then what do you call it an attack on our Senator? The Senator is a hard working Alabamian and the same as attacking the car maker in Alabama. That’s right you may envy we are making good cars in Alabama that aren’t going through Financial Trouble.  But here in Alabama we buy American Made cars. We even buy Detroit made cars.  I can proudly say that most people I know in Alabama want to see the jobs of millions of American’s secure.  We all want secure jobs.  So don’t boycott Alabama buy American and build something Americans can be proud of.

I know you are just a front line worker that is afraid you may loose your job.  Senator Shelby doesn’t want you to loose your job.  He wants to ensure things are in order and bad business mistakes are not rewarded.  The cars you make are of top quality in your job.  But the problem is the decision makers – the management.  If it were up to you – you would build the best and only car on the road I get that.  But build something every kid wants, every grandmother is safe driving in and, something that gets good fuel economy and lowers emissions. Something where the bumper doesn’t fall off.  That is all Senator Shelby is saying.  He isn’t trying to punish you he is trying to right the company.

Senator Shelby is trying to protect Alabama.  He doesn’t want the citizens of Alabama to have to pay for the mistakes of a few greedy managment level automakers.  If true measures are in place that will benefit the overall life of Alabama voters Senator Shelby will support it.  But if measures in place are not there to safeguard us he will not.

There is no reason to call for a boycott of Alabama.  I kindly ask that you end the boycott and your fellow Americans for help in supporting your effort instead of dividing the country.  Because like you said we are all American’s and plenty of Alabamians support the Bailout with oversight.  Without oversight it is just like giving a college kid money  experiments or lab time or Beer and food?  So if there is some oversight we might be able to get something from it.  Like a stable auto market full of good paying jobs.

What I am telling you is your strategy is wrong.  You should be trying to unite everyone to get behind you instead of isolating and picking fights.  We are your brothers and sisters.  Embrace us and we can help.

Though my pocket will certainly enjoy the break in fuel prices, but gas prices this low will effect American Crude oil prices.  Oil and Gas producers likely can’t afford to produce at rates that low long-term.  I don’t want to give out any ideas – some company’s may not be able to weather the cost of production – thus creating another gap.  With prices so low the “Drill-Baby-Drill” days of Sarah Palin wont be feasible.

I’m not saying raise prices of fuel – I am pointing out the cost of inflation.  Also I would like to point out the obvious that when Wall-Street and the Auto Industry get bailed out the Oil and Gas industry will be next.  Just when hope is insight the real work has just begun.  I am no economist but throwing money at Wall-Street and the Auto Industry is only part of the solution – some fundamental change has to be made. When in times of peril we turn to the Government to solve the problem – to paraphrase Sharat (@ravehead) – “recovery will not come from expensive/shiny titles, but from the ranks”.

NY Governor David Paterson has the task of appointing Clinton’s replacement.  If you remember Gov. Paterson replaced the embattled Elliot Spitzer after the prostitution scandal.

Read about Speculation about Caroline Kennedy’s appointment to the US Senate.  It isn’t so far fetched as ABC, the Boston Channel, and CNN are all buzzing about the News.

According to Gas2.org:

The Irish government has announced radical plans to introduce more than 250,000 electric cars onto the nation’s roads by 2020, a staggering ten percent of the total vehicles in the country.

If the scheme is successful, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the state energy agency, estimates an annual cut in CO2 emissions of around 350,000 tonnes. Transport currently accounts for more than a third of Ireland’s carbon emissions, higher than any other sector.

Under the plan, launched last week, businesses will be eligible to join an Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme, allowing them to claim a 100 percent tax write-off when they convert their fleet to EVs.

However, officials are under no illusions over the scale of the challenge to wean the country’s drivers off their dependence on fossil fuels. According to SEI chair Brendan Halligan, “We will need to alter our attitudes towards electric vehicles and accept that there is no other way forward.”

The Irish scheme follows earlier news of a German plan to introduce one million EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles over the next eleven years.

As a supplement to the article above the Irish Examiner reported this:

Thursday, November 27, 2008

More than 250,000 electric cars to grace roads by 2020

By Seán McCárthaigh

MORE than 250,000 electric cars will be on Irish roads by the end of the next decade.

And, in an incentive to have 10% of all Irish-registered vehicles powered by electricity by 2020, the Government will be offering a 100% tax write-off to businesses.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday expressed confidence the new tax allowances could see Ireland become a major test centre for car manufacturers.

The incentives come under the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme, designed to encourage firms to switch to more energy-efficient equipment.

A special taskforce is also being established which will examine the infrastructure necessary for a national roll-out of electric vehicles, especially the availability of battery-charging facilities.

The state energy agency, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), is also to set up a €1 million project to research, develop and promote the use of electric vehicles, including public demonstrations of electric cars.

SEI has also published a buyer’s guide and developed a calculator to help motorists estimate the cost of switching from petrol and diesel models.

However, an SEI report published last May revealed there are few immediate economic benefits for motorists to change to electric or hybrid cars due to their high purchase cost, even though they cut down on CO2 emissions and have lower running costs.

SEI estimates CO2 levels in the Republic could be cut by 350,000 tonnes if the target of 10% of car-owners switch to electric models over the next few years.

Transport accounts for 35% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions — the largest of any sector including industry and private households.

SEI chair Brendan Halligan admitted a significant amount of work was still necessary for electric cars to gain widespread acceptance. “We will need to alter our attitudes towards electric vehicles and accept that there is no other way forward,” he said.

Mr Ryan, who jointly announced details of the new plans with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the Government expected considerable international investment to result from the new plan which would also help Ireland reduce its annual €6bn bill for fossil fuels.

But Fine Gael’s energy spokesperson Simon Coveney criticised the Government’s plans, claiming the 10% target for electric cars by 2020 was unambitious and inadequate.

“It is both feasible and realistic to aspire to achieve the complete replacement of petrol and diesel engine driven cars with electric vehicles within 15 years,” said Mr Coveney.

He pointed out that other countries had already set such targets.

Also interesting, also from Gas2.org, “In a conference on the future of electric transportation, the German government has detailed a major plan to put one million electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the country’s roads within the next 11 years.”

[sniplet cnn-student-loan-CB]

CNN’s Campbell Brown reported the story and video above and as follows:

(CNN) — It feels a little bit right now like we are all in a suspended state.

We are waiting for President Bush to leave office, waiting for Obama to take over, waiting for the automakers to come up with a bailout plan, waiting for the credit markets to unfreeze, waiting for the other shoe to drop in this terrifying economic environment.

All of us are trying to be patient to let all these various actors either depart or take the stage, to let all these various bailout plans do what they are supposed to. But while we wait, there are a lot of people falling through the cracks.

I was really struck by one college student telling his story to NPR over the weekend.

He owes the University of Arkansas $2,000 dollars. He has just a few weeks until the end of this semester to pay what he owes the school or he has to drop out.

He was counting on a bank loan, but with the credit freeze he can’t get one. He’s hardly the only one.
It is the topic du jour in dorm rooms right now as students pack up for the Thanksgiving holiday.

How many of them won’t be coming back because they can’t get loans to cover tuition or their basic expenses?

Paying off years of student loan debt might be a struggle at times, but not being able to get a student loan in the first place is a disaster.

We are all trying to be patient, but letting the education of our young people fall by the wayside right now is truly a disaster for all of us.

In case you haven’t been keeping up with the Big 3 Automakers request for $25 billion in Bail Out you should probably read these post:

• General Motors Return 2 Corporate Jets
• US Automakers CEO’s Grilled On Capitol Hill
• General Motors Video Scares up Support

[sniplet snl-spoof-big-3]

Hillary Clinton to accept Obama’s offer of secretary of state job

President-elect Barack Obama reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration

Hillary Clinton will be Barack Obama’s secretary of state. Photographs: AFP/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned.

Obama’s advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton’s foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem.

Clinton would be well placed to become the country’s dominant voice in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected senator for New York, she has specialised in foreign affairs and defence. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops.

Clinton, who still harbours hopes of a future presidential run, had to weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate, which offers a platform for life, or making the more uncertain career move to the secretary of state job.

As part of the coalition-building, Obama today also reached out to his defeated Republican rival, John McCain, to discuss how they could work together to roll back some of the most controversial policies of the Bush years. Putting aside the bitter words thrown about with abandon by both sides during the election campaign, McCain flew to meet Obama at his headquarters in the Kluczynski Federal Building, in downtown Chicago.

Obama, speaking before the meeting, said: “We’re going to have a good conversation about how we can do some work together to fix up the country.” He said he also wanted to thank McCain for his service to the country.

Asked by a reporter whether he would work with Obama, McCain, who has long favoured a bipartisan approach to politics, replied: “Obviously”.

Sources on both sides said Obama did not offer McCain a cabinet job, but focused on how the senator for Arizona could help to guide through Congress legislation that they both strongly favour.

Given Obama’s status as president-in-waiting, the two met in a formal setting, a room decked out with a US flag, and were accompanied by senior advisers. Obama appeared the more relaxed of the two, sitting with legs crossed, smiling broadly and waving to reporters, while McCain sat stiffly, with a seemingly fixed grin.

Although the two clashed during the election campaign over tax policy and withdrawal from Iraq, they have more in common than they have differences. They both favour the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, an increase in US troops to Afghanistan, immigration reform, stem cell research and measures to tackle climate change, and oppose torture and the widespread use of wire-tapping.

Although Democrats made gains in the Senate in the November 4 elections, they fell short of the 60 seats that would have allowed them to override Republican blocking tactics and will need Republican allies to get Obama’s plans through. This was highlighted today when the Democratic leadership in Congress announced that a broad economic stimulus package Obama sought was not likely to be passed because of Republican opposition.

Obama confirmed at the weekend that he would offer jobs to some Republicans. One of the names that crops up most often is Chuck Hagel, the former Republican senator who is a specialist in foreign affairs and a critic of the Iraq war.

Bill Clinton’s relationship with his foundation may prove to be a bump in the road during Senate Confirmation in addition to the Republican blocking tactics. CNN.com is reporting Bill maybe the biggest problem in filling Obama’s cabinet seats. None-the-less this is a fitting role for Senator Clinton.  With almost two decades of foreign policy experience the Clinton’s would be a welcome face in Embassies around the world.  Bill Clinton may have to abandoned his involvement in international business for the duration of Hilary’s Department of State administration.  Seeing how the conflict of interest is no less than Dick Cheney’s ties to the oil and gas industry all that needs to be established is a clear definite separation.  Since most of Bill’s business ventures are charity based the conflict should be genuine in nature but will still need to be abandoned.

No doubt the successful nature of Bill’s venture stems from name recognition and him being a former President since he is acting in no official US Government manner nothing can really be said.  But if he is the husband of the US Secretary of State it could prove to undermine the intentions of the US State Department.  One way to handle the conflict would be to merge organizations and release managment of all interest to another aide organization.  Or could just be like Dick Cheney and step down as CEO of the organizations and maintain a vested monetary interest which will no doubt cause as much trouble as Cheney.  The best and easiest thing to do would be to end all ties.

According to Joe Weisenthal of ClusterStock:

GM (GM) says we still don’t get it. If we don’t save them, they’re gonna nuke the economy to all hell. In case dire warnings of billions and billions in losses aren’t enough to freak you out, the company has posted a scare-video on YouTube, complete with ominous music and the kind of overwrought imagery you might got during a preview for 60 Minutes.

[sniplet GM-Scare-Video]

In an apparent attempt to save the company GM is reportedly cutting the extravagance according to USA Today.

Reduced office supplies. GM used to stock for every possible stationery need. No longer. “The office supply cabinets have only the bare minimum now — inexpensive pads, a few roller-ball pens and wooden pencils,” spokesman Tom Wilkinson says.

No raises. White-collar workers won’t get bonuses, raises or 401(k) retirement savings matches.

Pricier company cars. As of last summer, executives had to pay $100 more a month to use a company car and can’t rotate to new ones as often.

Make you own opinion – I wonder if Exec’s are joining in the cutbacks.  Probably not.  I bet cutting 1 corporate jet would save the same amount as not buying office supplies.

If you want to talk about politics or anything that is effecting your life in my book you have to vote.  It doesn’t matter so much who you vote for as long as you VOTE.  Every person in America has the right to vote don’t forget that as you enter the poll.  If you get to the poll and they can not find your name then request a provisional ballot.

I voted early or absentee as I will be out of state on election day.  To show you who I voted for in the Presidential election I voted like this:

Notice I did not vote straight party ticket and I did vote in Favor of Alabama’s Rainy Day fund.  I would like to remind everyone in Alabama that tapping into the Alabama Education Fund Rainy Day program will save the Schools.  Many school districts fear that if they do not get funds soon that teachers payroll will be effected.  It is already hard to retain qualified teachers with extremely low salaries but if their checks bounce they will have to seek employment else where.  So Vote Yes on Proposition 1 on the Alabama Ballot to save the Schools.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

GO VOTE!

On October 20th HSLF Announced their independent expenditure:

The Humane Society Legislative Fund launched its first television advertisements today opposing the reelection of U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg in Michigan’s 9th Congressional District. The ads will air over the next two weeks on Detroit broadcast television and Oakland County cable. The group has also sent mailings to thousands of animal welfare supporters and is canvassing door-to-door across the district.

Read More and watch the TV AD running in MI.

My piece of the pie involves the door-to-door canvass. Being outside in the cold Michigan weather sure makes this southern boy’s going home much more exciting.  I look forward to getting home and thawing out before AL’s weather turns colder.

Perhaps the change will bring about a winning season the rest of the season.  It looks like the Tigers will get back to the basics that made them the football powerhouse they are known for.  The question still remains who will take Franklin’s place.  Tuberville has vowed that he is “personally going to take a larger role with the offense the remainder of the season. We are going to work harder than ever to make sure we consistently improve as we move forward.”

Tuberville stated that he “After evaluating where we are at this point of the season offensively, I felt it was in the best interest of the Auburn football program to make this change”.

War Eagle!  For more details from the Opelika Auburn News read the article.