I have two things with local TV I must complain about right now. The first has to do with their coverage EVERY WINTER. They have to cover snowflake dropping from the sky like a national emergency. The best if they can simply play a news clip from ten years ago and it would be the same damn thing. They will start out with the traffic shots of different streets through out the area. The next thing they do is have someone interviewing various snow plow/salt truck drivers going through the same speech which includes:
- “We will be working sixteen hour shifts”
- We are doing the best we can”
- “We will be doing the main roads and then the side roads”
Of course the reporter goes to some random shopping center just outside the border of Detroit to do some man on the street interviews and see how different people are “dealing with the cold weather” This would be unique if we lived in the south and it got this cold once a blue moon. Folks – if you live in MI you deal with this cold weather a few months a year. This is NOTHING NEW.
Needless to say I turn the channel or simply don’t watch it. I am just not sure how stupid the newscasters look doing such reports. If their market research tells them that this is what the audience wants – shame on them.
One more thing before I leave you – I turned on Channel 4 (WDIV) and 7 (WXYZ) yesterday morning. They were showing the school closings while their respective network morning shows were broadcasting at that time. COULD THEY MAKE THE SCREEN OF THE NATIONAL SHOW ANY SMALLER? Seriously – local channels in both case made the national show maybe 1/3 of the screen while they showed the schools that were closed. Never mind I don’t understand why the schools were closed because you know those kids who could not stand out on bus stops were dropped at the mall at about 10:05 AM. These are the same damn kids that don’t even wear coats. I am not even referring to the poor ones either. Thank god there was not anything I needed to see on any of those network morning shows. A simple scroll across the bottom would work just fine on those TV channels.
I am done with ranting….
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
The new gold?
Here is quick one... I was at the store this evening and walked by the beer aisle. I was not shopping for that at all but I thought I would check to see if there was any good deals. People - right now beer costs an arm and a leg. It has gone up two dollars for a case in the last two weeks. This is not even premium stuff. We are talking weasel piss that you buy because you plan on putting back alot and you need some value. (Please do not confuse "weasel piss" with "raw sewage" which is another level below "weasel piss") Is it transportation costs? Is it because the company that makes its no longer american owned? Did the hops crop fail this year? How about barley?
New year thoughts
A few things coming to my mind as I sit here on a Sunday evening -
Since snow plowing funds in the state of Michiganm come from new cars sales, I hope we have a light snow winter. On that same topic, why is it snow removal is not a privatized operation. Why does the government think it is a good idea to take on the burden of buying trucks, maintaining them at that and having people on their payroll for something that happens so sporadically?
People will talk about new car sales for December but the ones I am looking at will be the ones starting say February when people will be able to get funding due to lower credit requirements - more having to do with GM than the other Big Three due to GMAC getting money from the Federal government. In addition people will begin getting their tax returns that may be bigger for some since they sold stock/mutual funds that lost money which will increase their tax returns.
For all the talk of parties and such for the Inaguration, I am looking forward to seeing the action of Obama in the first few days in office. I hope the people that voted him they are happier than they have been once he gets started with his plan. As for those who did not vote him in that he continues to do things that have so far shown him to be a bit more conservative than previously anticipated by the pundits.
Am I the only one notciing people keeping their Christmas trees up longer than I ever remember in the past? It seems curbs are covered with trees just days from Christmas and I see people with trees still lit up well after New Years?
I do not make New Years resolutions. My feeling is if it something that needs to be done I should have been doing it all along and not waiting until the New Year.
The other night I saw a commercial for the International Auto Show here in Detroit. They had local celebrities inviting the watcher down to the show this year. ONe struck me as strangte - Bill Bonds. He has not been doing much of anything in this area in some time other than Gardner White commercials. It seems strange to me because I thought they could have found a more worthwile celebrity to entice the people down to Cobo Hall for the annual event.
Take care - Midwest Gent
Since snow plowing funds in the state of Michiganm come from new cars sales, I hope we have a light snow winter. On that same topic, why is it snow removal is not a privatized operation. Why does the government think it is a good idea to take on the burden of buying trucks, maintaining them at that and having people on their payroll for something that happens so sporadically?
People will talk about new car sales for December but the ones I am looking at will be the ones starting say February when people will be able to get funding due to lower credit requirements - more having to do with GM than the other Big Three due to GMAC getting money from the Federal government. In addition people will begin getting their tax returns that may be bigger for some since they sold stock/mutual funds that lost money which will increase their tax returns.
For all the talk of parties and such for the Inaguration, I am looking forward to seeing the action of Obama in the first few days in office. I hope the people that voted him they are happier than they have been once he gets started with his plan. As for those who did not vote him in that he continues to do things that have so far shown him to be a bit more conservative than previously anticipated by the pundits.
Am I the only one notciing people keeping their Christmas trees up longer than I ever remember in the past? It seems curbs are covered with trees just days from Christmas and I see people with trees still lit up well after New Years?
I do not make New Years resolutions. My feeling is if it something that needs to be done I should have been doing it all along and not waiting until the New Year.
The other night I saw a commercial for the International Auto Show here in Detroit. They had local celebrities inviting the watcher down to the show this year. ONe struck me as strangte - Bill Bonds. He has not been doing much of anything in this area in some time other than Gardner White commercials. It seems strange to me because I thought they could have found a more worthwile celebrity to entice the people down to Cobo Hall for the annual event.
Take care - Midwest Gent
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Holiday
In this post there will be no sarcasm or rants or negative opinions. I will simply offer you as well as anyone you are close to a very safe and happy holiday season. We are leaving a year that has not been full of positive news but I am sure you still could compose a nice list of things that took place since the last holiday season. We have all had our challenges but forget them as you get together with family and friends with nothing but smiles as we look forward to the New Year.
Personally, 2008 was my best year ever despite some down moments. More than anything I am still employed and have weathered a health scare. Leaving 2008 I am in great shape and feel as if my career is actually headed in a good direction. Only time will tell if both those things are true. Honestly – I believe this is all up to me.
From a blog perspective - thanks much for reading and commenting here. It has been fun for sure. I will hopefully step up more in 2009 with this and maybe - just maybe - broaden my horizons with topics.
I look forward to 2009 where I don’t have any specific goals as much I simply look forward to seeing what the New Year will bring me as well as those around me.
Here is hoping you have lofty goals and you for sure achieve them before the next holiday season. More currently, I hope Santa brings you something nice.
Personally, 2008 was my best year ever despite some down moments. More than anything I am still employed and have weathered a health scare. Leaving 2008 I am in great shape and feel as if my career is actually headed in a good direction. Only time will tell if both those things are true. Honestly – I believe this is all up to me.
From a blog perspective - thanks much for reading and commenting here. It has been fun for sure. I will hopefully step up more in 2009 with this and maybe - just maybe - broaden my horizons with topics.
I look forward to 2009 where I don’t have any specific goals as much I simply look forward to seeing what the New Year will bring me as well as those around me.
Here is hoping you have lofty goals and you for sure achieve them before the next holiday season. More currently, I hope Santa brings you something nice.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Enough hours in the day? Guess not...
I heard over the weekend and discovered it being discussed here. Retailers are now staying open 24 hours. I am trying to figure why this is at all necessary. The biproducts of our instant gratification society never seem to end. Is it not enough that these stores already have extended hours of service during the holiday? Is it enough you can purchase anything you want from the confines of your home on your computer at anytime you want from anywhere? Nope - you can now do your shopping physcically at 3:30 AM. Personally speaking, that is simply not natural. I am usually in need of sleep at that hour. This is especially true if I have been at al productive during the day. Plus I am somehow capable to manage my time to do my shopping during regular shopping hours. I am very sure I am missing something.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
More Auto Relief thoughts
I have watched and read a fair amount of coverage related to the loans being given to the Big Three US Auto companies. I have been bothered a fair amount because the reporting and opinions leave a fair amount to be desired – and I am being very nice leaving it there.
The first item is the work bench where a UAW member who is laid off gets 95% of their pay during that time. First, they will get subpay from their employer after they receive unemployment benefits from the government. In other words, the auto company will make up the difference between unemployment to get to that 95%. They are giving a complete 95%. On that same topic, current hires to the Big 3 auto companies will not enjoy that benefit and only 10000 benefit from that number now. That number will tail off as those UAW members retire.
Another number that will tail off in time will be the amount the Big Three Companies will give out in pensions as retirees pass away. For some time (probably ten years) new employees are not eligible for pensions and have been maintaining their retirements through 401K plans. The money going toward pensions in twenty years will be significantly less than it is now. I bring this all up to show the changes that many people are demanding have been well in place for quite some time.
For all the talk of the UAW having to renegotiate their contract even though they have made countless concessions, I think what has not been requested and should be is a COMPLETE list of costs to making a car. I have actually looked for this and asked around and the consensus – nothing exists. If you can find one, I would be very intrigued to look at it. The point I am getting to here is I don’t know how you can ask for more concessions when it is not even known what other opportunities a company has to cut costs. Keep in mind that despite supposed costs in making a Toyota or Honda being lower than US Auto companies, they are losing money and halting production as well here in the US. That makes another set of arguments from the pundits almost null in void.
The Big Three Auto companies have as a while cut down their employees drastically in the last fifteen to twenty years. Much of the analysis has simply ignored it and put out blatant opinions showing the lack of understanding with an industry that has made strides. They are being asked to com
OF course the last thing that gets my ire is the belief that more than anything all types of effort needs to go into hybrid and electric cars. This is all happening while I drive around and the American consumer still likes driving their SUV. Government has a great belief the consumer wants fuel efficient vehicles and before too long it will be the only legit viable option. Is oil going away? Is there a tremendous shortage right now? Is it real expensive? Outside some outlandish speculation that took place this summer with oil futures, prices have been relatively stable and right in the range of consumer pocketbooks whether they drive small economy size cars or something that resembles a fashionable Winnebago.
I have more points that should be made but I will save them for another time like measuring the geographical impact of letting the Big Three going bankrupt.
The first item is the work bench where a UAW member who is laid off gets 95% of their pay during that time. First, they will get subpay from their employer after they receive unemployment benefits from the government. In other words, the auto company will make up the difference between unemployment to get to that 95%. They are giving a complete 95%. On that same topic, current hires to the Big 3 auto companies will not enjoy that benefit and only 10000 benefit from that number now. That number will tail off as those UAW members retire.
Another number that will tail off in time will be the amount the Big Three Companies will give out in pensions as retirees pass away. For some time (probably ten years) new employees are not eligible for pensions and have been maintaining their retirements through 401K plans. The money going toward pensions in twenty years will be significantly less than it is now. I bring this all up to show the changes that many people are demanding have been well in place for quite some time.
For all the talk of the UAW having to renegotiate their contract even though they have made countless concessions, I think what has not been requested and should be is a COMPLETE list of costs to making a car. I have actually looked for this and asked around and the consensus – nothing exists. If you can find one, I would be very intrigued to look at it. The point I am getting to here is I don’t know how you can ask for more concessions when it is not even known what other opportunities a company has to cut costs. Keep in mind that despite supposed costs in making a Toyota or Honda being lower than US Auto companies, they are losing money and halting production as well here in the US. That makes another set of arguments from the pundits almost null in void.
The Big Three Auto companies have as a while cut down their employees drastically in the last fifteen to twenty years. Much of the analysis has simply ignored it and put out blatant opinions showing the lack of understanding with an industry that has made strides. They are being asked to com
OF course the last thing that gets my ire is the belief that more than anything all types of effort needs to go into hybrid and electric cars. This is all happening while I drive around and the American consumer still likes driving their SUV. Government has a great belief the consumer wants fuel efficient vehicles and before too long it will be the only legit viable option. Is oil going away? Is there a tremendous shortage right now? Is it real expensive? Outside some outlandish speculation that took place this summer with oil futures, prices have been relatively stable and right in the range of consumer pocketbooks whether they drive small economy size cars or something that resembles a fashionable Winnebago.
I have more points that should be made but I will save them for another time like measuring the geographical impact of letting the Big Three going bankrupt.
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