An Open Letter to GM
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 01:51 PM
I received the following email from GM today:
Dear George Krueger,
You made the right choice when you put your confidence in General Motors, and we appreciate your past support. I want to assure you that we are making our best vehicles ever, and we have exciting plans for the future. But we need your help now. Simply put, we need you to join us to let Congress know that a bridge loan to help U.S. automakers also helps strengthen the U.S. economy and preserve millions of American jobs.
Despite what you may be hearing, we are not asking Congress for a bailout but rather a loan that will be repaid.
The U.S. economy is at a crossroads due to the worldwide credit crisis, and all Americans are feeling the effects of the worst economic downturn in 75 years. Despite our successful efforts to restructure, reduce costs and enhance liquidity, U.S. auto sales rely on access to credit, which is all but frozen through traditional channels.
The consequences of the domestic auto industry collapsing would far exceed the $25 billion loan needed to bridge the current crisis. According to a recent study by the Center for Automotive Research:
• One in 10 American jobs depends on U.S. automakers
• Nearly 3 million jobs are at immediate risk
• U.S. personal income could be reduced by $150 billion
• The tax revenue lost over 3 years would be more than $156 billionDiscussions are now underway in Washington, D.C., concerning loans to support U.S. carmakers. I am asking for your support in this vital effort by contacting your state representatives.
Please take a few minutes to go to http://www.gmfactsandfiction.com, where we have made it easy for you to contact your U.S. senators and representatives. Just click on the “I’m a Concerned American” link under the “Mobilize Now” section, and enter your name and ZIP code to send a personalized e-mail stating your support for the U.S. automotive industry.
Let me assure you that General Motors has made dramatic improvements over the last 10 years. In fact, we are leading the industry with award-winning vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Pontiac G8, GMC Acadia, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Saturn AURA and more. We offer 18 models with an EPA estimated 30 MPG highway or better — more than Toyota or Honda. GM has 6 hybrids in market and 3 more by mid-2009. GM has closed the quality gap with the imports, and today we are putting our best quality vehicles on the road.
Please share this information with friends and family using the link on the site.
Thank you for helping keep our economy viable.
Sincerely,
Troy Clarke
This is my response:
You guys made your own bed, now sleep in it.
While the Japanese auto companies were innovating and moving forward, GM was stuck milking SUVs for all they were worth. Now GM pretends that 30 mpg is exceptional, pushes worthless E85 flex-fuel vehicles, and boasts of its poor offering of hybrid models. Unfortunately, the only hybrids GM offers are SUVs (to continue to milk that revenue stream) or plug-ins. Most people shopping for hybrids have no use for either.
I have never owned a foreign car before, and most of the vehicles I’ve owned in the past were GM. My next car will be a Honda or Toyota. You have no one but yourself to blame.
Sincerely,
George Krueger
LIFE Photo Archive
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 01:14 PM
Say goodbye to the rest of your day.
In a joint venture with LIFE, Google has posted the entire LIFE photo archive on-line. This is the entire archive, including photos that were never published.
Woohoo! Goose Island is not Closing!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 10:58 AM
Well, I’m happy that Goose Island will not be closing at the end of the year.
It really would have been stupid of the landlord not to deal with them, even without the downturn in the real estate market. But, none of that really matters now.
I think I’ll celebrate by going there for dinner some time this week/weekend.
Cheers!
Stupid Adobe
Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 09:52 AM
I really don’t need, nor do I want, a shortcut to Adobe Reader on my Windows desktop. It’s bad enough your stupid installer puts one there without asking, but does the updater really need to keep putting it back every time it runs? I really hate having to delete the damn thing over and over again.
Adobe’s certainly not the only software install that puts an icon on the desktop without asking, but as far as I can tell, they’re the only ones who insist on putting one there no matter how often you delete it. Here’s a hint, Adobe, respect the wishes of your user. Also, to Adobe and every other software developer out there: ASK the user if they want a desktop (or quick launch) icon! Is it really so hard to include a dialog that has it as an option?
I am so glad I don’t need Adobe Reader (or Professional, for that matter) on my Mac.
A Wonderful Day
Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 08:06 AM
It’s a wonderful day today. Yesterday, history was made, and today the world is a better place because of it. There’s really not much to say that hasn’t been said more eloquently elsewhere. I’ve been watching the polls and the political markets for the past few weeks (not the polls that they were showing on the news making it seem like it was going to be close, the polls that were showing exactly what happened last night) and therefore had no doubt how things would shake out. Still, I’m relieved and more than elated. Like many Americans today, I cannot wait for January 20, 2009 to arrive.
I do want to mention McCain’s concession speech. I was appalled at the behavior of the crowd at his rally. Here was McCain trying to graciously concede the election with some dignity and class (and the best speech I’ve ever heard him give - it was truly inspirational), and people at his rally actually booed when he mentioned Obama. It was nothing short of disgraceful. The people who did that are nothing more than petty, ignorant children. It was an embarrassment to the entire nation. I hope at some point in their lives they look back on that moment and feel shame and regret about their actions. Unfortunately, people like that usually have no shame.