I might be changing my name

The following points are kinda what I've known since I've come into adulthood as a progressive. It took seeing Bill Moyer's this morning online to confirm what I've known intuitively for sometime.

1. Progessives win presidencies by default. Meaning the populous wants republicans out not necessarily democrats in.

2. Progressives are scared to use power and most likely just plain scared. See Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama (Bill and Hillary Clinton don't fit this mold. These two wield power with the best of the conservatives.) But Barack Obama does in fact fit this mold. If you didn't hear me the first time I think he's scared.

3. Conservatives know who they serve and do so proudly. If some crumbs fall off the table for those who don't subscribe to their agenda...then fine. Progressives mistakenly think they serve conservatives...oops!

See Moyers below

Healthcare Co-ops

Pretty informative piece on healthcare co-ops from CNN. I live in MN and didn't even know that HealthPartners was a co-op. I like the not for profit focus and I actually think more of these in various industries including banking would serve to balance out the all or nothing FOR PROFIT, FREE MARKETS IN EVERYTHING ethos that is becoming increasingly problematic.

The reason I like this idea of co-ops is because the power truly does reside with the people. As I understand it, if you are a member of HealthPartners you get a vote...on almost everything. And so as there CEO Mary Brainerd put it, there is NO incentive for them to jack up administrative fees to say pay C-level exces an extra million dollars each. And I would imagine that economies of scale kick in just the same with a co-op.

Check out the video for an interesting view.

Lights, Camera, Stimulus in Action!

I guess it does work...who knew??? I wonder how some who desperately want our economy to tank just to take Obama along with it will view this. Me? I view it as good news. Recently laid off Ford workers and those who've had hours cut are back on the line. Back getting a paycheck. Back feeling good about themselves. And back spending money however nominal. Full Story Below


By Kimberly S. Johnson, AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it would add a third shift to production plants in Michigan and Missouri to meet increased demand for its F-150 trucks and Escape crossover vehicles.

The moves offer specifics about Ford's plan to increase production of cars and trucks in the fourth quarter by 33 percent over 2008 levels to a total of 570,000 vehicles.

Ford is gaining market share in the U.S. and two of its vehicles -- the Focus and Escape -- were among the top-sellers under the government's Cash for Clunkers program in July and August.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker said earlier this month that it would increase production to replenish inventories depleted during the clunkers program, although it expects September sales to fall below July and August levels.

Ford said it would not hire new hourly workers to handle the shifts, but would move workers from the truck production line at its Kansas City Assembly Plant to the line that makes Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners, 5-passenger crossover utility vehicles.

The change takes place at the Claycomo, Mo., plant in October. Ford employs a total of 3,956 hourly workers there, who previously agreed to work two days during a planned shutdown week this month to meet third-quarter production demands.

The company said its third quarter production levels would be 18 percent higher than they were a year ago.

Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will resume maximum operation of three shifts in late September. While there are currently three separate crews at the plant, they work on a rotating basis. Each crew works for four weeks and is then on "layoff" for two weeks, said Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans.

The move will enable all 2,800 employees at Dearborn Truck to work on a full-time basis, removing 900 people from Michigan's weekly unemployment rolls. Ford supplements those unemployment payments so workers receive their full wage.

"This is a way for us to run our plants much more efficiently to get the increased production out," Evans said.

The moves will result in the additional production of 10,000 F-150 pickup trucks this year and 2,400 Escapes and Mariners by the end of October, Ford said.

The company had a 21-day supply of Escapes in early August. At the end of July, Ford had nearly 300,000 vehicles in stock, a 48-day supply, the industry average, according to Ward's AutoInfoBank. Ford typically maintained a 70-day supply of vehicles earlier this year.

Ford is expected to report a year-over-year increase in August U.S. sales next week. The company said it is on track to "post its highest monthly F-Series and Escape sales of 2009" in August.

Shares of Ford rose 6 cents to $7.67 in afternoon trading Thursday.

Until I saw what happened to them Dixie Chicks (lol)

Really down south? I guess.

Seriously, click threw the link for a first hand account of the Clampits led by Jimbo versus Jethro and his clan.

Downsouth Families in all out riot...

Netfli(redbo)x

I've been a Netflix guy for a little over 2 years now, but backed into a redbox viewing of The International this weekend. Even though I know there's absolutely no affiliation b/t the two companies, it's interesting how similar redbox's logo is to Netflix.

You see the phonetical similarities in both "red" and "net" as well as the little used "x" as well as the visual arching similarity (for Netflix it's the word, for redbox it's the eyebrow). I can almost guarantee this logo was designed by redbox to piggyback on the success of Netflix. I can't blame them for that, and one can only wonder how much of their success is due to consumers inability to realize redbox is not really Netflix?

BO Doesn't Know

Barack doesn't know what he wants. I just figured that out after reading Krugie's op ed in the Times. The reason his pole numbers are dropping and this whole healthcare push has been a debacle is b/c Obama doesn't know what he wants, he just knows he wants something.

Obama had (and probably still has) an army of people ready to go to bat for him on this healthcare initiative except they don't know what they're going to bat for, and he hasn't made it clear. Is it the public option or the maximum out of pocket costs reform or the right to life provisions? No one really knows where he stands. They know what the generic democrat wants but unfortunately the generic democrat isn't president and doesn't have BO's appeal.

If I were him I would go back to promotional marketing 101. Pick 3 THINGS you are FOR and have your office, your surrogates and yes even your professorial I must answer every question equivocally with a spliced hedged answer brain stick to those 3 things.

The roof of my mouth has been in pain since Thursday...

...and it's all because of this mustachioed gentlemen. Thanks Cap'n for selling a deliciously sweet corn based cereal that also helps reshingle the roof of my mouth...thanks.

Really Patti Heaton?

It took my little niece all of 30 seconds to do the math...in her head.

Thanks the man up stairs I don't cheer for loser teams like the Ravens or the Panthers....GO VIKES!!!

Dear Mr. President

Sorry dude, but if you can't show me some gumption on healthcare than I might have to give you a break. Mind you, I'll still be voting for you in 2012, but no donations or door knocking or phone calling or favorable blogging from me.

You are getting bullied. You are getting punked. And you are too scared to fight back. I have liked your temperament and your ability to sit back and strategize, but where I'm from you've gotta throw punches sometimes. I'm just sayin' dude. I'm hoping this is part of your grander strategy and you've got something up your sleeve, but methinks you and your superteam have been outfoxed by the republicans. At least for now. I could be wrong.

This is why they call her Cyborg

I'm a HUGE fan of Carano, mainly because she's tall, wears sexy high heels, is a hottie and can also fight. But it took about 10 minutes of watching clips of Cyborg this week to realize Gina didn't really have much of a chance.

Once matched up nobody can argue that Cyborg isn't the stronger, more naturally aggressive fighter and it took me all of 60 seconds of watching this fight to realize that and predict Carano would be manhandled and lose. Don't get me wrong, my girl stood her ground and gave some nice shots, but whenever a fighter is being walked down like that consistently and so easily tossed to the ground it's a sign of dominance.

Cyborg will only be defeated when another woman like her rises to the elite level or Gina learns how to really box. Yes, learns how to box. Gina can't beat her on the ground, so she's got to beat her on her feet. She's an average boxer, but I would like to see a lot more head movement and skill in DUCKING and countering Cyborg's big punches. You can't just retreat to the ropes and cover up. I counted at least 9big shots Cyborg threw that Gina just covered up instead of DUCKING and countering Cyborg with some clean HOOKS.

She trains in Vegas, maybe she should spend sometime with Roger Mayweather...seriously.

Canards are dangerous when left unchecked

Most of us are familiar with the canards circulating in the media and in the blogosphere concerning healthcare, they are as such:

1. Death Panels - That is when you're an old person you will be subject to a panel of faceless bureaucrats making decisions about whether you can live...this is also known as end of life care (according to one Sarah Palin).

2. Anger and Outrage - Megan McCardle, among many other fake libertarians, has been guilty of pretending that the angry people on the teevee machine are representative of all of America. They're not.

3. Healthcare Status Quo is Good - According to the 400 Managing Directors of GS.

In a homophonous ode to The Wire, take a look at the little man Kenard as he becomes a mop for a sidewalk floor on the westside of Baltimore.

Fat People

It's too bad that doctors like this who are trying to get fat and unhealthy people to understand that eating donuts, hamburgers and fried chicken and drinking sweet tea ad nauseam are bad for your health. Only down south would they fire you for something like this, I bet they'll be screaming for Obamacare when they're coveted "healthcare" provider tells them their heart valve replacement is "experimental" and otherwise uncovered.

Story Here

Medicars is, I repeat is, the very essence of socialized medicine

To all the birthers, tea baggers and others pretending to be upset about President Obama's "policies" please refrain from attackin socialized medicine if you are on Medicare. Seriously you sound incredibly stupid...in fact some would say you are stupid.

Also please make some effort to understand what Nazism, fascism, communism and socialism are and how they differ (hint there terms are not, I repeat are not synonymous.) It is not cool to willingly be stupid.

Think About

How many wives have you passed up in the grocery store? How many promotions have you bailed on? How many Fortune 500 seeds have you spit into the street? How many times have you unloved loved ones? How many next times have you settled for?

"Chances lost are hopes torn up pages"

Thanks Brett Favre (and by thanks I mean you're a total flake)

Thanks Brett Favre for getting us in a tizzy, and then flaking. That was super awesome, you didn't throw in the tears this time though, those are usually a nice touch. If there ever was a ready made Superbowl situation this was it and we also offered you a chance to crush the Pack and the organization that treated you with such disdain, to no Favreian avail. I guess Mississippi and throwing passes to high school players was too strong a pull...I guess.