FUTURE_OF_GM

Very sweet!

Fire 'em all Bring in the scabs... I'll work for you GM! I'll also 'break the line' and we'll see who wins the fight. I really hope this doesn't kill the Lambdas and the new 'Bu though... This is how Oldsmobile lost momentum and subsequently died.

So basically, what you're saying is that Satty is the STEREOTYPICAL Prius owner... Once again; stereotypes ARE founded in fact.

I've always been interested in photography, but lately its become an obsession. I find myself logging into Flickr at least once a day and searching completely random things just to see what's out there. I've always been a 'boredom surfer' in that, I'll get board and go to a search engine and search randon things. Is anyone else obsessed with Flickr? I think I might do the 365 pictures thing soon, where you take one picture each day and submit it.

Might I remind everyone that stereotypes are often based in reality. (For better or worse) That car is in VERY bad shape... It almost looks like the "river bank" cars down here in the south. Back in the 70's junkyards would crush absolutely gorgeous classics and sell them to the state which would use them to hold up banks on the sides of rivers. I drive past a bunch of them everyday. If only we could've saved some of them.

I'm 26 but I had a similar upbringing. There was no time out in my house... There was a warning and then I got whacked on the ass or smacked on the mouth (Yes, I was as big of a smart ass back then as I am now ) Once I got older, my parents were even more authoritative. I was expected to behave a certain way and if I did, all went well and I had a lot of freedom. However, if I crossed the line, I was punished for it. (and I usually deserved it) Now that I have my Psych degree, I can see the negative side of spanking. The argument is that 'physical violence' just makes the child angry and bitter towards the parents. However, I don't think it's the spanking that is the culprit, I think it's the reasoning behind the spanking. When my parents spanked me, I deserved it. I had usually done something that was inexcusable and they informed me of it. They didn't just hit me 'for no reason' or fail to explain why they were 'physically violent' with me. I DO NOT agree with the virtual spanking ban that is in place now. As a matter of fact, I'd like to whip some of these teenagers myself. LOL... Here in the south we have a lot of 'yellow bell' bushes and in the spring the limbs are very flexible. I used to have to go break my own switch off of the yellow bells... Needless to say, all my parents usually had to do was tell me to go get a switch and I would straighten up. They hardly ever had to use them. My first car was my '73 Camaro. My parents bought it for me but the conditions were 1) I had to get a job and pay them back for the car (which I did) and 2) If I acted stupid or received any sort of ticket, the car would be immediately sold. 3) Naturally, I was responsible for maintenance (Since I'm a car guy) unless something catastrophic happened, then they would help me out. (Old cars sometimes tend to break a young persons bank very quickly, so they helped me 'over the hump' a few times) Kids these days scare me a little. But I think it's largely because of pop culture that they're 'screwed up'. Sure, the parents need to do a better job, but our culture has become so cynical and filthy that I don't think it's as simple as blaming mom and dad. There are SO many sources of negativity influencing our children these days. I'm just glad I was fortunate enough to have a great childhood before it got this bad. :twocents:

Thanks guys. It's just another day IMO.

Congress is the opposite of Progress. (An oldie but a goodie)

We really need to improve drivers ed in this country. I honestly can't figure out why 1/4 of the people on the road are allowed to drive. And what's bad is that it's not really stupidity, it's more or less "rookie mistakes"

That's why GME COULD be such an asset... They COULD bring over cars from Europe and have a distinct line up. But instead, the poweres that be would rather compete with Pontiac over the same damn market niches that Chevrolet and Buick are already in. Pure ignorance and squandering of resources. If GM wants to 'globalize, then let them do it. But offer ALL of the flavors of the world through the variety of divisions they have. GM has enough divisions to satisfy EVERY buyer and that is why I always preach 'brand equity' and 'ability'

I don't think so...

Aww. Thanks guys! I feel all warm and fuzzy and happy now.

http://www.missionmetallica.com/ This site kicked off yesterday (My birthday; why thanks guys, I will accept info on the new album as my gift) Listen to the music and lyrics on the video posted for a sample of the new album. I'm stoked!

That's the stuff I buy from the Harley shop! It was about $7/tube but that was a couple of years ago. (I stocked up with about 4 tubes)

Yeah... I think it's funny. Post 2001 I was pretty anti-american (although my heart still bleeds red, white and blue for September 11th and what this country was) and anyone who has seen my posts here knows that. But back then what I believed was frowned upon and not accepted. Fast forward 7 years and my beliefs are the same beliefs of 90% of my age group. I hate to break negative on you guys, but I don't think it'll matter much either way. Most people in this country are so disempowered that they're pretty much "along for the ride" either way. Used to I would say that a common bond of being american would pull this country together and allow us to push for change. However, I don't even see that happening either. On top of being the most individualistic society in the world, this country is so diverse and filled with people who would rather identify with their homeland than our country that we will NEVER organize into anything that remotely matters. You can see it in every aspect of our lives from 'globalization' of our economy and purchases (i.e. not buying american because it's american) to globalization of our identity and tastes. EVERYONE in america seems to think that every other civilization in the world is superior to ours in so many ways. Now the ugly truth is rearing its head IMO. This culture is in the pits and it's only going to get worse. I'm no fan of communism, but the collectivist mindset is a powerful tool to have when you're dealing with a global economy. Look no further than Asia Inc. for proof that supporting your businesses and your culture will allow you to excel and prosper.

I'm really worried that this whole corn mess, combined with big oil and its $$$ will just destroy the biofuel movement in general. The typical american probably isn't informed enough (or doesn't care to become informed enough) to know that Corn is NOT the best source for Ethanol. And articles like these are only reinforcing the negativity. Wonder how much it has to do with the american automakers 'leg up' on ethanol vehicles and/or Japan Incs 'leg up' on hybrids. Could they be lobbying against ethanol?

Hemp is very useful for a variety of things. I once read somewhere that DuPont had it banned (by lobbying Congress) because they had invented Nylon. Before Nylon, hemp was mainly used for rope. AFAIK, hemp can be grown and used for personal items (i.e. you can make yourself a sweater) however it is illegal to distribute and sell. Or maybe it is illegal is large quantities. (I can't remember exactly) FWIW, hemp is not the same thing as Marijuanna... It's missing that crucial THC substance.

The official rumor about the cat is that he was sleeping on top of a garage door and when the owner left (and closed the door) he was left stuck in the garage door for a few hours. A neighbor found him and took him for medical attention. The cat was very pissed off (I would be too) but unharmed. Now, all of that could be pure *shrugs*

That is the hardest I've laughed in a very long time... That's why I love Balthazar!!! Pure genius!!!

So basically, they are just like the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES, except without the price difference. And even so, what's wrong with GM having 2 models with different flavors in a market this large? I mean, having 3 or 4 is overkill but I'm willing to bet that the Aura isn't cross shopped with the Malibu as much as some think.

"... minor gripes aside, the new Pontiac G8 GT shines in many areas — outright speed, good fuel economy for its big V-8, easy-on-the-eyes inside and out, nice cabin materials and comfort, and that huge back seat. Factor in price and it is, essentially, in a class by itself. Nice." http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6692 Go Pontiac!

I'm sure everyone has seen this, but: FUNNIEST CAT VIDEO EVAR! Burger & Fires Probably seen this one too Poor Dog

I'm not sure about chrome tech, but I buy polish for my chrome plated wheels at the local Harley shop. :AH-HA_wink: It's expensive but always works really well.

It's a sad day... No one in Washington wants to address and correct the problems. Instead, they insist on dancing around them for the sake of short term advantages (votes). Ethanol doesn't have to come from corn and at what point will common sense prevail over greed?

I think the Malibu and Aura are fine.