tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post3661099029224227227..comments2024-01-09T04:20:39.453-05:00Comments on Around the Keg: Rebuilding my faith.Noahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14345059376742159966noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-43970660185248459642008-11-10T09:28:00.000-05:002008-11-10T09:28:00.000-05:00Awesome, Bob. I agree. I really had less faith i...Awesome, Bob. I agree. I really had less faith in America...especially some of the more rural parts. I still think there was racism, but it seems that many people got over that. <BR/><BR/>The Onion did a piece that talked about people hating the economy more than they hate black men. It was tongue-in-cheek, but wasn't completely off base. I think some people are just so sick of recession that they are willing to give anyone a chance that means change!<BR/><BR/>I agree with Rickey as well. My co-worker asked me why she should vote for Obama (she is a moderate GOP). I asked her who she would have voted for if she were alive for Kennedy vs. Nixon. She said Kennedy, and I told her this is the same election!Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13410628045985150441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-4953766974022068832008-11-08T18:55:00.000-05:002008-11-08T18:55:00.000-05:00If she is there to provide a view as to what a cra...If she is there to provide a view as to what a crappy economy looks like and to lobby for help, then I am all for that.steveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862590608695420004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-79196166636792953472008-11-08T18:41:00.000-05:002008-11-08T18:41:00.000-05:00Are we looking at a future cabinet position-holder...<I>Are we looking at a future cabinet position-holder? </I><BR/><BR/>Yes.<BR/><BR/><I>Am I blaming way too much of our states economic issues on Granholm? </I><BR/><BR/>Hard to say. I think in general, people give too much blame, OR credit, to the executive. Were Bill Clinton's policies THAT awesome in the mid 90's? Is George Bush THIS bad (wait, don't answer that)? An economy is much line a ocean-liner, and the president/governor is equipped with a kayak paddle to steer it.B Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874975455332269325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-751776544052312022008-11-08T18:34:00.000-05:002008-11-08T18:34:00.000-05:00And, if Americans could get over their obsession w...<I>And, if Americans could get over their obsession with big cars that guzzle gas, the economy, environment, and TRAFFIC in this country could be in much better shape!!</I><BR/><BR/>And I would probably be able to reduce the number of times I scream "GET THAT GIGANTIC PIECE OF SHIT IN YOUR OWN LANE AND STOP DRIVING LIKE A JACKASS". <BR/><BR/>The correlation between that phrase and the irrational largeness of the opposing vehicle is quite high.B Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874975455332269325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-15796799830720925932008-11-08T17:08:00.000-05:002008-11-08T17:08:00.000-05:00"It's a power-starved union and a lax management f..."It's a power-starved union and a lax management fault."<BR/><BR/>Oh, and not to monopolize the conversation (this is what happens when I'm buzzed on Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout @ 5pm on a Saturday with nothing else to do...), but I could NOT agree more. Unions in general are a very sharp double-edged sword. While I certainly agree that "our boys" working the line in auto factories in Michigan need a certain amount of protection... I also believe that our Corporations have GOT to be able to remain competitive in a GLOBAL market, and some of our current unions are making it VERY difficult to do this! But on the flip side the unions cannot be a whipping boy for management to blame all their problems on!<BR/><BR/>Again to my point of making competitive automobiles... if "Detroit" could make a car that I thought could HONESTLY compete with the Priuses, Civics, Camrys and Jettas of the world, the unions would NOT be holding them back!<BR/><BR/>And, if Americans could get over their obsession with big cars that guzzle gas, the economy, environment, and TRAFFIC in this country could be in much better shape!!Soporhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647578353963214035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-31530071557062889062008-11-08T16:42:00.000-05:002008-11-08T16:42:00.000-05:00Between you comment Smitty, and B Mac's last comme...Between you comment Smitty, and B Mac's last comment... this makes a little bit more sense now!<BR/><BR/>Back to the subject of Pride in America for it's choice in the election... I have a client in Australia who has been paying very close attention to our election. He joked that it has been covered so well in Australia that it might as well have been their election! This is a direct quote of what he said after I mentioned how proud I was of my country, and how much I respected Obama's leadership abilities (again, this is not necessarily my opinion, but that of a somewhat prominent Australian Insurance Industry businessman):<BR/><BR/>"Yes Obama had generated so much goodwill and never mentioned the word FIGHT once which is so different to McCain whose every second word was FIGHT. I think the world (not to mention the American people) is sick and tired of the US ‘ aggressive rather than diplomatic general approach to foreign policy and the way everyone has to FIGHT to maintain a decent standard of living. "Soporhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647578353963214035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-72909181695578054592008-11-08T16:26:00.000-05:002008-11-08T16:26:00.000-05:00Maybe you guys can shed some more light on this fo...<I>Maybe you guys can shed some more light on this for me</I><BR/><BR/>She is not there to give advice, per se. She is there to provide perspective. Michigan is the worst statge in the nation right now, I believe, but used to be the linchpin of America's economy.<BR/><BR/>Also, Granholm has been to Germany, Japan and the Middle East several times in the past yer. Each time, she comes back with at least 1 company pledging to move here. That said, it takes 2 - 3 years to get a company moved, set up and running enough to grab jobs that have been lost. Granholm has been a force to be reconed with across the country in terms of aggressively seeking jobs for her home state, and winning them.<BR/><BR/>GM/Chrystler is not her fault. It's a power-starved union and a lax management fault. GM loses 2,000 jobs, and Granholm, for one week's work, brings home 200 jobs. Tough to grow your economy when our historically-strongest companies keep screwing the pooch.Noahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14345059376742159966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-41170505480743483402008-11-08T16:14:00.000-05:002008-11-08T16:14:00.000-05:00Steves... I agree with you there. Pete and I were ...Steves... I agree with you there. Pete and I were discussing this the other day at work (I don't know if y'all have caught on, but Pete and I work together). I think I can speak for him when I say we're downright ashamed and scared that Granholm is a member of Obama's Economic Advisory Board, seeing as Michigan's economy is SO HOT right now...<BR/><BR/>Maybe you guys can shed some more light on this for me? Why is she a good choice for this spot? Are we looking at a future cabinet position-holder? Am I blaming way too much of our states economic issues on Granholm?<BR/><BR/>I will tell you there's one economic issues in this state I do NOT blame on her, and that's the Big Three Automaker's problems. Detroit has, IMO, a history of NOT keeping up with the Europeans and Japanese on making efficient, enjoyable, desireable, and SELLEABLE automobiles. It should be no secret by my avatar that I drive a VW, and if I have my way my next care will be VW, Toyota, Honda or Subaru, maybe even a Mitsubishi (and yes, some of these ARE built in America!!)Soporhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647578353963214035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-496804366493974632008-11-08T15:50:00.000-05:002008-11-08T15:50:00.000-05:00nor is Michigan's economy doing wellI think that's...<I>nor is Michigan's economy doing well</I><BR/><BR/>I think that's part of the reason she is there. Most of the country has been dealing with these issues for a few months. Michigan has been here for years. We've got more "game experience" in dealing with economic stagnation and a sieve-like job market than anyone else.<BR/><BR/>That, and the auto industry is next on the bailout-or-chopping-block list...B Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874975455332269325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-52341697771782142302008-11-08T13:58:00.000-05:002008-11-08T13:58:00.000-05:00Michigan also has great representation on his econ...<I>Michigan also has great representation on his economic advisory team with both the Governor and Bonior.</I><BR/><BR/>I was a little surprised at Graholm giving economic advice, since her background isn't in economics, nor is Michigan's economy doing well. I am still waiting to be "blown away."steveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862590608695420004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-83803561578948985612008-11-08T12:59:00.000-05:002008-11-08T12:59:00.000-05:00Obama sounded good in his first presser today.You ...<I>Obama sounded good in his first presser today.</I><BR/><BR/>You mean because he can actually put a sentance together that is over the third grade reading level? He's a smart guy compared to anyone, but damn Bush makes him look good.<BR/><BR/>Michigan also has great representation on his economic advisory team with both the Governor and Bonior.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12669616484991718478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-51719020463001836502008-11-07T19:17:00.000-05:002008-11-07T19:17:00.000-05:00I've been surprised at the extent to which everyon...I've been surprised at the extent to which everyone seems proud of America as a result of this election. Even people who voted for McCain for ideological reasons seem awed by the fact that America elected a black man.<BR/><BR/>Obama sounded good in his first presser today. I think we're gonna like this guy.B Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01874975455332269325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-82480612664853760072008-11-07T17:43:00.000-05:002008-11-07T17:43:00.000-05:00Rickey can't help but feel like this is how people...<I>Rickey can't help but feel like this is how people must have felt about the JFK Presidency.</I><BR/><BR/>Me too, and we aren't the only ones. <BR/><BR/>I was in an antique book store yesterday that also sells old political posters, etc. They had a run on Kennedy memorabila. One guy bought an old Kennedy poster for $250 to hang next to an Obama poster.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12669616484991718478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14594994.post-7815516827221819222008-11-07T17:26:00.000-05:002008-11-07T17:26:00.000-05:00Good stuff Bob. More than the numbers hint at, th...Good stuff Bob. More than the numbers hint at, the Obama campaign really did showcase some genuine passion and goodwill in this country. And it looks like it's made politics appealing for an entire generation of young 'uns too. Rickey can't help but feel like this is how people must have felt about the JFK Presidency.Rickeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05773465359487671887noreply@blogger.com