I for one am terribly pleased that the bailout bill failed. The oversight was hardly window-dressing: this is an industry that barely survived the atrocious management, marketing and engineering paths they chose to follow after the crisis of the 70's, learned nothing from that crisis, and made the same mistakes on steroids for the past 20 years! If it weren't for the financial sector, the healthcare industry, big oil and industrialized agriculture, the auto industry in this nation would definitely be the poster-child for what's wrong with American, free-market capitalism.

I couldn't be happier: they deserve to stand or fall on their own merits (as did the banks...oh well). Only a true, deep, catastrophic collapse of the American marketplace will allow for the sorts of reform and rebuilding that are necessary for a more sustainable, more equitable social framework (it's WAY more than just the economy that we're dealing with--it's beliefs, people; folks don't give those up so easily. Have you noticed?)

But, how heinous that the means to this correct outcome was the wailing and gnashing of the cynical, anti-labor, dinosaur-Republican hicks suckling at the tit of the Japanese, Korean and German auto industries down south!

Of course the previously mentioned collapse is probably the only thing other than attrition that can get those jokers out of office. Beliefs, you know...

I should add that, obviously, the number of people who's day to day lives would be effected by the collapse of any of the Big Three is massive! The stress and pain and collateral damage that would result is mind-boggling and hurtful to imagine.

But, here's the thing: the system is broken. Corporate capitalism must be remade, and until it is the government is the only safety net. Regardless of whether or not the auto-makers get a bailout, it's going to be government money that supports the workers.

In my humble opinion as a taxpayer, I'd much rather give that money directly to the workers as unemployment insurance and job-training than have the money be siphoned off by CEO's and overhead for factories that should have been overhauled 30 years ago!!!

Either way, you and I pay. Either way, the labor force has some measure of safety-net. One way the corporations get their just deserts; the other they skate by yet again and profit from their errors. The choice seems pretty fucking clear to me.

This is the first Obama decision that I question. The more I think about it the more it just pisses me off!

I am very sympathetic to Mr. Obama's explanation of acceptance and agreeable disagreement, but the fact is that as President, Obama now sets the tone for the nation. By choosing someone who has so openly supported homophobic policy and bigotry to be the figurative, spiritual head of the first official business of his new administration, Mr. Obama has egregiously missed the opportunity to say to America and the world, "the intolerance and hatred that was so much a part of the religion and ideology of the Bush years WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE any longer!"

I am pained by this misstep.

Barack, you fucked up, man.

fine, fine reasoning there King! All hail Tulane!

I love it!

...greek. Why, exactly would Obama be eating that with Ahmadinejad?

I think that pretty much speaks for the strength of Ms. Schlussel's intellect.

I've clicked on this damn series one too many times! Never again.

She forgot to mention that brands are second only to Botox in presenting one's identity to the world.

Give me a fucking break.

If I'm correct, the Bay Series (interrupted by a certain act of god) was the last monoregional major championship? It was fantastic, as was the series between KC and St. Louis a few years prior. I LOVE them! The passion of the fans in the stands really does make a difference for the better!

Bring it on!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As a musician I am sick and tired of the double standard that exists for my profession and every other profession on the planet.

It's a plant, people. It is far safer in moderation than is alcohol. And it isn't even in the ballpark, toxicity-wise, with cigarettes. Legalize it; regulate it; tax it. It's way past time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!