Finally some new good stuff from Area 51

This is from a press release put out by a group called "Greater Things".

WASHINGTON, DC (PRWEB) April 22, 2004 -- Dan Burisch, a Ph.D. microbiologist presently in lock-down in Area 51 related black ops, who has expressed willingness to testify publicly, is one step closer to getting immunity and the Congressional hearing he seeks. Harry Dschaak and Sterling Allan, who met with Dr. Burisch on April 5 via an insider-invited breach of his lock-down status, traveled by car across the country to Washington D.C. and presented his case to several members of Congress two weeks later on April 19, 2004.

It goes on and says that Dr. Burisch was working on secret germ warfare projects at Area 51 and was working in conjunction with live aliens. Yada Yada Yada - secret treaty - real New World Order stuff.

Is it true? How would I know?

PRESS RELEASE: Congressional Hearing Requested for Area 51 Microbiologist: "Dan Burisch"

Which Cicada Are You?The 17 year cicadas are supposed to come out about now. I didn't realize that it had been that long since John Secada had a hit, but I knew it was close.

Anyway, I took the "Which Cicada Are you?" test, and found out that I am infact, an Iron Chef Cicada.

Which Cicada Are You?

Toyota profit up 55% to $10 Billion

Toyota is a lot more profitable than GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler combined.
Once you get behind in the car business, it's hard to catch up. Toyota, for example, can put a lot more money into engineering new models and modernizing plants. That being said, you can come from behind under the right circumstances. When I came to UAW Legal Services in 1998, the big talk was whether or not Ford would take over Nissan. At that time, Nissan was struggling on the brink of bankruptcy, and Ford was doing well thanks to SUV and truck sales. Ford declined to take over Nissan due to concerns over unfunded pension liability. Instead, Renault became the white knight. Nissan got some money to finish its product development, and within a couple model years Nissan revamped its entire line of cars and trucks and became a profit machine. Now, back to Ford, here we are going into 2005, and most of the Ford models are basically the same as in 1999, Ford struggles to break even on a quarterly level. Oh well.

The New York Times > Business > World Business > Toyota Yearly Profit Up 55% on Sales and Cost-Cutting

PT Cruiser Turbo gets 15.5 MPG in Pop Mech longterm test

I kind of like the PT Cruiser design, but one thing has always struck me in the auto magazine tests, the poor real-world gas mileage. Owners of this Neon-derived car report gas mileage in the 18 MPG range for the original 150 HP version. (Neons should get 25-35.) Popular Mechanics reports in their longterm tests that the turbocharged version got 15.5 mpg. This is Dodge Durango territory! The same issue reports the Toyota Sienna AWD (all wheel drive) at almost 19 mpg overall.

This reminds me of the Dodge Stratus that I had as a rental car. I liked it until I checked the fuel economy at my first gas stop. 18 mpg for 1/2 highway 1/2 city driving. Hmmm.


Long-Term Test Cars Update: April 2004

Philippines - poverty fueled by out-of-control population growth

I stumbled upon this statistic. The population of the Philippines is now 5 times what it was in 1941 when Macarthur said he would return.

When the population grows that much in one life time, it is a really scary thought.

Consider this from a "globalization" perspective: If the cost of labor is determined by supply and demand - free markets, how can a country with high wages ever hope to maintain a standard of living.

I think a big problem with the outsourced economy can be traced back 40-50 years with the United State's failure to truly support global population control. We were dumping outrageous amounts of money into the cold war, the war in Southeast Asia, the space program, and many other projects, and the two that are the biggest long term threats, global overpopulation and (the related) degradation of the environment have gotten chicken feed.



The PHILIPPINES : population growth of the whole country

Richard Kiel's secret Obsession
We all know actor Richard Kiel from his TV and movie roles, especially "Jaws" in the James Bond movies. Apparently he has a secret obsession. Well, it's not really secret, and it's not an obsession. Anyway, he's trying to get a movie or miniseries made about Cassius Clay. Except he's not talking about Muhammad Ali, he's talking about the man Muhammad Ali was named for, a white Kentucky abolitionist who was a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln.

His website on the subject taught me a lot that I didn't know.

Cassius Clay...Madman or Prophet?

Idol Latoya London's bar band

Is this American Idol frontrunner, Latoya London's bar band?


SF Bokking (All Star Jukebox)

With 4 ladies as the only remaining contestants, I think it handcaps as follows

Latoya
Fantasia
Dianna
Jasmine

With all the Huff over John Steven's charmed life, I think at this point, with the exception of Jennifer Hudson (who should have Jasmine's spot), the voters have kept the best singers on the show.

Michael Eisner blocks release of Michael Moore's Anti-Bush Documentary

Another reason that Eisner has got to go.


Disney blocks release of anti-Bush film - 2004-05-05 - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals

What could have been, the Synergy 2010

Time travel back to January 1, 1996, Ford unveiled the Synergy 2010. A concept car the size of a Ford Taurus that weighed 2200 lbs and promised fuel economy triple the current standard. It used aluminum construction and a hybrid powertrain. Ford has been the leader in bloat since then. The new F150 is up to 800 lbs heavier than the old F150. (Runner up goes to Chrysler for the Jeep Liberty which is about 800 lbs heavier than the old Jeep Cherokee.)


Ford unveils Synergy 2010 concept: "The car weighs in at 2,200 lbs. (1,000kg) -- about a third lighter and 40% more aerodynamic than today's sleekest Ford, the Taurus. An all-aluminum unibody construction is the primary contributor to weight savings -- about 400 lbs. (180 kg)"

Average US Car now weighs 4000 lbs.

What we've been suspecting is true. Our light vehicles have become porkers. The average US car (incl. light trucks, minivans & SUVs) weighs more than 4000 lbs. This is about 1,000 lbs more than a mid 90's midsize car, and about 700 lbs more than a midsized car of today. This shows the impact of SUVs on the market. I find the "bigger is safer" reasoning to be circular. It's kind of like an arms race. "My neighbor got a Suburban, so I have to get a Hummer . . . "



The New York Times > Business > Average U.S. Car Is Tipping Scales at 4,000 Pounds