Mitsubishi Reports $4.4 Billion annual loss, with more losses to come.
General Motors can take solice in the fact that there is at least one automaker with even worse problems. The $4.4 Billion annual loss at Mitsubishi, is similar to what General Motors would be expected to post if current trends continue. Mitsubishi is a much smaller company, so percentage wise, Mitsubishi's losses are greater than GM.
Actually, you could add Fiat to the list of global car makers who are in worse condition than General Motors. I couldn't find a good Fiat link in the 5 minutes that I had to post, but trust me, things are bad there as well.
Mitsubishi Motors loses $4.39 billion, more losses ahead - 05/23/05
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
An Onstar(tm) Testimonial that You Won't See.
True story - two-year-old gets locked in parent's Cadillac Escalade. The kid presses the button. Cops come & find almost a ton of pot.
TheIndyChannel.com - Irresistible Headlines - Toddler Leads Deputies To 1,700 Pounds Of Pot
True story - two-year-old gets locked in parent's Cadillac Escalade. The kid presses the button. Cops come & find almost a ton of pot.
TheIndyChannel.com - Irresistible Headlines - Toddler Leads Deputies To 1,700 Pounds Of Pot
The Whizzinator - He's in, she's in, the whiz is in for urine
Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was detained at the airport for possessing a suspicious looking white powder. It turns out the powder was dried urine, to be used in conjunction with The Whizzinator. Neither the dried urine or the whizzinator is illegal, but the incident was embarrassing for Mr. Smith who has had past run-ins with the NFL's substance abuse policy.
The link below is to the Whizzinator website. I'm providing it as a public service, because you never need to know when you'll have to rush off to meet a plane carrying a urine-dispensing fake penis.
The Original Whizzinator - HOME - Pass Your Drug Test!
Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was detained at the airport for possessing a suspicious looking white powder. It turns out the powder was dried urine, to be used in conjunction with The Whizzinator. Neither the dried urine or the whizzinator is illegal, but the incident was embarrassing for Mr. Smith who has had past run-ins with the NFL's substance abuse policy.
The link below is to the Whizzinator website. I'm providing it as a public service, because you never need to know when you'll have to rush off to meet a plane carrying a urine-dispensing fake penis.
The Original Whizzinator - HOME - Pass Your Drug Test!
Who is Jerome Vered?
The answer is: He's the first of two players set to meet Ken Jennings in a 3 game play-off in the Jeopardy Ultimate Tournament of Champions.
He's also more. He's not just a John Lovitz look-alike. For 10 years, he held the single game winnings record on Jeopardy. It was only beaten after they doubled the dollar values. Several years after his Jeopardy appearance, he won Ben Stein's money. In fact, he was so good at that, that he was hired to work behind the scenes on Ben Stein's show.
The bottom line: watch out Ken Jennings, you've got your hands full.
Jerome Vered
The answer is: He's the first of two players set to meet Ken Jennings in a 3 game play-off in the Jeopardy Ultimate Tournament of Champions.
He's also more. He's not just a John Lovitz look-alike. For 10 years, he held the single game winnings record on Jeopardy. It was only beaten after they doubled the dollar values. Several years after his Jeopardy appearance, he won Ben Stein's money. In fact, he was so good at that, that he was hired to work behind the scenes on Ben Stein's show.
The bottom line: watch out Ken Jennings, you've got your hands full.
Jerome Vered
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Netscape 8.0 includes the Strengths of Firefox and MSIE
Netscape 8.0 uses a very interesting approach designed to maximize security and functionality at the same time. For sites on a "trusted site" list, it opens the page using Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If the site isn't on the trusted list, it uses Mozilla Firefox. This is a systemized approach to a technique already used by millions of web surfers.
Internet News Article | Reuters.com
Netscape 8.0 uses a very interesting approach designed to maximize security and functionality at the same time. For sites on a "trusted site" list, it opens the page using Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If the site isn't on the trusted list, it uses Mozilla Firefox. This is a systemized approach to a technique already used by millions of web surfers.
Internet News Article | Reuters.com
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Sony - Microsoft: Catfight - Rrrewwww
Sony & Microsoft are in a catfight over their next generation video game machines.
"We want to pack everything in today and future-proof this as much as possible," said Kazuo Hirai, the head of Sony's U.S. game unit, in an interview.
"It's a box made of future technology as opposed to Xbox 1.5, which seems to be a combination of things available today," added Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
What a nerd cutdown, calling the XBox 360 the Xbox 1.5!
Let's break out the "Yo Mama" jokes and get the entertainment going!
Top Technology News Sponsored by Audi | Reuters.com
Sony & Microsoft are in a catfight over their next generation video game machines.
"We want to pack everything in today and future-proof this as much as possible," said Kazuo Hirai, the head of Sony's U.S. game unit, in an interview.
"It's a box made of future technology as opposed to Xbox 1.5, which seems to be a combination of things available today," added Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
What a nerd cutdown, calling the XBox 360 the Xbox 1.5!
Let's break out the "Yo Mama" jokes and get the entertainment going!
Top Technology News Sponsored by Audi | Reuters.com
Sallie Mae doesn't play well with others
Most folks know Sallie Mae as a government chartered, but publicly held student loan lender. Many people don't know that Sallie Mae also makes mortgage loans, issues credit cards, and has a debt collection subsidiary.
Sallie Mae gets favorable federal tax treatment, but it claims that it is exempt from most state laws protecting consumers. This article in the Portland Phoenix mentions 120,000 complaints about Sallie Mae. Here are a few highlights.
"Interviews with 22 consumer-finance attorneys, plaintiffs in lawsuits against Sallie Mae, consumer advocates, and higher-education experts show that Sallie Mae engages routinely in questionable business practices. Borrowers are charged excessive and undisclosed late fees. Aggressive collection tactics are employed against borrowers who have been unable to resolve billing disputes with Sallie Mae — which is, by industry standards, unresponsive to questions and complaints. And the company prevents many of its borrowers from consolidating loans with anyone else but Sallie Mae — which doesn’t always offer the lowest interest rates."
"The frequent use of such aggressive tactics, combined with the company’s relative unreceptiveness to borrowers’ complaints, has led many experts to wonder whether these methods, taken together, have become policy with the multi-billion-dollar lender. After all, the company stands to profit not only directly from these practices, but also by throwing students into default. That’s because borrowers of federally guaranteed student loans (issued through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFELP) who have fallen on hard times can only under rare circumstances discharge student-loan debt if they file for bankruptcy. Usually, they must default, which not only carries harsher long-term penalties for borrowers than bankruptcy does, but guarantees lenders like Sallie Mae full compensation. Furthermore, Sallie Mae has recently gone into the debt-collection business, which means it can reap even more interest and fees of up to 20 percent of the balance from defaulted borrowers."
"SALLIE MAE may throw its weight around more confidently than most because it has cultivated friends in high places. A subplot in the presidential-election crisis of 2000 that went largely unnoticed, according to Salon’s Joe Conason, involved the use of corporate jets by the Bush-Cheney campaign to fly back and forth from Florida and who knows where else. Among those offering aviation services to the high cause? Enron, Halliburton, and, yes, Sallie Mae — a federally sponsored program. The State PIRGs’ Higher Education Project became so alarmed by the growing presence of student-loan-industry lobbyists in Washington that it issued a report in October 2002 titled "Lending a Hand: A Report on the Lobbying Expenditures and Political Contributions of the Five Largest Student Loan Corporations." The report found that Sallie Mae (which founded its first PAC in 1998), together with its next-largest competitor, Citigroup, spent $42.9 million in lobbying over the last three election cycles, accounting for almost 90 percent of lobbying funds spent by the top five student lenders. In fact, according to the report, Sallie Mae’s lobbying expenses "outpace even notorious special interest corporations"; the company spent more on lobbying in the 1998 and 2000 election cycles than RJ Reynolds Tobacco. Overall, the report concludes, "the student loan industry is making it a priority to increase its involvement in the political process," a trend that is "likely to continue as the ... 108th Congress begins the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.""
Features | Sallie Mae not
Most folks know Sallie Mae as a government chartered, but publicly held student loan lender. Many people don't know that Sallie Mae also makes mortgage loans, issues credit cards, and has a debt collection subsidiary.
Sallie Mae gets favorable federal tax treatment, but it claims that it is exempt from most state laws protecting consumers. This article in the Portland Phoenix mentions 120,000 complaints about Sallie Mae. Here are a few highlights.
"Interviews with 22 consumer-finance attorneys, plaintiffs in lawsuits against Sallie Mae, consumer advocates, and higher-education experts show that Sallie Mae engages routinely in questionable business practices. Borrowers are charged excessive and undisclosed late fees. Aggressive collection tactics are employed against borrowers who have been unable to resolve billing disputes with Sallie Mae — which is, by industry standards, unresponsive to questions and complaints. And the company prevents many of its borrowers from consolidating loans with anyone else but Sallie Mae — which doesn’t always offer the lowest interest rates."
"The frequent use of such aggressive tactics, combined with the company’s relative unreceptiveness to borrowers’ complaints, has led many experts to wonder whether these methods, taken together, have become policy with the multi-billion-dollar lender. After all, the company stands to profit not only directly from these practices, but also by throwing students into default. That’s because borrowers of federally guaranteed student loans (issued through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFELP) who have fallen on hard times can only under rare circumstances discharge student-loan debt if they file for bankruptcy. Usually, they must default, which not only carries harsher long-term penalties for borrowers than bankruptcy does, but guarantees lenders like Sallie Mae full compensation. Furthermore, Sallie Mae has recently gone into the debt-collection business, which means it can reap even more interest and fees of up to 20 percent of the balance from defaulted borrowers."
"SALLIE MAE may throw its weight around more confidently than most because it has cultivated friends in high places. A subplot in the presidential-election crisis of 2000 that went largely unnoticed, according to Salon’s Joe Conason, involved the use of corporate jets by the Bush-Cheney campaign to fly back and forth from Florida and who knows where else. Among those offering aviation services to the high cause? Enron, Halliburton, and, yes, Sallie Mae — a federally sponsored program. The State PIRGs’ Higher Education Project became so alarmed by the growing presence of student-loan-industry lobbyists in Washington that it issued a report in October 2002 titled "Lending a Hand: A Report on the Lobbying Expenditures and Political Contributions of the Five Largest Student Loan Corporations." The report found that Sallie Mae (which founded its first PAC in 1998), together with its next-largest competitor, Citigroup, spent $42.9 million in lobbying over the last three election cycles, accounting for almost 90 percent of lobbying funds spent by the top five student lenders. In fact, according to the report, Sallie Mae’s lobbying expenses "outpace even notorious special interest corporations"; the company spent more on lobbying in the 1998 and 2000 election cycles than RJ Reynolds Tobacco. Overall, the report concludes, "the student loan industry is making it a priority to increase its involvement in the political process," a trend that is "likely to continue as the ... 108th Congress begins the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.""
Features | Sallie Mae not
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Dell computer with monitor & printer $298.00
If your needs are modest - and if you don't mind putting up with standard windows viruses, worms, trojan horses, etc., then this is a very good deal. If you don't want to put up with the viruses etc. Pay a little more & get a mac.
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System
If your needs are modest - and if you don't mind putting up with standard windows viruses, worms, trojan horses, etc., then this is a very good deal. If you don't want to put up with the viruses etc. Pay a little more & get a mac.
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System
Chicago's U-Boat to go Back on Display
A highlight of any visit to Chicago is a trip to the Museum of Science & Industry. For years one of the prime exhibits was the U-505, a genuine German U-Boat that was captured by a U.S. escort carrier group in 1944. For many months, the U-505 has been off display while it has been refurbished and while a new underground display area was constructed. Work is now almost complete, and the U-505 is set to go back on display June 5, 2005. Below is a link to a preview of the exhibit.
MSI | The U-505 Secret Page
A highlight of any visit to Chicago is a trip to the Museum of Science & Industry. For years one of the prime exhibits was the U-505, a genuine German U-Boat that was captured by a U.S. escort carrier group in 1944. For many months, the U-505 has been off display while it has been refurbished and while a new underground display area was constructed. Work is now almost complete, and the U-505 is set to go back on display June 5, 2005. Below is a link to a preview of the exhibit.
MSI | The U-505 Secret Page
Monday, May 16, 2005
The Oracle says Delphi is on the skids
It doesn't take mythological powers to see that automotive parts supplier Delphi is in trouble financially. Delphi lost $4009 million in the first quarter. That's $.74 per share. With share prices under $4.00 per share, that's a hunk o spare change.
Delphi has other problems too. There's an investigation by the Feds over questionable accounting relating to (subsidy) payments by General Motors. In addition, in the short term, Delplhi is going to have to come up with $700 to pay its current pension obligations.
All of these problems are a shame because I just got a Delphi-manufactured Roady2 XM radio. It's a stylishly small, wel-made and useful piece of equipment.
The Car Connection - Delphi Battered by GM Cuts - Accounting problems, lower payouts all coming down on biggest American supplier.
It doesn't take mythological powers to see that automotive parts supplier Delphi is in trouble financially. Delphi lost $4009 million in the first quarter. That's $.74 per share. With share prices under $4.00 per share, that's a hunk o spare change.
Delphi has other problems too. There's an investigation by the Feds over questionable accounting relating to (subsidy) payments by General Motors. In addition, in the short term, Delplhi is going to have to come up with $700 to pay its current pension obligations.
All of these problems are a shame because I just got a Delphi-manufactured Roady2 XM radio. It's a stylishly small, wel-made and useful piece of equipment.
The Car Connection - Delphi Battered by GM Cuts - Accounting problems, lower payouts all coming down on biggest American supplier.
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