GM--Where Are the Democrats Now?

Great news for General Motors Investors.

GM Earns $891 Million, Double Analysts' Estimates

Pickup trucks parked on a lot in La Mesa, California
July 31 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, reported a second-quarter profit that was more than double analysts' estimates on rising sales in Europe and reduced spending in North America.
GM earned $891 million, or $1.56 a share, compared with a net loss of $3.4 billion, or $5.98. Detroit-based GM almost broke even in North America.

But what happens when the democrat liberals see this news? Will they demand that GM pay a windfall profits tax, just like the oil companies? Okay GM didn't make billions like energy companies, but the logic behind what the national liberals have proposed is the same: if you make profits, government knows how to spend it, not the business that created the profit.
Maybe it's time for the liberals on the other side to realize that GM and energy companies don't make profits because it's easy they make profits because its hard. And the people that will benefit from this earnings of $891 million isn't some corporate head, but the stockholders, who invested in the company at their own risk. Over the past few years it hasn't been good news for GM when they lost money, and the liberals and others offered now help with a government subsidy, but when the motor giant is flush with funds, the liberals on the other side have a great idea where the money should go: to them for government to spend.
Nope, it should stay in the company to pay dividends and create more jobs. Sadly, you won't hear the congressional liberals who blasted the energy companies making these arguments, and you probably won't hear many conservatives making the point either, too bad.

Greetings From Reno, Nevada!

"I shot a man in Reno," and now I'm attending a Johnny Cash Convention to honor the late singer.

Well, not really.

I'm in the Silver State visiting my fabulous sister, incredible brother in law, nephews and nieces and picking up the "Queen Mum" to bring her home to the Sooner State.

Silver State, Sooner State, Sunshine State......what a marketing technique.

Reno, Nevada is the 'Biggest Little City in the World', and they'll tell you that every time you drive through town.

First, the good news, I won $159, okay, I spent about $30 to get it. Then I spent about $40 more, so I'm taking home around $90.....not the norm. You're supposed to LOSE money, that's why Nevada doesn't have an income tax---visitors leave that money here.

Here's some observations: gambling is a sad way to make money for a government and the people who come to Reno are going to leave more money here than they brought with them.

I had one of those $8.99 prime rib dinners last night, and it was surprisingly good. The waitress asked me if I would like to sit at the counter, since I was alone, but I requested a seat closer to the casino floor because I wanted to watch people. She looked at me curiously, I think she wondered why I would want to watch people.

Perhaps it's an overactive imagination or just a creative mind-set, but every person I see, I create a life story. Looking at their eyes, their mannerisms, their face, their bodies, the way they walk, it all gives me an idea of how their life has been.

Everywhere there are people, there are happy and sad stories to see.

In Reno there may be a few more sad stories than in usual places.

Like the man last night standing in front of a closed casino (which is a much better term than gambling house) attempting to make eye contact and asking for money.

Then the faces of the cocktail waitresses, dressed in tuxedo tails and hot pants with dark fishnet stockings. They ask if you are interested in "cocktails?" Drink up, they are free, but tip them, they deserve it.

Their faces sometimes give away a life that is far from stellar. When I see them, I read failed relationships, families apart, perhaps children without parents and a life on the edge staring at poverty.

Too much? I read that on the face of a cocktail waitress last night. I felt sorry for her, without knowing a thing about her. I hope I am wrong and she has the most wonderful life. It would be a good bet that those who are most happy are the ones who have great jobs OUTSIDE the entertainment and tourism industry.

And walking back to the car in the dark there was a man with a tattered beard and clothes on his knees on the post office lawn, picking the clover and putting it in a cup. Maybe he's very happy, maybe he's a reclusive millionaire who does this to entertain himself and see how others treat him? Or maybe, he's just like everyone else, who made some poor choices over the years. Now, he's a homeless man in Reno, a town where people just might want to take $20 and give it to him as a way of investing in his future, rather than gamble it at a casino.

You have to wonder which option would offer the best odds?

Summer is Wonderful

Frogs, toads, turtles, yard word, the fragrance of freshly mowed grass, the rumble of thunder rolling across the plains, leaking sprinklers, cutting brush and trees and cooking out, that's summer.
There are times, like right now, as I sit in the front yard feeling the cool of a cold front coming through, changing the wind into different directions, and feeling the temptation of rain in the cool.
As a former "storm chaser" I look more critically at the clouds and note the rotation and hope nothing sinister will develop, all I want is rain right now.
I enjoy the changes every day. Every morning I awaken with the promise of a better day, it's a wonderful feeling to know that almost every aspect of your life is wonderful because of the people you hold most dear.
I remember when I was younger, at this time of year, we would all be riding our bikes all day long, breaking away to quickly eat or gather things to play with. So simple, so fondly remembered.
But now, in July, the heat has finally arrived, and with it the rains have stopped. As I write it begins to rain, that's great since the sprinkler is still on the mend---#@$%@& thing.
So, the cycle doesn't stop, as I look over the yard, I see the monkey grass, and the light blue flowers are blooming, which promise the dark black seeds of which mean fall---and MORE monkey grass.
I see the clouds rotating, will I win the weather lottery and see a tornado? I'd rather win the lottery and go vacation in Florida.

I know Why We Walk on TWO Legs

Scientists have just came up with the reason we walk on two legs, instead of all fours: it saves energy.
We can only wonder if taxpayers' money was involved.
This study indicates the reason we changed from a transitional monkey or missing link that dragged our knuckles, some how---SHAZAM---we started to walk on just two feet.
So, because we were tired and used too much food and energy to walk on all fours, we started to walk upright.
Despite the fact that right now there aren't any "transitional" creatures left roaming around, which might provide some credence for these events, these scientists predict that it happened.
Do you know how evolution would have to work? Two single cells, sitting in a primordial swamp, had to have a telepathic message exchange and decide that they would someone combine with each other and do things, maybe get millions of other cells to join then and create an eyeball.
Unlikely, huh?
Besides, the reason that most of us know that it wasn't evolution and was God that made creatures walk on two legs is pretty simple. I've seen women from the back, walking in spiked heels and looking like a creature that ONLY God could make.
Evolution or creation? Look around, it had to be creation.

Barry Switzer-Still a Great Guy

Barry Switzer is a great guy, there's no way to get around it.
I'm not the guy who can tell you every great Switzer accomplishment at OU, but while I was a student at the university, Barry Switzer was in his heyday, and it was great.
Recently I had a chance to visit with Switzer at a political fundraiser, and he's a terrific guy.
What do you remember most about him? I like how he stretches out his arm and says, "Barry Switzer" when you come around him. So, who wouldn't know Barry Switzer? It's not every day the guy speaking can stretch out his hand and ask, "Ladies, is five karats too much?" as he stretched out his arm with a Super Bowl ring on his finger.
He gave a short presentation that brought tears to his eyes, and to mine as well.
What I liked best about Switzer's comments were how he makes decisions about friends, not because of them being gay, or straight, or Republican or Democrat but if you are friendly to him and respect him because of who he is.
"I don't make a friend because they are a Republican or Democrat, but make friends because of how they treat me and if I like them."
Simple, huh?
He also said, people ask him what's the difference between college and pro football?
If you expect a short answer, sit down.
Pro football, says Switzer, is all about money. Fifty-three guys who are motivated to do everything they can to win every minute of every game, or they can be back in Georgia pumping gas. He says 15 of the players on the Cowboys Superbowl Team were new to the squad, and he doesn't remember their names.
But Switzer says in college football, he knew the kids names, their sisters and brothers, their mothers, and their fathers if they were around (telling comment don't you think) and their coach and their principal and so much more.
Yeah, it's different. And Switzer began to get chocked up,perhaps reflecting on his life in football, a successful life in the mercurial world of football.
A great coach, a great motivator and a great American.

Things Rarely Change

I'm intrigued by the latest comments from Stevie Nicks regarding Paris Hilton.
Paris, is a drug using TV host who has sex on video-posted-on-the-Internet and does Carl's junior spots attempting to look like the "Cool Hand Luke" car washer.
You know, her, a spoiled brat.
Stevie Nicks, from Fleetwood Mac fame, is urging Paris to clean up her act. Nicks explains that she wishes someone would have given her the advice she wants to give Paris so she could have avoided the drugs, the liquor, the failed relationships and all the other problems she suffered as a rock and roll star.
Really? Would Stevie have listened?
Wait for it..........No!
Stevie was just like Paris, and no matter what someone told Stevie, and there probably were a dozen freinds that tried to help Stevie without any success, but she ignored the issues, just like Paris would.
So, Paris will be a miserable wretch and will probably die in a few years--sadly---because she has no freinds, no skills and no sense.
She's rich and has no other means of support. So, try to watch this bright star--of nothing---until she burns out after having accomplished little except being described as a slut and a whore. What a reputation.