Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Quote of the day Don Surber
Friday, January 13, 2012
Veepstakes January 11, 2012 by Don Surber
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Don Surber The Daily Mail: Why Republicans oppose capitalism
Why Republicans oppose capitalism
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Don Surber blogs.dailymail.com: Obama: Still ballot box poison « Don Surber
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Don Surber: Maple syrup wars
May 27, 2009
OMG. This has everything except those great pictures of PETA protesters… Perhaps they could do something to the affect of being covered in maple syrup.
Even Sen. Chuck Schumer has gotten involved – only thankfully he is not pictured scantily clad…
PETA: “Stop the Seal Slaughter” and “Buy American: Boycott Canadian Maple Syrup.”
Our moral and intellectual superiors at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are at it again. They want to stop the annual seal harvest — some would say slaughter — way up north by calling for an international boycott of Canadian maple syrup.
[…]
Meanwhile, the Canadian Press reported: Canada’s Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, “gutted a freshly slaughtered seal, pulled out its raw heart, and ate it.”
The PETA press releases are here for Vermont and there for Maine.
Sen. Schumer’s story is here.
And the seal heart-eating Michaëlle Jean story is here.
Now, can I just finish my waffle?
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/2009/05/26/maple-syrup-wars/trackback/
20090527 SDOSM Don Surber Maple syrup wars
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Don Surber: Democratic Party Guilt
May 13, 2009
Don Surber weighs-in on the escalating hard feelings between the CIA - the Democrat-dominated Congress and the Obama administration; as attempts to criminalize public policy differences are quickly becoming an acceptable partisan political tactic.
Also see: “Prosecutors to Question Rove on U.S. Attorney Firings” By Carrie Johnson Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, May 14, 2009; 3:09 PM
No word as to whether or not these folks will also investigate the mass firings of the U.S. attorneys by President Bill Clinton.
Oh, silly me, it's okay when Democrats do it…
Meanwhile, see also: Speaker Accuses CIA of Lying May 14, 2009, 12:17 p.m. By Tory Newmyer Roll Call Staff - http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/05/speaker-accuses-cia-of-lying.html
Don Surber: Democratic Party guilt
Democratic Sen. Carl Levin: The Central Intelligence Agency is out to make us look paranoid.
Out, out damned spot.
After decades of shabby treatment by the Democrats in Congress, CIA personnel sense another attack coming. They waterboarded three guys — including the man who beheaded Daniel Pearl — and got the information that spared the nation. Now CIA personnel see the Democrats trying to distort that into torture.
Apparently, someone is trying to ward off the witch hunt by leaking the truth to the newspapers: Democrats knew and went along with it because they did not want to be held responsible for a second 9/11.
[…]
Levin told Politico: “I think there is so much embarrassment in some quarters [of the CIA] that people are going to try to shift some of the responsibility to others — that’s what I think.”
Read Mr. Surber’s entire post here: Don Surber: Democratic Party guilt
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/2009/05/13/democratic-party-guilt/#more-8416
And be sure to read the one comment: gk1 Says: May 13th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Interesting when it was the CIA leaking against the Bush admin they were brave “non partisan” watchdogs speaking out against a corrupt, power hunger presidency. When they leak against democrats its because of “embarassment”….
20090513 SDOSM Don Surber Democratic Party Guilt
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/
Friday, August 29, 2008
Don Surber on Senator Barack Obama acceptance speech
August 29, 2008
Fact-checking Obama
August 28th, 2008 by donsurber
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama makes history tonight, but mars his speech with a few errors. Read the rest of this entry »
Obama’s 5 biggest mistakes
August 29th, 2008 by donsurber
The major errors that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama that could cost him the presidency.Read the rest of this entry »
20080828 Boston Globe - Political Intelligence: Excerpts of Obama's speech
20080828
Hat Tip: Don Surber - Fact-checking Obama: “The Boston Globe broke the embargo on his speech:”
Obama: 'We are a better country than this'
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/08/obama_we_are_a.html
Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor August 28, 2008 06:45 PM
Senator Barack Obama will promise change -- and spells out specifics such as tax cuts for the middle class and an end to dependence on foreign oil in 10 years -- as he accepts the Democratic presidential nomination tonight.
Obama also warns that Republican John McCain would mean four more years of President Bush's flawed policies, declaring “
Here are excerpts of the speech, titled "The American Promise," just released by Obama's campaign:
“Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the brief union between a young man from
“It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.
“It is why I stand here tonight. Because for two hundred and thirty two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women – students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive.
“We meet at one of those defining moments – a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more.
“Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive, credit card bills you can’t afford to pay and tuition that is beyond your reach
“These challenges are not all of government’s making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in
“
***
“This moment – this election – is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in
“Now let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee, John McCain, has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for that we owe him our gratitude and respect. And next week, we’ll also hear about those occasions when he’s broken with his party as evidence that he can deliver the change that we need.
“But the record’s clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush was right more than ninety percent of the time? I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.”
***
“You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country.
“We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put away a little extra money at the end of each month so that you can someday watch your child receive her diploma. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President – when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush.
“We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job – an economy that honors the dignity of work.
“The fundamentals we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great – a promise that is the only reason I am standing here tonight.”
***
“That’s the promise we need to keep. That’s the change we need right now. So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if I am President.
.
“Change means a tax code that doesn’t reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it.
“Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship our jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America.
“I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.
“I will cut taxes – cut taxes – for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class.
“And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the
“
“Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close.
“As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in
***
“We are the party of
“As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm’s way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.
“I will end this war in
Saturday, June 07, 2008
20080606 Doug Ross: “I’d rather have Bush’s 3rd term than Carter’s 2nd.”
June 6th, 2008
Hat Tip: Don Surber – “Just ask me” Thursday, June 5th, 2008; who called to our attention the post by “Doug Ross” on Tuesday, June 03, 2008 “My new bumper sticker.” “I’d rather have Bush’s 3rd term than Carter’s 2nd.”
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
20080115 Next Monday is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day
January 15, 2008
Hat Tip: Delusional Duck
Hillary to celebrate Lyndon Baines Johnson Day instead.
[…]
But she did get booed in
It’s Hillary “Goldwater Girl” Clinton who has a dream – which includes reinventing history, including her own. Of course, there are two sides to the story. And I’m sure you are surprised that the “The Caucus (for
PS:
Sisu has the scoop the Goldwater Girl history and more: “Chatty Hillary”:
Goldwater Girl Hillary Rodham was the crème de la crème, smarter and savvier sis of two also-ran brothers from a wealthy
Her thesis, written under his tutelage, was suppressed by
Above, in the flower of her youthful beauty (no attribution) left and right as a Wellesley senior in 1969, when her graduation speech made Time mag as she declared "We're searching for a more immediate, ecstatic and penetrating mode of living." Aren't we all? Then came
Sorta related: An interesting take on “Goldwater Girl.”
####
20080115 Next Monday is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day
Friday, January 11, 2008
20080111 Ozzy brings us this week’s Thank Goodness It’s Friday
Ozzy brings us this week’s Thank Goodness It’s Friday
January 11, 2008
It’s been a long week. Turn up the volume and settle back and enjoy. Whatever inference to current events may very well be up to your imagination… “Your lips are so cold I don’t what else to say.”
Oh what the heck. A big thanks to Don Surber.
The light from Obama is a jolt of despair
He’s the first black candidate who has a prayer
Your levee of tears taught the people you might not come back
The Audacious Hope will bring another attack.
Your Billy told you that you’re not supposed to lose to strangers
Look in the mirror tell me do you think your life’s in danger here?
No more tears
Another vote passes and you lost big time
The deadline approacheth and you’re falling behind
You see Barack is gaining, will you lose the presidency?
You close your eyes as the pressure rises and you run out of money
No more tears
So now is it over? Will we just say good-bye?
I’d like to move on and make the most of the night
Maybe the Senate is not so bad a place
Your lips are so cold, what can you do to save face?
I never wanted it to end this way, before November
Believe me when I say the lesson is one to remember:
No more tears
Now play this and go back to work.
####
Friday, November 02, 2007
20071101 A word about Guest Op-Eds (and comments)
November 1, 2007
A word about Guest Op-Eds - - or yes, you can be heard...
I’ve been asked a number of times about whether I am open to guest essays, op-eds and posting additional or opposing points of view. And the answer is absolutely yes.
If you have a thoughtful essay on a current issue and you want your voice heard, please e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com. Please include the words, “Guest Op-Ed” in the subject line.
I’m more than happy to post dissenting points of view. A robust dialog and discussion on the issues is critical to a viable democracy. As always, thoughtful discussion is appreciated regardless of the outcome on any particular issue. Whether we agree or disagree, always find my door open for friendly civil and constructive dialogue.
Nevertheless, please be sure to note that the opinions expressed in “Guest Op-Eds,” even after they are approved for display, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of me, this website, the management, my Mom, my family, any friends I may or not have at the moment, or any other entity or organization with whom I associate.
If you have an issue with a guest op-ed, take it up with them and leave me out of it. I’ll go for a snack and a nap and offer the comments section for any manifestation of your particular food fight.
Nevertheless; remember, on Soundtrack, vocabulary matters and if you wish to swear, use hate speech or otherwise be unpleasant; it is my understanding The Huffington Post or the Daily Kos would love to highlight your OCD material – because, for example, liberals drop “Carlin’s 7 words…” 19 times as often as righty blogs (Hat Tip: Don Surber.) (For further insight, please read my Tentacle column from January 26, 2006, “An Upside Down World.”)
So, please keep the language in your submitted material clean, as this is intended to be a family-friendly, work-friendly website.
Essays, comments, and other such materials not compliant with this policy will be edited for content where necessary – or probably discarded after they are forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security (please include your phone number – then again, they probably already have you on a database).
If you insist on really annoying me, I will forward your name to the Transportation Safety Administration for possible employment sniffing shoes as they pass through security or checking the bathrooms for folks like Senator Craig.
All mail is subject to print, including your name. However, if you would like to remain anonymous, just let me know.
This notice was written for human consumption; however, it has only been tested on anthropomorphic replicants and android sheep.
The Food and Drug Administration wanted it to be tested on animals. However, the animal rights activists protested, forcing me to abandon testing and release the distressed critters. I released them in the lobby of the animal rights office. I figured those friendly folks could best take care of the mice and we all shared a common goal – that the mice be free.
####
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
20071010 Democrats flog SCHIP
20071010 Democrats flog SCHIP
Democrats flog SCHIP
October 10th, 2007
A colleague called this to my attention the other day…
… and for additional information please see: 20070921 Five Key Myths About President Bush’s Support for SCHIP Reauthorization
I certainly support Congressman Bartlett’s vote and hope that he remains steadfast. That being said, as I e-mailed a kind reader much earlier in the day, whom I believe disagrees with Congressman Bartlett’s vote; I think that it is a tough vote for many complicated reasons.
In an ideal world, everything possible needs to be done to ensure that children have access to adequate health care. However, what concerns me, above and beyond why a basic health and welfare necessity is so expensive to begin with; is “the Congressional Budget Office predicts it will entice the families of two million children who already have private health insurance (half of targeted new enrollees) to sign up for government-controlled, taxpayer-paid health insurance.”
I have somewhat heretofore avoided this fray, as I have no interest in vilifying anyone who disagrees with Congressman Bartlett’s vote or the presidential veto. And I am unhappy with the further politicalization of the issues of health care as much I abhor, for example, the environment being all wrapped around the axle of partisan politics. I respect the folks who support the current SCHIP legislation in spite of the fact that I disagree with their tactics to change votes.
Rolling out the 12-year child was cringe worthy. Then, well, read it yourself: Don Surber: “3,000 square foot home, but cannot ‘afford’ health insurance?
Remember the Frost family of
But all is not what it seems. Based a sympathetic Baltimore Sun story — reporters never question “victims” — a blogger did some snooping around.
[…]
For balance read: Faiz / Think Progress:
Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP — Two weeks ago, the Democratic radio address was delivered by a 12-year old
(Has anyone answered the question as to why automobile insurance did not take care of the young man’s medical needs?)
Ultimately, as much as I am profoundly unhappy with the current health care delivery system in our country, my view is that the government taking over is to go from the frying pan to the fire. And I view the current SCHIP legislation is one more step closer to government run health care – which would ultimately and paradoxically threaten the health and well-being of all Americans.
I have lost faith in big government’s ability to do much of anything well and I’ll be darn if I have any interest in some faceless bureaucrat, who holds a job in which they cannot be held accountable – or be fired no matter what their job performance; making life and death decisions for me or my family – or our community’s children.
It is classic “Fenno’s Paradox.” I know extraordinary individuals who work for government and do a great job but I learned to abhor big government. I know great folks in the insurance business but hold the industry in contempt. I know great doctors and health care professionals but have total disdain for the health care delivery system…
Congressman Bartlett cast the correct vote…
Before your itchy fingers reach for the keyboard to hurl insensitive remarks, if you disagree, I’m fine with that. Please provide me, and the readers, with compelling and persuasive arguments other than “Bush Derangement Syndrome” or that “Republicans Suck.” Besides, as a former conservative elected official, you can’t top the “
_____
Anyway, as I was saying… A colleague called this to my attention the other day…
Democrats Flog SCHIP yet leaves 19-23 Million Americans At Risk for AMT Tax on Rich
Shhh! Pay no attention and don't worry if you're one of the 19 - 23 million middle-income American families with earnings @$75,000 who may be penalized and forced to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on the "rich" unless Congress acts before the Senate plans to adjourn on November 16.
Details are in the CNN coverage here: http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/24/pf/taxes/amt_ticktock/index.htm (See at the bottom of the post…)
Congressional Democrat leaders, unions, MoveOn.org, and the AARP are among those hard at work to get your attention with lobbying campaigns to override the President's veto of a proposal to more than double spending on the SCHIP program.
The plan proposes increasing taxes on smokers but the Congressional Budget Office predicts it will entice the families of two million children who already have private health insurance (half of targeted new enrollees) to sign up for government-controlled, taxpayer-paid health insurance.
The proposed expansion doesn't include any changes in the eligibility guidelines. Under the Block Grant program design of SCHIP, states have flexibility to disperse the funds. In some states, such as
Under the proposed Democratic expansion of SCHIP two million children who already have health insurance in families making up to $83,000 might be penalized by the AMT. Democrats have not approved, but propose paying for most of the expansion with a tax increase on cigarettes that would require adding and sustaining 20 million new smokers.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=65912
Democrats and health care advocates are targeting U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett as a potential swing vote to override President Bush's W ednesday morning veto of a children's health insurance bill. Bartlett, a Republican who represents Frederick County and a large swath of other counties across Maryland, voted for the State Children's Health Insurance Program when it was enacted in 1997. Last week, he voted against a reauthorization bill that would have expanded the program.
The political battle is focused on
Since
If popular program folds, children 'would have nothing'
http:/ /www.times-news.com/local/local_story_277093356.html
Originally created in 1997, the joint federal and state program offers low-cost health insurance to children in low-income families. It has provided coverage to about 6.6 million children while the expanded coverage would bring in another 4 million. In a bipartisan vote, the Senate and the House last week agreed to reauthorize the program and increase spending for it from about $5 billion to $12 billion each year for the next five years.
Saying the increase is too much, Bush vetoed the bill Wednesday.
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican representing
"Only Democratic congressional leaders could demand that a family earning $82,000 a year should qualify for their expanded SCHIP program that Republicans created to help children of the working poor and simultaneously call that same family rich and force them to pay the AMT, Alternative Minimum Tax," Bartlett said via a release. "It just goes to show that what Democrats really want is to have the government control how to spend the money that American taxpayers earn."
In the Senate,
http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/24/pf/taxes/amt_ticktock/index.htm
AMT: Ticktock, Congress
Millions of taxpayers have been left in the dark about just how much they'll owe the IRS this year thanks to indecision in D.C
That's because they have yet to decide just what they're going to do about the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). If they end up doing nothing, those 23 million folks will get hit with the "wealth" tax -- about 19 million of them for the first time.
The AMT was originally intended for the wealthy few when it was created nearly 40 years ago. But because Congress never indexed for inflation the amount of income exempt from AMT and because it disallows a lot of popular tax breaks, tens of millions of middle-class taxpayers could get hit.
With at most six legislative weeks left on the Congressional schedule this year, it seems highly unlikely that a deal would be sealed on a broad AMT reform package.
Sure lawmakers could push back the Senate's Nov. 16 adjournment date [also the expiration date of the temporary SCHIP continuation approved by Congress and the President] and legislate until it's time to deck the halls.
Broadly speaking, you might be at risk of having to pay AMT if more than one of these situations apply:
* You live in a high-tax state. State and local income taxes are not deductible under AMT as they are under the regular federal income tax code.
* You have kids. Personal exemptions are disallowed under the AMT.
* You take a lot of miscellaneous deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses. They, too, are disallowed under the AMT.
Your household gross income exceeds $100,000.
####
Saturday, October 06, 2007
20071004 Opinion by Don Surber: Is cutting health spending a good idea?
From last Thursday October 04, 2007
UNDER a Democratic president, look for Democrats to revive their efforts to have the government take over the health insurance business.
This is scary. Putting my life in the hands of a private insurance bureaucracy is bad enough.
Putting my life in the hands of the government bureaucracy is worse. I keep thinking of Hurricane Katrina.
[…]
Of course, we men are disposable after 50.
[…]
It gets even better. Read the entire column here: Opinion by Don Surber: Is cutting health spending a good idea?
####
Friday, October 05, 2007
20071003 AP: West Virginia Man Tries to Flee Police on Lawnmower
AP: West Virginia Man Tries to Flee Police on Lawnmower
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - posted Oct. 5th, 2007
I saw this the other day – and I was wondering if Don Surber had caught it also. I just checked and – of course he caught it. Nothing gets by Mr. Surber. Nevertheless, he seems to have a bit of additional information… here.
Meanwhile, the gist of the matter is:
MARTINSBURG,
Michael Ginevan of Bunker Hill was driving a riding lawnmower on
Jenkins caught up to the lawnmower after a short chase but Ginevan allegedly wouldn't stop so the deputy pulled him off the machine. Ginevan refused to take a field sobriety test and was arrested. Jenkins then found a case of beer strapped to the lawnmower's front, court records show.
Ginevan was charged with fleeing while driving under the influence and obstructing an officer. He was being held Tuesday at the Eastern Regional Jail on $7,500 bond.
A person who answered the phone at the jail did not know whether Ginevan had hired an attorney. There was no telephone listing for Ginevan in the
####
Monday, October 01, 2007
20070925 New designs to commemorate Lincoln cent in 2009
New designs to commemorate Lincoln cent in 2009
The Kansas City Star is carrying an Associated Press article on the designs under consideration for a remake of the
Hat Tip: Don Surber.
The Associated Press
[…]
To commemorate the event (the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the
Those designs will replace the engraving of the
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, which provides recommendations on such matters, met Tuesday and got into a lively debate over what those rotating images should be.
The panel chose a log cabin depicting where
[…]
Read the entire article here: New designs to commemorate Lincoln cent in 2009
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
20070924 Union Doozy cartoon commentary on UAW walkout by Nate Beeler
“Union Doozy” cartoon commentary on UAW walkout by Nate Beeler
Editorial Cartoons by Nate Beeler
September 24th, 2007
Hat Tip: Don Surber
Is the UAW nuts?
Other recent posts – cartoons by Nate Beeler:
Pleasantly Unsurprised by Metro
The Best Little Firehouse in Washington
Fred 'Mr. Excitement' Thompson
GM-UAW strike
'Off a cliff:' UAW felt pushed over edge; GM 'disappointed' by walkout
Prolonged stoppage could prove to be devastating for both
Bill Vlasic and Sharon Terlep / The
The United Auto Workers stunned General Motors Corp. on Monday by launching a daring, nationwide strike to pressure the No. 1
After a tense weekend of negotiations, the auto talks of 2007 boiled over at 11 a.m. Monday when UAW President Ron Gettelfinger ordered 73,000 workers off the job and onto the picket line in the first national strike against GM in 37 years.
The dramatic impasse came after marathon talks since the current GM-UAW contract expired Sept. 14, and sets the stage for a high-stakes battle at the bargaining table.
Key issues under discussion as talks resumed Monday afternoon included benefits for active workers, commitments by GM to invest in its U.S. plants and pensions, according to people familiar with the talks. Gettelfinger attended the sessions, as well as GM's Chief Financial Officer Fritz Henderson and North American President Troy Clarke. Negotiations broke off for the night about 8 p.m. and are expected to resume today.
The bargaining focus on core economic issues came after Gettelfinger blasted GM on Monday for demanding a litany of concessions to solve its financial problems.
"Nobody wants a strike," Gettelfinger said at a packed press conference at UAW headquarters in
The unexpected strike came despite an apparent deal between GM and the UAW to create a company-financed, union-run trust to cover $50 billion in health care obligations to 340,000 retirees and family members.
[…]
Read the entire article: 'Off a cliff:' UAW felt pushed over edge; GM 'disappointed' by walkout
More information and articles by what may very well be the best source of information on the unfolding events, The Detroit News Auto Insider:
Pickets back at their posts outside GM gates
UAW-GM talks resume; Gettelfinger says strike may speed agreement
Strikers accused of blocking GM entrances in Pontiac, Orion Twp.
What's good for GM is good for the UAW
Workers: Action is fight for way of life
Strikers put in long first day
Reputation of Detroit 3, UAW seen as casualty
Lengthy walkout could hit suppliers
UAW workers strike GM; talks to resume Tuesday
Gettelfinger 'shocked and disappointed' in GM
UAW sets 11 a.m. strike deadline
GM, UAW back to the bargaining table; talks productive but still no deal
Health fund financing on table as GM, UAW bargain over weekend Autos-UAW-talks
Key issues
Job security : The union wants GM to lock in future work for U.S. factory workers by promising jobs, product commitments and investments in
Wages, bonuses : The union wants cost-of-living adjustments from GM. A sizable signing bonus also has been on the table as a way to encourage members to ratify a deal.
Pension : The two sides were discussing pensions throughout the day Monday. GM's pension fund has an estimated $17 billion surplus.
Two-tier wages : The two sides were close Sunday night on cutting a deal that would pay new hires less than active workers, according to sources familiar with the talks. That issue was still on the table Monday.
Retiree health care : GM wants to establish a company-funded, union-run trust that will allow it to remove $50 billion in retiree health care obligations from its books. While a deal on a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, has not been finalized, both sides appear to agree on the concept.
Source:
At the table
The lead negotiators for GM and the UAW are auto industry veterans.
GM: Diana Tremblay
Tremblay, GM's chief labor negotiator, took over as the carmaker's vice president of labor relations for North America on Jan. 1, 2006. She had previously served as executive director, labor relations-UAW. During the current negotiations, Tremblay has remained focused and reserved. When GM assumed the lead bargaining role, she talked about the company's priorities: "Health care is the largest single competitive issue we face as a company. For every dollar GM spends on health care, the transplants --
UAW: Cal Rapson
One of the most seasoned of the UAW's top negotiators, Rapson is said to be popular and respected by many UAW officials at the plant level. He played key roles in the 1990 and 1993 contract talks at GM. Two years ago, he negotiated a groundbreaking contract with heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. The deal, which included a controversial two-tier wage system, ushered in a new era of cooperation between that company and its union workers.
Source:
Related Articles and Links
UAW-GM talks resume; Gettelfinger says strike may speed agreement
Workers: Action is fight for way of life
Strikers put in long first day
Letter from the UAW, GM negotiating committee to local union presidents, chairpersons
GM statement regarding UAW work stoppage
Official statement: Teamsters to honor UAW picket lines
PDF: Timeline of UAW on strike
What are your thoughts on the UAW going out on strike against GM?