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Weekly Standard: The Death of Detroit (Laughable, Harrowing and Appalling at the same time)
The Weekly Standard ^ | Matt Labash

Posted on 12/25/2008 6:39:29 PM PST by quesney

click here to read article


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To: Clemenza
I don't think even their families call them Stan Eisen or Chaim Witz anymore.

Yeah - I'm sure. Or Paul Frehely or George Criscuola... I'll bet Ace was a blast to meet. Seems he and Peter were always the most approachable..

81 posted on 12/26/2008 9:48:38 PM PST by TomServo
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To: Westlander

Chuckle. Thanks for the giggle.


82 posted on 12/27/2008 7:48:59 AM PST by MaggieCarta (We're all Detroiters now.)
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To: quesney
Will the hollowing out of Detroit become a metaphor/preview of America?

Maybe. It's like the part in "A Christmas Carol" where the spirit of Christmas yet to come points a bony finger at a tombstone.

Great read. Thanks for posting.

83 posted on 12/27/2008 8:28:41 AM PST by MaggieCarta (We're all Detroiters now.)
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To: truthguy; Edit35
"All the really good jobs in engineering, design, R&D, Marketing are offshore. The profits also go offshore"

So what? Welcome to an integrated, global economy. I would say that your comment is breathtaking in it's ignorance and stupidity.

A comment as silly as "the profits also go offshore" is so idiotic in its simplicity, it almost doesn't deserve a comment. Whatever "profits" are generated are taxed by the Federal, State and possibly even local governments. Secondly, what is equally important, is where is that money put to work? Are the foreign national corporations building more "final assembly" plants in the states creating an economic ripple that affects hundreds of thousands (yes).

Your shallow statements show a sophomoric understanding of the complexities and benefits of global trade. If the Big 3 go out of business, they and their employees will have no one to blame but themselves. Capitalism's creative destruction will then give rise through necessity, innovation and demand to better, more efficient and more sustainable industries - so long as GOVERNMENT STAYS THE HELL AWAY.

84 posted on 12/28/2008 2:28:21 PM PST by Big_Monkey
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To: Lancey Howard
Yes, I'm afraid so - - at least, it's likely the same future that awaits the rest of America's Democrat-controlled parasite nests ("cities") sooner or later. FRegards, LH

You just don't sound like patriot material. You don't sound like you think America's worth fighting for. If America's enemies paid people to spread discouraging propaganda, I don't think they could find a better example. You really should join the journalism profession. You'd fit right in.

On the other hand, they get the benefit of your talents for free right here, so, why would they hire you...

85 posted on 12/28/2008 2:51:09 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (revolution is in the air.)
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To: quesney
Only in Detroit could 65 arsons in one night be considered a success.

Sums up this great article perfectly.

86 posted on 12/28/2008 3:33:58 PM PST by Alberta's Child (I'm out on the outskirts of nowhere . . . with ghosts on my trail, chasing me there.)
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To: the invisib1e hand

You have it all figured out.
But who asked you?


87 posted on 12/28/2008 3:36:17 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

That was a pretty good comeback. Hope you get my point.


88 posted on 12/28/2008 4:04:03 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (revolution is in the air.)
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To: truthguy
Hold it right there!

I'm looking at my 1998 Honda Civic HX CVT coupe and outside of the CVT transmission and a few other components, everything else on the car is manufactured in the USA. And that includes the complete engine, too.

89 posted on 12/28/2008 6:46:25 PM PST by RayChuang88
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To: Philo-Junius
China, on the other hand, is quite likely to launch a small (c. 100 seat) commercial aircraft for domestic consumption and international prestige purposes in the very near future.

They already have with the ACAC ARJ21, which is derived from the McDonnell-Douglas MD90 design. The first prototype recently started test flying and first deliveries should start some time in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Here a picture of the prototype:


90 posted on 12/28/2008 6:57:43 PM PST by RayChuang88
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To: RayChuang88

Bring the noise.


91 posted on 12/28/2008 7:00:39 PM PST by Philo-Junius (One precedent creates another. They soon accumulate and constitute law.)
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To: truthguy

“But it would have been impossible for all 3 car companies to have had bad management for such a long time. At least one of the car companies would have stumbled onto the right management team at some point.....”

BINGO!!!The only thing common in all 3 is the UAW...


92 posted on 12/28/2008 7:02:02 PM PST by mo
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To: Westlander

Iraqi Hockey Player

The Detroit Red Wings foreign scout flies to Baghdad to watch
a young Iraqi play hockey in the new American sponsored league,
and is suitably impressed and arranges for him
to come over to the US. Ken Holland
signs him to a one year contract and
the kid joins the team for the preseason.

Two weeks later the Wings are down 4-0 to the Blackhawks
with only 10 minutes left. Mike Babcock gives the young Iraqi
the nod and he goes in.

The kid is a sensation - scores 5 goals in 10 minutes
and wins the game for the Wings! The fans are delighted,
the players and coaches are delighted,
and the media love the new star.

When the player comes off the ice he phones his mom:
“Hello mom, guess what?”
“I played for 10 minutes today, we were 4-0 down,
but I scored 5 goals and we won. Everybody
loves me, the fans, the media, they all love me.”

“Wonderful,” says his mom, “Let me tell you about my day.
Your father got shot in the street and robbed, your sister
and I were ambushed, raped and beaten, and your
brother has joined a gang of looters, and all
while you were having such great time!”

The young Iraqi is very upset.
“What can I say mom? I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry? You’re Sorry?!!” says his mom,
“It’s your fault we moved to
DETROIT in the first place!”


93 posted on 12/28/2008 7:06:21 PM PST by csmusaret (Congress hasn't got anything right since they declared war on Japan.)
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To: Edit35
US consumers will have to buy cars somewhere, and I truly believe Honda, Toyota, and a few others will quickly build new modern car production plants on AMERICAN soil.

Instead of “made in Detroit”... cars will be made in Tennessee, or Kentucky, or North Carolina... by AMERICAN workers... working for multi-national companies.

You have a slave mentality
Americans should be making cars for American companies so the profits go to Americans

If it were up to me ever foreign car plant would be shuttered and dynamited

94 posted on 12/28/2008 7:14:07 PM PST by dennisw (On the 31st floor a gold plated door won't keep out the Lord's burning rage ---FBB)
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To: quesney

The Auto Industry needs to get the gummit off its back and get rid of the unions. Until that happens it is as doomed as PravdABDNC.

PRay for W, America and Our Troops


95 posted on 12/28/2008 7:22:33 PM PST by bray (Is Rezko Singing God Bless America?)
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To: Big_Monkey
A comment as silly as "the profits also go offshore" is so idiotic in its simplicity, it almost doesn't deserve a comment. Whatever "profits" are generated are taxed by the Federal, State and possibly even local governments. Secondly, what is equally important, is where is that money put to work? Are the foreign national corporations building more "final assembly" plants in the states creating an economic ripple that affects hundreds of thousands (yes).

First rule of capitalism is that capitalists want to make profits
Toyota and Nissan profits go back to Japan
Americans who work in their factories here are working for a colonizing power

Similar to Guatemalans working on banana plantations for United Fruit except that this is 2008 and the Americans are the serfs
You might want to think your globalsim through
That is if you still have pride in the nation you were born in

96 posted on 12/28/2008 7:25:05 PM PST by dennisw (On the 31st floor a gold plated door won't keep out the Lord's burning rage ---FBB)
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To: the invisib1e hand

You’re a good freeper, FRiend. I have enjoyed your posts for many years.

Yes, I am very cynical about America right now, and I do wonder if today’s America is even worth defending anymore. It almost seems like America no longer exists. But I never said I quit. If the nation can recover, I will do what I can to help.

FRegards,
LH


97 posted on 12/28/2008 7:38:00 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: gigster
gigster...I'm not from Detroit, but I share you animosity toward Labor Unions. IMHO, Labor Union represent the purest form of Socialism that exists in our Great Nation. The USA became a GREAT NATION precisely because of our Capatistic, Free-Market system. Don't get me wrong, I believe labor unions played an important part in bringing fairness and modernization to our industrial work force...BACK IN THE EARLY PART OF LAST CENTURY...But that's as far as my support for Labor Unions go. Labor Unions CANNOT promise an employee anything...and I believe, as Corporate America, we've evolved(for lack of a better term) to a point where most successful companies and corporations realize that their employees are their most valuable asset. It's baffling to me that a Company or Corporation's Contract Procurement Specialists can go out and work their butt's off and land the contracts that create jobs and profits for the company and then along comes a labor union with it's hand out...the Union didn't do a damn thing to procure and secure that business...the sad thing is, is that labor unions have their hands out regardless of what the Company or Corporation is doing...THE ECONOMY BE DAMNED!!...Unions don't care if the economy is in decline or in a recession or depression...their gonna "GET THEIRS" regardless.

In the 1984-'85 I worked for Rockwell International on the B-1B Bomber Production program in Palmdale, CA...1984 was the yr. that my hero, Ronald Reagan was running for re-election against Walter Mondale...the UAW was our union at Rockwell. Yes, I was a FORCED union member...Well, Mondale vowed that one of the very first things he would do if elected would be to cut funding for the B-1B...I remember all the Union Stewards and staunch union supporters wearing their Mondale/Ferraro buttons during this time...I used to go up and say, "Do you idiots want us to vote ourselves out of a job and into the unemployment line?...Man, I was DROVE!!...And another thing I hated was that labor unions traditionally support the Democrat nominee for any office and I deplored the fact that they could take part of my union dues and support a candidate that I would never personally support. Anyway..I've turned this into a rant, but your post lit a little fire in me...Thank you my friend. May God Continue To Bless This Great Nation!!! Oh, and BTW, The B-1B is being used exclusively in Afghanistan making bombing runs on a daily basis and killing the sworn enemies of our Great Nation. Once again...sorry for the LONG rant.
98 posted on 12/28/2008 7:51:13 PM PST by az.b1bbomberfxr
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To: dennisw
"That is if you still have pride in the nation you were born in"

I do have pride in my country. A country with a constitution that allows me to buy what I want, when I want, from whomever I want at any price I can negotiate. It's called economic freedom brother. All I want from my governemnt is to stay the hell out of my wallet and my purchasing decisions.

Incidentally, Ford, GM, and even Chrysler all make cars internationally and do VERY WELL at it. The reason they're in the mess they're in now is because of too many government employment and contracting laws, too many environmental regulations and too many state regulations governing dealership agreements.

I'm tired of crybabies wrapping themselves in the flag because they're worried about competition from foreign companies. As a coach said to me in High School "Quit whining and start competing."

99 posted on 12/28/2008 8:28:46 PM PST by Big_Monkey
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To: Big_Monkey
I see Chimp that you've drank the internationalist kool-aid. This is the foolish belief that a foreign company is just as good as an American Company. Just wait for a crisis and you will be introduced to the real world. I make my living to some extent traveling in Asia and I know of what I speak. You are what has been characterized as a “post American”. These are people who have no allegiance to any country, only markets. It's late I'm on remote and my battery is running low. I'll finish you off tomorrow.
100 posted on 12/28/2008 8:53:49 PM PST by truthguy (Good intentions are not enough!)
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