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Chrysler Shuts Down 30 Plants Beginning This Friday, WHY??

Chrysler announced this evening, that due to the CREDIT CRUNCH, the 30 plants in North American (including Canada) will shut down for 30 days beginning December 19th. Yes, THIS FRIDAY, 6 days before Christmas!

Apparently, the CREDIT CRUNCH has caused them 20-25% of their losses. My question is what about the other 75-80% of the losses? What caused that???

What happened to the CREATIVE EDGE we once had? Where are those design engineers? Are their hands tied to their backs?

Is this a way to keep costs down for the company? What about the executives? What will the unions do? Most importantly, in my book, what will the families do for 30 days without any income coming in?

Does everybody out there really believe that the CREDIT CRUNCH would cause them to close 30 plants for 30 days?

What's your reasoning behind it? I would love to know what you think? From liberals, moderates and our conservative communities...

Posted by Ann-Marie Clements Luxury Homes Realtor Saint John, Quispamsis, & Grand Bay on 12/17/2008 04:30 PM

Comments (64)

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64 Comments on Chrysler Shuts Down 30 Plants Beginning This Friday, WHY??

DEC

They lost their edge many years ago. It is really a sad day for America.

I never did like Chrysler. I always drove a Ford or a Chevy.

This is not only Chrysler using this practice. I have seen this in a lot of big corporations in the last couple years. I used to work for HP and they started doing this years ago, forcing everyone to take leave for a couple weeks.

Unfortunately cutting labor cost can only carry you so far. Corporations usually start there to produce growth because it's easy. I think the big three are really playing chicken with the US government and the public.

I love my Chrysler Crossfire! I bought it last year after researching for 4 months. Love everything about it even the Mercedes engine. I drove to Chicago to pick it up. Over the past year I have only had to change the oil twice. Perfect car compared to many I have owned. The only Chrysler I have ever bought. I've owned cars by Ford, Oldsmobile,Chevrolet,Toyota and Alfa Romeo(My favorite... but most trouble!).

The car companies are in trouble because they have not produced good cars. I drive a foreign car and the reason I do is because it works and it works well. I have driven the same type of car for the past 12 years and in that time I have traded about every 18-24 months. In that time, not a one of these cars, nor my wifes car which is made by the same people has ever been in the shop other than for an oil change. How may Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet owners can say the same thing? I hate this for the workers, but these companies keep making all these different models in hoping they will hit another Mustang rather than focusing a a few really good cars. If they don't change their thinking they will be closing these plants forever. All the bailout in the world will not save them.

I don't know the answer in any case. I do feel the union should step up and worry about it membership. Cut Cost and make deals to sell cars....

Hi Jeff, I agree that they lost their edge, but my question is; Why didn't they try hard enough to get it back?

Hi John, I've driven a Ford, Chevy, Honda, Audi, and currently 2 VW Turbo Bugs.

Hi Brian, Unfortunately, most American companies, don't seem to understand that "how they treat their employees, will come back to them 4X's over", meaning if they mistreat them, the employees don't produce and if they treat them like gold, by delegating and allowing them to creatively release their juices, they produce a much better product!!!

Hi Lizette, I believe they lost the public's momentum, by engineering poor automobiles for numerous years. I hope they can learn some creative edge ideas to get the public to at least try them again, with many "guarantees" to make and create a desire for the public to buy them again. Maybe driving the car free for 30-60 days before making a decision or having a 150,000 mile end-to-end guarantee to fix, might work. I have never owned a Chrysler, but my Father-in-Law had one and it was in the shop many times. I do hope they re-create some very exclusive, high product with gorgeous body types again.

Hi Bill, They have lost the American public and some Canadians also, due to their 'HARD HEADEDNESS" and not producing a quality automobile and only being interested in the net income coming in. This is very sad to our historical outlook of these companies....

;>(

It seems to me that none of the US auto manufacturers learned their lessons from the oil shortages of the Jimmy Carter regime. I remember being in line, two blocks back from the gas pumps, on the way home on Fridays, to fill my gas tank. Then when I was done, I drove home, and drove right back in my wife's car, so that her gas tank would be full as well. Those were the days when the Ford Company came out with the Bobcat, the Pinto, and the Mustang II. They later came out with the Fiesta, which was for a long time the most popular car in Latin America. Then when Reaganomics kicked in, they promptly forgot their lessons, and built gas-guzzlers again. I don't even remember what gas-savers Chevy built back then, but I darned sure remember the K-Cars. All hail Lee Iacocca - as much of an American hero as Norman Schwarzkopf! Why can't we find someone like that again?

But after all, our own government, the same government that has dumped $500 Billion into the credit markets, actually gave those who bought gas-guzzling SUV's a tax break! How stupid was that?!

I agree with you that companies would do much better by taking care of their employees first and shareholders second. Costco is a great example of this and although the shareholders might not get as big a return they are rewarded with a more stable investment.

However in the case of the big three, unfortunately the employees are a part of the problem. The labor costs are out of control in comparison with companies like Toyota who have plants here that produce for significantly less per hour than their American competitors.

Ann-Marie,

Credit, schmedit. They built a product that was too expensive. That's pretty much it. Spend too much to make it and price it beyond the market - not a way to stay in business. :)

Steve

This truely is sad. Not only does it effect the many employees of Chrysler it effects the suppliers. Chrysler is not the only company doing it. Ford has also shut some of their plants for an extended time. I work in the automotive industry, at least until I start my real estate profession. I have had associates on lay off for the past month. I have just today sent my entire department home to only return on the 12th of January, now it may be longer for we do supply Chrysler.

We have seen similar problems here with local furniture manufacturer. Closing doors temporarily is not the answer. There needs to be an examination of the whole process and unfortunately things will get worse before they get better.

It may be the first bit of logic they have shown in years. Because of contract rules by and large the workers will lose very little pay, ut why shoud they produce more cars to sit on the lot and rack up interest charges when they have plenty to sell already. Back in August Toyota announced it was closing the factory which made Tundras (gas prices were still high) for at least three month or until they sold most of their inventory. You cannot pay people to build things that are not needed and still stay in business. Personally I would rather be laid off for a month or so than have the company I work for go out of business.

Hi Frank, I must agree with you on the unions. I was a former American educator, who saw what the Teacher's Union would do, with incredibly non-changing teachers, basically keep them in their teaching positions, even though, they should have left the teaching industry 20-30 yrs before. When the school districts got ready to lay off, they went for the teachers who were newer, with many new ideas and creative critical thinking skills, and lay them off, before they laid off the ineffective teachers. That wasn't conducive for students who were trying to learn. I think sometimes the automobile unions also did the same, protecting the ineffective auto workers and releasing workers that weren't there long enough, even though they might have been better employees. Maybe it time for the unions to think differently!

Hi Jim,

I've probably said this in an earlier blog, but I did notice that other country's auto manufacturers were thinking into the future and creating cars that they knew would, in time, be more desirable. I was one of those consumers, who was looking for a smaller gas-efficient car (so I bought a small Turbo, LOL).

I believe that the OIL INDUSTRY & THE AUTO INDUSTRY WERE SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED! One needed the other to cooperate. That's why I think that the OIL INDUSTRY, should bail out the auto industry.....

;>)

Hi Brian,

I believe that the auto unions, if not all unions, need to re-evaluate what their priorities are for both the employees and their employers, so they also survive these economic times. They need to look at what the employers need and get rid of the non-functioning employees. Then and only then, will they have a "win-win" situation.

It used to totally frustate me, when I looked at how much a new or even an older educator made per year and how much an auto worker would make. I would sit there and wonder: Why did I go to university all these years? Yet, a similar worker, not working for the steel or auto industry, couldn't make ends meet. I decided to leave the education industry and became a GREEN REALTOR, when I moved to Canada, since it wasn't paying what I wanted to earn!

;>)

Call me a skeptic but I believe it is all a ploy to support the need for the hand out..I mean bail out.

Hi Jimmie,

I'm sorry to see that happen to you!! Nobody, ever wants to tell their effective employees that they jobs are disappearing, even temporarily. Maybe when the Obama administration starts, they will offer your workers more "green" jobs. Wind Tunnels, rebuilding the highways, bridges, etc. will probably bring many opportunities for the jobs in the next few years. I hope it does occur for our country's sake....

;>)

Hi Steve H,

I agree also, since you could buy a better built foreign made automobile for the same price. The unions, employers, employees and the product are all to blame. Once you are on the top, it's real easy to fall, especially if you don't pay attention to your counterparts. They were sleeping at their helm....

Hi Steve & Cristy,

It's the business mentality that needs to get "their heads out of the sands" literally!!! Greed took over any sense of reasoning within our profit making business executives. "Make as much money now, and forget about tomorrow" mentality.... These are the results we will have to live with for a while, especially if we continue the cycle. Maybe most Americans & Canadians will see the light and change for the better!

Hi Hugh,

I actually agree with your reasoning about their contracts! Unions and industry officials need to revamp their contracts and bring their wages to reality! (including many of their overpaid executives, LOL)

Retooling isn't easy, but it will begin the process of redesigning many of the American & Canadian auto industry into the future. Remember, here in Canada, we also produce many auto parts and have auto manufacturing plants that will probably be hit with these layoffs.

;>)

Ann-Marie, we probably will never know the REAL reason the auto companies are in trouble, a combination of all the comments above I would assume. I read today that the Norwegian electric car manufacturer Think is laying people off because they can't get loans to buy parts. Think was owned by Ford, imagine that, they owned a company that developed an electric car that goes 68 mph and 110 miles on a charge, and they sold it!!!!!!!!! Who says the technology is not yet here?

Daimler did no favors to Chrysler during the time that they owned them. All the creativity and quality was stripped from this once great brand.

One of the biggest problems in the auto industry is that years and years after people have left, they are still getting paid. Often much more than they got paid when they were actually working. The auto industry allowed itself to be blackmailed by the unions. Those respnsible for this crazy state of affairs are numerous executives over the years and the Union bosses that thought this was a good idea. As for the cars - there are many American vehicles that are excellent and much better value than the foreign alternatives. There are four vehicles in my family - ALL AMERICAN!

DEC

Ann-Marie - One might ask is this a scare tactic from Chrysler to try and scare the American taxpayer into coming up with the money they want? It was the first thing I asked when this story broke.

I feel the Big 3 and the UAW have overpriced their vehicle through mismanagement and bad union contracts. I do find it interesting that Chrysler did not file for bankruptcy as part of this action.

I have driven American made (assembled) all my life from all of the Big 3. And would love to continue; but, if not that is life.

Hi Terry,

I read an article on THINK cars made in Norway, that would be WONDERFUL here in North America. When I visited Italy last year, I noticed many smaller cars, even smaller then my two Turbo VW bugs. The only thing was, all those cars looked different, like I'd never seen in North America. I think many of those cars in Europe, can't enter the U.S. for various reasons (political mostly). I know many of the electric car technology is over there and we need to have access to them here.

Is there a possibility that Ford Corp. knew they were in a financial crisis, so they unloaded as many affiliations to other corps, so that they would look better (or worse) on paper, so the Feds could bail them out?

Hi Steve,

I never thought of that, but I wouldn't underestimate Daimler doing that... The ethics with most companies that buy out other companies, is strip them of all of their good parts and get rid of them. If North America began to think again creatively, then we would be ahead of the game. My example of "creativity" is look at all the movies in the theatres, they are either revamped comic strips coming to life, or reruns of previous movies 2, 3, 4, or 5 and beyond. Teaching students the basics is extremely important, but creativity gives us the edge that we need as a society to survive.

;>)

Ann-Marie...

The American consumer wants low-cost high-efficiency safe cars. The manufacturers have known this for years, yet they have not responded to the public.

Also, the quality of the American nameplates is substantially less than most foreign counterparts.

As far as the workers. if your company fails, that's just the way it is. There is no entitlement to a high paying job with insane benefits. They priced themselves and their cars out of business, so now they must bear the consequences.

Hi Richard,

I agree with your philosophy, in fact, I stated many of those points above in the comments section. The Auto industry, needs to "wake up" and renegotiate their insane contracts with the unions & their workers, including their REDICULOUS executives that only got paid for their looks, if that, LOL. If the executives would have been paid for their thinking, none of them would be in this predicament.

The Big 3 probably need to go down as their current corporations exist and in a few years come back with a different name, smaller, smarter and design a much better product, greener concept, with a much better creative philosophy outlook. I'm all for them crashing, without our help!

;>)

Ann-Marie...

And sometimes it's just the nature of the beast. Pickett Slide Rules were the best in the business, and every scientist and mathematician owned one.

They were out of business within a year of the introduction of TI's electronic calculator.

I hoope that some of these stimulus packages start to work the way they were intended. It is unbelievable that we are in such a mess and so many people's lives are upside down because a few got greedy!

I hope the Big Three will somehow survive this recession. I heard about Chrysler on TV this morning.

In addition to all the ills of the domestic auto industry, consumers just aren't buying cars. I know the industry claimed that the lack of credit availability is a major issue. However, the CEO of Autonation was quoted as saying that people aren't even coming to the showrooms.

The closest City to me is Corpus Christi, TX. Driving by the dealerships all you see is inventory. They are parked tight and even out to grassy areas. There is no point building more when you can't sell what is on the shelf.

In my opinion, car buyers and many/most real estate buyers are sitting on their hands waiting to see what 2009 brings.

Ann-Marie - Chrysler (and Ford & GM) normally shut down for 2 weeks at this time of the year, so, it is really just another 2 weeks. Union workers will still get 95% of their pay.

That being said, the big three need to restructure, and that includes restructuring labor contracts as well as executive salaries. They need to become more like the other American made auto manufacturers, like Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMS, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes.

Hi Simon,

After I've thought about this a little longer, it might not be a bad idea for them to "GO OUT OF BUSINESS" so it can give them time to regather and fresh start a new company, smaller & smarter with less unions and more of a creative edge.

I do agree that the unions, executives and many of the workers have "sat on their bums" way too long.

Hi Gary & Brian,

In this age of Capitalism, many companies have gone under, to give the BIG 3 any money, would be like handing the banks money so they could cause more of a "credit crunch". Many smaller businesses were never helped and went out of business. Why should we bail them out? If we do, everybody else will want a "handout" and to be honest with you I'm tired of bailing out high paying executives, union bosses, and slack employees.

It's time to let them go "Out of Business", they need to learn a lesson on CAPITALISM and how it works!

;>)

Ann-Marie, Europe has all kinds of "micro cars" on the roads. They never bought into bigger is better! One electric car manufacturer on this side of the pond is located in Canada, thats where I got my car from. Fortunately we have two dealers here in FL, one on each coast. The car comes with a 25 mph governor, mandated by our government because it doesnt comply with all our safety laws, BUT the governor can be reprogrammed to go 35, which is what I had done. Interestingly, the car in manufactured in Canada, but until recently was not allowed on the roads in Canada.

Terry - many of the cars made in Europe are not allowed here. Ford has one that gets over 60 mpg but, because the diesel engine used is not economically feasible here. Plus, that engine is not certified here.

Mike, do you mean that because those cars are not gas guzzlers, they are not allowed here? And why would the engine not be certified? Europe has some very stringent manufacturing guidelines.

DEC

I have to agree with Mike. The Europeans have great cars that are not allowed here. Iam sure most of us when travelling over there have commented on the cars. They are overall smaller and downright cool. And, yes diesel. I believe Opel is trying to get back into the US market.

There have been a bunch of Smart cars popping up all over Boston. Too small for my needs, but very neat. One of those could fit in the back of my car.

The American manufacturers are either making big SUVs which people want, or little cars that are ugly. And, I have to say that "status" has a lot to do with what people drive. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Range Rover, Lexus...."we" want the allure and trappings of wealth (perceived wealth) when we in fact are middle class and are struggling just to be there.

Terry - I mean that because of both federal and state (especially California) regulations, many of the diesel engines used in Europe are not certified for use in the U.S. Also, the taxes on diesel make the cost of it prohibitive to the regular user over the cost of gasoline. Granted, earlier this year prices got close.

Kind of like drugs, there are many approved in Europe, and even Canada, but not here.

Well Mike then maybe its time we approve those "drugs" and give us access to more efficient transportation. Especially if the auto makers here aren't going to give us what we want! Thanks for the clarification.

Hi Terry & Scott & Mike

Most of the roads I saw in Italy and I'm assuming most of Europe are actually much narrower than in the U.S and Canada. Even their trucks, I had to laugh when I saw them, they are 1/2 if not 1/3 the size of the trucks in the U.S. and Canada. That might be part of the reason they drive smaller cars and trucks to begin with. When I rented a 50 cc Scooter, I actually felt safer there, due to the narrower roads compared to a leased Italian car on those roads. (Couldn't rent a Ferrari or Lamborghini LOL) It was a serously different culture and philosophy then ours.

Driving two VW Turbo Bugs, I can say, most of the time, I don't need anything larger! The only time I feel like I need something larger is when I buy an appliance or I'm traveling long distance with my two teenage daughters and spouse. Then I go to the nearest rental car service and rent an SUV or Van (Yuk!, That's when I feel like a Soccer Mom) for the duration of the pickup of the appliance or when I'm going to NYC this Christmas for 2 weeks.

This coming Spring, I plan on giving my two teenagers both VW Turbo Bugs and I'll probably get either a SMART Car or an Electric Car, since we are allowed to have diesel here in this part of Atlantic Canada and a 4 door Prius or something similar. I'm extremely TIRED of spending on gas and the unbelieveable ups and downs on gas prices and OPEC's game of production or no production. Also, we pay much more for gas here in Canada, due to our universal health benefits.

I'm tired of BEING HELD FOR RANSOM!!! That's how I plan to send my message to the auto makers who aren't changing with the times and ALL of the OPEC nations!!!

;>)

The cost of doing business is part of the problem......As my grandad said "When the outgo exceeds the income...the upkeep will be the downfall...." or more succinctly ...economics 101.

My two cents...

Employees retain 95% of their salary during this month. (a paid vacation)
Chrysler practices this every year, but only for two weeks in duration.
It got media attention which was one of the intents.
The President acted the first day of the 'shut down'
Chrysler is actually making money from the shut down. Surplus of new vehicles that need to be moved.

DEC

Hi Ann-Marie,

From what I heard the workers still get paid during this plant shut down.

The credit crunch was the last nail in the coffin for these companies, they were broken long before this.

One of the reasons some of the European cars are built small is because of the narrow streets they have to drive on. U.S. cities were laid out to accommodate horse drawn wagons, which were significantly wider.

Chrysler is not actually making money during the shutdown, it is just not spending it as quickly.

DEC

Hi Trey,

You have a very smart Grand Dad.... ;>)

Hi Tim & Pam,

Okay the president acted the first day of the "shut down", my question is why? he's on his way out... Plus the bailout has many strings attached to it.

;>)

Hi Mark,

I agree with you 100%, but I believe the reasons are in the comments above. We as North Americans need to "CHANGE" our way of thinking, or we will be foreclosed as a continent.

;>)

Hi Mike,

That's just my point, so we have wider streets, does that mean that we can't drive more "energy efficient" smaller cars, trucks, motorcycles and scooters??? I also indicated that in the above comments, when I went to Italy last year. It was AWESOME!!! & a culture awaking... We have two VW "Turbo" bugs we drive all year long, even here in snowing Atlantic Canada.

;>)

How about keeping government out of the business of building cars and forcing carmakers to build cars nobody wants. Thats a start.

Merry Christmas.

Hi Nicholas,

I agree with NOT BAILING THEM OUT!!! Why did they take so long??? I realize that both the auto makers and the oil companies were "SLEEPING TOGETHER" in the same non-changing format, so that their profit margins would only go up, but hopefully it's starting to catch up with both of them. With less demand, maybe the price will stay down... Nope! wishful thinking, since OPEC is currently reducing production and the Northern hemisphere is currently going to a very, very cold winter, the price of oil will go back up after Christmas.

I believe this is WHY we need alternative methods for heating, cooling and transportation....

Merry Christmas and have a very prosperous New Year!!!

;>)

Ann-Marie ~ How about drilling in the good old United States, and also seeking alternative methods. I think you have a conspiracy theory for all capitalist companies. The auto makers want to make a profit, and so does the oil companies, that is not wrong. And the world still does not want to ride in electric cars, so demand brings profits, not auto makers and oil companies.

Merry Christmas to you as well, and also a very prosperous New Year...in spite of the new president elect...lol

DEC

Toyota just posted its first EVER loss...WHY? Because Americans couldn't afford to buy cars over the summer due to record fuel prices and in October the credit criteria became so difficult that unless you were 800+ FICO or willing to pay double digit interest rates, you couldn't get financed.

As for layoff's six days before Chrsitmas, nearly every manufacturer shuts down the last two weeks of the year they call it "vacation" they do the same thing in July. This year the "vacation" will be a little longer because you and I didnt didn't buy a car. Even Toyota is even closing it's plants longer than normal. What's the point of making cars no one is buying?

One last caveat - unlike most people in America, when a UAW member gets laid off they collect 95% of their pay from the Jobs Bank and Unemployment so no tears from me today thank you.

DEC

I've blogged about this before. The problem is that Oil Lobby in cahoots with Auto Industry decided they could make tons of money making a product that wasn't neccesarily good, but that could make more money. So the Auto Industry created a demand for gas guzzlers via mass media marketing and the Oil Lobby did their part by lining the pockets of the Auto Industry and the government's with hordes of cash. Couple this with the stubborness of people who refuse to believe that Global Warming exists and Fossil Fuels are not infinite so we have to invest in "green" transporation and what were left with is; a bunch of worthless 10 mpg Excursions that no one wants to buy.

This is irresponsible capitalism at its finest. By not creating products that could help America, but products to make money for themselves only and ignoring the threats to the climate, our foreign policy and scientists, they've essentially killed a whole industry in this country. Which is why we have no Electric Cars or Hybrids, but Toyota and Honda have beem building them for a while now.

Noqui - because you have described what in your opinionis "irresponsible capitalism" for posterity can you describe "responsible" capitalism?

Responsible capitalism is creating products for profit that benefit a society as a whole. In this case, after all of the evidence of global warming and the the growing threat from countries that provide fossil fuels, responsible capitalism would have been to create products that would minimize dependence on foreign fuels and that leave less impact in the environment.

The motivating factor here was to not put out a product that was good for America and for themselves, but to create a product that would make the Oil and Auto Industries rich. So they ignored how to make the industry sustainable in the long run and opted to make their pockets fat in the short run. That, in my opnion is irresponsible capitalism.

Noqui - Therein likes the trouble - Capitalism at it's root is the investment of ones capital (savings) for the express purpose of a return on that capital (profit). If you have saved your money and have chosen to invest it why then should your profits benefit society as a whole? After all it was YOUR capital not societies as a whole who invested it.

Truly Free markets self-regulate capitalism that has been corrupted by greed - just look at this article on WaMu Saying Yes to Anyone whose irresponsible lending in pursuit of profit driven by greed has caused them to go out of business. They hurt alot of people on their way up and down, but they are gone now and leaders should be thrown in jail for their deeds.

You are describing an ideal not a viable market system. Think about it; You sell real estate for a profit that benefits only your seller otherwise you represent the buyer and then your obligation is to your buyer. When you sell a home your sale only benefits you and your broker so why should any other private industry be expected to generate a profit that benefits society as a whole? (BTW - all profit is good because when you sell a home you and your broker can in theory buy goods and services yourself so in fact your profit DOES benefit society as a whole)

I wrote a post on this very topic last week ; Obama's Communist Vision for American ide

DEC

Ricardo, I wouldn't expect a free reign, maverick, capitalist like yourself to understand where I'm coming from. Anymore than I could understand why you would believe Republicans have done more for equality in this country for than Democrats. (but that's another topic)

Of course when you buy a house, its your money, the seller profits and everybody is happy. Why else would we be in this business, if not to make mula?

But what if a builder or 2 or 3 builders, had a monopoly on building houses in this country? And what if the houses they built started to fall apart or were substandard? Since they have such a huge market share, understandbly the health of the economy would hinge on their successes and failures. Would it be responsible for the builders to keep building theses houses, knowing that they can sell one today, but come tomorrow, nobody is going to want one- and since no one wants one, they can't keep building them, employing people and industries that depend on them?

That's what I mean by irresponsible capitalism.

Noqui

After that last statement how can you possibly be for a bailout of the automakers.

JAN

Ricardo, you are too much

Ricardo - Nice, very nice.

Ricardo -- I often read these political debates but seldom comment. I enjoy hearing both sides of issues. I must say that you went too far in your personal attack on Nogui. You two have often debated in what I have always assumed was good-natured banter. But here you've strayed from the issue at hand and your comments seem mean and small. This is not enjoyable reading. Sorry.

JAN

You know, I have seen some real slimeball tactics used on these political posts, but Ricardo, you have gone beyond the scope of poor taste with your comment directed at Nogui. If these are the kind of sniveling traits you show on a public forum such as this, what kind of low-level, childish behavior do you pull behind the backs of your clients? My only hope is that the Durham community sees your post and gets the word out about the distasteful lack of professionalism you shamelessly seem to boast.

As a community of professionals on ActiveRain, we may have a difference in political, religious, and other social views, but one thing we should have is the common bond of professionalism. You sir are no professional, and may you hang by the very words you type.

JAN

Noqui,

My suggestion is that you immediately make a copy of Mr. Cobos comment disclosing your personal and professional life in detail on a professional "public viewed" site and send copies to the founders of ActiveRain and seek legal counsel from an attorney to sue for slander. An attorney friend read his comment and says Mr Cobos can be held liable for such inflammatory comments that could be detrimental to your livelihood.

I agree with Mike D. ---- Mr. Cobos investigating you and putting it out here on this forum goes beyond all the name calling we have all seen, read and been a part of. It is DESPICABLE BEHAVIOR.

Nogui - FYI - I have taken a screenshot of the comment in question should you care to pursue Linda Mae's advice.

JAN

Hi ActiveRain Professionals friends of mine,

We need to take a good look at what we are writing on other people's blogs. This originally was a blog on Chrysler's shutting down manufacturing plants.

Having a difference of opinion is fine, when it crosses the line of rational thinking to personal slander, we need to stop and think that if we write how we currently feel it might hurt someone. It's probably better to turn the blog off, think about the comment and then go back to write a rational statement.

I also think that if people need to slander other people, that maybe, it's better to write a memo to someone's e-mail and not fight over it here on someone else's blog.

Don't let someone elses slander cause other people to disagree! This can be very contagious and dangerous!!!

Let's keep it sane please.....

;>)

Anne Marie, Were you at times square NYE it looked really cold.

Hi Hugh,

Absolutely NOT!! I might live in Canada, but I still try to avoid the EXTREME cold anytime possible. LOL We were with my aunt in Bay Terrace area of Staten Island that evening. We've been to NYC during New Year's Eve twice before. It was extremely cold that evening, so we decided not to attend. We ended up going to sleep around 11 p.m., because we got up New Year's Day at 5:30 a.m. to get back on the road. It took us 12 hours to get back and ironically only 11 hours to get to NYC from Canada.

I hope you had a GREAT New Years!!!

;>)

MAY

Well, well! Seems that there is a bit of consternation going on this blog! The problem with our economy is that the interest on the debt finally came due. We all must produce a good or service, that is attractive and useful, for a price that is above our costs, yet attractive to the consumer. It simple arithmetic. When you add interest, most products and services become TOO expensive!

Interestingly... we buy cars and lots of them... but what do they produce for us? Not much... and then you add ... what are called incidentals, gas, insurance, and maintenance. Yet ithe car produces NOTHING... except for getting from point A to point B. My grandfather used to buy vehicles... and he paid cash. But the vehicles produced something... they delivered product or they plowed a field.

It is too sad... but we have planned and developed our communities in a way that is NOT sustainable. More over the problem goes well beyond our "boarders." This redistribution of wealth is not national. It IS certainly international. I recently returned from a business trip to Bangaldesh. They have 150,000,000 people. The first 40% of them earn less than a dollar a day. The second 40% of them earn less than two dollars a day. Nearly everyone is taking a class or trying to become educated. They have many modern factories that produce products that you and I can buy in any department store here. What does a Nordstrom's men's shirt cost there? Packaged and ready to be shipped? Yes… less than 50 cents per shirt. And they have an over capacity for manufacturing just about anything you want. The disparity between workers in other parts of the world, when compared to the Untied States points to a rebalancing that will take decades to accomplish.

The problem we face is mounting interest, sub-par products that are over priced, a lack of will to take responsibility for our own situation, most of all a sense of entitlement that is out of balance with what is sustainable.

Many people appear to be blaming someone. The bickering must stop. There IS a distinction between discussion and dialogue. (See the Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge) We must learn to innovate and collaborate. We are in this together… globally.

AUG

How are you. If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read "President Can't Swim". I am from Cambodia and also am speaking English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Preschool online games that are fun for children." Regards :P Edna.

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