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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sandintoes who wrote (56621)	12/8/2008 6:15:36 PM
From: lorne	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224724

Is this a case of he pot calling the kettle black? UPDATE 2-U.S. Sen. Dodd says GM CEO should move on Sun Dec 7, 2008 reuters.com WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) should replace its chief executive if it receives emergency government loans to avert likely collapse, a U.S. senator drafting bailout legislation said on Sunday. Another senior Democrat involved in the matter said negotiators expected a final deal by Monday, but he was less sure whether there was enough support in Congress to help GM, Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Chrysler LLC. "Obviously, that's a much more complicated question as to whether the votes are there," Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan told "Fox News Sunday." Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd of Connecticut said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that GM and Chrysler, also facing a likely near-term bankruptcy without help, should probably merge. "I think it's clear GM is in the worst shape. Chrysler is, I think, basically gone," Dodd said as Democrats and the White House continued negotiations on terms for a $15 billion bailout of the distressed industry. GM and Chrysler recently explored a merger. Dodd said management changes have to be part of conditions for a bailout to help the companies restructure, but that does not mean an across-the-board housecleaning. "Ford is fairly healthy, so we don't want to brand all of these companies exactly the same way," Dodd said. Dodd agreed with suggestions by fellow lawmakers that GM should probably consider replacing CEO Rick Wagoner and restructure with a new team. "I think he has to move on," Dodd said. Auto industry management has been criticized in Congress for failing to innovate and take other steps to better position their companies to compete against leaner foreign competitors and weather financial downturns. Wagoner has risen through the management ranks since joining GM in the late 1970s and is the longest serving chief executive at the Detroit Three companies. He became president and chief executive in 2000. He now serves as chairman and CEO. Ford's Alan Mulally and Chrysler's Bob Nardelli are recent arrivals. Wagoner says he serves at the pleasure of the GM board and hopes to stay on to see GM through its worst crisis. In response to Dodd, a company spokesman said Wagoner has the support of company employees, suppliers and dealers. "Its board of directors all support Rick Wagoner and is confident he is the person to lead GM through these difficult times," spokesman Steve Harris said. (Reporting by Donna Smith and John Crawley, editing by David Wiessler)

To: sandintoes who wrote (56621)	12/9/2008 11:13:41 AM
From: Ann Corrigan	1 Recommendation Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 224724

Somali pirates have gone too far, they've disrupted a round the world cruise--how uncivilized.<g> Somali Pirate Threat Forces Cruise Ship Evacuation Tuesday, December 09, 2008 BERLIN — Hundreds of passengers on a round-the-world cruise will disembark before reaching waters off Somalia and fly to Dubai to avoid pirates, German cruise operator Hapag-Lloyd said Tuesday. The company said the 150-meter MS Columbus and its crew will continue on through the Gulf of Aden. Passengers will rejoin the vessel in Oman for the remainder of a trip that began last month in Genoa, Italy. A company spokesman said passengers would be transferred to planes, but would not comment further. Pirates off the Somali coast have recently started trying to take cruise vessels after a string of attack on cargo ships, including a Saudi oil tanker and a Ukrainian ship carrying tanks and other weapons. The British naval commander in charge of the European Union's anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia said Tuesday that the force may station armed guards on the most vulnerable cargo ships in high-risk areas. British Vice-Admiral Philip Jones said the guards may be placed on some ships transporting food aid to Somalia. The EU mission includes four ships and two maritime reconnaissance aircraft On Dec. 15 it will replace a four-vessel NATO flotilla that has been conducting anti-piracy patrols off the Somali coast. foxnews.com