Watching the Obama Presidential New Conference is just painful. It’s “I got my scrotum caught in my fly”painful. No, it’s “I had my spine pulled through my nose” painful. President Obama is an outstanding public speaker, when the speech was written and reviewed before given to an audience, but HOLY GOD he cannot – CANNOT – speak on the fly. Someone within the administration needs to coach the President on how to reply to questions during a press conference.
On another note – where did the President’s positive, “Yes We Can”, attitude disappear to? Only three short months ago the President was telling the nation that anything was possible, but today we face a national catastrophe due to the economic situation. Not much has change in that time…Yes, there have been accelerating job losses but not much else. Seriously, where did his positive attitude go?
GM, Chrysler facing margin calls
The February 17th government imposed “prove you are viable” deadline is quickly approaching and neither company seems to be in compliance with the loan requirements. Chance are this means more layoffs, job cuts and plant closings are on the way.
“It’s going to be a smaller company in the U.S…We may have to take a step back in General Motors to find the right-sizing that’s going to permit a profitable existence in a much smaller market.” (GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz)
Due to the political and economic climate – you know, this whole “we have to pass the next stimulus package thing” – there is virtually no way the government will allow GM or Chrysler to slide into bankruptcy at this point. I still believe both companies will face that reality at some point this year, just not yet.
Update: 02/10/09 – GM says they will cut 10K in salaried jobs this year.
Erasure’s Pop! Remixed
The new Erasure remix album hit the market today, and as expected, the album is pretty much dead on arrival.
I previously voiced my fear about this album after listening to the 2009 remix of Always. The new version did not change much of the song, and I ended up wondering what was the point… My theory was the new album would be filled with direction-less versions of classic Erasure, and it is. If you cannot provide a new take on the song why bother creating a new version?
There is one worthwhile remix on the release: Stop! (Vince Clarke Sync 82 Remix)
Stop! is no reason to run out and buy the album but having this song – only this song – in the mix will put a smile on your face.
Update: There are edited mixes of Always (MHC) and Cold Summers Day (Soundfactory) that are worthwhile – if you can find them, pick them up. They are not run on, bloated, mixes.