Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

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gsabc
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Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#1 Post by gsabc » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:42 am

Chief executives of the Big Three flew on private jets to Washington for yesterday's hearing about a proposal to spend $25 billion bailing out the U.S. auto industry, ABC News reports.

"The CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler may have told Congress that they will likely go out of business without a bailout yet that has not stopped them from traveling in style, not even First Class is good enough," the network reports. "All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone."
--------------------------
gs addendum: No, I don't know that they had martinis on the flights. It's a metaphor for big spenders begging for money, okay?
I just ordered chicken and an egg from Amazon. I'll let you know.

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#2 Post by themanintheseersuckersuit » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:46 am

gs, you beat me to it.
Suitguy is not bitter.

feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive

The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#3 Post by Obscenely Rich Bastard » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:46 am

You were expecting maybe they'd take the Amtrak?

I love these guys! I'd buy the auto industry myself if I could move it out of freaking Michigan to someplace actually livable like Florida.....

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#4 Post by themanintheseersuckersuit » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:49 am

Obscenely Rich Bastard wrote:You were expecting maybe they'd take the Amtrak?

I love these guys! I'd buy the auto industry myself if I could move it out of freaking Michigan to someplace actually livable like Florida.....
Hey, ORB, that the problem, the successful American car industry is in places like Alabama and South Carolina.
Suitguy is not bitter.

feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive

The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#5 Post by WheresFanny » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:32 pm

gsabc wrote:Chief executives of the Big Three flew on private jets to Washington for yesterday's hearing about a proposal to spend $25 billion bailing out the U.S. auto industry, ABC News reports.

"The CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler may have told Congress that they will likely go out of business without a bailout yet that has not stopped them from traveling in style, not even First Class is good enough," the network reports. "All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone."
--------------------------
gs addendum: No, I don't know that they had martinis on the flights. It's a metaphor for big spenders begging for money, okay?
You'd think they could have at least jetpooled......
We, the HK Brigade, do hereby salute you, Marley, for your steadfast devotion to ontopicosity. Well done, sir!

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#6 Post by ulysses5019 » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:45 pm

WheresFanny wrote:
gsabc wrote:Chief executives of the Big Three flew on private jets to Washington for yesterday's hearing about a proposal to spend $25 billion bailing out the U.S. auto industry, ABC News reports.

"The CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler may have told Congress that they will likely go out of business without a bailout yet that has not stopped them from traveling in style, not even First Class is good enough," the network reports. "All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone."
--------------------------
gs addendum: No, I don't know that they had martinis on the flights. It's a metaphor for big spenders begging for money, okay?
You'd think they could have at least jetpooled......
I don't think there are any jetpool lanes.
I believe in the usefulness of useless information.

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#7 Post by WheresFanny » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:28 pm

ulysses5019 wrote:
WheresFanny wrote:
gsabc wrote:Chief executives of the Big Three flew on private jets to Washington for yesterday's hearing about a proposal to spend $25 billion bailing out the U.S. auto industry, ABC News reports.

"The CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler may have told Congress that they will likely go out of business without a bailout yet that has not stopped them from traveling in style, not even First Class is good enough," the network reports. "All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone."
--------------------------
gs addendum: No, I don't know that they had martinis on the flights. It's a metaphor for big spenders begging for money, okay?
You'd think they could have at least jetpooled......
I don't think there are any jetpool lanes.
I saw parts of the Congress meeting on the news tonight. And one of the congressmen actually asked if they could have "downgraded to first class or jetpooled". Ha!

I liked it, at least they were actually asking tough questions and not letting them weasel out with a bunch of sidestepping. I loved watching Ford and Chevy squirm when they were asked if they'd cut their salary to $1. (Chrysler said he would, but the other two demurred.) Chevy: "We don't have a position on that right now." Ford: (With a smirk), "I think we're good with where we are now." Then the voiceover says he made 9.3 million last year. Yeah, I'd be good with that, too. Also, please note that they both spoke with the royal "we".
We, the HK Brigade, do hereby salute you, Marley, for your steadfast devotion to ontopicosity. Well done, sir!

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#8 Post by WheresFanny » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:30 pm

I'm thinking I got the quotes right, but it could be slight paraphrasing. I mainly put in the quotes to be clear that I was stating what they said, not my opinions of it.
We, the HK Brigade, do hereby salute you, Marley, for your steadfast devotion to ontopicosity. Well done, sir!

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#9 Post by MarleysGh0st » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:41 am

WheresFanny wrote: I saw parts of the Congress meeting on the news tonight. And one of the congressmen actually asked if they could have "downgraded to first class or jetpooled". Ha!
I saw that! You're a great speechwriter, Fanny! 8)

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#10 Post by MarleysGh0st » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:44 am

WheresFanny wrote:We, the HK Brigade, do hereby salute you, Marley, for your steadfast devotion to ontopicosity. Well done, sir!
Wow! I'm getting a salute in a signature line, now. What an honor! :D

But Google is totally unaware of the word "ontopicosity". Somebody better teach them. :wink:

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#11 Post by peacock2121 » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:55 am

I giggled:

"But you don't want to put your last tourniquet on a dead guy?"

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#12 Post by WheresFanny » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:26 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:
WheresFanny wrote: I saw parts of the Congress meeting on the news tonight. And one of the congressmen actually asked if they could have "downgraded to first class or jetpooled". Ha!
I saw that! You're a great speechwriter, Fanny! 8)
Maybe I missed my calling.

Now the spokespeople are giving lame reasons like "that's company policy" (yeah, and your company is broke and in the toilet but, by all means, stick with the policy that got you there!) and "safety reasons" (who do they think they are? The Pope or Miley Cyrus or somebody?).

They should have just all piled into a Tahoe or an Expedition or something and road tripped it to DC. If not just for pr purposes, but they probably could have packaged that into a reality show and picked up some extra coin! Add a logo and a snappy catchphrase and the merchandising alone could give their companies a boost!
We, the HK Brigade, do hereby salute you, Marley, for your steadfast devotion to ontopicosity. Well done, sir!

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Re: Hands outstretched: one to us, one to a martini

#13 Post by Obscenely Rich Bastard » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:50 am

WheresFanny wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
WheresFanny wrote: I saw parts of the Congress meeting on the news tonight. And one of the congressmen actually asked if they could have "downgraded to first class or jetpooled". Ha!
I saw that! You're a great speechwriter, Fanny! 8)
Maybe I missed my calling.

Now the spokespeople are giving lame reasons like "that's company policy" (yeah, and your company is broke and in the toilet but, by all means, stick with the policy that got you there!) and "safety reasons" (who do they think they are? The Pope or Miley Cyrus or somebody?).

They should have just all piled into a Tahoe or an Expedition or something and road tripped it to DC. If not just for pr purposes, but they probably could have packaged that into a reality show and picked up some extra coin! Add a logo and a snappy catchphrase and the merchandising alone could give their companies a boost!
I'm looking for a good idea generator. Do you work cheap?

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