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Archive for February, 2011

A Recession Success Story…and Lesson

February 19th, 2011 No comments

Throughout the current recession Hyundai has not only remained profitable but has significantly expanded its manufacturing presence in Alabama and Georgia. Other foreign auto makers have had similar success. Why is it that the Big Three in Detroit have struggled so much—with two being handed generous taxpayer-funded bailouts—while we hear nary a peep about Honda, BMW, Hyundai, etc., who all have plants here?

The United Automobile Workers union has long tried to organize plants in the United States operated by foreign carmakers, most of which are in the South, but has yet to succeed anywhere.

No unions. Unencumbered by the dead weight of the UAW, foreign makers are able to offer competitive salaries and benefits while remaining competitive and profitable in a down market. Workers at GM, Chrysler, and Ford could learn a valuable lesson from this. Will they?

Categories: Economy Tags:

Book Recommendation — “Arizona: A History”

February 10th, 2011 1 comment

For an informative history of Arizona—as well as a fascinating glimpse into how one’s view of history is shaped when seen primarily through a veil of race and racism—check out Arizona: A History by Thomas E. Sheridan (University of Arizona Press, 1995). Although the author’s liberal leanings are apparent throughout the text, it is an enjoyable and entertaining read even for those of us on the far right of the aisle. You will definitely come away with a new perspective of the state.

[Available via the Amazon widget on the main blog page.]

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Europe Showing Signs of Awakening to the Danger Within

February 5th, 2011 1 comment

For years western Europe has been quietly allowing an increasingly radical Muslim population to cause serious societal problems. The conflict has been most notably covered in Belgium and the Netherlands, but the U.K. has certainly had its share of issues, particularly with homegrown terrorism. Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron today signaled that his country’s slumber may be coming to an end.

Speaking at a security conference in Munich on Saturday, Mr. Cameron condemned what he called the “hands-off tolerance” in Britain and other European nations that had encouraged Muslims and other immigrant groups “to live separate lives, apart from each other and the mainstream.”

He said that the policy had allowed Islamic militants leeway to radicalize young Muslims, some of whom went on to “the next level” by becoming terrorists, and that Europe could not defeat terrorism “simply by the actions we take outside our borders,” with military actions like the war in Afghanistan.

“Europe needs to wake up to what is happening in our own countries,” he said. “We have to get to the root of the problem.”

The full text of his speech can be read here. It’s well worth your time.

Planned Parenthood Exposed Again

February 2nd, 2011 No comments

Another undercover video sting has exposed the rot that underlies Planned Parenthood—this time catching a clinic manager in a clear violation of the law.

It shows a woman identified as Amy Woodruff, the office manager, responding to an unseen man and woman. The man says he is involved in sex work and wants to bring girls, some only 14 or 15 and illegal immigrants, for medical exams.

The manager says that 14-year-old girls should not admit their ages, because doing so triggers extra reporting requirements. “For the most part, we want as little information as possible,” she says.

I’m tempted to give PP a little credit for firing Woodruff, but the organization really has no shame. Or credibility, for that matter.

Stuart Schear, vice president for communications of the national federation, said in an interview on Wednesday that Planned Parenthood had “zero tolerance” for unethical behavior and that the behavior filmed in the video was “very isolated.”

Now that takes some nerve. Videos and taped conversations like this have been made in city after city, clinic after clinic. At what point, Mr. Schear, should we no longer consider these isolated cases? If you were truly concerned with ethics, why does it take the dogged efforts of undercover investigators to root out the corruption and sheer evil in your organization?

Categories: Abortion Tags: