Jan. 24: Wiretapping wrangle and GM's tumble

*Wrong number on wiretapping

One-half of the most disappointing Congress in recent memory may give in to the Bush administration yet again:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012302179.html

Shame on Harry Reid. Shame on Jay Rockefeller, too.


*Why GM is struggling

With reports that General Motors is in danger of losing its 76-year-old crown as the world's number 1 automaker (It seems to have just barely edged out Toyota), it's worth looking at why GM is struggling.

I have a partial theory: What it's done to Buick.

In 2005, GM decided to eliminate the successful LeSabre, Park Avenue and a car that's been in my family for more than 30 years - the Century. Buick had also eliminated the Regal.

Meanwhile, Buick replaced those cars with SUVs that have sold poorly, and with two cars - the LaCrosse and Lucerne - that were more expensive and did not do well in some safety reports. Buick has had a long-standing reputation for safety and durability.

When I was going car shopping last year, Buick had started to slash the prices on those two models, suggesting that they weren't selling as well as had been hoped.

I stuck with GM, but bought a Chevy Impala, which has some features similar to the later-years Century. I don't think it's a coincidence that the Impala has been such a good seller. It reminds those veteran Buick owners of what got left behind.

Meanwhile, the bloodletting continues for Ford, which is offering buyouts to 54,000 workers.


*Differences on health insurance

The Republicans are wrong on this issue:

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN23648073

How many people in this country are at risk because they don't have insurance? How many workers in this country are stuck at jobs they don't want because they need the health insurance? And how many of the Republican voters who took part in this poll either are or know someone in this circumstance?


*Caring about the news

Good column in The Washington Post, responding to the creator of HBO's "The Wire":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012302350.html

I agree with Sara Libby. The interest in the presidential campaign is a reflection of what she's talking about. And it's true that people not only care, but they want good journalism.


*The worst Bond title ever

"Quantum of Solace?" What on earth does that mean?

http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1388284.php/New_Bond_film_gets_a_title!

This is James Bond, for heaven's sake, not Stanley Kubrick.

You don't follow titles like "From Russia With Love," "Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," "Live and Let Die," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "A View to a Kill," "Goldeneye," etc. with "Quantum of Solace." Not to mention "For Your Eyes Only," which this story comes from (and a great song, by the way).