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From: Lance
Remote Name: 65.88.106.3
Date: 31 Mar 2004
Time: 01:44:50
March 23, 2004; Virtual Trucking Museum> Makes sense doesn’t it? Virtual trucking museum connects with the Net. Source: Today's Trucking News. The virtual museum offers an intimate look at the daily life of the Canadian trucker and the history of the Canadian trucking industry. http://www.todaystrucking.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=3018 Well why not we have virtually everything else? Speaking of virtual, the new Fed Ex vans my use virtually little fuel. FedEx Hybrids: http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2004/03/29/daily7.html?f=et76 . Which is a great idea as we study the costs associated with transportation these days. Meanwhile we already realize we have virtually no water in some states. Colorado for instance? Water Conservation in Colorado? You bet it is needed: http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=46776 Meaning everyone needs to get some virtual grass? After all Gas, Grass or VR ass? No one rides for free? Wait a minute, that is not exactly how the saying went? Water Restrictions Spur Fake Grass Popularity, Source: KMGH - Denver, CO, Aurora, Colo. -- Fake turf is becoming more popular along the Front Range as homeowners, schools and cities face water restrictions with another drought. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/weather/2957331/detail.html . Maybe I can get some fake turf? And as we continue our virtual talks, car sales in March virtually stalled out. March Car Sales…Ouch? Yep results are in somewhat and you can figure out the rest. March new vehicle sales seen as sluggish. Sales of new cars and trucks in the United States have remained relatively sluggish in March, though analysts reportedly say tax refunds and heftier consumer incentives should provide something of an industry boost. http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=43964&dm=yes . Virtually flying in some parts of the world however. Good in China? CHINA: Car sales almost double in 2003 Car sales in China in 2003 nearly doubled to 2.04 million units, Reuters reported, citing official data, after breaching the million mark for the first time in 2002, driven by an economy that expanded 9.1% last year. http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=43963&dm=yes Source: North America Auto Dealers Association NADA and Associated Press: Sales of new cars and trucks have remained relatively sluggish in March, though analysts say tax refunds and heftier consumer incentives should provide something of an industry pick-me-up. Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch both predict a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for March of 16.6 million units, up 3 percent from a year ago but still soft given that March typically marks the start of the spring selling season. The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate, known as SAAR, indicates what sales for the full year would be if they remained at the same pace for all 12 months. The rates were 16.1 million in January and 16.4 million in February, following full-year sales of 16.7 million units in 2003. Major automakers report U.S. sales for March on Thursday. In a research note, Goldman Sachs analyst Gary Lapidus said he expects the final tab for incentives to be up sharply for March. He cites in particular DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, which has beefed up deals significantly as it tries to clear out old models ahead of nine new or redesigned vehicles this year. "Following unprecedented tax cuts, auto sales should enjoy an unusually good refund season, although the full effect will not be felt until April and May," Lapidus said. http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0403/29/autos-104883.htm and of course the disclaimer> [FOOTNOTE: NADA Chief Economist Paul Taylor points out that dealer efforts and additional incentives are likely to drive March sales to a level equal to, or slightly above, last March. Taylor has surveyed about 20 NADA dealerships, and found that in locations where spring conditions have arrived, customers are beginning to come out to dealerships in higher numbers. In areas were the weather is still unfavorable, sales are running behind last year's results. Sales should be stronger in April, and they remain on track to reach NADA's 2004 forecast of 16.8 million units, Taylor says.] -------------- As we watch car sales slow, we see real military people with virtually no cash to pay bills; This concerns me too. As we see the level of integrity dwindling, this GAO report is scary. If 16,000 Active Duty Military people filed bankruptcy last year why? http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04465r.pdf . I understand that the government screwed over many who were called to active duty as part of their requirements from the National Guard failing to have their pay checks find them for up to 120 days? Ouch, that after they quit their jobs to go back into the military active for a spell. I would like this information separated out t see how many actually filed bankruptcy due to miss management and failure to send them their paychecks and how much due to fiscal irresponsibility to personal finances? If we have people hard up for cash in the military who have access to all sorts of important information, troop movements, new tactics, equipment, etc. and they sell us out to get some fast cash, then we are into an area of "Lose Lips sink ships" and that is not good. Virtually everyone seems to be leaving at the Treasury Department? And these losses of good people from the Treasury Department are not good, if in fact we are worried about some sort of money laundering issues? I guess as they move to DHS they may help us there. But we have other issues with illegal money flows out of the country, which is effecting our economies too. No flow, no go. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0322/web-ladner-03-26-04.asp Meanwhile we have other CIO people at DHS lying on resumes and using Degree Churners to hand out some cool documents? Give me a free degree? Of course, I have been warning about this: http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/25419-1.html Read the bottom of this post: http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/0000006a.htm . This is what I have been saying, that if 1/3 of our population is dishonest, how can you trust people with the information and secrecy? The problem is that the people in the groups are not anymore honest than the regular Joe on the street. And even when you screen for it. Still you are going to get 10-15% who are not ethical, you see. I must virtually flummoxed as I look at the average amount of time someone holds a job. They leave for various reasons and take that information with them? Where too? Well that is a information leak situation isn’t it? You know that the average employee only keeps their job 3.5 years, yes this is the average now, not like yesterday when the average person might be employed their entire life at one company, this brings up a serious issue as I read in this GAO report: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04423.pdf . This is not a good sign as it does not take into consideration the average person or employee. Are you concerned about this? I think I am. Everyone one wants instant gratification and portable rights and pensions. No one has any patience what so ever and this is why I give Congratulations NASA. - NASA Goes Hypersonic In X-43a Test; http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rlv-04c.html and http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2535926 . Virtually around the world in no time? 5000 mph, wow? Some companies in manufacturing have virtually lost all their jobs? Delphi a change of strategy? Hopefully something has to work? Not a good situation to be in; USA: Delphi looks beyond automotive parts for growth http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=43967&dm=yes . And many have plans to diversify into other industries. Which is better than getting shot at a car wash? MAN dies after being shot at Rock Hill car wash, Source: WCNC (subscription) - Charlotte, NC, www.WCNC.com . A man died after he was shot at a Rock Hill car wash Sunday, according to the Rock Hill Police Department. http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-032904-ds-rockhillcarwash.d242229b.html or maybe God Save the Car Wash? Pastor’s car stolen from Auto Bell car wash. Source: WCNC (subscription) - Charlotte, NC, The vehicle was running while employees dried the car outside the car wash. When the employee raised his hand to signal the car a guy came over got in the drove away? Surprising? http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-032304-al-pastor_car.b48cfdd7.html . The two most stolen books stolen from the public library are: “The Bible” and “the Joy of Sex?” You figure it out? There is nothing clean about that true bit of trivia. Death and Taxes and virtually no way around the Diesel Road Tax: http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2004/03/29/daily1.html?f=et201 This is good news as these lost funds are needed to keep road improvements up and make sure we have proper infrastructure. Upgrading Infrastructures? Finally? http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0011281.html . Speaking of infrastructure how about going faster on the ground too? Forget virtual gambling if you live in LA you could be there in under an hour? Or across the desert into LA for work and back with little or no commute times? MTA Backs a Bullet Train Route Through High Desert. Source: Los Angeles Times (subscription) - Los Angeles, CA, The options being studied by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is now nearing completion on a plan for a $37-billion electric-powered bullet train. Electric Train, Tesla would have been amazed? http://www.latimes.com/news/local/los_angeles_metro/la-me-mta26mar26,1,5647903.story?coll=la-commun-los_angeles_metro How about a virtual operator? Why outsource? Give the job to a computer and a sliver to a person? http://crm-daily.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Microsoft_Launches_Speech_Server__Mobile_Software_Upgrade&story_id=23491&category=contact_centers . and speaking of virtual sourcing? What about warehouse personal? Well RFID tags are the virtual future or freight too. Although some debate the integrity of the privacy issues? SEN . Leahy Calls On Congress To Study RFID; Source: Information Week - United States. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling on Congress to begin studying RFID technology. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18402616 . Maybe we need RFID Sensors on Senators to show they are present in the building and actually working for us. Or how about sensors for when they are lying or when they spend too much of our money on bogus things? Smile. You know I’m right. That was just a statement in jest? Don’t get so ancy? And maybe Ford can employ some of these tactics to increase manufacturing efficiency too? They are planning some larger trucks. Ford to make large truck. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/8278033.htm Ford Motor Co. is unveiling a new commercial truck specifically designed for getting around on tight city streets. Ford says the new model, Low Cab Forward (LCF), meets a growing demand. Sales of agile LCF commercial trucks have risen almost 50 percent over the last decade, led by Isuzu Motors Ltd., an affiliate of General Motors Corp. Annual sales of LCF trucks are expected to double to 40,000 by 2010. The relatively nimble trucks have the driver sitting above the engine and a set-back front axle. The design provides driver visibility and a tighter turning radius than conventional truck designs. One Isuzu model boasts a tighter turning radius than a Ford Mustang. Dearborn-based Ford says it has 42 percent of the highly profitable market for commercial trucks: certain F-250 pickups up to -- but not including -- Class 8 vehicles. Ford designed the new model to help meet the full range of businesses' truck needs, said spokesman Jon Harmon. "They would like to keep all their business with one fleet, and, of course, we'd like to provide all their trucks," he said. Production of the 2006 Ford model will begin early next year at an Escobedo, Mexico, plant that Ford owns with Blue Diamond. -------------------------- Al though meanwhile they cannot produce enough of the smaller ones. Their F-150 they cannot build them fast enough. Meanwhile there is virtually no end to the competition abroad for automobiles and the prices are a heck of a lot cheaper too, both to buy and to build. The difference is virtually night and day. INDIA: Toyota sees Indian facility as low-cost export base http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=43894 . Which makes sense because now light trucks by Toyota are filling up the Middle East through Pakistan, but Toyota does not manufacture there. Are we at a virtual top in the housing market in Southern Cal? San Diego home Prices: http://www.sandiego.com/sdbusiness.jsp . Are we seeing a topping out of the market in some places? Hard to say where the top is except that there is on. And last time things got pretty hammered for a while. The last real estate top out in CA was in the early nineties 92’ and it effected so many people. Cycles. Not that long ago, remember the Fiasco with the Japanese and the Golf Course, Billions of dollars in real estate holdings. . ------------------- A school in GA is teaching kids the virtual basics of 3D cartooning at a young age and is doing well, read this press release: This year, the Mount Carmel Christian School participated in a creative problem solving program known as Destination Imagination, or DI. This allows children in grades 4 - 8 to explore new ways to approach a solution to a problem through various avenues including math, science, acting, costume making, and public performances. Our teams competed in two problems at the Middle School Level. The first, Cartoon DImensions, required them to create a 3-D cartoon, complete with original characters, backdrops, and story. They had to create an object that would move from being 2D to 3D during the course of their performance, and they had to create a cartoon cell from their story, also to be used in their performance. During the course of the DI State competition, they also had to participate in an Instant Challenge, a problem they must solve; usually in under 5 minutes. This team put all this together over 7 months, went to State, and scored 385 points out of a possible 400, making them State Champions and earning them the right to represent Georgia and their school at the Global / World DI Championships! Likewise, our Improvisational team competed, which required them to research 10 different forms of music from Opera to Celtic, Chinese Classical to Rock & Roll. At the State performance, they have 30 minutes to create a humorous skit involving two types of music, a improvisational game, and a character trait unique to one of the characters (the latter they do not know until they arrive to prepare). They must also create several musical instruments to use during their performance. Then, like Cartoon DImensions, they too must complete an IC, or Instant Challenge. This team scored 372 points, placing them in the middle of a three-way tie for second and sending them on to the Global / World competition as well! --------- This is great stuff as FORD is virtually doing away with the problems of Blind Spots in part of their SmartSafe Technologies. Now that is cutting edge, give them an award. http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_ford_aims_clear/index.htm . Think about it you are crossing the road and you miss a car in a blind spot for just a half a second, enough to cause a collision. If this technology had been around 30 years ago, think how many lives could have been saved in America’s most dangerous intersections? And while we are talking about the auto manufacturers industry, let’s talk about the fact the that every controversy has virtually two sides to debate: http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_two_sides_supplier/index.htm Outsourcing America, how does it effect us long term?
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