GM top Exec. don't want to give up anything?
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Perception is reality; most especially when it's political reality we are talking about.
But, my point was that they shouldn't be doing any travel in which case they don't need private jets at all...it doesn't matter if private jets are cheaper overall than taking commercial flights...no form/method of travel is cheaper than not traveling.
On what should be rare occasions when they absolutely must travel, commercial should be good enough; even for Wagoner - if he wants to splurge he can go business class but splurging on anything should be totally gone from GM's mindset for as long as they are begging for money from the taxpayers.
But, my point was that they shouldn't be doing any travel in which case they don't need private jets at all...it doesn't matter if private jets are cheaper overall than taking commercial flights...no form/method of travel is cheaper than not traveling.
On what should be rare occasions when they absolutely must travel, commercial should be good enough; even for Wagoner - if he wants to splurge he can go business class but splurging on anything should be totally gone from GM's mindset for as long as they are begging for money from the taxpayers.
Guess who's responsible for perception? It's the "M" word - the Media.
And seriously, what do you know about GM exec needing or not needing to travel?
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Again I ask, what part of "perception is reality" do you not understand?
If you guys can't understand how incredibly stupid it was for Larry, Curly and Mo to show up in private jets to beg for taxpayer money because their companies are so poor; then I can only assume you guys don't understand because you simply refuse to do so.
If you guys can't understand how incredibly stupid it was for Larry, Curly and Mo to show up in private jets to beg for taxpayer money because their companies are so poor; then I can only assume you guys don't understand because you simply refuse to do so.
If the media reported that GM has 3 already-paid-for jets sitting in the hangar, while they take Avis rental to Washington, they would have been accused of pretending to be in dire straits, of piety.
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Well, seriously, I don't need to know about GM exec(s) needing to travel because I can add and subtract and that high-level math tells me that when your company is loosing $2B/month then your company is broke and can't afford to travel..."need" is no longer the operative word.
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I brought this up before, and I'm bringing it up again. It is a double-edged sword.
If the media reported that GM has 3 already-paid-for jets sitting in the hangar, while they take Avis rental to Washington, they would have been accused of pretending to be in dire straits, of piety.
If the media reported that GM has 3 already-paid-for jets sitting in the hangar, while they take Avis rental to Washington, they would have been accused of pretending to be in dire straits, of piety.
Perception is still reality when politics and public perception is involved; you can argue all the facts you want for the rest of this century and it isn't going to change anything.
Now with that said, it's the weekend and it's obvious that there is nothing new to say on this so have a nice weekend...I have some curves to carve up.
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Well, seriously, I don't need to know about GM exec(s) needing to travel because I can add and subtract and that high-level math tells me that when your company is loosing $2B/month then your company is broke and can't afford to travel..."need" is no longer the operative word.
You're concentrating on a scratch on a wrecked car. You don't polish the scratch out before you give the car to a body shop.
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Now with that said, it's the weekend and it's obvious that there is nothing new to say on this so have a nice weekend...I have some curves to carve up.
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The only thing that matters is corporate jets on this one particular trip. That is why we should let 2.5 million people lose their jobs. Good thing that is reality. But wait, I am sorry those are the facts showing up again. I am really trying hard to stop mentioning them.
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Nope. Sorry. Not acceptable. Having done some business with private jet charter, I wouldn't be surprised if the cost of the private flight was even higher than $20k.
For those of you crying about security: California's governor flies around on public coach flights. I remember flying into Burbank with Gray Davis sitting two seats behind me. Nobody knows who the CEOs of the Big 3 are; they're not in danger. And it might be good for them to get out of their ivory towers and talk to the public a bit.
And for those of you crying about CEO time: bull****. A CEO sets policy, determines strategic direction, makes top-level financial decisions. He does not turn a wrench, crunch detailed spreadsheets, or do any extremely time-consuming work. He has a retinue of helpers and assistants. He does not *have* to be insanely busy or overworked, unless he wants to be.
For those of you crying about security: California's governor flies around on public coach flights. I remember flying into Burbank with Gray Davis sitting two seats behind me. Nobody knows who the CEOs of the Big 3 are; they're not in danger. And it might be good for them to get out of their ivory towers and talk to the public a bit.
And for those of you crying about CEO time: bull****. A CEO sets policy, determines strategic direction, makes top-level financial decisions. He does not turn a wrench, crunch detailed spreadsheets, or do any extremely time-consuming work. He has a retinue of helpers and assistants. He does not *have* to be insanely busy or overworked, unless he wants to be.
I gotta disagree with those apologists here. It was perhaps the crowning achivement of stupid, clueless, downright question-these-guys-sense-of-reality dumb move by going to congress to ask for a $25 billion bailout that has dubious and threadbare public support via executive corperate owned jets.
Clinton has even flown 1st & business in commercial jets.
I'm a loud and vocal supporter of Federal help for the big 3. But this (plus the absence of any real plans (Ford's Mulally seemed to be the most credible... as was pointed out, Wagoner seemed to talk around in circles and not just about salary) made me really question my support. I haven't changed my mind mind you, but they (collectively) probably turned off an army of public opinion that was either on the fence or had lukewarm support of Federal help.
I pray these guys get a clue by the next appearence in congress week after next, otherwise the blame for failure will go squarely to where it's deserved.
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EDIT: Charlie summed it up best...
Last edited by My Red 93Z-28; Nov 22, 2008 at 07:05 PM.
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Never have I heard a more articulate viewpoint. Every word had meaning. Every statement had accuracy. A far cry from other viewpoints I've heard from Congress the past week.
I don't know why some 'stray' missiles aren't landed at the homes of the bank owners. It might actually solve a lot of the world's problems.
