No bailout this time and I'm now a Bowling God

My 1995 Ford Mustang V6 convertible is still running strong. This was a graduation gift/insurance money from an accident on how I received it. Compared to today's vehicles, it still gets good gas mileage. There were a few major repairs on it over the years, one that included replacing the engine after a few casket heads were blown. I take pride knowing its an American product, but my outlook on our American auto industry is completely different.

The auto companies asking for a bailout have been dubbed "The Big 3" -- General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford. A few years ago, GM had an opportunity to receive a patent on the hybrid. Upper management said it didn't make "economic sense" to pursue one. The end result: GM lost a few billion dollars the next quarter. These companies, like our federal government, need a facelift. They're still operating with a 20th century mindset.

Congress will cave in to their whims. Trust me. If this is the case, here's what I want to see happen. The treasury has spent $290 billion to buy back what first was supposed to be bad assets. Now, Henry Paulson is saying it's stocks. There needs to be transparency and Americans are entitled to know in writing exactly what it is our tax dollars are being spent on.

I think Paulson is the fall guy, and the administration is responsible for how this bailout is being handled. If the auto industry is granted a bailout, there needs to be stringent conditions attached. 1.) Have these companies provide a comprehensive business model on how they're going to improve their products and services. 2.) Each company needs to provide a balance sheet on all expenditures and gains made. Is upper management spending too much on golf retreats? That needs to stop. 3.) There have been some recent improvements with designs and fuel efficient vehicles by these companies. Most important, they have to make necessary changes with their upper management. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these individuals are older and simply have out-of-date ideas. Bring in younger, idealistic minds that can deliver.

Conservatives blame unions for these problems with the auto industry's dire financial straits. Well, the CEO of Goldman Sachs whined to a Senate Committee recently that he and his cronies won't be getting their Christmas bonuses. Tough. This guy and those directly under him are earning over a billion per year. Do the simple math. The auto industry is no different. Unions aren't the problem here.

I'm a Bowling God

Robin and I joined eight of our friends Saturday night for bowling. I hadn't bowled in ages, so it was fun to renew another sport I enjoy. We bowled two games. The first game, I blew away everyone with a menial 138 score. It should've been higher, but I missed some easy spare opportunities. Drama ensued during the second game.

After downing a pitcher of beer, my muscles began to relax. I had too much of a carefree attitude as well. My good friend and also the guy I visit every Sunday for a few games of PS3 Madden 'o9 online, had a sizeable lead over me. I had to revert back to my old, competitive self. His lead dwindled, as he stopped marking in the later frames. I, on the other hand, began picking up spares. It came down to the 10th frame and naturally, he was giddy that he was about to win. I had to mark.

I placed my hand over the vent, grabbed my ball, and meticulously looked at the arrows below my feet. O.k. I need to stand between the second and third arrows. I rolled the ball hard down the lane where I wanted it; it was heading to the side of the head pin. The pins cracked and fell over except one. Damn it. One pin was left standing on the far left hand side of the lane. This won't be an easy spare shot.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. I grabbed my ball, meticulously looked at the arrows below my feet, and moved a little further to the left. I gently extended my arm, reached my hand out like I'm providing a hand shake, and placed some spin on the ball as it slowly moved towards the pin. Come on, come on. Yes. I made a direct hit smack dab in the middle of the lone pin. I just needed a few pins to secure a victory. My next attempt was a perfect strike. What a way to end the game and conquer my competition. As I let him know along with Robin, I'm now a Bowling God.