Ladywriter

If Ikkaku gets serious fuckers will die

epic battle approaching in 3...2...1... Awesome!

Fuckin A Shit turns around thanks to Erza the kick ass bitch X'D

but can Kakashi be manipulated with a sharingan in his head....

WHY WE SHOULDN'T BAIL OUT GM By Nicholas von Hoffman, The Nation The bailout should be used to expand unemployment compensation instead of propping up a single, failing corporation. http://www.alternet.org/workplace/107789/ Now it is the auto parts suppliers who want government money. They employ 600,000 people, more than work for the automobile companies themselves. If the standard for giving out money to companies is the threat of lost jobs, the auto parts suppliers' claim is as good as that of General Motors. The argument against subsidizing money-losing companies to preserve employment is that it would be impossible to think up a more expensive way of helping people. There ought to be another way -- and there is. Unemployment compensation should be expanded to ensure those losing their jobs will not lose their houses or their health insurance. Helping people on that scale will not be cheap, but helping them by propping up corporate losers is infinitely more costly: sooner or later people will find other employment, but the automobile companies will never turn a profit. They have been steadily losing money for a generation. Their predicament has nothing to do with today's credit crunch or the stock market crash. It has to do with their being incorrigible foul-ups. Their record for money-losing is beyond comprehension. David Yermack, professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business, has calculated how much capital the car companies have destroyed over the last few decades. He writes, "General Motors and Ford...between them...destroyed $110 billion in capital between 1980 and 1990.... GM has invested $310 billion in its business between 1998 and 2007. The total depreciation of GM's physical plant during this period was $128 billion, meaning that a net $182 billion of society's capital has been pumped into GM over the past decade -- a waste of about $1.5 billion per month of national savings. The story at Ford has not been as adverse but is still disheartening, as Ford has invested $155 billion and consumed $8 billion net of depreciation since 1998. As a society, we have very little to show for this $465 billion." Having eaten its way through almost a half-trillion dollars, the American car industry will gulp down the $25 billion now proposed to save it faster than most of us can swallow. The Democratic leaders in Congress think they can prevent that and force a turnaround by attaching some kind of government oversight board to the financial aid. Such a board might make sure that executives do not draw down indefensibly high salaries, but any such arrangement will make it doubly certain the companies will not find their way back to prosperity. Not that revivals are impossible. General Motors teetered on the edge of bankruptcy once before, in 1920. Then, as now, the cause was incompetent management. At that time one of GM's biggest stockholders was the du Pont family, who realized that its investment was in danger of evaporating. To save its holdings the family put its most talented member, Pierre S. du Pont, on a train to Detroit. Once settled in at GM, du Pont installed Alfred P. Sloan as its new president. Together these two business geniuses created the single greatest industrial organization of the last century. At its apogee under Sloan, General Motors became the model for creative and effective corporate management. Quite literally, the world had seen nothing like it. This is the inheritance that the epigones running Detroit's today have ruined. What they have done is a crime against their stockholders, employees of the Big Three, their customers and the nation. Now we are amid these splendid corporate ruins. The best hope -- and it is only a hope -- is bankruptcy. With bankruptcy comes the chance of reorganization, the breaking of the anachronistic union contracts and the possibility of new and effective management. A modern version of du Pont and Sloan is asking too much, but surely somewhere in the three major car companies there are more effective and courageous executives than those now them. The Republicans are against a bailout for the usual doctrinaire reasons -- free market blah-blah, creeping (or galloping) socialism. Such meaningless abstractions aside, the reality is that a society pockmarked by large, losing, subsidized corporations is a society on the way to the poorhouse. By propping up GM and saving some jobs now, we will see many more lost just down the road.

results of our COP14 nagging: President-elect Obama just outsmarted us. He found a way to accomplish the goal we set out for him, re-engaging the United States in the U.N. climate talks, without having to get on a plane. Speaking via (low-carbon) video to a gathering of world leaders, Obama said that the continued existence of George Bush as president would prevent him from making the trip to Poland next month for the next round of international talks. But he'd clearly heard the call for his presence - - including the nearly 50,000 invitations you sent in from every corner of the world that came through the 350.org website. Here's a key passage from Obama's video statement: "Let me also say a special word to the delegates from around the world who will gather in Poland next month: your work is vital to the planet. While I won't be president at the time of your meeting and while the United States has only one president at a time, I've asked members of Congress who are attending the conference as observers to report back to me on what they learn there. And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change." Although we wanted Obama to go to Poland in person, we're overjoyed by the words above - - and pleased to see that he's pioneering fossil-fuel free ways to communicate with the rest of the world! Why is Obama's statement such a big success? Because for eight years the U.S. has been blocking genuine progress on an international climate deal. Now, in the middle of economic crisis and with plenty of other issues to address, President-elect Obama took the time to make a special statement committing the U.S. to positive engagement in the upcoming negotiations. His commitment will be seen as a major breakthrough by countries around the world. You made that possible through your commitment to this campaign. Politicians don't say "special words" unless prodded, and your tens of thousands of invitations and letters to the editor did just that. And now the task of injecting 350 ppm into the negotiations is front and center. Obama may not be going to Poland, but some of the crew behind 350.org will be--we'll keep you in the loop as world leaders negotiate our future. Together, we'll keep building this movement. Follow this link to check out some of the beautiful 350 actions from India, Chile, Costa Rica, and the USA: http://www.350.org/obama-commits Look for more email updates in the weeks to come to find out how we can keep this movement building. Good work, Bill McKibben and the 350.org team P.S. This is pretty exciting news all around, if you ask us. Will you forward this on to your friends and help spread the word that the U.S. is back in the game?

After eight years of the Bush Administration's support for Big Oil, we have some difficult challenges ahead: A struggling economy. Global warming pollution. Dependence on oil. But, with a new President and new leaders in Congress set to take office, we finally have the opportunity to make a real change and start working towards a clean energy future. That's why we've launched a new campaign to show President-elect Obama that we support his efforts to make clean energy a top priority and to call on him to develop a plan in his first 100 days in office that will repower, refuel and rebuild America. Join the campaign - click below sign the petition to Repower, Refuel and Rebuild America today! http://ga3.org/campaign/rebuild_america/i5u63wwrz7ki8nw7? America has a fresh start. This is our chance to turn things around. Help us make sure we don't miss it! The Repower, Refuel and Rebuild America petition calls on President-elect Obama to support four major goals: * Move to 100% clean electricity; * Cut our dependence on oil in half; * Create 5 million new clean energy jobs; and * Cut global warming pollution by at least 80%. But we need to make sure the new Administration can move in this new direction right away. Now is the time to put Americans to work in building a clean energy economy. And there's an easy way you can help. Click below to sign the petition to Repower, Refuel and Rebuild America! http://ga3.org/campaign/rebuild_america/i5u63wwrz7ki8nw7? When we connect with our new leaders, we need the strength of thousands of supporters like you who know the path to a healthy planet and healthy economy starts with investing in clean energy solutions. The more people who voice their support, the stronger our call for change becomes. Please take a minute and sign the petition today. http://ga3.org/campaign/rebuild_america/i5u63wwrz7ki8nw7? Together we can undo the damage of eight years of failed environmental policies. Together we can fix our economy and heal our planet. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Michael Town Campaign Director, SaveOurEnvironment.org info@saveourenvironment.org

Somali pirates turn villages into boomtowns For Somalis, piracy is seen as sure bet to a better life MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's increasingly brazen pirates are building sprawling stone houses, cruising in luxury cars, marrying beautiful women — even hiring caterers to prepare Western-style food for their hostages.And in an impoverished country where every public institution has crumbled, they have become heroes in the steamy coastal dens they operate from because they are the only real business in town. "The pirates depend on us, and we benefit from them," said Sahra Sheik Dahir, a shop owner in Haradhere, the nearest village to where a hijacked Saudi Arabian supertanker carrying $100 million in crude was anchored Wednesday. These boomtowns are all the more shocking in light of Somalia's violence and poverty: Radical Islamists control most of the country's south, meting out lashings and stonings for accused criminals. There has been no effective central government in nearly 20 years, plunging this arid African country into chaos.Life expectancy is just 46 years; a quarter of children die before they reach 5. Pirate economy thriving But in northern coastal towns like Haradhere, Eyl and Bossaso, the pirate economy is thriving thanks to the money pouring in from pirate ransoms that have reached $30 million this year alone. In Haradhere, residents came out in droves to celebrate as the looming oil ship came into focus this week off the country's lawless coast. Businessmen started gathering cigarettes, food and cold glass bottles of orange soda, setting up small kiosks for the pirates who come to shore to re-supply almost daily. Dahir said she is so confident in the pirates, she instituted a layaway plan just for them. "They always take things without paying and we put them into the book of debts," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Later, when they get the ransom money, they pay us a lot."

now that I've finished all of Geass ... I still say FMP

Dems seek to lower auto bailout expectations Heads of Detroit ‘Big Three’ make little headway in building support Auto execs ask Senators for $25 billion lifeline Ford is better positioned to ride out recession GM delaying payments to dealers to save cash

that was nasty

It doesn't really shock me. I have the misfortune of having to deal with teens on a daily basis being an oblivious parent would be easier but its not an option.

Dear Friend, It's outrageous! The Bush/Cheney Administration is moving helter-skelter in its final days to ram through one last attack on our wolves a proposal that could lead to the slaughter of as many as 1,000 wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. Stop the Bush/Cheney assault on wolves. Speak out against eliminating vital protection for wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies. http://action.defenders.org/site/R?i=d0EyS86vV_QgDB_qCYCwjA.. Despite a federal court ruling against essentially the same proposal earlier this year, the Bush/Cheney Administration is once again attempting to eliminate safeguards for some of America's most iconic and important wolves. The goal: To green-light plans that could lead to the slaughter of as many as two-thirds of the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Rockies wolf population. Help stop the killing before it starts. Urge federal officials to come up with a responsible management plan that ensures a lasting future for these majestic animals. http://action.defenders.org/site/R?i=vpp7EO2WDiK5zz9YPvhysA.. Already, more than 51,000 caring people have spoken out for our wolves. But the public comment period on this awful proposal ends next Friday, and we only have 10 days left to provide a voice for our wolves. If we're going to save our wolves, we need at least another 25,000 caring people like you to lend your voice to the fight. Click here to submit your comment to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now and speak out for our wolves. http://action.defenders.org/site/R?i=fOWUeIr2x7kW0hDOFJtU6A.. The Bush/Cheney Administration is running out of time. With your help, we can stop their plan and protect wolves for future generations. For the Wild Ones, Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife

_SyxyPpDqn8 nlEc6V2XPG8 a0ichpra2FA

Most of the politicians are for rescuing the big three. At least this time they're pausing long enough to consider accountability, something not done with the wall st package. We've seen airlines post 9/11 end up declaring bankruptcy then turn it around and the airline survives. I'm getting real tired of rewarding the fuckin greedy idiots with our money. We don't get shitz in return. Its enough of the corporate welfare system.

finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Go Save Ace~kun!!!!

I'm guessing its that Ace carries his moms name (my preferred theory ) or its a made up name by him or even someone else(WB); a break away from the Monkey family name when he set out and ended up w/ Witebeard. He could have used Portgas to keep Dragon and Garp off his back while he was making a name for himself.

n...nani yo?

I'm looking forward to seeing him fight

Should Congress bail out the Big Three? Here's what lawmakers are considering and what's at stake. Democrats’ Soft Spot for Automakers Have Shielded Detroit from Its Own Bad Decisions Garland McLaurin, American News Project. November 17, 2008. The automobile lobby is back on Capitol Hill to secure $25 billion in loans. Will the money get wasted or put to good use? Bush ‘does not want U.S. automakers to fail’ Administration supports help, but not at expense of financial bailout Auto Workers Union Rules Out Concessions To Help Detroit Bailout etc We've seen companies come and go, car companies too. They fail and get bought out. (Chevy Buick Saturn Pontiac GMC Hummer SAAB Cadillac all their base belongs to GM) I don't think the guy who stood on the line for 30 years should have his retirement plans fucked with. He earned it working in a tedious toxic factory. It was their financial strategy to introduce and mass produce vehicles that got less mpg (SUV's etc). It isn't as if they do not possess the technology to refit their factories to making more green products, their complaint is they don't have the capitol to invest in the project. Now they've put their hand out just like the bankers did. We have to do something to help them or millions of people are going to lose their jobs. So they'll get their bail out too but this time lets not hand them a check and worry about getting the oversight committee assembled a month later. If they want and need our godamn money too then lets put some strings on that cash. If they want to survive they have to invest in the future. We don't need to be driving fortresses that get 17mpg, we need fuel efficent eco friendly cars. If the American auto industry doesnt want to loose all its current potential and future coustomers to their competitors they need to step up the competition. Settle on a hybrid design and pump that fucker out there cheap enough for everyone to go nuts and buy one. (I'm not 100% for eathonal at this point because of the use of corn. Food as fuel is a bad idea. Up here they're trying other flora, primarialy willow trees. Again here is another situation where the cultivation of hemp would be a plus because it could be used in ethonal production.) The new car companies generally put out a couple of cheap beat em up boxes; Saturn and Kia both did it not so long ago and they made a good buck. We need cheap greener cars fast, our car companies can keep up or go swirly down the toilet. On a personal note I wouldn't mind taking a hatchet to the big 3 and bust this shit up a bit

(CNN) -- Pirates have hijacked a Saudi-owned oil tanker with 25 crew aboard off the coast of Kenya, the U.S. Navy and the British Foreign Office confirmed on Monday. The Sirius Star -- a crude "super tanker" flagged in Liberia and owned by the Saudi Arabian-based Saudi Aramco company -- was attacked on Saturday more than 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa, Kenya. The crew includes British, Croatian, Polish, Filippino and Saudi nationals. U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet Cmdr. Jane Campbell said the super tanker weighs more than 300,000 metric tons and "is more than three times the size of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier." Oil industry insiders say a tanker of this size can carry up to 2 million barrels of oil. A U.S. Navy spokesman said the tanker was carrying some oil, but it was not known how much. A multinational naval force including vessels from the U.S., the UK and Russia has been patrolling the Indian Ocean waters seas near the Gulf of Aden, which connects the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, following a sharp increase in pirate attacks in the region. "It was attacked more than 450 nautical offshore of Mombasa. This means that the pirates are now operating in an area of over 1.1 million square miles. This is a measure of the determination of the pirates and ... a measure of how lucrative piracy could become," Campbell said. Campbell said the Navy does not expect to dispatch a vessel to aide the super tanker because it does not have dangerous weapons aboard like the MV Faina, a Ukrainian ship loaded with arms that was seized by pirates on September 25. The UK Foreign Office confirmed two Britons were aboard and said it was seeking more information about the incident. Navy spokesman Lt. Nathan Christensen of the U.S. 5th Fleet told the Associated Press the pirates holding the Sirius Star are nearing an anchorage point at the Somali town of Eyl -- a haven for pirates where a number of other ships are still being held. On Sunday pirates seized a 20,000-ton Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Somalia. A Russian patrol ship also thwarted an attack on a Saudi vessel. Eleven vessels are currently being held by pirates hoping to secure ransoms for their release, according to The Associated Press. They include the MV Faina, which was hijacked along with 200 crew and a cargo of weapons and T-72 tanks. Ninety percent of ships transiting the perilous seas are using a guarded corridor and there have been no hijackings inside the zone since it was set up on August 22, Danish Commodore Per Bigum Christensen told AP last week. Around 20,000 oil tankers, freighters and merchant vessels pass along the crucial shipping route each year. "Our presence in the region is helping deter and disrupt criminal attacks off the Somali coast, but the situation with the Sirius Star clearly indicates the pirates' ability to adapt their tactics and methods of attack" said U.S. Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of the Combined Maritime Forces. "Piracy is an international crime that threatens global commerce. Shipping companies have to understand that naval forces can not be everywhere. Self protection measures are the best way to protect their vessels, their crews, and their cargo."

Lottery does well up here and NY is one of the states that participates in mega millions

WALL STREET'S BAILOUT IS A TRILLION-DOLLAR CRIME SCENE -- WHY AREN'T THE DEMS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT? By Naomi Klein, The Nation Washington's handling of the bailout is not merely incompetent. It may well be illegal. http://www.alternet.org/workplace/107000/

FF7 Chrono Trigger

Share your vision for what America can be, where President-Elect Obama should lead this country. Where should we start together? What will you tell the President-Elect to focus on? (Lets all send lotsa suggestions and share with each other ) I would like you all to consider telling Obama: We absolutely need someone from his upcoming administration; preferably him but if not himself then a close adviser, to attend the COP14 (UN Climate Conference) Dec 1-12 in Poland. At this point I really don't give a shit about the whole "one president at a time" Bush is all fuckin done and what happens in these talks is going to affect Obama's presidency directly. If he can't go himself he needs to send Biden or send someone that is going to be his go to climate guy durring his administration *dreams of Secretary of the climate Al Gore* I_TD4OL-15U Its been time we get on board w/ Kyoto and start not just working but leading the fight to keep earth comfortably habitable for all. It's time to start naggin the new guy so he starts out right. He asked us to help him be our voice. We have to push the green movement now. The new green deal