Home > Thinking Right > Archives > 2007 > February > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDelta stays my Delta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Toward the end of Wednesday’s State Senate debate on vouchers for special education students, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle interrupted the proceedings to announce the breaking news: US Airways had dropped its hostile takeover bid for Delta Air Lines. The chamber erupted in cheers. Later in the afternoon, at a joint Transportation Committee meeting, most legislators were sporting “Keep Delta My Delta” buttons.
Without question, yesterday was a great day for Atlanta and for Delta’s employees. Books undoubtedly will be written about how the airline survived bankruptcy and takeover, but nobody can look back at the bullets it dodged without acknowledging the leadership of Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein and his management team. I thought it was brilliant. Management and employees sent all the right signals, telling creditors with their actions — recalling workers, planning new hires and announcing the purchase of new planes — that Delta management had it under control. All of their signals reassured creditors. To be honest, I thought Delta was a goner when US Airways bumped up its takeover offer by 20 percent.
Delta’s happy day prompts two observations. One concerns executive pay. The other is the role of government in promoting, blocking or taking sides in mergers.
President Bush, speaking Wednesday in New York on the “state of the economy” warned corporate boards to “step up to their responsibilities” to tie executive compensation to performance. “Government should not decide the compensation for America’s corporate executives,” said Bush. “But the salaries and bonuses of CEOs should be based on their companies and bringing values to their shareholders.” New federal rules to give investors more and clearer information on executive compensation and perks took effect last month.
No question some compensation packages, like that for former Home Depot chief Bob Nardelli, who was paid an average of $25.7 million a year, are obscene. But I agree with Bush. It’s not government’s role to write a formula or to set a number as a compensation ceiling. To my mind, Delta’s Grinstein and other executives have earned big bonuses in saving Delta. I don’t have a number in mind, but their work is clearly deserving of generous compensation. As with campaign finance, clear and timely disclosure is all I ask.
As for government’s role in mergers: It should be neutral, of course, determining that mergers don’t create monopolies and aren’t significantly anti-competitive. Otherwise, it’s a bystander. Using public money, either through tax incentives or exemptions, to influence the outcome is generally undesirable, though I don’t fault company officials for attempting to use government to send signals to the suitor that Georgia prefers the hometown gal.
It is, in any event, a super day for Delta and for the home team. Congratulations to managment and to employees for pulling this one off.
Comments
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 08:29 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. I suppose I look at the matter backwards, but I am not at all persuaded that the non-merger was in the best interest of anyone other than management at Delta, sort of a “we’ve got to do something to protect our phoney-baloney jobs” action. The issue is not one that sparks strong emotions for me. Airtran is the official airline of jbmlaw since the punted the screaming toddler last week. I don’t think I’ll be investing in Delta, since management’s greatest efforts seem directed at preserving their “positions.”
By Screwy Wabbit
February 1, 2007 08:35 AM | Link to this
Notice how US Airways backed off after Delta armed all their pilots?
Delta was saved because of the cost-cutting decision to stop training the newly armed pilots to take off or land, but rather just steer…..DOH!
By Below the Salt
February 1, 2007 08:45 AM | Link to this
jbmlaw -
If we thought you knew what the #### you were talking about we might take the time to tell you to #### off like we did US Airways. Sadly for you, you don’t, so we will stay busy working towards putting the likes of AirTran to shame.
Have a nice day,
The Non-Management Employees of Delta
By C.E. Woolman
February 1, 2007 08:53 AM | Link to this
You said it best, “you look at the matter backwards” and in a very selfish manner might I add.
As an Atlant’ian, if you can’t see the numerous positive reasons why Delta, under it’s new and committed leadership team, loyal employees, rich history and ties to the Atlanta community, then I’m not convinced you actually want to believe it to be true. But hey, it’s “all about you, right?”
If your loyalty is to Scaretran as a result of them pulling a crying baby off of the flight because, God forbid he was being a toddler and you get annoyed by a baby crying, then you sir are a good fit with the type of bottom feeder customer that ScareTran panders to. A perfect fit!
If you see Michael Vick on one of your flights …. please remind him that Delta Air Lines is the OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE ATLANTA FALCONS AND THE ATLANTA BRAVES!
A great day for Delta and a great day for Atlanta Georgia! Rock on Delta, as Gold Medallion traveler, I’m very proud of you and wish to soon see you the airline you once were …. back on top.
By C.E. Woolman
February 1, 2007 08:53 AM | Link to this
You said it best, “you look at the matter backwards” and in a very selfish manner might I add.
As an Atlant’ian, if you can’t see the numerous positive reasons why Delta, under it’s new and committed leadership team, loyal employees, rich history and ties to the Atlanta community, then I’m not convinced you actually want to believe it to be true. But hey, it’s “all about you, right?”
If your loyalty is to Scaretran as a result of them pulling a crying baby off of the flight because, God forbid he was being a toddler and you get annoyed by a baby crying, then you sir are a good fit with the type of bottom feeder customer that ScareTran panders to. A perfect fit!
If you see Michael Vick on one of your flights …. please remind him that Delta Air Lines is the OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE ATLANTA FALCONS AND THE ATLANTA BRAVES!
A great day for Delta and a great day for Atlanta Georgia! Rock on Delta, as Gold Medallion traveler, I’m very proud of you and wish to soon see you the airline you once were …. back on top.
By Curious Observer
February 1, 2007 08:57 AM | Link to this
You can bet that if instead of Delta we were discussing an individual who declared bankruptcy and had assets threatened by other entities, Wooten would have been strewing his prose with wingnut phrases like Personal Responsibility and Bad Decisions Create Consequences. But Wooten is all for big business and all against consumers.
That’s the phony-baloney nature of conservatives. What would be completely unacceptable for an individual is a cause for congratulations for a corporation with a history of bad customer service and horrific decision-making. We are told not to interfere with the market when it comes to consumers, but it’s wonderful for Delta executives to be able to avoid the consequences of having turned a once-proud, customer service-oriented company into a basket case and a case study in how not to manage.
By Screwy Wabbit
February 1, 2007 09:04 AM | Link to this
I guess now Delta’s mile-high club will be a reference to the ceo’s salary.
By rc
February 1, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this
Contrast Delta with BellSouth and Georgia Pacific who both went without a wimper. SunTrust will be next. You can bet your bottom dollar the execs in at all three came/will come out of it fixed for life. Yet some continue to pound on the Delta management -now long gone - whose ineptitude almost did it in instead of focusing on the current management who have rallied the company and employees without the benefit of stratospheric salaries. Look at what they are doing now, not at what others have done in the past.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this
Jim,
Why aren’t you chiding all those legislators at the state and federal level for interfering with free markets.
Seems like on some ocassions you don’t like government intervention, but yet on others you give milk toast statements like you gave today.
Your inconsistency here is a hallmark of weak moral grounding. It pretty much renders useless all your other arguments about keeping government out of the way of capitalism. If you were true to your word, today’s column would be much different.
Thanks for providing us this venue to point that out, time and time again.
By KP
February 1, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
YAWN
By Dennis
February 1, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten said; “No question some compensation packages, like that for former Home Depot chief Bob Nardelli, who was paid an average of $25.7 million a year, are obscene.”
To read a conservative critizing “obscene” compensation packages is progress. The left has decried it for many, many years.
Mr. Wooten also writes, “As for government’s role in mergers: It should be neutral, of course, determining that mergers don’t create monopolies and aren’t significantly anti-competitive.”
I wonder if he means the shrinking ownership of the news media and telecomunications industry as well? Pardon the language, but I’m damned satisfied he isn’t going to oppose those being owned and managed by a select neocon group.
If so, then so much for his love of journalism.
By Curious Observer February 1, 2007 08:57 AM said it exactly right, especially the first paragraph;
“You can bet that if instead of Delta we were discussing an individual who declared bankruptcy and had assets threatened by other entities, Wooten would have been strewing his prose with wingnut phrases like Personal Responsibility and Bad Decisions Create Consequences. But Wooten is all for big business and all against consumers.”
Now, if you’re a genuine conservative, then you’ve been taught not to question that, just accept it. On the other hand, if you’re a liberal and say that, then you oppose capitalism, the “free market”, and you are anti-American.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By Brian
February 1, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Contrary to what Liberals are saying here, I see no corrolation between Conservatives meddling in the survival affairs of a corporation compared to what Conservatives generally support, which is non-meddling.
Having the federal government ramrod mandates of pay scales [including the evil ceo’s pay], benefit perks, maternity leave, vacation, and other compensation entitlements to employees is not the same thing as supporting the government to save an airline’s a$$ from a hostile takeover or bankruptcy.
Perhaps the geniuses on the Left don’t understand that saving an airline is much more critical to job security and the local economy than using government power to tell an airline how much it should compensate it’s employees with pay, perks, and benefits. I see that difference clearly, but I doubt the Left can even comprehend the concept.
By JK
February 1, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten’s fellow columnist Molly Ivans has died. Do you suppose he’ll eulogize her by trotting out the comments he made about her when she was alive? Or will he enjoy a celebratory lunch today with the other Molly haters at his country club? (They’re open today, Mr. Wooten.)
By Ol' Pa
February 1, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Few are more sensitive than me to patronizing words that people too often use to refer to distinguished black people, ie “dignified” and “articulate.” Yet these are still positive descriptions. Does Joe Biden really need to be treated like he said the n-word for using one of them? I’m just asking.
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
HA HA HA HA … TOLD YOU SO … THE LIBERAL SCUM REVEAL THEIR TRUE COLOURS:
Corruption, bigotry, adultery and pure poison. Archetypal Sick Willie Klinton politics is resumed just as fast as these cut and run traitors regain a brief period of power.
Bet maggot brain, inbred rednekkk, curious peeping tom et al just sullenly ignore all this … yet sadly we ALL remember how the leftist filth on here endlessly ranted on and on and on about GOP gaffes/corruption and ‘innocent’ remarks pounded on by lice ridden liberals last year.
The mainstream media is FINALLY AND MUCH BELATEDLY starting to weigh in on the latest reporting about the investment practices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The Los Angeles Times Sunday reported that the Nevada Democrat paid $10,000 five years ago to obtain full control of a 160-acre parcel in northern Arizona that could be worth up to $300,000.
The Times says Reid then sponsored legislation that would have been helpful to the businessman who sold him the land. This follows an Associated Press story about another land deal a few weeks ago. Reid’s office says the land deal was perfectly legitimate.
But a Chicago Tribune editorial is titled, “Harry Reid, Land Shark” and calls the sale “unseemly.” The Orlando Sentinel’s editorial is titled “No Role Model” and says — “if they are serious about ethics, Senate Democrats need to find a more deserving standard bearer.” The New York Sun calls it “Reid’s whitewater” and “a corker of a controversy.”
The greasy liberal cheat Sanchez and her fellow congressional hispanic types have now hilariously come to an understanding it seems about her true character!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2572.html
In San FranSicko the leftist Bush hating appeasers are at it again … Klinton style. And these smug liberal pondscum have the unmitigated cheek to lecture everyone else on morality
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/31/BAGM3NSFGQ7.DTL
The arrogant narcissistic Biden’s motormouth bigotry continues - this time poking fun at black nonentity/intellectual lightweight Osama Obama’s personal hygeine. Followed by a mealy mouthed, utterly unconvincing panic stricken ‘clarificiation’. At least this mouthy stupid vainglorious dildo will never be president.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070201-121837-7232r.htm
By Rod
February 1, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
What the hell is this blog about???
Ever since the Republicans got their butts whipped last November, Wooten has been treading around political topics more carefully than tftt does around honest people.
Wooten - this is supposed to be a political blog - do your job and stop dodging the issues.
How’s the Iraq war working for you now? Guess 70% of the country must be Liberals since they all agree the war is a55inine!
By Curious Observer
February 1, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I hope at least somebody understood TFTT’s latest hate-filled screed. It is incomprehensible, and the man needs psychiatric treatment. O for a modern-day Lord Byron to comment on this modern-day Robert Southey:
… explaining metaphysics to the nation— I wish he would explain his explanation.
Get help, TFTT. Your hormones are over-powering your tiny brain.
By Joe
February 1, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mr. Wooten that this merger should not have happened. Fortunately, Delta’s creditors stopped the merger since we could not have relied on President Bush’s Justice Department to enforce anti-trust laws.
For too long, both Republican and Democratic Justice Departments have looked the other way and allowed illegal mergers to go forward — hurting both consumers and workers. There are many factors, but a significant reason for the lack of job security and pay stagnation among the middle class has to do with these mega-mergers that result in less competition, higher prices, and over time, hundreds of thousands of layoffs. Competition and free enterprise depend on our anti-trust statutes. When such mergers are proposed, whether or not there’s an Atlanta connection, we should contact our President and Washington representatives to let them know that we’re watching to see if they prevent such mergers by enforcing (or providing oversight over) our anti-trust laws.
By Van
February 1, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Curious Observer
“But Wooten is all for big business and all against consumers.”
Hmmm, is being for big business the same as being for all the people that Delta employs?
Maybe it is the result of a Delta buyout or complete failure, like Eastern, that has conservatives worried.
In my opinion, the more jobs saved or even created is a better outlook than this rant about “all against consumers”. Who do you think the consumer is in this instance? Is the consumer the college kid asking mom and dad for airfare back home come spring break? Is it the business man going out of town again? Is it the woman flying to visit her sick mother? Is it the couple going on their honeymoon? Are these consumers being hurt by Delta not being bought out and coming out of bankruptcy?
I would think that Delta surviving as a company and recalling their employees a good sign. A very good sign in this booming economy.
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Dear Rod @ 11:04, clearly you need a quick fix: http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/welcome.cgi You’re welcome.
By getalife
February 1, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
I quit reading TFTL(time for the lies) drivil spewed after her first post.
She is an illegal immigrant who should be deported back to the mental prison in England where she escaped.
Whoohooo, Delta still in business losing millions to Air Tran.
Victory?
I guess it is close as the wingnuts will get.
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Libby trial, domestic issues, global warming, big oil profits, etc… are to be ignored by wingnut Wooten.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Brian,
Saving an airline from what? Normal market forces? Normal competitive tendencies?
I dobut that the folks over at US Air think that Delta has been saved from anything other than a solid busines plan that would be in the best interest of both companies.
Unfortunately, due at least in part to the meddling of “big government”, we may never know.
Do you understand that? Or is all you know how to do is spin the issue off topic?
The fact of the matter is that legislators at both the state and federal level stepped in to block one company’s attepmt at buying another company. Period. That’s government meddling in market forces. That’s socialism.
Brian, why do you love socialism?
And why do you hate our troops so much?
By Redneck Convert
February 1, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Well, I tried to tell you all that TFTT was about to go off the deep end. So don’t blame me if he shows up some place with a AK-47. I just hope he gets the death penalty for it. Maybe then the rest of us would not have to wade thru pages and pages of sewer stuff. We made a big mistake by letting English people come over here. Almost as big as letting Those People in here.
I don’t care much about what happens to Delta. They won’t let me take my shotgun and my hunting knife on the plane, so I drive every place I go. That way I can fill my gun rack on the back window.
Well, it’s time for my monthly bath. I hate it but if I don’t do it Sister Dusty turns up her nose and acts like I just broke wind at the Church of Holiness. I bet a lot of other rednecks is dreading their bath too right now.
By Brian
February 1, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
I hope at least somebody understood TFTT’s latest hate-filled screed.
Curious Observer, you have no room to talk about what others say with your hate screed here the other day on supporting euthanasia for Conservatives here including Wooten.
Hypocritical Liberal -
Come to think of it, I can think of a few so-called humans for whom euthanasia would yield a benefit for the peace-loving world. I doubt that the permanent removal of jbmlaw, TFTT, Van, and Dusty would even cause a blip on the social/political radar screen. Let’s throw Wooten onto the scrap-heap of history, too. You can bet that Barbaro had more concern for the welfare of humanity they they’ve ever felt or expressed.
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
poor old senile wankpig peeping tom … its intellectual dishonesty is as puffed up as its innate imbecility.
Liberal corruption/adultery/poison/bigotry are the BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS themes.
you lefty filth incessantly sneered at the GOP/conservatives last year citing various UNRELATED stories… I’m simply amusingly handing back what you human scum (just quoting the N Koreans) handed out.
time to go F your self peeping tom!! ooops too late - again!!
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Dear Curious @ 11:07, perhaps I can help. There are four truly funny stories of leftist hypocrisy in the news today, and our mutual friend TFTT was bringing those to your attention.
Dear Joe @ 11:10, I respectfully disagree with your analysis. A combination of US Air and Delta would not have been the monopolistic powerhouse you fear. There is no aspect of life nor any commercial entity exempt from the laws of economics, so long as the leftists cannot restrict international trade.
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Dear Redneck @ 11:19, you will be pleased to hear, Joe Biden just pronounced you “clean.”
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
HUGE GOADING LEFTISTS SMIRK
HA HA HA HA … I’ve VERY SWIFTLY effortlessly goaded the three liberal scumbuckets I generously mentioned as examples of cowardly lying pinkos into effetely responding with typical limp wristed pooftah like abuse.
note that these three leftist turds utterly ignored the tiny handful of examples of actualstories/FACTS about the leftist evil that is now despoiling America.
By Brian
February 1, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Cherry [nose] Picker -
Saving an airline from what? Normal market forces? Normal competitive tendencies?
What part of a hostile takeover under bankruptcy do you not understand? What part of saving a local economy and jobs do you not understand? What part of this being totally legal do you not understand?
I dobut that the folks over at US Air think that Delta has been saved from anything other than a solid busines plan that would be in the best interest of both companies.
Nobody gives a hoot in hell what US [smelly] Air thinks. This topic is about Delta. Read the subject line again.
Do you understand that? Or is all you know how to do is spin the issue off topic?
You Liberals’ idea of government meddling is exactly what I described in contrast to what Conservatives’ idea of government meddling are. There is no spin off topic, just a different perspective of what the topic is. You do understand the definition of is, don’t you?
The fact of the matter is that legislators at both the state and federal level stepped in to block one company’s attepmt at buying another company. Period. That’s government meddling in market forces. That’s socialism.
You are an idiot. Socialism has nothing to so with government regulations and authority to block something if it is in the best interest of the local economy and business. Socialism does, however have everything to do with limiting corporate profits, shoving employee compensation madates down corporate throats, and of course maximizing personal income redistribution. Now what of the aformentioned have a holler in hell to do with preventing a hostile takeover of an airline?
And why do you hate our troops so much?
Who said anything about our troops? To think you accused me of changing the topic! Hypocrite Liberal! You are just another typical Liberal with more emotions than reason.
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
COME ON LEFTIES …
tell us about Biden’s bigotry
Dingy Reid’s undeniable corruption
Sanchez’s paranoid poison
and the San Fran Sicko lefty adulterous hypocrites
cowardy cowardy lefties!!!
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
COME ON LEFTIES …
tell us about Biden’s bigotry
Dingy Reid’s undeniable corruption
Sanchez’s paranoid poison
and the San Fran Sicko lefty adulterous hypocrites
cowardy cowardy lefties!!!
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Brian,
Hostile takeovers are part of life in the big city buddy. That’s business. US Air was just doing business. I’m sorry Delta couldn’t handle it and had to go running for their nanny.
Why do you hate business so much?
And as for chaning the topic, the topic is Delta and big government’s attempts at stifling free market tendencies. I’m right on the mark.
But you can also check with your freakshow buddy tftt if changing the topic ruffles your feathers.
Anyway, you really should support our troops more. They’re dying over there because you don’t support them. And because you hate business.
By Joe
February 1, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
Here’s some information for you from the Department of Justice website:
“The Clayton Act is a civil statute (carrying no criminal penalties) that was passed in 1914 and significantly amended in 1950. The Clayton Act prohibits mergers or acquisitions that are likely to lessen competition. Under the Act, the government challenges those mergers that a careful economic analysis shows are likely to increase prices to consumers. All persons considering a merger or acquisition above a certain size must notify both the Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission. The Act also prohibits other business practices that under certain circumstances may harm competition.”
If you think that these mega-mergers don’t substantially lessen competition or are unlikely to increase prices — all I can say is — think again.
http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/div_stats/211491.htm
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
COME ON LEFTIES
You incessantly sneer at Bush and Cheney and many other GOPers … but hilariously you can’t stand it when someone actually FACTUALLY hands it back to ya about your seedy, venal, unsavoury lefty heroes …
cowardy cowardy HYPOCRITICAL lefties
tell us about Biden’s bigotry
Dingy Reid’s undeniable corruption
Sanchez’s paranoid poison
and the San Fran Sicko lefty adulterous hypocrites
By getalife
February 1, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
lies,
Macaca.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
TFTT,
You’re absolutely right. They’re all a bunch of corrupt politicians. Just like the ones you defend.
That’s why Jim’s a Cherry picker and you’re a hypocrite.
You’re defending people at least as guilty if not more so for committing the same acts of ego, greed and self-service as those you attack.
The system is broken. Republicans and Democrats alike are both morally bankrupt.
Who-hoo!
By harold
February 1, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
the whole thing was an ingenius ruse to get delta into an expensive fluff of their tail feathers and now having done so they will perish in expenses they couldnt afford
By Captain Freedom
February 1, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
The Captain is gratified to know that the poor service, late arrivals, and exorbitant executive salries that he has come to expect from Delta will continue to be provided by a hometown company.
As to the kerfuffle over Sen Biden… while he is indeed a bedwetting pansy Democrat representing the proud state of MBNA, he said nothing more offensive than our own leading lights have been skewered for. Consider the undeniable truths spoken by such Republican luminaries such as Trent Lott, Strom Thurmond, and David Duke. No, my friends in True Belief, we should embrace Sen. Biden as one of our own, much as we have done with that non-Gentile Senator Lieberman (and who says we don;t have a big tent!!! we even like queers like Mehlman and Charlie Crist) whom we allow to tongue-kiss Our Leader from time to time.
Only by recognizing our allies on the other side will we stem this tide of creeping Pelosifacism.
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
@ Jim’s Stoned Cherry (geddit)??)
most politicians are to some degree hypocrites, I dont deny that. The political process tends to demand that they are, at least sometimes. Either for party reasons or personal survival as issues and events change.
Aside from the joys of effortlessly winding up the lefties on here I defend certain centre-right leaders with whom I do NOT always agree with on here because of their dogged visionary wisdom that - despite all the liberal party of hate media spin, lies and distortions - is ensuring that mohammedan fascism is being opposed and confronted. I accept that it is NOT always being confronted perfectly and had been quite often mishandled, but at least its being done. The serial liar alBore and the simpering cowardly gigilo Kerry would just have run away from doing so.
Tom Tancredo is now my first choice for President. I of course fully realise that he simply won’t win, but at least he can nationally push his sound visionary message about our borders being over run and the disgusting incessant (mainly) liberal pandering to illegals like “our” very own resident illegal Cuban commie refugee maggot brain.
I have to say you come across as very naive and pretty stupid mate … all politicos are at least to some degree self serving, its rather obtuse to keep stating this blindingly obvious fact, as if there is ANY kind of alternative to that in a voting democracy.
but the lefties are by far the most poisonous hypocrites. just take the venomous black snake Jackson-Pee or that big eared socialist nutter Kuciniiiiitch. Both of them grovelled to Bush twice at the State of the Union speech … yet they utterly despise him … but obsequiously fawned to him TWICE to get a hand shake and a friendly smile/word …
By Dennis
February 1, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
By time for the truth February 1, 2007 10:55 AM, decries a land deal of Congressman, Harry Reid.
Speaking as a liberal, if it’s crooked then bring it on and prosecute.
That is more than neocons are willing to say about the SCUM in the White House.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
dennis the leftist menace
what I decry is the incessant leftist lies/smearing of say Cheney over Haliburton, and the constant leftist purusit of anything GOPers may have done that’s untoward/illegal yet the corrupt likes of Dingy Reid have, until literally the other day, been given a virtual pass over his corrupt dealings. Dingy Reid’s sons (both also legal hacks) also massively benefited from another corrupt deal with Reid’s NV connections a few years ago - more sleaze that has NOT been ventilated ala Cheney by the party of hate media.
Reid’s hypocrisy about sleaze is awesome … as is the vile KLinton hatchet thug McCauliffe’s … remember Global Crossing … and a certain golf game tip off which resulted in massive share selling and millions for McCauliffe. or Shrillary’s NEVER EXPLAINED stunning expertise on the cattle future’s market … a much earlier Klinton slush fund which was also never investigated.
By Dennis
February 1, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 12:38 PM said, “dennis the leftist menace…what I decry is the incessant leftist lies/smearing of say Cheney over Haliburton,”
Just what “lies” would those be?
Speaking as a liberal, if it’s crooked then bring it on and prosecute.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Dear Joe @ 11:47, I think you and I would agree that the DoJ attorneys truly believe in the theory of monopoly, and probably actually think they have found cases (e.g., the IBM and ATT cases that ended the first week of the Reagan administration, the Clintonistas shake-down of MicroSoft, etc.) Where DoJ and I disagree is the likelihood of monopolist success in the modern world. So long as we have free trade (not to be confused with “fair trade,” meaning trade micromanaged by bureaucrats) no one company can control any industry in the world.
In the specific case of airlines, no number of mergers could “lessen” competition to the point that there would be a measurable effect on consumers (again with the caveat, so long as local governments are not allowed to limit free entry into the market.) As you correctly note, “the government challenges those mergers that a careful economic analysis shows are likely to increase prices to consumers,” but the careful economic analysis is always performed by the same geniuses who believe tax cuts always decrease revenues, and tax increases don’t damage the economy. Your faith in the integrity and judgment of DoJ attorneys is touching, nevertheless.
By Zman
February 1, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
By Curious Observer
February 1, 2007 08:57 AM | Link to this
You can bet that if instead of Delta we were discussing an individual who declared bankruptcy and had assets threatened by other entities, Wooten would have been strewing his prose with wingnut phrases like Personal Responsibility and Bad Decisions Create Consequences.
Ain’t that the truth!
By Brian
February 1, 2007 01:29 PM | Link to this
Cherry Picker -
Hostile takeovers are part of life in the big city buddy. That’s business. US Air was just doing business. I’m sorry Delta couldn’t handle it and had to go running for their nanny.
And they can be prevented if the best interest of a local economy [read workers] will be greatly impacted. I assume you understand the economic importance to Atlanta and Georgia that Delta has. What’s the difference between that and lobbyists who prevent automobile companies from immediately shutting down a plant in a city somewhere due to a lack of sales or needed consolidation? You Leftists are all for that legislation because it was in the best interest of the local economy and people. So tell me Picker, what’s the difference here?
Why do you hate business so much?
Why do you keep saying I hate something? Is it just because you don’t agree with what I said, or you think that my taking 1 out of 1,000 concepts that are generally pro-Conservative which happens to not follow along that which you perceive as traditional Conservative virtues? Are you attempting to discredit a belief on one issue because it doesn’t go along with what your perception of said belief from a Conservative should be? Do you know how childish that is?
And as for chaning the topic, the topic is Delta and big government’s attempts at stifling free market tendencies. I’m right on the mark. No, you said US Air doesn’t think.. I said nobody gives a damn what US Air thinks because this is about thoughts on Delta, not US Air, and that was just a cheap ploy to change the topic. That’s something you Leftists are the best at.
Anyway, you really should support our troops more. They’re dying over there because you don’t support them. And because you hate business.
Oh grow up. Let me know when you can at least come up with some more articulate attempts at insults..and learn to stay on topic.
By Joe
February 1, 2007 01:42 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
To your comment that “no number of mergers could “lessen” competition to the point that there would be a measurable effect on consumers”. Of course this silly assertion is entirely false. I guess if you’re going to lie, you might as well lie big.
By jbmlaw
February 1, 2007 02:07 PM | Link to this
Dear Joe @ 1:42, I would not maliciously mislead you, but your post reflects a common defect in government-thinking. (No oxymoron jokes today.) Your post is predicated on a static analysis. Of course, if there was a sudden wave of mergers that reduced the number of airlines in the world to one, or if even regional monopolies suddenly arose, others would see investment opportunities. So long as there were no government impediments to new competition, new competition would arise nearly instantly, because of greed. The leftist assumption that there are no greedy industrialists willing to pursue a profit potential is born only from faith in the efficacy of their own anti-business economic policies. In fact, greed, as a motivator, is alive and well and serving us all well.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this
Brian,
Calm down…didn’t mean for you to get all riled up. Just using some of the same political spin (or 8th grade bully) tactics as notable conservative icons Coulter, Limbaugh and O’Rilley. You know…taking the exception, making it the rule, generalizing all of my opponents with that info, then spreading a nasty rumor about your sister.
And I can’t remember ever supporting lobbyists in their attempts to do anything. Lobbyists are agents of the devil.
But if you can find one of my previous posts where I said I supported lobbyists and/or legislation that attempts to prevent an auto plant from shutting down despite economic justification to do so, i’d love to read it. I think what you might have meant to say was “unions” instead of lobbyists, but either way…I don’t much care for unions either.
So anywho, I’m glad you support our troops. But I’m sorry that you hate life and want to kill babies. Why do you hate babies?
By time for the truth
February 1, 2007 02:48 PM | Link to this
another superb article the wide eyed demented global whining cult will just completely ignore.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/01/resistingglobalwarming_panic.html
@ Jim’s a dishonest leftist twonk
O’Reilly is NOT a conservative icon of any kind. He’s an independent and an often fulminating papist. Which makes him a traditionalist. Ann and Rush are vastly cleverer and better informed than you politically. And do NOT subscibe to the hateful leftist tactics you alluded to. Judging by your posts today, my 5 month old Alsatian puppy has more current affairs wisdom than you too!!
Not ALL lobbyists are agents of the french/liberals. Some lobbyists provide a sound, vital service for all of us … though granted many are there for very mercenary/cynical reasons.
Indeed the tobacco lobby is ‘helping’ treasonous wankers like S Penn to continue smoking, smoking invariably causes cancer - so they’re doing a grand job in this (admittedly limited) instance.
You’re a total complete fraud mate - you’re a lefty posing as a cynical citizien. Maggot brain is also a giant fraud/liar - I recall it obsessively last summer telling us it merely cared about the American people - when its really a robotic moonie like perfidiousdick of the far left moveon. org type
By Brian
February 1, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this
Cherry Picker -
Just using some of the same political spin (or 8th grade bully) tactics as notable conservative icons Coulter, Limbaugh and O’Rilley.
I wouldn’t know. I don’t listen to hot air pundits yapping about the same things over and over. I get enough of that action from my ex-wife.
But if you can find one of my previous posts where I said I supported lobbyists and/or legislation that attempts to prevent an auto plant from shutting down despite economic justification to do so,
I said you Leftists. Perhaps you are the exception and not the rule. Most Leftists and people like Michael Moore [if he’s not a lobbyist, I don’t know who is] pull out all the stops every time a plant says it’s going to close and try to use the government to stop it from happening. Why? Because the people and the economy would be affected..the same reason for Delta. If you are against that as well, then I apologize.
I think what you might have meant to say was “unions” instead of lobbyists, but either way…I don’t much care for unions either.
Nope, I meant lobbyists. Unions are a given on that subject.
But I’m sorry that you hate life and want to kill babies. Why do you hate babies?
When have I ever said I was pro-abortion?
Over and out.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
February 1, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this
Brian & tftt,
Glad to have you both over here in my camp where government intervention into business matters is encouraged. Hopefully Georgia’s state and federal representatives can continue to intervene not only in the selective manner that we have seen recently, but always.
Us leftists love government intervention…whenever we can get it.
With any luck at all, the government will soon be telling me when and where I can by alcohol, how fast I can drive my car and which cousins I can marry.
Welcome aboard! Nanny state, here we come!
By jim d
February 1, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this
Growing up in a rural setting, I was told as a child that anyone could be president. Today, I’m convinced that is true.
By Joe
February 1, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
Please forgive my dispersion on your character. Apparently, you honestly believe the statement you made.
You assert that there are “greedy industrialists” who desire to fill the vacuum where competition doesn’t exist. Of course that’s true. The issue isn’t the desire to compete; the issue has to do with ability to compete. With each mega-merger the barriers to entry increase and costs to compete rise for remaining competitors. That’s why a mega-merger in one industry often leads to additional mega-mergers in the same industry. When two airlines merge, other airlines follow to stay competitive — leading to further reductions in competition. In addition, we frequently see more illegal (unfair) competitive practices to eliminate competition from monopolies and members of oligopolies to protect their desirable market positions (e.g. Microsoft v. Netscape). I do acknowledge that over time, usually years, competition with large monopolies/oligopolies usually manifests and prospers — but the damage to our economy in the meantime is significant.
(Let me just add that – in the event that you’ll argue that our economy is doing well in the face of such mergers – I don’t believe that we should measure the strength of our economy exclusively by looking at the Dow and GDP, both of which include the income from undesirable sources such as conducting a war, running deficits, building prisons or pollution clean-up expenses. There are a number of metrics to consider — poverty rates and income growth rates for the middle class are two examples. It appears that a rising tide does not lift all boats.)
By Jen
February 1, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw wrote, “In fact, greed, as a motivator, is alive and well and serving us all well.”
Unfortunately, this comment reflects the true values of many on the right. It’s depressing.
By holdingAJCaccountable
February 1, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this
I have never been so disgusted with the so-called “conservative” bloggers on Thinking Right as I was yesterday. On the topic of “The Politics of Education” you are as spineless and gutless as your invertebrate liberal counterparts could ever aspire to be.
If there is anything the “rule of law” and “personal responsibility” crowd ought to acknowledge, it’s that you cannot have a discussion on what ails the public schools without discussing the systemic lack of support for teachers trying to instill the discipline needed for learning to take place. (Please note: my disgust with conservatives on this issue is not an endorsement of liberals, as the current state of discipline in the schools today proves they have sullied the “grounds for debate” with pools of their own special brand of excuse making urine).
But as for conservatives, when the opportunity was presented, absent Van and a few other posters, you moaned, whined and b*** about what pubic education was doing, but not one of you lifted a finger to address why teachers are not giving the discipline tools needed to succeed.
Not one of you was willing to hold the AJC accountable for the fact that this paper has never once advocated that teachers must as a necessity for quality teaching, be allowed to put the rules in place that bring discipline to the classroom and if those rules are violated, must have unequivocal system support.
The fact that Mr. Wooten “gets it” and says it on a blog read by hundreds (maybe thousands) does not excuse conservatives on this blog from asking why he (and the AJC board) haven’t supported the teachers’ right to discipline and the teachers’ need for systemic support in print, where it gains the legitimacy of reaching hundreds of thousands.
If the conservatives on this blog are too gutless and spineless to address discipline, how in the hell are you expecting educrats and politicians to deal with it? (Maybe you’re afraid of having your own parenting skills exposed as lacking, I don’t know, because there is no logical reason a conservative doesn’t make it “Job 1” on school reform.)
All I know is that if a “conservative” isn’t willing to address the lack of discipline in the public schools, then they have lost all credibility when it comes to “reform”. Liberals on the other hand, have long past the point where they need to shut up talkin’, because all they have giving us is decades of “facade” (that’s French for “reform without backbone”).
If you are a conservative blogger not named Van (or maybe one or two others I missed) you may henceforth refer to yourselves as “DPO’s” (Dual Posterior Orifices) as let this posting serve as notice that you have officially “been torn a new one”.
I would ask that, rather than whine “I don’t wanna be a DPO” that you instead email this to any of your “old school” (pun intended) teachers so that they can inform you that DPO is a moniker that frankly, you now richly deserve.
By Tara
February 1, 2007 04:51 PM | Link to this
I’m also pi$$ed off about a lot of things written and not written in the AJC and on this blog, but I don’t use this blog as forum to complain about whatever I want to complain about whenever I want to complain about it. Yesterday’s topic was education. Today’s topics are executive pay and mergers.
Perhaps “holdingAJCaccountable” is the one who “needs to shut up talkin’”.
By holdingAJCaccountable
February 1, 2007 05:09 PM | Link to this
Tara,
Yesterday’s topic was education, and everybody failed; thus the remediation. If you don’t want to take the course over again pass it the first time.
You’re dismissed. (in more ways than one)
By Screwy Wabbit
February 1, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this
I think the US Air deal fell through because when you think about it long enough, you have to come to the conclusion that heavier-than-air flight is impossible. Now I know they’ve had some experimental success in Europe with it, but the American People wont stand for it. The American People will never give up their buses or their trains. that’s 4sure, that’s 4dang sure.
Seriously, US Air has merely to wait until Delta is available even cheaper. Why does Delta think it can be successful with something they’ve only failed at time and time again. And the planes they fly? I’ve seen more airworthy submarines. The whole design is wrong. And look how big they are! Delta flies these Huge, gigantic airplanes, Yet when they come in for a landing you see these little tiny wheels come out, like that’s gonna hold. what r they thinking about?
By Joseph A. Palermo
February 1, 2007 05:24 PM | Link to this
holdingAJCaccountable,
Spare us your boring, self-righteous bloviating. Unless you have something to say remotely related to today’s discussion — you’re dimissed (in more ways than one).
By holdingAJCaccountable
February 1, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this
Joseph,
Sorry I didn’t recognize you; I thought you usually went by the title “Lord God of the Blogsphere: Thou Who Determines Who the First Amendment Does and Does Not Apply To”
God forbid we bring up a topic as trivial as the future of our nation’s children when we can instead place our focus on a local business deal. I look forward to your insightful commentary on other business deals, as befits one of your stature, for instance, which flavor Icee will be featured by 7-11 in the future.
By the way, by focusing on my post, aren’t you yourself guilty of straying off today’s topic?
Next!…
By Courtney
February 1, 2007 05:54 PM | Link to this
What gall? A few minutes after writing that certain bloggers “need to shut up talkin’” and telling another blogger that she’s “dismissed in more ways than one”, holdingAJCaccountable accuses a blogger of being “Lord God of the Blogsphere: Thou Who Determines Who the First Amendment Does and Does Not Apply To”. If this crybaby is going to go online and tell others to shut up talking, and what they should and shouldn’t blog about, then it seems odd that she’d be surprised when she receives the same treatment in return.
By Joseph A. Palermo
February 1, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this
Congratulations holdingAJCaccountable. You’ve successfully changed the subject. Instead of talking about executive pay and mergers, it’s now all about you. Happy?
By holdingAJCaccountable
February 1, 2007 06:16 PM | Link to this
Courtney,
I’ll try typing r-e-a-l s-l-o-w so you can understand: If you are really happy with the state of our public schools, then by all means let the liberals keep advocating their “reforms” that don’t include discipline.
Keep on supporting a public education system that loses a full one third of new teachers before five years, because of lack of support for teachers. Keep on supporting a public education system that lets students kick pregnant teachers in the stomach with no consequences.
Keep on supporting an education system that lets a teacher give a student detention, so that his sibling can remove him from detention with a handgun only to have an administration do nothing because “we can’t afford to have an incident”.
By all means Courtney, let those who have created the public school system as it is today in terms of discipline keep right on talking.
And when the next generation grows up to think of “rule of law” and “personal responsibility” as something others live by, when China (and maybe even India) moves past us economically in a matter of decades, feel good about the fact that by our collective silence on the role discipline plays in quality education, we have been given the education system, and the nation, we deserve.
Then, instead of debating what to name the next panda bear, we can debate what to name the next terminal at Hartsfield; the one that will support a Chinese owned airline. Maybe not quite as on topic as you like, but with our education system in shambles the way it is “Delta” will be a moot point soon enough.
By jm
February 1, 2007 06:30 PM | Link to this
Would the executives at Delta that Mr. Wooten is applauding be the same ones who made sure their pensions would be protected prior to declaring bankruptcy?
By Steve
February 6, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
“reward Grinstein with big bonuses” - for a job well done. Hummmm lets see here, who was on the Delta board of directors since 1986 and aproved the hiring of Leo Mullins, Fred Reid, Vickie Escarra, and Michelle Burns? This same someone on the board who watched as these corporate thieves stole all they could for themselves and then drove the wreckage left off the cliff towards bankruptcy. So with Grinstein at the wheel he drove Delta off the cliff and then after a* raping the employees watched as those employees carried the remains of Delta back out of the ditch. This is the type of performance that you believe should be rewarded? Wow - your opinion of performance based compensation sure differs from everyone else who actually works for a living.