Ford posts $2.1 billion 1Q profit on strong sales

This just makes me giggle. I believe Oliver calls it a "ObamaBoom".

DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it earned $2.1 billion in the first quarter, another sign the economy is improving as people spend more on big-ticket items like cars. The automaker expects to be solidly profitable this year, a year earlier than its previous guidance.

Ford said its net income per share was 50 cents for the quarter. That's an about-face from the same period last year when it lost $1.4 billion, or 60 cents per share, at the height of the recession. It was Ford's fourth straight positive quarter and its highest quarterly profit in six years.

(snip)

In a sign of its confidence in the economic recovery, Ford said it's boosting North American production in the second quarter to 625,000 vehicles, a 9 percent increase over first-quarter levels. The increase could mean additional hiring by Ford, but Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth said Tuesday it's too early to say if the company will be adding workers.

"If we continue to grow, maybe we'll talk about that sometime later," Booth said.

General Motors repays government loans, plans $120M investment in Detroit-area plant

KAPOW!!! Need some hot sauce to put on your "GM = GOVERNEMENT MOTORS**" signs you'll be eating, Tea Bagger Nation?

General Motors is investing $257 million at two of its factories that will build the next generation of the hot-selling midsize Chevrolet Malibu.

CEO Ed Whitacre was at the factory in Kansas City, Kan., on Wednesday to announce the investment and the company's early repayment of $6.7 billion in U.S. government loans.

GM's investment will be shared by the Fairfax Assembly Plant and the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which is expected to see about $120 million. Fairfax makes the popular Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu sedans. Both are selling well for GM and helping to generate cash.

The plant has been working around the clock to meet with demand. Meanwhile, a new Associated Press poll finds more Americans now say the U.S. makes better-quality vehicles than Asia does.

** Changed for Tea Bagger spelling

Test explosion shows Christmas Day flight would have landed even if bomb had detonated

Before the wingers get all up in arms, this report isn't saying that it wasn't a terrorist act, or even that it absolutely failed (terrorism aims to terrorize, no?), but it does highlight the desperation and incompetence that Al Qaeda has sunk to. I mean, the kid hadn't even gotten the detonation drill down? I looked for the vid, it's not available in the US, but you can find versions here.

A bomb on board a U.S. Christmas Day flight would have failed to bring the plane down even if it had been detonated successfully, a new test explosion suggests.

A controlled blast on a Boeing 747, using the same explosives that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is accused of smuggling on board, failed to burst the fuselage.

It means, had the bomb exploded on December 25, Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit would have successfully landed .

However, experts said the alleged Islamist terrorist and the passenger next to him would have died, while other passengers would have suffered ruptured ear drums.

(snip)

The controlled experiment was carried out for the BBC Two documentary How safe are our Skies? Detroit Flight 253.

Dr John Wyatt, an international terrorism and explosives adviser to the UN, replicated the conditions on board the Detroit flight on a decommissioned Boeing 747 at an aircraft graveyard in Gloucestershire.

Captain Joseph said the noise and the smoke would have been awful, ‘not to mention the parts of the bodies that were disintegrated as part of the explosion’.

But Captain Joseph said the experiment could help to put air travellers at ease: ‘I think this should be a confidence-builder for passengers.

‘After seeing... how well the aircraft maintained its structural integrity, and obviously the pilot’s capacity to fly the aircraft, it should give them a great deal of confidence.

VIDEO: A lone Tea Bagger gets media attention

By GottaLaff

Jane Devin is a friend, someone who has won my admiration because of her huge heart, intelligence, wit, and survival skills.

Jane is traveling across the country, documenting her travels both in writing and on video. It's called "Finding My America". Her latest stop was the Detroit auto show.

And what, or rather, whom did she trip over while she was there?

Why, none other than one solitary little teabagger who was protesting all by his lonesome.

And yet... And yet...

...he was interviewed by media all day. According to Jane's tweet to me, "the guy has an AOL address, a P.O. box, and invalid web certificate!"

Yes, a crowd of reporters encircled the one Tea Bagger, once again drawing attention to a cause that deserves shunning, not glory:

There was a protest expected outside of the Cobo Center, where the NAIAS was held, but it ended up being a lone self-described “teabagger” (Jeffrey McQueen,who has a PO box in Rochester and, at least according to my Safari browser, an invalid website certificate) against a dozen or so UAW members. Still, the media showed up to interview McQueen, which was both funny and disheartening. There were far better stories to be found inside Cobo, where talent and ingenuity — instead of dogmatic pessimism — prevailed.

Please read Jane's whole series, including this one. Here's her video:

Underpants Bomber had round-trip ticket

By GottaLaff

All that ruckus and fuss-- and bad reporting. The guy had a round-trip ticket after all:

The alleged Christmas Day airline bomber had purchased a round-trip ticket -- not a one- way fare, as has been widely reported -- the Obama administration told congressional aides in a closed briefing Tuesday.

According to a person who attended the meeting, the administration also said it was not unusual for international air travelers to buy their tickets using cash, as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had done. Up to 20% of overseas flights are cash transactions, Department of Homeland Security officials told House and Senate aides.

Was it really all that hard to find out he didn't have a one-way ticket?

Underpants Bomber indicted

By GottaLaff

Per MSNBC, Underpants Guy plead "not guilty" during a very brief (no pun) 3 minute court session. It was reported that he was "wearing khaki pants" and spoke English and was clearly understood.

The real question was, did he go commando?

Bygones.

I'm not sure how we got through this alive. After all, this took place in an American court. Did his terrorist cooties escape through the air conditioner vent? Did the grand jury turn into Al Qaeda operatives? Did the terrorists win... again... under President Obama's watch? After all, it was Obama who was responsible for the 9/11 attack.

But then again, you know that, because Team Cheney is out there lying about it.

Here's more:

A grand jury indicted Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, on charges of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day. The Nigerian was indicted on 6 counts, including attempted murder of the other 289 passengers and crew aboard the plane, and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

He faces life in prison.

Bush Terrorized Us and Al Qaeda Won

By GottaLaff



I have a quick break between San Francisco vacation activities, and ran across this, your Daily Dose of BuzzFlash via my pal Mark Karlin:

When you look back over the 9/11 act of terror that Bush could have likely prevented, but was too lazy to try and prevent after being warned, Al Qaeda beat the Neo-Cons from that point on. [...]

It appears Obama is taking a different path, and that his concern about the nukes in Pakistan falling into terrorist hands is far more on target in regards to our safety, and is a strategic approach to terrorism rather than an end run for oil fields. It's important to also note that by destabilizing Iraq, Bush and Cheney only made the theological extremists in Iran all the stronger.

Let's hope that our primal fear of falling from the sky doesn't overcome our ability to outmaneuver the terrorists.

Becoming terrorized only accomplishes their goals.

Please read the whole thing here. I only gave you a sample.

Man arrested in 2nd incident on Detroit-bound jet

Awww shit. I'm betting that this makes this more probable. Let's hope this is just overzealousness on the part of the airline or some stupid mook acting up.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Associated Press has learned that a second Nigerian man has been taken into custody aboard a jetliner in Detroit after locking himself in the airliner's bathroom.

A law enforcement official tells the AP that the incident took place aboard the same Northwest flight that was attacked on Christmas Day. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the incident was ongoing.

A Delta spokeswoman says all 256 passengers have been safely taken off the plane. Delta operates the Northwest flight.

Terror Suspect's Father Reported Him to the US Embassy 6 Months Ago

By GottaLaff

(Photo: Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, who reported his son to the US Embassy)

What next, we find out Umar appeared on Larry King's show in 2002 and announced his intentions?

However, one day after the foiled terrorist attack, the man's father has come forth to reveal that he reported his son's fanatical religious views to the US Embassy six months ago.

The young man in question - Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab - is the son of Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, a former Nigerian minister and bank chairman. Half a year ago, he became suspicious of his son's religious beliefs and reported his activites to the US Embassy and Nigerian security services.

On Saturday, Mutallab left his home in Katsina, Nigeria to speak with security agencies. He indicated that his son left London, where he was an engineering student, to travel. He said he did not know where he intended to go. He said that he believed he might have gone to Yemen, "but we are investigating to determine that."

The Associated Press is reporting the same thing.

One source, someone who is close to the father, said that Daddy raised his eyebrows a few inches when he found out Umar was allowed to come to the U.S. after his tip-off to the embassy.

After Umar enrolled at University College in London, he left, going to Egypt and then Dubai. After relocating, he told his family he no longer wanted to have contact with them.

I apologize for interrupting CNN's Speculation Marathon. I'm sure this news will fuel at least another 24 hours of Q and A with unbiased authorities Fran Townsend and Pete King.

UPDATE, via a tweet from Chuck Todd:

He was added to the MAIN database of 550,000 people in Nov. 2009 (following father's warning).

Questions we're all asking: just how do names get treated when added to the terrorist database? How quickly are they investigated?

H/t: physiologyprof

Dep't. of Justice Press Release: U.S. Charges Suspect in Attempted Terrorist Attack on Plane

By GottaLaff

Here is theDoJ press release in its entirety, courtesy of the FBI:

A 23-year-old Nigerian man was charged in a federal criminal complaint today with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian national, boarded Northwest Flight 253 in Amsterdam, Netherlands on December 24, 2009 and had a device attached to his body. As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion. Abdulmutallab was then subdued and restrained by the passengers and flight crew. The airplane landed shortly thereafter, and he was taken into custody by Customs and Border Patrol officers.

A preliminary FBI analysis found that the device contained PETN, also known as pentaerythritol, a high explosive. Further analysis is ongoing. In addition, FBI agents recovered what appear to be the remnants of the syringe from the vicinity of Abdulmutallab’s seat, believed to have been part of the device.

“This alleged attack on a U.S. airplane on Christmas Day shows that we must remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism at all times,” Attorney General Eric Holder said. “Had this alleged plot to destroy an airplane been successful, scores of innocent people would have been killed or injured. We will continue to investigate this matter vigorously, and we will use all measures available to our government to ensure that anyone responsible for this attempted attack is brought to justice

Abdulmutallab required medical treatment and was transported to the University of Michigan Medical Center after the plane landed. He will make his initial court appearance later today.

Interviews of all of the passengers and crew of Flight 253 revealed that prior to the incident, Abdulmutallab went to the bathroom for approximately 20 minutes, according to the affidavit. Upon returning to his seat, Abdulmutallab stated that his stomach was upset, and he pulled a blanket over himself. Passengers then heard popping noises similar to firecrackers, smelled an odor, and some observed Abdulmutallab’s pants leg and the wall of the airplane on fire. Passengers and crew then subdued Abdulmutallab and used blankets and fire extinguishers to put out the flames. Passengers reported that Abdulmutallab was calm and lucid throughout. One flight attendant asked him what he had had in his pocket, and he replied “explosive device.”

These prosecutions are being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, with assistance from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The public is reminded that criminal complaints contain mere allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Now back to the Tee Vee Machine news dee jays' endless 24/7 speculation already in progress.

UPDATE: On CNN just now, they said something about someone giving this guy the device, and explaining how to use it, and off he went.

H/t: Jason Leopold

VIDEO: Passenger who helped subdue airline suspect speaks

By GottaLaff

Via Daily Beast:

When Jasper Schuringa, a Dutch director, saw that Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab had set himself on fire aboard Friday's Delta-NWA flight, he jumped the alleged suspect, helping to detain him. CNN

I smell a movie offer...

Explosive in plane incident possibly carried in condom

By GottaLaff

Will this be what the new terror alert chart looks like?
Alert level: Teal!

Or are you just happy to see me? Talk about a Trojan horse:

(CBS/AP) The suspect in the attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 used a highly explosive substance called PETN, a law enforcement official told CBS News Saturday.

The explosives were carried in a soft plastic container - possibly a condom - though much of the packaging was destroyed in the fire, the official said.

The FBI is questioning the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who claimed to be acting on orders from al Qaeda to blow up the airliner, officials said.

After Umar's unfortunate little crotch fire, seems like his condom days are over.

AP source: US knew of terror suspect

By GottaLaff

AP – This picture provided by J.P. Karas shows Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on the runway after arriving …

I just heard this on the Tee Vee Machine, too, along with hours upon hours of meaningless speculation:

An official briefed on the attack on a Detroit airliner says the U.S. has known for at least two years that the suspect in the attack could have terrorist ties.

The official tells The Associated Press that the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, has been on a list that includes people with known or suspected contact or ties to a terrorist or terrorist organization.

So the questions they're asking are: If they did know about him, why didn't he show up on the list? If he didn't show up on the list, why not?

Whatever the answers are, we do know this: It's all Obama's fault. No matter what. His fault. Impeach now. (sarcasm)

UPDATE: Per CNN just now, although he was on a list, there was no specific information to red flag him. The information was too general.

Video- Rep Pete King on Detroit Bomber Wannabee

Granted, I saw this in the middle of the night, but does it seem to anyone else that Pete King is enjoying this a wee bit too much? He seems a little, um, satisfied and show offy about his contacts. And why are they talking to King? He's the ex chair of the House HSC, the current chair (a D as those things work out) is Rep Bernie Thompson of Mississippi. Or I could just be affected by my utter hatred of Pete King.

UPDATE: Passenger Lights Explosive on Delta Flight

By GottaLaff

A Delta Airbus 330 airliner sits on a runway at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Michigan in this video grab made December 25, 2009. REUTERS/WDIV TV/Handout

Here's an update on the attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight. The explosive device failed. Original post here.

Via CBS:

"This does not strike us as having the earmarks of any kind of well-planned or well-orchestrated attack," a senior security official told CBS News justice correspondent Bob Orr.

White House spokesman Bill Burton, who is with President Obama on vacation in Hawaii said that Mr. Obama was notified of the incident this morning and convened a secure conference call with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff.

A senior administration official tells CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer that the incident was "an attempted act of terrorism." The administration is not raising the terror threat level, but President Obama is receiving constant updates on the situation.

The official declined to elaborate on how a man on a U.S. terrorist watch list was able to board the airliner. The official said the U.S. plans "different things at different airports" in response to the incident. He declined to elaborate.

He added that the U.S. is "in close touch with Dutch counterparts" because the suspect boarded the airliner in Amsterdam.

A high-ranking law enforcement official told Orr that the suspect apparently used a syringe to inject a chemical into powder located near his groin, a technique not seen in previous attempted attacks. It's possible, the source said, that this incident was a test of whether the materials could pass screening and how effective they might be at causing damage.

President Obama was not clearing brush, nor was he reading My Pet Goat. He did not ignore the situation, and he knows how to use one that thing-- Oh what's it called? Oh yeah-- a brain.

Being alert and involved is the new normal.

That's change we can believe in.

Of course, the wingies are fully supportive of their commander in chief in time of war:

the dirtbag in chief will never do anything. if he isnt muslim then he’s just a simpleton. he’s not at war with the scum but they are at war with us. he doesn’t get it that its his Job to protect the citizens of this nation. what a treacherous dumb guy we got stuck with, and all the character of a bedbug.

UPDATE:

Just now on CNN (which was about 2 hours late on this story), Ed Henry said that Obama and Homeland Security would be taking specific measures for airline security, rather than just "some color code".

Yeah, those charts worked so well for us. Of course, politicizing terrorism benefited BushCo like nobody's biz.

Cash For Clunkers Extended

I love the way the wingers try to make such a smashing success into a total failure.

The White House says the Cash for Clunkers program will be extended through the weekend even though the program has already burned through its $1 bilion dollar budget.

Charlottesville car dealers report a surge in business due to the enormously popular program that gives consumes thousands of dollars to use as a down payment on a fuel efficient vehicle.

The White House says car buyers who make a deal before the end of the weekend will be eligible for the rebate.

President Obama to promote community colleges

So that's what he's doing in Detroit today.

(CNN) – Community colleges are only two-year institutions, but the Obama administration says they could play a key role in helping to boost the ailing economy for years to come.

To underscore that contention, the president is heading to Warren, Michigan, on Tuesday to unveil a plan that will invest $12 billion over the next decade in community colleges across the country.

Martha Kanter, undersecretary of Education, says it's a critical investment, because community colleges have not historically "done enough to get students through, to move them into the workforce, and to get them through the higher-education transfer programs." She added that "we're very concerned about providing access and opportunity during this terrible fiscal climate."

(snip)

There are 6 million Americans in community colleges. The administration's initiatives are seen as the foundation to help boost enrollment and graduation rates.

Obama heads to Detroit on Tuesday

On the road again, speaking on health care I'd bet.

Still stingy on details, the White House said Friday that President Barack Obama will deliver a speech Tuesday in his first visit to Michigan as the nation's commander in chief.

The topic of the speech remained under wraps, though at least the location was known: the Robert E. Turner Advanced Technology Center on Macomb Community College's south campus on 12 Mile Road.

Even the timing was not discussed openly, though it looks like the speech might be scheduled after 2:30 p.m. -- perhaps at 3 p.m. Originally, the event was described as a town hall meeting.

John Conyer's wife convicted of taking bribes

Not good at all. ADDED- She pled guilty and has been convicted. She faces up to 10 years in jail. Update here.

DETROIT (AP) — Prosecutors have charged Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers, the wife of a congressman, with accepting cash bribes in exchange for supporting a sludge contract with a Houston company.

Conyers is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery for allegedly accepting two payments from a Synagro Technologies official in late 2007, including one in a McDonald's parking lot.

She's the most prominent person snagged in an investigation of corruption in a sludge-recycling deal with Synagro. Two people who worked for the company have pleaded guilty.

Conyers' husband is John Conyers, a Detroit Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee in Congress

Supreme Court puts Chrysler/Fiat deal on hold

No clue if it's good or bad, but it's happened.

The U.S. Supreme Court has at least temporarily blocked the sale of Chrysler LLC's assets to a new Chrysler-Fiat partnership, according to an order released this afternoon.
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The court ordered a halt to the sale pending further directions, without elaboration. Chrysler, Fiat and the U.S. government had been prepared to close the sale as soon as today if an appeal from the Indiana state pension fund had been rejected.