altara

Saturday, April 03, 2010

National Car Rental

Normally. I would not use this serious, high-toned blog to complain about a TV advertisement, but isn't it about time for this car rental ad to be retired? We are all tired of seeing John McEnroe learn that he can "choose any car".

I'm not even sure that the ad makes sense. If you're in the economy compact car range, you really can't choose a Mercedes or a Jaguar convertible. Even within a class, economy or standard, what is there to choose? The cars are all about the same; and so, basically, you're just selecting the paint color.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Afghan President Rebukes West and U.N.


Karzai is lashing out and beginning to refer to the U.S. as invaders. Well, we're spending precious treasure and lives to help this country, which this flawed leader fails to appreciate.

We prefer a viable Afghanistan, but our core interest is in preventing it from being a base for Al Qaeda. If we can maintain enough of a base in Pakistan or other place near, from which we can attack any terrorist group in Afghanistan, and help Pakistan if necessary, I say let's just pull out and let Karzai defeat the Taliban himself. Unlikely, and sad for the Afghans, but we should not and cannot solve every problem in every country.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Obama to Open Offshore Areas to Oil Drilling for First Time

White House officials hope Wednesday's announcement will attract support from Republicans, who adopted a chant of "Drill, baby, drill" during 2008's presidential campaign.

Well, this looks like a flawed negotiating tactic, giving the Republicans what they want and then hoping for cooperation. Like giving up on single payer and hardly supporting a public option in health care reform proposals. See how much Republican support that got.

Lots of luck in getting Republican votes for a carbon tax or cap and trade.