Es tut gut einfach mal nur da zu sitzen.
Heute saß ich auf der Treppe.
Mit einem Kaffee und einer Zigarette.
Die Überdachung schützt mich vor dem Regen.
Ich mache mir Gedanken.
Über alles.
Beziehungen, Leben und das nächste Wochenende.
Den Geschmack von Zigaretten und Kaffee zu erleben.
Das erste mal in meinem Leben bin ich mit meiner Arbeit zufrieden.
Trotz dem Schmutz und der Hitze

Dafür mit dem Rest nicht.

Der Grund für diesen Zustand liegt primär im Bekanntheitsgrad der Mediation. Für viele ist Mediation weiterhin ein unbekannter Begriff, den man noch nie gehört hat oder mit dem man zumindest nichts anfangen kann. In Ländern wie den USA, Großbritannien oder auch den Niederlanden sind die Vorteile von Mediationsverfahren gegenüber dem Austragen von Streitigkeiten vor Gericht wesentlich bekannter. Daher greifen in diesen Ländern insbesondere Unternehmen, aber auch Privatpersonen verstärkt auf die Mediation als Mittel der Konfliktlösung zurück. Zum einen möchte man gegenüber den Gerichtsverfahren Zeit und Geld sparen. Zum anderen möchte man zu Kunden, Geschäftspartnern oder Behörden die bisher guten Beziehungen aufrechterhalten bzw. wieder erlangen, um auch in Zukunft weiterhin gute Geschäfte miteinander zu machen.

Es ist schwierig, die Entwicklung der Mediation in Deutschland vorherzusagen. Fakt ist, daß im Laufe der letzten Jahre sowohl der Bekanntheitsgrad der Mediation als auch die Zahl der Mediatoren gewachsen ist. Sollte sich dieser Trend fortsetzen, ist es durchaus vorstellbar, daß in einigen Jahren mehr Behörden und Unternehmen Mediatoren nicht nur einsetzen, sondern auch einstellen, um zum Beispiel interne Konflikte friedlich, schnell und dauerhaft beizulegen.

Quelle: Monster.de

siehe auch: Mediation nur für große Geldbeutel?

um mir für mein Studium etwas Equipment leisten zu können habe ich mich bei der Daimler AG um einen Ferienjob bemüht und arbeite nun seit dem 30.06 als Ferienjobber in der Produktion.
Ich arbeite dort in einem normalen 3-Schicht Modell, d.h. ich arbeite Nacht-Spät-Früh, 5 Tage die Woche á 8 Stunden (inkl. eine zu 50% bezahlte Überstunde).
Dort werde ich nun für sieben Wochen arbeiten um mir danach eines der heiß begehrten MacBook Pro's kaufen zu können, welches ich für mein Studium gut gebrauchen kann.
Als Student, Schüler, Hausfrau oder Rentner kann man dort maximal 50 Tage bzw. 2 Monate frei von Sozialabgaben arbeiten. Man müsste somit nur Lohnsteuer bezahlen, welche man jedoch am Ende des Jahres wiederbekommt sofern man den Lohnsteuerfreibetrag von etwa 7600€/Jahr Bruttoeinkommen nicht überschreitet.  In diesem Fall ist es auch möglich bei einer bereits bestehenden Familienversicherung versichert zu bleiben.
Als angehender BA-Student geht das leider nicht. Ich bekomme zwar auch die Lohnsteuer wieder, jedoch muss ich mich für die Zeit selbst gesetzlich versichern und Sozialabgaben zahlen wie jeder normale Arbeitnehmer. Denn das BA-Studium wird aufgrund des monatlichen Einkommens als Ausbildung gewertet, und die 50-Tage Regelung gilt somit nicht. Ärgerlich für mich, jedoch immer noch besser als gar kein Einkommen zu haben. Außerdem kann man den Verlust durch Mehrarbeit am Wochenende und Zuschlägen für Nacht- und Spätschichten wieder ausgleichen.

Um an einen solchen Ferienjob zu kommen könnt ihr euch entweder Online über das Karriere Portal der Daimler AG bewerben, oder ihr ruft bei dem Daimler Standort in eurer Nähe einfach an und fragt in der Personalabteilung an wen ihr die Bewerbung schicken sollt. Denn ACHTUNG: Nicht jeder Standort unterstützt die Online Bewerbung, d.h. von euch geschickte Bewerbungen werden eventuell nie gelesen.

Ferienjobber Vertrag:

Dienstleistung: 1600€/Monat (Brutto)

Produktion: 1900€/Monat (Brutto)

Schichten:

2 Schicht Modell:

Früh/Spät (Wochenweise)
6-14/14-22 Uhr
Diesen Schichtmodell findet sich meist in Bereichen wie Verpackung

3 Schicht Modell:

Nacht/Spät/Früh (Wochenweise)
22-6/14-22/6-14

21er Schichtmodell:

In diesem Schichtsystems arbeitet man 6 Tage und hat daraufhin 2 Tage frei. Das führt dazu, dass sich das "Wochenende" immer um einen Tag pro Woche verschiebt. In diesem System verdient man am meisten Geld, da es eine Schichtzulage in Höhe von ca. 190€ allein für das Arbeiten in diesem System gibt.

18er Schichtmodell:

Hier wird ganz normal wie im 3 Schichtmodell gearbeitet, mit dem Unterschied, dass man unter der Woche mal einen Tag frei bekommt und dafür am Wochenende arbeiten muss.

Von all diesen Modellen gibt es allerdings noch Variationen. Diese Angaben sollen nur eine grobe Orientierung geben.

Zuschläge:

Ab 19 Uhr: 10% Zuschlag
Ab 22 Uhr: 20% Zuschlag
6. Nachtschicht: 125% (6 Nachtschichten am Stück, für die 6. gibt es 125%)
6. Früh-/Spätschicht: Hier werden für 8 Stunden Arbeit, 10 Stunden Mehrarbeit gutgeschrieben.
Bei Fragen, meldet euch einfach.

Grüße

I took the 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8v6, six speed Automatic out for a test drive and road review today.  I was excited about the look of the car. Total class. The grill says status and luxury as it sweeps into jewel-cut head lamps, elegant lines roll over the wheel whells and into the doors. The windshield and windows wrap around and the side-view mirrors have the signals like all the luxury models for 20k more. The Push-button start with keyless remote entry and lock button on the outside handle are all reminescent of the Infinti G37/35.  From the back it looks like the new revision of the BMW. If you didn't see the "H" you'd NEVER guess it was a Hyundai. That's scary for the Korean manufacturer who made it's name on supplying cheap, reliable transportation.  Having graduated to the big leagues, the looks will get many former car snobs to take a look and a test drive. It's not a chick or guy car. The styling is dead-on for the sophisticated business person and fashion diva.

SO then you slip inside. The leather is perforated so even in 111 degree heat in LV the air blows colder than most domestics, equally to the Japanese, and there was no sweating. The wide dash is treated to wood and metal accents but understated. The three dimensional dials don't shout at you, and glow subtly at night.  GREAT visability, I found no blind spots to un-nerve me as I shouldered the merge with highway traffic. The acceleration of the 3.8v6 was smooth and handling is VERY responsive. The tires are pushed out to the edge which makes tire patch and traction surefooted. The fit and finish runs through to the underpinnings with attention to frame and axle quality.  No oversteer or under steer, the turning radius is surprisingly tight for the larger platform. The engine gives a tempered growl when you push it, reminding you that more acceleration means more fuel when you straightline to red.  Passenger comfort is impressive, even with a six footer in the driver's seat. The romminess of the interior means everyone gets a piece of the armrest without touching. I'd say it's bigger in the backseat than a 5 series BMW,  but smaller than the Chrysler 300.  The rear seats have air vents and a hold down armrest that hides a pass through from the trunk. By not dropping the back seat, the rear cushion is more comfortable for long trips.  The truck easily holds three normal golf bags, and tall guys have plenty of head room even with a moonroof.  There are so many standard features that match-up with luxury brands twenty to thirty thousand more expensive.  I have to say my favorite part of driving this car was going to all the casinos and watching the valets try to figure out what it was. They parked it upfront just to show it off to their friends. 

The 4.6L v8 with the I-drive interactive technology is suppose to arrive this fall. With gas prices pushing $5.00 a gallon, I'm not screaming for the Hemi-like roar of 14mpg.  This one gets 18 and 27, respectively.  The one I drove listed for $36,000, which plants it firmly in the Avalon, Lexus IS250, InfinitiM35, BMW3 series ball park, but loaded with more size, HP, and standard features than all of them.  If you can live without the loaner cars and expensive maintenance services, I call the 2009 Hyundai Genesis: SMART MONEY COOL.

You can see my video with Dr. Bob and Mr. M. at http://www.youtube.com/v/aFlWptb71Bc 

for a great deal without the hassle and haggle of typical car dealers call me: www.mycarlady.com

* Mansour Osanloo, der zu fünf Jahren Knast verurteilte Präsident der Gewerkschaft der Beschäftigten der Vahed-Busgesellschaft in Tehran wurde vor einigen Tagen anstatt zur medizinischen Behandlung ins Krankenhaus erneut zur Vernehmung bei der politischen Polizei einbestellt, vor dem Hintergrund der auf Grund von Misshandlungen sowie wegen der allgemeinen Haftbedingungen angeschlagenen Gesundheitssituation von Mansour Osanloo nicht nur pure Schikane sondern potentiel lebensgefährlich. (Quelle)

* Gholamreza Gholamhosseini, Gewerkschaftsaktivist und vom Dienst suspendierter Busfahrer bei Vahed Tehran wird seit einigen Wochen unter unbekannten Vorwürfen im Evin-Knast gefangengehalten. (Quelle)

Der Streik bei Khuzestan Pipe Factory in Ahvaz wurde am 9. Juli nach wenigen Stunden durch einen Militäreinsatz gebrochen, Grund des Ausstandes war die Nichtauszahlung von mehreren Monatslöhnen seitens des Managements der Firma:

Ahvaz Pipe Factory strike ends with intervention military forces

Fars News - The strikes of the pipefitter workers of Khuzestan was ended with the violent intervention of the military forces in Ahvaz. According to reports from Fars News from Ahvaz, workers of the Khuzestan Pipe Factory blocked trafick on the Ahvaz-Khorramshahr road, and demanded to receive their back wages. According to this report, the workers were contract workers who had not been paid for six months, as well as permanent workers who had not been paid for two months. This strike began at 9 am Wednesday, July 9, 2008 and ended at 10:30am with the intervention of the military forces. According to one of the pipe factory workers, management promised to pay two months of wages, which helped end the strike. This factory is at the 7 KM mark of the Ahvaz-Khorramshahr road, and has 700 contract and permanent workers.

Desweiteren sind einer Meldung der International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) zufolge die ArbeiterInnen der wichtigsten iranischen Autofabrik Iran Khodro (enger Kooperationspartner von Daimler-Benz) in Tehran in den Streik getreten, die Forderungen des Streiks beinhalten:

• Prohibited entry of security guards to workstations;
• An end to mandatory over-time;
• Increases in productivity benefits;
• Wage increases in line with cost of living adjustments;
• An end to temporary contracts allowing for the hiring of workers on a permanent basis;
• An end to the expansion of subcontracting companies; and
• Participation of workers' representatives in key decision making committees.

Nachtrag 11.07.: Erklärungen der ITF und der Gewerkschaft der Vahed-Beschäftigten zum 1. Jahrestag der Inhaftierung von Mansoor Osanloo (beide in englischer Sprache)

Daimler, maior fabricante mundial de caminhões, e o Hero Group, escolheram um local em Chennai, Índia, para construir uma fábrica de caminhões, seguindo o exemplo da Volvo de instalar uma venture de comercialização de veículos na segunda economia mundial de mais rápido crescimento.

A fábrica, parte da joint venture das empresas, Daimler Hero Commercial Vehicle, começará a produzir 70 mil caminhões por ano até 2010, anunciou a Daimler com sede em Stuttgart, Alemanha, ontem, em um comunicado. Volvo, MAN e Navistar International, já detêm parcerias de fabricação de caminhões na Índia a fim de captar maior acesso em um mercado em expansão para transporte fretado e construção de veículos. A Daimler começou a fabricar o caminhão Actros por conta própria na Índia no ano passado. A economia indiana no ano encerrado em 31 de março se expandiu 9%, ficando atrás apenas dos 11,9% registrados em 2007 pela China.

A Daimler e o Hero Group com sede em Nova Deli resolveram, em 21 de abril, investir € 700 milhões (US$ 1,1 bilhão), incluindo a dívida, na venture, nos próximos cinco anos. A Daimler detém 60% da parceria e investe € 220 milhões em dinheiro. A fábrica inicialmente irá produzir caminhões de porte médio e leves para a Índia, e eventualmente irá se expandir para os mercados vizinhos, informou a empresa.

O mercado indiano de caminhões cresce cerca de 7% por ano, a grosso modo duas vezes mais depressa do que o registrado em mercados maduros na Europa e nos Estados Unidos, disse Heinz Gottwick, porta-voz da companhia em Stuttgart. As ações da Daimler avançaram € 0,50 ou 1,3%, para € 38,90 na Bolsa de Frankfurt. Os papéis recuaram 42% este ano, avaliando a empresa em € 37,5 bilhões.

A fabricante alemã já produz os caminhões Mercedes-Benz Actros em sua própria fábrica na cidade indiana de Pune, onde a empresa também monta os sedãs Mercedes-Benz E-Class, C - Class e S-Class. A Daimler estabeleceu uma joint venture com a Sutlej Motors para fabricar ônibus de luxo a começar no primeiro trimestre.

O Hero Group, que dirige a Hero Honda Motors, maior fabricante de motocicletas na Índia, procura diversificar, à medida que o mercado para esse tipo de veículo desacelera. As vendas de motos e scooters na Índia recuaram 7,9% no ano até o final de março.

Fonte:  Gazeta Mercantil | www.gazetamercantil.com.br

1.  You drive less than 18,000 miles per year.  2.  Lifestyle or work could change, affecting your vehicle needs in the next 5 years.  3.  You own a business where a car/truck can be expensed.  4.  You prefer vehicles under service warranty during ownership period.  5. You have an above average AUTO credit rating score.

There are several nuances to be aware of when trying to understand how some cars cost more and have lower lease payments than others. Many European vheicles have a higher payment that the Japanese manufacturers (even those built in the USA) because the used car or depreciated value is expected to be higher at the end of the lease period.  The higher the residual, the lower your payment (a form of participating in the depreciation of the vehicle during your ownership period).  In some cases the manufacturer is subsidizing the interest rate (called a money factor) to help keep the payment down, in the hopes you will return to the brand again.

When shopping lease payments read the fine print. Dealers often advertise leases as a lump sum of the total payments, or put heavy down payments and LOW mileage allotments on the offer. Many national television ads are pitching models the dealers don't stock or require "dealer participation" which means the dealer loses money doing one of these deals, so they don't have to honor the ad.  BEWARE of leases that want multiple security deposits to make the deal. IF you total the car you may have a tough time getting those deposits back.  AND last but not least, make sure your lease has GAP protection in the contract. GAP covers any difference between the value of the vehicle and the insurance payoff in the event of a total loss. 

Most leasing offers advertised today are a great way to get into a new car without a long term relationship. Look for new models which often offer great intro deals to get the cars out on the street. Hybrids  however, have lousy lease programs as the banks are reluctant to stick their neck out on a residual when the technology is changing so fast and they are selling so well there is no money factor discount going on.

If you want a great deal without the hassle, on your next car go to www.mycarlady.com.

Yorus, SLM

Last wee I received two comments asking if I knew of a lawyer or lawsuit that addressed the common complaints. I do not. However, in my research I have found that while the laws in each state differ regarding LEMON LAWS for new vehicles, there are some attorney's that specialize in such litigation, looking closely at the potential for such an action.

As many of you know, there is a third party arbitration agreement often signed at the time of purchase, or included in your package of ownership materials. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look in your owners manual kit, paperwork from the day of purchase or call your sales person.

If you think there is merit in such a call to action, please send me a comment. I'll forward the information to those owners considering such an effort. I'm not sure what will come of it, since the NHTSA has yet to call for a full out recall, but nothing can happen, if no one speaks up. SO, feel free to sound off here, and maybe Dodge will listen and respond to your cries for help.

I have had many folks report they have taken the EGR and DF Poff, or modified it, regardless of the factory response, and things are better. However, IMHO, when you spend 50k for a truck, you shouldn't have to modify it and void the warranty, to make it run the way you intended to use it.

---SLM

Das passiert ständig in dieser Welt, vor allem trifft es Kinder beim Spielen. Sie werden in der Luft zerrissen und ihre kleinen Körper liegen in Stücken auf dem blutigen Boden.

Falls sie überleben, müssen sie ihr trauriges Dasein eher fristen als ein würdiges Leben zu führen. In ihren Augen stehen permanent die Tränen und die Frage nach dem Warum.

Jeder findet das schrecklich und schlimm, wenn er diese Fotos sieht. Die armen Menschen, so etwas will doch keiner und schon gar nicht die verstümmelten Kinder sehen müssen.

Es gibt Tausende davon und jedes Jahr kommen Tausende hinzu, auch wenn sie weit weg sind von unseren Wohnzimmern.

Aber auch wir haben diese Verstümmelung ihrer Körper und Seelen zu ihnen gebracht in Form von Landminen und Streubomben und das jahrzehntelang.

Es war doch Krieg, lautet das gängige Argument, der Feind muss mit allen Mitteln bekämpft werden. Und gerade Streubomben haben eine erwiesene militärische Nützlichkeit, meinen die dafür verantwortlichen Streitkräfte.

Nur merkwürdig, dass diese Streubomben die einzige Waffe ist, die eine Versagerrate von bis zu vierzig Prozent hat. Welcher Kriegsherr würde normalerweise so eine Ausschussquote dulden?

Wie ein schlimmer Regen stürzen die Teile hinab, wenn sich die Bombe in der Luft geöffnet hat. Einige von den Minisprengsätzen detonieren in der Luft, aber viele verteilen sich nicht detoniert über ein riesiges Gebiet. Da liegen sie dann und warten hinterhältig, bis sie jemand berührt.

Und gerade das ist es, was die Streubombe anscheinend so außerordentlich beliebt macht bei den Militärs. Es gefällt ihnen wohl zu wissen, dass die Bomben allein nicht ausreichen. Es müssen auch noch die kleinen Blindgänger auf den Wiesen liegen, die die Einwohner in Stücke reißen.

Sie sind nichts anderes als Minen, auch wenn man diese schon vor einigen Jahren mit der Ottawa-Konvention verboten hat. Allerdings galt das nur die Antipersonen-Minen.

Anti-Fahrzeugminen, Fernminen und Flächenverteidigungsminen sind immer noch erlaubt. Nur können diese Minen nicht zwischen einem Schulbus und einem Panzer unterscheiden. Und Anti-Panzerminen enthalten häufig auch weiterhin noch Anti-Personenminen zum Räumschutz.

Es liegen wahrscheinlich noch mehr als einhundert Millionen Minen in ca. vierzig Ländern in der Erde. Und täglich werden Menschen dadurch verletzt und getötet, meistens Frauen und Kinder.

Fleißig werden weiter neue Minen-Systeme produziert, miteinander kommunizierende und hüpfende, die nicht verboten sind. Der Einfallsreichtum der Waffenproduzenten ist immens. Vor allem sind diese Waffen ein sehr einträgliches Geschäft. Außerdem findet man immer einen Ausweg, um Verbote zu umgehen.

Doch nun soll es auch der Streubombe an den Kragen gehen. Diesmal hat man sich in Dublin einigen können, diese grausame Streumunition verbieten zu wollen.

Noch ist das Abkommen nicht rechtskräftig. Die jeweiligen Regierungen müssen noch grünes Licht geben, bevor es in Oslo unterzeichnet werden kann.

Aber man fragt sich doch, wieviel Menschenverachtung dahinter steht, dies nicht zu tun?

Nicht nur, dass Russland, was nicht überrascht, China, genauso, Pakistan und Indien, sehr traurig, Israel, auch nicht sehr sympathisch, sondern eben auch die USA, angeblich die große Stimme der Demokratie und Freiheit, überhaupt nicht an dieser Konferenz teilgenommen haben, sondern auch Deutschland windet sich, eine klare Position zu beziehen.

Eine Art deutscher Dreistufenplan wurde vorgelegt mit Übergangsphasen. Es gäbe nicht ausreichend andere Munition, heißt es, für Einsätze mit hoher Intensität und zur kollektiven Verteidigung.

Was haben die denn eigentlich vor?

Wie fühlen sich die Chefs von den Firmen Diehl, Rheinmetall und die von Daimler kontrollierte EADS, die solche Streubomben produzieren?

Deutsche Wertarbeit wird wohl immer noch weltweit geschätzt, auch tödliche.

Und deutsche Geschichte und die Verantwortung, die daraus erwächst, wird feierlich an Gedenktagen zu Markte getragen in den von der Macht zermürbten Gesichtern unserer Politiker. Sie wissen, was sie zu verbergen haben.

So verlogen ist dieses Spiel, das leider keines ist, weil es so bittere und ernste Folgen für so viele Menschen hat. Und wie nehmen das so hin, es betrifft uns nicht weiter.

Was würde sein, wenn wir hier nicht mehr unbeschwert über unsere Felder streifen könnten?

Wenn unsere Kinder nicht mehr spielen könnten, wo sie wollten?

Wenn sie blutüberströmt nach Hause kämen oder gar nicht mehr?

Würden wir immer noch die Hersteller von Minen und Streubomben gewähren lassen?

Würden wir weiterhin lächeln können?

]]> http://lastminuteintern.wordpress.com/?p=14 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:02:49 +0000 knechti http://lastminuteintern.wordpress.com/?p=14 Wer/Daimler AG - Standort Stuttgart (Abteilung „Executive Communications“). Die Abteilung „Executive Communications“ der Daimler AG unterstützt den Vorstandsvorsitzenden des Konzerns sowie weitere Führungskräfte mit der Erstellung von Redeentwürfen und Texten zu Themen aus Automobilindustrie, Wirtschaft, Politik und Gesellschaft.

Ort/Stuttgart

Zeitraum/ab 01.08.2008*max. 6 Monate

Anforderungen/k.A.

Aufgabenbereiche/Verfassen von Entwürfen für Reden und Texte*Recherche*Lektorat von deutschen und englischen Manuskripten*Organisatorische Unterstützung der Abteilung

Vergütung/nach Vereinbarung

Arbeitszeit/Vollzeit

Bewerbungsschluss/k.A.

Besonderheiten/nur Onlinebewerbung (siehe "weitere Infos")*Suchkennziffer: 49003

Ansprechpartner/Tobias Just*Daimler AG*0711-1749435

Weitere Infos/Homepage

News websites in the US reports that Daimler Trucks North America have said they will have both a Selective Catalytic Reduction and a non-SCR engine option available for customers in 2010.

Freightliner are quoted as saying it will offer Cummins ISX power, as well as the Detroit Diesel DD15, in its heavy duty Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star trucks.

"This decision will complement our current successful and proprietary product line of Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz engines. It will expand and strengthen the range of choices for our customers, and establish Cummins as a full range vendor engine partner," said Chris Patterson, president and chief executive officer of Daimler in the US.

"This action was a result of many months of carefully considered planning and consulting with our key customers to determine engine needs and preferences. We are convinced that expanded engine options will offer the best suite of solutions on the market, bar none," added Patterson.

Daimler's own Detroit Dioesel DD15 will use SCR to meet EPA2010 emissions standards while Cummins says it won't need SCR choosing instead to introduce the XPI fuel injection system to reduce exhaust emissions.

In a surprise move the company also stated Cummins ISX will be available in the Freightliner Cascadia in an EPA07 configuration with deliveries to start in January 2009.

Was war gut letzte Woche?
„Es gab diese Woche etwas Positives zu berichten? Diese Meldung muss sich aber gut versteckt haben. Nächste Frage bitte.“

Was war dagegen schlecht?
„Das schwedische Parlament hat ein allumfassendes Abhörgesetz beschlossen, welches bei künftigen Spitzelversuchen durch den Staat nicht einmal mehr einen richterlichen Beschluss vorsieht. Ein Wolfgang Schäuble kann von so viel Macht zum Glück nur träumen.“

Die Organisation Erölexportierender Länder (Opec) will die Förderquoten erhöhen um den steigenden Preisen entgegenzuwirken. Eine Wohltat?
„Wohl eher ein Öltropfen in das leere Fass Öl. Man will sich bei der Opec doch nur nicht die Kunden verschrecken und die Welt so lange wie möglich an sich binden. Ein ernsthafter Energiewechsel wäre schon längst nötig gewesen, doch Merkel fährt heute ja lieber zum Halbfinalspiel als sich um wirklich wichtige Dinge zu kümmern.“

Die Opposition will bei den am Freitag stattfindenden Stichwahlen im Simbabwe nicht mehr antreten. Wird Amtsinhaber Mugabe nun doch wieder Präsident?
„Höchstens ein Präsident seiner Gnaden selbst. Die afrikanische Union hat ja bereits angekündigt den „gemachten“ Sieger Mugabe anzuerkennen. Warum man sich bisher nicht zu mehr Aktionismus durchringen konnte, bleibt mir schleierhaft. Afrika hat nun wirklich genug Bürgerkriege erleben müssen.“

Volkswagen ist laut Erhebung „Der Welt“ das umsatzstärkste Unternehmen in Deutschland. Autobauer Daimler folgt gleich auf dem zweiten Rang. Ein Beweis für die starke deutsche Autoindustrie?
Eher dafür welches deutsche Unternehmen weltweit am besten „schmiert“. Auf Platz drei folgt übrigens bereits Siemens, welches in Sachen schwarzen Kassen kein Unschuldslamm ist.

Zuletzt noch eine Frage: Was wird aus Deutschland?
„Torkelt weiter durch das Weltgeschehen als wenn es nichts zu tun gäbe.“

The news proves that as the price of gas rises higher, as fears of global warming become more mainstream and as oil reserves dwindle, major car companies are taking the electric car seriously. And we applaud those that do. Japan's Nissan recently made a significant commitment to alternative vehicles. Nissan says it will launch an all-electric car in the United States and Japan by 2010, will deliver a low-cost, energy efficient car for the Indian market and has also partnered with Project Better Place (but maybe not in Japan). GM is planning on having its electric vehicle, the Volt, ready for production by 2010.

Daimler's electric vehicle plan is good news for consumers, who, come 2010, will have that many more green car options in a marketplace that is sorely lacking. We've personally considered the Smart Car option, but have wanted a more alternative version. And the more big name car companies that sign on with Project Better Place the greater the likelihood the company's networks will proliferate. That means that we could be getting closer to having Project Better Place networks stateside, in Hawaii or the California Bay Area.

2009 Honda Pilot

I DIDN'T LIKE...  The power is there, although 110 degree heat, 100% air blowing from front and rear vents, the engine hesitates before responding. There is minor exceleration noise from the engine compartment but no noticable transmission hunting.

The styling is UNIMAGINATIVE. I think the "Element" grill is not sophisticated enough for this truck. I get that Honda may have been trying to transition their Ridgeline and Element customers to the Pilot, but at 30K starting price and the Touring pushing 45K, I'm out on cute.

The only part I really didn't like was the gas mileage. From the company that leads the race in alternative fuel: Hydrogen, Natural Gas and Electric,  16 and 22, for an estimated 18 average is not acceptable.  The Sticker reads "avergae annual fuel cost 2200.00 ? Since when does gas cost $2.80 a gallon?  I guess they can keep those lower annual fuel costs until Congress makes them fess-up.  All in all the Pilot delivers what it promises as a family hauler, in comfort and Honda-style. The fuel economy is what it is. The price value ratio, well it's priced like a Honda. You get what you pay for, no big rebates or phoney interest rates and limited production to make you want it more.  The price is fair when you compare the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, Chrysler Apsen or DOdge Durango. The GMC Arcadia or Enclave may actually be a smart alternative for the money.

Check out my 2009 Honda Pilot Test auto review video;  www.youtube.com
go here:

for a great car deal contact me at www.mycarlady.com 

Now we face the very real possibility of total collapse of our domestic auto manufacturers. (Please don't point out to me that the Japanese, Koreans and Germans are also "domestic" manufacturers now. Assembling imported parts isn't the same as designing and building parts and finished cars in the U.S.) When I wrote my "2008 Predictions" in November of last year, many probably thought I was overly pessimistic in predicting the bankruptcy of either Ford or Chrysler this year. It hasn't happened yet, but now both of these and General Motors as well are running on empty. It's unlikely that all three will fail this year, but the day when none of these will continue to exist is rapidly approaching. And with the loss of these companies will come the collapse of the parts manufacturers, distributorships and thousands of companies that provide them all with services.  Job losses will be in the millions - added to the millions of manufacturing jobs already lost to free (blind) trade. It's impossible to overestimate the devastating impact this would have on the economy. It would surely tip this country into depression. Not recession. A depression.

Will the federal government stand by and let this happen? Will it try to arrange some sort of bail-out, or help broker deals for the "Big 3" to be bought up by foreign companies or sovereign funds? Who would want them? Daimler is still paying the price for their failed "merger" with Chrysler, and the private equity group (whose name escapes me) who bought Chrysler from Daimler already regrets it.

That leaves the government only one option - protectionism - which could take one of two forms: 1) limiting imports or 2) imposing tariffs on auto imports. The first option would be a nightmare to manage. How would the quotas be allocated between countries and manufacturers? What would happen when models are dropped and new models added?  Prices would rise and the windfall profits would go directly to foreign manufacturers.

The second option makes much more sense. Tariffs would drive prices higher for imports and the market (consumers) would determine which models thrive and which ones fail. The foreign manufacturers would cut their costs and prices to the bone in a vain effort to offset the tariffs. And all of the tariff money would remain in America, increasing federal revenue and potentially allowing for income tax cuts.  But, most importantly, the higher prices for imports would drive customers to the Big 3's showrooms.  (Yes, auto prices may rise some, but the rise would be more than offset by rising wages as manufacturing jobs rebounded.)  Domestic manufacturers, American workers and taxpayers would all be the big winners.

It's not as though we'd be venturing into uncharted trade waters. America thrived under these kinds of tariffs from the beginning of our country until 1947, when we signed the Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), turning our backs on the trade policies that built us into the world's preeminent industrial power. Tariffs are the only thing that can protect our domestic industry from the predation of grossly overpopulated foreign countries, desperate to sustain their bloated work forces by gobbling up our market while all we get in return is access to markets emaciated by over-crowding and low per capita consumption.

Will the next president have the guts to take such measures and reassert America's right to set our own trade policies? Or will he let the rest of our domestic manufacturing die and throw us a few more crumbs in the form of job training programs, extended unemployment benefits and more "economic stimulus" checks?

We've been locked in a global trade war for decades and have been losing badly because we don't have the will or good sense to even put up a fight. Will the demise of our domestic auto manufacturing be the final battle in a lost war, or will this battle be the turning point?  Time will soon tell.

A montadora alemã Daimler anunciou programa de recompra de aproximadamente 96,4 milhões de seus papéis, ou 10% das ações em circulação, por no máximo 6 bilhões de euros.

A fim de otimizar ainda mais a estrutura de capital da Daimler, o Conselho de Administração da companhia decidiu realizar um novo plano de recompra de ação. O Conselho Supervisor da Daimler AG aprovou a decisão, destacou em nota em sua página eletrônica.

A empresa explicou que, visando a criar condições mais favoráveis para a recompra, as ações podem ser adquiridas com o uso de derivativos. O programa está limitado até 8 de abril de 2009, quando ocorre a reunião anual da Daimler.

As ações a serem compradas serão canceladas posteriormente, sem qualquer redução no capital acionário da montadora.

Fonte: O Globo | www.oglobo.com.br

Daimler, producatorul german de autoturisme Mercedes-Benz, a decis ieri ca noua fabrica din Sud-Estul Europei sa fie construita in Ungaria, la 80 de kilometri distanta de capitala Budapesta. Astfel s-au anulat speculatiile care au alimentat fluxul de zvonistica de pe la noi, conform carora compania germana ar fi fost aproape de a sosi la Cluj, urmandu-i pe cei de la Nokia. Ce-i drept , pe lista posibilelor locatii pe care nemtii le aveau in analize , se regasea si Romania, alaturi de Polonia, Serbia si Ungaria, insa cu cele mai mici sanse. Sunt curios sa aflu care a fost motivul. Sa fie oare infrastructura precara pe care o avem si "talentul" de negociatori ai reprezentantilor institutiilor publice?

Ce a pierdut Romania? Sa mentionam doar 800 de milioane de euro investitii directe si 2500 de locuri de munca, excluzand imbunatatirea ratingului de tara, daca nu cel din analize si rapoarte, macar cel din mintile conducerilor marilor corporatii.

Bye, bye Daimler! Mai lasa-ne sa papam "laptic" in haosul nostru, sa ne schimbam scutecele murdare cu mentalitati invechite, si sa facem primii pasi fara sprijinul "caruciorului Integrare in UE"!

Regret ca Daimler si-a calculat mult prea precis costurile si nu a ales Clujul pentru aceasta investitie considerabila! Dar asta e viata, daca suntem moi si nu jucam dur, nu o sa ne miscam pe propriile picioare veci!

(sursa wallstreet.ro)

Istoria marcii Mercedes-Benz

We have no idea what that involves and are waiting to hear back from Tesla. But AutoblogGreen indulges in some creative speculation, like Tesla could be licensing battery management tech to Daimler, or Daimler will make the WhiteStar engine. Tesla has previously said it wants to partner with a big auto company on the production of its third vehicle; perhaps the company is pursuing that idea for its second car instead? Scaling up production has been a major hurdle for the startup. We'll add more when we know more. In the meantime check out some B-roll from the Tesla media site below:

Secondo autorevoli fonti citate dal Wall Street Journal e confermate dai portavoce delle due case automobilistiche, Mercedes e BMW sono in fase di trattative per la costruzione di un’alleanza mirata a “sviluppo, produzione e acquisto esterno di componenti automobilistici”.

Per tenere ai livelli attuali i profitti, le due case avrebbero bisogno di venirsi incontro, spalmando il crescente costo delle materie prime -e quindi dei componenti- su un maggior numero di macchine. Al momento si parla di parti tutto sommato secondarie, come i gusci dei sedili ed i sistemi di climatizzazione dell’abitacolo, ma sono al vaglio ipotesi ben più “importanti” che comprendono addirittura lo sviluppo congiunto dei propulsori.

Se ad oggi il livello dei margini netti delle due case (in particolare quello di Mercedes) è infatti tra i più alti dell’intera produzione industriale, le difficoltà del mercato americano, unite al dollaro debolissimo e agli alti costi delle ultime tecnologie disponibili, sono un campanello d’allarme da non trascurare per le due prestigiose case tedesche, che avrebbero deciso così di tagliare corto e cooperare, seppure in forma mirata e settoriale.

La mossa è fondamentalmente frutto dell’approccio nuovo dei due presidenti, Reithofer da una parte e Zetsche dall’altra: il primo aveva dichiarato in forma esplicita la sua intenzione di “cercare partner per la realizzazione di telai e componenti” al momento del suo arrivo al vertice nel settembre 2006; l’altro da parte sua ha completamente ridisegnato le strategie di Daimler dopo il divorzio con Chrysler, rendendo possibile quest’incontro.

Reithofer ha inoltre aggiunto senza troppi peli sulla lingua che dopo la cooperazione sull’ibrido con GM e Chrysler, i rapporti con Daimler offrono ancora vaste potenzialità, che vanno sfruttate appunto, allo scopo di migliorare al capitolo “redditività”. Per questo sono nate in tempi recenti, da una parte e dall’altra, due task force simili nel loro obiettivo: la Business Innovation Team di Mercedes ed una corrispondente squadra in BMW.

Del resto, molti rivali premium beneficiano già delle economie di scala dei loro rispettivi gruppi: Volvo lo fa con Ford, Lexus con Toyota, e -soprattutto- Audi lo fa con Volkswagen, prelevando a mani basse dalla banca organi di Wolfsburg. Dopo essere tornati sulla cresta dell’onda in seguito alle batoste di Chrysler e Rover, i due contendenti non possono più permettersi di lasciare campo libero alla concorrenza che sempre più da vicino insidia il loro predominio.

[via: autoblog.it]

Consider this... Gas reaches $5.00 a gallon. You buy a Chrysler 300C Hemi. You are entitled to 2118 gallons of gas divided over three years, at a rate of $2.00 per gallon credited to your credit card by the billing company PLUS $1000 rebate! THAT IS A projected savings of $5257.00

The big play is on the 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Cummins 6.7 Diesel engines.  YOU are eligible for up to $4000.00 in cash rebate plus 2400 gallons of fuel. The projected savings at $5.00 a gallon is $8824.00. Commander, Aspen, Durango, Grand Cherokee are all upwards of $7700.00 plus in savings along a similar line of thinking!

The important things to note about his program are... you only get x amount of fuel each year, can't spend it all at once. If you purchase a different type of fuel from what your car/you are registered for, you will be charged a SERVICE fee of $2.00  The best deal as I see it is in LEASING a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge product, so that you take advantage of the entire program and get to walk away after 36 mos. onto the next model, hopefully hybrid of gas alternative.

The Let's REFUEL AMERICA $2.99 a gallon Gas Guarantee is an amazing program if utilized correctly.  Read the fine print. It is tied to your existing credit card, must be the appropriate fuel for the vehicle you have purchased and there is no ROLLOVER of unused gallons from year 1 to 2 to 3. The program is scheduled to END June 30th, so ACT now to find the model you want, in the right color before the program ends.  Sprinter, Cab and Chasis, SRT's, Vipers and Challenger are not included in this offer.

Hurry, deals like this don't come around often, and I expect Chrysler will react sharply if the program takes off and clears the dealer's inventory in time for the 2009 roll-out. see rules below.

An Injury to One Is an Injury to All -
Justice for the Freightliner Five!

Five members of the UAW Local 3520’s bargaining committee at Freightliner LLC, a truck manufacturing plant, owned by Daimler need your help. The Freightliner Five were fired a year ago for leading a strike in their plant over health, safety and other issues. May 9th is an international day of action for the Freightliner Five. Join them in Cleveland, NC for an 11AM rally in Cleveland Park OR organize solidarity actions at Freightliner/Daimler locations. Demand immediate reinstatement of the five with full back pay.

Download and distribute the flyer for May 9 action to support the Freightliner Five!

Although Freightliner opened the plant in Cleveland, a small town in “right-to-work” (for less) North Carolina, almost twenty years ago it wasn’t until 2002 that the workers there got seriously interested in a union. Workers had just taken a $1.15 an hour pay cut to cover their health care. However a UAW-recognized plant in nearby Mount Holly were protected by a contract, and therefore didn’t have their wages slashed. So when the UAW held a meeting three months later, workers in Cleveland attended. A core of workers set up a volunteer organizing committee, working out of the Methodist Church and planned an effective campaign that led to union recognition. Four of the Freightliner Five were members of that volunteer committee: Allen Bradley, Glenna Swinford, Franklin Torrence and Robert Whiteside. (The fifth member, David Crisco, joined the union later.)

Because of a merger a few years before, Freightliner’s parent company had already agreed to recognize the union when a majority signed authorization cards. The organizing committee didn’t know that a five-year neutrality agreement also guaranteed that when they came to the bargaining table there would be certain restrictions: no profit sharing, no cost-of-living wages, and no restrictions on overtime. So the committee did the best they could under the circumstances, and looked forward to the second contract.

Last spring when the local bargaining committee began to negotiate for a new contract, they found themselves hamstrung by Freightliner. By the time contract expired March 31st, the committee wasn’t close to a tentative agreement. The company told the committee to take the economic package back to the membership for a vote, saying that the unresolved issues, including health and safety grievances, would be discussed after the ratification process. The bargaining committee felt they couldn’t bring back a partial contract. The package was loaded with concessions, including the fact that half the membership wouldn’t have gotten a raise. There would be a two-tier health care plan whereby new hires would have a lesser level of retirement care than current employees. Retirees’ health care would also become more restrictive under the new contract.
The UAW International staff working on the negotiations left town for Easter vacation. They said that the company would extend the contract—but Freightliner disputed that when they cancelled the Good Friday holiday. Workers reported they’d been told their health insurance was cancelled.

Members felt only a strike would get the company back to the bargaining table; on April 2nd the bargaining committee voted to strike. They conferred with the local president, who supported the decision, and asked him to activate the union’s phone tree. Then they went into the plant and explained that the International had not sanctioned the strike, but that there was no contract and therefore it was not an illegal action. The strike was on!

However the president sent a message out to the membership that the strike was illegal and members should report to work the following morning, thus aborting the strike.

On April 3rd the local received a fax from the UAW International saying they had secured a contract extension. By April 18 a contract without the health care concession was submitted to the membership, but rejected. Then the UAW Region 8’s director sent out a flier to every member’s home and a re-vote scheduled. The contract passed the second time around.

Five members of the bargaining committee were fired for stopping production. Additionally six workers who walked off the job that night were also fired. Subsequently reinstated without back pay they are still being harassed by management.

Over the last several months, the Freightliner Five—three of whom are also on the local’s executive board—have spoken at union and community meetings throughout the country. They know that they will be unable to win their case against Freightliner unless they get national and international support from their union brothers and sisters. Their arbitration case will probably occur this June.
Last November the UAW local heard internal charges against them for leading an unauthorized strike; they were found not guilty. Then this February they were forcibly removed from a monthly membership meeting under the pretext that they had not properly informed the secretary that they wished to remain members, and owed dues. Allen Bradley was arrested as he left the union meeting. His crime? Taking a photo of a police officer.

Despite this harassment, the five are solid trade unionists who want to win back their jobs and continue to build a militant local. All five are members of the NAACP, and Franklin Torrence is president of the first chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in North Carolina and a member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. He is chair of the local’s civil and human rights committee, Glenna Swinford is co-chair. Bradley, as skilled trades chair, along with committeepersons Whiteside and Crisco have focused on dealing with the plant’s serious health and safety issues.

These five people are the kind of folks needed to help organize the South. They are effective and knowledgeable, and they need your support. Come to the rally in Cleveland, NC or take action in your own area.

For more information about the Freightliner Five, go to www.justice4five.com.