Er, um, what the ...

The Washington Post reports: Under Restructuring, GM To Build More Cars Overseas.

Excerpts from the article:

The proportion of GM cars sold domestically and manufactured in those low-wage countries will rise from 15 percent to 23 percent over the next five years, according to the figures contained in a 12-page presentation offered to lawmakers in response to their questions about overseas production.
...
Labor costs in those countries are far lower. While paying a U.S. autoworker with benefits costs about $54 an hour, a South Korean worker earns about $22 an hour, a Mexican worker earns less than $10 an hour and some Chinese workers can earn as little as $3 an hour, industry sources said.
...
But company officials and industry analysts have long argued that, even putting aside the issue of labor costs, it makes logistical sense to build some cars in other countries, even if they are destined for sale in the United States.

Take, for example, the Chevrolet Spark, a tiny car that GM sells in South Korea and elsewhere in Asia. In the next few years, the company plans to send some of those cars -- which are built in Changwon -- to the United States for sale.

But since only about 5 percent of the car's market will be in the United States, the manufacturing will remain in South Korea.

via Drudge.

Whose woods these are I think I know

My latest blog post on OnTheCommon.com: Whose woods these are I think I know

"I've had enough of this." "No, you haven't."

 ...
It's being-hit-on-the-head lessons in here.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, April 27

2:30 p.m. Misplaced credit card
3:34 p.m. Lockout of van on Main St.
3:46 p.m. Large pile of brush reported obstructing view of traffic at Brattle St. and Doyle Rd.
3:53 p.m. Kids loitering on Main St.; caller advised to post "no loitering" signs
4:41 p.m. Two skateboarders spoken to about staying out of street
8:51 p.m. Loose horse on Rte. 122A
11:11 p.m. 911 Barking dog reported on Wahlstrom Lane; dogs brought in for the night

Tuesday, April 28

3:55 a.m. Loud music on Dorothy Ave.
8:40 a.m. Contractor reports customer accusing him of breaking and entering
9:39 a.m. Animal investigation on Wyoming Dr.
12:44 p.m. Caller with divorce question; advised it is a civil matter
1:33 p.m. Inquiry about how to destroy ammunition
4:19 p.m. Inquiry about easement; advised to contact town hall
4:38 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with three male occupants, one riding in trunk, on Bailey Rd.
4:56 p.m. Neighbor's dog reported defecating in yard and running in yard on Homestead Rd.
7:02 p.m. Transformer blew on Main St.
7:12 p.m. Loud beeping noise on Alden Rd.
7:39 p.m. Large pile of branches in middle of Main St. reported; one branch removed from road
9:13 p.m. Someone using front end loader heard on Deane Ave.
9:24 p.m. Two people in gutter on Main St. asked to move along
9:35 p.m. Two teens at Mountview making movie

Wednesday, April 29

12:09 p.m. Person taking pictures of state-owned land for Dept. of Revenue
1:50 p.m. Problem with neighbor placing basketball hoop at end of neighbor's driveway
2:14 p.m. Two suspicious males jumped fence at Big Y
3:45 p.m. Glove box found open on unlocked vehicle on Colorado Dr.
4:45 p.m. Low-hanging tree branch reported on causeway on Reservoir St.
6:30 p.m. Argument between neighbors on Putnam Rd. about lawn debris; report of neighbor being physically aggressive
7:57 p.m. Four-wheelers monitored on Mixter Rd.
11:45 p.m. Front end loader operating in parking lot on Shrewsbury St.

Thursday, April 30

9:52 a.m. 911 Caller reports another driver yelled at her when she passed him for not using directional
11:40 a.m. Inquiry regarding cracked windshield
2:36 p.m. Caller inquiring about collection of knives
2:55 p.m. Neighbor reported taking pictures of neighbor and harassing him as he was moving brush on Nelson St.

Friday, May 1

1:37 a.m. Suspicious male party in Dunkin Donuts parking lot
2:24 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Rte. 31
3:34 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Main St.
3:39 a.m. Suspicious person on Main St. in vehicle, passed out; family member on the way
4:20 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle at Mountview School; okay, paper carrier taking a break
7:26 a.m. 911 Report of loose dog on Main St.
8:10 a.m. Anthony Dr. resident requesting surveillance for stepson, unemployed and possibly doing drugs
9:13 a.m. 911 Report of irate customer; okay, ex-husband and ex-wife arguing
9:22 a.m. Brentwood Dr. resident reports cleaning solicitation
12:37 p.m. Police requested to observe damage to vehicle on Main St.
2:42 p.m. Report of erratic and irate driver breaking sharply and yelling at caller
11:40 p.m. Parties at gas station advised to move along
11:51 p.m. Loud music coming from Dorothy Ave.

Saturday, May 2

9:29 a.m. Male party checking on workers on Eagle Scout projects cleaning both cemeteries
10:55 a.m. Two pedestrians inquiring whether it's illegal to park vehicles on sidewalk
10:57 a.m. Dog escaped on Sherwood Hill Dr.
12:35 p.m. High school students in lobby to get permission to film a jail cell
3:31 p.m. 911 hang up calls from Reservoir St.
4:01 p.m. Several calls about a tree extending into roadway on Paxton Rd.
4:05 p.m. Bike found on Sycamore Dr.
4:30 p.m. Motorist concerned about cruiser trunk being open
4:45 p.m. Man with raccoon in swing set
9:25 p.m. Unoccupied cars at Trout Brook

Sunday, May 3

11:38 a.m. Walk-in reports dishwasher taken from residence by ex-wife; advised to talk to his lawyer
12:44 p.m. Caller reports vehicle threw trash at bicyclists
4:31 p.m. Caller regarding curfews for juveniles and programs for elderly
6:40 p.m. Dispute reported
7:02 p.m. Lost dog reported; 7:10, dog returned

Paxton

Tuesday, April 28

12:07 a.m. Parties from Moore State Park sent on their way
10:42 a.m. Black lab running loose, West St.
10:14 p.m. Caller inquiring how late someone can run a wood chipper
10:18 p.m. Caller complaining that a woodchipper is being used on Grove St. Spoke to party, they will stop for the night.

Friday, May 1

12:49 a.m. Suspicious female walking in area of Pleasant St. and Lincoln Cir. Courtesy transport to Worcester line.
7:20 p.m. Caller advising car will be in lot at Public Safety Building overnight. Employees returning in morning to work there.
8:12 p.m. Check Charter Communications truck at Holden town line to see if sufficiently visible to drivers

Saturday, May 2

11:35 p.m. Dispersed gathering at Moore State Park

Sunday, May 3

2:37 p.m. Motor vehicle out of gas, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, April 27

5:04 a.m. Suspicious person, Hobbs Rd.
3:45 p.m. Officer investigation, Westminster Rd.
4:30 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.
9:10 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Prospect St.
11:38 p.m. Suspicious incident, Redwood Dr.

Tuesday, April 28

4:48 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
7:47 p.m. Assist fire department, Bullock Lane
8:01 p.m. Request for light department, Bullock Lane
10:15 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, April 29

4:05 p.m. Request for traffic control, Goodnow Rd.
4:39 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.

Thursday, April 30

4:25 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
5:15 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 North

Friday, May 1

7:31 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Forslund Rd. and Richards Rd.
12:26 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.
9:51p.m. Request for animal control officer, Fitchburg Rd.

Saturday, May 2

11:25 a.m. Open door/window, Main St.
4:04 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Fitchburg Rd.

Sunday, May 3

9:04 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Old Colony Rd.
12:47 p.m. Officer investigation, Rocky Pond Rd.
12:49 p.m. Public service. Sterling Rd.
4:20 p.m. Suspicious person, Brooks Station Rd.

Rutland

Monday, April 27

11:38 a.m. Misuse of credit card, Main St.
2:55 p.m. Report of fat wire in roadway, Pommogussett/ Sassawanna Rds.
4:01 p.m. Assist other PD, Main St.
6:38 p.m. General police, Main St.
11:53 p.m. Person reports bear and cubs on the deck at home, Pleasantdale Rd.

Tuesday, April 28

11:35 a.m. Report that angry eighth grade student left school and went into woods, Main St.
3:33 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
6:07 p.m. Complaint about unregistered dirt bikes riding in Juniper Ln.
7:24 p.m. Parties at station to speak with officer, Main St.
7:32 p.m. Complaint about cars parked on school access road
8:36 p.m. Holden PD reports large limb in Rte. 122 at Holden line

Wednesday, April 29

12:04 a.m. Loose pony in the road near farm, Pommogussett Rd.

1:36 p.m. Officers asked to check on well-being of individual who was hitchhiking, Main St., Barre Paxton Rd.
6:13 p.m. Report of female with open container standing in Birchwood Rd.
6:49 p.m. Male sitting in Volvo for long time, Main St.

Thursday, April 30

1:22 p.m. Attempt to deliver message, Anthony Dr.
4:01 p.m. Tree on power line, Barre Falls Dam
4:44 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
5:08 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
5:30 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
11:38 p.m. Complaint about neighbors making a lot of noise, Maple Ave.

Friday, May 1

4:46 p.m. Records check, Main St.
9:09 p.m. Officer out with two men on foot, Prison Camp Rd.

Saturday, May 2

9:46 a.m. Sewage backing up into house basement, Edson Ave.
9:57 a.m. Person locked out of home, Maple Ave.
11:03 a.m. Truck was Saran-wrapped and shaving-creamed, Maple Ave.

Sunday, May 3

9:44 a.m. Missing dog, Charnock Hill Rd.
8:34 p.m. Party rifling through dumpster, Maple Ave.
8:51 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Miles Rd.

Sterling

Monday, April 27

6:02 a.m. Caller reports gunshots in area of Rowley Hill Rd. Police advise it is the first day of turkey hunting season
9:52 a.m. Officer investigation, Osgood Rd.
12:07 p.m. Two dogs walking in roadway, Kitchener Rd.
5:10 p.m. Beagle almost got hit by car, Main St.
6:31 p.m. Dog wandering on Redstone Pl. Owner will pick up
10:02 p.m. Barking dog, Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, April 28

9:11 p.m. Disturbance, party in progress Kendall Hill Rd.
10:39 p.m. Caller reports hearing screaming from woods behind home, Justice Hill Rd.

Wednesday, April 29

3:15 a.m. Report of audible alarm, Maple St.
11:06 a.m. Officer investigation, Lakeview Ave.
8:58 p.m. Vehicles being driven on field behinds school, Boutelle Rd.
9:19 p.m. Caller reports roommate is stealing from him, wants to speak with officer, Worcester Rd.

Thursday, April 30

9:21 a.m. Loose German shepherd attacked another dog, Redstone Hill Rd.
3:03 p.m. Student exited van and ran down street, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.

Friday, May 1

12:41 a.m. Aggressive cat attempting to get through house screens to attack kitten, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Sunday, May 3

11:16 a.m. Parking tickets issued for boat trailer, town beach
4:07 p.m. Loose dog in yard, John Dee Rd.

How much would you pay?

How much would you pay if you could hire someone who would show up in a truck and take care of your nuisances? Jeff at Wormtown Taxi tells us that the city of Worcester has just the service:

Not only that, but there's a real job description.


But, be careful if you get change in return. Consumer Reports tells us that you might get the H1N1-R2D2-Everybody-Boogaloo-Not-The-Swine Flu from the money.

The building inspector

My father was a construction worker. One day in the early 60s, while he was working at the high-rise dormitories at UMass-Amherst, a building inspector was on the site.
In the afternoon, the inspector came up to my father and said, "I've been watching you all day."
"That's funny. I've been watching you, too."

via J-Walk Blog

Manny gets to be Manny out of baseball for 50 games

Manny Ramirez will be suspended 50 games for positive drug test - Los Angeles Times:

Props to Dan Kennedy - http://twitter.com/dankennedy_nu

I've seen such compassion for a web server before

This aftenoon, this headline appeared on the Worcester Telegram web site:



Followed by this comment:

OntheCommon.com - The last ice storm story until the next one

My latest post on OntheCommon.com - The last ice storm story until the next one

That's why they call it work

In the mid-90s, I had a three-month technical writing contract at an automobile parts manufacturing company. My job was to document the company's procedures so that they could meet the requirements of ISO 9000 registration. As defined on the ISO 9000 web site, "The ISO 9000 family of standards represents an international consensus on good quality management practices."
Dilbert provided a more succinct definition of ISO 9000 as a set of big honkin' binders: 



Anyway, I worked in a building that had offices in front, a large manufacturing area, and then another set of offices built along the back wall. Various management and administrative types worked in that back office area. The manufacturing area was hot, even in winter. (My contract ended in May, so I didn't get to work there in the summer.)
What I did see, however, was a set of wall-mounted air conditioners for the back office. The air conditioners blew the hot exhaust out to the factory floor. The white-collar workers stayed cool and what's a few extra BTUs for the grunts working the machines?
I remember that setting every day I go to work. I may work hard, but what I do isn't hard work.
There are just a couple of things I'd like add to Jeff's post regarding Dianne Williamson's Sunday column:

1. Rule #1 of blogging, Twittering, or, pretty much any kind of writing other than writing about food is NOCWYHFL - No One Cares What You Had for Lunch. (Friend eba writes NOCWYHFD, a nifty blog about vegetarian dinners by and for busy working couples.)
2. Similarly, writing about writing is rarely interesting. 

By the way, during the succeeding years, most of the work at that manufacturing plants has moved away and area workers have lost their jobs.

Live from Cincinnati. Here's your hyperlocal Boston news.

It's difficult not to have a small bit of joy at Clear Channel's troubles, they who have inhaled radio stations across the nation like a prairie gopher vacuum, and who have decimated local ownership and content in the process.
It is true that they have tried to recognize the valuable contributions that local staffers make. For example, during the December ice storm, Worcester's WTAG rallied to keep the people informed:

Under the direction of Program Director George Brown, staff began taking text messages on a station cell phone, then a wireless laptop, and eventually, one phone line was restored.

Oh, and, by the way, George Brown was laid off this week.
Now we read that local content for Boston Clear Channel stations will orginate in Cincinnati. Granted, weather services such as Accuweather and The Weather Channel have been doing this for a long time. News, however, ought to be different and it is different.
On the other side of the coin, hyperlocal is the latest breathless buzzword that media outlets are using in an effort to remain relevant. One of my next projects is to count the number of times that Fox 25 (the Fox affiliate in Boston) uses the word local, such as local Massachusetts towns, local suburban schools, or local student. Using superfluous adjectives is like shouting at someone who speaks another language, adding nothing but noise to an already incomprehensible situation.

---
Update: a Maine web site shows that hyperlocal can work: Finally, someone makes hyperlocal pay

On the future of the Boston Globe

At this writing, Reuters reports that talks between the New York Times, parent company of the Boston Globe, and the Globe's unions have broken off and that the Times is planning to file federal paperwork to shut down the Globe - UPDATE 5-Boston Globe could file shutdown notice Monday. A story on the Globe web site, Agree or else, Globe tells unions, suggests that the sides are still unable to reach an agreement.
The Boston Business Journal, meanwhile, reports that the company has reached an agreement with the drivers' union, 45 minutes after the deadline passed. The deal will lead to major job losses, although not immediately - Globe and one union reach tentative deal.
There will likely be a paper today, Monday. (The Globe web site at this hour is still showing the Sunday edition.)