RichW5

I think this is communism ................ then again, since the step-son moved back into our house the water bill has doubled (two showers a day at 1/2 hour each, plus all his dirty laundry), the gas bill has gone up 40% (heating the basement were he lives) and electricity has gone up 40% also (Xbox, computer and TV left on all the time, even when he goes to work). If I could get the state of Illinois to accept the blame for restricting electric, gas and water, I could be happy again. The wife wouldn't blame me for driving out her poor (30 year old) baby. The step-son and I get along OK, but he will never learn responsibility (how to be a real man) unless he has to pay all his expenses on his own.

Think positive! It's a chance for each and every poster here to put up a wind turbine and collect all that free energy. If you get a Volt, you can connect your Volt directly to the turbine at night and get a charge out of it. :AH-HA_wink:

From what I've read, it was one trader who bid over $100 a barrel. He immediately sold at a loss. just wanted to get his name in the history books as the first to bid over the magical $100.

One of the posting rules here at C&G should be: Refrain from using the words "government regulations" and "common sense" in the same post!

Let me see ...... We've had mall shootings and church shooting this past week. We've had several school shootings in the past few years and school closings this past week, due to bomb threats. I don't feel that this teacher is either dumb or lacks intelligence. She thought she was alone in the school ... think about it. Some people need to look in a mirror, what would they do in the same circumstance?

It was a great promo, but it's easy to say "don't live in the past". I grew up in that era and GM made the best cars (style and performance) out there for the technology of that time. Then, overinflated egos, bad management and loss of focus destroyed GM's position in the auto world. I believe that "actions speak louder than words". Gm is starting to move in that direction, but they still don't have styling and excitement leaders in all their products. The "action" we need is for GM to boldy move into the future, ASAP.

Lots of rain, sleet and ice here in Chicagoland this past few weeks. My wife took the Trailblazer (instead of the CTS) to work this morning because the CTS can't make it up the hill to our house in slush or ice. Since we live on a small street (21 houses) it's one of the last to be salted. Speaking of salt, thanks to GM for galvanized sheet metal (and plastic). I wouldn't want to be seen driving a rustmobile like most of the 5 year old Honda's I see, with rust eating the wheel wells.

In my mind, the proliferation of "COTY" awards diminishes the value of all of them. They are nothing more than a revenue source for the magazine and/or organizations that give them out. The only chance GM has in these categories is the Enclave, but the fuel economy (global warming, etc) people will vote Nissan Rogue. Car snobs will pick AMG and Landrover over GM vehicles and Honda will be voted "the most dependable". They will say that the new Malibu has no dependability track record and the previous model was not dependable. Thank you CR. The Ford F-250 deserves to be there along with the GMC. Ford will win, but Tundra will come in second. I wish I was wrong, but it's not likely.

Today, I just saw my third Malibu, not counting the Malibu that was parked in front of the Chevy dealer 1/2 mile from the house about two weeks ago. So far I've seen 2 blues, a black and todays Malibu was gray. I think some people haven't seen one because they're alone and crying for their foreign vehicle.

When the wounds heal and the doctor takes out those ugly stitches, it might look OK, just OK. Wait ...... Is that a BLACK PLASTIC radio surround I see? And little circular knobs, OH MY!

Apparently, the writer of the article has never seen the Accord in person. I've never seen such a disjointed design in all my life. It's a little piece of this and a little piece of that. Load on the chrome trim and call it a Honda. I don't know what idiot stepped on the middle of the dash, but it's bent downward. It makes the original CTS dash look good.

Just think about rush hour on the freeway. Wait ...... I'm sorry. Just think about rush hour above the freeway. Nightmare comes to mind. As an Experimental Aircraft Association member, I think flying is great, but it's not for everyone. Just think about "Grama and Grampa" in their Buick flymobile or some kid in a "Ricemocopter".

+2 It is a scientific fact that the earth goes through cycles of heating and cooling. Most of those cycles have occurred before human habitation, or while humans were just a small dot on the planet. I personally believe that we need to take better care of the earth and reduce our pollution footprint, but "Global Warming" is political not scientific. It's being used by those seeking a world government, bigger governments and/or their own 15 minutes of fame. It's being used by those seeking government grants and and those seeking trophies (Noble Prizes) while leaving huge carbon footprints in their own wake. There are many untruths in the movie "Inconvenient Truth". It's just inconvenient for the "Global Warming" hustlers to find them.

It's always a problem when you see a vehicle you cherished and took good care of after it's been in the hands of someone else. I traded my 63 Ford 500XL convertible for my 66 Olds Cutlass convertible at a dealer in San Antonio, Texas. About 2 months later, I was driving by the dealer and saw my beautiful XL sitting in the dealers used car lot with the side bashed in. The build quality and paint on that car was perfect, but it was underpowered, the reason for the trade. In 1970, I traded the 66 Cutlass for a 70 Cutlass convertible. On the day I brought it in for it's 1000 mile checkup (common in those days), some skanky looking bimbo brought my 66 Cutlass in for repair. It had been trashed, both inside and out. Now days, when I trade-in a car, I never go back past the dealers used car lot for at least 6 months.

One of the local newspapers had an article on HD TV's yesterday. It suggested looking at a web page (hdguru.com) for reviews and the best prices. I briefly checked it out and it could be a good source of what to buy, where and when to buy it. I don't know if cable (Comcast) is sending HD programs in 720 or 1080, so upgrading to 1080 isn't that important right now. When I go to Best Buy (or other stores) the 1080 sets don't seem to be any better than my Samsung, but it may be the signal they use in the store. When I'll need the next new set (when everything goes digital) I'll probably move the Samsung to another room and get a 50" for the family room, along with an HD player. My step-son has a Sony (60" DLP) that is 1080, but doesn't have a better picture than my 720 Samsung. You have to sit directly in front of his TV to get the best picture, while my Plasma has a much wider viewing angle. His 60" TV is too big for the room it's in and it hurts your eyes after a while.

I bought a Sharp 32" for the basement family room about a year and a half ago. Three weeks after that, my family room TV died after 18 years, so I bought a 42" Samsung Plasma to replace it. The Sharp looks pale compared to the Samsung and if we're watching football, the game looks so much better on the Samsung. I agree with REG, that the LCD's have improved, but I don't know if it's really the TV's or the way they are set up for viewing at Best Buy or Circuit city. I know that I would definately buy Samsung again.

Congrats! That's one beautiful CTS and it's in the color I'd chose if I could get one today (I've had 4 red Caddy's). Unfortunately there's two more years to go on the Trailblazer payments, so a new CTS will have to wait. All I can say is you have extremely good tase in cars.

Thanks for the posting REG! All the "Greenies" love their "Priuses" or other Japanese cars. What will they do? Will they abandon Corporate Japan for the hated GM, Ford and Chrysler? NOT! They will somehow justify the whale hunt by stating it's for "Research", instead of telling the truth. The truth is .... The Japanese government is providing jobs for the whalers, whale meat and blubber to the consumer and death for some gentle giants.

Those who say "The higher the price of oil, the better" have no idea of the damage that will cause to the economy and to the lives of all but the very rich. Those people must not drive to work, buy groceries or enjoy a normal life. Dsuupr is an exception to the "spend every dollar you have" norm and should be congratulated. While I live my life similar to his, my wife believes that the more you spend, the happier you are. My step-sons are economic disasters and would not survive a recession, much less a depression. One of them (the 30 year old) is already living in my basement. Our country should support the development of alternate energy sources, while regulating our current energy supply. That means drilling for more oil in our own country. It means keeping the price of gasoline affordable until alternate fuels are able to economically replace gasoline.

Forget about converting to E85. Corn based ethanol is more harmful to the economy, the deficit and the environment than oil. It's the fad of the moment and will cost you more to operate in your Caprice than gasoline (for the moment). E85 will become user friendly when they switch to switch grass (forgive the pun) or some alternate cellulistic (spelling?) form of ethanol. In a couple of years things will change, so save your cash and you'll be ready to the "next best thing".

Congrats! Save your cash for now. You will need a slightly larger vehicle (car, suv, cuv,etc.) to haul your family around, at some time in the future. Especially if you decide that two kids are better than one. Be prepared for a big change in your life. Learn all about Thomas, Dora and Sponge Bob and you will be a great Dad.

It's probably too late, but here's a question or two. For a long time GM has been the stying follower instead of being the styling leader. This has started to change with the CTS and a few other vehicles, but with those exceptions, there has been nothing that's bold and exciting in GM's North American vehicle lineup. Will GM ever become the styling leader again? The Camaro concept has been on the show scene for so long that it will be old by the time it's put into production. Why? This is unacceptable. Where is the CTS coupe? I hear rumors about problems with the new ultra sunroof on the CTS. Are they true and how did this happen? Thanks for letting me put in my 2 cents.

Jensen ... I'm glad to see your latest post. Nothing should be inconvenient when it comes to getting your CTS fixed. Be nice to the dealer at first, but if it isn't fixed to your satisfaction, ask for the Regional Service Manager and work your way up. I really don't like the panoramic sunroof and wish that Cadillac had chosen to stay with a "regular" sunroof. My 03 CTS has been almost perfect, which surprises me, as it was mfd in Feb of 2002. It must have been made in one of the first production runs. I'd like an 08 CTS too, but retirement and has changed my car buying habits. I'll probably get an 09 CTS when the 2010 CTS comes out. The only way that GM (Cadillac) will learn about problems is if the owners bring their cars in to be fixed. I think you'll find that GM will go out of their way to fix your CTS. They can't afford too much bad publicity on a car that is the "New Image" of Cadillac. Good Luck and keep us informed on the sunroof fix. I'm looking forward to your comments next week.

If you elect me, I will lower CAFE to 10 MPG. I promise that I will initiate a government program to put a gas pump in every garage. I will drill for oil everywhere necessary to get my self elected. I will eliminate the metric conversion of our engine sizes. Engines will be measured in CUBIC INCHES of displacement. Alternate modes of transportation (bicycles) will be required to have electronic stability systems, airbags, ABS brakes, cup holders, Onstar, Blue Tooth and tire pressure monitors to make them safe enough for Ralph Nader. They must also be biodegradeable for the green party. Eating Corn will be made a felony, as it should be turned in to E85. Government agents will search house to house for corn or switch grass and they will be confiscated. I will issue a government grant to GM, to build a coal fired steam engine for all it's cars and trucks. As coal is abundant in North America, this will solve our energy problem. Thank you for your vote.

I just read this morning that the University of Delaware has cancelled the program. http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58475 The real shame is that a program like this could have been initiated in the first place. Educators are supposed to teach young people to think for themselves. Not indoctrinate them in hatred of other people or themselves, because of their skin color or economic status. What comes next, do we hate people because they belong to a religion or because they were born in the United States? If we leave it up to the "so called professors" in our Universities, we will all hate each other and true freedom will cease to exist. End of rant!