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05 Feb 2010 11:09

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Biz: Toyota’s president: I take personal blame for all these problems

  • I deeply regret that I caused concern among so many people. We will do our utmost to regain the trust of our customers.
  • Toyota Motor Company President Akio Toyoda • Regarding the recent recall crisis. Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder, has a bit of a mess on his hands thanks to the recalls. He’s been absent in recent weeks, which hasn’t helped the company’s cause. Asked about whether they’d been underestimating the problem, he said, “I believe what is happening now is a very big problem. We are in a crisis.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Feb 2010 10:57

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Tech: Amazon’s got a full-on Kindle publisher revolt on its hands

  • 3 major publishers are opting out of Kindle’s $9.99 pricing scheme source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Feb 2010 10:48

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U.S.: The East Coast, D.C. in particular, is freaking out about snow


  • We’re trying something new with our Twitter tags, and switching to embeds from HootSuite. Like it? Don’t like? Let us know.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

05 Feb 2010 10:34

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Politics: “Demon Sheep” still a heavy source of debate among wonks

  • It just oozes that special brand of ludicrous hilarity that the Internet loves. The thing’s going viral, but not necessarily in a way that will help Carly Fiorina’s campaign.
  • WeeklyStandard.com conservative commentator Mary Katharine Ham • Regarding Carly Fiorina’s “Demon Sheep” ad, which has continued its viral rush to insane popularity (and many parodies). The clip, built largely from stock photos and spare footage (hence the heavy use of the Ken Burns effect), cost $15,000 to make, which is about $14,500 more than we expected. The Fiorina campaign is very much in the “any publicity is good publicity” mode (as they should), while the target of the ad, State Rep. Tom “Demon Sheep” Campbell, is using it in favor of his political campaign (as he should). If this works, Carly Fiorina is a genius. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Feb 2010 10:19

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Biz, U.S.: Why the drop in unemployment is less impressive than it seems

  • 9.7% the current jobless rate, a five-month low source
  • Why this seems good After months of hovering over the 10% mark, it seems like (on the surface) we’re finally cutting into the economy’s debilitating factor. Obama has been feeling pressure on this for months now.
  • Why it really isn’t Payrolls still cut by 20,000 despite unemployment, which suggests that some people have stopped looking and are no longer counted. Also, some major industries are struggling, including construction.
  • Some promising signs Despite the job market’s mixed signals, there are signs the worst is over. Workweeks are longer, overtime is going up, more temps are getting work, and average earnings are up too.  source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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