Monthly Archive for September, 2005

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Bill Maher on The President

HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher – New Rules

New Rule: America must recall the president. That's what this country needs. A good, old-fashioned, California-style recall election! Complete with Gary Coleman, porno actresses and action film stars. And just like Schwarzenegger's predecessor here in California, George Bush is now so unpopular, he must defend his jog against…Russell Crowe. Because at this point, I want a leader who will throw a phone at somebody. In fact, let's have only phone throwers. Naomi Campbell can be the vice-president!

Now, I kid, but seriously, Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you anymore. There's no more money to spend. You used up all of that. You can't start another war because you also used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people.

Yeah, listen to your mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit card's maxed out, and no one is speaking to you: mission accomplished! Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose interest and walk away. Like you did with your military service. And the oil company. And the baseball team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next fantasy job. How about cowboy or spaceman?!

Now, I know what you're saying. You're saying that there's so many other things that you, as president, could involve yourself in…Please don't. I know, I know, there's a lot left to do. There's a war with Venezuela, and eliminating the sales tax on yachts. Turning the space program over to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae. Giving embryos the vote. But, sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why? Because you govern like Billy Joel drives. You've performed so poorly I'm surprised you haven't given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that walks like a man.

Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded an entire metropolis to rising water and snakes.

On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four airliners, two Trade Centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans…Maybe you're just not lucky!

I'm not saying you don't love this country. I'm just wondering how much worse it could be if you were on the other side. So, yes, God does speak to you, and what he's saying is, “Take a hint.”

Time to use those Delta Sky Miles?

I have a ton of mileage racked up on Delta from the SkyMiles credit card we’ve been using for years. Now that Delta has filed for Chapter 11 I’m wondering if I’m better off holding a ticket or the miles. Here’s what Delta just sent me

Dear Cardmember:

In response to the changing financial pressures of the airline industry, Delta Air Lines has announced that it is restructuring its organization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. During this reorganization period, Delta will remain open for business and will continue operations as usual. Delta has expressed its commitment to providing customers with a high standard of service, noting that none of the organizational changes will affect the SkyMiles® program.

Here’s what I found on FrequentFlier.com

There's an article on this site which goes into bankruptcy precedents — Pan Am, Eastern, Midway, TWA.

Bottom line: so far, members of large airline programs have made out OK when their airlines liquidated. The failed airlines' programs were absorbed by other carriers.

Of course, past performance is no guarantee…

The article is here http://frequentflier.com/bankruptcy.htm.
_________________
Tim Winship
Publisher
FrequentFlier.com

Volkswagen Customer Care

I am trying to get Volkswagen to cover the clogged drain problem since it’s a design flaw. Here’s the play by play.

On 9/2 I sent this on the VW Customer CARE web site

My car's water drains clogged and the brake booster was saturated and needed to be replaced. Brookline Volkswagen Audi (617-734-2020, Jeff Buchholz) charged me $848.33 to clear the drains and replace the brake booster.

I have had several cars on which I have put over 100,000 miles and I have never had clogged drains in any of them. My driving habits and the location where I park my car have not changed.

The service representative told me that clogged water drains are a common problem in this car and that he recommends to owners that they clear the drains at least twice a year.  I told him I did not see that in the manual and he said it is not in there.

When I asked him how to clear them myself he said I could not do it myself because I would have to remove the battery and then would have to reset all the electrical systems. So I needed to bring it in to have the drains cleared.

I have brought the car in many times a year since buying it – for the regular maintenance and for many other problems. I asked if the drains had ever been cleared. He said no, they would only clear them if I specifically asked.

I think that Volkswagen should cover this expense as part of my warranty.

And I received this form response

Thank you for contacting Volkswagen! Your suggestions, comments and concerns are important to us and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

This reply has been sent automatically to let you know your message has been received. Please do not reply to this email. One of our advocates will contact you within 2 business days of receiving your comments. All messages are personally read and handled to give you the attention you deserve. If you should have an urgent question, please contact us at 1-800-822-8987, M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM Eastern, Central, Mountain or Pacific Time.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer CARE Center
As of 9/13 I still have not been contacted by an “advocate” so I guess I’ll call them tomorrow.

9/14: Called Customer Care today and spoke with advocate Brandon Kummer. He couldn't find any record of my complaint even though I gave him the reference number VW had sent me. So I had to explain the whole situation to him. He will call the dealer and “get their diagnosis” and then get back to me in 24-48 hours.

 
9/16: Received a call from Brandon Kummer today. Volkswagen is going to cover the entire repair. I am amazed and very pleased.

12/15: Received a check for $848.33 (They said it would take up to three months and it did)

Ilyse's Curent Show – Urinetown: The Musical

Link to Ilyse's blog: www.ilyserobbins.com


Urinetown: The
Musical

The Lyric Stage Company of 
Boston

140 Clarendon
Street

(
YWCA Building)

September 9 – October 15, 2005

FOR TICKETS:

Call 617.437.7172

or visit www.lyricstage.com 
after September 1


True
love blooms in the shadow of a corrupt corporation that exploits a
terrible water shortage and charges residents a fee to pee in this
hysterical Tony Award-winning musical. 
Often called “a love letter to the American
musical in the form of a grenade” and “the musical
for people who hate musicals,” Urinetown pays
homage to and pokes fun at the best of Broadway traditions. 

“A great musical – extraordinary, hilarious,
and entirely original! The most galvanizing theatre experience in
town!”  - The New York
Times

Urinetown:
The
Musical

Book and Lyrics by
Greg Kotis

Music and Lyrics by
Mark
Hollmann

Directed by Spiro
Veloudos

Musical Direction
by Jonathan
Goldberg

Choreography by
Ilyse Robbins


Scenic
design by Janie E. Howland

Costume design by
Rafael
Jaen

Lighting design by
Karen
Perlow

Production stage
manager, Jason
Rossman

Assistant stage
manager, Nerys Powell

Featuring:

Peter A. Carey, Christopher Chew,
Bobby Cronin, Michele A. DeLuca, Jennifer Ellis,
Peter Edmund
Haydu, Matthew Kossack, Veronica Kuehn, Sean McGuirk, Andrew
Miramontes, Rob Morrison, Ellen Peterson, Ilyse Robbins, Haley
Roth,
Robert
Saoud, Timothy Smith, and Maryann Zschau

Today's Sandwich

Veggie hot dog with blue cheese and roasted red peppers on sourdough