Chrysler bankruptcy lawyers raise eligibility question

From WorldNetDaily

Defense of dealer dismissals cites question of Obama's birth By Bob Unruh Posted: February 03, 2010 ~ 8:34 pm Eastern © 2010 WorldNetDaily Lawyers defending the government-orchestrated deal by which Chrysler was purchased by Fiat and hundreds of dealers were thrown out of the network have raised President Barack Obama's eligibility for office as a possible issue in the dispute. In a footnote in their latest court filing, attorneys representing the old car company at the firm of Jones Day have cited a "scheme" purportedly on the part of the lawyers for the former Chrysler dealers – the plaintiffs in the case. "Although the debtors have no independent knowledge of these matters, the debtors have taken note of certain public statements connecting the motion to a crusade involving the movants' counsel to challenge Barack Obama's legitimacy as president of the United States," the court filing states. "For example, one report has stated: Birthers are launching yet another scheme … [that] involves a legal maneuver known as 'quo warranto,' a prerogative writ requiring the person to whom it is directed to show what authority he has for exercising some right or power (or 'franchise') he claims to hold." Attorney Stephen Pidgeon, who along with Leo Donofrio is representing more than 70 former Chrysler dealerships put out of business by the machinations involved in granting massive quantities of taxpayer funds to Chrysler, which then was taken over by Fiat, said it's a good sign for the case. "This is very encouraging because they are attempting to distract the court from the law, a tactic they would not employ if they truly thought the law was on their side. … This case is getting very interesting," he said. On his blog, Donofrio agreed. "Opposing counsel have certainly lost their cool by grabbing mud and slinging it right in the court's face," he said. "They did this by laying the 'birther' card in a memo supporting their objection to our motion while our motion has absolutely nothing to do with the president. In fact, we clearly stated in that motion that we do not contend the government requested the Chrysler dealers be rejected," he said. READ FULL STORY >

Obama attacks Toyota ~ By Roger Hedgecock

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Roger Hedgecock Posted: February 01, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern © 2010 Toyota owners stormed dealerships all over the country last week demanding "fixes" for "defects" described in wildly inflammatory press reports. Toyota apologized for "defects" that to date are still being investigated. Before whatever problems might exist had been determined and before any "fix" has been found, the government ordered Toyota to begin the largest recall of vehicles in automotive history. Toyota then shut down its U.S. plants and stopped selling eight of its popular models, including Camry and Corolla. Toyota claims these actions were "voluntary," but Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was quoted as saying the Obama administration had ordered the recall. The sales suspension affects about 56 percent of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold last year. The nation's Toyota dealers estimate they stand to lose $2.5 billion each month that sales of these popular models are suspended. The current cascade of troubles for Toyota started on Aug. 28, 2009, when a San Diego family died in their Lexus in an horrific crash caused by what is known as SUA – sudden unintended acceleration. The actual cause of SUA is not known. Rumors about a "stuck" gas pedal or faulty software or the floor mat interfering with the gas pedal are still rumors. An investigation is still underway. Disclosure: My family drives Toyota cars (a Prius and a Lexus SUV), and we have never had a problem with these excellent products. On our cars (and every other Toyota vehicle I've seen), the floor mats are firmly secured by hooks and cannot interfere with the gas pedal. And the gas pedal works just as it should – press down and the car moves faster. Ease up and the car slowly decelerates. Nonetheless, Toyota faces a perfect storm from SUA. But is government "greed" a factor here? As a co-owner of Toyota rivals GM and Chrysler, is the Obama administration and its jihad against Toyota "consumer protection" or revenge against a successful, non-union, red state based rival? Given what Rahm Emanuel said about crisis as an opportunity to "advance the agenda," this question deserves closer attention. READ FULL STORY >

All the king's men … and women ~ By Henry Lamb

From WorldNetDaily

By Henry Lamb Posted: September 26, 2009 ~ 1:00 am Eastern © 2009 Birds of a feather flock together. In the years that followed the Magna Carta, most of the world rejected the notion that kings rule by divine right. Obama acts as if he still subscribes to this theory, and as if he is the king. It must have been by a perceived divine right that Obama named Steve Rattner to be car czar to oversee the government takeover of Chrysler and General Motors; there is certainly no authority in the Constitution for the president to take such action. Rattner, with the blessing of king Obama, set out to punish his king's opponents and reward his king's supporters. Of the 789 Chrysler dealers closed by Rattner, 788 had contributed exclusively to Republican candidates. Moreover, not one of a string of Chrysler dealerships owned by Obama supporters Robert Johnson and Mack McClarty was closed, but virtually all of the dealerships that competed with the Johnson-McClarty chain were closed. Chrysler president Jim Press said: "It really wasn't Chrysler's decision." Rattner resigned July 13 in the face of a multi-million dollar pay-for-play scandal in New York. Another of the king's men, Van Jones, bit the dust when the public learned that he was a self-proclaimed communist who signed a petition calling for the investigation of the Bush administration for complicity in the 9/11 tragedy. These views were perfectly all right with the king, whose chief adviser, Valerie Jarrett, said, "… we've been watching him as long as he's been active. …" Jones' radical ideas were fine with the king, until the public expressed its dissatisfaction. [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE - (it gets even more interesting! Two thumbs up!)]

Will feds use new power to dictate what you drive?

Senator's take on gasoline mandates: 'We own auto companies, why not?'

By Drew Zahn

© 2009 WorldNetDaily Posted: July 18, 2009 7:35 pm Eastern DES MOINES, Iowa – Now that the federal government has gained control over the nation's auto industry, one U.S. senator contends, it's time to make some changes in the kinds of cars Americans drive and the kinds of fuel they use. According to a Des Moines Register report, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, wants Congress to use "climate change" legislation to mandate that auto manufacturers fit all new cars to run on a blend of 85 percent ethanol. "We own the automobile companies," Harkin said earlier this week. "Why not? I think that will be an easy one." Harkin, the Register reports, also wants to see the climate bill increase installation of E85 fuel pumps around the country and compel the Environmental Protection Agency to up the current limit on ethanol content in gasoline blends from 10 percent to 15 percent. Harkin's plans would pave the way for increasing demand of corn-based ethanol fuel blends and likely be of political benefit to the senator, who not only chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, but also hails from the state that leads the nation in ethanol production. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu agreed, stating in a speech last month that all new vehicles should be equipped to run on E85, though Chu spokesman Tom Reynolds later told the Register the Obama administration is not planning to impose mandates on the car companies. "The administration has been clear that the government won't be making day-to-day business decisions for GM and Chrysler," Reynolds said. "Those decisions will be left to the company's executives." Currently, America's three largest car companies make some E85-compatible cars, but have resisted any requirements that all cars be fitted for the fuel. [CONTINUE READING]

Obama Only Interested in Bailing Out Union Buddies

Buying Up – Not Bailing Out Industries By JB Williams ©2009 USA Obama is on the cusp of making American taxpayers the proud new bankrupt owners of what is now affectionately referred to as “Government Motors.” – As GM follows Chrysler into Fed forced bankruptcy, Obama’s economic guru has already worked out the details of how GM will emerge from bankruptcy court a wholly owned asset of the Fed. According to reports, the US Treasury will own 72.5% of GM, after Obama carves out 17.5% for the United Auto Workers Union thugs, leaving the “old General Motors” with only a 10% stake in the new “Government Motors.” In the good ole days, we didn’t have Czars in America because the land of the free and home of the brave did not have government owned and operated industries. That stuff only existed in the Soviet Union ... Now, we need a Czar for every industry as the leftists in DC swallow up industry after industry. With blessings from the Bilderberg Group, Timothy Geithner proceeds with Obamanation plans to industrialize the US Fed by consuming yet another major private sector industry. As Obama rushes to buy up [you didn’t really think it was a bailout did you?] private sector industries, one after another, it becomes more and more clear exactly what kinds of “change” Obama had in mind. Too bad his voters never bothered to ask before voting... Guess which Chrysler dealerships Obama and Geithner saw no need to save? Blogger Doug Ross provides facts you are not likely to see on CNN... [Continue reading]

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Chrysler's 'hit list' targets GOP donors ~ By Chelsea Schilling

Dealers who give to Republicans much more likely to be shuttered Posted: May 27, 2009 ~ 7:54 pm Eastern By Chelsea Schilling © 2009 WorldNetDaily As part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Chrysler is terminating one-fourth of its franchises – but some say its catalog of doomed dealerships looks more like a hit list that specifically seeks to put Republican donors out of business. Chrysler will now be eligible for up to $8 billion in taxpayer-funded federal aid. The federal government has already provided $8.58 billion to Chrysler and Chrysler Holding between the months of January and May of this year. The Treasury also loaned $1.5 billion to the automaker's lending arm in January. President Obama has said the bankruptcy will give the company "a new lease on life," after his administration spearheaded a plan requiring the company sell to Italian automaker Fiat. Chrysler's stronger operations will be owned by Fiat, labor and the U.S. and Canadian governments. The sale could close as early as this Friday. Obama said the bankruptcy would be a "quick" and "efficient" step toward Chrysler's "survival." "The necessary steps have been taken to give one of America's most storied automakers, Chrysler, a new lease on life," Obama said. "This is not a sign of weakness." But WND reviewed the list of 789 closing franchises and databases of political donors and found that of dealership majority owners making contributions in the November 2008 election, less than 10 percent gifted to Democrats while 90 percent gave substantial sums to Republican candidates. The listed franchise owners contributed at least $450,000 to Republican presidential candidates and the GOP, while only $7,970 was donated to Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign and $2,200 was given to Sen. John Edwards' campaign. Obama received a combined total of only $450 in donations – $250 from dealer Jane Baldock in Wenatchee, Wash., and $200 from Waco, Texas, dealer Jeffrey Hunter. [Continue reading]

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A modest proposal - By Pat Boone

Great idea, Pat. Now try squeezing it past Pelosi, Reid, and O, the vanguards of the "leftistest" government ever encountered in the U.S. How they would howl at your proposal, and all because you would deprive them of the perks and power and pecuniary possibility of pocketing lots of green for themselves. read more | digg story, submitted by JuanitoVerde