Loch Ness Monster Found

At the opening of the 21st century, we find mankind living in a great age of science. Even in the “Reddest- area” of the “Reddest State”, people look to meteorologists to tell them the path of the hurricane. We expect scientists to make accurate predictions, rather than burn them at the stake, as a witch. If we see a flying car, we are more likely to call a stockbroker to try to “Get in on the ground floor of a hot new product” than to call an exorcist assuming the car is possessed. This leads me to the question,” Why are There are some Conspiracy theories that refuse to die. Be it the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, UFO’s,Kennedy Lone Gunman Theory,or the Templar Knights.

It was CNN in Scotland that yesterday aired video of what Nessie watchers say is possible footage of the supposed mythical creature beneath Scotland»s most mysterious lake.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this jet black thing, about 45 feet long, moving fairly fast in the water," said Gordon Holmes, the 55-year-old a lab technician from Shipley, Yorkshire, who took the video Saturday.

No matter how many studies are done,without finding any evidence for a 45 foot Mesozoic reptile, who’s demise, evidence shows, was at the K-T extinction, at the end of the Cretaceous Period – there will always be those that will believe it’s is hiding at the bottom off the Loch.
The Loch Ness monster is back - and there's video. A man has captured him.



I have been to Loch Ness,I must say it is a place that certainly deserves a visit. My wife and I toured the "Museum" and visitor center; stocking up on all sorts of gift items. We also rented a Land Rover Defender and went "Off-road-driving", It is difficult to explain just how green and tranquil the landscape appeared. The Loch is deep and often has a sort of silvery-glow, the product of reflections of a cloud-filled sky. The fact that every store, restaurant or tavern is stocked to the rafters with Scotch, is a part of the culture, and just perhaps, a factor in the number of sightings.

I would LOVE to find out that Nessie is real, but I tend to be one of those people that find the likelihood of a PLESIOSAUR Alive and well and living in Scotland a bit on the remote side.

Yet the sightings keep occurring.

Larry Lubell

A Third Clinton Term?

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will quit her Senate seat and accept the Secretary of State position, according to press reports. She will join Eric Holder, the former deputy attorney general under her husband, now in his new Position of Attorney general.

Obama seems to be going through bill Clinton's old Rolodex, searching for a cabinet. In part he is pulling people that were a part of the Clinton administration, but he is also going beyond, and reaching out to assemble a team of smart people that will follow his lead and start solving problems.
If you come downstairs in your home and you see a water pipe has broken, and your basement is filling up with water - Just off the water! It's not about ideology, or proving a point- It's about taking logical steps to address a problem. Shut off the water, get what ever you can off the floor and onto higher ground, call your insurance agent to report the claim, start cleaning up the mess.

It is that same approach that we need towards the problems our country faces (and there are many) I'm glad to see that Obama is not afraid to surround himself with strong, smart, talented people.

A little PR advice for the Big 3

I don't work for a Public Relations firm, I do not send press releases all day long; but I still feel qualified to give the CEO's at Ford, GM and Chrysler a small piece of advice.

If you are going to Congress, crying about how you are running out of money- don't go there in a private jet!
I've got an idea; drive there. After all, you work for companies that make cars!
Wouldn't this be an opportunity to show off your new lines of fuel-efficient autos. I know in the scale of the problem is such that even if the top management of these companies agreed to work for minimum wage, the savings would be inconsequential; but it would change peoples perceptions, and perhaps their willingness to help.

Larry Lubell http://.www.urbannewsblog.com

Help for Detroit's big 3 ?

Executives of Detroit's Big Three automakers marched over to Washington to plead for a $25 billion bridge loan from Congress. This was a long way fro the days when GM was the worlds largest company, and the saying went- "What is good for GM, is what's good for the nation. Today they came- hat-in-hand; with smell of blood in the water, sharks were swimming in tight circles- but showed little interest in biting. It was as if they knew this meal would leave a bad taste in their mouths. Yet there was Rick Wagoner, and his counter parts at Ford and Chrysler; desperate to save their once-proud companies from collapse.


"Our industry ... needs a bridge to span the financial chasm that has opened up before us," General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner read to Senate Banking Committee from a prepared test.

He explained how the "Dark- days" that the US Car Industry finds it's self, not the fault of management, but is the product of the convergence of factors, most beyond their control. All three explained that the combination of first $140 dollar oil killed demand for their "Hottest" and most profitable products. Just as the cost of fuel started to drop, setting up conditions for renewed interest in SUVs, the deepening global financial crisis, turned consumers into scared squirrels, stocking away nuts for a coming winter.

House and Senate Democrats unveiled competing plans, everyone recognizing the seriousness of the situation, however lawmakers from both parties and the Bush administration showed extreme reluctance to start funneling $25 billion in support, especially with-out demanding tough conditions be a part of any rescue. It seem clear that Congress was looking for assurances that they were not "Throwing good money after bad". Republicans and the Bush administration don't want to dip into the Treasury Department's $700 billion financial bailout program to come up with the $25 billion, If any help is given they want the industry to use the $25 billions that had previously been committed for the purpose of retooling. Many in the Democratic party, have expressed concern that if the original funds, designed to help the US Auto industry shift to produce more high-mileage and Hybrid cars, are used as a bridge loan, that we are "Stalling the problem- not solving it".

Ilene Lubell, an advertising executive stated " It's hard, I'm watching dealers I represent, that are doing everything right, but it's like they are being asked to swim up-stream with a boat anchor wrapped around their legs."


Many on the hill made it clear that their sympathy for the industry was tepid at best. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn, the current Banking Committee Chairman, told Wagoner and his fellow leaders at Ford and Chrysler that the industry was "seeking treatment for wounds that were largely self-inflicted." At the same time he realized that "Hundreds of thousands would lose their jobs if the companies were allowed to collapse".

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., made it clear he felt that the current financial crisis "is not the only reason why the domestic auto industry is in trouble."
He brought up, what was clearly the 800 lbs gorilla in the room; that much of the problem lies with the "costly labor agreements" caused by The Big 3 allowing the unions to get too powerful, plus the high cost to fund pensions, that put the U.S. automakers at a disadvantage with their foreign competitors.

Wagoner said that despite some public perceptions that General Motors was not keeping pace with the times and technological changes, "We've moved aggressively in recent years to position GM for long-term success. And we were well on the road to turning our North American business around."

"What exposes us to failure now is the global financial crisis, which has severely restricted credit availability and reduced industry sales to the lowest per-capita level since World War II."

Failure of the auto industry "would be catastrophic," he said, resulting in three million jobs lost within the first year and "economic devastation (that) would far exceed the government support that our industry needs to weather the current crisis."

Auto industry facts:*3 million jobs lost in the first year*U.S. personal income reduced by 150.7 billion*Government tax loss over 3 years 156 billion*The level of economic devastation far exceeds the 25 billion of government support the US Auto industry is asking from Congress.
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Paulson, testifying on the House side, defended the administration's handling of the massive $700 billion bailout for the financial industry and said it should remain off-limits for Detroit, no matter how badly the automakers need help.


In an e-mail marked "urgent" and sent to owners of GM vehicles, Troy A. Clarke, president of GM North America, pleaded with them to e-mail their representatives in the House and Senate in support of a "bridge loan" for the industry - and ask their friends and family to do the same. http://gmfactsandfiction.com/


"Despite what you may be hearing, we are not asking Congress for a bailout but rather a loan that will be repaid," Clarke said in the message.
But the prospect now of millions of unemployed workers is not pretty.
Congressional leaders were working behind the scenes in reach a compromise, but the new rescue plan,opposed by President Bush, appears stalled on Capitol Hill,
"My sense is that nothing's going to happen this week," Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said at the opening of the hearing

With a $2,000./ vehicle legacy cost, it is difficult to call this a level playing field, something needs to be done to keep America's manufacturing industries viable.



Larry Lubell

Urban News Blog

The Republican Party is Dead

by Larry Lubell

It is true that the GOP took a beating the other night. Despite two years of concerted effort to paint Obama as the personification of evil; some sort of "Left-wing radical, socialist,elitist, Muslim that attends a Christian church run by a nutty minister", the American people rejected the scare tactics and gave him a mandate to lead.. The simple truth is the electorate got to know Barack Obama, and man they saw, they information they got from trusted sources, just did not jive with the fear mongering being spewed from much of Talk radio and Fox.
The GOP lost seats in the House, the Senate as well as the White House, that said; anyone that thinks the Republican Party is Dead is a fool!
After each election, there are no shortage of "Talking Heads" telling us how the party that lost is somehow been thrown onto the garbage heap of history. I have a clear memory of being told The Democratic party was dead or dying after Reagan won, only to be told that the Republican party days were numbered after Clinton won the presidency. I did not believe any of that nonsense then, nor do I find it credible now. That is not to say that the Republicans are in a "Comfortable position" at the moment. Yes they will need to reexamine some strategies, positions and players going forward; but they are very far from Dead.
"I feel like Republicans dodged a bullet last night,' said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who said the climate now looked strikingly similar to the early days of the Clinton administration.
"After that election, Democrats held 57 Senate and 258 House seats," Ayres said. "Two years later, we took both houses back."
Barack Obama not only won a clear mandate Tuesday night, but he won with a coalition that dramatically altered the Electoral College map.This rethinking of "Red and Blue states" creates opportunities for Democrats after a long period of electoral victories for Republicans .While it is folly for the Democrats to write them off, to be sure, the "Right" has some serious problems to overcome. Their three clearest problems are the loss of Latino voters, young voters and lack of a strong "Bullpen" of candidates.
The power of the Latino vote is ever increasing in the US. Exit polling suggests that approximately 10 million Latino voters went to the polls this election. That represents an increase of nearly two million more voters or an increase near 24% over 2004.Obama's success among Latino voters in general, and young Latino's in particular, has many Republican strategists troubled over their party's long-term health.
"As the U.S. Latino population surges, we are seeing increases in registration and voter turnout due to increased naturalization numbers by Latino immigrants beginning in the 1990s and Latino youth coming of voting age" said Harry Pachon, Ph.D., President of TRPI.
"We've got to get a handle on these voters before they turn completely. They have become increasingly the key to a number of critical swing states."said one leading GOP strategist close to the McCain campaign, in response to Obama's 67 percent to 31 percent edge over McCain among Latino voters. Event the Florida Cuban-American population, typically seen as dependable block of Republican votes in the critical swing state, turned and supported Obama. It is going to be very difficult for any party to be a major national player without Hispanic support.
Eighteen year olds won the right to vote in time for the presidential election of 1972. Ever since, some pundits and politicians have declared each election cycle that this is going to be the year the youth vote flexes it's muscle; yet seldom is that the case. this year, however, the youth vote was a factor. One of the things worth noting is not just the vote totals, but the enthusiasm, and the numbers willing to not just vote, but to do the heavy lifting of working the polls and the get out the vote drive. The Democrats are in possession of a priceless list of dedicated "True-Believer's" email addresses. The Conservative movement is increasingly seen as a group of Middle-aged -white suburban voters, overwhelmingly dominated by men. This "Base" holds less and less appeal with 18-30 voters.
Part of the success of the Rove machine, was the ability to tarnish each young promising up and coming democrat, while maintaining their own stable of well known contenders. Today they seem to be short of viable candidates. Governor Schwarzenegger, is ineligible due to being a naturalized citizen, and is too liberal to appeal to the conservative base. Sarah Palin has proved she has a populist and liked by the conservative base, but has largely been cast as the scapegoat by the McCain campaign, and a joke by much of the center. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney might have the clearest path to the nomination is 2012, in part due to his massive personal wealth, but he has never really gathered much excitement. Gingrich also seems to have plans for a higher profile again, and perhaps seeking the nomination next time around. But he has been a polarizing figure in a country that seems to be looking for compromise.
If Obama, and the Democrats interpret the Mandate from this election to be " The nation wants to go back to the days of "Big Government" and or that the nation want's to adapt a "Liberal agenda" next election, the voters will toss the democrats out on their asses. The electorate was just sick a tired of Bush, the whole Karl Rove ideology, and world of divisive politics. That said, there is no indication that they want to switch "Right- Wing dogma for "Left-wing" dogma- they just want a government that puts solving the problems of real people over any sort of ideological agenda. After year of Americans wanting a divided government, the people now are looking for a government that actually gets things done, and puts the people needs first. If an Obama administration does that, the people will give them their support, if they put their agenda ahead of the people's; they will give the Republicans another shot.

Obama, and the day America Changed

By Larry Lubell
Some events really do change the world. Often we don't recognize their gravity till years later. Last night history was made, and I do believe most people watching understood they were witnessing a critical turning point in American history.

America is the greatest country earth has yet to produce, not because our history is not filled with mistakes; but because we learn from, and correct those mistakes. We don't burn "Witches" any longer, and collectively we have come to view our westward expansion in the context of the horrors perpetrated against the indigenous population. Truth is, the list of errors, missteps and injustices that are part of our nations history is long, and often, painful to admit. Large segments of our society turned a blind eye to the suffering and mistreatment that made up the daily lives of other Americans. But of all of those evils, slavery stands out as the darkest chapter in our nations history.


Even before we were a nation we were already deep in to the horrors of slavery. In 1663 the Maryland legislature enacted a law that stated " all Negroes and other slaves within the province, and all Negroes and other slaves to be thereafter imported into the province, should serve during life; and all children born of any Negro should be slaves, as their fathers were, for the term of their lives."
There were approximately 645,000 black African shipped to what is now the United States and by the time of the 1860 Census, The slave population in the United States had grown to over four million. It is hard to imagine the nightmare of being kidnapped form your home, brought around the world to be sold, then forced to work 14 hour days or to be whipped and tortured at the whim of a man whose position was determined by the color of his skin. It was not unusual for enslaved black women to be raped by their "owners", or for children to be sold and permanently separated from their families.


Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 was a turning point for our nation. Lincoln explained his disgust towards slavery, and justification for emancipation by declaring
"If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong"!
But the end to slavery, while a step, was followed by the Jim Crow laws that legalized segregation between blacks and whites. In 1896 in Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that separate facilities for whites and blacks were constitutional, resulting in generations of African American Americans growing up in an America who's laws designated that they should be forced into separate schools, required by law to sit in the back of the bus, or a few segregated tables at the lunch counter. It was not till 58 years later that Thurgood Marshall took the case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans. and gto the Supreme Court to declare separate facilities by race to be unconstitutional.



While the official laws of this nation slowly started to turn, often the unofficial practices moved at a slower pace. Groups like the KKK, terrorized, and killed blacks in an attempt to keep them from obtaining justice or equality.In fact, between 1880 and 1951, the Tuskegee Institute recorded 3,437 lynchings of African-Americans. It was into this reality that Martin Luther King was born, and it was this world that he sought to, and succeeded in changing.The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 finally ended the legal sanctions, but the gap in opportunity, and discrimination still continued. Time, and the work of so many people have brought our country closer to King's dream, yet some of the legacies still remain.

It was into that present day America that last night Obama stepped on to a stage in Chicago, with his wife and his two young daughters and before a crowd of 125,000 thanked all America for making him The president-elect. As the cameras paned out across the tens of thousands of faces, Kings "Dream" seemed in part realized. The sea of faces really did look like America. And I have to say as a "White American" it made me proud.


America is a great place, because we have learned from,our past, and while still flawed we took another important step at building a more perfect union.


Larry Lubell
Urban News Blog