Anheuser Busch Deal Complete - The Slow Death of America Continues

AB's official time of death was about 8pm Central time, July 13th.

The slow death watch for St. Louis has now begun. Job cuts are already in the works. philanthropic activity? There will be none. The company's heritage (and part of the city's heritage) also died with the deal. All non-core business related activities will eventually be eliminated.

St. Louis will be the north American hub for the new Inbev company (for now). That will likely change once all the paperwork is final.... much of the operation will probably be moved overseas (where labor laws are in Inbev's favor). So St. Louis is due for multiple rounds of job losses related to this deal over the next couple of years. Inbev has a reputation for being a ruthless corporation, known for relentlessly slashing tons of jobs after mergers, paying lower wages, being anti-labor and treating workers poorly.

I'm just waiting to see if anyone goes postal. Hope not....

Video

What it means for St. Louis. $1.5 Billion in cuts already planned. (See Video Section of the ktvi news page.)

More video

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RIP Anheuser Busch

With Friends Like These......

Obama doesn't need any enemies.

Sigh
Sigh
Sigh

Thanks to the poster at Jack and Jill Politicswho dropped this hat tip.

It's unreal to me that nearly all the BS coming against Obama during this campaign season....CAME FROM SO-CALLED FRIENDLY SOURCES.

This isn't THE NATIONAL REVIEW.

This is THE NEW YORKER.

What bothers me?

I dunno. Take your pic.

Bin Laden above the fireplace
The American Flag in the fireplace.
Obama in 'Muslim' Garb.
Michelle - with an Angela Davis Afro, and a Black Panther Machine gun.

Good lord, how many goddamn Obama smears can be placed in one picture frame?

I can hear the clicks now(copying and pasting of the picture), being sent in emails, all across the country.

UPDATE:

This is a reply I made on another blog when someone commented that it was ’satire’:

I’m going to be brutal right now.

THEY AIN’T WHITE.

THEY AIN’T WHITE.

You CANNOT pull this satire-oh-so-smart cover bullshit with BLACK PEOPLE.

What the fuck is wrong with The New Yorker.

This is INSANE.

I don’t know what country they live in, but I live in A-merry-ca.

And this racist drivel isn’t funny.

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Here's the cartoonist's email

barry@barryblitt.com

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RIP Anheuser Busch - The King Of Beers Sells Out

Anheuser Busch1852-2008
It was nice knowing you AB

1986 AB Commercial


The Last Great "American" Beer Company To Be Swallowed Up By Foreign Competitor

What will all those NASCAR folks drink now? I am trying to imagine fans at Baseball games and NASCAR races (The All-American Sports) being sold foreign Beer. If irony could kill... But I have a feeling that Americans still won't have a clue after this, just like all of those patriotic folks waving American flags made in China.

Anheuser Busch, an American icon, appears ready to agree to a buyout by Belguin Beer giant InBev. The AB takeover is the latest in what has become a trend over the last decade, of foreign entities swallowing up major American corporations and real estate. The U.S. is losing more and more of the companies that are part of the country's cultural fabric and that have made America what it is. The news of the likely AB "merger" came just days after an Abu Dhabi investment group bought a majority stake in the Chrysler Building, which is yet another enduring symbol of America. Investors from China and the Middle East have been buying up tons of American companies in recent years.

Is America for Sale? Will there be anything left that is "American" in the next 20 years? Brand America has been taking a hit for a number of years now. Stupidity and complacency are partly to blame, as is the case with General Motors & Ford for example (continuing to build gas guzzling trucks years after they knew that the market was shifting). But the wider problem seems to be that this is a nation on the decline, economically, socially, academically, politically, and in terms of international reputation.

AB is a tough one to take for some, because it is so much a part of America. I wouldn't usually care about what happens to a Beer company because I don't drink and I don't advocate alcohol use. The stuff has literally destroyed parts of my family and has almost killed me (indirectly). But AB is more than just a Beer company. It's more than just a national icon. For the City of St. Louis, AB is the trademark & flagship corporation for the community, and has been for decades. No other major American corporation is as immersed and interwoven into the local culture as AB has been in St. Louis. Sure, the brand AB will remain after the merger (after all, it is the brand that Inbev wants, and the brand holds the value). But St. Louis will lose yet another corporate Headquarters and thousands of people are preparing to lose their jobs.

AB was a big part of every major charitable event and organization in the region, benefiting folks from all backgrounds. The company sponsored just about everything that was dedicated to helping the less fortunate - A tradition for the company. And the company prided itself on being the last great American owned Beer company. The company also owned (until the Mid 90's) the St. Louis Cardinals, and played a big role in promoting Sports, and events for children throughout the Metro.

Losing AB as a corporate Headquarters and losing it as a company, is similar to Seattle losing Starbucks and Boeing, Colorado losing Coors, and Detroit losing GM and Ford. St. Louis has already been hit hard by factory closings, mergers and the loss of corporate headquarters' over the last decade or so. The city has really been gutted and knocked down from where it stood 20 years ago. Major losses of Corporate Headquarters for the St. Louis Metro include McDonnell Douglas, TWA, Mallinckrodt Inc., SBC- Southwestern Bell Corporation, Ralston Purina, AG Edwards, May Department Stores Co., and Venture Department Stores, to name a few. That doesn't include the closings of factories like Chrysler, Ford and others. Now the region will take a hit again with AB. The area has a few big companies left - Monsanto, Energizer, Emerson Electric Co., Charter Communications, and a handful of others, but I just wonder how long it will be before they are swallowed up in the current merger frenzy....and how many will be sold to foreign entities as part of the wholesale of America?

America is truly experiencing a sea change. And part of the reason why the adjustment will be so hard is because America (culturally and economically) was not prepared for globalization, just like it wasn't prepared for the current energy crisis. The U.S. got complacent while in its first place position in economics, geo-politics, military power, Pop culture, and technology throughout much of the 20th Century. Now the U.S. is paying the Piper for its complacency, as it has been caught with its pants down more and more often.

Interesting times, for sure. Even exciting for some. But I am wondering where it will end...where will America be in the next 20, 30 or 40 years, after the World economy resets itself. I have some ideas, and I have mentioned a few of them here before, but I hate to think about it. One thing that is likely to result from these long-term economic changes is a lower standard of living for many Americans. And the U.S. will have to get used to other Countries being at the head of the pack more often.

Army Rules Ciara Durkin Death a Suicide

Somehow I am not surprised by the CID's findings.

Media Alert: Daughters of Legacy

'Daughters of Legacy'


To the world, they are activists, leaders, icons. But these women know them as "Dad." The daughters of MLK, Ali, Malcolm X, Johnnie Cochran and Sidney Poitier... in their first conversation, together.

CNN, Sat. & Sun., 6 & 11 p.m. ET.

Regulators Seize Troubled IndyMac

I guess this is all part of Phil Gramm's ' MENTAL RECESSION'.

Regulators seize troubled IndyMac
Feds take over mortgage lender IndyMac. FDIC will seek buyer. May become most expensive bank collapse ever.
By Catherine Clifford and Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com writers
Last Updated: July 11, 2008: 10:33 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In what could turn out to be the most expensive bank failure ever, troubled mortgage lender IndyMac Bank was taken over by federal regulators on Friday.

The operations of the Pasadena, Calif.-based bank - once one of the nation's largest home lenders - were shut down at 3 p.m. by the Office of Thrift Supervision and transferred to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

According to the FDIC, IndyMac's failure will result in up to $500 million in lost deposits out of $1 billion in uninsured deposits held by 10,000 customers. The agency says the failure will cost the Deposit Insurance Fund between $4 billion and $8 billion, based on preliminary estimates.

"It's possible this will be the most costly bank failure in history, but it's too soon to say," FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said in a conference call late Friday night. The failure could also affect premiums paid by all banks for deposit insurance, she added.

Rest of article is HERE.

This news, coupled with the troubles of FreddieMac and FannieMae...there's some seriously bad economic windstorms blowing. Even worse than we thought.

But, according to Camp McCain - it's all ' mental' for us.

Dear Senator Obama, watch out for snakes.

Dear Senator Obama,

Just in case you didn't know, there are a lot of snakes in the grass. Maybe you need some reminding.

I'll begin the list of snakes that are to be trusted at your peril. These are folks that mean you harm, and don't wish you well.

I won't get them all. I'm sure that Mirror On America posters will be able to add to it.

The Mirror-On-America-Snakes-Can't-Be-Trusted List:

1. Bill and Hillary Clinton - they aren't your friends. They haven't even moved into detente with you. Assume at all times that they are NEVER to be trusted, and are working behind the scenes at every moment to undermine you. Period.
2. Anyone who worked for Hillary Clinton - yes, I know you hired some of those folks. Do it at your peril. Trust them at your folly. But, when they sell you out, don't say you weren't warned.
3. Anyone who was in Camp Clinton that works at Fox Noise - whatever commentary they would say isn't worth spit, and you best believe it's not going to be for your benefit.
4. Harold Ford, Jr. - The Dark Sith loathes you. And, I can count on one hand the number of times he's been complimentary towards you during this campaign season. Don't ever turn your back on him, and don't remotely believe he's a surrogate FOR you.
5. Joan Walsh - Anyone who runs a site that actually CALLED you 'UPPITY' - that just about says it all.
6. All the feministas for Hillary who were yelling sexism 24/7 for the last month on any television show they could find...you know the bunch I'm talking about. They've been awfully silent about the attacks on Michelle...so, only 'some' women are worth defending to them.
7. The old Civil Rights Establishment - pick and choose. You don't know what's going to happen with this group.
8. The Half of the Congessional Black Caucus that supported Hillpatine - STAY AWAY from those Negroes. Don't even return their phone calls.
9. Shelby Steele - this could be for most of the Black Conservatives, but Steele deserves special notice. He's lost his mind during this campaign, turning his back on his writings of the past 15 years because of you.


Now, I'm opening it up to Mirror On America....tell me of the snakes you see out there.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

I'm a genuine wearer of the tinfoil hat, so I'm going to use a couple of posters on Jack and Jill Politics to convey my view of the forest when it comes to Barack Obama and his ' troubles':

From Craig Hickman:

I just want to add that Barack is still fighting a nomination battle.

The goal is to get him behind in the polls by some significant percentage and length of time prior to the Denver convention.

Make no mistake: the FISA bill's rush through Congress, the wag-the-dog national security "threats" that are piling on each other, Hillary's FISA vote, her delegates behind-the-scenes maneuvering...

Barack doesn't just challenge Republicans, he also challenges the Democratic power structure. Notice how many Senators have refused to endorse him openly.

Remember, Barack jumped to the front of the line. He didn't "wait his turn."

Barack wants Brandenburg Gate and a 75,000-seat stadium acceptance speech. Some say he's showing hubris. That's one way to look at it.

Another way:

He wants to make it increasingly difficult for a convention coup (a reclamation by the plutocrats that is) in Denver.

That might read as paranoid, but I couldn't help myself from saying, 'Uh huh' while reading it.

See, Craig, b-serious, iceberg, NMP, myself and others..we might be wearing the tinfoil hat on this, and maybe we're not. Maybe we see the forest for the trees, and we see a whole lotta snakes in that grass. I'm with Craig on this and have written about that Obama has ALWAYS been a threat, not to the Republicans, but to the Democrats too.

NMP has posted extensively as the disrespect that she sees coming Obama's way from 'The Progressives'. Disrespect that she doesn't believe she's seen with other nominees:

Am I the only negro concerned by the far white Left's seeming attempt to sabotage Senator Obama's campaign? This feigned surprise and outrage over his centrist policy positions is getting on my last damn nerves!

Come the hell on! The speech that introduced Barack Obama to the world was a centrist speech. He made clear that he was not a political idealogue and that the country would be better served by moving from the far Left and Right. The policy prescriptions laid out in detail in his best selling book were mostly centrist. So, why the hell are they acting as if his current--and long held--views are a surprise?

It never fails how white folks assign their own fantasies on black leaders. It's eerily reminiscent of how Dr. King was treated when he spoke out on the Vietnam War. Despite having published numerous writings that reflected a far more dimensional socio-political world view, white folks defined him by one speech and made him the poster child for black forgiveness and non-confrontation.

Today, despite being on record supporting the death penalty; expressing ambivalence about abortion, particularly late-term; supporting individual gun ownership coupled with sensible gun control policy; and never ever being afraid to discuss religion in the public square, white Liberals are now shocked and surprised?

.......................................................................................

We've been allowing white Liberals to take our vote for granted for decades. We supported Bill Clinton and the Democrats through 3 strikes laws; the Omnibus crime bill which resulted in far more erosion of the 4th amendment and defendent's rights than telecom immunity; Bill Clinton overseeing the execution of a retarded black man; qualified black candidates with aspirations for state-wide office being push aside time-and-time again for white candidates, including white women. Despite all of this, black folks have shown the political maturity to support the Democratic Party even when the Party hasn't supported us! And now white folks like you want to say they are not willing to make the same compromise for a black candidate?!

Senator Obama WON the nomination, and he has EVERY right to set his own agenda, just like every previous white candidate has done. There has not been a white democratic nominee that hasn't taken more conservative positions to win, including Bill Clinton who was FAR more conservative on social issues than Senator Obama.

Why are black bloggers sitting back while they are trying to make him bow down?

I stopped going to DailyKos because they lost their damn minds over FISA. I've said from the beginning that I disagreed with Obama over FISA. But, it's not enough to make me stop supporting him. Nobody can tell me that these folks that this is THE overarching issue in their lives. I'm not buying it.

As for Obama ' tacking to the center'..

On the Death Penalty, YOU can defend child rapists....we don't need a Black man on tv defending child rapists..

The Second Amendment....is what it is. I'm a supporter of it, as are millions of Americans. Yes, you stand for gun control and see how many states in the middle of this country Obama gets.

The elections in this country are won or lost on independents. Unless you're out personally registering 100 Progressives everyday, elections are won with independents.

The man won the nomination, and should get to put forth the agenda of his choice. It's not like he's going to scrap the Democratic Party Platform. Indeed, he's opened up the process to the average person sending in sugeestions. Part of that ' transparency in government' thing.

The Christian Progressive Liberal pointed out that the entire holding up the money for Obama is to pressure him to take Hillpatine on his ticket. On that, I still say HELL NO. I'm so tired of every candidate in Modern Political History being able to do what they want to do, UNTIL THE BLACK MAN WINS.

I.don't.think.so.

That's part of the forest for the trees.

Nader can't win.
McKinney can't win.

So, you have a choice between Obama and McCain.

Don't BS me about there being no clear choice between these two. You know better.

McCain Advisor: Recession, not only 'mental', but Americans=whiners

McCain Advisor Phill Gramm to the Washington Times:

"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," he said, noting that growth has held up at about 1 percent despite all the publicity over losing jobs to India, China, illegal immigration, housing and credit problems and record oil prices. "We may have a recession; we haven't had one yet."

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners," he said. "You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline" despite a major export boom that is the primary reason that growth continues in the economy, he said.

Question Ladies and Gentlemen of Mirror On America......

IFFFFF

An Obama Advisor had said that this recessional was MENTAL.

And then called Americans ' Whiners'...

What do you think would be happening on your tv screens right now?

Yep.

I thought so.