Oh the choices we have

September 14, 2004

So if we listen to Vice President Cheney then a vote for Kerry means more attacks on the United States. Perhaps he knows because Haliburton is a key financier of terrorist regimes, or perhaps it's mere speculation on his part.

On the other hand Scripting News points out very well today that Bush is mortgaging future generations to Osama bin Laden. I'm reminded of talking with a trust officer friend of ours last spring. He explained that the trust management community had been concerned about what would happen when, with continued prosperity and government surpluses, the treasury stopped issuing script. What would they do without T-Bills? It is a problem that never fully emerged as W (as in Wrong) made sure your children's great-grandchildren will still be paying Uncle Osama back.

It was 40 years ago today

September 11, 2004

To paraphrase the Beatle's Sgt. Pepper, it was forty years ago today.... In the late summer of 1964 in the wheatlands of eastern Washington that two very special people came together. It was there, in the living room of my grand parents home that my parents were married. Congratulations on 40 years and here's to 40 more.

Nevada powerless

September 9, 2004

Nevada power treated its rural customers in Sandy Valley to an eight-hour power outage. It remains frustrating that their service is so much less reliable than Valley Electric just a few miles away. Of course it took a half-dozen phone calls and heavy persuasion to convince them to send the bills to the zip code we live in instead of some other zip code they have an unfortunate affinity for.

A bad slasher reprise

September 9, 2004

Electronic Data Systems chief Michael Jordan announced Thursday that a total of 20,000-25,000 jobs will be eliminated over the next two years (including 5,000 already slashed). The move comes as the company tries to attempt a death spiral. This summer Moody's downgraded the outsourcing behemoth's stock to junk status. It is pretty certain that they will find any way possible to cut the experienced people who once made the company successful in deference to cheaper labor.

Check Engine: Emissions Workshop!

September 8, 2004

The Passat spent another day in the shop. The final determination - unknown problem. They checked it high and low, hooked it up to the computer and couldn't find anything wrong. So I went to pick it up and take it to the Volkswagen dealer sometime soon. I'd also asked them to look at the oil sender because the wires had been weak and broken. Volkswagen's buy extra parts plan starts with an oil pressure sender unit that has unreasonably fragile connections, and worse yet no way to fix it. They made a way and attached the dangling wires. I thanked the shop guys and got in the car to leave. Amazingly there was NO check engine light. It would appear that a broken wire to the oil sender is reported by saying there is an emissions problem. Who would know... I wonder if a flat tire is reported as an electrical problem.

Elk Mountain Volkswagen, Glenwood Springs, Colorado

September 7, 2004

It never ceases to amaze me how some businesses don't understand that a positive customer experience can be well worth a small inconvenience. We stopped at a place that is clueless about customer service today. Elk Mountain Volkswagen (the other half of Elk Mountain Audi) in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Arriving at 8:00 when the service department opened the first thing they needed to know is if we had an appointment. We didn't and the appointments apparently hadn't shown up yet (there was not a single other customer in sight). I explained we had a check engine light and emissions workshop needed and how long wold it take to have it hooked up to the computer and see what the diagnostic codes reveal. For this task (which takes less than 5 minutes) the would be happy to do it if we'd leave the car all morning. So a person who would pay $80 for 5 minutes of work is turned away while the mechanics cool their heels waiting for the previously scheduled appointments to show up. No wonder Volkswagen dealers have such outstanding reputations.

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