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Margaret Atwood on snow and love

"The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love."

Happy Snowy Valentine's Day! As I relax with a cup of hot chocolate and peruse my online newspapers, a few random shame on them, what a shame, and kudos spring to mind:

  1. Kudos to Aflac for announcing that it will be the first major U.S. company to let shareholders vote on executive pay packages.  It's about time.
  2. Shame on Michael Waltrip's crew chief and team director who were both thrown out of the Daytona 500 and suspended indefinitely today because an illegal substance was found during inspection for the season-opening race.  Doping stock cars. Stupid. And the car was a Toyota Camry.  What a shame for a company that has been winning without cheating or hyperbole.
  3. Today Chrysler announced its long-awaited restructuring, which included a 16 percent reduction in its work force (13,000 workers), shift reductions, a plant closing and a surprise hint that the plan could lead to a DaimlerChrysler divorce. Another shame. Talk about a Valentine's Day massacre.
  4. Atlanta-based Delta Airlines said it lost $1.98 billion for the three months ending Dec. 31, 2006 compared to a loss of $1.24 billion a year ago.  Shame. Now get this: During 2006, discount leader Southwest Airlines raised fares an unprecedented six times, and they just raised them again on Monday.  Kudos to the Southwest brand! What's the Southwest brand about now?  People are not choosing Southwest because they have the lowest fares (check for yourself online). They're choosing Southwest because the airline gets them, and their luggage, where they're going and on time.  And people are willing to pay a premium for that.
  5. Finally, Ben & Jerry's has named a new ice cream in honor of the comedian Stephen Colbert: "Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream."  "I'm not afraid to say it. Dessert has a well-known liberal agenda," Colbert said in a statement. "What I hope to do with this ice cream is bring some balance back to the freezer case." Colbert, who spoofs flag-waving conservative pundits on his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report," is donating his proceeds to charity through the new Stephen Colbert Americone Dream Fund, which will distribute the money to various causes. Kudos Stephen!    

Posted February 14, 2007
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