Detroit Automakers Bailout – Criminally Stupid

Over the last few weeks, the Big 3 automobile manufacturers based in Detroit (GM, Ford, Chrysler) have been pleading for a government bailout.‚  The Detroit automakers say that they need a bailout because the credit crisis has impacted their businesses.‚  Of course, idiotic management might have had something to do with it: top executives at all three companies notoriously flew to request federal bailout funds from Congress in their private jets.‚ … read more “Detroit Automakers Bailout – Criminally Stupid”

Bailout Debt Crushes U.S. Taxpayers

I found this interesting bit on ESPN.com’s TMQ column about the bailout debt and how it is rapidly skyrocketing.‚  TMQ summarizes some other news sources findings about what has been occurring with the money given to all these corporations by our government.

” On Nov. 24, the Washington Post calculated the total cost of the bailout-a-rama may rise to $2.8 trillion, though the figure includes guarantees for loans that may end up being repaid, thus reducing the final tab.… read more “Bailout Debt Crushes U.S. Taxpayers”

MIT Courses Online

If you read my blog and never take away anything but this, I will be happy that my efforts have not gone to waste:

Use the MIT Open Courses.‚  http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm

MIT (one of the most prestigious universities in the world) has made their entire course selection available to read and work through online.‚  I personally am using it to refresh and grow my business knowledge, using their Sloan School of Management courses.… read more “MIT Courses Online”

Consumer Credit Card Debt

Consumer credit card debt is going to be the next big area for massive banking problems.‚  The economic downturn is pushing unemployment rates up and many of these people who have lost their jobs will start having difficulties meeting their minimum credit card payments and will default.‚  Of course, banks charge such ridiculously high interest rates on credit card debt that they may be able to make money even with extremely high default rates.‚ … read more “Consumer Credit Card Debt”

How to Insert Data into a Table In SQL Server Management Studio

To insert data into a table in SQL Server Management Studio, you can use the following sample insert code.‚  I have included my notes on how the functions work using comments prefaced by — in the SQL.

–I have created a simple table for us to work with below:
create table Calendar
(
dateid int NOT NULL Primary Key identity(1,1),
month int NOT NULL constraint CK_zeroTOtwelve Check(month > 0 AND 12 > month),
date int NOT NULL constraint CK_zeroTOthirty Check(date > 0 AND 31 > DATE),
hour int NOT NULL constraint CK_zeroTOtwentyfour Check(hour > 0 and 25 > hour)
)

–The actual code for inserting data into the Calendar table we created above is as follow:
insert into calendar
(month, date, hour) –state which columns are going to be inserted into.‚ … read more “How to Insert Data into a Table In SQL Server Management Studio”

Howlings of a Jackal

Had drinks with an old friend, Rachelle, yesterday. We met at Barca on Capitol Hill for a martini and a talk about her writing and “epic dreams”. Later we moved to Quinn’s and feasted on frog’s legs and salad. My Bloody Mary was not a good idea in combination with the spiciness of the toad’s hindquarters, but trying new things isn’t always a blast.… read more “Howlings of a Jackal”

How to Create a Table In SQL Server Management Studio

One of the most basic functions in SQL Server Management Studio is creating a table for your database.‚  Below, I have displayed a piece of sample code that you can copy & paste, then customize to create your own table in SQL Server Management Studio.

Create Table Sample

— Create Table is the syntax used to make your table.… read more “How to Create a Table In SQL Server Management Studio”

Gorilla Marketing

Today, I’m going to talk about one of my earliest childhood lessons in the advertising field: gorilla marketing.‚  Literally, gorilla marketing… you thought I misspelled guerrilla marketing didn’t you?

Ivan the Gorilla lived for 27 years in the now shut down B & I Shopping Mall in Tacoma, WA.‚  I remember visiting the mall and watching Ivan the Gorilla in his enclosure.‚ … read more “Gorilla Marketing”