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Here are two American icons that are either gone or soon to be gone. Sure everybody dies, a fact made all to clear to me this year. But an icon like Chevy? It’s as American as Apple Pie and the girl next door. I am Canadian, and very proud of it, but it made me a little sad this morning to think of a world without Chevrolet. I do however believe in a free market system, and bailouts never sit well with me. A government bailout is anti-capitalist, and I think the Senate did the right thing. In reality General Motors and Chrysler brought this on themselves, ultimately they where never capable of responding to market demands. I’ve never driven an American front wheel drive that I liked, nor have I driven an American made manual transmission that I liked either. The one thing they were good at: making large V8 automatic vehicles. The market hasn’t demanded this sort of vehicle for decades, no surprise the trouble they are in. Then there is styling, or the American lack there of. They haven’t made a truly beautiful vehicle in decades either.

Rest in peace Bettie Page, you will be missed. You too Chevrolet, even though your cars looked and drove like ass.

xdrtb.org

…we are opening up one complete session of TED free to the world, streamed live over the web. It’s the dramatic session tomorrow evening when three remarkable individuals each unveil their TED Prize wish. (”One wish to change the world. No restrictions. Think big. Be creative.”)

I invite you to join a global audience as Dave Eggers, Neil Turok and Karen Armstrong share their inspiring visions, followed by the uplifting music of Vusi Mahlasela.

original by L. Marie.