I know times are tough and General Motors is struggling to stay afloat, but news of the company's viability plan to the government is very disappointing. I have found it difficult to accept that I will probably not be able to get another HUMMER when my current H3 Alpha lease ends. Now, with news that GM will likely only keep the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC divisions active, my choices for sticking with GM are drastically reduced.

I love having an SUV, but don't want to return to a full-sized model. I did the HUMMER H2 for almost three years and though I really enjoyed the vehicle, I hated what I had to pay to keep gas in the tank. I suppose I can switch to a Tahoe or Yukon.

As for cars, when and if I trade in my Mercedes-Benz SL500, I will consider a Corvette or Camaro from Chevy or a CTS from Cadillac. If GM decides to continue the Pontiac line, which is a slim possibility, the G8 becomes an option, too. I'm a year away from an SUV decision and who knows what the situation will be for GM and for me, personally. At this point, we'll just have to wait and see.

Oh, Good Evening!

2009 Inauguration: 44

Thank you, Mister President, for taking on the burden of leadership.  May God guide each of your steps along the path you now walk.  Amen.

2009 Inauguration: Emotions Flow

We are still two hours from Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States and I can tell that I will need to keep tissue handy.  Seeing him and the future First Lady step out of car to be greeted by President and Mrs. Bush and welcomed into the White House for coffee produced my first tears of the day.  It's really happening.  A man not much older than I, whose skin is not much darker than mine, elected by a majority of all the people of this nation, is about to become our president.  God is good!

Oh, Good Evening!

2009 Inauguration: Presidential Wheels

When Barack Obama rides down Pennsylvania Avenue during his inaugural parade, he will do so in a brand new limousine that the Secret Service calls "The Beast."  I prefer to call it "Cadillac One."  Look at it! Absolutely stunning!  Truly befitting the world's most powerful leader.

Built on a GM heavy duty truck platform, with at least five inches of armor plating and glass so thick you almost can't see through it (exact specifications are classified), this latest presidential limo is said to weigh more than 10,000 pounds.  It carries forward Cadillac's new, younger appealing, progressive look including the grille and headlights design first seen on the Escalade SUV and CTS sedan.  Just perfect for a young, progressive, historic commander-in-chief.

The new "Cadillac One" was to be a prelude to the next generation full size DTS sedan.  However, GM has reportedly shelved development due to lackluster sales of the current DTS, brought on by sky-high gasoline prices in 2008 and the economic downturn.  We will have to wait and see if things change and a variation of this shows up on Cadillac dealer showroom floors.

With President Obama receiving the brand new model, look for Vice President Biden to inherit the 2005 DTS limousine that President Bush used during his second term.  Not a bad hand-me-down!

Oh, Good Evening!

Transition of Power: The Bush Dynasty

Consider this-- A Bush has been in the executive branch of American government for 20 of the last 28 years and in the Oval Office for 12 of the last 20 years.

Reagan Administration:  Vice President George H. W. Bush, 1981-1989 (8 years)

Bush (41) Administration:  President George H. W. Bush, 1989-1993 (4 years)

Bush (43) Administration:  President George W. Bush, 2001-2009  (8 years)

Oh, Good Evening!