Toyota Distances Itself from Differing Professor

Toyota says that two of their executives stepping down from the SIUC School of Automotive Technology's advisory board should not been seen as punitive toward the university because they dispute Dr. David Gilbert's allegations, rather they are trying to avoid the appearance that they may be in a position to influence the professor's research.

Dr. David Gilbert recently appeared on ABC News with Brian Ross, where he demonstrated that the sudden acceleration problems with Toyota cars were due to a faulty computer and testified to that effect before Congress, while the company blames a problem with the gas pedal.

(If player fails to load, click post title)

Related: Dr. Gilbert's Testimony Before Congress (Morning Session)
              Some Still Complaining About Toyotas After Fix

Update: Toyota Counters Dr. Gilbert and ABC's Claim

Real Estate Company President Amicably Fired

The Times-Picayune published a study of the disparity between Jefferson Parish (LA) assessment values and the eventual sales price of homes on Sunday and by Tuesday, Arthur Sterbcow, president of Latter & Blum, Inc./Realtors had been fired.

Mr. Sterbcow's crime was that he cooperated with the investigation and had been quoted in the paper as being critical of the Jefferson Parish Assessor. Lawrence E. Chehardy is a second-generation assessor, who is described as the most powerful in Louisiana due to the value of the Parish's homes and its large population.

"Needless to say, the last people on earth we need against us are our assessors", Latter & Blum chairman Bob Merrick wrote in the email announcing the termination.

"I love Latter & Blum, I love the agents, I love the staff. It was just a business decision." Arthur Sterbcow told the Times-Picayune.

Feed the Children

It used to be a staple, especially around the holidays. Throughout the nation, up and down the cable dial, our hearts were tugged by informercials showing poor American children in need and Larry Jones, along with his wife and occasional celebrity guests begging for us to give just a few cents a day to pool resources and buy warehouses of food for these unfortunate waifs.

Unbeknownest to me, the charity has been in turmoil for months and Mr. Jones, the group's founder was ousted back in November.

Within days of the personnel action, Mr. Jones filed a wrongful termination suit and this morning, the charity has filed a countersuit claiming that he had solicited bribes, misspent, pocketed travel funds and had hid pornography in the company offices.

The Oklahoman has full page of ongoing coverage, complete with today's actions, past articles, meeting minutes and other documents.

At first glance, I really can't tell whether Mr. Jones' "crimes" are more than a common, "redneck", old way of doing business with some Penthouse Forums inserted for their salaciousness, but because his informercials have haunted generations of stoners every Saturday morning, the Oklahoman index certainly makes for a good read.

Holiday Jumble

Last week, Best Buy caught some flak for recognizing a Muslim holiday in their sales literature and now DISH Network has issued a response to the criticism, they've apparently received for honoring a Christian.

Since being called a 'Patriot' on last night's edition of 'The O'Reilly Factor, DISH Network has received an outpouring of both support and displeasure from people across the country over the use of the phrase 'Merry Christmas' in a holiday greeting to customers.

DISH Network acknowledges and respects the diversity of faith in our country, but at the same time recognizes the overwhelming majority that celebrate Christmas. We cannot imagine that Americans of all faiths would not want to embrace the spirit of the holiday and join us in wishing Christian Americans a very Merry Christmas.

On a related note, Mediaite has clipped an O'Reilly showing that even the Humanists can't win this holiday season;