Bush Official Apologizes for Employee Newsletter That Touted Japanese Vehicles

[Perian]

This is gunna get political fast. This is a warning that there will be no ripping of anyones political party, and that this thread will be focused on the topic at hand, that the US Goverment put out a memo saying to purchase import vehicles, not American.


Link: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070920/fuel_...tter.html?.v=1

Bush Official Apologizes for Employee Newsletter That Touted Japanese Automakers' Vehicles

Thursday September 20, 6:34 pm ET
By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Bush administration official apologized Thursday for a newsletter sent to thousands of government employees that encouraged them to consider fuel-efficient vehicles built by Japanese automakers.

"I deeply regret that our newsletter offended anyone, especially those Americans working in the automobile industry and the millions of people who make American automobile manufacturers successful," said Joe Ellis, the Department of Health and Human Services' assistant secretary for administration and management.

The list, from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, didn't include any vehicles from General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. or Chrysler LLC. All of the cars were made by Japanese or South Korean automakers.

Ellis said in a statement that the "newsletter highlighted vehicles not made by American manufacturers, thereby giving the impression that HHS was encouraging employees to buy foreign makes of cars."

It was produced by the department's office of facilities management and policy, which falls under Ellis' jurisdiction.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said it was nice that Health and Human Services was apologizing but "I remain concerned that such a communication was sent in the first place."

"It would seem to me that HHS officials should focus upon their mission of ensuring food and drugs are safe, and providing health care to our children, rather than issuing inaccurate advice that appears to endorse foreign made products," Stupak said.

Full article at link.

[Perian]

Yet another article for the "You can't make this stuff up" file.

Anyone for another discussion on Detroits public perception?

The Chevrolet Volt can't get here fast enough.

[GMusa]

You have got to be kidding me!! The AMERICAN government is trying to get their people to drive JAPANESE cars!!!

Leave it to that idiot in office!

[mgescuro]

How weird!?
Why apologize? Oh that's right. There's that whole "buy American" attitude out there. And coming from a government agency, you need to save face.

But realistically, how many truly fuel efficient AMERICAN cars are out there?

Cobalt, HHR. Tadaaaa....

[BigAls87Z28]

This is VERY sad...very sad. Our own goverment, be it democratic or republican, is not supportive of one of America's most powerful industries.
It seems that none of the big canidates seem to support any of the Big 3, be it rep or dem.

[minnfang]

Originally Posted by GMusa

You have got to be kidding me!! The AMERICAN government is trying to get their people to drive JAPANESE cars!!!

Leave it to that idiot in office!

I agree with how you feel about what someone in HHS did; but you're the idiot if you think Bush is responsible for what happened.

You can bet something like this would NEVER happen in the Japanese government. At least they have the tiniest bit of respect for their own country.

[Lawnchair8]

Doesn't surprise me at all. This at a time when we hear toyota dealers are still claiming their old fuel milage ratings. Start praying to the Volt gods people

[PA Dweller]

Why would the government bash an American company? If they fail it ripples through the rest of the country. Its just sad how certain people in the government lost faith in America.

[Canuck]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

How weird!?
Why apologize? Oh that's right. There's that whole "buy American" attitude out there. And coming from a government agency, you need to save face.

But realistically, how many truly fuel efficient AMERICAN cars are out there?

Cobalt, HHR. Tadaaaa....

Are you being sarcastic?

From www.autoextremist.com

Michael Levitt. The Health and Human Services Secretary is continuing to take withering fire for the agency's bone-headed August newsletter - the HHS Energy News Report - which encouraged its 67,000 employees to buy imported cars for energy-saving reasons, while virtually dismissing the entire domestic auto industry. In a rare meeting of the minds, even the fractious Michigan congressional delegation unified to blast Levitt and his agency in a blistering letter delivered yesterday. But in a weird way, Levitt did this industry a huge favor. By ignoring the fact that the domestic automakers offer a wide range of fuel-efficient vehicles, the HHS confirmed yet again what everyone already knows to be the obligatory perception in Washington - that Detroit simply doesn't matter - and one of this nation's key industries has been written off and left for dead. Memo to Secretary Levitt: You aren't going to splain' this one away that easy. We suggest you do a public mea culpa - and fast - before this thing blows up even more.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Canuck

Are you being sarcastic?

Semi-sarcastic.

The governemnt needs to apologize because it's close to election.
But American cars that are fuel efficient ... well... there are a few that go over 30mpg. And at the very least warranted a recommendation. But unfortunatley, the vast majority do not.

[CobaltSScrazy]

embarrassing, even the government wants the big 3 to fail. i'm embarrassed to call myself an american right now... be it bush or some democrat in office is irrelevant.

CobaltSScrazy

[iamwin]

Not surprised. LA's Parking services fleet lot is by my grandparents. It looks like a Honda dealer in there.

[FoMoCo Fan]

What idiots! Why didn't they reccomend the Cobalt hybrid that gets 55mpg? Or the Aveo that gets 40 mpg? Or the dual mode Malibu hybrid that gets 40mpg?

Oh, that's right - that's because they don't exist!

[A Bum In A Bus]

Bush and this entire adminstration are as worthless as a plugged nickel.

[monza164]

And we wondered why Bush never wanted to meet with the big three.
Where's the faith?