Hi, Jeff.

The Dem congressers are having fun beating up on the "big 3" automakers
as they private jet into DC with hats in hand begging for a bailout.  I
don't think there is any way the Dems will go for them going into
Chapter 11, but I do know there are quite a few people who think that
would be the best thing for them at this point.

The shareholders have taken a licking on these stocks in the past year,
and right now, they seem a lot like packages of mortgage based
secrities. which have caused so much trouble - - everyone is afraid of
them, and not much of anybody wants to buy them, at any price.

Here's some info, which I looked up at http://finance.yahoo.com - -

                      General Motors(GM) Ford (F)    Toyota Mtr Corp(TM)
Share Price 10 yrs ago    71.50 (10/98)  31.50 (11/98)   50.42 (11/98)
Share Price   5 yrs ago   42.78          13.20           59.57
Per Share 52 Wk High/Lo   29.95/ 1.70    8.79/ 1.01      117.59/ 57.01
5-day Low Price (11/20)   1.73           1.02            59.12
Per Share Close 10/24     3.59           1.56            67.10
Earnings Per Share       -38.74         -5.21            8.43
Market Capitalization     2.19 Bln       3.73 Bln        105 Bln

Seems a bit funny the number of billions of dollars the politicians are
willing to throw their way, compared to their current market
capitalization.  Based on the close of market yesterday, all the
common stock of both GM and Ford was worth under $6 Bln.  And the Pols
already were willing to put up $25 bln to fund retooling for new
energy-saving models, and the companies are wanting another $25 bln in
low-interest loans to get them over their short-term cash shortfalls.

With Ford stock so cheap, I might be tempted to buy 1000 shares or so,
just for a gamble - - _if_ I thought I could see any way for them to
return to being a healthy business.

Comments welcome.

- - -  JimH.

... "I don't make jokes.  I just watch the government and report the
,,,  facts." - - Will Rogers

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