DDoright..I believe we have made the list before.Janesville,Beloit and West Bend have the 3 highest in the state.Sad state we live in for the unemployed/workers.We all need a miracle !!

How lovely, we've been noticed by Forbes magazine.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/29/unemplo...

Awww, thanks boomhauer. I love my new title! Can I take a rain check though? I'm working today.... Well. It depends. What time is "Myott" embarking? Hugs and kisses, Duchess of Yukon.

That's something to look forward to...The Rock river....thanks for the good laugh!!!

You don't recall correctly. The only post I made about the spanking article was to "ljs64" and it neither confirmed or denied if I were a spanker or not. Maybe you have me confused with another member of your fan club!?!

PS--Your education failed you miserably if you cannot post on here using basic grammar and spelling: let's just forget about proper or advanced. I mean, gee Beeve, even chad_vader an "UneducatedAdultWorker" comes across more well-versed than you, Mr. Holier Than Thou. NEXT!

I can't speak for everyone in the auto business, but when I built something, I did it with pride. Pride of product, pride of country. This country can't run on a good eduction and health care alone. If we don't bring manufacturing back we'll continue to suffer economically. There aren't enough Walmart and Starbucks to employ everyone with a bachelors degree in business management. So rather than participate in class warfare, we should look for ways to be competitive on all levels. From the factory worker up to the CEO. Everyone, including the educated, can take part of the blame for our current situation.

Been fun laughing at you hank, have a nice life in your own little world.

Ignoramus, the comparison was that both realize what they are getting into, and either could result in some physical damage to the body. Yet there are other reasons to do such jobs. And there is honor in doing a good job, taking care of your family, and enjoying ones life. People, and I use that term loosely, who sit up on a pedestal and demean the hard working, common folk who make this country run are pathetic. We all make choices in life, yet you ridicule those you consider inferior to your perfect lifestyle.
Try going on a three hour cruise by yourself, Mr. Howell. No one will miss you.

My husband was paid .25/hr for his time in Vietnam so people like hankhill could disrespect our military...hank you are a very unhappy person..JMO

Hey, lets let hank get the last word in ..... damn, messed that up too!

Holy moley, you just insulted the millions of people who for centuries provided the hard working labor of our country, the backbone of which America was founded on. Yes they know it will wear down the body faster, but they also deserve adequate pay for that. GM was more than just about money, I also was deeply enriched by the hundreds of friends I made working there. There is no price you can put on that.
And by your unsightful rant, you also demeaned our wonderful people in the military. They also go into the job knowing it will take a physical toll on them, some worse than others, yet they bravely do their job every day. I would relish having neighbors and friends like those than snobs like you, who call hard working people narrow and shallow.

PS-your ignorance again shows. A TRUE CPS worker would know that Wisconsin law dictates spanking is not abuse. Maybe that's why your phone hasn't rang, Lone Ranger....err Tonto.

Boomhauer: I live in Dane County, baby cakes. I have friends who are CPS workers and they work their badunkadunks off. Oh, and guess what? My dad made double doing the mindless work that a chimpanzee could do at GM than what they make with a 4 year degree working 50-60 hours/wk. And 2 of them also just got pink slips. Education does not equal job security. If it did, I wouldn't have a high school teacher working for me--in a field completely unrelated to edukashun. :p

Chad: I seriously do not think elitist and hankhill belong in the same sentence.

And, hank, honey...how do you know that GM'ers (or ex-assemblers as you'd like them to be referred to) complain and whine. You yourself said that this closure has not affected you or anyone you know or anyone in your neighborhood. Get a flipping clue, would ya!!

And, if you are a CPS worker: why in the h-e-double hockey sticks are you on here day and night biotching about stuff you have NO clue about? Don't you have some innocence to go protect and save?? Talk about a waste of MY tax dollars!! I'd like a refund, please!

Stick to managing Strickland Propane. I personally believe you to resemble the likes of Boomhauer....a babbling idiot that no one understands.

Ok, hank, I just pointed out you had an elitist attitude. As far as opportunist, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of opportunities. You just seem to have the Robber Barron mentality that takes it one step further, and feeds off of others misery.
As far as your labels of me, as I do rebuke or oppose your theories then I am technically an antagonist (most people don't understand that an antagonist does not necessarily start the fight). The rest are just incorrect prejudicial smack downs thrown out by you in a desperate attempt to label me. And wow, you even threw in racist. Show me one example where I have displayed racism, or pull your head out of your arse. I don't want to be one of your "ist" groups. The only groups I am interested in are family ,friends, and doing my small part to help this temporary abode a better place.

Ozzman99 states: 'All the education in the world will not matter if there are no jobs for people to be employed at.'

If a job applicant wrote or talked like your last sentence during a job interview, chances are he or she will not be asked for a second interview. When the economy turns around, the qualified educated job seekers will have a distinct advantage over those who are under-educated. Why? That's where it's...at. (rolls eyes)

No not the last 3 years...1250 or so per shift in 2008.I believe under 600 have transfered.Math...1900..That's a lot of people from one company without jobs or who HAD to retire early.

hank, the topic is about how Janesville was affected after the loss of a major manufacturer. That is what the movie will be about. You and others just took it as another way to slam GM employees and the union. And the Union has gained much for me. I do not always agree with them, as I do have independent thought. You must agree with everything our government does, or are you a "loyal patsy" to them ??? Don't be so narrow minded. I would also love to hear names of ALL these people who complain to you. I would gather I know more GM people than you, and very few act like you paint them out to all be. Most knew about what it would do to their body, but the pay and benefits were the trade off. It may have not been the job for you,but demeaning the hard working laborers in our community shows you are an elitist.
Trying to reformat the articles intent to meet your agenda has fallen well short. Your intent was to just ridicule GM employees and the Union. Wow, how refreshing.....

hankhill..Well if you were ONLY talking GM jobs....The # is closer to 2500 GM jobs/workers.

Everyone is pushing people to be retrained and get more education, but for what? All the education in the world will not matter if there are no jobs for people to be employed at.

hankhill... Just goes to show ...you really have no idea what is going on in Janesville.??!You think Janesville has only lost 1500 jobs ??? Get a gripe on life..Not too long ago it was reported that "9000" jobs were lost .They may not of ALL been related to GM and suppliers but none the less jobs that are gone and may not return.Do you get the picture now ???This is so much bigger than just GM/suppliers !

Joker: I've asked where to apply but you never answered. Guess I'll ask again... Even though I'm pretty certain I already know.

Momo, I never said anything about paying employees less than $10. I pay my employees well and it is above $10. If you need a job, let me know. I always like to help the less fortunate.

Hank: I think you're in need of a spanking! Maybe then you'll see things the right way. Lol!

Joker: you said before you don't pay above $10. That's paying someone well?? Umm. Ok.

Neobarty, sorry, did you say something? I was ignoring you, just like you suggested.

Diplomat, first time using a computer?! No need to repeat yourself twice and look foolish both times. I care so much about how much money GM people make because I tire of the "woe is us" mentality that I hear from them. They made good money and were able to live a good life and buy lots of toys. Yes, that is the American way. I only wish that we would also talk more about the other laid off employees in this city. They are the ones that are truly suffering. Some GM workers have this need to have all attention on them when it comes to this issue.

momnahalf- yes what is with this STUPID comment on EVEY BLOG?????? shut up already.

When I started at GM way back a friend was sure I would 'change' though I never did. Never chased material upmanship, never thought I was better because I made more money. I froze my retirement and quit to pursue something I wanted to do after my then fiance' passed away. GM Workers are people, people are different, thier opinions and attitudes are different. Tossing the lot in one mindset is just ignorance and narrowminded. Jealousy is for losers, you're jealous you lost out somehow. Be yourself and better yourself. Be happier, not begrudging. Here's a (((HUG))) ;)

TheJoker,

Again I highly doubt you have been successful in life judging by your posts. Why else would you care so much about what GM factory workers make? And I am not quitter at all. I realized at a very young age that Janesville was not the place to excel if you wanted a good white collar job. I am about to buy my first vacation home in the Caribbean and I am under 30 (and I have never received any type of inheritance or trust fund money). That would not have been possible if I lived in Janesville. You can keep telling everyone that you are successful and live in your virtual fantasy world, but your posts depict a different story.

TheJoker,

Again I highly doubt you have been successful in life judging by your posts. Why else would you care so much about what GM factory workers make? And I am not quitter at all. I realized at a very young age that Janesville was not the place to excel if you wanted a good white collar job. I am about to buy my first vacation home in the Caribbean and I am under 30 (and I have never received any type of inheritance or trust fund money). That would not have been possible if I lived in Janesville. You can keep telling everyone that you are successful and live in your virtual fantasy world, but your posts depict a different story.

Hank: For a seemingly educated man, you sure appear very naive. Some people put their families ahead of personal gain. My mom had a degree to be a paralegal. She took the job at GM, because the benefits and wages were higher. She opted to support her child when my alcoholic father dropped the ball. In addition, not everyone wants to be married to their careers. There are people out there they like to put in a days work and then go home and enjoy their family. You seem to forget that factory workers and laborers are what built this country. It seems like all the people with type A personalities and over extended goals are the ones bringing it down.

neobarty, You are correct. It is more about having fun when poking a stick at these pretentious, prejudiced, narrow sighted windbags than actually having a reasonable debate. Hanks last diatribe almost had me in tears, he is such a great man. Unfortunately, life has many paths and his is not the only correct one for satisfaction in life.
This site represents Janesville as much as a few bad GM employee DID NOT represent all the rest of us. I try to do good things in life, but do not need to break my arm patting myself on the back like joker does. Those who see money as the ultimate measure of success in life are swimming in the shallow end of pool of humanity.

Diplomat - no problem. But one thing no one has explained yet is why in Japan and other countries they also have unions in the auto industry. So is it mainly the fear of unions or is it the load of free money, tax breaks, and free land that were thrown at them from the southern states that really made the difference?

hank, you don't live in this town, yet you can say the closing of GM won't affect the people of Janesville. Again, you are talking about that which you do not know about, a very familiar chorus for all your posts. And nice to see you are ready to swoop in and profit from others misery.

Yes yes, crowd of clowns. I believe it is time that we fall to the feet of the high and mighty Hank. Thee Oh Yea Can't do anything incorrectly. Perfectionizm is his name. The see all- know all Master of time space an the dimented. Let me see if I am getting this correctly, because sometimes I too am only human.
You know everything about GM and its people. You know all the things only people inside the UAW would know. You know all there is to know about GM. You know all the workings of everything known to mankind. Your arogance is only preceded by your ignorance? Your desire to be a success depends upon how many people you can humiliate?
Yah Hank? Do you know what makes me laugh hard as I watch and read these comments here?
What catches my interests is, how many people allow you the saticfaction of getting them worked up.
To even think that You, Mr All Being, All Knowing would stoop so low as to get your kicks off of others hardships is completely mezmerising. I would have thought a man of your stature would conduct yourself in a manor commendable by all. I see where your successes have gone to your Ego, I mean your head.
As you talk about 1980 factory work, you must have missed the boat on how things have changed. I hold three degrees. I have served my country 101st AA. I am at present, and have been in the education system for quite sometime. My construct in life is that of a large percentage of folks you desire to pick apart and have a preset idea of whom they are without meeting them face to face to learn whom they really are as a person.
Your Honor? And those Like you, will have your day. As a firm believer in justice, truth and goodness for all, I can state with assured support what ones deeds are done, so shall they reap.
An opinion is frankly understood as one's own mind-set with concerns for a perticular issue. You are just mind-bent on hurting people. I do feel for you though. It must be a terible thing to live so perfect. It must have come easy for you. I am glad that your as great and powerful as OZ. But the yellow brick road only goes so far, before a commercial interupt occurs.
It is types such as this that do a disembowelment to the good area we do reside in. I would like any readers to be informed of the fact that only a minute few do actually write in this media (GazetteXtra); and should not base your entire opinions about the local area on a few bad apples that try to spoil the bunch. Keep reading statements from these Great Embasadors of Life; you too shall see the mundane, un-original, mean spirited disgrace of introverted bliss they live in.
Personal attack? No, I am just discriptive of truth.
People, be ashamed of yourself too for giving them their entertainment values. Ignore them, and stick to the issues at hand. We can relate our opinions without always feeling a need to respond or correct statements of those less fortunate in the upper noodle department.
Don't give evil its saticfaction, ignore them.

Momna......Try your hardest not to be a complete idiot:) Stay on point--the thread in your link has nothing to do with this one. Regardless, if this was my website and people started posting detailed ways to break the law, I would shut them down too. No one is forcing you to visit this site--if you don't like it get out and start your own blog about the "evils of censorship." Comparing the guy to a Nazi because he doesn't want to allow you to post tips on how best to grow weed........you're a tool for going there.......

Are you reading the truth, or what Editor Scott Angus wants yoou to hear ? It seems Mr. Angus has taken up censorship on other articles on the Gazette Extra.....

http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/jul...

Diplomat, trust me, I have several advanced degrees and I am not an employee, I am an employer. People work for me, they work hard and I pay them well. And because of all this, I do quite well financially.

I am glad you moved out of Janesville. We have enough quitters and negative people in this city.

hankhill...OMG!!! The cat is out of the bag !!!! Your bbf is Leisure Suit Larry !!!! LMAO !!!!!

Teletubbies? I am quite the expert on them. They hail from Teletubbie Land. There is Laa-Laa (yellow), Tinky Winky (purple), Po (red) and Dipsy (green). Their pal was Nu-Nu and they at Tubbie custard and Tubbie toast! Anyhow...

Hank-you worked at SSI? And a food processing plant? And now you claim to be a CPS worker who agrees marijuana should be legalized? Sure do job hop, hey?!

I think I have you figured out though.... You ran into a GM worker in the bathroom once and ever since you've been green with envy.

chad_vader,

I now see you said that Toyota decided NOT to build in the South. Saw that after I hit submit...Darn It!

chad_vader,

Unfortunately you can always find a developing country to do your manufacturing if it fits a profitable business model. Car companies will be saying goodbye to unions and moving manufacturing operations if the P&L is right. If those people in the South don't do it, people in Southeast Asia will for cheap and they will do a good job. (Please don't use the argument that most of the stuff from China breaks easily, that is because the raw materials they were given were cheap to begin with).

The Milwaukee man is producing and directing a documentary for Public Broadcasting Service about Janesville and its life after GM. He plans to spend the next two years filming public officials and everyday residents for a spring 2012 broadcast.(Vogel 28 July, 2009)

Come back to Earth RetiredAirForce, and actualy READ the article. Your heads been up in the clouds as long as hank and Joker. Maybe yah'll should get constructive and move on.
I would comment further about truth, but you guys haven't a clue, and wouldn't know it. You ramble on precariously to get a knee-jerk reaction out of people. And that is not constructive editorial work, your just sad-souls.

and the added problem with that is you get what you pay for. That is why Toyota decided not to build it's latest plant in the south. Too much cost to train, they said. Well, what are you going to train when companies decide to pay $8 to $10 an hour for labor. That pay will not inspire anyone to give a hoot.

hankhill,

Let me first off say that I have moved away from Wisconsin so I don't care if they do or do not become a "Right to Work" state. However, you should visit some "Right to Work" states down south and see what kind of manufacturing jobs are down there. They don't pay squat. This will not solve Wisconsin's or Rock County's problems. The state needs to focus more on tax breaks to corporations so large companies will be more inclined to setup large offices (regional hubs or corporate headquarters) there. If you haven't noticed, the South is the fastest growing region of the US and part of that is because companies are setting up shop there because of tax breaks.

TheJoker,

I highly doubt you have several degrees (having 4 associate's degrees doesn't count) and are successful based on your posts. Your posts suggest you work a factory job and were pissed off that people at GM (doing a similar job to yours) got paid a lot more than you. Believe me, I am not jealous of you. You still live in Janesville. I got out after getting my degree and am living in a large city where I work for a large company that treats me well. That's why I don't have a chip on my shoulder and why I have sympathy for those that lost their job and wish them good luck!

Well, lil' Hankie, unlike you I do have a life. That means I don't read EVERY post. Besides, the point is most everyone did NOT take the complete buyouts. Why would people sever all ties, not the smartest strategy for most who took a buyout.Your real ignorance of peoples individual situations shows again.You must hang out with them union folk more than I did, 'cause I never heard the high falutin' talk you have expressed that they ALWAYS say. And if property taxes go up or house values drop because of GM pulling out, would not everyone be affected? I agree with ihavealife, you make a very funny read. Maybe you can be in the movie (to get back on topic) as comic relief.

One more thing...See real life of autoworker !!!LMFAO@U

Oh excuse me !!! You must of worked at SSI when they used the chocolate chip polishing stones ??? WOW I still have some of those!

tom1cass2...I was thinking the same thing.What I don't get about hankhill is he said he also had worked at LSI.I really think he lives in lala land with the teletubbies!

hankhill I know a lot of people that worked
for GM and NONE of them EVER thought they were
any better than anybody else they all just worked to support their families, its all in your mind. From what I have read of your post you are the one that thinks they are better than everybody else.

hankhill -what kind of hillbilly talk is "hero-ifying" ???? $100,000 .... you and the rest of the misinformation tribe have been sadly mistaken about the buyouts most of us took.

joker, you are an utter moron. Unlike you,I do not blame anyone for my situations as it is always up to me to change them. Your ignorance of the benefits of unions (and yes, I know there are some faults too)is narrow minded.

opinionsonlyworthforfree - I am going to school and working too you moron. why don't you get a life?

displaced worker- I didn't get 110 grand either, closer to 30 after taxes..But I am grateful for what I did get and am planning on a different future. I wouldn't trade that money for a degree anyway, that can be much more valuable if you apply it. And yes, everyone here and even those who left have been affected in some way.

There's no doubt Janesville is in for a rough patch. GM was obviously the foundation on which Janesville's economy was built. Complicating matters are Wisconsin's seemingly unfriendly tax policies towards business and the current recession that the entire country is trying to overcome. With some innovative thinking, a little work and lots of ambition, I would hope that this community could rebuild and redefine itself. There HAS to be an incentive for businesses to want to operate here though. Beloit comes to mind as an example of how to approach this--albeit on a smaller scale. Granted much of Beloit's transformation after losing Beloit Corporation was the result of Hendricks incredible amount of loyalty and pride he felt for that city, but it paid off for Beloit in spades. If anything, it is a testament that a select few intelligent, driven people can forge ahead and while along the way fix what is broken. With a little bit of luck, the people that Janesville really need right now will step up and start down this path........

Ahhh, the idiocy that is still of anger and jealousy for Union workers with better pay.

As the home Auction signs continue to crop up and the "For Sale" autos are parked on the front lawns, as the rental/transitional districts continue to look more and more ghetto, it ceases to be Janesville and becomes Flint.

momo, you crack me up.
(...that's why I sick at the rhythm method...he, he!)

Find me ONE post that is from someone at GM who is crying, whining and begging for more help. Or, find me one post where a GM'er is crying unfair and demanding special treatment. There are people in ALL professions who live above their means!

Hank: I'm the one who dings the bell and hollers "Flo! Order up!"

I just hope the film's outcome isn't like Roger and Me. I get depressed when I see that film. Although it's a tad dated I see some parallels between Flint (in Rog. & Me) and Janesville. I think we'll move forward faster than Flint but this documentary will definitely show some rough patches in Janesville.

www.spend-local.com

hankhill...Are you saying we have to pay for all our toys ??Wow I thought we could just have things we couldn't afford ??? WOW !!!

Ahh... to see the values of a 'close knit community' in action.

TheDiplomat, I have no chip on my shoulder regarding GM. I am more concerned with the other unemployed citizens of Janesville who were laid off regardless of GM and have no severance or unemployment. I suggest you think before you type.

I do not need to go back to school. I already have several degrees and am very successful in my career and in my personal life. I would ask that you give me the respect I deserve and have earned. Sounds like the only person who is jealous is you!

40 some years would qualify as a GM'er, correct hank? I mean I know I failed math and that's why I suck at the rhythm method...but 40+ is more than 30, right??!!

hank: Me nor my husband work at GM or any affiliate of GM. We own our own business. Capeche? PS--it is bidet.

You too, life? Solidarity my sister! My shoe of choice is Stuart Weitzman.

Here's the life of a GMer for all to see....
1) We all wear 7 for All Mankind jeans and shirts
2)Jimmy Coo for everyday footwear,and Christian Louboutin for a night out on the town.
3)Handbag of choice is a Vuitton
4)Make-up so we don't get a shine on our nose when looking down at others is Sisley
5)We all drive CTS-V and Escalades just so others know we are true GM ers.
6)Express Cruisers so we can truly enjoy the Rock river.
7) At the end of the day we all have bedays so our hands don't get tired or dirty from doing the paper work !!!
Oh yes the life of a true autoworker !!!!

PS---I don't use public toilets. I'm a home pooper.

My parents are proud of me...they raised a lazy p.o.s.....but hey, what else would one expect from a GM family. YOU started the personal attack and I finished it. Don't get mad at me because you're not wo/man enough to handle it. Maybe my comment came across as racially charged: not the intent. More like uneducated white trash. Then again, you have that tone mastered.

It is funny you call me a hate monger and other words. I am so not racist and believe in the good diversity does. I am not a biggot and find it very amusing that you THINK I am. Oh well. Atleast my designer bags are real :)

There is no life after GM.
"All hope abandon ye who enter here'.
Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye."

Hankyspanky: if you're going to throw out insults, let's get it straight. 5 different baby daddy, I aint on no W2 program: workin' is fo da birds. My heat and electricity are paid fo by you po saps who work. Oh and my bon bons are too! And yeah. Too bad for dat "plan b" pill not being our years ago...1969 fo sho...yo sorry arse wouldn't be here neither. Peace out.

You're a juice bag, hank!

Janesgirl: "and a car..." Can we clear this up? They get a voucher for 25k towards a car. Now, yes, there are vehicles in the GM line-up that are 25k and under. But, it isn't like GM sent out a brochure, the employee circled which one they wanted and GM had it delivered to their drive-way with a pretty red bow. Most undoubtedly incurred some cost.

The 100k....that was to sever ALL ties with GM. ALL ties. People talk about the 6bil in "legacy costs" that GM has to deal with. Getting people to sever ties with GM is a pretty darn good way to a) lighten the payroll b)lighten the burden of benefits paid and c)eliminate future legacy costs. It is called "short term sacrifice for long term gain".....

hank -- thanks for the information. I hadn't seen that article and most people I've talked to that have taken the buyout have gotten around $25,000 and the car.

Wow! Someone on BadgerCare also has a lawn boy! Guess GM'ers aren't the only ones to play the system.... And, hank, buying a McDonald's entails a heckuva lot more than buying the Play-Doh kit at Wal-Mart for $9.98. But, hey, its your dream :)

TheJoker,

So do you have an estimate as to when that chip on your shoulder is going to go away in regards to GM? There is nothing to be envious about now. I suggest going back to school and bettering your own situation instead of complaining about others have it better than you. Make sure it isn't a worthless degree either because I don't want you complaining that people with a business degree have a way cushier job than you even though they too went to school for the same amount of time.

Joker & hankhill -- oh please. Of course they benefited. I benefited and I didn't even work there. But I'm tired of some people acting like it was a spa. It wasn't. So lay-off the "pampering" adjectives. And hank, you still haven't mentioned where you got the $100,000 buyout info from.

I see no shame in assembly work. What I see as shame looking down your nose at someone who is an assembler. Assembly work is not settling some even get paid good money. (not just GM) I am proud to say I am a proud assemblers wife. (and by the way he also has a degree in electronics which helps in his job!)

Janesgirl, what exactly is your point regarding all of you family members working at GM and having physical ailments? They got paid for working there, correct? And they got medical benefits, correct? Your family chose to work there and could of gone anywhere else to work if they had physical ailments from working at GM. Spare us from this pity story. Face it, your family benefited from working at GM.

I would also like to know who got 100,00 buy out I know people who took the buy out and wasn't 100,00.00.

It does affect you Hank, like me you are taking time out your day to read the story and post a comment. If it did not affect you, you would not be here.

hank so you are saying you are better then the every day assembly worker since you haven't had to resort to doing any? Pretty egotistical isn't it?

hankhill: "who yet got more pampering with $100,000 buyouts"
Who got a $100,000 buyout? I'd like to shake that person's hand. And you can tell the people who have never worked at GM, because they manage to describe the experience as "being pampered."
p.s. I never worked at GM, but my grandfather, father, father-in-law, etc. did. All of them retired with physical ailments from repetitive injuries from their jobs. I don't think they were pampered.

Is McDonlads new? I have not heard of them before, where are they located?

Hankhill: and you are some sort of hero because you assembled controls and flanges and coated some metal? PS-McDonlads doesn't count as a restaurant.

chad_vader, do you just troll the Internet looking for articles related to GM? How about getting out and getting a job rather than being the gazette blog GM spokesman

Chad, in attention to your cushy GM benefits, do you also get paid by UAW? Enough of your love for UAW. They failed you. You are out of a job. Also, Lear employees do not get more benefits than a GM employee.

Yes, I complain about all the benefits that GM employees got. As a former stockholder, I was in disagreement with most of the labor agreements that management had with UAW. These agreements helped contribute to the downfall of GM.

I am not a basher of GM. You remind me of people who have no other defense so they play the race card. Quit playing the GM card.

Janesvillegirl, you have a lot of nerve to tell me to shut up! How dare you! I have every right to express my opinion. And let me guess, you too worked at GM?

Until people in Janesville come to gripes that the closing of GM is effecting EVERYONE no one is going to be able to move on.

Chad i would gladly trade my 2 years of school for the 110 grand that I would of got had I worked at GM, and by the way im not bashing on GM, im just saying that this documentary should focus on the ripple effect of GM closing instead of primary the GM employees. We will see when its finished the direction he took. GM employees got a decent benefit when the plant closed, either buyouts, transfers, or early retirements. They arnt going to be the ones to break this town.

carrisford - great insight from a real perspective.
momof5 - They don't understand that we all got the shaft, and we all are getting different benefits. Actually Lear students get more benefits paid than I can, but I don't complain, that's great for them! I am grateful for all we got, and sad for the struggles of lot's of families. But those who complain about what we received are also those who denigrate/aren't members of Unions. That's like complaining about not getting free health care like the soldiers, but not wanting to join the armed forces to get that benefit. Clueless.

joker/justaskme - I was referring to the articles title and the misconception you GM haters would have and jump on.Do you even read the titles? I never said that they should only interview GM people.The reference to positives is that it would put all of Janesville in the spotlight, and hopefully show how our community has rebuilt. Besides, if GM was not a big deal how come it is affecting so many people?
Ok, I'll Justaskyou. Sow me where he made that prediction. I looked at his past posts, and didn't see it. So if you are going to spout off, at least provide the link for proof.

Lear and the other suppliers wouldn't have had jobs if the union at GM wouldn't have voted to eliminate those jobs from inhouse operations. Sure Lear, LSI, SSI got the shaft...just like everyone else! But, let's face it: if not for GM itself there would have been no Lear, LSI, SSI, Jatco (Allied), etc..,

One effect people may not notice is those who have to stay away from Rock County, but would prefer to be there. My family would love to move back home (particularly with the glut of affordable homes on the market even BEFORE the plant closed), but until the work situation improves we have to stay in the Twin Cities. It's hard for my son to only see his family when we can afford to drive to Janesville when I'd rather he could see them every day the way I did when I was growing up. A lot of Gen X and Gen Y professionals are like me...once we leave for college, we CAN'T come back, even when we want to. The plant may not have employed people in my profession directly, but it fueled the economy in such a way I could have moved home, shopped at my much-missed Woodman's, visited Hedberg Public Library, and regularly ate in Rock County restaurants and shopped in Rock County stores, yet commuted to Madison or Rockford if necessary. Now it's too late for us to come home. With things the way they are now, it affects employment rates in both Madison and Rockford so it's just not an option for professionals to come home, either.

Nicole Brown: "In the end, it's going to be very honest and very inspirational."<<<<

How does one know it will be inspirational when it hasn`t been finished and shown to those it will perhaps inspire?

This guy should come to my block. Out of 8 houses on it, 5 homes relied on GM directly, and were effected. However, everybody is pushing forward and is doing ok.

Maybe we can get the history channel to send a crew here like they did for Gary, Indiana to show just how quickly a infrastructure breaks down, and flounders, once abandoned.

“Yes, the article clearly states that”
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Well, no it doesn’t it. It did say he would follow several laid off workers and their families; implied meaning of interviews, maybe, but not clearly.

Yes, the article clearly states that janevillegirl. His filming will be about the effects of a city that looses a large business, and how the unfortunate workers, all business' cope, and how the effects dominoe down through other local commerce. How financially it effects the families, local economies, and lasting effects is has on social atmosphere. What recovery aspects it holds for all involved as a whole. Public schools, churches, and the many programs that were basically funded by the bad-evil-insensative-good-for-nothing-GM workers.
The Gazette Xtra has become the new means for those people that have suffered under the hands of the big corporate cult. It provides an avenue for the continued, yet now redundant bashing of GM workers. Some people just won't survive the day without hammering a dead puppy into the ground.
One must always listen to what the older generations knew, what comes around, goes around. It does get quite old listening to a select few go on with a social divide such as this is. I assume these folks still would blame Pres.Truman for things if they knew of it. But it was probably before their time.
Speaking of time? Thats what it shall take for the unnecesarry comments to end. Time for that generation of belief to die-off, and allow the community to attract new business. If they spent more time advocating the positives, and less time ripping apart dead issues; this city may actualy gain new commerce that will provide jobs, and future oportunities. Most residents here are a little wiser than those folks, when it comes to knowing what would draw new business to the area. Scouts do go out into the communities and get a weighted insight as to how they react to new business and if it would be accepted here. A continued negative in the public eye will run them off quite swiftly. What major Industry would want to start-up a company, and be successful, when they would be the next victim of those negatives from a community for being there? It all starts at a first glance, and this anti-social group will more than likely chase off many prospects as they continue on their way to slam the Company, the dedicated, hard workers, and anything connected to them. Yes, along with the Gazettes' assistance to provide them their means to vent too.
It is a shame really, It really is. Someday when they do actualy aquire a soul,(if that is posible); they may understand no one was different than the other. Except ofcourse, those same people they bash, would stand there with open arms to help them in their time of need.
If your young janesvillegirl, you can lead your generation away from such awful, mean spirited views. Your generation can see differences in old observations and you know how to promote the new ideals. That would be a positive for Janesville as a whole, and very commendable action for your generation.

I dont see in the article where it says he will be only interviewing ex-GM employees, it states he will be taking a look at Janesville and its life after GM, this is a subject the whole community can comment on. GM's closing has had a huge trickle down effect on this community. He is trying to portray what happens in situations like this and the close knit community we are or should be. Quit griping about everything and try to be positive about the efforts some people are making on behalf of Janesville, then maybe something positive will happen. Otherwise shut up for a while, you people bring the whole community down and make the rest of us normal people look bad.

TheJoker, I used to work for lear, and i agree with you... everyone should be covered.. GM and its employees have gotten enough press.

Justaskme, I totally agree with you.

You seem to echo the feelings of most Janesville residents Joker. There IS a story to be told here - but it's not about the handful of pamperred ex-GM employees.

Chad, so you think they should only interview former GM employees?! And you wonder why people have issues with those that work at GM! Why do you think you and your fellow union members are so much more important than other workers? I think it would be more interesting to interview non GM employees that were laid off like those at Lear, LSI or other places like Jim's Pizza where he has lost business and have had to cut staff. To me, this is the real story-the impact on those people who do not have the severance packages or no longer qualify for unemployment. The laid off GM employees do not have it that bad compared to these other people. Enough of GM and their employees. Let's hear how other people are facing tough times-like small business, stores, law firms, dentists, florists,etc.

chad - i believe theJoker DID predict this - look who's the nimrod now.

I will say that if this guy gives a decent review of our city, it could prove beneficial for marketing other companies or people to move here.

Of course, all the anti-GM nimrods will be on here complaining " Why don't they make a movie about all the people laid off,why is this always about GM!". Instead of seeing the positives, well...
I'm surprised the joker didn't predict that this guy was going to make a movie here, with all his sources and knowledge he always touts, I am starting to have doubts now about them.

better him than michael moore.

TheJoker: And I bet if they need any sort of equipment for their CAMERAS you'll be happy to take care of those needs.

now now Joker - try to be more positive. Your extreme knowledge and prestige in the community can be put to use as a positive influence in a dwindling community - your snide remarks are uncalled for.

I think many who have been affected by GM and the local economy will acquire new skills, which is good. However, I also think those same people have been or will be forced to either commute or relocate. People will not wait around forever. Janesville does not provide enough advantages compared to other WI cities and towns to keep people here. Also, I think two years will not be long enough to film a recovery. When a GM plant closed in Trenton NJ, it took nearly ten years before the local economy recovered and that was during better economic conditions. That said, if a major manufacturer opted to relocate here, things could change quickly.

Cool. That lady who worked in chassis, that used to dig through the trash and scowl at everyone back in the late 90's can be that lady who kills the bunny rabbit in this documentary!

I have an idea. Maybe they can use the GM plant for a movie studio and make films about Janesville's misery. I know that there is quite bit of it in this city, so it should keep the filmmakers quite busy and also employ many people to assist in the production.