The Red Monkey

Sacramento lawmakers have reached a tentative deal for the budget that may bring an end to the longest budget stalemate in California’s tenuous budget history. The Sacramento Bee is reporting on the take aways for the Governor;

For Schwarzenegger, that includes at least four things: reducing pension benefits for future state employees, cutting pay for current state workers, blocking general tax hikes and placing another measure on the ballot to strengthen the state’s “rainy-day fund.”

What people don’t realize is that most state workers make less compared to their private sector counterparts and they take the job for the better benefits. Now that that incentive is gone the quality employees will leave state service and it will be more difficult to recruit quality employees for the state.

Spy Shots: First photos of 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle

by Steven J. Ewing (RSS feed) on Oct 4th 2010 at 2:28PM

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year we learned that Volkswagen has been readying a new New Beetle, and we now have the first spy photos of the next-generation Bug out testing. Rumor has it that this car could debut as early as next month at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, but we think a Detroit or Geneva debut is much more likely.

Though still in test mule stages, it’s obvious that the next Beetle will take a lot of its styling cues from Volkswagen’s Ragster concept, first shown in 2005. The longer, flatter greenhouse and softened curves give the cutesy Bug a more aggressive stance. Perhaps Volkswagen is trying to break the Beetle out of its “chick car” stereotype.

The 2012 Beetle will ride on the new Golf VI platform, and it’s expected that powertrains will be shared between both cars. Volkswagen’s 2.5-liter inline-five is a safe bet, as is the 2.0-liter TDI four, but sources within Volkswagen have told us that the next-generation Beetle will be available with a pretty potent engine. “Something you can take to the track,” they said. Hmm… Whatever the case, we’ll know more when the car makes its official debut within the next few months.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

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Supreme Court rules for Schwarzenegger in furlough matter

The California Supreme Court ruled this morning that state workers were legally furloughed and are not entitled to back pay.

The ruling affects more than 200,000 state workers forced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to take unpaid days off since February 2009.

The court said in its ruling that Schwarzenegger did not have unilateral authority to impose furloughs but that the Legislature tacitly agreed to them by passing budget bills that assumed furlough savings.

The governor imposed 46 furlough days through June 30, reducing payroll costs by about $3 billion. He imposed another round of them in August to save money as the state budget impasse lingered.

Employees sued to block the measure, and Supreme Court heard oral arguments last month.

“>Supreme Court heard oral arguments last month.

“We’re very disappointed by today’s ruling,” said Patty Velez, an environmental scientist at the Department of Fish & Game and president of the California Association of Professional Scientists. “The furlough program may have satisfied the governor’s need to inflict financial pain on the state work force, but we now know it did little to save money for California taxpayers.”

Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying the furloughs were “difficult decisions” he had to make to keep the state afloat. “Today’s ruling upholds the state’s actions to protect taxpayers and ensure we live within our means, just like every California family and business must do,” he said.

R.I.P. Stephen J. Cannell, creator of The Greatest American Hero

Television lost one of its heroes last night, with the death of Stephen J. Cannell. Among his many creations was The Greatest American Hero, the story of a flawed superhero making it up as he goes along. He’ll be missed.

Send an email to Charlie Jane Anders, the author of this post, at charliejane@io9.com.

And we can not forget that he also brought us the A-Team and the Rockford Files.

2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak unveiled with Viper V10 power

by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on Oct 1st 2010 at 11:41AM

2011 Mopar Challenger V10 Drag Pak – Click above for high-res image gallery

In 2009 and 2010, Dodge released a special edition Challenger called the Drag Pak. Both editions sold out fast so the Mopar boys are building another one for 2011. If the ’09 and ’10 models went quick, this one is going to be gone before you’re done reading this paragraph.

Instead of sticking with the 6.1-liter Hemi V8 used last year, the 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak crams a 512-cubic inch, 8.4-liter V10 engine and mates it to a two-speed automatic transmission. If those engine numbers sound familiar, and they should, it’s because that’s the same unit used in the Dodge Viper – which produces 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque.

Go back and re-read that last line – Viper-V10 powered. Drag-race ready. Mopar Challenger.

Besides the massive mill, this Mopar Challenger Drag Pak also features everything you need to start your professional drag racing career. Get your reading glasses out because there’s a long list of features, some of which we’ve highlighted below (the rest can be seen after the jump):

• 512 cid V-10 engine
• 2-speed automatic transmission with shift assembly and built-in roll control
• Special body-in-white modified for drag racing
• Complete fuel cell assembly
• Polycarbonate door windows
• Lightweight drag-race only front brake assembly
• Race-style wheels and tires

Only 70 units will be produced and they’ll each have a starting MSRP of $85,512. There are also three available optional packages for the car. The Competition Package costs $7,950 and adds an eight-point roll cage, six-point safety harness and a mesh window net. The Mopar Body Logo Wrap will cost you $950. Finally, there is a range of available body colors if you don’t like the Bright White paint scheme, and they run $6,800.

The 2011 Mopar Challenger V10 Drag Pak will make its debut at the upcoming 2010 SEMA Show in early November. Since there are only going to be 70 made, that may be the last time you see one unless you run down to your local Dodge dealer and fill out an application to own one.

Gallery: 2011 Mopar Challenger V10 Drag Pak

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[Source: Chrysler]

Show full PR text

Mopar® Introduces 2011 Challenger Drag Pak for Sportsman Racers
This One Has a V-10 and is Race-ready

• Mopar® Challenger V-10 Drag Pak built for sanctioned NHRA Stock and Super Stock configurations
• Priced at $85,512, Mopar to build 70 serialized units
• Production starts 1Q 2011, applications available now at local Dodge dealerships or at www.mopar.com
• Past Mopar Challenger Drag Pak model-year programs sold out (2009 and 2010)

October 1, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Racers rejoice. Mopar® is dropping a V-10 into the iconic Dodge Challenger.
The new race-only V-10 powered rear-wheel drive 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak features an 8.4-liter 512 cubic-inch engine with a 2-speed automatic transmission. Mopar will showcase its new drag car this evening at the Dodge Viper Owner’s Invitational in Salt Lake City. The vehicle will then make its way to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas from Nov. 2-5, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Orlando from Dec. 9-11.

“With the introduction of our new 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak, Mopar will be the only place to get a factory-built V-10-powered race-ready drag car,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Mopar’s new Challenger Drag Pak is a race rocket that will appeal to racers, collectors, dealers, and Dodge Viper owners.”

Based on the 2011 Dodge Challenger and finished in a Stock Eliminator and Super Stock configuration, the 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak is the first and only 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car. The car features competition wheels and tires, a Mopar solid rear axle with performance gear ratio, a 2-speed drag race transmission with integrated roll control, a complete competition fuel system with fuel cell, and a complete interior with gauge package.

The Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak features a Bright White paint scheme with color options. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $85,512 and production begins early next year.

Mopar offers three options with this vehicle. First, the Competition Package includes an eight-point roll cage, six-point safety harness and a mesh window net (MSRP: $7,950, part number P5155820). Second, a Mopar logo body wrap (MSRP: $950, part number P5155892) and a range of body colors (MSRP: $6,800, part number P5155893). With the Competition Package, the car is ready to go down the drag strip.

Orders must be submitted using the Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak Application, which is available now at www.Mopar.com, the Mopar Direct Connection Tech Line at 888-528-HEMI (4364), or a local Dodge dealer. Customers should work with their local Dodge dealer to submit their application.

2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak Highlights

Identification plate with unique serial number sequence
Primed and painted body, color options available
512 cid V-10 engine
Unique engine calibration
2-speed automatic transmission with shift assembly and built-in roll control
Special body-in-white modified for drag racing
No windshield wiper assembly
No HVAC system (includes block off plates)
No rear seats
No power-steering system
No underbody heat shields
Complete fuel cell assembly
Race headers with collectors
Modified tunnel for transmission clearance and one-piece drive shaft
Raised floor above differential for solid-axle conversion clearance
Polycarbonate door windows
Smart-glass door window system
Solid engine mounts
Mopar solid rear axle
Lightweight seats to accommodate 6-point harness
Special modified K-member with drop-out crossmember
Lightweight drag-race only front brake assembly
Manual rack-and-pinion steering
Front chin spoiler
Lightweight cooling module with electric fan
Lightweight instrument panel assembly
Special cable-operated decklid release
Special cable-operated throttle pedal and linkage
Race-style wheels and tires

Filed under: Car Buying, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Dodge, Racing

Tags: 2011 mopar challenger drag pak, challenger, challenger drag pak, dodge, dodge challenger, dodge viper, v10 challenger, viper

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Comedian Greg Giraldo Dead at 44

Today 2:42 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Hold the laughter.

Greg Giraldo died today, four days after being hospitalized following an accidental overdose of prescription medication. He was 44.

The news was first reported by fellow comic and longtime friend Jim Norton, who tweeted a photo of the two and the message, “RIP Buddy.”

That was followed by a message from The Improv comedy club: “R.I.P. Greg Giraldo … – One of the funniest MFers every to grace a comedy stage! Will be missed by all. So sad.”

And one from Sarah Silverman: “Belly-laugh hilarious, prolific, good & kind.  A thousand oys can’t express”

A judge on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, as well as a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show and a fixture on the Comedy Central Roast circuit, Giraldo was actually a Columbia and Harvard Law School-educated attorney who strayed from his original path to school himself in the art of insult comedy.

And it worked for him.

“How cheesy is this dais? It’s not a roast, it’s a melt,” he said during the recent David Hasselhoff roast.

“Have you ever not been drunk?” Giraldo asked the man of the hour. “You used to have a car that started when you talked to it, now you have a car that won’t start when you blow into it.”

The comic struggled with alcohol addiction over the years, ultimately revealing on the Stern show in September 2005 that he had been sober, minus one slip-up, for five months.

Giraldo made more than a dozen appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O’Brien, and did regular stand-up at the famed Comedy Cellar and Gotham Comedy Club in New York. His Midlife Vices was voted the No. 1 comedy album of 2009 by Punchline magazine and he was a guest on Jerry Seinfeld‘s The Marriage Ref last season.

In a 2007 interview with Cornell University’s Daily Sun, Giraldo was asked why he abandoned the law to pursue comedy.

“Jesus,” he deadpanned. “It’s a very complex issue, but, you know, if you really read the New Testament close, I think you’d understand.”

Giraldo, who was divorced, is survived by three children.

We had a feeling this was going to happen. It just felt right and sure enough, Roku just issued a press release confirming that Hulu will hit Roku players later this Fall. It will come in the form of Hulu Plus and carry the standard $9.99 per month subscription fee. Apple TV? Yeah, this is certainly a bit of an Apple TV buzzkill. It pretty much changes the entire landscape for media streamers. It even sort of knocks the wind out of the $199 Boxee Box

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