The DC Carnival happens every year the last weekend of June on Georgia Avenue in Northwest DC. This year was an success in my books. and it was such a beautiful thing to see so many different Caribbean nations out repping their countries. Even the polarized DC mayor Adrian Fenty was out showing love to Barbados in the midst of boos and cheers (along with fellow rival Vincent Gray) looking to pull voters in the upcoming mayoral election.
We knew it was coming, but not when. Ford has announced that they will close the plant currently building the Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car in a little more than a year. Currently the Crown Vic is only sold to fleets while the Town Car is available for public purchase. This will be the official end of body-on-frame car construction in North America as they are the only two models still assembled that way.
The most interesting perspective on the loss of this long running vehicle platform comes from the taxi industry in New York City. Police departments have other options to chose from in the form of police package Chevy Impala and Dodge Charger models. Taxi companies however are left in a lurch and by all accounts, having the “Panther†platform cars pulled away from them is akin to stealing a kid’s wubby.
The big rear-wheel-drive sedans really are decent people movers and although the Mercury Marauder was not a massive sales success, it was an interesting mild-performance car that looked good and spun the correct set of tires (the ones in the back).
Ford’s reasoning is a projected drop in sales due to stricter environmental standards that police and taxi vehicles will be held to over the coming years. In our feeble minds we’d guess that Ford would have an upper hand with this market simply based on their buyer’s familiarity with the model, ability to score cheap parts and ease of repair, but what the hell do we know?
Ford has announced the Taurus police package and we’re guessing that they could cook up a taxi version of that which could include all the heavy duty suspension and handling pieces, engine durability enhancements, and maybe even the shotgun rack for flair.
It’ll be a sad day when Ford puts the Panther down. It’s been a good piece of equipment for some time and frankly, who among us hasn’t felt the smooth surface of a vinyl rear seat in a police car before?
Was that last part out loud?
Source: Brian Lohnes/CarDomain & Damon Winter/The New York Times
I hope everyone’s summer has been going well doing whatever it is you like to do. On my end, I’m alive, breathing and blessed. You already know how I’m passing the time – reading and working out. I know I say it every letter, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for the pictures, rocking free weezy tees, and continuos letters. They mean the world. I promise to continue to update as much as I can and answer as many questions as I can from you guys. Shout out to my YM family for making me proud last night. Love and appreciate life. God bless.
Ludacris & Co. Performance
Drake Acceptance Speech
Chris Brown Performance
B.o.B., Eminem & Keyshia Cole Performance
Nicki Minaj Acceptance Speech
Kanye West Performance
Sources: Rap Radar & B. Dot Miller
Well, what have we here…this is certainly interesting. I doubt that it’s a diss, but, well…it certainly is a one-up on Rick Ross’ version…
1. I’m Not A Star
2. Free Mason f. Jay-Z
3. Tears Of Joy f. Cee-Lo
4. Maybach Music III f. T.I., Jadakiss & Erykah Badu
5. Live Fast, Die Young f. Kanye West
6. Super High f. Ne-Yo
7. No. 1 f. Trey Songz & Diddy
8. MC Hammer f. Gucci Mane
9. B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) f. Styles P
10. Aston Martin Music f. Drake & Chrisette Michele
11. All The Money In The World f. Raphael Saadiq
MUST GO TO JAY-Z x EMINEM CONCERT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY
Check out more of Jay-Z and Eminem on David Letterman at Rap Radar
