Sirius Could Use Some Madoff Money…

Wednesday, January, 7, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

Mel Karmazin’s year is starting off like the end of last year.  With new technology being showcased in Las Vegas that could put him out of business he continues to chip away at serious Sirius debt.  In an SEC filing he announced the issuing of 45.2 million Sirius XM shares to redeem $6 million worth of a convertible note that was due next month.  That leaves the Mel-Man down to 187.6 million of a $300 million debt but still owing more than $3 billion in total debt with $350 million due in May and another $400 million due by year’s end.  Where’s that Madoff friend who sent him that $250 million “gift“, when you need him???

A Sirius turnaround won’t come from the sale of car autos, just ask GM, Chrysler and Ford.  The clock is ticking for Sirius and barring a miracle, they may not survive.  Could Apple, Yahoo or Google up the ante for a piece of Sirius or would the competitive juice prevent that?  Just asking…

Despite the depression there is money out there if you look hard enough for it.  Mark Teixeira and Bernie Madoff know where to find it.  There’s gotta be an angel, sugar daddy or sucker out there somewhere.  Hey, worse comes to worse, maybe Michael Jackson will leave the Mel-Man money in his will…     

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1896] Debuted on this date: The first “Fannie Farmer Cookbook” is published…1927] The first transatlantic phone service begins between London (”London Calling“) and New York. 31 calls are made on the first day…1927] The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Hinckley (IL). Gee, I wonder who won??? 1929] The “Buck Rogers” comic strip runs in newspapers starting out as “Buck Rogers 2429 AD” but will change to “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century“…1941] The NBC Blue Radio Network presents “The Squeaky Door” which will later be known as “Inner Sanctum“…1967] “The Newlywed Game” debuts with host Bob Eubanks on ABC-TV…
2. 1926] Wedding Bells: George Burns and Gracie Allen say “I Do.” George starts singing songs no one has ever heard and closes the ceremony by saying “Good Night Gracie.” …
3. 1953] Dropping a bomb: President Harry S. Truman announces the development of the H-bomb…
4. 1959] Recognizing the bearded one: The U.S. recognizes the new Fidel Castro government in Cuba…
5. 1980] “GERONIMOhhhhhhh“: Jimmy Carter signs legislation authorizing $1.5 billion to bail out Chrysler.  Has a familiar ring to it, doesn’t it???
6. 1992] A landslide election: Tom Seaver of the Mets is elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame with the highest (98.8%) percentage of votes in history. Seaver won 311 games. Rob and I were at his 300th win at Yankee Stadium in 1985 against the Yankees (Seaver was a member of the White Sox then)…
7. 1996] Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: One of the biggest blizzards in U.S. history blankets the east with more than 100 deaths reported.  David Letterman has a captive audience that night…
8. 1998] Impeachy: Monica Lewinsky signs an affidavit denying a sexual affair with Bill Clinton. On the same date in 1999 Clinton goes on trial before the Senate facing impeachment.  Monica would later apologize to the Clintons on 20/20…
9. 2005] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E“: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston separate after 4 years of marriage. ‘Bradgelina’ becomes part of the Hollywood vocabulary…
10. 2006] DeLay of game: Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) steps down as House majority leader as he faces corruption charges. He resigns from Congress in June, 2006…

Music Memories:

• 1950] Grand Ole Ernest: Ernest Tubb makes his debut at “The Grand Ole Opry”.  This clip is from one of Ernest’s  Opry appearances…
• 1963] Bonds vs. Checker: Gary U.S. Bonds files a $100,000 lawsuit against Chubby Checker, claiming that Checker stole “Quarter to Three” and turned it into “Dancin’ Party“. Watch both videos and you be the judge.  The suit will be settled out of court…
• 1969] Number One on this date: “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” - Marvin Gaye…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Jon Lester (25), Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez (27), Nicolas Cage (45), Donna Rice (51), Katie Couric (52), David Caruso (53), Kenny Loggins (61), Jann Wenner (63), Bob Kwest (66), Paul Revere (71), William Peter Blatty (”Rosemary’s Baby”)(81) and Alvin Dark (87)…

Timeline Countdown: 12 days until MLK Day, 13 days until Inauguration, 25 days until the Super Bowl and 38 days until the earliest date for pitchers and catchers…

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