http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/b...nding-cuts-and-regulatory-deadlines.html?_r=0

FRANKFURT — Volkswagen is expected to announce substantial spending cuts on Friday as the carmaker braces for the financial impact of its emissions-cheating crisis — potentially setting up a confrontation with its powerful labor representatives.

Volkswagen also faces a Friday deadline to inform regulators in the United States of how it plans to bring its diesel cars there into compliance with air-quality standards. The company admitted in September that it had installed software in the cars that was meant to enable the vehicles to cheat on emissions tests.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/b...s-for-volkswagens-internal-investigation.html

 

And the future of government inspections includes ON SITE inspections of the code ... according to the NY Times.

One model that N.H.T.S.A. has studied is the one now used by the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates commercial aircraft. The F.A.A. dispatches representatives to plane manufacturers to directly oversee the software design process for the critical systems that control flying.

“They go in periodically, and say, ‘Show me what you’re doing and convince me that you’re doing a good job — or else I’m not signing off, and it’s not going in an airplane,’ ” Mr. Koopman of Carnegie Mellon said. “Can you tailor this so that it works for the car business? That’s a question I don’t have an answer for. But it’s clearly an option.”

 

And the future of government inspections includes ON SITE inspections of the code ... according to the NY Times.

It's a good threat but the odds of some GS9 inspector uncovering a well hidden trap-door function written by capable software engineers in a modern software system is about zero.

 

And the future of government inspections includes ON SITE inspections of the code ... according to the NY Times.

Yes, the FDA and USDA have similar on-site inspection programs at manufacturing and administration locations. Inspections happen less than every 5 years because of budget cuts. Most (>50%) production managers at these locations have never seen an inspector. Seems like a good idea today but implementation tomorrow will be difficult.

 

It's a good threat but the odds of some GS9 inspector uncovering a well hidden trap-door function written by capable software engineers in a modern software system is about zero.

That is one of the bigger issues. Talent costs money, so, I doubt there will be any GS-9 thru GS-12 inspectors. My guess it would be contracted out, as that would get around the wages issue.

Yes, the FDA and USDA have similar on-site inspection programs at manufacturing and administration locations. Inspections happen less than every 5 years because of budget cuts. Most (>50%) production managers at these locations have never seen an inspector. Seems like a good idea today but implementation tomorrow will be difficult.

I wouldn't doubt that for a minute.

Even if there were a GS-x with specialty pay, and yes I know there is no specialty pay for GS grades, a good one will be approached by the auto manufacturers offering even more money to jump on the manufacturers team.

The EPA still admits publically it don't know specifically how the cheat was done. This of course could be a ruse.

 

The EPA still admits publically it don't know specifically how the cheat was done. This of course could be a ruse.

I don't think it's a ruse. I'm of the opinion that the cheat is embedded in the processor and/or support chip hardware design so looking at source code for a 'IF (coast_is_clear) THEN cheat();' is useless.

Back in the day when I worked as a contractor (80's) for spawar we were all GS-13 equivalents for travel, accommodation and authority.
If they need people in government to do this job then some real coin has to be paid.
https://www.federalpay.org/jobs/1801-generalinspectioninvestigationenforcementandcompliance

 

Your sounding like Tip ONeil ... A million here, a million there and pretty soon your talking real money.

Of course that was said 40 years ago.

Real coin is not in the lexicon of government pay ... That is why I suspect contractors.

The usual beltway bandits will be bidding

 

I suspect car company lawyers would demand congress require direct USA employees for the job to have strict liability for disclosure.

Anyone get their card yet?
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/vw-scandal...car-buyers-what-about-other-countries-1527954

News that Volkswagen has offered $1,000 in credit to 482,000 owners of its scandal-hit diesel cars in the US and Canada has not gone down well in the UK. While owners of cars whose 2-litere four-cyclinder diesel engines implicated in the emissions scandal will get a $500 Visa gift card and a $500 dealership card as well as free 24-hour roadside assistance for three years, customers in the UK will get nothing.

 

In that case, the problem might never get resolved. Those 535 critters will not like someone in a lower position earning more than them

 

Your sounding like Tip ONeil ...

That was Everett Dirksen (talking about billions, not millions), a Republican senator from my home state of IL. Except there is no proof he ever actually said it. A newspaper reporter said he did, and Dirksen sort of liked it, so he let it stand.

 

That was Everett Dirksen (talking about billions, not millions), a Republican senator from my home state of IL. Except there is no proof he ever actually said it. A newspaper reporter said he did, and Dirksen sort of liked it, so he let it stand.

I remember the guy from the Civil Right movement. A great Senator.

With his own Christmas record.
http://www.discogs.com/Senator-Ever...-The-First-Time-The-Christmas/release/6985645

 

At least Everett Dirksen, whose name graces the Senate Office Building, voted in the affirmative for the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

 

He was also famous for pointing out the folly of a leash law for cats.

 

One could make a career of pointing out foolish laws still on the books.

I for one, ponders what was the pivotal event that causes a law like the leash law for cats to be suggested and voted upon.

 

It’s because the Constitution has little control on local law. Or at least it WAS suppose to be that way.

This was so local people could decide local law. State law is most intrusive.

 

My favorite was seat belts for motorcycles.

 

My favorite was seat belts for motorcycles.

How could this guy possibly do what he does while wearing seat belts? Thank goodness someone pointed out that constitutional right not-to-wear-seat-belts-while-motorcycling and put that inappropriate bill to its grave.

 

He was probably standing up just to get more bars on his cell phone. Very cool video though.

 

What's wrong with the kids today.

Who wears a helmet while riding a bike.

 

Who wears a helmet while riding a bike.

Only in states where helmets are mandatory.


--- Let those who ride, decide.