Bogey: By the United Auto Workers, the soon-to-be-not-so-powerful union, for stubbornly refusing to accept a cut in its members' ridiculously inflated wages, which dashed the hard-bargained-for concessions between the Big Three domestic car companies and their financiers.

The UAW's unfortunate but unsurprising decision ruined a coalition that would have allowed passage of a $15 billion federal bailout for the ailing industry. UAW workers earn a whopping $75 per hour in wages and gold-plated benefits, and that doesn't even count the infamous jobs bank, where union workers were paid nearly full rate to sit in a room all day doing crossword puzzles.

Is it any wonder that the domestic auto industry is under such financial stress? The UAW has demonstrated once again that it puts its members' unreasonable compensation ahead of the existence of the now-struggling companies for which they are so fortunate to work.

Birdie: By Hal Hyde, the retired pastor of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, for earning the Cornerstone Award from the United Way. The Southern Pines resident will be toasted -- as well as roasted -- at a fun fundraising fete Jan. 22. The Cornerstone is the highest honor given by the local nonprofit and couldn't go to a better individual than this tireless community supporter. Congrats, Mr. Hyde, on this well-deserved recognition.