Mega lottery winner to stick with Ford, ex-wife

Apr 6, 2008, 10:18 am (33 comments)

Mega Millions

AP, Free Press reporters mis-quote lottery winner

Mega Millions jackpot winner David Sneath said he indeed will buy Ford cars for himself and his family with his new fortune, after working 34 years for the company.

And he said he's thinking of getting back together with his ex-wife, Deborah, adding, "I love that girl."  [Ed.: I'll bet she loves him now too.]

A Free Press story incorrectly quoted Sneath, saying he would not buy a Ford product when asked if he would by a luxury car. In fact, Sneath, who spoke to reporters at a news conference Thursday, had said he would not buy a foreign product, but his muttered remark was misunderstood by reporters for both the Free Press and Associated Press, which also misquoted Sneath, 60.

Indignant Ford workers called the Free Press to complain about what they thought was Sneath's lack of loyalty to his employer and fellow employees. Sneath said he got calls from miffed coworkers as well.

Sneath, who lives in Livonia and drove a hi-lo at a Ford parts warehouse in Brownstown Township, said he's no traitor. He said he plans to buy a Lincoln Navigator for himself. He said he'll buy his 22-year-old son a Ford Explorer. He doesn't know what he'll get for his ex-wife; he said they've been divorced for five years.

"My daughter is hung up on a Chrysler product. I'm trying to convince her otherwise," he said.

Editor's note:  When I posted the original AP story I did think it was strange that a long-time Ford worker would not buy a Ford product, but that's what the reporter wrote, so I reported it.  In my lifetime I have known several Ford workers, and I know them to be fiercely loyal employees, and loyal to their product, so I'm happy to set the record straight.

Free Press

Comments

konane's avatarkonane

Quote in the original story made no sense, thanks for the correction! 

Bradly_60's avatarBradly_60

Well since he got the money now he can afford to fix the problems he is going to have with his cars....haha

While all our domestic car companies are "all american" I wish they took some lessons from the foreign companies.  Because of their ever increasing losses in market share our states economy is pretty much a mess.

 

Brad

Todd's avatarTodd

American cars companies get a bad rap.  There are bad cars out there — both domestic and foreign cars.  The one this guy is looking to get — the Lincoln Navigator — is an incredible car, as good as any foreign car out there.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

I wonder if he gonna persue one of those kustom lincolins I'd seen and heard tale about

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

DC81's avatarDC81

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Apr 6, 2008

I wonder if he gonna persue one of those kustom lincolins I'd seen and heard tale about

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

I've seen that before and at this point I think it'd be more of an annoyace than anything with how slow it is. That is unless that's changed... If he did have something like that done I think it'd be rather telling...

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

And he said he's thinking of getting back together with his ex-wife, Deborah, adding, "I love that girl."  [Ed.: I'll bet she loves him now too.]

I think she would be happy to get back with him also. LOL

LckyLary

I have a Ford "product". It probably won't last forever but it did recently cross 200,000 miles. My only complaint for now is it's no good in Winter and the fan motor quits sometimes, but I think Ford products are OK.

Really, a Lincoln Navigator?? Just don't be parking it at the Pink Pony, and be careful going through those narrow toll plaza lanes!

[LL Note: the odds are only 175 million whatever if you buy *one* ticket for *one* drawing ever. Otherwise, it's much less than that.]

dingo's avatardingo

With that much money, I would defintely buy a best Ford for everyday commute. I want to help the domestic product.

In addition, I will help Italian car producer also; get my hand on a Ferrari. It's my dream.

Captain Lotto's avatarCaptain Lotto

LckyLary wrote:

[LL Note: the odds are only 175 million whatever if you buy *one* ticket for *one* drawing ever. Otherwise, it's much less than that.]

Sorry pal- Odds don't work that way.  The odds are the same for every ticket, no matter how many you buy.  It's a function of the number matrix.  Since only one combination is selected, each one has the same chances of being the *one*. 

Guru101's avatarGuru101

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Apr 6, 2008

And he said he's thinking of getting back together with his ex-wife, Deborah, adding, "I love that girl."  [Ed.: I'll bet she loves him now too.]

I think she would be happy to get back with him also. LOL

Of course. If he hadn't won, she'd be like "ya right". Now she'll be like "Sure!".

DoubleDown

My little editorial on Ford products:

I own a 2000 Lincoln LS - the odometer just turned over 232,000 and she still purrs like a kitten.

Sure, I've had a few minor difficulties, but I would not be scared to get in that car and drive cross country.

I would buy another, but Lincoln has discontinued this model.

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

Congrats Mr Sneath!

BobP's avatarBobP

Quote: Originally posted by Captain Lotto on Apr 7, 2008

LckyLary wrote:

[LL Note: the odds are only 175 million whatever if you buy *one* ticket for *one* drawing ever. Otherwise, it's much less than that.]

Sorry pal- Odds don't work that way.  The odds are the same for every ticket, no matter how many you buy.  It's a function of the number matrix.  Since only one combination is selected, each one has the same chances of being the *one*. 

Sorry Captain- The odds do work that way, in fact the only way to
lower your odds is to buy more unique tickets.  Try making your case
to the Washington State Lottery, see . . .

http://www.walottery.com/sections/LotteryGames/Lotto.aspx?Page=FAQ

AuntiePat's avatarAuntiePat

Oh WOW--No matter WHAT the WA State Lotttery SEZ--in the area of mathematical statistics and probabilities, Capatain is correct--each number is considered its OWN unique universe and therefore subject to the statistical laws governing THAT universe (I remember explaining this concept to a class of bored 8th graders until one kid figured out--even at 13 1/2 some of these kids are already showing gambling tendencies--what that meant in terms of the lottery--asked a question and sparked a debate that lasted all morning--finally coming to the conclusion that state lotteries are a rip off--still . . .I play--just a glutton for punishment,I guess)

If the odds of winning a tkt are 1 in 175,000,000--then the purchase of 10 tkts does not reduce the odds to 1 in 17.500,000--the odds remain the same--but now can be stated that you have 10 chances to win, each at 175,000,000 to 1.  Each number resets the statistical universe to 0.  I know--I know--it doesn't make common sense but shortly after the above mentioned year I went back to school and decided to get my nursing degree--and have found that medecine is another area where people try to apply the Laws Of Common Sense--only there they are frequently wrong--sometimes disasterously  so.

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