Bank of America Scrambles to Defend Against Wikileaks Threat

US News • Views: 22,905

Julian Assange has been threatening to “take down” a major US bank, and most people think he’s talking about Bank of America. Here’s an article at the New York Times on BofA’s defense strategy.

By the time the conference call ended, it was nearly midnight at Bank of America’s headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., but the bank’s counterespionage work was only just beginning.

A day earlier, on Nov. 29, the director of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, said in an interview that he intended to “take down” a major American bank and reveal an “ecosystem of corruption” with a cache of data from an executive’s hard drive. With Bank of America’s share price falling on the widely held suspicion that the hard drive was theirs, the executives on the call concluded it was time to take action.

Since then, a team of 15 to 20 top Bank of America officials, led by the chief risk officer, Bruce R. Thompson, has been overseeing a broad internal investigation — scouring thousands of documents in the event that they become public, reviewing every case where a computer has gone missing and hunting for any sign that its systems might have been compromised.

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523 comments
1 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:20:00pm

NYT stinks….

Please Log In

Image: myAccount.png

2 Idle Drifter  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:21:21pm

So we could be looking at another bail out?

3 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:22:35pm

okay, this Wikileaks Leaking is getting quite incontinent…

4 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:23:25pm

re: #1 Killgore Trout

NYT stinks…

Image: myAccount.png

I’m not getting that. Try deleting your cookies for nytimes.com.

5 SpaceJesus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:23:35pm

BoA bought out a profitable bank in my home town several years ago. They then proceeded to fire around the half the folks who worked in all the branches. Fuck them.

6 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:24:23pm

he cracks his whip and people race to cover their ass….almost a bit macabre

7 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:24:32pm

Not exactly a small-potatoes, minimum disruption sort of thing going on here.

8 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:26:18pm

re: #4 Gus 802

I’m not getting that. Try deleting your cookies for nytimes.com.

I got the registration thing too.

9 Transfromnation  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:27:05pm

As much as I dislike BofA, this seems to be less of crusade for transparency and more of show of power by Assange.

10 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:27:11pm

re: #5 SpaceJesus

BoA bought out a profitable bank in my home town several years ago. They then proceeded to fire around the half the folks who worked in all the branches. Fuck them.

When Chase/JP Morgan bought Bank One in Colorado they eventually fired all of the older and more experienced bank tellers and replaced them with a bunch of inexperienced kids. Of course, Bank One was no prize either. I’m having payment problems with BOA right now with a credit card and they’ve actually been, strangely enough, rather passive about the whole thing.

11 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:27:30pm

re: #7 reine.de.tout

Not exactly a small-potatoes, minimum disruption sort of thing going on here.

I won’t do business with BoA, they suck, but this is astonishing if indeed it has the desired effect….sorta like a minor league James Bond bad guy

12 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:28:32pm

re: #8 reine.de.tout

I got the registration thing too.

I never do….WSJ yes, but never the Times….don’t know why

13 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:28:50pm

re: #8 reine.de.tout

I got the registration thing too.

Weird. I sometimes get that but not very often.

14 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:28:52pm

I’m betting on BofA.

15 Idle Drifter  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:29:00pm

re: #3 Querent

okay, this Wikileaks Leaking is getting quite incontinent…

Incontinentia Buttocks

Youtube Video

16 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:29:29pm

continued….

In addition to the internal team drawn from departments like finance, technology, legal and communications, the bank has brought in Booz Allen Hamilton, the consulting firm, to help manage the review. It has also sought advice from several top law firms about legal problems that could arise from a disclosure, including the bank’s potential liability if private information was disclosed about clients.

The company’s chief executive, Brian T. Moynihan, receives regular updates on the team’s progress, according to one Bank of America executive familiar with the team’s work, who, like other bank officials, was granted anonymity to discuss the confidential inquiry.

17 Just never mind.  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:29:41pm

re: #5 SpaceJesus

BoA bought out a profitable bank in my home town several years ago. They then proceeded to fire around the half the folks who worked in all the branches. Fuck them.

Bank of America is a BIG CORPORATE BANK, they have no soul. No interest in the community, no desire to hire or retain good people, they have no soul.
They are not unique among the big banks. Talk to your lcal credit union, if you need something.

18 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:29:52pm

Seahawks make the playoffs with a 9-7 record…….. there is something wrong with that

19 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:30:16pm

Whether Mr. Assange is bluffing, or indeed has Bank of America in its sights at all, the bank’s defense strategy represents the latest twist in the controversy over WikiLeaks and Mr. Assange.

The United States government has been examining whether Mr. Assange, an Australian, could be charged criminally for the release by WikiLeaks of hundreds of thousands of classified Pentagon and State Department diplomatic cables that became the subject of articles in The New York Times and other publications last month.

The Swedish government is also seeking to question Mr. Assange about rape accusations against him. As he fights extradition from Britain in that case, he remains under house arrest in an English mansion. Mr. Assange has said the timing of the rape accusations was not coincidental, and that he was the victim of a smear campaign led by the United States government.

20 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:30:38pm

re: #11 albusteve

I won’t do business with BoA, they suck, but this is astonishing if indeed it has the desired effect…sorta like a minor league James Bond bad guy

Oh, I’ve got no love for BofA, they couldn’t give a flip about individual people needing services. I do my banking with my member-owned credit union, I don’t want anything to do with a damned bank.

But threatening a business that has to then go take all sorts of extrordinary steps - I mean, looking over thousands (and thousands and thousands, I would bet) of documents, etc. - that’s a big job. And it will take time away from other things they should be attending to.

21 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:30:42pm

re: #18 Mr Pancakes

Seahawks make the playoffs with a 9-7 record… there is something wrong with that

parity….football socialism

22 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:31:26pm

Despite his legal troubles, Mr. Assange’s threats have grown more credible with every release of secret documents, including those concerning the dumping of toxic waste in Africa, the treatment of prisoners held by the United States at Guantánamo Bay, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and, most recently, the trove of diplomatic cables.

That Mr. Assange might shift his attention to a private company — especially one as politically unpopular as Bank of America or any of its rivals, which have been stained by taxpayer-financed bailouts and the revelation of improper foreclosure practices — raises a new kind of corporate threat, combining elements of law, technology, public policy, politics and public relations.

23 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:31:28pm

re: #4 Gus 802

I’m not getting that. Try deleting your cookies for nytimes.com.

I went ahead and found and deleted any NYTImes cookies, and now the link works.
Thanks.

24 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:31:44pm

re: #20 reine.de.tout

exactly.

25 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:32:01pm

re: #21 albusteve

parity…football socialism

That’s not even parity man…… many teams with better records didn’t make it.

26 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:33:11pm

re: #17 Floral Giraffe

Bank of America is a BIG CORPORATE BANK, they have no soul. No interest in the community, no desire to hire or retain good people, they have no soul.
They are not unique among the big banks. Talk to your lcal credit union, if you need something.

Yes. Yes. A local credit union, there are small so-so ones, and there are very large very good ones that offer a full range of services. Find a large one.

27 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:33:39pm

what happened to our global-warmed-over troll on the last thread? Was he under the catch-and-release limit and we had to throw him back?

28 Kragar  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:33:47pm

Think about this as well. A threat from this man has sent stock prices tumbling and is forcing a company to spend a very significant amount of time, money and effort protecting themselves from allegations.

So what is to stop Assange from hinting he has information about anyone else? Don’t do things his way and he’ll make sure your business suffers for it.

29 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:34:04pm

re: #17 Floral Giraffe

Bank of America is a BIG CORPORATE BANK, they have no soul. No interest in the community, no desire to hire or retain good people, they have no soul.

And no brains:

Bank of America Illegal Foreclosure

In February of this year, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of Charlie and Maria Cardoso whose Spring Hill, FL home was broken into and ransacked by mortgage foreclosure contractors hired by BAC, Bank of America’s wholly owned loan servicing company. As we and various news agencies reported, BAC had foreclosed on the wrong house! The Cardoso’ had paid cash for their house and had no loan with any lender, let alone Bank of America.

30 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:34:24pm

re: #9 Transfromnation

As much as I dislike BofA, this seems to be less of crusade for transparency and more of show of power by Assange.

Quite Concur.

31 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:34:57pm

re: #25 Mr Pancakes

That’s not even parity man… many teams with better records didn’t make it.

it’s a very weak division so whimpy teams make the big show….just the way it is…to make it more fair the NFL added two more wild card teams some years back, for a total of 12

32 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:35:07pm

Even if you think BOA suck you have to remember that they also hold many investments including pension funds. You might think it would “feel good” to take down BOA but to do would also be to the detriment of many people relying on the solvency of BOA for their retirement funds. That probably includes many of the same idiots that support Assange.

33 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:35:38pm

re: #28 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)


Don’t do things his way and he’ll make sure your business suffers for it.

Dang — i knew i was in the wrong business!

34 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:35:42pm

re: #29 publicityStunted

And no brains:

Bank of America Illegal Foreclosure

So…… you don’t like BOA?

35 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:35:50pm

re: #20 reine.de.tout

Oh, I’ve got no love for BofA, they couldn’t give a flip about individual people needing services. I do my banking with my member-owned credit union, I don’t want anything to do with a damned bank.

But threatening a business that has to then go take all sorts of extrordinary steps - I mean, looking over thousands (and thousands and thousands, I would bet) of documents, etc. - that’s a big job. And it will take time away from other things they should be attending to.

it’s a pot meet kettle thing

36 Reginald Perrin  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:35:54pm

re: #27 Querent

what happened to our global-warmed-over troll on the last thread? Was he under the catch-and-release limit and we had to throw him back?

He went back to sleep for another six months.

37 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:36:09pm

Wikileaks’ previous leak on Barclays Bank revealed that the bank put a lot of trouble into its tax reduction strategies. This wasn’t much of a surprise.
guardian.co.uk

38 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:36:20pm

Never cut of your nose to spite your face.

39 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:36:32pm

re: #29 publicityStunted

And no brains:

Bank of America Illegal Foreclosure

I saw another similar story recently, a couple made an inquiry about re-doing their loan, got sent to some sort of loan renewal section for risky loans with their inquiry, didn’t end up re-doing their loan, and now have a credit rating adversely affected by their inquiry. Paperwork flubbed on the bank’s end, and they can’t seem to get it straight (or don’t care to spend the time needed to straighten this out, meanwhile, this couple is having credit cards cancelled and loans called in, all sorts of things are happening).

40 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:36:33pm

“This is a significant moment, and Bank of America has to get out in front of it,” said Richard S. Levick, a veteran crisis communications expert. “Corporate America needs to look at what happens here, and how Bank of America handles it.”

Last month, the bank bought up Web addresses that could prove embarrassing to the company or its top executives in the event of a large-scale public assault, but a spokesman for the bank said the move was unrelated to any possible leak.

Then, on Dec. 18, Bank of America may have antagonized Mr. Assange further when it said it would join other companies like MasterCard and PayPal in halting the processing of payments intended for WikiLeaks, citing the possibility the organization’s activities might be illegal.

Mr. Assange has never said explicitly that the data he possesses comes from Bank of America, which is the nation’s largest bank, though he did say that the disclosure would take place sometime early this year.

41 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:36:36pm

re: #38 Gus 802

Off! Damn it.

42 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:37:11pm

re: #32 Gus 802
And that would be pure unadulterate irony.

(for the record, i’m a longtime BofA customer, they’ve never screwed me over (yet, anyway, but then again, they don’t hold my mortgage) and i don’t support Assange’s antics.)

43 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:37:46pm

re: #22 albusteve

Thanks.

44 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:37:48pm

re: #34 Mr Pancakes

So… you don’t like BOA?

Nope.
I don’t like wikileaks either.

45 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:38:42pm

re: #28 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Think about this as well. A threat from this man has sent stock prices tumbling and is forcing a company to spend a very significant amount of time, money and effort protecting themselves from allegations.

So what is to stop Assange from hinting he has information about anyone else?
Don’t do things his way and he’ll make sure your business suffers for it.

nothing that I can see so far….the feds must be in a real tizzy…maybe they will just railroad him out of the picture

46 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:39:17pm

re: #41 Gus 802

Off! Damn it.

you blew it

47 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:39:45pm

re: #46 albusteve

you blew it

I know. I wants me “edit” button! ;)

48 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:39:53pm

re: #44 Varek Raith

Nope.
I don’t like wikileaks either.

Ok….. BOA does a lot of things right.

49 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:40:54pm

The bank has emerged as the most likely target because a year before the latest threat, Mr. Assange said in an interview that his group had the hard drive of a Bank of America executive containing five gigabytes of data — enough to hold more than 200,000 pages of text — and was evaluating how to present it. It was this connection that set the wheels in motion on Nov.

The financial markets took the threat seriously. Bank of America shares fell 3 percent in trading the day after Mr. Assange made his threat against a nameless bank, and while the stock has since recovered, the prospect of a Bank of America data dump from WikiLeaks remains a concern, said Moshe Orenbuch, an analyst with Credit Suisse.

“The fears have calmed down somewhat, but if there is something out there that is revealed, the market reaction will be negative,” he said.

Bank of America’s internal review has turned up no evidence that would substantiate Mr. Assange’s claim that he has a hard drive, according to interviews with executives there. The company declined to otherwise comment on the case. A WikiLeaks representative also declined to comment.

50 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:41:06pm

re: #44 Varek Raith

Nope.
I don’t like wikileaks either.

I don’t like BofA, but I can choose to not do business with them, and they will not force themselves on me.

I don’t like Wikileaks, but Mr. Assange has taken it upon himself to decide what’s in MY best interest as re: the information he has.

I don’t like either, but Wikileaks & Assange are by far the greater scoundrels, IMO

51 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:41:20pm

re: #4 Gus 802

I’m not getting that. Try deleting your cookies for nytimes.com.

Ah, that did the trick. I just assumed they started a new registration program.

52 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:42:01pm

With the data trail cold, one working theory both inside and outside the bank is that internal documents in Mr. Assange’s possession, if any, probably came from the mountains of material turned over to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congressional investigators and the New York attorney general’s office during separate investigations in 2009 and 2010 into the bank’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

As it happens, Mr. Assange’s first mention of the Bank of America hard drive, in October 2009, coincided with hearings by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform into the Merrill merger, and with wide-ranging requests for information by the committee.

The bank’s investigative team is trying to reconstruct the handover of materials to public agencies for a variety of inquiries, in pursuit of previously undisclosed documents that could embarrass the company, bank officials said.

In addition to the Merrill documents, the team is reviewing material on Bank of America’s disastrous acquisition in 2008 of Countrywide Financial, the subprime mortgage specialist, the officials said. The criticism of Bank of America’s foreclosure procedures centers mostly on loans it acquired in the Countrywide deal, and one possibility is that the documents could show unscrupulous or fraudulent lending practices by Countrywide.

53 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:42:28pm

re: #47 Gus 802

I know. I wants me “edit” button! ;)

We have a handy dandy “preview” button.
If you use it, it serves very nicely for edits.

54 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:42:42pm

re: #51 Killgore Trout

Ah, that did the trick. I just assumed they started a new registration program.

Good. Yeah, I get that sometimes but rarely. They used to require registration and threatened to become a pay-site last year but that never happened.

55 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:42:52pm

re: #52 albusteve
Countrywide…

now THAT would make sense.

56 Kragar  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:42:52pm

re: #53 reine.de.tout

We have a handy dandy “preview” button.
If you use it, it serves very nicely for edits.

Preview is for the weak

57 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:43:13pm

re: #47 Gus 802

I know. I wants me “edit” button! ;)

never blow a nose joke

58 Kragar  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:43:33pm

re: #54 Gus 802

Good. Yeah, I get that sometimes but rarely. They used to require registration and threatened to become a pay-site last year but that never happened.

Because their readership would tank online.

59 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:44:03pm

re: #56 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Preview is for the weak

oops.
Then I’m weak.
I’m gonna chalk it up to those first cousins in the family that married each other 6 generations ago.

60 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:44:31pm

re: #53 reine.de.tout

We have a handy dandy “preview” button.
If you use it, it serves very nicely for edits.

I know. But I’ve done previews before and will still send off those dumb mistakes. Not a biggie really.

61 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:44:46pm

re: #52 albusteve

one possibility is that the documents could show unscrupulous or fraudulent lending practices by Countrywide.


This will be another huge! surprise from Wikileaks.

62 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:45:22pm

re: #60 Gus 802

I know. But I’ve done previews before and will still send off those dumb mistakes. Not a biggie really.

*shhh* me too.

63 Idle Drifter  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:46:00pm

re: #56 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Preview is for the weak

I feel the power of the internet overtaking me….it is a good pain!

64 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:46:39pm

re: #61 jaunte

This will be another huge! surprise from Wikileaks.

well, it does seem the impact of these leaks has had an escalating effect….makes you wonder when the big one is gonna drop….he has a rep to protect

65 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:47:15pm

re: #62 reine.de.tout

*shhh* me too.

Moot and mute. Slide rulers and slide rules! I still remember that.

/

66 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:47:29pm

re: #62 reine.de.tout

*shhh* me too.

I secretly plant mistakes to make me seem average

67 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:48:29pm

re: #66 albusteve

I secretly plant mistakes to make me seem average


thanks for that albusteve, i got a good chuckle out of that one!

68 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:48:39pm

re: #66 albusteve

I secretly plant mistakes to make me seem average

I just go “John Galt” on my typing.

/

69 SpaceJesus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:50:07pm

re: #17 Floral Giraffe

Bank of America is a BIG CORPORATE BANK, they have no soul. No interest in the community, no desire to hire or retain good people, they have no soul.
They are not unique among the big banks. Talk to your lcal credit union, if you need something.


For real, and that’s why a lot of these big banks are failing —they move into communities they don’t understand. They don’t understand the local risks or local dynamics of the economy there, then they make stupid loans.

Let them all fail, BoA especially.

70 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:50:40pm

re: #64 albusteve

If bad things happen to BofA over this, it’s the tellers and underlings who will pay the most, not the golden parachute guys.

71 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:51:05pm

introducing The WikiLeaks Theme Song…
$0.99

beatlestube.net

72 Kragar  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:51:11pm

re: #63 Idle Drifter

I feel the power of the internet overtaking me…it is a good pain!

Even a warped mind can see the odds stacked against it!

73 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:52:12pm

re: #69 SpaceJesus

For real, and that’s why a lot of these big banks are failing —they move into communities they don’t understand. They don’t understand the local risks or local dynamics of the economy there, then they make stupid loans.

Let them all fail, BoA especially.

Nah. Who do you think would get the bill if BOA failed. The tax payers. Force them to change. Regulate. Mitigate. But if BOA “failed” it would result in another giant cluster fuck.

74 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:52:29pm

re: #70 jaunte

If bad things happen to BofA over this, it’s the tellers and underlings who will pay the most, not the golden parachute guys.

capitalism at it’s worst…

75 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:52:37pm

re: #70 jaunte

If bad things happen to BofA over this, it’s the tellers and underlings who will pay the most, not the golden parachute guys.

Yea…… no one considers that little guy. Death to BOA!!!!!! Whatever.

76 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:52:44pm

re: #60 Gus 802

I know. But I’ve done previews before and will still send off those dumb mistakes. Not a biggie really.

…especially when compared to other instances:

A recipe for tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto has proved a little too spicy for Penguin Australia, after a misprint suggesting that the dish required “salt and freshly ground black people” has left the publisher reaching for the pulping machine, rather than the pepper grinder.

77 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:53:15pm

I was under the impression that before Wikileaks started going after government secrets, that this kind of leak was their original purpose. I think after all that has happened, a lot of people would like to have this information and find out what exactly the big banks are up to. I have to say I kinda like the idea that somebody scares them.

I’m torn now. I think Assange is a miserable bastard, possible sex offender, and an anarchist. I think his government leaks may have put lives in danger (see Zimbabwe). But, I also love the idea of every bank and major corporation quaking in their boots that there may be somebody that can notify the public of their very, very dirty deeds who isn’t afraid of who might come after him for doing it.

Also too, full disclosure. I got burned by BoA, so I’m bitter and biased. Fuck them!

78 Kragar  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:54:11pm

re: #75 Mr Pancakes

Yea… no one considers that little guy. Death to BOA!!! Whatever.

“Sir, we have to pay a multi-million dollar fine. Will you cut a personal check or should we shut down a few hundred smaller operations?”

Decisions, decisions.

79 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:54:56pm

re: #76 publicityStunted

…especially when compared to other instances:

Ouch! I once typed out “Osama” instead of “Obama” here. Whew. Did I feel like a dork. Honest mistake too.

80 Just never mind.  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:55:09pm

Goodnight, Lizards.
PLEASE do not let Mr. Assange be making or helping to make decisions for you. He makes no decisions In YOUR interests.

81 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:55:31pm

re: #80 Floral Giraffe

Goodnight, Lizards.
PLEASE do not let Mr. Assange be making or helping to make decisions for you. He makes no decisions In YOUR interests.

Who?

82 karmic_inquisitor  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:55:31pm

The fact that BofA brought in Booz instead of a forensic auditing firm indicates one of two things:

1) they pretty much know what is apt to be leaked, see this as a PR issue (because they don’t see any laws as having been broken) and want to have a 3rd party that can verify and concur, or

2) know that they have broken many laws but don’t know what, if anything, wikileaks has and opted for a plausible auditor (and Booz ain’t an auditor) with the intent of obfuscating and hoping folks buy it (or that Wikileaks has the goods on someone else).

White collar criminals are very much of the “act as if” mold since that is how they got in the position where they could commit crimes - by getting people to trust them as being competent. Industry is dominated by the incompetent who can be easily buffaloed by smart sociopaths. All the same, that doesn’t mean someone acting the part is a criminal - odds are they might just be incompetent.

83 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:57:26pm

re: #77 moderatelyradicalliberal

Selfishness… that’s what I see here. Yes sir-ree “Fuck them!” Doesn’t matter if the little people get hurt by it. “I got burned” so fuck the rest of the world.

84 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:57:43pm

it seems Holder and his krew have their hands full…I wonder what will happen in view of this latest bounce….Assange is ahead of it and getting bolder…I know the feds are incredibly slow with complex stuff like this, but how long do they have?

85 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:58:38pm

re: #77 moderatelyradicalliberal

I was under the impression that before Wikileaks started going after government secrets, that this kind of leak was their original purpose. I think after all that has happened, a lot of people would like to have this information and find out what exactly the big banks are up to. I have to say I kinda like the idea that somebody scares them.

I’m torn now. I think Assange is a miserable bastard, possible sex offender, and an anarchist. I think his government leaks may have put lives in danger (see Zimbabwe). But, I also love the idea of every bank and major corporation quaking in their boots that there may be somebody that can notify the public of their very, very dirty deeds who isn’t afraid of who might come after him for doing it.

Also too, full disclosure. I got burned by BoA, so I’m bitter and biased. Fuck them!

Don’t wish that kind of ill on BoA. If they go down, we’ll all feel the burn. The downfall of a bank that size would destroy any recovery and plunge the USA into a depression. No one would know what would happen next, so few would hire or invest.

86 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:59:15pm

re: #69 SpaceJesus

For real, and that’s why a lot of these big banks are failing —they move into communities they don’t understand. They don’t understand the local risks or local dynamics of the economy there, then they make stupid loans.

Let them all fail, BoA especially.

eh?

Good grief. I would prefer not to see anybody fail; those hurt will be the little guys, your neighbor who works as a teller, whoever.

Is there a list somewhere of industries we don’t want to fail (the auto industry), and industries we hate that we think are OK to fail (banks, oil)? In the end the same group of folks are the ones hurt - the ones don’t have much to fall back on.

87 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:00:12pm

I got a splinter.
Fuck it, let civilization collapse.

88 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:00:40pm

re: #73 Gus 802

Not to mention all of the regular employees who have no real power over what goes on. That’s why I’m torn. In general, I’m in favor of blowing the whistle on corporate bad acts, but ordinary workers get hurt too. I just finished my getting my MBA. I focused on health care management, but some of the people in my accounting and finance classes………..can you say “sociopaths”. The dichotomy in personalities between the people in my public health classes and the straight business classes was eye-opening.

89 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:01:44pm

re: #88 moderatelyradicalliberal

Not to mention all of the regular employees who have no real power over what goes on. That’s why I’m torn. In general, I’m in favor of blowing the whistle on corporate bad acts, but ordinary workers get hurt too. I just finished my getting my MBA. I focused on health care management, but some of the people in my accounting and finance classes…can you say “sociopaths”. The dichotomy in personalities between the people in my public health classes and the straight business classes was eye-opening.

Huh?

90 ihateronpaul  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:03:02pm

BofA is fuuucked. I don’t think this will lead to the bank closing, I think it will lead to those doing wrong to be shit-canned. But time will tell….

91 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:03:47pm

I’m just curious to know if he honestly has anything that would truly affect BofA, or if it’s just more slightly embarrassing crap. Like most of what he has released.

What he’s basically saying here is that he has information that has eluded the actual authorities, which is big enough to bring the bank down, but which some whistleblower did not simply choose to give to the Feds.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

92 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:04:16pm

re: #82 karmic_inquisitor

The fact that BofA brought in Booz instead of a forensic auditing firm indicates one of two things:

1) they pretty much know what is apt to be leaked, see this as a PR issue (because they don’t see any laws as having been broken) and want to have a 3rd party that can verify and concur, or

2) know that they have broken many laws but don’t know what, if anything, wikileaks has and opted for a plausible auditor (and Booz ain’t an auditor) with the intent of obfuscating and hoping folks buy it (or that Wikileaks has the goods on someone else).

White collar criminals are very much of the “act as if” mold since that is how they got in the position where they could commit crimes - by getting people to trust them as being competent. Industry is dominated by the incompetent who can be easily buffaloed by smart sociopaths. All the same, that doesn’t mean someone acting the part is a criminal - odds are they might just be incompetent.

I’m not going to bash Booz Allen Hamilton (the company I work for does business with them), but I will say that they are very plugged in within the government. DoD more than other agencies, but they know their way around DC. So they may be part of a strategy to get the government on board with any measures BoA needs to take. BAH is a good firm to hire for both advice and to take the pulse of the government.

93 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:05:52pm

imagine legions of WikiLeakers stalking the planet, hiding next to the water cooler, lurking, waiting to make their move…chilling thought

94 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:07:31pm

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Well, I said I was torn and I do want to know how many people BoA has fucked and in how many ways. If they go our of business because their customers discover they don’t like their business practices, wouldn’t that be the free market? If Assange was leaking that McDonalds was using rat and dog meat in their burgers and people said “Hey, I’m not eating anymore rat/dog burgers”, how would that be any different? People make different decisions based on new information, If people get new information that leads them to seeking out a new bank due to bad or unethical business practices, that’s capitalism. Or at least I thought it was. Information, choices, competition and all that.

95 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:08:22pm

re: #91 SanFranciscoZionist

I’m just curious to know if he honestly has anything that would truly affect BofA, or if it’s just more slightly embarrassing crap. Like most of what he has released.

What he’s basically saying here is that he has information that has eluded the actual authorities, which is big enough to bring the bank down, but which some whistleblower did not simply choose to give to the Feds.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Assange seems confident and to keep the gig working there needs to be some damage I think, otherwise he’d just be another doughy faced rapist

96 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:08:29pm

re: #94 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well, I said I was torn and I do want to know how many people BoA has fucked and in how many ways. If they go our of business because their customers discover they don’t like their business practices, wouldn’t that be the free market? If Assange was leaking that McDonalds was using rat and dog meat in their burgers and people said “Hey, I’m not eating anymore rat/dog burgers”, how would that be any different? People make different decisions based on new information, If people get new information that leads them to seeking out a new bank due to bad or unethical business practices, that’s capitalism. Or at least I thought it was. Information, choices, competition and all that.

Huh?

97 ihateronpaul  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:08:36pm

re: #88 moderatelyradicalliberal

Not to mention all of the regular employees who have no real power over what goes on. That’s why I’m torn. In general, I’m in favor of blowing the whistle on corporate bad acts, but ordinary workers get hurt too. I just finished my getting my MBA. I focused on health care management, but some of the people in my accounting and finance classes…can you say “sociopaths”. The dichotomy in personalities between the people in my public health classes and the straight business classes was eye-opening.

wait….you’re telling me that some people value money more than the public good?!?!?!?!?

98 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:08:45pm

re: #87 Varek Raith

oh my bleep thank you Varek, that was a good one!

99 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:08:53pm

re: #77 moderatelyradicalliberal

I can’t say I’m totally with or totally against you on this point. But this is not “full disclosure” this is peering through the bedroom window. He is blackmailing a major US bank with titillating info. He has no business with the information in the first place. It wasn’t his to steal or disseminate. If he got it during the disclosures provided to our govt for an official investigation, someone should lose their job. Period. People in the govt who have the power to force us to turn over documents about our businesses, HAVE to be trustworthy and need to held accountable. The whole “unofficial source” leak thing has gotten to accepted. There is a difference between blowing the whistle on true wrong doing that still has an effect on real people. It is another thing to just reveal skeletons in the closet. If there was wrong doing in docs turned over to the govt, THEY should have investigated and done something about it. If they ignored it, again, someone should be fired. But blackmail, esp. vague, “I know what you did last summer” style blackmail is sleazy, should never be allowed or encouraged, and in fact, should be prosecuted when it has this kind of effect. You can bet whether BoA fails or not, those expenses will be passed on to the consumer and/or taxpayer. Mr. Assange is a criminal. He can cry and play the under dog all he likes. He’s scum.

100 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:09:12pm

re: #94 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well, I said I was torn and I do want to know how many people BoA has fucked and in how many ways. If they go our of business because their customers discover they don’t like their business practices, wouldn’t that be the free market? If Assange was leaking that McDonalds was using rat and dog meat in their burgers and people said “Hey, I’m not eating anymore rat/dog burgers”, how would that be any different? People make different decisions based on new information, If people get new information that leads them to seeking out a new bank due to bad or unethical business practices, that’s capitalism. Or at least I thought it was. Information, choices, competition and all that.

You wouldn’t know capitalism if it bite you in the face.

101 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:10:24pm

re: #89 Mr Pancakes

My anecdotal experience leads me to believe that what might be revealed in this leak about one of these big banks will be scary because a lot of people in finance are scary.

102 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:10:32pm

re: #88 moderatelyradicalliberal

Not to mention all of the regular employees who have no real power over what goes on. That’s why I’m torn. In general, I’m in favor of blowing the whistle on corporate bad acts, but ordinary workers get hurt too. I just finished my getting my MBA. I focused on health care management, but some of the people in my accounting and finance classes…can you say “sociopaths”. The dichotomy in personalities between the people in my public health classes and the straight business classes was eye-opening.

There will always be sociopaths as long as you have human beings. If I were to look at the contrasts between public health models and pure business models my immediate response to that would be that the answer, as usual, lies in the model. Too much greed will lead to a collapse. Too much public entitlements would also lead to a collapse. Moderation is the key.

103 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:10:34pm

re: #94 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well, I said I was torn and I do want to know how many people BoA has fucked and in how many ways. If they go our of business because their customers discover they don’t like their business practices, wouldn’t that be the free market? If Assange was leaking that McDonalds was using rat and dog meat in their burgers and people said “Hey, I’m not eating anymore rat/dog burgers”, how would that be any different? People make different decisions based on new information, If people get new information that leads them to seeking out a new bank due to bad or unethical business practices, that’s capitalism. Or at least I thought it was. Information, choices, competition and all that.

nevertheless BoA failing is NOT a good thing…99/100 of their employees are ordinary people….the situation calls for some basic nuance, eh?

104 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:11:02pm

re: #94 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well, I said I was torn and I do want to know how many people BoA has fucked and in how many ways. If they go our of business because their customers discover they don’t like their business practices, wouldn’t that be the free market? If Assange was leaking that McDonalds was using rat and dog meat in their burgers and people said “Hey, I’m not eating anymore rat/dog burgers”, how would that be any different? People make different decisions based on new information, If people get new information that leads them to seeking out a new bank due to bad or unethical business practices, that’s capitalism. Or at least I thought it was. Information, choices, competition and all that.

Intent matters a great deal. Julian Assange is not some muckraker, trying to reform an industry and help America. He is trying to disrupt and damage America. Make no mistake: If you are American, Julian Assange is the enemy.

105 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:11:37pm

re: #101 moderatelyradicalliberal

My anecdotal experience leads me to believe that what might be revealed in this leak about one of these big banks will be scary because a lot of people in finance are scary.

All right dude…….. I’m on board.

106 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:11:43pm

re: #97 ihateronpaul

It’s beyond that.

107 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:11:53pm

re: #103 albusteve

nevertheless BoA failing is NOT a good thing…99/100 of their employees are ordinary people…the situation calls for some basic nuance, eh?

Upding for Nuance!

108 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:12:11pm

re: #95 albusteve

Assange seems confident and to keep the gig working there needs to be some damage I think, otherwise he’d just be another doughy faced rapist

I’m sure he’s got something, I just doubt that it’s going to be the kind of dynamite he appears to think he has.

109 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:12:21pm

re: #100 Walter L. Newton

You wouldn’t know capitalism if it bite you in the face.


stitches $50
duct tape $2
capitalism

110 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:12:36pm

re: #102 Gus 802

“Lies in the model” should read lies in moderation or compromise or a middle ground approach.

There I go again.

111 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:12:59pm

re: #108 SanFranciscoZionist

Bank of America overcharged its customers for checks!

112 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:13:56pm

re: #110 Gus 802

“Lies in the model” should read lies in moderation or compromise or a middle ground approach.

There I go again.

try another language….maybe Swahili?

113 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:14:05pm

re: #101 moderatelyradicalliberal

My anecdotal experience leads me to believe that what might be revealed in this leak about one of these big banks will be scary because a lot of people in finance are scary.

IS this the sort of business language they are teaching in MBA courses now a days. Scary.

114 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:14:26pm

re: #112 albusteve

try another language…maybe Swahili?

Everyone should learn Gusbonics.

//

115 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:14:40pm

re: #108 SanFranciscoZionist

I’m sure he’s got something, I just doubt that it’s going to be the kind of dynamite he appears to think he has.

this is America, you have to hype the product

116 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:14:48pm

re: #101 moderatelyradicalliberal

My anecdotal experience leads me to believe that what might be revealed in this leak about one of these big banks will be scary because a lot of people in finance are scary.

Given what is already known about large corporations and the shit they get up to, without noticeably affecting their bottom line, what exactly do you think Assange might reveal that would actually affect the bank? Not just my grandma closes her account in disgust, but actually brings down BANK OF AMERICA?

I’m not saying it’s impossible, I’m saying that my first reaction is skepticism, and I’d like to hear from people who think it’s more likely.

117 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:15:43pm

re: #115 albusteve

this is America, you have to hype the product

“you gotta sell the sizzle”

118 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:15:52pm

re: #114 Gus 802

Everyone should learn Gusbonics.

//

jus sayin….make a new plan Stan

119 karmic_inquisitor  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:16:01pm

re: #91 SanFranciscoZionist

I’m just curious to know if he honestly has anything that would truly affect BofA, or if it’s just more slightly embarrassing crap. Like most of what he has released.

What he’s basically saying here is that he has information that has eluded the actual authorities, which is big enough to bring the bank down, but which some whistleblower did not simply choose to give to the Feds.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Establishing the facts of a white collar crime is very difficult. While being a top priority of the FBI, Corruption and White Collar crimes are hard to bring to trial. When at trial it is often very difficult to explain to a jury what the crime was. The more arcane the line of facts that reveal the crime the easier it is for the defense to walk free. I lived such a case over the course of 6 years. The Us attorney knew that the only way to get convictions was to have one exec testify against another and she walked her case up a ladder of execs to get to the ones in the top tier.

I very much doubt that Julian Assange has either the background or patience to vivisect a white collar crime even with the data in front of him. You actually have to understand accounting standards, tax law, jurisdictional analysis to even get started - add math on top of that and hope for very incriminating, specific language from perps and witnesses in corroborating docs.

Then you might have a case.

You have to start with “Ass” to spell “Assange.”

120 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:16:40pm

re: #100 Walter L. Newton

No, I just don’t agree with your version which is probably why I’m not a right winger. Which I am entitled. If you don’t want to know who may or may not be screwing over you and your neighbors, that’s fine. But, I do.

But don’t worry, I’m sure Supply-Side Jesus and the Holy Ghost of Ronald Reagan will save the day for BoA even if they are damaging people.

121 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:18:22pm

re: #118 albusteve

jus sayin…make a new plan Stan

Get off the bus Gus,,,,, no need to be coy Roy

122 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:18:33pm

re: #111 jaunte

Bank of America overcharged its customers for checks!

Given what, say, the major clothing manufacturers have gotten away with over the years, and how little luck anti-sweatshop activists have had really damaging them, I’m pretty sure that it could be revealed that BofA executives heated their corner offices by burning small children alive, and not much would happen.

(This is, obviously, sort of hyperbole. You get my drift.)

And if what was revealed was something legally actionable, isn’t it contaminated to heck and back by the time it’s been Wikileaked?

123 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:18:48pm

re: #119 karmic_inquisitor


You have to start with “Ass” to spell “Assange.”

Upding!

124 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:18:56pm

re: #115 albusteve

this is America, you have to hype the product

I thought he was in Sweden or someplace.

125 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:19:38pm

re: #120 moderatelyradicalliberal

No, I just don’t agree with your version which is probably why I’m not a right winger. Which I am entitled. If you don’t want to know who may or may not be screwing over you and your neighbors, that’s fine. But, I do.

But don’t worry, I’m sure Supply-Side Jesus and the Holy Ghost of Ronald Reagan will save the day for BoA even if they are damaging people.

I doubt it. I’m pretty sure that Obama will come down on the side of BOA. Bank on it. This isn’t about partisanship.

126 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:19:45pm

re: #111 jaunte

So? That’s known right? People chose to stay with them or leave. What’s the point? Hey, the electric company once overcharged my whole town for a year! They’re still in business and it would be a very bad thing if they weren’t as that town (I don’t live there any more) has no other utility company. Just because they do bad things, that doesn’t make it ok to take down the whole operation or throw sand in the machinery to make it operate even less efficiently. If you have damaging info., the responsible thing to do would be turn it over to regulators. Not blackmail them to destroy their public image and cause their stocks to go in the basement.

127 karmic_inquisitor  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:20:04pm

re: #92 Dark_Falcon

I’m not going to bash Booz Allen Hamilton (the company I work for does business with them), but I will say that they are very plugged in within the government. DoD more than other agencies, but they know their way around DC. So they may be part of a strategy to get the government on board with any measures BoA needs to take. BAH is a good firm to hire for both advice and to take the pulse of the government.

Agree. to be clear, mine wasn’t a bash. They just aren’t auditors. If BofA hired someone with a forensic audit background (these are the folks accountants have nightmares about, and there are only a handful of them in the world) then they’d be signing up for a house cleaning. They don’t intend to clean house either because it isn’t dirty or they will take the bank down with them.

128 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:21:09pm

re: #126 Escaped Hillbilly

Yes, I agree, I was kidding about the blockbuster revelations that might come out.

129 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:21:24pm

re: #124 SanFranciscoZionist

I thought he was in Sweden or someplace.

re: #124 SanFranciscoZionist

I thought he was in Sweden or someplace.

I think he’s in England…but he has to sell his leaks to try and frame opinion and results

130 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:22:07pm

re: #120 moderatelyradicalliberal

No, I just don’t agree with your version which is probably why I’m not a right winger. Which I am entitled. If you don’t want to know who may or may not be screwing over you and your neighbors, that’s fine. But, I do.

But don’t worry, I’m sure Supply-Side Jesus and the Holy Ghost of Ronald Reagan will save the day for BoA even if they are damaging people.

And what makes you think that I am a right winger. And, what does this have to do with right or left, I think we are talking right or wrong, and the harm that can be done by someone who is simply trying his stated best to harm certain countries, both politically and financially.

Do you always filter your moral compass through your partisan politics?

MBA huh?

131 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:22:28pm

re: #120 moderatelyradicalliberal

No, I just don’t agree with your version which is probably why I’m not a right winger. Which I am entitled. If you don’t want to know who may or may not be screwing over you and your neighbors, that’s fine. But, I do.

But don’t worry, I’m sure Supply-Side Jesus and the Holy Ghost of Ronald Reagan will save the day for BoA even if they are damaging people.

No need to get angry about a bank that doesn’t know who you are.

132 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:22:37pm

re: #120 moderatelyradicalliberal

No, I just don’t agree with your version which is probably why I’m not a right winger. Which I am entitled. If you don’t want to know who may or may not be screwing over you and your neighbors, that’s fine. But, I do.

But don’t worry, I’m sure Supply-Side Jesus and the Holy Ghost of Ronald Reagan will save the day for BoA even if they are damaging people.

what post are you alluding to?

133 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:23:59pm

re: #113 Walter L. Newton

Is being a complete jackass to people who disagree with you something that you learned in school? I reread my statement and didn’t come across anything that would lead to personal insults so I’ll conclude that you are a just a mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way you planned. Whatever happened to make you this way has nothing to do with me so I’ll be ignoring you from now on. I don’t let people with personal rage issues take them out on me in real life or on the internet. You have however a nice life all of that bile inside of you will allow for.

Bye, bye.

134 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:25:16pm

re: #125 Gus 802

I doubt it. I’m pretty sure that Obama will come down on the side of BOA. Bank on it.

Pun ding.

135 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:25:20pm

re: #133 moderatelyradicalliberal

Is being a complete jackass to people who disagree with you something that you learned in school? I reread my statement and didn’t come across anything that would lead to personal insults so I’ll conclude that you are a just a mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way you planned. Whatever happened to make you this way has nothing to do with me so I’ll be ignoring you from now on. I don’t let people with personal rage issues take them out on me in real life or on the internet. You have however a nice life all of that bile inside of you will allow for.

Bye, bye.

Oh come on now. Walter wasn’t being a jackass.

136 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:25:46pm

re: #133 moderatelyradicalliberal

Is being a complete jackass to people who disagree with you something that you learned in school? I reread my statement and didn’t come across anything that would lead to personal insults so I’ll conclude that you are a just a mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way you planned. Whatever happened to make you this way has nothing to do with me so I’ll be ignoring you from now on. I don’t let people with personal rage issues take them out on me in real life or on the internet. You have however a nice life all of that bile inside of you will allow for.

Bye, bye.

Interesting… the only person that appears to be raging is you.

137 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:25:56pm

re: #120 moderatelyradicalliberal

Right. We brought Reagan into this. We all are a bunch of crazy, tea bag, right wing, Reaganomics, Conservatives.

The stuff Julian Assange has isn’t scary just because finance and business people are scary. Actually, I don’t find them scary at all. He IS counting on people like you who automatically assume anyone in big business (usually in all caps with lots of !) are evil capitalists out to take our hard earned money and steal our family land. People over react sometimes and he knows it. He’s playing games. He is only scary because people pay attention to him. The information he has is stolen and probably not as important as he is making out. But if he hypes it enough, it can become important.

138 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:26:07pm

re: #133 moderatelyradicalliberal

Is being a complete jackass to people who disagree with you something that you learned in school? I reread my statement and didn’t come across anything that would lead to personal insults so I’ll conclude that you are a just a mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way you planned. Whatever happened to make you this way has nothing to do with me so I’ll be ignoring you from now on. I don’t let people with personal rage issues take them out on me in real life or on the internet. You have however a nice life all of that bile inside of you will allow for.

Bye, bye.

Dude…. Walter rocks…. you suck.

139 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:28:01pm

re: #128 jaunte
ok

140 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:28:08pm

hmmm… looks like someone has decided to take his/her ball and go home.

141 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:28:41pm

re: #135 Gus 802

Oh come on now. Walter wasn’t being a jackass.

Mean Mr Mustard…
such a mean old man

142 karmic_inquisitor  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:28:56pm

re: #136 Walter L. Newton

Interesting… the only person that appears to be raging is you.

Just to be clear - I have a deep, personal rage which I have attempted to channel positively into origami. But I only have wads of crushed paper to show for it, which enrages me.

143 laZardo  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:29:04pm

re: #125 Gus 802

I doubt it. I’m pretty sure that Obama will come down on the side of BOA. Bank on it. This isn’t about partisanship.

It’s about cashing in on a chance to keep the recession from falling into bankruptcy.

144 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:29:18pm

re: #141 albusteve
colonel mustard? in the LGF Room? With the clue-bat?

145 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:29:22pm

re: #137 Escaped Hillbilly

We? I was talking to one person. A person who engaged me in a way I didn’t appreciate. I’ve lurked here for awhile before I joined and know full well not everybody is a right winger here.

146 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:30:36pm

re: #143 laZardo

It’s about cashing in on a chance to keep the recession from falling into bankruptcy.

Sounds like a good plan to me. I’d rather take my chances with that as opposed to anarchy.

147 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:30:59pm

re: #144 Querent

colonel mustard? in the LGF Room? With the clue-bat?

Walter is like a cheap wine…an acquired taste

148 Querent  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:31:54pm

re: #147 albusteve

Walter is like a cheap wine…an acquired taste

No… please don’t encourage me to get out the Lizard Karaoke Machine and serenade you with “Night Train”…

149 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:32:05pm

re: #145 moderatelyradicalliberal

We? I was talking to one person. A person who engaged me in a way I didn’t appreciate. I’ve lurked here for awhile before I joined and know full well not everybody is a right winger here.

But… you’re sure that I am one… right?

150 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:32:34pm

re: #145 moderatelyradicalliberal

We? I was talking to one person. A person who engaged me in a way I didn’t appreciate. I’ve lurked here for awhile before I joined and know full well not everybody is a right winger here.

What does right or left winger have anything to do with this?

151 laZardo  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:32:49pm

re: #146 Gus 802

Sounds like a good plan to me. I’d rather take my chances with that as opposed to anarchy.

Not that it isn’t a high-risk investment…

/we’re still in banking pun thread mode, right?

152 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:32:53pm

re: #138 Mr Pancakes

I’m not a dude and if he had a disagreement with my post there are other ways he could have expressed it, he chose not to. Where I’m from, that was a dick move. I think he’s a jackass and I said so.

153 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:32:54pm

re: #148 Querent

No… please don’t encourage me to get out the Lizard Karaoke Machine and serenade you with “Night Train”…

*Pulls out blaster pistol*
Feeling lucky, punk?
/

154 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:33:00pm

re: #147 albusteve

Walter is like a cheap wine…an acquired taste

I love cheap wine.

155 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:33:54pm

re: #145 moderatelyradicalliberal

You have to get that when you start throwing out terms like Reaganomics when we were all discussing a common subject, it tars all alike. I don’t always agree with Walter, but this time, I do. And I’m much further right than he is. So I don’t appreciate turning this into a party thing. I would much rather play nice. Maybe you don’t like his gruff exterior. But please don’t make this about politics.

156 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:33:59pm

re: #154 SanFranciscoZionist

albusteve has turned the Walter into wine… it’s a miracle.

157 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:34:19pm

re: #150 Gus 802

What does right or left winger have anything to do with this?

myself…I get so sick of the partisan shit…people stick it in everywhere

158 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:34:55pm

re: #157 albusteve

myself…I get so sick of the partisan shit…people stick it in everywhere

It’s the deus ex machina of debates.

159 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:34:57pm

re: #152 moderatelyradicalliberal

I’m not a dude and if he had a disagreement with my post there are other ways he could have expressed it, he chose not to. Where I’m from, that was a dick move. I think he’s a jackass and I said so.

So there is no chance that someone here on LGF will insult you, or disagree with you in a way that is offensive to you… could you give us a point by point list of how we should debate a subject with you.

160 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:35:01pm

re: #156 jaunte

albusteve has turned the Walter into wine… it’s a miracle.

ahaha!
2 pts

161 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:35:43pm

re: #145 moderatelyradicalliberal

We? I was talking to one person. A person who engaged me in a way I didn’t appreciate. I’ve lurked here for awhile before I joined and know full well not everybody is a right winger here.

You need to get a thicker skin…… personally I don’t think you are going to make it……. I was downed dinged by Charles tonight…… top that!

162 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:35:48pm

re: #158 Gus 802

It’s the deus ex machina of debates.

whatever that is…sounds heady

163 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:36:01pm

re: #155 Escaped Hillbilly

You have to get that when you start throwing out terms like Reaganomics when we were all discussing a common subject, it tars all alike. I don’t always agree with Walter, but this time, I do. And I’m much further right than he is. So I don’t appreciate turning this into a party thing. I would much rather play nice. Maybe you don’t like his gruff exterior. But please don’t make this about politics.

Gruff exterior… I thought my exterior was more of a chartreuse.

164 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:36:06pm

re: #156 jaunte

albusteve has turned the Walter into wine… it’s a miracle.

Me, I’m much better at turning things into whine… but upding for you anyway!

165 jaunte  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:36:12pm

re: #158 Gus 802

Is that spelt right?

166 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:36:42pm

re: #155 Escaped Hillbilly

If by “gruff exterior” you mean jackass, I’m not backing down on that, but I’ll agree to leave politics out of the thread.

167 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:37:20pm

re: #161 Mr Pancakes

You need to get a thicker skin… personally I don’t think you are going to make it… I was downed dinged by Charles tonight… top that!

let’s not go there

168 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:37:37pm

re: #162 albusteve

whatever that is…sounds heady

“God out of the machine” or “the God machine.” It’s like a play where you stand on stage and flay your arms and scream aloud, “the boy stood on the burning deck!” Then the ship sinks.

/

169 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:39:07pm

re: #168 Gus 802

“God out of the machine” or “the God machine.” It’s like a play where you stand on stage and flay your arms and scream aloud, “the boy stood on the burning deck!” Then the ship sinks.

/

pass the bong bro….your done

170 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:39:13pm

re: #167 albusteve

let’s not go there

Steve…… I don’t think it was timeout worthy.

171 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:39:17pm

re: #166 moderatelyradicalliberal

If by “gruff exterior” you mean jackass, I’m not backing down on that, but I’ll agree to leave politics out of the thread.

I’ll tell you what Lizards… moderatelyradicalliberal is new, let’s cut him/her some slack. I’ve been called much worst by more senior and well respected Lizards :)

172 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:39:29pm

re: #161 Mr Pancakes

Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. If I think somebody is a jackass I’ll say so. Where I’m from that’s not having a thin skin that’s being honest.

173 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:39:51pm

re: #163 Walter L. Newton

Gruff exterior… I thought my exterior was more of a chartreuse.


I don’t even know how to spell cvhartus. Is that another name for pink?

174 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:40:14pm

re: #166 moderatelyradicalliberal

If by “gruff exterior” you mean jackass, I’m not backing down on that, but I’ll agree to leave politics out of the thread.

jackass is absolutely FORBIDDEN around here!

175 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:40:43pm

re: #174 albusteve

jackass is absolutely FORBIDDEN around here!

Silence, you jack wagon!

176 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:41:02pm

re: #173 Escaped Hillbilly

I don’t even know how to spell cvhartus. Is that another name for pink?

I don’t know… I heard Bill Murray use the word once… I thought it sounded interesting.

177 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:41:04pm

re: #169 albusteve

pass the bong bro…your done

I wish. It’s a theatrical cliche…

en.wikipedia.org

I learned it when I took acting classes.

178 Interesting Times  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:42:08pm

re: #175 Varek Raith

Silence, you jack wagon!

Youtube Video

179 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:42:21pm

re: #170 Mr Pancakes

Steve… I don’t think it was timeout worthy.

not at all…but I can certainly ‘top that’….but I’m smarter now, can’t you tell?

180 laZardo  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:42:25pm

re: #174 albusteve

jackass is absolutely FORBIDDEN around here!

Youtube Video

/oh yeah, i’m such a rebel

181 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:43:43pm

re: #178 publicityStunted

[Video]

I didn’t click on the video……. could it be the Gieco commercial?

182 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:43:48pm

re: #177 Gus 802

I wish. It’s a theatrical cliche…

[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

I learned it when I took acting classes.

My dad used to quote poems to me like,

The boy stood on the burning deck,
his feet were full of blisters.
He split his pants on a rusty nail,
and now he wears his sisters.

-What? I’m going outside til I’m 18.

Some comic whose name I can’t remember.

183 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:44:20pm

re: #177 Gus 802

I wish. It’s a theatrical cliche…

[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

I learned it when I took acting classes.

acting classes…that’s interesting

184 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:44:45pm

Yon there right winger has slighted me and cut me down! For I am the victim of this play! Something like that.

185 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:44:56pm

re: #179 albusteve

not at all…but I can certainly ‘top that’…but I’m smarter now, can’t you tell?

Totally……… you are my mentor…….. I hated you before.

186 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:45:41pm

re: #171 Walter L. Newton

I’ll tell you what Lizards… moderatelyradicalliberal is new, let’s cut him/her some slack. I’ve been called much worst by more senior and well respected Lizards :)

Works for me.

187 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:45:56pm

re: #185 Mr Pancakes

Totally… you are my mentor… I hated you before.

I must be doing something wrong then

188 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:46:32pm

re: #186 Dark_Falcon

Works for me.

You’re too easy DF
/

189 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:47:54pm

re: #187 albusteve

I must be doing something wrong then

I say you’re afraid of timeouts.
/

190 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:48:05pm

re: #183 albusteve

acting classes…that’s interesting

Stephen Drewes in San Francisco. He used to direct the Pocket Operas there. Great classes, I took two.

191 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:49:09pm

Hey, I forgot to brag. My kid bought me a new computer for Christ-my-birthday! It’s not an HP, it’s a Toshiba. But it’s supposed to be whizbang fast. He even loaded all my favorite programs and a lot of family pics onto it for me. I have the best kid in the world. Now if I could just get him to remember to put the seat down.

192 Eclectic Infidel  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:50:06pm

I’m in a Pogues sort of mood:

Youtube Video

“Medley”

193 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:50:20pm

re: #190 Gus 802

Stephen Drewes in San Francisco. He used to direct the Pocket Operas there. Great classes, I took two.

I thought I knew you… didn’t we work that review at the Tambourine Club in SanFran… you were the 4th dancer on the front line with the raccoon tail and boa?

194 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:50:22pm

re: #189 Mr Pancakes

I say you’re afraid of timeouts.
/


nah, I deserve them once in a while

195 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:50:50pm

re: #193 Walter L. Newton

I thought I knew you… didn’t we work that review at the Tambourine Club in SanFran… you were the 4th dancer on the front line with the raccoon tail and boa?

Almost. ;)

196 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:52:06pm

But I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now.

/

197 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:52:59pm

re: #190 Gus 802

Stephen Drewes in San Francisco. He used to direct the Pocket Operas there. Great classes, I took two.

I took a make up class once offered by Mary Kay…
seriously, that would be fun to try…who knows?

198 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:53:13pm

re: #194 albusteve

nah, I deserve them once in a while

You’re a good guy Steve…… I hope everything works out well for you.

199 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:54:31pm

re: #196 Gus 802

But I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now.

/

You stole that from Harvey Fierstein :)

200 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:54:53pm

re: #197 albusteve

I took a make up class once offered by Mary Kay…
seriously, that would be fun to try…who knows?

Typically you learn about Stanislavski or “The Method”. Method acting.

201 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:55:48pm

re: #198 Mr Pancakes

You’re a good guy Steve… I hope everything works out well for you.

and the same to you

202 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:56:05pm

re: #199 Walter L. Newton

You stole that from Harvey Fierstein :)

Robert Zimmerman.

//

203 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:56:19pm

re: #201 albusteve

and the same to you

Thanks

204 Eclectic Infidel  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:59:09pm

re: #20 reine.de.tout

I mean, looking over thousands (and thousands and thousands, I would bet) of documents, etc. - that’s a big job. And it will take time away from other things they should be attending to.

Like providing crummy customer service.

205 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:59:37pm

re: #200 Gus 802

Typically you learn about Stanislavski or “The Method”. Method acting.

I was in Jamaica when they were filming the prison scenes for Papillion, when some casting guy tried to recruit my girlfriend as an extra…closest I’ve ever come to acting

206 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:00:33pm

re: #204 eclectic infidel

Like providing crummy customer service.

And just like that we’re back on topic.
(party pooper //)

207 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:02:07pm

re: #205 albusteve

I was in Jamaica when they were filming the prison scenes for Papillion, when some casting guy tried to recruit my girlfriend as an extra…closest I’ve ever come to acting

Tried? So you refused?

209 Eclectic Infidel  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:03:50pm

re: #206 Escaped Hillbilly

And just like that we’re back on topic.
(party pooper //)

And yet surprisingly I’m in a decent mood - granted, I’m fending off anxiety from an unrelated matter, with the help of dark chocolate and a cabernet + shiraz red; but yeah, BofA gets smacked around a bit? Boo fricken hoo.

210 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:04:54pm

re: #205 albusteve

I was in Jamaica when they were filming the prison scenes for Papillion, when some casting guy tried to recruit my girlfriend as an extra…closest I’ve ever come to acting

Never did that but there are always openings for extras. Good chance to get seen in a film.

211 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:05:02pm

re: #205 albusteve

I was in Jamaica when they were filming the prison scenes for Papillion, when some casting guy tried to recruit my girlfriend as an extra…closest I’ve ever come to acting

My mom had a weird thing for getting the family as extras in movies when I was a kid. We were in Gandhi, Raise the Titanic, Far Pavilions and a couple other movies that nobody ever saw.

212 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:05:43pm

re: #207 Mr Pancakes

Tried? So you refused?

no, she was just too shy about it…ironically several stewardesses at the same place we were staying were going to the set every day to try and get in…we were in a bar in Rosehall when he just walked up to her with the offer, no pay involved…she was a very hot, dark skinned beauty, my first wife

213 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:06:05pm

re: #209 eclectic infidel

And yet surprisingly I’m in a decent mood - granted, I’m fending off anxiety from an unrelated matter, with the help of dark chocolate and a cabernet + shiraz red; but yeah, BofA gets smacked around a bit? Boo fricken hoo.

Yea I’m with ya dude. I’m starting to levitate.

215 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:06:30pm

Well… this jackass and mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way I planned… has to head out for work… the next two weeks are going to be rather easy… with Paris France looming on Jan. 14th, there’s not much that can happen to put me in a bad mood.

Funny how life works out like that?

216 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:06:53pm

Hey, one of my New Year’s predictions already came true!

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)—Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon(notes) is the main suspect in a fatal shooting New Year’s Eve in the Dominican Republic, police said Sunday.

The pitcher is suspected of killing 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte and wounding his 17-year-old brother during a celebration in the northeast coastal town of Luperon, police said in a statement. No motive was disclosed. Simon is from the Dominican Republic, and police said he fled after the violence.

Police Maj. Pablo Cuevas said he believes Simon is hiding in Santiago, where he was born. He is confident the player will surrender to authorities by Monday. Simon could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.

I’m thinking it should be easy to find him. “Hey, there he is, the guy in the uniform on the pitchers mound!”

217 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:06:55pm

re: #210 Gus 802

Never did that but there are always openings for extras. Good chance to get seen in a film.

I should scan the pic of me in costume on the set of Gandhi and post it. It’s pretty funny.

218 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:07:12pm

re: #193 Walter L. Newton

I thought I knew you… didn’t we work that review at the Tambourine Club in SanFran… you were the 4th dancer on the front line with the raccoon tail and boa?

ROFL

219 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:07:20pm

re: #211 Killgore Trout

My mom had a weird thing for getting the family as extras in movies when I was a kid. We were in Gandhi, Raise the Titanic, Far Pavilions and a couple other movies that nobody ever saw.

cool beans….what a terrific experience!
send me a glossy

220 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:08:22pm

re: #210 Gus 802

Never did that but there are always openings for extras. Good chance to get seen in a film.

especially around ABQ….lots of film work down here

221 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:08:33pm

re: #215 Walter L. Newton

Well… this jackass and mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way I planned… has to head out for work… the next two weeks are going to be rather easy… with Paris France looming on Jan. 14th, there’s not much that can happen to put me in a bad mood.

Funny how life works out like that?

Youtube Video

222 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:09:29pm

re: #212 albusteve

no, she was just too shy about it…ironically several stewardesses at the same place we were staying were going to the set every day to try and get in…we were in a bar in Rosehall when he just walked up to her with the offer, no pay involved…she was a very hot, dark skinned beauty, my first wife

Dude she sounds like hottie,,,,,,,, you’ll meet anther when you go back.

223 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:10:12pm

re: #221 Gus 802

[Video]

I’m still here… putting on shoes… I’m headed fro her grave while I’m there… Pere Lachaise cemetary just a couple of blacks away from my hotel… going dance on Jim Morrisson’s grave too!

224 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:10:21pm

re: #215 Walter L. Newton

Well… this jackass and mean old bastard who’s life didn’t go the way I planned… has to head out for work… the next two weeks are going to be rather easy… with Paris France looming on Jan. 14th, there’s not much that can happen to put me in a bad mood.

Funny how life works out like that?

Stay safe, Walter. See you tomorrow evening.

225 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:10:47pm

re: #217 Killgore Trout

I should scan the pic of me in costume on the set of Gandhi and post it. It’s pretty funny.

Don’t do it……. it will end up on Zombie’s website.

226 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:11:02pm

re: #222 Mr Pancakes

Dude she sounds like hottie,,, you’ll meet anther when you go back.

I met and married two more after her…no more wives
as for Jamaica, I’ve been there dozens of times

227 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:11:31pm

re: #220 albusteve

especially around ABQ…lots of film work down here


Funny you should mention it. My niece does that. I know her mom loves to brag about how pretty her daughter is and all… But she’s been an extra on Law and Order like three times and CSI Los Vegas once. An extra, on CSI. Umm, yeah. Good work but it’s so hard to get the blood out of your cocktail dress.

228 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:11:42pm

re: #223 Walter L. Newton

I’m still here… putting on shoes… I’m headed fro her grave while I’m there… Pere Lachaise cemetary just a couple of blacks away from my hotel… going dance on Jim Morrisson’s grave too!

Blocks (not blacks)… duh…

229 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:12:23pm

re: #223 Walter L. Newton

I’m still here… putting on shoes… I’m headed fro her grave while I’m there… Pere Lachaise cemetary just a couple of blacks away from my hotel… going dance on Jim Morrisson’s grave too!

oh man…I am so NOT envious

230 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:12:33pm

re: #226 albusteve

I met and married two more after her…no more wives
as for Jamaica, I’ve been there dozens of times

You gotta have a squeeze in your twilight years dude.

231 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:14:12pm

re: #227 Escaped Hillbilly

Funny you should mention it. My niece does that. I know her mom loves to brag about how pretty her daughter is and all… But she’s been an extra on Law and Order like three times and CSI Los Vegas once. An extra, on CSI. Umm, yeah. Good work but it’s so hard to get the blood out of your cocktail dress.

I think it would be a hoot

232 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:15:49pm

re: #230 Mr Pancakes

You gotta have a squeeze in your twilight years dude.

I’m in love with a married woman…and I would never have anyone else

233 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:16:13pm

re: #223 Walter L. Newton

I’m still here… putting on shoes… I’m headed fro her grave while I’m there… Pere Lachaise cemetary just a couple of blacks away from my hotel… going dance on Jim Morrisson’s grave too!

I could spend 6 months around Normandy.

234 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:16:28pm

re: #228 Walter L. Newton

Blocks (not blacks)… duh…

Too late bigot.

////////////

235 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:16:46pm

re: #228 Walter L. Newton

Well, it’s sure to be a fun trip for you. I’m glad for you that you’re going to get to go.

236 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:17:06pm

re: #232 albusteve

I’m in love with a married woman…and I would never have anyone else

Does her husband know?

237 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:18:02pm

re: #18 Mr Pancakes

Seahawks make the playoffs with a 9-7 record… there is something wrong with that

pro sports, millionaires creating no culture of note. Whoopee.

I never understood why people get so excited about football. it’s fun to watch, sure, but I don’t get the emotional investment. I got so many better things to be emotionally invested in than millionaires running post patterns, dog torturers, and guys sending cell-phone pictures of their nutsacks to sportswriters

238 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:19:02pm
239 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:20:06pm

re: #237 WindUpBird

pro sports, millionaires creating no culture of note. Whoopee.

I never understood why people get so excited about football. it’s fun to watch, sure, but I don’t get the emotional investment. I got so many better things to be emotionally invested in than millionaires running post patterns, dog torturers, and guys sending cell-phone pictures of their nutsacks to sportswriters

Too bad Portland doesn’t have an NFL team. I feel your pain.

240 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:22:50pm

re: #236 Mr Pancakes

Does her husband know?

how much I love her?….he’d be an idiot not to and he’s a good friend…she’s my third and ex wife, the light of my life and we are still very close..she has taken good care of me throughout this disease and amputation, an angel really…she is far closer to me than to him, but it’s not at all awkward…I think a lot just goes over his head…but the flame still burns hotter than ever…it’s hard for me

241 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:23:37pm

re: #239 Mr Pancakes

Too bad Portland doesn’t have an NFL team. I feel your pain.

The LAST thing I’d ever want is for my city to be choked with traffic as nimrods from the suburbs clog up the streets going to a game.

Seattle has a pro baseball team, and a pro football team. I grew up there. i grew up with the traffic it generated. Traffic so bad I’d sooner move to a shack on Mt. Hood before going back there.

No pro sports team= better quality of life for those of us who have better things to do

242 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:24:01pm

re: #240 albusteve

how much I love her?…he’d be an idiot not to and he’s a good friend…she’s my third and ex wife, the light of my life and we are still very close..she has taken good care of me throughout this disease and amputation, an angel really…she is far closer to me than to him, but it’s not at all awkward…I think a lot just goes over his head…but the flame still burns hotter than ever…it’s hard for me

That’s cool man……. I’m sure that hurts…… I stay away from my ex.

243 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:24:20pm

re: #241 WindUpBird

The LAST thing I’d ever want is for my city to be choked with traffic as nimrods from the suburbs clog up the streets going to a game.

Seattle has a pro baseball team, and a pro football team. I grew up there. i grew up with the traffic it generated. Traffic so bad I’d sooner move to a shack on Mt. Hood before going back there.

No pro sports team= better quality of life for those of us who have better things to do

Ok

244 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:24:32pm

re: #237 WindUpBird

pro sports, millionaires creating no culture of note. Whoopee.

I never understood why people get so excited about football. it’s fun to watch, sure, but I don’t get the emotional investment. I got so many better things to be emotionally invested in than millionaires running post patterns, dog torturers, and guys sending cell-phone pictures of their nutsacks to sportswriters

yeah, football pales next to death metal addiction…c’mon, it’s entertainment, and plenty of good life lessons when you play it in school

245 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:26:02pm

re: #196 Gus 802

But I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now.

/

Upding simply for quoting his best song.

246 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:28:20pm

re: #237 WindUpBird

pro sports, millionaires creating no culture of note. Whoopee.

I never understood why people get so excited about football. it’s fun to watch, sure, but I don’t get the emotional investment. I got so many better things to be emotionally invested in than millionaires running post patterns, dog torturers, and guys sending cell-phone pictures of their nutsacks to sportswriters

Chicago has always cheered on the Bears, and to many fans the Bears really generate a sense of civic pride when they do well. I’ve been following football more closely this year and its helped me hold conversations with others at work.

247 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:28:21pm

re: #245 wlewisiii

Upding simply for quoting his best song.

best song?…tough call

248 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:28:46pm

re: #244 albusteve

yeah, football pales next to death metal addiction…c’mon, it’s entertainment, and plenty of good life lessons when you play it in school


Yes, really important life lessons like, “hit em hard” and “hit em harder”. Overpaid bullies for the most part. And who wants the post game “celebration” that burns your business down and costs thousands if not millions to clean up? People always claim these teams bring money to their towns but I don’t see it. I think that’s what they want to believe to justify the money spent on it.
Playing sports for fun is cool. Watching your kid run backwards around the bases is a blast. Paying anything over $50 to watch someone else play a game? My definition of insanity. But to each his own. We all have our little weaknesses.

249 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:29:21pm

re: #246 Dark_Falcon

Chicago has always cheered on the Bears, and to many fans the Bears really generate a sense of civic pride when they do well. I’ve been following football more closely this year and its helped me hold conversations with others at work.

Cutler sucks.
/

250 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:30:27pm

re: #248 Escaped Hillbilly

Yes, really important life lessons like, “hit em hard” and “hit em harder”. Overpaid bullies for the most part. And who wants the post game “celebration” that burns your business down and costs thousands if not millions to clean up? People always claim these teams bring money to their towns but I don’t see it. I think that’s what they want to believe to justify the money spent on it.
Playing sports for fun is cool. Watching your kid run backwards around the bases is a blast. Paying anything over $50 to watch someone else play a game? My definition of insanity. But to each his own. We all have our little weaknesses.

I take it you never played…but to get so hostile about it is humorous

251 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:30:50pm

re: #244 albusteve

yeah, football pales next to death metal addiction…c’mon, it’s entertainment, and plenty of good life lessons when you play it in school

metal is still music, and music is still culture. Like I said, I enjoy watching the occasional NFL game, but where does it go? Stats, figures, highlights, it’s fun, but it’s just entertainment. And it’s entertainment that often comes at the price of actual culture and livability and resources in cities, when public-private partnerships arise to build stadiums that are purpose-built for one sport, like Seattle’s Seahawks stadium, or Safeco field. it’s like playing a game of cards with my friends. I’d rather play games myself than watch other people play games for me.

The life lessons I gained from playing sports (I was in track for a bit, until i decided it was a waste of my time) is that people of high physical capability who toss balls around are more valued and get more school resources than science departments, and CERTAINLY more resources than the poor art and music departments. Which is an important lesson about the world, really. :D

252 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:31:18pm

Take the Doug Ross Challenge!
Document a Single @FoxNews Lie and Win a $1,400 Krugerrand

There are just four simple rules:

• Typos don’t qualify (“ooh, the news ticker used a ‘D’ after his name, not an ‘R’!”).

• The lie must have been reported by at least two Fox News reporters (not analysts, reporters).

• The transcripts and/or video clips must be available on a suitably trustworthy site for verification.

• The real news story, refuting the Fox News lie, must have been correctly reported at around the same time by at least one news reporter from CNN or MSNBC (with similar links and/or transcripts from their sites).

Just one lie! That’s all I’m asking for


What an idiot.

253 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:32:15pm

I need to sign off for the night. I’ve got to go to work tomorrow, and I need my sleep. Type to you all tomorrow.

254 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:32:37pm

re: #246 Dark_Falcon
“Da Bears!”
“Da Bulls!”
When I lived in IL that routine was really popular. I’d rather go watch the Cubs during my lunch hour for a fraction of the cost.
Something I just don’t get. Why are people proud of “their” sports team? They come from other towns, train in other towns, get paid by people in other towns, and spend their money in other towns. None of those people make any money of “their” team. What gives? This is a real psychological puzzle to me.

255 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:32:46pm

Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! My balls are still bigger than Rodan’s or Chen Zit.

256 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:32:51pm

re: #251 WindUpBird

metal is still music, and music is still culture. Like I said, I enjoy watching the occasional NFL game, but where does it go? Stats, figures, highlights, it’s fun, but it’s just entertainment. And it’s entertainment that often comes at the price of actual culture and livability and resources in cities, when public-private partnerships arise to build stadiums that are purpose-built for one sport, like Seattle’s Seahawks stadium, or Safeco field. it’s like playing a game of cards with my friends. I’d rather play games myself than watch other people play games for me.

The life lessons I gained from playing sports (I was in track for a bit, until i decided it was a waste of my time) is that people of high physical capability who toss balls around are more valued and get more school resources than science departments, and CERTAINLY more resources than the poor art and music departments. Which is an important lesson about the world, really. :D

sports is culture too…nobody is picking on artists with better things to do…so be it, makes me no difference

257 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:33:24pm

re: #250 albusteve

I take it you never played…but to get so hostile about it is humorous

I’m hostile about what pro sports did to Seattle, because I lived there, and continue to visit there, I saw what it did to Seattle. I had to commute through it, I watched tax dollars stream to it after it was voted down. I’m happy that it won’t happen to Portland.

So yeha, I am a little hostile! I like my city pro-sports free. The NFL can build a stadium in vancouver if they want, I’m all for that :D

258 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:34:39pm

re: #251 WindUpBird

metal is still music, and music is still culture. Like I said, I enjoy watching the occasional NFL game, but where does it go? Stats, figures, highlights, it’s fun, but it’s just entertainment. And it’s entertainment that often comes at the price of actual culture and livability and resources in cities, when public-private partnerships arise to build stadiums that are purpose-built for one sport, like Seattle’s Seahawks stadium, or Safeco field. it’s like playing a game of cards with my friends. I’d rather play games myself than watch other people play games for me.

The life lessons I gained from playing sports (I was in track for a bit, until i decided it was a waste of my time) is that people of high physical capability who toss balls around are more valued and get more school resources than science departments, and CERTAINLY more resources than the poor art and music departments. Which is an important lesson about the world, really. :D

It’s more fun when you an actual NFL team in your city……. until then you won’t really know. Believe me LA is pissed.

259 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:35:00pm

re: #247 albusteve

best song?…tough call

Agreed. For me, that one works as that, though there are many others that come close.

My favorite version of it remains Keith Jarrett’s though. He did it twice: once on “The Dylan Concert” and, earlier, somewhat better, on “Somewhere Before”.

260 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:35:09pm

re: #250 albusteve

I take it you never played…but to get so hostile about it is humorous


That’s hostile? You haven’t heard me rant. That’s just observation. Funny you males get so bent out of shape when someone gores your sacred cow!
Of course I never played football… I’m a girl silly. But really, I played a lot of sports as a kid. HUGE difference between playing and forking over good money to overpaid, spoiled, attention hounds. There are sooo many better ways to waste money and have a good time.

261 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:35:45pm

re: #252 Killgore Trout

Take the Doug Ross Challenge!
Document a Single @FoxNews Lie and Win a $1,400 Krugerrand


What an idiot.

He’ll rules-lawyer those rules to make sure he never has to fork over the coin. Other wise he’d be handing out enough coins to bankrupt him.

Goodnight for real this time.

262 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:36:02pm

re: #256 albusteve

sports is culture too…nobody is picking on artists with better things to do…so be it, makes me no difference

sports in aggregate is culture, sure. But let’s distinguish sports that are experienced first hand from juicers in the big time with seven and eight figure deals. But most pro sports is culture the way Britney Spears is culture. The way Coldplay is culture. It’s the mainstream thing full of endorsement deals and Tv rights and broadcast contracts and money-losing franchises that everyone can agree on.

263 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:36:07pm
264 karmic_inquisitor  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:36:53pm

Julian Assange is offered a ride in a time machine by a rich benefactor. He decides to go to Stockholm in 1975, ostensibly to find some “leaks”.

He arrives and finds himself in front of Stockholm’s newly opened McDonalds / Disco. Sensing the hegemonic corruption of American imperial corporatism (and watching young Swedish hotties walking in the door) Assange decides to investigate. So he goes in and under the cover of dim lights and cigarette smoke starts hitting on girls. He manages to pick one up and goes back to her place for a 10 minute romp.

When he returns to present day he tells his benefactor all about his trip and the girl. He ends with “But I tell ya - If I’d known she was a virgin I’d a gone a lot slower.”

Back in 1975 the girl returns to her friends at the McDonald’s / Disco who had dared her to have sex with the “gray haired guy from Australia”. She tells her story and then finishes with “If I’d known the old guy was so hard up I’d have taken off my pantyhose.”

265 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:38:21pm

re: #258 Mr Pancakes

It’s more fun when you an actual NFL team in your city… until then you won’t really know. Believe me LA is pissed.

Um…I uh grew up in Seattle? You know, that team you just mentioned? I was there for 25 years. I’ve been to Seahawks games. I’ve been to Sonics games. I’ve been to T-Birds games. I’ve been to mariners games. In the Kingdome! When they had the weird trident logo. Wasn’t for me.

I moved to Portland, can’t be assed to care about the Blazers. Don’t care! I couldn’t tell you a single player on the blazers. I could name 150 local musicians, but I don’t give my energy to watching spectator sports.

266 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:39:23pm

re: #260 Escaped Hillbilly

That’s hostile? You haven’t heard me rant. That’s just observation. Funny you males get so bent out of shape when someone gores your sacred cow!
Of course I never played football… I’m a girl silly. But really, I played a lot of sports as a kid. HUGE difference between playing and forking over good money to overpaid, spoiled, attention hounds. There are sooo many better ways to waste money and have a good time.

I’m not in the least bent out of shape…I expressed no point of view about traffic, burning cars, dick sacks or any of the rest…I merely stated that football is a game that has plenty of redeeming value…you have me confused with someone else

267 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:40:27pm

re: #265 WindUpBird

Um…I uh grew up in Seattle? You know, that team you just mentioned? I was there for 25 years. I’ve been to Seahawks games. I’ve been to Sonics games. I’ve been to T-Birds games. I’ve been to mariners games. In the Kingdome! When they had the weird trident logo. Wasn’t for me.

I moved to Portland, can’t be assed to care about the Blazers. Don’t care! I couldn’t tell you a single player on the blazers. I could name 150 local musicians, but I don’t give my energy to watching spectator sports.

Oh I get it now WUB hates NFL football!

268 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:40:56pm

re: #267 Mr Pancakes

Oh I get it now WUB hates NFL football!

I like watching the Cowboys lose.
:P

269 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:41:51pm

re: #268 Varek Raith

I like watching the Cowboys lose.
:P

Yo tambien…. don’t tell Steve.

270 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:42:52pm

re: #266 albusteve

I’m not in the least bent out of shape…I expressed no point of view about traffic, burning cars, dick sacks or any of the rest…I merely stated that football is a game that has plenty of redeeming value…you have me confused with someone else

I think it has plenty of redeeming value! As a game. As a thing I once played in grade school with my friends. As a thing people enjoy with their friends. As a quadzillion dollar business where dog torturers are celebrated by the president, i’m not a fan. As a thing that dominates schools and takes resources away from education, I’m not so big a fan.


I wonder what someone would have to do besides be a star football player, to overcome the stigma of being convicted of being responsible for animals being tortured and brutalized to death. I don’t get it.

271 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:43:30pm

re: #268 Varek Raith

I like watching the Cowboys lose.
:P

ahahahahahahahahahaha okay I admit I enjoy hearing whenever the Cowboys lose

272 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:43:39pm

re: #269 Mr Pancakes

Yo tambien… don’t tell Steve.

I have several stock replys for that, but after 45 years, I don’t care anymore…. boo birds are part of the gig

273 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:43:56pm

re: #272 albusteve

I have several stock replys for that, but after 45 years, I don’t care anymore… boo birds are part of the gig

:)

274 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:45:37pm

re: #270 WindUpBird

I think it has plenty of redeeming value! As a game. As a thing I once played in grade school with my friends. As a thing people enjoy with their friends. As a quadzillion dollar business where dog torturers are celebrated by the president, i’m not a fan. As a thing that dominates schools and takes resources away from education, I’m not so big a fan.

I wonder what someone would have to do besides be a star football player, to overcome the stigma of being convicted of being responsible for animals being tortured and brutalized to death. I don’t get it.

Wub…… you don’t like professional sports…….. we get it …. how was your Christmas dude?

275 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:47:31pm

re: #271 WindUpBird

ahahahahahahahahahaha okay I admit I enjoy hearing whenever the Cowboys lose

Does that like make you really happy?

276 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:47:31pm
277 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:48:49pm

re: #267 Mr Pancakes

Oh I get it now WUB hates NFL football!

I actually just hate the fact that our country seems to value it to the point of absurdity. I have nothing against sitting down and watching a game of football, at my leisure, with friends who can explain the finer points of the strategy of it to me. Especially college ball, because at the very least it’s not QUITE as corrupt. But I don’t understand anyone who is highly emotionally invested in a game other people besides them are playing.

And let’s just say if dog torturer Michael Vick faded from this realm tomorrow, I’d purchase some champagne. The fact hat the NFL even still lets that guy play football is pretty revolting and inhuman to me. What would he have to do to be banned? be charged with murder?

Money talks, cruelty, eh, who cares. They’re only dogs, right? play ball!

278 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:48:53pm

Pull out the tissues.

279 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:49:09pm

re: #276 Gus 802

Hans Zimmer - Black Hawk Down


[Video]

easily one of the half dozen best war movies ever

280 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:51:28pm

re: #277 WindUpBird

I actually just hate the fact that our country seems to value it to the point of absurdity. I have nothing against sitting down and watching a game of football, at my leisure, with friends who can explain the finer points of the strategy of it to me. Especially college ball, because at the very least it’s not QUITE as corrupt. But I don’t understand anyone who is highly emotionally invested in a game other people besides them are playing.

And let’s just say if dog torturer Michael Vick faded from this realm tomorrow, I’d purchase some champagne. The fact hat the NFL even still lets that guy play football is pretty revolting and inhuman to me. What would he have to do to be banned? be charged with murder?

Money talks, cruelty, eh, who cares. They’re only dogs, right? play ball!

I used to gamble quite a bit on both college but especially pro football…that was a lot of fun….as for Vick, the NFL cannot stop him from playing…you should know that, really

281 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:52:05pm

re: #275 Mr Pancakes

Does that like make you really happy?

it’s because I just really am annoyed by any organization that proclaims themselves “America’s team”. I like massive hubris to fail. I like that whether it’s football or international politics. Nothing personal!

282 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:52:15pm

re: #277 WindUpBird

I actually just hate the fact that our country seems to value it to the point of absurdity. I have nothing against sitting down and watching a game of football, at my leisure, with friends who can explain the finer points of the strategy of it to me. Especially college ball, because at the very least it’s not QUITE as corrupt. But I don’t understand anyone who is highly emotionally invested in a game other people besides them are playing.

And let’s just say if dog torturer Michael Vick faded from this realm tomorrow, I’d purchase some champagne. The fact hat the NFL even still lets that guy play football is pretty revolting and inhuman to me. What would he have to do to be banned? be charged with murder?

Money talks, cruelty, eh, who cares. They’re only dogs, right? play ball!

You sound like Michael Savage

283 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:53:32pm

re: #281 WindUpBird

it’s because I just really am annoyed by any organization that proclaims themselves “America’s team”. I like massive hubris to fail. I like that whether it’s football or international politics. Nothing personal!

Dude I hate America’s team……. they suck anyway.

284 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:53:50pm

re: #281 WindUpBird

it’s because I just really am annoyed by any organization that proclaims themselves “America’s team”. I like massive hubris to fail. I like that whether it’s football or international politics. Nothing personal!

they didn’t proclaim themselves Americas Team….a Texas sports announcer hung that on Dallas and NFL Films picked it up…please, you rage is misplaced

285 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:54:02pm

re: #280 albusteve

I used to gamble quite a bit on both college but especially pro football…that was a lot of fun…as for Vick, the NFL cannot stop him from playing…you should know that, really

Fair enough, they can’t legally bar him to play. And I actually do understand gambling on a game! I don’t gamble at all, because I’m terrible at it, but I understand people gambling on a thing. Or fantasy football. Then it actually DOES become a game the people at home are playing.

I dearly dearly wish I didn’t hear the president singing his praises, though

286 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:54:11pm
287 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:54:18pm

re: #282 Mr Pancakes

You sound like Michael Savage

because I’m an animal lover? :D Okay!

288 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:54:53pm

re: #284 albusteve

they didn’t proclaim themselves Americas Team…a Texas sports announcer hung that on Dallas and NFL Films picked it up…please, you rage is misplaced

Let’s just say I don’t believe that the Cowboys fanbase is embarrassed by it

289 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:55:03pm

re: #286 Gus 802

upding for lisa gerrard

290 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:56:13pm

re: #287 WindUpBird

because I’m an animal lover? :D Okay!

I love my cats…….. Vick served his sentence and played well this year…… what’s wrong with you?

291 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:59:32pm

re: #285 WindUpBird

Fair enough, they can’t legally bar him to play. And I actually do understand gambling on a game! I don’t gamble at all, because I’m terrible at it, but I understand people gambling on a thing. Or fantasy football. Then it actually DOES become a game the people at home are playing.

I dearly dearly wish I didn’t hear the president singing his praises, though

I have followed the sport for ever, read a few books on the marketing and corruption etc…and I am unimpressed with owners that would allow someone like Vick to play…there is plenty wrong with the NFL, but it is a business, the bottom line rules…
one thing I find socially ironic is when an owner holds a community hostage for financing new stadiums, and generally the voters will end up giving billionaore owners sweet deals to have their team….fools, and a whole nother story

292 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 10:59:58pm

re: #289 WindUpBird

upding for lisa gerrard

It’s beautiful.

293 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:02:38pm

re: #290 Mr Pancakes

I love my cats… Vick served his sentence and played well this year… what’s wrong with you?

if it’s wrong of me to be pissed that a guy who should still be in prison for wanton cruelty is being hailed like a superhero and namechecked by Obama, I’ll happily be wrong. This wasn’t just some property damage, or some drug conviction or some juicing or some goofy barfight. I’m used to criminals in sports, the Blazers had enough criminals on their bench when I moved here, they could have been Oceans eleven. Cruelty is different tho.

I could not BE happier to be wrong. Funnily enough, every single person I know personally? We all seem to be equally wrong in exactly the same way! So sorry, i guess I just have different, whaddayacallem…values! yeah.

294 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:03:32pm

re: #288 WindUpBird

Let’s just say I don’t believe that the Cowboys fanbase is embarrassed by it

fans love that sort of stuff….nicknaming players and stadiums etc…they all have their gig….but the team/Cowboys have done more for the league and the game than people realize….it’s a long colorful story full of all kinds of twists and turns including major fan emotion…love/hate/indifference is all part of it….I just accept the entire sport phenom for what it is

295 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:03:53pm

re: #292 Gus 802

It’s beautiful.

Everything she does pretty much turns to gold, i wore out my Dead can dance cassettes in high school

296 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:06:00pm

re: #293 WindUpBird

if it’s wrong of me to be pissed that a guy who should still be in prison for wanton cruelty is being hailed like a superhero and namechecked by Obama, I’ll happily be wrong. This wasn’t just some property damage, or some drug conviction or some juicing or some goofy barfight. I’m used to criminals in sports, the Blazers had enough criminals on their bench when I moved here, they could have been Oceans eleven. Cruelty is different tho.

I could not BE happier to be wrong. Funnily enough, every single person I know personally? We all seem to be equally wrong in exactly the same way! So sorry, i guess I just have different, whaddayacallem…values! yeah.

Ok… hate him forever…… nothing changes. …… He’s not my favorite person either……. fuck.

297 albusteve  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:09:33pm

sleepy time
c yuz

298 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:10:30pm
299 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:11:07pm

re: #295 WindUpBird

Everything she does pretty much turns to gold, i wore out my Dead can dance cassettes in high school

I have a Dead Can Dance CD……. a bit too rustic for me.

300 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:13:30pm

re: #294 albusteve

fans love that sort of stuff…nicknaming players and stadiums etc…they all have their gig…but the team/Cowboys have done more for the league and the game than people realize…it’s a long colorful story full of all kinds of twists and turns including major fan emotion…love/hate/indifference is all part of it…I just accept the entire sport phenom for what it is

fair enough, I simply see it from the perspective of someone who has always had to deal with the downside of it, while never enjoying the upside ;-)

301 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:14:14pm

re: #299 Mr Pancakes

I have a Dead Can Dance CD… a bit too rustic for me.

some of it’s rustic! Some of it’s practically darkwave

302 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:15:49pm

re: #300 WindUpBird

fair enough, I simply see it from the perspective of someone who has always had to deal with the downside of it, while never enjoying the upside ;-)

Well yea……. not to worry since your city will never support one.

303 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:17:32pm
304 lostlakehiker  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:23:29pm

There is evidence other than Assange’s assertion that BofA has a big corruption problem. News story, I forget just where, detailing how BofA would string people who were having mortgage trouble along, proceeding on the paper trail with foreclosure, and whispering sweet nothings in their ears every time they called and asked what could they do.

305 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:25:51pm

re: #304 lostlakehiker

There is evidence other than Assange’s assertion that BofA has a big corruption problem. News story, I forget just where, detailing how BofA would string people who were having mortgage trouble along, proceeding on the paper trail with foreclosure, and whispering sweet nothings in their ears every time they called and asked what could they do.

This stuff gives me a headache.

306 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:34:18pm

Wub…… this is for you.


Youtube Video

307 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:34:43pm

I still prefer old school Shakira.

Youtube Video

308 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:36:31pm

re: #304 lostlakehiker

There is evidence other than Assange’s assertion that BofA has a big corruption problem. News story, I forget just where, detailing how BofA would string people who were having mortgage trouble along, proceeding on the paper trail with foreclosure, and whispering sweet nothings in their ears every time they called and asked what could they do.


Unless there is much more to that story that what you state,
that actually is a) not illegal and not corrupt b) smart because otherwise the erstwhile nonpaying owners bolt and pay nothing and destroy the house and c) well known fact already and would not even cause a ripple since everyone already thinks the worst of such institutions, oh and of course d) is kind of a dick move. But what do expect from a big corporation?

309 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:37:16pm

re: #307 Gus 802

I still prefer old school Shakira.


[Video]

Absofuckinglutley ……….. that’s taco eatin’ music if you catch my drift.

310 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:38:52pm

re: #309 Mr Pancakes

Absofuckinglutley … that’s taco eatin’ music if you catch my drift.

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

//

311 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:39:53pm

re: #310 Gus 802

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

//

Yea…… you caught my drift.

312 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:42:20pm

re: #310 Gus 802

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

//

Glazed doughnut……..

313 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:44:07pm

re: #312 Mr Pancakes

Glazed doughnut…

I was a fan way back, Haven’t been keeping up.

Shakira - No (featuring Gustavo Cerati)

Youtube Video

314 Gus  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:46:23pm

Sleep. Night.

Youtube Video

315 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:47:55pm

Hey guys? Wanna see something cool?

SHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWN

316 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:49:01pm

I’m not sure why that works and doesn’t wrap around, maybe the fact that I used an individual strong open-and-close tag for each iteration of the word SHUTDOWN makes it behave differently

317 Usually refered to as anyways  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:50:05pm

I think its because their is no space.

Happy New Year WUB

318 BongCrodny  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:50:24pm

re: #214 Gus 802

Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens Streets of Bakersfield


[Video]


One of my favorite Dwight songs, along with “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose.”

319 Ryan King  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:50:46pm

That just blew my mind. It’s not really cool unless you get in trouble though, just sayin….

320 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:51:20pm

re: #317 ozbloke

I think its because their is no space.

Happy New Year WUB

woot happy new year, I managed to not get trashed *_@

but if I do this:
shutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdown


it wraps around.

321 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:51:54pm

re: #319 BigPapa

That just blew my mind. It’s not really cool unless you get in trouble though, just sayin…

I’m afraid to do it again lest it screw up the formatting o_o

322 Irenicum  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:51:56pm

B of A is so screwed. Serves them right. I’m no friend of Assange or Anonymous, but these corporate monsters are just that, monsters. Slave masters is an understatement.

323 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:51:56pm

re: #313 Gus 802

I was a fan way back, Haven’t been keeping up.

Shakira - No (featuring Gustavo Cerati)


[Video]


I love Gustavo Cerati…….. I didn’t know he did anything with her.

Youtube Video

324 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:53:27pm

re: #322 Irenicum

B of A is so screwed. Serves them right. I’m no friend of Assange or Anonymous, but these corporate monsters are just that, monsters. Slave masters is an understatement.

yeah this is just some time we’re living through, isn’t it?

I pretty much think the state of banking itself, as it exists in America and the western world, is just plain evil. And we keep deregulating banks further, allowing bigger banks to become bigger and perpetuated far more efficient evils.

325 Irenicum  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:56:45pm

re: #324 WindUpBird

Yep.

326 BongCrodny  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:58:17pm

re: #182 Escaped Hillbilly

Some comic whose name I can’t remember.


I remember waaay back when I was a l’il bongster I laughed myself silly over an “Andy Capp” comic that featured “the boy stood on the burning deck” as a punchline.

Andy was in his fallback position on the couch, and Flo was grousing about something, maybe how they needed money for the rent, and soon.

Andy asked “What would you have me do?”

Flo replied, “Act, mate, act!”

So Andy stood up on the couch and blurted out…

The fact that I remember this comic strip some thirty years down the road is more than a little disturbing. :-)

327 Mr Pancakes  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:59:07pm

re: #315 WindUpBird

Hey guys? Wanna see something cool?

SHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWNSHUTDOWN

Anarchist!

328 Escaped Hillbilly  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:59:42pm

re: #326 BongCrodny
And therefore made me smile. And that’s a fete.

329 Ryan King  Sun, Jan 2, 2011 11:59:50pm

re: #327 Mr Pancakes

Anarchist!

Actually he moved way to the right….

330 Usually refered to as anyways  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:00:14am

re: #320 WindUpBird

woot happy new year, I managed to not get trashed *_@

but if I do this:
shutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownshutdownsh utdownshutdownshutdownshutdown

it wraps around.

Cos its got a space.

My missus worked till 10pm New Years Eve, shes a nurse, we had the kids all away with their own thing happening.

Our first New Years on own own, we watched a movie, Killers.
It finished just before midnight, we got to watch the Sydney Harbor fireworks.
Heaps of munchies enough alcohol.

It was a nice evening.
I do hope 2011 is financially more rewarding for everyone.

331 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:03:28am

I made it to the bottom comments!!!!!!!!!!!!

332 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:05:08am

re: #330 ozbloke

Cos its got a space.

My missus worked till 10pm New Years Eve, shes a nurse, we had the kids all away with their own thing happening.

Our first New Years on own own, we watched a movie, Killers.
It finished just before midnight, we got to watch the Sydney Harbor fireworks.
Heaps of munchies enough alcohol.

It was a nice evening.
I do hope 2011 is financially more rewarding for everyone.

but it didn’t have a space! I pasted it from a notefile! :D

also, sounds awesome *_*

333 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:07:13am

re: #329 BigPapa

Actually he moved way to the right…

I’m to the right of a bunch of my friends, actually! I think i’m the most right wing guy among my closer circle of friends. I had to suffer through a lot of OMG BUSH. Still left of most everyone here, but notice I’ve never gotten an account at any left wing blog…

334 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:08:53am

re: #333 WindUpBird

I’m to the right of a bunch of my friends, actually! I think i’m the most right wing guy among my closer circle of friends. I had to suffer through a lot of OMG BUSH. Still left of most everyone here, but notice I’ve never gotten an account at any left wing blog…

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!

335 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:11:12am

re: #334 Mr Pancakes

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal!

at least none of them give a shit about mumia, or Che Guevara bleh *_* They’re not those kinds of liberals. They’re get-too-wound-up-about-Bush liberals who are all nerdy gearhead tech dork creative types. They’re somewhat like me but uh more nutty and not savvy about politics in the slightest.

336 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:11:21am

re: #324 WindUpBird

yeah this is just some time we’re living through, isn’t it?

I pretty much think the state of banking itself, as it exists in America and the western world, is just plain evil. And we keep deregulating banks further, allowing bigger banks to become bigger and perpetuated far more efficient evils.

Money is not the root of all evil, it just provides the fertilizer.
I have said before and will say again, Bureaucracy is the root of all evil. Every bad thing about our government (which ain’t so bad by comparison to some others I can think of) is related to bureaucracy. A lot of years in the military had done nothing to disabuse me of this notion. Of course, a lot of Dilbert cartoons read during every conceivable opportunity probably has helped to shape my thinking.

I don’t think the institution itself is evil. I don’t think most of the people working within it is evil. Its intent is not evil. Its purpose is not evil. But when those things are put into a bureacratic matrix, they come out evil.

I think of bureacracy as the blob from that old movie of the same name, except necessary. As long as you keep it starved, it remains relatively small and harmless. But the more you feed it, the more it grows and the more it grows the more it eats and the more it eats the more it grows…

337 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:12:57am

re: #335 WindUpBird

at least none of them give a shit about mumia, or Che Guevara bleh *_* They’re not those kinds of liberals. They’re get-too-wound-up-about-Bush liberals who are all nerdy gearhead tech dork creative types. They’re somewhat like me but uh more nutty and not savvy about politics in the slightest.

Well maybe there is hope for you yet.

338 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:13:24am

re: #336 Escaped Hillbilly

the things about banks though, it isn’t the bureaucracy.

it’s the salesmanship of credit, it’s trapping people in debt for their lives. it’s like selling heroin, what banks do to manipulate people into debt, into buying homes they can’t afford.

And eventually, selling heroin to a neighborhood starts to ruin it. Much like selling homes on credit to people who can’t afford it. Urban blight both ways, one way is legal.

339 Shiplord Kirel  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:15:22am

re: #326 BongCrodny

I remember waaay back when I was a l’il bongster I laughed myself silly over an “Andy Capp” comic that featured “the boy stood on the burning deck” as a punchline.

Andy was in his fallback position on the couch, and Flo was grousing about something, maybe how they needed money for the rent, and soon.

Andy asked “What would you have me do?”

Flo replied, “Act, mate, act!”

So Andy stood up on the couch and blurted out…

The fact that I remember this comic strip some thirty years down the road is more than a little disturbing. :-)

I have the same inexplicable tendency to remember odd jokes from decades ago. I was an avid reader of the old MAD magazine of revered memory (which may explain many of my life-long attitudes). In their parody of the highly forgettable Tarzan TV series (ca. 1966) they changed the name of the sidekick chimp from “Judy” to “Judas.” This struck me as hilariously funny at the time and still does. I have no idea why though.

Another old favorite was the incredibly detailed “World Map Parody” run by the National Lampoon in the 70s. This included such place names as the “Dire Straits” (well before the band of that name), the “Disease Islands” in the Pacific (“Syphilis,” “Pyorrhea,” etc.), “Kidneystone” England, “Cornhole” Kansas, and “Slavelaborsk” and “Pavlovdograd” in the Soviet Union.

340 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:15:44am

re: #337 Mr Pancakes

Well maybe there is hope for you yet.

I actually have not changed a major political position of mine in about 15 years. :P I still vote split ticket in local elections, always have when the Republican is worthy. I probably would have voted for Allen Alley for governor, but he lost in the primary to a basketball player, because stupid Oregon Republicans voted for a basketball player in their governor primary over who may just be the smartest man in the entire state.

341 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:16:23am

re: #338 WindUpBird

the things about banks though, it isn’t the bureaucracy.

it’s the salesmanship of credit, it’s trapping people in debt for their lives. it’s like selling heroin, what banks do to manipulate people into debt, into buying homes they can’t afford.

And eventually, selling heroin to a neighborhood starts to ruin it. Much like selling homes on credit to people who can’t afford it. Urban blight both ways, one way is legal.

Yabbutt……. no one can buy a house outright.

342 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:16:23am

re: #340 WindUpBird

actually, that’s not true, I think I’ve moved to the left on free speech issues, heh

343 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:17:55am

re: #341 Mr Pancakes

Yabbutt… no one can buy a house outright.

I’m not talking about 30 year fixed mortgages, dude!

I’m talking about what has happened in the last few years, equity loans, NINJA loans, credit default swaps, packaging securities, fake ratings, neighborhoods ruined. Fraud, but legal. usury to the point of nearly collapsing the world economy.

344 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:19:34am

banks should be treated like utilities that sell an addictive product. They should be regulated to the hilt. like cigarettes and nuclear material are regulated. Like explosives.

345 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:20:57am

re: #343 WindUpBird

I’m not talking about 30 year fixed mortgages, dude!

I’m talking about what has happened in the last few years, equity loans, NINJA loans, credit default swaps, packaging securities, fake ratings, neighborhoods ruined. Fraud, but legal. usury to the point of nearly collapsing the world economy.

Yea that was bullshit…… I wonder who allowed that to happen…… they should be drawn and quartered.

346 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:21:44am

re: #338 WindUpBird

the things about banks though, it isn’t the bureaucracy.

it’s the salesmanship of credit, it’s trapping people in debt for their lives. it’s like selling heroin, what banks do to manipulate people into debt, into buying homes they can’t afford.

And eventually, selling heroin to a neighborhood starts to ruin it. Much like selling homes on credit to people who can’t afford it. Urban blight both ways, one way is legal.

I’m not disagreeing with your statement, just adding my own perspective.

Why do they do those things but small local banks (which almost don’t exist anymore) don’t? Well, those small banks did and do. Read about the loss of land during the early western settlement some time. Land banks existed in some cases to trap people into credit and then grab the land and improvements at a loss. BUT those banks could never gain traction to become that truly evil and eventually either changed their ways (sometimes through lawsuit, sometimes through a bullet, sometimes through common business sense) or they went under. The big corporate banks of today can’t be turned around like that. They have grown so bloated their various branch heads don’t even know what their own workers are doing, let alone the other divisions and branches. The whole robosigning problem was due directly to this issue. BoA is not just a bank any more. It is a giant many tentacled monster of a bureacracy with tentacles in everything from credit to futures to holdings to property to foreign investments… You chop off a tentacle, it grows another. “Too big to fail” can have many meanings. Ok, I’ll stop writing my novel now.

347 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:24:12am

re: #345 Mr Pancakes

Yea that was bullshit… I wonder who allowed that to happen… they should be drawn and quartered.

we all allowed it to happen. The deregulation and consolidation of banking into its currently corrupt state has bipartisan blame.

But that’s America. America is addicted to credit, and addicted to entitlement, and pitched entitlement. this “ownership society” crap. It’s like socially engineering the whole country to buy crap they can’t afford, using the shell game of debt. Like a grifter, but it’s scamming itself.

348 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:24:19am

re: #346 Escaped Hillbilly

I’m not disagreeing with your statement, just adding my own perspective.

Why do they do those things but small local banks (which almost don’t exist anymore) don’t? Well, those small banks did and do. Read about the loss of land during the early western settlement some time. Land banks existed in some cases to trap people into credit and then grab the land and improvements at a loss. BUT those banks could never gain traction to become that truly evil and eventually either changed their ways (sometimes through lawsuit, sometimes through a bullet, sometimes through common business sense) or they went under. The big corporate banks of today can’t be turned around like that. They have grown so bloated their various branch heads don’t even know what their own workers are doing, let alone the other divisions and branches. The whole robosigning problem was due directly to this issue. BoA is not just a bank any more. It is a giant many tentacled monster of a bureacracy with tentacles in everything from credit to futures to holdings to property to foreign investments… You chop off a tentacle, it grows another. “Too big to fail” can have many meanings. Ok, I’ll stop writing my novel now.

Yea thanks…… my eyes started rolling back in my head about halfway through.

349 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:25:30am

re: #346 Escaped Hillbilly

the fact that ‘robosigning” is legal is really just stunning

it’s almost like we just appointed banks God, and let them do whatever they wanted. “Ruin everything, guys! it’s all yours!”

350 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:25:57am

re: #349 WindUpBird

God meaning the current consolidated corporate monsters we have now

351 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:27:20am

re: #347 WindUpBird

we all allowed it to happen. The deregulation and consolidation of banking into its currently corrupt state has bipartisan blame.

But that’s America. America is addicted to credit, and addicted to entitlement, and pitched entitlement. this “ownership society” crap. It’s like socially engineering the whole country to buy crap they can’t afford, using the shell game of debt. Like a grifter, but it’s scamming itself.

Yet we still enjoy Football …….. God we suck ….. sometimes I hate America.

352 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:28:11am

heres something nobody wants to hear:

what if this Bank of America wikileak thing ends up changing the world unambiguously for the better, blowing the lid off untold corruption and horrors? blah blah, usual disclaimers, not a fan of Assange, computer crime, of course. But what if? How do we think of Assange then?

353 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:31:13am

re: #349 WindUpBird
Yeah. I don’t think you or I would get away with that at our jobs. But that’s how things go from bad to worse. There is no way human beings can handle that much paperwork that quickly. So instead of saying, lets slow down, they say, just sign em automatically.

354 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:33:29am

re: #352 WindUpBird
If he accidentally got one right am I supposed to change my opinion? Nope. I still think he’s a self important little blowhard.

355 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:34:38am

re: #353 Escaped Hillbilly

Yeah. I don’t think you or I would get away with that at our jobs. But that’s how things go from bad to worse. There is no way human beings can handle that much paperwork that quickly. So instead of saying, lets slow down, they say, just sign em automatically.

Seriously? I keep my money in a bank…….. works pretty cool. You don’t?

356 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:35:32am

re: #354 Escaped Hillbilly

If he accidentally got one right am I supposed to change my opinion? Nope. I still think he’s a self important little blowhard.

Oh, that’s absolutely true :D

But I guess I’m thinking of more the notion of the leaks themselves, the phenomenon of it. Which is a million times bigger than that guy.

357 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:36:07am

re: #355 Mr Pancakes

Seriously? I keep my money in a bank… works pretty cool. You don’t?

ever lost your home to a ban that couldn’t find the paperwork to prove they owned it?

358 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:36:43am

re: #357 WindUpBird

ever lost your home to a ban that couldn’t find the paperwork to prove they owned it?

Yes

359 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:37:06am

re: #355 Mr Pancakes

Seriously? I keep my money in a bank… works pretty cool. You don’t?

Nothing I said implies any such thing. I think bureacracy sucks. The more there is of it, the more it sucks. But it is sometimes necessary. I also collect a paycheck from the Army, one of the world’s biggest bureacracy. I pay the IRS, HUGE bureacracy. I also send mail through USPS, etc. etc.

360 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:38:58am

re: #356 WindUpBird

Oh, that’s absolutely true :D

But I guess I’m thinking of more the notion of the leaks themselves, the phenomenon of it. Which is a million times bigger than that guy.


I still think they’re wrong. It would have to work more than once for me to change my mind. But if it could be shown demonstratively that it does work for positive change, and not just to add fuel to the fire, then I would be willing to embrace it albeit slowly.

361 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:42:49am

re: #359 Escaped Hillbilly

Nothing I said implies any such thing. I think bureacracy sucks. The more there is of it, the more it sucks. But it is sometimes necessary. I also collect a paycheck from the Army, one of the world’s biggest bureacracy. I pay the IRS, HUGE bureacracy. I also send mail through USPS, etc. etc.

Ok we have to deal with it…….. banks serve a purpose and do it quite well.

362 Escaped Hillbilly  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:44:19am

re: #361 Mr Pancakes

Ok we have to deal with it… banks serve a purpose and do it quite well.

They serve a purpose that we have nothing better for. But they could do a heck of a lot better with about five levels of management less.

363 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:47:23am

re: #362 Escaped Hillbilly

They serve a purpose that we have nothing better for. But they could do a heck of a lot better with about five levels of management less.

Ok…….. works for me…….. If they are reliable guardians of my money… it’s all good.

364 Eclectic Infidel  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 1:09:37am

Hey, I’m still up…here’s a really mellow song from Morphine:

Youtube Video

365 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 1:11:43am

re: #364 eclectic infidel

Hey, I’m still up…here’s a really mellow song from Morphine:


[Video]

I love Morphine……… imagine my dismay when they put me on Tylenol.

366 mikefromArlington  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 1:15:05am

Lol if the crash and all the unethical crap they already pulled didn’t bring them down I highly doubt this stuff will.

367 Mr Pancakes  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 1:18:17am

re: #366 mikefromArlington

Lol if the crash and all the unethical crap they already pulled didn’t bring them down I highly doubt this stuff will.

Free Mumia? Just askin’

368 Eclectic Infidel  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 1:24:28am

re: #365 Mr Pancakes

I love Morphine… imagine my dismay when they put me on Tylenol.

Ha ha. Seriously though, I don’t see the attraction to that drug. It sucks. Then again, I usually need two Aleve to penetrate a nasty headache.

When it comes to pain, real pain, I’m all for the heavy synthetics.

369 laZardo  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:37:05am

Pete Postlethwaite, who starred in such notable films as The Age of Stupid, has died.

370 freetoken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:47:02am

re: #369 laZardo

His entry at IMDb:
imdb.com

371 freetoken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:49:50am

I suppose that if Postlewaite is recognized at all by the general moving going American public it would be because of his role in this:
imdb.com

372 researchok  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:53:58am

Morning, all.

373 laZardo  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:54:35am

re: #371 freetoken

I suppose that if Postlewaite is recognized at all by the general moving going American public it would be because of his role in this:
[Link: www.imdb.com…]

I was also thinking Inception, where he played…an old guy who died.

374 freetoken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 4:00:53am

Nutty Harold Camping, who started the evangelical Family Radio here in California many years ago, is really starting to get attention with his May 2011 “rapture” and October apocalypse teaching:

End of Days in May? Believers enter final stretch

Over the years I’ve heard Camping’s rather droning voice on the radio just about everywhere. I wonder what he’ll do come November?

375 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 4:15:03am

re: #374 freetoken

Nutty Harold Camping, who started the evangelical Family Radio here in California many years ago, is really starting to get attention with his May 2011 “rapture” and October apocalypse teaching:

End of Days in May? Believers enter final stretch

Over the years I’ve heard Camping’s rather droning voice on the radio just about everywhere. I wonder what he’ll do come November?

May you say?
Hmm… I suppose I could schedule a test of the superlaser then…
/
Morning!

376 laZardo  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 4:17:52am

re: #375 Varek Raith

Third Nolan Batman movie premieres 20 July 2012.

A little early to be BLOWING EVERYONE’S MINDS, but. q;

377 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 4:21:56am

re: #376 laZardo

Third Nolan Batman movie premieres 20 July 2012.

A little early to be BLOWING EVERYONE’S MINDS, but. q;

We’re good then.
And the 2012 election means nothing.
;)

378 BongCrodny  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 5:03:53am

re: #339 Shiplord Kirel

Another old favorite was the incredibly detailed “World Map Parody” run by the National Lampoon in the 70s. This included such place names as the “Dire Straits” (well before the band of that name), the “Disease Islands” in the Pacific (“Syphilis,” “Pyorrhea,” etc.), “Kidneystone” England, “Cornhole” Kansas, and “Slavelaborsk” and “Pavlovdograd” in the Soviet Union.


National Lampoon fan? Any chance you remember the Dacron Republican-Democrat?

379 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 5:45:02am

Morning all.

Because I know he has lots of fans here, I attach this morning’s Krugman.

nytimes.com


Also, an interesting analysis:

Is Cliff Lee the next Kevin Brown? And was that contract really so bad for the Dodgers?

nytimes.com

380 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 5:45:54am

re: #339 Shiplord Kirel

Another old favorite was the incredibly detailed “World Map Parody” run by the National Lampoon in the 70s. This included such place names as the “Dire Straits” (well before the band of that name), the “Disease Islands” in the Pacific (“Syphilis,” “Pyorrhea,” etc.), “Kidneystone” England, “Cornhole” Kansas, and “Slavelaborsk” and “Pavlovdograd” in the Soviet Union.

I had that map.

I remember the island chain: The Creeps.

381 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 5:54:03am

re: #373 laZardo

I was also thinking Inception, where he played…an old guy who died.

The Usual Suspects.

382 Flounder  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:15:08am

Good morning, I hope everyone had a great New Years!

383 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:34:05am
I’d root for the Patriots if my wife wouldn’t divorce me.

or

If I root for the Patriots my wife will divorce me.

Still trying to figure out which way I want to phrase that sentence.

384 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:34:12am

Back to B of A for a minute:

It continues to work on cleaning up the messes of the companies that Lewis bought.

dealbook.nytimes.com

He made some good acquisitions, but those last two…

385 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:34:22am

re: #382 Shropshire_Slasher

Good morning, I hope everyone had a great New Years!

I’ll let you know next January.

386 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:38:36am

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. We’re finally free of the icy grip of the snow for a bit as the warmer weather has finally melted a significant amount of snow - which the City has finally plowed from streets. It’s still not ideal, but a damned sight better than earlier in the week. We’ll be getting investigations and hearings starting next week, so those reports about sanitation department work slowdowns or other work actions may get new life. The City’s Sanitation Department appears to be overcompensating for the lack of snow removal earlier in the week

And since the snow will keep melting (although it wont completely disappear by the end of the week when another potential snow maker will come on through, the City is now griping about the lack of garbage pickups. Again, this is a health, safety, welfare issue - and the garbage pickups were halted in the wake of the snowstorm but the garbage trucks can now be tasked with garbage removal.

Throw in the potential for manhole explosions due to saltwater intrusion into electric power underground vaults and stray voltage shocking pets while walking, and the inevitable potholes the size of Mt. Rushmore, there will be plenty to gripe about in the coming weeks.

387 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:38:43am

re: #381 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Kobayashi

388 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:40:52am

re: #386 lawhawk

I hope you live close to work.

389 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:42:05am

re: #388 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I can walk to the train and then walk to work or I can work from home from time to time, but most people don’t have that luxury.

390 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:44:55am

Meanwhile, the government in Pakistan is in serious trouble after one of the parties left the ruling coalition short of the necessary votes in Parliament.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the second largest party in the ruling coalition, said Sunday it would join the opposition because of fuel price hikes, inflation and the ruling Pakistan People’s Party’s general poor performance.

The defection deprives Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s government of the 172 seats needed for a majority in the 342-member parliament. That means the fractured opposition parties — if they can work together — could sponsor a no-confidence vote in Gilani, which if passed by a majority of lawmakers would remove the prime minister from office and possibly trigger early elections.

The political crisis is almost certain to distract the government at a time when the U.S. is pushing Islamabad to do more to help turn around the war in neighboring Afghanistan, although security is largely the purview of Pakistan’s powerful military. It also all but guarantees lawmakers will make no progress anytime soon on solving the economic problems that have frustrated ordinary Pakistanis and forced the country to rely on $11 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund.

With his job on the line, Gilani was scrambling Monday to secure the support of opposition groups to avoid a no-confidence vote. He met with representatives of the biggest opposition party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, as well the second largest opposition group, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q.

This is bad news not only for the Pakistanis, who haven’t had a truly effective government in years, but will likely play havoc with US and NATO counterterrorism efforts.

391 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:46:19am

This reminds me of a story.

When I was in Jr. High School, our school choir put a program in which we sang Carpenters “Close To You”. Jimmy had a solo, and mixed up the words… he sang

“Why do birds fall down from the sky, every time, you walk by…”

He finished the song, but the laughter had him drowned out.

Poor guy.

392 Kid A  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:52:08am

re: #31 albusteve

Actually, the Seahawks made the playoffs with a 7-9 record! No 7-9 team has ever made the playoffs before, and they get to host the Saints next weekend! You know, the Saints that won the Super Bowl last year?

393 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:52:18am

re: #387 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

That was a great and nuanced role in an awesome movie.

394 Pie-onist Overlord  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:54:01am

re: #386 lawhawk

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. We’re finally free of the icy grip of the snow for a bit as the warmer weather has finally melted a significant amount of snow - which the City has finally plowed from streets. It’s still not ideal, but a damned sight better than earlier in the week. We’ll be getting investigations and hearings starting next week, so those reports about sanitation department work slowdowns or other work actions may get new life. The City’s Sanitation Department appears to be overcompensating for the lack of snow removal earlier in the week

And since the snow will keep melting (although it wont completely disappear by the end of the week when another potential snow maker will come on through, the City is now griping about the lack of garbage pickups. Again, this is a health, safety, welfare issue - and the garbage pickups were halted in the wake of the snowstorm but the garbage trucks can now be tasked with garbage removal.

Throw in the potential for manhole explosions due to saltwater intrusion into electric power underground vaults and stray voltage shocking pets while walking, and the inevitable potholes the size of Mt. Rushmore, there will be plenty to gripe about in the coming weeks.

Uncollected garbage saved a life!

395 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:54:09am

re: #386 lawhawk

Babies.
/:P

396 Decatur Deb  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:56:21am

re: #394 Alouette

Uncollected garbage saved a life!

Ambulances kill people. Magical balance.

397 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 6:57:11am

re: #396 Decatur Deb

Ambulances kill people. Magical balance.

The Universe will cease to exist in the distant future.
I win.
…And lose…
DAMMIT!

398 Amory Blaine  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:02:57am

Bank of America doesn’t need anyone to take it down. Just leave it to it’s own devices and they’ll collapse under their own greed and stupidity in no time.

399 laZardo  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:03:45am

re: #397 Varek Raith

The Universe will cease to exist in the distant future.
I win.
…And lose…
DAMMIT!

Well, you’re not alone on that. D:

400 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:04:35am

Not a good day to be blogging if you work in BofA’s IT department.

401 Pie-onist Overlord  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:05:34am

re: #400 darthstar

Anyone here work in BofA IT?

402 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:06:51am

Good morning lizards,
Snowing in LV and after only 20 minutes most everything is topped with ‘white’ stuff including the street. I’m in the west side which is higher than the strip area. Coming down heavily and beautifully now. I’m just watching and enjoying.

403 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:17:52am

re: #398 Amory Blaine

Bank of America doesn’t need anyone to take it down. Just leave it to it’s own devices and they’ll collapse under their own greed and stupidity in no time.

hehe I’m no fan of BoA, but who is better? I started with Citicorp, bought by Citibank and they sucked. I went to Chase and they sucked. I ended up with BoA because of convenience because basically, they all suck.

Every holiday I watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.

404 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:26:07am

re: #403 marjoriemoon

hehe I’m no fan of BoA, but who is better? I started with Citicorp, bought by Citibank and they sucked. I went to Chase and they sucked. I ended up with BoA because of convenience because basically, they all suck.

Every holiday I watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.

I’ve been with several banks and there have been inaccuracies that were bank mistakes. Not so with BofA who I’ve been with 25+ years.

405 McSpiff  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:26:48am

Mornin folks! Merry Christmas…Happy New Years, all that jazz.

406 sattv4u2  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:37:23am

re: #403 marjoriemoon

imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.

Join a credit union or use a “small town” type bank

Yes, there is the risk that the small one could be gobbled up by a Giant Bank, but a little research can help

I’ve been using a “small town” one since I’ve been here in Georgia, some 12 years now

407 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:39:32am

re: #404 Semper Fi

I’ve been with several banks and there have been inaccuracies that were bank mistakes. Not so with BofA who I’ve been with 25+ years.

Good to hear. I haven’t had any real problems with BoA although I guess I was talking mostly of customer service which is difficult with all the banks.

Chase was the worst. I pay bills online and when Chase had my mortgage, I accidentally paid the amount of my cable bill to Chase. I realized it before the payment was due and paid the reminder, but since both payments were short, they marked the payment unpaid. Long story longer, I wasn’t able to rectify it. I had to complain to the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) to resolve it. I found the link here: helpwithmybank.gov

408 reine.de.tout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:40:31am

re: #406 sattv4u2

imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.

Join a credit union or use a “small town” type bank

Yes, there is the risk that the small one could be gobbled up by a Giant Bank, but a little research can help

I’ve been using a “small town” one since I’ve been here in Georgia, some 12 years now

Yep.
I’ve been with a credit union for 30 years.
Gave up on the banks a long time ago.

409 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:41:25am

re: #406 sattv4u2

imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.

Join a credit union or use a “small town” type bank

Yes, there is the risk that the small one could be gobbled up by a Giant Bank, but a little research can help

I’ve been using a “small town” one since I’ve been here in Georgia, some 12 years now

“Merry Christmas you old Building and Loan!”

Unfortunately, they aren’t convenient and I guess I go for convenience over the headache.

410 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:44:01am

As far as mortgages go, you don’t have much of a choice, especially if they sell you to someone else. And best rate wins.

411 sattv4u2  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:44:37am

re: #409 marjoriemoon

“Merry Christmas you old Building and Loan!”

Unfortunately, they aren’t convenient and I guess I go for convenience over the headache.

How often do you have to actually go into a bank?

With direct deposit, online banking ect the only times I have to is when I’ve done a real estate deal

412 McSpiff  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:45:12am

My bank sucks. They also charge me exactly $0 in fees. No complaints. My banking is also extremely simple, a chequeing account, two savings accounts.

413 sattv4u2  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:46:33am

re: #410 marjoriemoon

As far as mortgages go, you don’t have much of a choice, especially if they sell you to someone else. And best rate wins.

yes, they sell it to someone else, but you deal with the small bank to (or credit union) prior to that

After that, the “buyer” just send you a monthly statement which I pay via mail or online

415 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:50:39am

re: #411 sattv4u2

How often do you have to actually go into a bank?

With direct deposit, online banking ect the only times I have to is when I’ve done a real estate deal

I don’t like to use my ATM so much so I do go into the branch to get cash, or rather the ATM machine.

416 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:52:28am

re: #407 marjoriemoon

Good to hear. I haven’t had any real problems with BoA although I guess I was talking mostly of customer service which is difficult with all the banks.

Chase was the worst. I pay bills online and when Chase had my mortgage, I accidentally paid the amount of my cable bill to Chase. I realized it before the payment was due and paid the reminder, but since both payments were short, they marked the payment unpaid. Long story longer, I wasn’t able to rectify it. I had to complain to the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) to resolve it. I found the link here: [Link: www.helpwithmybank.gov…]

Yes, I caught that you were talking customer service and quite agree. Seems all banks are working more heavily on ‘their’ bottom line. I was just addressing statement accuracy. Thanks for the link which I’ll save. Always pays to be ready.

417 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 7:55:50am

re: #413 sattv4u2

yes, they sell it to someone else, but you deal with the small bank to (or credit union) prior to that

After that, the “buyer” just send you a monthly statement which I pay via mail or online

Everything goes smooth until you have an issue, like I did. The thing that got me is that each person I spoke to on the phone was reading from a script. I tried to explain that my payments were misapplied, totally my fault, “but can you please reapply the payments correctly?” And after each conversation, they said the same thing, “And when will you be making your payment?” Ugh…

In fact, I went down to the local Chase branch, met with the manager who supposedly fixed everything until I got a collections letter. That’s when I went to the OCC.

418 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:00:14am

re: #416 Semper Fi

Yes, I caught that you were talking customer service and quite agree. Seems all banks are working more heavily on ‘their’ bottom line. I was just addressing statement accuracy. Thanks for the link which I’ll save. Always pays to be ready.

And they say government sucks hehe, but the OCC was amazing. I typed my complaint online and within a few days, Chase HQ called me and fixed it. Even sent me a letter detailing the problem and resolution.

419 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:03:36am

Steele probably on his way out….good riddance
foxnews.com

420 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:06:26am

re: #411 sattv4u2

How often do you have to actually go into a bank?

With direct deposit, online banking ect the only times I have to is when I’ve done a real estate deal

Online banking has saved me time and gas.

421 sattv4u2  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:06:52am

re: #420 Semper Fi

Online banking has saved me time and gas.

Perhaps you should alter your diet!

422 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:12:02am

re: #418 marjoriemoon

And they say government sucks hehe, but the OCC was amazing. I typed my complaint online and within a few days, Chase HQ called me and fixed it. Even sent me a letter detailing the problem and resolution.

Thanks. That really helped regarding my long held opinion that only a written paper complaint received in the US Mail is taken seriously. That’s good to know.

423 sattv4u2  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:13:00am

And on that note,

chores await!

Ah ,,, days off!!!
:(

424 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:13:19am

re: #421 sattv4u2

Perhaps you should alter your diet!

Lol. Change that to gasoline and add money.

425 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:13:31am

re: #416 Semper Fi

One other thing that was kinda funny. You know when you call the bank, you punch in your account number and then go through a 5 minute auto responder, “Press 1 for this” and “Press 2 for that”, well that didn’t happen. Each time I called the bank, someone picked up the phone within a few seconds. I finally realized that since my account was flagged as late, they were sure quick to deal with me.

Years ago, I had an email signature that said, “If you think no one loves you, try missing a car payment.” lol

426 BongCrodny  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:19:27am

re: #403 marjoriemoon

hehe I’m no fan of BoA, but who is better? I started with Citicorp, bought by Citibank and they sucked. I went to Chase and they sucked. I ended up with BoA because of convenience because basically, they all suck.

Every holiday I watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and imagine a time only my parents knew. When a bank cared about you.


When I was a kid growing up in the 70’s, we weren’t exactly dirt poor, but we were reasonably far down the economic ladder.

There were several times when my mom had to float a check so that there’d be food on the table.

We’d get a phone call from Mrs. O. at the bank — at the time owned and operated by Mainers — letting my mom know that she didn’t have enough money in the checking account to cover the check. Mrs. O. would invariably offer to hold the check, and as long as my mom could make it in within a day or two to make good, there would be no overdraft charge.

I suppose in today’s economy overdraft protection serves the same function, but if your credit rating is less than desirable and you don’t qualify for overdraft protection, you could wind up eating a lot of overdraft fees should your economic situation be similar to what ours was back then.

427 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:22:44am

Dow +112
Happy New Year

428 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:25:21am

re: #414 Amory Blaine

Lying prick Darrell Issa tries to prove he’s an honest man and fails miserably.


Issa will be fun to watch. He’s such an idiot, and in friendly company (aka Fox) he can’t help but say over the top shit. It’s good that the other networks may start hold his feet to the fire when he does so…but I suspect this kind of grilling is a one-off for CNN.

429 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:25:52am

re: #427 Killgore Trout

Dow +112
Happy New Year

Must be the Republican controlled congress. //

430 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:26:47am

re: #427 Killgore Trout

Dow +112
Happy New Year

GOP takes credit in 3…2..1…

431 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:27:10am

re: #425 marjoriemoon

One other thing that was kinda funny. You know when you call the bank, you punch in your account number and then go through a 5 minute auto responder, “Press 1 for this” and “Press 2 for that”, well that didn’t happen. Each time I called the bank, someone picked up the phone within a few seconds. I finally realized that since my account was flagged as late, they were sure quick to deal with me.

Years ago, I had an email signature that said, “If you think no one loves you, try missing a car payment.” lol

How about that…funny.

Credit card companies are funny too.
When I call in to pay the month’s charges the automated response asks me to enter or say my account number. I dutifully enter rather than say to eliminate any problem. After entering, a live person picks up and asks for my account number. I always ask if there’s a problem and why didn’t it bring up my account when I entered it as initially asked. I think they just like to keep the caller busy until they can respond to the call.

432 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:27:17am

re: #429 darthstar

Must be the Republican controlled congress. //

Damn, beaten to it.
:P

433 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:30:05am

Time for breakfast. Later.

434 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:31:04am

re: #431 Semper Fi

How about that…funny.

Credit card companies are funny too.
When I call in to pay the month’s charges the automated response asks me to enter or say my account number. I dutifully enter rather than say to eliminate any problem. After entering, a live person picks up and asks for my account number. I always ask if there’s a problem and why didn’t it bring up my account when I entered it as initially asked. I think they just like to keep the caller busy until they can respond to the call.

Not the reason at all. Due to credit privacy laws, the automated response system is not allowed to let the answering operator know what the reason is for the call being forwarded to them.

At the point that you speak to a live person,and voluntarily give the clerk your account number, at that point, you have in essence given that live person permission to look at your personal account information

435 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:36:14am

Good morning Governor Brown! Suck it, Meg!

436 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:36:18am

re: #426 BongCrodny

lol Those days are long gone. If I’m not mistaken, I think they charge you for overdraft protection now, too.

437 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:36:25am

re: #430 Varek Raith

GOP takes credit in 3…2..1…

there is no credit for the rise….the market will always try to muscle itself up, in spite of the politics of the economy

438 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:38:17am

re: #431 Semper Fi

How about that…funny.

Credit card companies are funny too.
When I call in to pay the month’s charges the automated response asks me to enter or say my account number. I dutifully enter rather than say to eliminate any problem. After entering, a live person picks up and asks for my account number. I always ask if there’s a problem and why didn’t it bring up my account when I entered it as initially asked. I think they just like to keep the caller busy until they can respond to the call.

Well that’s weird, isn’t it. I wonder about that. It appears it only matters if your account is delinquent, my conclusion.

439 jaunte  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:41:33am

re: #427 Killgore Trout

Are WikiLeaks Rumors Making Bank of America a Better Buy?
According to its most recent quarterly report, BofA has $131 billion in cash and a net worth of $230 billion, while its market value is a mere $114 billion.
srph.it

440 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:43:27am

re: #437 albusteve

there is no credit for the rise…the market will always try to muscle itself up, in spite of the politics of the economy

Must you point out my poor attempt at sarcasm?!
;)

441 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:48:51am

Darrel Issa - car thief?

For months, Rep. Darrell Issa (R.,Calif.) has led the charge on demanding an independent investigation of White House job talks with Joe Sestak and Andrew Romanoff to get them to drop Senate primary challenges to favored incumbents.
Now, Democrats are starting to push back, citing Issa’s two indictments on car-theft charges and other brushes with the law.
In 1980, Issa and a brother were indicted in San Jose on charges that they faked a theft of a Mercedes that was sold to a dealer, according to news clips. Prosecutors later dropped the charges.
In 1972, Issa was indicted on grand theft charges for allegedly stealing a red Maserati from a dealership in Cleveland. That case was also dropped.

1972 - he was just a kid…and charges were dropped.
1980 - he was just a kid (eight years older) and charges were dropped.

442 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:50:16am

re: #441 darthstar

Darrel Issa - car thief?

1972 - he was just a kid…and charges were dropped.
1980 - he was just a kid (eight years older) and charges were dropped.

That’s good information that have… that’ll shut Issa up…

443 jaunte  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:50:51am

Wikileaks To Take On Bank Of America


Some of the more damning revelations:

- Whenever CEO Brian Moynihan needs to buy a cup of coffee, he takes a few dollars from a random customer’s account

- CFO Charles Noski has had to have the concept of interest explained to him eight times since being hired

- There is nothing in the Bank of America vaults excepts bones of poor people

- Tellers have been secretly cramming 51 cents into each roll of pennies to try and get rid of them all

444 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:51:05am

re: #439 jaunte

Interesting perspective. He is fucking with the stock price and I suppose some people could take advantage of that. Of course the person/people who are really taking advantage of that are the people who leaked the documents or know what’s in the leaked documents. Someone out there is getting very rich off this.

445 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:52:02am

re: #442 Walter L. Newton

That’s good information that have… that’ll shut Issa up…

No, it won’t shut him up. He’ll get a little embarrassed by it for a day or two but like any good family values fucktard, he’ll not suffer any damage for his actions.

446 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:52:44am

re: #445 darthstar

No, it won’t shut him up. He’ll get a little embarrassed by it for a day or two but like any good family values fucktard, he’ll not suffer any damage for his actions.

Good.

447 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:53:31am

re: #446 Walter L. Newton

Good.

Hey, you’re only about 10 days away from your Paris trip, right? Bon voyage!

448 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:54:10am

re: #443 jaunte

Wikileaks To Take On Bank Of America

Ooo I recommended that one!

449 ihateronpaul  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:54:42am

re: #106 moderatelyradicalliberal

It’s beyond that.

but what IS “it”? we don’t even know the full scope of this yet….
so all of this is useless speculation till it actually happens
yeah duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

450 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:55:38am

re: #443 jaunte

Wikileaks To Take On Bank Of America

Plus, when Lewis bought Merrill he wasn’t wearing any pants.

451 jaunte  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:56:08am

re: #444 Killgore Trout

That’s a pretty remarkable difference between the market value and just the cash holdings, much less the net worth of the company.

452 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:56:34am

re: #447 darthstar

Hey, you’re only about 10 days away from your Paris trip, right? Bon voyage!

Bonne Annee… and bonne sante. Yes… a week from this coming Friday… 10 days without talking politics… ya know why… because the ex-pats that I know in Paris, the English speakers that I can easily communicate with… they are all liberals… actually socialist… well… ok… fact is they are practically communists…

So, I keep politics out of the conversation all together.

453 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:56:40am

re: #443 jaunte

Wikileaks To Take On Bank Of America

Lol.

Executives attempted to cover up a video showing a Bank of America helicopter strike on squatters in a Tampa-area foreclosed home
454 funky chicken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:56:46am

re: #52 albusteve

With the data trail cold, one working theory both inside and outside the bank is that internal documents in Mr. Assange’s possession, if any, probably came from the mountains of material turned over to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congressional investigators and the New York attorney general’s office during separate investigations in 2009 and 2010 into the bank’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

As it happens, Mr. Assange’s first mention of the Bank of America hard drive, in October 2009, coincided with hearings by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform into the Merrill merger, and with wide-ranging requests for information by the committee.

The bank’s investigative team is trying to reconstruct the handover of materials to public agencies for a variety of inquiries, in pursuit of previously undisclosed documents that could embarrass the company, bank officials said.

In addition to the Merrill documents, the team is reviewing material on Bank of America’s disastrous acquisition in 2008 of Countrywide Financial, the subprime mortgage specialist, the officials said. The criticism of Bank of America’s foreclosure procedures centers mostly on loans it acquired in the Countrywide deal, and one possibility is that the documents could show unscrupulous or fraudulent lending practices by Countrywide.

Ah, the Merrill Lynch thing. I can see why the bank folks are scrambling.

455 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 8:57:13am

re: #451 jaunte

That’s a pretty remarkable difference between the market value and just the cash holdings, much less the net worth of the company.

It’s hard to figure the true value of a B of A, since it requires taking on faith their assessment of their asset and liability values.

456 funky chicken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:11:03am

And isn’t the Countrywide dude in jail or something?

457 funky chicken  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:13:40am

re: #428 darthstar

Issa will be fun to watch. He’s such an idiot, and in friendly company (aka Fox) he can’t help but say over the top shit. It’s good that the other networks may start hold his feet to the fire when he does so…but I suspect this kind of grilling is a one-off for CNN.

Oh, c’mon. Anderson Cooper and Rachael Maddow have to be salivating.

458 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:14:07am

re: #456 funky chicken

And isn’t the Countrywide dude in jail or something?

Angelo Mozilo: got a big fine.

459 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:14:52am

BoA is buying back loans from Freddie and Fannie that were originally issued by Countrywide.

Fannie and Freddie have been stepping up demands that lenders take back defaulted loans when they find that the mortgages didn’t conform to their lending guidelines. The two giant mortgage buyers have been operating under federal conservatorship since September 2008. Keeping them afloat has cost taxpayers about $134 billion so far.

Last week, Fannie reached a $462 million settlement with Ally Financial Inc. to cover potential repurchases on $292 billion in mortgages.

Taken together, the Ally Financial and Bank of America settlements will result in a recovery of $3.3 for taxpayers, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said.

“While these agreements are an important step, (Fannie and Freddie) have other outstanding claims across a range of counterparties and they are being pursued,” said Edward DeMarco, acting director of the housing agency, in a statement.

Bank of America also said it has received confirmation from the Federal Reserve that the company fulfilled its commitment to boost its equity by $3 billion, a condition of its repurchase of $45 billion in preferred stock in December 2009 acquired as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. It faced a year-end deadline to raise the equity and sought to raise the capital by selling assets.

If it hadn’t done so, it might have had to pay some employees’ bonuses in stock instead of cash. The bank also had warned investors it might need to make a dilutive share offering to raise the capital. Instead, it sold such assets as 51.2 million shares in BlackRock Inc. and the right to purchase additional shares in China Construction Bank Corp.

460 jaunte  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:15:57am

01/03/11
BofA settles home loan buyback claims
the Federal Reserve has confirmed it no longer has any obligations under the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, as it made good on a promise to increase equity by $3 billion.
srph.it

461 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:17:45am

jobs growth overseas, while our economy languishes in the doldrums…it helps explain why the market is doing better at the rate of 9.8% unemployment…we’re fucked, blathering on about petty partisanship

But the jobs are going elsewhere. The Economic Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, says American companies have created 1.4 million jobs overseas this year, compared with less than 1 million in the U.S. The additional 1.4 million jobs would have lowered the U.S. unemployment rate to 8.9 percent, says Robert Scott, the institute’s senior international economist.

chron.com

462 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:19:31am

Outrageous outrage suddenly not so outrageous….

Whatever happened to the “ground zero mosque”?

463 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:20:55am

meanwhile, why was there never an investigation into the collapse of Frannie and Freddie?

464 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:21:45am

re: #462 Killgore Trout

Outrageous outrage suddenly not so outrageous…

Whatever happened to the “ground zero mosque”?

piddled out as was predicted

465 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:23:52am

re: #461 albusteve

jobs growth overseas, while our economy languishes in the doldrums…it helps explain why the market is doing better at the rate of 9.8% unemployment…we’re fucked, blathering on about petty partisanship

But the jobs are going elsewhere. The Economic Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, says American companies have created 1.4 million jobs overseas this year, compared with less than 1 million in the U.S. The additional 1.4 million jobs would have lowered the U.S. unemployment rate to 8.9 percent, says Robert Scott, the institute’s senior international economist.

[Link: www.chron.com…]

The corporate economist where I work says that the world will basically see three economies for the next several years: the G8 countries, which will have OK but unspectacular growth, the Asian countries plus Brazil that will grow like gangbusters, and everyone else.

One problem with the G8 is tepid population growth: with the size of their underlying markets remaining essentially flat, growth has to be export-based. He foresees our economy getting more export-oriented, but that is a heavy lift that will take a while.

He says this is how the world will be absent a major economic or military cataclysm, and there is really nothing anyone can do about it.

466 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:25:33am

re: #463 albusteve

meanwhile, why was there never an investigation into the collapse of Frannie and Freddie?

I don’t think there’s much to investigate. They failed because the Feds refused to bail them out. There’s some debate about how that decision made the recession worse by causing uncertainty about the rest of the financial institutions but other than that there’s not a lot of mystery there.

467 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:31:19am

re: #462 Killgore Trout

There’s the political dynamics to be sure, but now that everything has been approved, the developers have to come up with the money to make the project happen. I would expect a reemergence of the story once shovels go into the ground and they start demolishing the existing building to make way for the new community center.

Of course, Geller and her followers will continue to claim that this site will somehow tower over Ground Zero (a laughable claim, but one that those who aren’t familiar with the site will buy into) even as 1WTC is now over 52 stories tall (half the 104 story tall height before the antenna reaches to 1776 feet).

The real story is how much construction has gone on at Ground Zero in the past year and that the Port Authority expects to have the 9/11 memorial open by 9/11 this year - the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

468 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:36:27am

re: #457 funky chicken

Oh, c’mon. Anderson Cooper and Rachael Maddow have to be salivating.

Issa’s too big of a chicken shit to get anywhere near Maddow, and Cooper will have to sign a pre-nup to get an interview with him.

469 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:39:13am

re: #467 lawhawk

With extra-special resurgence around 2012.

Btw, wasn’t Pam predicting an “Obama October surprise?” Some horrifying evil communist deed coming out of the Whitehouse?

Barack Obama
- Either Doing His Best In One of The Most Difficult Times In American History, Or Hitler

470 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:42:12am

re: #466 Killgore Trout

I don’t think there’s much to investigate. They failed because the Feds refused to bail them out. There’s some debate about how that decision made the recession worse by causing uncertainty about the rest of the financial institutions but other than that there’s not a lot of mystery there.

I thought Fannie and Freddie DID get a bailout, albeit one of those “shoot the management and wipe out the equity holders” style bailouts that were the rage in late 2008.

471 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:43:19am

re: #369 laZardo

Pete Postlethwaite, who starred in such notable films as The Age of Stupid, has died.

Image: Pete-Postlethwaite-portrait.jpg

472 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:44:58am

re: #462 Killgore Trout

Outrageous outrage suddenly not so outrageous…

Whatever happened to the “ground zero mosque”?

The election season came to an end?

473 lawhawk  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:48:54am

re: #471 Gus 802

Youtube Video

474 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:53:52am

re: #473 lawhawk

[Video]

He was a very good actor.

“Probably the best actor in the world” — Steven Spielberg.

475 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:56:58am

2 days before the circus officially begins.

476 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 9:59:58am

re: #465 garhighway

The corporate economist where I work says that the world will basically see three economies for the next several years: the G8 countries, which will have OK but unspectacular growth, the Asian countries plus Brazil that will grow like gangbusters, and everyone else.

One problem with the G8 is tepid population growth: with the size of their underlying markets remaining essentially flat, growth has to be export-based. He foresees our economy getting more export-oriented, but that is a heavy lift that will take a while.

He says this is how the world will be absent a major economic or military cataclysm, and there is really nothing anyone can do about it.

good analysis…economies mature and can’t grow forever, and we need to adapt somehow….I’m a hayseed, I have no clue how that will happen

477 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:00:00am

re: #475 Gus 802

2 days before the circus officially begins.

Would you like popcorn, cotton candy, pepto or all of the above???

478 albusteve  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:01:39am

re: #466 Killgore Trout

I don’t think there’s much to investigate. They failed because the Feds refused to bail them out. There’s some debate about how that decision made the recession worse by causing uncertainty about the rest of the financial institutions but other than that there’s not a lot of mystery there.

more oversight and regulation, proposed by both McCain and Bush were heavily resisted….very bad judgment or is there more to it?

479 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:01:57am

re: #477 Varek Raith

Would you like popcorn, cotton candy, pepto or all of the above???

All of the above. Maybe some ear plugs.

480 McSpiff  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:03:21am

re: #477 Varek Raith

Would you like popcorn, cotton candy, pepto or all of the above???

Forgot the booze…

481 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:04:00am

re: #452 Walter L. Newton
The 14th??
Great!Your leaving for Paris…..I’m going in for a Colonoscopy???
I’m happy for ya Walter!!
…but that’s Fuc%$^ Up right there….LOL

482 McSpiff  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:05:43am

re: #481 reloadingisnotahobby

The 14th??
Great!Your leaving for Paris…I’m going in for a Colonoscopy???
I’m happy for ya Walter!!
…but that’s Fuc%$^ Up right there…LOL

Hopefully only one of you has a shitty time?

///Sorry buddy… if it helps my doctor keeps pointing out that with my family history I’ll be getting them regularly in a few years.

483 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:07:07am

re: #482 McSpiff

This is my first…..at 54 it should be my fourth!

484 Stanley Sea  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:08:47am

re: #475 Gus 802

2 days before the circus officially begins.

What circus?

485 garhighway  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:09:01am

re: #478 albusteve

more oversight and regulation, proposed by both McCain and Bush were heavily resisted…very bad judgment or is there more to it?

This is just one more symptom of what a sacred cow the residential real estate industry has been.

486 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:09:35am

re: #484 Stanley Sea

What circus?

112th Congress.

487 Stanley Sea  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:10:23am

re: #486 Gus 802

112th Congress.

Ahhh. Got it. I’m still recovering from a great weekend.

488 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:13:11am

re: #481 reloadingisnotahobby

The 14th??
Great!Your leaving for Paris…I’m going in for a Colonoscopy???
I’m happy for ya Walter!!
…but that’s Fuc%$^ Up right there…LOL

Take it like a man. Show up to the doctor’s office wearing nothing but leather chaps.

489 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:13:40am

re: #487 Stanley Sea

Ahhh. Got it. I’m still recovering from a great weekend.

I’m still recovering from last night. Blech. Good thing I have coffee though.

490 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:14:09am

re: #486 Gus 802

112th Congress.


Shit!
I was looking forward to Elephants and Horses….Clowns not so much!
I hate Clowns …..112th Congress= lots of Clowns!!

491 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:15:09am

re: #488 darthstar

Take it like a man. Show up to the doctor’s office wearing nothing but leather chaps.

I’ll wear my Valentine Boxers….

492 Stanley Sea  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:15:20am

BreakingNews

Ark birds died mid-air due to ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs,’ preliminary autopsy results show, state veterinarian tells NBC


What the hell happened?

Researchok just posted a page that said a ton of fish were found dead too.

493 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:15:27am

re: #491 reloadingisnotahobby

I’ll wear my Valentine Boxers…

Close enough.

494 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:16:09am

re: #492 Stanley Sea

BreakingNews

Ark birds died mid-air due to ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs,’ preliminary autopsy results show, state veterinarian tells NBC

What the hell happened?

Researchok just posted a page that said a ton of fish were found dead too.

Intriguing…

495 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:16:32am

re: #492 Stanley Sea

BreakingNews

Ark birds died mid-air due to ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs,’ preliminary autopsy results show, state veterinarian tells NBC

What the hell happened?

Researchok just posted a page that said a ton of fish were found dead too.

That’s weird.

496 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:17:51am

re: #489 Gus 802

I’m still recovering from last night. Blech. Good thing I have coffee though.

Over the course of the entire weekend I drank 1 Beer……Slept thru New Years…and this Am..thru a 4.9 Earth Quake!

497 Pie-onist Overlord  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:18:03am

re: #492 Stanley Sea

BreakingNews

Ark birds died mid-air due to ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs,’ preliminary autopsy results show, state veterinarian tells NBC

What the hell happened?

Researchok just posted a page that said a ton of fish were found dead too.

Not random fish, just one particular species of fish.

498 Stanley Sea  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:18:43am

re: #497 Alouette

Not random fish, just one particular species of fish.

What the hell? Asks the non-scientist.

499 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:18:45am

re: #497 Alouette

Racists…..
Obama was going after one Species??//

500 blueraven  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:21:05am

re: #430 Varek Raith

GOP takes credit in 3…2..1…

Well they may try but it looks like Obama is reaping the benefits

Gallup has him at 50% approval today

gallup.com

Also at gallup 58% are optimistic that 2011 will be better.

Maybe its just the fresh new year…but I hope it continues. Perception is reality.

501 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:21:06am

re: #492 Stanley Sea

BreakingNews

Ark birds died mid-air due to ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs,’ preliminary autopsy results show, state veterinarian tells NBC

What the hell happened?

Researchok just posted a page that said a ton of fish were found dead too.

I suspect that the chronology of that event is mixed up as being reported. Perhaps the ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs’ is with regards to them hitting the ground. Otherwise it would have to involved a mass collision of sorts which seem unlikely. IMO

502 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:22:15am

re: #501 Gus 802

I suspect that the chronology of that event is mixed up as being reported. Perhaps the ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs’ is with regards to them hitting the ground. Otherwise it would have to involved a mass collision of sorts which seem unlikely. IMO

Clearly the trauma was caused by a shockwave from a nuclear blast at a FEMA Camp.
Duh.

503 What, me worry?  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:22:23am

re: #482 McSpiff

Hopefully only one of you has a shitty time?

///Sorry buddy… if it helps my doctor keeps pointing out that with my family history I’ll be getting them regularly in a few years.

I can’t help myself….

We had a near disaster last month when our drain field gave out. Not that any time is good, but we had to dish out $5K to have it redone.

The gift that keeps on giving. Hubby said to me, “I don’t think we should get each other presents since I just paid $5K to put up with your shit.”

Now that’s love.

504 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:22:48am

re: #502 Varek Raith

Clearly the trauma was caused by a shockwave from a nuclear blast at a FEMA Camp.
Duh.

I was thinking a collision with a cloaked battle cruiser.

505 Pie-onist Overlord  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:23:14am

re: #501 Gus 802

I suspect that the chronology of that event is mixed up as being reported. Perhaps the ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs’ is with regards to them hitting the ground. Otherwise it would have to involved a mass collision of sorts which seem unlikely. IMO

Some supervillain was testing an invention which could make fish fly and birds swim. Obviously there are some glitches that have to be worked out.

506 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:23:43am

re: #504 Gus 802

I was thinking a collision with a cloaked battle cruiser.

Hmmm, perhaps…
*Moves said cloaked battle cruiser out of Arkansas.*

507 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:23:53am

re: #501 Gus 802

I suspect that the chronology of that event is mixed up as being reported. Perhaps the ‘multiple blunt trauma to their vital organs’ is with regards to them hitting the ground. Otherwise it would have to involved a mass collision of sorts which seem unlikely. IMO

One theory was that the flock was struck by lightning…the close proximity of the thunderclap could create a strong enough shockwave to stun the birds in flight.

508 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:25:16am

re: #304 lostlakehiker

There is evidence other than Assange’s assertion that BofA has a big corruption problem. News story, I forget just where, detailing how BofA would string people who were having mortgage trouble along, proceeding on the paper trail with foreclosure, and whispering sweet nothings in their ears every time they called and asked what could they do.

I don’t doubt that BofA is a nasty organization right down to their socks.

I do doubt that Julian Assange can take them on.

509 blueraven  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:25:43am

re: #507 darthstar

One theory was that the flock was struck by lightning…the close proximity of the thunderclap could create a strong enough shockwave to stun the birds in flight.

Hail storm, maybe?

510 Gus  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:26:27am

re: #507 darthstar

One theory was that the flock was struck by lightning…the close proximity of the thunderclap could create a strong enough shockwave to stun the birds in flight.

I saw that. Air currents can also send flocks of birds towards higher altitudes where they can be subjected extremely low temperatures — i.e. freezing.

511 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:28:46am

re: #509 blueraven

Hail storm, maybe?

Smart-hail? Birds are pretty good about flying for cover. For that many birds to get hit simultaneously, it would have to be a freakishly heavy cell.

512 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:29:10am

re: #352 WindUpBird

heres something nobody wants to hear:

what if this Bank of America wikileak thing ends up changing the world unambiguously for the better, blowing the lid off untold corruption and horrors? blah blah, usual disclaimers, not a fan of Assange, computer crime, of course. But what if? How do we think of Assange then?

As a freelance agent of chaos who managed to bring something good about.

But as I say, very dubious of any such thing happening, NO MATTER what Assange has got.

513 Varek Raith  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:29:22am

re: #511 darthstar

Smart-hail? Birds are pretty good about flying for cover. For that many birds to get hit simultaneously, it would have to be a freakishly heavy cell.


*Whistles innocently*

514 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:30:49am

re: #367 Mr Pancakes

Free Mumia? Just askin’

I swear, I might have more sympathy for the man if he was still called Wesley.

515 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:31:55am

re: #374 freetoken

Nutty Harold Camping, who started the evangelical Family Radio here in California many years ago, is really starting to get attention with his May 2011 “rapture” and October apocalypse teaching:

End of Days in May? Believers enter final stretch

Over the years I’ve heard Camping’s rather droning voice on the radio just about everywhere. I wonder what he’ll do come November?

Find a new date, I should imagine.

BTW, I will be really, really happy when we get past 2012 and the world doesn’t end. I am sick of arguing with teenagers about it.

516 blueraven  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:34:04am

re: #511 darthstar

Smart-hail? Birds are pretty good about flying for cover. For that many birds to get hit simultaneously, it would have to be a freakishly heavy cell.

Freakishly smart heavy duty hail storm then…lol

OK that’s all I got. Its just sad and kind of scary and I am reaching…

517 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:35:31am

re: #417 marjoriemoon

Everything goes smooth until you have an issue, like I did. The thing that got me is that each person I spoke to on the phone was reading from a script. I tried to explain that my payments were misapplied, totally my fault, “but can you please reapply the payments correctly?” And after each conversation, they said the same thing, “And when will you be making your payment?” Ugh…

In fact, I went down to the local Chase branch, met with the manager who supposedly fixed everything until I got a collections letter. That’s when I went to the OCC.

Chase is sloppy. I loved WAMU, and then they got eaten. Chase makes mistakes a lot, and if I notice mistakes, that’s saying something—I balance my checkbook by holding it on my nose like a seal.

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to find a local credit union.

518 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:36:33am

re: #426 BongCrodny


I suppose in today’s economy overdraft protection serves the same function, but if your credit rating is less than desirable and you don’t qualify for overdraft protection, you could wind up eating a lot of overdraft fees should your economic situation be similar to what ours was back then.

You do. I have, this last couple of years.

519 reine.de.tout  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:54:58am

Fish kill due to disease?
Bird deaths due to stress-related something, fireworks or something else.

520 darthstar  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 10:56:27am

re: #519 reine.de.tout

Fish kill due to disease?
Bird deaths due to stress-related something, fireworks or something else.

Until a couple thousand people drop dead inexplicably, most won’t care what the cause was.

521 Semper Fi  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 11:17:46am

re: #434 Walter L. Newton

Not the reason at all. Due to credit privacy laws, the automated response system is not allowed to let the answering operator know what the reason is for the call being forwarded to them.

At the point that you speak to a live person,and voluntarily give the clerk your account number, at that point, you have in essence given that live person permission to look at your personal account information

Thanks, Walter, that makes so much more sense than I could figure. The truth of the matter can be that way. Sorry for the delayed response as I thought to grab the camera and record the unusual snowfall before breakfast.

522 BongCrodny  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:01:42pm

re: #518 SanFranciscoZionist

You do. I have, this last couple of years.


Likewise. One former bank I used in the D.C. area had this particularly nasty habit of holding unpaid “checks” from internet purchases for several days. If a larger check came in during that time frame — not coincidentally, it was usually around rent time — they would process the rent check ahead of the “held” purchases.

Had they processed the checks in the order received, I likely would have only had one overdraft. By processing the larger one first, I occasionally wound up with four or five overdrafts.

Unfortunately, when it comes to financial matters, I’m a lot like Herb Tarlek: “He did that to me twenty times. Then I got smart.” :-)

523 wrenchwench  Mon, Jan 3, 2011 12:09:15pm

Is this the thread where I can bitch about the goddamned credit card processing services that continue to charge me fees for services I have never used even a month after I switched my business to another processor?

/off to the bank to do a stop payment that will cost me $27.00, but deprive them of $94.00

//bastards


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