Blue Book Bank Redux

- from Friday, December 14, 2007

We're from the bank and we're here to help you: Now stick 'em up

Bank of America, Wachovia, PNC Report New Loan Losses (Update3) 
By David Mildenberg and Hugh Son

Dec. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp., Wachovia Corp. and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. said losses tied to bad debt will be worse than expected, providing fresh evidence that credit markets aren't returning to normal. -original source here

Hmmm, ... wonder whether our Bank Buddies are gonna shrug off their losses with big red faces, admit their unbridled avarice ... and learn a lesson about fiscal responsibility?

Will banks finally wise up n' buckle down ... no longer writing risky loans or issuing "credit cards" to folks who're already over-extended & unable to make minimum monthly payments?

Or, can we expect them to:

1) Raise interest rates & minimum monthly payments for "marginal" borrowers (folks with variable-interest mortgages and debt cards)
2) Mass-mail enticing new offers to "even more marginal" borrowers/debtors
3) Lay off "non-essential personnel" (i.e. bottom-tier bank employees; not the folks responsible for banks' lending practices) "as a response to the disappointing current economic downtrend"?
4) Resort to predatory lending by writing increasingly-risky loans (before their competitors do)
5) Increase fees & service charges; create new ones; offer fewer services
6) Argue that "Stealing isn't stealing when stealing is protected by law"

But isn't that Free Enterprise? Ain't that how Capitalism works? 

Banks hire lobbyists and make huge political contributions to manipulate the legislative process and enact laws penned in their corporate board rooms intended to guarantee their profits.

That how we end up with The Best Government Money Can Buy.

- from Thursday, July 13, 2006

Somebody Slap Me

I wouldn't know Joe Sangl if he walked up and slapped me in the face.

But I wish there was a time when he'd come up and knocked me flat silly. That's why now I'm hoping he'll lay one upside your head, too. Joe blogs about personal finances and how to become (and stay) debt-free.

It's not a gimmick or get rich quick scheme. Joe presents solid, 100% reality-based insights on how "only a little" debt snowballs, affects our choices, takes over our lives and turns us into slaves. Joe's blog is packed full of solid advice about getting your finances under control and keeping them there.

It might be hard to believe but there was a time when being a "debtor" carried a social stigma ... sorta like being an alcoholic who couldn't function without a drink, or an addict hustling the streets looking for the next fix.

Be Honest with Yourself: If racing down to the mall with a wallet (or purse) full of plastic is your idea of fun or recreation then you need to listen up.

Being out of financial control and accumulating DEBT is Not Fun. Paying 22% finance charges is isn't just STUPID ... it's a hint you might be addicted to spending.

We've been brainwashed with temptations like 0% interest and No Money Down Easy Credit Terms. But credit cards don't convey social status and aren't proof of your financial success, no matter what their advertising claims.

A credit card is your Debt Slave ID Badge and only impresses other people that you're a debt "ho" who's borrowing money from a credit pimp to buy stuff you really can't afford.

And pimps don't care about anything except getting their money paid back with 22% interest.

You need to start getting out of debt today ... and there's no better time to take the first step than right now.

Rollin' Heavy

Had dinner last night at an outdoor cafe near the marina.

Sitting on the opposite side from me was an arrogant loud-speaking guy, who became louder and more obnoxious with each beer he ordered.  Soon he started yelling, "Who's rollin' heavy?  Who else besides me is rollin' heavy?  Nobody?"

Then to prove his point, he left his server a $245 [two hundred and forty-five] dollar tip and staggered out.  He climbed into his truck and as he pulled from the parking lot, the driver's door flew open ... and he spilled out onto the pavement.

I was too far away to tell if he hit the ground still rollin' heavy.

--   --   --

If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.

- Leviticus 26:18-19

Buzzwords? I hate 'em

(humor)

Buzzwords ... those clever, trendy and irritating expressions that burst forth from nothingness to make the point that the speaker is blisteringly bright, without ever saying or meaning anything.

In the framework of The Bluebook, the next generation of posts will be dynamic and proactive, achieving a paradigm shift intended to leverage a synergism of coopetitive perspectives into a composite by employing a long tail approach, in the face of Web 2.0, to accomplish total geoweb immersion via knowledge process outsourcing, with virtually no carbon footprint whatsoever.

I have no idea what any of that means.

More buzzwords here.

Wow, you're so HOT in that blouse ... wanna move in and start messing up my life?

Because love and passion is new and unfamiliar territory to teenagers, they're likely to express their emotions with awed and significant terms like "True Love," "Forever" and "Always."

But shoot, I'm not talking about love-sick teenagers ... I'm talking about grown mens and womens.   Meaning, middle-aged folks ("middle age" means anyone older than me) with the experience and wisdom to behave better.

Or better behave.

Whether they're recently divorced, newly broken-up or long-term singles, wow ... when Love (meaning, lust) lands on their shoulders, shouldn't they know better than to pass-out with passion?  

Oh no, that's not the case at all.

I'm starting to think middle-aged folks fall harder and get knocked sillier than their middle-school counterparts ... folks in their 40s and 50s just go nuts with infatuation and daydreams: 

"Hey since we've known each other for almost two weeks, wanna move in and start helping me make critical life-altering decisions?  Like, should I change jobs so we can spend more time together?

"Should I cancel my health insurance at work, and get added to your coverage instead? 

"Should I pay off my charge cards or use the available credit to buy myself a new plasma TV?  Let's compromise, and use both our cards to take a 5-star vacation instead!"

Then three weeks later, as if proceeding according to an unspoken script, the relationship's over more quickly than it started, and the quest for passion continues unimpeded.  Each experience of falling in love is exciting and wonderful and each time feels new all over again.

Just seems handling the consequences of decisions forged in hot romantic fires would start getting OLD after a while.

Mushmouth Middle Road Universal Church of Context

The things you hear in the background, just by listening:

-When it comes to big issues like religion, what's true for you might not be true for me.

-So much about faith comes down to a matter of interpretation and personal opinion. It's up to each person to decide what's right ... and try to live according to the parts they believe.

-Everybody's situation is different and no one person or religion can point to a single solution that everybody's comfortable with.

-I don't want to alienate or offend anybody by sharing something as private as my faith. Besides, people might think I'm a kook.

Christ didn't keep his faith private: he was crucified and resurrected from the dead to save us ... because why? Because each person- except him- was born in the same situation as everybody else: it's called sin.

Jesus didn't worry much about mincing words and softening scripture to keep the flock happy, nor did he stop doing miracles because he was concerned people wouldn't like him.

And I doubt he's much afraid of folks who call his followers kooks and nut jobs, either.



The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Proverbs 28:1


When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
- Psalm 138:3

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
- Acts 4:29

What's today's BTC?

What's today's Biggest Threat to the Church?

Does it come from internet porn, or the entertainment industry's assault on family and moral values? Or is the threat teenage pregnancy, drugs, liquor, gambling ... or shopping on Sundays?

Could today's Biggest Threat to the Church come from political instability in the Middle East, terrorism, or is it that guy running against my guy for President?

Or is it allowing worship services to become "relevant" and "contemporary" and reading from the NIV?

Or is today's threat the same old threat ... the one that happens when churches focus on becoming self-serving, rather than on being servants and serving the kingdom.

Mine Mine All Mine

Who doesn't mind giving a little ... especially when it's convenient, or makes others notice our "good works" ... and the difference in our share is hardly noticed.

But give up my pew to anybody who drags in and wants to sit there? Give up my voice in how things are done? Give up my music ... and every other church tradition I enjoy?

Why, that's like asking me to give up my church.


And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me
- Luke 22:29

What kind of man was Christ? (updated)

The popular image of a bearded, pale-faced and sad-eyed frail little man in a white robe clutching a lamb to his chest doesn't seem to represent Christ the way he's depicted in scripture.

A bearded lady-man would hardly have the conviction to whip and toss money changers from the temple, cast out chain-breaking demons, raise Lazarus from the dead, call himself the Son of God and willingly suffer and die in our place on the cross.

How would you describe a man like that?



Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.
- Psalm 106:8

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
- Zephaniah 3:17

Who is this coming from Edom, 
       from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? 
       Who is this, robed in splendor, 
       striding forward in the greatness of his strength? 
       "It is I, speaking in righteousness, 
       mighty to save."

- Isaiah 63:1

with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
- Psalm 136:12

Oh boy, I can't believe how many "Can'ts"

I feel God is speaking to my heart and letting me know that salvation only comes through repenting, and believing in Jesus. But then does that I also mean ...


- I can't go to church unless I'm wearing a coat and tie?
- I can't read from any translation except the King James Version?
- I can't vote?
- I can't go to movies, listen to music or watch TV after 8 PM?
- I can't be friends with anyone who's not a believer?
- I can't go to a doctor of the opposite sex?


We cannot let man-made rules and traditions interfere with God's plan, or become more important than our relationship with Christ.

Evolution of a fairy tale - part 3

"No No No!" shout the evolutionists. "Apparently you haven't evolved sufficient brain capacity to understand!

"Evolution works because each environment is different, and evolution works by adapting each species to their environment."

That's an example of the pragmatic fallacy: the argument that something is true because it works ... when the meaning of "works" is vague and implies, "It's as much explanation as we need."

Or did I mean the ad hoc fallacy instead?

-- -- --

I've read pro-evolution arguments suggesting that the evidence in favor of evolution is so convincing, if a scientist really wanted to attract attention and make a name for himself, all he'd have to do is come up with proof that evolution doesn't work.

Implying of course, that no scientist anywhere can reasonably dispute evolution because if such a person existed, that scientist would become famous overnight.

But that's circular reasoning ... assuming your argument to be true because you believe it.

-- -- --

See, I'm guessing if a scientist really wanted to draw tons of attention to him/herself overnight, and have his/her name carved in scientific stone ahead of both Darwin's and Newton's, answering the question How Did Life Start? would sure do the trick.

Evolution of a fairy tale - part 2

Happy, Happy Answers Evolved Ahead of Every Question

The thought process of evolution is backwards. Where else would science allow a theory to begin with a conclusion, and then reason its way backwards (not deductively), to create optimistic allegories passing as proof:

Why do giraffes have long necks?

"Giraffes have long necks because, as their environment changed, only those individuals with 'long neck genetic drift' were physically able to reach higher limbs, eat the leaves there, and live long enough to reproduce and pass on their long-neck genes."

And why does a cactus have thorns?

"Because in its environment, only those individuals with 'thorny genetic drift' were physically able to resist being eaten, and live long enough to reproduce and pass along their thorn genes."

Never mind the slow process of genetic drift; if you were a giraffe, wouldn't you be happy that, while adapting to their environment, cacti didn't cross-breed with trees?

How would giraffes lucky enough to evolve with long necks have survived if trees had started sprouting thorns instead of leaves?

South African Cactus Tree

Hmmmm.

Evolution of a fairy tale

I was walking back to my boat and started thinking again about evolution.

Proponents argue it's "proven" and a "fact" ... but how can evolution evolve from theory to fact when evolution ignores this simple fact: Evolution does not explain how the very first cell, or whatever you choose to call it, changed its state from Not Alive to Alive.

Evolutionists already have an answer for that challenge, however, and argue that evolution isn't required to explain how life began, only how life changes ... especially to "evolve" new species, according to natural selection and genetic drift.

That's why evolution can skip past "How'd life start?" and still land at a gallop, explaining that human beings are the leaves dangling from the chimpanzee twigs of the primate branch extending from the vertebrate limb of Mr. Darwin's magic tree.

Evolution argues God's not necessary, and that DNA sequencing and the fossil record are proof. But proof of what ... if they don't know where DNA came from in the first place?

Why can't evolutionists refer back to pre-historic mud pies and mutations, do themselves a favor, and cast genetic runes to explain how life began?

Because (a) that's not in their job description; and (b) the answer lies above their pay grade.