http://www.youtube.com/v/PxHOt5pnDXo

O.k I posted my first youtube video last night (pretty still frame huh?). Its about Dennis Kucinich and the Iraq war. Feel free to let me know what you think, on here or on myspace.

Bank of America is now offering Credit Cards to persons unable to provide a valid Social Security Number.

A large portion of the population that do not hold SSN’s are illegal immigrants. These illegal immigrants are now able (by holding a checking account for 3 months without an overdraft) to open credit card accounts that were previously unattainable. There is so much wrong with this I am going to bust out the numbered list…

1. Its against federal law to hire illegal immigrants. It should therefore be against the law to offer illegal immigrants the institutional perks of this countries financial system. Technically they are criminals - they entered this country without following the proper channels and procedures that thousands of others DO follow they by pass the established system and thus cost the american goverment millions of dollars.It seems quite clear that Bank of America is aiding criminals with this new “product”. Whether you believe in the immigration laws or not, they are on the books and the people who break them should not be able to enjoy the advantages of Americas financial system.
2. This is predatory lending at its worst. Target a group of people who traditionally have very little education on responsible personal finance, that have no other options, are often in financial hardship and offer them a credit card with staggeringly high interest rates (often over 21%). The marketing materials used for this new program outline a course from checking account to credit card to car to house with imagery that is clearly intended to capitalize on the hopeful dreams of these immigrants.
3. This hurts other BOA customers. Who do you think will pay the fees and costs for the defaults that arise from these cards? If some many Americans who legitimately have credit cards default what makes BOA think that these numbers won’t be present in this new “targeted market” even if not in greater degree? Then, without SSN numbers and Credit history’s that could be tarnished what’s the real recourse for individuals from just walking away from these charges?
4. What type of situation does this create if we do actually get an adiministration that cracks down on illegal immigration? Will they subpoena the records for the customers of this new product? Will we then have to decide if these records are private information or that for the pursuit of justice is worth their disclosure? I know I wouldn’t want to be the one with such a decision hanging over my head.

Bank of America has pretty much maxed out their growth potential through the model of acquisitions and mergers and is therefore relaying heavily on the “new account” growth method. I just think they have crossed the ethical line in the hunt for their next high interest rate victims.

http://www.youtube.com/v/w2GcLJhldJI”

I am not sure what to think after watching this video, though I do wonder… how do we know they were actually looting the wood?

With only 4 months until votes were cast in the first primaries for the presidential election of 04 retired General Wesley Clark entered the race. He entered the battle field without a campaign manager without funding and honestly… without a hope.

Despite his numerous position papers, strong grassroots campaign, remarkable fundraising and his direct straight shooting demeanor Clark just could not muster the support needed to win him the Democratic nomination. He entered the race too late and he & his supporters paid the price. The momentum and bandwagon appeal the other more established candidates had built was too large of an obstacle for Clark to over come.

Thankfully however, Wes Clark is a smart man and has learned from his prior mistakes.

I think it was clear that I got in too late last time

the retired general and former NATO commander told The Associated Press in an interview on Nov. 28th.

It’s one of several mistakes that if I were to run that I would hope I wouldn’t repeat.

he continued. And indeed its one mistake many of his supports are hoping he doesn’t repeat as well.

“Clarkies” (as they are called online) on the grassroots level and higher up are waiting for an official announcement. While spring is a more traditional time for such a decision many hope that at the very least Clark will announce a Presidential Exploratory Committee that would pave the way to an official candidacy.

Regardless of official announcements or lack there of, one thing is for sure, Clark is gaining support and making headlines. Here are just a few recent stories featuring the biggest missed opportunity of 04 and our best chance for sound leadership in 08.

Clark urges diploymacy, stresses China’s future strength - 11/28/06
MSN/CNN Finally Recognizing Clark as Possible Candidate - 11/28/06
Next Move in Iraq, Americans (& Clark) want a new approach - 11/21/06

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9A_vxIOB-I&eurl=

While I am sure the vast majority of our armed forces are good upright people this video is a bit disgusting. Would they drive down the road in New Orleans after Katrina and pull that crap? Hell no… so why the hell would you do that to these poor children? These soldiers (the one with the water was reffered to as Sir, so I’m assuming hes an officer) deserve to be court martialed for such a selfish and unkind act.

The Mid-term elections are tomorrow (Nov 7th) and this ad is one last push towards a win for the canidates opposing the war in Iraq (namely democrats & those endorsed by Wesley Clark). While I think its an excellent and truthful ad, I think it would have been better served if they included a few sentences about why the war has caused America to be less secure.

To many the reason is obvious, our presence in Iraq and specifically our lack of proper reconstruction plans for the country has fueled more anti-america hatred. Are some Iraq citizens happy we are there? Probably, but the truth is that the good will we have imposed there slumbers in the shadow of the ill-will we have breed. That ill-will and hatred runs far deeper and is more of a threat than the goodwill that does exist can counter.

Lets get our boys and girls home and soon.

So apparently this guy (Bernard Weber) believes that we need to do away with the orginal 7 wonders of the anciet world and pick 7 new ones!

Only this time around instead of just one man picking the 7 (Philon of Byzantium picked the first group back in 200 B.C), he wants the world to vote on it. He plans to reveal the New Seven Wonders on July 7, 2007, or otherwise know as 07/07/07.

I guess part of his reasoning is that only one 1 of the orginial 7 is still standing (the great pyramids). According to his website Bernard wants to raise awareness of the destruction of nature and our man-made hertigage through the new 7 world wonders foundation. 

If you want to vote on the “new 7″ you can do so at the foundations website.

The 2008 presidential election is just around the corner and as the forward thinking independent voter I am, I will be voicing my support here and now for retired 4 star general Wesley Clark.

I believe that he is an exceptional leader with the knowledge, experience and international service to lead America in the right direction. During the current world environment I can’t imagine a better suited president than a successful NATO Supreme Allied Commander. I campaigned for him in the 04 primaries and I’ll do it again in a heartbeat; that is of course, if he runs.

Currently Clark is campaigning hard for his endorsed mid term elections candidates and while it seems to be of public opinion that he will indeed run in 08 I do not believe this has been made official.

To help correct this minor issue someone, somewhere, (actually it was Chris Morton reachable at chrismorton1@bellsouth.net) decided to start a petition to help encourage Clark to run for president in 08. I of course have already signed it and encourage you to do the same.

Click here to read & sign the petition

This is how it works folks, on the grassroots side of politics. Early shows of support can go a long way in motivating the right people and building a solid base of support for a successful candidacy. By taking a stand early and building support now, we can help ensure that right candidate wins in 2008.

If of course you would like more information about who this Clark guy is and what he stands for, check out his website at Securing America.com

I love love, seriously I do! But even I, a self confessed romantic, think this stunt might be a bit much. A friend recently pointed me to this site where a man is attempting to raise enough money to run an ad during the super bowl where he will propose to his girlfriend.

Pretty touching huh? Absolutely it is, but also pretty wasteful and over the top if you ask me.

Apparently it costs somewhere between 1.5 and 2 million dollars to buy a 30 second ad slot during this yearly TV watching Mecca. Yes, you read that right, somewhere between 1.5 & 2 MILLION dollars. While I will stand behind the idea that true love is priceless I do not necessarily stand behind the idea that one needs to spend such a large amount to express it. That type of cash could easily change the lives of so many people in this world; from the sad state of affairs in darfur to the hunger issue we have in our own backyard.

Now, while its probably true that those donating to raise this amount of cash probably will still have the same likelihood of donating (or not donating for that matter) to those other causes it is somewhat mind boggling to see so much money spent on a declaration of love.

Would such an out pouring lay to much pressure on this woman? Would she feel that the money could have been spent better to help others? I’m not sure how the average lady would process such an occurrence, let alone a woman who is already involved with a guy creative enough to come up with such an idea in the first place.

Anyway, I guess at the very least its something to think about. Hell, even if he doesn’t make it to his goal, he’s donating (so he says) what he does manage to raise to a children’s hospital in Tennessee.

So, Tower Records is closing… that’s right, the store known to have more CD’s than god is closing its doors.

I guess I am not sure how I feel about this. I can recall shopping there only a handful of times; their prices never seemed very competitive. I did however like their selection and listening stations.

In the end I guess this is probably the start, or at least the more visible effects of online & digital commerce. I wonder which store will be next, Borders? Barnes & Noble? The one thing saving them (at least so far) is that digital books haven’t picked up as quickly as mp3s have. I do predict however, that the major brick and mortar bookstores will have to pull something out of their hat if they want to stay in the game too; less they go the way of tower as well.