By: Various authors and journalists

The bank that coined the phrase, “we listen, we understand, we make it work” seemed to forget that public relations slogan during the large CAW labor protest at 500 Woodward Avenue, in Detroit, MI.  As you recall, Canadian workers of Adraco and Aramco a division of Catalina Precision, have been denied their severance, termination, and vacation pay by the Catalina’s creditors Comerica Bank.  Numerous coalitions were there to demand justice for workers who just want to be paid what they are owed and Comerica controls the purse strings.  They feel that workers being paid is more important that Comerica executive bonuses.  Participants signed a letter to the company’s executives asking Comerica to live up to the so called “code of ethics” that is posted on Comerica’s website.  The code of ethics seems like a great public relations spin tool but the workers with children to feed were more interested in Comerica showing action; not just empty public relations gimmicks.  As one of the participants read from Comerica’s code of ethics, looks of disgust and frustration fell over participants faces.  There appeared to be a huge disconnect between corporate marketing propaganda and the daily reality that the workers were facing.
At one point a protester challenged the CEO, Ralph Babb and the Michigan President Tom Ogden to respond to the workers concerns.   Comerica executives were challenged to answer the following questions:

• Do they think it was fair that Comerica was rewarded $2.25 billion in TARP money approximately 30 days after the Michigan attorney general Mike Cox forced Comerica Securities to pay fines and restitution of over $1.5 billion to shareholders?
• Is it fair that the banking industry has received $23.7 million in subsidies, bailouts and backdoor corporate welfare while homeowner forclosure rates are at 15% and property values have collapsed?
• Is it fair that the citizens labor under disasterous debt burdens while the banking industry has been given subsidies that could have paid off personal mortgage debt three times over?
• Workers have alleged fraud by the company owners.  Should law enforcement launch an investigation into what Comerica knew and when they knew it?  Are there possible fraudulent conveyance issues regarding the collateral?
• Is if fair that US banks are speculating with the TARP money, including foreign exchange trading that is driving the US dollar lower?
• Is if fair that Comerica CEO Ralph Babb got a raise in 2008?
• Is it fair that Comerica stock holders have lost money over the past 5 years while Comerica executives have gotten extremely wealthy?
• Is it fair that Comerica Bank has so much taxpayer TARP money and at the same time ranks in the top ten banks for loans to company insiders?
• Is it fair that these loans to corporate insiders are not fully transparent?
• Is it fair that Comerica has refused to give an account of exactly where the $2.25 billiion in TARP money went and why?
• Is if fair that Comerica executives seem to hide in their plush offices and refuse to answer the public’s questions?  Perhaps the next protest should be at the home of a Comerica executive like Michigan President, Tom Ogden in Grosse Pointe?   Perhaps neighbors should have a chance to see exactly what serous issues Comerica executives are dodging?

No Comerica executives were willing to address these questions.  To the contrary, a goon from Comerica’s security staff came outside to harrass the protesters and interfere with the protest.  A Comerica security goon constantly interfered with the groups right to free speech and free assembly.  At the same time various Comerica employees watched the protesters from the lobby of the building.  Many protesters commented on the arrogant smirks from the “Comericasuits” that watched the workers appeal for fairness.  After letter to Comerica management had been signed by all the attendees the CAW made an attempt to deliver it to someone in the lobby.  To our surprise, Comerica had locked the doors and therefore could not receive the signed letter.  Even Comerica customers and employees were unable to get into the front door after Comerica locked them out at approximately 12:45 pm.  Participants thought this as an act of wholesale cowardice and arrogance.   The signed letter had to be left at Comerica’s front door while the various journalists continued to take notes.  This is what $2.25 billion of your tax dollars now sit.  What will Comerica plan as an encore at future protests?

Disclaimer:

Views and opinions of varous authors and journalists are not necessarily those of www.bankingwhistleblower.wordpress.com or Circle Point LLC. No warranties expressed or implied. Feel free to express your comments, suggested revisions, corrections and/or dissagreements to the editors.  All reader input will be viewed objectively.

Help John Dillinger stick up banks across the country in this exciting Hidden Object game! Select your gang and steal the loot without getting caught. Embark on a wild ride through one of the most fascinating periods in American criminal history as you play fun and challenging minigames. Amazing Heists: Dillinger lets you relive the adventures of a notorious gang from the comfort of your own home!

Multiple minigames

Help Dillinger stick up banks!

System Requirements:

OS: Windows XP/Vista

CPU: 600 Mhz

RAM: 512 MB

DirectX: 6.0

Hard Drive: 162 MB

It Takes Just A second To Say Thanks,

It Takes Longer To The Work On This.

Amazing Heists: Dillinger

Hello, Happy Sunday!

I’ve just changed the layout of my wordpress page to optimize image viewability and realised that I have a plethora of broken links.  So firstly, apologies if you cannot view any sets of images at the moment, I’m currently in the process of fixing this!

I took the decision to delete my flickr page for a few reasons; mainly because of the safety of my high-res images.  Generally speaking, the internet is not a safe place to house any artwork because it’s so easy to… “borrow”.  Granted that! You hope that people use your work and say it’s by you – helping to increase exposure!

My problem with flickr was that it allowed anyone to access my high-res versions, no questions asked.  I’ve used deviantART since the beginning of my photographic career and respect that they give you the options of which sizes anyone can have access to – plus they work directly with the Creative Commons charity!

In the future, my high-res images will still be housed on my deviantART account and sets of images will be on my facebook fan page.

My website is currently in the process of being put together so, I’ll keep you updated when this is set up!

The Ten Commandments

• Only worship Jesus
• You should not make yourself an idol
• Do not use wrongful use of the name of the LORD of Jesus
• Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy
• Honor my father and mother
• You shall not kill, you shall not murder
• Neither shall you commit adultery
• Neither shall you steal
• Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor
• Neither shall you convet your neighbor’s wife
• Neither shall you desire the belongings of your neighbors

Well you know, maybe I’m just happy… that’s why I’m posting all these sales on my blog.

Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. What other time (unless you’re super cool) can you really bother to get your favorite brands at a discounted price? You better move fast because Toronto street retailers Due Wes/Next Door is having a one-day only sale, and I’m talking sale.

From 10AM to 7PM,  experience the wonderful world of what retail calls a pre-Christmas sale. In this case, you’ll get the hipest fashion brands Canada Goose (though that one’s legendary), Mackage, G-Star, D&G, John Varvatos, Diesel, Acne Jeans, Filippa K, Energie, Dsquared, Miss Sixty, Seven, Rock & Republic, True Religion, and my-gosh-there-are-too-many-to-name-and-I-didn’t-know-this-store-was-that-hot at a discounted rate of up to 70%off. My gosh, this is gorgeous. But why couldn’t this be closer to my pay date?

Who: Due West/Next Door Clothing

What: Pre-Christmas Sale up to 70% off

When: Sunday November 22, 2009, 10AM to 7PM

Where: 431 & 433 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A5

For more info, visit: Due West Clothing Company.

It was revealed that the details of thousands of T-Mobile phone customers had been sold to rival companies without their knowledge. Some employees decided it was worth bringing on the hassle of cold calling and possible identity theft to those customers, because at the end of the day they’d trouser a nice financial reward. It’s just a list of names and they don’t know the people so it doesn’t matter. Well I’m telling you it does matter. I’m one of those names you sold down the river. Well done, people, well done.

After getting an email from The Guardian, whose job site was hacked into just a few weeks ago containing my details, I did not need this. Apparently they know who the people are and the legal wheels have been set in motion, which should lead to T-Mobile getting their day in court and the accused, if found guilty, getting…a fine. I’m sure the thieves will be shitting themselves at the prospect of that one, “I’ll lose a bit of money, but I can walk away.” Job done. The Information Commissioner Christopher Graham said this:

“We are considering the evidence with a view to prosecuting those responsible and I am keen to go much further and close down the entire unlawful industry in personal data. But, we will only be able to do this if blaggers and others who trade in personal data face the threat of a prison sentence. The existing paltry fines for Section 55 offences are simply not enough to deter people from engaging in this lucrative criminal activity.”

In the face of the increasing likelihood of us all losing our identity in one form or another, we should perhaps revert to a time when everything was written down on paper and/or posted, cash and phone boxes were king, we were local rather than global and we had trust in our companies. But it would be Impossible and not particularly helpful. I think if the companies and government agencies concerned were properly held to account, handed really hefty fines and compensated the people affected by their slackness, they might get their act together. It would then put the responsibility where it belongs…and it’s not with us.

I can only remember half of this dream. I was in town somewhere at night and I was cosplaying. Some guy ran up to me and tried to pull my wig off my head and steal it. I wouldn’t let him and I held it on my head as he was pulling out of it. I started shouting to passers by to help me when I saw my old Irish and German teacher walking by. I called her name to help me but when she turned to face me, the guy fled.

I knew that he was still going to be after me though so I went into a nearby shop (I know it sold food, but I’m not sure what…could’ve been a butcher’s). For some reason I started saying that they’d given me the wrong order the previous day and I wanted a replacement. He handed me a blue box supposedly filled with the replacement. I went through town quickly because I thought that the guy was chasing me. I decided to set a trap for him with the stuff I’d gotten from the shop.

I reached a small park and placed the box, which was now the size of a crate, in the middle of a clearing. Suddenly a guy came up and started looking through the box. I thought he was the guy who had tried to steal my wig but before I could confront him, I realised it was Chris. I was completely confused until I looked in the box and saw that it was full of books on anthropology and stuff. I thought to myself that I’d need something different to catch a thief with. I told Chris he could keep the books, they weren’t what I needed.

Weird dream.

Dreamer xxx

Two men armed with a handgun and a knife steal cash in a robbery at a fast-food outlet in Kent…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: food. The blog is also related to: food.

I just want to start off my day by saying Thank you, Thank you for allowing me to open my eyes yet one more day and breathe the life that you have blessed me with. Thank you for your renewed grace and mercy that you shower me with daily. Thank you for your hedge of protection and your blood covering keeping me safe thus far. If I had ten thousand tongues O’ Lord I could not Thank you enough. Today I ask for many Blessings to fall fresh on myself, family and friends. Touch the ones who don’t know you O’ Lord and lead them to know you the way that I do. I ask for continued peace, wisdom and knowledge in all that I do. I love you Lord, I adore you and I ask that you help me make the very best of this new day. In Jesus name I give you all the Honor, Glory, and Praise………. Amen!

Written By Ms. Dawn

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together! Psalms 34: 1-3

Travellers cheques and foreign currency are stolen during a burglary at a travel agency in Tyne and Wear…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: malaysia airport. The blog is also related to: airport flights.

Our Saviour’s Baptist Church is definitely on the move doing great things. Minister Annesah Shabazz is calling all Youth Of Our Saviour’s to join her in Praising The Lord in song. Minister Annesah has been led by God to start a Youth Choir for all ages. The first meeting  will be held November 15th 2009 right after morning service. God’s Blessings on the start of a wonderful ministry.

Sister’s Circle is off  to fantabulous  start. We The Sisters of Our Saviour’s welcome you to come Pray, Fellowship, and Discuss the word of God with us. We truly have a high time  together. Click on Sister’s Circle tab for further details.

May God Continue To Pour Out Blessings,

Ms. Dawn

Praise the Lord, all you nations,

glorify God, all you peoples!

Praise the Lord, faraway space,

glorify God,

Praise the Lord, world of today,

come with your blessings;

Praise the Lord!

Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. John 14:21

If You truly love God you will be obedient in all that he commands of you to do!

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
- Thomas Jefferson

Will You Accept Or Deny Christ? The choice is Yours and  I hope you choose to accept!

“But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven”. Matthew 10:33

Written By, Ms. Dawn

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:
An ordinary bat, is a remarkable nimble creature in the air, but it cannot take off from a level place.  If it is placed on the floor or on flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies,
unless it is taken out.  It never sees the means of escape at the top, but
persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We
struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing
that all we have to do is look up!  That’s the answer or the escape route
and the solution to any problem is to always look up to God.

Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. But Faith looks up!

Submitted By, Pastor Isaiah A. Brown Sr.

My wallet has been wiped clean earlier this afternoon. After months of depriving myself from buying my fashion obsession, shoes, I lost my self-control and splurge on shoes and the Sun Jar!

Months of savings gone down the drain, but it’s all worth it. I’m not Jane from Sea of Shoes. I totally envy her shoe closet, but I know my limits. Haha! If I can’t afford to buy it with my own money, then using my dad’s credit card to buy a very expensive item is a no-no. Unless, I asked for approval in which case I do get the things that I want to buy.

Someday, I’ll be able to afford buying all those expensive, killer (and I’m not just talking about the design) designer shoes. For now, I’m happy with purchasing what’s within my budget.

Splurge!

Zara brown booties, 2,799 pesos.

Trunkshow black studded booties, 1,350 pesos.

The Ramp black studded sandals, 1,599 pesos.

Steal!

Parisian black t-strap heels, 699.75 pesos.

Parisian brown wedge, 899.75 pesos.

I don’t have a definite style and I don’t really care much about the brand as long as I can afford it and it will last me for a long time. I was happy to have dropped by SM Makati this afternoon and took the time to browse through the department store’s shoe section. The selection of shoes there is vastly improving. I hope that store owners here in Manila realize how much they’ll earn more if they could simply just improve on shoe design alone. If only the untapped potential of our industries can be realized soon then people wouldn’t have to take so much trouble going to Hong Kong or Thailand to get some cheap but very stylish shoes.

I don’t live in the ghetto and I don’t expect to, though it sounds fun from the writings of people like Laurie Notaro and Hollis Gillespie. There aren’t any crack whores that walk in my neighborhood, no dead bodies or parts of bodies that turn up in trash bags, although I do suspect that there is a somewhat of a brothel on my street.

While my husband and I were outside smoking today, our neighbor that lives across the street came over to tell us that he had $200 stolen from his car last night. As he’s bitching about the money stolen out of his car by God knows who, I’m wondering why he would leave that much money in his car without locking it. I mean, I don’t have a job right now, so two hundred bucks is a lot to me. But I digress…

Then it suddenly dawns on me that I too have money situated in my car as well. My change cup! It’s where when I go to a drive-thru and actually have cash on me instead of a debit card. I throw the change in my cup. Every now and then the cup will actually fill up and I’ll give it to one of those walk-up-to-your-car solicitors whose baby needs more formula or they’re selling (no lie) homemade candles in baby food jars to help get them started with college. I usually encounter these people in budget-shopping venues like Big Lots or TJ Maxx and I feel sorry for them and give them the change in my cup. I’m a compassionate sissy, what can I say?

But anyways, as I was listening to my neighbor go on and on about being robbed, I go to my (unlocked) car and check out my change cup. Sure enough, all the money has been taken out except for a lonely nickel. I am pissed about this, not because the money is gone (I mean come on, it’s only maybe three dollars), but because my space has been invaded by a total stranger. This person was not only in my yard, but in my car. And this is a neighborhood where it’s ok if you forget to lock your front door once in a while.

It’s not like I can do anything about this. I can stay up later and keep watch out my front window for hooligans to come traipsing up my street, but I’m not ready to turn into that type of lady yet. You know the lady I’m talking about. She always has on a big flower print moo-moo and curlers in her hair and her lipstick is about 5 shades too dark for her skin tone. She’s the lady who stares out her window while her cats (trust me, she always has multiple cats living in her house) are shitting up a storm in the back of her house. And where was she, anyway? I could have used the moo-moo wearing, lipstick too dark, crazy cat lady looking out for my three dollars last night! Alas, she does not live on this street. Yet.

Have you ever lost something of great value, like that woman that Jesus talks about in Luke 15:8 did? If so, you probably spent some moments searching, retracing your steps, and may have even asked others to help you look for your lost valuable. Do you remember the joy you experienced when you found what was lost? Well, that joy pales in comparison to the joy that occurs in heaven when one “lost” sinner repents (Luke 15:10). If there is someone in your life who does not yet know God, pray often that he or she will soon come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour so that you can rejoice along with the angels in heaven when they get saved and repent!

Submitted by Minister Trayce Brown