The Big Rip-Off

While watching TV today, I saw a commercial that was so shocking to me that I had to stop and watch it again. It was offering to lend money to those people with challenged credit that otherwise could not get a loan elsewhere.

Sounds like real Saints, right? Read on . . .

As the commercial was ending, I glimpsed the fine print of 99.25% interest! An error, I was sure.

I then checked out their website. It looks legit, even has testimonials of people who are actually thankful for this company's service.

When I clicked over to the rates, though, I verified what I had seen on TV. A poor sole that is roped into signing a contract with these schmucks for a mere $2,525.00 will pay in excess of $9,000.00 over the next three and a half years! More over, when I clicked on my state, they post rates as high as 141.42% plus a $500.00 loan fee.

I have to say that I am flabbergasted at the sheer brashness of these companies.

At the absolute least they must be violating our countries usury laws. However, I found in just a little bit of research, that because this company's loans are backed by a bank means that they are exempt from state usury limits.

It would appear, in my state at least, that the consumer has no protection from predatory lending as there are no traditional usury caps as seen in many other sates in the country today.

With today's economy, among all the other things that need fixing in this country, this is one of those things that needs to be a priority.

Yet another act of Big Brother sticking it to the little guy!

And That's What I Think!

UPDATE: Although I have had no personal dealings with this company, the mere thought of them charging outrageous interest rates doesn't set well with me. Even though it will probably do no good, I filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Bureau Of Consumer Protection. Yea, me!

The Big Raccoon

A couple of months ago, I get to work and see this hole in the ceiling tiles. Since we had a LOT of rain the night before, I thought it was just water damage. Upon further inspection and some over head noise, we all realized that it was a creature.

With the aid of a flash light and step ladder, I concluded that it was a critter in a cage. My boss and I next proceeded in removing the cage from the ceiling after the city telling us that they wouldn't remove it for us, but once down, they'd be happy to come and pick it up.

If only the camera was rolling during the extraction, talk about a Three Stooges routine.
This thing weighed in at a minimum of 30 pounds, he cut his hand on the cage door trying to escape and got blood everywhere, he peed all over the place and from the smell, I don't think he knew what water was.

The city finally showed up and hauled it off to the wild to be set free.

This was more excitement than we'd seen in a long time.

And That's What I Think!

The Big Ewok

Star Wars : Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi celebrates it's 25th anniversary




The Ewok Gospel -

And That's What I Think.

The Big Carrier

PBS recently aired a reality show aboard the USS Nimitz. The ten hour mini series takes place in 2005 and follows the supercarrier on a six month "cruise" to the Persian Gulf and back.

I found this show to be very informative. With over 5,000 seamen aboard, an aircraft carrier becomes a small city. Life aboard the ship can be very interesting.

I did, however, take offense to a couple of things with the editing of the show.

First of all, they repeatedly interviewed personnel who stated that if it weren't for the Navy, they'd be in jail, on drugs, dead, etc. They had nothing before the Navy, they were on a road to nowhere. While this may be true for many people who join the military, the editors of the show made it seem like all enlisted personnel were there because their family was poor and they had nowhere else to turn. I joined the military, not because I was on a path to destruction, but because I was a patriotic young teen who loved my country and felt that it was my duty to serve her! Not once did the editors include an interview of someone who joined to serve because they were patriotic. Nope. Thank the Navy for being there when all these troubled teens had nowhere else to turn. Thanks, Uncle Sam!

The second thing I have a problem with occurred in hour eight. Each hour focuses on a specific subject aboard ship. Hour eight was the religious hour. Many of you know that I'm not a religious person, and I prefer to live and let live. There was a young man that we get to know who is very religious. He has his brothers in the Lord and we find out that he even leads a sermon aboard the Nimitz. Here's my problem, he states that, because he is religious, his morals are very high and he disrespects those who do not follow the Lord because they have no morals. Now the editors did a fine job here, because when they next make port, this religious leader heads out to party with the locals, picks one up, disobeys curfew, has illicit sex and tells his buddies about it the next day. He goes on to say that since he has repented, all is OK.

Now, who has the higher morals? Not this guy! Just because he can repent gives him free reign to do as he chooses? We all have decisions to make in life. The way your parents raised you has a profound effect on the choices you make. Being religious doesn't give anyone higher morals than a person who is not religious. Keep that in mind the next time you make an iffy choice but feel secure in the fact that you can always repent.

Overall, I enjoyed the show. If you missed it and are interested, PBS will be re-airing it June 18. I will warn you, because there are no commercials, this 10 hour series is like watching 13 hours of anything else. Check your local listings.

And That's What I Think.