IRAQ WAR OVER!!!!  ALL TROOPS HOME BY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Iraq War Over!!!

President Obama announced this morning that the war in Iraq is over and all American Troops will be home by this Christmas!!!!  Thank you Mr. President!!

The "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrations have been about big banks and the 1% making big bucks on the backs of the other 99%. Bank of America reported a profit of 6.2 billion in the third quarter of this year alone.

But that apparently wasn't enough as B. of A. wants to start charging their customers a $5 monthly fee to access their own money via their debit cards. B.of A spokesmen have said it is to offset the caps placed on fees by recent legislation that banks can charge merchants known as "swipe fees."  Swipe fees in the past averaged .44 each transaction, but the new legislation caps the swipe fees at .22 each.  You can avoid this fee if you have your mortgage with the bank or have $20,000 or more in your account.

B. of A. is also laying off 30,000 employees this year. Its all about the bottom line. Profits Profits Profits!!!

Karen and I have banked with Wells Fargo for years.  I understand Wells Fargo is watching B.of A. to see how the $5 fee is received and may also add the fee. Wells Fargo only made $4 billion last quarter. 

If Wells Fargo adds this fee, we will leave Wells Fargo and take our banking business to Karen's credit union.  I am also going to start paying with cash when ever I can.  I suggest you do the same.

Usually they have to be much older before the realize how smart their parents are.

In case any of my readers wanted to get involved in their area!!! 

The "Occupy Wall Street" movement has moved to all fifty states.  This is Diane McEachern who lives in Anchorage, Alaska.  Diane is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska at Bethel.  She took this photograph of herself and her dogs out on the frozen tundra of Alaska to show her support for the movement. 

The "Occupy Wall Street" movement is one month old today and growing in numbers each day.  Sadly, hundreds of demonstrators are also being arrested across the nation.  Not only is it alive in all fifty states, but active throughout the world.  Get involved.  If you can't march, you can go to www.crooksandliars.com and donate to their send a pizza to the demonstrators fund.  Locally you can go to www.occupylosangeles.org for more information.

Got back on my bicycle today.  Haven't ridden much recently because of some dizziness, so I shortened the ride to about 18 miles, from the Anaheim Stadium to the Huntington Beach Pier.  It was a lot cooler and I made sure I drank lots of liquids.  Not much dizziness today. 

Dylan Ratigan is the host of "The Dylan Ratigan Show" on MSNBC.  On the Aug. 10, 2011 program, Dylan Ratigan went on a two minute rant about the state of the American economy which is still on point today.  He doesn't take sides, re: Democratic vs Republicans, but on a "bought Congress,"  the banking system, taxation, and trade.  "Money and politics equals corruption."   Its interesting listening.