IrishBeat.com

With all this recent commentary about the state of affairs in our economy, I couldn’t help but wonder what Christmas would be like if we had stayed with the traditions of 50, 75, or 100 years ago. I’m not old enough to have experienced a Christmas then, but in what I can see from the media, it seems like Christmas sure was simpler and more focussed on religious and family traditions. Maybe there were a couple gifts, but not this orgy of packages under the tree. Sounds kinda nice.

Pile o crap

With the economy in the state it’s in, it feels like we’re having Christmas shoved down our throats more than ever by the corporate greedy. The advertisers are playing into our attraction for a good bargain and selling us more crap that we really don’t need. I think it’s a good pill for the economy to take if, as Americans and consumers in general, we can learn to settle back into a simpler lifestyle, enjoy Christmas and the holidays for what they are and stop spending more than we have and buying more than what we need.  And maybe we might even be able to balance our own budgets.

I want to take just a few moments to point out a few problems with the athletics programs involving the Irish.  And also acknowledge a few Athletes that excelled in this years games, since their sport was not given a great deal of air time.

Since the acknowledgment of these great athletes is more important than my rantings I will do it first.  Ireland had three Olympic Athletes that medaled; all three in boxing.  Imagine that an Irishman that can fight.

silver

K. Egan

Light Heavyweight (75-81kg) (Men)

bronze

P. Barnes

Light Flyweight (48kg) (Men)

bronze

D. Sutherland

Middleweight (69-75kg) (Men)

Way to kick some butt!

My Complaints………

1.  The Irish Olympic Committee has been very active in trying to identify athletic talent, cultivate and train this talent and provide them the financial means they need to focus on training.  They have been very active in doing so since 2006!  What t. h.  Since 2006, where have they been for the last 15 summer Olympics?

2.  Should Ireland not be given credit for the medals it won for England, prior to the 1954 games?  I would say the same for the former countries of the Soviet Union.

I read a good article about banking and the ways their sales material tries to fool the consumer into believing the bank is working for them. It’s an interesting read. Here’s the link.

10 Things Your Bank Won’t Tell You
by Jim Rendon
Monday, August 18, 2008provided bySmartMoney.com

Great article pointing out the reality of the banking industry. One thing he missed is the technical aspect that banks have lobbied Congress into allowing them to decrease the time for clearing collection transactions, yet left the hold time for deposits as it’s been for over 60 years. This means banks can hold your money for up to 10 days on a deposit, yet ensure they take it from you immediately. There are huge profits made on this float, and it’s a legal loophole that they want to ensure does not close. The fact is that the transactions clear in the same time frame with little difference as to the timing. Banking for the consumer is a farce and another example of corporations focusing on profit and not the consumer…