stevedeshazer
stevedeshazer's JournalWhat credit card firm attracts the most complaints? New consumer agency launches tell-all website
http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/19/12286631-what-credit-card-firm-attracts-the-most-complaints-new-consumer-agency-launches-tell-all-website?lite<snip>
The nation's new consumer protection agency is about to start naming names, albeit in baby steps.
Despite vocal opposition from the financial industry, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday launched a website that allows consumers to browse through complaints filed against large financial companies.
Website users can see the name of the company targeted by each complaint, the nature of the issue, the company response -- including timeliness -- and the zip code of the complainer. Users can also generate charts showing which banks attract the most complaints, which issues are hardest to resolve and which regions of the country seem most irritating by bank practices.
“(This) is a major milestone for consumers and all those who are interested in knowing more about their day-to-day experiences,” said Richard Cordray, the bureau's first director. “We believe this is the first time that the general public has been able to see such individual-level consumer complaint data for financial products and services. … Anyone with access to the web will be able to review and analyze the information, and draw their own conclusions.”
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The actual site is here: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaintdatabase/
You can sort it out by region, which banks get the most complaints, et cetera. A little sunlight, thanks to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
What I learned: I just spent three days with my adult kids on a road trip.
I have a daughter, 32, and a son, 24. Different moms, same dad (me).
They're nice to me and indulge me when I tell old stories. Three days straight on the road. They are close, too.
It might not seem like such a big deal at first. But, I am getting older and my only sibling died recently, and my wife is very understanding so we made a roadie just for the hell of it. What do you learn?
I learned how good they are and how much they care. Reliving old stuff and having fun for the sake of having fun. Having roadside food and having them drive for you.
Because, they can. And, you taught them how.
I am the luckiest man in the world.
Boy Scout sex abuse files -- with names removed -- expected to be released within weeks
Source: The Oregonian
An Oregon Supreme Court decision Thursday to release 20,000 pages of files about volunteers who molested Boy Scouts likely will have two effects: First, it will continue to embarrass the 102-year-old Boy Scouts of America, which has worked vigorously to distance itself from a dark chapter in its past.
Second -- because the files outline a widespread problem of child sex abuse and the organization's attempts to cover it up -- the ruling could open the floodgates of litigation. Attorneys of men who were abused as Scouts will have precisely the evidence they need to sue the Texas-based youth organization for many millions of dollars in punitive damages, legal experts say.
Within weeks, a Portland law firm plans to post the 1,247 files on its website for all to see -- with the names of alleged child victims and the people who reported the suspected abuse removed.
"No company wants to have its personnel files made public like this," said Patrick Boyle, a freelance journalist who has written extensively about sex abuse in the Scouts and is one of the country's most prominent authorities on the subject. "This is a nightmare for (the Boy Scouts of America). ...Kids may be less likely to join. Parents may be more fearful. People could be less likely to volunteer."
Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/06/boy_scout_sex_abuse_files_--_w.html
Wyden blocks intelligence bill amid concerns over civil liberties
Source: The Oregonian
WASHINGTON – Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Monday blocked quick passage of controversial intelligence bill amid concerns that it gives the government too much power to secretly collect data on U.S. citizens.
Wyden’s decision to place a “hold” on a bill that would extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for five years is just the latest installment in his long-running skirmish with the White House over the rules and practices for collecting and analyzing massive amounts of digital data.
Wyden has sought details for months on the number of Americans whose data has been collected as part of surveillance of foreign citizens who are or interest to intelligence officials. The government has yet to provide an answer that satisfies Wyden.
The second concern is that a U.S. citizen could have his or her personal information and communication analyzed as a by-product of an operation directed at a foreign citizen. Wyden is demanding that the government first obtain a warrant to review the information about the U.S citizen. Current law considers that additional information to be covered by the original warrant giving permission to monitor a foreign citizen, a practice Wyden condemns as a “backdoor” search.
Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/06/wyden_blocks_intelligence_bill.html
More at link.
Fresh water trucked in for Oilbertans living near Red Deer River oil spill
?w=620 Alberta Premier Alison Redford, second from left, speaks to reporters in front of the Gleniffer reservoir, with an oil retaining boom across it, about an oil spill from a pipeline leak near Sundre, Alta., Friday, June 8, 2012
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DICKSON, Alta. — People downstream of an oil pipeline breach in west central Alberta are worried but hopeful the spill won’t seriously damage the Red Deer River they depend on for water and recreation.
Andrew Van Oosten and his friends were hoping to go fishing Saturday but were told by Alberta Environment officials to stay away from the water.
“I was going to go fishing but they said, ’No, you’re not allowed,”’ he said as huddled with his friends underneath a tarp at his campsite near the Gleniffer reservoir.
Booms set up to contain Alberta pipeline spill after up to 3,000 barrels of oil spew into Red Deer River
“You are not allowed to go near the water because it [oil] is washing up on shore. I hope it just passes by in a week or two.”
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So, let's see if I have this right. The XL Pipeline proposed through the heart of North America, from north of Edmonton, Alberta to Houston Texas, crossing multiple watersheds and aquifers, hasn't even made it from Edmonton to Red Deer yet, and there is already fresh water being trucked in because <rant> THEY CAN'T CONTAIN THE BLEEPING SPILLS in the Red Deer River AND THE OILY COMPANY BUZZILLIONAIRES WANT TO EXTEND THE DAMN PIPELINE ALL THE WAY TO HOUSTON. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?? TO GIVE IT UP AT PROFIT ON THE WORLD BLEEPING MARKET! THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN PRISON. <takes a few deep breaths, ends rant </rant>
Whew, I feel slightly better, my pulse rate is slightly down, BREATHE Steve. Don't have a stroke.....
I wanted to think Canada was above this, but they are being purchased, at least the Alberta government, by oil companies just like the USA and Europe. The Harper government is just as willing to line their pockets with dirty oil money as the US is.
This jackass votes. Do you?
Hat tip to the Pragmatic Progressive: https://www.facebook.com/PragProgPage
Money wins. It's just that simple. But, it's not over.
When you get outspent exponentially, we all lose. Citizens United my big hairy ass.
Don't ever give up.
We will win. Eventually, they will all be dead. Zombie season.
Let's kick their asses next time. Ground game.
Are you with me?
What if solar got the same subsidies as fossil fuels? Well...
Tip of the hat to The Pragmatic Progressive: https://www.facebook.com/PragProgPage
Hello, I'm Steve DeShazer, formerly known as StevieD.
I'm probably nuts for using my real name, but they'd know how to find me anyway.
I found DU in the summer of 2001 and lurked for a while, finally jumping in around March 2002. I can't believe ten years have passed and how much has happened. I think DU had about 5000 members then.
When G.W. Bush was installed as pResident in 2001, and 9/11 happened, and illegal and immoral wars were started, I thought the whole world had gone insane. After ten plus years here, I've learned that it's even worse than that! DU has kept me out of the asylum the whole time. If Skinner, Elad and EarlG had not created this cool thing I might just be in a padded cell. Thanks, fellas.
I live in Portland O with my wife Ms. D, and our very large lynx point Siamese cat, Jack. They jointly rule my life. We have two adult children who also live in Portland. I'm fortunate to have met a pretty good number of fellow DUers in person who also live here. For a small city, Portlanders are well represented on DU.
Despite having an excellent job at the start of the Bush reign of error, I'm now a delivery truck driver making about 50% of what I made in the post-Clinton economy. Thanks, Supreme Court tools.
Please vote for President Obama in November. We can't afford to let Willard Robme into the White House!
If you're new here, hit me up. I won't bite!
Peace and love,
Steve
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Member since: 2002Number of posts: 21,653
