YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP

MANY will read this and believe I am either making this all up or that I was intoxicated while visiting the bank.  I assure you that neither of the above is true  and furthermore will declare that the bank teller I dealt with was at all times professional and courteous.

Last month (April) I received in the mail from Wells Fargo a Cashiers Check in the amount of $5 for refund of some error they had discovered in their accounting on one of my accounts.  I endorsed it for deposit and left it on my desk for a convenient time when I would be visiting one of their ATM’s.

Yesterday, May 4th, I needed to go to the bank for a friend who is disabled and in a convalescent home.  He had received cash from sale of furniture in his home that  he is in the process of selling.  The cash was in the amount of $1,639.  I told him I would be happy to deposit it for him, took the cash and one of his checking account deposit slips and went to the Wells Fargo Branch in Gold River, California.  On my way into the bank, I deposited the Wells Fargo $5 Cashier Check through the ATM outside only to have it rejected with the electronic window telling me the check could not be deposited and should be returned to where it was issued.  Keep in mind this is a Wells Fargo Cashiers Check and I am at Wells Fargo.  I thought that was odd but probably some kind of “glitch” and took the check into the bank and got into the waiting line.

My turn came and I went up to the bank tellers window.  I explained about the check being rejected by the ATM and she apologized and tried to run it through her machine and spent some time looking at her monitor and then said that she could not accept it because it showed as deposited and then rejected.  I asked her if it was a “real” check and she assured me it was.  She made several phone calls and then apologized but said they could not deposit it.  At this time I was more amused than anything and just told her I would keep the check and have some fun with it.  Consider this “fun”.

I then took out my friends cash and deposit slip and she told me the bank was no longer allowing cash deposits into personal checking accounts.  She said it was a relatively new policy but she could not accept the cash and deposit it into my friends account. I am thinking but…. but…. this is a bank and this cash is legal tender.  She then said that she could accept cash deposits into a business checking account and since I had a business account she could accept the cash into my account.  I asked her if we could do that and then transfer the funds to my friends account and she said no but she could accept the funds for a cashiers check issued in my name and made payable to my friend and then deposit the cashiers check into his account.  Huh?  I finally said okay and this is what she did. 

At some point I was starting to look around and see if this was some kind of “Candid Camera” or “Reality Show” gag.  

Let’s see, Wells Fargo won’t cash their own “Cashiers Check” for $5 and will not allow a “Legal Tender” cash deposit into the personal checking account of one of their own bank customers.  Are these folks a real bank?  I am beginning to remember the old Saturday Night Live skit about the “Change Bank” that would only make change (4 Fives for a $20 – 4 Quarters for a $1 etc.) but no checking or savings accounts, no loans and no other “Bank” functions.

I left the bank actually laughing and more amused than angry.

On a more serious note:

Later I remembered all the businesses and fast food places that no longer accept cash.  Only debit and credit card purchases.  I also remembered some articles I have read and things I have heard in the media on how our government is trying to move away from a “cash” society. 

Perhaps to more easily monitor how we spend every dollar and document it for ways to control us?  Can you spell “meta-data” and the “harvesting” of such data for the governments own purposes and agenda.  Just a question.  Are you scared yet?

Bob Bandy – May 2022

P.S. For a related article you might want to read “Mark of the Beast” – something I wrote some 10 years ago.  Use “Search For Articles” box in the left column.

Mayorkas testifies DHS is creating ‘Disinformation Governance Board’

California Congressman Adam Schiff

 Chairman of the House (lack of) Intelligence Committee

Congressman Schiff during the “Russia Russia Russia” Investigation repeatedly told the media, the American public and again under oath, during the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump, that he had positive, factual information that President Trump had colluded with the Russian’s during the Trump/Clinton Presidential campaigns. It was a lie, he knew it was a lie and he told the lie over and over again.  He is in fact a known serial liar and yet stays out of jail.

But he is not alone,  Congress and the Administration lie to the American people on a daily basis.  Let’s send the Misinformation Governing Board after Congress and those members of the Administration who habitually lie to us.

Speaking of lies, do you remember:  “If you like your doctor you can keep him and that’s a promise.”

There are endless examples.  The Administration and Congress come up with spending schemes that will cost Trillions of dollars and then tell us the plan is all “paid for” with tax increases on the “wealthy” and higher tax rates on “greedy” Corporations.  This is the kind of big lie that has gotten America Thirty Trillion Dollars in debt.

The fact is you could tax Elon Musk & Jeff Bezos, the two richest men in the country at 100% – take every dollar they have and leave them penniless in the street – and not fund our government for two months.  Further, if you taxed every one of the super rich in our country at 100% you could not fund our government, the way it spends money, for a year and then who would you tax after that.  And, all the people they employed would be out of work and not paying taxes either.

The other big lie is you can just raise taxes on Corporations.  CORPORATIONS DON’T PAY TAXES – THEIR CUSTOMERS DO.  If you raise taxes on Corporations, you just raise taxes on taxpayers the next time they buy a bottle of shampoo or a Hershey Bar.

Our government is a source of “Disinformation” on a daily basis. Let’s “root some of them out” and put them in jail before we go after common citizens who don’t agree with the “in vogue” political party.

When I see one of the Clinton’s or a John Brennan behind bars for  providing “misinformation” (lying) to the American People, especially while under oath, then this new “Misinformation Governance Board” can send their “Truth Enforcers” to knock on my door. 

Until then I will just consider them for what they are – another group of corrupt Political Operatives using the Governments power to try to intimidate me into shutting up and parroting the ruling parties political correctness.

Keeping the First Amendment

As for me, I plan to keep and exercise my First Amendment Rights and fight for those Rights should the need arise.  

Bob Bandy – May 2022

“President Joe Biden was in for a surprise when his comments to people at the White House’s Easter egg roll were interrupted on Monday by none other than the Easter Bunny itself.”

“The president, 79, started to answer Afghan reporter Nazira Karimi’s question and was heard saying: ‘Pakistan should not and Afghanistan should be — people should be free…'”

“But Meghan Hays, a White House press official and director of message planning who was dressed as the Easter Bunny, then quickly interrupted him and ushered him away in a desperate bid to avoid another gaffe.”  New York Post 18 April 2022

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I first wrote the following piece in August 2021 as a humor and satire article during the 8th month of the Biden Presidency.  I am almost sad to say now that the article was too close to actual truth and even somewhat prophetic when compared to the current chaos and failure of our President and whomever is guiding and directing him from behind the scenes.

Joe Biden began his Presidency as nothing more than an empty suit doing the bidding of those directing him and at this point he has deteriorated from that into a rather pathetic figure who often seems confused, lost and even forlorn.  Like one of those poor souls in the “Visiting Angles” commercials who can no longer care for themselves.

The original article is repeated below………

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Some Times We Can’t Decide Whether To

Laugh or Cry or Scream in Frustration

Every time we think things could not get worse

in our nations Capitol, They get worse.

Poor Joe Biden.  Members of our Presidents own Political Party are beginning to view him as “well past his best if used by date”.  Sort of like that dish of tuna and noodle casserole you left in the back of the refrigerator……  two months ago.

President Biden began his career as a Political Prodigy at a prestigious college where, many believe, he earned a Masters Degree in Plagiarism  and a Doctors Degree in Prevarication  before launching his career as a Senator who became a Vice President and now President. 

Along the way he tamed the town bully with his steely eyed glare.  In fairness it must be remembered that Corn Pop had been warned that Young Joe was a Third Degree Black Belt Plagiarist.

Tough as nails Joe also was at Teddy Roosevelts side as they charged up San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War.

Working man Joe also managed to make time for careers in, among other things, Long Haul 18 Wheel Truck Driving and working deep beneath the earth as a “Hard Rock” Coal Miner.  Truly a man of many talents.

Building his reputation for inter-racial relations, Joe studied at the knee of his long time friend and idealogical soul mate, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia, a confidant and counselor with a long history in public and private service, including serving as a Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.  From his friend Senator Byrd, then Senator Biden seems to have gotten his foundational knowledge in Critical Race Theory.

Serving with our President is his Vice President Kamala Harris who has become nearly invisible and being kept out of the public eye.

Her “Goodwill” trip to Central America was a political and media disaster with large crowds telling her to “Go Home”.  Poor Joe, not much help here. The mainstream media has shown one photo of  Kamala & her husband kissing.  Both wearing a mask.  Take that where you will.  But as Joe would say “Come on man!”

Other players in the White House Team include Anthony J. Blinken playing the part of Secretary of State.  I was always of the belief that the Secretary of States job was to be a Cheerleader for the United States, making sure our interests were protected worldwide and spokesman for all that is good about the United States.  Secretary Blinken seems to be carrying on the Obama worldwide apology tour and going “hat in hand” to the United Nations begging for forgiveness for our (non-existent) Systemic Racism. 

Other members of the Biden “team” include Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  A sort of “Frick & Frack” twosome of  Critical Race Theory “Kool-Aid” drinkers.  Both bent on turning the best fighting force in the world into a band of “hand-wringing” apologists for America’s greatness.  If I were still in the military (see closing comments), I would be ashamed  to serve under either of them.   

Closing Comments

On a more serious note and in closing I will share my own experience while in the Military.  I spent ten years total in the Army National Guard.  Six of those years in a Combat Infantry Unit and four years in a Medical Brigade.  In all of those years I do not remember there ever being a single instance of anything resembling a “racial” issue.  I served with members of all colors and all races.  We were soldiers.  Not white soldiers or black soldiers or brown  soldiers or oriental soldiers.  Just soldiers.  We served together, slept together, ate together and had each others back.  When we were called into a riot situation we stood shoulder to shoulder, color did not matter, in our minds we were all “green”.   To this day if I visit a military hospital or other place of service, I feel a kinship, comradery and spirit of belonging. 

In my world if I have a problem with someone, it is personal, race is never an issue.

Bob Bandy – August 2021/April 2022

photo credit – Philadelphia Trumpet April 2022

Big Government – Big Pharma – Big Media

As pointed out in the Philadelphia Trumpet article,  the Covid Pandemic, while a disaster for tens of millions of ordinary Americans, was a money making bonanza for a select group of those in power. 

Think of them as members of America’s Oligarchy.

Dictionary:  An oligarch is one of the select few people who rule or influence leaders in an oligarchy—a government in which power is held by a select few individuals or a small class of powerful people.

LIVING IN AN OLIGARCHY

American Oligarch’s include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Powerful members of the media including:  Google, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, the “Mainstream” Media, Print, Television, Internet and others.

2. The current Political Administration including the Office of the President and various powerful Agencies like: The FBI, Department of Justice, Secret Service, Central Intelligence Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Department of Energy and a “laundry list” of other agencies, most/all of which have become Politicized and no longer feel bound by the U.S. Constitution or the laws levied on the rest of us.

3. The “Military Industrial Complex”  Which includes not only the Military but also manufacturers and distributors of the weapons of war and related materials.  Extremely profitable Industry when those Government Contracts come your way.

4. Major Corporations and their C.E.O.’s.  Include in this group Major Banks and their officers.

5.  The Federal Reserve Board and system which along with the Treasury Department have the authority to print endless amounts of “deficit” (phony) dollars, regulate interest rates and cause inflation.

Ad nauseum.

Historically, whether it is a Pandemic, War or Natural Disaster, “Bad News” is not bad for everyone out there.  If you are one of the few select people in power, it can be downright profitable.  An opportunity to make obscene amounts of money while acquiring ever more power.

During the recent Covid Pandemic Pfizer (and other Pharmaceutical companies), made Billions of Dollars in profits and are still doing so.  All being paid for by some 5 Trillion (deficit) Dollars in spending by our government.  In the process we are finding out some unknown number of Millions (Billions) of those dollars were diverted to Golf Course and other “Pork Barrel” projects in Congressional districts across the county to enrich various members of Congress through their “Government Contractor” (and other) supporters.  “Follow the Money”.

Blood and Treasure

The meaning of this phrase all too often signifies the “Blood of those who serve creates Treasure for those who produce the means of destruction”.

Our political leaders (Oligarch’s) keep getting us involved in various wars (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, others).  The men and women who serve our nation do so with honor and at personal sacrifice.  Too often they must pay a price in blood and crippling injury and many with the ultimate sacrifice of their lives (50,000+ Americans lost their lives in Vietnam alone). Having said that, the Defense Contractor “Oligarch’s” made Billions of Dollars in profits.  Ever heard of the “Military Industrial Complex”?  “Follow the money.”

In the process of leaving Afghanistan, because of political miscalculation and the failure of leadership, the Taliban were “gifted” an estimated One Billion Dollars (probably a “low ball” estimate) in military hardware paid for by the American Taxpayer. “Follow the Money”.

Fire, Flood & Earthquake

The same goes for Natural Disasters.  Only one example (one I have used before) out of many, the Haiti Earthquake in 1993.  The U.S., and other countries, pledged Billions of dollars in Reconstruction Aid.  Several Billion of those dollars were “flushed” through the Clinton Foundation.  Very little Reconstruction was done but those Billions ended up in somebodies pockets – friends of the Clintons or ??.  Again, Bad News for Some is Good News for others.  “Follow the Money.”  

But not to pick on just the Clinton’s,  this happens over and over and over.  Hugh amounts of money are allocated and much of it just vanishes “poof” into a more and more corrupt system that enriches the few and does all too little to help those most in need.

Social Justice and other “Causes”

When Black Lives Matter were at their height of activity,  Billions of Dollars were pledged and spent by government agencies and major corporations to aid the cause.  Except for some money that can be traced to mansion purchases by the leaders of the organization, can anyone point to improvement in the lives of the poor black citizens they were pledged to help?  How about Chicago, Baltimore and other major cities that are home to ghettos and struggling people of color.  “Follow the Money”.

The above are only a few examples.  There are countless others.  Right now, the U.S. and other governments are funneling Millions and Billions of dollars in an effort to help Ukraine.  I am not opposed to helping the Ukraine in their effort to expel the Russian invaders.  Still while my heart is with the Ukrainian people, others will make a lot of money from producing and shipping the armaments and other help to Ukraine.  The cause is no doubt just, still one needs to “Follow the Money”.

America has its full share of Oligarch’s including the Super Rich, like George Soros, and our “Ruling Class”.  Where else can a person with no real job resume become a Senator for many years, a Vice President and later President, all on a “Public Servants Salary” and be worth Millions and Millions of dollars.  And this story is repeated over and over in our Congress and Senate.

The name of the game is corruption on a massive scale and some get Oligarch Rich in the process.

Russia is not the only country with Oligarch’s.  Under other names virtually all countries have their share and we “common folk” must live in their shadow.

The best way to identify them is to “Follow the Money”!

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”  I Timothy 6:10

Bob Bandy – April 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping & Russian President Vladimir Putin

Photo: BBC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to believe that he has formed a mutually beneficial and long term relationship with President Xi Jinping of China.

Business Insider.com had even referred to their relationship as a “Blossoming Bromance” in a July 2019 article.

In recent months, before the Ukraine Invasion by Russia, the Chinese and Russians signed huge wheat, coal and oil deals worth more than 100 Billion Dollars to the Russians.

Would it be just conspiratorial conjecture to suspect that the crafty Chinese President “outfoxed” the Russian President by tacitly approving the invasion, and subsequent near genocide of the Ukrainians.  Letting the never popular Russian President become one of the most despised and never to be trusted leaders in the world and now an outcast among civilized nations?

Did President Xi all along just look at President Putin as a “goose” to be fattened and then harvested to serve the expansion of China’s Empire?

Where else among civilized nations can the killer of civilians, whole families, children, even babies, turn to after an unprovoked, barbarous invasion and slaughter of innocents?

I suspect that as time passes Russia will descend into little more than a client “state” of China. A resource rich “goose” to feed the growing needs of China. 

It is more China’s way to use “client states” to do their “dirty work”.  Places like North Korea, as an example, and now perhaps Russia.  In the process China just smiles and practices “plausible deniability”.

Lest you think I am engaging in just wild speculation, consider the following:  China is a brutal, totalitarian country and its citizens have no human or civil rights.  Having said that, can you name for me one “foreign” country China has sent its armies to invade in the last 200 years.  They have used their armies to ruthlessly quell rebellions in many of China’s provinces but not other nations.  Before World War II Japan invaded China but China never invaded Japan.

What China does is acquire influence and power in foreign lands by buying and investing in the resources of foreign nations.  For example:  China became the largest buyer of milk products from New Zealand.  New Zealand expanded milk production by dairy farmers borrowing money to increase their herds to meet China’s growing demand.  Then China cut off buying the milk products.  Many of New Zealand’s dairy farmers could no longer pay the bank loans and filed for bankruptcy.  Chinese “investors” bought up the bankrupt dairy farms.  Chinese “investors” are buying up land, mineral resources and businesses around the world, including here in the United States.  In this way China expands its Empire and influence without ever firing a shot.  Smart like a fox.

Rulers like Vladimir Putin invade places like Ukraine, destroy its infrastructure, severely damage its resources, kill and alienate its citizenry and then takes charge of a country that despises him and is in ruins. This also creates fear and loathing in other nations who understand they could be the next target of aggression.   This is not smart like a fox. It is the actions of a power mad Barbarian.

Tell me, am I wrong?

Bob Bandy – March 2022

Valdimir Putin

HISTORY is replete with the record of Barbarian killers.  Whether they titled themselves as “Emperor”, “King”, “The Great Khan”, “Attila the Hun”, “President” or some other fancy title, they all have a record of filling the annals of time with the deaths of thousands, tens of thousands and often millions of innocent people just trying to live out their lives and care for their children.

Vladimir Putin is not the first, and, unfortunately will likely not be the last of these soulless killers of humanity.

I find myself laying awake at night, my mind haunted by a televised image of a sorrowful man sitting beside a table on which lays a dead child covered with a bloodstained sheet.  The child was killed because of the ambition of Vladimir Putin.  I grieve with this man and the people of the Ukraine and I am tormented with a desire to find a way to stop this kind of madness.

Like many others, I find myself praying that the barbarism and killing will stop.

Following World War I the League of Nations was formed with the intent of making sure another such war would never happen again. Adolph Hitler put that dream in the dust bin of history and is responsible for the death of seven million Jews and so many others.  But, he is not alone in the reign of Barbarians.  Pol Pot, Joseph Stalin and numerous others have caused the death and misery of millions upon millions of humans.

The United Nations was formed following World War II.  It to, has failed in so many ways.  The most it seems to do is issue “Non-Binding Resolutions” of condemnation.  Like wagging your finger at a two year old for breaking his siblings toys with no other consequences.

It has been reported that the United States is sending Vice President Kamala Harris over to Europe.  Maybe to give them another geography lesson on how the Ukraine is located right next to Russia and remind them that our President might need to go “toe to toe” with Putin again as he said he had done in a statement while on the campaign trail.  I am sure this will be every bit as effective as the “Non-Binding Resolution” from the United Nations has been.  With Vice President Harris in charge what could possibly go wrong?

Back in 2009 when one of our political parties was accusing the other party of “pulling the plug” on Grandma’s Heath Care,  I wrote a satirical piece  suggesting the United States would do well to “Pull the Plug” on the United Nations and ship it off to another country before dropping our membership. The message of the article was that the United Nations was no more than a Toothless Tiger which had become mostly a sounding board where other countries, after taking our Foreign Aid money voted against the U.S. whenever possible.

Different era, different tyrants and dictators.  Same “Toothless”  United Nations.

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PULL THE PLUG

September 2009

Bob Bandy

Drawing by Syl Mateo

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Dictator names and nations have changed but not the ineffectiveness of the United Nations.  What a waste.  Sad.

Bob Bandy – March 2022