Banking and Cellphone Practices

From USA Today about bank overdraft fees:

Banks have done this by covering debit card transactions as small as $1 and charging a fee as high as $35. Some also charge fees before consumers overdraw by deducting a purchase when it's made, instead of when it clears. And they've processed transactions from highest to lowest dollar amount -- which empties consumers' accounts quicker and triggers more overdrafts.

I don't think most consumers mind the fee so much but they should only be able to charge it per day, not per transaction. If you've got 4 transactions getting to the bank today for $30, $10, $10, and $10 but only have a balance of $32, they shouldn't be allowed to post the $30 transaction and then a $35 fee for each of the $10 transactions that are overdrawn. There are a lot of people living on the edge right now. These practices keep them there.

Cellphones should be banned or their signals jammed from theaters, restaurants, automobiles, and maybe a few other places that I haven't thought of. If you cannot bear the thought of parting company with your cellphone, you'll just have to do without those places. More times than not, the way most people use their cellphones is beyond rude.

A little too far-fetched. Not buying it.

About today's QOTD: He's talking about Buffalo Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron. With his team behind, 17-7, and a little over 7 minutes left in the game, he elected to punt on 4th down rather than try to pick up the first down. I agree totally with Sullivan. It was tantamount to a white flag.

Quote of the Day

Jauron stands by and lets it happen, willing to think small. He sees a 10-point deficit as something to be protected. The thing about losing respectably, of course, is you're still a loser.

Jerry Sullivan, The Buffalo News

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "The Jets won this game with smoke and mirrors yesterday."