Why Comerica Bank Sucks!

There's a company here in Norwalk called Norwalk Furniture. You may have heard of them since they are one of the largest custom furniture companies in the United States. They have been one of the largest employers in the city. Hundreds of people and families work there. Since 1902, generations of people have called Norwalk Furniture their work and family.

Comerica Bank, the same company that spent millions for naming rights to the Detroit Tigers Stadium, have now found themselves in the middle of a storm. See, Comerica is one of those banking companies that just shelled out loans to everyone regardless of credit history. Now, with record foreclosures, Comerica is feeling the pinch. The stock is dropping and they're losing money. They recently closed the last Comerica branch in Ohio. Before they completely leave Ohio though, they demanded Norwalk Furniture immediately pay their $11million loan and line of credit. This was for no other reason other than they didn't want to have any accounts left in Ohio. In fact, Norwalk Furniture was Comerica's first Ohio customer.

Most companies don't just have $11M sitting around for the heck of it. Neither did Norwalk Furniture. Comerica demanded the company close and liquidate all assets. That means thousands of employees without a job in Norwalk, Ohio, plants in Tennessee, Mississippi, and at the retail stores all over the United States. That's exactly what has happened. Norwalk Furniture has been trying to communicate with Comerica, and so have potential investors seeking to pay Comerica $9M instead of liquidating the company. Comerica has refused to accept the calls. Yes, Comerica was refusing to even discuss the matter with Norwalk Furniture or investors.

Now, the state steps in and offers the company a low-interest loan, the story has made it all the way to the UK, Rep. Sherrod Brown is involved and the Dept of Labor has been contacted. Former Ohio Attorney General & current Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher recently toured the plant to get an idea of what was happening. Thursday, a group of 50 Norwalk Furniture employees went to Detroit to protest in front of the company headquarters and were met by private security and Detroit Police.

Guess what? Comerica has finally decided that it's not in their best interest to keep screwing over customers. The bad publicity has hit them hard and they have finally agreed to sit down with the company. Norwalk Furniture was allowed to open temporarily to complete and ship current orders.

But, it shouldn't end there. This company would not "rethink" their position unless there was public outcry and bad publicity. They would have forced thousands of people into unemployment causing a tremendous drain on local governments. I don't believe they should be able to slink away without any repercussions.

 

***UPDATE***

Friday, July 25th, Norwalk Furniture issued a press release. It's the biggest bunch of ass-kissing I've ever seen. I'm sure this was Comerica's #1 demand before renegotiating the loan.

NORWALK, Ohio, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Inc. is offering its assistance to Norwalk Furniture to continue operations and help save the jobs of as many as 2,000 workers across Ohio, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Financial issues forced a shutdown of Norwalk Furniture operations on July 21. Since the shutdown, a number of private equity firms and state governments have come forward with investment and loan proposals to allow the company to resume operations and pursue its restructuring plan. Friday, Comerica extended its help as well to resolve debt issues related to the company.

"On behalf of Norwalk Furniture, its employees and their families, we'd like to thank Comerica for its willingness to work through a tough situation on a tight schedule," said Domenic Aversa, acting CEO of Norwalk Furniture. "We are grateful that Comerica understands the importance of helping save these jobs and keeping this 106-year-old company in business."

This is sickening. This bank was had no problems whatsoever in shutting down this business. The financial issues were caused by Comerica demanding an immediate repayment of an $11M loan for no other reason besides they didn't want any Ohio customers.

The Gospel According To Obama

I seen the headline on Drudge, but didn't have time to click over and read it until tonight. This has to be one of the most brilliant pieces of journalism ever. The headline is enough to get you in the mood, "He ventured forth to bring light to the world".

And it came to pass, in the eighth year of the reign of the evil Bush the Younger (The Ignorant), when the whole land from the Arabian desert to the shores of the Great Lakes had been laid barren, that a Child appeared in the wilderness.

The Child was blessed in looks and intellect. Scion of a simple family, offspring of a miraculous union, grandson of a typical white person and an African peasant. And yea, as he grew, the Child walked in the path of righteousness, with only the occasional detour into the odd weed and a little blow.

When he was twelve years old, they found him in the temple in the City of Chicago, arguing the finer points of community organisation with the Prophet Jeremiah and the Elders. And the Elders were astonished at what they heard and said among themselves: “Verily, who is this Child that he opens our hearts and minds to the audacity of hope?”

Please, please, read the rest.

Immigration & Customs Rounds up 58 Illegals At Local Restaurants

This will come as no surprise to anyone who lives in the same cities as these restaurants were located. What is surprising is that there were only 58 arrested. I avoid Mexican restaurants, mostly because I'm not a fan of authentic Mexican food.

Special agents with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shut down the Casa Fiesta restaurant in Norwalk about lunch time Wednesday. Simultaneously, ICE authorities used nine search warrants to arrest 58 people on immigration violations at eight restaurants in the chain and the owner’s home in Norwalk.

About 12:45 p.m., ICE agents escorted at least two men from the Norwalk restaurant in plastic handcuffs into an unmarked, white conversion van parked outside the restaurant entrance. ICE spokesman Greg Palmore wouldn’t say exactly why authorities were there, but said the people taken into custody may be facing criminal or immigration violations.

This is the restaurant that was raided in my city. It used to be a Ponderosa.

Just in case any I.C.E. agents are reading this, please go to WILLARD, OHIO! I think about 70% of the population is people born outside the United States. While you're at it, swing up to Huron too.

I Was Going To Post About John Edwards 2AM Rendezvous

But I decided against it. If he wants to cheat on his cancer-stricken wife, that's his prerogative, I just hope he takes care of that kid.

More From The Dayton Air Show, Interesting Things

I said I was going to post this Sunday, but the more I looked at my pictures, I decided they needed to be enhanced using my photo editing program. I just brightened up the pictures a little.

During the air show, they were offering Huey rides for $50. It was tax deductible so I assume it was going to some kind of good use. I prefer to keep my feet on the ground. However; my brother jumped on the chance. The thing about my brother is, while other kids were acting stupid and whatnot, he spent his time studying aircraft. It's his passion. For him, going to an air show is like going to the Playboy mansion. He can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about anything that flies.

He is planning to enlist next year. He hasn't decided between Air Force or Navy. He doesn't want to be a hot shot pilot, he wants to be a gunner on an AC-130.

But back to his Huey ride:

Everybody boarding  

That's him in the white shirt in the gunner seat  

And away they go.  

This was his first flight of any kind. He said it was the best $50 he ever spent. I'm surprised he got out voluntarily, I was sure security would have to drag him out.

They were operating two Hueys at a time. I think each one carried 10 people. They ran these Hueys until after the show was over to ensure everyone who wanted a ride, got it. There was no shortage of people wanting rides, the line went on forever.

 

This was my favorite of all the aircraft:

It's a B-25. Everywhere they could put a gun, they did. I think the reason I liked it so much was because it was shiny. I tend to get distracted by shiny objects.

As I said before, the flight crew stayed in the same hotel, and ate breakfast at the table behind us.

 

Out off all the amazing things at the air show, this was definitely the best:

 

This Hummer is awesome just to look at, but there's more to why I like it so much Take a look at what's in the trunk.  

Flat screen HDTV, Xbox 360, & a sound system that bumps so hard it vibrates your nether-regions.

 

Of course; they had many souvenirs you could purchase, and I picked a up a few, but my favorite is my coconut cup. For $12 I got a coconut cup with a non-alcoholic lemon daiquiri. It was actually just frozen lemonade.

 

I have to take a moment and tell everyone about the hotel. We stayed in the Dayton Airport Hotel. We got a room with 2 queen beds for $79. The room wasn't spectacular, but it was nice. The most important thing was the people at the desk were very friendly. It made a great impression and should we decide to go to Dayton next year, we will definitely stay at that Hotel. The restaurant in the hotel, Wilbur's Bar & Grille, served me the best bacon cheeseburger I've ever had. It was delicious and not some happy meal cheeseburger either, it was hefty.

Vectren Dayton Air Show 2008

I took about 300 pics at the show and my new camera is much better than my old one. It's nothing fancy. Just a Kodak Z812 IS. It's 8.1MP with a 12x optical zoom. It takes pictures and records video in HD. Pretty good for $249.

During the air show, they were offering Huey rides for $50. It was tax deductible so I assume it was going to some kind of good use. I prefer to keep my feet on the ground. However; my brother jumped on the chance. The thing about my brother is, while other kids were acting stupid and whatnot, he spent his time studying aircraft. It's his passion. For him, going to an air show is like going to the Playboy mansion. He can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about anything that flies.

But back to his Huey ride:

Everybody boarding

That's him in the white shirt in the gunner seat

And away they go.

This was his first flight of any kind. He said it was the best $50 he ever spent. I'm surprised he got out voluntarily, I was sure security would have to drag him out.

They were operating two Hueys at a time. I think each one carried 10 people. They ran these Hueys until after the show was over to ensure everyone who wanted a ride, got it. There was no shortage of people wanting rides, the line went on forever.

This was my favorite of all the aircraft:

It's a B-25. Everywhere they could put a gun, they did. I think the reason I liked it so much was because it was shiny. I tend to get distracted by shiny objects.

As I said before, the flight crew stayed in the same hotel, and ate breakfast at the table behind us.

Out off all the amazing things at the air show, this was definitely the best:

This Hummer is awesome just to look at, but there's more to why I like it so much

Take a look at what's in the trunk.

Flat screen HDTV, Xbox 360, & a sound system that bumps so hard it vibrates your nether-regions.

Of course; they had many souvenirs you could purchase, and I picked a up a few, but my favorite is my coconut cup. For $12 I got a coconut cup with a non-alcoholic lemon daiquiri. It was actually just frozen lemonade.

I have to take a moment and tell everyone about the hotel. We stayed in the Dayton Airport Hotel. We got a room with 2 queen beds for $79. The room wasn't spectacular, but it was nice. The most important thing was the people at the desk were very friendly. It made a great impression and should we decide to go to Dayton next year, we will definitely stay at that hotel. The restaurant in the hotel, Wilbur's Bar & Grille, served me the best bacon cheeseburger I've ever had. It was delicious and not some happy meal cheeseburger either, it was hefty.

I will post some pictures here and include a link at the bottom for the entire album. I will go right down the schedule.

First off was the flag drop by the Misty Blues all-woman skydiving team.

 

The Collaborators aerobatic demonstration

 

US Army AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter

 

The B-25 "Panchito". The flight crew stayed in the same hotel as I did and sat at the table behind us during breakfast.

 

USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon

 

Ohio Air National Guard C-130H Hercules

 

F-104 Starfighters. These things were FAST. I was only able to get 3 pics of them, one of which turned out good.

 

Sean D. Tucker aerobatic demo

 

US Navy F-18 Super Hornet w/Corsair legacy flight

 

AeroShell aerobatic team

 

USAF C-17 Globemaster

 

USAF F-22 Raptor

 

F-22, F-16, P-51 Mustang heritage flight

 

Video of the F-22

 

All the pics, including aerial demos and static aircraft

2008 Dayton Air Show