Living The Metaphor - Credit Card, Presidential Fail

Obama is telling this story on himself with no apparent sense of irony:

In what must have been an awkward moment for everyone involved, President Barack Obama said his credit card was declined at a New York City restaurant last month.

“My credit card was rejected. It turned out I guess I don’t use it enough,” Mr. Obama said while signing an executive order to help Americans guard against identity theft. “They thought there was some fraud going on. Fortunately, Michelle had hers.”

Geez, was it a Greek restaurant? Spanish? Italian? 

The Debtor-in-Chief continued:

“I was trying to explain to the waitress, you know, I really think that I’ve been paying my bills,” Mr. Obama joked while Speaking at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Even I’m affected by this.”

He thinks he's paying his bills?

Comments

[Lazybusy]

First.

[NKreBootDeux]

Restaurant = Kenyan*

H/T- Threadkiller

[NKreBootDeux]

Obummer is a real live Gov. Petomane, isn't he. Mel Brooks must marvel that his schtick became POTUS.

[Thomas Collins]

Well, I guess he must be credited, so to speak, with at least trying to pay. Can you imagine a Kennedy male whipping out anything from that general area of the body other than . . . never mind.

[Jane]

Oh gawd...He probably knew it would be rejected and wanted his mean for free.

[Threadkiller]

http://mobile.wnd.com/2013/12/why-couldnt-healthcare-gov-validate-obamas-identity/

[Threadkiller]

A private investigation reveals that the Social Security Number being used by Barack Obama does not pass a check with E-Verify, the electronic system the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created to verify whether or not prospective employees have the required authorization to work legally in the United States.

http://mobile.wnd.com/2011/09/344461/

[Extraneus]

Sounds like a b.s. story to me.

[Threadkiller]

He thinks he's paying his bills?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477130/Im-bad-math-says-Obama--Congress--visit-Brooklyn-school.html

[Threadkiller]

President Obama: "Well, the math stuff I was fine with up until about seventh grade. But Malia is now a freshman in high school and -- I'm pretty lost. You know, it's tough. Fortunately, they're great students on their own and if something doesn't work, I'll call over to the Department of Energy and see if they have a physicist to come over."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/25/obama_on_doing_homework_with_kids_the_math_stuff_i_was_fine_with_up_until_about_7th_grade.html

[George]

This is generous of the POTUS since it ties in nicely with the joke that Mitt Romney told recently about the Prez not having any identification while trying to cash a check, so the teller asked him to do something that would establish his identity to which he responded "I haven't a clue?" So all those people that thought BHO to be mean and vindictive, here is acting out live the gag that Romney made at his expense.

[Threadkiller]

Sounds like a b.s. story to me.

Just a composite story. Nothing to see here.

[NKreBootDeux]

A composite story, made of layer upon layer....

[narciso]

sometimes the check does arrive:

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/10/16/Eric-Holder-s-Top-Deputy-Resigns-Amid-Revelation-Administration-Covered-Up-Use-Of-Fast-and-Furious-Guns-In-Phoenix-Crime

[Threadkiller]

You see, Barack and I were both raised by families who didn't have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable – their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.

My father was a pump operator at the city water plant, and he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when my brother and I were young.

And even as a kid, I knew there were plenty of days when he was in pain...I knew there were plenty of mornings when it was a struggle for him to simply get out of bed.

But every morning, I watched my father wake up with a smile, grab his walker, prop himself up against the bathroom sink, and slowly shave and button his uniform.

And when he returned home after a long day's work, my brother and I would stand at the top of the stairs to our little apartment, patiently waiting to greet him...watching as he reached down to lift one leg, and then the other, to slowly climb his way into our arms.

But despite these challenges, my dad hardly ever missed a day of work...he and my mom were determined to give me and my brother the kind of education they could only dream of.

And when my brother and I finally made it to college, nearly all of our tuition came from student loans and grants.

But my dad still had to pay a tiny portion of that tuition himself.

And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time, even taking out loans when he fell short.

He was so proud to be sending his kids to college...and he made sure we never missed a registration deadline because his check was late.

You see, for my dad, that's what it meant to be a man.

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/04/160578836/transcript-michelle-obamas-convention-speech

[Extraneus]

narc's links says the Vaughn Index is due next week.

[Threadkiller]

From July:

Trey Gowdy hammers Deputy AG James Cole over IRS targeting ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q61Cn3_45a4

He has a lot of reasons to retire.

[jack is Back!]

So, how many JOMer's here have not had their debit or credit card refused when traveling out of their home area? If you have a bank that doesn't require notice of travel, please let me know so I can deal with them instead of my banks.

[Threadkiller]

My credit union has never denied me a meal, JiB.

[new lurker]

JIB, I have never had any problem with AMX, but did have a daughter from Chicago have card refused in Ladys' Island because she had last used the card on her flight through DC.

[jack is Back!]

TK,

Even if you traveled to, say Kansas?

[NKreBootDeux]

Mike Walsh's list of 10 Obola 'tells' absolutely nails it. he give a summary of all of the points made here: http://pjmedia.com/michaelwalsh/2014/10/17/the-obola-administration/2/

[NKreBootDeux]

Amex Platinum 'claims' you don't have to give advance notice, but I invariably do, for foreign travel anyway.

[Threadkiller]

Forget white tablecloths. Barack and Michelle want some orange wine and mussels escabeche.

Reports from Twitter, Instagram, and the Eater tipline are all pointing in one direction: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, in town for the UN Assembly, dined at downtown food world favorite Estela tonight, throwing the entire Houston corridor into a frenzy:...

http://ny.eater.com/2014/9/24/6842225/obama-the-hippest-potus-of-all-time-dines-at-estela-in-nolita

[Threadkiller]

Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Washington, Oregon, Vancouver BC, Nevada, and all over California, JiB.

[jack is Back!]

All: Debit cards not AMEX. Never had a problem with AMEX. They want you to travel:)

[NKreBootDeux]

TK-- as I'm sure you can imagine, Estella's isn't real big with da Bruthas... or anyone else who isn't a pretentious expense account prat.

[Beasts of England]

I've never had any issues with my Centurion card.

[NKreBootDeux]

Estella's... $7 for pickles? About as many Bruthas as AxelPlouffe campaign headquarters
http://estelanyc.com/

[Threadkiller]

Found a composite video of the staff explaining the credit problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA6npWJ_E_E

Strong language.

[AliceH]

JIB: Why use a debit card vs credit card for travel? Fraud protection on CCs is superior in every way over DCs for both the issuer and user. So long as you pay the balance in the next statement period, CC is the way to go. In my opinion. Not an expert ;)

[Extraneus]

Does anyone think that Oprah's black card gets declined when she tries to by a $48,000 handbag?

Gimme a break.

[Porchlight]

Is he trying to kill us? You almost have to conclude that the answer is yes:

http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2014/10/obama-plans-let-ebola-infected-foreigners-u-s-treatment/

[jack is Back!]

AliceH,

For cash out of the ATM. Also Credit Cards are refused overseas or even Domestic if you don't notify before hand.

[Extraneus]

So long as you pay the balance in the next statement period, CC is the way to go.

Believe it or not, this reduces your credit score. After I found out about that, I left a $100 balance on the card for one month, and you know what happened?

I got charged interest for the average balance, which was in the thousands.

They refunded me the interest when I called them about it.

[peter]

extraneus at 4:41
This

[Frau Edith Steingehirn]

Porch, the spirit of my cynical West TX mother tells me that "he" is going after the Texans first.

[NKreBootDeux]

25 years ago, was another world for what is now known as 'Nolita'. I knew the neighborhood from cab rides back to midtown from court, that plus it was a few blocks down from the 'end of civilization' Astor Pl. 'Nolita' was just plain 'lower manhattan' and it was dark and shuttered, all kinds of closed down post WWII wholesalers (restaurant and hotel services), the newly opened Blue man Group was about the only thing to see. Well, one long summer weekend Paul Prudomme did what is now called a 'pop up' restaurant at the corner of Houston and Broadway. It was vacant wholesaler space, no fixtures, I don't know where he got gas and electric service, and there were picnic tables and confused wait staff. He sat in a corner, stirring a big pot of something. It was something like $12/person to 'buy the menu'. It was ... sublime eating. Now.... $7 for pickles.

[AliceH]

Ah. ATMs. Ok.

I don't travel anywhere anymore, so I assume this notify-or-else thing started after I became a homebody. I have had a charge wrongly declined at POS once, but I just called the company and they fixed whatever was flagging the txn in about 2 minutes.

[rich@gmu]

Posted by: Extraneus | October 17, 2014 at 04:41 PM

agreed.

this can't be the Friday news dump?

[Threadkiller]

Maybe he hit the Card's limit buying replacement golf balls.

[NKreBootDeux]

Ext is correct... my wife an I do not have top credit scores, as we do not carry any CC debt; we pay the full balance each month. The rating agencies have a twisted logic for that... very twisted.

[AliceH]

"Believe it or not, this reduces your credit score. "

Let's say I'm a bit skeptical.

[NKreBootDeux]

It does indeed prevent the full payers from achieving 'top' credit score. I'll give the rating agencies POV if you like.

[AliceH]

Credit utilization ratio seems to be a bigger factor than whether one consistently pays off balance, per this -->

http://blog.credit.com/2014/02/does-paying-in-full-help-your-credit-75035/

Paying late on minimum due is, of course, always bad.

[narciso]

So, Klain's last outfit, I put it at the beginning of the last thread, is called Revolution, so what is he really there for?

[Skoot]

Spent a beautiful day out on the stone just to come back to this mess. Thanks a lot Ebola!!

Didn't see any vomiting Africans so I guess I'm cool.

[narciso]

inbedded in this link:

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/10/terrific-obama-appoints-far-left-hack-with-experience-in-revolution-planning-as-ebola-czar/

[Threadkiller]

Credit utilization ratio seems to be a bigger factor than whether one consistently pays off balance,

Does that mean that consistently paying off balance is a factor?

If so, is it a plus or a minus?

[Extraneus]

Let's say I'm a bit skeptical.

Perhaps I was told an untruth (by a big bank during a mortgage re-fi). Looking at a few websites, it appears that it's more a matter of the percentage of your credit that you're using, but that makes no sense for me because they've continually added to my credit limit, which I assume they did because I always pay my full balance each month, and I'm never higher than 10% of that limit.

Maybe someone else here knows how this works. The only reason I use the CC is for the airline mileage.

[rse]

Since we are talking credit cards, I had quite an argument with the office mgr for an ortho who insisted that the one payment up from by check price vs payments over the treatment period that added up to much more did not represent interest. I said of course it did.

One of my kids needed some follow up after they were older so we had to pay again. This time they are not pretending it's not interest although it's not being pointed out well either. Mgr says the difference is 5%. Yes, except it was for a 6 month treatment where they wanted half up front and the remainder in 6 installments over the 6 months of treatment.

Now I admit to not being a math person but I do not believe that is actually 5% APR. Judging by the reaction this is how these orthos are making out like bandits. I have found the episodes fascinating. It also suggests that lots of affluent people have no idea what they are paying for installments.

[Dave (in MA)]

So, how many JOMer's here have not had their debit or credit card refused when traveling out of their home area?

They wouldn't take my Shell card, at a Shell station, in the home country of Shell, Holland about 25 years ago, causing me to blow through my cash faster than anticipated.

[NKreBootDeux]

TK-- timely paying your credit card bill is the most significant plus factor. Credit Card companies cherish cash flow. But they also like interest, so a high monthly charge customer who pays the majority of charges on time every month, but rolls over a portion of the balance thereby creating interest , which is then promptly paid next month (then repeat each month), earns the bestest credit score. Raters claim that shows a pattern and practice of a consumer paying revolving DEBT, not just paying off charges without ever accruing interest. They claim if I never accrue interest, I've never proven I can carry the interest charges.

[NKreBootDeux]

Very comprehensive poll analysis, long on data, short on speculation: http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/what-to-expect-from-senate-polls-in-the-final-days/

[Threadkiller]

They wouldn't take my Shell card, at a Shell station, in the home country of Shell, Holland about 25 years ago, causing me to blow through my cash clams faster than anticipated.

FTFY

[Threadkiller]

Thanks NK.

[Extraneus]

14 years later...

Sept. 11 victims compensation fund pays out $551 million over the past 12 months

[Iggy]

More info on WOTUS, EPA's and the Corpse of Engineers' clearly unconstitutional water grab, which I've linked before.

In response to ag groups collecting 200,000+ comments under their "Ditch the Rule" campaign, EPA claims significant ag support under its "Ditch the Myth" campaign.

Earth to EPA; nobody believes you lyin' pricks anymore.

[Extraneus]

13? :-)

[Threadkiller]

Many people have attributed the Obama Executive Order to the fear within the Ebola crisis. Our research does not find that correlation.

What is far more likely is that the Ebola Crisis became a good cover (“never let a crisis go to waste“) for the quarantine contingency plan which was already in place.

This executive order was signed, July 31st 2014, well before the Ebola Crisis reached a point where the World Health Organization sounded the alarm bells; and before it reached the point of daily briefing for President Obama.

• The administration knew the Children were coming, • they knew a respiratory biological outbreak was possible, • and they knew quarantine would possibly be needed as a containment tool.

However, in addition, there would be a risk of “Hot Zone Identification” if the U.S./Mexico border region was the only proximity where the EV-D68 outbreaks were known to be occurring.

From the CDC Website:

CDC is prioritizing testing of specimens from children with severe respiratory illness. Of the specimens tested by CDC lab, about half have tested positive for EV-D68.

The primary reason for increases in cases is that several states are investigatingclusters of people with severe respiratory illness, and specimens are still being tested for EV-D68. It can take a while to test specimens and obtain lab results. (link)

How to dilute that risk?

Enter “The Bathtub Principle”= Transfer the EV-D68 (UAC) carriers throughout the country to dilute the origin of the outbreak.

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2014/10/17/baby-lancen-kendall-becomes-enterovirus-ev-d68-victim-7-phoenix-arizona/

Read the whole thing.

[NKreBootDeux]

This article is support for Buddy Cianci's musings about politics and political power: http://freebeacon.com/columns/the-macaca-democrats/

[Threadkiller]

The interactive map:

https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215860821987081633721.0004fd39453513c9dc418&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=38.959409,-95.361328&spn=32.638518,56.25&z=4&dg=feature

[narciso]

ah, aint it cute, gag:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/state-department-iranian-nuke-negotiators-we-know-each-other-well-enough-make-jokes_816416.html

[fdcol63]

And if you carry a $0.00 balance on a card for 2-3 years, some creditors will cancel the card.

I found that out at a Zales one Christmas, trying to buy my wife some jewelry.

They asked if I wanted to re-apply for a new card, and I said no.

Zales lost me permanently, even though that may be a common practice.

[Danube on iPad]

I always notify Visa in advance when we are going to travel and have never had a problem anywhere in the world. I pay every month's bill on the day the statement comes out online. Average monthly statement is about 30-50% of the limit. Our credit rating is in the upper 700s.

[henry]

For thrill seekers, I have no ideas.

For those need help getting to sleep: the second Walker / Burke debate starts in 30 minutes. (8:00 by JOM std time). Again on CSpan somewhere.

Different group of TV lefties this time (Milwaukee ones). Burke will not be asked about her predecessor calling her "a disaster" while she was head of the WI Commerce Dept, or a lefty business guy claiming she said all development funds were good for was as a piggy bank for political payouts (same email chain as "disaster"), not even the old plagiarism thing.

[Jane]

I was told the story years ago, that not using credit cards lowers your credit rating, but I don't think it is true. First of all I have used a credit card maybe 30 times in the last 15 years or so - (my promise to myself when I paid off my student loans), and my credit score, for some reason is close to 800 (or so I'm told).

I do have a debit card (which I can use as a credit card) and the bank told me recently to let them know when I travel. I try to be a cash girl whenever possible.

[boatbuilder]

Credit rating? (Jim Mora voice) Can anyone tell me how to stop the banks from trying to give me, my kids and my dog loans, credit cards, and bank accounts?
A good credit rating is nice but if you are over 40 unless you really are a credit risk (or are a small business trying to expand) you're probably going to be able to get whatever credit you need (probably more than you need) short of starting a solar panel operation, in which case you go to the feds.

[peter]

I am sipping a Brittany cocktail, made with some Amer Picon which I bought in a hipster liquor store in Greenpoint. quite good.

[Captain Hate]

I've had my credit card declined a couple times when I was traveling out of town and hadn't notified them (and once when I did); in all cases a quick 800 number set things right.

[henry]

First Belize, now Mexico refuses the Carnivale Plaguebearer.

[Miss Marple]

Good evening, all. I am listening to the Nigerian Christian who was shot in the head by Boko Haram and survived. Greta is interviewing him.

This is so sad, and a disgrace that so few in the media are covering it.

He was shot because he would not deny his faith. He said he knew what was coming, so he surrendered himself to God.

[Some Guy]

Zero is lying (his lips are moving!)

Presidents don't generally pay for anything. One of their aides or a secret service agent takes care of it. There are a couple of good reasons for this, the primary one being that it gets assigned to right account. Also given typical presidential day planning, they don't have time to remember mundane things like 'where is my wallet'.

Finally, we know he is lying, because if he was out to dinner at a nice restaurant, it's going to be paid for by the suckers who attend all those fundraisers he's always running to. He's not sticking his hand in his own pocket.

[boatbuilder]

We took a family trip to the Canadian Rockies two summers ago. Rented a nice big Yukon from Enterprise, I believe, in Calgary, for 10 days. Forgot to tell Bank of America we were going.

After getting up very early and lots of hours flying and going through customs we got to Enterprise at the Calgary airport, ready to go, the credit card is denied. 5:30 P.M. Canadian Rocky Mountain time, or whatever. After much tense communication with both the nice and endlessly polite but clueless Canadians at Enterprise and the people at B of A with whom we have been banking for 30 years, we get it straightened out and B of A says we are good to go.

Enterprise then denies the charge because---it was previously denied. 45 minutes earlier. And they have a policy that they won't honor the card if the card has previously been denied. And the manager has already gone home.

I honestly don't recall whether we got the car because they were charmed by or afraid of Ms. boatbuilder, or both (most likely), but we did get the car. I do recall being sent away to cool down for a while.

We ended up having a wonderful vacation.

[narciso]

that is the Second Caliphate, and it conforms to the territory of a local warlord, which the Brits eventually chose to intervene against, after a thirty year interval, in the era of Palmerston

[Carol Herman]

What are the chances that the president's credit card would be turned down?

You know, it's too bad he hasn't learned the secret of asking if he could write a check? Not that the store manager couldn't have turned that down, too.

But among our famous presidents, way back in the late 1800's ... it was discovered (perhaps by Teddy Roosevelt), that people who got the checks, framed them. Meaning? They went uncashed.

Because people loved to show off the president's signature on a check.

Guess it doesn't have the same cache with signed credit card receipts? (Besides the transaction is electronic ... does the merchant have to turn in the paperwork?) Here, it was for a piddling amount.

Here, I'm just not impressed by the headline. The press has way too much time on their hands to make big deals out of nothing.

[Carol Herman]

You know, if the president went to Canter's Delicatessen, the house would have picked up the tab. And, then gone ahead and named a sandwich after him.

Just like they did for Danny Thomas.

[Captain Hate on the iPad]

I agree with Some Guy; there's no way a deadbeat like 404 pays for anything.

[Dave (in MA)]

Drudgtaposition

[narciso]

I thought that stuff, was impossible to find, the Amer Picon,

[peter]

It was a hipster liquor store that had all the stuff that's impossible to find. It's made in Colorado, supposedly from the original recipe.

[Danube on iPad]

.They wouldn't take my Shell card, at a Shell station, in the home country of Shell, Holland."

Not really. Holland is the home of Royal Dutch/Shell, a 60-40 partnership between Royal Dutch (Dutch) and Shell (British). The partnership owns dozens of companies around the world, including Shell in Houston. The partners go to elaborate lengths to ensure that no U.S. court can ever get jurisdiction over the partnership.

[Danube on iPad]

I have never paid a penny in credit card interest.

[Miss Marple]

HAHA! O'Reily asks Stuart Varney about the market. He makes an inadvertent faux pas.

"Did Obala drive it down?"

[Miss Marple]

Uh-oh. Hope this fixes it.

[Miss Marple]

Maybe now?

[Beasts of England]

My second long-term girlfriend just left my house. She dropped in out of nowhere. Pretty bold on a Friday night, but I had no plans.

Didn't touch her; she has a boyfriend. We talked for about two hours. I'm shaking so bad that I'm surprised I can type this. Tears in my eyes. Good grief. I can't believe that I can't contain my emotions or even get over her. I never will. She didn't want to leave...

I'm unhinged. I don't know what to do. My entire body is shaking.

[Jane]

I just checked the Move-on contest that they re-did because the anti Tom Steyer video won and they couldn't have that.

I believe the contest is over - and the anti -Steyer video got more than 7k votes. in 2nd place - 129 votes.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

[Miss Marple]

So, Beasts, why did she come? Maybe she is wanting to rekindle your relationship.

Do you have a phone number? Can you call her?

I sympathize. And I don't mean to be nosey, only trying to help.

[Teabola]

Tears in my eyes.

What a delicate snowflake you are.

Fucking grow a pair.

[Miss Marple]

Wow. Geraldo just said that Ron Klain is a terrible choice, a chump, a political hack. (That is a direct quote.)

I guess this choice is pretty much a thumbs down.

[Beasts of England]

I do have her number, Miss Marple. She's called and texted me several times, but I've ignored her. She has some huge issues, but that doesn't prevent me from caring. Maybe it makes me care more. Thank you for asking.

I'm gonna crawl under the covers before I lose it. Love y'all.

Nytol

[Miss Marple]

Beasts, I will pray that the right choice is revealed to you by the Lord.

He works in mysterious ways, you know.

Good night, and God bless you.

[Danube on iPad]

Get a good night's sleep, Beasts. Tide on the tube tomorrow. Coupla Bloodies, some chips. Be OK.

[Miss Marple]

Ann Coulter on O'Reilly.

She predicts Corey Gardner will lose because of his stance on immigration. (How about Ann keeping quiet until after the election? Oh, I forgot, it's all about her.

Her two favorite2016 candidates: Mitt Romney and Ted Crus. (Way to hedge your bets, Ann.)

Bah. I am sick of her.

[Miss Marple]

Megyn has a bad throat. Says she has a cold.

She opens with Ebola an the bogus czar.

[clarice]

"I'll call over to the Department of Energy and see if they have a physicist to come over."

He may not be much at math, but his English is always perfect.......

[clarice]

JIB--no problem with my visa..not even overseas.

[Dave (in MA)]

Danube on iPad | October 17, 2014 at 08:13 PM, also when you put 71077345 in the calculator, it looks like SHELL OIL when you flip it over (when you're not using it to punch in 5318008).

[Eric in Boise]

I have never paid a penny in credit card interest.

Neither have I. I've paid a few dollars though. :)

Does anybody know if online mortgage and utility payments "count" as points on a rewards credit card? If so, I think I might know of a good way to rack up some points as I pay the mortgage payments on my rental properties.

And Beasts, hang in there. DoT's advice is, as usual, excellent.