My exchange with Freeper teller at my bank this morning re: London blasts

[Obamarama]

I was waiting in line at the bank this morning and people were talking about the London attacks.

A teller said matter-of-factly "I just hope this shows all the liberals why we need to be in Iraq."

Of course I could not bite my toungue. I countered with "It's obvious you know nothing about why we're in Iraq and why we DON'T need to be there, so THIS liberal thinks you should concentrate on your job and quit dispensing your misinformed political advice to your bank's customers.

I mistakenly thought this would embarass or shame her into shutting the fuck up. Nope. She laughed and said back to me: "I suppose you're one of those who support flag burning."

At that point, I exited the line, demanded to see a manager and closed my accounts. I have written the regional vice-president detailing the account and have copied it to the corporate customer relations VP. Of course, I don't beleieve for a minute they will give a damn, but they aren't going to earn any more fee income off me.

[skooooo]

1. Good for you...

...No one should have to tolerate political diatribes by people who are just supposed to be doing their jobs. Hope the idiot gets fired.

[roguevalley]

98. just tell the next asshole that you agree and hope they buy kevlar

for their square head kids when the draft comes.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ronnykmarshall]

42. Why do you hate women?

[nini]

49. brat

[Bouncy Ball]

50. Huh.

A different word sprang to my mind, but I won't even use it here.

[Name removed]

97. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Coventina]

3. Good for you! Join a credit union!

These people are incapable of logic.

[Uncle Joe]

45. One of the best financial decisions that I have ever made

was to close my bank checking account and open a credit union account.

[MsUSA]

54. Ditto for me Uncle Joe.

[ProfessorGAC]

59. Find A Community Chartered Credit Union

Look it up on the CUNA website. (CUNA.org)

They have a locator that will find a community chartered credit union in your area. A community charter basically means that the only thing you need is geographic location. If you live in the area, you can join. It doesn't matter where you work, or anything else. Just have to live within the chartered area.

I've been on the board of such a CU for many years. We're over 125 million in assets, so we offer everything a bank does, even mortgages, biz loans, and credit cards. Just tell that bank where they can get off and go to a CU, where everything is customer owned.
The Professor

[NJCher]

118. seriously!!

I just tried it and found dozens within 10 miles!!

This is terrific. Thanks,Prof. GAC!


Cher

[Tux]

134. Confused

What is the real difference between a bank and a credit union? Would my money be insured up to $100,000 like a bank?

I don't understand business so I need to know.

[sybylla]

139. The difference is in organization, your money receives the same protection

Credit Unions are backed by the same level of insurance as banks, though I believe they have their own insurance company (can't recall the name at the moment), not the FDIC.

The difference between them is how they are structured and who owns them. A bank is owned by investors and operates for their benefit. A credit union is owned by its customers, also known as members, and operates in their best interests. Credit unions are founded under the laws of cooperatives and are innitially formed by a group of people for their own benefit. Hence, many of them have strict membership requirements. I use the University of Wisconsin Credit Union whose membership is restricted to anyone who has attended a UW school for any period of time or their children and grand children. There are community based credit unions, labor based credit unions like the Medical Center Credit Union in my town so check around.

Keep in mind not all credit unions are created equal. Many are operated by the same people who run banks and are perfectly willing to charge high fees for services to pay ridiculous salaries to executives. So check around and compare. Don't be affraid to ask your friends for a recommendation.

I get a great rate on my credit card through my credit union and no outrageous fees. Many of them offer better interest on savings accounts and more reasonable checking. After all, these people are working for you so they pass the profits on directly to the customer.

[cyberpj]

144. Ever since the bankruptcy bill I've been wondering if we might start

a mass movement of dems to credit unions.

What a statment that would make!

I've done business with a credit union for about 20 years now and it's the BEST!

Also - charters, or whatever they're called, have changed and now they can open to members of the community no matter where they work.

This is a real grassroots movement that can make a huge difference.

[WoodrowFan]

wow

Good for you, but damn, when did Ann Coulter take a job as a bank teller??

[UrbScotty]

4. I suppose she's one of those who support Constitution burning. (nt)

[IndyOp]

74. EXCELLENT comeback!

"I suppose she's one of those who support Constitution burning."

[Pawel K]

79. LOL, Great Come Back n/t

[Liberal_Andy]

5. Good on you, Jack!

[karlrschneider]

GOOD ON YA!

[Talismom]

96. I can't believe you wrote that!

Are you from Ireland? An irish coworker just gave my kids a Roddy Doyle book and that's one of the expressions it and she explained for us--a couple days ago. It's so funny to see it in print so soon after!

[Ediacara]

6. Yikes

Sorry, but that old Taxi driver addage, "Don't talk about politics or religion" holds for the entire service industry. What did the manager say? I would not have hesitated to fire her on the spot (even if she was spouting liberal views), it's not appropriate.

[ronnykmarshall]

43. That is so true.

My SO has a habit of mouthing off politically when we are in cabs in Vegas. I tend to elbow him in the ribs.

Never talk politics to someone that had your life in their hands or handles your food.

[Maat]

7. Good for you!

True, it was over 25 years ago; but my boss, when I was a bank teller, would have cared. I would have gotten written up.

[Obamarama]

25. I think she'll get some sort of reprimand, manager did seemed annoyed

He seemed quite annoyed and was very apologetic and tried to convince me to leave my funds in the bank since it was a relatively large amount of money, in a couple of accounts that have been established for going on 16 years.

I didn't over react or yell and pitch a fit or anything, thanked him for his apology but simply told him that times have changed, that they continue to change and that while I can't change the world by moving my money, I'm not doing business with people who push their dangerous political beliefs on me.

He agreed, apologized several times more and handed me my cashiers check.

Funny thing is, I don't want the misguided cow to lose her job. I just hope it makes her THINK and hopefully see the light, but I doubt that will happen.

[CatWoman]

27. well, I hope they fire her stupid ass

[nini]

30. I'm with you.. let her be an unemployed victim of her hero's economy

She needs to suffer.

[CatWoman]

31. damn right, Nini

[ronnykmarshall]

48. Right on!

Her responce was bitchy and rude. That's typical of repugs that feel they are better and expect everyone to think the same way.

Fire that hag!!

[madeline_con]

130. " She needs to suffer."

She'll blame it on the vast left-wing conspiracy.

[TheGoodCitizen]

136. I've got a conspiracy for her a$$....

Contact the media and have them call the bank asking questions. Maybe Michael Moore or the local tv station walking inside with the camera crew would do the trick. Hell grab your own cam-corder and march down there with a few friends holding fake boom mics and such.

I would at least call as a report from my own "news paper" asking a lot of questions. They may not know what paper you are talking about, but it won't matter. The point is to shake things up a bit. Have fun with it!

Can you get us the telephone number to the bank?? hehe

[MsUSA]

56. Then she can get a job at Mal-Wart......

[stevedeshazer]

61. Ever worked for a bank?

I have. Mal-Wart might be a step up.

[trogdor]

142. So do I

This the only way - the ONLY WAY - these people learn anything. They blather on about being against stem-cell research (for example) on ethical grounds, UNTIL they have a family member with Alzheimer's that might be cured by it. THEN they're the biggest champions for the very thing they used to rail against. You have to make their bullshit affect them personally, and as painfully as possible. That is the only way you teach them anything.

Fortunately, all people aren't like that, or else we would have been extinct before the last ice age ended.

[Maat]

32. Don't feel bad if she does lose her job.

We have to stand up for our principles (that's what I'm feeling).

Too many times in history, there were drastic consequences to a widespread failure to correct this kind of thing.

[Eloriel]

100. That's so well put

it brings tears to my eyes -- somehow drives home the whole horror of what you allude to:

Too many times in history, there were drastic consequences to a widespread failure to correct this kind of thing.

[Theres-a]

36. Good for you

Idiots.what bank?

[ronnykmarshall]

46. Well I hope ol' "Bossy" gets the ax.

Or least a written warning BIG TIME.

Sounds like the manager really handled the situation with class. 16 years?? Those are customers that banks hate to see leave.

Was this a large bank in your state?

[Obamarama]

60. The manager was very understanding and helpful....

He assured me that the bank doesn't support their employees sharing their personal political views, or any other views, with their customers. And, I believe that is true. I really don't think 5th 3rd Bank supports her views, and I KNOW they don't support her sharing them with their customers. In 16 years, I never really had much to complain about other than ridiculous service charges.

But, as I told the manager, things have changed, and one has to draw the line somewhere. I guess today I just had it "up to here" with RW propaganda and misinformation and decided to push back and say "Okay, enough is enough and I'm not going to just stand here and take it anymore."

[ronnykmarshall]

65. I get a feeling ...

freeper-teller and gonna get her ass in a sling.

Boy would I LOVE to see that little meeting take place.

She'll probably call into Rush and screech about it.

[Daphne08]

91. I personally hold Rush Limbaugh and the other media

hatemongers responsible for this kind of crap.

Imagine being paid big bucks to divide a country through hatred! It's worse than obscene.

[SemperEadem]

80. I know that Wachovia Banks in New Jersey air Faux in their lobbies

What would happen if every liberal decided to remove their money from Wachovia because they air that propaganda crap?

I think a well placed editorial in your local newspaper urging other liberal bank customers to take their money out of that branch because of the abuse you endured by their resident virago would be a good idea.

But then again, today it seems I'm all for using a sledgehammer to kill a gnat. Need to cut down on the caffeine.

[seabeyond]

87. i tell business owners in the panhandle of texas that air fox

you knowingly are giving the finger to over 50% of your customers airing fox news. you know, and i know you know, it is a right wing news channel and when you put that channel on your tv you are knowingly saying, screw you,.....to all that oppose bush

and the way things are today,...i wont use your business.

it is effective to tell business owners this, and let them decide if they are willing to lose the customer

[Eloriel]

101. Good idea and well said

It's also true that if we don't speak up, the point is lost. We can just move our business, say, but if we don't TELL the people in charge -- preferrably the decision-makers, then they don't have any chance to get it.

[TankLV]

133. I had chance to fly in the executive terminal in Las Vegas on our

corporate jet and they had FOX on in the lounge!

I stated loudly "Who put that crap on in here? I'm not going to sit here and listen to that - and I grabbed the remote and changed the channel. Nobody DARED do anything. It appeared that some pilot was listening to it. I will NOT stand silently by anymore!

[quiet.american]

109. I knew there was a reason I never go near that place

Haven't seen any TVs in NYC Wachovia's, but haven't gone back since I discovered they charge $2.00 per ATM transaction. Washington Mutual is just down the street with $0.00 charge per ATM transaction.

[Eurobabe]

115. Oh boy, wait till I tell hubby, he works for them

at HQ. Just so you know, they are red to the core, Cincinnati-based, BushBot land.

Someone high up should hear about this.

[Fescue4u]

147. Why on Earth would your husband work there?

I happen to know a few things about 5th3rd and you're right, they ARE Red to the core.

[gardenista]

52. Maybe if she had backed off after your first response.

Her insistence on escalating the conflict is obviously a violation of the bank's policies, and she probably will (and should) be fired.

[Straight Shooter]

8. Wow, she jumped from Point A to Point Z in one mighty leap.

Idiots. They're everywhere. I knew the attacks would polarize people further. Way to go, bush!

[WillyT]

9. Right ON !!!

[CatWoman]

10. Damn straight!!!

KZ -- YOU'RE A REAL AMERICAN!!!!

[Wickerman]

11. You might have reminded her that it wasn't too late for her to sign up

the army takes people up to 39(?) now. Perhaps she has sons or daughters she is willing to sacrifice in the war for oil?

[DURHAM D]

12. Was this a national bank ? Or a local ? eom

[Obamarama]

34. The bank was 5th 3rd bank....

She's probably a holdover from when they used to be Old Kent, which was headquartered in Grand Rapids prior to the merger with 5th 3rd. Anyone not familiar with Michigan, Grand Rapids is the seat of the Christain Taliban here in the midwest, and the Republican/Xian culture permeates EVERYTHING.

[mwb970]

13. By the way, how does this show we "need to be in Iraq" anyway?

I thought we were fighting them over there so we didn't have to fight them over here. And wasn't this attack a result of our being in Iraq?

[paula777]

14. what bank? if it's wells fargo, i'll follow suit

[tanyev]

15. Bam!

[WI_DEM]

16. excellent and what did the manager say?

That clerk should not have been giving out their political opinions to customers. And her response to you about flag burning should have been grounds for writing her up.

[otohara]

17. Good For You

I would have done the same

[arwalden]

18. Thats Incredible!

[kittenpants]

19. what a freaking moron! I'm glad you spoke up

& followed through by taking your $ elsewhere!

[otohara]

20. What Did The Manager Say?

and which bank chain was it?

[hadrons]

21. "being in Iraq" didn't prevent the bombings,so what was shown???

[gollygee]

22. Wow! I'm from K'zoo and want to know what bank too!

If you feel comfortable, post it here. Otherwise, maybe a PM?

Most of my business is done through a credit union but I do have one account at a local bank.

[Bouncy Ball]

23. FAN-fucking-TASTIC!

I would have done the exact same thing. I would have also been tempted to ask that teller exactly what the Iraqis did to deserve our military wrath and is she aware of how many innocent Iraqis have been killed? Does she care?

Probably not. You know what? bush voters must LOVE dead Iraqis. Let's just speak the truth here. They must LOVE that we are killing people who don't look like them and who don't have the same religion as them. They get off on it from what I've seen.

AND THAT'S JUST SICK.

[Mad_Dem_X]

24. WOW! Good for you!

I can't believe that idiot teller! Kudos to you for speaking up - and taking action.

[im10ashus]

26. GOOD FOR YOU!

She works customer service for the bank and should NOT politicize her position. She can do that off the clock. I would have DEMANDED she be fired.

[ComerPerro]

28. Nicely done, on closing the account

And telling the manager exactly why.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

29. I'm already in the process of shifting my money to a credit union

I had to give the Japanese clients who wire money into my accounts a month's notice, but I made my first major deposit this week.

It's all part of my program of concentrating on locally owned businesses and non-multinational sources for things.

[hobbit709]

33. How can anyone that stupid

be trusted handling other people's money?

[Catherine Vincent]

35. Notice how that wimp changed the subject.

LOL!

[wicket]

37. You did the right thing

That teller was way out of line.

[orwell]

38. Good Job

now that's what I call "Freedom on the march..."

Look into a credit union.

Or check out ING Orange if its a savings account. They are paying upwards of 3% right now.

A lot of banks offer free checking with decent branch coverage. You can keep balances in an account such as ING and transfer as needed electronically into a free checking account.

Kudos...

[ronnykmarshall]

53. ING rocks!

I have my little "hush fund" there.

I work for a large bank in California, so I keep my money at my bank so I can "keep an eye on it", but I like to support smaller banks and credit unions when I can.

[ronnykmarshall]

39. Bravo to you!

Hopefully someone will respond to you.

But that was a kick ass way to handle that bullshit.

When I was a teller, I never engaged in any politcal conversation unless I knew the customer real well.

[peace frog]

40. BRAVO!!!

Well done... if more of us handled our business transactions that turn adversely "political" this way, organizations would take note and discipline their employees accordingly. Liberals' money is just as good as freepers', and it's all about the bottom line in Corporate America.

[Johonny]

41. Wouldn't

it have been simpler to ask her to please go enlist. Go fight the war she soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo clearly supports. Ugh.

[Obamarama]

44. Yeah, it would have been easier, BUT.......

I wanted to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak. It is worth the hassle involved to move my accounts to send a message that RW propaganda will not be tolerated where it has no business being dispensed.

[Madrone]

106. Yo - KzooDem!

Check out Kalsee Credit union. I'd STILL have an account there if they hadn't made me close it out when I moved.

If you're not eligible through your employment, all you need is to know someone that has an account, and they can get you one.

[Misunderestimator]

47. Excellent response.

I'm sure she didn't understand one word of what you said to her. Otherwise, she should have been ashamed.

[HughBeaumont]

51. It's hilarious.

The dumbass not only spouted an idiotic RW talking point; to a STRANGER, I might add, but then she goes and TOPS herself!! With something completely unrelated to the subject!! These people are going CHIN-UP off the ledge with Der Fuhrer and the rest of the Old Spice berzerkers and don't see anything wrong with doing so.

Man, she's as good as CANNED, or at the very least suspended. You don't blatantly piss off a long-time customer whose cash you're servicing with politics that aren't warranted in professional discourse. You spoke with your cash exodus, that's hurting them and it didn't need to happen. Banks are all about money before party any day.

[Bouncy Ball]

55. I would have been so tempted to snarl

and say "No, but I support republican burning."

In the same vein of dark humor as the woman who was in the grocery store and heard an older lady on the cell phone yelling about how the "Democrats killed Terri Schiavo!" The woman went over to the phone woman after she was done, winked, and whispered "We sure did. And don't think we won't put a cork in your blow hole when the time comes, either."

I read about that on a blog somewhere, and I don't know if it's true or not but I about fell on the floor laughing. Of course older lady with the phone just stood there gasping and never got that the other lady was totally making fun of her ridiculous attitude.

[Booster]

66. God, that's funny; made me laugh out loud.

[seabeyond]

57. they do give a damn and dont think they dont for a minute

wow to you. and good for you. absolutely they care. not to mention the absurdity of painting half this nation so poorly, dont vote bush you burn flag. this is going to be a story told of what an employee cannot do in that company

again, yes you made a difference, i guarentee, (without knowing, lol)

good for you

[tsuki]

58. Oh, they care. You'll be getting an apology.

[Bleacher Creature]

62. You really closed your accounts on the spot?

Wow. That's all I can say -- good for you.

[Obamarama]

63. I sure did.....

I had to leave my checking account open until outstanding checks clear, but when they do, that's closed, too.

[ronnykmarshall]

68. Keep an eye out for Nazi-Teller when you do.

In fact, have that hag wait on you when you close your account.

[jburton]

64. Wow! I mean, just wow!

To spout off her political misinformation bad enough, but then for her to escalate it even more! Unreal.

Good for you on closing the account. Lo$ing a long time customer get$ their attention.

[Katherine2]

67. I freaked out a bunch of

co-workers this morning by asking why this was such a big deal happening in London, and it happens EVERY day in Iraq, and it's barely mentioned. They were saying it's on the news and in the papers, and I said yes, they "mention" it and move on. Coverage from London has been going now for 11 hours. If anyone reports on violence in Iraq they're labeled a traitor. We're living in a parallel universe.

[friesianrider]

69. OH MY GOD!

What a ballsy bitch! I would never say that at MY job.

Good for you for closing your accounts and speaking to the manager - what did they say and what bank was this? I will make sure never to do business with them, and send them a letter too.

[friesianrider]

71. Sorry, read the thread...GOOD FOR YOU!

Mjaor kudos to you. This bitch had no business saying anything like that or escalating the conversation. I hope she gets fired, as she should.

Call the bank in a few days/weeks and find out for us, will you?

Good for you for closing your accounts and reporting this to the manager!

[baby_mouse]

70. Excellent!

Now there's a nasty little bitch who truly DESERVES to take the brunt of the US's problems.

[Marnieworld]

72. Wow! You Rock!

I probably would be too stunned to say anything. I'm beyond impressed that you took the lengths you did. Having our dollars do the talking sometimes is the only effective activism.

[lonestarnot]

73. Ewww I would have made more of a stink than closing the

account before I left!

[WLKjr]

75. What bank was this?

[democrank]

76. Bravo!!!!

Love it when I hear about people who have the courage to take a stand. Good for you.

[eleny]

77. We have to draw our own lines in the sand

[sdfernando]

78. Great!

Good for you! Please update us on what (if any) response you receive from the bank.

[Benbow]

81. Well done

[Rockholm]

82. Good Job!

[Dawgs]

83. Good for you...

I did the same thing after the election.

I was a member of a college football web site($9.95/month), when I read an article that said the football players all supported Bush. I knew this was bullshit considering almost 80% of the players are black, and the quotes were from two or three white players. I sent them an email and cancelled my subscription shortly after.

I received a call from the developer of the site, who also said he agreed with me, but there was nothing he could do about it.

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rateyes]

85. Maybe that teller will now be a little more concerned...

with things like the unemployment rate in the Bush economy.

Way to go!!!

[Maraya1969]

86. The higher ups WILL give a damn

They don't want to lost any customers and if they find out one of their tellers is talking politics to the customers I'm sure she will at least get a warning.

I think we should all get ready with some answers when an idiot says we should be in Iraq. I heard that they think Osama is behind these bombing. Time to remind people that Osama was not in Iraq and that Saddam's Iraq was a secular nation, (you might have to explain the word "secular" since it probably isn't in their vocabulary).

[seabeyond]

90. difference between going after the terrorist that did this and the

war in iraq. the war is still a failure, regardless. do you continue a failure because terrorist bombed london. makes no sense. you get the terrorist and orginization that did this, and that isnt iraq

[Gloria]

88. BRAVO!!

eom

[msrbly]

89. You were in GR and that explains a lot

Knowing now that you were in GR explains everything. Living in the area I experience these kind of incidents quite often. Not only do people like this have an odd sense of logic but they're sure everyone around them thinks exactly the same as they do.

For a larger city Grand Rapids is incredibly isolated and small minded.

[Kenergy]

92. Good for you! n/t

[Catfight]

93. Shouldn't she be at home homesckooling her dumbass kids or

something other then counting your money? I would have countered her with, "you're probably one of those right winged idiots that wants to save unborn babies and kill living humans."

Glad you did that to your bank, now write letters to the editor about it.

[elehhhhna]

94. Email her this link, since the army pays better than banks pay tellers.

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms...

Downloadable enlistment forms!

[rumpel]

95. Yes, good for you!

[quisp]

99. The teller will get written up and the manager will too,

probably, for losing the account. Banks are ALL about the money and they know that Democrat money is just as green as Repugnantcan money.

My m-i-l is a bank manager and she won't put a political bumper sticker on her car for fear of losing customers.

You did the right thing closing you accounts. And make sure you remind them why when you close your checking account.

Open a credit union account because the profits go back into the credit union.

[ieoeja]

102. I agree with her.

The right keeps saying, better to fight them over there than over here. And from an American standpoint ... if it's in Britain it is still over there.

(/sarcasm)


Sad thing is, I will probably use that line to a rightie tonight who will agree with that assessment sans sarcasm.

[AlCzervik]

103. the teller-she is aware that your money pays her salary?

that teller is a poor representative of her company.

[Biased Liberal Media]

104. Good for you

If someone said that to me I would have done the same thing.

I'm tired of these freeptards using the word "liberal" as if it were a nasty word. As for flag burning? I think it's absolutely fine- it's within someone's rights per the First Amendment- Get over it!

[Helga Scow Stern]

105. Way to go! We have to have the courage of our convictions,

now more than ever.

[samsingh]

107. good work

[skygazer]

108. A true moran

I work retail and I know damn well you NEVER discuss politics with your customers, nor do you make personal remarks about their purchases (or anything else).

You did the right thing, IMO.

[lildreamer316]

110. Damn. You go.

She really should not be airing her political views. Please post link to where we can group complain if you feel so inclined....

[ismnotwasm]

111. Good for you

I can't believe she would even discuss something in that manner with a customer. I believe she will get fired, most institutions have policies on that sort of thing. And she'll definitely have to think about the whole issue, but I doubt if it'll change her mind. She probably gets information from ridicules sources like free republic, or rush
edit dumb word mistake

[leesa]

112. Bizarre logic. We've been wasting people on this stupid war for

years now and terrorism has escalated and yet she thinks this shows us we should continue?? Very odd! And why do Freepers always change the subject...flag burning?? Where'd that bit of false history come from?

Good job!

[Ladyhawk]

137. They ALWAYS change the subject.

I've noticed that, too.

[Tommymac]

113. Kudos.

Small acts of integrity go a long way. The ripple of sanity you created today will eventually grow into a wave. Ghandi would be proud.

May all of us have the real courage of our convictions to keep throwing pebbles into the pond of reason.

[I Have A Dream]

114. Good for you, KzooDem!

Just yesterday, I changed my insurance from State Farm to Progressive because it just infuriated me that State Farm gives so much money to right-wing politicians and to the help pay for Bush's inauguration costs.

Like you, I had had enough. I had my insurance with State Farm for 25 years, but I just couldn't stand to send my money to them anymore. It was wonderful writing the reason on my cancellation slip!

[alarcojon]

116. Guess it's time to cancel my State Farm policy! eom

[I Have A Dream]

123. Progressive is 100% blue. They only have auto insurance though.

I'm still looking around to replace my homeowner's insurance. I'm going to pay more, but I don't care. (I don't want to waste my money, but I really feel physically ill when I have to send money to State Farm now.)

[I Have A Dream]

124. Double post - self deleted. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

117. but gee, weren't we supposed to be fighting them in Iraq

so that we WOULDN'T have to deal with them on our own soil? Sure worked out well for the Brits, didn't it.

I see today as an indication that we are NO safer.

[ICantBelieve]

119. Good for you!

[donheld]

120. Good job

You did what you could.

[Mr_Spock]

121. Good for you!!! You're my hero.

I won't shop or eat at Repuke (the Freeper type) establishments. You gotta put your money where your mouth is - I know that lady didn't speak for the bank per say, but if the bank thinks that is acceptable behavior (doesn't appologize and ask you to return) then you made the correct decision either way Excellent

[rockymountaindem]

122. You shouldn't have handled it that way.

Now that I've got your attention (hopefully ), let me say that I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and the rest of us. However, when people I know say things like that (which is often), the first thing I always do is ask why. One of two things will happen. The first possibility is that they don't know why they said what they did, because it's just rhetoric and they don't understand. This will leave them standing there, mouth agape, saying something like "isn't it obvious?" Then you say, "no, enlighten me". Then they're right back where they started. So the first thing is not to let them get off with some stupid one liner before you respond.

The second thing that could happen is that their reason for whatever will be so stupid, pathetic, radical or embarrassing that they'll do your job for you.

Of course, not all conservatives are dumb. I know several intelligent conservatives who can argue cogently, they are my friends. However, judging by her response, this teller wasn't one of them.

[Miss Chybil]

125. If they don't do anything, it would be nice if you could advertise they

hate liberals at 5th 3rd Bank. They could lose, at least, half their customers.

[Emit]

127. Yeah! Like a letter to your local newspaper editor n/t

[Tsiyu]

126. Grace Under Fire

That's you.

I'm impressed - and delighted you shared the story with us.

[LiberallyInclined]

128. you should have asked her why she hasn't enlisted yet...

seeing as we need to be there...

[madeline_con]

129. Name the bank...

A boycott is in order. How many of us work in jobs where we could be fired for voicing our political opinions at work?

edited, typed too fast, misspelled.

[NMMNG]

131. Good for you!

This attack shows just why we shouldn't be over there. Our actions are just ratcheting up the chaos and making matters worse. The more we interfere and act like authoritarian warmongers, the worse things are going to get. We keep pushing and pushing and people are only going to push back. Chimpy and his cronies think they can go in, smack people down into acquiescence and the US is going to be the supreme global superpower with the Middle East as its petroleum bank. But they are not going to just lie down and play dead because * and Condie Rice tell them to "play Democracy".

These f*ckwits need to get that through their heads.

[Iteachyourkids]

132. When i first read this post

I thought, 'wow, the teller was just stating her opinion'.
But now...I totally agree with you.
First, she's in a place of business. They probably have rules about political advocacy. If it had been another customer in line, well, freedom of speech. If she's working there, and it's your money, well, why would you keep it in a place that hires such morons?
Second, how could she be so wrong? It's like shooting yourself in the face to cure acne.
Third, the flag-burning comment? Just makes no sense at all.
Before the election, I had a bit of a match with a soldier's mom at my local credit union. She thought Kerry wouldn't protect the soldiers as well as Bush. I told her I'd pray for her son's safety.

[TheGoodCitizen]

135. GOOD FOR YOU....

...I would follow up with that too.

Contact the media and have them call the bank asking questions. Maybe Michael Moore or the local tv station walking inside with the camera crew would do the trick. Hell grab your own cam-corder and march down there with a few friends holding fake boom mics and such.

I would at least call as a report from my own "news paper" asking a lot of questions. They may not know what paper you are talking about, but it won't matter. The point is to shake things up a bit. Have fun with it!

[Warren DeMontague]

138. What is it with these brain-dead dipshits and FLAG BURNING?

Is this really a crisis? Are flags being burned on thousands of street corners in America by wily, hairy, pot smoking librul hippies, fucking up the ozone layer and causing the youngsters to fornicate?

I've never, personally, seen anyone burn an American flag, and I'm about as liberal as they come. The most mistreatment I've ever seen visited upon flags usually has come in the form of pickup driving yahoos who put HUGE flags on the back of their trucks (to piss off us "libruls", you know, since we all HATE the flag) and then they proceed to drive around with them until they are tattered red, grey and blue shreds covered with black filth from the non-smog-worthy exhaust of their 3 mpg shit-mobiles.

So, I really don't get what the pressing fucking matter is about flag burning. I've known quite a few bank tellers, and really, I would imagine most of them might have a different issue at the top of their domestic priority list-- Like, say, the fact that millions of people in entry or lower level positions (like bank tellers) don't have health insurance, or earn a liveable wage.

I mean, this is the end result of the dumbing down and FOX newsification of America... Anyone who doesn't support the war in Iraq, which has nothing to do with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, must support flag burning.. not, mind you, the freedom of speech the flag represents, but actual burning of flags. ("Why, yes! I happen to have a flag on me, and I thought I would burn it right here!... Got a light?")

Hopefully, you got her fired, and thus did everyone there a favor- someone that fucking stupid shouldn't be handling other people's money.

[Rob H.]

140. You're my new hero, KzooDem

[fob]

141. Apparently that "patriotic" bank teller is unaware that BURNING

the FLAG is in the US FLAG CODE as a proscribed/preferred method to destroy a tattered flag so as a LIBERAL and supporter of the CONSTITUTION and the RULE OF LAW, I DO SUPPORT FLAG BURNING.

You should print out a copy of the Flag Code and include it in your letter, reminding those assholes that FREEDOM isn't FREE, you gotta pay attention and learn the rights and RESPONSIBILITES that go along with it.

[Peace Patriot]

143. I think the standard answer to that kind of crap should be:

"And you are enlisting in the Army...when?"

[paineinthearse]

145. Right on!

Look into a local credit union. They are cusotmer-owned.

[Fescue4u]

146. yea, I hate opposing opinions to

Its proably going to be tough finding a bank with 100% Democrats working for them though.

[IdaBriggs]

148. You are missing the point on purpose? Which is that maintaining

professionalism means NOT offending your customers?

She is entitled to her opinion, and to be a Republican. However, there are consequences of spewing her bile at her workplace to her CUSTOMERS, and I hope she gets fired.

[Fescue4u]

149. yes.

But I only implied my point.

This teller was just one dipshit in a world of dipshits.

If I made major decisions everytime a dipshit annoyed me, then my life would essentially be ran by dipshits.

In sense, the teller won because now the the poster must run around and change banks, and all the hassle that involves.

Its possible the bank teller might get written up. Maybe, maybe fired.. So its either neutral/lose or lose/lose in terms of the participants in this confrontation. But teller jobs are pretty much a dime/dozen anyway and she no doubt at minimum wage. In a real sense, her getting fired might be doing HER a favor to.

Furthermore, I give folks my opinion all the time, and sometimes it pisses folks off. But when folks REACT to me, I am simply a catalyst and now THEY change because of me...i.e they lose.

After making my post above this one, I learned that this is fifth third bank. This is a bank I despise personally and IS RED to the Core. So I GUESS that in a sense the teller did the OP a favor since they really are a sucky bank.

I guess I just look at the world different, and try to let things slide off my back, and let OTHERS do the reacting and freaking out.

btw, fwiw, I had some financial problems some years back and had to file ch.7 That cost fifth third about $20k