Disassociated Press

A recent article off the AP has the Catholic Church vowing to take on the Obama Presidency over the issue of abortion.

According to the article, the church feels it may be under attack with this new administration. An administration that is based on change and hope for a better, brighter future. So the church sees itself as under attack by change and hope. No news there. I don't think I've been particular vocal about my feelings towards organized religion on this blog, but sufficed to say, I'm not particularly fond of any religion predicated on the notions that there is no room for other deities, that an eternity of torture awaits any who stray from an antiquated doctrine and that newborn children that die before baptism are condemned to limbo. Call me quirky.

However, I do support an individuals right to choose their own religion despite these feelings. I will always support the choice of the individual and would fight to protect it. To remove someones ability to make their own decisions whether it's in respect to their choice of religion or what they do with their body flies in the face of the ideals this country was founded on. It is a step back towards a puritanical mindset that many in this country are still fighting so hard to move beyond.

The article goes on to mention that prelates in the Catholic church would be taken Catholic policy makers to task for not adhering to the Catholic doctrine in regards to said policy making. I take incredible offense at this. I am of the opinion that the church has absolutely no place at the political decision making table. I want my representatives to make their decisions based on logic, pragmatism, and common decency. What I don't want is someones judgement being influenced by church doctrine, in effect foisting that doctrine upon their constituents and disguising it as sound judgement.

Whew, rant over. Now, moving on to more important stuff. I just got Gears of War 2, bitches! Suck my carbide tipped chainsaw!

Note:
Well, looks like you won't be able to chow down on some Christ crackers either.

The reality of Realty

In light of the economic clusterfuck going on within the real estate market and the economy in general, I thought I would share some of the horror stories of working in the sub-prime lending industry that no doubt contributed to the sorry state of affairs in what recent radio commercials to as a "fundamentally sound" real estate market.

As some of you may know, a couple of years ago I used to work at a leading sub prime lender in Orange County that went belly up shortly after I left. This was during the tail end of the California real estate boom, when every family thought there home was worth a million dollars and repainting the exterior of their home would increase the value by ten grand. It was also a time when you could find a loan program for just about every circumstance, and the obscene lender fees to go along with it. Mortgage lenders slung loan programs like it was the Old West. No income? No problem. No proof of residency. No problem. No job? Not a problem, sir, just sign on this Borrower's Authorization Form on the dotted line.

During my tenure at said lender, there are a few stories that stuck in my head for not only their sheer audacity, but for their long term implications. On one specific occasion, I recall a young hot shot "Credit Manager" (loan officer for the lay man) working a deal with a potential borrower who was shall we say, "employment challenged". Fortunately for the resourceful credit manager and the borrower, the borrower's sister owned a local hardware store. After some coordinating between the credit manager and the borrower, an employment verification form magically appeared in the credit manager's hand verifying that the borrower worked at the store and had worked there since time immemorial. Problem solved, right? Maybe. Basically what this loan officer did was provide the borrower with a cash out refinance that she could not afford to pay back, simply because she wanted it and he had the tools to make it happen.

Well, moving on. Our next little horror story involves a borrower, a credit manager, a roof in need of repair, and some nifty software. A relatively average borrower came to a credit manager with a request for a refi to take some cash out and take a vacation with his family. Unfortunately, the appraisal on the home came back with some disturbing (shock!) information. The borrower's roof was in need of repair, and the appraiser was required to include this information in his report. Now, this wouldn't necessarily kill the loan. Not as long as a roof inspector could sign off that the roof was not on it's "last legs", so to speak. Well, if the report came back fine, I wouldn't be telling you about this now would I? But have no fear, friends! Luckily, the computer fax software that was installed on the desktops of all credit managers had some oh so nifty tools included with it. One of those tools was a cut/copy paste option that let you lift copy and transfer any portion of an image and transfer it or completely remove any pesky little negative information and, shall we say get "creative" with the document. So, according the the scuttlebutt, this credit manager was able to generate an entirely made up roof certification using the stationary the original fax came in on, leaving only the original signature of the roof inspector and a brand spanking new certification of the roof. Ta-dah!

Now, these are just a couple of the whoppers I heard about. This doesn't include the stories about credit managers making up credit reports out of whole cloth, generating false income documents, and appraisers creating reports using false images and pushing value so hard you'd think they were getting paid based on the value of the home.

Now, this is not to say that all sub-prime lenders are underhanded douchebags that would sell their grandmother's teeth for a commission. I'm sure that there are plenty out there that would take a flat fee.

But don't worry, because according to some of the radio commercials I hear, the real estate market is still "fundamentally sound".

Party of 5

Hey folks, for anyone still checking in to my little corner of the blogosphere we just found out that we are expecting a new guest at The Disco! That's right folks, not only will I be shaping young minds when I become a teacher, but I'll have one that'll be forced to live with me! Mwaaahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!

But seriously, we are very excited for this and we can't wait to see the little bugger.

I've got an O-Boner

So, we just finished watching tonight's debate and I gotta say that our boy Obama came out swinging. McCain spread the "America, fuck yeah!" pretty thick and it rang out just like the jingoistic bullshit that it is. And that bit with him shaking the Navy vet's hand? Come on, people. Big fucking deal. Anyone trying to say that it was some kind of defining moment in the debate needs to have their head examined.


Obama was concise, direct, and didn't let Old Man River get a head of steam on him. He addressed McCain's accusations of his stances on energy, health care, and the economy while McCain seemed to have found crony-ism in the dictionary and picked it as his word of the evening. I'll be working the polls this coming November, so if any SoCal bloggers out there would like to come down and cast your ballot, I'll be posting my location as soon as it's confirmed.

I don't know karate, but I know cuh-razy

Well, I guess I've been gone long enough to convince everyone that I'm either dead or dying. Not so, fuckers! Actually, I've decided on a course of self improvement for my self and hopefully my family. I've decided to return to school to get my Masters and become what I have always wanted to become...an English teacher. Yes, that's right folks, I will be helping to mold the minds of our youth. This wasn't an easy decision, as it's placed a large portion of the financial burden on Mrs. Disco, but we have come to an understanding that this is the best thing for everyone involved. For the longest time I have wanted to be a teacher, ever since my English teacher in high school, Ms. Melendrez inspired me by setting the example of how all it takes is one good teacher to motivate a student to greater heights. I'm taking my general ed courses so I can get those out of the way and then transfer to UC Irvine to get my Masters in Education, and then it's off to reform our educational system!

I'm sorry for being away for so long, but the way my brain is wired I have to focus on one thing at a time so I don't spin my wheels. Now that I've been in my classes for a couple of weeks and gotten my homework and study habits in line, I'll be posting regularly.

Here's a little something that I dug up on the old interwebs. I think I have a bit of a man-crush on Matt Damon now.

Thug Life

Hey folks, sorry I've been MIA for a while, but there have been a few recent developments that have been taking up all of my attencion. I don't want to bore you guys with the gory details, but the crazy ex is up to her old tricks again, but my oldest is definitely having some emotional issues that have to be dealt with immediately.

But here are a few things that have grabbed my attention but haven't really merited a full blown post of their own:

Blogger extraordinaire Chez finally had his baby! Say hi to Inara Grace Pazienza (do Scantron sheets have enough bubbles for all of that?)

Feminists have their panties in a bunch over portrayal of a chunky princess in a new Sony game. This is what we get for giving you equal rights? Freakin' ungrateful broads...

Speaking of M.I.A., here's the latest from the group that I believe is on the Pineapple Express Soundtrack. Thug life, bitches.

Feel the burn

Strangely satisfying...