Amegy Bank Redux

My articles regarding dead peasant's policies created no small stir recently.

It turns out I'm not the only member of my family giving Amegy Bank grief.

Following is an article that appeared in The Baytown Sun several years ago when Amegy Bank first changed their name. Here it is reprinted from my sister's blog deanaland.blogspot.com
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Bank Didn't Need Another Name Change
By Deana Nall
Baytown Sun

Published February 02, 2005

To: Scott McLean, president, Southwest Bank of Texas

Dear Mr. McLean,

I’ve only lived in Baytown for four-and-a-half years, and I’ve already banked at Citizens Bank and Trust, Southwest Bank of Texas and, beginning March 7, I understand that I’ll be banking at Amegy Bank.

I’ve never changed banks. The bank keeps changing names.

The first name change resulted from a merger that ended the 80-year Baytown tradition of Citizens Bank. The most recent name change came about for several reasons, not the least of which is because someone in your company decided the bank’s name should reflect the company’s “dynamism.”

I had a few reactions when I learned about this. First, I had to look up “dynamism” in the dictionary to make sure it is an actual word. It sounds like an intestinal disorder. But Webster says it means “a theory that all phenomena can be explained as manifestations of force.” It’s also a “dynamic or expansionist quality.”

Next, I tried looking up “Amegy.” I didn’t find it. I did, however, find “amebic dysentery,” which, interestingly enough, is an intestinal disorder. Here’s what you had to say about the origins of the new bank name: “Amegy is a coined word that reflects the ‘energy’ of the people of ‘America.’”

I didn’t need to look up the word “coined.” I know it means “made up.”

I also understand that Amegy will be launching a series of high-energy (there’s that word again) radio and television commercials to help with the transition.

Since when did “energy” become such a crucial element in banking? I’ve never heard anyone say, “I switched banks because my old one just didn’t have enough energy.” The only energy I need, as far as my banking is concerned, is enough to get me out of bed and into the bank drive-through with my husband’s paycheck every Monday morning.

English is a fine language. Was there really no existing word suitable for your financial institution? Personally, I’m not looking for energy in a bank. You know what I like in a bank? I like the free popcorn on Fridays in the lobby. So why not “Free Popcorn Bank?” I’d also like a bank that doesn’t send back little pieces of paper at the drive-through trying to get me to sign up a friend for a checking account. Isn’t that your bank’s job? How about “The We-Won’t-Trash-Up-Your-Car-With-Little-Pieces-of-Paper Bank?”

If I seem a little cranky, the news of your bank’s name change came out the same day I read the results of a Swedish study on kissing. It seems that during a typical French kiss, more than 40,000 parasites and 250 types of bacteria are exchanged. I figure that in 11 years of marriage, my husband and I have exchanged close to 200 million parasites. I’m in a deep state of gross-out right now, and it’s made me a little testy.

The good news is that your bank’s new name has inspired me. I’d like to change my own name to reflect qualities for which I’d like to be known.

From now on, I’d like to be known as “Smute.”

“Smute” is a coined word that reflects how smart and cute I am. Please address all correspondence accordingly.

Sincerely,

Smute

Texas Gubernatorial Race, 2010

That 90.1 radio in Austin operates below the radar is not a clever statement. The station, which broadcasts shows within the Genesis Communications Network, operates below the levels required by the FCC for non-licensed stations. The station is strongest in Central Austin. It moved to 100.1 for a short time, but is now back on 90.1.

Last night I was listening to a radio show ‘Rule of Law’. The host was speaking about the upcoming Texas Governor race and how Ron Paul has really changed the political environment.

He stated that Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchinson are both known Bilderberg attendees, the regular secret meetings of the power elite.
The only 2 current independent governor candidates are Debra Medina and Kinky Friedman.

According to Medina’s Wikipedia entry under Texas gubernatorial election, 2010

"Among Medina's stances are private property rights, gun ownership, individual responsibility and adherence to the Constitution. She has actively opposed big government, taxes, bailouts, mandatory vaccinations, the Trans-Texas Corridor and abortion."

We should be careful in having too many gubernatorial candidates. Last year out of six candidates, Perry won, but with only 39% of the total votes.

Congratulations Obama!!!

Now take the award away from Henry Kissinger the war criminal so the integrity of the prize will be restored....

Dept of Homeland Security: 8 Signs of a Terrorist

For several years Alex Jones and others have been warning against a citizens reporting situtation to where we would look out for neighbors doing suspicious things. And they labeled him a Conspiracy Theorist.

This is theory no longer. The following video is directly from the Dept of Homeland Security, detailing the 8 signs of a terrorist.

I have made a quick survey you can take:

Do you buy or handle gold bullion?
Do you use a watch, binoculars or donate to charity?
Do you use email or the telephone to get information about things?
Do you monitor police radio? My grandma used to do this, she must have been the best chocolate chip cookie terrorist in the world.
Do you notice surveillance cameras or try to watch big brother back?
Do you steal or trespass?
Do you take pictures?

If you answered yes to any one of these questions, you are a terrorist. You should report yourself right away and quit taking airplanes.

Dead Peasant Policy: Amegy's Response

I recently contact Amegy Bank, questioning them about their Dead Peasant Policy.
Below is their response:

I am forwarding this response to Mike Myers, the attorney interviewed in Moore's movie regarding the Dead Peasants Policy

Dear Brian,

Thank you for contacting Amegy Bank. Unfortunately, Michael Moore’s recent movie does not include all relevant facts and therefore we understand why you are concerned. While we do not comment on pending litigation out of fairness to both sides, let us explain more about our Bank Owned Life Insurance program (BOLI).

Amegy acted appropriately and fairly in offering and administering our BOLI plan and we are prepared to support our actions. Amegy, like nearly 85% of banks our size, offered bank owned life insurance to bank employees who were Vice President and above from 1998 to 2005. Participation in Amegy’s BOLI plan is completely voluntary. Amegy’s program enabled participating employees to name beneficiaries of a portion of the policy proceeds.

BOLI is recognized and permitted by all regulatory authorities, including the SEC, OCC and FDIC, and is authorized by Texas statute.

Some companies have been criticized for their BOLI plans because they did not receive consent from their employees and their employees do not share in the death benefits. Amegy’s plan is very different: our plan is voluntary; employees agreed to participate; and each currently-employed or vested participant’s beneficiary receives insurance benefits upon the death of the insured employee.

I hope this helps to clarify our BOLI program and answers your questions. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Alicia Blaszak



Alicia Blaszak

Senior Vice President

Human Resources Director

Amegy Bank of Texas



4400 Post Oak Parkway | 8th Floor | Houston Texas 77027

p: 713.232.1208 | f: 713.693.7504

Wal Mart: Thank you. Your Comments Have Been Forwarded to the Appropriate Department

After seeing Michael Moore's movie, I took it upon myself to inform Wal Mart personally regarding their involvement in the Dead Peasant Policies. My original email appears below. If I hear more I will post it.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but here is their response:

Thank you for your message.

Dear Brian,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your feedback. Each comment, concern and suggestion is very important to us because it gives us the opportunity to evaluate the various aspects of our business. Be assured that your message will be forwarded to the appropriate team where it will be reviewed and carefully considered.

Thank you again for your correspondence.

Sincerely,
Walmart Customer Care

I saw Michael Moore's movie, 'Capitalism: A Love
Story'. I learned about a young cake baker that you took out a Life
Insurance policy on, a Dead Peasant's Policy. She died and apparently
Wal Mart not only collected the insurance policy, but shared nothing
with the survivor. Moore stated you no longer engage in this practice,
for which I commend you.

Nevertheless, simply withdrawing the practice is hardly enough. You owe
to the survivors a sizable financial contribution for this horrible
practice. Let me know when you do and then I will not only quit feeling
nauseous when I am near your stores or see your ads, I will actually
begin shopping there again.

James Fox-"I Know What I Saw"

Update 10/6/2009
According to the History Channel Website, this movie will air again Monday October at 10PM EST,7 PST and on Tuesday October 21 at 2AM EST, 11PST.

At this History Channel website , go to the 'Search Schedule' box and type 'I Know What I Saw' for more updates.

Also visit the official website for 'I Know What I Saw' here.

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This long awaited movie finally made its debut on The History Channel last night, it is a 2 hour special. I was hoping to see the whole thing, but only could watch an hour so far. It is a very explosive hard hitting documentary making it crystal clear that 'they are here'.

The show started out discussing The Phoenix Lights, with good eyewitness testimony. The show centers around the Fox disclosure event that occurred a couple of years ago at the National Press Club. The show also contrasted the change in Dr. Hynek's thinking on UFOs, along with continual military denial of the event. The show does a great job of showing that the government has continued to study UFOs even after they continue to say that they don't. The Rendelsham Event was also heavily discussed. The show was complete with lots of pictures.

I watched the show with my girlfriend who tolerates my interest in UFOs, and the show sparked some good conversation. Her frustration with the movie after the 1st hour was that she thought it was '...alright, already, I get it, something is going on that is being covered up!'

This sums up the weight of the evidence presented. I only hope that The History Channel will air this again

Review- Capitalism: A Love Story

I was going to post this yesterday, but I wanted to get the word out on the Dead Peasant Policy first.

Go see this movie. But keep in mind that Michael Moore's new movie should not be considered entertainment. The mock warning at the beginning lifted from a 1960s movies is a valid warning. I was completely sick to my stomach during the whole movie, and this not due to any lack of film making on Moore's part. His style of course makes the movie completely engrossing.

Rather, I was sick of seeing how big business and banking has not served the America nor the world well, only serving themselves and the almighty dollar at the expense of everyone else.

Thank you Moore for making this movie.

Moore seems to suggest Socialism would be better than Capitalism, in theory because of a more fair distribution of wealth. Moore also attempts to break down the negative connotations that we in America have of Socialism.

I would assert that Capitalism was fine before Corporate Greed took over. The problem was that there was never anything that protected the masses from big business.

Moore points out that Franklin Roosevelt did attempt to correct this shortcoming, but he passed away before this could be done.

Moore barely addresses Obama's potential role as someone to help the situation or make it worse. He does point out the fact that Goldman Sachs was the largest contributor to Obama's campaign, and he also points out that Obama supported the striking workers that were waiting for Bank Of America to pay them before they would leave, in which they were victorious. Perhaps Moore is taking a wait and see approach before a judgement is rendered.

Moore left out the fact that a large majority of Obama's cabinet members are from banking and financial interests. And he could have included the issue that the Federal Reserve is independent from the government rather than a part of the government.

Perhaps Moore was trying to keep his focus on the points that he did make, and in this he succeeded.

Every US citizen should be required to see this movie.