a-bat-u:

Say what?

I'm just so happy for you, but BOL should be a no religion and no politics site - what part of that don't you understand?

It shouldn't be a place to vent open hostility and sarcasm either, but it recently has become that way. Thats too bad. Secondly one or two people don't have the right to dictate to others what they should or should not post. If you don't like the post content don't read it. If you don't like BOL content in general, then go to another site.

No one has the right to destroy what has been created here. This thread is a prime example of what has been going on lately. It starts off with a question about selling cookbooks and has developed into a civil rights issue egged on by immature inane excoriations.

The BOL folks should be applauded for making this communication vehicle available so that professional bankers can meet to discuss banking issues, exchange and contribute positive helpful ideas.

If you can't provide a professional answer then don't post. Now what part of that is not understood?

Please, lets keep it professional, and this immature kiddie stuff needs to go away so the adults can talk.

By the way "God Bless America" It always had a place in my bank.

Well said, Don.

I first came to BOL because it is a fantastic professional resource. I keep coming back for the same reason (I even have my start page at the office set to BOL.) And while I continue to come here for professional guidance and insight, I do enjoy the fact that we can all be human and cut loose a bit, too. In fact, I think it speaks volumes to the growth of this community as a whole that we have begun to establish this comfot level amongst each other.

Unfortunately, I, like many, have witnessed a great deal of discord that simply should not be here. I'm all for disagreement on a professional level, as it usually becomes a great learning experience for all involved (remember § 3-307, zaibatsu?) but lately, some of the attacks have become personal. As a BOL user, I do not care to be witness to such attacks, and I certainly have no desire to participate in said attacks. That being said, I am requesting- equal to equal(s)- that the personal attacks cease.

It was not my intention to argue over a particular topic but to point out that I and many others, visit this forum for banking/compliance advice, not to view any one readers opinion of religious beliefs nor their thoughts about the ACLU.

I leave my religion at the door because my clients, are of many faiths. My views are my own and yes, we all have the right to expresss them, but this is probably not the place to do so.

That said, I did not mean to offend anyone. I personally did not wish to read someones endorsement of any one religion or faith nor of an organization doing the same on this forum. There are other places for that.

Sorry if I have offended.

Thank you Don. That needed to be said.

Don, you've very concisely put into words what many of us have been thinking. I also have been disappointed recently in how this wonderful resource has been used. Thanks for saying what needed to be said.

Don - thanks for saying (and saying well, I might add) what I didn't have the guts to say. I would have drowned in my little compliance pond if not for BOL, so I could never abandon it, but my enjoyment of logging on has been greatly diminished by the tone of recent posts.

From the vast majority of BOL posters, I have learned how to state disagreements at work in a more cordial manner, just because of how most posters here point out errors in a gracious way. Now if I could just learn how to receive the correction as graciously...

Who died and made you King? You are not even a banker, you are a vendor! Although your contribution is valued by some posters, not all posters are on that list.

Also, why take your purported valuable time to post to me, just ignore me and perhaps I'll go away. What, are you the defender of the free world?

Take a look at your post to me, how is that a mirror for your life and what does it say, not about me, but about you?

Selling cookbooks? How hokey can you get! I wish I had the time, but I'm stewing every day in the crockpot of compliance.

No one died, and Don is not King. He is, however, a valuable contributing member of this forum. You, he, and I may all be members of the same 100 Club, but the majority of his posts over the past 1+ years have been to provide answers. The majority of mine over the past 1+ years have been to ask questions. The majority of yours over the past four months, ???

Please, let's stick with the Q&A function of BOL.

How about this, I'll be good, if you stop whining? It would be worth it to me to participate, but it would be nice to have a no whining zone.

We obviously do measure up to your standards, please leave.

Let's keep this a No Whining zone. It is also a democracy. In democracies, we respect each other (even when we're wrong) and we help each other. This site is such a wonderful place for friendships, learning, and support (when no-one else in the organization want's to support compliance specialists.) Let's remember why we're here. And thanks to Don for putting it so well.

Dear Original Anonymous Poster: I think the cookbook idea is a really good way to raise money for such service projects. However, it might be a better idea to sponsor the cookbook, donate time and money to the project, and involve other community service organizations in the process. If all the proceeds of the cookbook went to aid low and moderate income individuals then that donation would count as an investment and your corporate sponsorship of the project could possibly count as a service project under CRA.
We have handled holiday projects differently over the years. Our department usually goes to the Department of Family and Children services to get the names of children that we can buy gifts for. The company also has a contest between departments each year. Each department is assigned a different agency - such as the senior citizens center, the Children's cheer and toy shop, Meals-on-Wheels, the food bank, the clothing bank, etc.. That department is then responsible for obtaining as many donations of either money or merchandise as they possibly can. That donation does not have to come out of the employees' pocket. They can obtain from friends or family. It's great fun and we all have the opportunity to participate or not. We have the opportunity to be personally involved in providing services to many in our community for whom the holidays are a time of great sadness instead of great joy.

I concur. I can't separate my Christian values from what you see in me every day. As a compliance risk manager; however, I do realize that others to do not necessarily share my beliefs. And I respect their right to believe, or not believe, in whatever they choose. But...I am also responsible for assessing risk and implementing necessary actions to keep my banks out of trouble. It's my job.

That being said, I can tell you that should we ever decide to publish a book to generate funds for some worth charity, I will probably suggest that we not title it as a "Christmas" book. I would suggest "Holiday". And I hope that that I do it in a loving, Christian manner which will exhibit my beliefs and convictions in such a manner that my faith will not come into question. (A kind word turns away wrath.)

In order to protect this invaluable resource and keep the tone and tenor of the discussions at the level you have come to know and expect, we have taken the extraordinary step of banning Vegan2 from Bankers' Threads. We regret having to take this action, but all efforts to encourage him to treat other posters with proper respect -- by both BOL users and staff -- failed to curtail his insults and we believe this action was necessary and appropriate.

V2 Just a Vendor? Everything in your Bank including the effort to charter and open your new bank was done and continues to be provided by Vendors. Its the Vendors creatativity that provides everything to maintain your banking operation. You on the other hand have created nothing. You occupy a chair provided by a "Vendor".

You mistake "King" for "Professionalism" something you should strive for. Its a sad commentary that when someone cannot achieve professionalism or acceptace because they can't cut it, they resort to attacking the standard they cannot meet in order to lower it to their level of mediocrity.

You think mearly being employed by a bank makes you a banker. Guess again sonny.

To the likes of you I do not have to provide my banking credentials. I have some you will never achieve.

When you run a search on V2 posts you find little in the way of origanility, advice or help. Only ridings on the professional coat tails of others, condesending platitudes, or vitriolic remarks.

V2 this forum is open to you to participate at a professional level and I for one invite you to do that. If it is beyond your capability to do so, I tell you now that as one individual participant who has had enough of your ilk that I will take you on everytime.

Thank you, thank you, Mary Beth! We all appreciate your efforts to maintain the integrity of this great website!

I also thank you.

Thanks Mary Beth. I already feel better.

As an infrequent poster, but very frequent reader, I also applaud the removal of V2 from this forum.

My deep gratitude to you for protecting this fine forum.

Thank you for stepping in, MB.

Now who has the cookbooks? I'm hungry!

I think I know what Vegan2's problem is! He's HUNGRY! Aren't vegans an extreme form of vegetarianism? No offense to any other vegans who may not be cranky.