I've been "sitting" on one story from the Boston Glob for some time, trying to find just the right angle for it. And today they published a second story that lets me tie the two together.
Today's story features a group of "artists" who thought it would be fascinating to "live at the mall." So they walled off a corner of a parking garage and made a little apartment, then moved in.
They just didn't bother to inform the mall, let alone ask permission.
While I have a bit of a creative bent, I don't consider myself an "artist," and I just don't get the whole artist mentality. It seems that some artists think that their muse, their art, their need to express themselves transcends the laws that us non-artistic folk have to live by.
And now for the really, really fun story.
A little while ago the Boston Globe published a heart-warming story, especially in light of the housing market's current status. They found a group of people who are buying homes, keeping them up, and keeping up on their payments.
The Globe went to great lengths to reassure their readers that no laws are being broken by these illegal aliens buying homes. The banks discharged all their legal obligations when they issued the mortgages, and they did absolutely nothing wrong.
I'm no lawyer, so I'll take their word for it. But I will bring up one point:
Did the banks fulfill their obligations to their stockholders?
These bank officers signed loans for 20 to 30 years with people who -- at any instant -- can be arrested and shipped out of the country. They literally have a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, and any banker who thinks that a deported illegal alien is likely to keep up their mortgage payments is crazy. (Happy now, '"smartguy?")
At that point, the bank gets to repossess the house (as nicely as it has been kept up), and then unload it again. And that never makes the bank looks good.
It's all part of the Globe's agenda, though. They are bound and determined to blur the lines between legal and illegal aliens, conflating those who follow the rules and obey the laws with those who break the laws and "cut" to the head of the line. I don't quite understand it, but that seems to be their goal.
And a loathsome one it is.
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Comments (29)
Interesting point. To what... (Below threshold)1. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 6:57 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Interesting point. To what extent, and to what extent are they allowed, to factor in such guesses about the future. I suspect banks have formulae, else reckless or illegal.
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1. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 6:57 AM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 06:57
2. Posted by Wanderlust | October 3, 2007 7:18 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Makes you wonder how they declared income. Or perhaps it was one of those so-called "no doc" mortgages? If so, that meant the illegals had to have assets on hand of at least 5% of the mortgage value, on top of their down payment.
Anyone want to bet whether their assets have been bought with taxed funds?
/Deport Illegals NOW
2. Posted by Wanderlust | October 3, 2007 7:18 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 07:18
3. Posted by Oyster | October 3, 2007 7:19 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
What's happening here is that that we're institutionalizing illegality. The Globe is only doing their part in telling us we're only responsible for all our actions if we're born here. If you're not a citizen, you're only responsible for some of them.
3. Posted by Oyster | October 3, 2007 7:19 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 07:19
4. Posted by smartguy | October 3, 2007 7:27 AM | Score: -3 (9 votes cast)
I am surprised at your reckless and improper use of the word "literally".
Respect the language please.
4. Posted by smartguy | October 3, 2007 7:27 AM |
Score: -3 (9 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 07:27
5. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 7:42 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
D'ya suppose the artists might qualify for an equity loan?
==============
5. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 7:42 AM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 07:42
6. Posted by DSkinner | October 3, 2007 8:20 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
I like this quote I saw a long time ago, but don't remember who said it, "Just because you are misunderstood, it doesn't make you an artist.". Seems appropriate for the first part of this post.
6. Posted by DSkinner | October 3, 2007 8:20 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 08:20
7. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 8:32 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
That's one of those necessary but not sufficient things, isn't it, DS?
=========================
7. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 8:32 AM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 08:32
8. Posted by Scrapiron | October 3, 2007 8:44 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Doesn't that mean the banks are supporting criminal enterprises since there is no such thing as an illegal. Cross the border without the proper paperwork (break established American law) and you're automatically a criminal, no if, and, or buts. Just because half or more of those (elected officials) charged with enforcing the law won't do their job doesn't mean there isn't a law. It really means those elected officials are also breaking the law by assisting criminals and they should be removed from office and jailed immediately.
8. Posted by Scrapiron | October 3, 2007 8:44 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 08:44
9. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 10:05 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I'm actually kind of impressed with the artists -- dodging mall security and running that apartment of theirs for four years. The AP story that Jay Tea links to is kind of interesting, but the original Providence Journal story is moreso, as it contains details on the apartment and how they set it up. And I like columnist Bob Kerr's take:
The really funny part is that the artists had a Web site about their little project.
--|PW|--
9. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 10:05 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 10:05
10. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 10:18 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
The mall owners should relax and enjoy. They got bigtime, positive, national advertising.
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10. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 10:18 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 10:18
11. Posted by Jayemay | October 3, 2007 10:29 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Although it's already been corrected, I'm going to go ahead and pile-on the inappropriate use of the word literally.
I absolutely DESPISE when "literally" is used to mean "not literally" it makes the speaker/writer seem like a complete goober, and takes away from the real focus of the article.
I mean here I am, commenting, and I can't even touch on the actual topic of discussion because I'm sitting here (not literally) banging my head against my desk, over a linguistic issue that any fourth grader should be able to avoid.
11. Posted by Jayemay | October 3, 2007 10:29 AM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 10:29
12. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 10:38 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Language authoritaraians, all. Jay's usage is common and effective in colloquial speech.
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12. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 10:38 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 10:38
13. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | October 3, 2007 10:53 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I bet you literally have your panties in a wad.
13. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | October 3, 2007 10:53 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 10:53
14. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 11:03 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
There is a good little irony, here. The use of 'literally' is to establish the primacy of written over oral speech. Nice, huh?
==================
14. Posted by kim | October 3, 2007 11:03 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:03
15. Posted by Candy | October 3, 2007 11:10 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
I teach English and I just wish sometimes you folks would calm down and enjoy the post.
Meanwhile back at the farm - my poor grandfather would pack it in and move back to Italy if he could see that all of his hard work and labor of coming to the U.S. through Ellis Island, building the brick streets and sidewalks of Boston, taking night classes to become a citizen, etc. etc. etc. were USELESS because all he really had to do was sneak over the Arizona border!!!
AARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!
I am LITERALLY pissed - gotta go change my pants.
15. Posted by Candy | October 3, 2007 11:10 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:10
16. Posted by vnjagvet
| October 3, 2007 11:11 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Pedants! All of you are pedants. Literally, pedants.
Sheeesh.
/humor.
16. Posted by vnjagvet
| October 3, 2007 11:11 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:11
17. Posted by Spurwing Plover | October 3, 2007 11:25 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Isnt it tresspassing after all they were not on their own property and the BOSTON SLOB take the side of the tresspassers
17. Posted by Spurwing Plover | October 3, 2007 11:25 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:25
18. Posted by Candy | October 3, 2007 11:29 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Here I am back to cause more trouble - according to dictionary.com, the following is the actual meaning of literally:
lit·er·al·ly /ˈlɪtərəli/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lit-er-uh-lee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
-adverb 1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?
2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.
If you'll take note of the 4th meaning, it can mean "very nearly" or "virtually".
So there.
18. Posted by Candy | October 3, 2007 11:29 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:29
19. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 11:54 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Come on, you guys. Jay's original usage - meaning "actually" - was correct. It is the "Sword of Damocles" expression that is figurative.
19. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 11:54 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:54
20. Posted by Jay Tea | October 3, 2007 11:57 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Technically, "smartguy" is correct and it was an improper usage. He was a bit naggy, but he was right -- that's why I fixed it. I shouldn't have made that mistake.
J.
20. Posted by Jay Tea | October 3, 2007 11:57 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 11:57
21. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 12:05 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Hmph. Jay Tea's use of the phrase "Sword of Damocles" is fairly imprecise, now that I think about it. While the phrase "Sword of Damocles" is colloquially used to refer to nearly any situation with a dark foreboding hanging over it, there's a bit more to it.
The Sword of Damocles actually refers to the peril felt by those who are in positions of power. An illegal immigrant has very little such power.
If the Sword of Damocles hangs over anybody, it hangs over the bank that has placed its assets at risk by loaning money to an illegal immigrant ...
--|PW|--
PS. Since everybody else's being a pedant, I figured I jump in.
21. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 12:05 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:05
22. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 12:19 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
To blindly trust someone else's judgment on grammar is to literally buy a pig in a poke.
:-)
22. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 12:19 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:19
23. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 12:41 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Dave A:
To deliberately split an infinitive is to needlessly needle a grammarian ...
--|PW|--
23. Posted by pennywit | October 3, 2007 12:41 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:41
24. Posted by Abigail | October 3, 2007 12:45 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Dave A., you split your infinitive. Bad form, sir!
24. Posted by Abigail | October 3, 2007 12:45 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:45
25. Posted by Jim Addison | October 3, 2007 12:51 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
As far as the bankers' risk goes: when was the last time you heard of an illegal being deported unless 1) caught in some other crime, 2) caught as they were coming in, or 3) caught in a "sweep" at some business suspected of using illegal labor?
These home-buyers are already in, so it won't be "2," the sweeps generally hit businesses who are using illegal labor at the low end of the pay scale, who couldn't afford house payments, so "3" is out, too. Since homeowners have a low incidence of committing crimes ("married" homeowners are lowest of all), "1" seems unlikely as well. The Sword isn't hanging over them, it's more or less mounted on the wall.
I see a lot more liability risk for the mall in allowing the "artists" to build and live on their property. Had anyone been injured in the process or while building the enclave, there would have been no hiding behind ignorance.
25. Posted by Jim Addison | October 3, 2007 12:51 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:51
26. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 1:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
As old as I am, all of my infinitives split long ago.
At least I didn't dangle a participle.
26. Posted by Dave A. | October 3, 2007 1:16 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 13:16
27. Posted by Arthur | October 3, 2007 2:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
> Did the banks fulfill their obligations to their stockholders?
These bank officers signed loans for 20 to 30 years with people who -- at any instant -- can be arrested and shipped out of the country.
If they made a good loan (adequate down payment and all that) then yes they did fulfill their obligations to the shareholders. After all, if a GOOD mortgage gets repossessed the bank will make a profit when it sells the house. It might even hold the new mortgage and make more money.
If it wasn't a good loan then the bank did a bad job in the first place - doesn't matter if the home buyers were citizens or illegals.
27. Posted by Arthur | October 3, 2007 2:45 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2007 14:45
28. Posted by Spurwing Plover | October 4, 2007 10:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
More lies from the liberal left-wing news media and especialy from the BOSTON SLOB who can even trust these lying journalists
28. Posted by Spurwing Plover | October 4, 2007 10:06 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2007 10:06
29. Posted by Veeshir | October 4, 2007 10:49 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Geez, their must bee mohr things two due than give Jay a hard thyme about his righting.
29. Posted by Veeshir | October 4, 2007 10:49 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 4, 2007 10:49