Tales of Security Theater — the NFL has posted new security rules for attending their games starting next season. These new rules include size limits on purses, a list of prohibited items and a requirement for carrying what you do bring into the stadium in a clear bag. You get a bigger bag if you buy the special ones (with or without branding!) from the NFL or you an use a gallon-size ziplock bag. You can still have anything you want in the parking lot. The one that slays me is the prohibition against bringing in seat cushions. I don’t think that this is about security — I think that it is about making it quicker to get people in the gates. But I’m definitely rolling my eyes at this BS.
Tales of the War on Workers — A McDonald’s in Dallas Township, PA is paying its workers with Chase Debit Cards:
According to the complaint filed, the JP Morgan Chase payroll card lists several fees, including a $1.50 charge for ATM withdrawals, $5 for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, $1 per balance inquiry, 75 cents per online bill payment and $15 for lost/stolen card.
Gunshannon said she had taken her concerns to the main office of the franchise holder – Albert and Carol Mueller, trading as McDonald’s, in Clarks Summit. She was told that the card was the only option, she said.
The woman in the article is suing, alleging that the deduction of all of the fees means that she is now making less than minimum wage. This doesn’t say that the owners are getting a cut or kickback for these fees, but I’d bet that they do. The lawyer handling the law suit notes that PA law says that employees can choose to get their wages via check or cash. I hope that all of the McDonald’s employees join this suit and put this one out of business. This is pretty vile.
Tales of Star Trek! — I saw this over the weekend finally. It was fine, but not as good as the last JJ Abrams venture. Star Trek as a shoot-’em-up isn’t exactly this franchise’s strong suit. Still, it was Star Trek and it was new. In honor of that, take a look at this hilarious video, Zachary Quinto vs. Leonard Nimoy: “The Challenge”:
What interests you today?