Questionable Book ReviewThere’s no shortage of books...

Questionable Book Review

There’s no shortage of books on the savings and loan debacle, what with three major books in print and at least six more on the way.

No doubt the unique title award goes to a low-budget paperback by Jess A. Rodrigues, former owner of the now-defunct Saratoga Savings & Loan in San Jose. Rodrigues’ just-published book, a 204-page tirade against regulators and his competitors, is titled “Power Above the Law--S&L; Bailout?!?!?!”

The book did get a good review from one prominent person, attorney and former San Francisco Mayor Joseph L. Alioto, who on the book jacket is quoted as calling Rodrigues’ tale “a story of a 25-year-old successful business that was destroyed by abusive S&L; regulators at the instigation of their competitors.”

What isn’t mentioned is that Alioto represents Rodrigues.

Nice Car, Prince

The guest of honor wore dark gray and arrived unfashionably early with a menacing growl, but sat passively enough while a few dozen guests ogled.

The occasion was a recent bon voyage party for the very first Vector, a high-priced, high-performance super car that is finally being shipped to its first buyer after more than a decade on the drawing board. The price of the car, which is built in Wilmington by Vector Aeromotive, starts at $250,000.

The buyer of Vector 1 is a Saudi Arabian prince whom Vector Aeromotive Chief Executive Jerry Wiegert declined to identify. Given current Middle East tensions--not to mention that glaring Saudi sun--the prince is taking delivery of the exotic car in Switzerland.

A glance inside the Vector’s trunk revealed a going-away gift that every prince needs: a complementary kit of Snap-on Tools.

Not the Best Place to Keep It

Some Robinson’s credit card holders may have received an offer this month for a Hot-Line 24 Card. For a $12 annual fee, the Hot-Line Credit Card Bureau will cancel all the credit cards you’ve registered with them, should those cards get stolen.

There’s even a nifty plastic card with a 24-hour 800 number to call if your cards are stolen. Robinson’s encourages clients to “carry the enclosed Hot-Line 24 Card in your wallet or billfold . . . along with your credit cards.”

Probably would be a good idea to memorize that 800 number first.