Someone suggested I explain my recent actions and objections to the local GOP blatantly abusing the Hall County Sheriff's Office's name for political gain.
The GOP used Facebook and the internet to publicize a 'public event' on private property. I objected to the language of the announcement as it read, "We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a Community Day on Saturday, May 19th in conjunction with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office!"
The GOP used a banner which I have attached as a picture. It also used the phrase, "in conjunction with." I have other pictures of the announcement as it appeared on the party's webpage.
Although I feel strongly that the gun safety message trumps any partisan political point of view, the HCSO would not give its name to a street party.
I felt shock and outrage. Hall County's government abuses our 1st Responders with below standard wages and has, in my opinion, raided their pension benefits. No county Law Enforcement employee should be forced to sue his County Commission. Not even 1st Lt. Brad Rounds who, in the Times coverage of the lawsuit, would retire with a monthly pension of $389 after a career covering parts of four decades.
For the deceptive political ad, I took the issue to the County Commission. Looking back at the Times article of May 9th, you did reach out to the GOP on the issue. They did not at that point remove or change the ad. As I had expected, they resisted, continuing to use the HCSO as a co-hosting, in conjunction with, as a full sponsor of the candidate showcase.
I did characterize Matt Smith's response in the Times article as the 'denials of a slightly pregnant virgin.' Never was that comment directed at any county official or member of the Sheriff's office.
I continued to press the issue with the County, the Sheriff, and the Times until the false advertisement was removed and a new ad posted by the GOP.
The GOP never had a right to run such an ad. This GOP event seems very similar to another GOP event held in August of 2014. At that 'public' event, held on private property in Dawsonville, a citizen journalist, Nydia Tisdale, was arrested by a Law Enforcement officer. She faced a court trial for no better reason than acting within the 2nd Amendment's protections for journalists. For what some call a misunderstanding, Ms. Tisdale bears forever a criminal record with a conviction for obstruction.
Given this example, I feel justified in approaching the County and the Sheriff to clean up the GOP's language.
Showing posts with label Gainesville Times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gainesville Times. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Public Prayer in Hall County, Georgia
Yup. I can't stay away from the hypocrisy of forced prayer. Why?
No one has a right to intrude upon my faith in public or in private. No one. But, that doesn't stop the mighty Faithful from trying. In the Gainesville Times, some pious ass asserted a right to pray anywhere and any time.
Let me bash him.
There are things which shouldn't be done in public. Among these, our society includes burning a combination of paper and tobacco. That's all it takes to make a cigarette. One burns the paper and the tobacco then inhales some of the smoke before coughing it out again.
If someone wants to burn paper, let them do it in private. If they want to call tobacco incense, there's still no right to burn it in public. Is that so hard to understand? No.
In keeping with that, what about breathing. I have an absolute need to breathe. Should the state or an individual terminate breathing? No. That's not hard to understand either.
So what about emptying my bowels? I have to do that just as much as I have to breathe. Only, there are damn good reasons I don't squat at public meetings to meet my needs. That is a given.
So, people may have a right to pray just like I have a need to shit. Both those activities have a time and a place.
Back to force. Don't force your prayers on me and I won't shit in your living room.
No one has a right to intrude upon my faith in public or in private. No one. But, that doesn't stop the mighty Faithful from trying. In the Gainesville Times, some pious ass asserted a right to pray anywhere and any time.
Let me bash him.
There are things which shouldn't be done in public. Among these, our society includes burning a combination of paper and tobacco. That's all it takes to make a cigarette. One burns the paper and the tobacco then inhales some of the smoke before coughing it out again.
If someone wants to burn paper, let them do it in private. If they want to call tobacco incense, there's still no right to burn it in public. Is that so hard to understand? No.
In keeping with that, what about breathing. I have an absolute need to breathe. Should the state or an individual terminate breathing? No. That's not hard to understand either.
So what about emptying my bowels? I have to do that just as much as I have to breathe. Only, there are damn good reasons I don't squat at public meetings to meet my needs. That is a given.
So, people may have a right to pray just like I have a need to shit. Both those activities have a time and a place.
Back to force. Don't force your prayers on me and I won't shit in your living room.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The letter from Rick Frommer
In a recent letter to the editor, the writer alleges a 1960's conspiracy to stop profitable recycling of nuclear waste. According to the authror, the massive conspiracy stopped civil rights legislation, defeated General Westmoreland in an election, and preserved corruption in the Democratic Party.
I remember the Sixties. So do many other people. It would do well to remember the facts in that decade.
Young President John F. Kennedy proposed civil rights legislation in 1963. The 1964 Civil Rights Act came to a Congressional vote and was signed by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, just months after Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas. Among the nay votes were Democrats and Republicans with every Southern Republican voting against the new law. Southern Republican refers to the Congressman from the 11 states which constituted the Confederate slave states a hundred years earlier. In the Senate, 69% of Democrats voted for the bill.
Johnson would sign the 1968 Civil Right Act before leaving the White House. Hardly a Democratic conspiracy to stop civil rights legislation.
General Westmoreland didn't retire from the military until 1972. His military service and career were stained by US involvement in Vietnam and his several decisions to suppress military reports. Suppressing information hit a low point in 1968 when the Calley massacre cover-up lasted 13 months. Westmoreland left Vietnam after the horrific losses of the 1968 Tet Offensive. His unsuccessful political campaign was in 1974 not in the Sixties.
No President has been as corrupt as Republican President Richard Nixon who was elected in 1968. Nixon used what is know as the Southern strategy in national politics. The strategy was to appeal to the white Southern racist called "Negrophobe whites" by Nixon's people.
As to profitable recycling of radioactive waste in the 1960's? Not possible. Not possible today. Although Governor Deal and others like the Heritage Foundation have made false reports of successful efforts in the UK and France. The UK and France are actively seeking underground disposal options and not any mythical recycling program.
The UK offers 'bribes' to communities to consider storage of its 260,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste.
France had 1.32 million cubic meters of nuclear waste in 2010, a 13% increase over 2009.
People have been trying to explain how the world works since we first walked upright. Lying about the past isn't new. Lying about nuclear waste is just tool of Republicans.
I remember the Sixties. So do many other people. It would do well to remember the facts in that decade.
Young President John F. Kennedy proposed civil rights legislation in 1963. The 1964 Civil Rights Act came to a Congressional vote and was signed by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, just months after Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas. Among the nay votes were Democrats and Republicans with every Southern Republican voting against the new law. Southern Republican refers to the Congressman from the 11 states which constituted the Confederate slave states a hundred years earlier. In the Senate, 69% of Democrats voted for the bill.
Johnson would sign the 1968 Civil Right Act before leaving the White House. Hardly a Democratic conspiracy to stop civil rights legislation.
General Westmoreland didn't retire from the military until 1972. His military service and career were stained by US involvement in Vietnam and his several decisions to suppress military reports. Suppressing information hit a low point in 1968 when the Calley massacre cover-up lasted 13 months. Westmoreland left Vietnam after the horrific losses of the 1968 Tet Offensive. His unsuccessful political campaign was in 1974 not in the Sixties.
No President has been as corrupt as Republican President Richard Nixon who was elected in 1968. Nixon used what is know as the Southern strategy in national politics. The strategy was to appeal to the white Southern racist called "Negrophobe whites" by Nixon's people.
As to profitable recycling of radioactive waste in the 1960's? Not possible. Not possible today. Although Governor Deal and others like the Heritage Foundation have made false reports of successful efforts in the UK and France. The UK and France are actively seeking underground disposal options and not any mythical recycling program.
The UK offers 'bribes' to communities to consider storage of its 260,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste.
France had 1.32 million cubic meters of nuclear waste in 2010, a 13% increase over 2009.
People have been trying to explain how the world works since we first walked upright. Lying about the past isn't new. Lying about nuclear waste is just tool of Republicans.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Letter in the Gainesville Times
A good read
The recent letters from Michael Parker, Claudia Simpson, Tom Crawford and others have aptly documented the absurdity and danger inherent in the newly gutted gun control law.
One area where more guns enable acts by young terrorists that has received scant attention is the source of guns used by students to annihilate their classmates, teachers and others. Most undoubtedly use their parents’ unsecured arms and some apparently steal their weapons. Never mind the sources; the more guns out there, the easier it is for youths to obtain them.
The NRA is no doubt loudly applauding passage of this bill and almost assuredly influenced its passage and has rewarded the efforts of our leaders. As Mr. Crawford pointed out, the legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal, in all their idiocy, made absolutely certain that they were exempt from these absurd relaxations of our gun control laws with all the expensive metal detectors, patrolling by state troopers and police, etc., in the Capitol.
While they are safe inside their secured dome retreat they, hopefully, go to bars, attend churches, go to schools and gun shows where they will be exposed to the results of their indiscretions just as the rest of us Georgians. Since we neglected to voice our opposition vociferously enough to prevent its approval we need to do so in order to get the law repealed.
Jim Scharnagel
Gainesville
The recent letters from Michael Parker, Claudia Simpson, Tom Crawford and others have aptly documented the absurdity and danger inherent in the newly gutted gun control law.
One area where more guns enable acts by young terrorists that has received scant attention is the source of guns used by students to annihilate their classmates, teachers and others. Most undoubtedly use their parents’ unsecured arms and some apparently steal their weapons. Never mind the sources; the more guns out there, the easier it is for youths to obtain them.
The NRA is no doubt loudly applauding passage of this bill and almost assuredly influenced its passage and has rewarded the efforts of our leaders. As Mr. Crawford pointed out, the legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal, in all their idiocy, made absolutely certain that they were exempt from these absurd relaxations of our gun control laws with all the expensive metal detectors, patrolling by state troopers and police, etc., in the Capitol.
While they are safe inside their secured dome retreat they, hopefully, go to bars, attend churches, go to schools and gun shows where they will be exposed to the results of their indiscretions just as the rest of us Georgians. Since we neglected to voice our opposition vociferously enough to prevent its approval we need to do so in order to get the law repealed.
Jim Scharnagel
Gainesville
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Pro Gun Nut in Gainesville Times
John Lott rides again!
Here's a devoted John Lott follower in the Gainesville Times trying to save me. Well, maybe my thoughts on his letter.
Link
"In his April 3 letter, Michael W. Parker used some questionable data to try to prove his point. He would do well to read John Lott’s third edition of “More Guns, Less Crime,” especially chapter 10."
Very much like the supporters of something that was called, The Fair Tax. Past tense. The GOP no longer supports the Fair Tax. But, when anyone questioned the legislation, supporters waved off the questions with ... "Read the book! It's all explained in there." Wow! Read my blog. It's all explained in there. Sorry. I'm over being childish. For now.
"As I recall, Lott originally began researching crime data with the assumption that more guns would equal more crime. The data, however, proved just the opposite and he was more interested in the truth than his original agenda. Some 'researchers,' however, have an agenda and are willing to manipulate the data to fit their agenda."
Only Lott knows why he applied for free money to research guns. But, I'm sure a lot of economists were writing papers on guns in 1998 using free money. And, I'm sure a lot of researchers in 1997 lost their raw data in a hard drive crash. Can you say back up? Assuming the crash happened, which it did, how did that go over with the people handing out the free money? Hmmm. Didn't tell anyone in 1997 about that lost data. Just went ahead and published. Strong work.
I can imagine Lott explaining the truth, the truth being so dear to him. "Oh, by the way, I don't have any supporting raw data for my finished work. Can I have my final check now? The bank closes at 4 and I don't want to be late."
"He [Parker} stated that a 2002 study by the Violence Policy Center discovered that 41 concealed carry permit holders over a five-year period were “arrested” for murder; not convicted or even officially charged, but “arrested.” It is likely standard procedure for the police to arrest anyone who is involved in a shooting until they can sort things out."
Nice guess on how police operate in Texas. I would really like police to handle every person suspected of a crime in the same way. Maybe Texas has a shoot first and arrest later policy. Maybe.
"This is about as good a demonstration of massaging the data as it gets."
No way! This sentence screams irony. To rebut the data from 1997 to 2002, five years, Lott's devoted follower quotes a study from 2002 to 2006. Four years.
"In actuality, from 2002 to 2006, the number of Texas permit holders who were convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony was 0.04 percent. This is about one-eighth the conviction rate of the general adult population."
The general adult population. Not white males living in low crime areas who feel a need to carry a gun ... compared to a similar group ... say white males living in low crime areas who do not feel a need to carry a gun. That would be too uncomfortable.
"He [Parker} chose to compare Chicago with Atlanta on homicide rates. For 2012, Chicago had a rate of 18.5 and Atlanta 19. If the number of guns were the problem, why are they virtually equal? Since 2000, Chicago’s homicide rate is down by 15 percent and Atlanta’s by 40 percent. It would appear that Atlanta is doing something right."
I haven't looked up the stats on Atlanta from 2000. I do know someone is avoiding the other crimes related to guns. If we're going to compare stats, let's get them all out there. No 'massaging the data.' But here is where I think we get down to it!
"I would challenge Mr. Parker to go to the nearest prison and interview convicted felons asking what they think of gun control and concealed carry. This has been done before and the answers were unanimous. Gun control is highly favored among criminals as it is like health insurance for them. They have the guns and their victims do not.
Concealed carry, on the other hand, is the one thing that they fear most. Even the dumbest of criminals can figure out that attacking someone who is carrying a gun can be hazardous to their health. And since the weapons are concealed, they can’t tell who might be carrying one."
Nope. I'm not going to a prison to take a survey of violent and antisocial felons. Nope. Not going to do that. Or listen to their opinions. Especially if the goal is to find the dumbest of criminals.
Gun nuts. Who can live with them?
Here's a devoted John Lott follower in the Gainesville Times trying to save me. Well, maybe my thoughts on his letter.
Link
"In his April 3 letter, Michael W. Parker used some questionable data to try to prove his point. He would do well to read John Lott’s third edition of “More Guns, Less Crime,” especially chapter 10."
Very much like the supporters of something that was called, The Fair Tax. Past tense. The GOP no longer supports the Fair Tax. But, when anyone questioned the legislation, supporters waved off the questions with ... "Read the book! It's all explained in there." Wow! Read my blog. It's all explained in there. Sorry. I'm over being childish. For now.
"As I recall, Lott originally began researching crime data with the assumption that more guns would equal more crime. The data, however, proved just the opposite and he was more interested in the truth than his original agenda. Some 'researchers,' however, have an agenda and are willing to manipulate the data to fit their agenda."
Only Lott knows why he applied for free money to research guns. But, I'm sure a lot of economists were writing papers on guns in 1998 using free money. And, I'm sure a lot of researchers in 1997 lost their raw data in a hard drive crash. Can you say back up? Assuming the crash happened, which it did, how did that go over with the people handing out the free money? Hmmm. Didn't tell anyone in 1997 about that lost data. Just went ahead and published. Strong work.
I can imagine Lott explaining the truth, the truth being so dear to him. "Oh, by the way, I don't have any supporting raw data for my finished work. Can I have my final check now? The bank closes at 4 and I don't want to be late."
"He [Parker} stated that a 2002 study by the Violence Policy Center discovered that 41 concealed carry permit holders over a five-year period were “arrested” for murder; not convicted or even officially charged, but “arrested.” It is likely standard procedure for the police to arrest anyone who is involved in a shooting until they can sort things out."
Nice guess on how police operate in Texas. I would really like police to handle every person suspected of a crime in the same way. Maybe Texas has a shoot first and arrest later policy. Maybe.
"This is about as good a demonstration of massaging the data as it gets."
No way! This sentence screams irony. To rebut the data from 1997 to 2002, five years, Lott's devoted follower quotes a study from 2002 to 2006. Four years.
"In actuality, from 2002 to 2006, the number of Texas permit holders who were convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony was 0.04 percent. This is about one-eighth the conviction rate of the general adult population."
The general adult population. Not white males living in low crime areas who feel a need to carry a gun ... compared to a similar group ... say white males living in low crime areas who do not feel a need to carry a gun. That would be too uncomfortable.
"He [Parker} chose to compare Chicago with Atlanta on homicide rates. For 2012, Chicago had a rate of 18.5 and Atlanta 19. If the number of guns were the problem, why are they virtually equal? Since 2000, Chicago’s homicide rate is down by 15 percent and Atlanta’s by 40 percent. It would appear that Atlanta is doing something right."
I haven't looked up the stats on Atlanta from 2000. I do know someone is avoiding the other crimes related to guns. If we're going to compare stats, let's get them all out there. No 'massaging the data.' But here is where I think we get down to it!
"I would challenge Mr. Parker to go to the nearest prison and interview convicted felons asking what they think of gun control and concealed carry. This has been done before and the answers were unanimous. Gun control is highly favored among criminals as it is like health insurance for them. They have the guns and their victims do not.
Concealed carry, on the other hand, is the one thing that they fear most. Even the dumbest of criminals can figure out that attacking someone who is carrying a gun can be hazardous to their health. And since the weapons are concealed, they can’t tell who might be carrying one."
Nope. I'm not going to a prison to take a survey of violent and antisocial felons. Nope. Not going to do that. Or listen to their opinions. Especially if the goal is to find the dumbest of criminals.
Gun nuts. Who can live with them?
Monday, February 24, 2014
Letter to the Gainesville Times on real gun tragedies
A recent letter to the Editor suggested what many in Georgia believe to be true about guns. If only we had more of them, there would be fewer gun tragedies. I don’t believe we have a shortage of guns or that more guns would stop the horrors of gun deaths in America.
It’s easy to understand my point of view.
Two toddlers are playing together. One of them is five years old. The other is only four. The five year old is playing with a pistol. He points it at the chest of the four year and shoots. There’s that moment when times stands still in a crisis. But, gun powder and metal slugs have no human illusion of time stopping.
The bullet rips through the little toddler. Time pauses for every witness. The toddler turns as if he is going to run to his mother. Only, in turning, he stumbles. In running, he falls. Lying on the ground, his feet kick the ground as if his legs were still running. And, then he lies silent.
Through the pain, the stumbling, and the fall, his mind knew one thing. Momma will make it all better. She will hold me. Tell me that it’s all okay. I’m going to be all right.
But nothing will ever be all right.
The bullet killed a son and tore open a mother’s heart. In her grief, she will use the phrase, if only. If only I had been there. If only I could have held him. If only I could have said, I love you and it’s going to be all right.
There is no gun shortage in America. If only there were just one less gun, there would be at least one tragedy less. If only.
It’s easy to understand my point of view.
Two toddlers are playing together. One of them is five years old. The other is only four. The five year old is playing with a pistol. He points it at the chest of the four year and shoots. There’s that moment when times stands still in a crisis. But, gun powder and metal slugs have no human illusion of time stopping.
The bullet rips through the little toddler. Time pauses for every witness. The toddler turns as if he is going to run to his mother. Only, in turning, he stumbles. In running, he falls. Lying on the ground, his feet kick the ground as if his legs were still running. And, then he lies silent.
Through the pain, the stumbling, and the fall, his mind knew one thing. Momma will make it all better. She will hold me. Tell me that it’s all okay. I’m going to be all right.
But nothing will ever be all right.
The bullet killed a son and tore open a mother’s heart. In her grief, she will use the phrase, if only. If only I had been there. If only I could have held him. If only I could have said, I love you and it’s going to be all right.
There is no gun shortage in America. If only there were just one less gun, there would be at least one tragedy less. If only.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Red Rabbit, public transportation in Hall County
Hall County's Public transportation system is known as the Red Rabbit.
The Hall County Board of Commissioners hate it. Have been trying to destroy it. Nearly did so by raising ticket prices, cutting out free transfers, and reducing routes.
They really couldn't find a reason to do that except that the system didn't benefit county taxpayers, just people in Gainesville.
Odd. All people within Hall County pay taxes into the general funds, sales taxes which go to the county, and versions of SPLOST.
So the citizens of Gainesville were and are paying county taxes and getting nothing. Hall County was complaining about them being 'free riders.' That's sort of an economic term which fits really good in this transportation context.
So the city took over the Red Rabbit.
I'm damn glad.
See this link to the Gainesville Times for the success story.
Take a good look at the rider who blesses God for the Red Rabbit. Using a taxi would cost that man $20 a ride. The Red Rabbit, no more than a dollar each ride.
To me, that $19 difference is going to be spent with local merchants for food, clothes, medicine. If it goes to the taxi company? Tires, oil, gas ....
The Hall County Board of Commissioners hate it. Have been trying to destroy it. Nearly did so by raising ticket prices, cutting out free transfers, and reducing routes.
They really couldn't find a reason to do that except that the system didn't benefit county taxpayers, just people in Gainesville.
Odd. All people within Hall County pay taxes into the general funds, sales taxes which go to the county, and versions of SPLOST.
So the citizens of Gainesville were and are paying county taxes and getting nothing. Hall County was complaining about them being 'free riders.' That's sort of an economic term which fits really good in this transportation context.
So the city took over the Red Rabbit.
I'm damn glad.
See this link to the Gainesville Times for the success story.
Take a good look at the rider who blesses God for the Red Rabbit. Using a taxi would cost that man $20 a ride. The Red Rabbit, no more than a dollar each ride.
To me, that $19 difference is going to be spent with local merchants for food, clothes, medicine. If it goes to the taxi company? Tires, oil, gas ....
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Is the US government Hell on Earth as conservatives say?
I've said that government is not a Waffle House. A place where you select from a menu and pay by a menu. I'll try making it a single bank.
A single, world wide US dollar based bank. All dollars come from it. There's no other source of dollar bills. Please look at this as being an example of a BANK then compare it to a government. It's a difficult concept. No. It's simple. If you connect anything to this example other than a bank, you're doing it wrong.
That bank creates and maintains an entire financial system 24/7/365 everywhere on the globe. Everything associated with money passes through the bank. Every expense is paid from vault cash. Advertising. Rent. Water. Sewer. Remodeling. Pencils. Pens. Erasers. Wages. Retirement. Janitors. Windex. Paper clips. Wages. Repairs. Having the grass cut. Landscaping. Dividends. Bonuses. Stock options. Toilet paper. Soap. Coffee in the break room. Microwave to warm up food. Training. Professional memberships like the Chamber of Commerce. Medical benefits. A Christmas party. Holiday pay. Heating. Cooling. Everything is paid from vault cash. That's a bank.
Now I walk in holding a single dollar bill. "HEY! You basterds over charged me because I didn't get invited to the Christmas Party. You over charged me by wasting paper clips, putting coffee and microwaves in the break room. Heck! Having a break room is waste!"
Even if I have a billion dollar bills in my hand, I don't own the bank. Run it. Manage it.
I am a part of the global financial system since I use dollars. I was forcibly opted in at birth. Forever associated with the bank. Unable to ever divorce myself from their way of doing business.
Moving to a system/shadows of governments and your question about hypocrisy.
I'm sure there are lots of things done by governments which are opposed by the 'ruled.' Let's just agree to that as a fact. NO ONE LIKES everything. Another way of saying the world isn't perfect. Banks aren't perfect. Governments aren't perfect. People aren't perfect. Hell, even you and I aren't perfect unless we are grading A holes.
You are opposed to the system. I'm assuming system means the US government. I'd rather think you are opposed to parts of it.
So if you are not opposed to the US government and seeking to destroy it by any means, I'll keep going.
MHO, it is the worst hypocrisy to measure the value of government by individual examples. i.e. "I paid a dollar in taxes. I didn't get any welfare check so I should get a dollar tax refund." "I paid a dollar in taxes and opposed the Iraq invasion so I should get a two dollar tax refund." "I have a billion dollars in my hand so you should kiss my ashe."
What we are lacking in this ... is a way to measure the value of government. Other than taxes and dollars and the use of paper clips.
A single, world wide US dollar based bank. All dollars come from it. There's no other source of dollar bills. Please look at this as being an example of a BANK then compare it to a government. It's a difficult concept. No. It's simple. If you connect anything to this example other than a bank, you're doing it wrong.
That bank creates and maintains an entire financial system 24/7/365 everywhere on the globe. Everything associated with money passes through the bank. Every expense is paid from vault cash. Advertising. Rent. Water. Sewer. Remodeling. Pencils. Pens. Erasers. Wages. Retirement. Janitors. Windex. Paper clips. Wages. Repairs. Having the grass cut. Landscaping. Dividends. Bonuses. Stock options. Toilet paper. Soap. Coffee in the break room. Microwave to warm up food. Training. Professional memberships like the Chamber of Commerce. Medical benefits. A Christmas party. Holiday pay. Heating. Cooling. Everything is paid from vault cash. That's a bank.
Now I walk in holding a single dollar bill. "HEY! You basterds over charged me because I didn't get invited to the Christmas Party. You over charged me by wasting paper clips, putting coffee and microwaves in the break room. Heck! Having a break room is waste!"
Even if I have a billion dollar bills in my hand, I don't own the bank. Run it. Manage it.
I am a part of the global financial system since I use dollars. I was forcibly opted in at birth. Forever associated with the bank. Unable to ever divorce myself from their way of doing business.
Moving to a system/shadows of governments and your question about hypocrisy.
I'm sure there are lots of things done by governments which are opposed by the 'ruled.' Let's just agree to that as a fact. NO ONE LIKES everything. Another way of saying the world isn't perfect. Banks aren't perfect. Governments aren't perfect. People aren't perfect. Hell, even you and I aren't perfect unless we are grading A holes.
You are opposed to the system. I'm assuming system means the US government. I'd rather think you are opposed to parts of it.
So if you are not opposed to the US government and seeking to destroy it by any means, I'll keep going.
MHO, it is the worst hypocrisy to measure the value of government by individual examples. i.e. "I paid a dollar in taxes. I didn't get any welfare check so I should get a dollar tax refund." "I paid a dollar in taxes and opposed the Iraq invasion so I should get a two dollar tax refund." "I have a billion dollars in my hand so you should kiss my ashe."
What we are lacking in this ... is a way to measure the value of government. Other than taxes and dollars and the use of paper clips.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Freedom of the press and another mess
I’ve been thinking about the Times photographer arrested for obstruction. The story seems pretty simple.
The photographer had every right to do his reporting job and keep the public informed. The police had every right to investigate the scene, protect the evidence, and preserve the dignity of the decreased.
Things went wrong when these rights seemingly conflicted. Here’s how to resolve the current situation.
Drop the charges against the photographer. Don’t make a press release or createa media event. Just let him go. He demanded to be arrested. He got his wish. He’s enjoyed the existential experience. Let’s get him out of the justice system before he asks a judge to throw the book at him.
We can call this the One Wish per Citizen Policy.
The two police officers went above and beyond the call of duty with this wish fulfillment effort. They need to be an example to the rest of the force. I’d say they qualify for additional sensitivity training. That will look good on their service records and resume’s. Plus, they can share their new diplomatic skills with management and supervisors. That ought to improve communication.
We can call that the Free Speech for Police Policy.
But, I’ve only addressed the people mentioned in the paper. There could be people standing in the shadows of these events. Let’s share a few words for them.
Stupidity might be hereditary but it isn’t contagious. If you’re stupid enough to have pushed this event into conflict forcing an arrest, smarter people will figure that out. And, there are lots of smart people in this town.
So get the man out of the justice system. Make our officers better communicators. And, let’s find the stupid people who always seem to be circling around the gray shadows of community conflicts.
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