Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Fire This Fire Department (& the Mayor Too)

There is an old saying that goes something like this "Those not fired with enthusiasm soon will be." Well out in Tennessee there is a perfect example of a group of people who need to be fired or at least set on fire.
In case you haven't heard a rural Tennessee couple watched their home and everything they own burn to the ground and become ashes and so did the local fire department. Yep, our most trusted to be there when we need them public severvents the the fire department. Well not our fire dept. but the one that covers rural Obion County. And why did the they let this happen? Well click on the link and read for yourself.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/tennessee-family-home-burns-while-firefighters-watch-191241763.html

Yep, the The Obion County Fire Department and Mayor of said fiefdom are running something that looks like a protection racket. The Mafia would be proud. "You no Pay up on the fire insurance and we no can make sure your place don't be burning down, it's only $75 right knuckles? Ya, Boss!" And when you go to the Mayor he is asks you to kneel,  kiss his ring, and call him Don Crocker for he is the boss of the Fire Bosses. Can anyone say Extortion? How about indifference?

No matter how you slice it this is wrong. Someone somewhere needs to be fired out of their jobs and if it was up to me every member to that fire crew that went, watched, and did nothing that night would be gone. No excuses of well we were just following orders. And if I was the Governor of Tennessee I would have that mayor in my office writing out his farewell speech and I would have it on the local stations as he gave it. Bye Bye False Fire Crew Bye Bye Flimsy Mayor. Oh one more thing I'd make each and every one of those smucks pay for the replacement of that families home and belongings. And from now on when a fire happens the fire department who should be veiwed as heros not zeros will do their jobs and put out the fire not listen to the Talking Heads sing Burning Down the House while wondering who has the marshmallows.
It's time to get real and light a fire under someone butt so this tragedy does not repeat it's self.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Paying Attention and Helping Others

I originaly posted this on my facebook page yesterday Dec. 5th 2011 Now I post it here as I want to have a perminate record of this event so I may reflect and not forget the importance of helping others and being aware of the need others may have.
 
One of the most heart wrenching things a person can do to another person is look the other way or ignore them when they are hurt and in need.

I had many errands to run today and being short on cash but hungery I decided to visit the land of Del & Taco for some cheep but filling food. As is my curse I looked around for a table to sit at and decided on the perfect one to watch everything going on a...round me. This afforded my the vantage point of seeing a great many people come & go through the door. Eventually I noticed something that made me stop eatting and wonder what happened; there was a person sitting on the ground just outside the door. As I looked around the Del & Taco to see if anyone else was seeing what I had I was unpleasently greeted with dull faces of indifference and blank tones of going about their business.
I got up put my food down and went outside to see what had happened. An older woman had fallen as she was leaving and was clutching her knee. Her food lay scattered on the pavement. I asked if she was OK. No, was the reply as she sobbed. I told her not to move I would be right back and I was getting the Manager of this Del & Taco to aid her. As I was telling the person in charge a man came in behind me and started to tell the person behind the counter the same thing I was conveying about the woman. Immedilately help was on the way the person in charge came with me and helped the woman inside.
I then resumed my humble lunch. As I was leaving I went and checked on the poor woman who was seated near the door filling out a paper the manager had given her. Tears began to form in her eyes; she thanked me and said I was the only one who cared or stoped. I told her of the other person and assured her she had both of us to thank. I had been the only one she had seen but someone else had cared.

I am not tooting my horn, no I am merely telling the story and hopeing others will reach out and care a little deeper, notice a little more, and be a light to someone in need.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Cell Phones and the Pre-kindergarden Set

As I was walking through the Newgate Mall very recently with my 3 year old son who has the habit of walking beside me and stopping suddenly when something catches his attention so as I always have to keep track of him. I never get far from him before I notice his absence at my side. Well we had finished our trip to the kids playground in the mall so he could get his energy out (ha ha ha) and we were walking past a T-Mobile kiosk and he STOPPED while I kept going a few feet. I turn around and mini me has a cell phone in his little hands.
Now this is were it gets fun.
I call his name & tell him to put it back. He looks at me with wide eyes that say "Why Dad?" So I walk back to get him and this nice young man behind the counter asks what kind of phone I have (the standard question when trying to get me to sign up or upgrade) so I pull out my T-Mobile phone. The young man then asks if my son needs a phone. I tell him that my son doesn't need a phone because he's to young. The salesman then says and I quote "Everybody needs a phone." I say not a 3yr old. "Sure he does." comes the reply. (I am thinking Dude are you for real!) Well not today, I reply back as I gather up my son and start  to walk off. And as a parting gift I hear over my shoulder from Mr. Everybody Needs A Phone "Well let us know when he does."
I am thinking "Oh Sure Thing Dude and What Planet did you beam in from and how do I beam you back."
I have surveyed some of my friends and we all agree 3 is to young. Heck most everyone also agrees that Jr. High is a good starting point for getting a cell phone. That is when kids have that thing called maturity and a sense of things having value and understanding the usefulness of items that my son now considers akin to a toy.
So Mr. Mr. Everybody Needs A Phone T-Mobile Man I may call you in like 9 years when my son is in Jr. High but till then his next phone will come without a 2 year contract from Fisher Price.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

My First Blog Wow!

Well Here I am Blogging at last. I am throwing out my ramblings on a more open space that I normally do on Facebook.
Now don't expect me to be out here every day with some pithy thought or cosmic revelation but I have set a goal of blogging at least 3x's a week. I have some good ideas and thought to express and everyday I am inspired by my friends, co-workers, experiences, and things I read and learn about. So watch out world there is a new tour de force on the web.

Till next time I am Daniel the AceofBears85