Someone fired about 10 shots into an event I was hired to do Sat night. Zombiecon in Ft.Myers. Five injured and one killed. I don't know how they can identify anyone as there were close to 18,000 people and everyone in costume.
Printable View
Someone fired about 10 shots into an event I was hired to do Sat night. Zombiecon in Ft.Myers. Five injured and one killed. I don't know how they can identify anyone as there were close to 18,000 people and everyone in costume.
I saw that on the news I am glad you are safe Keiris. It is so sad that someone died. :( I really hope they can find the shooter.
So I'm a cashier in a grocery store. I was ringing out this one customer today who was manhandling her young son because she didn't like his behavior. I didn't think he was being all that bad, he was just bored and antsy, but I didn't say anything about it. When I was about halfway done ringing her order, she turned to me and said, out of nowhere, "You're not very smart, are you?"
"Excuse you?" I replied.
"You couldn't possibly be smart, you're a grown-up and you're just a check-out girl."
"It's true, I am a cashier, and this job is paying for my doctorate in classical English literature."
I wasn't even harsh or angry in my reply, just matter-of-fact, but she looked like she wanted to cry and didn't say another word for the rest of the transaction. For the record, I'm not going for a doctorate in anything, I'm just completing a Pharmacy Technician program at the local community college, but damn it felt good to shut her up. What gives her the right to make those kinds of assumptions about people? She's clearly frustrated with her own life, but taking it out on total strangers? As if the way she was treating her kid wasn't bad enough! I am damned sick of people making assumptions about my intelligence based on my job. I work for a good company and I'm working my way through college so I don't have to take out student loans, what's wrong with that?
That's horrible!!! I'm so glad you're okay! D:Quote:
Originally Posted by Keiris
Thanks Lotus and Alea. I just don't understand what is happening with people lately!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus the Mermaid
Naufra, I am sorry to hear that woman was such a bitch. You have more self control than I and I commend you on your come-back to her. She is such a pea-brain. Anyone can make money. It just takes work, patience and some perseverance. She had to feel like a moron.
Thanks, Keiris. I'm glad you weren't hurt at your event, I just read through the rest of the new posts on the thread! You and Momo had some close calls in the past week, I'm glad neither of you were harmed.
there's a cricket in my lizard's cage that has not stopped chirping for the past 4 days. normally I remove them if she doesn't eat it. the problem? I can't find it. It's been four days. she can't find it either, and I think it's bothering her more than it is me. I can't stand it anymore.
turns out it was four crickets. how did we not catch that??? well she's shedding so I guess that's why she didn't eat them. finally I can sleep in peace.
Yesterday a pit bull from the building next door to the hall where I work on pipe organs, Killed the cat that lives on the porch. I really liked that cat. It's name was Kitty-Boy. It would greet me when I came in. Sleep under my car during the day. We keep food out for the neighboring cats.
The guy next door must be hiding something. The place is a junk yard, with yellow tagged nearly abandoned cars and junk all over. The guy is a recluse. Sneaks in and out of the house in the back. The police or the city will not do anything. There are young children in the neighborhood. What if one of the children was attacked? Why is it that something bad has to happen before anything gets done?
We were having a collectors meeting, so there were several witnesses to the incident. I was inside so did not see it. One of the witnesses was a lawyer, He said it could take up to 3 years for anything to be done through the courts (Suing the city for not enforcing it's own laws.) And that would just make the people who run the city mad.
This is the second cat that was witnessed being killed. Several others simply disappeared. The guy always seems to get the dog back from animal control.
There is another cat, which lives inside the hall and likes to use my laptop to post cat videos I fear for her now
[IMG width=480 height=640]http://www.delectra.com/photos/midightRVO.jpg[/IMG]
Maintaining respectful silence about gun violence only ensures that there will be more grieving families. The US has the highest instance of gun deaths among the G7 nations, and we have to address it. Politics shape the world we live in, and I for one do not want to live in a world where everyone feels like they have to carry to feel safe. Since moving to England, I'm realizing how many things we've come to accept as the price of "freedom" in the US. When a woman's uterus is more regulated than firearms, there is something wrong. It's not about freedom any more. Politics may be distasteful, but it is the responsibility of citizens to engage with the political machine and hold it accountable. Radical change rarely comes politely.
The thing is, when the President addresses it, is he actually doing anything about it or just talking about doing something involving regulation? I would have preferred his response be to sit down with legislators or state representatives and come up with a solution than stand up and wag his finger at Americans for not doing it for him. Plus, in his doing that, he sent gun sales surging upward. Every time the politicians or media talk about it, the problem gets worse. Wouldn't action be better? I realize he's held talks about it, but why not that day instead of using the tragedy as a megaphone for his intent?Quote:
Originally Posted by Celaeno
I must have said something rather controversial. I didn't mean for my post to start a debate. :<
I left a part of the story about the cat that was killed Saturday. It might send the wrong message, But perhaps I will include in now. After the cat was killed and witnessed by people that include the lady (ex marine) who works at the local animal shelter and feeds and takes care of the stray cats. Gun violence was threatened. One of the other members who was witnessing the altercation even reached for a weapon in the glove compartment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Celaeno
The problem is much deeper than just guns. Keeping vicious lethal dogs that can kill is no different than keeping guns. The person who lives in reclusive compulsive hording squalor probably does need medical help.
We need to stop treating people like product, that buys things and are only as good as their perceived worth. The real problem is the lack of long term mental health care. Because of the constant wars we are really good at treating trauma injuries. Due to the high body counts of the 18th and 19th centuries. The book Frankenstein is mostly true. There are a lot of people who live with artificial hearts. Cadavers are used to treat traumatic chronic joint decay.
We still do not treat the mind. The mind is a scary place. It is even more scary that one person Sigmund Freud had undue influence. Although the alternative he replaced Phrenology (mapping the bumps on the skull to predict behavior, is even worse.)
Not so sure about Joung. Skinner and the other researchers of the 20th century are really disturbing (I am not a pigeon.) Then there was electroshock therapy. (well that worked eal well in this weeks Dr Who episode.)
I could go on, but I do not have the answers. There are a lot of good things happening too. I have a great project to work on. There is a lot to look forward to on my own personal timeline. Yet I feel for others, and that sometimes makes me feel a bit empathic. I guess that is why we have social networking, so we can share our feelings with others.
Let me send lots of mermaid love and hugs, to those who really need it.
I would just like to say that I hope you do not blame all pitbulls for this dog's actions. it's not the breed that's the problem, it's the dog.
So I'm kinda glad I live just across the border where there is gun regulation. Oh Canada.
Reading this entire thing is just... Yikes.
Blaming the breed is like blaming the gun. There are strong parallels here. Actually I prefer in a way to have a dog. Dogs can be quite loyal and part of the family. They can also be quite territorial and defensive.Quote:
Originally Posted by mermaidofthelabyrinth
Cats are independent creatures. They just look cute.
As for the dog's owner, It is clear that person needs help. We live in a society that has due process, so it can take years to resolve situations through the collective government institutions. The owner has probably only been told he is worth what he possesses. So like a member of a cargo cult, he possesses items which others see as garbage. We rush to judgment.
Otherwise we are back to pigeonholing through stereotypes, appearance and things like the now discredited science of phrenology.
Wow, not cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by PearlieMae
The president isn't an emperor or king, he doesn't have as much power as people think he does. That's why we as citizens need to engage with our local politics. It's much more effective to change policies and laws by getting responsible local politicians into office than expect the POTUS to make sweeping changes. Making a public address about the issue and meeting with legislators over it aren't mutually exclusive, and I really think a public address is needed. When reasonable people start thinking that carrying a weapon for personal protection is the answer to rampant gun violence, the system is broken. As with so many things in our nation's history, it's going to take loud and constant dissent to change things.
I'll add that the number of news stories about citizens who carry opening fire on shoplifters and the like is on the rise, and that kind of vigilantism really scares me. In one instance of a man trying to thwart a carjacking, he shot the owner of the vehicle instead of the thief. A man who just got his concealed carry license shot himself in the leg at a movie theater a few days ago and caused mass panic. Guns need to be regulated at least as much as cars, you should have to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency. There are so many untrained people with deadly weapons who fancy themselves heroes-in-waiting and it's terrifying.
If I may point out, a king (at least the king of Spain) has no weight in the government either. We have a saying that goes "The king reigns, but he does not govern". He cannot make executive decisions regarding anything. That's why we elect democratically a President that represents a party - just like in the US.Quote:
Originally Posted by Celaeno
Lotus, I am so sorry. I retract everything I said. I was having a very difficult morning and I am in no condition to comment on anything. I would delete my post, but I've been quoted, so it's not like I could eliminate my very rash comment altogether.
Again, Lotus, you are nothing if not the sweetest person in the world, and I was an asshole for saying that in the first place.
I hope you can forgive me.
EDIT: I did delete my unbelievably inappropriate post, Lotus. I am truly sorry.