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Post by TheBear on Feb 15, 2013 15:33:20 GMT -5
We just THOUGHT the story of the stricken cruise ship was finally over. After a week of horrible conditions, passengers on the ship FINALLY arrived in Mobile, Alabama. One group was put on a bus for the 150-mile ride to New Orleans where they would FINALLY be able to get a shower, a hot meal and a clean bed.
SOOOOO... the latest? THE BUS BROKE DOWN!
(... there simply aren't enough cookies in the WORLD to fix that sad state of events!)
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Post by bluepride on Feb 15, 2013 16:28:47 GMT -5
Yeah, it was a big inconvenience for them but.......... PERSPECTIVE...... So they had to sh*t in bags for a few days....not overly criticizing them. They had legitimate complaints.....but........know what I'm sayin'?
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Post by Youn0469 on Feb 21, 2013 9:09:23 GMT -5
I've got an item to add. It's been going on for a while now.
Essentially I am dealing with a person who sleeps on the job with regularity.
I am concerned greatly for my safety, I work in a high-crime area with a high homeless population. In the past radio calls have gone unanswered while I am on patrol and the other guy sleeps. I've also been able to stand within a few feet of the other guy and make noise while he still sleeps.
I don't like being put in the position of "ratting" on another officer, however I feel compelled to when my safety is directly affected.
I'd like to know if anyone here has ever been put into a similar situation and how you handled it.
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Post by TheBear on Feb 21, 2013 18:05:44 GMT -5
Hey Josh,
I don't know what the Policy and Procedures manual in your position has to say, but I do know this... In my field, when it comes to a safety issue, I am REQUIRED by my license to report someone sleeping on the job. If I do not report it but someone else does, noting that I knew but did not report, MY professional license would be suspended.
It broke my heart to be in that precise position in 1999 when I woke a co-worker who was in charge on the night shift. But, he went to another room and went back to sleep. The next day, I HAD to report the incident to my supervisor. Apparently, the person to whom you refer did not doze off just once. You are not being a snitch... you are doing your job. Safety first!
Bear ______________.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 27, 2013 17:43:28 GMT -5
Even though Greg started another thread related to this post, I'll weigh in here for now. My advice? Josh, choose your battles. Yes, it's not good to sleep on the job. Yes, it's wrong. It does happen though. Deal with the guy, especially if he has been there for a significantly longer time than you. But deal with him with tact and in private. Nothing sinks you faster than a reputation as a rat. Especially for a relatively small thing. If the guy was doing lines of coke off a desktop or something really criminal, then yes....do what you gotta do. But (and I'm not excusing him) maybe before work he has family situations that prevent him from getting the rest he needs. Or something similar. If you show up to work 5-10 minutes late through no fault of your own, would he be right in reporting you? Not really. Especially if it's a security guard job. Not disrespecting that line of work but it's not police work where things can get more real in heartbeat. And what would happen if you got no sleep before you got to work and it was you nodding off? It can happen. Would it be different if it was you who was squealed on?
Stuff like this happens on a lot of different jobs, unfortunately. And now for a quick and short war story: When I was just past my rookie year myself and my partner were working midnights with some old timers who thought nothing of catching some ZZZZ's....for most of the tour, I might add. One night the dispatcher was trying to raise them for the longest time with no response. I mean No Response. We were getting mad and embarrassed for those guys. So what did we do? We disguised our voices and answered up as if we were them. And we responded to their job as well as to our own during the night. And we put boo-koo miles on our radio car because they were assigned way on the other side of the borough. But we did it. In the morning, we let them know about it in the locker room (where most things are sorted out....hint hint). And guess what.... they didn't believe that we answered their jobs! But it was handled in private without putting anyone in jeopardy of losing a job or serious disciplinary action. It doesn't mean they were corrupt. It just means that they were dumb. We all suffer from dumbness once in a while. So.....not to belabor the point.....you don't do you or anyone else any good by squealing on someone for a relatively minor infraction. As I said....choose your battles. In the long run you might lose if you don't. Listen to the voice(s) of experience.
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Post by edmontongreg on May 18, 2013 19:54:59 GMT -5
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Post by bluepride on May 19, 2013 19:26:03 GMT -5
This is just the latest in the current rash of anti-gay assaults and now....murder. It's really bad in New York now, as far as this violence is concerned. All the candlelight memorials and gatherings aren't goin to make a difference, I hate to say. But more vigilance, attention and action might help. This shooting/murder happened at a heavily travelled street. It was done right in the midst of many people. The poor guy who was basically executed.....a damn shame..... But at least there was a quick apprehension of the perp. Good job by the patrol grunts. The piece of human excrement who did the shooting should get the death penalty. (fat chance) If not, life without parole. EverREAD ARTICLE: Gunman shoots 32-year-old Mark Carson dead in Greenwich Village bias attack: officials
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Post by edmontongreg on May 31, 2013 16:58:40 GMT -5
4 Firefighters dead in Houston. I hope it doesn't get worse, pray for #5 in critical condition. 90 degrees and fighting a fire, talk about stress on a body.
Touching scene on news where the FF's salute their fallen brothers.
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Post by bluepride on May 31, 2013 18:45:21 GMT -5
A real tragedy. The worst loss of firefighters in Houston's history. Four dead in one incident and others injured. Our condolences to Houston and our colleagues and friends there. We all feel it. And now there is another hurricane about to re-devastate Oklahoma, this time in the Oklahoma City area. To add to all of this, as if these aren't enough, I've heard of at least three plane crashes around the country today. Small planes but still, three too many and lives lost. Not a good day.
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Post by edmontongreg on Oct 20, 2013 12:01:49 GMT -5
I am a member of a service club in my small town. We build things, playgrounds, rinks etc. we do the fundraising. This is a National Organization and has conferences.
Friday 8 of us from my town went to the District Conference about 6 hours away. We drove in a motor home. Lots of alcohol on way there - oh this is a men's group. Women have their own.
Alex, one of the member, about 28, jovial guy but opinionated. He has been riding my ass for awhile. On way down I asked if it was a thing with him, an exPresident said yeah, he usually picks a guy and bugs him.
He would call me out on stuff all the way down. Of course he has been calling me gay. I hadn't come our to them, as I thought there was no need. Finally he asked directly. I wasn't going to lie.
Didn't think anything of it. Went to bars and parties with other guys and basically had fun. Got really wasted.
About 3:00 we are gathered in a room in hotel, more beer. Alex is wrestling with another member on a bed. The ExPresident puts ice down his pants.
Alex gets up mad and hits me twice on head. Side of head. I had done nothing to deserve it. I didn't hit him, what's the sense of fighting with a guy That Drunk. Anyway, that killed party
Talk with exPresident later, then President. I am not going to make a big thing out of it. It was assault and in Canada, it could be a hate crime.
We talked when he was sober.
But here's the thing. I attended all the freaking meetings and workshops. All the rest of the guys just partied in bars.
There was a barrier between us. I basically spent rest of weekend alone. I am writing this in motor home on way back home.
This is why we lie, this is why we stay hidden. I don't want to let this guy win, but I am really struggling with staying in club.
I kept it in house. This will get back to Fire Department. I am not sure it is done yet.
Thing is. I am alone again. Sharing it with you Brothers as this is something that each of us can and have faced.
Btw. They weren't punched they were full arm or elbow slams. I got a pretty good goose egg
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Post by hcsodale on Oct 20, 2013 13:29:13 GMT -5
You want an opinion? (like you need any more from all the ones you probably already got from Alex.) Document the offense and the persons present for your personal records, take some dated photographs of what is left of the injuries and hold on to the document and photos. Then with a neutral witness present, confront Alex, tell him this was his freebie, that you are going to give him the slightest belief that this was alcohol fueled. Then make sure he understands (without putting him in a headlock) that this won't be tolerated again, that any future similar incidents WILL be taken to law enforcement for review and possible restraining order (he could lose a job from that) and that he had better learn to deal with you being there or he is going to have to leave the club, you aren't going anywhere. Once he is "put on notice", try to not throw it back in his face and act like you are past it. You can forgive it, but don't forget it...Sounds like he is a wannabe bully that you don't need testing you again. If there is a second incident, hurt him, but not so seriously that you become the assailant, and then file the report. You have a prior incident and witnesses, but be careful not to become the bully yourself. You are nobody's punching bag.
What I WOULD WANT to tell you is to pound his head up his ass, but the first suggestion is the safer route to keep you out of trouble legally. I'm telling you what would fly here in the States. I don't have any knowledge of Canadian laws.
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Post by bluepride on Oct 21, 2013 11:51:33 GMT -5
Greg, I agree with everything that Dale says. But I also believe that there would've been nothing wrong with a well placed fist to the guy's face. The message would've been sent to the jerk and everyone else. But, that's the New Yorker in me talking. The more rational me think's Dale's approach may be better. But, again....sometimes......
It will be interesting to see if there are any ramifications from this point on. The guy sounds like a total idiot. We've all worked or been associated with guys like that. And, yeah, maybe each case is unique but in any event, morons like this guy have to be dealt with. We're nobody's punching bags.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2013 13:58:05 GMT -5
Edmonton. I agree fully with hcsodale and blue pride. It's best to handle the problem in a professional way. Set up your paper trail so if the behavior continues, you can nail him. Now, I have one question for you. I get the feeling that you cultivate more straight friends than gay ones. If this is the case, can you tell me why? It seems to me that if you weren't so closely involved in these straight activities, perhaps this problem would not have surfaced. Still, It's important to have all kinds of friends because it enriches our lives. Do you get the same kind of support and nurturance from gay people. I'm just curious.
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Post by edmontongreg on Oct 22, 2013 18:39:49 GMT -5
Edmonton. I agree fully with hcsodale and blue pride. It's best to handle the problem in a professional way. Set up your paper trail so if the behavior continues, you can nail him. Now, I have one question for you. I get the feeling that you cultivate more straight friends than gay ones. If this is the case, can you tell me why? It seems to me that if you weren't so closely involved in these straight activities, perhaps this problem would not have surfaced. Still, It's important to have all kinds of friends because it enriches our lives. Do you get the same kind of support and nurturance from gay people. I'm just curious. A good question, one I wish I had an answer for. First off, I live in a town 60 miles from a big city. I may be one of two gay people here, although that may have doubled. The new RCMP boss is gay and brought his partner - I just learned this. I have zero gaydar. And it appears the people with the best gaydar are surprised when they find out. Living single in a small town is kind of boring, so the Fire Department was a way to keep busy. But then people became smarter drivers and took care with their cigarettes and the FD became less busy. A friend took me to a Kinsmen meeting and I joined. A good excuse to get out of house, eat, drink and play poker. This club also does stuff for the town. If I were political at all, having the FD and Kinsmen on a resume are good things. My gay life, well that takes place on a Friday or Saturday when I venture to the city. The bars in Edmonton are down to three. Two share the same building, one is a twink bar and the other is....we'll, best described in Piano Man. Same people everyday. These are not the sort of guys I have much in common with. I have one friend who was involved in Court, he knew Jose Sarria, he was there with Jose till he died. This guy and I are friends, really good friends. I meet people through him, but I am not even sure anymore what I am looking for. I have started hanging out at a gay friendly place in Edmonton. Their staff are acute to homophobia and will not allow it. The bar feels like Cheers. As for cultivating gay friends, you have to meet the guys first.
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Post by TheBear on Oct 23, 2013 3:28:41 GMT -5
[quote author=" edmontongreg" (Clip...) As for cultivating gay friends, you have to meet the guys first. [/quote] Man-oh-man do I understand that one, Greg. Here in Fort Dick, I am 450 miles from San Francisco, the closest big city. And, my tongue-in-cheek description of Fort Dick is: Population 50, including 49 homophobic rednecks and one gay bear. It also seems a shame when the only social opportunity one has is BARS. I'm not opposed to them and I enjoy a few beers or a cocktail or three. BUT, to know there is no other way to cultivate community except in bars seems sad.
That is precisely why I am anxious for this estate probate thing to be settled, liquidated and I can get OUTTA here. I'm thinking I would enjoy the area where Carroll lives in Florida. There's Step Out Sarasota (the gay community center,) the Prime Timers group, the ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out,) the beach walk group... on and on.
I'm REALLY disappointed the various gay LEO groups in California and Toronto cared so little that the LEGAL Annual Conference was cancelled TWO YEARS RUNNING. Next one (in 2015) is in Amsterdam. But, that is a one-time thing and doesn't substitute for having the camaraderie of gay friends and a real life.
For now, I guess the best I can do is share a (virtual) cookie with you, Greg.
BearHugs! Bear ______________________.
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