Today I heard probably the funniest radio commercial ever. It was an Advil commercial. A womans voice gives the following advice:
"If you have so many Mardi Gras beads that your neck is beginning to ache, then thats probably not where the pain is coming from."
For a second I thought it was either one of those Rush Limbaugh Parody Spots or SNL Cutaway Commercial, but it wasn't I have heard it like 3 times since the first one and I still chuckle each time. Dang, whoulda thunk it, Advil does have a sense of humor. Now I'm just waiting for some Promiscuous Womans Advocacy or Mardis Gras Group to set up shop and picket, boycott, and put pressure on Advil to pull the add off the air. You know its gonna happen sooner or later. And then Congress will call for hearings and so it goes in America.
ADVIL HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR
MATH CLASS (ENFORCER STYLE)
The evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
1. Teaching Math In 1950s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?
2. Teaching Math In 1960s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. T eaching Math In 1990s-2000's
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. )
WELL THIS IS GOOD TO KNOW
Great Seal secrets revealed!
Conspiracy theorists take note: The myths surrounding one of America's oldest and most enduring national symbols are about to be debunked ... if you believe the government, that is.
The keepers of the Great Seal of the United States, the familiar emblem on the back of the $1 bill, want you to know what it is not. It is not a sign that Freemasons run the country, it has nothing to do with the occult, and it does not contain clues to a fabulous hidden treasure.
It is rather the nation's stamp of authority, sovereignty and power, gracing our cash and embossing the most important of documents from its home at the State Department, which has held it since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the first secretary of state.
Not that the Seal's symbols — the all-seeing eye, the unfinished pyramid, the Latin phrases, the bald eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows and the number 13 — aren't powerful.
They are, historians say. Yet their meanings have been misidentified, misunderstood and misrepresented almost since the Continental Congress first commissioned the Seal in 1776.
It would be another six years before the original design was approved and another 128 before it evolved into its current form. Along the way, a movement to decipher the Seal's meaning with ancient Egyptian, mystical and otherwise otherworldly explanations has gained currency.
The Internet age has seen an explosion in such conspiracy theories, many which have now been ingrained in public consciousness through the popular "National Treasure" movie franchise that serves up a combination of Masonic lore and historical myths in blockbuster Hollywood fashion.
Among them:
_That the Seal proves the domination of the United States by a powerful, quasi-religious cult. The Ancient Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a perennial favorite of conspiracy theorists as some Founding Fathers were Masons and the Seal uses several Masonic symbols.
_That the Seal draws on Satanism or polytheistic ritual to promote a universal new world order under which Earth would be ruled by a single omnipotent government.
_That repeated references to 13 — the number of steps in the unfinished pyramid, stars in the constellation over the eagle's head, arrows in the eagle's claw, stripes on the eagle's shield, letters in the phrase "Annuit Coeptis" — demonstrate the power of 13 American families.
_That there are two seals: one in which the eagle's head faces the arrows for times of war and another in which the eagle's head faces the olive branch for times of peace.
All rubbish, according to historians, who say the Seal's symbolism is far less ominous or revelatory than many believe.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Seal's 66th and current custodian, on Tuesday inaugurated a new exhibition to commemorate its 225th birthday and trace the history and evolution of the symbolism.
"This exhibit honoring the Great Seal affirms our continued belief in the values of our founding," she said. "The Great Seal symbolizes the unity, strength and independence of a new nation, the United States of America."
The Seal will remain at the State Department but the interactive exhibit is designed to travel and curators hope it will dispel the rumors and educate Americans about the real meaning of the symbols.
Among the highlights:
_That known Masons like the first U.S. president, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin had no role in designing the final seal, which uses elements of traditional heraldry, such as the unfinished pyramid to symbolize a work in progress, arrows for war and an olive branch for peace. Masons share some of those symbols, but they have never been exclusively the domain of the order.
_That the phrase "Novus Ordo Seculorum" below the Roman numerals for 1776 at the base of the pyramid translates as "A New Order of the Ages" that began with independence and does not imply the United States will be the lynchpin of a sinister "New World Order."
_That the words "Annuit Coeptis" ("Providence favors") and the eye of providence that hovers over the pyramid refer to unexpected interventions of fate that assisted the colonists in creating a new country.
_That the references to 13 refer to the number of colonies that formed the original United States.
"People are just not aware of the complexity and intent of the symbolism and what our Founding Fathers were trying to do with it," said Priscilla Linn, senior curator at the U.S. Diplomacy Center. "The hidden treasure in the Seal is the courage and presence of mind of the people who created it and created these values for the whole country."
MITT ROMNEY'S WILLIE HORTON ?????
I believe you are going to hear a lot of this story before the primary election season is over. It is about a judge in my neck of the woods, who released a violent criminal who was incarcerated for among other things manslaughter. While behind bars he assaulted guards and was to stand trial for the assault but was realeased without bail by the judge in question. Sadly, we in Massachusetts have seen this movie before and I'm going to give away the ending HERE
(This book was written by my Leutennant and is a very good read if you are a history buff)
Romney should have realized that those who do not take stock in history are doomed to repeat it. He will end up as the Republican version of Michael Dukakis and Massachusetts will again be villified by the rest of America as the Liberal State who is soft on violent criminals.
PRISON LIFE VS. WORK LIFE
While comparing prison life with the workforce a popular think tank came up with this handy cheat sheet for us so that we never get the two environments mixed up, it should make things a little bit clearer for everyone.
@ PRISON You spend most of your time in a 10X10 cell
@ WORK you spend most of your time in an 6X6 cubicle
@ PRISON You get three meals a day, fully paid for
@ WORK you get a break for one meal and
You have to pay for it
@ PRISON For good behavior, you get time off
@ WORK For good behavior, you get more work
@ PRISON The guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you
@ WORK You must carry a security card
And open all the doors yourself
@ Prison You can watch TV and play games
@ WORK you could get fired for watching
TV and playing games
@ PRISON You get your own toilet
@ WORK you have to share the toilet with
People who pee on the seat
@ PRISON They allow your family and friends to visit
@ WORK you aren't even supposed to speak
To your family
@ PRISON All expenses are paid by the taxpayers with no work required
@ WORK you must pay all your expenses to go
To work, and they deduct taxes from
Your salary to pay for prisoners
@ PRISON You spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out
@ WORK you spend most of your time wanting
To get out and go inside bars
@ PRISON You must deal with sadistic wardens
@ WORK They are called "managers"
THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
Now get back to work. You're not getting paid to surf the blogosphere now are ya?
OOPS THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Salem native linked to Spears
SALEM - OMG! Britney Spears and Central Catholic graduate Michael Marchand, 29, are "good friends."
While celebrity magazines report the Salem native is dating the famed songstress, the young man's mother won't confirm that.
"I know that they're just good friends," said Pam Marchand in a telephone interview yesterday. "I really can't say anything more than that."
Michael Marchand, a waiter at the Los Angeles bistro Mirabella, and Spears have been quietly dating for several weeks, according to Life & Style magazine. Word of the relationship spread when Spears stopped in for a late-night dinner at Mirabella Nov. 20, the magazine said.
Marchand, who also is an actor and certified EMT, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Shortly after, he decided to move to Los Angeles to try to make an acting career for himself.
"He did decide to, you know, try it out," Pam Marchand said, adding that her son is also getting his certification to become a firefighter.
Michael Marchand has managed to get some acting roles. According to IMDB, an online movie database, he has appeared in "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding," a 2003 TV drama in which he played a "beach punk."
Michael Marchand also appeared in "Raise Your Voice" as a choir boy and "The Helix ... Loaded," as a disciple.
Pam Marchand said her son is planning to come home for Christmas this year, but there are no plans for Spears to join him.
Although, if Spears does want to come, Pam Marchand will likely be one of the first to know about it.
"I talk to my son daily," the Salem woman said.
I'm trying to look on the bright side. That being, I may be able to write a few motor vehicle violations this Christmas Season. And I plan on investing heavily in trailer parks.
LETS SEE WHO ELSE (OTHER THAN ME) HAS A DIRTY MIND
I was sent this in emailby a very awesome blogger friend and it totally cracked me up. So I figured I'd share with all of you. Hope it brings smiles and giggles
Enforcer
MISERY LOVES COMPANY
YA KNOW WHEN YOU GET A SONG STUCK IN YOUR HEAD?????
I figured I'd share because misery loves company......
It's actually not a bad song, cept of course it's a commercial.
Have a great Sunday Y'all
Enforcer
MY ULTRA POLITICALLY CORRECT DAUGHTER
ZENLIKE BE DAMNED
He's BAAAAAAAAACK,
It all started last night, 7 hours and 39 minutes into the last night of the rotation. I stayed zenlike through rookie dispatching, demanding victims, karmically challenged officials, and the like. I was undone by a drunk asshole who was repeatedly stealing cases of beer from a local resturaunt, and the seargent's spy.
This drunk guy would sneak in, go out back and walk off with a case of beer.He had done it a few times through the week. The owners set up a video camera and waited. Sure enough he struck last night. Now mind you I was still zenlike but I put on an unzenlike show. The guy was caught on tape trying to sneak in the back door of the resturaunt, he was still out back when we showed up, and he ran like a rabbit until he was caught. But he adamantly kept to his story that he was out back taking a piss and got scared when we showed up. So in order to obtain his confession I played "bad cop" reading him his rights, then berating him, telling him he was caught on tape and then asking him if he wanted to change his story.
He didn't so I calmly advised him that seeing as he confessed to pissing in public I was going to charge him with lewd and lacivious conduct and when he was convicted he would be put on the sex offender registry and sex offenders don't fare well in lockup. When I was finished, the Sarge who bet me that I couldn't remain zenlike called me on the nextel and asked if I had anything to tell him, he had a spy tell him that I was un-zenlike. I still contend that it was an act, a ruse if you will. But I'm thinking the bet will end up as a wash.
But that wasn't anywheres near when I went unzenlike. I have been working around the house and Enforcerwife got Enforcermom's fixit guy to help me out. We'll call him Sneider (like the guy from the tv show one day at a time) Sneider is a great guy but he is the type of guy who will get 3/4 through instructions and stop, you end up having that akward silence and try to finish his train of thought and you are always wrong, even if you are right he finds another way to say it.And you feel like an idiot. That plus he has the uncanny ability to "accidentally" put you down or give backhanded compliments while talking to you. That compiled with the fact that I'm paying him decent cash to do a job and having to be his lackey is rough on ones Karma. Eight hours of interaction with him and I snapped.
It was fun while it lasted......
BOY HAS SHOW AND TELL CHANGED SINCE I WAS A KID
click the blue words for the video
A mother was arrested after her child went to school with pictures of marijuana on his cell phone. It wasn't the kind of show-and-tell you should send your kid off to school with. A Lawrence mom busted after her 11-year-old son's teacher finds pictures of pot plants on the child's cell phone.
This is what we in the police community call job security. All other jobs may be downsizing but crime and stupidity will always keep police in business.
NOW AND ZEN ENFORCERSTYLE
Ok here goes.
Enforcerwife is a serial book reader. I totally enjoy reading but I have to be in the mood for it and I go through spurts and phases with reading, Imostly like biography and history. Enforcerwife has shelves full of books and is always buying more books. (she is to the literary world what Imelda Marcos is to the shoe world)
However, in her last book buying binge (notice the illeteration, 3 words beginning with the letter b, huh? huh? impressive no?) Enforcerwife grabbed a little book called "The Secret" it's kinda a self help book that stresses the power of positive thinking. (From what I'm told Oprah swears by it ) I guess for some reason be it the color of the book cover or the fact that it is a tiny hard cover book that looked like a fast read it kinda piqued my interest.
I brought it to work last night. I ended up drawing short straw errrr. I mean I got chosen to dispatch so I got to start reading the book during downtime and it was kinda interesting.
Now don't go getting worried. Yes, I read a self help book. Yes, I enjoyed it, but I will still be the same blogwriting Enforcer that puts the FUN in Dys-FUN-ctional I promise.
The best part of the whole experience last night was the fact that my Seargent (and good friend) who is one hell of a nice guy but has the same gruff exterior and sarcastic sense of self and humor as I do came into dispatch and caught me reading the book.
He ragged on me about the whole self help guru bullshit and busted my chops about how the power of positive thinking scene is so not me (if you read some back posts you will see that he is not off the mark with that assessment)
But him ragging me meant I had to one up him (its a guy thing) and I did so by spouting offto him about his negative karma and how, he should only let in the positive thoughts, like warming rays of the sun and how he too could be helped, I offered him the book when I was finished reading it.
The look on his face was priceless. I was soooo friggin zenlike, I went all Ghandi on his ass, to the point where he bet me $10 dollars I couldn't stay in my state of grace until our rotation is over this week. I got 2 days left to go and that sweet 10 dollar greenback is mine baby.
So if you see me chanting or lighting incense or whatnot, it's just me waiting out the bet. He's already told me he is gonna pair me up in a two man car with the most annoying cops he can find for the next two nights. Bring it on baby I got the ying AND the yang on my side!!!!
While we were going back and forth the midnights leutennant came in looking for someone to work the overnight shift and me and my damned state of grace voluntered (just to show the seargent how "one with the universe" I actually am)
So now here I sit in the booking room as beast master (booking officer) thinking SEE I showed him !!!!! didn't I ? huh, yeah who's zenlike now mo-fo?
But I'm going on 13 hours in this police station now, I'm beginning to know the convicts by name and what their astrological signs are and I'm now feeling very tired and wondering if I may have taken this whole one upsmanship thing too far, perhaps I'm too competitive?
Nawwww, theres a 10 spot riding on it.
I CAN DO THIS !!!!
(I'll let ya know how it turns out)
The video of those "innocent" baby shower people
Handcuffed prisoner assaulted by jail mates
click picture for the video to play
A handcuffed prisoner was kicked repeatedly by four of his jail mates inside of a holding cell.
These are the so called innocent party goers right after they were arrested the night they claim that they were innocent calm baby shower attendees. This was the same ferocity they came after the police with. With one exception, when they were going after the cops they were not handcuffed.
You'll need a version of Windows Media Player 7 or higher to view the video. If you need to download it, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/default.asptarget=_blank The video player is supported by Microsoft IE 5.0 and above.
COPS ARE NOT THE BOOGEYMEN THAT WE ARE PORTRAYED AS BY THE MEDIA
As you can probably tell by now (if you are a return reader of this blog) I tend to take issue with meda types who have never or could never do what I do but like to incite their readers/viewers that the cops are the boogeymen.
I am a cop in Massachusetts, when you compare cost of living with the salary of local police departments we are woefully underpaid for the duties expected nay DEMANDED of us. One of the very few ways we can legitimately provide for our families is testifying at trial and taking paid details (directing traffic at roadside construction sites) I am aware that many other states use flagmen but in those states the officers are paid commesurate with the cost of living.
I don't really know the ins and outs of the specific case in question below but in every sector of society there are people who try to screw the system. That being the case then people like the columnist should not paint all officers with a broad brush and use innuendo designed to make all detail officers look like bunko artists
It seems to me that she is pandering to those homeowners who want nay DEMAND professional, efficient police work provided at cut rate cost without reguard for the cop who goes into work day after day for their shift and then to make ends meet goes out and works what amounts to a second job. Often missing out on family life, home repairs, their kids various sports, parties etc...
The guy in the article recieved work for a promise to pay for said work. He then decides not to pay and makes unsubstantiated accusations. And it is taken as bible by the reporter.
As cops we are routinely squeezed out of time off (in my department if theres more than 3 officers scheduled for time off no one else can take the day off) this is so that staffing levels are safe and the public remains defended.We are provided with no way of making any extra cash to pay bills or heaven forbid take our wife out for a night on the town. That is if we can get the night off. There are very few ways of accumulating days off. So you end up with overworked, overstressed, underpaid and underappreciated officers patrolling the streets. Add to the mix anyone you arrest tells you all the way to the police station that he is going to
- Sue you
- Fuck you up
- Get even the next time he or she sees you when you are not working
- The list goes on.....
I say to Miss Margery Eagan that instead of demonizing the police and using anecdotal information to rile up her readers. She should embark on a campaign of paying cops what they are worth for the services they provide. I'd gladly give up the detail system in order to get a fair and equitable base pay.
The devil’s in the police details
By Margery Eagan Thursday, October 11, 2007 http://www.bostonherald.com/ Columnists
All you cops leaving me nasty voice mails about my criticizing police details? Why bother? We’ll be long dead. Details will still be around.
All you Regular Joes driven nuts by seeing cops dozing in their cruisers in the “Tip” tunnel at 4 a.m.? By cops on cell phones directing traffic? By cops just standing there, staring into the manhole, and staring into the manhole, Dunkin’s regular in hand?
Get used to it.
Paid details may be costing your town a fortune. Teachers laid off. Programs cut.
But nobody’s ever going to fix this mess. And when you ask politicians about the fairness here, it’s like they’ve been brainwashed. Drank the Kool-Aid. Lost their minds. Or all three.
Case in point: Gloucester lawyer Michael Faherty is now battling local police over a bill for a paid road detail.
In May he hired an officer for a road site. The officer showed an hour and 15 minutes late, said Faherty, costing him money as the other workers stood around, waiting. The officer left after two hours and, according to department paperwork, then worked a second detail for Keyspan.
Both Keyspan and Faherty were billed for two eight-hour details for the same cop - $320 for each job, or $640 - plus two 10 percent administration fees.
But Faherty refused to pay more than $160. The contract specifies an eight-hour minimum for major road construction, which Faherty contends this was not. Plus, he questions the legitimacy of paying eight-hours’ pay for two hours’ work.
“No one should have to hire someone with no recourse on performance,” says Faherty. “Can they show up whenever they want? But their attitude was, pay it, or else. I just said . . . or else.”
Now police have charged him -criminally. Faherty is fighting back and considering suing the town.
“And I’m not planning on losing,” he says.
But when you talk to local politicians about it, it’s: what’s the big deal? It’s in the contract, isn’t it?
Says Steve Magoon, the town’s chief administrative officer (noting that the eight-hour minimum preceded his tenure), “In these times when we’re not flush with money, it’s a difficult situation, but if the union perceives something as a benefit in the contract, to change you have to negotiate it.”
Carolyn Kirk, who’s running for mayor, totally danced around the question with more, “if it’s in the contract,” etc. But should this be happening? “I need to review the contract . . . it has to be negotiated . . .” But what do you think about eight hours’ pay for two hours of work? “I don’t negotiate in the media.”
At least her mayoral opponent, Jim Destino, took a stand. “There has to be accountability. From what I read in the paper, the same officer was on two details at the same time. It’s about being fair,” he said. “I think the vast majority of patrolmen see it the same way.”
Question to Jack Foote, patrolmen’s union president: So, is this fair? “I think it’s a contractual thing that has been in place for well over 30 years.”
But can he understand why people are so upset about deals such as these? “I don’t know who’s upset,” said Foote.
Well there’s me, for one. I’m hysterical, obviously. And then there are all those Regular Joes who can’t afford their property taxes or $175 a pop for their kids to play high school sports.
Note to Gloucester voters: I’d go with Destino, if I were you.
Faherty, meanwhile, says response to his case has been “overwhelming, but very cautionary. People don’t want to get involved.” Why not? “Well, this is a small town. Just, you know, fear of policemen.”
Are you a big scary policeman, I asked Foote. “Maybe a few years ago. Now I’m an old fat guy,” replied Foote, who at least has an excuse here: He runs the union. But the rest of us are just pathetic pushovers.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1037329
I FIGURED Y'ALL WOULD GET A KICK OUTTA THIS ONE....
Police: Woman on hooker scam called her victims 'losers'
A woman charged with luring sex-seeking men into her apartment and then robbing them, called her victims "losers" who "deserve to have their money taken," police said.
The woman, told police she went to the Memorial Library and posted an advertisement on the Web site craigslist.com offering sex for money.
She said she didn't have sex with anybody; rather, she and her boyfriend robbed the men when they showed up at her apartment, according to the report .
The woman, confessed to police during a recorded interview that she and her boyfriend, whom police also arrested, came up with the idea after watching a news report "about craigslist and prostitution," the officer wrote in his report.
"We came up with this idea where we would do the same thing, but rather than go through with the physical act or sexual act, that we would just take the money," the woman told investigators, according to a summary of the confession.
"We just figured they're ... losers anyway ... they deserve to have their money taken, because, not that they deserve it, I know that it's wrong, but if you're stupid enough to pay somebody, then you're stupid enough to get your money taken," police quoted her as saying.
She was in Lawrence District Court yesterday facing charges of sexual conduct for a fee, deriving support from prostitution, attempting to commit a crime (unarmed robbery) and conspiracy. Police arrested her after an undercover operation last Monday.
They released the woman on her own recognizance from the police station after she paid a $40 fee. She was supposed to show up in court the following day - last Tuesday - but she didn't, so a judge issued a warrant for her arrest.
The woman didn't go to court because she spent the week at a facility for people in need of mental health and substance abuse services, her attorney said in court yesterday.
She suffers from manic depression and schizophrenia, her attorney also said.
She had an "episode" after her arrest, and her mother took her to the hospital - and nobody told police where she was. She stayed there until yesterday, when her health insurance expired. she had to leave the hospital because she had no insurance, so her social worker called the police and let them know she was there. The police picked her up and brought her to court, the atty. said during an interview after the arraignment.
The assistant District Attorney asked the judge to order Madera held on $5,000 cash bail. Her lawyer argued for personal recognizance.
The judge set bail at $500 cash, and a member of her family posted it for her. The woman and another woman declined to comment outside the courthouse.
But she said plenty to police, according to the reports.
She said she and her boyfriend and co-defendant, "Benny" ran the scam on about 10 men over a course of about five months, according to the interview summary.
Benny and his brother were also arrested. Benny's brother told police he had only participated in the scheme a couple of times but knew his brother and the woman did it several times without him. He said he did it because he received a cut of the money, the police report said.
The brother said the men looking for sex were easy targets for a robbery, "because they wouldn't report it," the report said.
The woman told police the scam yielded $80 in some cases and $150 in others. She said she spent the stolen money on food and bills
Police said they learned about the scam when a victim e-mailed police on Sept. 28 and tipped them off to the situation. He told them he was robbed of more than $200, and he worried the same thing would happen to other people. Police conducted an undercover operation where they called the phone number in the craigslist.com advertisement and set up an appointment.
During the undercover operation, the officer went to the apartment last Monday. the woman took him into the bedroom, asked him if he was a police officer and offered to have sex with him, and he gave her $160. She left the room, saying she was getting a condom. Then, the brothers walked in and confronted the officer in a "threatening manner and tone of voice," the report said.
Three officers arrived for backup, and police arrested the trio. The woman told them her 13-year-old son was in the back bedroom. Police called the state Department of Social Services, who later placed the boy into custody with relatives, police said.
The lawyer, questioned the charge of deriving support from a prostitute because there was no sex taking place, and he questioned the charge of attempting to commit a crime because the brothers never demanded money from the officer.
The brothers appeared in court last week and are being held on $2,000 cash bail, according to court documents. They are due back in court on Friday. The woman is due back in court Nov. 8.
OK SOME LIGHTER FARE .....
FIREFIGHTER TRAGEDY AND TRAVESTY
Our view: Firefighter autopsies raise important questions
There's no question that Boston firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne died doing their jobs, fighting a blaze in a West Roxbury Chinese restaurant.
But information from autopsy reports suggesting that Cahill had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system while Payne had traces of cocaine in his raise important questions both in this case and about firefighters in general. Among them are:
* Did the presence of the intoxicants in the firefighters' systems inhibit their performance and contribute to their deaths?
* If so, are their families still entitled to the $400,000 in federal and state benefits paid to survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty?
* How extensive is drug and alcohol abuse among on-duty firefighters and to what degree does that threaten public safety?
* Does the hero cult that firefighters encourage prevent the public from discovering answers to these important questions?
Last week, someone with access to information about the firefighters' autopsies leaked that information to the Boston media. The firefighters union sought an injunction prohibiting the publication or broadcast of the toxicology reports on the grounds that autopsies are not public records. A court sided with the union but the injunction was overturned on appeal.
According to published reports, Cahill's blood-alcohol level was 0.27 - more than three times the legal limit of 0.08. Payne had traces of cocaine and marijuana in his system, the stories said. Payne and Cahill were killed when the grease-fueled Aug. 29 restaurant fire erupted in an explosion.
It's difficult to say what effect the "traces" of drugs in Payne's system had on his judgment. But a person with a 0.27 blood-alcohol level, as Cahill's report is said to show, is impaired well beyond the legal standard for operating an automobile. It is unlikely that someone that intoxicated was in full control of his mind or body.
Federal law provides a survivors' benefit of just over $300,000 for public safety officers killed in the line of duty. State law adds $100,000 on top of that. But the federal law expressly forbids payment when the deceased is shown to have been voluntarily intoxicated or to be under the influence of drugs. Clearly, by law, the benefits should not be paid. But given the political realities of this case, don't expect anyone to stop payment on the checks.
A Boston paper found that 10 percent of the city's firefighters were forced to undergo substance abuse treatment over the past three years. What are the rates for our local fire departments? Clearly, the Boston incident makes a strong case for mandatory, random drug and alcohol checks for all firefighters.
Anyone who raises questions about firefighters' performance can expect a backlash, led by the firefighters themselves. Firefighters are "heroes" who "risk their lives every day" to save the rest of us from certain death. It is certainly true that firefighters have dangerous jobs and many perform heroic deeds.
But firefighters are well paid, both during their careers and into retirement, for providing this public service. The public has a right to expect that those they pay to provide this protection are doing so free from the influence of alcohol and drugs.
And that's why it is important to discuss this story, despite contrary claims that it besmirches the good names of two men killed in service to their community.
I respectfully disagree with the writer of this article. These two guys died a horrible death and his "read between the lines" approach in this article makes me mad.
As most of you know from reading previous posts, I have the utmost respect for the hosedraggers but there is always a rilvary between the guns and hoses and from that rivalry comes my credo of "Everyone loves firefighters" kinda my take on the Mom always loved you best deal.
I have been listening to this story gain momentum on talk radio for the past week (its been a slow news cycle I guess)
If the firefighter was intoxicated he screwed up BIGTIME. Not his family. His family has been devestated by the loss of their (husband/father)
And for some bean counter to save a few bucks on this familys grief is unconsionable (and I believe) That the illegal leaking of the autopsy info was intentionally meant to further or bolster their argument for not paying out to the families. I firmly believe that it was not the selfless intention of the leaker to inform the public of rampant substance abuse or bring about change in the firehouse. It always comes down to the stack of Benjamin's (cash) And a media that profits (in ratings) from such a tradgedy only makes me realize that Don Henly hit it right on the nose with his song "dirty laundry"
The questions need to be answered. And I believe that an investigation needs to be done on the fire officials and rank but they need to investigate find and expose the leak as well. If their intentions were so noble then why are they un-named sources? If justice is served by denying these families the pensions of professional firefighters. Then justice will not be complete until the leak is also brought to trial.
In my opinion there is no place for intoxicated firefighters, cops or any person who is entrusted with keeping people safe. But if this guy was as they are reporting an 0.27 BAC (which is 3x the legal limit here) then someone HAD to have known. He should have never been let into that firehouse in that condition (if the allegations are true) I'd like to know why every drunk dirtbag I have to deal with "has a legitimate problem, is a victim of their circumstances and should not be judged by society, but if the person in question is a professional, has a job, and is not spounging off the welfare system then they are fair game
I know I am going to piss a few people off, and I do not mean to diminish the sacrifices made by these two brave firefighters.But I am going to throw down the race card here as well.
One of the firefighters was black and the other was white, the white firefighter was allegedly drunk and the black firefighter allegedly had cocaine and marijuana in his system. In the Pollitically Correct Peoples Republic of Massachusetts, you would have to search really hard to find someone voicing concerns or outrage over the cocaine or marijuana but whenever you turn on an am radio station or tv your immediately immersed in info about the drunk Irish Firefighter.
I hate it when people play the race card, but damn if everyone else is going to....
And I'm just calling it as I see it (I invite anyone to check the Boston radio and tv stations and prove me wrong)
Furthermore seeing the Illiterate (seriously folks he needs hooked on phonix) Boston Mayor (who I absolutely dispise with a passion) Backpeddaling away from and demonizing these guys and basically cutting their families hearts out with his recent rhetoric now to save pollitical face (after semi eloquently eulogizing them just weeks ago) really makes my blood boil.
This entire situation was a tragedy. If the allegations are true, then it was a preventable tragedy. Nothing more nothing less and certainly not media fodder. I see what guys just like these guys do on a daily basis. And between you me and the lamp post I wouldn't do their job for a million bucks.
REALLY FUNNY (OFF COLOR BUT HILLIARIOUS)
One of the guys at work showed me this one and I just had to share......
Illustrating my point from last post...
I saw this on Yahoo and it is a perfect illustration of whatI was talking about in my last post. As much as I like Yahoo and its content, this video was put up and there were poll questions
- Should this man have been arrested?
- Should he have been tazered?
My answers are as follows:
- I wasnt one of the officers so I can not say 100 percent definitavely, but reading tactics and body language and knowing protocall and such, it does not appear as if the guy was originally placed under arrest. It appears to me that protocall (as well as the statement by officials in the story) that there was an allotted time limit to all questions, this guy went over that time allotment, those in charge attempted to non-physically diffuse the situation by cutting off the power to his microphone. He refused to yield and began to yell his question out, and his anger began to escalate, he saw security and officers moving towards him and began to move around, becoming very animated in his attempt to evade police involvement. (Now, does anyone believe that if these cops are the jackbooted thugs that they are being portrayed as, that they would care whether or not John Kerry answered the skull and bones society question? or is the conspiracy theory being floated that any skull and bones questions required censorship at all costs?) If you read the police officers body language as they approach, none of them are foaming at the mouth, none are jacked up, they are simply doing what they were trained to do. Keep order in a public venue, keep the multitude of people safe, and remove anyone who is becoming disorderly. He was originally just being removed for his disruptive behavior, when he began to flail his arms it became a safety issue. At that point an arrest has to be made. So Yes he should have been arrested with out a doubt. At any point and time he could have stopped resisting and once outside the hall registered his complaints with whom ever he wanted to. He at some point wanted to challenge authority. And thats fine, but if you issue a challenge, it will be met. Don't bitch when it is.
- Ok if you watch the video closely, once he is at the back of the hall he physically shoves a cop, he is surrounded, he does not comply at any point, so he has shown that he is agressive, if he is given any leeway at that point, he will more than likely fight. He has shown that he does not intend to voluntarily leave before he has made his point. There are several people in the immediate vicinity that could get injured or involved if he does start fighting (can we say the 1968 Chicago Convention?) So we now know that verbal requests and commands didn't work, physical confrontation could result in innocent people getting injured, OC or Pepperspray will contaminate the area causing panic and a possible rush for the door (so that people can get fresh air) which could result in even greater injury. The only way to swiftly and safely diffuse the situation is the taser. So yes he should have been tased.
I find it interesting that even though John Kerry should have known the protocalls for the meeting, he decides to publicly rebuke the officers who are doing their duty by trying to command them to let the guy speak. (he had already gotten his question out John, I never saw you answer it on the video?) And by the way you were paid to speak not make command decisions. Again John Kerry shows that in his world he can pick and choose what rules to follow and which to skip. And this guy in the audience is just following John Kerrys lead.
I also find it interesting that after shoving a police officer this guy starts yelling police brutality.
The ENFORCER HAS GONE CARTOON
I found a neat place where you can make your own avatar and take pictures in all kinds of neat places Here.
I checked it out and really like it If you couldnt tell by the new look to the Blog Title. So hopefully the Enforcerblog will be more colorful from now on with some neat pics.
If anyone checks this place out, lemme know your avatar name and I'll give you a hand navigating the place
Editors Note: There was some creative liberties taken when it comes to the Enforcerweight. Translation= I made myself skinnier in the cartoon form So sue me.....
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