So a guest called me a racist yesterday,

[Jaws_Skipper]

on my ride we have 2 different kinds of rv's: regular ones with 8 rows of 6 seats, and ADA boats with 7 rows of 6 and a row of 4 plus space for a wheelchair. At the time I was working both pre-board and load, and I had loaded up a the proper amount for a regular boat which is what showed up, aonly to have it's radio fault and need to be taken off. all this gets done and the next boat comes to load, an ADA boat. I open the gates as usual and immediately start preboarding the next boat. when I notice that two people in row 7 are standing next to a row and that there was no more room on the boat. I approach the woman and asked her if she'd be willing to step back behind the gates so that I could dispatch the boat and get her on the next one. and she just opened the flood gates, berating me for Yadda yadda yadda this and that but moved behind the gate. I dispatched the boat and tried to reason with her. What had actually happened was that the folks that didnt have a seat in row 8 moved to row 7 and took this lady's seat (a fact that became clear to me after the altercation) my head was still trying to figure out what the F#$& happened when she starts yelling at me for not moving people outta row 7 for her and that she had an express pass so she deserved special treatment. Then she droped the bomb, saying that I let the folks steal her seat because she was "black" and the other folks were "fat, white" people and accusing me that the entire event was motivated completely on my part because she believed me a racist. I excused myself at this point because I'm still developing my SG "armor" so to speak and got a lead involved.

all that happened was that I was that we had 2 people too many in a row and i tried to do what I could to get the boat out and bring another one in, thats all. but this SG had to play the damn race card.

if this didnt make sense, im sorry I'm still really pissed at that woman for insulting me the way she did.

[Big Wallaby]

Hi Jaws,

I could comment on quite a few things here, but I want to focus on the last thing you said. By becoming upset, an understandable response, you did let her play you a little. It's good you got your lead involved and passed her up the chain, so to speak. However, I would have to say one of the important things here is to not take it personally. There were things you didn't realize going on, and therefore things of which you were not in control. It's similar to if I pulled up in a bus and someone thought I was racist because their skin color is different from mine and the last bus was there 45 minutes ago, and I must have been waiting to come because I am racist. Never mind the circumstance that I went there per dispatch, and it's because of the dispatcher that the resort or stop they are standing at hasn't been serviced recently, that makes me racist.

At that point, the guest was taking her frustration about the situation out on you, and personalizing it in a way meant to push your buttons, just as it would be meant to push anyone's buttons. To be called racist is a horrible stigma, and as such is used to cut. Basically, if you know you are not racist, and you do not judge her differently because her skin color is different than yours, then you are not racist by any good definition. You have to know that and hold onto that, or else it will get to you, and you will find yourself analyzing yourself every time someone says something nasty about you. As one of my trainers told me the first day of driving training (yesterday), "I don't care what your opinion of me is. If you don't like me, [BLANK] you. I don't have to eat with you, drink with you, go home to you or sleep with you. At the end of the day, I don't really even know you." Some drivers here will recognize exactly whom I speak of.

On the issue of people crowding into the wrong line, use this as an example of how guests will go about not following directions at any turn they are allowed to do so. While that is not your fault, it is something of which to be vigilant. That group wasn't the first, and I would bet money if I had it that they won't be the last. I am sure your leaders would have good advice in this regard

It sounds like you are new at this, as am I. But I believe my advice is sound: Don't take anything any guest says personally, unless it's something you want to take personally, like a thank you or a hug.

[Jaws_Skipper]

thanx for the advice.
the lady's still stuck in my head but I aint mad anymore at least.

you would have thought that 4 years in the armed forces woulda prepared me for something like that but oh well; tomorrow's another day. :)

[Big Wallaby]

First, thank you for your service. I can't say enough for and about our soldiers.

When you're in the field and it's bullets, it's not personal. You're just a target, and it's "just" the business of war.

An insult by a guest is always personal. They want to put the bad things that happen on someone's shoulders, and you are the first person with a nametag they see. Solution to their problem: It's your fault.

[hobie16]

Two responses. "That madam is merely your opinion.”

As Richard Pryor responded while sticking a .38 into a guy's face after being called a “damn nigger” in Silver Streak, “I oughtta slap the taste right outta your mouth.”

I like the second but the first should keep you out of trouble.

[Jaws_Skipper]

yeah, I dont think I've been there long enough to get away with that.

[AlpineDL]

"Sorry, you're obviously nice people who don't steal other people's seats. Those folks weren't, so I'll get you on the next boat and make sure the right seats are set up."

Works every time. The "you're obviously nice" part completely deflates any impending tantrum.

[darph nader]

Reminds me of years ago.
Customer comes to rent a tile saw. I exlpain about the blade wear charges.So far,so good.
Sure as shit he goes over the minimum charge.
He storms into the office,and tells the secretary that "He hates Mexicans". :mad:
The secretary,(who's native american,btw) tells him, "That would be a 'good' trick,he's married to a Mexican".
He ponied up. :rolleyes:

[Driver_dylan]

I will give you the secret phrase that at jaws will defuse all from back in my days as a skipper pulling doubles at Jaws and EQ. Look the guest in the eyes and say the following. "I'm sorry, but that boat didn't have the proper chum, I mean Life vests for you." :twisted:
It sounds strainge and by the time they figure out what you might have ment by it, the next boat is there. Try it.
PS: Don't forget the golden rule at Jaws, Don't bash Red Lobster. :D:
PPS: Tell Tim, DC Says Hi :cool:

[ktulu]

Look the guest in the eyes and say the following. "I'm sorry, but that boat didn't have the proper chum, I mean Life vests for you."

That is assuming the SG even knows what chum is and how it relates to sharks :)

[mechurchlady]

A CM should have seen the boat and told the guests in row 8 to wait.

The guests in row 8 should have gotten the attention of a CM and pointed out the lack of seats.

When the above did not happen then one of the guests in row 7 should have gotten the attention of a CM and pointed out the lack of seats and stated that guests in row 8 had taken those seats.

The guest in row 7 pulled the race card when she should not have. It is just a ride and not housing, work or other important things. Race card had nothing to do with this matter. If all the CMs and guests were very similar in height, weight, race, skin colour, etc then this would have still been an ugly scene.

Some people learn as kids to throw fits when they do not get their way. Ask Zazu, Polar and other people who have worked with guests or have even just been around guests. Some are passive aggressive where they do not complain outwardly but boy do they give you lots of hints that you were wrong. Some flip out over the littlest things and make big scenes.

All you could do is firmly but nicely state you did not know the boat was short seats or that the people in row 8 took the seats in row 7. I bet a free t-shirt would have shut her up fast. As a guest, a volunteer, and having worked with the public i can tell you that you cannot let people get to you. I been called a lot of things and have had the race card pulled on me. It is sad that people use race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, size, gender, sexual orientation and age as being the reason someone did something wrong. It also makes legitimate claims be ignored or given little value.

You were right to get a lead since you were being pushed to hard. I guess I am going old and hardened to the crud people dish out.

[ktulu]

I'd have told the person, "I don't hate your race, I just hate you."

[leftcoaster]

I'd have told the person, "I don't hate your race, I just hate you."

Or, "I'm not racist. I hate everybody."

[LittleDollClaudia]

"All you can eat chum. CHUMMMMMMM!"

It's just sad how many people try to use the race card. I have been at the brunt of that a few times. Right now, we are dealing with at my work, my "new" General Manager (my sixth one so far ;) ) who has a major issue with anyone that is not Asian. She had the nerve to tell a Middle Eastern gentleman we were not hiring and that this may not be the place for him. Anyone who knows the situation at my work knows that was total BS. We are in the same boat as DL. The turnover here is ridiculous...

[darph nader]

If that gentleman had had that comment on tape,she would be in deep shit. (providing she's still there)

[ucfsweetie82]

Don't let it get to you. You will have a lot of guests that will try to pull anything to get something. If someone is like that always get a lead involved. During our downtime the other day I got informed I ruined about ten vacations and a couple saying I personally broke the ride because I was standing there. Like I said just smile, be as nice as possible and get a lead involved when necessary.
Other than that enjoy doing tours of our beautiful amity island. We see lots of big mean dolphins. :D:

[Freak]

Ahhh people who call you racist because something doesnt go their way. Good times. *flashbacks*

(Sorta OT, but at the same time on topic as well)
Over at the Mine Ride our cars can hold 10 adults per car, a total of 50 per train. On busy days I usually group almost automatically. A big problem is when you get people who either want the back or the front (which I dont see why, the ride is the same one no matter where you sit). That can throw you off. But being a (usually) nice person I do usually try to accomodate them. So when I do try and help them out, you can sometimes have "gaps" in the other cars where you can fit a quick 2 or 3 guests inside said car no problem. People sure love to get all angry just because they have to share a car with 5 or 6 other people when theres still plenty of room to go around in that car. Which leads me to my favorite.

I had a half full car and had a train that needed to get out of the station ASAP because I had two other mine trains stacking behind it. I asked for two and got a couple who said theyd go on. They come in, but turn their noses up saying "Oh theres NO way you could EVER fit us in there blah blah blah..."

I tone them out, lock the car, get the train out of there. Next train comes in and I let everyone in. I had a party of 8 that was looking for some room. Well, luckily that party of two took a car, and as we all know...8+2=10. I toss the 8 to their car and keep loading. About 20 seconds later I notice that the 8 are still on the dock not getting in the car. I walked over and checked it out. The lady was refusing the 8 to sit in the car with her. She even closed and locked the door so the 8 couldnt enter the car! I was a little more than shocked and kindly told the lady that theres enough room and the maximum capacity is 10 guests per car.

She then goes "Well I dont care either way, just because Im black doesnt mean you can stick me with a whole bunch of people in here. Im not going to let you put them in here."

I sort of just looked at her with a "Damn lady, you must be stupid!" look on my face. I immediately unlocked the car, apologized to the 8, and put them in there. The lady then goes "Of course youd apologize to the white folk but you couldnt care less that youre making a couple of blacks get squeezed in here, you racist son of a *$%$#.

I quickly turned around and said, "Well ma'am, if you would have gotten in the car that only had 5 guests instead of 8, you wouldnt be in this situation right now, would you?" And smiled. Apparently she didnt like that. The only thing that made me more sad was that I didnt get to drive that train. Oh it wouldve been a nice slow 15 minute trip. :D: (8 minutes is a standard trip)

Apparently when they got to the unload dock, she cussed the driver out for driving too slow, and then started bitching about how I was a racist mother*#$@er. She wasnt allowed on the ride for the rest of the day. :D:

Its a shame that you have to play the race card because YOU dont get what YOU want and its obviously because YOU are a different color than everyone else. Ugh.

[mechurchlady]

The sad thing is that the race card is just one of a large deck of cards. It could be because of race, religion, looks, size, clothing, or speech patterns.

The woman had in her mind the idea that it was one party per car. She did not want to share the car with others because it was one per party. That was her dream. Since she was a kid she has been allowed to cuss out people and throw fits to get her way even if it is church, school or an amusement park.

She could have been cussing you out if she was pregnant or a dwarf. They will find something , anything to show that they were singled out for being reprimanded, fined, put in jail, or denied something.

It ruins it for people who are truly discriminated against. Watching people you sometimes see preferences but usually not. The white kid got picked to go on stage because it was energetic and yelling "Me, pick me, please" for example. Lots of cards for them to pull out and wap people with.

[LucyintheSky]

I had something very similar happen to me. It was years ago, but I still remember it. I was the greeter at Ariel's Grotto. Ariel left at 7, a couple hours before the rest of the park. It was nearly 7, and the character greeter came out to talk about when I should close the chain to the area, so the line would be gone by 7. At the time, I closed the chain. A minute or two after, a woman and a little girl who had been in the line came up to me, and the woman asked if she could take her daughter to the restroom and come back in, her husband was holding their place in line. I said, Sure, of course, and let them out.

A few minutes later, they came back, and I opened the chain and let them in. Right after them came a family. I closed the chain and said to them my speil of, "Sorry, Ariel's Grotto is closed for the night, but she will be back at 9am tomorrow." The father said, "But you just let those people in!" I said, "No, they were in line before, she was taking the little girl to the restroom while her husband stayed in line." He got VERY aggitated and right away started yelling at me that I had let the other woman in because she was white, and I wouldn't let them in because they were black. He just went on and on.

I was totally stunned, and at first didn't know what to do. There's no phone at Ariels, unless you go inside Scuttle's landing, which means leaving the entrance unattended. And people would just let themselves in or duck under the chain if there was no one there, when they'd see other people in line. I tried to reason with him, but he didn't want to hear it. I know that he was probably tired after a long day, but I had never been called racist before, and it really upset me. The family actually just stood there for awhile, watching me tell other people the same thing I'd told them. It's like they were waiting to "catch" me letting in more white people. Finally they just went away. :(

[Freak]

^ See, when they stick around to "watch" and stuff like that, its total BS. Its like theyre trying to build a case against you. So dumb.

There were times when I wasnt as nice as I was at Mine Ride. When I had to work Xcelerator, we had a front car only line, which serviced four guests at a time per train. On a busy day, youd get hordes of SGs whining to you about the front car line. Just some of my responses to them. (At XC, you had to have a much harsher attitude because you basically got b*tched at every 30 seconds)

"Why is this line so slow?"-Its the front car line. It serves ONE car.
"Well why didnt I see a sign for that?"-You mean the two HUGE yellow signs and the BRIGHT pink one that told you this line was for the front? I dunno, maybe you need glasses.
"Well I thought it meant the first three cars."-Why on earth would you even begin to think that!? It says front CAR, not front three cars.
"Well will you let me jump over the line and get in that one?"-Uhhh. NO. Because thats what we call line jumping. And if I see you do that, Ill call security and have you escorted out.
"Can I use this emergency exit?"-Sure, if you have an actual emergency. And no, not wanting to wait for the front car is not one of them.

Now my utmost favorite is when we had to hold cars for HCs. It was always cool when you had a white groups car being held for a black HC group, or vice versa. Actually, I found that the black groups were much more understandable to having an HC take their car (There were exceptions but for the most part it was true, except for those ghetto trash who thought they ruled the park because they were "o-pressed.")

I remember when I informed a white party that a group was taking their car this trip, and they said "Okay whatever." Apparently one didnt hear the conversation and asked someone why they had to wait. The response was golden. "Some dumb n*gger group is taking our car this time. Its some sort of bull sh*t." I shot them a look and happily told them that they dont get to ride anymore, and the next train through theyre crossing over the train and directing themselves RIGHT to the exit.

Apparently even the SGs can be racist, too.

[LucyintheSky]

I remember when I informed a white party that a group was taking their car this trip, and they said "Okay whatever." Apparently one didnt hear the conversation and asked someone why they had to wait. The response was golden. "Some dumb n*gger group is taking our car this time. Its some sort of bull sh*t." I shot them a look and happily told them that they dont get to ride anymore, and the next train through theyre crossing over the train and directing themselves RIGHT to the exit.

Apparently even the SGs can be racist, too.



OMG! People make me so mad! Ooh, did you really tell them to leave? That's awesome! And did they? I mean, did they try to argue or put up a fight or anything? I can't imagine SG's like that just saying, "okay, we'll just leave because you told us to."

[Freak]

^ Yeah, apparently nobody ever wants to mess with a 6'3" guy. They tried to argue, and I just stepped up to them, and they shrunk down and left.

[LucyintheSky]

Hehe, that's true! I know what you mean. I'm 6'0". That's REALLY tall for a girl! :D:

[felinefan]

Once, when I was operating Woodstock's Airmail, I had some HC's--apparently learning disabled, not physically handicapped--enter through the exit(standard procedure) and ride. They were white, and a black lady was standing outside the fence, seeing them ride ahead of everyone, including her group at the gate. She wanted to know why they got to go ahead, and I explained that people with handicap passes got to go ahead. She said, "They don't look handicapped to me." I calmly explained to her that not all handicaps are visible, and as long as the state of California recognizes a person's condition as a handicap, they get an HC pass. Furthermore, I pointed out, we weren't allowed to ask what their "problem" is. Well, she still wasn't too happy, but I don't remember her specifically pulling the race card. I have, however, had non-white guests try to cause trouble just because I'm white and they're not. Once I was at Huff'N'Puff, and a batch of kids were pumping the cars around the track; as they approached the load area, I told them to stop, but a couple of kids kept pumping. This one Mexican kid got out of his car, the other kids were still pumping despite my repeated requests to stop and attempts to block the train with my foot, and this resulted in the kid getting knocked down. Well, of course his mom blames me and says that I pushed him down, and I tried to tell her it was the kids, but she refused to listen. Later, near closing, I was asked to help out at Red Baron, and that bitch was there. She asked me why Knott's doesn't stay open until midnight like Disneyland does, and being tired and unable to think of anything else to say, I told her it was because this isn't Disneyland. She of course said I was rude to her and was going to report me. Next day I got called into the rides office and got bawled out over what I'd said. And if anyone here is a current or former Knott's RO, you know who the rides department manager is, and what a total asshole he is, initials J.T.. The stupid woman was obviously looking to cause trouble, but that was nothing compared to that woman and her two goons that jumped me at the Calico RR one night at closing, the account of which I believe I already have posted. Unfortunately, I don't have the advantage of above-average height; for some reason, whenever I try to project authority, I get flipped the bird and yelled at. And some people have told me in times past that I'd make a great leader! I don't think so.

[Freak]

^ I wonder if thats the same one who promised me a leave of absence, and then tried to build a case against me to get me fired. Then after quitting he had the balls to ask my girlfriend (who is on her way out as well) how Im doing. Sure sounds like the same guy. :)

[tskbf2005]

^ I wonder if thats the same one who promised me a leave of absence, and then tried to build a case against me to get me fired. Then after quitting he had the balls to ask my girlfriend (who is on her way out as well) how Im doing. Sure sounds like the same guy. :)oh i was alpha 32 he will use someone until they get tired and mis treat one guest AFTER WORKING A 14 HOUR SHIFT

[WildGrits]

"Sorry, you're obviously nice people who don't steal other people's seats. Those folks weren't, so I'll get you on the next boat and make sure the right seats are set up."

Works every time. The "you're obviously nice" part completely deflates any impending tantrum.

I think this is a awesome response to the situation.

I doubt I would have come up with it in a pinch.

It identifies the customers feeling of betrayel by commenting on the poor behavior of the other customers. And it also is set to let the customer know that you don't feel that they deserve the treatment they received.

They might still be upset after that but atleast they are aware that they weren't intentially left behind.

[CBeilby]

And if anyone here is a current or former Knott's RO, you know who the rides department manager is, and what a total asshole he is, initials J.T.

When did he get demoted? When I left he was Park 2, IIRC. And this was nine years ago.

[svickersart]

As my GF says, "kill them with kindness". Be as nice as you can no matter what, it tends to piss the real A-holes off when they cant get a reaction out of you and they cant complain you were anything but nice and professional. And always thank the guest/customer.
Steve

[strlnblue]

On this topic, one thing to note: if a Mexican pulls the race issue, I can point out that other Hispanics living in Mexico moan frequently about discrimination in that country. I found it even more shocking that differences in skin color determine how that country treats people. The "white" Mexicans are the ones with all the money, jobs, etc. The ones with black hair and brown skin or from other nations in South America are treated so badly that they go north. They are called Mestizos. Interesting. Next time, remember that when Mexico calls the US racist. They're absolutely no better than us!

[mechurchlady]

Strinblue you are right about the racism in Latin America. It also happens in other countries like Viet Nam where the Hmong are second class people. It is everywhere but we Americans tend to point it out more. In Egypt the Copts are treated as third class citizens because of the religion.

[Randy B]

I am at work in a radio station that is broadcasting the BBC at this moment. Just as I was reading this topic, they had a report about a guy filling in a form for some official doccument. When the person filling in the form asked "Race?" the reporter replied "Human". The official looked him up and down, and decide that he couldn't dispute that response (the fact that the reporter was double his size, may have had something to do with that response). Then the next question came out. "Religion?" The Reponse, "Jedi". A blink, and another glance, and that was what was put on the form! :D:

Randy

[darph nader]

I am at work in a radio station that is broadcasting the BBC at this moment. Just as I was reading this topic, they had a report about a guy filling in a form for some official doccument. When the person filling in the form asked "Race?" the reporter replied "Human". The official looked him up and down, and decide that he couldn't dispute that response (the fact that the reporter was double his size, may have had something to do with that response). Then the next question came out. "Religion?" The Reponse, "Jedi". A blink, and another glance, and that was what was put on the form! :D:

Randy

I remember reading/hearing during the 2000 census,something like 70,000 people in Austrailia put down Jedi Knight as their relgion.The minister was 'pissed' and threatened to put them all in jail.

[BRWombat]

I am at work in a radio station that is broadcasting the BBC at this moment. Just as I was reading this topic, they had a report about a guy filling in a form for some official doccument. When the person filling in the form asked "Race?" the reporter replied "Human". The official looked him up and down, and decide that he couldn't dispute that response (the fact that the reporter was double his size, may have had something to do with that response). Then the next question came out. "Religion?" The Reponse, "Jedi". A blink, and another glance, and that was what was put on the form! :D: A friend of mine in college loved to answer questions like that with "Nunya." When he got the inevitable curious look, he'd explain:

"Nunya business." :D:

[mechurchlady]

I remember reading/hearing during the 2000 census,something like 70,000 people in Austrailia put down Jedi Knight as their relgion.The minister was 'pissed' and threatened to put them all in jail.
During the US 1990"'s I worked for the Census and we had coding problems. Darker Dutch and Irish put "Black Dutch" and "Black Irish" so they were listed as half black/african american and half dutch or irish. Mich is an abbreviaton for Michoacan and Michigan so tons of Mexicans go listed as being born in Michigan.

[DisneyMom]

Ummmm....One of my patients told me his religion was Wiccan....

[ktulu]

Ummmm....One of my patients told me his religion was Wiccan....

I worked with a girl who was "wiccan". We always wondered if it was against her religion to wash or brush her hair. She was, uh, not attractive...

[Kwahati]

The US military (and I would assume, by logical extension, the US government) recognizes Wicca as a legitimate religion. I know this because there was a kid in my basic training flight who was a Wiccan and he got to go to some sort of class/gathering when everyone else would go to "religious study" of their choice. Unfortunately, they didn't have any Wiccan chaplains at basic, so he didn't get to go to church (I'm ignorant of what Wicaans call their places of worship) when everyone else did, however I believe he was allowed to worship in his own way for that hour, he just had to do it in the dorm. All I know is that he was one of the nicest guys in my flight and he managed to remain nice despite all the ridiculous taunts of other guys (calling him a vampire and crap like that) at the beginning. By the end, everyone loved the guy and would do whatever we could for him to make sure he graduated with us! [At basic training, everyone is guaranteed one hour of religious study and one hour of worship per week. Yay freedom of religion!]

[leftcoaster]

The US military (and I would assume, by logical extension, the US government) recognizes Wicca as a legitimate religion.

Wasn't there some bruhaha a few months ago where the family of a soldier who was killed in Iraq wanted to put Wiccan religious symbols on his gravestone and the government initially objected. After some public outcry, I believe the government relented.

[Kwahati]

Wasn't there some bruhaha a few months ago where the family of a soldier who was killed in Iraq wanted to put Wiccan religious symbols on his gravestone and the government initially objected. After some public outcry, I believe the government relented.

Doesn't shock me. Just because the government guarantees something, doesn't mean all the people in the government are smart enough to know how to deal with that guarantee. A prime example: I'm ordained as a minister and I officiated some weddings for some people while I was stationed in Monterey, CA. The AF chaplain out there (a Christian) called me into his office, which was not all that unusual as we were pretty friendly even though his religion is not my religion, and started asking me about the weddings I had done. Basically, he was concerned that people were getting married because you get paid extra and can live off base (instead of in crappy dorms) I freely answered questions until he tried to say that I shouldn't be doing weddings. First he tried to say it was outside employment (which I was not authorized to have at the time), and then he said something about that the Air Force trusts him to do weddings so other people shouldn't be doing them around that base! I said with a wink and a smile "Sir, if I didn't know better, I'd say it sounds like you're telling me I can't freely practice my religion." That stopped it right there. Sometimes you just have to spell it out for people and they'll be like "Oh, crap! I'm in the middle of committing a major league EO [equal opportunity] violation!" Most government people know that's bad and will stop rather than get reported to an Inspector Genral. I liked Chaplain Dyson, so I really had to give him a chance to quit it rather than running to file paperwork like a whiny little jerk. (You can tell I did like him a lot because this is like 5 years ago now, and I still remember his name!)

[hobie16]

At basic training, everyone is guaranteed one hour of religious study and one hour of worship per week. Yay freedom of religion!I must have been beerish as my religious time in basic was spent at the PX getting hammered and singing Sky Pilot.

[darph nader]

I must have been beerish as my religious time in basic was spent at the PX getting hammered and singing Sky Pilot.

I've been there,and I wasn't even in the military. That and "In the Garden of Eden". (I think that was the name of the song)??? :rolleyes:

[Main Streeter]

Wasn't there some bruhaha a few months ago where the family of a soldier who was killed in Iraq wanted to put Wiccan religious symbols on his gravestone and the government initially objected. After some public outcry, I believe the government relented.Yes left, this was on CNN often. The soldier's family was finally given permission. This is only my view - if a soldier is fighting Bush's war - the family is entitled to any type service, & no religious stone symbol should be denied. :memribbon: Ok....I'm ready for flames.

[Kwahati]

if a soldier is fighting Bush's war - the family is entitled to any type service, & no religious stone symbol should be denied. :memribbon: Ok....I'm ready for flames.

Um...I don't think any flames are forthcoming. I agree with your sentiment, but more so because it's constitutionally guaranteed (I'm a big fan of that particular document...a lot of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines forget this, but it's what we took an oath to defend from all enemies, foreign and domestic...obeying orders from the president comes after defending the constitution in the oath and in order of precedence!). [Note: I would never encourage, condone or engage in any sort of insurrection, acts of treason or civil disturbance. However, between this post and the kiddie rides and kitty shaving, you know there are lots of government agencies with three letter acronyms for names watching this board now!] MS: I very much agree with the sentiment of doing anything we can to provide comfort and support to anyone who's unfortunate enough to get deployed into this debacle. The other day, I was helping to out-process a major who was heading to the sandbox the next day. He hadn't been given proper instructions for out-processing, and there was a time crunch at the end due to the screw-ups of others. There was a good chance that he wasn't going to be able to bring his archived email with him if I didn't do something so I ended up sprinting down to radioshack to buy DVD+R's. Everyone around me was saying "you don't need to do that, we're not supposed to pay out of pocket for office supplies and they don't give us writable DVD's so it's the army's problem." All the major said was "Thank you." I know that he had at least one email in there from his daughter. I wish he didn't have to go; that we as a nation hadn't screwed up again and re-elected this moron. But since he does have to go, I'm sending a message from his daughter with him. That was worth it to me.

[hobie16]

Yes left, this was on CNN often. The soldier's family was finally given permission. This is only my view - if a soldier is fighting Bush's war - the family is entitled to any type service, & no religious stone symbol should be denied. :memribbon: Ok....I'm ready for flames.Absoutely!! The only thing I'd change is any war.

[Randy B]

I've been there,and I wasn't even in the military. That and "In the Garden of Eden". (I think that was the name of the song)??? :rolleyes:

It would have been if you haddn't kept passing the lead singer more beers until he couldn't pronounce those tricky words. :)

I guess we can make a good case to blame Darph for Inna Godda... Right? :D:

Randy

[Main Streeter]

Dude, I invented the friggin' iPhone. Have you heard of it? This echos shades of Gore. :D: LOVE the cartoon you posted! :cool: Wish I had an Apple laptop!!

[ktulu]

This echos shades of Gore. :D: LOVE the cartoon you posted! :cool: Wish I had an Apple laptop!!

I just had to turn in my 17" powerbook G4 at work :(

I still have my G5 with dual monitors on my desk though :)

Oh, and they replaced the 17" powerbook G5 with a 17" Macbook Pro
:D:

[hobie16]

This echos shades of Gore. :D: LOVE the cartoon you posted! :cool: Wish I had an Apple laptop!!It might be osmosis as Big Al sits on Apple's board. With six degrees of seperation he's hooked into Disney via Steve.

The cartoon came from the Fake Steve Jobs' web site. If you're into techy humor it's a must read.

Macs are killer (I'm not trying to start any OS wars). I moved from a mainframe company to Apple in 1985. My first Mac was a 128. It made computing, well, fun. It opened up a whole new world of capabilities. I've been a dyed in the wool Mac guy ever since.

With Steve on Disney's board, you should look into some kinda program that would offer employee discounts. There's also the student/teacher discount on the Apple Store web site. In the upper right side there's a link that will take you to their education page. If you're a student, or even a former one, you can usually get the discount.

[Big Wallaby]

(I'm not trying to start any OS wars)No flaming from me. I like both the PC and the Mac, for different applications. For one thing, there's just no way a PC could handle my favorite program in the world... FCP.

Gotta love those Mac vs. PC commercials.

[Kwahati]

Macs are killer (I'm not trying to start any OS wars).

No flaming from me either. Macs are pretty killer. It's just that I can't let you tell anyone about how killer they are. If anyone found out, I'd be out of a job! [On my last job, we were doing PC replacements and one of my users asked me if I knew anything about Macs. I said "not much, but I might be able to fake it, what do you need to know?" He tells me that something's not working right and he think he needs a Mac tech. I told him there's no such animal because "Macs don't need techs!"] :p:

[EmptyCinema]

Just to make life difficult: No Macs, No Windows... just Linux. :)

[hobie16]

Macs are pretty killer. It's just that I can't let you tell anyone about how killer they are. If anyone found out, I'd be out of a job!At the last company I worked for the IT guys were the first to say that if we used Macs they never would have had a job.

The applications are key. There are a lot more available for PCs which drives a lot of the platform selection process. With Macs now running on Intel processors and Boot Camp being available to run both Mac and Windows OS, the hardware issue may become moot.

[hobie16]

Just to make life difficult: No Macs, No Windows... just Linux. :)With the SCO lawsuit cratering we may see a lot more LINUX in use. Oracle obviously sees a big opportunity with their announced support.

[Shorty82]

Just to make life difficult: No Macs, No Windows... just Linux. :)
There would still be distro wars. Red Hat, no SUSE, no Knoppix, and so on.

The distro wars are almost bloodier than the OS wars.

[EmptyCinema]

I'm actually surprised at how much Linux response I'm getting... :) Most places, people are like... "Linux? What's that?" :)

[JugglingFreak]

At the last company I worked for the IT guys were the first to say that if we used Macs they never would have had a job.
.

I'm an IT guy and where I work (a college) we have about a 50/50 mac/PC campus (approx 1000 of each) and this is just not true.

I am a rare beast because I can do both (I swing both ways is the common joke around here.)

I can tell you flat out Macs fail just as much as PC's hardware wise and only slightly less software wise.

People who say differently have not been around enough Macs long enough.

And I own both a Mac and PC.

[Kwahati]

People who say differently have not been around enough Macs long enough.

Guilty as charged. I haven't been around Macs enough to know [beyond a joking level] how much support they really require. I think the real trick that makes it seem that they don't need techs is that most of the people who choose to run Macs are either (a) tech savvy enough to work out their own issues or (b) have been running macs since before the invention of dirt and can therefore figure out their own issues. People seem to think that PC's are the computer for the masses and, as such, everyone and their brother buys a PC without knowing the first thing about them. That's why there is an infinite number of PC techs running around [and yet, never enough to keep any help desk fully staffed!]

[ktulu]

Just to make life difficult: No Macs, No Windows... just Linux. :)

Amateur stuff, FreeBSD :)

I have two linux machines at home, and at work two macs, one freebsd box and more on the way :)

[EmptyCinema]

Amateur stuff, FreeBSD :)

I have two linux machines at home, and at work two macs, one freebsd box and more on the way :)

So while I probably shouldn't take things this far off-topic... I really should get a FreeBSD box... I just have no spare machines right now. At least none with more than 64 MB RAM. :)

[hobie16]

I can tell you flat out Macs fail just as much as PC's hardware wise and only slightly less software wise.

People who say differently have not been around enough Macs long enough.

And I own both a Mac and PC.Let the OS wars begin!!!

No dispute on hardware issues especially drives. The positive about Macs is they all come from the same place where PCs can come from Dell, etc. or Joe Bagga Donuts Computers.

I've been using Macs since the first one was built. One of my jobs was running a corporate demo room for storage systems. In order to show off all the capabilities to different customers we used PC (Dell), Mac and UNIX (Sun) clients. The worst to deal with were always the PCs. It sure would have been nice to have Macs with a Intel CPU and Boot Camp as I could have reduced the client footprint and cut expenses.

We had a customer in from NASA Ames Research. When asked what type of clients they used he replied, "We have the UNIX gods. We have our friends on the Macs. And we have a bunch of morons across the way on PCs." As he managed a annual budget of $150 million I wasn't about to dispute him.

[ktulu]

Forget Bootcamp, a guy at work just put vmware on his macbook. I haven't seen him use any cpu/memory intensive applications, but windows was smooth. Then I asked him why he ruined his mac :)

I only own a pc to play the good games, otherwise I'd ditch it. I'm a network security guy, and windows is the bane of our existence. With things like an estimated 1.7 million storm worm infected pc's, that's a big botnet. And when it does crap like DoS any IP seen scanning a storm worm infected pc....grrrr

[hobie16]

Forget Bootcamp, a guy at work just put vmware on his macbook.Is the Mac still dual bootable? It better be for what VMWare IPO'd for.

[Kwahati]

So while I probably shouldn't take things this far off-topic... I really should get a FreeBSD box... I just have no spare machines right now. At least none with more than 64 MB RAM. :)

What kind of RAM do you need? I might have some spare... I sorta collect parts... :rolleyes:

[ktulu]

Is the Mac still dual bootable? It better be for what VMWare IPO'd for.

Yeah, but with vmware you can put something like 20 os's on the mac. Imagine mac hardware running freebsd!!!

[Randy B]

I'm actually surprised at how much Linux response I'm getting... :) Most places, people are like... "Linux? What's that?" :)

That's Lucy's little brother, right?

:D: :D: :twisted: :D:

Randy

[Big Wallaby]

Let the OS wars begin!!!
STOP!
...long enough for me to get a tub of popcorn.

[Cranbiz]

He tells me that something's not working right and he think he needs a Mac tech. I told him there's no such animal because "Macs don't need techs!"] :p:


Since when????

Got a news flash for you, Mac's do need techs, Hardware fails and so do the apps. Not as much as a PC but they do and when they fail the biggest problem is finding someone to fix it. I made a boatload of money fixing Mac's when I was running my Computer business up north just because I spoke both PC and Mac.

[mechurchlady]

Since when????

Got a news flash for you, Mac's do need techs, Hardware fails and so do the apps. Not as much as a PC but they do and when they fail the biggest problem is finding someone to fix it. I made a boatload of money fixing Mac's when I was running my Computer business up north just because I spoke both PC and Mac.
Now I know I got to go to Orlando just to ask you a ton of questions on how to fix a pc without using a blow torch or sledge hammer.

[BRWombat]

Just to make life difficult: No Macs, No Windows... just Linux. :)Suddenly I hear John Lennon's voice singing, "Imagine there's no Windows... It's easy if you try..." :rolleyes:

[ktulu]

Now I know I got to go to Orlando just to ask you a ton of questions on how to fix a pc without using a blow torch or sledge hammer.

That's easy, sell it and buy a mac :)

Mac's fail, but in my experience, not as much as pc's. That is the good thing about being able to control the hw your os is going to run on you can get quality items. Granted you can get quality pc stuff too, but there is so much cheap crap that people gravitate toward...

[Cranbiz]

Granted you can get quality pc stuff too, but there is so much cheap crap that people gravitate toward...



You get what you pay for.

My favorite saying when I work on someone's computer and they don't want to listen to what I recommend, "You can pay me now or pay me later"

[Princess Susi]

Let the OS wars begin!!!

No dispute on hardware issues especially drives. The positive about Macs is they all come from the same place where PCs can come from Dell, etc. or Joe Bagga Donuts Computers.

I've been using Macs since the first one was built. One of my jobs was running a corporate demo room for storage systems. In order to show off all the capabilities to different customers we used PC (Dell), Mac and UNIX (Sun) clients. The worst to deal with were always the PCs. It sure would have been nice to have Macs with a Intel CPU and Boot Camp as I could have reduced the client footprint and cut expenses.

We had a customer in from NASA Ames Research. When asked what type of clients they used he replied, "We have the UNIX gods. We have our friends on the Macs. And we have a bunch of morons across the way on PCs." As he managed a annual budget of $150 million I wasn't about to dispute him.

I know nothing! I see nothing!...I have NO idea what you guys are talking about! I am such a tard with computers. I just need someone to teach me to load my digipics from my camera to a photo sharing site so I can send my mommy and daddy some photos of us! :hysteria: I was in college when we did not have computers. We used typewriters and pens and paper, remember that stuff!!! :) I got a LOT to learn, it seems... :rolleyes:
Susi

[EmptyCinema]

You get what you pay for.

My favorite saying when I work on someone's computer and they don't want to listen to what I recommend, "You can pay me now or pay me later"

So true, and I've said it plenty myself! :)

[hobie16]

We used typewriters and pens and paper, remember that stuff!!!Do you have any Selectric balls rolling around in your bottom desk drawer?

[hobie16]

http://www.mymac.cc/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/vistacapable.png

[ICStupidPeople]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rw2nkoGLhrE


I think you would like this..hehe

[Randy B]

Do you have any Selectric balls rolling around in your bottom desk drawer?

no but I do have a drawer full of blank IBM punch cards that I used to use to store and input programs to a room full of computer gear (when I was taking a computer class in High School).
And, yes, I still remember how to read one. :cool:

Randy

[Big Wallaby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfetbidVUYw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci2D1ig4df4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EbCyibkNB0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6vbKRQsq1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNnX6XRQBec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU9EflLJuf8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHbhma7tSHQ

My personal favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT3_tiQZwwA

[darph nader]

Do you have any Selectric balls rolling around in your bottom desk drawer?

That's a pretty personal question. If I did, I wouldn't tell you.

[Zazu]

Do you have any Selectric balls rolling around in your bottom desk drawer?No, I keep them in a box on the top shelf along with my collection of Ninja daisywheels.

[Cranbiz]

Do you have any Selectric balls rolling around in your bottom desk drawer?

No, I don't but I do have a 20mb hard drive from an original IBM AT. I also have a HV PS and a motherboard for a MAC SE30.

[darph nader]

No, I don't but I do have a 20mb hard drive from an original IBM AT. I also have a HV PS and a motherboard for a MAC SE30.

There you go, you and hobie using high tech fancy/schmancy terms to cunfuse me (keep quiet MS). :rolleyes:
You're both racist against beer drinking,non-techno rednecks :mad:

[hobie16]

You're both racist against beer drinking,non-techno rednecks :mad:No we're not. They make the best customers. Look at the success of Wal-Mart.

[vixen101485]

Darph you would fit right in around my area. Actually you would be smarter, most of them dont even know what the internet is let alone how to use a computer.

[Cranbiz]

Hey Darph,

Does your computer have the retractable drink holder in it? ;)

[Randy B]

Hey Darph,

Does your computer have the retractable drink holder in it? ;)

..Or do you have it hung in IV bag plugged directly into your arm. That saves all that time required for swallowing and digesting. :D:

Randy