Sad but true - collecting addiction

[gonefishin]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

No excuse for that behavior, and he should be fired for his egregious actions. But let's not stop there, there are so many people in government wasting our taxpayer dollars or taking advantage of their position it's disgusting. Let's remind them they work for us not the other way around.

What are you saying? Who do you want to remind; the Marines, Army, Navy, Homeland Security, ATF, FBI, Secret Service, the admin clerk sitting behind a desk, the lady helping you fill out an application for Social Security? Specifically, who do you think is wasting the taxpayer dollars and who do you want to remind?

The federal government is the largest employer in the United States. Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are individuals who commit crimes. Federal employees come from our society and I think are very representative of American society as a whole. I don't want to guess what you're implying, so I won't. But maybe be a little more specific when you make such allegations so as not to insult every employee of the federal government.

A bit of a stretch going from someone misusing their position to "But let's not stop there, there are so many people in government wasting our taxpayer dollars or taking advantage of their position it's disgusting. Let's remind them they work for us not the other way around."

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

What are you saying? Who do you want to remind; the Marines, Army, Navy, Homeland Security, ATF, FBI, Secret Service, the admin clerk sitting behind a desk, the lady helping you fill out an application for Social Security? Specifically, who do you think is wasting the taxpayer dollars and who do you want to remind?

The federal government is the largest employer in the United States. Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are individuals who commit crimes. Federal employees come from our society and I think are very representative of American society as a whole. I don't want to guess what you're implying, so I won't. But maybe be a little more specific when you make such allegations so as not to insult every employee of the federal government.

A bit of a stretch going from someone misusing their position to "But let's not stop there, there are so many people in government wasting our taxpayer dollars or taking advantage of their position it's disgusting. Let's remind them they work for us not the other way around."

I served 30 years in the Navy and 13 years civil service with the Navy. At first, my reaction was like yours. Then I took a breath and realized his choice of words and how he phrased them weren’t the best, but it does exist in many areas of our society. However, not all are bad and it’s not good to group everyone in the same category.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

What are you saying? Who do you want to remind; the Marines, Army, Navy, Homeland Security, ATF, FBI, Secret Service, the admin clerk sitting behind a desk, the lady helping you fill out an application for Social Security? Specifically, who do you think is wasting the taxpayer dollars and who do you want to remind?

The federal government is the largest employer in the United States. Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are individuals who commit crimes. Federal employees come from our society and I think are very representative of American society as a whole. I don't want to guess what you're implying, so I won't. But maybe be a little more specific when you make such allegations so as not to insult every employee of the federal government.

A bit of a stretch going from someone misusing their position to "But let's not stop there, there are so many people in government wasting our taxpayer dollars or taking advantage of their position it's disgusting. Let's remind them they work for us not the other way around."

I think he may be referring more to our elected political officials, who are all actual federal employees as well, more so than the everyday workers and people who actually do run our country and make sure it continues properly working and functioning on a daily basis. Meanwhile the elected politicians generally do nothing more than point fingers back and forth, and accuse each other of only looking out for themselves, and generally getting nothing good done on behalf of the MAJORITY OF ALL U.S. CITIZENS.

And as for the person this thread was written about, there is no denying his guilt and that he is responsible and has an obligation to society for what he did. But it is also equally apparent, and true, that he suffers from an actual mental illness, which also needs to be taken into consideration. I do not know how best such a situation should be addressed and handled, but I do realize that our government, laws, and people, often do not want to acknowledge such people exist and the real issues they have, but cannot always deal with solely on their own. And those in power and control seem to more often than not fail to recognize the actual mental illness factors in place, simply dismiss these people and abandon them to a criminal justice system that is ill equipped to handle them and often ends up subjecting them to very inhumane treatment and consideration. In the end, it is very similar to many other situations in our society, like for example how many people/groups treat and look at people who are say gay or lesbian. Those people that are gays or lesbians didn't necessarily volunteer and choose to be that way, but that sure doesn't stop many others from condemning and looking down on them, and even criminalizing and punishing them as much as they can get away with. We humans can be such wonderful, understanding and forgiving people, can't we?

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by BobC

I think he may be referring more to our elected political officials, who are all actual federal employees as well, more so than the everyday workers and people who actually do run our country and make sure it continues properly working and functioning on a daily basis. Meanwhile the elected politicians generally do nothing more than point fingers back and forth, and accuse each other of only looking out for themselves, and generally getting nothing good done on behalf of the MAJORITY OF ALL U.S. CITIZENS.

And as for the person this thread was written about, there is no denying his guilt and that he is responsible and has an obligation to society for what he did. But it is also equally apparent, and true, that he suffers from an actual mental illness, which also needs to be taken into consideration. I do not know how best such a situation should be addressed and handled, but I do realize that our government, laws, and people, often do not want to acknowledge such people exist and the real issues they have, but cannot always deal with solely on their own. And those in power and control seem to more often than not fail to recognize the actual mental illness factors in place, simply dismiss these people and abandon them to a criminal justice system that is ill equipped to handle them and often ends up subjecting them to very inhumane treatment and consideration. In the end, it is very similar to many other situations in our society, like for example how many people/groups treat and look at people who are say gay or lesbian. Those people that are gays or lesbians didn't necessarily volunteer and choose to be that way, but that sure doesn't stop many others from condemning and looking down on them, and even criminalizing and punishing them as much as they can get away with. We humans can be such wonderful, understanding and forgiving people, can't we?

Well said Bob,

My little rant was not directed at hard working, honest, federal employees nor current and former members of the armed services, many of which have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country including my own family members.

Congress on the other hand, with their stellar 18% approval rating, and elected officials who prioritize their own interests over the good of the country disgust me. Why don't we start at the top and fire every Congress person convicted of a felony and not allow convicted felons to run for one of the highest offices in the country. Let's also go after Congress who profits from pre legislation insider trading for profit. And while we're at it let's make them navigate the wonderful healthcare system we have in this country instead of having their own plan. Or how about the greatest country on earth have a clear, concise, energy plan to provide low cost energy to everyone so folks don't have to decide whether to pay their energy bill or eat. Or dismantle the elitist higher education system so everybody, no matter their socioeconomic position can go to college if they want to.

Let's have Congress, who supposedly work for us, rebuild the rungs on the ladder that they dismantled and allow American Citizens to move from lower class to upper middle class within a generation or two.

I could go on but I'm ranting again and I'd rather talk baseball cards...

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Well said Bob,

My little rant was not directed at hard working, honest, federal employees nor current and former members of the armed services, many of which have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country including my own family members.

Congress on the other hand, with their stellar 18% approval rating, and elected officials who prioritize their own interests over the good of the country disgust me. Why don't we start at the top and fire every Congress person convicted of a felony and not allow convicted felons to run for one of the highest offices in the country. Let's also go after Congress who profits from pre legislation insider trading for profit. And while we're at it let's make them navigate the wonderful healthcare system we have in this country instead of having their own plan. Or how about the greatest country on earth have a clear, concise, energy plan to provide low cost energy to everyone so folks don't have to decide whether to pay their energy bill or eat. Or dismantle the elitist higher education system so everybody, no matter their socioeconomic position can go to college if they want to.

Let's have Congress, who supposedly work for us, rebuild the rungs on the ladder that they dismantled and allow American Citizens to move from lower class to upper middle class within a generation or two.

I could go on but I'm ranting again and I'd rather talk baseball cards...

I kind of figured you weren't, but saw you were starting to get jumped by some who misread your intentions and were starting to take exception to what they thought you were trying to say. Thought I'd throw in to help explain what I figured you meant from the start. And I'm not putting down anyone that may have taken initial exception to what/how you said what you did. gonefishin is a great guy and member. I think he just misinterpreted what you meant because how you said what you did was unfortunately not necessarily the clearest way to maybe put what you were trying to say into a post.

But I do wish a lot more people would take a moment or two to think before they post a quick response. I get crap all the time from people who give me that TLDR (Too Long, Didn't Read) crap, or accuse me of writing War and Peace novels every time I post. But I do that on purpose to make sure someone just doing a quick read of what I posted can't give me crap by misinterpreting what I said. Which is exactly what another group of forum trolls will then possibly do because they have what I have termed the - ASOAG (Attention Span of a Goldfish) Syndrome. That can also probably be morphed into the - COAG (Comprehension of a Goldfish) Syndrome as well. Let's face it, trying to know exactly what someone is saying from a simple online post is not easy, especially if their grammar and punctuation isn't that great, or their Spellcheck kicks in and they miss an error. You also can't easily tell someone's mood or inflection in their speech while reading something they posted either. Everyone properly using emojis or well-placed LOLs would certainly help to hopefully better explain the tone and intent of some posts. Just like using ALL Caps points to shouting or greater emphasis, or even writing in blue colored scrip or print denotes sarcasm. I know I have typos and initial mistakes in many of my posts as well. And is exactly why I'll often go back and re-read what I originally said to then make corrections.

I know when I am not sure what someone initially intended to mean or say in a post, I will try to ask very serious and civil questions to better understand. It is only when I get a sarcastic or other demeaning response back that I will then respond in kind. There's an old adage among carpenters to always measure twice - and cut just once. The same can definitely be said and applicable for most people who decide to frequent and post in online groups and chat rooms from what I've ever seen and experienced. Think twice, post once!

And again, going back to the person this thread was started over, he really does have a significant mental illness, that should also be factored in and considered. Not defending what he ended up doing, but hope he at least gets some help along the way to deal with his OCD affliction as well.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Well said Bob,

My little rant was not directed at hard working, honest, federal employees nor current and former members of the armed services, many of which have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country including my own family members.

Congress on the other hand, with their stellar 18% approval rating, and elected officials who prioritize their own interests over the good of the country disgust me. Why don't we start at the top and fire every Congress person convicted of a felony and not allow convicted felons to run for one of the highest offices in the country. Let's also go after Congress who profits from pre legislation insider trading for profit. And while we're at it let's make them navigate the wonderful healthcare system we have in this country instead of having their own plan. Or how about the greatest country on earth have a clear, concise, energy plan to provide low cost energy to everyone so folks don't have to decide whether to pay their energy bill or eat. Or dismantle the elitist higher education system so everybody, no matter their socioeconomic position can go to college if they want to.

Let's have Congress, who supposedly work for us, rebuild the rungs on the ladder that they dismantled and allow American Citizens to move from lower class to upper middle class within a generation or two.

I could go on but I'm ranting again and I'd rather talk baseball cards...

IMO the first step toward changing any of the things you mention (all of which I agree with, btw) is to get money out of the electoral process. Currently, money buys influence, so those with the most money (and thanks to Citizens United, this now includes money funneled from overseas) have the most influence. We'd see a non-useless legislative branch if the representatives were there for reasons other than personal enrichment.