Customer Dis-service

 When I was in high school, I had a job working in a grocery store. In my few years there, learned to rotate dairy, fruit and vegetables, slice cold-cuts, stock shelves, bag groceries and run a cash register.

The cash registers were the old kind where you had to punch specific buttons for dollars and cents.  Counting change was the first thing to learn.

1. Politely tell the customer the total.
2. Accept the money from the customer and place on the shelf above the cash tray.
3. Open the cash drawer, and starting with the total of the bill, count up to the amount of money that the customer had supplied.
4. Place the money in the customer's hand.
5. Thank the customer.
6. Place the customer's money into the cash drawer.
7. Help the customer with his bags if necessary.

The main rule was to be nice, the second was the manner of counting out change.

Today, I was at a burger joint grabbing lunch. The bill was $12.29, so I handed the young lady $20.30, with the expectation that all she would have to do is hand me $8.00.  Over about a minute I watched the young lady counting out change, to the point that she had a hand full of coins. 

Trying to be helpful, I told her that:

All I need is $8.00 cash.

To which I received the angry retort:

I know how to count change.

Which obviously was not correct.

Possessing a short temper, I held back and in an equally angry tone said:

Excuse me?

 Another employee scooted over at that moment, presumably to support the angry dumb one, so I eased up, took my lunch and moved to a table, sitting facing the cashier. 

This is more and more common, I understand that cash registers are more advanced, in that there has been no need to teach employees how to count change. In most places these days cashiers enter the amount of cash received, count out the change and thrust it out there without a word or even a smile. 

So, a skill that required a pleasant exchange between the cashier and the customer has been forgotten.  We have no choice to accept that young people are too fucking lazy to count, but I draw the line at rudeness and absolutely let them know when they've crossed it. 

Funny thing is, I usually make to extra effort to be cheerful and helpful to cashiers and servers.

A Twist

From olden days, I remember a pejorative term for homosexuals to be the word "twist".  In this story the word has dual applications.

1. Aidan Maese-Czeropski and his partner were recorded having homosexual relations in the Capital building. In this case the twists are the gay guys.
2.  The linked article "Fired for his act of love in the senate" says enough in the title, twisting the issue into an attack on the LGBQT right of love.  To that, I call bullshit, anybody of any sexual orientation should be fired if they are a documented as having sex on Federal grounds, especially if they are on the clock being paid. ANYBODY.  Even Bill Clinton deserved the inquiry an impeachment he received for the escapade with Monica Lewinski. He was acquitted by the Senate, but the matter was adjudicated.

Here is the article copied and pasted, comments added in blue italic.

Fired for his act of love in the senate

Aidan Maese-Czeropski's act was symbolic and brave, because in a world full of hate, displays of love are rebellious. We shouldn't bend over (poor choice of words, possibly intentional) to a party that hates; we must do the opposite.  

BY AFRU STAFF

So, it’s official. Senator Ben Cardin’s office has told Politico that “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate.” Goaded by demagogic republicans (Cardin is a Democrat, if as suggested he must be weak minded to be so easily influenced. Nope it is far more likely that a man elected to the Senate has strength to make his own decisions. Stop trying to blame this on Republicans), the Capitol police has now also opened an investigation.  

As republicans pounce (term used by many in the media these days, it generally means that conservative has identified an obvious and embarrassing characteristic) on an opportunity to destroy young activist Aidan Maese-Czeropski, the discourse around the senate hearing room love display raises serious questions about the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve already seen the viral video (nope, have no need, thank you) making the rounds on every social media feed there is. Republicans just can’t stop watching the 8 second clip featuring two men embracing each other in love while you can briefly see an empty room in the background.

It turns out one of the lovemaking men was Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and the room was recognized by some as the senate (lewd behavior in a Federal building) hearing room. 

We get it. It’s the most important room in America. It was in this very room that Sonia Sotomayor herself had her confirmation hearing, and won despite an entire oligarchy reorienting itself to wipe her out (is that unlike some of the unethical crap that Senators Leahy and Biden pulled during their tenures on the Judiciary panel?). This is also where James Comey exposed the Russian interference in the 2016 elections (proven to be a big fat lie, constructed by Hillary's apparatchiks), to the chagrin of the treason party.

But in a world built on hate, displays of love are inherently rebellious (unlikely that it was a rebellion, more likely that it was two uncontrolled adults breaking the law). Every second that Aidan and his partner made love in the halls of power was pregnant with poignant meaning (sex in Federal building is nowhere in the vicinity of poignant).

And in a time when the LGBTQ community is under existential threat by white fragility feeling threatened (I am neither fragile nor threatened, only irritated by this insipid article), open displays of LGBTQ culture are necessarily brave (and often unnecessarily obscene). In some ways, Aidan’s act mirrored that of Anne Frank, (Anne Frank, hid from the Nazis who sought to kill all like her they could find, so not anything like Anne Frank, at all) who dared to express her honest thoughts and feelings (her writing was not published until after the Nazis killed her) even as she hid from rabid insurrectionist-style (so protestors are the same as Nazi murder squads, I don't think so) death squads.

The dismissal has sparked a familiar conversation about the boundaries of personal expression and the repercussions faced by those who challenge the status quo. But because Aidan is from the LGBTQ community, he could stand to lose so much more than money, reputation, or career.

Let’s recognize the fallout from the incident for what it is: a stochastic far right attack on gay rights activists. As republicans fire up their hate machine in preparation for the 2024 elections, Aidan’s very life is now on the line. Let’s not fool ourselves. Right-wing attacks will scream with ever increasing pitch from darkweb radio stations and social media channels until some insurrectionist nutjob picks up a gun and the intended consequences have become fait accompli.  I am sensing a fair bit of irrational hate on the author's part for people of the right.

Now more than ever, we need to circle the wagons around (opportunity for a humorous pejorative) Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and say with a unison voice:

Aidan’s termination by Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat Maryland), is an affront to individual freedoms, as it sends a chilling message about the consequences of expressing love in a public, political space.

Aidan’s prosecution by the Capitol police is blatant political corruption and weaponization of justice against a marginalized person.  This author might very well believe that following the law, and social norms is a vehicle for corruption, but I am not sure by what measure.

Aidan’s persecution by right-wing nutbars writ large is a threat to his life and the life of every LGBTQ individual in this country. Perhaps next time, he'll wait till he gets home from work, and consider that a lesson well learned.

This cannot stand. The fight has just begun.  You might suggest that something like this could be reversed, but rest assured it will not. No politician I can think of, except may AOC, has the courage to take such a self-destructive position.

 

That's Rich

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is

"no different that Hitler"

Turkey, like Lebanon, a once proud secular nation, has been evolving to resemble an Islamic state.

That's rich, comparing Netanyahu to Hitler is a refrain often heard in the United States, applied to a multitude of conservative minded public figures. It is an overly overreaching tactic that politicians employ to inflict character assassination upon their ideological enemies.  I cannot imagine that politicians such as Erdogan are so stupid as to actually believe the crap that is coming out of their mouths.  No these are comments designed to incite their following.

To Erdogan, it does not matter that:

• Hitler directed the actual genocide of Jews, gay people, black people, and gypsies.  Netanyahu is himself Jewish, responsible for protecting his people from genocide.
• Hitler's genocide was responsible for the deaths of over 6 million. The entire nation of Israel is less than 10 million, which, by the way, includes Jews, Christians and Arab Palestinians.
• Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, killing over a thousand persons.
• The Gaza strip was controlled by Israel and set aside for the Palestinians.
• Palestinians have rejected multiple opportunities presented by Israel and others for a "two-state" arrangement.

No, Erdogan is speaking to followers that support for the drive to the sea.

Here in the States, the same types of comparisons are loosely thrown about without a hint of reality. 

Follow this link to read the short Jerusalem Post article.

Health Care Dot Gov

 A television commercial just aired, reminding me of how tax dollars are spent.

The ACA commercial briefly shows the success story of two participants, or should I say recipients, because we are all participants, as taxpayers.  Each describes, proudly, how they found a plan that fits their budget.  One found a plan for $9.00 per month and another for $0.00 per month.  Interesting is the portrayal as this being that they were shopping for a product and found bargains. 

The reality is that weren't making an informed decision as much as they were figuring out how to minimize their reportable cash flow so they could get the benefit for as close to free as possible.  

Classic government program, a problem fomented by government intrusion, a program created on a pack of lies, the government acting like it is their own generosity, and the needy being portrayed as righteous consumers.

I believe in being charitable, but not by way of the government.

 

New Jersey Attorney General Is a Dumb Ass

The people who elected him are even dumber.

New Jersey: Man says he won't work for Jews, state officials denounce 'Islamophobia'

People are so anxious to protest a point, they fail to understand what they are saying.  

Maybe I am guilty of the same?

Wow

Hardly surprising, giving the sources of information that this demographic digests.

 

51% of Americans ages 18-24 think solution to Palestinian conflict is for 'Israel to be ended and given to Hamas'

If Hamas laid down their arms, they would be treated humanely and the attacks by Israel would cease. 

If IDF laid down their arms, Hamas would attack and slaughter Jews. 

Is there any doubt?  There should not be, Hamas is sworn to genocide.

The country that would best protect young Americans, is ridiculed, inaccurately so, for defending itself.

Progression to adulthood has been delayed for this generation.  As people accumulate responsibility, their outlooks become more conservative.  Searches for information will be filtered by relating information to life experience. 

I pray that as retirement beckons, and I need assistance living, there will be enough people around that have come to their senses.

At what point did the world start giving the benefit of the doubt to the offender rather than the victim.  This citizen is sick and tired of people who break the law asserting a right to choose the punishment that is applied.

Hamas attacked Israel with deliberate process and forethought to abduct and murder non-military Israeli citizens.  The IDF is already restraining its forces, with an eye on protection of regular Palestinians, a process that certainly causes more casualties for the army. An unrestrained full-scale attack has been earned.

The Reality of Islamic Terrorism is an Unwelcome Distraction

Read this...

The Reality of Islamic Terrorism is an Unwelcome Distraction

Otis Sistrunk

 

Otis played for the Oakland Raiders when they were outlaws.

Those Raiders beat my Vikings in the Super Bowl, but I have to admit they were entertaining.

So, I Guess It's OK

The smuggler with proven ties to ISIS, is known to have sneaked a few people into the country. But on the surface, a government man would say, there are no ties to terrorist plots.

Smuggler with ties to the Islamic State helped migrants get into U.S.

Tell me this, if the folks are known, and they have illegally entered the country, why does anyone have to prove that they are connected to a plot of any sort. They have entered the country illegally; and they have associated with known criminals. Kick the m-f's out and shoot the smuggler.

Another Oblivious Parent

His son is raising money for the fight. 

Massachusetts: Teen converts to Islam, raises money for the Islamic State for war on non-Muslims

But he is a good child, a victim of bullies at school.