Well, now Oqidaun and I find ourselves refugees from Hurricane Rita. On Wednesday, we decided to leave as all predictions had the storm coming ashore around Galveston. With high winds and rains expected, we thought it would be better if we went someplace where there would be dryer weather.
On Wednesday, the university decided it would shut down. Of course, the students knew well in advance of the faculty! The official closing came at noon. We thought about going to see Oqi’s brother in Fort Worth, but since the hurricane would probably track north, I didn’t like that idea. Plus, everyone and their dog was going to Dallas, and I45 was a parking lot. I decided we should go to West Texas, up by Lubbock to Oqi’s folks house.
The university wanted us to backup our computers and unplug everything. So, it was nearly 3 by the time I got out of there. Then I spent about an hour driving around trying to find some gasoline. I went to about 6 places on the way home, but there were really long lines around those stores with gas. There were also many stations out of gas altogether. I got lucky and found a Diamond Shamrock with a short line, and gas. I only had to wait behind two other people, and gas was only 2.80 for premium!
Oqi had spent the day taking photos of our stuff, and securing the house. When I got home, I finished some e-mail, put a few things up high, and moved some research documents out of my office area. By 5:15 pm we were on the road.
The trip from our house to New Braunfels normally takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours depending on traffic, weather, and how many times I have to go to the bathroom. Traffic Wednesday, however, was backed up all the way to Columbus, about 90 miles from Houston. Some of this was normal rush hour traffic, but much of it was evacuees heading west toward San Antonio or Austin. It took us 4 hours to get to Columbus. After that, it was smooth sailing, just very busy. Our neighbor said it took her son 23 hours to get to New Braunfels, and he left a few hours after we did. But he lives in Clear Lake, and I’m sure much of that time was getting north on 45 to the beltway. It only took us 7 hours to make a 3 hour trip.
We stopped at my folks house for a little while, but I was pretty exhausted. We were on our way to West Texas, and that was another seven to 9 hours. We also had our three dogs, and cat. This was the first trip for the kitty in about 3 years, and cats normally don’t travel well. The dogs love to ride in the car, so they were no problem. The cat stayed in his travel crate for 16 hours without a break. He didn’t soil himself, which I would have done in his shoes, and he only expressed anger a couple of times. But really, we had no way of letting him out for a potty break.
In San Angelo, we ran into some folk from Corpus Christi. They left Wednesday night because at that time it still wasn’t clear if Rita would hit the Corpus or Galveston area. They were headed to Amarillo because that was the only place they could find a hotel that would take their 8 cats and four dogs. And we thought we had it bad! All along the way we passed by motels—normally empty—that were full due to people from all along the Texas Gulf Coast fleeing the hurricane. When we stopped for gas, convenience store employees told us about how busy they had been all day long.
We finally rolled into Oqi’s folks house at 9:30 am, 16 hours after we left home! We did spend an hour in New Braunfels, but that was one hell of a trip, and I slept much of Thursday.
Friday we went to Lubbock to Texas Tech. I saw a couple of old professors, and did some much needed research at the library and Southwest Collection. Then Oqi got bad news from her mom. The water well pump went out! So, we left Houston because of fear of water, and in West Texas ran out of water. Ironic.
Luckily, the pump was fixed Saturday morning, so we didn’t stay stinky long.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Interesting Revelations about Katrina
My Friend:
The name Katrina means pure. The dictionary defines pure as ... free from adulterants or impurities, free of dirt, defilement, or pollution, containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous. It has been previously stated that Katrina was a cleansing, a washing way for those cities & states that have been known for sin.
Calculated stats indicate that Katrina hit almost 5 years to the date of 9/11. But to be a little more exact it had been 1,814 days since 9/11. Here is what Revelations chapter 18, verses 14-19 (1814) says.
Revelation 18:
14: And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15: The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing.
** Merchants are those who supported the sin. **
16: And saying, alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
** Purple & gold (The colors of Mardi Gras) **
17: For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off.
** One hour, about the length of time that Katrina stayed over New Orleans. **
18: And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
19: And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Desolate - Devoid of inhabitants
Devoid - Completely lacking; destitute or empty
Inhabitant - One that inhabits a place, especially as a permanent resident
My Response
Uhhhhhhh. Whomever did this couldn't count! Therefore, I've made some corrections and added a new twist!
The name Katrina is debate. It could mean "pure." Katrina is also traced to the Gaelic form of Katherine and could originate from the goddess Hecate --meaning "distant." Hecate was a goddess of demons and the underworld.
Calculated statistics state that it was almost FOUR years between 9/11/2001 and 8/29/2005. Whoever wrote that should get a better stat calculator! Maybe new batteries!
It was 3 years, 11 months, 18 days. OR 1448 days OR 206 weeks between the two dates.
1 Kings 19 tells of Elijah encountering a storm
Verse 3: Elijah was afraid and fled for his life, going to Beer-sheba of Judah. He left his servant there.
**** There was plenty of Beer in New Orleans****
Verse 11: Then the Lord said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord: the Lord will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord--but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the Lord was not in the earthquake
****Hurricanes have high winds****
Verse 18: Yet I will leave seven thousand men in Israel--all those who have not knelt to Baal or kissed him.
****Ba'al meant lord or master, and was though to control clouds and the weather...just as a hurricane controls weather...the people in the Superdome, over 7,000, refused to bow to the storm****
Proverbs 14:4-8 states:
"Where there are no oxen, the crib remains empty; but large crops come through the strength of the bull. A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness utters lies. The senseless man seeks in vain for wisdom, but knowledge is easy to the man of intelligence. To avoid the foolish man, take steps! But knowing lips one meets with by surprise. The shrewd man's wisdom gives him knowledge of his way, but the folly of fools is their deception."
***folly: A lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight***senseless: lacking sense***deception: using deceit!
Genesis 2:06: But a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground.
***levies are earth holding back water!
What this all means is that there are many people with too much time on their hands!
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Refugees at the Astrodome
We went to the Astrodome today. One of our friends went down to volunteer this morning. He helped create some forms for people who are looking for lost friends and loved ones. I didn't want to take too many photos, but here are some of the Astrodome where they are setting up a temporary post office and the media shanty town.
When we got there, they had more volunteers than they could use. They said that over the past few days they were overrun with refugees, police, and people wanting to help. We rode Metrorail down to the Astrodome, and the train was full of people from New Orleans trying to find their way around Houston.
When we got there, they had more volunteers than they could use. They said that over the past few days they were overrun with refugees, police, and people wanting to help. We rode Metrorail down to the Astrodome, and the train was full of people from New Orleans trying to find their way around Houston.
Friday, September 02, 2005
FEMA director Michae
FEMA director Michael Brown told CNN that he didn’t know until Thursday, Sept 1 that there were refugees in the Superdome. WHERE HAS THIS GUY BEEN??? It’s been on TV, EVERYONE knows….except him. Don’t worry, George Bush says, “Brownie” is doing a good job.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Do You Need to Pray?
HOW TO TELL IF YOU NEED TO PRAY AT WORK
When a co-worker comes in a little too happy singing "good morning" to everyone and you think, "Somebody needs to slap the s#@! out of her"...You need to pray at work.
When someone comes in and announces "office meeting in 5 minutes," and you think, "what the f*&% do they want now?"..... You need to pray at work.
When your computer is mysteriously turned off and you want to say, "which one of you sons of b*&^%$# turned off my computer?"..... You need to pray at work.
When you and a co-worker are discussing something and a third person comes in and says "well at my last office...," and you want to throw a stapler at him...... You need to pray at work.
When you hear a co-worker call your name and the first thing that crosses your mind is, "what the h*&^ does she want now?" and you try to hide underneath your desk......... You need to pray at work.
When you are asked to stay late and help do someone else's work and the first thing that pops in your head is "both of y'all can kiss my a@@!!".... You need to pray at work.
When you're in the elevator and it stops to pick up someone who stood for five minutes waiting for the darn thing only to go DOWN one floor, and you say "that lazy b*&%$#"...... You need to pray at work.
When you take some vacation time and come back to find a mountain of paperwork sitting on your desk because no one else would do it and you think, "sorry a## M#$^%F%&#s"....... You need to pray at work.
If you have ever thought about poisoning, choking, punching, slapping or flattening someone's tires that you work with...... You need to pray at work.
If you avoid saying more than hello or how are you doing to someone because you know it's going to lead to their life story...You need to pray at work.
If you know all the words that have been bleeped out...You need to pray at work!!!!
LET US ALL BOW OUR HEADS J
When a co-worker comes in a little too happy singing "good morning" to everyone and you think, "Somebody needs to slap the s#@! out of her"...You need to pray at work.
When someone comes in and announces "office meeting in 5 minutes," and you think, "what the f*&% do they want now?"..... You need to pray at work.
When your computer is mysteriously turned off and you want to say, "which one of you sons of b*&^%$# turned off my computer?"..... You need to pray at work.
When you and a co-worker are discussing something and a third person comes in and says "well at my last office...," and you want to throw a stapler at him...... You need to pray at work.
When you hear a co-worker call your name and the first thing that crosses your mind is, "what the h*&^ does she want now?" and you try to hide underneath your desk......... You need to pray at work.
When you are asked to stay late and help do someone else's work and the first thing that pops in your head is "both of y'all can kiss my a@@!!".... You need to pray at work.
When you're in the elevator and it stops to pick up someone who stood for five minutes waiting for the darn thing only to go DOWN one floor, and you say "that lazy b*&%$#"...... You need to pray at work.
When you take some vacation time and come back to find a mountain of paperwork sitting on your desk because no one else would do it and you think, "sorry a## M#$^%F%&#s"....... You need to pray at work.
If you have ever thought about poisoning, choking, punching, slapping or flattening someone's tires that you work with...... You need to pray at work.
If you avoid saying more than hello or how are you doing to someone because you know it's going to lead to their life story...You need to pray at work.
If you know all the words that have been bleeped out...You need to pray at work!!!!
LET US ALL BOW OUR HEADS J
Friday, August 19, 2005
The Great Raid
One of the best movies of 2005 is out--"The Great Raid" This is one of the best movies you'll see, I really encourage you to take a couple of hours out and see this on the big screen. We had the opportunity to see an advance premier several weeks ago. I think we were the youngest people there. The director was there, and about half the Filipino population of Houston, and all able-bodied vets.
As a general rule, I do not like war movies, except for two: Saving Private Ryan and The Great Raid. The Great Raid, in case you're not familiar with the story, is about a mission to rescue about 500 POWs at the Cabanatuan POW Camp, which held survivors of the Bataan Death March and other Japanese-held POWS.
If you’ve ever held any doubts about the Japanese atrocities during WWII, this movie will disabuse you of that notion. In one scene, the POWs explain how the Japanese considered anyone who surrendered a coward, a sub-human not deserving of mercy. This is evident from the conditions which the POWs lived, not to mention tales of Japanese torture of prisoners, as well as the War Crimes trials that were held after WWII.
In another scene, Benjamin Bratt portraying Henry Mucci, the raid’s commander, is coordinating with Filipino guerrillas (led by Lapham, Pajoda or Josen?). Mucci warns the guerrilla commander that his plan is dangerous because the Japanese troops will plan a flanking attack. No, the guerrilla commander says, they won’t. They don’t have enough respect for us to consider anything but a head on attack.
But, the scene that really drives the point home is the opening scene which explains part of the basis for the raid. As the Japanese began losing, they decided to simply kill POWs. The Japanese corral POWs in a confined area, pour gas on them and set them on fire.
There are two good books on the Cabanatuan raid, William Breuer’s The Great Raid on Cabanatuan, and Hampton Sides’s Gost Soldiers. There is a monument on the ex-camp site: http://www.abmc.gov/cb.htm
As a general rule, I do not like war movies, except for two: Saving Private Ryan and The Great Raid. The Great Raid, in case you're not familiar with the story, is about a mission to rescue about 500 POWs at the Cabanatuan POW Camp, which held survivors of the Bataan Death March and other Japanese-held POWS.
If you’ve ever held any doubts about the Japanese atrocities during WWII, this movie will disabuse you of that notion. In one scene, the POWs explain how the Japanese considered anyone who surrendered a coward, a sub-human not deserving of mercy. This is evident from the conditions which the POWs lived, not to mention tales of Japanese torture of prisoners, as well as the War Crimes trials that were held after WWII.
In another scene, Benjamin Bratt portraying Henry Mucci, the raid’s commander, is coordinating with Filipino guerrillas (led by Lapham, Pajoda or Josen?). Mucci warns the guerrilla commander that his plan is dangerous because the Japanese troops will plan a flanking attack. No, the guerrilla commander says, they won’t. They don’t have enough respect for us to consider anything but a head on attack.
But, the scene that really drives the point home is the opening scene which explains part of the basis for the raid. As the Japanese began losing, they decided to simply kill POWs. The Japanese corral POWs in a confined area, pour gas on them and set them on fire.
There are two good books on the Cabanatuan raid, William Breuer’s The Great Raid on Cabanatuan, and Hampton Sides’s Gost Soldiers. There is a monument on the ex-camp site: http://www.abmc.gov/cb.htm
35 Stupid Questions Answered
Normally I don’t fill out these e-mail chain mails, but I’ve gotten so many from friends, I figured someone wants thinks this is interesting.
Welcome to the new edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun!
Just copy (not forward) this entire e-mail and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you.
Some of you may get this several times that means you have lots of friends.
1. What is your occupation? History professor
2. What color is your underwear? Underwear? What underwear?
3. What are you listening to right now? Montel Williams Show
4. What was the last thing you ate? Pillsbury Home-style waffles
5. Do you wish on stars? Not usually, but sometimes I wish on Brittney Spears or Gwen Stefani
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sky blue
7. How is the weather right now? It’s Houston…hot and humid.
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Jim Rutledge
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? One of the people I love in the world.
10. How old are you today? 39
11. Favorite drink? Wylers Green Tea w/Peach
12. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball and Hockey
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? No, but I have had hair that died!
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses.
15. Pets? Punkin (heeler), Mia, (cocker spaniel), Bijou (pit/lab) and Paco (cat)
16. Favorite month? August—everyone has a b-day.
17. Favorite food? Chicken curry
.
18. What was the last movie you watched? Spider Man 2
19. Favorite day of the year? Halloween
20. What do you do to vent anger? Yell and stomp.
21. What was your favorite toy as a child? Etch-a-sketch.
22. Fall or Spring? Fall
23. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
24. Cherry or Blueberry? Maraschino Cherries
25. Do you want your friends to email you back? Of course
26. Who is most likely to respond? Lynda, Forrest, Melody.
27. Who is least likely to respond? Chuck
28. Living arrangements? In a house with wife and pets.
29. When was the last time you cried? Movie
30. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, luggage, stray socks
31. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Forrest V. Willis…followed by Melody Bradfute Vertucci
32. What did you do last night? Went to meeting for free food, came home and slept
33. What inspires you? Finding out something I didn’t know before
34. What are you afraid of? Spiders
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? None of the above. Spicy Chicken Sandwiches or Muffalettas
Welcome to the new edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun!
Just copy (not forward) this entire e-mail and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you.
Some of you may get this several times that means you have lots of friends.
1. What is your occupation? History professor
2. What color is your underwear? Underwear? What underwear?
3. What are you listening to right now? Montel Williams Show
4. What was the last thing you ate? Pillsbury Home-style waffles
5. Do you wish on stars? Not usually, but sometimes I wish on Brittney Spears or Gwen Stefani
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sky blue
7. How is the weather right now? It’s Houston…hot and humid.
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Jim Rutledge
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? One of the people I love in the world.
10. How old are you today? 39
11. Favorite drink? Wylers Green Tea w/Peach
12. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball and Hockey
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? No, but I have had hair that died!
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses.
15. Pets? Punkin (heeler), Mia, (cocker spaniel), Bijou (pit/lab) and Paco (cat)
16. Favorite month? August—everyone has a b-day.
17. Favorite food? Chicken curry
.
18. What was the last movie you watched? Spider Man 2
19. Favorite day of the year? Halloween
20. What do you do to vent anger? Yell and stomp.
21. What was your favorite toy as a child? Etch-a-sketch.
22. Fall or Spring? Fall
23. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
24. Cherry or Blueberry? Maraschino Cherries
25. Do you want your friends to email you back? Of course
26. Who is most likely to respond? Lynda, Forrest, Melody.
27. Who is least likely to respond? Chuck
28. Living arrangements? In a house with wife and pets.
29. When was the last time you cried? Movie
30. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, luggage, stray socks
31. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Forrest V. Willis…followed by Melody Bradfute Vertucci
32. What did you do last night? Went to meeting for free food, came home and slept
33. What inspires you? Finding out something I didn’t know before
34. What are you afraid of? Spiders
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? None of the above. Spicy Chicken Sandwiches or Muffalettas
Monday, September 13, 2004
Open Letter to NBC
This morning, the TODAY SHOW hosted an interview with Kitty Kelly on her new book trashing the George W. Bush family. Kelly is a gossip writer, and she makes some embarrasing little suggestions that Dubya used cocaine while his daddy was in office....go figure. NBC tried to stop the interview, and Matt Lauer was openly hostile with Kelly, while sparing no efforts to help Kelly's source, Sharon Bush, distance herself from what she allegedly saw taking place at Camp David...Dubya and his brother powdering thier noses.
Here's my little letter:
I am writing to express my extreme displeasure with Matt Lauer's pathetic attempt at an interview with Kitty Kelly. I really enjoy the Today Show. I usually think it's one of the best morning shows, but Mr. Lauer's attitude and antagonistic attitude was offensive to watch. I find it interesting that he had the audacity to challenge Ms Kelly's journalistic methods and biases considering his obvious absence of impartiality. I've never considered anything Kitty Kelly has written to be more than gossip column filler, but I'm beginning to think that Matt Lauer reportage is rapidly falling into the same category.
Compared to his subsequent interview with Sharon Bush, I question Mr. Lauer's journalistic methods. I don't think he could have been more blatant in attempting to destroy one accusation concerning the President's alleged cocaine usage at Camp David, and trying to tie Ms Kelley into some strange relationship with the publicist at the Kelley/Bush meeting. I went to college in West Texas, and although was familiar with the younger Bush's alcohol abuses, was very surprised to hear stories of his cocaine abuse, not from one person, but several Midland-area residents. Like the Bush twins party habits, their father was not circumspect about using illegal drugs. Based upon what I've learned about George W. Bush's family, I don't doubt that Bush used cocaine. Simply having a "conversion" experience doesn't negate the strong addictions of cocaine or alcohol. I respect Mr. Bush's religious beliefs, but find him far from perfect. He was a terrible governor in my home state, and his presidential record has not been much better.
I'm also a little upset with the positive spin NBC tried to cast over the Bush twins at the Republican National Convention. These women are not children, but the media seems to believe that by constantly casting them as some sort of political Olsen Twins creation. If Chelsea Clinton had engaged in illegal, underage drinking, or went to the late-night college "thrash" parties that the Bush girls seem to enjoy, I doubt that the TODAY SHOW hosts would have painted her in such a favorable light.
The fact that NBC had concerns about the interview with Ms Kelley and tried to prevent the interview also makes me seriously rethink my loyalty to NBC and its news programming. Mr. Lauer's interview and the NBC complicity with the White House also seem to conflict with the role of the press. Perhaps you have decided to fall in line with Fox News and their "balanced" reporting. In fact, at least they’re honestly biased, and make no attempt to hide behind some pretended impartiality.
Here's my little letter:
I am writing to express my extreme displeasure with Matt Lauer's pathetic attempt at an interview with Kitty Kelly. I really enjoy the Today Show. I usually think it's one of the best morning shows, but Mr. Lauer's attitude and antagonistic attitude was offensive to watch. I find it interesting that he had the audacity to challenge Ms Kelly's journalistic methods and biases considering his obvious absence of impartiality. I've never considered anything Kitty Kelly has written to be more than gossip column filler, but I'm beginning to think that Matt Lauer reportage is rapidly falling into the same category.
Compared to his subsequent interview with Sharon Bush, I question Mr. Lauer's journalistic methods. I don't think he could have been more blatant in attempting to destroy one accusation concerning the President's alleged cocaine usage at Camp David, and trying to tie Ms Kelley into some strange relationship with the publicist at the Kelley/Bush meeting. I went to college in West Texas, and although was familiar with the younger Bush's alcohol abuses, was very surprised to hear stories of his cocaine abuse, not from one person, but several Midland-area residents. Like the Bush twins party habits, their father was not circumspect about using illegal drugs. Based upon what I've learned about George W. Bush's family, I don't doubt that Bush used cocaine. Simply having a "conversion" experience doesn't negate the strong addictions of cocaine or alcohol. I respect Mr. Bush's religious beliefs, but find him far from perfect. He was a terrible governor in my home state, and his presidential record has not been much better.
I'm also a little upset with the positive spin NBC tried to cast over the Bush twins at the Republican National Convention. These women are not children, but the media seems to believe that by constantly casting them as some sort of political Olsen Twins creation. If Chelsea Clinton had engaged in illegal, underage drinking, or went to the late-night college "thrash" parties that the Bush girls seem to enjoy, I doubt that the TODAY SHOW hosts would have painted her in such a favorable light.
The fact that NBC had concerns about the interview with Ms Kelley and tried to prevent the interview also makes me seriously rethink my loyalty to NBC and its news programming. Mr. Lauer's interview and the NBC complicity with the White House also seem to conflict with the role of the press. Perhaps you have decided to fall in line with Fox News and their "balanced" reporting. In fact, at least they’re honestly biased, and make no attempt to hide behind some pretended impartiality.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Saturday, June 19, 2004
The Dissertation is DONE!
Well, I mailed off the revisions to my dissertation.....finally!
I'm set to defend on the 28th of June. Then graduate on August 7th!
I began the PhD program at Tech in 1995, although took some courses in the fall semester 1994. Now it's 2004. I did take some time off from 1999 onward, and restarted the dissertation in earnest July 2003 after I was terminated from Southwest Museum Services.
It's been a long road, and I should have finished sooner. But thankfully it's over!
I'm set to defend on the 28th of June. Then graduate on August 7th!
I began the PhD program at Tech in 1995, although took some courses in the fall semester 1994. Now it's 2004. I did take some time off from 1999 onward, and restarted the dissertation in earnest July 2003 after I was terminated from Southwest Museum Services.
It's been a long road, and I should have finished sooner. But thankfully it's over!
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
The Ten Commandments - Texas Style
People here in Texas have trouble with all those shalls and shall nots in the 10 Commandments. Folks here just aren't used to talking in those terms.
So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the "King James" into "King Ranch" language: Ten Commandments, cowboy Style.
Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas.
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.
Now that's kinda plain an' simple don't ya think? Y'all have a good Day.
So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the "King James" into "King Ranch" language: Ten Commandments, cowboy Style.
Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas.
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.
Now that's kinda plain an' simple don't ya think? Y'all have a good Day.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Sunday, May 23, 2004
What a Great Job?!
Here are some of the issues and events that happened during our time at my last full-time job.
1. Sexual Discrimination
2. Racial Discrimination
3. “Whistleblowers” Terminated
4. People With Medical Needs Fired
5. A Threatening Atmosphere Existed
-
I dunno! You think it was a bad place to work?
1. Sexual Discrimination
- Following one installation, although at least four people tested positive to a drug test, only one person-a women-was fired.
- We were told on several occasions that women should not be in management positions because they get “bitchy” at least once a month.
- One woman feared physical violence from a vice-pres. They arranged a plan for one of the men to protect her if the v. p. came to her area to harass or frighten her.
- A crony regularly sexually harassed women.
- Two cronies began intimating that several man were homosexuals.
- A crony would commonly make sexually explicit comments about women. In one case he loudly proclaimed how he enjoyed choking women while he had sex with them.
2. Racial Discrimination
- A crony commonly used the word “nigger.”
- When management was told that one musuem wanted to include information about the African Americans in their community, I was sarcastically told, “There aren’t any African Americans there!"
- The Vice President made no secret that he opposed interracial dating and marriage although several employees violated his views.
- After a woman got a negative review and was denied a raise, the V.P. mentioned that he opposed her interracial dating. He also suggested that she should go off and have some children (sexual discrimination)
- An attitude against hiring or working with African Americans
- The men working in the back were called “vatos” and management made no secret that they were undocumented workers. The owner made it known that if there was any question, the company line was that their paperwork was in process. The new bookkeeper noted that some of the Social Security numbers were incorrect. It was common knowledge that one of the men had the same number as an 80 year old man.
- One man was told not to use his real first name because it was too ethnic.
3. “Whistleblowers” Terminated
- I was aware of the sexual discrimination and harassment issues and encouraged several women to bring the issue to the owner.
- We counseled a woman about the v. p.'s threats, and even went to upper management.
- Several people were all fired after the OSHA investigation and all has talked to OSHA during the investigation. It was commonly known who called OSHA in the first place.
- Although it was announced at a meeting, we both knew that after a Labor Department investigation that resulted in a fine because the company wasn’t paying the construction laborers overtime the owner told the staff that he was paying the men in cash
- A crony told us that the owner ordered him to doctor the time sheets not to reflect overtime.
4. People With Medical Needs Fired
- The people fired in the last round of terminations had medical conditions
- One had had sinus surgery and was taking regular medication
- One was pregnant and was the initial concern over the misuse of chemicals at work.
- Another had had recent cervical surgery.
- Another man had had intestinal problems.
- Another woman had recently taken several sick days and was concerned about her health because of the chemical smell in the office.
- When told the front entrance was not ADA compliant, one of the owner's cronies said, “I don’t know why we need to be compliant, we’re not going to hire any cripples.”
5. A Threatening Atmosphere Existed
-
Women believed that if they complained about sexual harassment they would lose their jobs.
- The owner's henchman would skulk around the office eavesdropping on conversations.
- Any criticism could result in termination. One man was fired after he told the previous owner that the reason components had not been ordered was that the request was sitting on the other owner's desk for approval. One man was fired for pointing out defects in design plans. Two employees were fired for bringing attention to misunderstandings about their pay.
- At various meetings the owner would announce that he did not want people to talk about work amongst themselves, if they had any problems they should come to him, and that really meant termination.
- He commonly fired people citing only “bad attitudes.”
- It was widely known that upper management only wanted “blue sky” reports. Negative reports could result in the charge of having a bad attitude.
- The V.P. usually tried to intimidate employees
I dunno! You think it was a bad place to work?
Friday, May 21, 2004
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Athena
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