Miscellaneous: March 2007 Archives

Using a military email address, U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Marcia Ramode responded in capital letters, “IF YOU ARE GAY WE DON’T TAKE YOU. YOU ARE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED.”

After more prodding from Andrew on the Army’s recruitment policy, the messages escalated into a bigoted tirade. Ramode told Andrew that “being gay is disgusting and immoral.”

In another email, Ramode wrote, “You must be a total idiot and so stupid to presume that you do not know what gender you are.” Ramode added that Andrew should be more grateful to the military for defending his freedoms, but that as a gay man “he should leave the United States.” (source)

Gee, and this from an Army recruiter. If I were a younger man, I’d probably show up in person at the recruiters office to join up, right along with TV cameras rolling.

That said, why get upset over this? We all know what many of these people think. Every group has some “challenged” people in it. As for leaving the United States, sure. I would in a heartbeat if our job locations just happen to move to say... CANADA! Moving is a royal pain though, and we’ve pledged to never do it again. But at this point in time, I wouldn’t have a huge problem with giving up my U.S. citizenship if I had too.

Bill.... take deep breaths and think positive things.....

By the way.... the hearings on the marriage bill in Connecticut was overall a very good experience. I watched it on webcast. They had their share of religious-based people there stating that if Connecticut called “civil unions” a “marriage”, the world would end as we know it. Well, the world as I know it sucks, so I say, let’s give it a try!

THE GOOD NEWS IS, the legislators themselves kept coming back to the reasoning of why not call it “marriage” since Connecticut has granted gay couples legal rights via “civil unions”. The couples that testified said, rightfully so, that what was still being denied them was the dignity and respect of being able to call themselves married. This is how I feel. But, I was pleasantly surprised that even the more conservative legislators were getting this concept. It may not happen this year, but I’m optimistic that I will see it within five years.

I received the following from a friend this morning. I thought it was humorous. I hope you enjoy...

Spotted in a toilet of a London office:
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.

In a London Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an London office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a London secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in London health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a London conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Notice in a field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR, THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

People in other countries sometimes go out of their way to communicate with their English-speaking tourists. Here is a list of signs seen around the world.

At a Budapest zoo:
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD, GIVE IT TO THE GUARD ON DUTY.

Doctors office, Rome:
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.

Hotel, Acapulco:
THE MANAGER HAS PERSONALLY PASSED ALL THE WATER SERVED HERE.

In a Nairobi restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE SHOULD WAIT AND SEE THE MANAGER.

In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKENDS TOO.

I received this via email this morning. Pretty scary stuff.

There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand. This virus is called worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life-completely. If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

We flew to Arizona yesterday, and are now in Tucson. It’s supposed to be around 70 degrees here today, and 80 tomorrow. It’s quite a difference from the cold of the Northeast. We usually go out to Yuma, Arizona to visit Kent’s parents over Christmas (they migrate there from Idaho for the winter). But this year, we decided to wait until they left Yuma, and are meeting them in a few minutes here in Tucson. We are going to talk about what we will be doing the rest of the week, but it will undoubtedly consist of looking for interesting desert scenes and the like. Hopefully, I’ll be able to capture one of those famous Arizona sunsets.

Have a good day everyone.