The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deputy director Sherwin Smith is warning citizens to think before they start raising concerns about water quality because they could be charged with making terroristic threats. Smith told Maury County resident that unfounded complaints could be considered an “act of terrorism” and turned over the the police and the FBI. The meeting followed complaints about water quality in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee where children have become ill drinking the water. That left residents with the sense that they were being given a Sophie’s Choice by the TDEC: live with sick children or face a possible charge of being a terrorist.
Smith warned residents “you need to make sure that when you make water quality complaints you have a basis, because federally, if there’s no water quality issues, that can be considered under homeland security an act of terrorism.” One audience member seemed to be in disbelief and asked “Can you say that again, please?” Smtih then repeated the warning.
The residents know something about terror. Joycelene Johns, 68, says that she has had no choice but to drink the cloudy, odd-tasting water for years. She added “I’ll drink it. but I pray before the first sip.”
The comments reflect a fear that the war on terror, like Saturn, inevitably devours its own. Criticism of the government is now viewed as a potentially terrorist act in our new society. The TDEC appears to be paraphrasing Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “The fault, dear Joycelene, is not in our water, But in ourselves.”
Of course, the worse thing is if Johns is arrested and water-boarded with the same contaminated water. The least they could do is use some bottled water so not to add insult to injury.
Source: Tennessee
Ay:
“There are Romanticists whose basic premise, in effect, is that man possesses volition in regard to consciousness, but not to existence, i.e., in regard to his own character and choice of values, but not in regard to the possibility of achieving his goals in the physical world. The distinguishing characteristics of such writers are grand-scale themes and characters, no plots and an overwhelming sense of tragedy, the sense of a “malevolent universe.” The chief exponents of this category were poets. The leading one is Byron, whose name has been attached to this particular, “Byronic,” view of existence: its essence is the belief that man must lead a heroic life and fight for his values even though he is doomed to defeat by a malevolent fate over which he has no control.”
Bron and AY, Good work. Take note Gene is solo on this. There was a time, not long ago, when there would be a posse chasing you two free thinkers back into the herd, or banished from the herd. I’ve been “moderated” and deleted w/o righteousness. So, I know how you feel. My opiate haze only allows me to offer moral support. But, as I learned over my career, listen for what people don’t say. Take note of who doesn’t appear. And find some laughs as you joust. Time for some prune juice.
AY:
“There is a fundamental conviction which some people never acquire, some hold only in their youth, and a few hold to the end of their days—the conviction that ideas matter . . . . That ideas matter means that knowledge matters, that truth matters, that one’s mind matters . . . .
Its consequence is the inability to believe in the power or the triumph of evil. No matter what corruption one observes in one’s immediate background, one is unable to accept it as normal, permanent or metaphysically right. One feels: “This injustice (or terror or falsehood or frustration or pain or agony) is the exception in life, not the rule.” One feels certain that somewhere on earth—even if not anywhere in one’s surroundings or within one’s reach—a proper, human way of life is possible to human beings, and justice matters.”
Ditto on projection…copy that… Roger… 10-4….
Darren:
what do you sell? Wine?
Now, Gene… Go away… Take a break…. Learn breathing exercises…. Cool down… Go fishing… Relax…. I’m concerned about your health…
Projection isn’t just for movie theaters anymore.
You know Gene… Some people don’t know you… But you are a bully…. Fully replete with plenty of demonstrable posts by you…. You made this personal…. I’ve tried to take the higher road…. You still use and say whatever is available to you at the moment…. I feel your pain…. Those demons but be awful….
I’m not trying to provoke into anything. From word one from you on this thread to me, the provocation has come from you. Your ad hominem argument is manifest. It’s only at the point of a failing argument at this point, but if you’d like to drag it out for months like some people have, I’m sure you’ll run afoul of the rules eventually.
Awwww. Did snuggums get his nose pinched under his blankie?
If you think I’m going to let you continue calling me whatever name you please without defending myself, that’s a really interesting mistake you’re making. “This guy is a bully for not letting me bully him!” How’s that strategy working out for, sport?
You do know that Einstein once defined insanity as repeating the same action over and over again and expecting a different result?
That kind of strategy has worked out so well for you in other areas.
But like I said, at least you’re consistent.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don’t run afoul of the rules is that I both know them and understand their limits?
Maybe you should consider that.
You see Gene, you’re trying to provoke me into saying some contrary to blog policy…. Reread your post about what gets someone banned…. You have proven by your own statements…. You will break them…. Get a real life… Go fishing…. Cool down…. Go for a boat ride…. Do something rather than be passive aggressive.. Though it fits your dysfunctional personality… It’s not what the blawg stands for….
Bron asked
“So then how do you make any money? You dont try to figure out what your customers want?”
~+~
What I meant to convey was I don’t have the individual customers dictate orders to my suppliers. If I let customers do this, the business would be in disarray because the customer does not know the business well enough. If one customer decided he wanted to see a case of a particular product on the shelf just because he “might” buy it someday I lose money. It could be stagant on the shelf for a year because nobody else wanted to have it. The products I carry can range in price from (wholesale) $44.00 a case to $44,000.00. If I had customers placing wholesale orders for the latter I would be out of business in a week.
And yes it is entirely market driven as to what I put on the shelf. But the decision to do so ultimately rests with me or by delegation my managers.
I think Bron stated you were a bully…..as well….or can logically be inferred….but, as you say I have no say in the matter…
I think you are a bully as well…. What you think is no concern of mine… I can’t control the demons that make you say and do the things you do…. I absolutely love my blankie…. You should get one…. Maybe it might help you feel more secure in the real world….
Stated like a true bully Gene… Who would expect anything different from a bully….. I don’t…. Now, knowing when to shut up is a matter you have no comprehension…. I presume you didn’t break the concrete wall?
Nah! On second thought, I won’t kick you when you’re down, AY. You’ll just have to use your imagination if you want to know my honest opinion of you.
What was that Bron said about cowardice again?
However, since you’re into offering opinions from behind your wall of anonymity, would you like my honest opinion of you?
I’ll be glad to give it.
You won’t like it, but I’ll be glad to give it.
And you’ll be nice and cozy hiding under your blankie.
Again, your opinion doesn’t qualify as fact, AY.
You think I’m a bully?
No one cares. Least of all me. But if you’d like to keep adding to the chain of your already manifest ad hominem argument that you admitted was in fact personal for you, I really don’t mind. It proves my point your argument isn’t substantive and based in personal animus.
I don’t care if you beat your head against the wall until it’s a bloody mess, but, hey! There’s a wall over there. You might not want to beat your head against it. Don’t mistake my caution as concern for your well being.
Not knowing when to give up is just as bad as not knowing how to argue in the first place.
Gene,
No whining…. I promise… Just because you don’t like the truth when its served on a bamboo plate doesn’t mean it’s still not the truth…. I get it… I have no say in the matter…. You’ll still be a bully….
Gene,
Your postings speak for themselves…. Though you deny…. It is still true…. You know me well enough to know, I won’t back down when you’re being a bully….. That’s really the only time you get engaged….. Quit being a bully and move on…. Oh yeah…. I have no say in the matter….