MsKreed

35 minutes ago, Elizabeth Whitehouse said:

MsKreed. Americans are as unfriendly to foster children as they are to immigrants. Perhaps you should consider taking in one of the roughly 400,000 children who are in foster care.

That's rich.

Perhaps you should consider refraining from making obtuse assumptions about how many foster children my family and I may or may not have hosted over the decades....or how many children we've adopted.

And the fact that some of my family members are currently fostering at-risk children (that they chose to welcome into their home), in no way obligates them to extend their compassion and kindness to an inestimable number of lodgers who show up uninvited.

Just like willingly helping Muai victims is not the same as being Involuntarily burdened by illegal migrants. 

Maui disaster: Approximately 13,000 residents involuntarily displaced during an unprecedented one-time event.

Illegal Immigration: Over 100,000 intentional crossings every month as an ongoing occurrence.

17 minutes ago, Elizabeth Whitehouse said:

MsKreed. According to Amnesty International (and other sources): The right to seek asylum was incorporated into international law following the atrocities of World War II. Congress adopted key provisions of the Geneva Refugee Convention (including the international definition of a refugee) into U.S. immigration law when it passed the Refugee Act of 1980.

Anyone who is on foreign soil and asks for asylum must be granted a hearing.

The current migration crisis might be less if, instead of broadening the definition of of "asylum seekers" to include things like just "not liking" their homeland.... we followed Amnesty International's definition (you can find the link HERE)

Also...the international definition of a refugee used by both the UN Refugee Convention and Refugee Act of 1980 do not include anything about fleeing because of  "lack of jobs" or "high crime rates":

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“someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.”

Sort of like equating six random home intruders taking up residence in your home without permission....to being willing to arrange through proper channels to have one foster child stay in your home.

As I noted already.....

On 7/27/2023 at 4:51 PM, MsKreed said:

A very good video about this pool from a local young man was posted on here  here earlier this month

If anyone advocating here to "save" the Pool has bothered to watch it, it seems like they're choosing to avoid the images of disrepair and don't want to talk about the real condition of the structure or the decades of effort and struggles outlined in the video, that led up to this point.

The downtown parking garage is "not in great condition generally"....Brand Park Memorial Pool is what she said:

1 hour ago, KarenK said:

They have said over and over that the pool is beyond repair and needs to be dismantled.  For YEARS. 

There are several mature trees growing through the crumbled concrete floor of the pool....that is the building's foundation:

No sane person who has looked at its condition (even with an untrained eye) would suggest that it can be "rehabilitated".....as if a couple of tons of sakrete, epoxy sealant and a coat of paint over the graffitti will do the trick. 

so yes....there is a question of money. 

It's not even a case of simply calling it a restoration by rebuilding "from the ground up"....but literally from some point several feet below ground where the root systems reach. 

And then paying astronomical premiums for what insurance companies refer to as an "attractive nuisance"....not just a little residential sized attractive nuisance, but a large, publicly accessible one. 

Exponential increases in liability/insurance costs are a major factor in the trend of more and more municipalities across the country abandoning the once common practice of operating public pools. We live in a litigious society where a minor injuries can result in huge legal settlements - let alone drowning hazards. 

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Whitehouse said:

Not everyone in the US knows the law, not by a long way. How do you expect those in 3rd world countries wanting to come to the US to know them.  Do you know the laws of Guatamala or Nigeria or Tuvalu?

No. I do not.

However, I'm doubtful that if I entered one of those countries (even legally as a tourist with a passport) that I'd be exempt from abiding by any of their laws that I'm unaware of. 

For instance, that there are "lengthy prison sentences public display of same sex relationships" or that "photography of government, military buildings and airports may lead to arrest" in Nigeria (link HERE).

But by your "logic" (and vast travel experience to hundreds of countries) you're advising Chris that he can expect the Nigerian government to allow someone to freely violate these laws, since it's unreasonable to expect foreigners to know their arbitrary laws???

That notion is patently absurd.

 🤣😂

5 hours ago, Zapp Brannigan said:

I will pre tip so its not my meal the kitchen staff is in back running a train on. 

I have no doubt that happens all too often....but more likely would just cancel the whole order rather than worry about whether my pre tip was sufficient to prevent it.

FFS if 25% isn't enough for Door Douche....there's no way to kno wyou'll be safe. 

Yeah...For me, the trends of tipping beforehand or for traditionally “non-tipped” services is more likely to lose my business than encourage higher (or any) tips.

And I have always been a huge proponent of generously tipping when it’s appropriate for the service. I spent decades working at tipped jobs where by employers paid me half minimum wage myself. Waitstaff/bartenders, hotel housekeeping or bellhops, cab drivers, hair/nail salons.....even full service gas attendants (especially in bad weather or when they go out of the way to be helpful, wash a windshield, etc).

I know it does two things.....1) offsets the low wages they get because Uncle Sam allows employer to short them. And will make them claim something as taxable income – which must be an amount the government assumes they received. And 2) It encourages better service.

However....the expectation of tips in a job that makes a fair hourly wage and likely isn’t anticipated (required) to report cash tips is a huge greed grab. 

And tipping beforehand?? When you have no idea whether you will even get adequate service? 

There are very few situations that will encourage good service....like Chris said, to start the bartender out knowing their service will be appreciated. 

Otherwise, they will either feel they don’t need to earn what they already have. Or, as the article points out....

2 hours ago, Elmira Telegram said:

2. How much?

This question is especially important when preservice tips are requested. If service quality may vary based on your response, for example with food delivery, food trucks, bars and restaurants, we suggest tipping the middle or high default tip amount, which will often be around 20%, or a flat dollar amount that is the rough equivalent. That approach will avoid the possibility of getting poor service. Of course, this can result in frustration if service doesn’t meet your expectations.

I do not ever want to feel extorted or bullied into over-tipping for an unknown quality of service to avoid having some entitled snot from "punishing" me for not meeting their inflated expectations. And pre-tipping a "high default tip amount" of even over 20% won't ensure the recipient will appreciate it. 

Like this Door Douche driver dropping F-bombs because he didn't think a 25% tip was ENOUGH 

18 minutes ago, Adam said:

But when Johnny claims and pontificates about the moral/intelligent high-ground despite everyone knowing, but not able to prove guilt, it tends to drive some to apoplexy

Also, when a cop pulls someone over and cites them for going 70 in a 65.... it’s a pretty strong natural impulse to want to point out if he just ignored Johnny and his three friends that flew past in the other lane.

I also think it’s always worth looking at successful models and researching what works and makes them successful.

Maybe someone should do a deep dive into The Windmill.

It’s open one day a week through the season (plus a few secular holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day).....and we all know that it draws steady business from several counties each week.

I know that vendors need to join (and ‘own’ a share of) the Yates County Cooperative. But have no idea if that membership is open to those outside the county or what the various fees are for indoor or outdoor vending space, etc.

They also regularly have live local music, as well as some “event” just about every month:

1 hour ago, Chris said:

You need something bigger to draw the people there. Then the smaller vendors can capitalize on their presence. 

That's a very good point.

I like the idea of some sort of tiered structure that draws in an equivalent to the (now defunct) concept of mall "anchor stores". Once upon a time, having those big stores provided traffic for smaller operations to benefit from.

But I do think the fees for vendors need to offer some "break" for the little guys.... one-person DBA’s, family business or hobbyists who reside in the county (our taxpayers who fund and, in principle, "own" the fairgrounds).

If those little guys can't compete because fees are prohibitive, then only the larger enterprises can afford to participate. And it’s not as much of community benefit that helps local (taxpaying) vendors flourish.

16 minutes ago, Chris said:

Another thought I had along these lines, that may tie in with what @MsKreedposted above:

If the investigation into and charges filed against Trump is election interference, how would an investigation or charges filed against Joe Biden be any different? They're both candidates and presumptive nominees at this point. 

Now you’re getting it!!

At this point....what I’ve seen brought up by Trump’s side as “election interference” refers to the gag order....if there’s also been the same argument over the investigation and charges themselves, I missed it.

But whether it’s the gag order or more....if the Trump team successfully argues “campaign/election interference” then I’d think it makes sense to raise the “whataboutism” question of that decision establishing a precedent that could legally be applied to a Biden case. 

The entire idea of lawyers learning how to research and properly cite relevant case law is basically codified ways to say..... "whatabout Plessy v Ferguson??" and "whatabout Times v. Sullivan??"

Of course, the points I quoted refer to examples in the courtroom (in front of a judge)....like when the judge made a point of establishing that neither side could cite any precedent for the terms of Hunter’s (rejected) plea deal.

But all court cases (whether a plea deal or grand jury proceedings) originate from the prosecutor....where we should expect that individuals in similar situations are treated alike, before a case reaches the judge’s bench.

If precedent is completely circumvented at the prosecution level, then it nullifies the legal foundation of stare decisis. So, "whataboutism" absolutely should be raised regarding who/when charges are brought under comparable situations.

Not to dismiss the idea that tit-for-tat bickering can be a distraction.....but frankly, tossing around the term”whataboutism” as a pejorative always makes me roll my eyes.

Comparing cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues has, in fact, long been considered a "foundational concept in the American legal system". 

Cornell Law School – Legal Information Institute

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Precedent refers to a court decision that is considered as authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues. Precedent is incorporated into the doctrine of stare decisis and requires courts to apply the law in the same manner to cases with the same facts. Some judges have stated that precedent ensures that individuals in similar situations are treated alike instead of based on a particular judge’s personal views.

The American Bar Association

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Stare Decisis—a Latin term that means “let the decision stand” or “to stand by things decided”—is a foundational concept in the American legal system. To put it simply, stare decisis holds that courts and judges should honor “precedent”—or the decisions, rulings, and opinions from prior cases. Respect for precedents gives the law consistency and makes interpretations of the law more predictable—and less seemingly random.

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“Any good prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich.”

Sol Wachtler, then the Chief Justice of New York's Supreme Court

1985 

 

I've never been on a grand jury.

But from what I understand from others who have, the "burden" is a a very low bar. Essentially not much more than a hunch or suspicion.

In fact one person told me the DA (in a local county) was apoplectic when they didn't indict just one of the several cases they heard.

Saw this and had to chuckle....

16 minutes ago, Hal said:

Well how the hell would I know that 😆😂. 

If you don't know about the Babylon Bee ...you're missing out.

It's hilarious. 

1 hour ago, Chris said:

It's a joke. The Babylon Bee is a satire page.

Babylon Bee is a satire page....but sadly some pundits "in the real world" are increasingly reacting exactly like the Bee's characterizations.

LOL

5 hours ago, Chris said:

when blocking an entire swath of IP addresses one runs the risk of losing legitimate users, so I've never done it in the past. However in this case, the IP beginning with 114. has always resolved to a location in Malaysia. Collateral damage could happen I suppose, but not likely. 

My VPN allows me to select a region for my IP to appear from....neither Malaysia or Russia are choices. But I do have options for Denmark, Singapore, Israel, Turkey, Romania. UK and many others. 

Not sure how it looks on your end....but when I search Google for Coffee Shop or gas stations "near me"....the results are for wherever my VPN is set for. 

Seems weird to congratulate him for getting the signatures, only to throw them out....

(maybe someone can comment and ask about it - LOL)

In his fifth term

1 minute ago, Adam said:

"We discussed the fair last night

If that discussion was the Budget Committee meeting I linked, it was pretty informal. No one from the Fair Committee was there to answer, but they mentioned the earlier request for funds (for the concert) that the Legislature rejected in May. 

Additionally, Legislator Morse noted the Troy Fair (that everyone uses as a contrast) i in PA and not subject to some of NYS's restrictive seasonal employment laws. 

The term “disloyalty” seems like an understatement.

 It seems more like flat out “misconduct” and I wonder if they’re possibly subject to criminal charges for interference with a lawful election process.

The Budget Committee only had a few item on their Agenda (less than 2 minutes worth), and a brief update on the Five Star Building......Mr McCarthy asked about the Fair at about the 3:45 mark......

The Committee members all seem interested in finding some way to improve the County Fair as well as addressing year round under-utilization.....but it wasn't an official Agenda item and seems like it's not been/being brought up to the Full Legislature at this time 😔

August 7, 2023 Budget Meeting 

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Am I the only one who thinks the AP is doing all they can to not use the word "unemployment" here?

Maybe the psychology is that, by throwing in the word “benefits” it sounds less negative? "Hey look! There's benefits to being jobless!"

Either way, the “unemployment” rate has been misleading for decades. It only counts people during the period they’re eligible to collect UI benefits.

The “unemployment” numbers (jobless benefits) we see reported omit all the people (including homeless) who are quietly listed elsewhere as simply “not participating” in the labor force, rather than “unemployed”.

People who haven’t worked steady enough (2 consecutive quarters) to qualify for UI.....aren’t listed as “unemployed”.

People who worked independently (self employed, gig work etc and don't qualify for UI).....aren’t listed as “unemployed”.

People whose UI expired (after 26 weeks) and still haven’t found work.....aren’t listed as “unemployed”.

I’m careful to avoid carrying a balance on credit cards (unless it’s under a low/no interest promotion that I pay off before it expires).

But I know more and more people are making “minimum payments”. And, with crazy inflation, increasingly relying on credit cards for everyday purchases, back to school shopping, Christmas, etc. At over 20% APR, many are digging themselves deeper.

This is going to become unsustainable very soon:

Total Household Debt Reaches $17.06 Trillion in Q2 2023; Credit Card Debt Exceeds $1 Trillion

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Credit card balances increased by $45 billion, from $986 billion in Q1 2023 to a series high of $1.03 trillion in the Q2 2023, marking a 4.6% quarterly increase. Credit card accounts expanded by 5.48 million to 578.35 million. Aggregate limits on credit card accounts increased by $9 billion and now stand at $4.6 trillion.

While I do believe we need the FQHC, I also think that the County needs to direct the various entities that promote economic & industrial development to focus less on bringing low-wage, part-time jobs in retail/tourism and “temp” agency staffing.....that too often lack comprehensive employee benefit packages.

The best way to reduce our local Medicaid costs is to grow a job market that reduces the number of Medicaid recipients.