www.uncivilservants.org

oiseau

I hope all you Prospect Heights folks take some photos and post them on www.uncivilservants.org when able on March 15th. I know the area by the Bergen St 2/3 train is filled with abouses as well at St. Johns up near the firehouse (where a freind of mine has been calling the 311 for years to get the "heroes" not to park on the sidewalk to no avail).

I know I got issues in my hood.

Now, all we need is to stop all the double-parking abuses when people go to church on Sundays.

king without a crown

Lets all do that! Lets make complaints against police officers and firefighters risking their lives every day to protect us and our families. I wonder how many cars were left illegaly parked by the firehouses and police stations while these men and women were responding to the World Trade Center. Did you ever think that some of those "heroes" never even made it back to park legally. Go look at the photos in front of the Firehouse. While you're at it, take a picture of the cops car who got shot a few weeks ago on St Marks ave-6 ave, i'm sure he'd appreciate it.

paraderest

I don't know about FDNY but the city is contractually required to provide adequate parking for police officers at/around police facilities. If the city fails to provide it that it's not the officers fault. Some dopey cops do park in spots where they really shouldn't but at the same time if the city kept their end of the contract, it wouldn't be a problem.

whyfi

King without a crown wrote: Lets all do that! Lets make complaints against police officers and firefighters risking their lives every day to protect us and our families. I wonder how many cars were left illegaly parked by the firehouses and police stations while these men and women were responding to the World Trade Center. Did you ever think that some of those "heroes" never even made it back to park legally. Go look at the photos in front of the Firehouse. While you're at it, take a picture of the cops car who got shot a few weeks ago on St Marks ave-6 ave, i'm sure he'd appreciate it.

I often agree with your sentiment, but give me a break - this is total GWB bullshit.

oiseau

ParadeRest wrote: at the same time if the city kept their end of the contract, it wouldn't be a problem.

There lies the solution to many of the problems.

However, 9/11 doesn't excuse anything.

erikka

i remember seeing a group of firefighters cut line at terrace bagels saying "9/11 heroes coming through, get outta the way" without a trace of irony.

king without a crown

It doesn't expire, just like Veterans! Maybe the next terrorist attack you can sift through debris, looking for body parts at the Freshkills Landfill.

jayce

erikka wrote: i remember seeing a group of firefighters cut line at terrace bagels saying "9/11 heroes coming through, get outta the way" without a trace of irony.

when does the 9/11 preferrential treatment timeline expire?

I'd more than happily let any group of firefighters cut the line for a bagel, if not a whole heck of a lot more. I guess I see the "expiration" the day that I do something a whole lot more heroic than racing down to what was hell on earth to save as many people as they could. The day I can do something more amazing and more compassionate towards my fellow new yorkers, is the day I have the right to be annoyed at their "preferrential treatment."

sterling2000

I saw two cops run out of Tom's one morning last week when a Sanitation officer was ticketing their personal cars. The ensuing argument was a hoot to behold.

whyfi

erikka wrote: when does the 9/11 preferrential treatment timeline expire?

As soon as they have the gall to feel entitled to that preferential treatment.

erikka

jayce wrote: [quote=erikka]i remember seeing a group of firefighters cut line at terrace bagels saying "9/11 heroes coming through, get outta the way" without a trace of irony.

when does the 9/11 preferrential treatment timeline expire?

I'd more than happily let any group of firefighters cut the line for a bagel, if not a whole heck of a lot more. I guess I see the "expiration" the day that I do something a whole lot more heroic than racing down to what was hell on earth to save as many people as they could. The day I can do something more amazing and more compassionate towards my fellow new yorkers, is the day I have the right to be annoyed at their "preferrential treatment."

It wasnt' like "excuse me, we have someplace to be may I cut?" It was like, "Hey let's get these and eat them in our double parked fire truck outside while lounging around catcalling women, move out of my way". Nothing heroic about that.

erikka

King without a crown wrote: It doesn't expire, just like Veterans! Maybe the next terrorist attack you can sift through debris, looking for body parts at the Freshkills Landfill.

(reply removed, not interested in pursuing this absurd discussion)

jayce

I didn't say the event of cutting the line was heroic. I'm just willing to let someone cut me for a bagel. But you paint such a respectful picture of firefighters. These are people who save peoples lives. Nice to see you reduce them to lounging around and catcalling.

jayce

erikka wrote: I assure you my career choice (nursing) is plenty heroic but I don't need to throw that in your face.

Wow. :shock:
So you are putting yourself on par with 9/11 firefighters who ran into burning collapsing buildings. That's pretty amazing.
And by the looks of your postings you are still a nursing student. I guess the heroism starts early, huh?

oiseau

King without a crown wrote: Maybe the next terrorist attack you can sift through debris, looking for body parts at the Freshkills Landfill.

What a positive attitude. (and this coming from me, Mr. Offensive)

IMO, there won't be another terrorist attack. Stop living scared.

I have no problem for these civil servants parking wherever they want in an emergency, but if they are just driving to work then they should park with respect to the neighborhood they work in!

Furthermore, why the fug are they driving to work? Because they all live on Staten Island? I don't think so! Maybe if they actually took public transportation there'd be less crime, whatever, in the subways, and they'd be able to empathize with the regular joe a bit more instead of thinking they are special and above the law.

And this shit was going on before 9/11, anyway.

erikka

jayce wrote: I didn't say the event of cutting the line was heroic. I'm just willing to let someone cut me for a bagel. But you paint such a respectful picture of firefighters. These are people who save peoples lives. Nice to see you reduce them to lounging around and catcalling.

I call it like I see it.

I am not some anti authority overthrow the state all cops are suspect type, but their behavior was disgusting. I did not generalize it to all firefighters, but playing the 9-11 card and calling yourself a "hero" for a free bagel is disgusting, as is catcalling women. Those particular fightfighers didn't act in a particularly respectful manner.

boygabriel

This post is hilarious.

Firefighters acting like jerks and terrorist attacks couldn't be less related.

This really is some Fox News-style b.s.

paraderest

Oiseau wrote: [quote=King without a crown]Maybe the next terrorist attack you can sift through debris, looking for body parts at the Freshkills Landfill.

What a positive attitude. (and this coming from me, Mr. Offensive)

IMO, there won't be another terrorist attack. Stop living scared.

I have no problem for these civil servants parking wherever they want in an emergency, but if they are just driving to work then they should park with respect to the neighborhood they work in!

Furthermore, why the fug are they driving to work? Because they all live on Staten Island? I don't think so! Maybe if they actually took public transportation there'd be less crime, whatever, in the subways, and they'd be able to empathize with the regular joe a bit more instead of thinking they are special and above the law.

And this shit was going on before 9/11, anyway.

You don't think that there will be another terrorist attack in this city? I applaud your positive thinking but there is a harsh reality that many people want to do great harm to this county by any means possible. This war on terror will be never ending.

Cops drive to work because when they work in Bed-Stuy and live in Marine Park (for example) it's near impossible to take mass transit at 2 in the morning. There are many cops that get off at midnight, 2am, and 4am. I propose that all cops and fireman work from 8am to 4pm to ensure that they can take mass transit. I won't even talk about the cops that once lived near where they work but now had to move out to Suffolk county because the PBA contract has been expired for almost three years and they can't afford to stay in the city. For the first six months of their employment, new cops get paid approx $25,500/ann. before taxes. Cut that in half and knock off taxes and your down to what $8000? Now take out uniform expenses and your down to $5500. Break that into six months and you get $916. Minus health insurance and union dues and now your down to about $850 a month.

oiseau

ParadeRest wrote: There are many cops that get off at midnight, 2am, and 4am.

there are many people who work late hours, yet they don't get the luxury of driving to work and parking on a sidewalk. Like I said, get these heroes on the subways late at night and perhaps there'd be less crime on the subways, whatever.

ParadeRest wrote: I won't even talk about the cops that once lived near where they work but now had to move out to Suffolk county because the PBA contract has been expired for almost three years and they can't afford to stay in the city.

Whatever. They knew this when they signed up. Sure, I agree, they should get paid more. Are they the only people who work in the city and live in Suffolk County? I think not.

So they have to take LIRR and then the subway, thousands of people do that everyday.

Here's an idea to all the hereos - obey the fuggin' law and respect the neighborhood you live in by not blocking the sidewalsk with your vehicles just because you think you have some divine right.

smokin joe

many hundreds of cops and firefighters did act heroically on 9-11. and many act heroically at others times as well. however, that does not make not every cop and firefighter on the force an automatic hero.

those who do heroic work are entitled to our appreciation, whether they're firefighters or nurses or lifeguards or blood donors or whoever. however, it is up to us to give it. if jayce (or anyone) wants to trade her place in line with anyone she wishes to show them her gratitude, she's free to do that.

but no one has the right to cut in line or hog parking places or otherwise demand favorable treatment because of the job they have. i don't know if the person cutting in line was a hero on 9-11 or called in sick that day or wasn't even on the force then. a uniform is not a license for favoritism or special treatment.

and in fact, with people whose job is law enforcement, it is a kind of petty corruption. aside from the potential of bribery and partiality in law enforcement, businesses that give freebies to cops get added security because more cops spend more time in their business (what idiot would ever try to rob terrace bagels?) while the rest of the precinct gets proportionately less police presence.

if it's not already, it should be illegal for public servants to accept free goods of any kind from commercial establishments. and even if it is legal, an honorable police officer should not accept them and compromise the integrity of his department with the appearance of impropriety.

firefighters who want a bagel can wait in line and pay for them like anyone else. and if there's a fire, they shouldn't be stopping for bagels anyway.

whyfi

While I can sympathize, how does that translate in to breaking the rules made by the system that employees you? Further, while pay may start out bad, it certainly gets much better and retiring 20 years later is nothing to sneeze at...

jayce

Smokin' Joe wrote: firefighters who want a bagel can wait in line and pay for them like anyone else. and if there's a fire, they shouldn't be stopping for bagels anyway.

the amusing thing is that she never said they got the bagels for free. Just that she considered it preferential treatment when they got to go ahead of her in line. nothing about were the other people in the line happy to let them go and maybe thats why they did. just that she felt that they were getting some unfair perks, being firefighters.

made infinitely worse by the characterizations of firefighters later as being loungy and catcalling. I don't know about any of you, but groups of men I don't tend to see catcalling alot are firefighters. Construction workers, totally. Firefighters? As a general sweeping characterization I think its a little... um... out there.

lastly the debate continues (tho you can't see it because erikka deleted her comments and went home) because she considers herself a hero too. and while I find nursing to be a profoundly admirable profession, there is something a little... oh should I say... egotistical in elevating yourself to a 9/11 firefighter who ran into the trade towers. no doubt some of our readers had family saved or lost that day and I just think a little more respect for that sacrifice (instead of belittling it) might have been nice.

oiseau

I have no problem with firefighters, (except when they park on the sidewalk) as they hold no bias - they put out fires no matter what neighborhood their in. They do their job all the time.

Now cops, well, that's a different story. Talk about a job you can do when you feel like it. They can let the whole place turn to anarchy and ignore it, they don't HAVE to do anything. Oh, wait, except when there is an emergency then they show up after the fact and take some worthless notes.

whyfi

jayce wrote: ...while I find nursing to be a profoundly admirable profession, there is something a little... oh should I say... egotistical in elevating yourself to a 9/11 firefighter who ran into the trade towers.

Different type of courage, but it's courage none the less - maybe you should spend some time in an ER?

erikka

jayce wrote: lastly the debate continues (tho you can't see it because erikka deleted her comments and went home) because she considers herself a hero too. and while I find nursing to be a profoundly admirable profession, there is something a little... oh should I say... egotistical in elevating yourself to a 9/11 firefighter who ran into the trade towers. no doubt some of our readers had family saved or lost that day and I just think a little more respect for that sacrifice (instead of belittling it) might have been nice.

Bullshit--and I deleted it because you obviously misunderstood me. I meant there are people doing heroic things who would never have the audacity to call themselves a hero or expect to get away with things that are illegal simply because of their job. I erased it because I didn't feel like getting into a flame war with you. Furthermore, I specifically said it was those firefighters and not all firefighters--so your "sweeping generalization" argument is wrong. If you have a personal problem with me, take it PM. You out of line.

jayce

I have. One of my closest friends is an ER nurse. I am saying again it is a profoundly admirable profession. But firefighters leave their home every day kissing their partners and children goodbye with a pretty reasonable likelihood that they could get hurt or killed. I don't know if that is quite the same for nurses. You hear alot about widows of firefighters. Not widows of nurses.

again, though, i think nurses are incredible. no question about it. i have admiration up the wazoo for that because lord knows they do a lot more than doctors do and get a lot less credit for it. the medical profession wouldn't last a second without nurses.

i am just saying she isn't a 9/11 firefighter.

jayce

erikka wrote: If you have a personal problem with me, take it PM. You out of line.

No personal problem with you at all. Just find your attitude in this posting a little offensive. We shall agree to disagree.

oiseau

jayce wrote: i am just saying she isn't a 9/11 firefighter.

and any firefighter who joined the force on 9/12 or thereafter isn't either.

elitt

Subject: Re: www.uncivilservants.org

Oiseau wrote: I hope all you Prospect Heights folks take some photos and post them on www.uncivilservants.org when able on March 15th. I know the area by the Bergen St 2/3 train is filled with abouses as well at St. Johns up near the firehouse (where a freind of mine has been calling the 311 for years to get the "heroes" not to park on the sidewalk to no avail).

I know I got issues in my hood.

Now, all we need is to stop all the double-parking abuses when people go to church on Sundays.

It's not that this isn't an important issue to some, but it falls far short of being a priority for all.

How about an assault on poverty and hunger? How about a petition about smaller class sizes? ...a decent living wage for rookie officers?

All this energy could be put to better use.

qtrain

jayce wrote: But firefighters leave their home every day kissing their partners and children goodbye with a pretty reasonable likelihood that they could get hurt or killed.

As do our city's taxi drivers, truck drivers, construction workers, and garbagemen (all who have higher job fatality rates).

jayce

qtrain wrote: [quote=jayce]But firefighters leave their home every day kissing their partners and children goodbye with a pretty reasonable likelihood that they could get hurt or killed.

As do our city's taxi drivers, truck drivers, construction workers, and garbagemen (all who have higher job fatality rates).

totally true. i think the difference being that firefighters risk their lives to save other people. taxi drivers, construction workers and garbage men, not so much.