So I love to gripe about email forwards. They seem to both frustrate and entertain me.
I got one about some Chris Angel zodiac thing, basically just a reheated astrology calendar.
This is in the first part of the email that was forwarded to me.
"Read your sign, and then forward it on, with your zodi ac sign and label on the subject line. This is the real Deal, try ignoring or changing it, and the first thing you'll notice is having a horrible day starting tomorrow morning - and it only gets Worse from there."
So... my question is simply this. Assuming that you bought into the truth and power of it in the first place, why would you forward something to a friend or relative that has a chance of giving them bad luck or a terrible day? It sounds like the beginning of a B-grade horror movie.
"My great great aunt sent me this ancient Egyptian puzzle cube! It says here that if I solve it, I'll get riches beyond my wildest dreams, but if I turn it the wrong way, demons from hell will come out and flay my skin off!"
I'm just saying...
Bring on the bad luck, bitches.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Despite its recent death, I continue to bludgeon the horse
I continue to get (unwanted,) (forwarded,) (ridiculous,) emails from people.
The ones from my immediate family have slowed down. Either I've helped to educate a little bit, or they just quit sending the stuff to me. Either way....
I got one just a few minutes ago from an old high school friend who routinely sends this junk my way. This one was about a fellow who went to a religious panel discussion, where he confronted an imam, and asked the imam if all muslims were supposed to kill infidels, and the imam said yes! OH NOES!
For starters, this isn't true - in two parts. Muslims are not tasked with killing anyone, as far as I'm aware. Also, this even never really happened, at least, not in the way described.
But its more than just being incorrect. That's annoying. If she's sent me an email that claimed that there's a new study indicating that sheep can do complicated algebra, I'd let it go. But its not, it is spreading and stoking intolerance.
I bet that none of the people that received this email from her know a single Muslim. So - what's the harm? They aren't going to go commit hate crimes, right? I'm not really protecting anyone by refuting the email, publicly, to her and to all of the people that she forwarded this thing to, right?
No, I feel like I have a moral imperative to refute and disagree with her. Ideas are powerful. Hate is powerful. It doesn't matter that these people are unlikely to go and commit violence on someone else, based on this junk. They'll tell their friends and family and their children, and it spreads and spreads. These people don't know any better. They don't read about Islam or know any Muslims. So there is nothing that differentiates Muslims from baby-eating blood cultists.
So, I hit "reply-all", and gently noted the snopes link, and commented on how we misunderstood and mistrusted people of other faiths, and that most are just simple folks, concerned about eating and sleeping and working and raising kids, and that religious fanaticism is unfortunately found all over the place, not just amongst Muslims.
So we'll see what kinds of replies I get.
The ones from my immediate family have slowed down. Either I've helped to educate a little bit, or they just quit sending the stuff to me. Either way....
I got one just a few minutes ago from an old high school friend who routinely sends this junk my way. This one was about a fellow who went to a religious panel discussion, where he confronted an imam, and asked the imam if all muslims were supposed to kill infidels, and the imam said yes! OH NOES!
For starters, this isn't true - in two parts. Muslims are not tasked with killing anyone, as far as I'm aware. Also, this even never really happened, at least, not in the way described.
But its more than just being incorrect. That's annoying. If she's sent me an email that claimed that there's a new study indicating that sheep can do complicated algebra, I'd let it go. But its not, it is spreading and stoking intolerance.
I bet that none of the people that received this email from her know a single Muslim. So - what's the harm? They aren't going to go commit hate crimes, right? I'm not really protecting anyone by refuting the email, publicly, to her and to all of the people that she forwarded this thing to, right?
No, I feel like I have a moral imperative to refute and disagree with her. Ideas are powerful. Hate is powerful. It doesn't matter that these people are unlikely to go and commit violence on someone else, based on this junk. They'll tell their friends and family and their children, and it spreads and spreads. These people don't know any better. They don't read about Islam or know any Muslims. So there is nothing that differentiates Muslims from baby-eating blood cultists.
So, I hit "reply-all", and gently noted the snopes link, and commented on how we misunderstood and mistrusted people of other faiths, and that most are just simple folks, concerned about eating and sleeping and working and raising kids, and that religious fanaticism is unfortunately found all over the place, not just amongst Muslims.
So we'll see what kinds of replies I get.
Thursday, May 4, 2006
email forwards
This forward from my Dad:
> This letter sent to Senator Frist from a retired border patrol
> agent that has more common sense than all the bull being spewed
> from the Senate, with the exception of a few sensible
> representatives.
>
> Dear Senator Frist,
>
> There is a huge amount of propaganda and myths circulating about
> illegal aliens, particularly illegal Mexican, Salvadorian,
> Guatemalan and Honduran aliens.
>
> 1. Illegal aliens generally do NOT want U.S. citizenship.
> Americans are very vain thinking that everybody in the world wants
> to be a U.S. citizen. Mexicans, and other nationalities want to
> remain citizens of their home countries while obtaining the
> benefits offered by the United States such as employment, medical
> care, in-state tuition, government subsidized housing and free
> education for their offspring. Their main attraction is
> employment and their loyalty usually remains at home. They want
> benefits earned and subsidized by middle class Americans. What
> illegal aliens was are benefits of American residence without
> paying the price.
>
> 2. There are no jobs that Americans won't do. Illegal aliens are
> doing jobs that Americans can't take and still support their
> families. Illegal aliens take low wage jobs, live dozens in a
> single residence home, share expenses and send money to their home
> country. There are no jobs that Americans won't do for a decent
> wage.
>
> 3. Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home.
> They are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. Some left jobs
> in their home countries. They come to send money to their real
> home as evidenced by the more than 20 billion dollars sent out of
> the country each year by illegal aliens. These illegal aliens
> knowingly and willfully entered this nation in violation of the
> law and therefore assumed the risk of detection and deportation.
> Those who brought their alien children assumed the responsibility
> and risk on behalf of their children.
>
> 4. Illegal aliens are NOT critical to the economy. Illegal
> aliens constitute less than 5% of the workforce. However, they
> reduce wages and benefits for lawful U.S. residents.
>
> 5. This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native
> born Americans. While it is true that this nation was settled and
> founded by immigrants (legal immigrants), it is also true that
> there is not a nation on this planet that was not settled by
> immigrants at one time or another.
>
> 6. The United States is welcoming to legal immigrants. Illegal
> aliens are not immigrants by definition. The U.S. accepts more
> lawful immigrants every year than the rest of the world combined.
>
> 7. There is no such thing as the "Hispanic vote". Hispanics are
> white, brown, black and every shade in between. Hispanics are
> Republicans, Democrats, Anarchists, Communists, Marxists and
> Independents. The so-called "Hispanic vote" is a myth. Pandering
> to illegal aliens to get the Hispanic vote is a dead end.
>
> 8. Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. Since 1848
> Mexicans have resented the United States. During World War I
> Mexico allowed German Spies to operate freely in Mexico to spy on
> the U.S. During World War II Mexico allowed the Axis powers to
> spy on the U.S. from Mexico. During the Cold War Mexico allowed
> spies hostile to the U.S. to operate freely. The attack on the
> Twin Towers in 2001 was cheered and applauded all across Mexico.
> Today Mexican school children are taught that the U.S. stole
> California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. If you don't believe
> it, check out some Mexican textbooks written for their school
> children.
>
> 9. Although some illegal aliens enter this country for a better
> life, there are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1
> billion of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a
> better life is avalid excuse to break the law and sneak into
> America, then let's allow those one billion to come to America and
> we'll turn the USA into a Third World nation overnight. Besides,
> there are 280 million native born Americans who want a better
> life. I'll bet Bill Gates and Donald Trump want a better life.
> When will the USA lifeboat be full? Since when is wanting a
> better life a good reason to trash another nation?
>
> 10. There is a labor shortage in this country. This is a lie.
> There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American
> housewives,senior citizens, students, unemployed and underemployed
> who would gladly take jobs at a decent wage.
>
> 11. It is racist to want secure borders. What is racist about
> wanting secure borders and a secure America? What is racist about
> not wanting people to sneak into America and steal benefits we
> have set aside for legal aliens, senior citizens, children and
> other legal residents? What is it about race that entitles people
> to violate our laws, steal identities, and take the American Dream
> without paying the price?
>
> For about four decades American politicians have refused to secure
> our borders and look after the welfare of middle class Americans.
> These politicians have been of both parties. A huge debt to
> American society has resulted. This debt will be satisfied and
> the interest will be high.
>
> There has already been riots in the streets by illegal aliens and
> their supporters. There will be more. You, as a politician, have
> a choice to offend the illegal aliens who have stolen into this
> country and demanded the rights afforded to U.S. citizens or to
> offend those of us who are stakeholders in this country. The
> interest will be steep either way. There will be civil unrest.
> There will be a reckoning. Do you have the courage to do what is
> right for America? Or, will you bow to the wants and needs of
> those who don't even have the right to remain here?
>
> There will be a reckoning. It will come in November of this
> year,again in 2008 and yet again in 2010.
>
> We will not allow America to be stolen by third world agitators
> and thieves.
> >
> > David J. Stoddard U.S. Border Patrol (RET)
>
>
>
My reply:
While I think that this fellow makes a well-written case, I think that he is
totally wrong on some points, or has "spun" things to twist the truth of the
matter.
These are just people who are looking for a better life. And while it is true
that those who are crossing the border illegally are.. well, breaking the law..
consider for a moment that just because something is a law does not make it
right and correct, it just makes it true. It struck me the other day that with
the huge huge numbers of people crossing over illegally, it seems to me that the
system is not able to keep up with the demand. And I wonder why this is the
case. I'm no socio-economist, but I think that people create jobs. If you
just picked up 100,000 people and dropped them into a functioning
economy/country, they will fairly quickly generate jobs and money. Consider
this- that's 100,000 more consumers, 100,000 more people who'll be interested
in making purchases. Back to the not able to keep up with the demand, why is
it that we have tens or hundreds of thousands of people crossing the border
every year? Is it because we're denying them entrance? And if so.. why? I'm
appalled that America and Mexico are next door neighbors. I see, in my mind, a
beverly hills mansion with 40 bedrooms, a 15 car garage, 3 swimming pools, etc
etc, right next door to a small one-bedroom shotgun home. It just seems
disproportionate. And okay, sure, I imagine there are arguments that "Well
America cant be responsible for giving hand outs to every impoverished nation."
which is not really what I'm looking for, even though the plight of africa makes
my heart hurt.. but it still seems disproportionate. Big Rich America right next
door to Impoverished Mexico. Sure - we were lucky. America for settling this
land (and kicking off or killing all of its original inhabitants....) and us
for being born here. And for being middle class. Not only do we live in
america, we do pretty okay in america, unlike the dirt poor folks who live in
the same city/country as us. And I mean the working poor. Still.. can you
blame them? Lets imagine for a moment that you live in a two bedroom shoddy
house along with your wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters and
possibly their families. College? Huh? I cant speak with any authority on
jobs in Mexico, either how readily they are available or how well they pay,
though its obvious that they cant/dont provide as good a living as american
jobs.. What would you do? Wouldnt you be inclined to cross the border..
either alone in order to be able to send money to your family.. or with your
whole family?
I think that there is a problem, but I dont think it is a simple problem, that
we be solved this year or next year or anytime in the near future. Not solved
in the way that the media talks about it now. I dont think that the problem is
that large numbers of people illegally cross the border every year, I think that
is just a symptom of the problem.
> This letter sent to Senator Frist from a retired border patrol
> agent that has more common sense than all the bull being spewed
> from the Senate, with the exception of a few sensible
> representatives.
>
> Dear Senator Frist,
>
> There is a huge amount of propaganda and myths circulating about
> illegal aliens, particularly illegal Mexican, Salvadorian,
> Guatemalan and Honduran aliens.
>
> 1. Illegal aliens generally do NOT want U.S. citizenship.
> Americans are very vain thinking that everybody in the world wants
> to be a U.S. citizen. Mexicans, and other nationalities want to
> remain citizens of their home countries while obtaining the
> benefits offered by the United States such as employment, medical
> care, in-state tuition, government subsidized housing and free
> education for their offspring. Their main attraction is
> employment and their loyalty usually remains at home. They want
> benefits earned and subsidized by middle class Americans. What
> illegal aliens was are benefits of American residence without
> paying the price.
>
> 2. There are no jobs that Americans won't do. Illegal aliens are
> doing jobs that Americans can't take and still support their
> families. Illegal aliens take low wage jobs, live dozens in a
> single residence home, share expenses and send money to their home
> country. There are no jobs that Americans won't do for a decent
> wage.
>
> 3. Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home.
> They are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. Some left jobs
> in their home countries. They come to send money to their real
> home as evidenced by the more than 20 billion dollars sent out of
> the country each year by illegal aliens. These illegal aliens
> knowingly and willfully entered this nation in violation of the
> law and therefore assumed the risk of detection and deportation.
> Those who brought their alien children assumed the responsibility
> and risk on behalf of their children.
>
> 4. Illegal aliens are NOT critical to the economy. Illegal
> aliens constitute less than 5% of the workforce. However, they
> reduce wages and benefits for lawful U.S. residents.
>
> 5. This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native
> born Americans. While it is true that this nation was settled and
> founded by immigrants (legal immigrants), it is also true that
> there is not a nation on this planet that was not settled by
> immigrants at one time or another.
>
> 6. The United States is welcoming to legal immigrants. Illegal
> aliens are not immigrants by definition. The U.S. accepts more
> lawful immigrants every year than the rest of the world combined.
>
> 7. There is no such thing as the "Hispanic vote". Hispanics are
> white, brown, black and every shade in between. Hispanics are
> Republicans, Democrats, Anarchists, Communists, Marxists and
> Independents. The so-called "Hispanic vote" is a myth. Pandering
> to illegal aliens to get the Hispanic vote is a dead end.
>
> 8. Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. Since 1848
> Mexicans have resented the United States. During World War I
> Mexico allowed German Spies to operate freely in Mexico to spy on
> the U.S. During World War II Mexico allowed the Axis powers to
> spy on the U.S. from Mexico. During the Cold War Mexico allowed
> spies hostile to the U.S. to operate freely. The attack on the
> Twin Towers in 2001 was cheered and applauded all across Mexico.
> Today Mexican school children are taught that the U.S. stole
> California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. If you don't believe
> it, check out some Mexican textbooks written for their school
> children.
>
> 9. Although some illegal aliens enter this country for a better
> life, there are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1
> billion of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a
> better life is avalid excuse to break the law and sneak into
> America, then let's allow those one billion to come to America and
> we'll turn the USA into a Third World nation overnight. Besides,
> there are 280 million native born Americans who want a better
> life. I'll bet Bill Gates and Donald Trump want a better life.
> When will the USA lifeboat be full? Since when is wanting a
> better life a good reason to trash another nation?
>
> 10. There is a labor shortage in this country. This is a lie.
> There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American
> housewives,senior citizens, students, unemployed and underemployed
> who would gladly take jobs at a decent wage.
>
> 11. It is racist to want secure borders. What is racist about
> wanting secure borders and a secure America? What is racist about
> not wanting people to sneak into America and steal benefits we
> have set aside for legal aliens, senior citizens, children and
> other legal residents? What is it about race that entitles people
> to violate our laws, steal identities, and take the American Dream
> without paying the price?
>
> For about four decades American politicians have refused to secure
> our borders and look after the welfare of middle class Americans.
> These politicians have been of both parties. A huge debt to
> American society has resulted. This debt will be satisfied and
> the interest will be high.
>
> There has already been riots in the streets by illegal aliens and
> their supporters. There will be more. You, as a politician, have
> a choice to offend the illegal aliens who have stolen into this
> country and demanded the rights afforded to U.S. citizens or to
> offend those of us who are stakeholders in this country. The
> interest will be steep either way. There will be civil unrest.
> There will be a reckoning. Do you have the courage to do what is
> right for America? Or, will you bow to the wants and needs of
> those who don't even have the right to remain here?
>
> There will be a reckoning. It will come in November of this
> year,again in 2008 and yet again in 2010.
>
> We will not allow America to be stolen by third world agitators
> and thieves.
> >
> > David J. Stoddard U.S. Border Patrol (RET)
>
>
>
My reply:
While I think that this fellow makes a well-written case, I think that he is
totally wrong on some points, or has "spun" things to twist the truth of the
matter.
These are just people who are looking for a better life. And while it is true
that those who are crossing the border illegally are.. well, breaking the law..
consider for a moment that just because something is a law does not make it
right and correct, it just makes it true. It struck me the other day that with
the huge huge numbers of people crossing over illegally, it seems to me that the
system is not able to keep up with the demand. And I wonder why this is the
case. I'm no socio-economist, but I think that people create jobs. If you
just picked up 100,000 people and dropped them into a functioning
economy/country, they will fairly quickly generate jobs and money. Consider
this- that's 100,000 more consumers, 100,000 more people who'll be interested
in making purchases. Back to the not able to keep up with the demand, why is
it that we have tens or hundreds of thousands of people crossing the border
every year? Is it because we're denying them entrance? And if so.. why? I'm
appalled that America and Mexico are next door neighbors. I see, in my mind, a
beverly hills mansion with 40 bedrooms, a 15 car garage, 3 swimming pools, etc
etc, right next door to a small one-bedroom shotgun home. It just seems
disproportionate. And okay, sure, I imagine there are arguments that "Well
America cant be responsible for giving hand outs to every impoverished nation."
which is not really what I'm looking for, even though the plight of africa makes
my heart hurt.. but it still seems disproportionate. Big Rich America right next
door to Impoverished Mexico. Sure - we were lucky. America for settling this
land (and kicking off or killing all of its original inhabitants....) and us
for being born here. And for being middle class. Not only do we live in
america, we do pretty okay in america, unlike the dirt poor folks who live in
the same city/country as us. And I mean the working poor. Still.. can you
blame them? Lets imagine for a moment that you live in a two bedroom shoddy
house along with your wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters and
possibly their families. College? Huh? I cant speak with any authority on
jobs in Mexico, either how readily they are available or how well they pay,
though its obvious that they cant/dont provide as good a living as american
jobs.. What would you do? Wouldnt you be inclined to cross the border..
either alone in order to be able to send money to your family.. or with your
whole family?
I think that there is a problem, but I dont think it is a simple problem, that
we be solved this year or next year or anytime in the near future. Not solved
in the way that the media talks about it now. I dont think that the problem is
that large numbers of people illegally cross the border every year, I think that
is just a symptom of the problem.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
bullshit politics
I'm not a political blogger. However interested in the state of the nation, the world, and heck even my city and state. No secret that I think Bush Co. are a bunch of liars and thieves and I'd love nothing more than to see the public wise up and them get some recognition for all the shit they've pulled this country through.
Now for more focused ranting:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060214/NEWS0201/602140332/1009/NEWS
This article talks about how the Tennessee House Speaker Pro Tem took cash from an undercover FBI agent, but the rest of the committe didnt think it needed to be investigated.
And meanwhile, I'm pissed off that Bush Co was willing to secretly use wiretaps on americans on the phone with international callers. I think he ought to be impeached. And now some folks in congress are talking about passing legislation to "officially" make it legal. We've already got a FISA court that allows the government to get a secret wiretap on anyone and tell NO ONE for 72 hours, before bringing it before FISA. That's practically blank check. Don't get me wrong, I'm down for some fighting terrorism, but this is ridiculous. This is not supposed to be 1984 or Soviet Russia.
And I'll write my congress-people and tell them I think so.
Oh, and the other thing that gets to me... read this email:
-----------------------
FW: FW: GANG INITIATION WARNING
KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED!!
On Monday, Feb 6 @ approximately 1:45 pm the brother-in-law of my friend Donna was attacked on Hwy 70 (Summer Ave) between STAGE RD and KIRBY WHITTEN RD. This was in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon! 3 black guys all dressed alike, had 2 cars parked sideways across Hwy 70 near Kirby Whitten, Gene went around them in the turn lane-they jumped in the cars and followed him to the red light-got out of the cars and started attacking his truck and telling him to unlock the doors they were going to kill him. He hit the accelerator and thinks he ran over the foot of one of them. He turned on Reese Rd and they were following him, but luckily he knew the neighborhood and lost them. When he reported this to the police they told him that gangs are hanging around the Bartlett/Memphis City limit lines and this is a type of initiation to belong to a gang.
Be extra careful around Yale/ Old Brownsville--Summer/Kirby-Whitten and the Wolfchase Mall areas. Always keep your doors locked and be aware of your surroundings.
Please tell your friends and family and especially your children that drive to be extra cautious.
----------------------
Now what do you think, just on reading this?
Well when I got this email from my dad, my first thought on reading the subject was that this was the "OH DONT FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT CARS WITH THEIR HIGHBEAMS ON CAUSE THEY'LL KILL YOU" email. My second thought was "Wow, this seems increadibly implausable." Wouldn't something like this make.. um.. the news? I'm not in a gang, and never have been. Still, it seems to me that running around town killing people would not be particularly profitable or fruitful for a gang. When people get bullets in them, the cops start looking into it. Now I'm far from saying that street gangs dont involve themselves in violent behavior, but they're criminal enterprises. Busting people up on their way to work seems like it'd be more trouble than it'd be worth. Anyway, matters of street gang social economics aside, this screamed hoax. Sure enough, Krissi found this article for me (requires registration, but text reproduced below).
In the news: Police say e-mail on gangs not true
February 10, 2006
Greater Memphis - Bartlett
Police say e-mail on gangs not true
An e-mail being circulated that there was a gang initiation attack in
Bartlett has not been substantiated, according to Bartlett police.
The e-mail said a man was harassed by three men at about 1:45 p.m. on Monday
on Summer Avenue between Kirby-Whitten and Stage roads. The man came into
the Bartlett police station and reported the incident after he got off work,
which was about 12 hours after it happened, according to the e-mail.
Bartlett police, Memphis police and the Metro Gang Unit said there's no
evidence of gang activity, said Bartlett Police Chief Mark Hopper.
The police began receiving phone calls Thursday after the e-mail began to
circulate.
A police report on the incident wasn't completed Thursday so no details were
available.
---------------
So... This is ridiculous. What moron writes this stuff up so that we can just keep the good ole "black people sure are scary" flame alive. As a friend pointed out, we white folks are so worried about black people somehow doing something terrible do us, when the folks who must fuck us over are old white men in comfortable leather chairs who smoke cigars and drink expensive scotch. That's what I think anyway.
(Dad, if you stumble upon this, gimme a call, we'll chat)
Now for more focused ranting:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060214/NEWS0201/602140332/1009/NEWS
This article talks about how the Tennessee House Speaker Pro Tem took cash from an undercover FBI agent, but the rest of the committe didnt think it needed to be investigated.
And meanwhile, I'm pissed off that Bush Co was willing to secretly use wiretaps on americans on the phone with international callers. I think he ought to be impeached. And now some folks in congress are talking about passing legislation to "officially" make it legal. We've already got a FISA court that allows the government to get a secret wiretap on anyone and tell NO ONE for 72 hours, before bringing it before FISA. That's practically blank check. Don't get me wrong, I'm down for some fighting terrorism, but this is ridiculous. This is not supposed to be 1984 or Soviet Russia.
And I'll write my congress-people and tell them I think so.
Oh, and the other thing that gets to me... read this email:
-----------------------
FW: FW: GANG INITIATION WARNING
KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED!!
On Monday, Feb 6 @ approximately 1:45 pm the brother-in-law of my friend Donna was attacked on Hwy 70 (Summer Ave) between STAGE RD and KIRBY WHITTEN RD. This was in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon! 3 black guys all dressed alike, had 2 cars parked sideways across Hwy 70 near Kirby Whitten, Gene went around them in the turn lane-they jumped in the cars and followed him to the red light-got out of the cars and started attacking his truck and telling him to unlock the doors they were going to kill him. He hit the accelerator and thinks he ran over the foot of one of them. He turned on Reese Rd and they were following him, but luckily he knew the neighborhood and lost them. When he reported this to the police they told him that gangs are hanging around the Bartlett/Memphis City limit lines and this is a type of initiation to belong to a gang.
Be extra careful around Yale/ Old Brownsville--Summer/Kirby-Whitten and the Wolfchase Mall areas. Always keep your doors locked and be aware of your surroundings.
Please tell your friends and family and especially your children that drive to be extra cautious.
----------------------
Now what do you think, just on reading this?
Well when I got this email from my dad, my first thought on reading the subject was that this was the "OH DONT FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT CARS WITH THEIR HIGHBEAMS ON CAUSE THEY'LL KILL YOU" email. My second thought was "Wow, this seems increadibly implausable." Wouldn't something like this make.. um.. the news? I'm not in a gang, and never have been. Still, it seems to me that running around town killing people would not be particularly profitable or fruitful for a gang. When people get bullets in them, the cops start looking into it. Now I'm far from saying that street gangs dont involve themselves in violent behavior, but they're criminal enterprises. Busting people up on their way to work seems like it'd be more trouble than it'd be worth. Anyway, matters of street gang social economics aside, this screamed hoax. Sure enough, Krissi found this article for me (requires registration, but text reproduced below).
In the news: Police say e-mail on gangs not true
February 10, 2006
Greater Memphis - Bartlett
Police say e-mail on gangs not true
An e-mail being circulated that there was a gang initiation attack in
Bartlett has not been substantiated, according to Bartlett police.
The e-mail said a man was harassed by three men at about 1:45 p.m. on Monday
on Summer Avenue between Kirby-Whitten and Stage roads. The man came into
the Bartlett police station and reported the incident after he got off work,
which was about 12 hours after it happened, according to the e-mail.
Bartlett police, Memphis police and the Metro Gang Unit said there's no
evidence of gang activity, said Bartlett Police Chief Mark Hopper.
The police began receiving phone calls Thursday after the e-mail began to
circulate.
A police report on the incident wasn't completed Thursday so no details were
available.
---------------
So... This is ridiculous. What moron writes this stuff up so that we can just keep the good ole "black people sure are scary" flame alive. As a friend pointed out, we white folks are so worried about black people somehow doing something terrible do us, when the folks who must fuck us over are old white men in comfortable leather chairs who smoke cigars and drink expensive scotch. That's what I think anyway.
(Dad, if you stumble upon this, gimme a call, we'll chat)
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