Your Fredo of a brother?



...So what's up, gangsters?

My daughter is 4!

I write erotica for money!

I don't know why I'm shouting!

She's four years old now? Wow.... time flies!

Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's historic "I Have a Dream Speech."

Yes, I know there are televised events scheduled. I believe it's MSNBC that will show the entire "I Have A Dream Speech."

I just can't believe it's been 50 years and that this was in my lifetime. It also will be 50 years since JFK was assassinated this November. It's amazing how certain memories remain vivid.

TIS

I wasn't born until '64, but the King's march and speech formed one of the most signicant events in American history.

By the way it's getting harder and harder to find a thread around here that isn't polluted with ignorance, hatred and juvenile "in your face" comments. I swear some of these threads have become dull lights attracting the spiteful and misinformed.

Klyd, I'm with you. I remember the days when most of the members kind of liked one another, or at least were kinder and more respectful.

And I'm with both of you. What the hell happened? Well, I could guess, but I won't.




TIS

I agree. That's why I don't contribute as many posts as I used to. Years ago I asked the moderators to crack down on the use of foul language on the Board. Oh well. But Kly is right about the ignorance that abounds in so many threads. Of course, a couple of months ago one of the threads on gays turned into a narrative Inquisition. I could smell the odor of burning keyboards.

Olivant, more like burning crosses, but yea I agree, things have gone down hill big time. I haven't always been a saint but geez.

I also concur folks. At least we still have each other

Of course we do!!!!



TIS

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson..

Given that this is Labor Day (or at least its holiday), I wonder how many Board members have been or are union members. I've belonged to the Teamsters, Steelworkers, and Laborers unions. How about you?

Morning Oli,

Well, I'm not with Teamsters but I am a retired member of the CSEA (California School Employees Association) and have been a member for 25 years.



TIS

Ive been with the local 40 ironworkers in nyc for the past few years.

When I worked for the Wall Street Journal in the early Sixties, I was a member of the "Independent Association of Publisher's Employees." It was a company-organized union (not worker-organized) as an alternative to the Newspaper Guild. As a result, most of us editorial employees were paid less than half of what our counterparts at the Post, Daily News, Times, etc. were paid.

This "union" had one bulletin board in the newsroom. One year, their "leaders" concluded "negotiations" for a new contract with Dow Jones & Co., the Journal's parent. The notice on the BB said: "Be sure to check out our new contract--especially the clause on job security." So I checked it out. It read:

"No employee shall be fired without 'just cause.'
"Just cause shall be defined as: violation of standard journalistic ethics; incompetence, dishonesty, or a decision by the Publisher to reduce the size of his staff" [emphasis added].

Right! They want to get rid of me, so they call me on the carpet and say, "Turnbull, the Publisher has decided to reduce the size of his staff by one--you. Oh, and that's ok by your union contract."

My dad belonged to 1199 and my grandmother and aunt belonged to ILGWU. My grandfather and uncle, who were pressers in garment factories, must have also belonged to the male counterpart.

Woo Woo Time Warner/CBS finally ended dispute. No details yet as to "how" it ended. I'll be able to watch "Under the Dome" tonight.

(First CBS was running all Disney/kiddie type movies 24/7). Yesterday and today it was a "Perry Mason" marathon. I see it switched over within the last half hour or so. I see Dr. Phil is on and I think that IS a regularly scheduled show.

TIS


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/03/busine...inance&_r=0

From 1970 to 1976; member and shop steward, CWA 1107 (Communication Workers of America). In August, 1970 went on strike for 9 months, got a $1 raise and a closed shop (you had to join the union to work for NY Telephone). Years later I was in management. The union business agent told me that no where in the contract does it say that union members had to "work". Go figger.

Ah, MC, your post brings back memories:

Non-union(mostly "management") employees of the old Bell System used to pray for strikes because they could roll up huge amounts of overtime and double overtime by doing union jobs, such as telephone operator, installer, etc. When negotiations started getting tough, even before a strike, management people started planning vacations, putting money down on second homes, etc., in anticipation of their "windfall." And they were sorry when settlements were announced--no more gravy train.

Others benefited from the strikes, too. Among them were prisoners: Knowing that inexperienced operators were on duty during strikes, they conned the newbies into placing their calls for free. They weren't the only ones. A creative time for many.

I can hear the strains of "Look For the Union Label" in the background! (Does anybody besides me - and SB - remember that?)

I am a member of New York State Unified Teachers (NYSUT) Local 37-965, AFT Local 7946.


Signor V.

Well Labor Day is not a holiday here of course, but I am a staunch union member, always have been. So really I should have had a day off by proxy or something

Yogi,

I hereby give you the day off. The heck with what anyone says.


TIS

I hope you all had a great Labor Day, and I was surprised by all of the unions represented on our board. Labor Day is a recognition that the American worker has skin in the game.

I probably drove a thousand miles this weekend, and didn't leave the state. I dropped off some items for my oldest, who is enjoying apartment life for his junior year in college. He and I went to have dinner and visit with my parents and grandmother. My dad's alzheimers is slowly progressing, and he has some difficulty following conversations. He always had a very sharp mind, and it's sad to see the vacant look in his eyes that is getting more frequent.

Each day I'm more impressed by my mom's strength as she deals with this and taking care of my grandmother, who is virtually blind. We all had a good dinner with laughs, and talked about planning for my grandmother's 100th birthday next May.

My younger son came home from college for the weekend. He couldn't take his car back as he suffered a seizure late at night on the first day of school. This was the second seizure in 6 months, the first was attributed to just passing out from dehydration. But now he has to see a neurologist and can not drive until he's medically cleared. He feels fine and blood/urine and diagnostic tests showed no evidence of a seizure, but further tests are needed.

Seems like you've got a full plate of misfortunes, Kly. But you're dealing with them compassionately and with courage.

Kly,

Sounds like you do have a full plate. God Bless you and your family. You're mom sounds like a saint. It is not easy taking care of an alzheimer's patient. I know that vacant look you speak of. My mom, tho not officially tested, had the same symptoms. So terribly sad.

I do hope your son's test come out with nothing serious.


TIS

Kly,

I'm in your corner. At your age there are pressures from kids growing up and parents declining. You are in a squeeze. I went through some tough years. Life sure is full of surprises. Hang tough.

Klyd, God bless you. Your family is a great source of strength, and I'm glad to hear that you are all enjoying your time together, despite the health issues. Keep it up!

Spot-on, MC.

My sympathies, Klyd. If you need anything, shoot me a pm. Because I can certainly relate

Klydon, you have my sympathy. My mother had Alzheimers but lasted to 93. She never suffered at all. She didn't know where she was. It is the family who suffers , seeing their loved one like that. Regarding your son, he could have had a TIA or "Mini stroke" I recently had two of them last month. Numerous tests showed no damage at all. Best of luck to all of you