I don’t hold the pigs responsible for this most recent flu scare goin’ around. Besides, I’m pretty sure (so far, anyway) it’s a “pandemic” only in the eyes of the major media. They’ve all jumped on this story with both feet. Seems to me they’re related to major league ball somehow? I mean, all the news that gits reported is the same on every TV station and the “big” papers, so there must be a coordinated “play book” in there somewhere, right?
But I’m not going to be writing about pigs or flu today. I’m writin’ about something that makes me even more feverish. Gall!
Usually uttered as; he, she or (in this case) they‘ve, “...got a lotta D#@% Gall...!” Big businesses and governments have it (fact is, they’re just full of it!).
But it’s one local (well, “regional”) bank that caught my attention with their recent disgustin’ display of it.
If you’re over 40 or so you’ve watched our privacy rights being chiseled away at an alarming rate for years. I say older than “40 or so” because to an alarming degree, citizens under that age don’t seem to notice (understand?) how their constitutional (privacy) rights are evaporating!
I’m not gonna bore you, discussin’ the myriad ways “Uncle” has been attacking our liberties (not today). But I’m really upset with how the “private sector” is takin’ their cue from good ole Uncle Sam.
Seems as if (wait! I take that back, not “seems as if”, but in fact) business owners in any endeavor dealing with “live” customers have come believe it’s their right to take (y)our picture! Not bad enough in recent years, some started requesting your phone number or your address or your drivers license...!
Now they take (y)our picture! Why the h*&# should I (you) be agreeable with that!? I don’t even like most pictures of me that friends and relatives take at social gatherings!
Now I’m ‘spose to quietly acquiesce while total strangers snap my mug shot? (which in reality is the only “legitimate” use for their photos) “Mug Shots”, in case you stick ‘em up or shoplift a pack of gum.
Are businesses ripped off that often, that they need to photo ID every one of their customers!?
No..., certainly not! There’re billions upon billions of transactions, every business day. Meanwhile, you might have the hundreds (ok, make it thousands, if it makes you feel better) of actual crimes committed everyday. Yet every legitimate (innocent) customer should get photographed, video taped, committed to computer disc?!
Is this absolutely necessary? Not really! Photos rarely put criminals away. Is it an invasion of your (my) privacy? Yes, without question! We’re All (‘spose to be) presumed innocent until “proven” guilty, remember? If you’re over forty, at least You, should remember that (quaint?) assumption. Not Today!
Convenience stores, big-box stores, restaurants, bars, businesses of all kinds and sizes (yes, even “mom and pop” grocers today) take your picture, right along with your money! Every Time you buy!
I don’t mind ‘em taking my money. After all, I stopped in for goods or services, willing to pay my way. But I don’t like my picture being taken without my permission!
And No...! I do not “give my permission” simply because I choose to enter their door, whether I’m buying or not. Shoot, most of ‘em take a picture before you or I even stroll inside!
Don’t like it! As we used to say in the old days, “...there oughta be a law...!” (but we’ve got too many of them already!)
By now you’re thinkin’, “Ok, what set him off this time?”. Well, I’ll tell ya. Like many times, something I read in the newspaper!
One of our banks (regional, not local) decided to institute a new “policy” they’ve (foolhardily) dreamed up. Even included a photo (!) of this snazzy new policy taped up on the front door of their offices, in the “news” story. I’m not sure how it prints up in their books? But it represents “...a lotta D#@% Gall...” in mine!
What is this new policy?
They request that you remove your hat when you enter their establishment!! That’s right! remove yer fedora, doff da derby, lose that baseball cap!
Why? “...Politeness, Propriety, Policy...! “ “...it will facilitate getting to know our customers better....” WHAT?!
Bull Hockey!! It’s to get a better photograph of You (you potential crook!). Ask any security professional, a baseball cap and sunglasses negates the picture takin’ process! (now there’s a “policy” I can live with).
I Don’t Know About You..., I won’t be removin’ my hat..., ‘cuz I’ll never darken their door!
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder is still often found three stools down. Also At: wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three.
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I don’t hold the pigs responsible for this most recent flu scare goin’ around. Besides, I’m pretty sure (so far, anyway) it’s a “pandemic” only in the eyes of the major media. They’ve all jumped on this story with both feet. Seems to me they’re related to major league ball somehow? I mean, all the news that gits reported is the same on every TV station and the “big” papers, so there must be a coordinated “play book” in there somewhere, right?
But I’m not going to be writing about pigs or flu today. I’m writin’ about something that makes me even more feverish. Gall!
Usually uttered as; he, she or (in this case) they‘ve, “...got a lotta D#@% Gall...!” Big businesses and governments have it (fact is, they’re just full of it!).
But it’s one local (well, “regional”) bank that caught my attention with their recent disgustin’ display of it.
If you’re over 40 or so you’ve watched our privacy rights being chiseled away at an alarming rate for years. I say older than “40 or so” because to an alarming degree, citizens under that age don’t seem to notice (understand?) how their constitutional (privacy) rights are evaporating!
I’m not gonna bore you, discussin’ the myriad ways “Uncle” has been attacking our liberties (not today). But I’m really upset with how the “private sector” is takin’ their cue from good ole Uncle Sam.
Seems as if (wait! I take that back, not “seems as if”, but in fact) business owners in any endeavor dealing with “live” customers have come believe it’s their right to take (y)our picture! Not bad enough in recent years, some started requesting your phone number or your address or your drivers license...!
Now they take (y)our picture! Why the h*&# should I (you) be agreeable with that!? I don’t even like most pictures of me that friends and relatives take at social gatherings!
Now I’m ‘spose to quietly acquiesce while total strangers snap my mug shot? (which in reality is the only “legitimate” use for their photos) “Mug Shots”, in case you stick ‘em up or shoplift a pack of gum.
Are businesses ripped off that often, that they need to photo ID every one of their customers!?
No..., certainly not! There’re billions upon billions of transactions, every business day. Meanwhile, you might have the hundreds (ok, make it thousands, if it makes you feel better) of actual crimes committed everyday. Yet every legitimate (innocent) customer should get photographed, video taped, committed to computer disc?!
Is this absolutely necessary? Not really! Photos rarely put criminals away. Is it an invasion of your (my) privacy? Yes, without question! We’re All (‘spose to be) presumed innocent until “proven” guilty, remember? If you’re over forty, at least You, should remember that (quaint?) assumption. Not Today!
Convenience stores, big-box stores, restaurants, bars, businesses of all kinds and sizes (yes, even “mom and pop” grocers today) take your picture, right along with your money! Every Time you buy!
I don’t mind ‘em taking my money. After all, I stopped in for goods or services, willing to pay my way. But I don’t like my picture being taken without my permission!
And No...! I do not “give my permission” simply because I choose to enter their door, whether I’m buying or not. Shoot, most of ‘em take a picture before you or I even stroll inside!
Don’t like it! As we used to say in the old days, “...there oughta be a law...!” (but we’ve got too many of them already!)
By now you’re thinkin’, “Ok, what set him off this time?”. Well, I’ll tell ya. Like many times, something I read in the newspaper!
One of our banks (regional, not local) decided to institute a new “policy” they’ve (foolhardily) dreamed up. Even included a photo (!) of this snazzy new policy taped up on the front door of their offices, in the “news” story. I’m not sure how it prints up in their books? But it represents “...a lotta D#@% Gall...” in mine!
What is this new policy?
They request that you remove your hat when you enter their establishment!! That’s right! remove yer fedora, doff da derby, lose that baseball cap!
Why? “...Politeness, Propriety, Policy...! “ “...it will facilitate getting to know our customers better....” WHAT?!
Bull Hockey!! It’s to get a better photograph of You (you potential crook!). Ask any security professional, a baseball cap and sunglasses negates the picture takin’ process! (now there’s a “policy” I can live with).
I Don’t Know About You..., I won’t be removin’ my hat..., ‘cuz I’ll never darken their door!
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder is still often found three stools down. Also At: wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three.
