JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum THE RANT THREAD!!!! (Share your rant and win a prize!)

Sam,

What you may find is that due to the most recent rash of police shootings around the country, they are on much more hightened alert. Some of the shootings have been ambushes and for a cop, the people who they feel are sneaking up on them, are going to bring on more suspicion. Even though you felt you were doing no wrong, they didn't know that.
Since there has been a lot of lawsuits over the past few years, the chances are you are on video camera. So if there is abuse, it will show that. If there was not, it will show that also.
You might have fit a description of a suspect in the area. They would have to handcuff you to make sure you couldn't get away until they verify your identity. If they did not do that and a suspect escaped and hurt or killed someone else, they could be held liable.
A few years ago I was pulled over in the state of South Carolina, for no reason as well. I drove a very nice car. They were looking for people smuggling drugs and guns in and out of the state. I let them search my car, and was on the road in 15 minutes. No big deal.
It is sad that we sometimes have to deal with harrasments. Taking shoes off at the airport, etc. But that is part of the price of living in this society. The fact is I would rather have a personal inconvinience now and then than the other side which is no laws, lax laws, acts of violence, and terrorisim and total chaos. I hope your case turns out to be nothing. It might have been just a random search and nothing much will come of it. Good luck to you and stay away from cop cars.

MAB

Well, Auntie........., if there weren't so many assholes out there who take sadistic pleasure in hurting others, then so many people would trust one another a little bit more.

This gangsta rap society of ours has captivated so many people that gang violence, rape, drug related violence are much too common, and the rappers, gang members, and crack thugs are worshiped like gods.

With problems like this in our face all the time, it is indeed hard to see the concept of HELP.

Marc, I know you are just giving an opinion, and no one can say that an opinion is wrong, but I am reminded of a quote by Ben Franklin: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

HiDee Brother Sam!

Hey, Been There/Done That..when I took a kinda Very-Oblique Left-Turn into my Hotel Parkin' Lot in the Rented Renault & the L.A. Finest didn't like my Turning Radius...or the Jeans & Hawaiian Shirt I was wearin', I guess. Had me up against the side of my car, handcuffed, for all the 10-storey Hotel to view.

Then..once background-checked, let me off with "A Warning". So..I penned a story song, "Long Arm of The Lawwwww"..Demoed It..& forgot about The Incident..'till You Brought It Up!

SINCE ya didn't get accosted, they'll "get away" with The Handcuffing...'cuz as Marc's Mentioned..cops DO gotta Do Their Job, & checking people OUT is tough when The Possible Perp is running away, down the street."

So, as Citizens, we gotta undergo Some Humility...time-to-time..& yep, maybe ever a wee-bitta-hassling-time. But, JMO, to me it's worth it because
1) Theirs is a frequently Gruesome Job..that few others undertake..&
2) Sometimes they DO Snag The RIGHT Guy...& get him OFF our streets.

You're STILL Free in This Good-Enough Country to
1) Move Away..Anywhere Else ya Wanna...
2) Or..Pen a Nasty Song about it/Bitch to their Superiors/Write your Politicos, all the ways up to The President...
3) AND..even bitch HERE..& IF the Bad Guy Cops show up at your door...You CAN still post MORE about what's going on..LOTS of places.

But what happened ONCE isn't Police Harassment. Two or More Times...keep your Notes...& yep..You might Have A Case..but..even in this Great Country of Ours, Lawyers Cost Money.

Good Luck with your Quest, Amigo...
Lookin' Forwards to That Song About It..
Stan

Hey Stan, if I write that song about it, can I drop names?

Kevin,

You are right, but I tend to look at it as nessasary evils. And many things are common sense. I don't think you can live in a society with no rules. There are abuses in those rules from time to time. There are things we all don't have a lot of choice in dealing with. We can fight them, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't do a lot of good.I think you pick your battles.
In Sam's case, I didn't say it was right. Just said there might be some extenuating circumstances involved. In my own case, in South Carolina, (So long ago I think I was in a horse and buggy) I could have made a lot of noise, caused a lot of stuff about "improper stops" etc. Didn't make a lot of sense to me. I wasn't doing anything, and it was over pretty quickly. At airports, I tend to do what they ask, seems reasonable to me, and I go on with my life.
Many things I draw my conclusions from watching my Father going through a 30 year battle with the Internal Revenue Service. Things they did, unwarranted audits,harrasements, were triggered by things he did. In the end it caused a lot of problems to his health and his life. But he did it. It wasn't the fault of the government. Believe me, I think there is plenty the government does wrong, but that wasn't one of them.
In Sam's case, I am not condoning any behavior at all. It happened, he is looking into what happened and trying to find answers. If he has a case, he will probably have his day in court. And, as I said, due to recent conditions in law enforcement, it is probably going to be on tape.
Yeah, I have my opinion. that is just what it is. An opinion.

Good to hear from you,

MAB

Chiming in....

I think I'd like to talk about CONTROL. We all HAVE to have control in our lives, but there is a difference between GOOD control and BAD control.

Good control would include things like stop lights and street signs. Without those, we'd have no control over traffic.

Bad control would include any suppressive or oppressive action such as being robbed or harassed.

Unfortunately, is it the actions of society which determine how much of either types of control are created in this world. The criminal actions inspire heavier legal or justice actions.

Honest people have rights which need to be protected and if that means that we need to go through security checks in order to separate us from the bad guys, then I'm all for it. After all, we honest folks get to walk away free while the other guys get caught (hopefully).

The idea is to separate out all the criminals from the society so that we can one day walk in a nicer world. However, the biggest problem in this system is that the criminals are not rehabilitated in our current prison systems except for programs such as Criminon which has the highest statistics on the planet for reforming criminals. But, again, it's the HELP thing. Especially in the US.

Prisons outside of the US are grabbing for the help of Criminon while the US says they don't need help. Yet, crime rates go up in the US while crime rates in places using Criminon go down.

Go figure. Some authorities like the chaos so they can exert bad control and keep people under their thumbs.

If you think this bad economy just happened by accident, you may want to think again...

Auntie

I was in Saginaw Mich. a few years ago. Had to fly home to Fl. at the spur of the moment. I went to the airport with only a carry on bag and bought a ticket. No reservation. They pulled me aside at security, asked questions and emptied my bag, dirty underwear and all and frisked me. They apologised and I said that I understand (which I did) considering that I showed up out of nowhere with a carry on and bought a ticket. I bought a coach seat but they put me in first class for my trouble.

Heidi, I do indeed believe you, but to put up with unnecessary bullshit in the interest of separation?

Perhaps one could redefine their take on separation? Like moving away from the city?
I have considered that option at length many times over.

But, I guess in order for my option to work out for me, then I might have to seriously think about camping again.
As in a tent in the woods, or maybe just a little shack in the countryside somewhere?

"I think I'd like to talk about CONTROL. We all HAVE to have control in our lives, but there is a difference between GOOD control and BAD control.

Good control would include things like stop lights and street signs. Without those, we'd have no control over traffic.

Bad control would include any suppressive or oppressive action such as being robbed or harassed.

Unfortunately, is it the actions of society which determine how much of either types of control are created in this world. The criminal actions inspire heavier legal or justice actions.

Honest people have rights which need to be protected and if that means that we need to go through security checks in order to separate us from the bad guys, then I'm all for it. After all, we honest folks get to walk away free while the other guys get caught (hopefully)."

Ya gotta give it to 'em, their camouflage is so well perfected, that we cannot see 'em, hear 'em, or detect 'em without the systems that we took millions of tax dollars and man hours to create.

Somehow, that don't seem right, does it?

Marc,

I certainly agree that there has to be rules. But unfortunately, I think the government, particularly under the last administration, has created an environment where citizens are no longer presumed to be innocent. They have used the tragedies of 9/11 as an excuse to implement an erosion of our civil rights. Without a court order, American citizens have had our phone conversations wiretapped, our electronic communications monitored, and anyone can be jailed indefinitely with no legal recourse, all in the name of saving us from terrorism.

Do I want to be safe? Of course I do. Do I want to give up my liberty to achieve that safety? Never. I certainly don't claim to have all of the answers, but I do know that this country will never regain it's stature as long as the government treats us all like criminals.

Hey, I finally was able to post a rant in this thread!

Hey guys,
You know, if more citizens got involved in how their local governments run things, then maybe we could make a real difference.

Unfortunately, most people want to have others take responsibility and then blame those others if they don't do a good job.

I still say you are either part of the solution or part of the problem, even if it is by omission of help.

The truth is that you can only become the adverse effect of those things for which you are not willing to fully comprehend or for which you aren't taking responsibility. Sorry. But, that is the bottom line.

Freedom does not come for free. One has to be willing to be alert and to fight for it. Most people are content to put their lives on automatic and only come out of their "sleep" long enough to complain when things go wrong. Not all people, but most. At least, that is based on my limited observation.

But, there are six billion people on this planet. What percentage do you think is doing anything to change things for the better?

Auntie

Spot on, Auntie. Remember lobbyist Bruce Vincent's mantra: "The world is run by those who show up."

And I heartily endorse getting involved in *local* government. It is easier to get your hands around its neck when you need to.

Joe

"Freedom does not come for free. One has to be willing to be alert and to fight for it. Most people are content to put their lives on automatic and only come out of their "sleep" long enough to complain when things go wrong. Not all people, but most. At least, that is based on my limited observation."

Freedom isn't free, but humanity is.

If you're not living free, you're not living at all.

Sam,
One cannot experience humanity without freedom. Freedom has many definitions, but each one would apply. I'm certain anyone living in a third-world country would agree.

Human rights and humanity go hand in hand. Without human rights, there is slavery. So, if one desires humanity, one still has to work for it.

There are numerous things which enslave a person. But, the biggest "chains" I see are crime, violence, drugs, illiteracy, homelessness, illness, hunger and apathy. Until such things are handled, none of us will be free to experience humanity at its fullest.

Just like JPF, we on this planet are indeed all in this together. We can either work together (the key word being work), or we can look the other way and watch it all go to hell.

I used to think it was all up to the other guy until I realized that the other guy was me.



Auntie

I was agreeing with you, as I do most of the time, even if it might seem otherwise sometimes.

As has been said about myself by many writers on numerous occasions, your insights and your candor are utterly indispensable around here, and don't you ever forget it!!!!!!

Same thing happened to me last summer, Ben. I drove a car up to Ohio and then flew home. Since it was a one-way ticket, they ran me through the ringer. I guess it didn't help matters that I really don't look very respectable.

Are terrorists really stupid enough to try to save money by buying a one-way ticket because they aren't going to need the return trip?

Maybe they are - would be nice.......

Scott

Scott,
At least they now make wider people buy TWO seats on the plane. At least I don't get squashed anymore. But, soon it'll cost ME two tickets if I ever grow to be like my avatar....LOL!

Auntie

Scott, you look very respectable to me! That's a compliment, not an insult. I wouldn't search you. Again, not an insult! LOL

Okay, WHY does my CAT think it's his duty to put his BUTT in my FACE when I'm in bed??? What made him think that was cool? IT'S NOT!!!

However, random cat massages ARE COOL! That's when you're lying in bed (like, with a hangover for example) and your cat jumps up and starts kneading your back! You couldn't pay a cat a million dollars to do that, but when it happens, man, it's GREAT!

.

Polly,
My cat seems to have the same attributes. I don't know what's worse...his butt in my face or the smell of his catfood breath!

But, I love the dance. My cat does it on my chest while pushing his face into my forehead. Strange little creatures...





Randy,
You are totally entitled to dislike ear piercing. Love the visuals in your rant!


Auntie

Deep thoughts, Randy. I can relate.

It's like, why is it, my cat gives me that LOOK, when I'm just thinking he's too much of an effort and needs to go. I mean, I'm not doing anything to make it faster, but....yeah, once he got those piercings, I was like, TOTALLY turned off! I was all, "Yannow, if I wanted a cat with PIERCINGS I would have adopted Tommy Lee from an animal shelter!!!"

I have always considered cats living proof (as Hank Jr. would say) that there really are alien intelligences. There were, I believe, some religions that maintained if you were really, *really* good as a human, you might be permitted to come back as a cat. (I 'spect cats would agree with the sentiments.)

Joe

I worked with this crazy dude who tracked the commodities market with colored pieces of Xerox paper, wore the male version of hot pants on casual Friday, and told all of his co-workers that he was a member of an alien master race. Apparently, the alien master race had placed individuals like himself amongst all us lesser dumb folks, to facilitate evolution otherwise it would have taken millions more years before we grew any smarter. According to him, Thomas Jefferson, Dante, Plato..all the great thinkers throughout history were really aliens.

At some point during my tenure at the company, the alien master race got in contact with him and he changed his name to Polis..I think his name was Phil. He left the company. Perhaps he's on the mother ship as I'm typing this.

Maybe his cat facilitated messages from them.

Wendy,
I love the "hot pants" touch. Sounds like he was more than just a trifle off the beam....LOL!

Auntie

LOL, Polly - I'll have to file that one away to use someday

My wife is the one that gets the cat massages. I'm the one that gets to feel them land on my stomach when they jump onto the bed. And they weigh 18 pounds each.

Cat butt in the face? Yeah I get that too - in fact if the cat moves fast enough, it can jump onto my stomach and then land on my face just as I'm springing awake. What a horrible way to start the day

Scott

If only I could be so fortunate, but a housecat?

Not me, I'd be a tigger.....And, yes of course, I'd bounce on my tail!

Or those who are allowed in?

Dan, you're thinking of the music business.

Joe

Commentary on the above reply......

Look at us, we write our asses off trying to come up with what we would like to consider as talented and honest lyrics, but our works don't fit someone else's idea of commercially viable or potentially successful.

Yes, it is true that our lyrics are sometimes a representation of one's angers and frustrations, and actually give a voice and a sort of proxy venue in order to release said emotional overload, but where does that leave us, the artists, when we are just shoved to the slush piles?

I cannot help but admire how well one of our own, Priscilla Hernandez, has done for herself in the face of overwhelming odds in Barcelona, Spain.
As I am aware, there is no Music Row a few blocks down the street in Barcelona, and yet she has achieved what so many of us just dream about.

From posting her works on the Muse a long time ago, just a dreamer, like all of us, to working at a pet store in order to raise funds to put towards releasing her debut album.
One of the animals bit her hand, and the owner of the store would cop to his responsibility towards her and the injury.

There is a pic on her website with bandaging on her hand from that incident.

I have chatted with some of her friends on the chatbox at nuevasmusicas.org, and have been told repeatedly how difficult it really is to make any kind of success in the music business there in Spain.

She turned down major and minor label deals in order to hold out and go completely and entirely indie, under her own personal label.

The analogy here is, if Pris can do what she has done in her own very difficult environment, then I honestly believe that we in America and beyond, can create a venue that has nothing whatsoever to do with Music Row's megacoporations.

The road will be long and rough, I understand that, but if we do not take it upon ourselves to make this happen, then no one else will do it for us, especially not Sony/BMG, MCA, or the other corporate monsters........

We here at JPF are a presence all our own, and somehow, with all of us sittin' here..............
I don't know exactly how it can be done, but I do know that here's enough of us around that we can get our heads together and figure it out.

WE CAN DO IT ALL BY OURSELVES, BECAUSE WE HAVE POWER IN NUMBERS, AND BECAUSE WE HAVE TALENT AND TENACITY.

That is, unless I'm horribly mistaken......

I never think about the music business!

Man,
The two words "music" and "business" are so opposite from each other. Yet, if one wishes to make a living from anything, one must consider the business side of it.

From my limited scope, doing business in the entertainment industry as a whole is similar on the "business" side to every other type of endeavor. But, the fact that the commodity is of an artistic nature makes it quite unique.

Instead of "styling" and "marketing" a product, you do that with a human being and their art. What a trip.

But, in any business, there is the law of supply and demand along with the potential bottom line. Getting in the doors to the industry isn't even the biggest hurdle. Once you are in, you now have to compete with the established artists who are already branded with a large fan base.

It really takes money to make money. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Even with an Indie Label, the costs of recording, producing, packaging and marketing an artist are unreal.

These days, the labels are looking to TV and film to better market their recording artists.

Yes, it is a very closed community. But, that community is also working very hard to survive. They are overloaded with artists as it is. Plus, the industry has changed immensely over the years.

So, the best advise I can offer anyone like me who is working hard every day to get up to the next level in this biz, is to knock on every door, talk to every person, find out if there is anything you can do to help out by using your abilities, provide that help and get your foot in the door.

Best to all,
Auntie

Personally, I have no idea what the music 'business' actually is - it just seems to be a sort of byzantine morass of elusive figures and endless contractual language. I vaguely remember encountering some 'record company types' over the years - they seemed to be people who meant as much to me as Vienna did to Ultravox...

But I have always been hopeful that there is something better for those of us who are just who are, rather than an image for consumption. I have no basis for this faith - but then, none is required!

Dan

Yeah, Randy, YOU WISH! I survived a drinking contest with a SCOTSMAN! Let's see ya do THAT! Hopefully, you won't become engaged to him within a week, like I did.

Kevin old buddy,

You really can blame the previous administration all you want to. The current administration is the one that is openly taking over every business, every company, every facet of life. There is not even an attempt to hide it. Might ought to keep your eyes on the current ball and not worry so much about something that is over.

MAB

Marc,

It is no secret that I am not a fan of G. Bush the Younger, but I am not placing the all of the blame with him. Project ECHELON, which monitors electronic communications, has been in effect since at least the mid 1980's, if not earlier. The intrusion seemed to expand greatly during W's administration, but as far as I know, it still goes on today.

I'll quit worrying about things that are over when they are over.

I've made no effort to hide the fact that I voted for an independent candidate rather than Obama or McCain. These days, the only differences between the Demicans and Republicrats seems to be in the marketing.

By the way, I always enjoy a good political debate, and this has been a fun thread all around.

Okay guys,
Just a note to say that if no one else has a rant by tomorrow morning, I'll award the prize for the best rant.

Air kisses,
Auntie Rant

Hello Ranters,
I've decided to award the prize to Michelle Chapman for the best rant and I am sending Michelle a piece of jewelry that she can either wear or give to her lovely daughter.

So, congrats Michelle! I'll send you a pm to get your mailing address.

Thanks to all the ranters for their wonderful rants.

Air Kisses,
Auntie Rant

Heidi, I never thought of how different those two words are - music and business. Very good point. However, they are locked together now - at least for those who want to try to get some commerical success. I suppose tht one could choose to not be involved in the business side.

Tom

Heidi:

Just had to reply to your rant because many of the things you said struck a nerve, even though not experience them personally. I go back far enough to remember when people complained about the police states of communist nations. Never in my wildest dreams did I vision that one day we would become close to becoming one ourselves, but that is what seems to be happening. Do you find it astonishing that those who denounced police as "pigs" in the 1960's are today clamoring for more police? Do you feel that the 9/11 attacks were used as an excuse to wield more control on every aspect of society?

The drug war, although I do not condone drug use, is as ineffective as was the war on alcohol in the 1920's, and has spawned much of the same kind of thug mentality, albeit more vicious this time around because the firepower is so much greater.

And how can prison(er) reform be truly successful if those incarcerated cannot find jobs upon their release. I bet that if it were easier for at least those jailed for non-violent offenses to find jobs upon release, the rate of recidivism would be far lower. But how can that be at a time when even those never convicted of an actual crime be disqualified for jobs based on things they may have posted on the internet, with the background check zealotry of most potential employers these days? They must think that the scarcity of jobs means that we are likely to fall for anything. I wonder if we will ever again have a musical spokesperson for things such as prison reform and other human rights issues to match the late, great Johnny Cash.

Tom,
Yes, if an artist is not interested in making any money from his art, then he can avoid the "business" side. But, even if you want to sell CDs after a live performance, you need to know about certain aspects of the business such as song or performance royalties, CD production and packaging, etc.

Even if you just want to perform in local venues, you need to know a bit about promotion, PA systems, etc.

Even if you are on CD Baby, MySpace or other sites, you need to know a bit about the net.

So, most artists are not immune to the business side. But, like most artists, they are not likely to delve into the business side of things. And that is why most artists without managers or agents do not grow beyond their own scope of business skill.

Hello Beachnut,
Great post. First, regarding the police. They are supposed to "serve and protect" and do so for the most part. But, like any other area, they are as good as the people involved.

There is a saying,"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Now, keep in mind that a policeman's job is TO STOP THINGS! That is the flow that they operate on ALL THE TIME! They are looking to STOP crime. So, when you are constantly STOPPING things, you can tend to over-step that flow by stopping things unnecessarily.

As for the 9/11 influence. Well, those "fear-mongers" who make a living off of selling newspapers, magazines, psychiatric drugs and more, would keep us all in fear all the time if they got their wish. If you do some research, you'll find that there is a connection between some government agencies, big pharma and the newspapers. IMHO, this controlling "trilogy" has a great money machine built to keep us all under their thumbs.

If you don't believe me, take a look at which large drug companies own which newspapers or magazines. (Hint: check out TIME and USA TODAY for starters) Then, take a look at how much government funding goes out to Big Pharma (Hint: in the billions), and how much of that funding gets into the personal pockets of those organizations who support certain government officials. It's downright disgusting.

As for the drug war. I agree with what you say. However, I also wish to point out that the false "PR" about the coolness or great relief brought about by doing the drugs is an intentional campaign that started back in the 1960's by a specific group of people who made money from the drugs. If you research this, you'll see that drugs were positioned with cool musicians and artists so as to give them a great PR image. This was a deliberate PR campaign and there is much data to support this.

It is always the best to pull the string all the way back to the source of any problem if you want the problem to cease. The drug problem started in the 1960s. Do some research and you'll see just who started it all. You may find out that they are the same people who are still making all the drug money. The thugs are only serving to assist in the problem. They aren't the problem.

As far as the prison systems go. They totally suck and hopefully they will look to certain programs that are truly working such as Criminon. And yes, I'd love to see more people like Johnny Cash get involved. This world needs all the help it can get!

Auntie Rant

Auntie Rant,
Wow!I hadnt prepared an acceptance speech because I'm am truly surprised.I've honestly never won any kind of contest.(not so much as a free BigMac)and Thank you for giving me the chance to enter a "contest"where I stood a chance.I won a contest for complaining!!!lol.But truly,I am grateful to win any type of contest and I think that this contest was good for me.Better than therapy!I had a chance to do what I rarely get a chance to do at home,speak about how I feel.I'm usually tending to the needs of others and letting them complain to me.I hope that you will do this again in the future,Heidi.You are very talented and I would love to open my daily paper to see an Auntie Rant advice column.That would be awesome!And so much more entertaining than the advice columns that are currently available to us.I will PM you my address and I'm so excited that I'm gonna get a prize.I will treasure it always.
Sincerely, Michelle Chapman

Congrats sweetie....ya be good, now alright.....Wanna see you tomorrow, so stay off the......uhhh, vodka, tequila, or whatever!!!

As for the rants?

"Yes, if an artist is not interested in making any money from his art, then he can avoid the "business" side."

Spoken so true.....If you're not in it for the love of the art, then why?

Sam,
There is nothing wrong with loving what you do AND making a living at it at the same time. People often have the false idea that "work" has to be something you don't like doing.

I think people ought to find something they love in which they can also make a living. It sure makes life more fun that way! At least it has for me. Even with some very long days, I am still doing what I love to do.

I'd hate to be wasting my time JUST for a paycheck. At least with doing what I love, I can (hopefully) get a paycheck and also have the joy of creating.

Auntie

Well, I wish that there was a permanent and financially tangible correlation between, but that's just my weenie little opinion.

Point being, that it is indeed as hard to create art and to be paid well for it at the same time for the same employer as we always hear that it is....

So, for me, I write for the love of the art, so that I can find a source of pride in my work, as opposed to a constant series of disappointments because I'm not being paid a million dollars, like so many of these idiots in Nashville seem to think is their due.

I hear some of 'em tellin' me what a fool I am because my bank book doesn't look like Tim McGraw's.....

Gotta love it.

Auntie, even though you've awarded a prize, we can still rant, yes? Complaining without compensation, as it were? Rant without rent?

Joe

This rant thread is hard to kill
Shoot it again Heidi<G>
Wy

You guys are sooooo funny! Of course you can rant to your heart's content. I really enjoy the steam. It's good for my complexion!


Auntie Rant