dagblog - Comments for "Firefighting and Capitalism, from Marcus Licinius Crassus to Obion County, Tennessee"

Because of Unpaid Fee,

Donal — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:27:20 +0000

In reply to Firefighting and Capitalism, from Marcus Licinius Crassus to Obion County, Tennessee

Because of Unpaid Fee, Firefighters Let Home Burn

"I just forgot to pay my $75," Cranick told ABC News. "I did it last year, the year before. ... It slipped my mind."
Because Cranick hadn't paid his fee, firefighters doused the border of his neighbor's property to protect that house in case the flames spread, but wouldn't help him. He lost all his possessions, plus three dogs and a cat. ...
But one firefighting expert said the fee system isn't fair to homeowners or firefighters.

"Professional, career firefighters shouldn't be forced to check a list before running out the door to see which homeowners have paid up," Harold Schatisberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said in statement excerpted by MSNBC. "They get in their trucks and go."

I must appologise, I did not

Kelroy — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:10:41 +0000

In reply to The only real fighter

I must appologise, I did not mean to come across as Uber righteous. My shock has faded as I learn more about the community. My community and our neighbors run volunteer fire departments. Our guys are the best, and I guess it's a brick up side the head that other communities are so screwed up. Our volunteers hold events to raise money, and a couple times a year they pull out the boots for donations. I don't see the heroism in this particular case of "paid" firefighters just doing their job watching a human's house burn down. It's sad that no neighbors jumped the flaming fence to help. Apparently this man deserved what he got, and when the little old lady with oldtimers forgets to send the check it's gonna be OK to watch her house burn too, No heroes here folks.

Here is the contact

huuf arted — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:15:10 +0000

In reply to Firefighting and Capitalism, from Marcus Licinius Crassus to Obion County, Tennessee

Here is the contact information for the Fire Chief in South Fulton whose Fire Fighters let this happen. Feel free to call and v0ice your disgust...

David Wilds
117 2nd St
South Fulton, TN 38257
(731) 479-0194

Here is a link to their website too with his picture...

http://www.cityofsouthfulton.org/fire.htm

It's worth pointing out that

acanuck — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 06:51:14 +0000

In reply to Don't duh me. Of course it

It's worth pointing out that if the county politicians had agreed to a mandatory tax in exchange for universal fire coverage, the cost for everyone would almost certainly have dropped -- to $50, $30, whatever. There might even have been a surplus some years to upgrade and expand firefighting equipment. But CapitalistPig is right, that smacks of socialism.

In an interview, the

He can only blame himself! — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:25:46 +0000

In reply to Two thoughts:1) Now we know

In an interview, the homeowner said he made a choice not to pay the fee. He has no one to blame buy himself. He hedged his bets hoping that they would save his home if something were to happen. I don't think I will ever get in a car crash, but I continue to pay my car insurance payments just in case (and they are far more expensive than a $75 annual fee). I do not think Gieco partakes in a business policy that allows for people to get insurance after the fact. In my county, we have a 100% community volunteer fire department. All members of the community donate their time and/or money for this service, there are no free lunches. Something tells me everyone inside that area is sending their money in (again a months worth of coffee) in order to protect their homes in event of a fire.

"But it is the system the

miguelitoh2o — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 01:28:54 +0000

In reply to Okay lets burn the

"But it is the system the voice of the people have put into place".

Your response absolves the participants from any ethical or moral considerations due to a "system' all ready in place. The same thinking as that which you advance precipitated the current economic/employment calamity we suffer under. Those mortgage writers/bankers were only functioning within the parameters of the system. At some point I would hope people would rebel against such "systems" by exercising their own free will, doing unto others and all that jazz. We can create just laws. Even implement safeguards to promote fair treatment. In the absence of that, can we, must we legislate morality? I don't think so. In colonial New York, a printer named Zenger was tried for slander of the crown's governor. The fact that what he printed was true, had no legal bearing as the laws were written such that any offense given to the King or his representatives was deemed to be slander. At the outset of the trial, the printer was assumed to be facing a conviction, and was represented by a court appointed attorney following a month's imprisonment. After the opening statement a man in the gallery stood up and announced that he would be conducting the defense. It was a lawyer, Alexander Hamilton, from Philadelphia, who won the case for the defense by adjuring the jury that they were the last line of defense against unjust laws, and it was their right to acquit, in spite of the letter of the law. Zenger was acquitted by a jury exercising their moral imperative. Certainly what they believed to be just. Without conscience, all systems are doomed.

BTW, Hamilton's victory was the origination of the Phrase "When you're in times of need, you'd better get a Philadelphia lawyer".

these so called

obamaisanidiot — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:56:08 +0000

In reply to Firefighting and Capitalism, from Marcus Licinius Crassus to Obion County, Tennessee

these so called "firefighters" are nothing more than gutless cowards.........scum of the earth........South Fulton is now a national laughingstock..........as well they should be

Have you ever actually

Orlando — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:21:41 +0000

In reply to No one made this guy live in

Have you ever actually visited a third world country?

"cmaukonen, your a

Orlando — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:05:00 +0000

In reply to cmaukonen, your a pinhead.

"cmaukonen, your a pinhead."

If you're going to suggest that someone's intellect does not meet your standards, perhaps you might spend a little time checking your spelling. Just a suggestion.

The only real fighter

Elusive Trope — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:55:27 +0000

In reply to He promised YOU something for

The only real fighter fighters I have met (knowing there are volunteer fire fighters out there) expects their paycheck on payday because they have bills to pay, families to support. And every fire department I've encountered has to live within a budget. That money has to come from somewhere.

What is sad is that you in your infinite desire to avoid the fact that taxes are needed in a modern world (as well it seems a desire to be uber righteous) will villify hardworking fire fighters who are only trying to maintain the economic viability of their firehouse so that they can continue providing their critical and heroic services to the community that supports them.