Random Rants #63: These Rants Don't Run

[EnglishEdward]

I could argue that I am only alive today because sewage workers process sewage and prevent
me dying from diseases. Very selfishly I do not wake up feeling grateful to them. But they have
not complained on any of the internet forums that I visit that I did not publically acknowledge them.

If you were paid and survived without crippling injury, you have no cause for complaint.

 

[Syno]

I could argue that I am only alive today because sewage workers process sewage and prevent
me dying from diseases. Very selfishly I do not wake up feeling grateful to them. But they have
not complained on any of the internet forums that I visit that I did not publically acknowledge them.

If you were paid and survived without crippling injury, you have no cause for complaint.

What do you define as crippling injury? Would you say the plight of a sewage worker is similar to that of someone who is forced into attempting to murder people, while also being targeted by other would-be murderers?

I can respect and appreciate the viewpoint that soldiers shouldn't exactly be entitled to some level of innate worship, but I'm not on board with the idea that soldiers are just gainfully employed chumps who have got it good.

 

[warpus]

This might be also anecdotal, but whenever I see an American soldier around civilian Americans, there are always people walking up to him and thanking him/her for his/her service. A uniformed soldier will be invited to cut ahead in line, given a better seat on a plane, etc. Americans, from what I've seen, treat their soldiers with a lot of respect. I realize that this is anecdotal, but this is what I see.


Here in Canada that doesn't happen. I mean, it does to a small extent, but not nearly on the same scale. To compare, I would say that we respect our soldiers, while Americans worship theirs. Just what I've seen here and there anecdotally.

 

[EnglishEdward]

What do you define as crippling injury?

That is for the topic originator to comment on if they care to do so.

I certainly do not regard complaining about a lack of gratitude as a crippling injury.

Would you say the plight of a sewage worker is similar to that of someone who is forced into attempting to murder people, while also being targeted by other would-be murderers?

I will not be side tracked into discussing the ethics of soldiering and the definitions of murder.

Sewage workers take casualties from infectious diseases and H2S poisoning.

I could have made much the same comparison citing firemen or midwives.

 

[Syno]

I could have made much the same comparison citing firemen or midwives.

Ah yes, the battlefield of midwifery. I forgot about that one.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Rant: Can't decide if I should go on birthright in June or not. It doesn't conflict with my JET schedule, and I get the 250 dollar deposit back. But I think I'm still expected to feed myself for half the meals of the 10 day trip when I should be saving money for Japan. At the same time, I'm not sure two foreign countries within a month of each other is too much or not.

I'm having a hard time coming up with an answer though. I'm leaning towards no, but do I really need two and a half months of living at home with nothing else to do other than steel myself for Japan? Need some help deciding...

 

[Commodore]

Just got in a car accident. It wasn't my fault and I'm okay, but my car is messed up and, of course, the other driver didn't have insurance. But I only have liability on my car, so the other guy is getting his license suspended until he pays to fix my car (which is actually the law in Ohio), but he doesn't look like the kind of guy who is ever going to be able to pay me, so a fat lot of good suspending his license is going to do me.

 

[Takhisis]

Well, at least you're safe and sound, even if the car was damaged. Better than the other way around.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Hooray. I barely slept tonight because my nose is full of gunk.

Also probably overzealous application of my medicine...

 

[Hygro]

Rant: Can't decide if I should go on birthright in June or not. It doesn't conflict with my JET schedule, and I get the 250 dollar deposit back. But I think I'm still expected to feed myself for half the meals of the 10 day trip when I should be saving money for Japan. At the same time, I'm not sure two foreign countries within a month of each other is too much or not.

I'm having a hard time coming up with an answer though. I'm leaning towards no, but do I really need two and a half months of living at home with nothing else to do other than steel myself for Japan? Need some help deciding...

so you're saying it costs $750 to go to Israel for 10 days and party and see cool monuments and stuff, and you're thinking of not doing it?

 

[Commodore]

Well, at least you're safe and sound, even if the car was damaged. Better than the other way around.

Thanks. Yeah, you're right, it is better that I wasn't hurt. I was also coming back from dropping my daughter off at my mom's house for their weekly sleep over, so I'm glad she wasn't in the car. Anyway, I know I'm going to get flooded with mail and calls from attorney's now since that's what happened after my father was hit by an uninsured driver. I probably won't sue since I really don't have the time or money to waste on a legal battle that won't get me anything anyway. I mean sure, a judge will probably rule in my favor, but what does it matter if the other guy doesn't have the ability to pay? But, if one of those attorneys offers a free consultation, I'll probably do it just to see what my options are.

 

[Hygro]

lawyers who take on car accidents usually do it for a percent of the settlement, so they don't cost you per se.

 

[Commodore]

lawyers who take on car accidents usually do it for a percent of the settlement, so they don't cost you per se.

But do they get paid when I get paid, or do I have to pay them once the judge rules in my favor?

 

[Hygro]

they take 30-40% of the settlement

 

[EnglishEdward]

But do they get paid when I get paid, or do I have to pay them once the judge rules in my favor?

My condolences on your bad luck with the car.

In the UK the lawyer receives the payment and first takes their commission
or fee and then if no appeal is lodged, passes the balance on to the plaintive,
but it may be different in the USA and particularly in your state.

 

[Commodore]

they take 30-40% of the settlement

I mean, what if the judge rules in my favor or I get a settlement, but the guy never pays me because he doesn't have the money; am I still expected to pay the lawyer even though I haven't been paid yet? Or is it the guy who hit me that has to pay my lawyer? I've never dealt with stuff like this before and I'm completely ignorant as to how it works.

 

[Hygro]

I mean, what if the judge rules in my favor or I get a settlement, but the guy never pays me because he doesn't have the money; am I still expected to pay the lawyer even though I haven't been paid yet? Or is it the guy who hit me that has to pay my lawyer? I've never dealt with stuff like this before and I'm completely ignorant as to how it works.

Then the lawyer is SOL. Tort lawyers who deal in auto accidents usually provide a free consultation unlike some other types of lawyers.

 

[Borachio]

Well, at least you're safe and sound, even if the car was damaged. Better than the other way around.

Yup. Nothing that money can't put right.

 

[Joecoolyo]

so you're saying it costs $750 to go to Israel for 10 days and party and see cool monuments and stuff, and you're thinking of not doing it?

$750

If I actually had to spend that much I would never be able to start up in Japan! I've been told you need about $2000 dollars to get by in Japan before your first paycheck comes in. That's where the hesitance comes in.

I mean I have until I'm 27 years old to do it. I just have an opportunity to do so before leaving for Japan and I'm not sure if I should.

 

[Syno]

$750

If I actually had to spend that much I would never be able to start up in Japan! I've been told you need about $2000 dollars to get by in Japan before your first paycheck comes in. That's where the hesitance comes in.

I mean I have until I'm 27 years old to do it. I just have an opportunity to do so before leaving for Japan and I'm not sure if I should.

I don't know very much about your life, but could you find a way to earn money to make up the difference when you get back? This is an opportunity that'd be a shame to let slip.