Covid-19 info (1 Viewer)

[Desertkiwi]

LA Mayor announced US$150m cut to police budget which he will redirect to black community groups. This was after taking a knee whilst BLM guys took his photograph.

Strangely he missed the bit about which communities will get less police coverage or which units less manpower.

I really hope Minneapolis goes ahead with disbanding the police and setting up their Community Outreach Organisation or whatever. Then they can show the rest of the world how communities should be protected and crimes prevented and detected. Will be hilarious, unless you happen to be a resident.

One of the toughest jobs from now on is going to be for those in charge of police recruiting.

Gee, the old virus was bad enough but this new one is much worse.

Thats the same stuff our wonderful NZ main stream media are pumping out down here too Brett. Lots of rubbish about getting rid of the police and justice system. We've even had so called university lecturers/professors openly suggesting we de-colonising the country and giving it 'back' to Maori.

 

[Desertkiwi]

I wasn't aware they had Police Boys Clubs in the US. During the 1970's me and a few mates used to attend the Police Boys Club in my home town in Central New South Wales on a regular basis. We used to play Basketball and Squash etc but Boxing seemed to be their main focus. One of the boys that was also in my Agriculture class in High School made it to the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, but didn't get any Boxing medals. He was a wiry looking guy, not very big but had some moves and would often pick fights at school, for practice I guess. Anyway I caught up with Brian a few years ago at a School reunion, we had a few beers together and I'm happy we were kinda friends at school as he's now several times bigger.

As for reporting a fellow Police Officer for wrongful conduct, we call it Dobbing in Australia. I sometimes get the chance to talk to Police Officers when we're doing night work, although they often live locally they are all State Government employees and have secure well paid jobs. I've asked a few to swap jobs, but no takers yet. Anyway their occupation requires loyalty from other officers as their lives depend on backup. Even if someone was doing the right thing by Dobbing another officer, it's likely the 'Dobber' would Not be popular with the other Officers, Trust is a Big thing in that Job. But maybe there will come a time when things will change, plenty of change happening now Globally, not much for the Better IMO.

Great post Oz, as one of those old crusties still in uniform on the frontline so to speak I can concur with the 'dobber' mentality, however things have changed a great deal during my time in the job over here and the internal police culture has shifted considerably.

In saying that not all of it is a positive change. We are scrutinised something terrible now, not only by the public, media and our peers, but also by our own employers who don't hesitate to hold us to account for all of our actions.

Its a hard enough job as it is but having to constantly look over your shoulder to see whose got your back is not only time wasting but very unpleasant.

 

[hotel3alpha]

All,

I have an interesting story...2 days ago I got a "Amber Alert" text around 5 PM at the house. While I was getting everyone in the house was getting it to. It said to evacuate the immediate area for a possible house fire that was producing hazardous fumes and go to the local middle school for further instructions. We all looked at each other asking, "is this real?" The wife and I jumped online to see what was going on and it was reported that there was a house a few neighborhoods over that when police responded to it, they smelled noxious fumes from the home and that there was a cryptic note on the door.

Just as we were reading those tidbits on the news, we got ANOTHER alert to evacuate...NOW as there may be explosives in the house. W-T-F? Fortunately, an address was posted and I looked it up and saw that the neighborhood in question was far away from us that IF there was an explosion we would possibly hear it but not be in harms way. So, with in two minutes this was the info we got:

Amber Alert-evacuate to a middle school-house fire-hazardous fumes

Online-explosives in the house-cryptic message-and address

Then it popped up online that there were six bodies in the house, first responders were there and by this time we changed the channel to local news and our Police Chief (formerly from Minneapolis PD) was doing a briefing. According to him the family was missing and the entire neighborhood has been evacuated due to the cryptic note on the door and the possibility that the house may be booby trapped. With in 10 minutes of the initial Amber Alert this is what we knew:

-The Amber Alert was a blanket alert to all the zip codes in the area and since people followed it they did show up at the middle school and were sent home because it wasn't in their zip code. In other words, we got the alert, but we shouldn't have.

-It was not a fire, there were no hazardous fumes, no explosives. There was indeed a note said something about the family cats were in the freezer but written in "military jargon"

I know this is sounding weird, but this was happening in real time and uh, I was not about to leave knowing that we were having a crawfish boil for dinner. So, we stayed home, ate and decided to check on it later in the night. And so we did and later that night the news did not change as they were still trying to locate the family, but the bomb squad was on scene. My buddy is in the bomb unit with and I sent him a text to "be careful".

The next day here was the situation:

Murder-suicide, the husband, wife and all four kids were in the garage in the family van that had a pipe connected to the exhaust into the van and the family is all dead. No bobby traps, no fire, no explosives and he was military member was had only been stationed her for 6 months. The kids ages ranged from 4 months to 4 years old...they were babies and obviously the wife was complicit in the murder.

I called my buddy today to check on him and he told me he was the one who found the family in garage and turned off the van to stop the van from emitting carbon monoxide and they could get the bodies out. Everybody was dressed and ready to go and the cats were in the van with them...basically they looked like they were sleeping. To him it was a "capital murder-suicide" since there were children involved. He wasn't shocked or anything since he has seen worse...much worse. Anyway, it was a bizarre story that was right down the way and the information that was coming out was as bizarre as the end result.

I couldn't believe that a man and more so a mother would do that to their children, but they did.

If that was't enough my reported to me today that one of the neighborhood girls mom and step dad got into a fight and a kitchen knife was pulled. Likewise, her step sister actually encouraged her dad to beat up her step mom. I know this family and the girls who are step sisters. I could not believe what I was hearing and for a moment I thought it was neighborhood gossip, but there is a video of the beating that my son saw and the arguing in the background. He said you could not see anything but that you could hear everything including the daughter who was cursing and encouraging the altercation. Apparently, they left the house (the step dad and step sister) and are holed up in a hotel, but the cops were called, a report was made and charges are filed.

They live literally around the corner and the step sister is nothing more than 15 or 16 years old.

So, two things, first violence and mayhem is not only in the streets but at home too and not just in the hood, but in suburbia as well. Second, the cops and first responders are there to serve and protect and are still called upon 24 hours a day.

It has been a bizarre couple of days not only in the neighborhood, but my city, my country and the world. But, this thread has been a nice respite to turn to for opinions, debates and yes COVID-19 info. Lastly, Rich you need to write a biography and like I said before I would be first to buy. Until then I enjoy reading and learning from you gents and I gotta tell you I am humbled by your wealth and breadth of knowledge in history, law, government and the world.

John from Texas

PS: Lest we forget D-Day June 6th, 1944

 

[OzDigger]

Great post Oz, as one of those old crusties still in uniform on the frontline so to speak I can concur with the 'dobber' mentality, however things have changed a great deal during my time in the job over here and the internal police culture has shifted considerably.

In saying that not all of it is a positive change. We are scrutinised something terrible now, not only by the public, media and our peers, but also by our own employers who don't hesitate to hold us to account for all of our actions.

Its a hard enough job as it is but having to constantly look over your shoulder to see whose got your back is not only time wasting but very unpleasant.

Not much different in Australia, things have changed a lot over the years, Accountability and Political Correctness are major factors in all occupations now. Younger guys don't have the same culture or way of thinking as us older guys, they all seem to be looking after Number One these days. Now that you mention it I meet very few Police Officers over 45, and most are covered in tattoos. I don't have a problem with tattoos but my old school thinking still remembers when only Pirates, Bikies and Criminals had them :wink2:

 

[paxtoysoldier]

Not much different in Australia, things have changed a lot over the years, Accountability and Political Correctness are major factors in all occupations now. Younger guys don't have the same culture or way of thinking as us older guys, they all seem to be looking after Number One these days. Now that you mention it I meet very few Police Officers over 45, and most are covered in tattoos. I don't have a problem with tattoos but my old school thinking still remembers when only Pirates, Bikies and Criminals had them :wink2:

Every revolution carries within itself the seeds of its own destruction- Frank Herbert, Dune.

 

[marco55]

It seems that the virus has been eradicated in New Zealand.Congrats N.Z.
Mark

 

[Desertkiwi]

It seems that the virus has been eradicated in New Zealand.Congrats N.Z.
Mark

Thanks Mark!

I'm not sure that Covid will ever be eradicated as such, but yes the experts here are giving high praise for the countries efforts to achieve this goal.

Our bounders are still shut, but work is being done to re-open and allow travel again between NZ & Australia in the coming months.

The true impact of the 10x week lockdown is only just being felt though and from an economic stand-point things aren't great with loads of job losses and many businesses under stress.

Cheers.

 

[bradleyl30]

Ok my last post on this thread, I promise, and getting too busy anyway. I am guilty of writing posts while doing three other things and I should edit myself better.
First on Robert E. Lee there is certainly more than one side on evaluating the man. Lee became a mythical figure to the South.....A "Southern Gentlemen" defending his state and the culture of the Old South. There is ample historical evidence that he was a slave holder and supported slavery. There is also evidence that he mistreated his slaves and was reluctant to give them their freedom even when the war ended. Ok we can argue this infinitum and that's my point, we all have our opinions as do historians. I continue to believe that the main motivation for secession was slavery and the economics of it. The Confederate states wanted to break away from "America" so call them what you will but they were not Americans at that point. The same as our colonies were no longer British citizens when they rebelled and had their Declaration of Independence.

The use of my word "shrine" is perhaps the wrong term. I meant that everyone has the right to keep their history alive in many ways other than publicly displayed statues and flags. You can teach your children from books, collectables, documentaries, films and symbols. If you admire someone then by all means hang their picture and read all about them. Go to museums to see relics and statues all you want, I will always defend their existence. I and many others don't believe in deleting history just not honoring leaders who supported slavery and the breaking up of our country.

Yes sometimes we all get defensive and sometimes we get heated. You brought up the Holocaust Museum in relation to PC and it bothered me. You said you were "half sarcastic" so my response was sarcastic also. Holocaust deniers are in a class by themselves, reprehensible and sick. Their motives have nothing to do with PC. i was not insulting you, just trying to make a point. Again i need to edit better.
I don't consider myself a troll although i realize that I can take things too far or off track at times. I feel compelled to answer some comments and debate some opinions. i do realize that the forum is not the right venue for this and will be more careful.

Now in closing, my biggest argument with you and many others on this forum is in "generalizations" and "over-generalizations". I am guilty myself from time to time on this as are most human beings.
Its rarely that simple and monolithic. For example you believe and have stated that all media is biased. I don't agree, although i also think too large a percentage fall into that category. I find many journalist to be professional and truthful. Many here believe
that Political Correctness (PC) is blatant and solely detrimental to our society. Again a generalization and misinterpretation in many cases. Case in point, Native Americans who have been oppressed for years
are more sensitive to certain names, symbols and expressions, don't they have a right to challenge those?
More recently we see people implying that all demonstrators are violent and looters, not only a generalization but a blatant lie.


lastly so many people lack empathy. I may disagree with Collin Kapernack's type of protest but as long as it is legal and peaceful I try to understand his motives. The flag and anthem have different meanings to the African American community
who have a 400 year history of slavery and oppression. The Supreme Court even ruled that burning our flag is free speech. I may not agree but i try to understand the motives. i worry more about actions than symbols and I don't think that makes me any
less patriotic.
Yesterday the commissioner of the NFL said he agrees with protests by the players but we will see how the owners react.

Ok enough. I will be scarce on the forum from now on.

It would be a shame for you to stop posting. Often, you are the one who most closely expresses my sentiments. I always appreciate that.

 

[hotel3alpha]

All,

It seems everyone is taking a break from this thread. Great! So, for some fodder I wanted to say a couple of things:

Number 1-I am sick and tired of NY always telling us this is "his last" post. I swear he gives the longest goodbye kisses...tongue and all. Personally, I think NY LOVES the attention of everyone begging him not to leave and it reminds of the KC and Sunshine Band song "Please Don't Go". So, NY I am tired of your "I'm leaving you" threats, like, this is a All My Toy Soldier Children soap opera at 3 in the afternoon. NY...stop teasing us.

Number 2-I am sick and tired of the country of New Zealand always making these big fat claims in history. I just read a headline that said "In Awe of NZ" and I was like "awe"...like what kind of awe? The news article read like a communist propaganda news reel, and I quote from the New Zealand Herald, "While we are celebration Down Under, the WORLD has looked on in AMAZEMENT at our achievements, heaping praise on Kiwis and our Government." I thought the Irish were bad, but if given the opportunity I think NZ would claim they went to the moon first. They just did not make such a big deal about it.

Number 3-I have had it with George's holier than though attitude on this thread. This is a guy who went to All Stars mens club in San Antonio with a gold chain and the whole wide collar open shirt look. Probably showcasing some chest hair too...I mean it was the 80's after all and frankly I think it's a spoof story and until I see a "proof of life" type of picture then its fake news. So, there.

Number 4-After some reflection I am ashamed of Louis B. He should have done his second term as Mayor and I believe LB is guilty of malingering. That's right...I said it and I think LB was looking for a reason to step down and he just "happen" to have some sort of trumped up back surgery story that I find highly suspicious. Personally, I think its melarchy and I am going to call for an investigation...an official one.

Number 5-OZ ALWAYS has to weigh in about how great Australia is to the rest of the world. I'm sick of it and I think OZ needs to fly me (and the wife) out there to prove to me that Australia is paradise. I demand a tour with the drum and fife corps procession AND I want to taste a Fosters on draft. I have never drank that beer, but I promise to sort it out compared to Mexican and Japanese beers. Plus, I would like to visit the town of Texas, in Queensland Australia and perform an inspection of the town. There had better be some BBQ smoking.

Thats it for now. I might come back and drop another two or three complaints on the COVID-19 INFO thread, but I got some yard work to do and its a 100 degrees outside.

John from Texas

PS: Just found out one of our contractors contracted COVID-19. He's one of the sales guys for their company and after speaking to the owner he told me that he had to shut down for a week...get everyone tested (40 guys)...wait for the results and fortunately everyone came back negative. He and his guys are in our shop everyday and man I feel bad for him. He's married and got two little ones and last I heard his is very, very sick.

 

[Louis Badolato]

John,

Did you just graduate from the George Guerrero School of Comedy? You got me . . . {sm4}

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he gets well soon.

 

[Warrior]

Number 3-I have had it with George's holier than though attitude on this thread. This is a guy who went to All Stars mens club in San Antonio with a gold chain and the whole wide collar open shirt look. Probably showcasing some chest hair too...I mean it was the 80's after all and frankly I think it's a spoof story and until I see a "proof of life" type of picture then its fake news. So, there.

It was actually 1992, I remember the year based on who I was with at the time./

1992; Monica, blonde smokeshow with a tremendous set of...………….eyes.

Then Monica II, blonde smokeshow with some lovely can...…..ary's.
Then Jodie, a blonde smokeshow with a healthy set of...………...lungs.
Then Patty, a blonde smokeshow who was once featured...…….as a dancer in Vegas.
Now my current blonde smokeshow, Miss Tiffany, who when we moved in together brought along a lovely set of large twin...…………..cats.


And if you see any 28 year old 6'2" dark haired fellas wearing old school Pumas, baggy shorts with a wallet chain, an invicta watch that could be used as a weapon once taken off and various soccer jerseys in the San Antonio area, there's your proof of life...……………..

As much as I love soccer shirts, Larry is fond of that blue denim short sleeved shirt...…………..……

 

[OzDigger]

All,

It seems everyone is taking a break from this thread. Great! So, for some fodder I wanted to say a couple of things:

Number 5-OZ ALWAYS has to weigh in about how great Australia is to the rest of the world. I'm sick of it and I think OZ needs to fly me (and the wife) out there to prove to me that Australia is paradise. I demand a tour with the drum and fife corps procession AND I want to taste a Fosters on draft. I have never drank that beer, but I promise to sort it out compared to Mexican and Japanese beers. Plus, I would like to visit the town of Texas, in Queensland Australia and perform an inspection of the town. There had better be some BBQ smoking.

John from Texas

.

Fodder? Again with the food John, no wonder you're so 'stocky'. And I should have been at the top of the list considering Australia is Number 1 or Numero Uno as we used to say back in the Disco days.

Number 5 is very embarrassing especially as NZ was listed at No 2.

Airline tickets would be a stretch, my disposable income is mainly for models. However I can provide accommodation for you and your lovely wife...at reasonable rates. There are plenty of Pubs and Clubs near my house, so Beer won't be a problem. I mainly drink Coopers which is one of the few Australian beers still actually owned by an Australian company.

Let me know when your arriving and I'll organize that trip to the Down under Texas, but I fear you'll be disappointed, I know I was ^&grin

Facebook ad for local Mexican special.mmmmm.

 

[Warrior]

Got real ****ty news a short time ago; Carl Hogermeyer, a long time dealer, contracted the COVID19 virus and has passed away.

Just stunning news frankly.

 

[hotel3alpha]

Oh, Jesus George that is awful. A quick moment of funny turns sour real quick man. **** sobering, as I fear COVID-19 is getting closer and closer to us all. My respects brother.

**** this thing.

John from Texas

 

[Warrior]

Oh, Jesus George that is awful. A quick moment of funny turns sour real quick man. **** sobering, as I fear COVID-19 is getting closer and closer to us all. My respects brother.

**** this thing.

John from Texas

Shocking is what comes to mind, he's very well known here on the East Coast, a fixture at all the shows, was one of the cofounders of the Gettysburg Toy Soldier Show, which is my personal favorite show to attend...…………...

 

[Louis Badolato]

Got real ****ty news a short time ago; Carl Hogermeyer, a long time dealer, contracted the COVID19 virus and has passed away.

Just stunning news frankly.

I can't believe Carl is gone. I remember buying Elastolin Normans and Vikings from him for my son Alec at the last show I attended last year. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his wife and family.

 

[Desertkiwi]

It’s always sad hearing about anyone passing, let alone from the dreaded Covid nasty.

Texas John, please forgive our Kiwi media for their relentless propaganda campaign regarding our PM and her efforts to stamp out Covid down here. We only really have one daily newspaper called the NZ Hearld and they don’t miss a beat banging on how great they are and are totally in love with our current Government.

I was yakking to an American friend a few days ago and asked him how Americans would cope with not being able to travel by plane, both domestically and internationally for about 6x weeks? To clarify, I said all freight flights are excluded, but how would America cope if only essential workers were allowed to travel during that 6x week period?

He said the economy wouldn’t cope, plus the public would be outraged.

I said well that’s what happened here during our lockdown. All our airports emptied out and our planes parked up with our boarders closed.

 

[The Military Workshop]

"1992; Monica, blonde smokeshow with a tremendous set of...………….eyes.
Then Monica II, blonde smokeshow with some lovely can...…..ary's.
Then Jodie, a blonde smokeshow with a healthy set of...………...lungs.
Then Patty, a blonde smokeshow who was once featured...…….as a dancer in Vegas.
Now my current blonde smokeshow, Miss Tiffany, who when we moved in together brought along a lovely set of large twin...…………..cats".

I am detecting a trend here !

 

[Warrior]

"1992; Monica, blonde smokeshow with a tremendous set of...………….eyes.
Then Monica II, blonde smokeshow with some lovely can...…..ary's.
Then Jodie, a blonde smokeshow with a healthy set of...………...lungs.
Then Patty, a blonde smokeshow who was once featured...…….as a dancer in Vegas.
Now my current blonde smokeshow, Miss Tiffany, who when we moved in together brought along a lovely set of large twin...…………..cats".

I am detecting a trend here !

I have to be true to myself; I like what I like...………………………………...I think they were all after me for my Tiger tanks.

 

[Warrior]

It’s always sad hearing about anyone passing, let alone from the dreaded Covid nasty.

Texas John, please forgive our Kiwi media for their relentless propaganda campaign regarding our PM and her efforts to stamp out Covid down here. We only really have one daily newspaper called the NZ Hearld and they don’t miss a beat banging on how great they are and are totally in love with our current Government.

I was yakking to an American friend a few days ago and asked him how Americans would cope with not being able to travel by plane, both domestically and internationally for about 6x weeks? To clarify, I said all freight flights are excluded, but how would America cope if only essential workers were allowed to travel during that 6x week period?

He said the economy wouldn’t cope, plus the public would be outraged.

I said well that’s what happened here during our lockdown. All our airports emptied out and our planes parked up with our boarders closed.

Americans wouldn't stand for it; "We have rights, what about my rights, I'm a citizen!!"...………………..:rolleyes2:

When this thing started blowing up, our president should have said "Everyone has two weeks to get their prescriptions, food, gas, whatever, then the Entire country is going on a two week lockdown, NO ONE outside of police, fire, doctors, nurses, EMTS and other essential workers are to leave their homes, PERIOD"...……..

But nope, we did this state by state nationwide piecemeal process, some states were strict, others were not, so here we are.

This country is not wired correctly to cope with something like a pandemic.