Here's the latest on this fiasco:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011571702_wastemanagement10m.html

I'll find out Wednesday whether I am going to get my trash picked up.

LJ wrote: It doesnt matter what people do. If you have to know what I do, I am the owner of a multimillion dollar oil company. So why does that matter? What does that change?

It means you are a selfish prick making bucks on the backs of your slave like employees. That is what he is trying to get at.

I get tired of this kind of shit. Not one of my employees has ever endured the physical labor that I have endured to build my business. Not even remotely close. There were times when I sacrificed my own personal finances for my employees. I made payroll and my wife had to take the walk of shame at the grocery check out because the funds were not there.

irish_ buffalo I'll ask you a few questions. Have you ever worked for 40 hrs straight without sleep? Have you ever collapsed and slept on concrete because your body shut down? Have you ever had to explain to your son why you never come to his baseball games? Have you ever visited a bankruptcy attorney weighing your options? Has your phone ever rung off the hook with countless bill collectors on the other end?

I refused to fail. I never declared bankruptcy. I paid my debts. I plan to be debt free in the next couple of years. Likely next week I will be sitting on top of a multi-million dollar business. A decade of hard work may finally pay off. It still will not be easy. I see many more sleepless nights ahead of me.

My experience is not uncommon. Many successful business owners somehow get portrayed as having the silver spoon in their mouth. So many Americans have no idea what it takes to start and run a successful business.

As for my political opinion, irish, it is equal to any American's regardless of what they do for a living.

i dont have first hand knowledge of unions, but i do have a friend who has just had to join one because the employees where she worked at wanted one(she was on the fence). the only thing the union has done was negotiate wages and protect employees who show up drunk to work from being fired. she has brought up legitimate concerns such as having cameras in the work place and other policies to protect employee's safety and the company from internal theft. the union wasnt concerned. the other day the place was robbed at gun point. luckily everyone was ok, but bad lighting, no cameras, and another policy that forces the only 2 employees working to stay at opposite ends of the work place left the workers unsafe. way to put the workers first union. there is my union story.

Intersting read how the company will have to pay fines built into the contract if the trash isn't picked up. I'm sure the union could care less that this will affect the bottom line for WM. Amazing that in one of the worst economic times most of us here have had to wrk and live through, people actually turn down money. Scary thought.

Irish, good to see you haven't changed a bit from that other site.

LJ wrote:

irish_buffalo wrote: Aside from this website, what do you do?

Why is it so hard for all of you experts to say?

It doesnt matter what people do. If you have to know what I do, I am the owner of a multimillion dollar oil company. So why does that matter? What does that change?

It's because he's getting completely and totally owned on-topic, and wants to create a strawman, or more accurately, to have us build one for him.

I already told him exactly what I do for a living... It added nothing to the conversation and he didn't acknowledge it.

^ - What was it, dont recall?

I'm getting owned? If regurgitating propaganda from a bunch of Sean Hannity admirers is getting owned then so be it.

Keep arguing against your best interests.

There are too many misconceptions on this board in regard to unions to even begin addressing. Do I think that there needs to be reform in some union sectors? Certainly. However, the union is still a very important tool for the American working class. One man alone can do nothing but 500 HARD WORKING individuals can bargain for a FAIR wage, health care, and retirement.

After all, we all cant own multi-million dollar oil companies, be a minor league hitting coach, and monitor a right-winged political board. Where oh where do you find the time?

I.B.,

So, you don't think that the union per topic is going too far? (even a little bit too far?)

You're a union guy all the way - we get it.

However, not everybody is and they have their own (and probably rightfully so) good reasons.

irish_buffalo wrote:

I'm getting owned? If regurgitating propaganda from a bunch of Sean Hannity admirers is getting owned then so be it.

People who can't debate facts reference TV talking heads and pretend it's some sort of trump card. It's an admission of failure.

irish_buffalo wrote:

After all, we all cant own multi-million dollar oil companies, be a minor league hitting coach, and monitor a right-winged political board. Where oh where do you find the time?

Well, "minor league hitting coach" is a joke in reference to a poster who called this website "minor league". As to this being a "right-winged political board" I suggest you read the Disclaimer at the top of the forum. Where oh where do I find the time? I work 12-15 hour days and use this forum as a "breather" from work.

I suggest you worry more about debating people's opinion's rather than attacking what they do for a living or your time on this politics forum may be short lived. I don't care what people's opinions are as long as
a. You are not attacking other posters personally
b. You are not offending other posters just to offend them.

I love how every liberals' argument when someone has a differing opinion is that they are regurgitating Fox news. Get a new argument, it is weak.

personal attack removed-LJ

iclfan2 wrote: I love how every liberals' argument when someone has a differing opinion is that they are regurgitating Fox news. Get a new argument, it is weak.

Well, Fox does have a history of distorting facts, see the latest talk on the START Treaty and Nuclear Posture Review.

I wonder how Fox will report the Nuclear Security Summit on Monday/Tuesday.

As to the thread, I'm in favor of privatizing certain aspects of utilities, so long as the prices are are competitive and do not lead to a monopoly.

iclfan2 wrote: I love how every liberals' argument when someone has a differing opinion is that they are regurgitating Fox news. Get a new argument, it is weak.

personal attack removed-LJ

How is this different from a conservative's argument that a liberal is just feeding off of the liberal media?

If you can back up your argument with hard facts, does it really matter if you got the idea from Fox News or the Daily Show?

Maybe it is selective reading on my part, but I see far more of liberals saying everything people say is from Fox, then conservatives saying quit regurgitating things from MSNBC, etc. Ptown, I wasn't arguing Fox commentary shows skewing facts, I was commenting that people can make up their own ideas on the news that isn't just spewing some worthless show on Fox. People have opinions on subjects outside the realm of mainstream news shows.

Maybe, I've seen all type of "MSM" blame from the right over the past 2 years. Both sides blame the other's media coverage, which is awful.

I actually agree that people should make up their own minds without listening to pundits.

LJ wrote:

irish_buffalo wrote:

After all, we all cant own multi-million dollar oil companies, be a minor league hitting coach, and monitor a right-winged political board. Where oh where do you find the time?

Well, "minor league hitting coach" is a joke in reference to a poster who called this website "minor league". As to this being a "right-winged political board" I suggest you read the Disclaimer at the top of the forum. Where oh where do I find the time? I work 12-15 hour days and use this forum as a "breather" from work.

I suggest you worry more about debating people's opinion's rather than attacking what they do for a living or your time on this politics forum may be short lived. I don't care what people's opinions are as long as
a. You are not attacking other posters personally
b. You are not offending other posters just to offend them.

Look yourself in the mirror and be honest. And then learn to relax and take a joke.

I'm not attacking ANYONE in a personal manner.

I stated what I did for a living (college grad, former business owner, Union Ironworker) and was curious as to what everyone else does as well. In this arguement it really does matter because I'd love to know where people formulate their opinions and how they have ever (IF EVER) directly dealt with a Union. If you are going to make broadband statements about Unions at least know what you are talking about.

For the record - I dont listen nor watch Fox Noise (they cant call themselves 'News' when is all they do is send right-winged propaganda machines out in front of the camera for opinion shows), CNN, or MSNBC. All of these 'news' stations are exactly what is wrong with this country in that they no longer have a dedication to actual news, to inform the masses, but rather to make money. After all, no one wants to watch PBS or listen to NPR. It is far more interesting to watch Hannity and Beck and O'Reilly get all infused and cry and scream. After all it is the Springer generation.

When your news media is compromised so is your democracy but that is a whole other thread.

Most of my knowledge comes from print and the facts within (because as we all know print has a slant as well).

I listen the shit out of NPR...

I Wear Pants wrote: I listen the shit out of NPR...

Some of the best news out there. And without video even.

I Wear Pants wrote: I listen the shit out of NPR...

Me too

Great to know.

Allow me to be the first to say that listening to NPR can be like watching paint dry.

Except for when they have the awesome parts on. You know, the parts with good music and interesting news/interest pieces. All Songs Considered is awesome.

I love NPR.

Car Talk is amazing, btw.

irish_buffalo wrote: Great to know.

Allow me to be the first to say that listening to NPR can be like watching paint dry.

When I was traveling a lot, I lestened to NPR. Thought for the most part, it was very good. The only show I couldn't stand was science Friday. Why do you think it's like watching paint dry?

Footwedge, I also like NPR.

However, compare PBS Newshour or NPR's 'All Things Considered' against any talking head show on one of the supposed 'news' stations ratings wise. My entire point was that many people get their news from Fox, CNN, and MSNBC because they are more intense, confrontational, arguementetive, and all in the name of RATINGS rather than informing the masses. Hence my statement earlier that we are in the midst of the 'Springer generation'.

If you are formulating your opinions based on Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh you are extremely misinformed. But, sadly, many people get 'informed' from these 'performers'.

irish_buffalo wrote: Footwedge, I also like NPR.

However, compare PBS Newshour or NPR's 'All Things Considered' against any talking head show on one of the supposed 'news' stations ratings wise. My entire point was that many people get their news from Fox, CNN, and MSNBC because they are more intense, confrontational, arguementetive, and all in the name of RATINGS rather than informing the masses. Hence my statement earlier that we are in the midst of the 'Springer generation'.

If you are formulating your opinions based on Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh you are extremely misinformed. But, sadly, many people get 'informed' from these 'performers'.

Huh?

All I asked was why you thought NPR was boring. I don't get my news from those you cited. I can't stand any of them...and those on this site know that.