Calling 9-1-1

The Lib-Guy points out as often as anyone how screwed up government is. And I can't disagree with him.

But here is a classic screwup from city leaders ... who have moved to bigger and better offices .. which puts our parents at risk.

My mother is elderly ... hell, I'm elderly ... and we all worry about her falling and not being able to get to a phone to tell anyone. So I bought a thingy that she can wear around her neck and press a button to call 9-1-1 and then it calls me in case something should happen.

Yesterday I was replacing the battery in the unit and accidentally hit the call button. A few minutes later --- who other than the St. Johns ambulance shows up. I apoligised profusly for the false alarm but was grateful that I knew the damn thingy worked.

Well, today a guy, by the name of J. R. Webb at the Springfield Communications center called my mom, and then talked with me. I thought I would have to apologise for wasting everyone's time.

No so ...

Mr. Webb imformed me that there is a Springfield City Ordinance prohibiting recorded calls to the 9-1-1 center. I about fell off my chair. So I started calling around.

Turns out he is right ... there is a law ... SGF Ord 50-46 .. that prohibits any calls to 9-1-1 with prerecorded messages. Not only that, but it is a criminal misdemeanor to do so.

I asked Mr. Webb if 9-1-1 would fail to respond to a recorded message, he said, no ... and I believe that. I also asked if the city would fine or prosecute a caller of a message.... he weaseled by saying he didn't know.

The absolute absurdity of this is self evident. I told Tony Messenger at the paper about it and I think they might be interested ...

But what I just learned was who on City Council sponsored this ordinance back in 1988. Ready ...

....are you sure you are sitting down ...

That friend of the children and the people ...

Norma Champion

The Boogers Blog the Election

What an interesting and fun night. I counted seven laptops going at the table with everyone looking up different things. And I am sure that this is the first time in history that a legit newsperson, in the person of Tony, ever did this sort of thing and I think that he has gotten the idea of how to make newpapers survive.

JackeM showed up ... and then just sat there without intro'ing herself until I walked by, and she made rude comments about my not being able to button my shirt and I need to lose some weight. Really a lovely lady and we all hope she makes it more often.

A huge day for the demos of course. And the whining started from the freeps early and continued long and loud. But no one whined like VD(J) is whining right now. And his hundreds/dozens -- both of his admirers call in to say that now the demos have to do something. HAHAHAHA ..... And oh yes, gawd is going to lift her skirts and pee all over Missouri for passing the stem cell amendment. (Bring it on, sister, I say -- we can use the rain.)

VD(J) is really bitter that the repugs didn't take his advice, because he is always right, like let's see -- how about yesterday when he said that the repugs had closed ground and it was really looking good -- about that right. Instead of the Senate going lib on him.

And the big news af the day ... which will occupy space on this blog for days?

Brittany dumped the sperm donor.

Oh, the humanity .....