Taxi Talk

Fw: To Kill American

2009-01-18T10:46:00.001-05:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Bruce Brewer
To: aaron ensley ; charles medders ; Chris Arthur ; Danni Brewer ; DAVID
ANDERSON ; David Laird ; Jacob Duncan ; jeff wipert ; Jerry T ; KEN
ACKENBAEUR ; lou_smith@earthlink.net ; Mark Bolin ; Mark Fulton ; Nick
Santini ; Sam Brewer
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 03:17
Subject: FW: To Kill American

--- On Thu, 1/15/09, david albaugh <truckin154@yahoo.com> wrote:

Subj: To Kill American

Written by an Australian
Dentist....too good to delete....
To Kill an American
You probably missed this in the rush of
news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published
in a newspaper, an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any
American.
So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial
the following day to let everyone know what an American is. So they would
know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)
'An American is English, or French, or
Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may
also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.
An American may also be a Comanche,
Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many
other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be
Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America
than in Afghanistan . The only difference is that in America they are free
to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is also free to believe in no
religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to
armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous
land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in
the Declaration of Independence , which recognizes the God given right of
each person to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have
helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need,
never asking a thing in return.
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet
army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the
people to win back their country!
As of the morning of September 11, Americans
had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan . Americans
welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best
music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.
The national symbol of America , The Statue
of Liberty , welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your
teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people
who built America .
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers
the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families.
It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30
different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that
aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you
must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and
other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be
killing yourself . Because Americans are not a particular people from a
particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom.
Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.
Please keep this going!
Pass this around the World .
Then pass it around again.
It says it all, for all of us
Please do not just delete.
Pass it on first.

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3:09 PM

Fw: FW: Arlington at Christmas

2008-12-19T15:35:00.001-05:00

Arlington at Christmas

I had no idea this was done. I thought you might want to see it.

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington , Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Feel free to share this with everyone. We all hear too much about the bad things people do. Let's Roll!

Lou

I'm Back!

2008-07-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

After almost a year of in and out of VA, I am back! Not as good as before; but, back nevertheless. Hope to be posting more often now.

Lou

While I am on a Roll

2007-07-01T15:06:00.001-05:00

Forgot to post this awhile back - I took a young Spanish couple to the detention center. This usually means they are going to visit someone that has been incarcerated. They asked me to wait, so ok. A few minutes later, the young man came out and asked me if I would witness his marriage. WOW! I was honored. Strange things are not the only things that happen in a cab. Every now and then something wonderful happens. I am just glad I was part of this one.

That's Different

2007-07-01T14:58:00.001-05:00

Had to share this: A client this morning paid his fare with a couple of winning scratch off tickets. WOW! The New Legal Tender. LOL!

MSNBC.com Article: A different kind of hell for one American in Iraq

2007-06-17T19:08:00.000-05:00

A different kind of hell for one American in Iraq
Donald Vance, a 29-year-old veteran and an American citizen working in Iraq, was neither a victim of a roadside bomb nor taken prisoner by insurgents. Instead, he was held captive by the U.S. government _ detained in a secret military prison. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19226700/from/ET/

Scam Warning

2007-02-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

Tom Bergamine
Interim Chief of Police
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Smith, Public Information Officer
Date: 02/13/2007 Phone: (910) 433-1896

SCAM WARNING

Callers Pose As Department of Transportation Employees

Fraud Detectives would like to warn citizens of a scam involving suspects posing as employees with the NC Department of Transportation.

The suspect contacts the victim by phone and states they have been chosen to participate in a survey being conducted by the Department of Transportation. The suspect requests that the victim bring their vehicle to a local hotel so a device can be placed in their car that will assist in tracking information for the survey. The suspect does not give an exact room number immediately and tells the victim they must contact them as the time to meet approaches to get an exact room location. They also state they will pay the victim $60.00 (amount could vary) to participate in the survey.

Fayetteville Fraud Detectives have confirmed with the Department of Transportation that no such survey exists.

The Fayetteville Police Department has not had a report of a victim in this scam due to an alert citizen contacting the police department to verify the request before following through. The Department of Transportation has reported numerous calls regarding the same type of scam.

Detectives believe someone who follows through with the request could become the victim of a more elaborate scam or robbery.

The Fraud Unit continues to follow-up on this scam.

Anyone with information on who may be conducting this scam should contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1856. To leave an anonymous tip and be eligible for up to a $1,000.00 reward contact Crimestoppers at (910) 483-8477.

Miss Dorothy : We Love You!

2007-01-31T23:16:00.000-05:00

Cab Driver On Road To Recovery After Dragging Incident :: WRAL.com: "ab Driver On Road To Recovery After Dragging Incident

Posted: Aug. 23, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Former taxicab driver Dorothy Elliott is now in a wheelchair, but she's doing well after an incident in which a passenger dragged her on the pavement using her own taxi.

'It's a blessing,' said Elliott. 'I think the Lord got me here for a reason.'

Elliott said the passenger tried to pay her with fake money after a ride in July, and then one thing led to another.

'He had ahold of my hand and he grabbed my keys out of my hand and I couldn't get loose,' she said. 'He wouldn't let me go and, next thing I knew, I heard a car being floored.'

Elliott thought about her family. She also prayed her body would stay clear of the tires.

'All I know is I was trying to get up and I felt like my whole body was on fire and I happened to look down at my leg and that's when I (saw) the hole in it,' she said.

Elliott spent a month in the hospital. Doctors rebuilt her ankle, sewed her ear, and treated deep scrapes and burns. Doctors say she should walk again.

But, that's not all she thinks about. She's getting married next summer and plans to walk down the aisle, literally. She also said she would like to become a nurse"

Shelia

2007-01-31T22:55:00.000-05:00

Seems Betty C's professionalism is a family trait. I found out a few days ago, that Shelia is Betty C's niece. It is nice to have two such professional and cheerful people. Thanks.

Betty C

2006-09-09T20:54:00.000-05:00

There are so many negative things happening everyday; when, a good thing happens, we tend to forget. There is a lady over at Cape Fear Valleys' Emergency Department that is just the top of the heap. I don't know what her last name is; but, her name tag says Betty C. She is always smiling and she is always ready when I get there to pickup a patient. I hope you read this Betty; because, folks as nice as you need to be treasured. I hope the folks at Cape Fear read it too. They need to know about you. Thank you for being such a nice and I might add professional person.

LOL

2006-09-04T12:05:00.000-05:00

Looks like the bogus abduction hostage situation could see some jail time.............. oh well!

Cancel Alert

2006-09-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

Turns out, the alert et al was "bogus". Details are sketchy; but, suffice to say; it is not worth discussing.

Alert Update

2006-09-03T16:19:00.000-05:00

Seems Emily was abducted and held hostage ?? by two black men. The men are in possession of Old Army Taxi #521, a white Dodge Caravan. Keep your eyes peeled.

Alert

2006-09-03T08:13:00.000-05:00

Last night, Old Army cabbie, Emily disappeared. Her last call-in was around 1:00am and she said she was holding downtown. She was driving a white, Dodge caravan #529. Keep an eye out and call 910.485.2333 if you see it.

Meter Rates

2006-08-26T18:59:00.000-05:00

The cabbies in Fayetteville, North Carolina are dying a slow death. Fuel costs have become a critical factor. It is not a new issue. Every since unleaded went above $1.68 a gallon a couple of years ago, it has viciously impacted every drivers ability to make a decent living. Back in the days prior to the escalation, gasoline was on average about 10% of a drivers total receipts. Now, a driver is very fortunate to hold his gasoline expenses in the 20% to 25% range. In a nutshell, expenses have doubled and in some cases more.

One might point out that the rates have been increased, so whats the gripe? Certainly the rate increase did help..... some. The basic increase was 30 cents more on the flag fee and 30 cents more per mile. The cabbie sees an additional 15 cents by way of the flag fee and an additional 15 cents per mile. Why? The cab company gets half the fare. Everyone has expenses and the cab companies certainly have their share; but, their expenses are more of the fixed type and they do not have to contend with the gasoline. Gasoline has effectively taken the cabbies share and more. I can't speak for anyone else; but, my gasoline costs average 22-24 cents per mile and after I fill up and split the fares with the company, I have very little left.

Used to, if you metered $135 to $150, you had a pretty good day. That was at the time when gas was $1.68. Now, unless you have $200+, you might as well not work and $200 dollar days are not very common. I still am averaging $135 to $150 and there is very little left. The figures roughly come out this way: $150 total fares / 2 = $75

$75 goes to the company

$75 goes to me, minus $35 in gasoline

$40 for a day just will not pay the bills!

What we, the cabbies need is this: $1.00 fuel surcharge for every trip. That will not hurt anyone and the cabbies will be able to recover a little of their expenses.

Cape Fear Valley

2006-08-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

The other day, I was dispatched to Cape Fear Valley to pickup up a passenger at the front door. This was a contract run, so it has 1st priority. I arrived at the front door and called dispatch so that he could alert the floor to send the patient down. It was very hot, so I had to keep the cab running so it would be comfortable when the patient arrived.

Forty minutes later, after numerous dispatch calls, the folks on the 8th floor finally answered the phone and said; oh we're sorry, we are going to send the man home by ambulance.

They just cost me an hour of my time and all the gasoline to get there and to keep the cab comfortable for 40 minutes. I was steamed.

Then an hour and a half later, I was dispatched the same call. Drove over again and this time waited 20 minutes. Again, they would not answer the dispatchers phone calls. At that point, one of my regular customers called and I left to pick him up. I told the dispatcher, I was leaving to run my special and that I would come back when I was done. He agreed.

Ok, ran my special and again went back to Cape Fear Valley. Still no show! Finally after about 10 minutes, the transporter showed up with the patient. Nope, not the end of the story. The transporter told me the folks on the floor said I had the voucher! LOL! I told him, the nurses station had the voucher. It had to come down with the patient. Long story short, dispatch called them again and in just a couple of minutes, the charge nurse came down with the voucher. No apology, nothing. I cannot believe the lack of respect the 8th floor folks have.

So after all that: an $8.00 fare that cost me time, money and a lot of frustration. At $3.00 a gallon, I for sure paid for that fare myself.