More strange behavior @ City Hall: Keene, New Hampshire

[marshalparshal]

Its funny how we ignore those who want us, want those who ignore us, love those who hurt us and hurt those who love us - REAL TALKS !

[denni04011]

It was specified this was an AUDIO recording, yet I see the man.

[denni04011]

"DELIVING" a speech?

[cclodfe]

Its not that I don't think any of the services you mentioned are bad. That would just be stupid. I know economically that the services could be provided better by the private market. This would also give individuals more of a voice in governing their affairs. Check these out at mises: "The Trouble with Public Schools" "Playing God at the FDA" "Social Security Scam"; National Defense Youtube- "I. Anarchy". You seem to think I don't care about the things you mentioned. You couldn't be more wrong.

[billburns2]

OK, This is turning into a pie slinging contest which is boring for everyone else. I'll be happy to discuss this with you via PM

[cclodfe]

I am not slinging pies. I am just explaining my position. I think you have the best intentions at heart, but lack an understanding of economics. Don't get stuck in thinking status quo. I think you need to take a look at what our govt intervention has done to other nations. CIA/Military destablilizing Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, El Salvador etc. Agricultural subsidies propping up multi-national corps and making it impossible for single oxen farmers to make a living. I could go on and on.

[billburns2]

LOL

I have an A-level in Economics so I'm happy with my level of study in that field, thanks.

[cclodfe]

So you know the difference between Keynesian and Austrian Economics? You also probably know the debate between Jefferson and Hamilton on Centrallized Banking?

[daliOtter]

Looks like you have run him off of this video, well done.

[billburns2]

not at all.

[cclodfe]

Voluntaryism is the doctrine that relations among people should be by mutual consent, or not at all. It represents a means, an end, and an insight. Voluntaryism does not argue for the specific form that voluntary arrangements will take; only that force be abandoned so that individuals in society may flourish. As it is the means which determine the end, the goal of an all voluntary society must be sought voluntarily. People cannot be coerced into freedom.

[RidleyReport]

When I say "do you intend to use violence against me" I usually mean "do you intend to call the cops on me."

Probably I should just say the latter but every sentence of conversation is a snap decision.

[billburns2]

You USUALLY mean??

So accusing random people of threatening violence is a line you've used before?

I can see why - it gets a great reaction don't it? They'll either get angry or defensive and both reactions are good for the Evil Government Drone characters that populate your videos.

[cclodfe]

Actually, initiation of force or threat of violence is common amongst libertarian philosophies. He is just pointing out how the state has a monopoly on initiating force on it's citizens.

[cclodfe]

BTW your Somalia video is sophomoric at best. You are trying to analize somalia to developed countries. Your analysis should be Somolia with govt vs. Somalia without govt. Then you should analize if conditions have improved since the absence of govt. Your analogy would be equivalent to me comparing cuba or Laos to "captalist" US. I suggest you watch Walter Blocks Economics and the Environment for your public beach bs. Logic FAIL!

[billburns2]

Ooh, the Somalia video has pissed you off hasn't it?

In short order:

If you make use of a product or service then you have to pay for it. Simples.

You DO have a choice. You have a choice to live somewhere else; like Somalia - it has no taxation, no government, no banks and no police force. It's also a terrible shithole where warlords "initiate force" through private armies who do whatever the hell they want to. Great fun for them but not so much fun for everyone else.

[SSILENTNATION]

I love how cclodfe, who has no videos, has to comment your video on this one....so hungry for attention. *hey everybody - look at ME - PH D in youtube.

[billburns2]

It's not even my video. I just added it to my favorites. Joe Strummer's politics obviously don't get the same rise.

...and now you have cholera.

[cclodfe]

So in short- My personal liberty is contingent upon me moving? Also, as I said Somalia is not a developed country. That would be equivalent of me telling you to move to El Salvador or some other third-world country=you are comparing apples to oranges.

The logic of the debate goes back to jefferson vs hamilton. Hamilton obviously has influenced our country, but I agreed with Jefferson more(no central banks). Especially with the Keynesian logic of our current Fed Chairman.

[billburns2]

Correct. You are like a person in a 5* restaurant who thinks the service and food is well below what he is entitled to and doesn't want to pay for his meal. It's not up to the restaurant to change - it's for you to find somewhere else that fits your demanding standards.

I suggest Somalia.

[cclodfe]

Another poor analogy. It sounds like you think the status quo in America is 5*. I don't know why my freedom is contingent upon moving. As I mentioned your reference to Somalia makes no sense. You are comparing apples and oranges. Why don't you actually try reading about the ideals you despise instead of coming up with illogical arguments? If that is the best you have, you might as well stop where you are. Govt is a monopoly. It offers the citizens no choice and funds itself by force.

[billburns2]

Oh boy - another Libertarian who wants to sound like an academic to mask the holes in his doctrine.

Well suh, I don' rightly know 'bout all yo volunturyism stuff but dem big wuds make you sound mighty smart.

You have a load of freedom - you just like to think that you don't.

[billburns2]

Compared to most of the world your service is pretty much 5* (you really haven't been outside your country have you?)

You benefit from national defense, law enforcement, public scientific research, education, highways and airports, clean food, honest labeling, Social Security, unemployment insurance, trustworthy banks and national parks.

Yet you don't feel that you want to pay for any of that because nobody ran it by you first?

[cclodfe]

I have travelled all over the place and my parents are from El Salvador. National defense has endangered us more than defended us, law enforcement imprisons people for victimless crimes, individuals make the greatest contributions to science (einstein, newton, da Vinci, Darwin etc.), Education would be cheaper and provide more services if private, roads existed before the govt and airports can be private, more like mass produced food monopolized food thanks to the FDA, Trust worthy banks LOL.

[cclodfe]

National parks- read about the tagedy of the commons, watch Walter Block talk about free market environmentalism (audobon societies, Nature conservation etc. are all compatible with voluntaryism), don't even get me started on SS and unemployment insurance. I could write a thesis on both.

[cclodfe]

Somalia was a shit hole before the collapse of govt.

[FlashVirus]

@billburns2

Actually only a small portion of Somalia is actually without a state. Look up Somaliland and the Al-Shabaab. When the state of Somalia collapsed, a collection of tribalistic semi-states attempted to take over. That isn't what Anarcho-Capitalism or Mutualism wishes to do.

Google "Somalia Kevin Carson"

[askifICare]

Strange little man.

[LumpyRevolution]

I think that dude took his "government pill" that day... a few of them did... not for long here in The Shire.

Go Ridley!!!!

[billburns2]

Where did this "violence" thing come from???

Has this man been in any way aggressive or confrontational?

Ridley's paranoia goes from bad to worse.

[MadSmokerBBQ]

@billburns2 Government is able to use force to achieve its ends. No other institution in our society has that. I think his question alludes to the use of force, but the subtlety was lost on his somewhat captive and clearly defensive audience.

[fczwartek]

"government is able to use force."

So by demolishing gvmnt we would do away with people using force against each other to achiever their ends?

[MadSmokerBBQ]

Who said anything about demolishing government? I just want them to respect freedom & liberty and get the hell out of everyone's business and quit wrecking the country. Is that too much to ask?

[fczwartek]

'Who said anything about demolishing government."

Only just about every single libertarian that has ever posted a comment on the Report.

[SSILENTNATION]

Please Mr. government janitor - don't tase me.

[billburns2]

What would you do if your customers refused to pay you? Would you force them to pay? or would you respect their freedom of choice to tell you to go fuck yourself, thereby having your goods and services for nothing?

[MadSmoker77]

Umm, yes?

Quit selling to them and focus on customers who pay?

Your analogy is flawed in that choice is severely restricted public realm.

[cclodfe]

The problem with your analogy is that you are assuming we are "customers" of the govt. How in any way are we customers of the govt? If I am a customer I would have a choice in choosing to fund their services or someone else's.

[oyate1960]

It might be important for people to know that if something happens to Ridley or other NH activists we have an idea where to start looking.

[oyate1960]

Ridley I reproach you for the edge, the hostility you had in your voice on this one. You have to stay dispassionate and alert because the intimidating guy we saw again in this tape shows every evidence of hostile intent.

Ridley I can tell you for a fact this guy harbours evil intent against you or the other liberty activists and it's just his type's style to do it by proxy or attack your weakest people.

Especially at the end of this tape, dude, this guy warrants watching.

[Individualism101]

Yeah its as though the camera were holding him back from hostile actions. It seemed very much that he wanted to be highly intimidating.

[MadSmokerBBQ]

@oyate1960 he's pretty damn creepy isn't he.

[fczwartek]

It is true. Ridley's hostility was disappointing and somewhat creepy.

[fczwartek]

I've heard that just after Ridley shut off the camera the guy at the computer formed his thumb and index finger into the universally recognized symbol of a gun, pointed it at Ridley and dropped the hammer...

And then he menaced Ridley with some not too kind words about his mama.

And then he junk punched Ridley right in the man business.

No kidding.

[legacy6684]

dont drink the water at city hall

[rolsby]

The govt. trains people to interact with the media. They teach that all the media wants is a sound bite, so they feel if they ruin it, their "image" won't be used. Not so on the Ridley Report!

[2xtream]

Here is another TIP: If you see something posted by a user and seems to be copied from some unknown source. You can copy the paragraph and paste it into Google's search box and it will find the document and where it was pulled from.. So as I posted the info for you, you can trace where I got it from by coping one paragraph paste it into Google and have me do the search work for ya.

Have fun.

2x

[2xtream]

The laws regarding public photography have always been a gray area. In the United States, photographs that are taken for editorial use in a public place generally enjoy Constitutional protection under the right of free speech. There are exceptions, however. Here are just a few of the gray areas:

While taking a picture in a public place is almost always legal any public place can become a secured emergency area in the event of a police crime scene, In this case photography is not legal without it

[2xtream]

fczwartek: I don't understand why you ppl don't understand what Keene is doing. It seems very clear to me. But you young kids programmed by your collages see his activism as over the top. Well what Keene is doing he has every right to do and is making a point of it. SO SO many are will to give there rights away to conform or to timid and afraid to act. I say let Keene express his God Given right backed by our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Keene in making the point they work for US!

[fczwartek]

Mr. 2xtream:

Your comment is so incoherent I barely know where to start.

Let me help you straighten a few things out. Firstly, Keene is not a person but a place. A small city in NH. The person you are referring to as "Keene" is actually "Ridley." Hence "The Ridley Report."

Next, I choose to disagree with Ridley by my own free will. Not because I was programmed to at collEge. That is ridiculously absurd nonsense.

Finally, I appreciate a lot of what Ridley does.

[2xtream]

fczwartek: sorry you have such a hard time reading. If I may have said something not up to your grammatical code you maybe an update would be in order. However if your so much in love with the Gov in your life and love all there cameras violating your freedom that's ok. I however will fight for the constitution and Bill or Rights at every turn. If everyone was so nonchalant about, it then go check what is happening in Europe. They now have cameras in the citizens homes. Watching for violations.

[fczwartek]

2xtream: Yes I do have a hard time reading incoherent blather. Don't be sorry, just don't be incoherent.

I'm not "in love with the gvmnt and their cameras."

You think Europe is so bad? I've been there several times. In many ways Europeans are freer than we are.

Camera's in citizens homes? I doubt that. You must have some proof to back up that claim?

[fczwartek]

And "I heard it on Alex Jones" doesn't count as proof.

[greatestsongsofLIFE]

That guy has mental problems at begining. Too much Flouride and MSG perhaps? These ppl are SOOOO brain damaged that i feel sorry for them

[UnoRaza]

Is Keene a big Freemason town?

(Or N.H. a big state?)

[fczwartek]

Ian Freemason lives in Keene.

[UnoRaza]

LOL :)

[UnoRaza]

Does the average Keenan agree with your politics or are they still programmed from the propaganda?

[CNCAddict]

I might recommend you put a small water pistol on your camera. The next time anyone gets close...you get the last laugh.....the last evil laugh that is, MUHAHAHAHA

[p00lman]

Wow, Ridley is fucking insane. "Do you intend to use violence against me?" What the fuck is wrong with you?

[fczwartek]

Maybe that's the "strange behavior" that he refers to in the title of the video?

It's kind of disappointing that Ridley treats the workers at city hall with such graceless contempt.

But once again he managed to document an encounter with government workers that shows them to be reasonable and decent people, not the debased filth that "free-staters" portray them as being.

[p00lman]

I do wonder what the title refers to. Is he accusing the worker of being too busy to talk? Or the weird guy who acted goofy in front of the camera? In either case, neither is indicative of a troubling city hall environment.

[mrethrift]

Poolboy, the title refers to you being a little on the dim side. See, what Ridley had in mind was that he'll make a title with an obvious connection within in the video, but then you'll come along and question the obvious, thus you're made to look dumb. Worked like a charm.

[PistoleroJesse]

When someone says "I better not see that on the internet" I think the reasonable response is to ask intentions.

[fczwartek]

His actual words were "I won't see that on the website, right?"

Which is a lot different than "I better not.."

He asked in a conversational tone, and was certainly not making any aggressive or violent gestures or movements at Ridley.

You'd like to believe that he was menacing Ridley and pulling his thumb across his throat!

When you talk to someone is your first question to them "are you going to use violence against me."

[p00lman]

Except he didn't say that. He asked for confirmation and Ridley immediately accused him of wanting to use violence.

[mrethrift]

What the fuck is wrong with you poolboy? Like you're a paragon for sanity.

[Heff24p]

Your public "help" should be required to display RFID embedded ID cards, which by law they must show their masters (us) upon request or interaction. They should be calling us "Mam" "Sir" "Boss". The average government worker is one whom failed in the public sector, or has a personality so undeveloped they can only maintain a career in government. They are the weakest among us, the most likely to sacrifice LIBERTY for SECURITY. Good job Ridley, put the cameras on these people.

[2xtream]

I think the use of camera pointing back at the government personal, wishing to impose the use of the same tactics on the people, via use of Speed Cameras, City Cameras, etc gives notice to just how it is to have cameras pointed at them when not asked.

If they don't like the two way street maybe a new line of work is in order.

[SSILENTNATION]

Since when do the ladies at the city clerk's office bust out cameras - or the janitor, or the IT guy in the lobby. And since when do they post their little stories all over youtube for all the pro-government people to heckle and amuse themselves with. Maybe Ian Freeman's tenants should pay their rent to him in pennies...how dare he charge them to live there.

[p00lman]

That's a terrible analogy.

The cameras in government buildings (not to mention in local businesses) are set in place there. If you don't want to be on camera, you don't have to go in.

But Ridley is walking around with a camera. He's choosing to tape people who don't expect it and may or may not want it. He's infringing on their privacy and creating potentially damaging situations.

[PistoleroJesse]

Why should a government employee expect privacy when they are at work?

People are forced to pay their salary or wages, and they expect to hide what they do from the public?

[p00lman]

What reason does Ridley have to record this man for commercial purposes? Did he ask for his permission? Did he receive his permission?

[diggingforgold]

He doesn't need permission. There's no reasonable expectation of privacy there. And that's even more true when you are a public worker on the clock.

But I do believe Ridley was a little- I dunno, confrontational? Rude? You don't want the public to hate you. I think being courteous and respectful can go a long way- especially when you demonstrate that you are more respectful and courteous than your adversary.

[p00lman]

If you use footage of a person for commercial purposes, you do need their permission.

[2xtream]

@p00lman: but not if it is NEWS

[p00lman]

If the news concerns a person, then yes, they are fair game.

If the person is tangential or unrelated to the news and is being interviewed, they need to give permission.

However, Ridley's videos are clearly not news. They are promoting a specific agenda for a specific group of people. Moreover, his videos feature commercials. He is being paid to interview people who don't want to be interviewed and haven't given him their permission.

[2xtream]

Celebrities, public officials and private citizens involved in newsworthy incidences are all legally defined as public figures. Public figures actually have far fewer rights to privacy than an "ordinary person." Public figures break down into three types:

Public figure:

All-purpose public figure:

Limited-purpose public figure:

Due to space limitations, there is no need for a release form.

Go look it up further if your interested.

[limitedgovt999]

Oh wow, thanks for clearing up for me that news organizations don't have specific agendas for specific groups of people. MSNBC, CNN, Fox news, etc... are all clearly unbiased right?

I also wasn't aware that all people in the real news work for free. I thought all those talking heads on TV were being paid quite well. You're really enlightened me today.

[2xtream]

limitedgovt99: I don't make the rules. I was merely offering how i.e. paparazzi etc. get away with all the things you see, knowing the (talent) did not sign any release.

no harm no foul

[mrethrift]

"However, Ridley's videos are clearly not news."

A guy makes a statement buy paying his taxes in fives, and that's not news? He goes in there to read protestation and face possible criminal charges, and that's not news?

I bet you followed the Tiger Woods story more than anything, huh? That's foolboy news, huh? A golfer gets laid and a world full of poolboys drool and drone along to the news.

[PistoleroJesse]

The public is not the government at this point. I, as one of the public, applaud Ridley's attitude. Government should be put on the defensive. It has done more than enough pushing and shoving of it's own and deserves its own medicine. It's because of incremental secretism by our government that things have come to this. Was Ridley being a pain in the arse? Yes. Does the government deserve it? I would say Yes. You would say no? But here's the question, Are you advocating government protection?

[mrethrift]

Ridley's reason to record this for commercial purposes is to entertain you, poolboy. As much as you watch this stuff, I see it works. You can't miss an episode.

[conspiracy777]

"do you intend to use violence against me ... "

City/government workers/employees need to be told during their orientation (first day on the job) what their response should be to the press. When they act snide, they only make themselves AND the department look bad.

ON THE JOB, ON THE RECORD should be the first thing they learn in their on the job training.

They are serving the public and their job is public record.

Too bad if they don't like it, they can quit.

[SSILENTNATION]

They're job may be to serve the public, but they are not faceless robots with no life - nor should they be subject at all times to be recorded and asked question after question until they get one wrong so people like you can mercilessly quarterback they're answers. If people don't like it, they can stop paying them and move to a place where people who work for government just live to be recorded and asked questions by people with cheapy cameras and a free youtube. .

[conspiracy777]

Again, they need to be TAUGHT how to respond to the press (no matter how small that press is). Did I say that they needed to answer EVERY question? They could simply say that they are busy and don't have time to answer any questions. Or they can refer them to a supervisor. If someone interferes with their work then they have an issue, but getting into a pissing match with a guy holding a camera is NOT a proper response.

[fczwartek]

"getting into a pissing match"

Which is exactly what Ridley is trying to provoke. The guy at the computer didn't do that bad of a job dealing with Ridley's ridiculous question about using violence.

I actually think training city workers about what to do when confronted by "free-staters" with cameras is a good idea.

On a side note- why was Ridley more provocative with the guy at city hall than he was with the cop in yesterdays video?

[RidleyReport]

Uh no I'm not trying to provoke a violent response. I'm trying to complete my "mission" of documenting scenes.

Maybe you could say when I do pre planned civil dis I am trying to provoke a reaction, but not in just shooting vid of an event and the government worker reaction to it.

[fczwartek]

But isn't your ideological mission unfulfilled until you manage to capture some video of a gvmnt worker melting down or blowing up?

Aren't you trying to provoke some kind of negative reaction?

Meanwhile you are compiling hours and hours of video of gvmnt workers responding reasonably and decently (and occasionally goofy.)

[daliOtter]

So you're opposed to people carrying a video camera and filming government officials, but not opposed to the government wanting to force us to carry a ID card that has a RFID chip?

[fczwartek]

When did I say anything about gvmnt ID cards or RFID chips?

How are you more free when Ridley videotapes the city clerk, or some random city worker using a computer?  What does that do to increase your freedom?

I have no issue with him videotaping cops, or city meetings, or court proceedings.

[daliOtter]

Because they work for us, and while our employees are working for us they should have no problem if we wish to video tape them. It's just that simple.

[SSILENTNATION]

What a ballsy elitist view you have. People become teachers because they want to teach. They become firefighters because they want to help others. Etc. Its not to bend over and take it in the ass by every person just because their salary is tax based. They pay taxes too. I suppose you feel that since the waiter brings you water and food that you can tape them and make them look like assholes and post it on youtube for your selfish amusement as well.

[fczwartek]

And since the gvmnt (i.e. taxpayers) subsidize to some extent pretty much every industry in this country doesn't that make anyone who pays an income tax a "governemt agent"?

I'd like to see the kind of treatment Ridley would get if he brought his camera into wal mart to videotape the government agents working there.

[daliOtter]

@ ssilentnation

Elitist? You are funny, hopelessly ignorant but still funny. As the true elitist in this country continue to push more government control onto us the people, you seem to believe they are somhow above the law or the Constitution. If you don't like the constitution i suggest yo move to a different country.

[SSILENTNATION]

Yeah sure - as it relates to this video I can totally see how the IT guy in the lobby is above the law and/or the Constitution. If you don't like IT guys in a lobby who would prefer not to be humiliated on youtube, I suggest you move to a different country - someplace where you can hold hands and play the acoustic guitar all night in the land of make believe.

[daliOtter]

"would prefer not to be humiliated on youtube" The only person that can do that is himself, had he sat there and kept his mouth shut we wouldn't even be having a discussion. Bottom line, he works for the public and was in a public place, he was fair game.

[billburns2]

not true.

Ridley and his pals are school playground bullies. They enjoy picking on those who they know are unable to respond and videoing the incident for the amusement of their cronies.

Look at his targets - the "fair game" - janitors, receptionists, office workers, security guards.

Let's see Ridley take this kind of aggressive confrontational attitude with someone a bit more important. Come on Ridders, I want to see you walk into John Lynch's office and try this shit.

[SSILENTNATION]

A game - that's all it is to you - doesn't matter what personal liberties/privacy of others gets trampled upon, just as long as you are able to push your own agenda.

[daliOtter]

oh the irony! You obviously despise libertarians, the most ardent and vocal supporters of the constitution and personal liberties, then turn around and accuse me of pushing an anti-personal liberties agenda. Ding Ding Ding we have a winner folks, get this man his prize, a straight jacket and a padded cell as he is obviously nuts.

[billburns2]

I do despise libertarians. All this nonsense with your cameras shows how ignorant you really are. Have you ever been out of your country? Go to Saudi and see what a REAL oppressive government looks like. Try the camcorder shit over there.

You have your inbuilt sense of entitlement: a feeling that you've earned the prosperity you were born into but owe the community nothing.

At worst you end up like cclodfe - a snot who thinks that reading a Heinlein makes him part of th intellectual elite

[daliOtter]

Your general rationalzations are pretty pathetic Bill. You know nothing of me other than i love liberty and the constitution. But please explain to me why it is you seem to favor a system that resembles Saudi Arabia more than the one we live under. Shouldn't you be out protesting the papparattzi or something?

[SSILENTNATION]

daliotter...pulling out all the stops and going for the comment KO. Sadly, there is no irony in the fact that despite your boatload of personal liberties, you feel like you have none. What is ironic, is that a self professed libertarian advocates a cell for anyone with an opposing view. Ding Ding Ding - we have a loser folks. L for Love! LoSeR.

[SSILENTNATION]

Re: the guy at the desk: This isn't "government" trying to breach anything - its just a guy who would rather not be made a tool of amusement on youtube. Why would you even ask him a question regarding use of violence? Seriously Ridley - one moment you're the voice of reason, the next it sounds your really just trying to drum up drama where there isn't any. Not everyone likes being on tape - maybe respect that every now and then.

[fczwartek]

You have to understand that Ridley's anti-government paranoia has apparently conditioned him to believe that anyone who works for the gvmnt is somehow more inherently debased and violent than any other person.

So his first knee-jerk reaction is to ask them "are you going to be violent?".

And then he is surprised when they say "no."

Even though he has complied many many hours of video of gvmnt workers acting reasonable and decently...

[SSILENTNATION]

I agree with that wholeheartedly. I understand the need for someone to video the cops at their protests and such; however, I disagree with this need to heckle them, or, videotape people like this guy in the lobby, who have no hand in their fight, with the only reasoning being that they just happen to be employed by the "government" - hence - evil and violent. It is ridiculous and I am disappointed when Ridley acts like this.

[fczwartek]

I'm not sure what Ridley's purpose is when he films people working at city hall. I can understand the need to film the city council meetings, district court proceedings, and law enforcement activities.

But the clerk at the city office? Or some guy typing stuff into the computer? Are we freer now that they are on youtube?

Maybe the unstated purpose is to film someone (anyone) in gvmnt having a melt down or blow up on camera. To some extent he is attempting to provoke it.

[RidleyReport]

reaction shot. the guy and a buddy were looking at the scene if I recall. Shooting only the action is usually not appropriate; reaction is important.

[billburns2]

Well first-off that's not a reaction shot, that's called cutaway or b-roll. Secondly if you consider yourself a responsible journalist you shouldn't use material to construct a scene that doesn't represent what actually happened or even worse, use the presence of a camera to cause an event to happen.

It's clear that the disinterest of the staff in the tax office wasn't the scoop you were after so you picked on a random worker and decided to goad him into a reaction that you could use.

[mrethrift]

They seemed a little unnerved by the camera. That's natural. The one guy who was goofing for the camera was dying to say something witty. He couldn't think of anything and jetted. If he moves like that all day, he's probably a good worker.

[Buckhead1959]

Most folks who work for the government become lazy scum after a few years....they think they are in a job that no one can remove them from...they forget they work for the taxpayers !

[fczwartek]

Is that right? You sound like an expert on the topic. How do you know so much about the work habits of government employees?

[Buckhead1959]

Yep...for 4 years they can't get my property taxes right. .....They keep charging me for unoccuppied ownership...I live there. If you ask a question of a government worker it as if you've asked for the meaning of life. According to the GAO the IRS answers questions about your taxes incorrectly about 1/3 of the time or can;t give you an answer at all 10% of the time. What's really going to be funny is when all of these cities default on the pensions of these folks.

[fczwartek]

If you're making the point that bureaucracy can get pretty cumbersome and slow at times you won't get any argument from me.

Some of the worst bureaucracies that I have dealt with are those of for-profit corporations. Talk about giving people the run around.

But what does bureaucracy have to do with city workers being "lazy scum."

[ThePresidentialTouch]

Whether the man was being honest or not....50/50. Could have been a misunderstanding or a switchwire crossed upstairs, or an attempt to level the playing field. If the camera threw him off his mental track and made him feel insecure then it may have been a mirrored defense tactic to derail your balance. Either way, he watched it by now.

[EastCoastOp]

that was weird, what exactly is going on?

[boots920]

Kinda insane isn't it your taxes get wasted on mouth breather clowns.