Ok, so whats next? The airlines are starting to add fuel surcharges on every ticket, charging a fee for all baggage, and even charging for a can of soda that has always been complimentary. How about the sky rocketing price of groceries, or the communities that are instructing police officers to perform more foot patrols instead of driving around and burning up gas. You might ask yourself how could things get any worse? It got me thinking after a recent visit to the Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant on 7th Street in Downtown D.C.. Alright, I admit that I don't think my outlandish dining experience had anything to due with the economy, but can you imagine if patrons had to bring their own silverware or napkins to dinner with them. To help cover fuel cost of course! A friend and I were expecting the usual beverages and same old food when we made our visit to the restaurant. When we entered the establishment, we were greeted by a hostess who proclaimed that they were out of all soda's and only had water, tea, and lemonade. As I usually drink water anyhow, I can't say I was extremely distraught. Plus, look on the bright side, I would have spent an additional two dollars or so if I had endulged myself with some random coke or pepsi product. We agreed to forego the sodas and be seated. The waitress took our drink order as follows water for me and lemonade for my friend. "Sorry" she said. Surprisingly they had run out of lemonade from the time we entered, to the time we were seated. I guess its tea for him. Next it was time to order our food. I ordered a chicken sandwhich and my friend ordered a steak and shrimp combo that was advertised as a special. "Sorry Again" we are all out of the steak the waitress replied. Onto plan B. Give me the fish. Our food was delivered along with some silverware and a bright smile from the waitress. Can I get you anything else she asked. Some napkins would be nice, I quipped. I am sure you can see where this is headed, but in case you haven't figured it out yet let me help you out. To my surprise she said we are all out of napkins. Can it be, did I miss the dining room packed full of diners greedily using up all the napkins and soda. It couldn't be there was only about 10 other people in the restaurant at the time. Maybee I missed the going out of business sign out front and the hurd of people buying the kitchen equipment and boxes full of napkins. No, it looked like business as usual. Hmmmm, I wondered, I guess it is just a business full of employees that lack the proper skills to order food and supplies. A discount for the lack of napkins would be nice, after all wal-mart passes on their savings to the customer. Well all in all the food was bland and the service was less than exemplary, and I am left to pronounce "next time you go out to eat, don't forget to bring the napkins and drinks".
I took this picture on June 25, 2008 at approx. 3:30 p.m. in front of Zips Cleaners located at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Calvert Road in College Park, Maryland. This Prince Georges County Police officer parked his patrol car (#4491) in a handicap spot while he picked up his dry cleaning. It must have been quite a uniform emergency. I have always believed that any person in a position of authority or trust should be held to a higher standard and ought to lead by example. From the police, to the politicians, to the catholic priests, you no longer have to look far to find people who believe "do as I say not as I do".
This picture is dedicated to all of you who have received a parking ticket!!
I recently saw a story on Fox news saying the DC Police Chief had announced another "all hands on deck" this weekend. This effort is supposedly intended to deploy officers that would normally serve in a administrative position, to street patrol assignments in order to reduce crime. I think that any effort aimed at reducing crime and violence is great, but I believe that more importantly, a plan should be developed to get the officers already assigned to street patrol to exert a increased effort in maintaining order and making the appropriate arrest. Since moving to the DC area less than a year ago I have been astonished by the indolent attitude that the police officers have. Would you believe that D.C. Police refuse to arrest anyone for shoplifting unless the theft was at least $75.00 worth of stuff? A local retailer located in the Brentwood Road N.E. area has called the police regarding shoplifters on many occasions and the responding officers refused to arrest the individuals and instead told them "don't come back to the property, or else". In one recent incident the police responded to the store and released the shoplifter, even though the person had no identification and admitted being in the country illegally. The police didn't even do a records check on the name the person gave which was likely false anyhow. In another incident the shoplifter also had no identification and had a "crack pipe" on him. The police again released the person without a records check, and had the shoplifter smash the crack pipe on the sidewalk in front of the store. I think that the police have a obligation to arrest people that are breaking the law. The police are quick to pull someone over for not wearing a seatbelt or for using their cell phones while driving. Since when is not wearing a seatbelt more important than criminals victimizing the community by stealing. These people shoplifting are the same people that will smash your car window out to steal your gps that is sitting on your dash board. Not to mention that shoplifting has the highest recidivism rate of any crime, so by not arresting them, it is even more likely that they will do it again. I hope everyone likes paying more for clothing and other goods, so that some people can enjoy free stuff!!! This past Thursday night I called the police regarding a male that had been standing on the street corner for more than two hours, and was making what appeared to be drug transactions with passing vehicles. The male was also walking by vehicles and looking into them. I observed several police vehicles drive down the road right past the male without even slowing down. Over 34 vehicles have been broken into in just the past week in the area. I could give example after example of the police failing to do their best. I wonder when the police and society will realize that a person willing to break even minor laws like shoplifting or smoking a "joint" are already displaying a disrespect for the law and are certainly more inclined to not only continue committing crimes but it is plousable to expect that they may committ even more serious ones. I SAY ALL HANDS ON DECK, AND ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ALL VIOLATIONS OF LAW. THE POLICE SHOULD RE-ASSESS WHY THEY ACQUIIRED A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT? IF THEIR ANSWER IS TO FIGHT CRIME AND PROTECT CITIZENS, I WOULD SAY HOORAH!!! NOW DO IT......
