Please Discuss

[01Snake]

September 19, 2006

In another sign of increasing Muslim intolerance in the U.S., Islamic taxi drivers - primarily of Somali extraction - at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport are refusing to accept fares whom they suspect of possibly transporting alcohol.

Recent changes at the terminal have proved a boon for the drivers, forcing passengers to use the ubiquitous taxis to get around within the confines of the airport making them ripe for exploitation.

Another angle is that such discrimination by Muslim drivers might make it possible for them to weed out the low fare inter-terminal travelers from those wishing to travel outbound at substantially higher fees, thus assigning themselves all the longer distance fares while the infidels are taking the short ones

Why airport officials have caved to the unreasonable religious demands of an extremist minority is puzzling but the involvement of the Muslim American Society - an Islamist group whose name pretty much denotes their ultimate intent - in this process may help explain it, MAS being adept at injecting itself into such controversies and always on the side of the extension of Sharia into mainstream America.

Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan though unwilling to tackle the issue head-on, did at least give lip service to the image problem this was causing the airport "Travelers often feel surprised and insulted...Sometimes, several drivers in a row refuse carriage."

Partially addressing the obvious inequities in such behavior, airport authorities are now forcing those who have refused a fare because of the alcohol issue to go to the end of the line in the taxi queue.

Reports have claimed that a system of roof lights might be proposed by the airport as early as today with the idea that for instance a yellow light would indicate a taxi willing to take a fare carrying alcohol whereas one having a red light would not.

Might this be expanded?

Possibly a cab adorned with a Hamas insignia would indicate taxi's willing to take passengers wearing bomb-belts?

Or perhaps one with a white flag could offer Christian or Jewish passengers free conversion to Islam?

The mind reels…

Assuming Mr. Hogan and his employer come to their senses, it might simply make more sense for the airport to refuse demands by intolerant Muslim immigrants from Somalia to force the citizens of a pluralistic country to accept the dictates of Sharia law.

Drivers who refuse to operate by such rules should be fired by the taxi company as a condition of keeping their city license to operate.

Additionally, all such drivers should in any case be required to pass a security check as well as prove their legal immigration status.

But its STILL okay for them to sell alcohol at their personally owned convienent stores? Hmmmm??

[ChumpDumper]

How can they tell someone is transporting alcohol?

[BIG IRISH]

No one is searching bags, but a Napa Valley wine box or a see-through bag from the duty-free store can be enough to leave a fare waiting for the next cab. Airport officials estimate that happens at least three times a day.

estimates that three-quarters of the 900 airport cabdrivers are Somali, most of them Muslim. Hogan said drunken passengers haven't had trouble getting a cab, just the ones who let on that they're carrying a bottle. :lol

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/15656476.htm

[FromWayDowntown]

I would think many conservatives would see this as an ultimate display of both free market economics and religious fundamentalism. If the cab drivers want to be so picky about the fares they take, it seems logical to conclude that they won't be able to sustain themselves in the business and will eventually be replaced by more lenient drivers. On the other hand, the cab drivers are protesting the consumption of alcohol, something that is legal but contrary to their religious views. Why should cab drivers be any different than those who burn books or protest at abortion clinics? Again, if they can persuade enough people by appealing to the need for convenience, they'll attain their goal; if they can't, however, they'll end up out of business.


But its STILL okay for them to sell alcohol at their personally owned convienent stores? Hmmmm??

Because all cab drivers of Muslim descent own and operate convenience stores?

Nice generalization about Muslims.

[Ocotillo]

What if they have a bag of pork rinds?

[101A]

I would think many conservatives would see this as an ultimate display of both free market economics and religious fundamentalism. If the cab drivers want to be so picky about the fares they take, it seems logical to conclude that they won't be able to sustain themselves in the business and will eventually be replaced by more lenient drivers. On the other hand, the cab drivers are protesting the consumption of alcohol, something that is legal but contrary to their religious views. Why should cab drivers be any different than those who burn books or protest at abortion clinics? Again, if they can persuade enough people by appealing to the need for convenience, they'll attain their goal; if they can't, however, they'll end up out of business.



Because all cab drivers of Muslim descent own and operate convenience stores?

Nice generalization about Muslims.

yes, as long as the market is allowed to operate without undue govt. limitations at the airport. ie: There is a cab company owned and operated by Muslims, and IT has the contract at the airport, so few, if any, competing cabs are allowed in - meaning no competition, or impetus to change; otherwise fine.

[101A]

...and I won't be going & spending any of MY dollars in Mn/St. Paul anytime soon, either. (another way the market can affect change.)

[101A]

What if they have a bag of pork rinds?
:lol

[RandomGuy]

Yet another Muslim bashing thread.


Muslim intolerance
exploitation
discrimination
unreasonable religious demands
extremist minority
obvious inequities
Hamas insignia
bomb-belts
free conversion to Islam
intolerant Muslim immigrants
force the citizens

Anybody get the sense that only half the story is being told in the most biased way possible?
:spin :spin :spin

There is nothing to discuss other than the obvious xenophobia represented here and the lack of critical thinking evidenced by the op-ed/blog piece.

Critical thinking questions:
What is the author's purpose in writing this piece?
What information is NOT presented?
Are the conclusions drawn by the author supported by the presented evidence?
Is the presented evidence credible?

Perhaps snake could answer these questions. I would love to see some critical thinking being done by the thread originator.

[RandomGuy]

If the post originator doesn't have the intellectual honesty to address the critical thinking questions, I will do so later today.

I think it is fun to expose illogical predjudices and the effects it has.

[Extra Stout]

Yet another Muslim bashing thread.
If it were Baptist taxi drivers refusing to allow alcohol-carrying passengers on, would your reaction to the article be the same?

[01Snake]

Because all cab drivers of Muslim descent own and operate convenience stores?

Nice generalization about Muslims.

Sorry Mr P.C., let me rephrase. Why is it okay for these taxi drivers to do what they are doing yet other Muslim's who own C-Stores can readily stock and sell alcohol?

Is that better? Sorry, I'm just an infedel like all the rest of us living in the USA I guess.

[FromWayDowntown]

Sorry Mr P.C., let me rephrase. Why is it okay for these taxi drivers to do what they are doing yet other Muslim's who own C-Stores can readily stock and sell alcohol?

Perhaps because the Muslims who own convenience stores don't see the possession and distribution of alcohol as contrary to their religious principles.

That some Christians think that dancing is fornication doesn't mean that no Christian should ever dance. Just as not all Christians view their religion the same way, I'm sure all Muslims don't view that religion the same way.

But, again, nice attempt to generalize. I'm sure you'll convince someone that all Muslims think and act alike.

[01Snake]

Perhaps snake could answer these questions. I would love to see some critical thinking being done by the thread originator.

If you will note the topic of the thread was PLEASE DISCUSS. The purpose of the post was to have people do just that. Perhaps you can contact the writer of the piece and ask him/her to answer your questions as my intention was to hear others thoughts on the issue.




If the post originator doesn't have the intellectual honesty to address the critical thinking questions, I will do so later today.

I think it is fun to expose illogical predjudices and the effects it has.

Sorry, me and my "intellectual honesty" are vacationing on the left coast at the moment. I'll be sure to drop everything a little later and come back and so I can get your opinion of what's really going on.
:drunk

[RandomGuy]

If you will note the topic of the thread was PLEASE DISCUSS. The purpose of the post was to have people do just that. Perhaps you can contact the writer of the piece and ask him/her to answer your questions as my intention was to hear others thoughts on the issue.




Sorry, me and my "intellectual honesty" are vacationing on the left coast at the moment. I'll be sure to drop everything a little later and come back and so I can get your opinion of what's really going on.
:drunk

Perhaps if you had actually looked up the original source article instead of posting an overly biased, ignorant, and obviously xenophobic op-ed piece, I wouldn't have had to be irritated enough by it to get snippy.

Which was better describes the motivation for posting the "article", lazy or dishonest?

[RandomGuy]

Critical thinking questions:
1) What is the author's purpose in writing this piece?

To instill a sense of paranoia that their (assumedly christian) beliefs are under attack by "Islamic extremists". This is supported by the previously posted excerpts of biased and emotionally loaded language.
2)What information is NOT presented?


Cabbies without the light who refuse fares will be sent to the back of the line — often a three-hour wait until it's their turn again for a fare.

That's how such refusals are handled now. Cab drivers said some have refused two fares in a day, which can burn up nearly half a 12-hour shift. Cab drivers said they'd rather wait for another fare than risk punishment in the afterlife.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/15656476.htm
Note the author implies the refusals are new policies. The original source article says that has always been the policy.

3)Are the conclusions drawn by the author supported by the presented evidence?


Another angle is that .... No evidence presented to support this thesis.
There is also no evidence to support the assertion that the MSA's involvement here is to "promote Sharia [muslim law]
Basically the only evidence to support the author's overall thesis is low-paid cabbies are giving up 1/4 to 1/2 of their daily incomes to comply with what they feel are their religious beliefs.

4) Is the presented evidence credible?

The evidence of the fact that some fares are refused can be confirmed by outside sources.

The author cannot, however, prove any of the assertions made in the article about "extremists" "imposing Sharia" on unwilling westerners.

This particular assertion is directly contravened by a reporter who actually spoke with the drivers, if you read the original Twincities article. The motivation is not to impose religious views on others, it is to obey their own consciences.

The only real conspiracy here is of indivuals accepting pay cuts to comply with their religious beliefs.

Doesn't sound quite so sinister now, does it?

[RandomGuy]

I think that can safely conclude the discussion.
Unless one wants to discuss the "lazy or dishonest" part.

Personally I think it is a bit of both.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I find the original article to be incredibly biased.
and this in particular :

but the involvement of the Muslim American Society - an Islamist group whose name pretty much denotes their ultimate intent - in this process may help explain it
to be hatefull and paranoid.

[Ocotillo]

Sorry Mr P.C., let me rephrase. Why is it okay for these taxi drivers to do what they are doing yet other Muslim's who own C-Stores can readily stock and sell alcohol?

Is that better? Sorry, I'm just an infedel like all the rest of us living in the USA I guess.

Well I guess it could be likened to pharmacists that refuse to dispense certain prescriptions because of their religious beliefs.

[RandomGuy]

Perhaps because the Muslims who own convenience stores don't see the possession and distribution of alcohol as contrary to their religious principles.

That some Christians think that dancing is fornication doesn't mean that no Christian should ever dance. Just as not all Christians view their religion the same way, I'm sure all Muslims don't view that religion the same way.

But, again, nice attempt to generalize. I'm sure you'll convince someone that all Muslims think and act alike.

Bingo.

I don't think this is the "discussion" that snake wanted, heh. :owned

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I call bullshit on this story. Not only is it rabidly written, but I doubt that it is factually correct, and you have failed to add a link to where it came from.

I drove a cab for 6 years, and here drivers are only allowed to turn down fares for very specific reasons such as drunkeness, abuse, or suspecting that the person can't pay the fare (in which case you can ask them for it up front). The reason? So that cabbies can't turn down short fares. I have a feeling that the law in Minne/St Paul would stipulate something similar, otherwise cabbies there could turn down any short fare they felt like.

I say again, bullshit.

[01Snake]

Perhaps if you had actually looked up the original source article instead of posting an overly biased, ignorant, and obviously xenophobic op-ed piece, I wouldn't have had to be irritated enough by it to get snippy.

Which was better describes the motivation for posting the "article", lazy or dishonest?

Or perhaps I simply like to watch people get all worked up and irritated like you did. Mission accomplished! :lol Some of you guys/gals are take this forum waaaay too seriously. I guess thats why I find it so entertaining.

Thanks!

[RandomGuy]

Or perhaps I simply like to watch people get all worked up and irritated like you did. Mission accomplished! :lol Some of you guys/gals are take this forum waaaay too seriously. I guess thats why I find it so entertaining.

Thanks!

The classic comeback from intellectual midgets.

"I just did it to mess with you guys".

You post something stupid, don't have the brainpower to actually think about the subject and end with this. It is on the same level as ringing a doorbell and running away.

:loser

[JoeChalupa]

What is the policy of the Taxi Code, if there is such a thing, for Taxi Drivers? You would think they would make it a stipulation that you cannot refuse service if they are the passenger is carrying liquor legally.

[01Snake]

The classic comeback from intellectual midgets.

"I just did it to mess with you guys".

You post something stupid, don't have the brainpower to actually think about the subject and end with this. It is on the same level as ringing a doorbell and running away.

:loser

OH NOOOOES! You figured me out. As I said, I come on here for pure entertainment. Unlike you, I have better things to do then write pages of babble about every post that made. If you gauge intelligence by whats posted on a Spurs forum, I'm not sure what to tell you. My time is better spent actually doing constructive things like making a living. If that makes me a intellectual midget, so be it. From the looks of some of your posts, it doesn't appear that the Mr. Intellectual thing is working out to good for you outside of Internet Land.



:lol

[BIG IRISH]

Maybe Apples & Oranges but could RG and others explain if Muslems can refuse to accept Cab Fares based on their beliefs why cant Pharmacists refuse to sell the morning after pill based on their religious beliefs?

[RandomGuy]

OH NOOOOES! You figured me out. As I said, I come on here for pure entertainment. Unlike you, I have better things to do then write pages of babble about every post that made. If you gauge intelligence by whats posted on a Spurs forum, I'm not sure what to tell you. My time is better spent actually doing constructive things like making a living. If that makes me a intellectual midget, so be it. From the looks of some of your posts, it doesn't appear that the Mr. Intellectual thing is working out to good for you outside of Internet Land.

:lol

If your work and thinking are as bad as what here, I wouldn't hire you, and I am surprised anyone else would either, unless it was something that didn't require thinking on any real level.

You *have* demonstrated a great capacity for mediocre thinking that makes you perfect for middle management or sales, and I am sure in that career you will do fine, but will never rise beyond that.

Have a good life.

[RandomGuy]

Maybe Apples & Oranges but could RG and others explain if Muslems can refuse to accept Cab Fares based on their beliefs why cant Pharmacists refuse to sell the morning after pill based on their religious beliefs?

I would think he could. Both cases require a forfeiture of income.

If you don't like it, then find another line of work.

[01Snake]

If your work and thinking are as bad as what here, I wouldn't hire you, and I am surprised anyone else would either, unless it was something that didn't require thinking on any real level.

You *have* demonstrated a great capacity for mediocre thinking that makes you perfect for middle management or sales, and I am sure in that career you will do fine, but will never rise beyond that.

Have a good life.

HAHA. Is RG still upset about the cc take? :lol

You wouldn't hire me? haha Aren't you like a security guard or something? From the looks of your post, your intelligence hasn't gotten you too far in life. Apparently the only thing your intelligence has gotten you in dead-end jobs and in debt.

I'll tell you what...I'd be more than happy to compare W2's with you Mr. Intelligence. :lol We'll see who the smart one is. :lol

Keep going...I love internet intellecutals!

[clambake]

Compare W2's? What a childish statement. Must be a recipient of nepotism.

[RandomGuy]

HAHA. Is RG still upset about the cc take? :lol

You wouldn't hire me? haha Aren't you like a security guard or something? From the looks of your post, your intelligence hasn't gotten you too far in life. Apparently the only thing your intelligence has gotten you in dead-end jobs and in debt.

I'll tell you what...I'd be more than happy to compare W2's with you Mr. Intelligence. :lol We'll see who the smart one is. :lol

Keep going...I love internet intellecutals!

Nah, I worked as a security guard during my undergrad. It let me work 40 hours a week and go to school full time with ease, as I could study at work in between rounds.

The debt has come from graduate school and trying to get my wife through school as well. Our parents have not given us any money whatsoever, and it ain't cheap.

(shrugs)
If you must know, I am an auditor, and getting ready to study for my CPA (certified public accountant) exams. This particular skill set is greatly in demand at the moment, and I anticipate doubling my income every 5 years for the next 20 years, more or less, until have the right skill set to step into a CFO job, preferably in the aerospace sector, or perhaps start my own company in that sector.

The analytical and communication skills that I like to sharpen here as something of a hobby, tie directly into what I do for a living. You yourself say that my posts are long and analytical, so I assume that I am acheiving my purpose.

Let me guess about what you do for a living.

Your parents paid for your college, and you sell used cars because you spent more time partying than studying.

How did I do?

[RandomGuy]

What kind of personality do I need? Successful auditors are people who can work creatively and think logically, have a strong analytical predisposition and like challenges. They must be willing to work very hard and be in command of good social and communicational skills...

There is a constant demand for persons with a CA [British version of CPA--RG] Certificate. The nature of their training enables auditors to hold prestigious positions, for example as managers, accountants, internal auditors or even financial executives of local and international undertakings.

Auditors can also work for commercial undertakings, industries, municipalities, banks, mines, insurance companies and so forth.

http://www.career-descriptions.co.uk/auditor-career-description.htm

Just in case anybody wanted to know what auditing is/does.

It is a good career for people who like to analyse information.

[clambake]

RG, your biggest challange will be your ability to give and take with the banks revolving loans. All new rules exist. Try to make close ties with these loan officers. At times, you'll need the flexibility

Good luck.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Americans and their Xenophobia.... this was from some conservative blogger wingnut right?

One thing I never got, Boutons is such a left wing zealot (hey nothing wrong with that, I kind of am too) except when it comes to Islam...then he spews rhetoric that reminds me of the 1960s KKK.... I don't get it.

[xrayzebra]

Nah, I worked as a security guard during my undergrad. It let me work 40 hours a week and go to school full time with ease, as I could study at work in between rounds.

The debt has come from graduate school and trying to get my wife through school as well. Our parents have not given us any money whatsoever, and it ain't cheap.

(shrugs)
If you must know, I am an auditor, and getting ready to study for my CPA (certified public accountant) exams. This particular skill set is greatly in demand at the moment, and I anticipate doubling my income every 5 years for the next 20 years, more or less, until have the right skill set to step into a CFO job, preferably in the aerospace sector, or perhaps start my own company in that sector.

The analytical and communication skills that I like to sharpen here as something of a hobby, tie directly into what I do for a living. You yourself say that my posts are long and analytical, so I assume that I am acheiving my purpose.

Let me guess about what you do for a living.

Your parents paid for your college, and you sell used cars because you spent more time partying than studying.

How did I do?


You did great! I am happy to see another Conservative in
the making. One thing I have learned in my many years
on this earth is that, normally, the more successful someone
becomes, the more conservative they become in their
thinking. Especially in a hard core type profession. It
takes a lot of determination to become a real professional
in any career, except maybe in social science, where just
"doing the right thing" seems to prevail.

Anyhow, once again congratulations.

But I have one question. How come you thought about/
did not want to pay your credit card debt? As an accountant/
CPA you should have known the consequences of such
an action. Just curious.

[RandomGuy]

But I have one question. How come you thought about/
did not want to pay your credit card debt? As an accountant/
CPA you should have known the consequences of such
an action. Just curious.

Actually, the purpose of that thread was to get feedback as to what an "ethical" rate of interest is, and start a discussion about that. My personal finances weren't really what I thought would be interesting, but I guess that ethical issue was more interesting to people, so I went with it.

At the heart of it, a credit card is little more than a contract secured merely by a signature. Credit card companies feel free to change the terms (interest rates) at their discretion. They have the bargaining power of credit reporting to enforce this, but when you take that off the table by not caring about that, they lose that bargaining power.

It is simply an option that I may use to "go nuclear", if lesser tactics fail. I still intend to pay back all that I have borrowed, but not at 33% APR compounded daily. If I truly choose not to pay back that loan there is absolutely nothing that can be done to enforce that contract. They can sell the debt to a collection agency, and let them pester me to death, but that is about it. They know this and would rather get 10-20% than -100%

I will simply pay on time and a little extra for about a year (that year will be up in Jan), and ask each month that they reduce it. I will take no for an answer up to that point, and then will simply use the leverage that I have to renegotiate that contract to my choosing.

The other thing is that I get my last student loan disbursement in January. Student loans are based on the previous year's income, which was very small, especially with a child/dependant, so this student loan amount will be pretty large, and partially subsidized.

I will simply take what is left of the student loan after tuition/fees/books, and throw that at the highest interest credit card. This will trade debt at about 3% for debt that is charging 33%.

The ultimate revenge is not to be a customer of such a predator anymore. :lol

[RandomGuy]

You did great! I am happy to see another Conservative in
the making. One thing I have learned in my many years
on this earth is that, normally, the more successful someone
becomes, the more conservative they become in their
thinking. Especially in a hard core type profession. It
takes a lot of determination to become a real professional
in any career, except maybe in social science, where just
"doing the right thing" seems to prevail.

Anyhow, once again congratulations.

Thank you.

I still will doubt that I will truly be a conservative. Money is a material thing that I can't take with me, and I think a lot of conservatives miss this point, among others.

I also feel taxes are simply paying back into the whole system/society that enabled me to become wealthy. Waste and spendthriftness still bothers me greatly, but I don't mind sharing the burden.

We all have some duty to society and taxes is simply one way of doing so. Charity and helping people are another, and I plan to do that to a certain extent too. All I really need is a fairly comfortable life, access to medical care, and the ability to travel and learn.
Wealth accumulation for the simple sake of wealth accumulation is shallow an meaningless.

I DO think that a generally free market is the best way to improve people's lives, but every system requires some rules. The SEC and other things exist for a reason.

By the same token, the much-reviled social spending that you probably don't like is also ok with me. Ships have lifeboats for much the same reason as we have food stamps and welfare. Again, waste and fraud are somethings I hate about this, and I don't want a system that really makes people dependant on it, but I DO think it is necessary in a moral society.

That said, I used to consider myself an independant at the ballot box. I like the fiscal conservatism of the GOP, but their social agenda is less than moral in my opinion.

The current congress and Bush administration have turned their backs on what I think of as real conservatism, and changed that with radicalism. For that they have lost my vote for a long time.

When the republican party decides to give their moderates a bit more voice, I may support them again. Not that I am entirely comfortable with everything the Dems do/say, but honestly, I trust them with the government a lot more than I do the GOP. Their track record is better.

[Ozzman]

HAHA. Is RG still upset about the cc take? :lol

You wouldn't hire me? haha Aren't you like a security guard or something? From the looks of your post, your intelligence hasn't gotten you too far in life. Apparently the only thing your intelligence has gotten you in dead-end jobs and in debt.

I'll tell you what...I'd be more than happy to compare W2's with you Mr. Intelligence. :lol We'll see who the smart one is. :lol

Keep going...I love internet intellecutals!



I know! Finally someone other than myself who doesn't even take anything on this seriously!!!! Geez! it's like damn, it's an internet forum! if you have to prove yourself right to everyone here, then you must quite possibly just have no life!

[BIG IRISH]

Originally Posted by BIG IRISH
Maybe Apples & Oranges but could RG and others explain if Muslems can refuse to accept Cab Fares based on their beliefs why cant Pharmacists refuse to sell the morning after pill based on their religious beliefs?


RandomGuy I would think he could. Both cases require a forfeiture of income. If you don't like it, then find another line of work.

Don't think RG, as I understand it, you don't get paid enough $ to think :lol

[01Snake]

Nah, I worked as a security guard during my undergrad. It let me work 40 hours a week and go to school full time with ease, as I could study at work in between rounds.

The debt has come from graduate school and trying to get my wife through school as well. Our parents have not given us any money whatsoever, and it ain't cheap.

(shrugs)
If you must know, I am an auditor, and getting ready to study for my CPA (certified public accountant) exams. This particular skill set is greatly in demand at the moment, and I anticipate doubling my income every 5 years for the next 20 years, more or less, until have the right skill set to step into a CFO job, preferably in the aerospace sector, or perhaps start my own company in that sector.

The analytical and communication skills that I like to sharpen here as something of a hobby, tie directly into what I do for a living. You yourself say that my posts are long and analytical, so I assume that I am acheiving my purpose.

Sounds like your on the right track. Good luck.



Let me guess about what you do for a living.

Your parents paid for your college, and you sell used cars because you spent more time partying than studying.

How did I do?

Not even in the ballpark. I have NEVER had a sales job...EVER! :lol As for college, paid for that myself. So you were waaay of on that guess. Thanks for playing.

Good luck on the CPA. I know my CPA pulls down serious coin.

[01Snake]

You did great! I am happy to see another Conservative in
the making. One thing I have learned in my many years
on this earth is that, normally, the more successful someone
becomes, the more conservative they become in their
thinking. Especially in a hard core type profession. .

Once you begin to see just how much of your money goes to Uncle Sam, you're damn right you become more conservative!
:madrun

[BIG IRISH]

^^^^^^^^:tu

[RandomGuy]

Don't think RG, as I understand it, you don't get paid enough $ to think :lol

I am paid to think. That is why I was hired. :lol

[RandomGuy]

Sounds like your on the right track. Good luck.



Not even in the ballpark. I have NEVER had a sales job...EVER! :lol As for college, paid for that myself. So you were waaay of on that guess. Thanks for playing.

Good luck on the CPA. I know my CPA pulls down serious coin.

Good. I have little respect for people who let mom and dad pay for everything. I really think it makes people less self-sufficient.

[RandomGuy]

Once you begin to see just how much of your money goes to Uncle Sam, you're damn right you become more conservative!
:madrun

Heh, as I said before, I don't mind paying my share of taxes.

I think conservatives are selfish in this regard.

They want all the benefits of society with none of the costs.

[johnsmith]

Nah, I worked as a security guard during my undergrad. It let me work 40 hours a week and go to school full time with ease, as I could study at work in between rounds.

The debt has come from graduate school and trying to get my wife through school as well. Our parents have not given us any money whatsoever, and it ain't cheap.

(shrugs)
If you must know, I am an auditor, and getting ready to study for my CPA (certified public accountant) exams. This particular skill set is greatly in demand at the moment, and I anticipate doubling my income every 5 years for the next 20 years, more or less, until have the right skill set to step into a CFO job, preferably in the aerospace sector, or perhaps start my own company in that sector.

The analytical and communication skills that I like to sharpen here as something of a hobby, tie directly into what I do for a living. You yourself say that my posts are long and analytical, so I assume that I am acheiving my purpose.

Let me guess about what you do for a living.

Your parents paid for your college, and you sell used cars because you spent more time partying than studying.

How did I do?


Is this your take on everyone that isn't in financial debt because of school and is out working successfully for a living because that is what you used on me one time before as well. In fact, I think you may have copied and pasted from one of our previous threads.

Come on RG, you're better then that.

[johnsmith]

Good. I have little respect for people who let mom and dad pay for everything. I really think it makes people less self-sufficient.


My parents paid for my school and I'm doing extremely well now. I finished school in just a hair over four years, went out, got a job, bought a house, bought another house and work extremely hard to maintain my way of life.

I resent when people are upset at others because their parents paid for school. It's not my fault your parents didn't make the offer for you as well.

[smeagol]

My parents paid for school because there are no student loans in Argentina.

They have not paid me a dime since I graduated.

Actually, I give them money because Argentina is a fucked up country.

[johnsmith]

My parents paid for school because there are no student loans in Argentina.

They have not paid me a dime since I graduated.

Actually, I give them money because Argentina is a fucked up country.


I'm almost positive that this doesn't make you any less of a hard working individual. But from what I understand RG thinks you are worthless because of this. Oh, and he's also got something against car salesmen.

[RandomGuy]

My parents paid for my school and I'm doing extremely well now. I finished school in just a hair over four years, went out, got a job, bought a house, bought another house and work extremely hard to maintain my way of life.

I resent when people are upset at others because their parents paid for school. It's not my fault your parents didn't make the offer for you as well.

I'm not saying everybody whose parents paid for their college are idiots, far from it.

I simply have noted that a lot of kids are in college because mom and dad are paying for it, with little idea of what they want to do. I don't think, in general, that paying complete for their college does people much of a service.

[DarkReign]

I'm not saying everybody whose parents paid for their college are idiots, far from it.

I simply have noted that a lot of kids are in college because mom and dad are paying for it, with little idea of what they want to do. I don't think, in general, that paying complete for their college does people much of a service.

I am not going to jump all over you or take what you said waaaaay out of context, but the "parents" comment caught me.

I come from nothing. My dad recently died and all he had left (monetarily speaking) was a 4 mortgage home, a bitch wife and an unpaid van. Whoopety-doo.

My friend on the other hand, comes from what some would consider "money". Both children are hard-ass workers. The oldest daughter had 3 jobs most of her adolescent life and saved every penny.

Here is the catch....they dont get the $$ like one thinks. They get in investments. They receive a check monthly for the interest earned. That money is automatically deposited into a seperate bank account.

Its all really cool once you understand it. Myself, coming from nothing, always had preconceptions about well-off individuals. Even now, the stereotypes are absolutely true, but I think some would be surprised by the amount of exceptions to that rule.

Why should my children be burdened with money life if I have the power to ease the transition from home to own? WTF do I work for? To take it with me to God? Nope, my children. They will lead better, more fulfilling lives not because of money or otherwise, but because they were raised right and had a good head on their shoulders, because I provided them with a healthy environment to do so.