Special Feature

January 8th, 2009

Observations and Reflections on Life in General in These Here Parts

Progress appears to be on the horizon in persuading those corporate types to change their voice mail greeting requiring us to “Press one if you want this here message in good ol’ English.”

Many of us feel we shouldn’t have to press one . . . that it’s the newcomers who ought to be made to press one to hear the message in their native tongue.

More and more often, I’m happy to report . . . voice mails are changing to reflect that fact of life. If you have corporations with whom you deal who have not gotten the message, kindly notify me and we’ll publish their names. If they have anyone at their company who can read English, perhaps they’ll get the message and change.

Speaking of voice mail, is anyone else as frustrated as I am with being unable to talk to a human being at major corporations? A week ago I tried to contact Cox Cable Telephone Service and AT&T Telephone Service to find out who was their Media Relations person; the spokesperson that deals with the press to answer questions from our readers and to help solve problems.

I waited for 30 minutes on hold while calling Cox with periodic announcements assuring me “your call is important to us. Please hold for the next available service representative.” After 30 minutes I decided that fella on the recorded message was just funning me. So I hung up.

I had a bit better luck with AT&T. It was after hours, though, so I had to call back Monday to their Executive Offices, where I was promptly put in touch with the right person. I am pleased to report I actually got to talk to a real, live human being.

Pirates! Pirates!

Did anyone else notice that story about the French warship that captured 19 Somali pirates when it came to the rescue of two cargo ships threatened in the Gulf of Aden?

The 19 Somali pirates, armed and equipped with equipment to board the vessels, were captured and have been handed over to Somali authorities, the news story said. Bet that really scared the pirates. Being turned over to the Somali authorities. Somalia, after all, is noted for its strict enforcement of the law. I’m sure the pirates were properly and promptly punished.

Bah! Humbug! Whatever happend to “Walking the plank?” and “Hang ‘em from the Yardarm!” Or even, “100 lashes!” I would guess strict and severe punishment would get back to the other pirates that it was important to play nice and not shoot at people or ships. The French, however, are a genteel folks. After all, they no longer use the guillotine.

But, still . . . well, there’s something to be said for the good old days.

But, then, I guess that’s just the bloodthirsty side of me talking.
Never mind.