Now would be a good time for Eureka Police Captain Murl Harpham to retire.
The City of Eureka is projecting a $4.5 million shortfall for 2010-2011 and public safety is squarely on the chopping block. The situation has led Eureka Fire Chief Eric Smith to retire 5 years early to save jobs for younger fire fighters. Harpham should do the city a service and make a similar decision.
Harpham has been with EPD since the late 1950′s. In a past interview with the Times-Standard Harpham said he would stay with the force as long as he could serve the public.
But in light of bad budget times and the substantial cuts facing EPD, Harpham could retire and continue work as a reserve officer.
Eureka is no longer the “hell hole” that Murl once described thanks to desperately needed changes at EPD. But without careful use of the city’s severely restricted funds, a return to darker times could be on the horizon.
First!
Merle’s had long and good career, it’s time to make way for others to move up the ranks. We like the idea of him staying on as a reserve officer.
will always be Captain to me
With a 4.5 million dollar budget and the city facing an era of less revenue it is time to invite changes of this sort. We really do have some difficult times coming up and the sooner we get ready for them the better off we will be.
I will say this about Murl. He returned my calls quickly when we had a problem in the neighborhood. He explained things to me and kept me informed about what was going on. His efforts helped to maintain and improved the health of our neighborhood.
Thanks Murl. You may have done one million things in your career but you returned my calls and I will forever be thankful for that. So, you wanna work for free? Maybe you do.
Do you really think someone vain enough to dye their hair at his age is gonna care about budget cuts or give way for 2 new cops? He should have retired 10 years ago. A cop his age is just plain sad.
Give the man a break. He still is an asset to the force. With his deep knowledge of the community, his people skills, and his intellect, he quietly heads off a lot of problems on the street, one-on-one, with heart.
He doesn’t really have a great retirement option either, so he’s not “working for free”. When he joined the force CalPERS was crappy, so he opted out of that and ended up with the other police retirement that I don’t think amounts to much.
It’s disappointing to see Heraldo jump on this petty bandwagon. Murl’s a good man that has given his entire life to serving his community. This would be a good place to show a little human kindness and dignity.
A cop his age knows a lot. You silly Anon 8:33 But wait, you may have something there. People who dye their hair need to go. That would clean up city hall.
Budget cuts have to come. I have an idea. Why not check the computer history and the employees with all the porn on their computers get to stay.
Or how about this. Any department missing 5 million dollars gets a bonus and a paper shredder.
What are we going to reward and what are we going to suspend with? What do we want more of?
annon 8:03
Come on Captain Harpham – Retire for the good of the force and the city. It’s totally selfish for you to stay when it means other officers will be laid off. You’ve had more time to build your nest egg than most people even dream of. It’s time to enjoy it.
Does anyone know specifically what the retirement benefits are for an EPD officer ? I thought that all of the City of Eureka Employees were enrolled in CALPERS . I find it hard to believe that Murl Harpham will not have a good pension when he retires .
Ok, maybe I’m missing something. I remember Harpham making some bizarre comment about how whores used to be attractive in Eureka and now they all look haggard. I remember Harpham at the 2005 critical mass arrest in Eureka running the Gestapo welcoming party. I remember Harpham at the People’s Project encampment snarling and growling at local citizens who disapproved of abusing homeless people. I remember Harpham asking for more money for “problem oriented policing” so Eureka could shake down more tweakers and continue to be a totally reactionary force, not a proactive force in serving the community. So, Harpham had some great police career, huh? Ok, whatever, I guess standards in public service ain’t what they used to be. Either way, I completely agree: Harpham should retire. Throw him a party, let him go shake down one more bum or tell off one more hippie kid and then call it a day. Let this guy go be an angry, retired cop who can tell stories about all the big time protestor criminals he collared back in the day. Good riddance.
This thread is bordering on the style of the “mirror”.
H should delete this before its too late.
I’m sad to have to agree with 9:17.
Trying to force an individual to retire, based solely on age and budget cuts, is unworthy of the Herald. If Heraldo wants to criticize Harpham for his behavior, that’s another story.
Wow! The prejudice against older people is sure present with Heraldo & some of the posters here.
Murl Harpman is one of those rare physical & mental specimans that age far slower than the rest of us. At age 70 or thereabouts, he could pass for 50.
The Fire Chief, Eric Smith, made an extreme sacrifice for his department & retired early. I suggest that the Police CHIEF, Garr Nielson, do us all a favor & do the same. He makes far more than does Harpman & our problems with increasing numbers of homeless bums have been escalating since the day Nielson took office.
There are plenty of young bloggers out there looking for jobs. Why doesn’t the crowd here demand Heraldo retire so that one of the younger folks can have a job? And isn’t it a little hypocritical of some here that are so down on public service retirements to be insisting that someone take one against their will?
Absurd, Roy.
Captain Harpham is long past retirement age and his refusal to retire means other officers who aren’t eligible to retire, with families and mortgages, will be laid off. I find it odd (hypocritical?) that the SAME people who are saying Bonnie should retire after 24 years with all her valuable experience, are screaming that its wrong to ask Harpham to retire after 50 years? This is about what is best for the community and the EPD.
HI FINANCE you are full of shit, asking a septugenarian to retire from a public sector job is not age discrimination. Police departments are generally exempt from age discrimination complaints.
Murl was one of the thugs behing the Above the Law blog, there was a lot of cheerleading there for old Murl. They even cried because his picture got taken down.
What is pathetic is that any of this crew is still on the force. Retire? effing FIRE HIM for cause.
Murl is almost 80, not 70. Whatever he contributed in the past, and no one argues with that, is past. He has over 50 years in the Calpers system, more than enough to do whatever he wants. It’s a shame that he can’t see what’s best for the department he loves. There are things a cop at 25 can do that a cop at 80 cannot. Pilots have a mandatory retirement age, & there is a reason. Faculties and reflexes deteriorate, it’s a scientific fact. Maybe it was never an issue in police work because no one ever stayed this long. Our tax dollars should be used for the 30 year old who has the reflexes, vision, hearing, & thinking skills etc. to perform all police duties, not the 80 year old who will fall and break a hip and sue to city. Age is a factor, whether you all like it or not. If it wasn’t, you would see the 70 & 80 year olds on patrol & doing high speed chases all over your cities. UGH
I know Murl, personally, and respect his long, dedicated career to the police force. However, I have also had occasion to deal with him on a police matter (and this has to be 2-3 years ago, now) and he seemed less than on top of things. I feel he should be privately encouraged to retire by family and friends before he does or says something that will really tarnish his long service to the community. I agree that this is not really the right forum for this discussion. Even though I did contribute to it! : )
Maybe there needs to be a public forum so Murl knows what people are thinking. Many in the PD, while respectful of his knowledge, age and contributions, are quietly wishing he would realize that it is way past time to move on. Do it, Murl, before you turn from an institution to a cartoon.
HiFi, you’re really not very bright. Keeping Murl or getting rid of Nielsen won’t ever fix the homeless problem. Plain & simple, the police department & it’s dealings with the community are much better off now than pre-Nielsen & you’d be hard-pressed to find someone to argue with that. Unless it’s the Murls, the DD’s & the other malcontents like yourself who aren’t ruling the roost anymore.
I love you too 11.10am.
But you are full of it. It was Garr Nielson that talked the council into letting the “homeless” camp remain in the city hall parking lot for a couple of months. When finally the complaints forced our spineless city council into ordering the chief to remove them the problem was over within hours.
What message do you think that sent the bums ?
Hi Fi,
the chief did not talk the council into letting the camp stay at city hall. Not sure where you get your information but it’s not accurate. Although I guess you could blame the chief for an increase in the homeless and mentally ill because under the old regime several would probably have been killed by the police.
HiFi maybe you don’t realize that the homeless camp at city hall was left alone on Tyson’s orders. He is, after all, the chief’s boss. So we’ll look for you to be doing handstands at Tyson’s retirement party.
And HiFi, even you should admit it’s nice not having the police shoot someone every few months. But then you’ll just say this chief shouldn’t take credit blah blah blah, which would make you as delusional as Murl.
Wow. Retirement is a very personal decision and point in one’s life. It is not as easy as some may think, especially, after years in the same job, and facing the prospect of life without that daily routine. And, there are also money issues – that none of us really know.
Let Murl decide this on his own. Like him or not, someone who has worked this long and put his life on the line this many times deserves a bit of respect.
Have a heart, a bit of decency, and move on…
I don’t understand the people who think a very old cop with a pension and social security to support him has more of a right to a job than 2 or 3 younger cops with children to support, no pension, no social security, just temporary unemployment which won’t cover most mortgages, not to mention their health insurance and other necessary expenses.
Murl is not on the job still because of money issues, and he can’t come to terms with retirement after working FIFTY years (which is 20 years too long) then I would question his psychological fitness to do the darn job anymore anyway.
Murl has dedicated his working life to serving the citizens of Eureka. When the city needs someone to step up and fill in guess who – that’s right – Murl gets it done. Too often we take the men in blue for granted. THANK YOU MURL
Thank you, Murl, for your years of duty. Now retire already!
Murl already works part of the time for free. He and some other EPD officers volunteer time to clean up the messes left by some of the homeless people. We are talking about tons of garbage that most people wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. And they do it for free – where needed – as needed. Murl helped me clean up gulches and gullies around my part of town. These activities help keep Eureka beautiful. They have been doing this clean-up work for many years. They never brag about doing it. They just do it, apparently because they love Eureka and its people.
Murl also knows a lot about how to enforce the law. Experience is a great teacher. Younger officers benefit from his knowledge and his ability to “help people get along” as well as to do the rough police work that is sometimes needed.
I don’t think it is fair for Heraldo to single out one police officer and call for his retirement. It seems especially unfair to do it to Murl, who I know to be a good officer, doing good things.
I especially appreciate the fact that Murl, as old as he is, and raised in a different time, treats me with the same respect he would treat any other Eurekan, while he knows full well that I am Gay. He didn’t decide to treat me as a human deserving of respect recently because it was the PC thing to do. He started doing it a long time ago, because it is in him to treat other people respectfully. I think that is the kind of officer we want and need on the police force.
Leave Murl alone to do his job until he or EPD decides it is time for him to retire!
P.S. Thank you, Murl! Retire when YOU are ready. Not a minute before!
This was a nice try, Heraldo, but I’m guessing he just wants to outlast the chief. Everything else Murl has his hands in (abovethelaw blog, grand jury complaints) didn’t work, so now he is just gonna wait. In the meantime he’ll keep collecting a captain’s paycheck while doing the work of a receptionist.
Murl, Murl, be a man
retire now while you still can!
“I don’t think it is fair for Heraldo to single out one police officer and call for his retirement. It seems especially unfair to do it to Murl, who I know to be a good officer, doing good things. ”
Really? How many other officers are a decade past retirement age but refusing to retire?
There are more homeless because of enablers providing things like free food and showers. You can’t blame that on law enforcement.
Thank you Pete! You speak the truth. You can expect to be pilloried for it. Plain Jane, that is your cue.
Old age is just a number. Your number will soon be up, Plain Jane. Do you want some anonymous posters calling for you to retire because they decided you are “obsolete”?
If I were past retirement age and 2 younger workers were going to lose their jobs if I didn’t retire, I wouldn’t have to be asked. I’m not so egotistical as to believe I’m twice as good or so selfish to stay on the job causing 2 people who actually need to work to be laid off. People’s lives don’t depend on me in top physical shape and I’m not paid by the taxpayers.
Your premise was just as silly as the guy who called for Heraldo to retire so younger bloggers could take over.
Gee libs….does that go for Neely too? If sucking at the gov tit too long is bad for one, it is bad for all.
When Neely is 10 years past retirement age, get back to us, anon.
It seems to me that pressuring him to retire, particularly this kind of rather clumsy public pressure (with some commenters resorting to what amounts to shaming), is likely to have the opposite effect than what was intended.
I don’t know what his current contribution to the force is, what his personal financial situation is, or anything like that, but I just think this approach is not likely to be very effective.
You can’t shame the shameless, TRA.
Neely isnt almost 80 and still trying to do police work. Murl is asking for whatever shame is brought on. He isn’t 10 years past retirement age, he is 20.
Murl responded to a call on our block a few weeks ago. We were happy to see him.
Murl and others volunteering is commendable and Murl’s years of service admirable. He does look great for a man of his age but I have to agree with a previous poster about his psychological fitness being questionable. My opinion, based on personal experience, is that he is no longer 100%. Nobody likes the idea of being forced out but I think we all hope we will know when it is time to rethink engaging in certain activities (driving comes to mind). Helen Thomas also comes to mind as an example of someone who perhaps stayed in a position too long and ended up embarrassing herself in the end. It would behoove Murl to take the high road here.
In a socialistic society the old and feeble must be removed to make way for the strong. In the end we will have a better America! Vote Obama.
He responded to a call in my neighborhood a couple of years ago and was confused – he worried me then and would worry me now.
People can try all they want to make this about age discrimination or a socialistic society. But it’s still just about one pretty old cop who has contributed greatly, and who should be able to see that he can contribute even more by retiring to make way for young guys or gals who would love to start contributing themselves.
We won’t have to worry about Harpham much longer, Obamacare will take care of it.
And whay about the very food he eats? Euthanasia is the only solution, the final solution, to the problem of our elderly draining the very lifeblood from our system.
The elderly must be removed from society. For the good of us all.
This entire post is just amazing me. I am an active, vital contributing individual who is 61, but in my body feel 51 and in my find feel 41, or really 31. I look in the mirror and say, hi mom!…who dat?….how did that happen and when? I can’t wait for the youngsters to get a grip and realize when it happens to them…the brain stays young and if you put it to good use, the body stays active….vital. Murl Harpham does not dye his hair and is one of the most positve people I ever met. Not a Mr. Atlas anymore? I challenge you!
I’m not advocating one way or the other on whether Capt. Harpham should retire. But police work is physically demanding and personally dangerous; I’m surprised there is not a mandatory retirement age before 70.
Rod Serling dealt with this issue in season two of “The Twilight Zone.”
The episode is “The Obsolete Man.”
I suggest each of the self-professed “progressives” who is calling for Murl’s resignation follow the link at the bottom of my post and watch Burgess Meredith’s performance as “The Obsolete Man.”
Failure to follow my advice will lead to calcification of the brain-pan, early senility, and unexpectedly sudden removal from the work force.
Plain Jane? Will you be the first to watch that show and admit the similarities between your call for Murl to resign and the Chancellor’s call for the Obsolete Man to be terminated?
The link:
http://www.cbs.com/classics/the_twilight_zone/video/index.php?pid=cECrkUfCpb3irhnV_KadYQA_dXB6IIKo
Knowing what I know: You aren’t a cop and probably have no inkling of the physical and mental demands. Certainly people that age can feel younger and vital. But the sad fact is that if you’re 76, you can’t perform like the 26 year old you might “feel” like. And neither can Murl.
Bizarre to compare a Twilight Zone episode to the rigors of police work.
Well Anon at 6:50 pm you are probably right. Some of us do feel emotionally and intellectually vital….lots of wisdom to share. Chasing gang bangers or bank robbers….probably not the same as the youngers. Murl still has much he can teach and share.
Yes, emotionally and intellectually I agreee. But not physically. Murl always has the option to retire and come back part-time. A win-win solution.
I would rather have experienced cops like Harpham mentoring new cops and keeping them from making mistakes. If he cools down one hot-headed new cop, it could save a life. Maybe mine. Keep Murl working for us. Get off his back. Isn’t this blog dedicated to bugging Robin Arkley? What ever happened to that crusade?
Once upon a time, liberals used to posture as being nicer & more caring than the rest of us. They wanted peace, cooperation, good vibes and compassion for all.
Now liberals call themselves “progressives” and, as this topic & the posts show, they are more mean-spirited, insulting, ageist, sexist, racist & harsh than anyone else. Unless maybe if the other person is another progressive?
Shame on those of you above who have joined Heraldo in attacking this fine individual who would risk his life to protect yours.
I would hate to see the heart and soul of EPD disappear when so needed now. Would he agree to anon at 6:59? It WOULD be a win-win. This town loves Murl. This town is not the same without Murl.
He is an institution in Eureka and knows everyone. A definite commodity.
Anon 6:53 says my Twilight Zone referral is “bizarre.”
Might I ask, Did you follow the link and watch “The Obsolete Man” on Hulu?
Or did you fail to avail yourself of that opportunity to learn some useful (and quite possibly life-altering) lessons?
HiFi, you really shouldn’t make assumptions that everyone who posts negatively here is a liberal. That’s just ignorant.
No one is questioning Murl’s years of service (although I do wonder how many of the old guard, don’t-want-to-change cops he mentored).
But anyone with half a brain has to wonder about the fitness of an old man to do every aspect of a cop’s job.
I’m no fan of Merl, and particularly some of his uncalled-for statements about Eureka, but I do have a friend who had Merl and another older policeman visit him as part of the Problem Oriented Policing unit (POP) due to problems with harrassment from an increasingly senile and somewhat dangerously demented neighbor. My friend’s initial reaction was “oh, great, they sent the old guys,” but when he saw the very skilled, calm and compassionate way they dealt with the the problem neighbor, firm but taking pains to maintain the old guy’s dignity, my friend ended up feeling very fortunate that they hadn’t sent some aggressive. less-experienced and less-diplomatic youngster to do the job. So whatever the merits of Merl retiring, I don’t think it would be fair to characterize his continued employment as useless or a matter of “coasting.”
I certainly understand the logic behind wanting him to retire to enable the police to hire or keep on several younger cops for the amount they are paying Merl, but I really think this attempt to publicly shame the guy and push him out is inappropriate and probably couter-productive. If, like the Fire Chief, he chose on his own to retire in order to save limited funds for younger employees, I’d certainly applaud that. But this public demand (and in particular some of the rather mean-spirited comments on this thread) probably makes it all the more likely that he’ll hold out for quite some time.
Anon 7.17pm. It could be that you are right.
So let me state that anyone, liberal or conservative, who is attacking an individual because of his age should be ashamed of themselves.
We need to round up the old and force them into the Sun Valley fields to get some use out of them during their final days. It sickens me to think that old people are allowed to decide for themselves when and when they are not able to work. This should be left to the decisions of our politicians for the good of the community.
there should be immediate reviews to include physical as well as mental evaluations of all workers over the age of 60 in this county. A purge is healthy to the community body.
Once a year we can line them up, say down at the boardwalk and put them through a timed “cone” run, or even better, forced exercise and diet programs. County “minders” can do on and off duty mental check ups and report.
We as progressives need to stand on our core beliefs that it is society that is important, individuals live to support the whole. And if necessary, be removed from it for the good of us all.
Attacking him is wrong, yes. But the fact of the matter is that he is not really any longer capable or filling an officer’s position. As a mentor or teacher, he is able to be of service. If anyone should recognize the difference, it is him. Police officers need to be able to react and move quickly and often use strength. He is just not that person any longer.
Yes, Yes! for all we know he is napping right now with a pile of empty Ensure cans at his feet. The nerve of this man, getting up every day for 50 years to put his life on the line for this town. We need to show our strength as Progressives and put an end to this right now. A protest at the police station is in order. He won’t be able to get away from us in that walker of his.
Murl seemed plenty strong to me when he was hauling crap out of a gully near my house and loading it into a truck to take away. He was doing it faster than I could have done, and I am younger than he is.
Besides, physical strength is just one among many tools police use. A calm approach to difficult situations can prevent violence. Murl knows all those tools and uses them effectively.
Any anonymous poster can say it’s time for Murl to go, but that doesn’t mean anything. If it really were time for Murl to go, he would already have been asked to leave.
Asked to leave by his employer, I mean.
I used to consider myself a Progressive, a proud inheritor of the ethic of the Progressive Movement of the early 1900s.
I hate to admit that High Finance is right about anything, but his comment at 7:09 about the self-righteousness of the current crop of self-proclaimed “Progressives” seems accurate to me.
An honest discussion is nearly impossible with one of them in the room. Any attempt to address the problems of America is their cue to jump up and instantly scream “racist!” or “fascist!”
Forty years ago, it was the jingoistic Pro-War idiots who thought and acted like that. They’d threaten to beat you up if you quoted the Prince of Peace. Now the intimidation comes from the so-called liberals and progressives.
My head hurts just thinking about it.
Again, people are making an assumption that this is all coming from progressives. What does that have to do with the opinion that an 80 year old might not have the physical skills required to do a cop’s job? Where does anyone say “I’m progressive and Murl should go?” Please tell me how you figure that only progressives are posting about Murl.
I think Murl will retire but not because of what ANY of you say. He knows the stakes of staying and going and will make the right decision. The story doesn’t feel right, being aired in this format. Sorry Heraldo.
Knowing Murl…his retirement will be based on more of what is important to Eureka and his contibution to it rather than how much it benefits him.
Murl won’t make his decision based on anything other than self-interest. I am making the prediction that he will eventually pass away still employed as a cop.
This should be less about age and more about what is best for the police department and community. Murl still has a contribution to make to both just not as a lieutenant which is a management position. He should retire and come back to do the same work he is doing now. Someone else should have a chance at promotion to grow leadership in the PD.
Hey whadya say, Murl? The city can throw a party for you and Tyson at the same time and save even more money!
The old saying “penny-wise but pound-foolish” applies to Anon and his allies on this thread, IMHO.
This is not a matter of progressives vs. conservatives. But it’s probably in bad taste for any of us to be discussing – whatever our point of view. I’m guilty too – but it seems like it’s all been said and time to let the topic go.
add me to the list of those wishing the prostitutes in this town were better looking! Some of em haven’t even put their teeth in.
Heraldo, You are disgusting. Just when we think you can’t get any worse, you sink to yet another new low. What comes around goes around and whether you beleive in God or not – you’ll get yours.
oh shit, God! lol
Heraldo has been told to try to get rid of Murl he knows about the Texting the upset Father and the Chiefs attempt to keep Larry out of trouble!!!
Anon 7:33, channeling Sarah Palin today? Funniest comment so far. Love seeing the hypocrites squirm and defending a public sector employee instead of damning all those teat sucking govment employees wasting their hard earned tax dollars. Lets keep Murl and the zoo forever.
Harpham is only sticking around for one of two reasons.
1. He wants to retire with his benefits adjusted upwards by the recent pay hike given to the EPD. His retirement pay is based upon his pay during his last year of employment, though there is a move in the legislature to change this practice. He may have to stick around a few more months to do this. This is common practice these days for overentitled public employees.
2. He wants to leverage his position on the force to run for city council.
Or both.
I do believe that it is logical that Murl would like to get the highest monthly pension possible and his monthly benefit is in fact based upon the highest year’s wages .
I do think that Murl will be a good City Councilman with his background .
I can understand Murl wanting the best pension possible – who wouldn’t? Though the current system doesn’t seem to work in favor of the people.
But, City Council? Seriously?
After 50 years on the force, Murl is just spinning his wheels. There is NO financial incentive to stay. Call Calpers and ask em.
reminds me of Logan’s Run
Or Soylent Green.
?
Yeah, because thinking a public employee long past retirement age should retire is just like killing and eating people.
I love Plain Jane. Pushing her buttons is so easy!
“Pushing one’s buttons” means provoking a strong emotional reaction, especially anger, from someone.
See also “Getting one’s goat.”
Yes, because a sarcastic response to hysterical trolls is evidence of a strong emotional reaction. In this case it was humor. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
PJ, just ignore em. Some people are too stupid to get the distinction here.
Hey PJ, I don’t like you now.
Hey, Plain Jane, I didn’t like you when you were arguing that Reverend Wright was morally right to shout “God Damn America” from the pulpit.
You seemed pretty hysterical then, sweetie.
Did you really say that Plain Jane ?
As an atheist, I think its silly to get so worked up about such things and don’t see much difference between Reverend Wright and the fundie religious leaders who claim god’s wrath for everything that happens to people they don’t like such as HIV, hurricanes, earthquakes; but interestingly enough, never for tornadoes tearing through the bible belt year after year. If you aren’t aware of the terrible things this country has done and continues to do all around the world which evoke the sort of anger that Reverend Wright demonstrated, you haven’t been paying attention. I don’t recall defending Rev. Wrights sermon, but he certainly has the right to free speech and freedom of religion. I think his religion believes it’s wrong to kill people for corporate profit.
Let me ask, while we are comparing who loves and who hates murder, where did you stand on the issue of the Execution of Stanley Tookie Williams? While we’re at it, where do you stand on the historical murderers of note. You know, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Ghenghis Khan, Tamerlane, and like that.
Heraldo, do you think we can hit 500 with this one?
Be nice to a good older guy who has worked hard all his life.
Those that say “God Damn America” like “Reverend” Wright & apparently Plain Jane, are every bit as bad as those hateful morons who claim God’s wrath for HIV, Katrina and tornados.
How did this evolve from a discussion about Murl to God…oh I get it, the age thing.
“God Damn”
translation:
Imaginary Sky Daddy, Put Imaginary Curse on…
If any of them really believed, they would be living very different lives.
What offended me about Reverend Jeremiah Wright was the deep hatred in his voice when he belted out his refrain, “God Bless America? No, No, No! GOD DAMN AMERICA!”
He reminded me of Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, who claims to believe in Jesus, but who incites his gullible folowers to hate homosexuals! To hate us and condemn us, despite Jesus’ instructions for His followers to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves!
Jesus called his disciples hypocrites once, saying they should take the log out of their own eye before helping another person remove a speck from theirs.
I know. I’m working on it.
It is not often that such matters see the light of day. And in this case, aptly phrased.
I have studied Murl Harpham for decades, first coming to my attention after an accidental glance at a aging photograph in the public library.
His seeming ageless vigor, as indicated and related in an above post illustrated by his ability to clear brush as a man a fraction of his age, only illustrates and tends to confirm my contention that Murl Harpham may be
Vampire.
Those who study the darker history of the Eureka waterfront are familiar with murky stories, their words as formless as the grey fog that carried them throughout the bay over the years. Hushed tones from parents with veiled warnings of one who walked the night, lapped the ears of wide eyed harbor children.
Who easier to prey upon to feed his unholy lust than the fallen doves of this community, those who Harpham himself so loves.
Heraldo was right to bring this issue before the true leaders of this community, the Anonymous posters of the Herald. If for no other reason then to ring the bell of warning loud and clear of the potential danger.
Keep your loved ones close and a jar of salt at your door. And remember, Murl Harpham can not enter your home….unless invited.
And don’t forget the garlic!
the solution to vampires is cannibalism?
Tom, you get the Gold Star of the month.
That some people have felt the need to go to such lengths to ridicule the opinions of people who think a 75+ year old cop should retire to save the jobs of 2 younger cops just shows they have no logical argument. Tom’s post was funny, but Murl is sucking money from the EPD which will cost the jobs of others.
Funny yes, but also, sadly true. Time for Murl to stop sucking money from the PD budget and move on.
Plain Jane get a life. The amount of time you spend running your mouth on here is unreal. Liberalism is one thing but you are just over the top, like a groupie for things progressive. You feed on this site.
Guy does his job, that’s what he should be evaluated on.
connect, you missed the point. The 76 yr old guy does NOT do the job, he does a greatly reduced version of it, ask anyone at the pd. HE could no more do what the younger ones do than the man in the moon. It is very sad and selfish that you and he cannot see that, especially when all you guys are crying about jobs. Cry about the fact that after FIFTY years Murl has a pension worth twice what most Eurekans salaries are, that you are paying it, and that he is taking up at least 2 jobs right now.
Connect the Dots, you don’t have a clue about how much time I spend on here and who do you think you are to tell me what to do? It’s always funny when idiots like yourself think they get to decide how much time other people should spend on what. I happen to work at a computer and pop in and out of here throughout the day. I probably spend less time reading an entire thread and typing a response than you did typing your whiny little bitch post that wasn’t in response to any thing relevant. GFYS!
See, Plain Jane? That strong emotional reaction to what other folks say, you deny it, but there it is in your response to Connect the Dots at 12:58 pm.
Or does GFYS stand for God Forgives Your Sins?
No.
“Or does GFYS stand for God Forgives Your Sins?”
A troll doesn’t stop being a troll just because they choose a pseudonym.
Troll: someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.
Quote Plain Jane: “It’s always funny when idiots like yourself think they get to decide how much time other people should spend on what.” Isn’t that the entire tirade you are spewing against Murl. What a flaming hypocrit!
Excellent choice! Welcome to the world of the named unnamed.
“Isn’t that the entire tirade you are spewing against Murl. ”
No. I don’t care what he does with his time. My concern is that his refusal to retire will cost other officers who can’t retire their jobs due to budget shortages and add to the unemployment problem which negatively impacts the entire community.
When you or the other troll pay my wages, your opinions of what I do with my time may be considered. Until then….
PJ, it’s GFY (‘yourself’ being 1 word)
I see no one is arguing whether a 76 year old can do all the work a police career requires. So to all those who say leave Murl alone: sure, when you quit harping that this city needs more jobs like Home Depot will bring. Murl, as he is costing the city now with salary, benefits,pension, is worth about 6 Home Depot jobs. Start there.
Thanks, Titan. I’m sure all these Murl fans are over at the Mirror telling the bugs to stop being sexist and ageist against Neely, that her many years of experience should be congratulated instead of derided. After all, she isn’t even at retirement age yet.
If they see similarities at all in Neely’s career compared to Murl’s, as far as requisite physical abilities, then their combined IQ’s probably equals Murl’s age.
Murl can outrun, outwork & outfight you Titan.
This prejudice of yours make you & Plain Jane look petty, tiny & mean with black souls.
Says the man who inserts “old” into my pseudonym. It’s really pretty funny to see the same men who constantly bash Neely for her age get so defensive and pretend this is ageism when it’s really an economic issue. I don’t know what his physical abilities are and don’t care if he’s superman. We can’t afford Murl without laying off cops who don’t have a generous retirement waiting for them.
When youre calling for Murl to retire from the EPD are you trying to free him up to run for Eureka City Council…think about it. There was already a sign in someone’s yard More than 90 days before the June election. Now that seat is up in November would you be happier with him replacing Larry Glass or would that be Jeff. Don’t have a clue where Murl lives, personally its fine if he stays at EPD.
Whoever is suing the city and tyson should subpeona the Above the Law cached pages from Google. They will be very informative in retrospect. Tge jury will love them.
HiFi, Are you really that dumb? Please read up on your science, specifically physical abilities and how they decline with with age.
Plain Jane, I don’t care if you call me a troll, but “when you’re runnin’ down my country, you’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.” That pertains to your defense during the last presidential election of Rev. Jeremiah “God Damn America” Wright. If you recall, you and I had an ongoing disagreement about that. As the time, you didn’t call me a troll. If you had, you would have been labeling yourself a troll as well.
Let’s face it, to you, a troll (or a racist) is someone you disagree with but whose arguments you can’t refute.
Murl is not in an elected position (like Neely), the city will not mention retirement due to age related lawsuit probability. Bringing the issue to Heraldo seems more directly related to inhouse grumblings. Are the young upstarts taking to blogging (fearing last hired, first fired) ?
Plain Jane says:
July 1, 2010 at 4:44 pm
“We can’t afford Murl without laying off cops who don’t have a generous retirement waiting for them.”
Actually all of the cops have generous retirements waiting for them, have you ever heard of 3@50? That means 3%of their highest years earning times their years of service 3×25 years of service equals 75% of their highest years salary.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 $4,002 – $4,203 – $4,414 – $4,635 – $4,867 Effective January 1, 2010: $4,239 – $4,451 – $4,674 – $4,908 – $5,154
Additional Compensation: 7% Intermediate POST certification; 14% Advanced POST certification; 5%, 7.5% and 12 % Specialist Pay.
• Superb family medical/dental/vision plan – $30 month • CA P.O.S.T. certificate incentive pay effective date of hire • Advance to next step 6 months from hire with acceptable job performance • Initial appointment at / above listed first step based on experience/qualifications • Specialty assignment pay for FTO, Detective, K9, DTF, Motor Officer • Other specialties: SWAT, School Resource, Old Town Patrol, Patrol Rifle, Crisis Negotiations, Evidence Tech, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Inst, etc. • 3% at 50 retirement plan with unused sick leave credited as service time • No Social Security payroll deduction. Employee choice of pay or comp time for overtime hours. Accrued vacation / comp time hours may be “sold back” for pay • Annual payoff of unused MOU holiday hours
No one is suffering…
I think what Plain Jane is saying is that a young cop losing their job would not be drawing a large pension . I doubt that an officer who is only in their 20s is going to get a pension as large as unemployment. It is also very unlikely that they will accumulate alot of unused leave including vacation time that will get them by financially for very long .
Just saying: Do you realize that a cop doesn’t get his pension automatically until he has been “vested”, meaning worked several years? So, no, the youngs ones don’t get what Murl does after 50 years. They just get laid off. In fact, there are probably very few people in this city that will get as much as Murl. But if you say it’s a better bargain to keep paying the old guy’s salary & benefits, which is into 6 figures, instead of paying 2 or 3 younger ones, you’re entitled to your opinion. I’m just glad you’re not my financial advisor.
Also, using your math, Murl is getting, and is eligible for, way more than your calculations, since he is drawing a Capt’s pay. 3 x 50 = 150% so that would mean he could retire and get a salary and a half, right? I hope you don’t honestly believe the city is getting their money’s worth outta that guy or that he needs to stay in his job for financial reasons.
You and I both know that a person can’t get 150% of their salary.
There are other people who said that they were interested in a golden handshake and have back out… they are not concerned about lower level people being laid off.
Everybody does what’s best for their own situations.
Just saying,
since you are a city employee you should at least attempt to accurately report information. Many of those assignments you listed in the police department do not include additional pay as they are considered collateral duties for which officers volunteer. I don’t disagree that EPD officers are adequately compensated but that is not the issue. What is at stake is a serious budget shortfall and the potential ofarge budget cuts to public safety which means reduction in personnel. If someone is eligible and chooses to retire to save jobs for younger employees it is in the beat interests of the city and it’s residents.
Just saying, so since you admit there is no financial incentive for Murl to continue to work, I would hope you would also admit the benefit to the city he so loves to having him retire so 2 younger guys, who do not have even a portion of what he has, don’t get laid off.
And I still don’t see anyone attempting to prove that a 76 year old has all the same physical and mental faculties as a 25 yr old…because you simply can’t.
There are lots of 76 year old who have just as good mental faculties as 25 year olds, plus a whole lot more experience and marturity.
Physical faculties are quite another matter, and I doubt there are any 76 year olds who are truly as physically capable as most 25 year olds.
Well put, TRA, but let’s remember:
Young workers in any field expend more energy to accomplish less than their more-experienced fellow workers. It’s true of plumbers and police, social workers and waiters. Our own experience bears this out, so there is no need for statistics, those damnable statistics.
Don’t know murl, however everything is a balance. That is why when someone developed skills over time they usually do the thinking jobs and not the physical ones.
Hence apprentices and journeyman jobs in the trades. Investigators, Detectives, and beat police officers.
Look at Doyle Bronson winning WSP events in his 70′s, at a game which is all about mental ability. So Murl works more on things other than beat cop jobs.
Oh and I do not bash Bonnie for her age. She is a crooked, manipulative, greedy bitch. If I saw that she had undergone some change and developed some positive skills other than those listed I might feel differently. She has done very little of what is claimed by her supporters, just taken credit.
Titan I suggest you study research on neuo-science. The brain is capable of increasing synaptic activity during the whole life cycle.
Jane, I have been reading your opinionated garbage since you were Jane Doe. You are actually an example of the inability to to perform critical thinking at any age. Your a silly socialist bitch and always have been. A follower of the worse kind. Four years and not an unique thought yet. Oh and when you call others names, I believe it is fair to refer to you as you act and blog.
Titan says:
“Just saying, so since you admit there is no financial incentive for Murl to continue to work, I would hope you would also admit the benefit to the city he so loves to having him retire so 2 younger guys, who do not have even a portion of what he has, don’t get laid off.”
I didn’t say there was not a financial incentive for Murl to continue to work, I said that everyone does what’s best for their own situation. I don’t know what Murl has or for that matter what anyone else has what I do know is that there are not going to be officers laid off. If there is a need to reduce the force the City would leave vacant positions unfilled to save money.
This is just a public call to try to embarrass Murl to leave before he is ready.
What in the world…we can only hope Murl is not interested in a few people’s idiotic opinions! How dare you present this as a topic for public debate Heraldo-very unseemly. What gives any of you the right to throw your opinions around in a very public place for Mr Harpham to discover and be insulted or hurt after all his years of service. This is disgusting! How would you feel if this whole topic was directed at any one of you, your father, your next door neighbor, your friends over 40 or 50 years of age whatever their age. I cannot even imagine the city manager approaching Murl Harpham with this, nor Garr Nielson, not to mention a lawsuit which the city of Eureka can ill afford. Do not mention insurance covering the expenses of lawsuit after lawsuit. We are all paying the premiums.
“Good Grief” has put my feelings into words very well.
“How would you feel if this whole topic was directed at any one of you…”
It reminds me of this phrase: “Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
It hurts me to compare Heraldo to “Tail-Gunner Joe McCarthy” but if the shoe fits…
For those of you who think Murl would gain a huge and substantial retirement package….didn’t you read about a hundred comments back that he bought out his PERS package years ago and now HAS NO RETIREMENT PACKAGE AT ALL. His only retirement package is how he has structured his savings and/or investments, and we all know how they are going these days. All y’all know it alls know nothing.
When you have to grossly exaggerate your analogy to make your point, i.e. pretending a 75+ year old man should retire is the same as a 40 or 50 year old or the same as killing and eating the old, you don’t have one.
It’s hilarious when someone says “socialist bitch like it’s an insult.
Plain Jane, it sounds as if you are fixated on “Soylent Green” and are ignoring the main deal, “The Twilight Zone” episode entitled “The Obsolete Man.”
You can’t see the parallel’s between your calls for Murl to be fired because the money he earns could be used to feed the families of younger workers?
You can’t see the parallels between your calls for Murl to step down because he fulfills no function, and is therefore “obsolete?”
While this is not a kind discussion, it’s one that addresses a reality. And, honestly, does the fact that Murl is 76 make him immune from criticism? Isn’t that another form of ageism? Plenty of other younger people get trashed on this blog and nobody seems to be so sensitive about their feelings. If he is competent enough to continue on the police force, he must be tough enough to take a little heat. I also doubt it would be any great surprise to him that some people think it’s time for him to retire.
It seems like the City is getting its way. Won’t cost them much except for saving in salary. Murl will probably come back as a volunteer, cuz his heart is centered on this City and he loves what he does. Plain Jane, you are simply a hateful soul..maybe you think you KNOW what is right for this community, but you are so lacking in heartfelt thought or sympathy. I would hate to live in your skin. SHUDDER!!!!!!
This really should be a discussion about the work he is performing which is basically that of a community service officer at twice the cost. The only relevant issue regarding his age is that his notion of law enforcement is as old as he is. Not much progressive thinking going on. Fine for tearing down transient camps but should he be in a command position?
You frigging suck…Ewwwww. No one likes you and you are thinking your stuff doesn’t stink…but guess what…..You may think your point of view is flawless, but hell no….get off this blog!
Since this is Heraldo’s blog, if he doesn’t want me posting here, he can say so. Your strong emotional reaction is probably due to your impotence in refuting my opinions. I, like most people, think my opinions are valid or I wouldn’t hold them. If you can’t stand to read them, don’t. Until you are elected censor of this blog, I’ll continue to post my views and you can skip over them. Bet you can’t.
Didn’t you know? toPlainJane is the BLOG POLICE!
May we all keep a copy of this blog; all the posting, the opinions, the BS to remind us of poor taste and self flagellation (that goes triple for ‘Jane’)
Tearing down transient camps is not “fine.” People have to sleep somewhere.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Bloggers..you kill me…cowards….if you feel strongly about this topic or any topic…for pete’s sake…stand up and give your name.
How nice it must be to make nasty, hateful, dumb ass comments about someone when you don’t have to reveal your name. What would your mother think?
Get a life. Do something positive in your community, like Captain Harpham has been doing since before most of you were born.
No disrespect intended, Soldiering On, but how can you slam people for posting anonymously and then not write under your own name?
You were writing tongue-in-cheek. Admit it.
“You were writing tongue-in-cheek.”
Or head-up-ass.
I think we are moving to a no-money economy–a good move. People who are doing a good job and love their work will keep doing it. We don’t have to be scared that the our town will fall apart just because we are short a couple of million $$.
I think its safe to say that most of us reading this thread have no idea what you’re talking about, Bill.
I really mean no offense by saying that, I would just encourage you to read your comment before posting it and ask yourself whether someone who doesn’t already know the backstory would be able to make any sense out of it. Just a friendly suggestion.
I think makes more sense than a lot of people commenting here. I would hesitate to discourage a person speaking from the heart, and logically.
The reaction that some of the Neanderthals posting on here have to Plain Jane speaks to the reason that most commenters on here like expressing their opinions anonymously, so they don’t have to worry about someone throwing a brick through their window. How far would you go to shut somebody up “toPlainJane”?
No-Money Economy is a good move and people who love their work will keep doing their jobs…what a crack up! Maybe since Murl has such a great relationship with everyone in the community we wont mind if he moves into the homeless camps with his tent alongside the bums. So he can continue to do his job you know, because he loves this city so darn much.
Speaking of head up asses…lets let Jane have the last word because she loves to type so much.
Does Murl slice up the tents of the homeless because Jesus tells him to?
Most people who write anonymously do it to protect themselves from retaliation. Some may fear bricks. Others fear the loss of their job.
Not all Americans are free to say what they think about important public issues. Many can be fired for expressing an opinion their boss doesn’t like. These Americans must post anonymously, or not at all.
It is a scandal. Yet no one dares mention it.
I hope someday we will look back at this state of affairs and wonder how we tolerated it for so long.
I think Murl has probably read this. He knows the right thing to do, but whether he is a man of character and would actually do it remains to be seen. And now he knows what it’s like to be on the other end of blog crap.
Titan you are definitely FOS, it’s your opinion what “the right thing to do”means.
Do the homeless dump tons of filthy trash in Eureka’s sensitive wildlife areas because Jesus tells them to do it?
Yeah those stinkin’ homeless bums! Why don’t they use all those portapotties we put out there for them? Why don’t they throw their trash in the dumpsters we put out there for them?
We do so much for them and they are so ungrateful.
The marsh and wetlands are brimming with bums. All the freebees have taken their toll. Betty Chinns new showers are the latest item that have made the bums more welcome. We need 10 Murl Harphams and 50 new officers to clean up the mess that the stupid do-gooders have made.
Yes it is definitely my opinion. And about about 98% of the PD’s.
I am a bum, a jolly old bum,
And I live like a royal Turk.
I have good luck and plenty of pluck,
So to Hell with the man that works!
I would like to submit my personal poem regarding choices that made the difference between being a bum and a 58 year old retiree . I hope that it will appear to be off the track of the original thread but since there has been some cruel statements made on some of the posts , I thought that it might be nice to take a look at the reality of people’s worng choices.
I too could have been a bum
I made wrong decisions like some
I failed to pursue opportunities I had
And I have often looked back and saw it as sad
I was raised up to work for the money I recieved
For that was the way that my parents believed
I am thankful I did the best that I could
Toward rceieving what someday for me would be good
I now have a pension to pay my bills
Despite the hard times that may look like ills
It is nice for people to have a career
Doing something they want which they hold so dear
But if they cannot , they must do what they can
For on just plain old labor , there is no ban
I am thankful for what I have today
There is no doubt that working is the right way
I left out one word in my previous post . I meant to say not after the word will. The sentence should have read I hope it will not appear to be off ot the track of the original thread .
Just to be clear, my post at 7:48 is part of a hundred year old song, not something written by any of today’s homeless people.
Another song from the old days goes like this:
“Why don’t you work
Like other men do?
How the hell can I work
When there’s no work to do?
Hallelujah, I’m a bum!
Hallelujah, bum again!
Hallelujah, give us a handout
To revive us again!”
Older people have told me a hobo wants to work and is looking for a job, but a bum just wants a handout.
I notice the distinction is not often made in our public discussions. They are all lumped in under the name “Homeless.”
Question about the same people, with the same signs hanging out on the same street corners day after day…does this really work? I can’t figure it out. Sometimes I see someone hand out a dollar or two, but not often. It must be worth it, though, for them to show up day after day. Unfortunately, it seems like a racket to me and I am not inclined to help. Oftentimes these are the people who look most able bodied and to me they seem more like “bums” than “hobos.”
That said, I agree, we need to be careful not to lump all “homeless” in one category. I know many families are desperate and are not in that position by choice or for not trying to find work that pays a living wage. This is the distinction I try to make when making donations or contributions.
Here is the problem.
I walk among the poor often, I have gotten to know many of them.
Many of them are nice decent people, a few are petty criminals, and there are an even fewer who can be dangerous. If you walk into St. Vinnies this is what you will experience.
Of course if you walk through Bayshore Mall, you will have a similar experience. It is just that the criminals dress better.
I cannot easily discern the innocent from the not so innocent, the weak from the lazy, and the “deserving” from the “underserving.” Since I cannot do this, I don’t know how any of you can. Do you understand?
Since I cannot tell the difference I must treat everyone on the assumption that they deserve my respect and my help if they need it and I am capable of giving it.
Do you understand?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Anonymous ,
There are people who do receive handouts on a regular basis . That tells me that there are people enabling them to do so by giving them money . It is not good for local businesses to have people outside asking customers for money and it certainly encourages them to return if they receive money .
There is a distinction between those people who are struggling financiailly when it is not their fault such as losing a job due to company downsizing or going out of business . However , most people in that situation will try to help themself by seeking employment or moving out of the area. It may be necessary for some people to temporarily live with family or friends and chances are , if they are decent people , they will be able to find temporary housing . The Eureka Rescue Mission has limited temporary housing available but they require people who are unemplyed to utilize the resources to try to find employment . If someone is homeless due to alcohol or drug abuse , they require participation in a 12 Step Program and appropriate counselling services . I would say that if someone does not care to follow the rules , they are making wrong choices .
I believe in being charitable but not an enabler . There is a huge difference .
When I help someone , I make sure that I know what the money is to be used for . I do not think that I am obligated to buy someone’s alcohol or cigarettes . I would think that anyone looking for a hand out who can buy alcohol and cigarettes ought to be able to buy some food . It is all a matter of priorities . When someone is desparate enough to ask for help , the help should not have to be for anything outside of personal necessities .
I appreciate the thoughtful posts here. Let me add one.
When someone is homeless because they will not follow the rules (whether on the job or at the Mission), they may turn to begging. That is the strongest argument not to give a handout. Without handouts from well-meaning people, the homeless will have to go where they can get help by following the rules. The chaos of life on the bum can be replaced with order and some possibilty of personal progress.
On the other hand, if someone is homeless because they are mentally ill and absolutely can not get diagnosis or treatment, how cruel is it for us to ignore their misery.
The trouble? How do we tell the difference between those two kinds of homeless people?
Another problem? Who among us has enough “spare change” to meet the needs of all the homeless people we see?
But let’s not get stuck on what we as individuals can do. Why can’t we work together through established mental health and social services organizations that are designed to deal with these problems in a more effective way?
You know, a lot of work is being done quietly that never shows up in the newspapers. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but we may need to grease the axle once in a while instead of constantly cutting back the programs that keep the poor and disabled from desperation.
(It goes without saying that people need to take as much responsibility for themselves and their families as they can handle).
And if we really want to make a huge improvement for everyone, why don’t we invest in greatly-improved services for the many mentally ill people who do not have enough money to pay for private psychiatric help?
Our American government can always find a way to do what it wants to do. This is a worthwhile challenge.
That last post was by me, The Great Anonymous.
I offer this post as a clarification, not as a boast.
Since were quoting songs, a special request for Black Flag:
A Christian, an anarchist slash prostitute
figures out the true meaning
Of freedom, not freedom like America,
freedom like a shopping cart
Kick back, no tense,
you gotta bag of grub cost you about 50 cents
No fear, no fuckin’ feat,
malt liquor tastes much better on the street
Crustin’, a way of life for heroines
and heroes who hitch hike the road
To Eden, not Eden like the garden state,
Eden like the state of mind
Kick back, cheap thrills,
you’ll do anythin for a laugh even if it kills you
The bridge, you took it out,
the ticket takers suddenly lost count
Sleeping under rays,
your teeth crumbling away
Say goodbye to all responsibility,
you never wanted it man
Wasting time
whenever you get the chance
which happens to be all the time
Kick back, free meals,
a couple times a day you make a couple of shady deals
No work, no fuckin’ pay,
cardboard condominium by the bay
Between the red and black,
you’re never going back
Say goodbye to all responsibility,
you never wanted it man
(NOFX)
This one’s for you, HiFi…
I saw a man, he’s a well-dressed man
He had a tan, from the Yucatan
He had a car, he looked like a star
I said, Hey, don’t I know who you are
But when he glanced into my eyes
I saw yes I saw was such a big surprise
He was afraid that he’s just a bum
Someday when all his stuff is gone and he’s left without a dime
Time ain’t money when all ya got is time
And you can see him standin on the corner with a nine-day beard and bright red eyes
I know a guy, he’s a pal of mine
I say, hey. He say, I’m doin fine
I’m movin up the ladder, rung rung rung
I’m gonna get my million while I am still young
But at night when he’s had a few
His eyes say different than his tongue
They say I’m afraid that I’m just a bum
Someday when all my stuff is gone and I’m left without a dime
Time ain’t money when all ya got is time
And I can see me standin on the corner with my nine-day beard and my bright red eyes
Goin hey, hey hey hey hey, come on and listen to my story, hey, hey hey hey hey, ah hey
Some people live to work, work to live
Any little tremble and the earth might give
Ya can’t hide it in a Volvo or a London Fog
Can’t hide it in a mansion with an imported dog
No matter how we plan and rehearse, we’re at pink slip’s mercy in a paper universe
And we’re afraid that we’re just a bum
Someday when all our stuff is gone and we’re left without a dime
Time ain’t money when all ya got is time
And we can see us standin on the corner with our nine-day beards and our bright red eyes
Goin, hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey, come on and listen to my story man hey, hey hey hey hey, ah hey
The man of sorrow’s acquainted with grief
Stands in line waiting for relief
He will tell ya it wasn’t always this way
One bad little thing happened one bad little day
Heartbreak has bad teeth and a sour smell and lives when he can in a cheap hotel
And he’s afraid that he’s just a bum
Someday when all his stuff is gone and he’s left without a dime
Time ain’t money when all ya got is time
And you can see him standin on the corner with a nine-day beard and bright red eyes
Goin, hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey, come on and listen to my story man hey, hey hey hey hey, ah hey
Greg Brown “Just a Bum”
Wouldn’t it be nice if people would just put a link up for lyrics and really longwinded quotes instead of writing the whole thing out.
Good idea…I get completely lost (and disinterested) in the long posts regurgitating lyrics or poems – four lines max for me as a rule.
How can we get these lazy short-posters out of here? They are so, like, annoying!
I have to agree with 6:23. I don’t have the patience for some long and winding road of a manifesto, and especially in poetry form, unless it is exceedingly clever, which it rarely is!
What, exactly, did Anonymous 9:07 contribute to this conversation besides the admission that he doesn’t have patience?
I notice he addressed his comments to “6:23″ which is odd because the first comment was made by “6:32.”
Maybe some folks have trouble with the longer posts due to dyslexia? I know something about that. You guys might want to have that checked. It could prove helpful to know about that now, rather than years from now. See how helpful we old farts can be?
For my part, I like to throw in a few verses of an old ballad when it helps the kids around here get some appreciation for history.
You know about history.
That’s what these kids are going to repeat because they don’t study it.
A few verses is one thing and can highlight a point and make something more interesting, but just cutting and pasting an entire song or poem doesn’t seem creative to me. I prefer the link. That’s me, though, and I can just skip the post, which I generally do.
Skip all of poseur reasonable anonymous posts and become a better person for it.
You say “reasonable anonymous” is a poseur? How do you figure that? Because he thinks before he writes and then edits before he posts?
So, anonymous 10:45, what do you think of my post as “Anonymous” on July 5, at 11:11?
I posted at 10:45 and I agree with your thoughts in your post of July 5 @ 11:11. I read your post with interest the first time and engaged in that discussion. Your comments seemed thoughtful and relevant – not a cut and paste of a lengthy song, poem or article. Sometimes I find those interesting/entertaining, as well…just not very often. : )
Going back to your post of July 5, it’s a complex problem and I think you summed up the issues well. Ideally, we could solve it by working through government services and it’s a worthy effort – but I think the dilemma for many people is that that kind of change takes time and the needs are often immediate.
Here’s a link to a story about a homeless man:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/austinkvue-tv-15750583/homeless-man-rescues-american-flag-during-storm-20738426
Oh yeah Great Anonymous, stupid strawmen. BTW, have you stopped abusing animals yet?
Gee, the only way you could know that reasonable anonymous posts are edited before being posted is you’re the one doing the editing. Busted!!
And you’re sure showing the same M.O. Machinegun rapid-fire challenging responses to every other post and generating multiple posts in a short period of time.
Dear Not a Native.
I hope this won’t come as a shock to you.
I don’t give a good God-damn what you think.
Your hostility is deep-rooted and has nothing to do with me. Take your paranoid delusions elsewhere.
Failing that, I promise, I will ignore what you post.
Have a peaceful day!
The Great Anonymous
N.A.N. needs to hate someone, and fortunately I’m here to fulfill that need. Glad to be of service!
Murlie Murlie fly away home, your house is on fire and your fan club is gone! Retire now! The city needs a new fire truck and your salary could pay for it!
And that’s 200.
Not to beat a dying horse, but Murl is one of the cops who will retire this year. Another is Richard Zanotti, the “incident commander” for the Cheri Moore killing who was given the choice of early retirement or layoff. Reducing the EPD buget is a cloud but with a silver lining. Good decisions, Chief Nielsen !