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Tell Willie: 11/11/08

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Note:  Comments posted at the bottom of this page are not submissions for the print version of Tell Willie and are for online readers to discuss today's Tell Willie column in real time.  To submit a question or comment to Willie for the print newspaper <a href="/tellwillie/send/">click here</a> or call 864-882-0903 and leave Willie a message.  He checks his voice mail daily.

Note: Comments posted at the bottom of this page are not submissions for the print version of Tell Willie and are for online readers to discuss today's Tell Willie column in real time. To submit a question or comment to Willie for the print newspaper click here or call 864-882-0903 and leave Willie a message. He checks his voice mail daily.

Willie,

I want to know when the Keowee Ebenezer community is going to get a new fire truck.

Willie says:

Call the Emergency Services Office and ask them. They’ve got a schedule that goes out quite a few years. Of course, situations change and the list does too but, believe me, there’s a plan. I’ve seen it. You can too.

Willie,

I was asked this question today at work. Why is it that people keep praising Obama for being the first black man elected as a president? Has everyone forgotten he’s half white? I couldn’t answer their question because they were right. So, how would you answer?

Willie says:

Anyone who is well informed knows that President-elect Obama has a white mother and a black father. There is nothing historic about the white ancestry he carries being elected president. America has had 43 white presidents so far. What makes his election historic and a first is his black ancestry. He is the first man of any African-American descent elected president. That’s how I’d answer.

Willie,

After several good family experiences over the summer, I loaded the family up this past weekend only to find the theatre filthy. The popcorn was cold. The movie had no sound at the beginning. It got worse from there. I asked to speak to the manager. It was obvious by her unprofessional appearance that she had lowered the standards at the movies. She acted as if I was bothering her when I tried to discuss with her exactly how disappointed I was with my overall experience. While I was trying to speak with her, she waved several “friends” through without a ticket. I am just disgusted with the way I was treated and will now drive elsewhere to enjoy a movie with my family.

Willie says:

I hate to say it, but it sounds like it was a pretty "bad scene." If businesses are to succeed they need to make sure customer service is at the top of their list. Most theaters are owned by chains. You could try lodging a complaint at the next level. Failing at that, you've got the best answer —go to the competition.

Willie,

Those of us who are sitting in our homes and listening to our scanners oftentimes know more about an incident, such as a wreck, than most of the people involved in the county looking out for our safety. Why can’t the agencies, such as fire, police, ambulance, etc. monitor each other so they all will know everything there is to know about an incident scene? I hear them on the scanner with miscommunication and lack of the full knowledge that they need for the best job on the scene. What I am saying is: “Agencies monitor everyone else as some of us are doing and you’ll have more information.” That just makes sense to me and a scanner is not that expensive. Radio Shack has them at good prices. Come on, county emergency agencies, shape up!

Willie says:

Let me get this straight. You want the people who are doing the talking to monitor what they are saying? The biggest problem with what you suggest is that while your scanner covers several frequencies, emergency responders have to operate on their own frequency. The fact is, they can hear everything on their own frequency. Central dispatch is responsible for relaying information across frequencies and, if a situation calls for it, different responders can go to another frequency if asked to do so by a command officer. You might also want to keep in mind that most of these people are hearing information while they're on the move, not sitting in a recliner.

Willie,

To the persons saying that the server should get a better job and not work as a server, what gives you the right to say such remarks as that? Get off your high horse, quit being a snob and start showing some respect to those in the industry. I’m a pizza delivery driver, and we rely on tips to make a living. Do you think this woman has nothing better to do than wait tables? How do you know she’s not going to school as well to get a better job? You don’t know this woman. I suggest you spend one day in our shoes.

Willie says:

It was a pretty insensitive suggestion as proven by the strong reaction it got from you. Did I ever mention that Willie was a waiter once? I waited and waited for a table, and when I didn't get one I ate in the park with the squirrels.

Willie,

Why is it that gas is going down and kerosene heating fuel is going up? With oil prices down, isn’t that gouging when they up the price of kerosene?

Willie says:

Could it be the price of kerosene heating fuel is going up because winter’s comin’ on and people will be needing to buy more now? Some call it supply and demand. Willie tends to agree with you … more a rip off than anything else.

Willie,

After hearing about all the bashing of convenience centers, I had to put in my two cents worth. I don’t want everyone rushing to #10 because they are so nice, but every time I go there, the people are so sweet. I’m partially handicapped and they help me, always smile and always have kind words to say. So, if you don’t like the one you’re going to now, go to #10.

Willie says:

Sounds like you’re telling us #10 is #1 in service and congeniality!

Willie,

There’s a local radio station that has a flea market thing they do, and it used to be a half hour. Now it’s only 15 minutes with more advertisements. The customer doesn’t get to call in. They have 10 minutes of advertising and five minutes for the flea market. I just wanted to know what was going on.

Willie says:

Even radio stations have to make ends meet and make a profit to stay in business. Sounds like economics to Willie.

Willie,

Is it possible to buy the presidency of the United States? I’m seeing all these millions and the job doesn’t even pay that much.

Willie says:

Nope, it doesn’t, pay that much. But this election sure cost a pretty penny. Both the winners and the losers spent a bundle. Willie thinks they could have rescued Wall Street with all that cash … to say nothing of you and me.

Willie,

To the person who bought a bad chicken, you got what you paid for. If you bought the chicken on the buy drop-dead date and the wholesaler distributed it on his drop-dead date, then your chicken is already too old. Chickens are some of the filthiest fowl around so you should have known better.

Willie says:

The moral of the story: The early bird won’t turn foul.

Willie,

I would like to know why parents of kids who play sports are so negative! The Walhalla volleyball team recently had the best season in the history of volleyball at Walhalla and all some of these parents can do is complain about the coach or other players. It’s just a game! Be excited and positive, not negative and mean.

Willie says:

Parents really need to remember that kids learn more by example than any other way. If parents are negative gripers, their kids will grow up to be just like them. Yuck, what a depressing thought.

Willie,

I have read the articles about the person who was at this year’s Industrial Showcase at the Shaver Complex in Seneca. I agree this person should not have been there for his company. It’s like they said, it’s not what you do, it’s who you know. It would not do any good to write or call the company anyway. I think it is a shame that the kids have to see people like this. Just remember students, this is not how you should act in public.

Willie says:

It’s been pretty well established that the man in question did not represent his company well. Maybe, if he gets another chance, he’ll up his game.

Willie,

I get so tired of people singling out our black men when there is something illegal going on like the (false) robbery (complaint). She had to say a 5’11” black male went in there and held her up when she knew it was a lie.

Willie says:

The actions of the person making the false robbery report were regrettable in many ways, including the way you bring up. Hopefully, she'll learn a lesson.

Willie,

This time of year always brings out the nostalgic part of me. The turning of the leaves, delicious smells from the kitchen, the aroma of wood smoke and occasional pile of burning leaves bring back a simpler age and time for me, as I’m sure it does for others who are able to remember back that far. Our lives nowadays revolve around rushing to and from trying to scrape a living together so we can keep from drowning in this sea of turmoil that just gets deeper with each passing day. I’ve often thought that the advancements we’ve made have caused us all to be totally indifferent to our fellow man and turn a blind eye to others who are less fortunate then ourselves. About the only communication some of us have with other folks is the so-called “California Howdy”... sad, but true. What has happened to the togetherness that the world felt on 9-11? As we trod along this journey of life, please be kind enough to smile at people you meet along the way, as it may be the only good thing that’s going to happen to them today. These are just some rambling thoughts from an old man who has been on both sides of the fence. Try and recall what Handy said, “If an eye for an eye was the way it is supposed to be, the entire world would be blind!” God bless us all.

Willie says:

You sound like a pretty wise, older man to Willie. (That makes two of us.) Thank you for sharing your thoughts with my readers. If your advice causes just one person to give someone else that extra encouraging smile today, it will have been worthwhile.

Comments

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  1. November 11, 2008

    1:05 a.m.
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    stryper2000 (Anonymous) says...

    Re: the Theater, It has gone down the toilet over the last year or so, I would go there for some movies, Now i prefer to go to Anderson to the Larger, more HD like screens. as a move of Stupidity, certain theaters in the building were fitted with smaller seats(allegedly to try to get more people in) and most people cannot sit in these seats. On my last time I went to watch Saw V and halfway through the movie the projector cut the top of the film off so that the actors heads were not in the movies at all. Anyway point being someone needs to get in the Theater and kick some tails to get it back in shape, or just go ahead build Seneca a Better theater(stadium seats, more than 8 screens).

    also regarding the scanner listening lazy butt Why don't you get in involved in Public safety as either a responder or in communications since you think you know it all.

  2. November 11, 2008

    5:37 a.m.
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    CROCKER96 (Anonymous) says...

    The many problems at the Seneca theater reach far beyond the level and control of management. Yes, they are a chain, so complaining to the local manager will do nothing as her hands are tied. She cannot authorize fixing the popcorn popper, or hiring an actual projectionist to run the movies properly.

  3. November 11, 2008

    7:52 a.m.
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    ugottabekidn (Anonymous) says...

    A new fire engine for Keowee Ebenezer? Keowee Ebenezer has one of the newest and best engines in the county. Maybe you should become more involved in your community and find out what is there before asking for something you already have!

  4. November 11, 2008

    8:08 a.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    This is to the person with nothing to do but sit home and listen to an Emergency Scanner. I don’t know what they do down here but where I came from the emergency services, especially the police could go to a scrambler on a dedicated frequency to discuss their emergency business, which would be none of your business.

  5. November 11, 2008

    8:21 a.m.
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    citizenkane (Anonymous) says...

    THERE IS A WHOLE LOT MORE GOING ON A THE SENECA THEATER THAN JUST RUN DOWN PROJECTORS OR BROKEN POPCORN MACHINES. I HAVE A 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT HAS TOLD ME OF SOME OF THE GIRLS HER AGE BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT TO THE PARKING LOT WITH OLDER BOYS AND HAVING SEX! NOW I FIND THAT TO BE A PROBLEM. IF THEY THINK THAT NO ONE IS WATCHING AND NO ONE IS TALKING, THEY HAVE ANOTHER THING COMMING. I HAVE HEARD SO MANY STORIES, THAT MY DAUGHTER IS NO LONGER ALLOWED TO GO WITHOUT PARENT SUPERVISION. WAKE UP PARENTS, THE TEEN PREGNANCY RATE IS RISING, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN!

  6. November 11, 2008

    8:48 a.m.
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    geezerpk (Anonymous) says...

    Today, November 11, is Veteran's Day. Unless I missed it, there's nary a reference to the day in today's Journal. It's difficult to fathom, that with our troops in danger zones on 2 or 3 fronts and thousands killed or horribly wounded over the past few years, that just a small news hole couldn't have been reserved to acknowledge the military personnel present and past.

  7. November 11, 2008

    9:07 a.m.
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    Kat (Anonymous) says...

    I am sure that teenage promiscuity has been occurring at movie theaters or in their parking lots long before now. Regardless of the problems inside the theater, it is not their job to babysit someone else's kids.

    You are right, citizenkane, parents need to supervise their own children, not rely on movie theater personnel to do so.

  8. November 11, 2008

    9:10 a.m.
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    geezerpk (Anonymous) says...

    Egg on face. Sorry Journal, missed the 1A photo and story on vets. Must have been half asleep. Good job. My bad.

  9. November 11, 2008

    10:24 a.m.
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    jsl47 (Anonymous) says...

    If things are getting as bad as everyone says at the Seneca theater, it needs new management. Even if it is a chain, the manager should take more pride in her particular theater. That's like a lot of chain stores, you go in one and it has good service and the one down the road doesn't. Looks to me like some action should be taken to get rid of the manager befor the theater closes for good. I would hate to see that happen since there aren't many place for kids to go as it is.

  10. November 11, 2008

    10:29 a.m.
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    odj (Anonymous) says...

    so true, js147. You cannot have teens running the theatre. You can employ them, but there needs to be an adult in charge and at the theatre @ all times, to make sure that it is managed properly. Teens are not going to charge friends, keep it clean, nor handle disruptive clients, as an adult would. As far as what goes on outside, that is not theeir problem, either. Parents do not need to drop their kids off, leave them for 2-4 hours, and expect someone employed there to keep an eye on them. It is not a daycare. Watch your own kids.

  11. November 11, 2008

    1:06 p.m.
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    silvbul (Anonymous) says...

    As far as the Seneca theatre goes, it's horrible! And not too mention way too expensive for the environment & cleanliness. Movies there should cost about $5.50 at the most. I was also very disappointed the movie "Fireproof" was not playing there. I'm not sure who decides which movies play where but this county needs some good Christian movies to see & I was very disappointed the only theatre in Oconee county wasn't playing it. I prefer to drive to Georgia or Anderson to see a movie anyway. All the "extra curicular activities" in Seneca keep me away.

  12. November 11, 2008

    1:18 p.m.
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    silvbul (Anonymous) says...

    And as far as the parents of the volleyball players at Walhalla go, get use to it. It's like this at just about every school, in just about every sport & it's sad! The younger parents get the worse they will become. And just wait 15-20 years when these kids have kids playing sports. Oh boy; you're in for a real treat! There use to be a time when a parent would back a coach or school but now they just continue to bow down to their "no wrong doing" child. These poor children will have a hard time once mommy and daddy aren't around & someone tells them "no". Parents just remember, your child's bad attitude, disrepect and rudeness is a reflection of you.

  13. November 11, 2008

    2:43 p.m.
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    odj (Anonymous) says...

    Yes, I forgot to mention the cost of going to a movie in Seneca. What a rip off. My special friend and I took my Granddaughter and his son last weeken, and shared popcorn and drinks, and it still cost us $50.00+ to see a movie. If we had all had our own bag and drink, it would have been close to $80.00. That is so wrong. We decided that as much as we love going to the theatre, we will wait until they are out for rental or on TV, and that is so sad for family day out.

  14. November 11, 2008

    3:14 p.m.
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    bitnessman (Anonymous) says...

    Yeah the Seneca Movies is a rip off. The seats are terrible, them movies look like one you would watch on a vcr with bad tracking, and the food and tickets are way over priced. I didn't even realize people still go there! Anderson and Greenville have much better theaters. If everybody hates the one in Seneca so bad QUIT GOING! Then they'll shut the doors and a better one will probably open up. As for the kids in the parking lot...They can get into trouble anywhere in any parking lot. Parents have to raise their children to make the right choices. It's not the theaters problem.

  15. November 11, 2008

    4:17 p.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    Someone should contact the owners to complain. They used to live in Cross Creek, or at least one of the couples from the group of owners did.

    The manager is a lot of the problem.

  16. November 11, 2008

    9:15 p.m.
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    ohboy123 (Anonymous) says...

    I agree. Management is the problem. The owners are Dickinson Theatres out of Kansas! Do you think they know what is going on in Seneca, SC? If you have had a bad experience, use the Dickinson website dtmovies.com to let the manager's supervisor know the situation.

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