Archive for Video
Bearing the Weight of the Local Economy
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we can get focused on a single issue to the extent that we lose sight of things on the periphery. While that may be good when trying to sink a putt it probably is less desirable when driving to the market.
The focus has been on several things these past few years, and currently it is safe to say that the Settlement Agreement is that ten foot putt for many in town. Hit or miss, the topic we seldom consider is what got us to this point. Think of it as working on your pitching and chipping.
Can’t putt unless you get to the green, so why not get as close to the pin to improve that putt?
A few years before all the drama unfolded regarding dewatering, restoring, expanding; there was what seemed an inconsequential item on the council agenda. That day, way back in late July of 2006, was this item to consider “Ordinance Authorizing Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments Regarding the Old Fort Lake, Mineral Resource Overlay, and the Civic Center.” Not as boring as it sounds, as it turns out.
You can review what that change entailed here; and you can see how it was debated and who voted for what reason here. But that the purpose of this writing (though I will refer back to it later).
The lesson learned is that not every item on the council agenda is inconsequential and more items are more interconnected than you may think. Take, for instance, a somewhat innocuous presentation made by a Pierce County duo called Economic Development Board.
The EDB came to deliver some encouraging news to some; or, it may have been pandering to our current economic unease. They spoke of cooperation and partnerships and opportunities. They also spoke of something that sounded straight out of a made for TV movie: Project Tango.
Ooooooo.
Attached to the dumb, clichéd sounding name was a project linked to an unnamed Multi-national U.S based company in need of a warehouse and logistics center. And what DuPont can do to better position itself to claim their “prize” would be to have the assets and infrastructure ready for this “shovel” ready opportunity.
I wish I were making this up, or even embellishing it. However, this is pretty much what was discussed and how it was presented.
However, there is a catch.
That’s right; DuPont could possibly stand to benefit from this lucrative project Tango if only they amended a minor ordinance. The council would have to allow larger trucks to navigate Center Drive and offer up to them access to Exit 118. Just think, for a moment, how that would change DuPont. Large tractor trailers gaining access through the business district and slowly entering and exiting Center Drive. This is a terrible idea, not just for the added sight of traffic but also for what it could do to the cost of maintaining the roads affected by this change.
It is another call to abandon the “plan” that many of us were sold on and to share a sacrifice. But let’s not forget why. So that we can have warehouses as our primary economic development. What is wrong with warehouses? Plenty if you read the documentation I posted from 2006. Council was quite bothered at the thought of warehouses pocking the landscape. Now, as it turns out, that is all we seem to be attracting.
I suppose this is what we get for not valuing a Community Development Director for the past few years. It may also be a product of what I wrote about last time where we have been living in a void without vision for this community.
We may want to pay closer attention to these agenda items so we are not forced to relive history.
…Dreams of You All Through My Head
Posted by: | CommentsDuPont City Council is Presented the Draft Settlement Agreement
Posted by: | CommentsThe council has finally begun their long anticipated deliberation of the 2011 Settlement Agreement. Late last month, the city of DuPont held a town hall meeting to present the details of the draft settlement to the citizens. Signatories to the agreement fielded questions from the crowd via cards submitted during the meeting; however, all questions at that time that required a city response were deferred to a later date. The July 12, 2011 regularly scheduled DuPont City Council meeting is the beginning of the process where the city council will consider the materials presented, the testimony of citizens, and data of the various hired parties. This information will presumably be vetted against the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Shoreline Master Plan, and any vision the council, mayor, and perspective office seeking candidates may have.
The council has not set a firm date to vote on whether to accept this agreement, but based on the comments from the meeting it shall remain on their collective radar through the balance of the summer.
The video presented here contains only the portion of the last televised council meeting where the draft Settlement Agreement was discussed. The video clocks in just shy of three hours so you can certainly gauge the importance of this topic by the amount of time dedicated to the subject. That is the only edit of the video and I have provided no other commentary, sound effects, or musical accompaniment. I also will withhold my opinion on the Settlement Agreement until people have taken the time to view this video or otherwise educate themselves on the issues involved.
In Dreams…
Posted by: | CommentsCheerful Repsonse
Posted by: | CommentsRebroadcasting the DuPont Cheer class participants performing for DuPont City Council on May 10, 2011.
Also available in the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
The Public Relations Alchemy Award
Posted by: | CommentsThe last televised council meeting was brief. In addition to being brief, it also had some filler material to round it is 70 or so minutes.
Coming to the rescue to save the agenda and to add much needed filler material (in lieu of actual City Hall accomplishments) was CalPortland. In addition to generously providing support for various city hardscaping projects, parade and celebration support, and printing needs; CalPortland deftly provided “Agenda Filler” by offering a presentation during the community input period of the meeting.
The two representatives gleefully and professionally announced that the DuPont Washington mine site was given an industry award and a gold award at that! The DuPont site was recognized for blah blah while maintaining blah blah blah. This is a competitive award where blah blah competes against blah blah blah and blah.
Excuse me if I do not hold the same enthusiasm for an insider industry award. I have made it pretty clear on this website that I cringe when people refer to DuPont’s Northwest Landing as an “award winning” community. Hey, it is a nice place but when the award is given by the building and real estate industry it sort of loses its meaning to those of us driving ten miles to buy groceries. It is all marketing hoo-ha anyhow and I am sure it looked impressive on the brochures. Those of us left with the two ways in and out of town and the building dust may beg to differ on what sort of award is deserved. Likewise with the numerous awards the mayor offers to staff from some obscure AWC criteria. I am happy someone at City Hall has got their stuff together enough to complete tasks within their job description but save the back slapping for a staff meeting where there are enough Krispy Kremes for everyone.
Even though we are no longer in kindergarten we certainly are treated to numerous accolades that have little meaning outside our own offices and classrooms. Because of this approach to recognition, the “Raise your hand if you need to use the potty” award bears the same heft as CalPortland’s environmental stewardship award. When it comes to awards you have to consider the source.
Just because your shorts are clean doesn’t mean our water will be.
When I left Intel last year I had accumulated ten years worth of awards. When I left, the awards, in their dollar store frames, were recycled with jammed copier paper and old expense reports. The only award I saved was the golf titles won in our golf league. It seemed silly to save awards from program launches of products now obsolete; but an award to a high handicap golfer who could string together three or four or five consecutive rounds (under competitive pressure), well, now that is something worth remembering.
The problem with many of these CalPortland related stories is that of timing. I am sure it is not easy working community relations for any place whose business is to create a crater in the earth. Whether all like to acknowledge it or not, CalPortland is part of DuPont’s business community as much as State Farm and Intel and Community First Credit Union. However, I can’t help feel that there might be some Eddie Haskell sincerity at play. This new found exposure couldn’t have anything to do with wanting to expand mining operations and deflecting our concern over de-watering issue by distracting us with a shiny, gold award?
What is next? General Motors getting an award from the North American Dealers Association on behalf of the Chevy Volt for its environmental consciousness? Sure, why not? We will be so impressed that we will forget about the Cadillac Escalade or Silverado HD. (I also formally worked for General Motors)
And just what is this organization that bestowed the award on DuPont’s CalPortand? It is the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association. Take time to read their interesting website. You will find the criteria for getting this award here. You will also find some interesting related links and products available to mining insiders. My favorite is a book entitled “NIMBY Wars: The Politics of Land Use.” Maybe we can request a copy to be sent to the DuPont Public Library.
CalPortland is going to continue with their soft approach of trying to win the hearts and minds of average DuPont citizens. I just hope that our collective price is higher than the gifts that we accept.
Fuzzy Math
Posted by: | CommentsThe Salary Commission’s final report was issued in time for the May 10, 2011 DuPont (WA) City Council Meeting but the results were less than satisfactory to some of our elected representatives. In particular Councilman Roger Westman seemed particularly flummoxed by the resulting $75 per month increase for council members.
I am afraid that Roger is so far into the weeds that he will have to take a drop or let others play through. I can fully understand his confusion that it appeared that the compensation increase did not account for the time required by each member of council and mayor had to provide in the fulfillment of the position. However, not all value is derived by the time spent working on something. When providing a service, value becomes even more difficult to quantify. The real question to ask is what is anyone’s time worth? You are apt to get boundless inputs and opinions on the matter.
While the average citizen probably does not realize how much time each individual council member puts into his or her duties it would be safe to say they also probably do not care. The majority of those on the periphery of city business only begin to care when something the city does or does not do impacts them directly. It is also safe to assume that what is important to Roger or any other council member isn’t as important to the average Joe. So when Roger makes the case for his time spent at AWC conferences and seminars he also needs to articulate the value back to the citizen resulting from that time. Good luck with that.
Further, Roger offered two very lame and non-applicable examples of his value proposition. The first was of a garage door repairman requesting $100/hr labor rate to come out and diagnose his problem and recommend, and presumably render, a solution. It was also the same rate the computer repair technician quoted in Roger’s second example (he should have went to DNA Repair on Wilmington). It is beyond a stretch for these examples to be applied to the rate a part-time city councilman or mayor of a small town can reasonably expect. First of all, in the two examples cited, the technicians provide a measureable service. If Roger called for his garage door to be fixed then it would be fixed by the end of the transaction. Same is true with the computer technician.
In the case of the garage door Roger’s choices are as follows: 1) Pay the $100/hr rate and get the garage door fixed, 2) Fix the garage door himself for the cost of parts and his sweat equity, or 3) leave the garage door in disrepair.
To have Roger suggest that his time on council is somehow worth $100/hr because that is the going rate is preposterous. First of all, the technicians actually fix things. There is a measureable result in the service that they provide. Can anyone holding elected office in DuPont honestly say that they routinely fix issues with every minute they are deliberating on city business? What skill is it exactly that they are providing?
Look at this very council meeting. Seven council and one mayor. It lasted one hour. At Roger’s rate they would have each gotten $100. Watch it (if you can bear) and ask yourself if we got $800 in value.
Let me offer another example in the same vein as Roger’s above two. A plumber. A plumber probably also gets $100/hr as mentioned. But at least the plumber is willing to clean up someone else’s shit for them; and at the end of the transaction you can flush confidently knowing you were able to keep your own hands clean. The problem with our council and mayor is that we still have some shit clogged in our pipes and the only thing we have seen from them in the last four years is ass crack, not much in the way of results. Let’s begin with that discussion on “value.”
Here is where the argument gets ugly. What is the value the council and the mayor are providing back to the taxpayers of DuPont? If Roger Westman is quick to keep a ledger of council and mayoral value then so will RealDuPont.
What council should acknowledge is all of our money that they waste and that the citizen’s see zero return on investment. A certain $25,000 phone (scientific) survey comes to mind. Can any council member show any actionable items that came from the exercise of the obvious? OK, how about the countless council “retreats” where a facilitator is hired to tell council just how dysfunctional they are. Any learnings from that that I can see in action or is our council still divided into cliques pushing their own agendas? What about the pencil whipping City Staff pay increases during a recession? The benefit to the citizens for that charade was to lay off employees and decrease our level of services so that the managers could all get a pay bump.
Should I go on?
I would like to remind our belly aching council that their bonehead decisions cost taxpayers money too. Did Roger vote to send a $1000 gift to Steilacoom High School even though we do not have an electronic reader board ourselves due to lack of funds and in spite of the fact that we all pay school taxes for such nonsense? What about the second, off season, failed levy election because the first tax proposal was botched? What was the cost on that, again? How much in CYA expenses has council authorized to work on the CalPortland Mine expansion and subsequent renegotiation of the legally binding (at one time) 1994 Settlement Agreement? Lawyer’s fees? Planning department time? That total is nowhere near being completely calculated. Is there a price tag on every dead-end, go nowhere town hall meeting?
The way I see it, Mr. Westman, perhaps some of you on council could pull out your own checkbooks and offer back a rebate as a matter of good faith.
But, things don’t work that way, nor are you to be judged on how many hours council puts in for their blunders and successes. Just be thankful you are not being paid by results (like your technician friends).
You are serving the public, not the other way around.
The Curious Case of Terry Sutton
Posted by: | CommentsYou see them every day. Emails pushing something that is too good to be true; whether it is deeply discounted Viagra, name brand prescriptions from Canada, or real Russian women seeking husbands. Most are boilerplate spam messages send from Middle Africa or Eastern Europe.
In addition to the run of the mill spam is the phishing (fishing) email scams looking for personal information to exploit. They run from the polite and deferential to the official and demanding. You may be corresponding with a prince or a government official or an esteemed business man; but, for whatever reason, he needs access to your bank account to help out a new friend from a tight squeeze. Your trust and kindness will be handsomely rewarded, or so it is promised.
These are my favorite because they most resemble the scams of old pulp fiction novels and detective shows. It takes some cunning, and more importantly, some investment of time to pull off such a caper. A spam email is just cyber lazy and exhibits all the skill of panhandling. Please help, send money, God bless. Now, pretending to be a prince or banker hiding money…that takes some real nuts to pull off successfully.
I like a caper that takes some real effort…and costumes.
All good scams rely on inherent human weakness (with a touch of dishonesty) and it is no wonder that when the economy is down the success of these schemes increase. Sure, you know it sounds too good to be true or it sounds not entirely legal, but you need the money. Besides, the bankers (government, businesses, or others) are screwing us anyway you will rationalize (why do you think John Dillinger was a folk hero in the 1930s?). Once you convince yourself it is right then you are fully hooked.
Recently, I got an email here at RealDuPont and the subject line caught my eye. It stated simply “CAN I TRUST YOU? {PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL}.” All caps. Begging an emotional reaction that I may not be trustworthy. I had an idea!
Telemarketing Laid the Groundwork
I opened the email and read. It was typical in many ways but I appreciated some of the effort. Still, I knew it was completely bogus when I read the email but something inside of my head clicked. I remembered back to the glory days of telemarketing phone solicitation calls. I grew tired of them like everyone else but I decided a response was in order. First, I thought, “what kind of people would take such a job?” “What catastrophic set of circumstances would lead to someone selling light bulbs by telephone?” I also thought about their pay scale. It had to be commission based, so the more calls meant the more possible hits. You may dial for an hour and only get one or two leads. Over the course of a shift, you may only get a couple of sales. So, if you got someone on the hook, you had to let all of your other cast lines go unattended so you could reel in your big lunker.
I am that big lunker, I thought. I am not a runner, pulling out the line and soon tiring. I am a fighter. I wait to get near the net before I break the line.
I would employ two methods in the telephone solicitation. One, is I would engage the caller by asking them about themselves. “Was it drugs? Did drugs prevent you from getting a job other than calling people and disturbing them?” “Were you abused as a child? Why the low self-esteem?” The point to this was that the longer I could keep them engaged the more other possible suckers were getting away and the guy two phones away in their boiler room would get the sales commission.
You waste my time it is just annoying. I waste your time, it costs you money.
When I couldn’t bear the interchange between me and the caller I resorted to another arrow in the quiver. I interrupted the sales pitch at just the right moment and said, “Sorry to interrupt. This sounds exactly like what I need but I have to run and pull something out of the oven. Hang on a second.” At that point I would set down the phone and go about my day. The person on the other end could hear me milling about, but they were left to wonder when I was coming back. This left them with the dilemma of hanging up after I said I was really interested in what they are selling. One minute? Five minutes? How long would they wait?
Surprisingly long, as it turns out.
Eureka Moment
That gave me my eureka moment with my email scammer. I will begin a dialog and see how long it could move forward. I will provide you with the full email exchange so you can use it as a cautionary tale or as a template. Feel free to use it yourself. In fact, I implore you to use it yourself. Imagine if all of these email scammers had to make that same decision of whether to continue on or punt. Let them get their hopes dashed for a change.
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 17:19:44 +0700 [05/06/2011 03:19:44 AM PDT]
From: TERRY SUTTON
Reply-To: sutton2t@live.com
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU? {PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL}
Attn: Sir/Madam,
I am the Finance Manager of a leading bank in Scotland seeking partnership for a pending business project I have at hand ready to be executed without hitches. I will give to you a detailed explanation of this project which I prefer to call a “DEAL” if I have your positive response. The business is 100% risk free because I have fashioned out means to give it an excellent outcome.
In an attempt to throw light on this business deal, a month ago a Kuwaiti multinational company opted an overdraft from our bank and was over invoiced with an amount of 12,000,000 GBP [Twelve Million Pounds]. I seek your partnership to enable me transfer this funds to your account for both of us and I am open to negotiate your percentage. Your utmost attention and sincerity is needed due to the nature of the business.
Please if you are interested; get back to me via my private email: sutton2t@live.com for further details.
Best Regards,
Terry Sutton.
Kudos for the Scottish sounding name. Probably plays midfielder on the Rangers FC. I also like the use of legalese “DEAL” as if henceforth that would be the way the long named project would be referred. Very official sounding! I responded to the email address provided.
Date: Thu, 05 May 2011 09:03:25 -0700 [05/05/2011 09:03:25 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: sutton2t@live.com
Subject: Re: CAN I TRUST YOU? {PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL}
Dear Terry,
This sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I have an account at Chase that currently is being unused. It has a balance of $3.67 (USD).
You can trust me.
For the record, I do not bank at Chase. I am a credit union kind of guy, but I liked the fact that it sounded iconic. Nor can I be trusted. I awaited his response.
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 16:52:02 +0000 [05/05/2011 09:52:02 AM PDT]
From: TERRY SUTTON
To: admin@realdupont.com
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Hello Friend,
Thanks for the prompt response to my mail and enquiry on further details of this project. I want you to know that this is a 100% risk free business deal because all modalities have been mapped out already to make it a success. This type of business deal happens daily by the so called leaders of the world and since I have this opportunity on hand now I deemed it fit not to allow it pass me by because it may never come again. We can conclude it in the next few days if we work diligently and closely together.
Before we begin, it is important I educate you on the process carefully and please ensure to follow my advice step by step so that we will not have any problems at any stage as you know this is my field. The fund in question is ready for transfer and all I need from you now is your TOTAL COMMITMENT hence send me your Full Names, Address, Phone number, Age, Occupation and Company Name (if any). With these details I will retrieve the original information of the company and replace it with yours in our records. When the transfer is effected from my bank to your nominated bank account in your name I would destroy the records from our file then we can both share our percentage as we will agree upon.
I will share with you 70% for me and then 30% for you since I am the originator of this business and would also need to grease some hands in my office to make sure that we have a smooth transfer. A very important aspect we must take into consideration is that we must make use of an OFFSHORE BANK that has a very high levels of customer protection and secrecy in a country that has relaxed banking laws and financial regulations and also a bank that is a corresponding bank to my bank so that the transfer will be seen as an in-house transfer thus will not attract any financial regulatory body although I will advice you carefully on this.
With all these been said I would prefer to get your response and also build a relationship with you since we have not met before and you will agree with me that it is not easy to transact and entrust such magnitude of business in your hand without building a relationship. Please I would want you to handle this matter with utmost confidentiality due to the nature of my job since I am still in active service.
Regards,
Terry Sutton
A tad long winded, and there is emphasis with all caps again, but at least he called me friend (which was nice).
Date: Thu, 05 May 2011 11:55:54 -0700 [05/05/2011 11:55:54 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Greetings. I am heartened by your prompt reply. The 30% you mention sounds like a fair amount to me. This money will be welcome because I have recently fallen into financial hardship at my business. I am facing the prospect of making redundant 10 positions or more but as it stands, I cannot even make payroll for next week. These employees have been loyal and many have families, so I do not want to disappoint them.
I assume that it is OK that we use my personal bank account rather than that of my business. As I mentioned, the business is having liquidity issues and I fear creditors may try to garnish any funds put into it. My personal account is safe from such issues.
However, I will need to ask what city in Scotland you are located. You do not have to provide street address, but I would like to know the city and district of your location before I proceed with personal information.
Kind regards.
Innocent request and I am sure that one he can easily Google an answer but it will show whether he is still paying attention.
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 09:41:29 +0000 [05/06/2011 02:41:29 AM PDT]
From: TERRY SUTTON
To: admin@realdupont.com
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
I live in Aberdeen District, Aberdeen City. Send your information and avoid further delay.
Great, but this is still not what I need to gain trust. He must sense I am just being cautious and that I am just another dumb American being lured into his web of deceit. Still, I need to know some additional data.
Date: Fri, 06 May 2011 09:01:51 -0700 [05/06/2011 09:01:51 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Part(s): 2 !banking Info.jpg 62 KB
Download All Attachments (in .zip file)
Terry,
Thank you, Aberdeen is a lovely place.
Before I commit I need assurances that this is a sincere endeavour. I will send all my pertinent information after you can verify your locale. I am requesting that you take a photograph exactly like the one attached with the inclusion of today’s Aberdeen’s Evening Express newspaper in the foreground.
Once this proof is provided we can look forward to doing business together.
Also, you will need to get two of your mates to help with this photograph.
Kind regards,
Email Attachment
Sure, it is a leap of faith to think that “Terry Sutton” will actually provide his own version of this photo, but if he did provide a similar picture it would be great! Sadly, I think this is the beginning of the end of our correspondence.
I try again.
Date: Tue, 10 May 2011 11:29:38 -0700 [05/10/2011 11:29:38 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Mr. Sutton,
Please update me on the progress of this partnership. I am anxiously awaiting your photo verification with your mates so that we may proceed. Things are growing desperate here.
Yours in commerce,
Now imagine if you’re waiting for millions of dollars to be deposited into your bank account. You might just be getting a little agitated at any delay, as I hope to convey with my next email to Mr. Sutton; besides, he needs consequences if he is dragging his feet.
Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 22:54:19 -0700 [05/11/2011 10:54:19 PM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Terry,
I have not heard from you in several days. What is the delay in this transaction?
Attached is a photo to inspire you to respond. Please do so promptly or the next photo will be of her nude!
Regards,
Email Attachment
Of course, there is no nude photo available, that I am aware of, but pondering the mere thought of one arriving in his inbox should elicit some sort of response, or you would think. At this point I am sure I know he knows that I know. He has moved onto his next mark from his computer located in Africa or the Ukraine. I hedge my bets and guess that this is a Nigeria scam, but there is an outside chance it is originating in Ghana. I hedge my bets and give him something to think about.
Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 10:42:39 -0700 [10:42:39 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Your tardiness is truly unacceptable. I am afraid that you leave me no choice but to seek out a juju curse on you if you do not comply with an immediate response!
Expect to see these two fellows shortly if you continue your manner of doing business.
Good day, sir!
Email Attachment
OK, I admit I lifted the sign off to the last email from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but Gene Wilder is just so pissed off when he tells Charlie to get the hell out of his office. It is a righteous indignation. A juju curse has just been threatened and a visit from the Insane Clown Posse was now in his future.
However, just like in the movie, I relent and soften my stance (even though no candy was returned to me). I somehow have to mend this fence between me and this scam artist. It will take the mystical healing powers of something greater than the both of us so I was left with no other choice but to summon the restorative powers of a late, great diminutive rock legend. Rock on Unicorns, Rainbows, and dudes with scepters.
Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 11:52:56 -0700 [11:52:56 AM PDT]
From: admin
To: TERRY SUTTON
Subject: RE: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
OK, OK. I realize that the last email was a little harsh, but perhaps you can understand the stress I am experiencing right now. Things are difficult here, there have been many changes lately. I guess I what I am saying is that I really need a friend.
I like to golf, go out to eat, and sit at coffee shops complaining about the government. Will you be my friend, Mr. Sutton?
XOXO
P.S. I removed the juju curse on you from the last email.
May the power of Ronnie James Dio be with you!
Email Attachment
(Monday, May 16, 2011 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of Heavy Metal giant, Ronnie James Dio.)
Aw, I couldn’t stay mad for that long. Just about an hour. What is interesting is that I finally got a reply, albeit it was just not the reply I expected. In the course of the hour between the last two emails I received this notification.
Date: 12 May 2011 17:51:08 -0000 [10:51:08 AM PDT]
From: MAILER-DAEMON@gateway09.websitewelcome.com
To: admin@realdupont.com
Subject: failure notice
Hi. This is the qmail-send program at gateway09.websitewelcome.com.
I’m afraid I wasn’t able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I’ve given up. Sorry it didn’t work out.
65.55.37.88 does not like recipient.
Remote host said: 550 Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable
Giving up on 65.55.37.88.
Oh well, that is how it goes. Net sum zero. I did not get my share of £12,000,000 but I did not lose any money either. I can’t help but think that perhaps “Terry Sutton” actually believed I was going to cast a juju curse, which you can see from the following movie is a real possibility. Mere minutes after the mention of this bad juju I get the message back from the MAILER-DAEMON. The email address provided to me was no longer valid and thus ends my odyssey with Terry.
So my experiment worked. Even email scammers do not like to have their time wasted. I am just working toward the world where everyone responds to these phishing emails and wastes some more time of these guys. It will be for their own good.
My only disappointment is I did not get back a photo involving milk, fish, loaves of bread, cucumbers, and three guys wearing skirts. For that kind of surreal nonsense I will have to rely on watching the rebroadcast of DuPont City Council meetings.
Documentary on internet scams based in Ghana.
RealDuPont TV Presents…Day 3
Posted by: | CommentsThe conclusion of Muslim Driving School, series one.
The Monumental Inertia of Change
Posted by: Mike G. | Comments (13)If you require any one piece of information that will summarize the lack of leadership in the City of DuPont, this blog post will be all that is required. Any one thing that could be saved and buried in a time capsule to be unearthed generations from now, this blog post is all that is required. Any one paragraph to cover the true nature of a town so historians and social scientists of the future could learn from the past, then this blog post is all that is required.
It is July, 2011. Mayor Jenkins is still in charge. The town council is still fossilizing before our eyes. The City Administrator is gets paid handsomely without the encumbrances of the expectation of results. And, as in every July, the subject of fireworks is discussed at the first televised DuPont Council meeting after the holiday.
It never changes. How could it? Nobody does anything beyond scratching their head; throwing their hands up in exasperation; reading email from upset citizens; or pledging to address it in the future.
I will have two Big Macs, a large french fry, an apple pie, and a Diet Coke. Nice try, council. Madam Mayor.
This year it was more of the same. This time, it was another letter writer contacting City Hall. It wasn’t me. And, it won’t matter if it was Christ himself who wrote the email. Nothing will change because the eight people sitting at the table do know how to change it even if they wanted to. Sure, there was John’s pet scientific survey they could have consulted. That wasn’t enough. And, there were past citizen’s reaching out for clarification and a solution. That wasn’t enough. There was testimony during public comment about the fires and noise and animals and anything else. That wasn’t enough. A blog post, public comment, email to city leadership, nor fire report will ever be enough to change or clarify a policy. It doesn’t even matter if the subject is different (Sign code, trees, parking). Nothing ever changes in DuPont.
Not with this bunch.
It is as if I have seen this movie before…