Prime example or spending problems

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 07:31 AM

Heard this on Stern this morning and thought, surely, this can not be true. If it were, we'd be the most ridiculous state in the nation. Upon further review, its true.

Job opening in Oregon....mental health care in Multnomah County is looking to hire someone in, no I am not making this up...Klingon. As in, the Star Trek language.

This is the dumbest thing yet. Why dont we cancel that job Req and spend the money on teachers instead.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/130/...ngon_inP.shtml

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...l=chi-news-hed

[ 05-12-2003, 08:32 AM: Message edited by: Cool Texan ]

fisheromen · 05-12-2003, 07:37 AM

Yeah, seems a little ridiculous. However, by what I heard on the radio on Friday, it doesn't actually cost the tax payer anything to have identified an interpreter, it will only cost if they actually have occasion to use them. Otherwise I'd be losing faith in government at an even faster rate than I already am! :grin:

OceanBlue · 05-12-2003, 07:56 AM

Ohmigosh! It got picked up by Chicago Trib and Boston news? What an embarrassment! :blush:

The Fishing Geek · 05-12-2003, 08:11 AM

So providing services to the mentally ill is a spending problem? As already pointed out, this is an on-call kind of thing. I'd imagine that there are some mental patients that make up their own languages, making it difficult to help them. If they can communicate through something like "Klingon" then that's at least progress.

I think that it speaks volumes for a program that is willing to go to these lengths to help people.

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 08:11 AM

Give me a break Geek.

The story is just ridiculous.

Straydog · 05-12-2003, 08:29 AM

Haven't read the story and probably wont take the time.

However, CT, you do make a good point in that on the surface it sounds rediculous. This is exactly what the likes of Springer and the other rant radio fanatics take advantage of to sell their brand of entertainment.

Take it for what it is worth, very little. Enjoy it if you do and then forget it, is my advice.

How many dollars will really be spent on this??
Are there enough dollars to be spent or saved to matter or is it just a good way to sell 'entertainment'. (that, like beauty, being at the descretion of the beholder.)

[ 05-12-2003, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

The Fishing Geek · 05-12-2003, 08:38 AM

The original story is here. What has happened is that news services have butchered the thing to take it from tongue-in-cheek to serious. A quote:

Quote:

"The county would pay a Klingon interpreter only in the unlikely case he or she was actually called into service.

'We said, "What the heck, let's throw it in,"' Jelusich says. 'It doesn't cost us any money.'

I added the emphasis at the end. So now you know....the rest of the story.

Straydog · 05-12-2003, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fishing Geek:
The original story is here. What has happened is that news services have butchered the thing to take it from tongue-in-cheek to serious. A quote:

<blockquote>quote:<hr />"The county would pay a Klingon interpreter only in the unlikely case he or she was actually called into service.

'We said, "What the heck, let's throw it in,"' Jelusich says. 'It doesn't cost us any money.'

I added the emphasis at the end. So now you know....the rest of the story. <hr /></blockquote>Thank you Geek for clearly pointing out just what the rant radio people do to sell their entertainment: take information out of context and sensationalize and capitalize. Rush Limbaugh, Larss Larson (the local shock jock, or should that be schlock jock??)and Springer are but a few of the many that are getting rich off of this type of entertainment. The harm comes when people take their misinformation and believe it as gospel and use it to further their own beliefs. I think they should have to read disclaimers every 15 minutes telling the masses that they a selling entertainment, not reporting anything that even resembles factual news.

CT,

Good thing you are not a fish.......... you seem way to eager to take a bait!! :grin:

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 09:16 AM

Stray, you show me where I cited Lars Larson (whoever that is) or Jerry Springer, and you have a point. However, when the same story is in multiple newspapers, yes, I post a link.

Taking the bait...whatever dude. Its called reading the article as it is written by the Associated Press.

[ 05-12-2003, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: Cool Texan ]

Straydog · 05-12-2003, 09:27 AM

CT,

OOpps... my mistake but only a minor one.

Stern, Springer, Larrs or Rush......... not a lot of difference in my mind.

The bait opinion holds, just the "fisher" was wrong. The bait, according to your original post was presented by Stern. Sorry to offend, but that is not the AP.

[ 05-12-2003, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Gus Orviston · 05-12-2003, 09:28 AM

Well flat out they don't know there own story, so when do you start/stop believing, read below? Now it cost nothing, unless needed? They clearly contradict themselves with (They use/They don't)
BTW: Thanks, this is way better material than any ad hominem arguement employed to minimimize a somebody's position.

Quote from the NEWs article.
****************
But, she adds, "There are some cases where we've had mental health patients where this was all they would speak."

Jelusich says that in reality, no patient has yet tried to communicate in Klingon. But the possibility that a patient could believe himself or herself to be a Klingon doesn't seem so far-fetched.

HUH?

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 09:41 AM

Stray, read my post again. I said I heard Stern talking about it on the radio. I then OBVIOUSLY looked into it when I got to work, and there it was, from the Associated Press, the article in many different papers across the country.

Nowhere did I soley quote Stern or attribute anything but the initial mention of the story to his program. What I did cite were the links to newspapers, not Stern.

Therefore, your bait reference is not supported. Unless you feel that the AP is only the mouthpiece for Stern and others like him.

Straydog · 05-12-2003, 10:05 AM

CT,
Ok, ok.
My reference to you taking the bait was wrong and a stupid thing to say. I will not let it happen again. Send me to the Arizona Home for the Rude and make me write bad checks!!! :shocked:

(fyi...... the big smiley face at the end of the post means I was kidding you but you are obviously not in the mood for any light hearted kidding

)

Please accept my heartfelt aoplogies and know that I am really hoping my short sighted insensitive commment does not cause you undo harm and stress. :blush: [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] :blush: = me.

[ 05-12-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 05-12-2003, 10:36 AM

QAPLA!

Degner · 05-12-2003, 10:38 AM

I think the idea of having a klingon interpreter is the biggest load of you know what. I also think it would well worth the entertainment value for someone to test the system.

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 10:38 AM

I'll take this issue seriously when Google offers an English to Klingon translation tool.

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 05-12-2003, 10:51 AM

Cool Texan

HIja'

http://www.pinette.net/chris/startrek/klindict.html

fish_on · 05-12-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cool Texan:
I'll take this issue seriously when Google offers an English to Klingon translation tool.

The whole thing really is kind of ridiculous but I can' help but add this link I got from a google search.

Klingon translations

And since when did Lars Larson become a "Shock Jock" like Stern, Leykis, and Springer. I guess he shocks people into not giving into the Socialism preached along the Left Coast.

[ 05-12-2003, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: fish_on ]

Degner · 05-12-2003, 12:41 PM

If I learn Romulan can I get a government paycheck?

If not I'll sue over discrimination.

Hoosier Daddy · 05-12-2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Fishing Geek:
If it weren't for the folks in the television and the radio talking to me I wouldn't know what to think. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

Funny, I think the same thing about the voices in my head.....

trap50 · 05-12-2003, 03:02 PM

I work at the State Hospital. We had a person that had to have OREGON SMOKED canned salmon.They got it. You'd swear we were running a specialty store by some of the items they buy.

Cool Texan · 05-12-2003, 03:13 PM

I'm crazy too...I need a Porsche. Have Oregon drop it off in my driveway.

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Straydog · 05-12-2003, 07:30 PM

It is a county measure, nothing to do with Oregon buying anything.

Schlock Jock Larson made it a mainstay of his Schlock Jock radio show today. What a waste of air waves.

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Spoiled Daddy · 05-12-2003, 11:14 PM

*** CLERK,

"QAPLA!" I think I know what you were trying to say, but you had better what out for the Geek. If he figures it out, you could get edited!!!

AYPTWE to you! SD :shocked:

The Fishing Geek · 05-12-2003, 11:18 PM

If it weren't for the folks in the television and the radio talking to me I wouldn't know what to think.

[img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

trap50 · 05-13-2003, 02:34 AM

Stray
You don't see a problem buyiny OREGON SMOKED salmon? Weather it be county or State? wow!!

Straydog · 05-13-2003, 05:01 AM

Trap,

I didn't say I see it as a problem or not as a problem.

Actually, I think it is pretty dumb as well as listing Klingon as a language to have to be dealt with but, a "problem"? Yea, I suppose it could classify as a problem.

I just had a case of gout, that was a problem too but I lived with it and moved on as it really did not create a significant alteration to my daily life, just as Klingon and OREGON SMOKED Salmon does not either, I am betting.

Of a 5 some billion dollar state budget, how much did the hospital have to spend on this guys OREGON SMOKED salmon?

My guess is we waste more on employees collecting sick leave and using it for vacation in a month than we probably did on this guys salmon in a year. It's all relative.

But, if it makes you feel better, yea, it was a problem. Kind of like this danged hang nail that is bugging me this morning........

[ 05-13-2003, 06:22 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

lost_sailor · 05-13-2003, 07:21 AM

This is an excellent example of how reality changes into radio reality.

On a job announcement, the agency listed "Klingon" among dozens of languages that their clients might speak. These are mental health professionals, and as Klingon is actually a language, and some people can speak it, whether you think that's cool or not, they listed it.

By the time it gets to "talk" radio, it's "Wanted: full time Klingon translator for cushy state agency. $5,000 a month and tons of free bennies."

Straydog · 05-13-2003, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lost_sailor:
This is an excellent example of how reality changes into radio reality.

On a job announcement, the agency listed "Klingon" among dozens of languages that their clients might speak. These are mental health professionals, and as Klingon is actually a language, and some people can speak it, whether you think that's cool or not, they listed it.

By the time it gets to "talk" radio, it's "Wanted: full time Klingon translator for cushy state agency. $5,000 a month and tons of free bennies."

And similar lies are broadcast to millions everyday and a whole lot of minions believe every word of them........

[ 05-13-2003, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]