If your mind is too open, your brain will fall out. Warning: Names, identities, descriptions, and pictures have been changed and/or used to protect the innocent as well as the guilty. PollyPeoria should not be used or quoted as a source for your senior college thesis.

Wednesday, November 30

I KNEW there had to be a reason.

Of course, it's STUPID. I asked people to e-mail me if they knew why the editorialists at Peoria Journal Star despise the Fire Department SO much. I asked why these fine journalists continue to advocate Fire Department budget cuts when every consultant the City hired stated fire protection is not up to snuff in the older areas of town.

TWENTY TWO (a new daily record) e-mails later, I know. Many of the e-mails were from elected officials, including more than a few on the City Council. Interestingly enough, the reason does not vary - AT ALL.

The abbreviated version: Years ago, Associate Editor Shelley Epstein got his "clock cleaned" by a Fire Chief. Apparently, Epstein has had a chip on his shoulder ever since.

Hey! Shell! GROW THE FUCK UP!!! (Polly doesn't like profanity, but at times it is necessary.) Has 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina taught you nothing about how dependent we mere mortals are on emergency service personnel when the chips are down? I know you. I know your physique. You are more screwed than most of us should fleeing become necessary. Moreover, if you do need to flee, there is a very good chance your rotund ass could suffer a heart attack and you might be happy to have your friendly firefighter (who will be there, on average, three minutes sooner than AMT) be able to do more than pat your head and give you last rights.

Put down the male ego, pick up a pen, and use your brain to support those who will support you, whether they want to or not.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

NOT a Fire Chief, but a Past (I Think)President of the Peoria Firefighters Union. He might have been a current, but I believe the "Clock Cleaner" had left the UNION leadership position

Anonymous said...

I refuse to beleive that a journalist could be a big fat sloppy pig. Next your going to tell me that my elected officials arenot honest.

Anonymous said...

Did it ever occur to you that maybe the fire fighters are feuding with Epstein because he advocates a slimmer budget, not the other way around?

pollypeoria said...

Anonymous - Did it ever occur to you that I most certainly did consider the possibility you mentioned, but dismissed it upon learning numerous consultants have clearly stated our older neighborhoods are in jeporardy due to shortage of fire fighting equipment and personell. (BTW: It helps if you can read more than every OTHER word. Take your time, sound things out. Perhaps you want to try Hooked on Phonics.)

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