Thanks for your kind words. The two cats are still wary of each other. They give each other some distance, but there's been no aggression by Bowtie, our young boy. Elsie is petite and older, but acts wisely dealing with a "young adult" in the room. I hope they'll become closer in time.
Phew, so glad that beautiful Bowtie turned up. We always fear the worst if our scaredy-cat doesn't come home at the expected time or when we call her. She won't stay in the house if strangers visit, or even if the doorbell rings (friends know just to come on in).
I hope Elsie has settled in and Bowtie doesn't blame her for the disruption. ❤️🕊️,Dx
I'm glad Bowtie isn't the only "scaredy-cat" out there. Don't tell him he's one because he thinks he's a tough guy in that tuxedo he wears! The two of them seem to be settling in fairly well, but I think he's still not sure whether or not she's a permanent addition. She likes to hide a lot and it's been fun trying to figure out where she's napping most days.
When Century Link put in the TV roof dish, they left a hole in the roof. They ssy they are not liable and refused to fix it! Isn't that a real capitalist trick? It finally started leaking into the master bedroom. Another expense of poor service.
If we did this we'd get sued and have to pay an attorney. The rich count on this high cost to deter lawsuits. We also used to trap and spay ferel kitties. 🐈
Yikes! They left a hole in the roof? That is negligence on their part, but yeah, of course they're going to deny any wrongdoing. To admit you made a mistake just isn't in the capitalist's lexicon. No, they're perfect and YOU are the one that has caused all the trouble. More proof of the insanity and cruelty of our corrupt system!
I think AI probably already has taken over customer service. I know lots of ex-customer service workers who got burnt out and left those gigs, so I can imagine that corporations haven't rushed out to hire real humans who'd demand pay and benefits when they can employ AI 'bots instead. Sociopaths employing sociopathic computer programs--what could go wrong, right?
You’ve shattered a couple of my geographical stereotypes. I think of people from Ohio as being “wholesome” and having traditional Christian values and courteous behavior. Clearly that doesn’t apply to everyone there. With each paragraph of your article, I felt increasing frustration and wondered what I would do in your situation. With each passing decade, it seems that “customer service” is getting worse. Given my Boomer generation identity, I remember when you could call a company and get a live person right away. Now it’s even a challenge finding what number to call because it’s not always on company websites. And it’s good to know that your former Texas town had efficient public services. After that power grid catastrophe in Texas a few years, that added to my negative view of the Republic of Texas. Anyway, I guess politicians now think they need only pay attention to the needs of big donors, whether it’s local matters or foreign policy. Shameful!
Your cats are adorable and your garden grass looks lush and lovely. I hope the felines and flora bring you joy in these difficult times.
Our cats and garden do bring us a lot of joy (and exercise), so that is something we are grateful for.
Yeah, the stereotypes that most of us have about other parts of the US are probably way off the mark. Ohioans run the gamut. I think you can find both nice people and real a-holes here, but I believe our current stressful lives (made that way by our corrupt capitalist system) has brought out the worse in lots of people. I just wish we could rid ourselves of this dog-eat-dog lifestyle and build a happier, healthier and saner one for all Americans.
Making our utilities truly public utilities might be a good start. This week, the COVID regulations that prevented the local water department from turning off people's water service for lack of payment expired, so a lot of people are going to find themselves without water during a terrible heatwave. Really nice of the city!
I did enjoy living in Texas--the folks there are friendly--but the electric grid wasn't the greatest back in the 1980-90s when I lived there. Nowadays it's probably gotten much worse. Brown-outs are to be expected, and Texans take them in stride (or at least they used to).
Typical corporate American arrogance. They can run roughshod over ordinary citizens and their property and never have to account for their actions. I hope the kitties are okay!
UPDATE: "Kyle" from the mayor's office finally called us back (2 weeks later) and left a voice mail saying to "call me back at this number or the direct mayor's number." I called back at the number his call came from--"Sorry this number is no longer in service or is disconnected." What a joke! I went to the city's web site and there is no "mayor's number"! HAHAHA! I did a search online and found the phone number for the mayor of Toledo, Spain. Insane, isn't it? Finally, I got the search narrowed and found a web site that was more than a decade old that had a direct mayor's phone number... I called it and found that it actually works. HOWEVER, they don't answer and it sends you in an automated circle back to Engage Toledo, the customer service answering concern that just never gets your message through... I kept trying the "direct" number and finally got an answering machine and left a message for "Kyle" (who thought I was calling about a "fence company"). Keep it tuned here for more merriment and gaffes of our so-called "elected representatives"!
"Kyle" returned my voice mail. He kept saying how it's not the city's problem and they're "helpless" because the state of Ohio says that "public utilities" must have access to all poles (or underground wires in our case) and can do whatever they deem necessary to access them. I had a long talk with him and tried to get him to THINK for himself. He did admit that he was a cat owner, and he gave me the State Revised Code 4931.03 that says how private corporations are allowed to go on your property to get to their cables/lines. There's nothing in the law that says that have to inform you beforehand that they're going onto your property, either.
I now have the address to write a certified letter with all the evidence and documentation to register a complaint with AT&T. Yeah, the mayor isn't going to go to bat for us, his constituents! (And I know that our state reps would act just as cowardly.) Is this exercise worth it, do you think? It's time, effort and money that I think will essentially go no where. What if AT&T tried to sue me back? They won't get much, but they'd leave us and the cats homeless. Capitalists are truly without morals.
It's all very well claiming they don't need permission to go on your property but that doesn't give them the right to trash your fence and you could at least have been informed in advance. As an absolute minimum they should apologise and pay for the repairs - plus an extra payment (in cat treats?) for the inconvenience caused. Would they really risk the adverse publicity if they tried to sue you?
Also I'm totally with you on the public / not-for-profit ownership of all essential utilities (including healthcare and public transport). Here in Scotland water and sewage services weren't privatised so the situation isn't as badas in England where shareholders got their dividends and infrastructure is falling apart.
The horror stories I hear about privatized utilities in England really makes me worried about my relatives there. My British husband thinks the NHS will soon be privatized as well. Capitalists think they can do no wrong, and we have to bow to their commands. It's why we have to tear down this corrupt system if we ever want to have any chance of democracy.
If this happened on my property, I believe I’d be performing a little act called “sabotage”. Nope, that shit AIN’T crossin’ my property line. You have not got my permission.
If you’d have known in advance, you could have placed “No Tresspassing” signs and there wouldn’t have been a goddamn thing they could they could have done about it ( at least that’s how it works in Michigan.) If I have that sign, even police cannot come onto my property.
That being said, Cindy, I am overjoyed that you found your other-than-human family member. I have eight cats that I’m extremely protective of, and yes, they’re allowed outdoors to explore our farm. They stick to our property, but if anyone harmed one of them, it would be the LAST THING THEY WOULD EVER DO.
Question: are they liable for repairing your fence? I’m boiling mad for you right now.
We actually have a "No Trespassing" sign on the back fence area, but they probably didn't see it (or cared). Most of the digging workers spoke Spanish from what I could hear, so they might not be able to read English anyway. But I did think that AT&T and their contractors had to at least leave a note on your door if they were in the area and doing such disruptive work. We got a "door hanger" about 2 hours after Bowtie got out from the foreman. Obviously, ATT&T doesn't check out their sub-contractors and they don't train their workers very well.
My husband has "fixed" the fence as best he can, but we've found some other holes in it that Bowtie got out yesterday morning in the 100 degrees+ heat wave. Luckily he got thirsty and came back in, but he's staying in today. We're too old to be out in that heat!
" We are entitled to have our questions answered and to be treated with common courtesy no matter where we live"
This line caught my eye, I`d really like to hear why you think you are so entitled. Not being a citizen of the Empire myself, I`ve can`t recall ever thinking I was "entitled" to anything, regardless where I lived, and I have lived in a fair number of countries.
If you wish to blame capitalism for dishonoring you , for not having courtesy to give you advance notice of their actions, perhaps it might help some of your fellow citizens understand how Iranians feel, because lets be honest, few Americans can relate nor care about Iran , that the AT&T ( American Terrorist & torture Corporation ) just showed up one day and starting dropping bombs on Iranian cats
I say that everyone is entitled to common courtesy because all human beings are "Children of God" and, therefore, are equals and entitled to courtesy and kindness. This, of course, is not part of the philosophy of capitalism, so it's always been difficult for those of us who profess these beliefs to deal with capitalists. And you're right that there are many American capitalists who have no feeling for the war crimes they commit against others, such as Palestinians and Iranians. Fortunately, there are still large numbers of Americans who are horrified by the actions of our government, and this horror is what drives us to want to tear it down and re-build another one to create a more egalitarian and just society.
Thank you for your reply. I trust that your noble wish comes from a good place, a kind-hearted soul. Though it may seem insignificant to many, but the product of our perspective differs greatly, for our respective lenses, through which we observe and perceive this world, have been shaped and polished by different hands of circumstance. It’s visible in our choice of language and our understanding of cause and effect.
In your words, you convey a perspective that all are "entitled" to courtesy and kindness, that all are children of a divine being. But what of the perspective that all have an "obligation" to treat others with dignity, and that we are all siblings?
Is your prospective of entailment be rooted in that evil which is deeply entrenched in the doctrine of the faiths, enshrined the constitution of empire, its practiced in every institution and corporation, does it not all stem from a philosophy of superiority?
Capitalism is simply the means , the system in which we make commodity everything, a system where those who can extract more wealth are afforded preferential courtesy. That those born in a particular location on this planet are entitled to "Certain Unalienable Rights."
Nowhere else on this planet have I witnessed more contradictions, more hypocrisy, than in that land between the two great oceans. You see it even before you arrive, for the airship that transports you to the empire is itself a vessel of commodified inequality. The queuing, the seating, the food, the entertainment and, of course, the courtesy. We will never see videos of first-class or business-class passengers being forcibly removed when a flight is oversold.
From my window-seat perspective, I have seen the many divided, commodified dwellings of the Empire`s populace: the affluent with their river, lake, and ocean-side mansions; the privileged class in the suburbs with their meandering curved roadways, manicured lawns, and the blue waters of their private backyard swimming pools, neatly surrounded by golf courses, dog parks, and cycling paths. And then you see the older neighborhoods. tiny homes tightly packed side by side, with no swimming pools, and only sporadic patches of green they call parks, where the homeless dwell.
How do the children of God grapple with the contradictions between their faith’s teachings and the realities they’ve constructed? How can they believe in their inherited entitlements when their Bible teaches that one must give before receiving, that courtesy, dignity, and respect are expected before it`s granted in return? How is it so many can not comprehend that these things must be given first? So many people are looking for someone to love them, when will they learn that love is but a reflection.
The Bible also teaches that you reap what you sow. So if, between these two great oceans, in the land of plenty you have more homeless, more prisoners, more millionaires and billionaires than any other nation on the planet, I am not surprised at how you treat the rest of the world. For if you treat your fellow countrymen with so little care is it any wonder that your countryman so employed by agencies and corporations treat their own countrymen with so little courtesy?
Your last sentence sums it up well--Americans don't always treat each others as "siblings" or equals and this is reflected in both domestic and foreign policy choices. We're told we're supposed to treat each other as equals, and the law is supposed to make everyone live on an equal basis, but in reality it doesn't work that way. Maybe it was supposed to, but those ideals have been killed off over time. Those with the money have become "more equal" and more powerful than the vast majority of us who are just scraping by today.
There are so many contradictions between the way we have been raised (either in a church or other religion or no religion at all) to be kind, considerate and treat each other fairly and with respect, and the system that we're forced to live under--capitalism/oligarchy. Some Americans won't give up--they'll fight the corrupt system (or at least attempt to), but the vast majority just "keep their heads down" and pretend like everything is okay so that no one in power will hurt them or their loved ones. We're not living in the land of "freedom and democracy" so much as "fear and apathy."
Fifty years ago you would expect--and receive--polite treatment from American businesspersons and politicians alike, but I think since the Nixon/Watergate/Reagan era all pretense of politeness and fair play has been eliminated. It's just not "profitable" any more to keep pretending we're all equals. Who gives a damn what the "poor" want or need? Better to keep everything for those at the "top" who can afford it.
Fascism uses fear to keep the workers in their place. When many Americans just recently started saying things like "Trump is acting like a King! He's a fascist!" I just have to shake my head. Where have they been for the past 249 years? Just because we don't label our leaders "kings" doesn't mean that they haven't, for all intents and purposes, been acting just like kings, and we the workers are disposable serfs.
Was it the Kent State shootings in 1970, when the Ohio National Guard gunned down four unarmed students and wounded nine others? Was it 1981, when Reagan fired thousands of striking air traffic controllers, sending a message that labor had no power? Was it when Obama shrugged and said, “Let it play out,” effectively giving the green light for authorities to brutalize Dakota Pipeline protestors? Or was it Hillary Clinton’s smug dismissal“Basket of Deplorables” that revealed just how deep the contempt runs for the common people?
Maybe it wasn’t one event, but a slow-motion collapse. A death by a thousand cuts. And with each wound, another poisoned band-aid was slapped on numbing the pain, normalizing the decay. Rights eroded. Morality blurred. Justice diluted. And our shared humanity, steadily diminished.
What frightens me most is that the public may already be too far gone, too distracted, too drugged, too disinformation, too disillusioned, and far too indebted to rise up. how do we gain strength tin numbers , when we are too divided?
Still, I thank you. Knowing that someone, somewhere, shares some similar concerns brings a some solace. But I can’t help but wonder: will these dialogues in our little digital bubble ever translate into anything real?
I'd say it was a "slow-motion collapse." It happened bit by bit so subtly that no one knew what was happening until it was too late. Or maybe that's just an excuse for our own laziness and apathy? It is frightening to think that we might never have the 3% (or whatever the magic percentage is needed) to rise up and overturn the corrupt system. I have to keep some hope alive that this "digital bubble" will awaken enough people to the truth, and we will have a chance of creating a better world for all of us. It's up to us--we have to be our own heroes.
I’ve always been skeptical of Musk, but it was promising when he allowed journalists to investigate just how deep the tentacles of government agencies had reached—manipulating the algorithm, shadow banning, and deleting accounts on Twitter.
Substack, too, seemed promising. But look at where we are now. Our supposed champions of free speech, the brilliant intellectuals, the independent journalists we Liked, Shared, and Elevated on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube—how many of them are now oblivious to their own hypocrisy?
Look how many have decided that we must "pay to have a say". If you have time, I would truly appreciate your thoughts on this post of mine. It’s difficult for me to express just how disappointed I am with so many of the people I once admired.
There was a time when publicly-owned local utilities was the norm. Thank God, we still have one in my city for trash pick-up, street maintenance, water and sewage. The loss of our utilities to price-gouging corporate monsters began with Carter, Reagan and Clinton -- completely bipartisan. As with all else in this nation, the people are abandoned and the corporate machine is deified above the public good and logic.
I miss living in a small city in Texas that had public trash pick up, water and sewage, etc. It was well run and they were quite open to questions and complaint. They may have been in the minority at that time, but it was nice while we had it.
Our local utility is also responsive. It's not like calling some corporate "help line" in India. When you may see the person who called in at the local restaurant or your kid's school basketball game, you listen, pay attention and respond.
Corporations are not "people"! They're certainly not superior to one of nature's beautiful animals. Your illustration proves that we really need to rid ourselves of this corrupt capitalist system. The sooner the better so start building those cat-shaped guillotines today!
"probably feels pretty confident I can’t afford to take any legal action against them and that I have zero connections with powerful people who could do so on my behalf."
Right there's the key bit of prose in your piece, Cindy. But, "them" encompasses more than just corporate America. I believe that your (and my) city government must be part of this rap sheet. My beef is with a neighbor behind me who's built a second house on his property, three feet from the property line, violating city ordinances. But he has approval documents. How? Corruption obviously. Read: payola, Bribery -- saying it, without mollifying language.
Getting a lawyer and fighting a corrupt city agency has about as much of a chance as a battle with a stable of corporate scumbag attorneys. Federal, State, City, Local: Government in the US is eminently corruptible at all levels. A byproduct of the system you so pointedly and rightfully attack in this post. Can't separate the two.
Wow--within 3 feet of the property line? Yeah, obviously our local "elected representatives" don't care a whit about us if we aren't writing them or their political party large donation checks. It's frustrating, but we can make them uncomfortable and let them know that we aren't happy about our shabby treatment and that we expect better from them in the future. But I'm beginning to truly believe it's time to tear it down COMPLETELY, because the corruption is way too deep and there's no redemption for anyone left who is owned by this corrupt system. Power to the people!
I have to agree -- because I have gotten entangled with this city's govt., up close and personal, as an expert witness representing a citizen group, during its Dept. of Health's (DOH) transition from only Medical Cannabis to recreational. Not to get detailed, but although the DOH's Medical Advisory group of MDs fully agreed w/ our group's proposal to protect medical patients, the proposal went into the rubbish bin nonetheless. Reason and rationality, scientific or otherwise, have come to mean next to nothing. So I cannot disagree with your sentiment about tearing it down completely -- because I am not rich. Money makes the world go 'round is the first of the commandments, and forget "thou shalt not kill" entirely.
I’m happy that Bowtie is home and safe! I’m a cat person, and I’m so happy that cat was okay!
On the other hand, I am sick and tired of public corporations (like AT&T) constantly treating the public like trash. Whether it’s charging outrageous fees, hiding behind automated systems, offshoring support while slashing jobs at home, or funding politicians who actively work against the public interest—these corporations show time and again that their bottom line matters more than human dignity.
It’s frustrating that we live in a world where we have to fight tooth and nail just to get basic service or accountability from companies that profit off of our dependence to those services.
Thanks! I knew my fellow cat people would understand the hell we went through. :-)
It really is a dystopian nightmare to realize how much for-profit corporations control our day to day existence in the US... And if they abuse us and use us, we have no recourse to take against them to stop the abuse other than file an expensive lawsuit (that we'd probably lose) against the billion-dollar corporation. Why are they "public" utilities if the public has no real rights and can only be recompensed for damages by suing and paying private lawyers?
Sorry you had to deal with such shitbags, but I am glad he is home. I remember the stress when my cat got lost once. I was in tears. She was stressed, too. But she made it home as well.
I'm happy Bowtie is home and safe 🤗 I'm a cat person so I definitely cared about how that worked out. Please, no more outdoors for your cats. It's way too dangerous and unhealthy for them. It's like letting toddlers outside unattended.
I have a suggestion for AT&T. Contact your state board of public utilities (BPU). They're a regulatory agency. Don't lead your complaint with "I'm not a customer but..." Don't even discuss that at all unless asked. You will probably need to file a written complaint to get action. Utilities don't like being turned in. Also you might be able to get help from legal aide or other nonprofit legal assistance groups. You'd be surprised. I'm not sure if you have 211 assistance, if so, call them for help too. I'm sure there's ways to make good trouble for AT&T. BTW, have you called their corporate offices yet? They may not help you but they won't like "people" bothering them 😉 Good luck and have fun... Reall6, have fun at their expense. Make them a hobby 🙂
I did contact our "Public Utilities Commission" and they just had AT&T call me and upset me even more! I have an address to write to AT&T's "Office for Dispute Resolution" stating our complaint with evidence documenting what damages they did, but I'm sort of wondering is it worth 1.) our time and effort and 2.) the money to mail this letter by certified mail. I really hate dealing with corporations in general, but do I dare embarrass AT&T by hoping to get #ATTHatesOurCat trending? (hint, hint!)
Two things you possibly don't get: AT & T does not hate your cat. It does not hate, love, or care about anything or any one. It is a corporations, not a person or a sentient being--but a machine. The programming of a corporation is to maximize profits.. Like any machine, it will follow its programming as long as it has fuel. Yes, the decisionmakers and spokespeople of corporations are human, but in their work roles they are cogs of a machine, and they understand that if they make decisions on any basis that reduces profits they'll be tossed like any other defective component. Corporations have always treated their employees with contempt, but it was only about 20 years ago that they realized they could treat their customers with contempt as well--because they all do. You can boycott AT &T, but if you need their service and get it from a competitor--if that's even possible--will they treat you with any more respect?
And as far as elected officials and democracy--since they managed to redefine democracy from "the people rule" to "regular elections,", and a series of SCOTUS decisions removed all meaningful limits of campaign money, and the Republicrats and Demublicans realized they had a cushy scam going as long as they collaborate while pretending to fight...there is no democracy round here.
Oh, yeah I get it--corporations/CEOs don't "hate" us because we are absolutely nothing in their eyes and why would they bother? But it's much catchier to write a headline with the words "hate" and "cat" in it since it grabs the average reader's attention and possibly gets them thinking. More Americans need to learn that there is "no democracy 'round here" as you so wisely say. We're on our own against the corrupt "machine" and its demise can't come soon enough.
Can't come soon enough even though its demise will likely come through some kind of collapse that will weak havoc, kill lots of people most likely, cause a lot of suffering and chaos--but STILL be better than the default, which is almost certainly the same collapse happening later after more ecological and social damage is done.
So happy Bowtie is home, how do the two get along?
I love your follow through here and insightful lesson on how to show up when it matters! Thanks for sharing ❤️🇵🇸
Thanks for your kind words. The two cats are still wary of each other. They give each other some distance, but there's been no aggression by Bowtie, our young boy. Elsie is petite and older, but acts wisely dealing with a "young adult" in the room. I hope they'll become closer in time.
Elsie must have experience. Thank goodness BowTie didn’t go far. ATT not to be trusted 🐈⬛
Phew, so glad that beautiful Bowtie turned up. We always fear the worst if our scaredy-cat doesn't come home at the expected time or when we call her. She won't stay in the house if strangers visit, or even if the doorbell rings (friends know just to come on in).
I hope Elsie has settled in and Bowtie doesn't blame her for the disruption. ❤️🕊️,Dx
I'm glad Bowtie isn't the only "scaredy-cat" out there. Don't tell him he's one because he thinks he's a tough guy in that tuxedo he wears! The two of them seem to be settling in fairly well, but I think he's still not sure whether or not she's a permanent addition. She likes to hide a lot and it's been fun trying to figure out where she's napping most days.
Wow! I've also noted how "customer service" has gone downhill for years.
It has been going downhill. Maybe AI will improve it? Or not.
I don't like the bots much. Also, I like animals. I just don't have any in my home. Glad your kitty is OK.
I'm with you on the 'bots and the animals. A good way to interact with animals/pets is to volunteer with an animal shelter. That's where we met Elsie.
Very good, except for your property damage.
My story:
When Century Link put in the TV roof dish, they left a hole in the roof. They ssy they are not liable and refused to fix it! Isn't that a real capitalist trick? It finally started leaking into the master bedroom. Another expense of poor service.
If we did this we'd get sued and have to pay an attorney. The rich count on this high cost to deter lawsuits. We also used to trap and spay ferel kitties. 🐈
Thanks for taking care of the feral kitties. :-)
Yikes! They left a hole in the roof? That is negligence on their part, but yeah, of course they're going to deny any wrongdoing. To admit you made a mistake just isn't in the capitalist's lexicon. No, they're perfect and YOU are the one that has caused all the trouble. More proof of the insanity and cruelty of our corrupt system!
Absolutely 💯
Just wait until AI takes over Customer Service!
I think AI probably already has taken over customer service. I know lots of ex-customer service workers who got burnt out and left those gigs, so I can imagine that corporations haven't rushed out to hire real humans who'd demand pay and benefits when they can employ AI 'bots instead. Sociopaths employing sociopathic computer programs--what could go wrong, right?
Absolutely everything!
You’ve shattered a couple of my geographical stereotypes. I think of people from Ohio as being “wholesome” and having traditional Christian values and courteous behavior. Clearly that doesn’t apply to everyone there. With each paragraph of your article, I felt increasing frustration and wondered what I would do in your situation. With each passing decade, it seems that “customer service” is getting worse. Given my Boomer generation identity, I remember when you could call a company and get a live person right away. Now it’s even a challenge finding what number to call because it’s not always on company websites. And it’s good to know that your former Texas town had efficient public services. After that power grid catastrophe in Texas a few years, that added to my negative view of the Republic of Texas. Anyway, I guess politicians now think they need only pay attention to the needs of big donors, whether it’s local matters or foreign policy. Shameful!
Your cats are adorable and your garden grass looks lush and lovely. I hope the felines and flora bring you joy in these difficult times.
Our cats and garden do bring us a lot of joy (and exercise), so that is something we are grateful for.
Yeah, the stereotypes that most of us have about other parts of the US are probably way off the mark. Ohioans run the gamut. I think you can find both nice people and real a-holes here, but I believe our current stressful lives (made that way by our corrupt capitalist system) has brought out the worse in lots of people. I just wish we could rid ourselves of this dog-eat-dog lifestyle and build a happier, healthier and saner one for all Americans.
Making our utilities truly public utilities might be a good start. This week, the COVID regulations that prevented the local water department from turning off people's water service for lack of payment expired, so a lot of people are going to find themselves without water during a terrible heatwave. Really nice of the city!
I did enjoy living in Texas--the folks there are friendly--but the electric grid wasn't the greatest back in the 1980-90s when I lived there. Nowadays it's probably gotten much worse. Brown-outs are to be expected, and Texans take them in stride (or at least they used to).
Typical corporate American arrogance. They can run roughshod over ordinary citizens and their property and never have to account for their actions. I hope the kitties are okay!
They are--and trying to stay cool in this heat wave.
It is arrogance. And it's time we take out the "bullies" and put the people in charge.
UPDATE: "Kyle" from the mayor's office finally called us back (2 weeks later) and left a voice mail saying to "call me back at this number or the direct mayor's number." I called back at the number his call came from--"Sorry this number is no longer in service or is disconnected." What a joke! I went to the city's web site and there is no "mayor's number"! HAHAHA! I did a search online and found the phone number for the mayor of Toledo, Spain. Insane, isn't it? Finally, I got the search narrowed and found a web site that was more than a decade old that had a direct mayor's phone number... I called it and found that it actually works. HOWEVER, they don't answer and it sends you in an automated circle back to Engage Toledo, the customer service answering concern that just never gets your message through... I kept trying the "direct" number and finally got an answering machine and left a message for "Kyle" (who thought I was calling about a "fence company"). Keep it tuned here for more merriment and gaffes of our so-called "elected representatives"!
"Kyle" returned my voice mail. He kept saying how it's not the city's problem and they're "helpless" because the state of Ohio says that "public utilities" must have access to all poles (or underground wires in our case) and can do whatever they deem necessary to access them. I had a long talk with him and tried to get him to THINK for himself. He did admit that he was a cat owner, and he gave me the State Revised Code 4931.03 that says how private corporations are allowed to go on your property to get to their cables/lines. There's nothing in the law that says that have to inform you beforehand that they're going onto your property, either.
I now have the address to write a certified letter with all the evidence and documentation to register a complaint with AT&T. Yeah, the mayor isn't going to go to bat for us, his constituents! (And I know that our state reps would act just as cowardly.) Is this exercise worth it, do you think? It's time, effort and money that I think will essentially go no where. What if AT&T tried to sue me back? They won't get much, but they'd leave us and the cats homeless. Capitalists are truly without morals.
It's all very well claiming they don't need permission to go on your property but that doesn't give them the right to trash your fence and you could at least have been informed in advance. As an absolute minimum they should apologise and pay for the repairs - plus an extra payment (in cat treats?) for the inconvenience caused. Would they really risk the adverse publicity if they tried to sue you?
Also I'm totally with you on the public / not-for-profit ownership of all essential utilities (including healthcare and public transport). Here in Scotland water and sewage services weren't privatised so the situation isn't as badas in England where shareholders got their dividends and infrastructure is falling apart.
The horror stories I hear about privatized utilities in England really makes me worried about my relatives there. My British husband thinks the NHS will soon be privatized as well. Capitalists think they can do no wrong, and we have to bow to their commands. It's why we have to tear down this corrupt system if we ever want to have any chance of democracy.
The word "capitalist" should be defined as "an individual without morals who would sell their grandparents if it made them profits."
Agreed.
FUCK AT&T CINDY! Glad I have no truck with them.
If this happened on my property, I believe I’d be performing a little act called “sabotage”. Nope, that shit AIN’T crossin’ my property line. You have not got my permission.
If you’d have known in advance, you could have placed “No Tresspassing” signs and there wouldn’t have been a goddamn thing they could they could have done about it ( at least that’s how it works in Michigan.) If I have that sign, even police cannot come onto my property.
That being said, Cindy, I am overjoyed that you found your other-than-human family member. I have eight cats that I’m extremely protective of, and yes, they’re allowed outdoors to explore our farm. They stick to our property, but if anyone harmed one of them, it would be the LAST THING THEY WOULD EVER DO.
Question: are they liable for repairing your fence? I’m boiling mad for you right now.
We actually have a "No Trespassing" sign on the back fence area, but they probably didn't see it (or cared). Most of the digging workers spoke Spanish from what I could hear, so they might not be able to read English anyway. But I did think that AT&T and their contractors had to at least leave a note on your door if they were in the area and doing such disruptive work. We got a "door hanger" about 2 hours after Bowtie got out from the foreman. Obviously, ATT&T doesn't check out their sub-contractors and they don't train their workers very well.
My husband has "fixed" the fence as best he can, but we've found some other holes in it that Bowtie got out yesterday morning in the 100 degrees+ heat wave. Luckily he got thirsty and came back in, but he's staying in today. We're too old to be out in that heat!
" We are entitled to have our questions answered and to be treated with common courtesy no matter where we live"
This line caught my eye, I`d really like to hear why you think you are so entitled. Not being a citizen of the Empire myself, I`ve can`t recall ever thinking I was "entitled" to anything, regardless where I lived, and I have lived in a fair number of countries.
If you wish to blame capitalism for dishonoring you , for not having courtesy to give you advance notice of their actions, perhaps it might help some of your fellow citizens understand how Iranians feel, because lets be honest, few Americans can relate nor care about Iran , that the AT&T ( American Terrorist & torture Corporation ) just showed up one day and starting dropping bombs on Iranian cats
I say that everyone is entitled to common courtesy because all human beings are "Children of God" and, therefore, are equals and entitled to courtesy and kindness. This, of course, is not part of the philosophy of capitalism, so it's always been difficult for those of us who profess these beliefs to deal with capitalists. And you're right that there are many American capitalists who have no feeling for the war crimes they commit against others, such as Palestinians and Iranians. Fortunately, there are still large numbers of Americans who are horrified by the actions of our government, and this horror is what drives us to want to tear it down and re-build another one to create a more egalitarian and just society.
Thank you for your reply. I trust that your noble wish comes from a good place, a kind-hearted soul. Though it may seem insignificant to many, but the product of our perspective differs greatly, for our respective lenses, through which we observe and perceive this world, have been shaped and polished by different hands of circumstance. It’s visible in our choice of language and our understanding of cause and effect.
In your words, you convey a perspective that all are "entitled" to courtesy and kindness, that all are children of a divine being. But what of the perspective that all have an "obligation" to treat others with dignity, and that we are all siblings?
Is your prospective of entailment be rooted in that evil which is deeply entrenched in the doctrine of the faiths, enshrined the constitution of empire, its practiced in every institution and corporation, does it not all stem from a philosophy of superiority?
Capitalism is simply the means , the system in which we make commodity everything, a system where those who can extract more wealth are afforded preferential courtesy. That those born in a particular location on this planet are entitled to "Certain Unalienable Rights."
Nowhere else on this planet have I witnessed more contradictions, more hypocrisy, than in that land between the two great oceans. You see it even before you arrive, for the airship that transports you to the empire is itself a vessel of commodified inequality. The queuing, the seating, the food, the entertainment and, of course, the courtesy. We will never see videos of first-class or business-class passengers being forcibly removed when a flight is oversold.
From my window-seat perspective, I have seen the many divided, commodified dwellings of the Empire`s populace: the affluent with their river, lake, and ocean-side mansions; the privileged class in the suburbs with their meandering curved roadways, manicured lawns, and the blue waters of their private backyard swimming pools, neatly surrounded by golf courses, dog parks, and cycling paths. And then you see the older neighborhoods. tiny homes tightly packed side by side, with no swimming pools, and only sporadic patches of green they call parks, where the homeless dwell.
How do the children of God grapple with the contradictions between their faith’s teachings and the realities they’ve constructed? How can they believe in their inherited entitlements when their Bible teaches that one must give before receiving, that courtesy, dignity, and respect are expected before it`s granted in return? How is it so many can not comprehend that these things must be given first? So many people are looking for someone to love them, when will they learn that love is but a reflection.
The Bible also teaches that you reap what you sow. So if, between these two great oceans, in the land of plenty you have more homeless, more prisoners, more millionaires and billionaires than any other nation on the planet, I am not surprised at how you treat the rest of the world. For if you treat your fellow countrymen with so little care is it any wonder that your countryman so employed by agencies and corporations treat their own countrymen with so little courtesy?
Your last sentence sums it up well--Americans don't always treat each others as "siblings" or equals and this is reflected in both domestic and foreign policy choices. We're told we're supposed to treat each other as equals, and the law is supposed to make everyone live on an equal basis, but in reality it doesn't work that way. Maybe it was supposed to, but those ideals have been killed off over time. Those with the money have become "more equal" and more powerful than the vast majority of us who are just scraping by today.
There are so many contradictions between the way we have been raised (either in a church or other religion or no religion at all) to be kind, considerate and treat each other fairly and with respect, and the system that we're forced to live under--capitalism/oligarchy. Some Americans won't give up--they'll fight the corrupt system (or at least attempt to), but the vast majority just "keep their heads down" and pretend like everything is okay so that no one in power will hurt them or their loved ones. We're not living in the land of "freedom and democracy" so much as "fear and apathy."
Fifty years ago you would expect--and receive--polite treatment from American businesspersons and politicians alike, but I think since the Nixon/Watergate/Reagan era all pretense of politeness and fair play has been eliminated. It's just not "profitable" any more to keep pretending we're all equals. Who gives a damn what the "poor" want or need? Better to keep everything for those at the "top" who can afford it.
Fascism uses fear to keep the workers in their place. When many Americans just recently started saying things like "Trump is acting like a King! He's a fascist!" I just have to shake my head. Where have they been for the past 249 years? Just because we don't label our leaders "kings" doesn't mean that they haven't, for all intents and purposes, been acting just like kings, and we the workers are disposable serfs.
Hard to say when things truly took a turn.
Was it the Kent State shootings in 1970, when the Ohio National Guard gunned down four unarmed students and wounded nine others? Was it 1981, when Reagan fired thousands of striking air traffic controllers, sending a message that labor had no power? Was it when Obama shrugged and said, “Let it play out,” effectively giving the green light for authorities to brutalize Dakota Pipeline protestors? Or was it Hillary Clinton’s smug dismissal“Basket of Deplorables” that revealed just how deep the contempt runs for the common people?
Maybe it wasn’t one event, but a slow-motion collapse. A death by a thousand cuts. And with each wound, another poisoned band-aid was slapped on numbing the pain, normalizing the decay. Rights eroded. Morality blurred. Justice diluted. And our shared humanity, steadily diminished.
What frightens me most is that the public may already be too far gone, too distracted, too drugged, too disinformation, too disillusioned, and far too indebted to rise up. how do we gain strength tin numbers , when we are too divided?
Still, I thank you. Knowing that someone, somewhere, shares some similar concerns brings a some solace. But I can’t help but wonder: will these dialogues in our little digital bubble ever translate into anything real?
I'd say it was a "slow-motion collapse." It happened bit by bit so subtly that no one knew what was happening until it was too late. Or maybe that's just an excuse for our own laziness and apathy? It is frightening to think that we might never have the 3% (or whatever the magic percentage is needed) to rise up and overturn the corrupt system. I have to keep some hope alive that this "digital bubble" will awaken enough people to the truth, and we will have a chance of creating a better world for all of us. It's up to us--we have to be our own heroes.
I’ve always been skeptical of Musk, but it was promising when he allowed journalists to investigate just how deep the tentacles of government agencies had reached—manipulating the algorithm, shadow banning, and deleting accounts on Twitter.
Substack, too, seemed promising. But look at where we are now. Our supposed champions of free speech, the brilliant intellectuals, the independent journalists we Liked, Shared, and Elevated on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube—how many of them are now oblivious to their own hypocrisy?
Look how many have decided that we must "pay to have a say". If you have time, I would truly appreciate your thoughts on this post of mine. It’s difficult for me to express just how disappointed I am with so many of the people I once admired.
https://open.substack.com/pub/trepeperoncini/p/pay-to-have-a-say?r=1if0fb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
There was a time when publicly-owned local utilities was the norm. Thank God, we still have one in my city for trash pick-up, street maintenance, water and sewage. The loss of our utilities to price-gouging corporate monsters began with Carter, Reagan and Clinton -- completely bipartisan. As with all else in this nation, the people are abandoned and the corporate machine is deified above the public good and logic.
I miss living in a small city in Texas that had public trash pick up, water and sewage, etc. It was well run and they were quite open to questions and complaint. They may have been in the minority at that time, but it was nice while we had it.
Our local utility is also responsive. It's not like calling some corporate "help line" in India. When you may see the person who called in at the local restaurant or your kid's school basketball game, you listen, pay attention and respond.
Corporations are not "people"! They're certainly not superior to one of nature's beautiful animals. Your illustration proves that we really need to rid ourselves of this corrupt capitalist system. The sooner the better so start building those cat-shaped guillotines today!
😆
Yes! The Move to Amend has been fighting for the end of personhood for corporations for years... I hope to see that day when it becomes law.
"probably feels pretty confident I can’t afford to take any legal action against them and that I have zero connections with powerful people who could do so on my behalf."
Right there's the key bit of prose in your piece, Cindy. But, "them" encompasses more than just corporate America. I believe that your (and my) city government must be part of this rap sheet. My beef is with a neighbor behind me who's built a second house on his property, three feet from the property line, violating city ordinances. But he has approval documents. How? Corruption obviously. Read: payola, Bribery -- saying it, without mollifying language.
Getting a lawyer and fighting a corrupt city agency has about as much of a chance as a battle with a stable of corporate scumbag attorneys. Federal, State, City, Local: Government in the US is eminently corruptible at all levels. A byproduct of the system you so pointedly and rightfully attack in this post. Can't separate the two.
Wow--within 3 feet of the property line? Yeah, obviously our local "elected representatives" don't care a whit about us if we aren't writing them or their political party large donation checks. It's frustrating, but we can make them uncomfortable and let them know that we aren't happy about our shabby treatment and that we expect better from them in the future. But I'm beginning to truly believe it's time to tear it down COMPLETELY, because the corruption is way too deep and there's no redemption for anyone left who is owned by this corrupt system. Power to the people!
I have to agree -- because I have gotten entangled with this city's govt., up close and personal, as an expert witness representing a citizen group, during its Dept. of Health's (DOH) transition from only Medical Cannabis to recreational. Not to get detailed, but although the DOH's Medical Advisory group of MDs fully agreed w/ our group's proposal to protect medical patients, the proposal went into the rubbish bin nonetheless. Reason and rationality, scientific or otherwise, have come to mean next to nothing. So I cannot disagree with your sentiment about tearing it down completely -- because I am not rich. Money makes the world go 'round is the first of the commandments, and forget "thou shalt not kill" entirely.
I’m happy that Bowtie is home and safe! I’m a cat person, and I’m so happy that cat was okay!
On the other hand, I am sick and tired of public corporations (like AT&T) constantly treating the public like trash. Whether it’s charging outrageous fees, hiding behind automated systems, offshoring support while slashing jobs at home, or funding politicians who actively work against the public interest—these corporations show time and again that their bottom line matters more than human dignity.
It’s frustrating that we live in a world where we have to fight tooth and nail just to get basic service or accountability from companies that profit off of our dependence to those services.
Thanks! I knew my fellow cat people would understand the hell we went through. :-)
It really is a dystopian nightmare to realize how much for-profit corporations control our day to day existence in the US... And if they abuse us and use us, we have no recourse to take against them to stop the abuse other than file an expensive lawsuit (that we'd probably lose) against the billion-dollar corporation. Why are they "public" utilities if the public has no real rights and can only be recompensed for damages by suing and paying private lawyers?
Sorry you had to deal with such shitbags, but I am glad he is home. I remember the stress when my cat got lost once. I was in tears. She was stressed, too. But she made it home as well.
I was in tears, too. I think human beings (not corporations or AI chat bots) understand how important our loved ones--animal and human--are to us.
I'm happy Bowtie is home and safe 🤗 I'm a cat person so I definitely cared about how that worked out. Please, no more outdoors for your cats. It's way too dangerous and unhealthy for them. It's like letting toddlers outside unattended.
I have a suggestion for AT&T. Contact your state board of public utilities (BPU). They're a regulatory agency. Don't lead your complaint with "I'm not a customer but..." Don't even discuss that at all unless asked. You will probably need to file a written complaint to get action. Utilities don't like being turned in. Also you might be able to get help from legal aide or other nonprofit legal assistance groups. You'd be surprised. I'm not sure if you have 211 assistance, if so, call them for help too. I'm sure there's ways to make good trouble for AT&T. BTW, have you called their corporate offices yet? They may not help you but they won't like "people" bothering them 😉 Good luck and have fun... Reall6, have fun at their expense. Make them a hobby 🙂
I did contact our "Public Utilities Commission" and they just had AT&T call me and upset me even more! I have an address to write to AT&T's "Office for Dispute Resolution" stating our complaint with evidence documenting what damages they did, but I'm sort of wondering is it worth 1.) our time and effort and 2.) the money to mail this letter by certified mail. I really hate dealing with corporations in general, but do I dare embarrass AT&T by hoping to get #ATTHatesOurCat trending? (hint, hint!)
Two things you possibly don't get: AT & T does not hate your cat. It does not hate, love, or care about anything or any one. It is a corporations, not a person or a sentient being--but a machine. The programming of a corporation is to maximize profits.. Like any machine, it will follow its programming as long as it has fuel. Yes, the decisionmakers and spokespeople of corporations are human, but in their work roles they are cogs of a machine, and they understand that if they make decisions on any basis that reduces profits they'll be tossed like any other defective component. Corporations have always treated their employees with contempt, but it was only about 20 years ago that they realized they could treat their customers with contempt as well--because they all do. You can boycott AT &T, but if you need their service and get it from a competitor--if that's even possible--will they treat you with any more respect?
And as far as elected officials and democracy--since they managed to redefine democracy from "the people rule" to "regular elections,", and a series of SCOTUS decisions removed all meaningful limits of campaign money, and the Republicrats and Demublicans realized they had a cushy scam going as long as they collaborate while pretending to fight...there is no democracy round here.
Oh, yeah I get it--corporations/CEOs don't "hate" us because we are absolutely nothing in their eyes and why would they bother? But it's much catchier to write a headline with the words "hate" and "cat" in it since it grabs the average reader's attention and possibly gets them thinking. More Americans need to learn that there is "no democracy 'round here" as you so wisely say. We're on our own against the corrupt "machine" and its demise can't come soon enough.
Can't come soon enough even though its demise will likely come through some kind of collapse that will weak havoc, kill lots of people most likely, cause a lot of suffering and chaos--but STILL be better than the default, which is almost certainly the same collapse happening later after more ecological and social damage is done.