Thursday, December 06, 2007

Afternoon Edition - 12/6/07

Guess You Can’t Hear Me Now
I’m often amazed at how folks act like the thought of being separated from their PDA or cell phone is a fate worse that death. Well, for an unidentified man glued to his cell phone yesterday, it was a fate equal to death. Amtrak officials say the man was oblivious to danger and apparently walked around the lowered crossing gate before being struck by the northbound Capitol Corridor train, just eight miles south of the Oakland station in California. He was pronounced dead on the scene. As I’ve said to friends and family, I will not tolerate non-emergency conversations when I’m hanging out. It is rude and disrespectful to carry a non-emergency conversation with anyone when you’re spending quality time with friends and family. That said, I don’t argue the point anymore. If anyone holds a non-emergency conversation that goes beyond a simple, “I’m out and need to call you back…” while spending time with me, I simply walk away – no questions asked; no explanations given. Be conscious of your PDA/cell phone behavior (including text messaging) or you may find that your putting your life and your relationships in danger.

I Just Can’t Wait To Be King
A robbery suspect in Miami led police on a substantial chase before jumping from his getaway car and attempting his escape on foot. A camera crew was following the entire event unfold and captured several police officers pouncing on the suspect, punching and kicking him. Now, Miami-Dade’s Cmdr. Linda O’Brien says that the video is being watched frame-by-frame, but that, “The initial assessment is that the officer acted inappropriately." All said both parties can take a lesson from Los Angeles’ suspect/victim Rodney King.

Death Penalty for DWI?
NYC Police Officer Raphael Lora was off duty in his neighborhood in the Bronx when he witnessed a minivan hitting a parked car. He gave chase on foot and witnesses say that he reached Fermin Arzu and opened the driver door before the minivan lurched forward. That’s when Lora allegedly pulled his 9mm pistol and fired five shots. The one shot that hit Arzu killed him. Lora’s attorney says that the officer is only guilty of protecting the neighborhood he lives in. Arzu is said to have been intoxicated. Assistant District Attorney Larry Hartstein says that it’s obvious no one believes Lora’s story or he would not have been indicted. The attorney representing the Arzu family says, "The penalty for drunk driving is not death.” Lora faces 25 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter.

On Blast
Less than 10 years ago it was NOT commonplace for everyone to carry and use cell phones – and those who did, rarely used them in non-emergency situations. Do you believe you are so attached to your cell phone / PDA that you could not get through a day without it?

Keep passin’ the open windows…

15 comments:

Mr. Jones said...

I've said this before: I'm way too dependent on my cell phone. It really controls my life. It has my calendar, my contacts, my personal notes/reminders....everything. With that said, I'm COMPLETELY with you when it comes to cell phone etiquette. I don't tolorate extended convos when I'm chillin with someone. Me and my time should certainly trump any phone call. Esp. if you're just shooting the breeze.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

I agree Mr. Jones. I love my PDA phone but I hate to talk on it. I'm ridiculous when it comes to text. One month I had 4,500 text messages. Yea yea, don't get on me. O and now my email is connected to my phone too so it's been a wrap! LoL.

~Damnit!

That Dude Right There said...

I agree with you Cocoa. If a person is spending time with me, they should not be on the phone.

I have a new rule now that if we are in the car, i'm driving and you get on the phone with someone, i'm taking your ass back home.

And a new rule for dates. If you even look at the phone while we are out, then "check please".

One Man’s Opinion said...

I only had a cell phone for about 5months and I only got it once I was promoted so I could be available to my troops.

As an Officer I can tell you that the beating and kicking of the suspect was totally inappropriate. I happened to see the tape for the first time today. Once the bad guy jumped into the grass and gave up, all forms of aggression by the officers should have halted. I hate when officers do this shit, because it is what society as a whole think we live for. When I was still a patrol officer me and my partner, at the time, chased this guy for speeding. He lead us on a chase, before ramming the gate to an apartment complex, bailing out of the SUV and taking off on foot. Seeing that we were going to catch him he gave up, showing his hands and laying down on the concrete. My partner got to him first and promptly kicked the guy in the head. I had to literally pull my partner off the guy. It bothered the hell out of me and we had a talk afterward. I am known by some on the department for being some what of a bad ass, but all I do is yell at people. Violence is not called for unless it is used against me first. I told my partner, as I would tell these officers. When the bad guy runs we make the choice to chase them. We can't take that shit personaly. Peace.

life said...

I left my phone the other day and I was like darn, but I survived just fine.

iii said...

I am the type of person that can truly live without a cell phone for a day. There are times when I have left mines (unintentionally) at home. It did not affect me at all. Come to think about it I was most peace that day. My only concern on days like that is I pray to that no emergency happens that pertains to my family and friends. I agree that it is rude to hold conversations on the phone while out with friends enjoying the day.

D.LavarJames said...

I could def. live without some sort of electronic device such as a cellphone or a PDA anytime all day. I don't do any of my calling until later on in the day anyway, but there are times when it's like why do people insist on being on one all the time.

I think it's hella rude to be on the phone when you're out with people or in the company of someone else. Tell that mofo you will call them back. I make it my business that even when I am on the phone and I go into a store or someplace, to get off the phone. I hate it when folks are talking and a cashier is trying to help them, that's so rude and impersonal, you can wait for your ass to get back outside before u yap ya gums.

Sorry so long winded, but that's really a subject that makes me wanna slap some folks.

fuzzy said...

I feel you on the cell phone thing. I need to work on that myself... I'll tack it on to my to do list...

Ummmm Aren't you innocent until proven guilty? How can they prove that he wasn't protecting the neighborhood? The system is so black and white, it needs some color and maybe things will be viewed differently...

I do not believe that I am so attached to my cell phone that I could not get through the day without it. I have rarely left my phone aay from me longer than 4 hours and would be incomplete without it but i would not be like one of those that goes crazy without it. I just miss it severly! lol

Tiffanie said...

Honestly, I feel imcomplete without my phone! I gotta have it and will u-turn, no matter where I am, if it's EVER (which is rarely) forgotten at home.

Joey Bahamas said...

I go through bouts when i turn my phones off. I don't answer most of my calls, and I routinely let my phone die. With that being said though, when it's not by choice that I can't access my phone it can be a little nerve wracking...lol

JB

ww.joeybahamas.blogspot.com

Dayne Avery said...

Sorry its been so long since I've been by to visit.

And yes sometimes I feel I'm way too attached to my cell phone. Like the other day I left home without it and had to go back to get it. I really wasnt missing anything but sometimes its that comfort of texting that breaks boredom. Every now and then I leave my phone home on purpose when I feel too attached.

C. Baptiste-Williams said...

seeing i dont even know my bestfriends number by heart or my moms cell phone number yeah im quite attached.

i have no need to remember numbers anymore with my treo.

Anonymous said...

I am a crackberry addict. My boss is my supplier, and my husband has given up on trying to cure my addiction.
There is nothing like being able to handle my bosses business at 8:30 at night, play Brick Breaker while waiting in line at the bank, and surf the net from my living room while my hubby plays xBox, so that we actually spend time together LOL. I can't remember life without my cell phone and I think I'd feel a little naked without it....and y'all don't wanna see me naked....

yet another black guy said...

i'm not just tethered to my cell phone, i'm about to upgrade and get either a Blackberry or an iPhone. i just can't live without it.

yet another black guy said...

oh yeah, if i'm hanging out with a friend and get a call, i'll take it. a special guy? forget it, voice mail.