needing a verdict/opinions

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:20 pm

I'm sorry to be drudging up the events of 9/11 but this story blows my mind. Here we go:

I live in Minnesota, twin cities area. Immediately following the WTC bombing, our evening parking lot attendant mentioned he lost a son in the bombing. I usually spoke to, said goodnight, to this gentlemen every evening. A couple of months later, he lost more family members in a thanksgiving weekend traffic accident. Given his occupation, he was needless to say, short of funds for all of these funeral costs and was missing chunks of work due to grief. Can you imagine?

Moving on, all of the employees of the various companies in the building raised/donated $6000 for this gentlemen. And now, it turns out, it looks like he fabricated everything. Local papers sought to make a heartwarming human interest story out of these events and when they started digging, they were unable to verify any of these deaths. Additional holes in his stories began to follow. Since then, the man has been suspended and probably will be fired from his job. This story landed on the front page of the most recent sunday paper and I was appalled. I shed tears, gave this man time and money via donations because I felt so bad for him. I got so upset whenever I tried to comprehend what he was going through.

So the question I'm asking is this: How would this make you feel and what should become of his behavior. I don't even know the legal ramifications although it seems it must be extortion of some sort. Anyway, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. I value many of your opinions.

Perhaps there is a place for him in Waverly's pit of despair with the syphillis bearing naked mole rats.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Ned Flanders ]

Shadow Sandrock · Post by **Shadow Sandrock** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:24 pm

at the very worst, you can charge him for fraud...

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:25 pm

Ned,
First of all, Hello fellow Minnesotan! I myself live in Bloomington

As to the case

I'm sorry that had to happen...people lying like that

*hug*

I don't know the legal rammifications, others will have to help, but you should recieve back all you have given.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:28 pm

@Vivien,

So, one of the most sought after female members of the banshee is in my backyard.

I could really care less if I get any money back. It's the entire concept and such violations of so many people's trust and emotions that disturbs me so much.

Did you happen to read the story on the front page of the pioneer press.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:40 pm

Originally posted by Ned Flanders:
@Vivien,

So, one of the most sought after female members of the banshee is in my backyard.

I could really care less if I get any money back. It's the entire concept and such violations of so many people's trust and emotions that disturbs me so much.

Did you happen to read the story on the front page of the pioneer press.

First of all, *blush*

Second, No, but I can look into it.

I myself am a Star and Tribune girl because it has the better comics

And, really, what is the most important part of the paper?

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:44 pm

by vivien
I myself am a Star and Tribune girl because it has the better comics And, really, what is the most important part of the paper?

Better comics indeed, and a better crossword. The only reason I read the story on the front page of the pioneer press is because it is posted all over the building. I too, am a tribune reader although I've abandoned the print for their website. Except sunday's, color comics, new york times crossword, and the classifieds (too difficult to dissect online)

I'll see if I can find the story at the pioneer press website and I'll post a link.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:49 pm

Someone, whether it's individuals or local law enforcement, should hang that guy out to dry. Like our friend Shadow Sandrock, I think I would be more upset at this guy's fraudlent manipulation of my trust than I would be at him taking the money.

Maybe exposing him as a liar and unconscionable selfish bastard will be enough to keep him from fleecing people twice (or at least keep people from falling for it again).

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:51 pm

Posted by Ned -

Moving on, all of the employees of the various companies in the building raised/donated $6000 for this gentlemen. And now, it turns out, it looks like he fabricated everything. Local papers sought to make a heartwarming human interest story out of these events and when they started digging, they were unable to verify any of these deaths. Additional holes in his stories began to follow. Since then, the man has been suspended and probably will be fired from his job.

That is one very sad person.

I remember you mentioned him at the time...why people have to decieve

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:52 pm

Originally posted by Ned Flanders:
Better comics indeed, and a better crossword. The only reason I read the story on the front page of the pioneer press is because it is posted all over the building. I too, am a tribune reader although I've abandoned the print for their website. Except sunday's, color comics, new york times crossword, and the classifieds (too difficult to dissect online)

I'll see if I can find the story at the pioneer press website and I'll post a link.

I would appreciate that!

Yes, now that we're talking about it, I have liked the Star Tribs' variety section as well, the dating column is usually good for laughs

Also, the 'Taste' section has had several good recipes!

I also get it on Sundays, and use work for the day to day comics

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:54 pm

Here's the story

[url="http://www.pioneerplanet.com/columnists/docs/COLEMAN/docs/226424.htm"]the story[/url]

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:55 pm

I can think of many things to do to this person, all unpostable, and highly illegal.

This amounts to nothing more than exploitaion of a terrible tragedy for personal gain, a low class use of human suffering to make money. In my opinion, the law has no suitable punishment, and this person should be shunned, and cast out.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:56 pm

posted by ysh
That is one very sad person. I remember you mentioned him at the time...why people have to decieve

I am so impressed.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:58 pm

I posted the story, up above, just in case you missed it. Several posts have come in quickly and I didn't want you to miss it if you wanted to read it.

Plus, it is an excuse to spam, yet it is COMMing at the same time.

[url="http://www.pioneerplanet.com/columnists/docs/COLEMAN/docs/226424.htm"]the story[/url]

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 1:12 pm

Originally posted by Ned Flanders:
I posted the story, up above, just in case you missed it. Several posts have come in quickly and I didn't want you to miss it if you wanted to read it.

Plus, it is an excuse to spam, yet it is COMMing at the same time.

[url="http://www.pioneerplanet.com/columnists/docs/COLEMAN/docs/226424.htm"]the story[/url]

Rofl as to the COMMing

As to the story

Very hard to take...is he lying or is he ill?

*comfort*

On the other hand, Midway of St. Paul is ten minutes away from my work.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 1:40 pm

posted by vivien
As to the story Very hard to take...is he lying or is he ill?

*comfort*

On the other hand, Midway of St. Paul is ten minutes away from my work.

It would appear the stories are not true. As far as being ill, maybe. I don't know, he's always been such a gentle, mellow guy. That's what gave his stories so much credence in the first place. He's suspended now, and probably won't be back. I don't even know what I'd say to him. I used to talk to him almost every night. He was a GB Packers fan as well (tough to find in this town)

If midway is ten minutes from your work, then I imagine you know the ugly green glass building in which I work (snelling/univ.). Which direction from midway do you work in. still in st. paul??

Are you working now. Rather, are you supposed to be. I've been a spamaholic today and have largely ignored my duties to my company (just saw office space again, recently, so that doesn't help; ironically we're a software engineering firm

)

der Moench · Post by **der Moench** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 1:48 pm

Hey! I live in Minneaota, too! We should (all) go out sometime!

But I never saw the story. I don't have a TV, and don't read the local papers (strictly internet news-sources for me).

As for the wretch of a human being you refer to: perhaps he should be sent to ground zero for a few months to move rubble and search for human remains. At no pay, of course. What awful things people are capable of.

Peace.

Edit: Live in Minneapolis, work in Saint Paul.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: der Moench ]

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 2:03 pm

Originally posted by Ned Flanders:
It would appear the stories are not true. As far as being ill, maybe. I don't know, he's always been such a gentle, mellow guy. That's what gave his stories so much credence in the first place. He's suspended now, and probably won't be back. I don't even know what I'd say to him. I used to talk to him almost every night. He was a GB Packers fan as well (tough to find in this town)

If midway is ten minutes from your work, then I imagine you know the ugly green glass building in which I work (snelling/univ.). Which direction from midway do you work in. still in st. paul??

Are you working now. Rather, are you supposed to be. I've been a spamaholic today and have largely ignored my duties to my company (just saw office space again, recently, so that doesn't help; ironically we're a software engineering firm )

I was wrong on the ten minutes

Midway is ten miles from here, in city driving twenty minutes. (The Maintenance Controllers told me this, I asked because I was just guessing before, and they tend to know bits and pieces of everything)

I know the area (knew the name somehow), and have been there, but I tend to zone out and not pay attention when driving/riding, but I think I know what you're talking about as to the building.

Oh, yes. If I'm online I'm at work. Home computer time is for games

I work for an airlines, which is both good and bad. On the one hand flight perks (which the parents love and I never have time for), on the negative side the airlines can get a bit rushed..

LOL!! I love Office Space! And it's so true

As to him, I don't know

I don't know why people do things like that...Wanting attention and love? But, they don't think how their actions are going to affect other people, how it will make those people feel...*sighs*

As to being a Packer fan (You're a cheesehead?)

We have one here, whenever the packers lose, they make him wear a Viking helmet the next day at work

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 2:05 pm

Originally posted by der Moench:
Hey! I live in Minneaota, too! We should (all) go out sometime!

But I never saw the story. I don't have a TV, and don't read the local papers (strictly internet news-sources for me).

As for the wretch of a human being you refer to: perhaps he should be sent to ground zero for a few months to move rubble and search for human remains. At no pay, of course. What awful things people are capable of.

Peace.

Edit: Live in Minneapolis, work in Saint Paul.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: der Moench ]

Okay, so the three of us live or work within a thirty mile radiace of each other probably? What are the odds of this? This is funny

der Moench · Post by **der Moench** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 2:13 pm

@Vivien: very strange, indeed.

@Ned: I know the building you work in. Back when my company was moving, we looked into buying property just down the road from there. Went a little further NE, instead.

@Vivien and Ned: hey! we finally got snow!

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 2:20 pm

by der moench
@Vivien and Ned: hey! we finally got snow!

It ain't that bad though, it's been a mild winter, as your statement indicates.

I hate winter but for some reason couldn't live without it.

by vivien
Oh, yes. If I'm online I'm at work. Home computer time is for games I work for an airlines, which is both good and bad. On the one hand flight perks (which the parents love and I never have time for), on the negative side the airlines can get a bit rushed..

LOL!! I love Office Space! And it's so true

As to being a Packer fan (You're a cheesehead?) We have one here, whenever the packers lose, they make him wear a Viking helmet the next day at work

Did BG2 lure you to this site. I've never met anyone that disliked office space. It's not possible. I have a picture on my desk bearing myself in one of those felt viking helmets with the pig tails.

If we're going to meet and hang out, name your tavern. Viv, not the BPT.