Comments by motomem

Written on FedEx shifts gears on health insurance:

I've been on a consumer driven health plan for several years now. No problem with it. The main problem is people want health care at no cost. Well, if YOUR a$$ gets sick and you go to the doctor you should pay something for it. Stop being a CHEAP A$$ low-life.

And what's all this talk about the minimum wage? The minimum wage was never meant to be a livable wage. Why should it be raised when those workers: don't show up to work, can't speak proper English, are late to work, don't WANT to work, complain all the time about work, etc., etc......

Written on Letter: Had enough of Delta:

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Written on Demolition permit issued for historic 19th Century Club building; tree removed:

If you want to save the building, then PONY UP YOUR CASH!. You should have ponied up your cash when it was originally for sale. Otherwise stop your whining.

Written on Letter: Note to the naysayers:

Delta does as any business would do. You people that dish on Delta have no idea what you're talking about. I flew within just a few days after 9/11. NO ONE was flying. The airport was deserted. On the big plane I was on there were only about 6 people on it. Passenger capacity has never recovered. When fewer people fly, flights must be cut to remain profitable - this is the most BASIC business rule here - it's not rocket science. Most planes now are pretty full because the number of planes/flights are matched to the number of people flying. So, you people that dish on any airline perhaps you should get out and fly sometime.

As the letter writer said, peeps are quick to criticize, but very slow to offer help or suggestions.

Written on Letter: Memphians' reality -- we're overtaxed:

I think most people would not have a problem with tax rate increases.... IF the leadership DID NOT SQUANDER IT on failed project after failed project that never has an ROI. Some happening now include Beale St. Landing, Crosstown Revival, Chisca Hotel. Pyramid/Bass Pro is questionable. And why is the city and county giving $150,000 each to the Penny Hardaway basketball thingy? I don't want my tax dollars wasted on such things when the roads are crumbling.

Written on With state ban still in place, gay marriage decision is bittersweet for Tennessee couples:

in response to MisfitRoxx:

Not so fast. You claim to be a Christian, yet you deny the laws of God. That is a CHOICE. No you do not CHOOSE to be Gay, you CHOOSE to DISOBEY.
Being Gay is not a sin. ACTING on it with someone from the same sex IS a sin.
Also, another footnote:

Your posting of I Corinthians has negated the thought you were trying to get across.
The last part of your Bible quote
states that they have been washed clean in the eyes of Christ. They are still sinners, as we all are and forever will be until we die.
You can be a Christian, and you will still sin, you ARE a sinner. Christ forgives your sin - past, present, and future. He knows you're a sinner and always will be. So, everyone already CHOOSES to sin in some way, denying the laws of God, EVEN YOU. You see something that someone has and you want it, you just sinned. You print a web page at work that's not work related, you just sinned - stole from the company.
Pot calling the kettle black.
All you posters quoting Bible verses need to seriously get in some more Bible study time. You cannot quote one or two verses. The entire Bible must be considered as a whole.


in response to 2lsj93u5yg:

You Bible hating homosexuals love to condemn the Southern Baptists. When a disaster strikes, I don't see homosexual (or atheist) groups with their trucks and vans headed to the site to help out. The Southern Baptists are everywhere giving their time, money and supplies to aid the victims. Southern Baptists believe what the Bible teaches about homosexual behavior; this is not new news. The Bible says heterosexual immorality is wrong as well - things like adultery, fornication, living out of wedlock, etc.

The homosexuals arrive at the same time as the Southern Baptists because they are already in the group. They are in YOUR church, you just haven't realized it. Even some of the married men in your church have some 'man' time on the side.

Written on East Memphis shelter's lease not renewed because of smell; cats may become homeless:

in response to Niyaf:

I was also in there when it was in Cooper Young, and there was no kitty smell..
Are sure you werent smelling yourself???
I have no cats because of a militant dog.

So all you can do is come up with a comment like that? No wonder the city is in the shape it's in with citizens like you in it.


It only takes one or two "sprays" from male cats to make a place stink. If the staff is not literally cleaning every corner, nook, and cranny with a good cleaning solution, the place will stink. This includes the underside and underneath of cages, boxes, and whatever they have for the cats to live/play in. I went into their place when it was in Cooper-Young and it did stink like cat.

Written on Letter: Challenging times call for city payroll tax:

How about the city and county leaders STOP spending tax dollars on failed project after failed project - Beale St. Landing, Pyramid(Bass Pro deal), Chisca Hotel, Crosstown revival, etc. etc. None of these projects will EVER generate any ROI. All of the tax dollars going to these projects should have been going to infrastructure upkeep/repair.

Written on Report warns that Memphis metro area tops list for "job sprawl":

Perhaps Mr. Causey, and those like him, should have THOUGHT a little more before creating that criminal record and "messing up" that drivers license. It is an employee's responsibility to GET TO a job, not have the job come to them. Learn to use the bus system, such as it is.

Written on Despite "danger" billboards, police union pay package approved in committee:

The police union, like most unions, is just legal organized crime. It's what they have evolved into. There are plenty of EEOC laws on the books. Unions are no longer needed.


in response to ThinkFirst:


Police are the ONLY thing????
Not true. Where is your personally owned pistol?? The police and the courts cannot solve the criminal problem. It will take citizens defending themselves and making sure criminals do not, and can NEVER, walk away again.

Written on Private sanitation workers' strike continues to affect neighborhoods:

It's a shame that a union can have such an affect on a company (example, Hostess).
Unions are experts at the art of brainwashing. They have their workers brainwashed into thinking that the union is the only thing that can, and will, help them. So, when the union says jump, they jump.
I interact with union workers at my job. With the way some of them act, it comes across that the union teaches them to be lazy - unless they get more pay, of course.

Written on Memphis police union's "danger" billboards loom over city budget hearings:

The appearance of the billboards should have IMMEDIATELY shut down any discussions of pay increases for the cops. It's a low, unprofessional, blow by the police union, which is pretty much all that unions are good for nowadays.

Written on Suggestions for Memphis parks names vary from hopeful to hateful:

in response to datGuy:

I didn't say that, re-read what I wrote - after the adrenalin gets out of your head


Ok, you said the city was bigoted when it originally named the parks. At least that's the way it comes across to me. I don't agree with that either. But we can agree to disagree there.
The way I see it is that the original names are subjects that were part of history.
This whole issue is a prime example of how differently people look at things. If you read the park names with "historical" eyes you see history. If you read the park names with "bigoted or racist" eyes you see bigotry or racism.
I see history. Bigotry or racism do not even enter my mind. It's simply a part of the history of the country and this area.
As long as people continue to see through their "bigoted and racist eyes" that is what they will see no matter what the subject is, which perpetuates this kind of crap.
It's funny, people want bigotry and racism to end, but they seem to be used as CONVENIENT excuses when "needed".


So the park names mean bigotry??? That's what datGuy says.

The subject of the park names are part of the HISTORY of the nation, specifically this area.
If you read the names of the parks, and the first thing you can think of is bigotry and/or racism, then you are a bigot and/or racist to your core. You have chosen to allow yourself to be that.
If history has become 'offensive', then history better be struck from everything and from being taught in the schools.

Written on Two dozen present and former IRS workers indicted in Memphis:

in response to ScarlettandRhett:

When you filed your tax return, did you take advantage of all the exemptions and deductions you were allowed?? If so, you are a tax cheat, too. Romney is entitled to use every exemption and deduction applicable to his return.

Well said.
They are not "cheats". They simply complied with the tax laws taking their deductions and other items. If you don't like what's happening call or write your congressmen and ask them to change the laws. Guess what, I bet they won't, because they are doing the same thing.

Written on Letter: Get ready to be robbed:

It's not just the county tax rate, the cities will be raising their rates as well. So get ready.

Written on Revamped Raleigh Springs Mall in the works in Memphis:

The city should repair its streets FIRST, then what is left can be put into malls, hotels, etc. (which should be private investment only anyway). The only involvement the city should have is giving tax breaks.

Written on Otis Sanford: Chaos took toll on Aitken's enthusiasm:

All prior Memphis City School board members should get some backbone and QUIT. They gave up the Charter, at that point the MCS school board should have been dissolved. None of those people should have been included in the unified board. But, I forgot, they don't have an inkling of a backbone to start with.

Written on Construction in Sears Crosstown to start in early 2014 :

Seems to be another big GUESStimate project.
"865 new positions", "619 indirect jobs", "997 construction-related jobs". All just guesstimates. A lot can happen between now and completion of the construction. What if there's another economic crash???
And the real killer - half the apartments will be Section 8.

Written on Letter: Let Bass Pro have its signs:

I think the sign should just be the fish and the letters - NOT the big yellow circle. Light up the fish and letters. Let them be large.

Written on Support, donations soar for Midtown tattoo artist injured in motorcycle crash:

in response to reflection:

I hope he's able to keep all of his leg. Sounds horrible. I wouldn't fathom driving around on a motorcycle without purchasing medical insurance though. Especially if I had kids depending on me. Hopefully the Honda's driver was insured and will be on the hook for most or all of it.

I understand what you're saying, but the same thing could happen to you in a car. You are more exposed to injury on a motorcycle, but you can still be severely injured in a car too. There are still MANY cage drivers (cage = enclosed vehicle) that don't wear seat belts, and text and drive.

Written on Letter: Parking lot prizes:

I wouldn't leave it in the car. I would venture to say that many carry their guns into the office TODAY. How ya gonna stop it? You're not.

Written on Letter: Find ways to expand city, county tax base:

The "tax base" doesn't shrink. If someone moves from the city to the county, the city property tax is still owed on the city property.
The only real way to expand the tax base is via a payroll tax which would include people from other cities/counties that work here.

Written on Cohen reintroduces bill to make it easier to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy:

So everyone will be able to rack up major student loan debts, then simply declare bankruptcy after they graduate to clear them out. It won't take long for lenders to stop giving student loans all together.
Student loans should remain just as they are. If you BORROW it, you OWE it. I would agree on some reforms to interest, penalties, and fees - but not being able to discharge the debt itself.
Just don't go to a school that will require you to go into debt.

Written on Memphis City Council renames three Confederate-themed parks :

in response to Gunslinger:

When ole Nathan had slaves it was legal. The US Congress investigated any connection between Forrest and the KKK and could find any wrongdoing on his part. Post war, Forrest was one of the biggest supporters of blacks, particularly black women, that there was or has been. After his slaves were freed, they chose to live with him. Remember, Washington and Jefferson had slaves. Take a minute to educate yourself.

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Written on As Shelby County property values fall, taxes could rise, officials warn :

in response to doug:

Once again why are we taxed at a higher rate in the county?

The county's current tax rate is $4.02 per $100 of assessed value for Memphis residents and $4.06 per $100 of assessed value for residential properties outside of Memphis. That means the owner of a home in Memphis with an appraised value of $100,000pays $1,005 in annual county property taxes. The county tax bill on a $100,000 house for non-Memphis residents is $1,015.

It has something to do with the County schools.
See this link:

Written on Smith and Nephew lays off nearly 100 employees, blames new medical device tax :

The reason doesn't matter. They deemed that they needed to reduce expenses, for whatever reason. Every company does the same thing. If profits are falling it's made up somewhere, either higher prices or reducing expenses or both.


It's a Civil War historical park, like many, many, many others around the country, of which Forrest was a major figure in. It has nothing to do with the KKK. Those that relate it to the KKK are showing their ignorance. If the park is to be renamed or removed, then the Lorraine Motel should be bulldozed as well because MLK, Jr. had skeletons in his closet too.

Written on Letter: Citizen action can cut violent crime:

in response to Blak:

So Let me get this right...

A white woman gets ROBBED right in front of me..

Several white women who saw the same thing I did chickened out and refused to give a statement to the cops to assist the woman and console the woman..

The lady was slammed to the ground like she was a RAG DOLL and her purse STOLEN..

And I was the ONLY ONE with the courage to give a statement for the lady to the cops...

And its MY bad luck?

Come back to Earth.. Lay off the meth.. It screwing up your perspective.

The proper thing to have done would have been to shoot the assailant DEAD. Or at least kick him in the face.

Written on Letter: Commission vote backs thievery:

The only thing that should have been in the bill was that the county would follow, and enforce, the Federal wage guidelines. That was all that was needed. But I'm sure the bill was chock full of crap.

The State Department of Labor should be following the Federal guidelines already. I don't understand why they would not. Those guidelines apply to all states unless that state has "upped" them with local legislation. This sounds like negligence by TN.

If a worker thinks they are not getting paid correctly, why would they continue to work there? Unless they are illegal.

Written on If Nashville is 'it' city, what's that mean for Memphis? :

Many of the visitors on Beale St. are there, I believe, because they are really visiting the casinos in Tunica.

LEADERSHIP is the real answer. Memphis has not had it in many many years. The mayor and City Council continually waste tax dollars on failed projects.
Memphis needs leadership that can be fiscally responsible. A good portion of the city council can't even manage their own checkbook (can you say bankruptcy?).
Memphis needs leadership that has long range visions and goals, and that can remain on track.
There are many more things that can be included here.
Of course this applies to the state and federal levels of goobernment as well. Basically, we as a nation are pretty much screwed.

Written on Memphis sales tax increase guarantees money for Pre-K :

Why is our tax dollars funding pre-K to begin with? Parents that want their kids in pre-K should be funding it.
As a matter of fact, I want a tax CREDIT for not having any kids in school system.

Written on Inspection fees likely as Shelby County to ask for Tennessee takeover of emissions program:

Write your city representative and demand that the fees be eliminated. This is the only way they will go away. Just posting here will accomplish nothing, except maybe reducing the internal stress pressures in your body.

Written on Husband opens estate of slain Memphis police officer:

Actually what this article is about, Probate, MAKES it a public matter. Google 'probate' and you'll find that the probate process makes your estate matters public.
You would be best to get YOUR affairs in order now so that your relatives can avoid probate if you die. There are ways to avoid having to go through probate. I've learned a lot about it recently since myself and brother and sister are about to have to go thru it.
I, too, hope the judge orders the money to be put into a trust for the kids, with restrictions on it's use, and have it managed by a bank.

Written on Longer school day explored:

All schools should be in session by 8 AM.
Nothing will help scores except parental involvement, but sadly, many parents don't care nor have much education themselves, or any common sense.

Written on Letter: Airport's predicament calls for a bold strategy:

Where do you people get the notion that Southwest is that much cheaper than flying out of Memphis? Southwest is no longer a discount airline no matter how many articles say it is.
Southwest is cheaper for certain destinations. About the same for many others. I just ran a search to Denver and Southwest was $120 cheaper out of Nashville. Considering that I'd have to pay for gas and parking in Nashville, but would not out of Memphis, it's not any cheaper.
The only thing "discount" about Southwest now is the fact that you save by not paying bag fees. Plus they do have good fare sales.
The airfare on Southwest out of Memphis won't be any less expensive than Delta's airfare on the same routes. Southwest will post about the same fare, as I would expect it to do, but you'll save on the bag fees.

Written on Memphis incentives for International Paper detailed:

All cities give deals, not just Memphis. It's a common practice with large companies. They still pay taxes but get a discount. As far as I know any business can apply for a PILOT. But, if you're only adding 10 people, at an average annual pay of $30,000.00, I doubt there will be any discount given.
The handing out of PILOTs isn't the problem. It is the management of the tax dollars that is the problem. City/County leaders should stop wasting it on non-ROI projects like Beale Street Landing and the Chisca Hotel.

Written on Months of negotiations led to incentive package to keep International Paper headquarters in Memphis :

The deal that IP got is a fairly typical deal for larger businesses. Cases in point - Electrolux and Mitsubishi here in Memphis.
There are many, many more small/medium size businesses than there are "big" businesses. Much assistance is available to small/medium businesses especially via the Small Business Administration.

Written on Gunman kills 26 at Connecticut school, commits suicide :

Another sad, sad story. Condolences to all those involved.

You cannot ban firearms in the U.S. without having a worldwide ban. Those that want them will get them via the black market. Even with a worldwide ban they will still be available via the black market.

The question is, how to identify nut cases and deal with them.


Sad to hear. Condolences to those involved.

I'm wondering why MPD wouldn't have shot some kind of gas canister in the home first. They may have but article doesn't mention. If they won't come out shoot some gas in there.

Written on Some businesses prefer paying a penalty to offering health insurance :

Bye bye company health insurance. Hello cheap-a$$ government health insurance. What, you need a kidney? Well, check back in 10 years, if you're still alive.
I think it should be renamed DictatorCare.
Obamacare will cost many people the decent health insurance coverage they have now.
It will also cost many people some income as business cut the part-timers to less than 30 hours per week.
Darden was in the news recently (owner of Olive Garden and Red Lobster) about backing off their part-time worker plans due to public outcry. Well, they'll just do it quietly now - don't bet the won't. The same that other businesses will do.

Written on Wendi C. Thomas: Luxury car for the mayor isn't an expense city can afford:

Someone said why shouldn't he drive a "nice car". Well, define "nice car". The Cadillac ATS is a nice car, and it could have been leased for $299 a month. It was in the paper TODAY in a nice BIG ad.
The car deal simply maintains, and confirms, the mentality of Memphis leadership and of a large portion of Memphis citizens - which is the ENTITLEMENT mentality. Of course this mentality applies to the majority of the country, and politicians.
"For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.".
This also just shows you, AGAIN, that the Memphis leadership cannot manage our tax dollars.

Written on Letter: Soaking seniors:

SPENDING is the problem, not REVENUE.
There are MANY MANY issues that contribute to the financial mess. THOSE are what need fixing. Things like tax loopholes. EVERYONE getting taxed - even if it's just $10 bucks per year. Installing control on all the entitlement programs to catch and stop fraud. Stop giving money to other countries. Stop giving money to farmers. Stop all the "bridges to nowhere" spending and jail those politicians who do that kind of crap. On and on and on the list goes.
ALL in Congress are to blame no matter what their party is.
More revenue will only mean more stupid spending.

Written on FedEx details buyout program that will likely pare thousands from workforce :

in response to MoMemphis:

...and if they don't get enough "volunteers"'s curtains for their careers. Layoffs.

You finally said what you can't seem to realize - FedEx could simply start firing people. They don't have to give them anything.

Standard severance where I work is two weeks pay per year of service. In order to get two years worth of pay I would have to work there 52 years. And of course, that's only if they offer some kind of buyout.

Written on Letter: Be nice to Delta:

in response to OldHippieChick:

I bet you also think that it is okay for WalMart to pay cashiers $8 an hour and schedule them only for 32 hours so they don't have to offer real health care coverage. I bet you think that it is okay to force a WalMart cashier to work 8 hours on Thanksgiving with NO extra pay. I bet you think is is okay for Hostess to close the plants when the employees refuse to allow them to ignore legally binding contracts. I bet you think the 47% are takers and theives. I could go on, but what's the point?

$8 an hour is an average pay rate for the position of Cashier. To make more money you must PERSONALLY improve yourself to get a better paying position. Even good jobs at large corporations have pay caps. You have to move to a higher paying POSITION to get better pay. It's just the way it works. Many are just too lazy to improve themselves.

Now their hours will be scaled back to 29 per week, thanks to Obamacare.
Other companies have already been doing this, such as Darden Corporation, the owner of Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Bamaha Breeze restaurants. This is solely due to Obamacare.

I do think workers should get some kind of premium pay when working on national holidays, but, as it is, in most cases premium pay only kicks in after 40 hours for the week has been reached.

The unions at Hostess sunk their own ship with stupid, idiotic, work rules.

Written on Letter: Be nice to Delta:

Do those that disagree with the letter not know anything about business?
Yes, Delta hikes some fares out of Memphis when there is no competition for that route. It's good business sense in a free market economy such as the U.S.
This is just like the gas station at Chimneyrock and Berryhill - consistenly .20 to .25 cents higher a gallon than anywhere else. It's the only station around so they can "do it". Free market economy - the law of supply and demand.
The cost of air travel has remained steady for 20 years. I've traveled a lot the last several years and comparing those airfares to my past airfares, back into the late 90's, it has essentially remained the same. A co-worker has expense statements back into the 80's - airfare relatively the same price and sometimes lower. What has changed are all the new fees - such as bag fees.
Why should Delta keep running money losing flights out of Memphis? Answer: they shouldn't!
It's called "business", people.

Written on Measuring the value of International Paper as the company considers leaving Memphis:

Now back to the article.
I don't like the hardball game IP is playing either and I work for IP.
I say the city/county can offer a 30 year deal but the 2nd 10 years should have a higher payment, and the 3rd 10 years it should go higher. Built in increases in the payment amount.
I see it as the company is screwing me, the employee, because when the city/county needs more tax revenue the company wouldn't be contributing any more so they'll have to wring it out of me instead.