"Knowledge about government is power" --GovTrack
Ahhh, the risk of going green in Oregon.
Yesterday a friend of mine called me up to tell me about a telephone call he received at his place of business Monday, September 29, 2008 at 10:31AM.
What made the call noteworthy is that the caller was crazy and threatening. And, why? Because the company my friend works for is an ‘Environmental Services’ company that recycles! Yep. Who knew that recycling was a hazardous gig?
Was the caller some kind of eco-terrorist type? Nope. He claimed to be a Marine Veteran.
Turns out the caller, whose caller id was showing 818-425-3314, started out asking if this company recycled metal or not. A common and innocent enough question.
And, while my friend’s company does accept metal for recycle, it rarely receives any because metal is not their core business. They actually CHARGE a recycling fee to accept items that some other recyclers, who are more focused on metals, actually PAY to receive.
So, rarely is someone willing to pay to recycle what they can be paid to recycle. The company that my friend works for is very forthcoming about this difference, and even offers such callers the name and number of those paying alternatives, so that they can remain focused on the materials that they specialize in processing.
Before my friend could explain that to the caller … before he got much beyond, ‘yes, but …’ the crank caller launched into a long-winded tirade. The caller not only kept shouting, swearing and cursing, but he even threatened my friend and his company with harm.
The caller refused to allow my friend to speak, shouting over him each time he sought to explain, or interject a single word. Finally, because the caller kept on for so long, my friend simply walked the portable phone into his manager’s office, handed it over, and share the experience with his General Manager. The G.M. listened, remaining silent as the nut-job went on ranting and raving at length.
Apparently, this caller, who CLAIMED he was a Marine Veteran, had seen the recent news story about metal thieves stealing grave markers and other metal from military cemeteries.
Here’s a link to one such report:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/metal_thieves_hit_willamette_n.html
Here is another:
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_092708_news_cemetery_vandals.bb13ddfb.html
Despite the fact that at least one report or more includes this tidbit:
“Metal recyclers have spotted some of the stolen metal before it was sold.”
Which means that the recyclers have actually become allies in the combat AGAINST this type of theft, some mouth breather out there decided that his insane, threatening telephone call to his allies will somehow inhibit those responsible for the thefts from striking again. Go figure.
Rather than be intimidated by or angry with the caller, my friend simply felt pity for the poor bastard. A sentiment I’m not sure I share, but one which is probably more accurate and just than my own response when hearing the story.
Somewhere out there is someone who is in serious need of some help. And, if indeed he was telling my friend the truth when he said he was a Marine Vet., hopefully Bush hasn’t robbed him and his fellow Vets of access to whatever type of help he needs.
Meanwhile, metal thieves add to their list of victims, and need to be caught and prosecuted severely. Perhaps a coalition of recyclers could consider contributing to Veterans organizations and the cemeteries that have been robbed as a further demonstration of their already positive commitment to their communities. And, perhaps some Veterans organization can give this Marine a jingle and ask what they can do to help him heal.
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