Syriana

If anyone can figure out how all the sub-plots and connivances in the movie Syriana fit together let me know. I saw it last night and did not understand it. This is an anti-CIA movie because you have the Agency targeting and killing a forward thinking Saudi prince just to keep an incompetent prince in power and protect the interests of American oil companies. The Agency would not do this. It would take too many case officers and technicians and the story would leak in a heartbeat.
#261 (05-52)

Note: This is the last posting for 2005.

"No" to Arnold

California voters said "No" to their Governor, Arnold Schwarznegger, by defeating four initiatives he had promoted and put seveal million dollars of his own money behind, in voting on November 8, 2005. The voters made it clear they would not dump on teachers and unions, nor did they trust any Governor to trim the state budget unilaterally or three retired judges to carve up the legislative districts. This ought to put an end to the talk of amending the U.S. Constitution so Arnold, born in Austria, would be able to run for President. He will face a tough re-election bid next time out.
#260 (05-51)

J. Palmer Gaillard Jr.

On the evening of October 19, a native Charlestonian, World War II naval aviator, successful businessman and former mayor of the city spoke at the Friends of the Berkeley Library meeting in Goose Creek.
See J. Palmer Gaillard Jr. under Columns Current - above - for a full report on this entertaining speaker.
#259 (05-50)

Q#1

Is Ben Bernanke's checkbook balanced?
#258 (05-49)

Quick off the mark

The Iraqis have fullfilled George Bush's dream. They learned, all too quick, about voting. Two days after the Nationwide vote to decided the future of a proposed constitution inquires are underway in several districts where the vote was 99% favorable. Such a vote would have made Boss Tweed and Mayor Daley cry in their beer. Only Stalin had a greater percentage of victory.
#257 (05-48)
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Time to move on

Ok, it is time to move on to other subjects. The Red Sox are out of the playoffs.
The new questions: Where is the Bush administration master plan for rebuilding New Orleans? It was promised in that speech in the curtained off square in NO by Himself.
Will we let countries who practice censorship and thought control have any say-so in running the Internet? This is under discussion in the United Nations, and China, Iran and Saudi Arabia are lining up to have a major say.
Why do we have more than 2,000 young people locked up in prisons for life, something only two or three other nations do? Some of these people were sentenced when they were only 13 years old.
#286 (05-47)
Comment to: archinsc@knology.net

Red Sox in playoffs

The Red Sox split the weekend games with the Yankees and got into the playoffs as the fourth team. Yanks won on Saturday, Sox on Sunday. Cleveland lost to Chicago both days. It is now Red Sox and White Sox and Yankees Vs Angels.
#285 (05-46)
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It is down to two

Red Sox won last night and are even with the Yankees on the season. Today and tomorrow will tell the story.
#284 (05-45)
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It is down to three

The Red Sox and the Yankees begin a three-game set tonight in Fenway Park which will decide the Division race for the year. Yanks have good pitching and hitting at this time and the Sox have mediocre pitching and no so consistent hitting. None the less, hopes run high in the Red Sox Nation. It will be written in the wind by Sunday night.
#283 (05-44)
Comment to: archinsc@knology.net

Posting directly to this blog

Today I discovered how to post directly to this blog using the Google taskbar. This discovery came from reading a Google Friends Newsletter.
#282 (05-43)

Hurricane Names

CNN said on its web site today:
"The largest number of named storms ever recorded was 21 in 1933, a record that will be broken if just seven more storms develop in the next 12 weeks. And if that happens, the hurricane center will run out of names...
"The letters Q, U, X, Y and Z aren't used, because few names begin with those letters, so the 21st and last name on this year's hurricane list is Wilma."
How about Quentin (as in Tarantino), Ulysses (S. Grant), Xavier (Cugat), Yogi (Bera) and Zeus, (the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea, he was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and of the Pantheon of gods who resided there.)
See there, simple.
#281 (05-42)
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Waiting for a Leader

Editorial - The New York Times

Published: September 1, 2005

George W. Bush gave one of the worst speeches of his life yesterday, especially given the level of national distress and the need for words of consolation and wisdom. In what seems to be a ritual in this administration, the president appeared a day later than he was needed. He then read an address of a quality more appropriate for an Arbor Day celebration: a long laundry list of pounds of ice, generators and blankets delivered to the stricken Gulf Coast. He advised the public that anybody who wanted to help should send cash, grinned, and promised that everything would work out in the end.
#280 (05-41)
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The Great Raid

Last night Mary and I enjoyed The Great Raid, the based-on-actual-events story of the greatest rescue in American Army history. In January 1945, 511 American POWs were rescued by Army Rangers aided by Pilipino guerrillas before they could be killed by the Japanese who had already burned to death more than 200 POWs in another camp. When this murder of prisoners occurs in the movie I had a "they deserved the atom bomb" moment but later remembered it wasn't the guys who did the killing who were in Hiroshima. The story of the Raid is told in an understated way and is devoid of any individual heroics so often seen in war movies (e.g. Rambo). We highly recommend this one.
#279 (05-40)
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Peter Jennings

Early this morning as I was finishing the night's sleep I had a dream. In it Peter Jennings was walking on a platform or patio that I was on. He was wearing a photographer's vest and had a couple of camera lens sticking in the pockets. He had a camera in his hand. He was signaling to another man to come over because he wanted to do some close-ups. He looked young, good head of hair. I spoke to him and said he was the favorite evening newsman for my wife and I. I told him we had been watching him for years. He thanked me and in a friendly way said he would be back on the air when his voice got better. This remark struck me, because it was the same thing I said to our parish pastor several years ago when he asked me to resume lectoring after I had carotid surgery. Peter turned to take a picture and stepped on my toe and I said, "You're on my foot." "Sorry," Peter said, and then he was gone and I awoke. A short time later I got my morning newspaper and learned he had died yesterday from cancer.

Later this morning I told this to my grandson, Steven Archibald, and he wrote in an e-mail, "Maybe since you were a loyal fan he came to visit you."

I will miss Peter Jennings, he was on each evening and over the years became to be looked on as a member of the family.
#278 (05-39)

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Pre-bridge opening gala

They had their fun and games in Charleston last month with all the festivities incident to opening the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, or as it is sometimes known: The Awendaw Connector. (For pictures see http://www.PLApix.com/) The new bridge in Charleston, the longest cable stayed bridge in North America, connects Charleston to Mt. Pleasant.
Not to be outdone, Hanahan last night had its pre-bridge opening gala celebrating the longest bridge on Murray Avenue which connects two parts of the city. Although slightly smaller than the 50,000 or so who participated in all the goings on in downtown Charleston and the Ravenel Bridge, the alcohol free crowd of about 1,200 in Hanahan had a grand time. There was a band, including Mike Davis, owner of the music supply house in Yeamans Hall Plaza, local public officials, including the Mayor and some members of council, the High School cheerleaders and high school band boosters who were selling hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc. None of that haughty stuff like Charleston with its $200 a person dinner on top of the Ravenel where the wind blew small people over.
The oldest person on hand was Doris Segrest, our neighbor, who will be 99 (that's right 99 years old) in December. We, Mary and yours truly, parked at the high school and walked the two blocks to the concrete bridge and walked across it. (Traffic barricades were still in place on the west side.) Just as the Ravenel has sidewalks so pedestrians and bicyclists can cross it and view the wide expanse of the Cooper River and the giant ocean-going ships, the new bridge on Murray Avenue has its sidewalk for use by pedestrians and cyclists to view the narrow expanse of Turkey Creek (best viewed at high tide) and the occasional kayak. In fact, there were several people on bikes there last night as well as roller skates and skate boards. One of the skateboarders, a young boy, made a loud noise with his board and a policeman urged him to pick up his board and go home. (What a downer).
Many people bought their dogs, including (our daughter) Martha Archibald, manager of the McAlister-Smith funeral home in Goose Creek, who had Charlie on a leash. McAlister-Smith gave away free water in the sweltering, humid, evening atmosphere and when they learned the band boosters were selling water they put a donation bucket on their table to help the band and minimize the competition. Some of the party-goers came in formal dress. One member of City Council had his tux shirt, tie and jacket on, along with his walking shorts. All in all it was a good time and we saw so many old friends that I am glad when I cleaned up after dinner I trimmed my nose hairs.
#277 (05-38)
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Soviet Humor - Too Rich for the Masses

Tiny Revolutions in Russia: Twentieth-Century Soviet and Russian History in Anecdotes By Bruce Adams, Publ: RoutledgeCurzon, 173 Pages. $97 is probably one of the better collections of humor in the Soviet Union and, in later days, Russia, but at $97 a copy it is obviously too rich for the masses.
#276 (05-37)

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Letter to the Editor

Excited, captivated
After walking in awe with thousands of other excited and captivated men, women and children across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge this past weekend, I can truly say I believe this is the best expenditure of taxpayers' dollars since the government started paying my pension.
FRANCIS X. ARCHIBALD 1128 John Rutledge Ave. Hanahan SC

Published in The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC, July 16, 2005
#275 (05-36)
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Fireworks at Ravenel Bridge

If you love the sight of fireworks high in the night sky then check out www.patrickarchibald.com This is my son's web site and he has recorded the largest display of fireworks ever seen in South Carolina. The event took place last night on the site of the Ravenel Bridge, to be dedicated on Saturday and opened to traffic late that day. This is the largest cable stayed bridge in North America.
If you want a copy of any picture note the enlarged number of the photo in the index of photos at the bottom of your screen and send an e-mail to pla@patrickarchibald.com.
Have a nice summer.
#274 (05-35)
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Enjoy the gulag

I received a con-job spam e-mail yesterday from a Yugoslavian woman (allegedly a former secretary to a big dog in Russia who is now in trouble - he's doing nine years in the joint) offering to cut me in on $423 million deposited in a Gibraltar bank that belongs to her old boss in Russia. All I have to do is give this woman my bank information and keep all this deathly quiet so we can profit. In my reply yesterday I said, "I am forwarding this to the FBI in America and the SRV in Russia where I am sure they will have an interest in your shenanigans. Enjoy the gulag."
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New York Times supports my suspicions

In an editorial today, The New York Times wrote, "John Bolton was a destructive presence in the State Department under Mr. (Colin) Powell, and his administration fans were lobbying to see him promoted to the No. 2 job. Ms. (Condoleezza) Rice avoided that disastrous possibility by backing Mr. Bolton instead for the job of ambassador to the United Nations. She chose the far more stable and grounded-in-reality Robert Zoellick, the former trade representative, as her deputy. Granted, siccing Mr. Bolton on the rest of the world at the United Nations isn't exactly the best way to sideline him, but at least he has been removed from dangerous areas like North Korea policy."

This echoes my view expressed in a blog on May 10, 2005, when I wrote "SecState Condie Rice wants him gone from Foggy Bottom where he is like a bull in a china shop." See Archives for May 2005.
#272 (05-33)

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Making of a Patriot

Thirty years ago I took three of my five young children to a theater in West Ashley that has long since closed to see "All the President's Men." I am sure they would have liked to see something more attuned to their age at the time, but my wife and I had followed the Watergate story from beginning to end and believed it was important in the course of American history.

The Post and Courier editorial June 3 supporting the contribution Mark Felt made to directing Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the right direction in their investigation emphasizes that importance. I believe now, as I did then, that "Deep Throat" performed a great service to America despite his personal misgivings, inner turmoil and anguish.

Today, we continue to enjoy the freedom envisioned by our founding fathers because a free press keeps the spotlight on government and because in a time of turmoil and testing, the heartland of America always seems to produce a patriot like Mark Felt. (The Post & Courier, June 10, 2005, Letters to the Editor)
#271 (05-32)

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I love David

Yesterday, June 2, 2005, in Fenway Park, David Ortiz, in the bottom of the ninth inning against a Baltimore team leading 4-3, and with two on and two out and the count 3-2, smashed a three-run walk off home run into the centerfield seats thereby winning the game for Boston 6-4.
#270 (05-31)
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Felt is a hero

In the last 48 hours a few voices have been raised criticizing Mark Felt, former #2 man at the FBI, for his actions during the Watergate period which earned him the sobriquet "Deep Throat". The criticisms, from those who should know better, say Felt should not have gone to a reporter but to his seniors. His immediate boss, Acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray, was throwing evidence off the bridge and into the Potomac, the Attorney General approved the breakins, the White House counsel was in on the coverups, the President was involved up to his ears, Congressional committees were not formed and investigating. Who the hell was Felt supposed to turn to?
#269 (05-30)
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Social Security Reform: Q&A
Today I looked in at www.gao.gov/new.items/d05193sp.pdf and viewed the General Accountability Office's 77-page monograph on Social Security Reform: Answers to Key Questions. Like most government writings it lacks drama, suspense and sex, but it is the ultimate source to understanding Social Security, past, present and future.
#268 (05-29)
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Remember...
On this Memorial Day, let us pause to remember those men and women who served our country well and who gave their lives that we might be free. It is the least we can do.
#266 (05-27)
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Pains in the ass get promoted, loyalists stay at their looms
I believe John Bolton was nominated for the post at the United Nations because SecState Condie Rice wants him gone from Foggy Bottom where he is like a bull in a china shop, giving rise once again to the theory that a government employee who is a pain the ass gets promoted and the plucky, hard working loyalist stays at his loom.
#265 (05-26)
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National Identity Card (Part II) - An opposite view point
A reader offers these opposing views on National Identity Cards (see #263 (05-24, below.)
"I'm afraid this is an issue on which I must respectfully disagree. In fact, rather than having the notoriously inefficient states upgrade drivers license application procedures on their own to require real proof of identity, I'd like to see the federal government simply move to national id cards for all citizens and legal aliens.

"Admittedly, I do not think that such a card would lead to the catching of many, perhaps any, terrorists directly. However, it would make their evil purposes much harder if they were unable to purchase plane tickets and establish bank accounts and get drivers licenses. Such a card, which might well replace traditional passports, would also make it much easier for those who travel legitimately to cross our borders, while deterring terrorists.

"The border crossing issue would be a great benefit of such a card. For too long I have listened to politicians, primarily Republicans, speak of securing our borders against terrorists and illegal immigrants. The simple truth is that they have seen to it that border security remains under funded and inefficient to provide a source of cheap labor for their businesses. Requiring a national id card to work, combined with real penalties for businesses that did not comply, would be a great step toward ending this problem. I admit that some lessening of profits and cost adjustments would occur as we moved toward a minimum wage on which legal workers could actually live but these might well be accompanied by a lessening of the tax burden legal workers and their employers, large and small, now pay to subsidize the illegals and their employers. Some of the savings might even be diverted to actually adequate border surveillance and catching some terrorists..

"I realize that many, particularly those with memories of World War Two and the ways of the "Iron Curtain" states, have very negative feelings on the matter of national id cards here. The simple fact is that we have long had them, as financial institutions and state and local agencies have forced our social security cards to become something they were never intended to be. In our technological age, a real id card would lessen our liberties no more but provide the benefits I have mentioned."

Sincerely,
JRH Garden City Beach SC
#264 (05-25)
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National Identity Card
The New York Times this morning has a major story about the administration's push to take over the drivers' license programs in the individual states by mandating requirements that states obtain proof of residence and citizenship of applicants before issuing a license which in itself must meet new federal standards. Critics charge such federal mandates will cost the states more than $500 million, to say nothing of the intrusion into personal liberties. The resulting data base of the nation's drivers will be subject to theft of identities, social security numbers and other personal data. This is the first step to a national identify card, usually required by oppressive rulers and dictatorships. Is there anyone out there who thinks all of this will stop a dedicated terrorist from getting a driver's license?
We need some balance in the equation between national security and personal liberties, the latter being the cornerstone of our Republic.
#263 (05-24)
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Charleston Photos and a work in progress
In the left column (and on the links page) there are links to a budding photographer's work in and around Charleston, SC, including homes, public buildings, events and the like. A proud father invites you to visit and view some of these fine pictures taken by my son.
#262 (05-23)
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Passport Paranoia
The Wall Street Journal (April 18, 2005) correctly editorialized against the Homeland Security plan to require passports of all citizens crossing the Canadian and Mexican borders starting in 2006. Millions cross daily according to the Journal and President Bush, who was, after all, the Governor of Texas. The editorial quoted President Bush: "I thought there was a better way to expedite the legal flow of traffic and people." The Journal went on to say the passport thing was a bureaucratic burden on law abiding Americans, it lets officials cover their butts, and is another "needless" cost and hassle.
#261 (05-22)
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Pope dies
Today Pope John Paul II died in Rome. I saw the Pope three times: once in Columbia, SC, in 1987 and twice during Easter Week in Rome in 1995. The occasions in Rome left the strongest feelings. They were both in St. Peter's amid thousands of worshippers. As he processed down the aisle a large gathering of young people from Poland cheered and called his name. He smiled, reached out to them and moved on. It was obvious how well he was loved. When he was shot in 1981 I told David Kern, a UPI reporter, that "God will take care of the Pope, I worry about Poland." Pope John Paul II will be remembered as one of the greatest men ever to serve as Pope.
#260 (05-21)
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Comments received

"Unless there is oil in Sudan our government will not make any real effort to help. Perhaps if we weren't so occupied in Iraq we could actually defend humanity." (From MA in SC)
"We saw this (Hotel Rwanda) last week. Awesome movie. Hard to believe humans can be so cruel to each other." (From HC in SC)
#259 (05-20)
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Sometimes in April

Watching this HBO original movie was like eating light at a buffet where you pick out a single dish from the many offered. This well-done film plucks one man’s story out of the totality of the 1994 Rwanda experience, and in the process tries to explain how this black holocaust started and why one part of a nation turned on another and massacred an estimated 800,000 men, women and children. In the Nazi era in Germany, and especially the Stalin era in the Soviet Union, there were those ordinary citizens who silently participated through “many forms of collaboration and compromise,” whereas in Rwanda, Hutu extremists and government personnel (including military) wielded machetes and fired guns on Tutsis and moderate Hutus – their brothers and sisters. “Sometimes in April” does a better job of exploring the inactivity of the west through several scenes of American political and military officials meeting, discussing and in the end doing nothing. This is a black mark on the Clinton foreign policy record. Similarly, another African nation, the Sudan, will be a black mark on the Bush foreign policy record unless action occurs immediately to end the current conflict. A UN peacekeeping force (proposed by a pending U.S. resolution) will be a useless gesture unless it takes on a peacemaking role to help end the conflict that has forced more than 2 million in the Darfur region of Sudan to flee their homes.
#258 (05-19)
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Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda is a must see movie for those who ignored the plight of Tutsis and Hutus in that Central African country in 1994 when almost a million were slaughtered by Hutu extremists with the connivance of the French-backed Hutu government. "Those who ignored" means pretty much all of the civilized world, including the United States. The Hutu government in Rwanda was chafing at a United Nations supervised agreement that they share power with a Tutsi rebel group. I thought the performances by Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo outstanding. My regret is that I did not see the film earlier than yesterday (March 17, 2005).
HBO will enter this arena on Saturday, March 19, with "Sometimes in April," another reminder of this black holocaust.
#257 (05-18)
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'tis an Irish Blessing

...for St. Patrick's Day
May those who love us, love us
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts;
And if He doesn’t turn their hearts
May He turn their ankles
So we’ll know them by their limping.
#256 (05-17)
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Great news for Packer fans
Brett Favre will return for his 14th season as the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers - great news for Packers and their fans, not so good news for the rest of the league.
#255 (05-16)
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Nixon sightings?
Has anyone reported any Nixon sightings lately? Reply by e-mail.
#254 (05-15)
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Searching this web site

Blogger suggests allowing readers to search a site by adding the Google search bar but doesn't explain how to do that. The blogger bar searches your whole computer; not something you want everyone to be able to do.
#253 (05-14)
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Condolences to families of slain RCMP
We send our condolences and thoughtful prayers out to the families of the four RCMP officers slain this week in Alberta, Canada, while investigating an illegal marijuana site.
#252 (05-13)
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Comments on Aviator review
"Well good for you! (When I'm wrong, I mutter and scurry furtively out of sight!)" (X- A minister in South Carolina)
"I haven't seen 'Aviator' yet, but I def-will. Nancy has and enjoyed it immensely. Good to read of your contrition. [lol]" (Dave in New England)
"An honest man! How rare! Thank you. I enjoyed the film too. Everyone sez it's a shoo-in for Best Picture, but I'm thinking maybe Million Dollar Baby (which I haven't seen!)." (John in South Carolina.)
#251 (05-12)
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Aviator
Some weeks ago I expressed an adverse opinion about the film Aviator without having seen the film. I did not believe that Leonardo de Caprio could carry off the role of Howard Hughes because I consider him to be too young and baby-faced. Yesterday, we saw the film and it is obvious why I am not a Hollywood producer of epic films. My casting skills suck. de Caprio does a great job and he carries the film from beginning to end. Having grown up during the Hughes era, reading about him and seeing him in newsreels in my youth affords me a perspective to appreciate how accurate the film story line is with regard to Hughes and his accomplishments. It may not win the Oscar tonight, but it will be a worthy contender. Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Kathryn Hepburn is also right on target and she is a delight to watch
Five stars.
#250 (05-11)
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Master Cheat
This third novel by Jack Miller features a lead character drawn from a composite of different cheaters operating in the glitz and greed of Las Vegas. The methods employed and the scams run by the cheaters are based on actual events. Their successes as well as the precautions taken by casinos to protect themselves are both complex and simple. Miller was a senior agent of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board for eleven years and writes from first-hand experience. His book may be obtained on-line through Mystic Publishers (www.mysticpublishers.com).
#249 (05-10)

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Death of a good friend
Today I will be a pallbearer for my good friend Fred Matthews who died on Saturday after a brief illness. Fred was 83 years old and I knew him for 41 years. He could always be counted on to help anyone in our neighborhood with any project and he was a font of knowledge on many everyday things. I will miss my friend.
#248 (05-09)
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Trip over -short circuited
Our trip to SE Asia was cut short after my wife took a cold and was unable to shake it. We felt it was better we journey home than traispe around SE Asia with one of the party - as they say - 'sick as a dog.'
#247 (05-08)
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On a trip to SE Asia
On January 20, I will leave on a trip to SE Asia with planned stops in Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Three Gorges in China, Bangkok, New Delhi and other points in the area. Two months have been allocated for this overseas adventure, my first since visiting South Africa from January to March 2003.
#246 (05-07)
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The Economist and Einstein
Dear James,
I cannot express adequately how glad I am that you turned me on to The Economist a couple of years ago. I often enjoy reading their diverse essays and commentaries and marvel at how much my mind has been expanded and knowledge increased. So it was especially so this week as I ploughed into the three page Science and Technology essay which celebrates the 100 years of Einstein and where the editors "attempt to elucidate" on Einstein's theories about (1) atoms, (2) relativity, and (3) quantum physics. Being, however, a social science major who matriculated in mid-life, I have no f****** idea what the hell they or Einstein are talking about. I thought I would share this with you. I did enjoy Lord Scarman's obituary, although the world is poorer for his passing.
Dad
#245 (05-06)
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One vote against bathing
A long time good friend wrote: "Believe it or not, I knew a woman who died in a bathtub; her doctor husband electrocuted her by dropping a radio into the water and trying to make it look accidental. He was caught."
#244 (05-05)
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Reasons to stop bathing or gambling
Your lifetime odds of dying in a bathtub are 1 in 11,469; the odds of winning the Powerball lottery are 1 in 120, 526,770. (Source: David Wessel, The Wall Street Journal, Jan.6, 2005, pg 2.)
#243 (05-04)
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Readers comments on automated phone systems

(1) The main utility in New York City, Con Edison, has a diabolical voice mail. If you hit "0”, a cheery voice says "thank you for calling Con Edison" and disconnects the line. The only way to get a real live person is to punch the code for reporting a gas emergency.

(2)My mother who had trouble with her eyes could not see well enough to press those numbers and had to take the phone from her ear to look at the numbers so she could press whatever button she needed. Sometimes it would disconnect her before she could push the right button. She would get so frustrated and call me to help. I think this is a sorry situation for all of us but especially for our elders who might have trouble hearing and seeing.

(3) I too have encountered some automated business call systems that made me want to drive right over and change my account or service to another company. However, I have encountered some that were both easy to use and led me to an answer quicker than an employee in a busy office could have helped me alone. The technical difference is simply in the programming. The human difference is, I suspect, in whether anybody high enough up in the company that they really ought to making decisions affecting their customers' satisfaction ever sat down and actually tried the new service experience before its installation.

(4) Oh, you cannot know the meaning of aggravation until you have tried to reach the good folks at AT&T. I asked the young lady in Bombay (and I'm not complaining that I was talking to someone in India) to please fwd my concern as high as she could that it was ironic to see this giant of American communications technology reduced to an impenetrable voice messaging system.

(5) Amen--and there are many more companies and businesses that provide the same "automated" service!
242 (05-03)
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Credit Union Telephone Service
It is a new year and time to strike back at those systems and things that aggravate a man's soul. We were not put on this earth to be abused by businesses that won't put a human being on the phone when we call. I understand efficiency, but I also learned almost sixty years ago that the customer is number one - or ought to be. Herewith my opening salvo in this year's first crusade. If you have similar or dissimilar thoughts send them to me for posting on my blog.

January 5, 2005

Chairman, Supervisory Committee
SC Federal Credit Union
PO Box 190012
North Charleston 29419-9012

Dear Sir,

Again today, I had to call the Credit Union to tell them that we could not access our iTeller statements after receiving e-mail messages that the statements were available. The computer system was not responding for statements until after 12:30 in the day.

The main thrust of this letter is to express my aggravation at the automated telephone answering system in use by the Credit Union. This system may be the cat’s meow to some employee technical geek who thinks he or she has brought the Credit Union into the 21st century but from a user’s standpoint, it is a blood pressure raising aggravation designed to increase the frustration level. The voice recording the messages is an irritation and the number of buttons you have to press to get anything done is ridiculous.

I do not call the credit union much anymore because you cannot talk to an individual unless you wade through the automated system. It occurs to me that if the next time I have to call the system is not improved, then my family will be better served by moving our accounts elsewhere.

Cordially,

Francis X. Archibald
#241 (05-02)

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#240 (05-01)
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