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Friday
September 9, 2005

Hazards of Benevolence by Luke Setzer

It was through the role as a mentor that I learned some of the hazards of benevolently giving a protégé the benefit of the doubt. While I still consider benevolence a major virtue, I have shrunk what I consider "the bounds of reason" for generosity substantially. Anyone who consults my advice had better prepare for a kick in the seat of the pants from a very unapologetic mentor. (Read more...)
Discuss this Article (31 messages)

Post 20

Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 7:38am

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How about those who say, "I'm only being sincere, and you deserve sincerity," right before they tell you something like, "I have been sleeping with your worst enemy," or they smack you upside the head with a 2x4 and try to wipe you off the face of the earth?

Exactly where can I find these kinds of girls, Michael? When was the last time you were there? :) LOL

I may deserve sincerity, but that doesn't always mean I need it at the moment... :) You know what that reminds me of? It sounds like that part in My Years With.
s4e9vhaq..a ///////// (deleted) wher they announce wta-t6yy that they are going to have an#59dl faffair and would need two afternoons a wee294tu=g ..(DELETED)

rde
Abducted by OrthoOist's

Post 21

Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 8:08am

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I am sorry to see how naive some people are when dealing with irrational kids.
In Naples Italy many local mafiosi have lions as pets.
When someone steps out of line they show him the cage with the lions.
To make a boy behave would only cost you $300.00. lolololololololololol

Just kidding.

(Edited by Ciro D'Agostino on 9/10, 3:01pm)

Post 22

Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 4:34pm

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MSK and Ciro, integrating your comments yields this classic Mafioso hit man line:

It's nothing personal -- just business.

I recall an old Superman Action Comics #315 story called "Juvenile Delinquents from Space" in which the parents on an alien world disciplined their children with a large, hairy, tentacled, one-eyed monster that bound and tickled the children until they begged for mercy.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 9/10, 4:37pm)

Post 23

Monday, September 12, 2005 - 10:16am

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I don't have time for little street punks trying to eff with me. I can smell a grifter 300 yards downwind, at this point.

Post 24

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:17am

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I shared this story with the e-mail list for the local freethought group. One member replied with a story of a friend in a similar situation who lost his life in return for his generosity:

A long time ago a coworker and friend of mine tried to help a young man. The details were almost identical to your story, however my friend was killed for his effort and kindness, stabbed in the chest three times for refusing to loan this boy any more money (this was in the confession of the young man). People can be vicious predators and anybody with a large heart is vulnerable.

Be careful!

Post 25

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 1:49pm

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This is a big lesson. It is one worthy of attention.

It is learning about connies, and their nature; the nature of the con. Very deep stuff.

The thing you have to get over about a connie is guilt. Why do they do it? That is the nature of the con.

The only defense against the con is awareness. Even then, you might get routed.

Post 26

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 2:44pm

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Comic relief (or, maybe Connie Relief<tm>):

If you can ever track it down, Harry Andersen did an early (HBO? Showtime?) special called "Hello, Sucker." That was good.

The other one that crosses my mind about connies is the recent "Carnivale" series on HBO. That had it down to the rube.

rde
Pick a card, any card.

Post 27

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 4:13pm

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Speaking of rubes - anybody ever read Barry Longyear's Circus World?

Post 28

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 5:12pm

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Luke-

Be careful!

Hope you are doing that as well. How long ago was it that you last spoke with this character?

Post 29

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 10:24pm

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Jody,

I don't know about that character, but Luke sees me periodically!

LOLOLOLOLOL... (diabolical laugh)

Michael

Post 30

Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 5:29am

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Jody, the final creepy phone call I got from Gregorio as described in the article happened about six months ago.

I hope he eventually gets himself on the straight and narrow path to virtue, but he will have to do it without me.