This is a spin off in a way from the post nominating me for Tauntons radio talk show host.
I was thinking that it might be a better thing to start an arbitration board here. There is a powerful mass of knowledge amoung the participants, even including a couple legal beagles.
We’ve all seen threads where a party comes in to start a discussion of what their builder did wrong or to ask a question about how to deal with something ethically.
What I’ve never seen though, is a thread where both parties involved in a dispute bring their respective views and sets of facts to the table.
It could be exciting enough to rival the old vent wars and bring back the old hands to Breaktime.
You’ve got Judge Whopner, you’ve got Judge Judy,
Make way for Judge Piffin
Replies
I don't think it would ever work.
You never get 2 sides of a story here - Only one side comes in, like a homeowner saying their contractor put their windows in upside down or something.
You can't really judge anything unless you have both sides to make their case.
Unless you're on the take..................(-:
If sex is such a natural phenomenon, how come there are so many books on how to do it? [Bette Midler]
How much of a cut do you want to quit naysayin' Boss?
I agree that it would take both sides is what I meant by this. I haven't seen it happen but what a resource we could be if fellahs tried it. Bring on the debates, guys.
I wonder if Tauntons lawyers are looking at this thread yet? Can anyone spell liability?Excellence is its own reward!
I KNEW IT!!!!!! Youre very concerned about holding onto "the most posts" award...You dog you!
BE well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Hey
I want to go back to the radio show bit.
Just today, in my grubby little hands I got this here post card from ARBITRON.
It sez "You've (meaning me) go the power!"
They want to know what I listen to on the radio.
A greasing of the palm (or better the stomach) and I can make your show #1 in the country before it is even on the air.
Why thak you Bill! The grease is in the mail! Be careful openning it. I hope the PO will send it through their sorting machines.
Just fill in WTTP (WTheTauntonPress)Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
I like your concept, but Boss's point about not being able to prove an issue has merit. Going a step further, even if someone were proven wrong, a good chance exists that he'll have hurt feelbads for whatever reason.
But what if instead of a final decree, we simply find a way to vote on the issue?
We see these silly ads on some sites where readers vote for something. The results are then continuously updated for all to see.
So let's take your idea and see if Taunton can attach an optional voting window to such a string. I'd bet it would get more participation than now as well as keeping Wet Head and others from going on sabbatical. Maybe Splinter would come back.
I dont know about it If it would really work. Ive been accused of personal attacks and name calling here Andy was good about handling the situation. I think Andy can handle it w/o our help Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
Ron, I didn't mean between us. I meant folks from the great heartland of America .
For instance, if a homeowner had a complaint about his concrete slab cracking, he and his contractor could vent all the reasoning here. We'd see both sides and learn from it and maybe a negotiated settlement could arise from them both finding new understanding of one another...
Nah! What was I thinking?Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
Being half Italian (from the waist down) I could be your assistant......
Judge WOPner!!!
Mr To NY
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
This idea has potential. For one I dont want you to have all the power . For several reasons, not that I dont respect you. I think you would make a good repersenitive of the group. Im thinking moderator. Or a judge in a jury trial. That would please me. Besides , I might think I was still right if you were the only one to say I was wrong. One thing for sure I know ; You would be honest about it , but Im afraid you are to the extreme of being opinionated.. Judges rule on evidence only. If you think you could do that , I would still give it a try. I dont want to help kill this thought . I think its a great idea. How about my ideas for a spin ?.................
I want you to pick a panel. The reason I want that done is we all have different expertise , and you know it. Mr 1975 posts as we speak, Ive decided that you know more about what we do than the rest of us do. I think thats your strong suit . [for one ]. I also think that we might try a chat room , so every one can go to court on Sat night and sit the trial out. WE would all be able to see together the whole THING!That alone would be awsome ! You would have to come up with rules . I dont see a problem with voting . There can be no personal attacks , or that person would have pentalties. If a person wouldnt participete by the divine order of rules that were voted on he or she would be out . [Things like these] These are just my ideas to make it entertaining for every one. I even have one to put up on the new court system.
My case is waiting . I want it first on the docket .
Tim Mooney
Cool I was trained in Interest based negociation..Ill consult if needed. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
Tim,
and All,
I should clear something up - That little bit at the end about me being the judge was intended to be a joke. Nothing that hinges on me alone would make it any further than the first flight at Kitty Hawk.
I take no offense at being called opinionated. After all, I know more about my opinions than anybody else, unlike some guys who have to ask their wife what their opinion is, I already know.
Tim, It'd have to be all of us,we who choose the panel, not me. Maybe a board to or team of three to solicit the actual mambers of each panel, like a grand jury. I would think that one of our lawyers could introduce us to the basic principles of arbitration. (Hey, that's a good idea for anyone to learn, since most contractural agreements lately contain a paragraph stipulating that in the event of ...you'll agree to submit to binding arbitration)
Maybe this could be non-binding and informal. Is your adversary willing?
This was just an idea a few hours ago proceeding from my thoughts that a tremendous lot of talent and expeerience lies dormant here, how can it be harnessed.
I know a little about a lot, without much of a specialty, but I know who to ask and am not shy about asking. I can moderate in person so the question is whether I can online. I was chairperson of our local Planning board for a few years and they were sorry to see me retire. The owner of the next job I start on told me that one of the main reasons he chose me for the job was that he had been to one of my meetings and was impressed with the decorum and fairness with which I conducted the meeting and a few other nice things that have no bearing in this discussion.
I seem to be able to slice off the fat and zero in on the pertinent.
Somebody here has said that I don't get frazzled easy. That's simply because I can focus on the job at hand or the discussion in place without being distracted by unimportant personal insults.
Would I have to give up my good humour though?
(Speaking of humour, tonight is one of the best nights here in a long time!)
I don't know about a chat setup, I would feel pressure to perform on schedule and I tried chat once- got lost - too fast - too many voices.Excellence is its own reward!
Dum idea.
Sorry just not in a mood to explain tonight.
It's about that "Excellence is it's own reward" line. Wouldn't you rather be judged by somebody with a motto like "That's good enuff" or "Cut me some slack here" "Can't see it from my house".........That bit about Excellence has a Puritanical ring to it that sounds ominous to me. Sluffing along Joe H
Edited 9/11/2002 12:09:31 AM ET by JoeH
I for one wouldnt want our members customers in here ranting about their problems . This is a personal place for us to relax. I would not want to lose a member over something like that. Im thinking [ what happens in the hall , stays in the hall] What was that dang movie ? Its too late , Im going to bed .
Tim Mooney
ROFLMFAO !!!!!!!!
"Cut me some slack here".
I love it !!!
In fact, I am going to steal it.
: )>Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
So that's it huh? All over and the shoutin'? Fine. Nothin' like traveling in circles.Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
That's OK, Gunner. I was thinking the same thing today. Then all these guys come along and prop it back up.
One thing I think it would have to be a separate piece of Taunton or another site entirely woith links to and from to avoid discouraging anyone here from participating or drawing their customers in.Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin, did you ever know about someone else's spouse having an affair? OK, now, I'd just as soon be the bearer of that news as have to moderate an arbitration board.
Andy Engel, The Accidental Moderator
I understand, Andy. Too well.
It would ruin my enjoyment of a very pleasent place to spend my time here.Excellence is its own reward!
Yea that was what I was thinking. Just didn't have enough in me to say it. after driving sixx hundred miles, and lining out Larry. Thanks for not taking it the wrong way.
I too was having fun with it. I still am. I know who I am talking to, and you know me well enough.
I still like the idea . Even if you think tomorrow you were being crazy. Call me Goofy , I would enjoy a court , hearing , arbitration, whatever. I think it would be a blast. Even if I lose !
I think I've been the mushy one lately telling people I appreciate their knowledge. I would like to get some more out of all of them. I posted " how long have you been at this site " to get the older members talking. [together ] Then Luka's posted " names before and after ". Then there has been a couple of excellent ones running on 911. Also the one on adoption touched me .
People are sharing right now and not so much bickering. This could be a sharing idea as well . I say excellent idea.
I hope there is always humor . Lets toast to it !
Maybe the bickering could go to arbitration . I don't think any thing is gained when personal attacks are being made . [ my thoughts]
You may not like chat rooms, but people have gathered for events for a long time. I see it like Monday night football. [so lets not do it on Monday night ! ] LoL
I'm not sure if my opponent would be willing . Its a no go if not .
Tim Mooney
Well ah'll start. I ben poun'n nails fer bout 17 year solid, never had no pro'lems what with them things fallin' down or nuthin', leastways not so's to hurt nobody, iff'n you don' count my ex's boy friend at th' time,(not thet he din have it comin)(even if he was my brother) and so ah figure to go inna bi'ness as a bonna fahd contractor. Shucks, there's jus' pahls of money to be made buildin' #### fer folks, and nobody roun' here's doin' it fer less then twice of what ah could do you fer. So any ways ah got this job and I could tell raht off I shoulda done walked away, see, this here guys like 'un enginear an' all, an his honey? well she's uh hot little number fer sure but you kin sure tell who wears the overalls in that famly. Anyways ah get started 'en this fellers snoopin' round wondrin' bout stupid #### like fowndation drains an' why ain't the concrete all the same haht all the way 'roun an' what'er the holes in the floor for. Like ah'm gonna explain to him what we use them hoels for with a lady present? 'en he was complainin' bout the lumber in the wall and floors an stuff like I warn't givin' 'im no deal on the lumber cause ah got mos' of it outa my brother in law's pasture 'en it was mos'ly scraped pretty clean what with the cows an all. See, ah says, ah says," man, my neighbor offered me twice what ah'm chargin' you for that" an' he ups and says #### 'bout compression an' span tables an #### like thet an ah jus' says, " well if the inspecter finds anythin' wrong with it ah'll fix it." And that's another problem, cause them inspecters roun' here are gettin pretty damn expensive, what with the buildin' boom an' all. Used to be just a flat fee, now ther chargin' by the violation! As if ah kin jus' shell out $20 bucks ever time he sees a jois' thingy overnotched or a "bearing" wall missin' a piece of plywood inna' corner. And what th' hell's a bearing wall any ways. It ain't like ah ain't studied. Ah ben roun these fourums a bit, altho my las' question was never really answered- mebbe you kin remember it, ah said we got the floors up, now whutdo we do? and they got all highfalutin after that, said it was fer building professionals OnLY!as if ah aint! ah got me a license anyhow.
So now this here city boy don want to pay cause his own, "personal" inspecter feller says Its all done wrong, an' the truss thingys have to be replaced cus theres "web" thingys that we cut out ( how th' hell we sposed tuh get in there to insulate with all them boards in the way, huh?)( dam enginears)(Hell, we put a come-along in there to pull the walls back together) an' the house is leanin' and the foundation don't fit right, or somethin' and now he won't pay fer our las' two months of work, an' ah wanna go to Warshington cuz my cousin's marryin' my sister, an' ah need thet money quick.
Thanks pardner
PS What's "vapor barrier?"
Edited 9/10/2002 11:40:36 PM ET by CHEETEM
I believe we are on to something here that merits a more detailed study. This is something that has a real potential towards building a greater degree of professionalism here on Breaktime. We all know how quickly things change in technology correspondence and this is an opportunity to try something new that could produce a great exchange of ideas to those involved and a definite learning experience to the others.
Changes are going to continually come as more and more tech enters our lives. The advantage is ours if we can remove the roadblocks and direct the changes to produce a desired effect. Let's not push the birth of this idea off into the file of just daily diatribe and instead look again at the possibilities it holds.
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
Does this mean you've been having an affair with someone, Larry?
Give your head a shake.
In the spirit of peaceful arbitration, I'lll take it for what it's worth.
You asked way at the top of the thread, "Can anyone spell liability?" I wasn't sure I could so I asked for some help, now I can! Lie-ability.
I've been involved in an arbitration as a witness for an employer. I can tell you it isn't fun, and while we did technically win, we didn't get what we should have. His laywer's questions to me were: 1)How long have you been an employee of this company? 2) are you the sole income for your family? (yes, at the time). That was it. The implication being that I was lying, and if I didn't I would be fired.
As a contractor you have two strikes against you going in. When was the last time you read an article or heard a news story about the customers who were screwing the contractor? Arbitration is complicated and a crafty customer who doesn't want to pay all of his bill can often find ways of twisting situations into his favor, especially when there are so many unscruplulous contractors around, chasing storms and preying on the elderly.
I would love to read one of those arbitration threads though!
Steve
I'm assuming from what you report, that you would feel more comfortable before an arbitration board of your peers, tho.Excellence is its own reward!
I think the entire idea of having an arbitration board is quite silly...and I really don't think anything you have to write will sway my opinion.
I'm quite suprised that you're so hip on the idea...still, there may be a way to work through this.
Go ahead and present your sad side of the story, I'll present my enlightened opinions, and we'll let a group of regulars read my finely crafted sentences and your irritating dribble.
Then they can decide which way to go on this issue.
Arbitration...what a dumb idea.
Mongo, if you've read the whole thread, you know by now that I'm not so hip about it. There may be a place for it somewhere online, but not here.Excellence is its own reward!
Oops...I think my toungue-in-cheek was a little too subtle. I was inferring that we should solve the idea of "silly arbitration" via...arbitration.
Was supposed to be sarcastic...dammit!<g>
Sorry, piffin, ho harm intended.
you better watch it Mongo....Piff may be in a position one day to work you over good,,Dont burn your bridges bro....LOLLLLLL
Be well
Namaste
AndyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
More likely one of us will bite our tongue off by sticking it in our cheek, and tripping over the threshold while trying to get our foot in our mouth. Thanks guys for the candid humour!Excellence is its own reward!