opnet [OpNet] Anyone else?

[Johnny Magnum]

Hi, my name is Johnny and I'm a little new to this board. I know there's a lot of elites and members of Project Utopia around here but are there any other city defenders here aside me?

[Wakinyan]

Uhm... Hmm..

I guess maybe I count as the CD for Oglala South Dakota. I wonder how many cities with a population under 2000 gets it's own CD.

It is a good question though. I don't know any CDs on here. Has anyone ever worked as one before?

[Singularity]

I have not but it seems to be a respectable profession. I have seen some of your footage, Johnny, looks like you made a good choice.

[Matryoshka]

Yes.In a manor of speaking I am the city defender of San Diego.and to a lesser bit Los Angeles.

[Great Monster C]

I'm more interested in protecting access to education and quality family entertainment than in protecting the business interests of some great multinational that feels it deserves more than the local police force. That's what municipal defenders are really for, protecting interests of the very wealthy and as a great public relations tool. The poor and disadvantaged are better helped by organized compassion rather than a single individual. Look at how Project Utopia has managed to do so much good, and not all of it due solely to novas. They get together, as a group, and work in unison towards a benevolent goal. Working on your own will only achieve so much.

[Johnny Magnum]

I hear some of your local news sometimes and I think you're doing fine, Totem. Looks like you and Signy were lucky enough to not need a contact like me!

Uh, thank you Singularity, I feel I'm doing the right thing.

I really want to help my friends and family, Great Monster C. Utopia wasn't going to give me a chance to do that. I do want to make the whole world a better place but I've got to start somewhere. And I like it here too.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

No contract (& no money?) and you are more of a private citizen than a PD.

Not that this is a bad thing, it speaks well of you.

,,

Quote:

The poor and disadvantaged are better helped by organized compassion rather than a single individual.

The purpose of a PD isn't to help the poor and disadvantaged. The purpose of a PD is to help the police deal with emergencies... and to generate good PR for the city. Good PR in turn generates more tourist dollars.

I'm not sure whether a city breaks even or not with these sorts of things.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Magnum:
Uh, thank you Singularity, I feel I'm doing the right thing.

I do want to make the whole world a better place but I've got to start somewhere. And I like it here too.

You are doing quite the opposite. You are given baseline humanity a reason to depend on you instead of solving the problems themselves, or, failing that, developing new ways to deal with those problems.

If you choose to help them in this manner, understand the responsibility you are taking upon yourself, and the obligation they will undoubtedly enforce upon your conscience. You will become a symbol of something they cannot be, a force that cannot hope to replicate or equal, and eventually, they will expect more from you than you initially believe.

[DigiGeist]

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Magnum:
Hi, my name is Johnny and I'm a little new to this board. I know there's a lot of elites and members of Project Utopia around here but are there any other city defenders here aside me?

I may not be Minneapolis's Minicipal Defender, but in a way I serve as one. Being someone the Police always run to when there is an unsolved crime keeps be busy at times.

I guess getting back my P.I. licence has made me quite in demand from the people that once took it away.

Almost makes me wich I was one, just to improve my image a bit. That, and Minneapolis has been without one for a while, and there still is a standing offer on the table...

I digress. Welcome to the forums. Just don't get lost.

[Jager]

Ashnod, how about saying "You are doing quite the opposite. I think You are given baseline humanity a reason to depend on you instead of solving the problems themselves, or, failing that, developing new ways to deal with those problems."

You have this annoying habit of talking like you know the absolute of the matter, that you know Mr. Magnum, and that you know the people he will be working with.

Have you ever been in his position? Ashnod, the Public Defender; I would pay money to see that.

[ronin]

Public Defender of a major metropolitan city? Come on, man, she's already the stick of Terat Apologists to match Raoul's carrot. How many hats must one woman wear?

Still, the idea has charm. Ashnod in spandex running around and opening malls and smiling for photo ops in Tulsa with hordes of grinning suburban apes. Be still, my throbbing node.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
Ashnod, how about saying "You are doing quite the opposite. I think You are given baseline humanity a reason to depend on you instead of solving the problems themselves, or, failing that, developing new ways to deal with those problems."

You have this annoying habit of talking like you know the absolute of the matter, that you know Mr. Magnum, and that you know the people he will be working with.
Have you ever been in his position? Ashnod, the Public Defender; I would pay money to see that.

You don't need to work directly with them to understand psychology and sociology, especially as it applies to Nova vs. baseline relations.

History will prove me correct come not even a full century unless we take steps to guide it differently. I don't feel any need, nor do I think it wise, to lessen the impact or the conviction of my statements for the sake of someone's comfort.

If you believe in your heart of hearts, Jager, that I am wrong, by all means you have the option of telling Mr. Magnum that.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by ronin:

Still, the idea has charm. Ashnod in spandex running around and opening malls and smiling for photo ops in Tulsa with hordes of grinning suburban apes. Be still, my throbbing node.

Something is wrong...feel...strange...by wearing this cape and hood, I shall become a protector of all that is good!

[Preston]

Mr. Magnum, if I may suggest, talk to your public officials about First Responder training. See if you can get the qualifications for EMS, Fire Department, and the Police Force. Try to be more than a PR tool and pick up the tools of the trade. Not only will you get to know your fellow public servants, you may well earn their respect and understanding.

If you want, I can have my office send over the program we have trained with here in Boston.

[DeathSquad]

I just had a wonderful idea!

Ashnod is correct. Helping them just encourages them to get even lazier and more stupid than they already are.

But, I will give the boy a reason to protect the little monkeys! I'll have to drop through Lincoln soon.

Be seeing you Monkey herder.

[Johnny Magnum]

Wow, I take time to do some work and I miss everything!

Thank you, DigiGeist, I'm glad to be here!

Ashnod, I'm still the same guy I was last year now I can work with energy. Everyone here was already dependent on the police or doctors or whatever before I showed up, I really don't see the difference. It's not like I'm doing everyone's jobs or something.

Thanks Preston, I've been trying to work with the local authorities as much as I can and the Project did give me some basic training. But that manual does sound like a good idea.

Bring it on, DeathSquad, no one messes with my town.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Magnum:


Ashnod, I'm still the same guy I was last year now I can work with energy. Everyone here was already dependent on the police or doctors or whatever before I showed up, I really don't see the difference. It's not like I'm doing everyone's jobs or something.

You change their dependance upon others from those like themselves, to those who "can work with energy." It is quite a significant difference. One day you will realize that.

[Johnny Magnum]

But I'm still just like everyone else here, Ashnod. I guess in time we'll find out who's right.

[Interceptor]

It looks like I might be heading in the same direction Johnny, though rescue work will be more like a voulnteer fire department, I wouldn't be the first one called. Unions in Chicago being what they are, they have strict rules regarding Nova work. However the Unions are also putting up the money and resources for the rescue equipment that might ultimately get used.

[Johnny Magnum]

I haven't delt with any large fires yet and the unions haven't given me too many problems yet. I guess it's just your location, like you said. The Living Wreck does need to keep his job!

[ronin]

Johnny, don't taunt DeathSquad. Not to be disrespectful to the awesome ability I am sure you command, DeathSquad is a seasoned combat veteran, and you, for all your skill, are still just a babe in the woods compared to him. And I'd hate to see you get killed.

[Preston]

Check your messages, Mr. Magnum.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
It looks like I might be heading in the same direction Johnny, though rescue work will be more like a voulnteer fire department, I wouldn't be the first one called. Unions in Chicago being what they are, they have strict rules regarding Nova work. However the Unions are also putting up the money and resources for the rescue equipment that might ultimately get used.

Why should you ask for permission to do your calling in life?

If you're there and you are able, you should have every right to do what is the right thing. Namely come to the rescue of those who need it.

I'm still wrestling with that thought right now after being frozen in fear over a situation...

I'd rather not talk about that further.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:
If you're there and you are able, you should have every right to do what is the right thing. Namely come to the rescue of those who need it.

Unfortunately, Sakurako, not everyone always agrees on what the right thing is. To the Pakistani, the right thing to do is to drive the Indians out of Kashmir with lethal force and vice versa. But I do understand your point and I do agree there are a few things in the world that are universally 'right.' Saving innocent lives would be one of them.

[Interceptor]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
It looks like I might be heading in the same direction Johnny, though rescue work will be more like a voulnteer fire department, I wouldn't be the first one called. Unions in Chicago being what they are, they have strict rules regarding Nova work. However the Unions are also putting up the money and resources for the rescue equipment that might ultimately get used.

Why should you ask for permission to do your calling in life?

If you're there and you are able, you should have every right to do what is the right thing. Namely come to the rescue of those who need it.

I'm still wrestling with that thought right now after being frozen in fear over a situation...

I'd rather not talk about that further.

I know what you're saying, but Chicago is pretty lawsuit happy, especially the Unions. To me, it doesn't make sense, to my mother, who is very pro-Union she thinks I should consider what they say as Gospel. But you're right, if I'm there and I can help I probably will do that. But I'm not supposed to be 'on call' until some finer points are hammered out. Ironically they want to make sure I get paid very well for doing this, almost too well I might say. But supposedly that's to make the city think twice before hiring Novas when baseline services are available, and cheaper. Someone has to watch the bottom line I guess. It's just weird that they're fighting to keep me from getting the job by saying I should be guarenteed more money!