Subj : deaf and dumb
To   : Charles Pierson
From : August Abolins
Date : Tue Jan 26 2021 09:32:00

Hello Charles!

** On Sunday 24.01.21 - 08:44, Charles Pierson wrote to August Abolins:

 AA>> Heck, if that deaf/dumb fellow offered to wash the windows
 AA>> or vacuum for a few minutes, I wouldn't hesitate to "gift"
 AA>> $25 bucks. But there was no eye-contact, and no attempt to
 AA>> even try to speak.

 CP> Well that would require he do actual work, which is what
 CP> the scam is an attempt to avoid.

Heheh. True!  I wasn't in a give-a-life-lesson mood, so I just  
scowled.  Thankfully he turned around and walked out a few  
seconds later - but he gave no indication of anything that  
resembled "thank you for your time".  But like I said earlier,  
just before he left, he took a quick look around the place - as  
if to see what might be worth stealing. Since I can't just grab  
a pile of my book stock and trade that for food, drugs or booze,  
he probably realized the same thing.


 AA>> What is there? I can call the police, but the people would
 AA>> be gone by then. All I can do is offer my natural scowl
 AA>> and indicate that I am not the right person to mess with.

 CP> That's very likely the case, but seeing that you are
 CP> willing to involve the police is a deterrent of sorts in
 CP> and of itself.

I am not necessarily willing per se.  I would not be comfortable  
to involve the police.  I have the local police emergency number  
plastered on my cash register so it's nice and handy. But it has  
not been necessary for all the years that I've operated.

I *have* called the police on behalf of other people though.   
There was one fellow (who I knew) came in and claimed that his  
truck was stolen. He was in a totl panic! End of that story is -  
he forgot where he parked it.


 AA>> Pathetic.  There ought to be a way to block those things
 AA>> permanently. Or.. if I had the resources, I'd love to
 AA>> switch those calls to another line (to free up the one
 AA>> that they've hijacked) and blast some static/hum/buzz or
 AA>> something.

 CP> The US has a "Do not call" registry, but with the ability
 CP> to spoof numbers, etc, it's pretty useless.

The phone companies claim that spoofing is necessary to support  
the callfowarding and re-direction features they sell.

I'm still toying with the idea of trying https:// 
jollyrogertelephone.com/  There's an additional cost for  
landlines, but it might be worth it.


 AA>> ..But I like the idea of some kind of mechanical way to
 AA>> entrap troublemakers and keep them escaping before
 AA>> authorities arrive.

 CP> Invest in remote activated locks?  Better one than what
 CP> they used in that video clip you shared a while back, of
 CP> course.

Along those same lines, I've looked into a basic automatic door  
opener (to help open the door from remote when people with  
walkers or wheelchairs can get in and out easier) But the  
starting cost was close to $3K.  For now, I just whip around the  
counter and hold the door open.

Some kind of automated way to lock the door upon pressing a  
panic button would be cool.


 AA>> Or.. I need to bulk up with weight-lifting and wear a
 AA>> ninja bandana to clearly show that I am not to be messed
 AA>> with.

 CP> That wouldn't work in my case.  I'll always be tall and
 CP> lanky, though I am developing a bit of gut.

I think people respect (or fear) people who are fit, poised, and  
limber more than those that are not.

--- OpenXP 5.0.48
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