El-Repetto and others...
I just finished watching Ladder 49 and I thought it was okay. I was sort of upset that Jack gave up so quickly... Now I understand why he did it, and reading Jerry's posts, I can only take his word seeing how I do not really know any fire fighters. But I would really hate to think that firemen, especially a Chief, would not think of any other way to get to Jack. For example, off the top of head and not sure if it would work...
Use a helicopter with a winch / weight to drop through the floor to where Jack is located. Then lower a firemen into that room and hoist Jack out.
I don't know about you but I'd hate to think of a situation where there are countless men at your disposal only to call it quits. Man or Woman, in reality, have been able to adapt and overcome anything thrown at them. And when there are more people cooperating, say a bunch of firemen and emergency personnel, that which needs to be overcome, is much easier. As long as he was talking, I would not have given up.
El-Repetto : You ever hear of back handed compliments? No offense, but that is all you have been dishing out which is why you get others replying to you in such a negative manner. First you mention that not all fire fighters are arrogant but then you say a generic statement stating that firemen are arrogant. You then give a negative reason that contradicts you're previous statement. Quick example, complimenting someone on their hard work, then saying they could do better. This, in my experience, pisses people off and I don't think you mean to do it.
You also seem to be trying to change the way society thinks and that my friend is just not going to happen. I agree with you, keep reading. I think the real heros in this world are people like trash men, or factory workers, or someone that works in construction, where they weld in environments that are so dangerous that they often become dehydrated. But here's the problem, that is what I think. Everyone has an opinion. Some people think teachers are heroes. Some people think policemen and soldiers are heroes. Others, do not. You cannot fault people for that. You may state your opinion, but when people disagree, you cannot get upset. And that is the main point. In light of September 11th, and the nature of this film, you had to expect some one on IMDB would be taken back by your comment. Right?
Now, you cannot blame firefighters for having the reputation as being a hero. It comes with the job. Face it, they run into a burning building, save a person's life, and move on and worst of all, it's volunteer based. But that person who was just saved now has the chance to continue their life. That, is a big change, and that is going to shout heroism to the fullest extent. Like Jerry said, firefighters are not looking for that reputation. Some of them may be arrogant because of that reputation, but you'll find that the ones that are the good firemen, don't let that mindset cloud their judgement. I imagine the ones that try to carry that reputation will one day get themselves or their one of crew mates killed by risking their life because of their hero status instead of admitting defeat to the fire.
My friend is a soldier who went to Egypt. He saw some stuff over there, and when he came home, he was a new person. Most of his friends don't talk to him, because he took the mindset that he was better than everyone else and that he was a hero. In reality, he was not a hero, that was his job, He signed up for that job. So, that's that.
To others against El-Repetto: I agree with some of the things El-Repetto has been saying, in fact, I like his mindset. More people in this world need to have the mindset he has. Countless times you prove El-Reptto's firemen are arrogance claim by using replies that state that only firemen are capable of running into a building and saving someone. For example, I have read many times in this thread replies that mention something like...
I hope when you are in a burning building, a fireman doesn't rescue you. Or, I hope when you are stuck in a burning building crying, a fireman rescues you and you think about what you are saying, etc.
Now lets be real, the odds of a firemen saving you when you are stuck in a burning building is high, because, well that is their job. Be real, you don't call a TV repairman to save you from a fire. It's just not going to happen. But the mindset you need to have, which the majority of society lacks, is the possibility that the TV repairman could save you from that burning building. It's the same as someone drowning in a pool, you don't need to have a life guard present to save that person from drowning. You jump in, pull their head out of the water, and get them out of the water as fast as you can. Now, if the person was drowning in the ocean, and a strong rip tide was taking the victim, you may need a life guard who is trained to swim that type of situation. Same goes for a muli-story building where there are many victims versus a fire in the room of a house where the average person knows, not always, what to do.
Bottom line: I think El-Repetto wants to see a fireman labeled as a person that works a fireman. Same as a person, man or woman, that works as a police officer. The mindset he takes during his argument proves this and I tend to agree. Here are 2 identical, yet realistic situations with 2 solutions...
First situation:
A house supporting a family of 4 erupts into flames. For some reason, the family is driven into the garage. Now trapped, near by Neighbors call 911. Tell the family that help is on it's way via a cell phone. Minutes later fire fighters show up at the scene. The group of people are saved.
Second situation:
A house supporting a family of 4 erupts into flames. For some reason, the family is driven into the garage. Now trapped, near by Neighbors call 911. Tell the family that the help is on it's way via a cell phone. Afraid that the fire fighters might not show up in time, the older son of one the family's neighbors decides to back his pick up truck into the garage door forcing it open. Fire fighters show up at the scene. The group of people are saved.
The point is, firemen are not the only ones that can/do portray acts of heroism.
I hope you all read what I typed and did not skim through it. It took me a while. It may not be perfect but it sheds some light on both sides and where their coming from.
OKay, now I'm goin' to bed.
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RazeLord
18 years ago
It's a fair point, but they still do a job where they are risking their lives to help people, same as soldiers and cops (in certain situations). And I agree that the same thing probably applies to other occupations, but it's not the fault of the firefighters that they're the ones who get the recognition. And yes, plenty of people can perform such acts of bravery. But these people do it every day (a generalization, I know, but you get my point). But everyone has their own opinion.
However, saying you hate firefighters is kind of hard to swallow.
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Agilis
18 years ago
However, saying you hate firefighters is kind of hard to swallow.
I agree. But I think, well I hope, he means he hates firefighter's attitudes or reputation, or something. Hate is too strong of word to be used against people who risk their lives everyday.
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el_repetto
18 years ago
of course i mean i hate firefighter's attitudes. i don't mean i hate their uniforms or their mustaches. how else can you hate someone except from their attitude/personality?
i think some of you are not reading the entire thread. a lot has happened in this thread and i've explained my point clearly and even apologized for some things said in haste that could be easily misconstrued.
if you read only the topic header and then spout off your knee-jerk reaction you're missing the point. go back and read it (those that haven't), i think it turned out to be pretty interesting.
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RazeLord
18 years ago
I read through this entire thread, but it still seems to be a bit much.
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dunebugrecon
18 years ago
el repetto....your a genius...you made some quite remarkable comments...just enough to enrage people but not enough for them to dismiss you as a troll and to keep this board running from october last year ....congratulations...also ladder 49 was a pretty bad cheese fest...so yeah....continue.
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