In the You-Can’t-Make-This-Up Department, ‘In the Money’ show reporter Polly Labarre complained employees don’t get enough time off. We’ve got it so darn bad, according to the folks at CNN, “we work more than medieval peasants used to work.”
Ordinarily, I’d debunk that June 9 report, pointing out that peasants had to work dawn to dusk eking out a living little better than slaves. But it’s so ridiculous, why bother?
Like so much in the media, this little nugget comes from another goofy group that the media miraculously fail to ignore. It’s called the “Take Back Your Time” movement. The group has a long list of demands of more time off for Americans and Canadians.
The group’s site complains that “On average, we work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do.”
Good. Great even. No wonder America kicks butt instead of groveling like a bunch of medieval peasants.
And if that image doesn’t invoke enough Monty Python for you, then this might. The June 11 CNN “American Morning” crowd was amused by Burger King plans to include Spam in breakfast meals in Hawaii. Anchor John Roberts even burst into song, singing: “Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam.”



















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Anybody who says that they wo
June 11, 2007 - 18:17 ET by NewsbusterbrownAnybody who says that they would trade places with a medieval peasant is either a moron or a liar.
On the other hand--
June 11, 2007 - 18:28 ET by misterbillOn the other hand--peasants did not have to listen to Polly Labarre. That's one for the peasants. Many years ago, when starting my career with a major US corporation, people were complaining about members of our group who were voluntarily working far more hours than the scheduled work week---curses-- what a fate! If you want the time off and the other fellow is a go-getter--he gets--you don't. It's as simple as that.
No kidding, misterbill,I love
June 11, 2007 - 18:40 ET by BlondeNo kidding, misterbill,
I love my job....it's challenging....and if I work alot...well, I work alot.
But when I need to get the heck out....that's what I do too.
But if you read this and think about it a bit.....this bimbo is inferring that the "American Worker" is nothing better than a "peasant".
Trust me when I tell you, I'm no peasant.
And while I don't own my own company, I know the company for which I work (a Fortune 500, BTW) could axe my job tomorrow, but they'd keep me.
Not rather peasant-like. Capitalistic. Just the way I like things.
Of course, you know I am being---
June 11, 2007 - 18:46 ET by misterbillOf course, you know I am being---sneaky--I want you young folks to keep those deposits going in to the SS for my retirement. LOL
Oooops-- wait Kennedy and company want you to help out the Mexuican economy too!!!
(Not funny!)
No kidding, mb.Not funny at a
June 11, 2007 - 18:59 ET by BlondeNo kidding, mb.
Not funny at all.
When my dad was still alive, I always made him buy lunch.....just because it was my money anyway, and why should I have to pay it twice?
As for the illegal immigrants....another thread, perhaps another day. I'm still tired from reading tumbler. Maybe in a week or so I'll get my head back into that game!
I'll bet not one of the "
June 11, 2007 - 18:34 ET by Mica the MagnificentI'll bet not one of the "Take Back Your Time" socialists owns a business.
I want to be like the French, their wine, their great life style, their great working hours. No? You said, 'No'? O-k, I surrender! - - - Frenchman wannabe
Yeah, typical lefties, want e
June 11, 2007 - 19:26 ET by liberal_bug_zapperYeah, typical lefties, want everyone else to work for them. They think that business exists to give them cushy jobs that they should be able to slack of on as much as they want.
Socialism is the utopia of the lazy.
____________________________________________________
"We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities." ~ Thomas Paine
I know that I feel like I wor
June 11, 2007 - 18:47 ET by balboaI know that I feel like I work at least as hard as Sir Rodney, but maybe not quite as hard as Prince Valiant.
Oh Crap!
June 11, 2007 - 18:48 ET by c5thenThis is just what I was afraid of. Now that France has voted in a conservative as president, their hard-core socialists are coming over here with their stupid, whacko ideas.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
I can't believe it. I am s
June 11, 2007 - 19:26 ET by motherbeltI can't believe it. I am struck dumb. I am speechless. That load is so stupid I can't even think of anything to say about it. I just want to go up to Polly Laberre, knock on her head, and say "Hello, McFly! Anybody home????"
Peasant 1: Who's that then?
June 11, 2007 - 19:37 ET by Roger the ShrubberPeasant 1: Who's that then?
Peasant 2: I don't know.
Peasant 1: Must be a king.
Peasant 2: Why?
Peasant 1: He hasn't got sh*t all over him.
"Help, i'm being repress
June 11, 2007 - 19:42 ET by"Help, i'm being repressed, i'm being repressed"
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Well, you can't expect to w
June 11, 2007 - 19:48 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
The lady of the lake?Come on,
June 11, 2007 - 19:51 ET by BlondeThe lady of the lake?
Come on, Rog...you can do better than that!
Sigh. Okay.
June 11, 2007 - 19:59 ET by Roger the ShrubberSigh. Okay.
Silly. Oh how I miss that s
June 11, 2007 - 20:03 ET by BlondeSilly. Oh how I miss that series!
Thanks, Rog.
Rog, for some reason it would
June 11, 2007 - 20:05 ET byRog, for some reason it wouldn't load so i got sidetracked
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Let's not quibble over ooo ki
June 11, 2007 - 19:54 ET byLet's not quibble over ooo killed ooo; this should be a festive occasion
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Bruce,I get the distinct feel
June 11, 2007 - 20:04 ET by BlondeBruce,
I get the distinct feeling that because I never was a Monty fan...I am way out of my depth here.
Yes?
No Blondie it is we who are i
June 11, 2007 - 20:07 ET byNo Blondie it is we who are in the depths as the links well attest
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Thanks, Bruce.I am a non Mont
June 11, 2007 - 20:10 ET by BlondeThanks, Bruce.
I am a non Monty person...just because it never interested me.
I suspect I'm culturally challenged because of my lack of interest.
Silly me.
Probally because you're smart
June 11, 2007 - 20:15 ET byProbally because you're smarter than us.
Silly us
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
It's probably too late for
June 11, 2007 - 20:20 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveIt's probably too late for you now. You have to be introduced to Monty Python with the right group of people and you have to have at least a small appreciation for dry humor otherwise it is unbearable.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Here's a bit of humor i saw p
June 11, 2007 - 20:22 ET byHere's a bit of humor i saw posted in a military installation today: (abbreviated)
Since we've been in Iraq the death rate is 60 per 100,000 per month.
The rate for Washington DC over the same period is 80.6 per 100,000
The moral? we should pull out of DC
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
No, No botg! We should re-dep
June 11, 2007 - 20:26 ET by Mica the MagnificentNo, No botg! We should re-deploy the cops to Alexandria, Va. That'll make D.C. safer!
Inna-godda-da-vida baby - don't you know that I love youuu? - - Songs peasants never had an opportunity to sing.
Geez, Mica...That's not far e
June 11, 2007 - 20:28 ET by BlondeGeez, Mica...
That's not far enough.
Let's redeploy them to L.A.!
It's about as far from Iraq ad Okinawa is....thank you Murtha, you turd!
Blonde: BTW, I've never seen
June 11, 2007 - 20:32 ET by Mica the MagnificentBlonde: BTW, I've never seen a Monty Python flick. The scenes I did see looked so damn gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) to me.
I once ate a Ford pick-up truck by mistake - Rosie
Well, thanks, Mica....Me neit
June 11, 2007 - 20:36 ET by BlondeWell, thanks, Mica....
Me neither....but your response was seriously funny!
I suppose I need to catch up on some cultural stuff...maybe check out the Soprano's thread.
BTW, Tony got whacked last nite, no doubt in my mind.
No No No MtM, we should re-
June 11, 2007 - 20:29 ET byNo No No MtM, we should re-deploy the ACLU to Stalingrad
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Well I "work" in
June 11, 2007 - 19:52 ET by radiofitz34Well I "work" in radio and "my brain hurts". OK it really doesn't. I was just trying to stay with the Monty Python theme.
I did however have some jobs in the past which were very demanding. Even so, that CNN reporter is silly...too silly.
Look at the violence inherent
June 12, 2007 - 08:16 ET by Hero SquadLook at the violence inherent in the system!
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Day in the life of Mean Gen
June 11, 2007 - 20:14 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveDay in the life of Mean Gene Dr. Love:
Typical day for a medevial peasant:
Yeah, we've got it much worse today. Working conditions seem to continually improve as people find better and more efficient and comfortable ways to accomplish our tasks or to automate them.
This is ridiculous. Working 350 hours longer than Western Europe does just means that we aren't a bunch of pansies that expect hand-outs from the government at our own expense in heavy taxes.
An honest living has never hurt anyone that I know of.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Mean Gene,All it means is tha
June 11, 2007 - 20:26 ET by BlondeMean Gene,
All it means is that Europeans (socialists, all) are granted about eight weeks of vacation a year.
So they can sunbathe nude during the month of August. Oh, how I wish they'd stay in Europe instead of coming to Florida. It's gross!
I'd prefer to have four weeks a year...but I don't know how I'd possibly use it....I lose vacation days every year....because I'm so wrapped up in my daily stuff. I love it!
Call me a capitalist, I won't mind.
To those who work their butts off...the rewards. And to the slackers, bugger off.
And to Hillary....bugger off, twice, or maybe ninety eight times. Socialist witch!
I rarely use all 30 days
June 11, 2007 - 20:39 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveI rarely use all 30 days of my leave every year too. I get stir crazy if I am away from work for more than a couple weeks at a time.
I've been told that some European countries (like Germany) even pay airfare for people (to their choice of destination) if a doctor prescribes relaxation time because of too much stress. Of course, everyone is prescribed this type of vacation on at least a bi-annual basis.
When I was a bit younger and before I entered the military I simulaneously worked three jobs with most days totalling about 18-19 hours of work. I was paid handsomely and I was always given as much work as I could handle because the companies I worked for could rely on me to produce results. Funny thing, when people work hard and concentrate on the task at hand, time flys by and it takes much longer to become tired and worn out. I loved the feeling of accomplishment and the sense of "earning" a good night's sleep.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
I walk eight miles and work
June 11, 2007 - 20:28 ET by Night WatchmanI walk eight miles and work out at the Y for two hours, on my lunch hour.
Do the little things at work: make out your grocery list, shop on line,
and email friends. Many of the things you do on your own time you can
do at work. Just don't drink beer.
EIGHT miles?! Is it uphill, b
June 11, 2007 - 20:31 ET by balboaEIGHT miles?! Is it uphill, both ways?
In five feet of snow? Buil
June 11, 2007 - 20:35 ET by Dave RIn five feet of snow?
Build the damn fence, George!
Can I carry your books?
June 11, 2007 - 20:37 ET by Mica the MagnificentCan I carry your books?
Barefoot?"The tree of
June 11, 2007 - 20:40 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveBarefoot?
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Actually it's a rail trail
June 11, 2007 - 20:36 ET by Night WatchmanActually it's a rail trail and the steepest slop is 2%. On my days off
I actually do 10 miles, I'm a serial walker since my triple bypass.
Donate to the Night Watchman's Sneaker Fund.
Wasn't John Wayne Gacy a seri
June 11, 2007 - 20:39 ET by Mica the MagnificentWasn't John Wayne Gacy a serial walker?
You're confusing fat serial
June 11, 2007 - 20:53 ET by Night WatchmanYou're confusing fat serial killer with lean serial walker.
OMG, look where this thread
June 11, 2007 - 20:58 ET by motherbeltOMG, look where this thread went LOL! But it proves my point (if anyone remembers it at this juncture:
motherbelt Says:
June 11, 2007 - 20:26
I
can't believe it. I am struck dumb. I am speechless. That load is so
stupid I can't even think of anything to say about it. I just want to
go up to Polly Laberre, knock on her head, and say "Hello, McFly!
Anybody home????"
I'm not the only one who couldn't even think of a comment on this stupidity. So it's no surprise it gravitated to Monty Python etc.
Well I don't mind, especially
June 11, 2007 - 22:00 ET by Dave DWell I don't mind, especially since my quality of life would make a medieval king jealous.
These are the same people w
June 11, 2007 - 22:42 ET by JerryThese are the same people who will bitch and moan about those "lucky' ones that have succeeded in life. These fortunate ones, born with a silver spoon in their mouths, representatives of the unfairness of capitalism.
Guess what? If someone works their tails off, goes the extra mile, does the best job they can possibly do.... they WILL SUCCEED. If someone works because they are "owed' a paycheck, surfs the net all day, clocks out at 5:00 on the dot, complains about their lack of vacation... they WILL more than likely become the peasants of today's society.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Technically they are right
June 12, 2007 - 10:21 ET by kirch66I believe they are speaking in terms of time worked. I saw a documentary series the other night hosted by none other than Terry Jones of Monty Python fame (see you all thought the Holy Grail comments were original, lol) called "Terry Jones' Medieval Lives". In each episode he focuses on one facet of medieval life, the knight, the monk, the minstrel, etc. In one episode, called the Peasant he talks about the myths of these lower social class people in Europe. and it turns out that, "the average peasant was intelligent, an expert on the law, had up to 80 public holidays a year, and often lived up to the ripe old age of 60". And from what I can remember, a comment that struck me as interesting, was that they actually worked fewer hours than modern 40 hours a week workers. They only worked about 5 months total of the year. The series attempts to kill the historically inaccurate clichés on that part of history. It was an interesting show.
"The moment you give up your principles and your values, the moment you laugh at those principles and those values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period." - Oriana Fallaci
Yes, that was a very enjoyabl
June 12, 2007 - 11:05 ET by Roger the ShrubberYes, that was a very enjoyable series.
That being said, comparing then to today is downright silly.
Don't kid yourself: life for peasants in Europe blew big time.
Until the Black Death came around.
Then the pool of workers diminished greatly, allowing the peasant to demand more wages, better working conditions, plots of land to call their own, etc... It gave them leverage they had never seen before over their Lords and Masters.
But still, even after the Grand Leveller did its work, the life of a medieval peasant still sucked royally.
No kidding
June 12, 2007 - 14:25 ET by kirch66Oh I hold no illusions that they didn't have a hard life. But I was commenting on the amount of time worked in relation to the initial comments (in addition to not being paid, indentured servitude and basically living in sh!tholes). I do remember reading about the dark ages in college and how the Black Death leveled the playing field for the peasants to demand more compensations. A third of the entire population of Europe was killed off, sometimes whole villages were wiped off the map by that. That's where the whole paradigm shifted for Europe and the general middle class. Before that there were basically just two levels of society, nobility and the hangers on, and the peasants. Merchants took off after the black plague and became the real power brokers. Tony Robinson did another great series along these lines about the "Worse Jobs in History". But I just thought of the show I recently watched with this topic and felt like posting. "Now go away or I shall say Ni! to you.......AGAIN!" :)
"The moment you give up your principles and your values, the moment you laugh at those principles and those values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period." - Oriana Fallaci