I AGREE WITH THE WAY MEFIRST WAS HANDLED BY THEPATCH. I WAS JUST HOPING HE WOULD LET THAT GO A LITTLE LONGER. WE COULD HAVE HAD SOME FUN. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING VA INSPECTOR SAID IN THAT POST. WHAT HAPPENED COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. A OF A HAD A TIP TOP UNDER A CINEMA 180 BUBBLE AT ONE TIME. IT MAKES FOR A GREAT RIDE, BUT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THE OPERATOR LOSES SOME CONTROL AND SAFETY FEATURES.

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Kudo's to Lotman! Speaking as a former ride jock I can safely say that even if the ride is not darkened and visability is clear it is imperative that the ride operater pays attention. VA inspector has pointed out many valid issues and the most important thing is most of the accidents are preventable.

By the way Lotman I plan on looking you up in Middletown this year, I am bringing the family so I can show my wife where I used to sleep (Kate)LOL

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Lotman,

My point in criticizing VA Inspector is not what he was saying in a specific incident so much as following up on my earlier post of who he is and what he does. He searches the web for accident reports, calls the reporters who filed the reports so he can get his name in the newspaper and or on TV saying the accident could have been prevented and then hopefully, gets hired by the plaintiff's attorneys to testify against the show owner/park so he can "make a living". He could certainly make a living working for the safety of the industry within it, instead, he chooses to constantly work against it and participate in lawsuits against it.

VA Inspector has never worked for a ride manufacturing company, he has no degree in safety engineering, infact, he only has an associates degree in criminal justice. He has never worked setting up or tearing down rides for any period of time or had any extensive experience working for a carnival. What I am concerned about, such as in the case of the Gravitron incident, is that VA Inspector may use the comments from well-meaning board participants who are speculating on why the acident may have occured to testify for the plaintiff in the case as it is rumored he has been approached to do.

I am not saying that he never makes a credible point, I am saying to watch out what is said here because it could be used by people to harm the industry.

Burn him at the stake!


Interesting to see if Va does a follow up here.

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MeFirst: Now that's a better way to post criticism and opinions. [:)]

Your welcome [:)] It is just a very important issue that everyone who loves the industry should be aware of. Criticism is one thing, working against it is another

quote:

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mefirst Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:40:30 AM

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Your welcome It is just a very important issue that everyone who loves the industry should be aware of. Criticism is one thing, working against it is another
ThePatch Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:18:15 AM

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MeFirst: Now that's a better way to post criticism and opinions.
Pinetar Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:06:14 AM

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Burn him at the stake!

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mefirst-Well done!

Loving the industry is one thing. Being hateful, rude and acting like a jerk is not the way anyone can get their point to the people. A person does a job because they have to or they like it, maybe both.

Just because someone is bold enough to point out problems or corrections to a situation, that does not make that person a bad person.

The speculation of persons on list of what may or may not have happened involving any ride accident would never be allowed in any court testimony. It is just that speculation.

From what I have read about the Starship accident and the bulletins issued by Wisdom it will not take very much to convince anyone who was at fault. Of course, once the lawyers get involved it may drag out for years. They have to make their money too.

I suspect Va Inspector and Mefirst have met on the carnival lot or somewhere in the past. Whoever was right, or I should say whoever was wrong, should get over it and get on with a product life.

Remember, treat other people they way you want to be treated, unless you are a lawyer.

Safefun,

I appreciate your speculation but unfortunately, none of it is true. I was not being hateful or rude or a jerk, just pointing out some facts about the qualifications and MO of a certain poster. Your post did not address any of that in a factual way.

I believe your understanding of how these court cases work is not accurate. While the post itself could not be admitted, certainly someone could take information from a post and offer it as evidence against the ride operator or park.

Finally, being "bold" and "pointing something out" for the good of the industry is one thing but telling the owner or park outside the context of a newspaper article or a deposition in a lawsuit would be much better for the industry no?

What is wrong with being a lawyer? There are plenty of us that work for safety within the industry not by trying to facilitate lawsuits against it.

I would like to here Va's side on this . If infact he is bottom feeding , or ambulance chasing in this manner i would be very disapointed . To point things out in "hind-sight/20/20" for monitary gain would be pretty messed up.....[V]

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In the USA everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. The fact is I do have a consulting business that has a web site. In addition I belong to several trade groups and associations. I also subscribe to several listing services that make my services known. I have contacted reporters when I read or observed a statement to be less than the truth. The truth in this industry is sometimes twisted to make fit the situation.

My business is concerned with fact finding, not speculation, as I suspect mefirst has been doing. I have and I will continue to support all aspects of safety in and out of the industry. Also you forgot to point out I work for manufacturers and owners also.

Safety Through Communication, if you are not interested in solving the problem, then you are part of the problem.

Mefirst, how about sharing with the group who you are and the aspects of your interests and business? I am sure someone could find just a little fault with the way you do things.

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I know that anyone can have an opinion that is true. But I stated many facts in my post that you did not respond to. I assume that they all are true. Let me ask a few factual questions that you can give easy answers to: How many times have you called a reporter to give a quote? How many times have you been hired by the defendant (ride operator or owner)? How many times have you been hired or given a deposition for the plaintiff? Are you a ntionally certified inspector by NAARSO or AIMS, the only two national certifying organizations?

Looking forward to your reply

quote:

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Originally posted by VA Inspector


Mefirst, how about sharing with the group who you are and the aspects of your interests and business?

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With all due respect i second , not to instigate , but to level the playing field . Surely ya'll have some common ground....?

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This is getting more like a witch hunt or at least personal bashing. Address your request formally and state who you are and why you need the information and I will be more than happy to answer all your questions that pertain to public knowledge.

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Not to get in the middle of you all, but I will say that I do know who me first is, and he is a show owner of a good sized show that everyone on this board has proably heard of.

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