posted
Is the economy low or what? I find the business tougher this year than it was in 1992. Especially with the car dealers. Usually we have an average of 12 to 15 car dealers to do every months and we did maybe only 20 since may!! Seems they ran the same promotion over and over. It's even worst with the supermarkets. Most of them tell that they cut their advertising budget. Is this low economy only in Quebec or you feel the same in Canada and in the States?
-------------------- Pierre Tardif P. Tardif Inc. 1006 boul. PIE-XI sud Val-Belair QC. Canada G3K 1L2 418-847-4089 pierre@ptardif.com Posts: 800 | From: Quebec city | Registered: Aug 2002
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We are busy beyond belief, though 6 months ago we were hating life, the nature of the business, but we are on the high end, and when that dries up fast we get in big trouble. At least you small shops can do the quickie small jobs, and at least survive. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Hi Pierre...I have had an exceptionally busy year so far. My main customer base is trucking companies and marinas and both have been experiencing a booming business here in Ontario.
Hope things pick up for you too!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Great year so far. It's really sad how influential the economy has become. It seems that every time some analyst makes a statement on a major news network about "how bad the economy is" it only gets worse. The economy IS YOU AND I. If we go out and spend as usual, then demand is created. Etc... Right now ( because some damage has already been done) is a great time to go refinance the house ( interest rates are low again..) take your equity and make soe purchases. Build the deck you have been talking about. Put in the hot tub. Take the kids on a Disney vacation. Buy the new plotter you've been thinking about. Do some advertising. Buy that new shop truck. Do some clothes shopping. Take your spouse out for a really nice dinner and a movie. Your business depends on people spending money. And everyone elses business depends on you spending money as well.
Let's put an end to this nonsense.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
The sign biz here is pretty slow for me as well.
Fortunatly, I have a large faux finish job to start any day now, a $15,000-$18,000 job.
I am bidding on a high-end resturant interior faux job. I just wish they didn't want you to match wallpaper! Some of it is difficult to impossibe to match.
I would dump the sign work altogether, but it does fill in between on some of the bigger jobs.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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all i got to say..."OH HOW I MISS THOSE BAD OLD CLINTON DAYS"!!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Jeff You are right! By the way a year ago I moved my shop in a new and bigger building investing a fair amount of money, Building new offices, 6 months ago I bought a brand new mini-van, Only two weeks ago I bought a brand new plotter (Allen-Datagraph 860) the biggest plotter in the market (60") and yesterday I bought another master roll of tyvek (2200 yards). At my home now, I builded my house on june 2001 (a nice american colonial 3 stories style), so this summer was the time to finish all the landscape, put on the grass, I builded a deck, put on a swimming pool. We just had our third kid, So we could'nt make it for Disney this year But I guess I did my part for the economy in the last two years!!
Have Fun!
-------------------- Pierre Tardif P. Tardif Inc. 1006 boul. PIE-XI sud Val-Belair QC. Canada G3K 1L2 418-847-4089 pierre@ptardif.com Posts: 800 | From: Quebec city | Registered: Aug 2002
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Quebec is still in Canada and I hope it will stay! Sorry, Steve I did'nt intend to hurt you I guess I have'nt found the right english words. I know how the economy is in Quebec province I just wanted to know how it was OUTSIDE Quebec in north america. By the way I'm a french-canadian not a separatist! You got a place for me in case of separation?
Have Fun!
-------------------- Pierre Tardif P. Tardif Inc. 1006 boul. PIE-XI sud Val-Belair QC. Canada G3K 1L2 418-847-4089 pierre@ptardif.com Posts: 800 | From: Quebec city | Registered: Aug 2002
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I miss the old Clinton days too. When Clinton was president corporations kept accurate books and government did not cook the books. The way to get this economy rolling is to raise taxes. Spend more money on public schools, head start, environmental regulation, prescription drug benefits for seniors, unlimited unemployment benefits, drug rehab programs, more W.I.C., increase spending on medicare and medicade, increase social security taxes for the lockbox, cut defense spending, make it easier for trial lawyers to punish manufacturers of faulty products, limit federal deductibility of state and property taxes, increase capital gains taxes, limit deductions for stock market loses, pay teachers $ 100,000.00 per year, eliminate all domestic oil drilling and research, teach voters how to punch chad, increase public spending on abortion for teen mothers, punish enterprising and successful people. I think if we elect Democrats we can accomplish these goals.
Posts: 121 | From: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: Feb 2001
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I was being a little sarcastic; I did live in Montreal for 6 years and I can smell a separatiste farther away than a mouffette...mais j'imagine que t'ecrit l'anglais meilleur que j'ecris le francais. J'ai aucune probleme avec mes confreres a Quebec- je ne voulais pas t'insulter. I would be glad to host you here in la belle Nouvelle Ecosse.
[ October 17, 2002, 03:06 PM: Message edited by: Steve Burke ]
-------------------- Steve Burke Cascades Inc NS Canada
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you Posts: 359 | From: NS Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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Pretty much the economy sucks in Seattle. Unemployment is over 7%. I am very busy right now, but this past summer wasn't as busy as it usually is. Lots of businesses have gone out of business. Where I live alot depends on Boeing. And that isn't looking so good right now either. All you can do is keep on keepin on. And be happy for the jobs that you do have. Since I have weeded out my cheap customers....I work less, plus get more for the jobs I am doing. It does get scary tho when the ecomomy is shakey and unpredictable.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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And you belive things are better now...boy you need to open your eyes and get your head out of that dark place........
[ October 17, 2002, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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My answer is that yes, the economy is affected negatively.
Musing over my personal observations of administrations in power as they come and go, it seems that the Democrats, accused of raising taxes, are maybe performing a balancing act against the Republicans, who are allowing the economy to tank. Or maybe the Democrats with their raising tax policies get voted out just when everybody is riding high and doing well and the coffers are filled, and the Republicans have to divert attention from an economy that was secretly going bad already.
I am a very small sign company, a member of this economy, and yes, I see the people who are my clients hurting all around me. I am more slowly affected than a lot of others, I do work that helps them sell or make a comeback or stay visible. The work that is very much reduced, such as awnings that need to be replaced, or company images that need to be properly designed, is made up for by the more dire work that spells survival to my customers.
How long I will be able to coast I do not know. My personal experience was that when voodoo (trickle down) economics was stopped by a raise taxes administration, it was just in time before the people hiring me to do their “Going Out of Business” banners started doing their own in Magic Marker. I got to design Images for the new Boom and started to make money again.
So whichever scenario above suits you, I for one want my taxes raised again. Whenever I have to pay more taxes, I way make up for it in blooming earnings.
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I just got back from doing a 17 day country fair in Mass., my 24th year, 1,200,000 people. Not many were buying anything. They weren't even going into booths to pick up leaflets...even during the last two recessions it was never this bad. I think this is diffrent...folks don't know if they are gonna have a job tomorrow, if their retirement is safe, if they will ever get their investments back, we're goin to war against a Man? Corperations promise to be good. $5 trillion surplus now $3, 4, 500, billion defficit in less than 2 years. This is different, we haven't as a nation been in a place like this before....I think folks are just scared...Spread em!, whats in yer shoes?, Whats in yer bag?, UPS lookin in yer windows, yer mail, yer putter....snippers, 650 miles on a major highway to catch up to 3 suspected terriorsts? You guessed it! I'm not too comfy either.....
On the bright side, a portable sticker shop did GREAT at the same show....I guess a lot of folks are lookin to get something going on the side.
I'm glad those folks in DC are a lot smarter than me.
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun! At Atlantic City!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
We're up in both our businesses this year... with the theme work going so crazy I have had to turn down a bunch of stuff.
But in the golf business we depend on weather as the business is pretty well recession proof. And the theme work is based on a few good customers each year as we can't handle more than that as the jobs are quite large. We are currently booked two years.
While our business is different than most I have a philosphy that business is as good as your attitude.
I find it much easier to make a sale or even upsell substancially if I have a genuine upbeat attitude. Folks who talk to me will get a good news story and smile - even if I may be down at that particular moment. They don't come to me to hear bad news. Success breeds success even if the appearant success is only a show. If my customers want bad news they can watch the six o'clock news, listen to the radio or read the paper... in my shop I talk about positive stuff and encourage our employees to do the same.
I dream big dreams, with a smile and then work my butt off to make it happen. In the process we are very successful.
If times are slow, it is a perfect opportunity to fix up your storefront, letter up your vehicle, do up your showroom, rebuild your website...
Look prosperous (without spending money you don't have.) Most important, always have a positive attitude (at least in public) and you will succeed.
-dan
[ October 17, 2002, 08:12 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8766 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
OP, not trying to make negative comments here, but my head is clearly where is should be, and you're attitude is exactly why there are economic problems. The moment George Bush was elected some moron announced that the country was heading for recession. Well, it doesn't take a genious to see that all it took was a small mention of the word "recession" and people had the typical knee jerk reaction, and slowed their spending. How does cutting taxes scare people from making purchases? Do you just enjoy working hard and getting less at the end of the day? Do you really think the majority of the nation is against the idea of paying less taxes? The real trouble seems to have come from several factors, but the largest always seems to be the Moron who announces the economic doom. As soon as the words are spoken on CNN, the sheep get in line and follow.... It's a fear driven economy at times, and this is a prime example of it.
Our economy is suppoirted by consumers.
Example:
When you decide to splurge and order DSL for your home, a communication company thrives. When they thrive, they in turn purchase new equipment such as Cisco routers, etc.. Cisco stock shows gains, attracting new investors, etc... You decide to go ahead and buy that new RV you've been dreaming about because your Cisco stock is doing so well. The RV dealer makes a profit, and decides to go ahead and build that new sign they had been quoted a month prior. Etc... It goes on and on.
So, If my taxes are raised, then logically I'd be taking less money home. How can me taking less money home stimulate me to spend more???
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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iam sorry guess iam to dumb to handle any "deep thought" in this...I SEE WHAT I SEE!!!! and since the change in power, its been downhill, all the way not only econmic, but in all other things. if you belive this is a GOOD LIFE we have, ok, i used to work in rehab, i understand how some people rationalize bad things so they dont have to deal with the reality of bad situation. have a won-erful next 2 years.....iam sure you will.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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WHAA WHAA WHAA! ... I've been rich and broke, currently ridding the lowest low ever. My "economy" is all mine it is what I make it I never waited on anal-ists or politicians to fix my situation. Thank goodness and the ability to see over the B.S. and the fact that I live in a capitalistic republic where I can do for myself and to myself as I see fit. Oh yeah and as some Democrates may have forgoten.... this is a Republic not a Democracy.... 'Scuse me while I trip getting off the soap box here ... heh heh Time to saddle up the old shovelhead and get the knees in the breeze
-------------------- "No excuses!.... No regrets!..."
I subscribe to your philosophy completely. Who is in control of the Country anyway?? I would like to believe that there is strength in numbers.
We became victims of the recession this year when my wife was laid off from her job as a Tool-and-Die-Maker in April. The positive thing is that it has forced our hand to diversify and that has led us into the sign business. All my life, I wanted to have my own business and control my destiny, but I am not the greatest risk taker. I work for a big company and probably will need to do that for many years to come, but at least some of our income is in our direct control. I am very pleased to hear that many shops are doing very well this year.
Good Luck to all,
-------------------- John Hugentober Blasted! Signs and Tees Lebanon, OH John@BlastedSigns.com Posts: 25 | From: Lebanon, OH | Registered: Oct 2002
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When the "economy" is Good.I make more For RENT signs! When the "economy" is Bad. I make more For SALE signs! I Guess it depends on who's "economy" we are referring to.
DAMN THE TORPEDOS,FULL SPEED AHEAD!!
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jeff, you are right on! All the sheeple listen to the talking heads on the tube and dive under the covers to hide everytime someone says "recession", "downturn","falling stocks","war", blah blah blah. People's fears are the cause of all this. We have had our best year ever in the sign business and have started another business. God is my banker and has never let me starve!
posted
sheeple....i think if you really really look at that statement...those that listen to the head "sheep"(lintbag) will all follow him off the cliff!!!!and if rush litnbag is your idea of "HONEST AND UNBIASED-NESS.....you people need to really get a reality check!!!!!! we used to say in rehab "turn of the volume and watch the picture" apperently you are the ones wearing blinders and only listening to what "they" want you to hear! i really feel compassion for all the missguided people!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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You and I have something in common besides lovin signs. That is, there isn't a single person that visits this board that gives a rat's @$$ about either of our politics.
So, don't take it personal when the posts in a thread like this bypass your soapboxing and answer the topic question instead. You're not talkin in a vacuum like you might think...just, nobody cares. We all have our OWN views, and don't log onto a sign site to get them changed. Ever.
I think we all, or most of us anyway, love ya. I know I do.
posted
If it's not Lintbag as Joe says, it's fat asss Kennedy. You can't trust any of them. They all suck. Bush didn't ruin the economy in two short years. If you think that, your a moron. The books were being cooked long before he or anyone else got into office. IT"S CALLED GREED, STUPID. Both Parties have it. The rich just wanting more money. It will never change. Now we as SIGN PEOPLE should not be arguing who is to blame, but how we can collectively find a way to make more money for ourselves in this market and in this industry. Pierre asked a simple question, if the economy was bad everywhere. It's bad hear right now Pierre. I just cashed in my 401K to pay my bills. That said, sometimes things turn on a dime and I'm right back in the thick of it. Good Luck to you.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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Yeah Rob! I love it when people speak honestly, instead of saying how wonderful it all is when we just 'think positive'. Being positive is usually part of the personality of being self employed, otherwise we wouldn't even consider being in business for ourselves. But to say 'just think positive' and to say 'go out and spend spend spend' is ridiculous. Through the 27 years I have been self employed, I have always spent accordingly. If business is great...spend as you want. But when business isn't as good as usual.....spend cautiously. Otherwise you will be in debt up the ying yang like the majority of Americans, and wonder why you are unhappy. And you can't blame anybody but your bad self for that one. duh.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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I really was going to avoid this one, but two dead on answers from Rob and Cheryl have to be responded to. Right on to both of your answers. And I say that in an upbeat and positive spirit. Cashing in a 401k account seems desperate, though I have done that, but now, why not for all the crap any of them are worth. Pierre, the economy here in southeastern Michigan has been bad for quite a while now. I have to be more proactive in making a living than I normally have been.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2787 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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I'm with Cheryl. Don't spend what you haven't got, just to spend.
All of this talk about war, war war, isn't helping the economy. Terrorism at home and abroad is scaring people. Stocks are way down, mine included. I am being a little cautious with my money, but I am also spending all I can without going into debt. When the economy gets better I will spend more, because I will have more to spend.
I think some people that are doing well or have never had to struggle, do not have a realistic grasp on the common persons realities. (Bush and others)
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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DON wasnt directed at you you and i have a friendship that is ..."above" our political views. and iam with rob, i never said that ONLY the republicans are dishonest......as for thinking for yourself... good, the less lintbag in your life the more you can think...
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Cheryl, you're a wise person, and I hope you did not take my comments as a push for people to spend what they don't have, and put themselves in debt.
What I'm talking about is not waiting for a report on CNN giving us the all clear to spend and consume as we normally would. With the economy being a little slow at the moment comes much opportunity. If we don't make the best of it and move forward, niether will our econlmy.
I know sometimes comments turn sour on this board ( especially when talking politics.. , but this really shouldn't be a political discussion. I definitly have witnessed some economic slowing, but as far as our business is concerned, we're having the best year ever. and we're expanding, and improving to better meet demand. There aren't lines of people in our community out of work and waiting for free cheese, and I'm not about to change my spending habits based on the NASDAQ, or what someone claiming to be a financial expert is saying about the economy. In fact, now may be a good time to purchase some stock while it is at a low. I'm not a day trader.. so in the long run it may be a good opportunity.
My point though, is that obviously people are letting these factors change their spending. We may very well go to war, and I'm nervous about that. But I'm still living my life. I just had a great weakend fishing with my Father, despite the world economic state, and the possibility of a war in the middle east. Hang in there everyone.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Jeff...I have always been a cautious spender. Now more so than ever. Going out and spending more is not the answer. I see too many people in deep trouble financially. I am in the process of building a shop, but instead of refinancing and doing it all at once, I am taking my time and paying as I go. If more people lived 'within their means' I think there would be less anger and hostility.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Hey, OP, how is it every time there's a discussion about politics or economics, you bring up "Lintbag"? Here's a news flash for you - just because someone disagrees with you, doesn't automatically make them a Lintbag follower. I personally can't stand the fat pompous bastard, and haven't heard him in years - he doesn't represent my views, nor does anyone else in the media or the Guvmint. My views are my own, Joe; I don't need a talking head to argue, bellyache or think for me. Assuming, as you seem to do, that anyone who disagrees with you is automatically lined up lock-step behind a so-called conservative radio loudmouth is a serious error on your part, because it limits the discussion to what you THINK someone else's opinions might be, rather than actually listening, and god forbid, actually learning something from a differing point of view. And that, my friend, is a truth you need not be wary of.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you Cam!!! OP, try to restrain your knee-jerk response until you've at least given some consideration to the points Cam made. Who knows, maybe you'll finally start to understand that some of your thinking and living in fear is just as deadly as you think meat is!!
Pierre, to answer your question, things are good AND bad around here. Wheat's up but cattle are down.
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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cam & chris....only reason i said anything about lintbag(tokyo rose, of the air ways) was the use of some of his canned phrases: SHEEPLE, TALKING HEAD..... that is his retoric. i didnt ass-u-me anything.......
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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'Scuse me while I trip getting off the soap box here ... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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