Kudos to Kramer

[Auntbeast]

Hi All. (waves)

I am a new visitor here and longtime Skeptic Magazine subscriber.

I have read through many of the posts here and at first I said to myself "self, what a great job Kramer has." Then I kept reading and I can not even fathom the intestinal fortitude Kramer must have to keep his sanity. Now I ponder exactly what benefits JREF must be giving him, what gifts they shower upon him, how thick is the padding in his "office," how many virgins will be supplied him?

Really, Kramer, you amaze me. I'm not sure if there is any comfort in hearing this, but there's one very thankful skeptic for what you do, how you do it and the fact that you aren't in intense psychological care yet.

I always thought JR had the hard job...

[Hastur]

Originally posted by Auntbeast
Now I ponder exactly what benefits JREF must be giving him, what gifts they shower upon him, how thick is the padding in his "office," how many virgins will be supplied him?


None, none, very thin, and none in that order. His is one of those thankless jobs that most mortals would not even consider doing. Not that I don't give props to Kramer for having the tenacity to just keep doing this job in such a professional manner.

[jmercer]

I've been reading many of the postings - including challenges - and the thing that impresses me most about Kramer is that he doesn't seem to become calloused & robotic about it, or cynical & hostile. It seems to me that this would be real easy to have happen... this kind of stuff has to become mind-numbing after a while.

He clearly feels sad for a lot of these people, and wishes they'd get counseling. Some people outrage him (like the Holocaust denier who wanted to use poison gas on himself), and some he takes humorously (like the Fecal guy). But it seems to me that he starts out with every one of them on an even keel. (And maintains that way beyond what my limit would be!)

So, yeah, kudos for doing a great job, but kudos for also not becoming an emotional zombie or curmudgeon while doing it. :)

[KRAMER]

Believe me, I have my days.

Unlike one of our most recent applicants, I'm only human.

[Paul2]

Perhaps the trick is to treat everyone as if they are the first: for the customer service desk to give a smile to the person who calls in at 4:59; for the prosecutor who's seen horrible crimes to not assume that the arrested is guilty; for the married to see the spouse like they did the very first time.

Shouldn't this be part of the golden rule?

Sorry to get all mushy.

[KRAMER]

It is the golden rule. Absolutely.

But sometimes, like twice in the 12 months I've been here (most recently yesterday - see TC ALBIN, CALIFORNIA WEATHERMAN),
I lose my marbles.

It's really the legal threats that bring me to the brink. I get the same evil feelings inside when confronted by litigious beasts as I do when seeing old B&W photographs of lynchings. I lose it.

It's just automatic with me.

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by KRAMER
It is the golden rule. Absolutely.

Ahemn....The Golden Rule: He, who has the Gold, makes the Rules.

Originally posted by KRAMER
It's really the legal threats that bring me to the brink. I get the same evil feelings inside when confronted by litigious beasts as I do when seeing old B&W photographs of lynchings. I lose it.

It's just automatic with me.

It's rather interesting, isn't it? These people want the million, but instead of merely doing what they claim to be able to do, they threaten with lawsuits.

Makes you think they are not in it to prove themselves, hm? Perhaps it's personal?

[IXP]

Originally posted by KRAMER
It is the golden rule. Absolutely.

But sometimes, like twice in the 12 months I've been here (most recently yesterday - see TC ALBIN, CALIFORNIA WEATHERMAN),
I lose my marbles.

It's really the legal threats that bring me to the brink. I get the same evil feelings inside when confronted by litigious beasts as I do when seeing old B&W photographs of lynchings. I lose it.

It's just automatic with me.

Perhaps the legal threat is actually the motive for some of these ridiculous claims. They have no intention of demonstrating any paranormal ability, they intend sue because JREF has refused to test their claim and collect the prize.

I suspect that if they actually get in to see a lawyer about it and suggest a contingency fee arrangement, they are tossed out on the sad little butts.