Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

November 3, 2006

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site, and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 3, 2006

Man, I have been laughing so hard at this...exactly how can a web page that goes

no where cause harm...except maybe to people's pride and conscience.

This has been really educational. What have we learned here ladies and

gentlemen? Let's see if I can suggest some lessons:

Many, many, many people on this list are WAY paranoid, sue happy, and quickly

ready to run to DSHS " to protect us from such evil " ...

Many, many, many of us have a difficult time taking a joke...unless (I would

imagine) they were on the jokester end instead of the jokee end

Many, many, many of us are so ready to accept that " the man " is out to get us

and take advantage of us unfairly...its no wonder we are so negative and

paranoid...

Lastly (and this is my biggest leap) many, many, many of us need to work on

treating others better so that we would not at all be concerned that we were on

such a list when it appeared...

When I saw this my first thought (unlike many it appears) was that this was a

joke. As an EMS Administrator with over 13 years of leadership and supervisory

experience, what else would I think?

As a guy who is trying to do it right, I would never use such a tool because it

is worthless...no administrator who is trying to do it right would ever use such

a tool so the names and people who are in there would have to been put in by

people who were trying to make a point that they didn't have the background to

back up...I would rather work on contacting references and former

employers...there is enough risk in doing it the right way...why would I be

stupid enough to rely on information off a website? Unlike many, I do not

believe information is true on the web just because it is on the web....

Besides, with tools like the DSHS certification registry and discipline web

site, why exactly would someone need such a list...except to " scare " EMS

" professionals " who are overly paranoid.

Also, no paramedic or EMT should ever consider working for a service where the

person who does the hiring would use such a list. Good agencies are good all

the way through...not just in one area or another...

Lets release the lawyers so they can get ready for election night this Tuesday

and lets park the paranoid bus back in the barn. Its time to lighten up, relax,

and get back to more pressing matters....we got had...lets get over it.

Dudley

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site, and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 4, 2006

WELL SAID!!!

-Meris NREMT-P

Austin, TX

>

> Man, I have been laughing so hard at this...exactly how can a web page

> that goes no where cause harm...except maybe to people's pride and

> conscience.

>

> This has been really educational. What have we learned here ladies and

> gentlemen? Let's see if I can suggest some lessons:

>

> Many, many, many people on this list are WAY paranoid, sue happy, and

> quickly ready to run to DSHS " to protect us from such evil " ...

>

> Many, many, many of us have a difficult time taking a joke...unless (I

> would imagine) they were on the jokester end instead of the jokee end

>

> Many, many, many of us are so ready to accept that " the man " is out to get

> us and take advantage of us unfairly...its no wonder we are so negative and

> paranoid...

>

> Lastly (and this is my biggest leap) many, many, many of us need to work

> on treating others better so that we would not at all be concerned that we

> were on such a list when it appeared...

>

> When I saw this my first thought (unlike many it appears) was that this

> was a joke. As an EMS Administrator with over 13 years of leadership and

> supervisory experience, what else would I think?

>

> As a guy who is trying to do it right, I would never use such a tool

> because it is worthless...no administrator who is trying to do it right

> would ever use such a tool so the names and people who are in there would

> have to been put in by people who were trying to make a point that they

> didn't have the background to back up...I would rather work on contacting

> references and former employers...there is enough risk in doing it the right

> way...why would I be stupid enough to rely on information off a website?

> Unlike many, I do not believe information is true on the web just because it

> is on the web....

>

> Besides, with tools like the DSHS certification registry and discipline

> web site, why exactly would someone need such a list...except to " scare " EMS

> " professionals " who are overly paranoid.

>

> Also, no paramedic or EMT should ever consider working for a service where

> the person who does the hiring would use such a list. Good agencies are good

> all the way through...not just in one area or another...

>

> Lets release the lawyers so they can get ready for election night this

> Tuesday and lets park the paranoid bus back in the barn. Its time to lighten

> up, relax, and get back to more pressing matters....we got had...lets get

> over it.

>

> Dudley

>

November 5, 2006

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY funny. If you

were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that you stop doing

un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a professional! I find even more

humor in seeing you people with a guilty conscience FREAKING out about this

fictitious list. In no way, did, or could this hoax cause any damage. If an

employer were to take any action on an employee or prospective employee because

they heard someone was on a list they could not access, then that is not an

employer worth working for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action from TDSHS

on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!!

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site, and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

Some jerk walks into a school dressed in como and has road flares taped

to his body, just a joke. Some other jerk walks into a movie theater

and calls out 'fire', just a joke.

This 'joke' is of the same magnitude. I don't think anyone who thought

they might be on the list did something unethical or felt guilty, they

just probably had a feeling of violation, and now the butt end of a

joke. A joke to one could be hurtful to another. Choose your jokes

carefully.

-MH

>>> " redsanders.com " 11/5/2006 10:42 pm >>>

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY

funny. If you were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that

you stop doing un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a

professional! I find even more humor in seeing you people with a guilty

conscience FREAKING out about this fictitious list. In no way, did, or

could this hoax cause any damage. If an employer were to take any action

on an employee or prospective employee because they heard someone was on

a list they could not access, then that is not an employer worth working

for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action

from TDSHS on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a

joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!!

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site

by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site

was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held

some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site,

and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be

taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running

with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the

site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the

original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of

inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a

real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have

to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

Amen! I agree 100%.

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site, and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

Blacklist in EMS has been a concern since I started in EMS in 1986, some of it

was paranoia some of it was real all to real. On one occasion a medic was

sexually assaulted on duty at the station and would do nothing about it for fear

of being put on a blacklist and the fear that she would be judged by her fellow

employees it is ashame because one individual is harmed multiple ways and

another benefits by just the thought that it could occur. On another occasion

an administrator created a list that had three parts the " A " list, " B " list and

" C " list ( C was also know as the black list) now the " A " list was the list to

be on since it was the good list it meant you had managements Favor, then the

" B " list well those were the non-favored but not somebody who required any

maintenance from management. Ahh and the " C " List well lets just say all your

charts might get audited with a fine tooth come or you would be followed by a

supervisor for no good reason and scrutinized at

every turn.

Now if this was something that I personally experienced through my career in

EMS and was to learn about in my first ever EMT class and people quit EMS

because of it then it is real and even a joke such as this can cause real harm.

Another interesting thing that I noticed was that supposedly the ISP was not

resposible for the site well now since they owned the Domain name it was

registered to them and today still is registered to the owner of the ISP then

that makes them 100% responsible for it they own it they maintain it on there

servers and they broadcast its location to the world with there DNS servers.

They also added a disclaimer to it that day rather quickly I might add (Some

thought it was always there " NOT " ) then why was it not removed as quickly why

wait it is quicker to shut it off than it is to add a disclaimer.

" Blacklist are real " wether they exsist in writing or not. People use them

every day wether anybody believes it or not. In the two stories I related above

they both are real I can tell you because I was a witness to them both and the

problems they caused.

Enough said.

L

Hudson wrote:

Some jerk walks into a school dressed in como and has road flares

taped

to his body, just a joke. Some other jerk walks into a movie theater

and calls out 'fire', just a joke.

This 'joke' is of the same magnitude. I don't think anyone who thought

they might be on the list did something unethical or felt guilty, they

just probably had a feeling of violation, and now the butt end of a

joke. A joke to one could be hurtful to another. Choose your jokes

carefully.

-MH

>>> " redsanders.com " 11/5/2006 10:42 pm >>>

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY

funny. If you were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that

you stop doing un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a

professional! I find even more humor in seeing you people with a guilty

conscience FREAKING out about this fictitious list. In no way, did, or

could this hoax cause any damage. If an employer were to take any action

on an employee or prospective employee because they heard someone was on

a list they could not access, then that is not an employer worth working

for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action

from TDSHS on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a

joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!!

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site

by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site

was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held

some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site,

and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be

taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running

with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the

site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the

original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of

inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a

real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have

to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

I definitely see your point... BUT... How about when you are driving down

the highway, cruise control set at the posted speed limit. As you round the

next bend, the Trooper sitting behind the shrub becomes visible. You have

done nothing wrong. Do you: A) Smile and wave and never hit the brakes.

Cringe instinctively and brake. C) Feel a twinge of guilt for the times you

*have* broken the speed laws, feel lucky that you weren't this time, keep

going, but glance occasionally in the rear view mirror after you are well

past him to ensure he has not pulled out to stop you. Uh huh I thought so.

I have done each of these things also... <guilty grin>

We have ALL done " questionable " things in our lives, and careers. Anyone

who says they have not is lying. A wise Captain at the jail I used to work

in told me: " The only difference between you and me and the rest of the

people in this jail is, they got caught, and we didn't. "

Use your ethical decision making process. If you can look your mother,

sister, pastor, or child straight in the eye and tell them without a hint of

guilt about the decision you made, the action you took, or the words you

said, or if you wouldn't mind seeing a video of yourself doing whatever on

TV or on the " jumbo-tron " at the next big game, then it was likely a good

decision, or at least a non-harmful decision.

My point is: I believe there is enough " Black-listing " done in the EMS

community to begin with, and perhaps people's overwhelming response to this

" joke " was partially guilty conscience, and partially fear... some possibly

based in truth, and some likely unfounded.

I have personally been denied employment based solely on a " blacklist " of

sorts, and due to actions taken by someone I associate with. And yes, the

prospective employer told me directly that " guilt by association " was a

factor, and stated that they had acted upon advice given by another

individual who was apparently influential and known to me. This same

phenomenon cost me my job in another location. I have heard more than a few

such stories.

This being said, I was not in the least bit worried about being on such a

physical list, such as the fictitious one that drew the ire of many on

*this* list. I know that EMS " eats their young " so to speak, and that

personal differences and opinions cause friction. I also know that I

attempt to make every decision, and speak every word as if it were being

broadcast. If I were on such a list, I wouldn't really care, because, as

has been mentioned, if a prospective employer were lazy enough, and gullible

enough, and petty enough to use such information, I'd rather not work for

them anyway.

I wholeheartedly agree that it wasn't a joke in good taste, but I personally

don't believe it was directly harmful.

-Meris NREMT-P

Austin, TX

>

> Some jerk walks into a school dressed in camo and has road flares taped

> to his body, just a joke. Some other jerk walks into a movie theater

> and calls out 'fire', just a joke.

>

> This 'joke' is of the same magnitude. I don't think anyone who thought

> they might be on the list did something unethical or felt guilty, they

> just probably had a feeling of violation, and now the butt end of a

> joke. A joke to one could be hurtful to another. Choose your jokes

> carefully.

>

> -MH

>

November 6, 2006

Once I figured out that is really was a joke, I did get a chuckle out of it.

It truly is amazing now many of us fell for it.

Unfortunately, I was the victim of a " blacklist " while working out of state

during 1988-90. I was blacklisted, not because I did something wrong, but

because I did something right.

After witnessing a nursing home patient being violently assaulted by a

nurses' aide, I pulled my partner aside, who that day just happened to be my

supervisor - my regular partner was at home with the flu, and told him what

I had witnessed, and that I was going to call the police. He told me to NOT

do so, as the nursing home would find out who complained, and we'd " lose our

contract " (direct quote). I called anyway - my morals and upbringing

refused to allow me to close my eyes to this heinous event. The nurses'

aide was arrested (later found to be a convicted felon - a rapist, no less),

and the state health department zapped the nursing home for a laundry list

of violations they discovered when they stuck their noses in. The company

ended up losing the contract. I was fired, officially for " insubordination "

during a " non-related " prior incident. I then found I was unable to find

another job, and was even told by the one company I applied at that I had

been " blacklisted " by the company I was working for.

Luckily, the part-paid/part-volunteer 911 agency I rode with had a paid day

position come open that next week. I even ended up becoming a field

supervisor for them.

There's an old saying: " It's always a joke, until someone gets hurt " .

This time, it WAS a joke, and I'm STILL laughing at my own thin skin for

falling for it. Unfortunately, there ARE blacklists out there, and not

everyone who winds up on one is unethical, incompetent, or otherwise

deserves to BE on such a list.

Barry E. McClung, FF/EMT-P

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of Hudson

Sent: Monday, 06 November, 2006 08:34

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

Some jerk walks into a school dressed in como and has road flares taped

to his body, just a joke. Some other jerk walks into a movie theater

and calls out 'fire', just a joke.

This 'joke' is of the same magnitude. I don't think anyone who thought

they might be on the list did something unethical or felt guilty, they

just probably had a feeling of violation, and now the butt end of a

joke. A joke to one could be hurtful to another. Choose your jokes

carefully.

-MH

>>> " redsanders.com " <emsfire (AT) redsanders (DOT) <mailto:emsfire%40redsanders.com>

com> 11/5/2006 10:42 pm >>>

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY

funny. If you were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that

you stop doing un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a

professional! I find even more humor in seeing you people with a guilty

conscience FREAKING out about this fictitious list. In no way, did, or

could this hoax cause any damage. If an employer were to take any action

on an employee or prospective employee because they heard someone was on

a list they could not access, then that is not an employer worth working

for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action

from TDSHS on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a

joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!!

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site

by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site

was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held

some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site,

and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be

taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running

with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the

site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the

original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of

inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a

real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have

to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

In a message dated 11/3/06 5:13:36 PM, johnderegrn@

<mailto:johnderegrn%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com writes:

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

I'd suggest that any blacklist, if it actually existed, could easily be

filled by a large number of people on this list who lack compassion for their

fellow human beings, pride themselves in their ignorance (both in emergency

medicine and in general) and who are apparently incapable of using standard

conventions of English grammar and spelling.

-Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD, EMT-B

Austin, Texas

In a message dated 11/5/2006 10:49:06 PM Central Standard Time,

emsfire@... writes:

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY funny. If

you were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that you stop doing

un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a professional! I find even more

humor in seeing you people with a guilty conscience FREAKING out about this

fictitious list. In no way, did, or could this hoax cause any damage. If an

employer were to take any action on an employee or prospective employee because

they heard someone was on a list they could not access, then that is not an

employer worth working for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action from

TDSHS on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!s

----- Original Message -----

From: _wegandy1938@wegandy_ (mailto:wegandy1938@...)

To: _texasems-l@yahoogrotexasem_ (mailto:texasems-l )

Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 7:36 PM

Subject: Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site, and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have to

worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

In a message dated 11/3/06 5:13:36 PM, _johnderegrn@johndereg_

(mailto:johnderegrn@...) writes:

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

Mike,

You actually comparing these two examples of inappropriate usage of free speech

with a go nowhere, practical joke web page? How many tramplings were related to

the EMS Blacklist? How many lives were cost? How much fear and panic was

spread that caused or could have caused real, physical harm to others?

I can't really buy into the fact that posting a phony webpage has the same

magnitude as these two examples you provided....for one simple reason. The two

examples you provided would lead to someone(s) getting arrested...don't see the

same level of response here.

Maybe someone should call the Spring Police Department or the Montgomery County

Sherrif's Office...I'm sure they will dispatch a team of investigators, SWAT,

and officers to the ISP office...I mean it is the same magnitude as terroristic

threats and inciting riots....

Let me google that phone number...

Dudley

Re: Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

Some jerk walks into a school dressed in como and has road flares taped

to his body, just a joke. Some other jerk walks into a movie theater

and calls out 'fire', just a joke.

This 'joke' is of the same magnitude. I don't think anyone who thought

they might be on the list did something unethical or felt guilty, they

just probably had a feeling of violation, and now the butt end of a

joke. A joke to one could be hurtful to another. Choose your jokes

carefully.

-MH

>>> " redsanders.com " 11/5/2006 10:42 pm >>>

I, like a couple of others on here, think the hoax WAS funny, VERY

funny. If you were worried about being on such a list, I suggest that

you stop doing un-ethical, dishonest things, and act like a

professional! I find even more humor in seeing you people with a guilty

conscience FREAKING out about this fictitious list. In no way, did, or

could this hoax cause any damage. If an employer were to take any action

on an employee or prospective employee because they heard someone was on

a list they could not access, then that is not an employer worth working

for.

You all that were speaking of lawsuits and swift disciplinary action

from TDSHS on those who made this site are crazy and need to take a

joke.

sit back and have a good laugh at the fact you were had!!!!!

sheesh!!!!!!!

Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

As of this afternoon the disclaimer shown below was added to the site

by the

ISP. This occurred following some excellent work by ace investigator

Elmes, of the Arlington office of DSHS EMS Office.

Pat talked to a representative of the ISP, who advised that the site

was put

up as a joke in connection with some sort of conference that was held

some

time ago in Houston. The ISP is in no way responsible for the site,

and it

responded to DSHS's concerns immediately and appropriately.

The ISP owner agreed that the site should come down, and it will be

taken

down soon.

Many thanks , and to DSHS, for taking the ball and running

with it

on this. While the site is a hoax, it has caused some real pain and

suffering to some people who were told that their names were on the

site.

It was because of complaints to me by these folks that I placed the

original

message on the list to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

While hoaxes may be fun for those involved, they are capable of

inflicting

damage upon innocent persons. When that happens, legal liability is a

real

possibility.

I am glad that the matter will be resolved and that nobody will have

to worry

about it from now on.

Case closed.

Gene G.

>

> This was found at the bottom of the webpage

>

> DISCLAIMER

> There is NO database or tracking associated with the site.

> Under NO circumstances would it be used

> to prevent someone from gaining employment.

> This website is intended for entertainment purposes only.

> NOT associated or endorsed by TX Department of State Health

>

November 6, 2006

L,

In example one, there is something really sick and twisted about a working

environment where when someone commits a felony the victim " would do nothing

about it for fear of being put on a blacklist and the fear that she would be

judged by her fellow employees " .

There are a number of reasons these individuals who are sexually assaulted do

not contact the authorities including the ones you listed and others...but the

same excuses could be used on the college campuses, apartment complexes and

other industries around the nation...the solution is to educate people about the

need to report these crimes to stop the perpatrators...and again, why would you

want to continue working in an environment where sexual assault was accepted

over reporting it???

Number 2, how do you have time to keep track of all the lists? Again, and I am

really sounding repetitive and boring....but an administrator makes a list and

publishes it? What...was he the last one without a chair when the music

stopped????

Like Meris said a couple of emails back...go throughout life treating people

better than you would want to be treated, don't intentionally hack people off,

and try your best to always do the right thing in the eyes of your patient, your

Creator, and your conscience...if you do and you wind up on a " blacklist "

because of it...look around...you are probably in pretty good company...

Dudley

Re: Texas EMS Blacklist: The Mystery Solved

Blacklist in EMS has been a concern since I started in EMS in 1986, some of it

was paranoia some of it was real all to real. On one occasion a medic was

sexually assaulted on duty at the station and would do nothing about it for fear

of being put on a blacklist and the fear that she would be judged by her fellow

employees it is ashame because one individual is harmed multiple ways and

another benefits by just the thought that it could occur. On another occasion an

administrator created a list that had three parts the " A " list, " B " list and " C "

list ( C was also know as the black list) now the " A " list was the list to be on

since it was the good list it meant you had managements Favor, then the " B " list

well those were the non-favored but not somebody who required any maintenance

from management. Ahh and the " C " List well lets just say all your charts might

get audited with a fine tooth come or you would be followed by a supervisor for

no good reason and scrutinized at

every turn.

Now if this was something that I personally experienced through my career in EMS

and was to learn about in my first ever EMT class and people quit EMS because of

it then it is real and even a joke such as this can cause real harm.