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"First Come! — First Served!"
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"First Come! — First Served!" 2024 Copyright by Kolibri. All Rights Reserved. On a small deserted Pacific island languished about forty men from an Oregon ship lost at sea. They had floated in by groups, some as long as seven weeks ago, and others just last week. One of the men was the ship's XO, who was well versed in the ineptitude of the Captain, who caused his ship's sinking. (The Captain, rescued by another boat, answered radio calls to his vessel, denying that his own ship had sunk while claiming that his arrival had only been delayed due to illness and COVID supply chain disruptions.) The stranded men had enough island materials to build a raft, but for just one person. Who should venture out and try to be saved? The XO chose to remain behind to better help the others. So, they chose Ergu, the strongest swimmer since he was the newest strandee from last week and thus still the most fit. Ergu hadn't the knowledge of raft-building or the ocean currents or where the shipping lanes were. He hadn't even a compass, but Ergu was the strongest swimmer of them all. The single-place raft was built and Ergu was taught much by the others, especially by the XO who spent many patient hours in tutoring. Ergu was well supplied with compass, signal mirror, water, rations, and material for shade. The other men had been collecting such things for a long time, and gladly donated it to their common cause for once Ergu was rescued he'd return for them. Ergu was pushed out to sea by the group on their well-provisioned raft they had built for him, and he paddled hard for the shipping lanes. It took effort, but without drama or danger, about two weeks later Ergu was spotted by a cargo ship, and rescued in the same good health he'd cast out to sea. His raft and tutoring had well served him. No more island for Ergu! Wanting to be returned to civilization (and home) as soon as possible, Ergu decided to keep quiet about the stranded men because he knew the cargo ship captain (if informed) would turn course and sail there. Ergu could not brook those several weeks of delay to his return home, so he said nothing. He rejected any moral obligation to help his island mates...even though they had built him their raft and saved his life. "They made it this long, so they can hold out until somebody else finds them! I did all the ocean paddling, and I got myself rescued, so it's first come—first served!" The cargo ship docked at its familiar port, and Ergu moved to quietly slink away despite a growing stream of the curious. Nobody had ever been rescued at sea before, and people wondered what ship he was from. Ergu remained vague as he tried to flee the dock and jump in a waiting Uber. The cargo ship crane began lowering his wooden raft, which captured attention of the crowd. As they clamored around to grasp the raft overhead and guide it down, Ergu tried to shoo them off with "Back away—I've got this!" Noticed by all, including Ergu for the first time, were some words carved in a raft plank on the bottom. The raft was gently placed on the dock, and then turned upside down by the crowd for eager inspection. (What was so oddly written on the bottom?) Carefully and very legibly carved in the wood by the XO's worn hand were the names and sailing dates of all the men stranded off the sunk Oregon ship, the approximate coordinates of the small unknown island, and the date they launched Ergu out to sea for what they'd trusted would be their own rescue because of his. Many of the stranded men were known by the crowd, but not known to be lost at sea because of their Captain's fictitious "We're only delayed!" story continually broadcast over the radio. At once, a plane was dispatched to drop supplies to the betrayed men on the desolate island, and a message telling them that their plight was now known at last—their rescue currently under way. Ergu did manage to slip away and catch his Uber in the confusion, and thought it wise to not return to that Port. Some forty rescued men would soon be arriving, their faces he could not bear to see after they'd learned he had placed himself over those who had who sacrificed to save him. He could easily imagine the harangue of the XO: "First come—first served, eh?" As the Scripture sayeth, "So the last shall be first, and the first, last." It occurred to Ergu much later that some wins are actually losses. One can betray his brothers for his own rescue, but what traitor was ever worthy of rescue at all? To come in "first" by betrayal is to assure finishing in last place. Integrity is loyalty to those not present. Ergu had weeks on the raft to embed that moral deeply within his soul, but the sentiment evaporated once aboard the cargo ship and savoring his first hot meal. Now, it was too late. The hidden message on the raft was out. The island men were soon to be rescued. Honor is surrounded by rocky shoals, nearly impossible to scale once slipped off. Ergu would have many years to ponder that, while he missed the scruffy camaraderie of those forgotten souls, who once considered him their brother and waved "Good sailing! Godspeed!" as he set forth on the life raft they'd built just for him. They threw all their coins in one fountain, but the fountain would fail them. "Remember us!" they had implored as the salt water first lapped over the crude planks while he took his place aboard. He would indeed remember them, although against his will and at the most inconvenient times. The forgotten and stranded and exploited can be stubborn that way. |
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| Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:35 am |
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The first refund of an M2 deposit that I've ever heard of was paid this week to a May 2023 Montana customer. He received his US$60,000 back only after vigorously pursuing the matter through the Montana and Oregon Consumer Protection agencies of the respective state Departments of Justice, as well as the Better Business Bureau.
Below is a screenshot of his withdrawn complaint in Oregon, due to SC's eventual payment. You can confirm such for yourself at https://justice.oregon.gov/consumerssearch/ (search for Sport Copter in Scappoose with ZIP code 97056). SC is allegedly now flush with new funds, so now would be a good time to press JV for any desired refund of your M2 deposit. I am owed an engine-less M2 (or the value thereof) since at least 2021 (if not 2020), but I will wait my turn until previous depositors have been paid. I wish us all Good Luck! You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Sat Apr 06, 2024 10:21 am |
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The above Montana customer had filed the below complaint about Sport Copter with the Better Business Bureau in March 2024.
https://www.bbb.org/us/or/scappoose/profile/helicopter/sport-international-1296-75000037/complaints You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Thu Apr 18, 2024 4:12 pm |
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