One for the archives unfortunately... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Britta Peterson nc1421@noc.netcom.net Network Administrator, Network Operations Center ICG Communications ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 10:10:54 -0700 (PDT) From: John Pignata To: noc-staff@noc.netcom.net Subject: *goose-step* This morning I had something of an encounter with our new security gestapo -- I can't recall his name because it never really mattered enough for me to ask. Whoever he is, he stunk of Colorado. He explained to me that I had damaged ICG property and somebody was going to pay for it, be it me or my department or my manager or my manager's manager or anybody who would be angry with me for the expense. His demeanor was that of a high-school dean of discipline, and as I've known plenty of those quite well I took offense to his tone and his implications. An ex-cop, power-seeking, over-compensating pissant who wants nothing more than to blow his sadistic wad all over anything he feels he should control. His eyes tried to intimidate mine while he scolded me. "Would you do that in Mommy and Daddy's house?" Well. My "mommy and daddy" live in New York because I seem to understand this "Internet" you and those like you are trying to squeeze every last dollar from. I knew it so well that I got a job in the "real world" with "real people", isn't that novel? "You're not to smoke in front of my lobby." Their lobby. Their building. Their network. Fuck them. If it's theirs they are more than welcome to see after it. Shortly, I quit. I've poured a lot of work into helping out with something that seemed rather neat at the time. Netcom was neat, I wanted to work for Netcom for some time. I never did work for Netcom. I did however see the last bits pushed aside systematically, and instead of a fulfilling experience it has impaired my view of the world slightly. Cynicism is taught by men who wear ties and respond with things like "Don't be disrespectful." I quit. And when there is no network to speak of and the gestapo is looking for a new job (or a new building, whatever), I hope he reminds himself that he contributed to the exodus of technical talent. He stole the last shred of my morale. For those of you with a modicum of a clue, I suggest immediate departure. The job market is flurishing with many interesting opportunities. Do not lift a finger for ICG because they're too large, too self-important and too fucking doomed to care. It's impossible to make a difference aboard a steadily sinking ship. Milk them for all that you can. As far as NOC: our once-great leaders have been replaced with rhetoric-responding drones who cannot tolerate the idea of free thought. When I look at their weary old man faces I just chuckle, they're the ones with something to learn. Not me, not us. The gestapo can change what he wants, I won't have any part of it. Also: I quit. And I hope I come off as 90's adolscent as possible. I hope this has the hint of idealistic delusion. I don't want a job, I want a crusade. I don't want to be a cog, I want to build a machine. I don't want to march in line and wear your badge and smile at executives. I quit. Oh, as such I'd recommend changing the passwords if you can find somebody else who is around who knows how who isn't me. I recommend "fuck1cg23" or "BACKD00R". They're easy to type. Or maybe you should pay another quarter of a million for another tiger-team visit? Hmm? Deterioratingly yours, John Pignata ___________________________________________________________________ | Netcom/Netahead/PST/ICG Employee Number #08396 I BROKE | | "Gee, I hope this barcode tattoo can be THE PHALLIC | | removed from my forearm." LIGHT | --------------------------------------------------------------------