Assassination Attempts on Political Figures & Inflated Titles

So, after a trek to the grocery store & an adventure to get back home to finally see Little Darlings (a movie I'd heard a lot about but never seen), I go to check my other e-mail accounts and found this story.

I see a lot of hypocrisy in the responses to that whole assassination attempt. First off, I'm shocked it hasn't happened more often. Not so much because the Tea Party followers or Sarah Palin devotees are "insane" (I understand the frustration & agree w/some of their points). The reason I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often is because people of all views are pissed & have been since the economy went downhill. Furthermore, some of these political figures literally strut before the world & act like arrogant, cocky motherfuckers* who don't have to answer to anyone, even God.

Second, why is it that no one ever tries assassinating the true scumbags? Why hasn't anyone taken shots at Bloomberg or Charlie Rangel? You want to talk about people who act like they are above everyone else (especially their constituents), there's two right there! Why didn't anyone try assassinating Dick Cheney when he was in office?

I've never heard about this Arizona representative or the federal judge who died strutting before the media & implicitly proclaiming that the voters can suck it if they don't like some unpopular action they've taken like overriding voter approved term limits, violating ethics rules, voting in line with business interests at the expense of the common man, etc. For all the negative talk you hear about Nancy Pelosi, I haven't heard about anyone taking a shot at her either. I don't know enough about her to assess whether she has a superiority complex but if you believe her detractors, you'd think at least one person would have tried it by now.

Not that I'm going to assassinate anyone myself (not yet, anyway) or wish people dead but I wouldn't shed tears over any scumbag getting what's coming to him/her (political figure or otherwise). I'm not a friend of any politician unless I knew the person before (s)he took office; I'm probably the biggest cynic of all when it comes to that issue.

Third, why do you never hear about left-wing liberal groups doing these things? I find it hard to believe that no liberal or independent has considered it or would do it in any set of circumstances. I'm pretty sure that conservative, Republican voters aren't the only people who make it a habit to change unpleasant situations in their lives instead of sitting around whining about them. Heck, there are just as many whiners in that group as any other.

* If my use of this term offends you, tough cookies. This is an anti-censorship space & if you know what I'm talking about, you'll definitely agree w/my use of the word in this context. Otherwise, bitch about it in your own blog! *

Aside from all that, I found something utterly incredible in a Craig's List ad (where else?):

Director of First Impressions/Legal Assistant (Forest Hills, NY)
Date: 2011-01-07, 4:20PM EST
Reply to: resumes@davidovlaw.com [Errors when replying to ads?]

Director of First Impressions / Legal Assistant

We are a growing estate planning and elder law firm located in Forest Hills (Queens) and have an opening for a Director of First Impressions (Receptionist) / Legal Assistant. Our entire staff is dedicated to servicing the needs of our clients.

We are looking for a dynamic “people person” with excellent communication skills, and a warm and caring personality. You must be energetic, display a professional attitude, appearance and attire, and be a team-oriented person. A person in the position who demonstrates a consistently solid performance will have the opportunity to grow within the company.

Requirements
Working knowledge and proficiency in Word, Excel and Outlook applications and processes.
Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail and the ability to multi-task and prioritize work effectively.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when handing client documents.
A strong background in customer service is preferred.
Non-smoker preferred.

Responsibilities
• Answer and direct all incoming calls in a professional manner.
• Distribute phone messages by e-mail to other team members, and distribute all incoming mail and other packages.
• Warmly greet all clients, vendors and prospects that visit the office. Announce their arrival immediately to the person who will be meeting them.
• Prepare and maintain reception area for the visitors. Offer and serve refreshments to visitors.
• Database entry and following tracking procedures established by the law firm.
• Schedule appointments, court dates, and deadlines for professionals in the office as directed and maintain law firm calendar.
• Provide back up assistance for other staff as requested.
• Open client files based on law firm procedures.
• Assemble client estate planning documents in portfolios based on law firm procedures.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings.
• Scan documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
• Maintain online database and update website based on law firm procedures.
• Assist attorneys at estate planning seminars, as needed.

TO APPLY:
Send an email to resumes@davidovlaw.com , with “Director of First Impressions/Legal Assistant” in the subject line. Please include the following information:

1. Your name, address, and contact information, including when you can be reached. We can call early in the morning or after hours if necessary.
2. Attach your cover letter and resume, including all relevant experience, in WORD format.
3. Your salary history and requirements.

If we feel you meet our requirements for this position, we will contact you to schedule an interview. No phone calls, please!

* Location: Forest Hills, NY
* Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and includes medical and other benefits.($27,000 - $32,000)
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 2148945158

Since when has the position of "Receptionist" been called "Director of First Impressions?" Did I fall asleep and wake up in some parallel universe? Why don't we just call the crack head in the group "Director of Controlled Substance [or the chemical term for crack] Consumption?" The term "domestic engineer" is certainly not part of everyday language. Should we call the head cheerleader of a team the "Director of Merriment?"

For Christ's sake, let's call a cat a cat. Stop with the whole inflation of titles to make people feel better. HR people & hiring folks aren't fooled: call yourself a "Director of First Impressions" and no one will say "Oooh, how impressive!" Nope, they'll just think you're some cocky little so & so trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

The garbage man doesn't need a self-esteem boost. Nor does the restaurant server or retail clerk. These people are well aware of what they do & unless they're getting great pay or promotions, probably won't do it forever (and I speak from knowing actual servers, janitorial folk & being a former retail clerk). I view inflated titles from employers as an attempt to patronize the worker.

It's not enough that they're going to pay you a pathetic wage & expect you to put in the same long hours as a company Vice President; now, they're going to patronize you by calling you the "Director of First Impressions."

And why is it not a shock to me that a law firm is doing this? Can anyone answer that?