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BS: every woman should know about * 677

16 Dec 04 - 09:17 AM (#1358613)
Subject: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: tarheel

I knew about the red light on cars, but not the *677.   It was about 1 PM in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on.   Lauren's parents have 4 children (high school and college age) and have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather wait until they get to a gas station, etc.

Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called *677 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away.
She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her.
The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.
Ten minute! s later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her.
One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind.
They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground.   The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.

I never knew about the *677 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car.   Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a "safe" place.   You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call *677 like Lauren did.
Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.   

*Speaking to a service representative at **Bell** Mobility confirmed that *677 was a direct link to OPP Dispatch.
So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about *677.

Send this to every woman you know, it may save a life!!!


16 Dec 04 - 09:28 AM (#1358624)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Leadfingers

Is there a similar facility for UK Cell Phones ????


16 Dec 04 - 09:46 AM (#1358641)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: ToulouseCruise

OPP refers to the Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario, Canada. This may not apply across our country, let alone in others.

I know that from a home phone in Atlantic Canada (serviced by Aliant), dialling *67 (just one 7) hides caller ID from the receiving phone display, so I would be extremely surprised if that calling feature would work here, as some local exchanges start with the number 7.... (e.g., if you were dialing 712-3456 and wanted to hide your caller id, you would be dialling *677123456).

Brian.


16 Dec 04 - 09:47 AM (#1358644)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Bunnahabhain

If not, there should be.


16 Dec 04 - 09:50 AM (#1358650)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Stilly River Sage

Google search on "Lauren was driving to visit a friend."

About dot com (lots of pop-ups, sorry about that).


Urban Myths, where would they be without the Internet?


16 Dec 04 - 10:07 AM (#1358680)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Bunnahabhain

Well checked, Stilly River Sage.

Tarheel, you should know better than to post without checking...

Still, a number like that, uniform across at least a country, would be a seriously good idea.


16 Dec 04 - 10:07 AM (#1358683)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: ToulouseCruise

thanks SRS... however, the key point is that *677 does work there... but 911 works EVERYWHERE!~!~!~!~!~!

B


16 Dec 04 - 10:53 AM (#1358759)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Bill D

tarheel...why DO you post stuff like this as if it were your own information? You don't even attempt to say "this is something I heard about."


16 Dec 04 - 10:54 AM (#1358766)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: MMario

do note though they could not confirm the specific story - women being pulled over by unmarked cars and raped *WAS* verified.


16 Dec 04 - 10:58 AM (#1358773)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Dave the Gnome

but 911 works EVERYWHERE

Not in the UK! Stop being so insular TC;-)

(OK - I know you meant everywhere in the 'states realy. Just couldn't resist.)

:D


16 Dec 04 - 11:01 AM (#1358779)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Jim Dixon

Tarheel, shame on you for copying and pasting a story and making it appear that it's something you have personal knowledge of, when you don't. This is as bad as plagiarizing somebody else's song and claiming you wrote it. Worse, because it might mislead someone.


16 Dec 04 - 11:16 AM (#1358804)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

waht the heck is all this about and who are *Bell Mobility?

he certainly posts some weird shit!


16 Dec 04 - 11:26 AM (#1358824)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Amergin

The failure to confirm the truth of this crap, strikes me as acute laziness.


16 Dec 04 - 12:03 PM (#1358883)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: ToulouseCruise

Dave... very true, I forgot about you Old Worlders.... mwahahaha!!!

That dig was for associating me with the States... I am Canuckian, and proud of it!

Sir j0hn... Bell Mobility is the telephone service provider for the province of Ontario, Canada...


16 Dec 04 - 12:34 PM (#1358901)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Blissfully Ignorant

Did you hear the one about the babysitter? Oh, i see...well, what about the one with the car and the guy with a hook for a hand? Hmmm...the one about the razor blades in apples?

*warbles on....*


16 Dec 04 - 12:37 PM (#1358904)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST

this is phony, there are similiar stories floating about on the internet, absolute crap.


16 Dec 04 - 12:59 PM (#1358910)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: beetle cat

www.snopes.com

have a ball.

its not crap- its what folklorists live for.


16 Dec 04 - 01:08 PM (#1358917)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Blissfully Ignorant

snopes is good... read the one about the babysitter and the clown? That unnerved me...

(Clowns are fundamentally terrifying. As are some babysitters..)


16 Dec 04 - 02:10 PM (#1358975)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: beetle cat

i like the one about the babysitter on lsd who puts the kid in the oven and roasts it.
haha, good times.
or the mouse in the coke can.. but that one is true!!!

but they really display the true fears of society. like, somehow huge companies like Coke are out to get us, and they are gross and dirty. Parents are afraid to leave kids with babysitters, and i just dont know why clowns are so terrifying. Probably has something to do with Hollywood. but obviously, women have a very real fear of being victimized by cops and males with power, and this story, which travels like a ghost over our computers, says just that.

anyway, im just saying that sometimes is ok to ignore the issue of truth and look a little deeper. and have a good laugh. the things we tell!!


16 Dec 04 - 02:34 PM (#1358994)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: John MacKenzie

You want urban myths; we have one here in the UK. Apparently there is a rumour going round the New Labour is a Socialist party. I mean, who would believe a silly story like that, please help stop this rumour by telling people the truth. They're really a shower of wankers!!
Giok


16 Dec 04 - 03:01 PM (#1359013)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Blissfully Ignorant

I can hear Keir Hardy spinning in his grave...oh, that reminds me, heard the one about the....never mind.


16 Dec 04 - 03:27 PM (#1359028)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST,Arkie

I received this in an email with the usual clues that all was not what it seemed. In checking the internet for hoaxes I found that most states in the US have a three digit emergency code but it varies from state to state though of course 911 is pretty much universal in the colonies.


16 Dec 04 - 04:01 PM (#1359060)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: tarheel

wow! no holiday cheer in here...ive never seen such hatred towrds me in here by some of you....i do not know everything,like some of you think that you do...i just post stuff here because i think its worth thinking about and generating intelligent conversation about...but all i get is pure damn hate from the same old buzzards in here who think that they know everything and have a market on it in some little corner of the world!
get a life,will ya?


16 Dec 04 - 04:07 PM (#1359064)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Jim Dixon

I stand by everything I said. It's not hate, just a firmly held opinion. People shouldn't spread unfounded rumors. What part of that don't you understand?


16 Dec 04 - 04:09 PM (#1359066)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage, sans a cookie

Stupification is more like it, not hatred. Amazed that once again you've posted something like you just wrote it yourself. And after a search revealing that not only you didn't write it, you didn't THINK about it either. That's all.


16 Dec 04 - 04:42 PM (#1359087)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: beetle cat

lots of frowns, yes...
but this is really how these things work. its always a FOAF.
it dosnt belong to anyone; much like a lot of folk music.
..its.. cultural..
: )


16 Dec 04 - 05:00 PM (#1359094)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Cllr

It is not hatred there have been any number of threads about urban myths and the like. SNOPES use it.

The main problem is that under the guise of warnimg people they are actually trying to instill fear in women and by passing this sort of thing on one encourages it.

I know of a uk version of "rapist in the Mall" that at least one very large pan europe corporation sent out to every member of staff and its based on an early eighties american myth/urban legend

Tarheel ont feel bad at being caught out by it but please check in future. Cllr


16 Dec 04 - 05:22 PM (#1359106)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST,amergin

It's not hate. It is just pointing out YOUR laziness for not looking this crap up before you posted it.


16 Dec 04 - 06:43 PM (#1359158)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: RichM

fercrissakes, lay off you nagging nellies.
After all, it did give YOU a chance to feel superior.


16 Dec 04 - 07:59 PM (#1359214)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Cllr

Richm so you should feel grateful as you are now trying to make yourself seem superior to us and now I feel superior to you and you can post back and we can all feel great hey the first real feel good thread in the BS section he he he Cllr


16 Dec 04 - 08:02 PM (#1359218)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: beetle cat

well SOMEONE has to be superior..
Otherwise it would just be Anarchy.
: )
(not me, please..)


16 Dec 04 - 08:03 PM (#1359220)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Peace

Superior is like water in one's hand. In fact, it IS water in one's hand. And lots of it, too. Starting to freeze near the shore, though.


16 Dec 04 - 10:17 PM (#1359282)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Stilly River Sage

Who is Ann Archy and why is she saying those things?


16 Dec 04 - 10:17 PM (#1359283)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Don Firth

I am a longtime fan of the Darwin Awards. The Darwin Award is given to those who managed to kill themselves in an incredibly stupid and frequently hilarious manner, preferably before reproducing, thereby potentially improving the human race by not adding their "stupid genes" to the gene pool.

I first heard of the Darwin Awards a couple decades ago on the radio. The news feature described the exploits of someone who, although he wasn't given a Darwin Award, did received an honorable mention even though he lived to tell the tale. He had made a valiant attempt, but had survived (he did kill himself later, though). I howled with laughter at the story and have told it from time to time. In fact, I've heard other people telling the story also. It's a classic. HERE.

A few years ago, I got thoroughly jumped on. "Urban legend!" said my critic, with a mighty sneer, then turned and swaggered from the room, laughing contemptuously.

But—Snopes is a wonderful thing. I looked up "Lawn Chair Larry," and lo! I found THIS! I printed it out, tracked down my critic, rolled up the printout, and smote him about the head and shoulders with it. Oh, that was a lovely day!

If it purports to be a true story, and it's either hilariously funny or scary enough to make your scalp crawl—and "it happened to my third cousin's husband" or someone else equally removed, check it with Snopes first.

Some years ago, while sitting in the lunchroom at work, a group of us were talking about urban legends. The hook hanging on the car door handle, the Chihuahua, and other classics. But the talk soon centered on non-FDA-approved ingredients reputed to have been found in food from fast food restaurants: Kentucky Fried Rat, MacDonalds using ground worms instead of hamburger meat, etc. In walked a young woman. All she heard of the conversation was something about MacDonald's and worms. She eagerly jumped in, saying, "that happened to my brother's girl friend! She got a Big Mac, thought it tasted funny and had the meat analyzed. It turned out to be ground up worms!" She never did figure out why the room suddenly went silent, we all turned to stare at her for several seconds, and the subject was abruptly changed.

What Snopes has to say about that one:    MacWormburgers

Do check.

Don Firth

P. S. Re: Kentucky Fried Rat. Most people probably couldn't tell the difference. They taste like chicken. The MacNoggin is pretty interesting though (scroll down about halfway), but I think most people would notice that.

P. P. S. By the way, on the Darwin Awards site, check the all-time favorite:
   JATO. It's one helluva story, but unfortunately, it is an urban legend. Too bad! It's too good not to be true!


16 Dec 04 - 10:21 PM (#1359286)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Don Firth

Phoo! Goofed an HTML code!


16 Dec 04 - 10:24 PM (#1359291)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Amos

This Urban Legend Site covers this one and is another good source for critical analysis.

Wired mag did an analysis on the roots of the JATO story a couple of years back, based on kids who had done similar stunts, etc.

It is a wonderful thing to have identified the myth-making machinery in action, and to be able to feel superior to anyone who forwards any foolish, dumb-ass superstitions around, such as the Swifties, or those who promoted the rationales (any or all) for going to war in Iraq, the justifications for the Patriot act, Condolezza's mushroom cloud, and so on. But let us not forget that we all have our blind spots, and any day one of these fatuous fat-headed falsities could slip right past us!

A


16 Dec 04 - 10:26 PM (#1359292)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: tarheel

you all are a bunch of self proclaimed know-it-all's, who cannot stand anyone else doing anything unless you can be in charge and have that SUPERIOR feeling that helps you get your cookies off when you need it!
a bunch of misfits for sure!!!
and youi know what?
i dont need it from you or anyone!
get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11


16 Dec 04 - 10:32 PM (#1359296)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST,Diogenes

Ah, c'mon, tarheel, lighten up. It's not the end of the world.


16 Dec 04 - 10:47 PM (#1359302)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Gypsy

ERrrrrrrrrrrr.....might i add, that 911 is NOT universal in the states. A common misconception. If you are rural remote, it might not be available.


16 Dec 04 - 11:28 PM (#1359322)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: GUEST,Blind DRunk in Blind River

Geez. I thought I knew EVERy sexual postion, eh? So...what is # 677 like?

- BDiBR


16 Dec 04 - 11:37 PM (#1359328)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: artbrooks

BDiBR, my memory of the Karma Sutra is a bit faded, but I think that's the one where one person is seated in a lotus, bent over slightly from the hips, and is sucking the other person's left middle finger and left middle toe...or is it right?


16 Dec 04 - 11:45 PM (#1359331)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Amos

Tarheel:

I am. I plead guilty. I'm sorry. But that's how I am.

If someone comes up with a whole piece of reality that I shoulda known about and didn't, though, what I do is swallow my pride and find out about it.

That keeps me learning, and that keeps me living.

A


17 Dec 04 - 12:28 AM (#1359359)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: beetle cat

I pray that someday I will have a life...
now back to writing that silly 14 page paper on telephone music..


17 Dec 04 - 12:34 AM (#1359360)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Stilly River Sage

Back in the late 1990s that faux Kurt Vonnegut/"use sunscreen" essay got me--that's when a friend introduced me to the Urban Legends site. Funny thing is, Vonnegut thought that essay was pretty good. :)

SRS


17 Dec 04 - 12:39 AM (#1359361)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Peace

Telephone music.

I don't know what I was doing when I found this (it was probably illegal). Anyway. To the rhythm/cadence of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" do the following.

Hit the numbers on your phone dial as per below. Listen to the music as you do so--that is, hold the phone to your ear.

3 2 1 2 3 3 3
2 2 2
3 3 3
3 2 1 2 3 3 3
3 2 2 3 2 1


17 Dec 04 - 12:41 AM (#1359362)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: Peace

WARNING

But be careful not to dial 1 first. You may wind up with a $12,067,329.47 phone bill.


17 Dec 04 - 01:09 AM (#1359376)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: mg

Well I appreciate the intent to warn us of possible danger and I took some good information out of the post. There are bad people out there and we have to be vigilant. mg


17 Dec 04 - 05:03 AM (#1359463)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: s&r

911 112 and 999 work in the UK - we tried them from a mobile. Whether they wor from land lines I don't know.

Stu


17 Dec 04 - 09:31 AM (#1359675)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: The Fooles Troupe

In Australia, the emergency services are on 000 (free call) from landlines.

There is supposed to be another free number for use from mobiles (000 is apparently not a free call!), but since it never gets mentioned, I don't know what it is.

We got, many years ago, the US program '911' - they had to superimpose text that said 000 was the Aussie number - idiots stated dialling 911... The current (that means that they can 10 or more years old if you check the copyright date at the end of the show!) such programs sometimes carry such a reminder, but apparently still not often enough!

BTW, I had a friend doing Anthropology at USQ - the lecturer started carrying on about the 5 th Amendment to the Australian constitution, was stunned when pulled up and advised that the 6th amendment to the Aussie constitution is not about free speech, but giving the Aboriginals the Right to Vote. She was a white person, supposedly 'greatly at one with the Aboriginals' - well, that put an end to those claims.. :-)


17 Dec 04 - 09:34 AM (#1359680)
Subject: RE: BS: every woman should know about * 677
From: The Fooles Troupe

oops meant 5th..