When to keep you mouth shut..lesson learned!

[boobarrie]

Ever stuck your foot so far in your mouth as to make yourself look like a HUGE ASS? Well, it seems that your's truely has.

A few months back, I was pretty much bashing two or three individuals, and a department, over what I had heard from someone on top of my own feelings. I had a chance meeting with the two individuals and we spoke for a good 20mins over dinner last night. It seems that I started a whole mess of trouble over there and I come to find out...that it wasn't true. And that I took a conversation that I had with the chief in the wrong way.

Most of you remember my posts about "out of state training not worth anything", and the "mud in yer eye" post.

A lot of things were said on my behalf that were one sided from a member there that was talking out his ass. I'm not blaming him fully, because it was me that did all the bashing here. I opened my mouth and shouldn't have. After our conversation last night, I realized that I had pissed a lot of people off in the department, and most of all made myself look like an ass. I gave them my sincerest apologies, and they asked me to come back...It kind of suprised me actually. I'm still thinking about it...

The point is...Don't let your mouth, or keyboard, place your foot so far in your mouth as to cause problems. Find out what is going on from more than just one person. Don't be a fool like me!

To all whom those two posts were about, I do apologize for the slandering. As far as the re-training issue, I took that the wrong way and I should have clarified it better before acting foolishly on Firehouse.com .


I am in no way looking for sympathy, or forgiving...so please do not email me saying that it is all I am doing here, because I will just delete them. I am simply trying to let everyone know that simple things from one persons mouth can cause tons of problems for a whole family of brothers....so don't follow my footsteps. JB :(

[TruckSkipper]

I have no idea who you are or what issues you are talking about, however I would like to be the first one on these boards to call you a stand up guy. We need more people to act like real men around here.

Thanks

[CaptainGonzo]

I think we have all had the opportunity to make an ass of ourselves at one time or another...it's human nature.

It takes a lot of courage to publicly apologize for making a mistake. It's amazing what something that gets misinterpreted or taken out of context can turn into a conflagration.

You did the right thing and sat down and talked with the individuals involved...if more firefighters would do that, the job would be a hell of a lot easier!

If the members of the Department offered you the chance to go back, take it. Someday you will be able to share the story with a probie and keep him/her out of the same situation.

Welcome back and good luck!

[hazmat112]

I didn't see your posts either, but DAMN it takes one hell of a man to stand and deliver like you just did.
Kudos to you, my friend.

[Dalmatian90]

I didn't see your posts either, but DAMN it takes one hell of a man to stand and deliver like you just did.
Kudos to you, my friend.

I do remember the posts, and I echo the above sentiments!

[Adze39]

Kudos to you. I remember your posts. I think it takes a huge man to admit what you did. I respect that.

Me...well, I am still trying to learn my lesson! :) Maybe I can learn something from you.

[jsdobson]

I too remember the posts and will remember much longer the courage you have shown to publicly stand naked before your peers.

More of us should follow your example.

As others have written about your department inviting you back, please accept their invitation. You have more than firefighting skills to test other members of your department.

I'd be honored to stand next to you any time, any place, any reason.

[Chaplain41]

FFJBarrie, the other Brothers are right, It takes a bigger man to admit when we're wrong.
You could've let it go and blamed the other guy, but instead, you did what a man should do. I'm proud to be in the service of others with Brothers like you.

God Bless You and be safe!

[larrycook]

When a person stands up and admits that he was wrong, he is a person with some integerty. He has also learned a lesson from his mistakes. That is even better.
I must add here that Bin Laden needs to take a lesson from you, but he is cowardly in his actions and will get lots of folks killed with his action.
larry

[RoryEl]

Those before me have already said it. My hats is off to you my friend.

[NFD270]

MR. BARRIE,

I too think it took a lot of you to admit you were wrong and I want to take this time apologize for bashing you in that thread. I shouldn't have done what I did and only brought myself down to your level at that time. Please forgive me and know that I will think clearly before bashing someone again... I think I would most definately be willing to fight a fire with you anyday, that is... If you let me be a member of your team... We are all brothers and we need to stay that way...


ON A LIGHTER NOTE:

:DHEY CHAPLAIN WASSSSSSUUUUPPPPP!!!!! :D

[ 10-28-2001: Message edited by: Adam Spencer ]

[AC1503]

Well JB, it doesn't look like you would qualify as a politician.

Another quality of a real good man is to take your licks and then stay and contribute to the job.

You and Adam have showed the rest of us a very good lesson in how we should treat each other. When wrong admit it. Put an end to
that black hole which grows and grows until it finally swallows you.

[truckie_ladderco_147]

All I can say is wow.Plus Guiness on me for you two!You guys need to teach this to others on your respective dept's.All it takes is a he said she said to start a fight.Good job at nipping it in the bud.

[boobarrie]

Adam: I thank you for your apology. I think we have all learned something in this situation.

Everyone: thank you for your kind replies. I know we have all learned something. jim :)