Britt McHenry gives NU a bad name
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http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/951217/britt-mchenry-video-northwestern
Here's the link I tried, unsuccessfully, to post the first time.
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/951217/britt-mchenry-video-northwestern
Here's the link I tried, unsuccessfully, to post the first time.
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/951217/britt-mchenry-video-northwestern
Arlington, VA resident here.
While I'm not necessarily condoning what Ms. McHenry said, I think it's important to add some sorely missing context to this bit of news. The company she was dealing with (Advanced Towing) is widely despised by locals for predatory towing practices and being generally terrible to anyone who has to deal with them in any way (including the person sitting in the cashier booth). You can check the attached link or older reviews on Advanced Towing's yelp page to verify those claims.
Also, the video that was leaked (by Advanced Towing) was apparently edited, so who knows what was said by the cashier. Given how much righteous indignation Internet discussions elicit, the fact that Arlington locals are somewhat sympathetic to Ms. McHenry after seeing the video should give folks pause.
Honestly, this is the kind of news I really don't care about at all. At the same time, my disgust for Advanced Towing (who I haven't even been towed by!) is great enough that I felt compelled to comment. They are the worst kind of company, and I would not put it past them to tow a legally-parked car, hassle / provoke the owner to get an angry response, realize that the person is famous, edit the video, and post it online.
http://www.arlnow.com/2015/04/06/morning-poll-doing-their-job-or-preying-on-you/
While I'm not necessarily condoning what Ms. McHenry said, I think it's important to add some sorely missing context to this bit of news. The company she was dealing with (Advanced Towing) is widely despised by locals for predatory towing practices and being generally terrible to anyone who has to deal with them in any way (including the person sitting in the cashier booth). You can check the attached link or older reviews on Advanced Towing's yelp page to verify those claims.
Also, the video that was leaked (by Advanced Towing) was apparently edited, so who knows what was said by the cashier. Given how much righteous indignation Internet discussions elicit, the fact that Arlington locals are somewhat sympathetic to Ms. McHenry after seeing the video should give folks pause.
Honestly, this is the kind of news I really don't care about at all. At the same time, my disgust for Advanced Towing (who I haven't even been towed by!) is great enough that I felt compelled to comment. They are the worst kind of company, and I would not put it past them to tow a legally-parked car, hassle / provoke the owner to get an angry response, realize that the person is famous, edit the video, and post it online.
http://www.arlnow.com/2015/04/06/morning-poll-doing-their-job-or-preying-on-you/
I think she gives a great name to NU. I mean girls that look like that are running around NUs campus? We should get pictures of her, Megan Markle, Cindy Crawford, the Miss America that was an alum, and all the other hot famous women and send them out to recruits!!!
realcatfan: "I think she gives a great name to NU. I mean girls that look like that are running around NUs campus? We should get pictures of her, Megan Markle, Cindy Crawford, the Miss America that was an alum, and all the other hot famous women and send them out to recruits!!!"
In a binder?
In a binder?
But District of Columbia Cats' insightful analysis, particularly how the video/audio tape appears edited and the shady business practice reputation of the tow truck company, presents compelling mitigating circumstances for our intrepid alum's diatribe, assuming accuracy to its key points. If someone removes your car without cause and charges you for the privilege, you are going to be pissed off. If someone then calls you a blond bimbo, you are less likely to maintain your composure and more likely to reciprocate with equally charged comments disparaging your adversary's physical appearance and intelligence, especially in a heightened state of agitation. THE FACT THAT THEY HAD TO EDIT THE FRACKING TAPE SHOWS AN INTENT TO PAINT MCHENRY IN THE WORST POSSIBLE LIGHT - WHATEVER WAS DELETED HAS TO BE ASSUMED TO CONTAIN EQUALLY IF NOT MORE TROUBLESOME COMMENTS, THAT IS, UNLESS AND UNTIL THESE JACKASSES HAVE THE BALLS TO RELEASE THE FULL UNDOCTORED TAPE..
Interestingly, the only audible comment we hear from the tow truck representative is near the beginning of the tape, namely that McHenry's statements were being recorded and those statements were subject to disclosure. This clears a legal hurdle to the Federal Wiretapping Statute and probably its counterparts under D.C. law - or whatever jurisdiction where this incident occurred. This is probably not a coincidence and arguably demonstrates the company colluded in the release.
On the other hand, the edited tape leads us to believe - if the reported reaction from the online community, including a few posts on this board, is any measure - McHenry initiated a hectoring and demeaning monologue without any prompting. Given the significant amount of reputation damage to McHenry, I say she has nothing to lose by lining up an enterprising personal injury attorney to exact vengeance on the tow truck company for false light privacy invasion and defamation, especially if she ultimately loses her job at ESPN over this ordeal. Since tort law is not my area of expertise, I'd be interested to hear further insight on McHenry's legal redress.
Disclaimer: I have only recently learned about the existence of the "rant board," and while threads from fellow contributors may have mutated the original post into a topic more worthy of that venue, there is no way to transpose the full context of this discussion from the football board.
This post was edited on 4/18 6:33 AM by Cat In The Cradle
Interestingly, the only audible comment we hear from the tow truck representative is near the beginning of the tape, namely that McHenry's statements were being recorded and those statements were subject to disclosure. This clears a legal hurdle to the Federal Wiretapping Statute and probably its counterparts under D.C. law - or whatever jurisdiction where this incident occurred. This is probably not a coincidence and arguably demonstrates the company colluded in the release.
On the other hand, the edited tape leads us to believe - if the reported reaction from the online community, including a few posts on this board, is any measure - McHenry initiated a hectoring and demeaning monologue without any prompting. Given the significant amount of reputation damage to McHenry, I say she has nothing to lose by lining up an enterprising personal injury attorney to exact vengeance on the tow truck company for false light privacy invasion and defamation, especially if she ultimately loses her job at ESPN over this ordeal. Since tort law is not my area of expertise, I'd be interested to hear further insight on McHenry's legal redress.
Disclaimer: I have only recently learned about the existence of the "rant board," and while threads from fellow contributors may have mutated the original post into a topic more worthy of that venue, there is no way to transpose the full context of this discussion from the football board.
This post was edited on 4/18 6:33 AM by Cat In The Cradle
Thanks for these comments. Listening to sports talk I thought I was taking crazy pills. There was barely any comment that 1) this might be the first time in the history of mankind that anyone has defended a towing truck company and 2) the scum factor of a business that thinks it's appropriate to release videos of transactions that didn't involve criminal behavior or a life-threatening situation. Yes, her response was snotty, and a lesson here is that no matter where you are, you are always a representative of your employer; you don't get to stop being an employee when you're not on the clock. I'm hoping someone checks an unedited version of the tape.
Originally posted by Glades
Originally posted by StreamCat:
It never ceases to amaze me. No matter how despicable the behavior, there is always someone who will defend it.[/QUOTE]Did you read the link? Anybody who tows (steals) my car out of a LEGAL parking spot and charges me $135 deserves to be called a toothless, uneducated, fat, scumbag, IMO.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
This post was edited on 4/18 8:38 AM by Cat In The Cradle
Originally posted by StreamCat:
It never ceases to amaze me. No matter how despicable the behavior, there is always someone who will defend it.[/QUOTE]Did you read the link? Anybody who tows (steals) my car out of a LEGAL parking spot and charges me $135 deserves to be called a toothless, uneducated, fat, scumbag, IMO.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
This post was edited on 4/18 8:38 AM by Cat In The Cradle
Anyone remember Steve Goodman's song about the "Lincoln Park Pirates" also know as the infamous Lincoln Towing Company in the 70s? These guys pulled all kinds of shenanigans back in the day. Haven't heard much about them lately. Sounds like this company is right up their alley. Hard to judge if you only get part (and an edited part at that) of the story.
a few things:
Britt and I have mutual friends. I have not met her but from what I understand she is a complete class act. What she did was stupid and she wasn't thinking rationally, but a girl I know has also been towed by that company in Arlington and she said, as the previous poster mentioned, that this company is NOTORIOUS for being the scum of the earth. The same girl said that she was checking out a new apt., parked in the lot to go and speak with management to schedule a viewing, and she got towed by them because she didn't have a tag for the lot. And again, the footage was clearly cropped so I'm sure there was a little back and forth and the lady working the counter might have deserved what was said to her.
All that said, if you're famous and drop "do you know who I am?!?" In a situation like that you are the biggest douche on earth
Britt and I have mutual friends. I have not met her but from what I understand she is a complete class act. What she did was stupid and she wasn't thinking rationally, but a girl I know has also been towed by that company in Arlington and she said, as the previous poster mentioned, that this company is NOTORIOUS for being the scum of the earth. The same girl said that she was checking out a new apt., parked in the lot to go and speak with management to schedule a viewing, and she got towed by them because she didn't have a tag for the lot. And again, the footage was clearly cropped so I'm sure there was a little back and forth and the lady working the counter might have deserved what was said to her.
All that said, if you're famous and drop "do you know who I am?!?" In a situation like that you are the biggest douche on earth
I'm glad they didn't have a camera on me when I retrieved my (stolen and ransomed car) from Lincoln Towing one time in the 1997.
I thought it was generally understood that we could treat towing company employees like dirt because they're scum?
Posted from Rivals Mobile
I thought it was generally understood that we could treat towing company employees like dirt because they're scum?
Posted from Rivals Mobile
When you're business is piracy and extortion, you deserve whatever venom gets directed at you.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Posted from Rivals Mobile
So then the question becomes, 'Are you capable of saying such awful things to someone?'
Because the issue is NOT that she was towed when she perhaps should not have been. The issue is, faced with that situation, does any single person have any right to talk to any other person in the belittling, mean-spirited, arrogant words that she used.
I can see myself yelling "this is extortion and this is bull**** and you deserve everything bad that comes to you", but I can't see myself saying "You're a toothless redneck and you're fat and you deserve your miserable life. Also, a piece of paper proves I'm better than you, stupid."
That arrogance and entitlement is despicable, and I'm pretty confident that, if Britt McHenry is capable of speaking in that way over a $200 towing bill, that she's probably not the type of person I want to be around, nor would I want her working for my company.
She's a grown up. She should have learned human decency at some point.
"The issue is, faced with that situation, does any single person have any right to talk to any other person in the belittling, mean-spirited, arrogant words that she used."
Yes. This person works for an extortion ring! I'm going to be very mean to somebody who steals and then ransoms my car. As far as I'm concerned, if you want people to treat you nicely at work, don't work for in the extortion business.
I find it far more disturbing that a business distributed this video than a woman got mean and belittling when somebody was randoming her car.
I don't know Britt McHenry from Adam. However, she apparently gets really mad and really mean when someone tries to extort money from her.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Yes. This person works for an extortion ring! I'm going to be very mean to somebody who steals and then ransoms my car. As far as I'm concerned, if you want people to treat you nicely at work, don't work for in the extortion business.
I find it far more disturbing that a business distributed this video than a woman got mean and belittling when somebody was randoming her car.
I don't know Britt McHenry from Adam. However, she apparently gets really mad and really mean when someone tries to extort money from her.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
This is BS. The niceness police need to find more important things to do with their lives. A person becomes angry with a borderline incompetent at a store, on the phone, or on the street and faces discipline at work...?? Boy, I am glad I made my career before cell phones were invented.
Who cares about the tow employee? This woman can say that to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and I'd still love her.
Gladeskat: "Save human decency for those folks who deserve it. Don't waste any of it on scumbags who work behind thick plate glass for pirate towing companies."
Agreed. However, would you want to, for example, be in a relationship with someone about whom you had the fear that, should you accidentally or intentionally pee the seat, might just try to cut your balls off while you slept?
This post was edited on 4/18 12:10 PM by stpaulcat
Agreed. However, would you want to, for example, be in a relationship with someone about whom you had the fear that, should you accidentally or intentionally pee the seat, might just try to cut your balls off while you slept?
This post was edited on 4/18 12:10 PM by stpaulcat
A few years into my career a vendor screwed up a job for a new client that was time critical. Two parts to the order and they flopped the specs so that each part was wrong. Tight deadline. I called the account exec. and screamed every profanity I new. Completely unprofessional on my part.
Two hours later the contrite account exec showed up at my office to apologize. Bad ass that I thought I was, I went storming out to reception to give him some more "what for."
Well, the account exec was a former starting full back for my Northwestern Wildcats. And still huger than huge in physical stature.
Here was this guy who could squish me like a soft grape apologizing.
I found it within my Judeo Christian self to calm down and talk normally. To his credit, he pulled a miracle, fixed the problem and became a regular vendor and friend.
It's been over twenty years and the lesson hasn't left me.
Two hours later the contrite account exec showed up at my office to apologize. Bad ass that I thought I was, I went storming out to reception to give him some more "what for."
Well, the account exec was a former starting full back for my Northwestern Wildcats. And still huger than huge in physical stature.
Here was this guy who could squish me like a soft grape apologizing.
I found it within my Judeo Christian self to calm down and talk normally. To his credit, he pulled a miracle, fixed the problem and became a regular vendor and friend.
It's been over twenty years and the lesson hasn't left me.
Gladeskat wrote: "is this a concern you have in your life?"
Well, now that you mention it, possibly. I think, with a Brittany, any Brittany, I'll sit while taking a leak.
I prefer a Kathy any day!
The Urban Dictionary:
Brittany: A girl usually born in American in the 80's or 90's. Brittany's are very attractive, popular, and have good hearts. Everyone wishes to be as cool as the Brittany's and are jealous when they can't compare. Sometimes Brittany's are a little blonde, but it's simply because they love life and laughing, and enjoy seeing other people laugh as well. Brittanys are usually envied by less popular people. Brittanys can be insecure but they shouldn't be, people try to bring them down but Brittanys will always end up winning...they need to realize how wonderful they are. Guys are intimidated to ask them out just because Brittanys are so unique and awesome.
Brittany = Popular, outgoing, loved by all, sometimes teased out of jealousy, loved by adults, kids love them too, smart, & funny.
"Wow, I wish I could date a Brittany."
"Sorry man, she's WAY out of your league."
Well, now that you mention it, possibly. I think, with a Brittany, any Brittany, I'll sit while taking a leak.
I prefer a Kathy any day!
The Urban Dictionary:
Brittany: A girl usually born in American in the 80's or 90's. Brittany's are very attractive, popular, and have good hearts. Everyone wishes to be as cool as the Brittany's and are jealous when they can't compare. Sometimes Brittany's are a little blonde, but it's simply because they love life and laughing, and enjoy seeing other people laugh as well. Brittanys are usually envied by less popular people. Brittanys can be insecure but they shouldn't be, people try to bring them down but Brittanys will always end up winning...they need to realize how wonderful they are. Guys are intimidated to ask them out just because Brittanys are so unique and awesome.
Brittany = Popular, outgoing, loved by all, sometimes teased out of jealousy, loved by adults, kids love them too, smart, & funny.
"Wow, I wish I could date a Brittany."
"Sorry man, she's WAY out of your league."
A few years ago I gave a presentation on anti-harassment training to a group of salesmen at one of the largest NJ car dealerships. The regional manager stood by me at the podium, making the following introduction:
"Shut up! [No response, people keep on talking among themselves]. Hey, I'm talking here. HEY. HEY!. I. Said. 'Shut.' 'The.' 'F_ck' 'Up!' Mr. ____ here is going to explain how to be good employees to each other."
I share this experience to highlight the vast degree of differences along the continuum of workplace environment. Starbucks baristas are presumably less inured to invective language than the "customer representatives" in the towing industry. There is an obvious reason why you don't see tip jars and colorful wall hangings or hear pleasant mood music down at the auto pound; there is simply no way to win over the "patrons" of these places and the industry simply doesn't care about its "customers."
Again, the tape was apparently edited to portray McHenry in the worst light possible. What is shown are loaded remarks one after another from only one side of the exchange; McHenry may have also interspersed comments about plebeian matters during her dialogue with the towing employee. The point is that from a doctored tape everyone can be made out to sound like a jerk, as the following snippet from a Simpsons' episode underscores.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd38SkgNkFY
This post was edited on 4/18 2:10 PM by Cat In The Cradle
Simpsons - Doctored Tape
"Shut up! [No response, people keep on talking among themselves]. Hey, I'm talking here. HEY. HEY!. I. Said. 'Shut.' 'The.' 'F_ck' 'Up!' Mr. ____ here is going to explain how to be good employees to each other."
I share this experience to highlight the vast degree of differences along the continuum of workplace environment. Starbucks baristas are presumably less inured to invective language than the "customer representatives" in the towing industry. There is an obvious reason why you don't see tip jars and colorful wall hangings or hear pleasant mood music down at the auto pound; there is simply no way to win over the "patrons" of these places and the industry simply doesn't care about its "customers."
Again, the tape was apparently edited to portray McHenry in the worst light possible. What is shown are loaded remarks one after another from only one side of the exchange; McHenry may have also interspersed comments about plebeian matters during her dialogue with the towing employee. The point is that from a doctored tape everyone can be made out to sound like a jerk, as the following snippet from a Simpsons' episode underscores.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd38SkgNkFY
This post was edited on 4/18 2:10 PM by Cat In The Cradle
Simpsons - Doctored Tape
" Hey, I'm talking here. HEY. HEY!. I. Said. 'Shut.' 'The.' 'F_ck' 'Up!' Mr. Cat in the Cradle here is going to explain how to be good employees to each other."
You do have the perfect name for promoting bon homme. I would immediately start being nice to the guy next to me if I were being coached by Mr. "Cat in the Cradle."
Now if it had been "Brittany here is going to explain how to be good employees to each other," I think it would be off to a bad start.
You do have the perfect name for promoting bon homme. I would immediately start being nice to the guy next to me if I were being coached by Mr. "Cat in the Cradle."
Now if it had been "Brittany here is going to explain how to be good employees to each other," I think it would be off to a bad start.
To echo what DC Cats said, there's no excuse for the personal nastiness McHenry engaged in, but Advanced Towing is notorious in Northern Virginia. Not only are they predatory in their practices, their staff berate, ignore and belittle people who come in to collect their cars. Let's see the full tape. It won't make McHenry look any better, but it'll give a more complete picture of the people/entity with whom she was dealing.
"I'm truly shocked that there's anybody here who thinks that there's something acceptable about Britt's behavior."
What I find most unacceptable about this situation is that a company posted an online exchange (and an edited one at that) between its employee and a "customer" on the web, so that we could all get on our high horses and publicly flog her for losing her temper (in a situation where many of us have or would lose our temper). I do not find her behavior acceptable, but I understand. She was dealing with a legalized extortion racket known for holding its "customers" or "victims" hostage. In the history of the towing company & victim relationship, I'm sure there are far more unpleasant exchanges than pleasant ones. There's a reason these places have bullet proof glass, barbed wire fences and hire extremely abrasive personality types.
I also find it objectionable that a private argument with no illegal activity has turned into a public spectacle that damages a career.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
What I find most unacceptable about this situation is that a company posted an online exchange (and an edited one at that) between its employee and a "customer" on the web, so that we could all get on our high horses and publicly flog her for losing her temper (in a situation where many of us have or would lose our temper). I do not find her behavior acceptable, but I understand. She was dealing with a legalized extortion racket known for holding its "customers" or "victims" hostage. In the history of the towing company & victim relationship, I'm sure there are far more unpleasant exchanges than pleasant ones. There's a reason these places have bullet proof glass, barbed wire fences and hire extremely abrasive personality types.
I also find it objectionable that a private argument with no illegal activity has turned into a public spectacle that damages a career.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Brittany, yes, she would have received a different reception than me . . ironically, that was the reason the suits asked me to come in. The name is actually an ode to Harry Chapin's song Cat's In The Cradle. You may have heard it during a Super Bowl commercial last February. I was trying to suggest something about Fitz's generation - which is mine also - and the generation following, namely the kids he's coaching. I was probably drunk at the time, which explains the typographical error. And I'm too lazy and dumb to change it - just like figuring out how to copy prior comments without changing the formatting or attaching a link in the original post rather than having to go back and edit it in..
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1xfIwlHIwc
This post was edited on 4/18 6:47 PM by Cat In The Cradle
Cat's In The Cradle
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1xfIwlHIwc
This post was edited on 4/18 6:47 PM by Cat In The Cradle
Cat's In The Cradle
I find it funny that someone is trying to defend a towing company. They have got to be with filthiest scumbag people on planet earth. They are predators who have no real purpose in life and whose education level is somewhere between a bullfrog and a cockroach (no offense to either of those creatures). I do not mind when they are there to help people who are stranded or people who have gotten into accidents. The companies who truly are mercenaries deserve respect, but those who make deals with parking lot owners and give kickbacks and tow cars for outrageous prices are just thiefs who have exploited the system to find a way to get money they do not deserve. I do not spend money in businesses that allow these crooks to run their lots and I make it known to those owners that I will not do business with them as long as they conspire to commit piracy. Really, what did they do that deserves $135 anyway? And what gives them the right to release a tape that is not in response to any sort of legal action? And to release it as edited? I hope that they get sued for defammation by taking her words out of context if she was actualy provoked. What a big set of a_holes they must be and well deserve of any tirate from anyone whether they are famous or not.
Just pure scum.
I didn't defend the towing company, of course. I defended human decency.
Before verbally attacking someone who is less attractive, less educated, and less well-off than you (or someone who is 'ahead' of you in these traits), you should consider, 'How would this look if my parents/kids/bosses/coworkers/friends caught this on tape?' And we've learned. At least she's famous now.
There's that basic life lesson: "two wrongs..."; "treat others..."
Is that really, truly, applicable only in certain situations?
Before verbally attacking someone who is less attractive, less educated, and less well-off than you (or someone who is 'ahead' of you in these traits), you should consider, 'How would this look if my parents/kids/bosses/coworkers/friends caught this on tape?' And we've learned. At least she's famous now.
There's that basic life lesson: "two wrongs..."; "treat others..."
Is that really, truly, applicable only in certain situations?
I seriously doubt that the clerk who sits behind bulletproof glass is also the person getting rich off of predatory towing. I would assume she's collecting near-minimum wage, hates her job, and does it because she's got few options.
People gotta eat. They don't deserve that treatment, no matter who their employer is.
People gotta eat. They don't deserve that treatment, no matter who their employer is.
She's guilty by association. She could get a job elsewhere but would rather be the ugly face of the operation.
They deserve that treatment if they choose to stay and work for these crooks.
This post was edited on 4/19 4:00 PM by Gladeskat
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