Shit Ain't Seemly

Friday, July 25, 2014
I was perusing Linked In the other day, and I saw a link to a post written by a guy who signed his name, "Joe Shmoe, MBA."

I don't think I'm the only one who thinks "douchecanoe" when I see someone sign their name with "MBA," but I do wonder - do these folks honestly think that others are impressed by this? If I need someone who has a specific certification - such as an M.D. who's also a neurosurgeon - I do want to know about your schooling and qualification. But an MBA? That shit ain't seemly.

On a similar note, I've also noted that people seem to stretch the truth a bit when they're pursuing public recognition.

For example, Colorado has veteran's license plates that available to vets for no additional charge. You have to qualify for the plates you want, and bringing in your DD 214 or military ID card is required.

But the criteria is pretty loose, in my opinion. In order to get plates related specifically to a conflict (Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.), you have only to prove you were on active duty at some time during the duration of the conflict. Specific Medal plates (such as Bronze Star, Navy Cross, etc.) have much more specific criteria.

Now I have the Southwest Asia Service Medal. It's on my DD 214, and I did in fact spend time in the region in question during the conflict. But the fact of the matter is that while I have the medal, no one actually shot at me during that time. My ship was in a support role, and it would make me profoundly uncomfortable to claim public status as a vet of that conflict. It's not appropriate. Shit ain't seemly. So I have U.S. Navy plates instead, and I'm glad to have them.

But I know for a fact that not everyone feels that way. I know for a fact that people claim status symbols that they have not strictly earned. I know that there are a lot of douchecanoes out there. While I don't think it's appropriate for me to confront the posers (because, Nunya), it does tell me some things about the person in question. Because that shit ain't seemly.

And I think I should totally append my signature with "Wielder of TSoD."

1 comments:

Tom said...

I agree. And a Right Wielder you are. I hope never to deserve it's application.