Actually I think the workers have a semi-legitimate grudge. The OP’s isn’t even remotely based on some inequity.
Actually, it’s a “foolish consistency”.
I think you might have to actually explain it in words, because both of those parables went right over my head (they seemed to be about discrimination, which I wasn’t aware was an issue here). I would say the parable is about contracts - the first batch of workers willingly negotiated a contract, then later on, changed their minds due to circumstances entirely external to their negotiated contract.
The folks who signed up here straight away got what they paid for and expected in full; the folks who haven’t yet signed up have been cut a little slack - this does not in any way detract from the access or status of those who signed up first; I really don’t get the problem.
I’m not quite sure, just that this doesn’t feel fair. Does it make a difference how much a denarius is - if it’s not enough for a full day’s pay or is generous initially? Or if the people not working were working elsewhere? Or not? Or trying to work, but couldn’t find anything (it hints this might have been the case, which lessens my objection)?
OK, let me try again. I think perhaps I assumed that a man working in the vineyard didn’t have a lot of choice about where to work, or how much he got paid, so it’s unfair to say he entered into the contract willingly; the contract may not have been fair. Does that make me seem any clearer?
Yeah, I pretty much agree here.
Besides which, the usual complaint heard when the fee system was established was “We’ll lose all of the people who contribute…the SDMB will waste away to just a few dozen posters!” Now they are, metaphorically speaking, pounding down the dooors to get in under the deadline. This is a bad thing? 
Cut everybody a little slack.
In the end, as it was widely recognized that a denarius a day was well below minimum wage, squatters occupied the landowner’s acreage in protest. Ultimately the government confiscated his land and distributed it to the peasants, who formed a commune where each was allocated goods according to need. The landowner went on the talk show circuit and became wealthy hawking his book and film rights. Everyone lived happily ever after.
The End.
Clogs with steel toes, I’ll have you know, buster.
Well I said in the OP it was a weak rant. Looking back on it it wasn’t really a rant at all. Chalk it up to me not getting the idea across that I was going for. Oh well.
I’ll just drop it.
Coldfire I had a different username a few years ago, long since forgotten.
And whomever called me a kid, I’m probably older than you. 
Cite? 
Just a newbie being silly, no harm intended…
If you didn’t inform an administrator about your new username then, I suggest you do so as quickly as possible, with mention of the old name. Thanks.
I see your point (it is, after all, not a million miles distant from the complaint of the first workers), but I see no implication that the first lot were being short changed; the landowner simply thought ‘fuck it, I’m feeling happy, I think I’ll give the latecomers a full day’s wage’ and suddenly the first lot (who had received a full day’s wage for a full day’s pay, wanted more.
Having said all this, duffer does say that he doesn’t have a problem with that side of the issue, ending with:
To which I think the probable answer is that they didn’t plan to extend it at all, it just became a desirable change of plan at a fairly late stage.
“Anything else we can get you? Tea cozy for your pepper pot?”
Whats a pepper pot? And why would it need a tea cozy? Wouldn’t a pepper cozy be more appropriate?
For which I am grateful! I’ll have that Fiver in the post friday!
I think it’s a line from Fawlty Towers, referring to a guest who would not be pleased regardless of what Basil did for him. I liked that show.
I have none of Mangetout’s wit, so let me just say this is the dumbest, most miserly goddamn thing I’ve seen on these boards in a long time.
“Quick! Quick! I’m in! Slam the gates and charge the rest of the rabble three times as much! No mercy!”
:rolleyes:
Pepperlandgirl won’t be cozy until there’s liquid James Marsters pouring out of her tea pot.
Er…
I’m surprised there’s been so much attention paid to that last line, and so little to this part:
I mean… WTF???
Just wanted to chip in my two cents, and point out that while yes, people have had a month to work out any issues they might have with ponying up their membership, a lot of posters simply didn’t know it was even happening - I’ve seen several posts today from long-timers that said “Geez, I am glad I got here when I did, because I had no idea!” And some of those people had very legitimate reasons for not being up to date.
Hey…I’m old enough to remember when a denarius was worth something.