Comments 1 - 35 of 35 Search these comments
1
Ingrid
2025 Oct 8, 1:48pm
I think you are in CA, but I sure hope they forbid these awful things here in GA too. Last year my neighbors were buzy all day with these stinking, useless things. It is much easier, without noise or stench, with a large rake! I just leave the leaves to die and after the winter rake them up some and put them around whatever grows for food.
2
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 1:54pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 1:54pm
Yes, I'm in CA.
I also hope they forbid them in GA, but even that won't help without enforcement.
I also hope they forbid them in GA, but even that won't help without enforcement.
5
WookieMan
2025 Oct 8, 2:47pm
WookieMan
2025 Oct 8, 2:47pm
Patrick says
They're not legal. I'd bet $100 on it. If they speak broken English they're for sure illegal. American born hispanics speak English just fine if they were brought up in American school systems as bad as they are. You're in CA though, so calling ICE probably will lead to nothing either way.
Also, a weird thing I notice with Californians, they're landscapers, not gardeners. I've always found that bizarre as a regional thing. There's really no such thing as a gardener besides yourself growing stuff. Commercial gardening is technically farming. Cutting grass and blowing leaves is landscaping.
Thought about that, but I don't know whether they are legal or not.
They're not legal. I'd bet $100 on it. If they speak broken English they're for sure illegal. American born hispanics speak English just fine if they were brought up in American school systems as bad as they are. You're in CA though, so calling ICE probably will lead to nothing either way.
Also, a weird thing I notice with Californians, they're landscapers, not gardeners. I've always found that bizarre as a regional thing. There's really no such thing as a gardener besides yourself growing stuff. Commercial gardening is technically farming. Cutting grass and blowing leaves is landscaping.
6
FreeAmericanDOP
2025 Oct 8, 3:34pm
FreeAmericanDOP
2025 Oct 8, 3:34pm
WookieMan says
Correct.
Also, "Natural California" is brown as fuck in the summer without human intervention. Talking about the grass here.
The same people who call themselves Green and Recyclers will waste water turning naturally brownish colored dry grass green.
Cutting grass and blowing leaves is landscaping.
Correct.
Also, "Natural California" is brown as fuck in the summer without human intervention. Talking about the grass here.
The same people who call themselves Green and Recyclers will waste water turning naturally brownish colored dry grass green.
7
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 3:57pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 3:57pm
WookieMan says
The one that threatened me did not seem to speak English well.
If they speak broken English they're for sure illegal.
The one that threatened me did not seem to speak English well.
8
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 4:14pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 4:14pm
OK, I did report the event on https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form
I figure that I'd be safer if that guy gets deported.
I figure that I'd be safer if that guy gets deported.
9
Blue
2025 Oct 8, 4:35pm
It’s challenging to see people who don’t follow the rules.
I think, keeping a simple log of the activity and keep calling non-emergency number and occasionally stopping by station might help.
Hopefully police inform them to stop it, may be after few attempts.
I think, keeping a simple log of the activity and keep calling non-emergency number and occasionally stopping by station might help.
Hopefully police inform them to stop it, may be after few attempts.
10
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 4:50pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 4:50pm
The police are definitely not stopping it. It's all around town, every day. The police could just drive around and find a dozen every hour.
Yesterday a similar guy was blowing dust around with a gas-powered blower within earshot of the police station. So I walked in and told them, and pointed to the guy. I don't think they did anything.
Yesterday a similar guy was blowing dust around with a gas-powered blower within earshot of the police station. So I walked in and told them, and pointed to the guy. I don't think they did anything.
12
Blue
2025 Oct 8, 5:05pm
There are some crazy lawyers around. Bring this topic to few around who can sue the city or neighborhoods or specific owners. Somewhere around sprinkle Prop 13 tax recipients mention to reset tax base that property taxes could go more than 100 times!
It would terrify “Owners” around and very likely fix the issue!
It would terrify “Owners” around and very likely fix the issue!
13
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 5:08pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 8, 5:08pm
Lol, that might work.
I'll try to find a lawyer who does that kind of thing.
I'll try to find a lawyer who does that kind of thing.
14
Booger
2025 Oct 8, 5:44pm
Booger
2025 Oct 8, 5:44pm
Patrick says
Is there really any doubt in your mind?
Thought about that, but I don't know whether they are legal or not.
Is there really any doubt in your mind?
15
Al_Sharpton_for_President
2025 Oct 8, 6:00pm
Al_Sharpton_for_President
2025 Oct 8, 6:00pm
Patrick says
Hey, man, you are in California. Murderers go free there.
The police are definitely not stopping it.
Hey, man, you are in California. Murderers go free there.
16
Ceffer
2025 Oct 8, 6:13pm
Ceffer
2025 Oct 8, 6:13pm
Patrick fed him into the leaf mulcher, and the neighbors complained about the noise Patrick's mulcher was making.
18
Maga_Chaos_Monkey
2025 Oct 8, 10:36pm
Maga_Chaos_Monkey
2025 Oct 8, 10:36pm
Al_Sharpton_for_President says
Needs blood spray to be more convincing. Also for the pleasurable relaxing ambiance in general.
Needs blood spray to be more convincing. Also for the pleasurable relaxing ambiance in general.
19
WookieMan
2025 Oct 9, 6:29am
WookieMan
2025 Oct 9, 6:29am
Patrick says
There's a lawyer for everything. You'll just have to pay is the only issue. Unless it's an event where the petitioner can get money and the attorney gets their cut of the payoff. Problem is an illegal likely has little money, but you might be able to go after the owner of the business. Usually they broke though themselves.
Fact is unless it's a major incident, you'll be paying out of pocket. Sucks. So probably not much you can do legally. Just be a pest with the police or whoever enforces it and maybe you'll get somewhere. My town growing up allowed leaf burning. It messed my mom up and she'd get pissed. Took time but she got a leaf burning ban. Then she moved and they took it away. My sister still lives in that town. My mom gets pissed when she visits in the fall.
She doesn't have to worry now. Our town banned it. We're in prime open window season not using AC or heat. Leaf burning doesn't bother me, but I can get why it pisses people off. Also the hippy (small amount) in me says it's perfect compost and we have leaf pickup. It's good for gardens and lawn if your mower has a mulcher.
I'll try to find a lawyer who does that kind of thing.
There's a lawyer for everything. You'll just have to pay is the only issue. Unless it's an event where the petitioner can get money and the attorney gets their cut of the payoff. Problem is an illegal likely has little money, but you might be able to go after the owner of the business. Usually they broke though themselves.
Fact is unless it's a major incident, you'll be paying out of pocket. Sucks. So probably not much you can do legally. Just be a pest with the police or whoever enforces it and maybe you'll get somewhere. My town growing up allowed leaf burning. It messed my mom up and she'd get pissed. Took time but she got a leaf burning ban. Then she moved and they took it away. My sister still lives in that town. My mom gets pissed when she visits in the fall.
She doesn't have to worry now. Our town banned it. We're in prime open window season not using AC or heat. Leaf burning doesn't bother me, but I can get why it pisses people off. Also the hippy (small amount) in me says it's perfect compost and we have leaf pickup. It's good for gardens and lawn if your mower has a mulcher.
20
WookieMan
2025 Oct 9, 6:34am
WookieMan
2025 Oct 9, 6:34am
Maga_Chaos_Monkey says
This scene has always made me want to puke. Horror movie gore is funny to me. This is just too realistic just because of the means of disposal. Even if I'm dead already that's not remotely how I'd want to be handled. Tie some cement to me and throw me in a lake. At least I'm swimming... kind of.
Al_Sharpton_for_President says
Needs blood spray to be more convincing. Also for the pleasurable relaxing ambiance in general.
This scene has always made me want to puke. Horror movie gore is funny to me. This is just too realistic just because of the means of disposal. Even if I'm dead already that's not remotely how I'd want to be handled. Tie some cement to me and throw me in a lake. At least I'm swimming... kind of.
21
zzyzzx
2025 Oct 9, 7:02am
zzyzzx
2025 Oct 9, 7:02am
Patrick says
Pretty much Baltimore City. Best advised to move.
The police are definitely not stopping it. It's all around town, every day
Pretty much Baltimore City. Best advised to move.
23
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 4:50pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 4:50pm
It would definitely be exciting and noble work for the good of US citizens.
24
clambo
2025 Oct 9, 6:17pm
You can call ICE; the USA has not issued visas to latin third world countries for years.
But, it's (remotely) possible he won the "visa lottery"; this is a bizarre practice by immigration that actually lets someone "win" a visa in a lottery.
It's also possible (unlikely) that he came here on a student visa; either way he's not allowed to work probably.
But, it's (remotely) possible he won the "visa lottery"; this is a bizarre practice by immigration that actually lets someone "win" a visa in a lottery.
It's also possible (unlikely) that he came here on a student visa; either way he's not allowed to work probably.
26
Blue
2025 Oct 9, 6:26pm
https://www.usa.gov/green-card-lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program awards up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes immigrant visas available to natives of countries with low immigration rates.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program awards up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes immigrant visas available to natives of countries with low immigration rates.
27
MolotovCocktail
2025 Oct 9, 6:29pm
MolotovCocktail
2025 Oct 9, 6:29pm
clambo says
I had an employee from Macedonia (Ex-Yugoslavia, not Greece) who won the greencard lottery. He and his wife.
But, it's (remotely) possible he won the "visa lottery"; this is a bizarre practice by immigration that actually lets someone "win" a visa in a lottery.
I had an employee from Macedonia (Ex-Yugoslavia, not Greece) who won the greencard lottery. He and his wife.
28
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 6:34pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 6:34pm
I worked at Schwab with a woman from Switzerland who got one of those lottery visas.
29
Blue
2025 Oct 9, 6:45pm
In recent years I met two who own this lottery.
“Kenyan” (migrant woman from India!)
“German” (migrant man from Afghanistan who claims to know German!)
Applicants are not necessarily natives of the country they apply from.
“Kenyan” (migrant woman from India!)
“German” (migrant man from Afghanistan who claims to know German!)
Applicants are not necessarily natives of the country they apply from.
30
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 6:55pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 9, 6:55pm
Thanks, that's interesting.
Kinda like some "Hispanics" from Argentina who are 100% German but get special anti-white racist preferences in the US, like college admissions, just because they speak Spanish and are from a Latin country.
Now that I think about it, I'm all for the Argentine Germans doing that. Delicious irony!
Kinda like some "Hispanics" from Argentina who are 100% German but get special anti-white racist preferences in the US, like college admissions, just because they speak Spanish and are from a Latin country.
Now that I think about it, I'm all for the Argentine Germans doing that. Delicious irony!
31
Booger
2025 Oct 10, 5:54pm
Booger
2025 Oct 10, 5:54pm
Looks like there is some hope for Patrick:
https://x.com/KimKatieUSA/status/1976666366632772044
https://x.com/KimKatieUSA/status/1976666366632772044
33
Patrick
2025 Oct 10, 9:59pm
Patrick
2025 Oct 10, 9:59pm
Booger says
Looks like there is some hope for Patrick:
https://x.com/KimKatieUSA/status/1976666366632772044
34
Maga_Chaos_Monkey
2025 Oct 10, 10:30pm
Maga_Chaos_Monkey
2025 Oct 10, 10:30pm
I would have probably told the beaner, "Bring it! Motherfucker!", which at my age would be a very bad idea. I'd probably throw my arm out fighting at this point. I think these days I have only one good hit due to a shoulder injury and would pay for it over the following weeks for sure even if I managed to knock the guy out.
I do actually worry about that. I don't carry a gun but I consider it more every day.
I had a very bad temper when I was younger, got in a lot of fights, and I'm not big so I typically went kinetic 1st for the advantage. Especially if I was scared or cornered.
If he comes around again I hope you're out there wearing an ICE shirt. Camera. Taking photos of the work truck, license plate etc. ICE on speed dial.
Some trans-mexican trolling might be fun?
I do actually worry about that. I don't carry a gun but I consider it more every day.
I had a very bad temper when I was younger, got in a lot of fights, and I'm not big so I typically went kinetic 1st for the advantage. Especially if I was scared or cornered.
If he comes around again I hope you're out there wearing an ICE shirt. Camera. Taking photos of the work truck, license plate etc. ICE on speed dial.
Some trans-mexican trolling might be fun?
35
Booger
2025 Oct 11, 12:47pm
Booger
2025 Oct 11, 12:47pm
https://x.com/KimKatieUSA/status/1977020633935663118
Context: Lawn workers in Chicago are being investigated by DHS agents.
Context: Lawn workers in Chicago are being investigated by DHS agents.
Then I talked to my neighbor about this, and how on one side of my house, the gardeners have just kept on using gas-powered gardening tools, even after my neighbor and I informed them at least four times that it hasn't been legal for a year and a half now. I once called the non-emergency number to report them, but not sure the police ever showed up.
So today, my neighbor and I decided to sit outside, wait for them to once again ignore the prohibition, and to call the enforcement number to see if the police would come in time to talk to them. At the city council meeting, I was told that the police can't do anything unless the gardeners are actually caught in the act.
But ironically, this time gardeners on the other side of my house showed up and started using a gas powered weed whacker. So I walked over there, handed one of the gardeners the card that the city printed up explaining that it's illegal, and apologized for the trouble.
I waited in front of my house, and the gardener continued to use the gas powered weed whacker. So I walked back over to them and called the non-emergency number to report them.
I went back to my house, and one gardener came over on the street, pointed at me, and said "I'll get you later." Then he went next door, came back again, and again pointed and said he would "get me later". I took his picture, and of the truck license plate, 66636G1, and called the non-emergency number to report the threat.
Two police cars showed up together in about 10 minutes. One officer went in the back next door to talk to the gardeners. The other one, Officer Garcia, told me that gardeners go to many places, have to make a living, and may not be aware of the ordinance (though both Atherton and Palo Alto on either side of Menlo Park have the same ordinance). He seemed one-sided, sympathetic to them only. He did not seem concerned with the fact that I had just been threatened.
The current system of reporting and waiting for enforcement is not working. It would be better for the police to patrol a few hours a week and inform the gardeners and owners of the regulation. It would certainly be easy to find gardeners violating the ordinance.
Gardener who threatened me: