OMG. This is one of my best friends' first college roommate.

In Beard Brawl, D.C. Wants Clean, Close Shave

There have been stories told about this guy for years. Steve was completely incompetent as a social being, and my friends tormented him mercilessly. Usually I am not so supportive of relentless psychological torture, but I still ask them to regale me from time to time with epic stories of fucking with him because he was such an immense douchebag. And now his douchebaggery has become a matter for the courts.


For more info: Google search for "Steve Chasin" and "Beard"

JEEZUS.
Doesn't the beard interfere with his PPE??
This is a safety issue.

Posted by DevilC JEEZUS. Doesn't the beard interfere with his PPE?? This is a safety issue.

I dunno, he says it doesn't, but I always thought it prevented an effective seal. But with the paramedic, what's keeping him from having a beard? I assume he wears a mask when he's working on someone, so it wouldn't be an infection issue.

I would hate to think that courts decide law based on whether the plaintiff is a douchebag. A beard in no way threatens any person other than himself, and as the article rightly says, he waives liability issues by sporting it against recommendation.

There are few, if any, professions where one must "adopt a standard, conformist 21st century haircut" for true safety reasons. Most jobs, including that of firefighter, have been performed for centuries by bearded men.

http://www.navy.fo...?category=7&id=743

As a rough comparison, the Canadian navy decided to drop the whole "sailors wear beards because they're rugged and tough" thing for the same reason, concerns about firefighting gear on ships...but they allow exemptions for religious reasons. Seriously, the United States is letting Canada pull ahead in freedom of religion? For shame...

But since I can see this is a debate likely to be settled on ideological grounds...



How dare you tell firefighters, who lost their brothers on 9/11, what they can and can't wear to work, and that you think Big Brother Bureaucrats up the chain of command have the right to tell them how to do their job. You are living in a pre-9/11 world, my friend, in MY AMERICA, we let firemen do whatever the hell they want. It's called freedom, baby, and it's the AMERICAN WAY.

The real douchbaggery is epitomized here:

The beard “is how I practice and celebrate my religion,” says Chasin, 40, who acknowledges that there are other religious practices he doesn’t follow. “I am not the most perfect Jew,” he says.

Posted by MutantMandias The real douchbaggery is epitomized here: The beard “is how I practice and celebrate my religion,” says Chasin, 40, who acknowledges that there are other religious practices he doesn’t follow. “I am not the most perfect Jew,” he says.

Right, and for every mediahound douchebag who actually takes up the cause, I'm sure there's a legitimate Jew or Muslim quietly hoping that they are allowed to keep their beard and still be a paramedic, etc. So again, I don't see why douchebaggery is a factor in this...

Sigh.

I couldn't care less about the beard issue. I care that Steve is a source of amusement.

I would like to point out that he said, when beards were banned, "I was upset. I actually did shave, and I became depressed."

http://www.wusa9.c...id=82531&catid=158

Posted by Yehoshua I would hate to think that courts decide law based on whether the plaintiff is a douchebag. A beard in no way threatens any person other than himself, and as the article rightly says, he waives liability issues by sporting it against recommendation.

But, had his air masked failed because of his bear not allowing a tight seal around his face, leading to him being rescued, then it would put others in danger.

There are few, if any, professions where one must "adopt a standard, conformist 21st century haircut" for true safety reasons. Most jobs, including that of firefighter, have been performed for centuries by bearded men.

But air masks and stuff have only come about recently.

How dare you tell firefighters, who lost their brothers on 9/11, what they can and can't wear to work, and that you think Big Brother Bureaucrats up the chain of command have the right to tell them how to do their job. You are living in a pre-9/11 world, my friend, in MY AMERICA, we let firemen do whatever the hell they want. It's called freedom, baby, and it's the AMERICAN WAY.

I assume you're joking, but what about a uniform? Or dress standards? The last two places I worked forbade beards as part of the dress code. They left me grow a goatee only because I was doing it for Halloween. (I was Shawn from Shawn of the Dead) Of course, he's making it a religious issue, and in that case, if his claim is legit, then he should be allowed to keep the beard, as long as it doesn't pose a safety risk.

I wonder what firefighters in Saudi Arabia look like?

Well, the claim can be made that safety is not an issue in the matter of allowing people to keep their beards in service professions.

Take the example of the two Sikh officers who were allowed to keep their beards during Army Basic Training.....you simply apply a little Vaseline to the edge of your SCBA mask/gas mask/CPR mask/whatever, and presto! instant seal.

Being in the Navy, I understand such things as dress codes, grooming standards, "neat and professional appearance", etc. But I think civilians have a very different idea of how easy it is NOT to shave in the Navy. "Chief, I'm getting in-grown hairs....it really sucks." "OK, go see Doc and don't shave for a while."

I've known sailors who haven't shaven in months. They're required to keep what grows trimmed and presentable, but there will always be exceptions.

Also, when underway on a submarine (which is arguably one of the most likely times to have a fire or other casualty, and one of the worst places to have one), crew members (including myself) are often encouraged to grow beards, with the attitude of the command being "As long as you can get a seal, who cares?"

Posted by Sigfather Take the example of the two Sikh officers who were allowed to keep their beards during Army Basic Training.....you simply apply a little Vaseline to the edge of your SCBA mask/gas mask/CPR mask/whatever, and presto! instant seal.

That must be fun during the gas test where you have to have the mask on in a couple of seconds.

Well, I'm sure it wasn't fun, but it worked, and they passed.

I guess my point would have been better made by saying, "It must suck to have to carry around an open container of Vaseline in your hand in case of an unexpected gas attack."

Extreme hypothetical situations that could result in a person taking a calculated risk to themselves are always how I decide complex issues!

Posted by MutantMandias I guess my point would have been better made by saying, "It must suck to have to carry around an open container of Vaseline in your hand in case of an unexpected gas attack."

No argument there......just having to carry around the awkward pouch that the masks come in sucks.

Posted by MutantMandias I guess my point would have been better made by saying, "It must suck to have to carry around an open container of Vaseline in your hand in case of an unexpected gas ass attack."

Fixed.