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Post by Jacques the Environmentalist on Aug 11, 2005 21:41:20 GMT -5
Yes, I understand that, Antenora, I was merely suggesting that V.F.D. doesn't stand for any one thing in particular. That, I agree on. It may have had a set meaning at first, but as the organization grew and diversified it took on many new meanings. But the whole organization encompassing all compartments still retains one name to incorporate it all, hence Jacques and the Quagmires yelling "volunteer" and Widdershins basically telling us it's Volunteer Fire Department.
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Post by jcgsebald on Aug 12, 2005 13:45:43 GMT -5
It is every thing and nothing.
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Post by idiotj on Aug 12, 2005 22:26:23 GMT -5
I think the organization as a whole stands for Volunteer Fighters of Deleteriousness, or something of the same meaning.
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Post by PJ on Aug 13, 2005 1:45:41 GMT -5
Volunteers Fighting Detriment? Naw, it's either Volunteer Fighting Department, or just VFD.
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Post by Jacques the Environmentalist on Aug 13, 2005 21:59:18 GMT -5
I agree with PJ. I wonder if the newer initiates even know what the letters mean anymore since there are so many meanings now...
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Post by nocuousnovelist on Aug 14, 2005 11:07:42 GMT -5
I agree with the Volunteer Fire Department as a starting point for the Organization. As with the real life Fire Department they end up pursuing other related "for the good of everyone" jobs. Like all the medical training -they respond to car accidents and every other major emergency, not just fires anymore. Also, relating to the schism, when it is a Fireman who starts fires risking the life of his Brothers and the innocent they swear to protect, that creates a schism. It reaches down to the core of who you are and what you stand for. And doesn't leave you any room to choose a gray middle ground, thus the clear division.
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Post by Dante on Aug 14, 2005 11:21:54 GMT -5
That second paragraph was very nicely worded, and your whole post was very insightful.
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Post by nocuousnovelist on Aug 14, 2005 13:28:49 GMT -5
Thanks, Dante. but this definition leaves me wondering. Why are there so many V.F.D. running away or in hiding? In real life it's clear, so there must be more to it... It must not be so clear cut, maybe?
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Post by Deathly Hallow on Aug 14, 2005 13:43:14 GMT -5
This is a quote from the Maligant Movie in the board Script where someone wrote a play to tBB. Daniel Handler really liked it. But he said the same thing about the volunteer fire department stuff. I guess i should take it out, but I can't because it has already been copyrighted. Meaning that maybe VFD isn't Volunteer Fire Department after all!!! He put in something where Justice Strauss said that Olaf put on a play about Volunteer Fire Department in his backyard.
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Post by Dante on Aug 14, 2005 13:51:49 GMT -5
NocuousL V.F.D. - if we assume, for this example, that it is Volunteer Fire Department - is not just any volunteer fire department. It is devoted to other principles beside the prevention of fire, and most importantly, it is secret. Because it is secret, it is much easier to attack it, and get away with it. More importantly, the bad side of the schism knows everything the good side knows - they use the same codes and disguises, know about the headquarters (except for the newest ones). The fire-extinguishing side of the schism aren't fighters - that's not what they're about. In the face of such evil, all they can do is flee, and bide their time.
Snicket Master: Or possibly he didn't want too much information giving away too soon. The words "Volunteer Fire Department" don't appear in the books until TSS.
Edit: You might be right, though. None of us can really know for sure.
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Post by nocuousnovelist on Aug 14, 2005 14:39:47 GMT -5
I guess the running away to fight another day is sometimes the only option. I don't like that though... Edit: So, Did the VFD have a parent organization or was it the parent organization? And is there any reference to why they were secret to begin with.
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Post by Jacques the Environmentalist on Aug 15, 2005 21:35:47 GMT -5
They did more than flee, they gathered evidence on their enemies' crimes to fully incriminate and defeat them but the evidence was hunted down and destroyed, all evidence but the sugarbowl. The volunteers also built more hideouts and scheduled meetings and such. They're in hiding because Lemony probably isn't the only one falsely accused of crimes. Also because the normal people seem to think all V.F.D. is evil "Then news broke of his involvement with the VFD and Mr. Snicket went into hiding etc...'*paraphrase* So it would seem that the Punctilio is saying V.F.D. and all its members are criminals so naturally they'd go into hiding. They'd also go into hiding to avoid their arsonist enemies who are all too adept at destroying their homes and sanctuaries.
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Post by Dante on Aug 16, 2005 2:05:16 GMT -5
That reminds me, Jacques. It said in TSS - and I paraphrase here, but it's along these lines - that the symbol of the eye had become synonymous with villainous behaviour, rather than the prevention of fire and being well-read. I don't know if Geraldine Julienne ever did write about that article about V.F.D. for her Secret Organizations You Should Know About column, but if she did, I doubt she was particularly fair or accurate.
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Post by nocuousnovelist on Aug 16, 2005 10:19:02 GMT -5
Great summary, Jacques. Thanks! what about Volunteer (s) For Duty as an alternative VFD? Sorry if this is a repeat.
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Post by Jacques the Environmentalist on Aug 16, 2005 20:08:35 GMT -5
Wow, I said something productive. You're right, the eye did seem like a symbol of villainy in tss. And they said that it had replaced the watchful eyes of their parents. But yes, VFD and all its volunteers are in hiding while villains are running free walking all over them. But no more... In books 12 and 13 we shall see....
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