[hzoi]

scott9282, on 21 January 2012 - 06:36 PM, said:

No one is questioning your patriotism. No one is questioning your ability.

But you were basically questioning my character and ethics.

You wanted to know why I was switching sides, you stated that my ability to do so "says something about me" (presumably not something complimentary), you basically accused me of being in it for the money, and you dared me to twist things. I let you know why I've been on both sides, and I let you know I'm not in it for the money. And I did so in the context of my military service, because I came onto active duty four months after I got out of law school.

I'm not going to question your patriotism or your ability. I certainly wasn't trying to before, and I sincerely apologize if you took my comments as an attack on your patriotism.

But I am going to get back to the original point: I'm sick of lawyer bashing. If I did something, call me on it. But I'm not going to sit here and let people take swipes at my profession in general and paint me with that overly broad brush. Lawyers are not a group hive. I'm not going to take any blame or responsibility for anyone's experiences with other lawyers.

GeotaggedBloger, on 21 January 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Yup, I hate the current state of civil litigation too. Maybe as a group people could take more individual responsibility for things rather than looking for someone to sue, Congress and the states could pass some serious tort reform laws, and "ambulance chaser"-type civil litigators could stop trying to get rich on other peoples misfortune.

Fixed it for you. That's a little more specific on who/what you should be mad at.

I'm not a big fan of civil litigation or civil litigators, either, for those same basic reasons. It was eye opening living in Germany for a few years -- their system is much less adversarial than ours, and they're just in it for the truth. Thus, fewer lawsuits. (You can tell when you go to a street fair and they have carnival rides like the ones they used to have in the US.)

[CatfishPilot]

hzoi, on 22 January 2012 - 04:53 AM, said:

GeotaggedBloger, on 21 January 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Yup, I hate the current state of civil litigation too. Maybe as a group people could take more individual responsibility for things rather than looking for someone to sue, Congress and the states could pass some serious tort reform laws, and "ambulance chaser"-type civil litigators could stop trying to get rich on other peoples misfortune.

Fixed it for you. That's a little more specific on who/what you should be mad at.

I'm not a big fan of civil litigation or civil litigators, either, for those same basic reasons. It was eye opening living in Germany for a few years -- their system is much less adversarial than ours, and they're just in it for the truth. Thus, fewer lawsuits. (You can tell when you go to a street fair and they have carnival rides like the ones they used to have in the US.)

So you're taking it off the lawyers and putting it on the people that actually sue?

Okay, but the fact that 1-800-BAD-DRUG exists sorta blows that theory. To spell it out, that's a phone number lawyers have set up for people to call to "get what's owed" from big pharma. They've spent MILLIONS on pumping that ad out on TV. I'd bet many here have seen it. Heck, some may have called it...


edit for typo.

This post has been edited by GeotaggedBloger: 22 January 2012 - 05:36 AM

[hzoi]

GeotaggedBloger, on 22 January 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:

So you're taking it off the lawyers and putting it on the people that actually sue?

No, not at all. I even called 'em ambulance chasers.

The problem is at least threefold: the unreformed tort rules, the lawyers who go after the deep pockets regardless of how much blame can be attributed to them (and beat the bushes to find the next big client), and the people who hire those lawyers. As I see it each part contributes to the other two. But it's all a mess.

This post has been edited by hzoi: 22 January 2012 - 07:41 AM

[Planet]

I hate insomnia. I wanted to go for a hike today, in the freshly fallen snow, but I'm tired.

[Planet]

I hate making excuses, and I should just do it.

[Planet]

I hate that I'm not going to do it.
But the game is on soon, so I'm not the bad guy.

[Harry Dolphin]

hzoi, on 22 January 2012 - 07:40 AM, said:

GeotaggedBloger, on 22 January 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:

So you're taking it off the lawyers and putting it on the people that actually sue?

No, not at all. I even called 'em ambulance chasers.

The problem is at least threefold: the unreformed tort rules, the lawyers who go after the deep pockets regardless of how much blame can be attributed to them (and beat the bushes to find the next big client), and the people who hire those lawyers. As I see it each part contributes to the other two. But it's all a mess.

Last year, as a passenger, I was involved in a minor accident. Perhaps, the driver should not have chaned gears to reverse. But she was tailgating, ignoring the speed limit, and aleady had 25 dings on her car. She was in a hurry. She did collect $900. (Not sure for what.) Six months later, I resceiced a missive from the law firm of Sue'em and Shyster, with copy of accident report saying that I should contact them if I wanted to sue for phycial injury. Not sure if this qualifies as ambulance chasing. There was no ambulance.
Our beloved, honorable Governor Chubby was previously a federal attorney. His office brought indictments against a lot of politicians. (Hey! This is New Jersey!) When the jury failed to convict, he would exclaim: "Justice has not been done!" Doh! A jury trial is 'justice'. That's the way the system works. If you cannot convince the jury of someone's guilt, then you're the one who screwed up. The fault is yours! Proclaiming that 'Justice has not been done' only shows that you're not very good at your job! Doh.

[knowschad]

Planet, on 22 January 2012 - 10:14 AM, said:

I hate insomnia. I wanted to go for a hike today, in the freshly fallen snow, but I'm tired.

Me too! Insomnia always makes me sleepy

[Chokecherry]

Uncontrolled body hair is a pet peeve of mine.

[knowschad]

Chokecherry, on 22 January 2012 - 07:00 PM, said:

Uncontrolled body hair is a pet peeve of mine.

Your own, or somebody else's body hair?

This post has been edited by knowschad: 22 January 2012 - 07:17 PM

[Chokecherry]

For sure me. Sometimes other peoples.

[A & J Tooling]

I hate when people hate. Give peace a chance.

[Castle Mischief]

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

[CatfishPilot]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

They work great in fountains though!

[hzoi]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

They don't even bother stocking them at the post exchanges at bases outside the US. If you pay cash for something, they either round up or down. The banks and post offices still have them, though. And downrange, they don't have any metal change: just cardboard "pogs" (gift certificates).

[GeoGeeBee]

GeotaggedBloger, on 21 January 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Here is a FACT. A brand new Ford Taurus shouldn't cost a penny more than a brand new Cessna 150. Think about that. A Cessna 150 is 1950's technology excluding avionics. It's aluminum and cables. Nothing to it. But due to lawyers constantly sueing and the liability that the manufacturer assumes a carburetor costs $650 when the direct cost to the OEM is only a mear $45. Normal wholesale to retail markup is 100%. Aviation gets a 1000% markup for what? ...Oh yeah, lawyers.

Uh, no.

Car companies get sued, too. Grandma hits the gas pedal instead of the brake? Nah, must be a flaw in the car.

Airplanes cost more because the market is smaller. Ford sold over 63,000 Tauruses last year. Cessna built a total of 22,000 C-150's over a period of nearly 20 years. The cost of building an airplane factory is at least as great as the cost of building a car factory, but has to be recouped with the sale of a much smaller number of units.

[A & J Tooling]

hzoi, on 23 January 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

They don't even bother stocking them at the post exchanges at bases outside the US. If you pay cash for something, they either round up or down. The banks and post offices still have them, though. And downrange, they don't have any metal change: just cardboard "pogs" (gift certificates).

Back when I was there, all the $2 bills and the Susan B's were there. That still the case? Back before Direct Desposit I remember once getting paid in 2 dollar bills.

[Castle Mischief]

GeotaggedBloger, on 23 January 2012 - 08:11 AM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

They work great in fountains though!

Sadly, none of the fountains around here are stocked with Diet Mtn Dew.

Pennies are great if you own your very own penny smusher, so I've heard.

[Thrak]

knowschad, on 20 January 2012 - 04:18 PM, said:

Presence, on 18 January 2012 - 06:53 PM, said:

As a parent of an unreasonable child I avoid taking him to adult type places but if I'm at Chili's or a local diner get over yourself.

Actually, no... I won't "get over myself" unless you are willing to pay my bill, no matter what restaurant I may happen to be in. Sorry, but it isn't my responsibility to "get over myself" for somebody else's kids.

YES!

I had a friend who was a waitress in a local cafe. There was a table with insanely unruly children. She told the people if they couldn't control their children they would have to leave the restaurant. Almost EVERYBODY else in the place applauded and some cheered loudly. My children learned how to behave in public at an early age. There is no reason that children can't act in a civilized manner.

[WashoeZephyr]

Thrak, on 23 January 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

knowschad, on 20 January 2012 - 04:18 PM, said:

Presence, on 18 January 2012 - 06:53 PM, said:

As a parent of an unreasonable child I avoid taking him to adult type places but if I'm at Chili's or a local diner get over yourself.

Actually, no... I won't "get over myself" unless you are willing to pay my bill, no matter what restaurant I may happen to be in. Sorry, but it isn't my responsibility to "get over myself" for somebody else's kids.

YES!

I had a friend who was a waitress in a local cafe. There was a table with insanely unruly children. She told the people if they couldn't control their children they would have to leave the restaurant. Almost EVERYBODY else in the place applauded and some cheered loudly. My children learned how to behave in public at an early age. There is no reason that children can't act in a civilized manner.

+100
If children are running amuck in a restaraunt, me and my husband have both tripped other people's children. There is no excuse EVER for a child to be running around in a restaraunt. I don't care of it's Denny's, Wafflehouse, whatever. It's funnier than hell when a kid comes flying by for the umteenth time and my foot goes out in the aisle. ....ooops.

[Castle Mischief]

This:

[CatfishPilot]

GeoGeeBee, on 23 January 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

GeotaggedBloger, on 21 January 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Here is a FACT. A brand new Ford Taurus shouldn't cost a penny more than a brand new Cessna 150. Think about that. A Cessna 150 is 1950's technology excluding avionics. It's aluminum and cables. Nothing to it. But due to lawyers constantly sueing and the liability that the manufacturer assumes a carburetor costs $650 when the direct cost to the OEM is only a mear $45. Normal wholesale to retail markup is 100%. Aviation gets a 1000% markup for what? ...Oh yeah, lawyers.

Uh, no.

Car companies get sued, too. Grandma hits the gas pedal instead of the brake? Nah, must be a flaw in the car.

Airplanes cost more because the market is smaller. Ford sold over 63,000 Tauruses last year. Cessna built a total of 22,000 C-150's over a period of nearly 20 years. The cost of building an airplane factory is at least as great as the cost of building a car factory, but has to be recouped with the sale of a much smaller number of units.

Well, that's a good point...I admit.

However the sale of aircraft continues to decline while the sale of cars goes up. The population is growing so it would seem that the number of pilots should go up as well. But it isn't. Private pilot applicants is way down and cost HAS to be a major factor. Few can afford it. I still think litigation is partly to blame.

[knowschad]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Who'd ever have guessed that Alabama would be leaning towards the left!!

[Castle Mischief]

GeotaggedBloger, on 23 January 2012 - 01:43 PM, said:

GeoGeeBee, on 23 January 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

GeotaggedBloger, on 21 January 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Here is a FACT. A brand new Ford Taurus shouldn't cost a penny more than a brand new Cessna 150. Think about that. A Cessna 150 is 1950's technology excluding avionics. It's aluminum and cables. Nothing to it. But due to lawyers constantly sueing and the liability that the manufacturer assumes a carburetor costs $650 when the direct cost to the OEM is only a mear $45. Normal wholesale to retail markup is 100%. Aviation gets a 1000% markup for what? ...Oh yeah, lawyers.

Uh, no.

Car companies get sued, too. Grandma hits the gas pedal instead of the brake? Nah, must be a flaw in the car.

Airplanes cost more because the market is smaller. Ford sold over 63,000 Tauruses last year. Cessna built a total of 22,000 C-150's over a period of nearly 20 years. The cost of building an airplane factory is at least as great as the cost of building a car factory, but has to be recouped with the sale of a much smaller number of units.

Well, that's a good point...I admit.

However the sale of aircraft continues to decline while the sale of cars goes up. The population is growing so it would seem that the number of pilots should go up as well. But it isn't. Private pilot applicants is way down and cost HAS to be a major factor. Few can afford it. I still think litigation is partly to blame.

I would think the decreasing starting salary and lack of job security would be a factor there. I'm sure there are plenty of would-be pilots that are choosing different careers, something stable like Wal-Mart door greeter.

[Castle Mischief]

knowschad, on 23 January 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Who'd ever have guessed that Alabama would be leaning towards the left!!

It's all the fat people in Tuscaloosa tipping us over. Perhaps a higher ratio of hot air east of Birmingham causing the other side to rise.

[CatfishPilot]

More people have driver licenses than CDL's. Same with pilots. It doesn't have to be a career to fly and the topic at hand is Cessna 150's. Piston Cessnas are sold primarily to private individuales for private transportation.

[GeoGeeBee]

GeotaggedBloger, on 23 January 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:

More people have driver licenses than CDL's. Same with pilots. It doesn't have to be a career to fly and the topic at hand is Cessna 150's. Piston Cessnas are sold primarily to private individuales for private transportation.

Actually, piston Cessnas are sold primarily to private individuals for recreation, not transportation. A single engine aircraft, even if it is equipped for instrument flight, is not a practical mode of transportation. (I'm not even sure about that... I bet there are more piston Cessnas owned by flight schools and FBO's than by individuals.)

Fuel costs are insane. New aircraft are insanely expensive. The barriers to entry are very high, in terms of money and training time. Most people who think about getting a pilot's license for non-professional purposes find that it's just not practical. Personally, driving a twisty mountain road in my sports car gives me much of the same feeling of freedom and exhiliration that I got from flying. But I didn't have to spend a year in school and $5,000 to be able to do it.

And I can drive that same car to work every day.

[hzoi]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

knowschad, on 23 January 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Who'd ever have guessed that Alabama would be leaning towards the left!!

It's all the fat people in Tuscaloosa tipping us over. Perhaps a higher ratio of hot air east of Birmingham causing the other side to rise.

Don't look at me, all my hot air's centrally located.

[hzoi]

A & J Tooling, on 23 January 2012 - 11:33 AM, said:

hzoi, on 23 January 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 08:07 AM, said:

Pennies. Useless in vending machines.

They don't even bother stocking them at the post exchanges at bases outside the US. If you pay cash for something, they either round up or down. The banks and post offices still have them, though. And downrange, they don't have any metal change: just cardboard "pogs" (gift certificates).

Back when I was there, all the $2 bills and the Susan B's were there. That still the case? Back before Direct Desposit I remember once getting paid in 2 dollar bills.

They're still making $2 bills. I've got a Series 2003 in my wallet.

edit: of course, the bigger question would be WHY they still make $2 bills.

This post has been edited by hzoi: 23 January 2012 - 02:25 PM

[Planet]

Thrak, on 23 January 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

knowschad, on 20 January 2012 - 04:18 PM, said:

Presence, on 18 January 2012 - 06:53 PM, said:

As a parent of an unreasonable child I avoid taking him to adult type places but if I'm at Chili's or a local diner get over yourself.

Actually, no... I won't "get over myself" unless you are willing to pay my bill, no matter what restaurant I may happen to be in. Sorry, but it isn't my responsibility to "get over myself" for somebody else's kids.

YES!

I had a friend who was a waitress in a local cafe. There was a table with insanely unruly children. She told the people if they couldn't control their children they would have to leave the restaurant. Almost EVERYBODY else in the place applauded and some cheered loudly. My children learned how to behave in public at an early age. There is no reason that children can't act in a civilized manner.

Having worked in the restaurant business, in one aspect or another for over 20 years, I had my share of unruly children, including my sister twins, The Hurricane Twins, when they were small.
I'm going to have to say this really loud, so cover your ears.


UNRULY CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT SEATED IN A RESTAURANT ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES, THE WAITSTAFF, AND THE PATRONS!

If you do not control them while they are running around, just think how you will feel when you are in the emergency room with your child wearing second or third degree burns from that very hot pot of coffee the waitress was bringing out to serve refills, or the sizzling hot metal platter of fajitas for Table 4.
And then DO NOT be the one to sue the restaurant, because you couldn't control tge little hellion.
Kids today don't get enough active time, and no way to expend that built up energy. Then they are let loose in a public place, and chaos happens.
We always had crayons and coloring paper for the kids, but it only keeps there attention for a short time. I went over the parents head and told the children they had to sit down, or we told them they could play on the stage only, out of the way. This particular restarant also had children's entertainment once in a while to encourage parents to bring the little ones. I think parents should use that time to teach kids public manners.
My French grandmother always taught us "Sometimes, Maybe, Always, Never". Sometimes - wrists on table edge. Maybe - mid arm on edge of table, Always - hands in lap when not eating, Never - elbows off the table. And pinkies up.
My French grandfather made his chlidren learn to eat holding a book under each arm. If they dropped a book, he would rap their knuckles with his knife. You had to eat with your arms against your sides. I figured out why when I went to France snd saw how tightly they pack them in over there in the Paris restaurants.
You sit side by side with strangers, practically touching. And children are very well behaved. Manners are important in the civilized world. I heard even Miss Manners was loosening up a bit!

[Planet]

I hate to tell you I'm not gonna edit that last post to fix any of those typos.

[Planet]

A & J Tooling, on 23 January 2012 - 04:13 AM, said:

I hate when people hate. Give peace a chance.

Heheheeeee, can I post that on my lost Give Peace A Chance TB page? Maybe someone will laugh enough to put it back out.

[TheAlabamaRambler]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

knowschad, on 23 January 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Who'd ever have guessed that Alabama would be leaning towards the left!!

It's all the fat people in Tuscaloosa tipping us over. Perhaps a higher ratio of hot air east of Birmingham causing the other side to rise.

Hey! I resemble that!

This post has been edited by TheAlabamaRambler: 23 January 2012 - 03:03 PM

[knowschad]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

knowschad, on 23 January 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Who'd ever have guessed that Alabama would be leaning towards the left!!

It's all the fat people in Tuscaloosa tipping us over. Perhaps a higher ratio of hot air east of Birmingham causing the other side to rise.

Are you sure that isn't how the map looks when you view it from Washington?

[Harry Dolphin]

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Yeah. Alabama is on a lot of people's Peeve List.

[Trucker Lee]

Tailgaters. How to deal with them.

1 Slow by 5 mph increments, but not less than 45 on limited access (illegal)
2 Start speeding up and slowing down, so you pull away then they come screaming up again and need the brakes. Repeat as needed.
3. Now is the time to empty that stale beverage out the window
4. At night, got some small white marshmellows? Let a handful go.
5. A few pennies play havoc with windshield and paint. Throw them up high.
6. Your phone has a camera. Use it!

[knowschad]

Harry Dolphin, on 23 January 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Yeah. Alabama is on a lot of people's Peeve List.

OHHHH!!!! ALABAMA!!! Why didn't somebody say so. I thought he was peeved at somebody named Al. Now it makes sense.

[hzoi]

Harry Dolphin, on 23 January 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

Castle Mischief, on 23 January 2012 - 01:40 PM, said:

This:

Yeah. Alabama is on a lot of people's Peeve List.

Having grown up in Georgia to a lifetime's supply of Alabama jokes, I worried I'd feel that way. But we've really enjoyed it here.

Visitors to our school always ask the faculty how they like living in Montgomery. The running joke is that Montgomery needs to use the standard reply as its new motto: "It's Not That Bad."

[A & J Tooling]

Planet, on 23 January 2012 - 02:49 PM, said:

A & J Tooling, on 23 January 2012 - 04:13 AM, said:

I hate when people hate. Give peace a chance.

Heheheeeee, can I post that on my lost Give Peace A Chance TB page? Maybe someone will laugh enough to put it back out.

Anything I post can be used anywhere as long as my wife dosen't see it...

[GeoGeeBee]

Trucker Lee, on 23 January 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

Tailgaters. How to deal with them.

1 Slow by 5 mph increments, but not less than 45 on limited access (illegal)
2 Start speeding up and slowing down, so you pull away then they come screaming up again and need the brakes. Repeat as needed.
3. Now is the time to empty that stale beverage out the window
4. At night, got some small white marshmellows? Let a handful go.
5. A few pennies play havoc with windshield and paint. Throw them up high.
6. Your phone has a camera. Use it!

Or you could get in the right lane and let them pass, instead of acting like a dangerous jerk.

[Thrak]

The older woman at work who ALWAYS uses the mens room rather than the ladies room and who ALWAYS leaves the seat down. (And sometimes leaves a "bonus" of a short curly on the seat.)

[HHD]

GeoGeeBee, on 24 January 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

Trucker Lee, on 23 January 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

Tailgaters. How to deal with them.

1 Slow by 5 mph increments, but not less than 45 on limited access (illegal)
2 Start speeding up and slowing down, so you pull away then they come screaming up again and need the brakes. Repeat as needed.
3. Now is the time to empty that stale beverage out the window
4. At night, got some small white marshmellows? Let a handful go.
5. A few pennies play havoc with windshield and paint. Throw them up high.
6. Your phone has a camera. Use it!

Or you could get in the right lane and let them pass, instead of acting like a dangerous jerk.

l think trucker's ideas are funny but are too dangerous for me...but I will think of him the next time I get a tailgater

[Planet]

Trucker Lee, on 23 January 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

Tailgaters. How to deal with them.

1 Slow by 5 mph increments, but not less than 45 on limited access (illegal)
2 Start speeding up and slowing down, so you pull away then they come screaming up again and need the brakes. Repeat as needed.
3. Now is the time to empty that stale beverage out the window
4. At night, got some small white marshmellows? Let a handful go.
5. A few pennies play havoc with windshield and paint. Throw them up high.
6. Your phone has a camera. Use it!

I have a friend who was being harrassed on the highway one time by a couple of guys in another car. They were speeding ahead, cutting in front, and weaving, and being a real pain, nearly causing an accident a couple of times.
My friend had had enough, and he had a sunroof. He got in front of the guy, opened the sunroof, and strategically placed a container of macaroni salad in the air, which landed on the idiot's windshield. The dummy hit the wipers, and had to pull off. I think he learned his lesson. I wouldn't recommend anyone doing this, but it was a funny story at the time.

[scott9282]

Rubberneckers.

God I hate them.

Unless you are responding to the accident, or stopping to render qualified medical assistance, keep you head forward and just drive on.

I can't tell you how many secondary accidents we used to handle because of rubberneckers. Some idiot who just has to see the blood and guts, keeping his or her head turned to the side, and totally missing the other idiot ahead of them who had to slow down a lot or stop to get a better view.

We used to deal with rubberneckers in a more or less gentle manner. One officer, if available, would be on the side of the road, and he'd point at the drivers slowing down. Not motioning for them to stop. Just pointing at them.

For some reason this always resulted in the drivers snapping their heads back to the front and driving on. This would work for about 5 minutes or so and then we'd have to repeat the process. I don't know why it worked, but it did.


On a related note, we were handling a vehicle accident which had been moved off to the side of the road. It was a pizza delivery guy. He messed up his car pretty bad, but he was not hurt. He had some pizzas on the front seat that he was in the process of delivering.

Some nitwit rubbernecker actually stopped on the highway, in the right lane, and yelled out, "Hey, was anyone killed?"

One officer who was standing next to the mangled car, rather than yell or pull the imbecile over for stopping, reached into the car, picked up a handful of pizza sauce and cheese, letting it drip down, and said, "Why yes. But it's OK, he was very tasty." And proceeded to eat some of the "gore and guts" from his hand.

The rubbernecker let out a little yell, seemed to get physically ill, and sped off.

I bought that cop dinner that night. Not pizza though.

[CatfishPilot]

scott9282, on 25 January 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

Rubberneckers.

God I hate them.

Unless you are responding to the accident, or stopping to render qualified medical assistance, keep you head forward and just drive on.

I can't tell you how many secondary accidents we used to handle because of rubberneckers. Some idiot who just has to see the blood and guts, keeping his or her head turned to the side, and totally missing the other idiot ahead of them who had to slow down a lot or stop to get a better view.

We used to deal with rubberneckers in a more or less gentle manner. One officer, if available, would be on the side of the road, and he'd point at the drivers slowing down. Not motioning for them to stop. Just pointing at them.

For some reason this always resulted in the drivers snapping their heads back to the front and driving on. This would work for about 5 minutes or so and then we'd have to repeat the process. I don't know why it worked, but it did.


On a related note, we were handling a vehicle accident which had been moved off to the side of the road. It was a pizza delivery guy. He messed up his car pretty bad, but he was not hurt. He had some pizzas on the front seat that he was in the process of delivering.

Some nitwit rubbernecker actually stopped on the highway, in the right lane, and yelled out, "Hey, was anyone killed?"

One officer who was standing next to the mangled car, rather than yell or pull the imbecile over for stopping, reached into the car, picked up a handful of pizza sauce and cheese, letting it drip down, and said, "Why yes. But it's OK, he was very tasty." And proceeded to eat some of the "gore and guts" from his hand.

The rubbernecker let out a little yell, seemed to get physically ill, and sped off.

I bought that cop dinner that night. Not pizza though.

While it drives me and everyone else nuts that traffic slows near an accident and it sometimes causes secondary accidents and it can add to the hassel at the scene for first responders...let me ask you this.

Do you think your post above will change human behavior for the .00000000000000000000001% of the population that you reached? I, for one, think that EVERYONE reading your words (and even you the author) will turn our collective heads and look when there is something our brains decide is important to see. While it was a very nice rant...millions of years of evolution aren't going to disappear because it's a tad bothersome for EMT and the cops. I agree it's a pain. I stated that. But it's human nature to want to see the thing that has been at the forefront of our consciousness for the past hour while we sit in a traffic jam. It ain't gonna change. Vent all you want but them's the facts.

Tell me you stay eyes forward and never look. And even if you do....tell me you don't flinch when about to be hit by something. It's evolution and you can't fight it. Besides, don't be mad at the motorists that just had to sit in a traffic jam and take time out of their day. Be mad at the human that made the mistake that caused the wreak in the first place.

This post has been edited by GeotaggedBloger: 25 January 2012 - 12:26 PM

[scott9282]

GeotaggedBloger, on 25 January 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

While it drives me and everyone else nuts that traffic slows near an accident and it sometimes causes secondary accidents and it can add to the hassel at the scene for first responders...let me ask you this.

Do you think your post above will change human behavior for the .00000000000000000000001% of the population that you reached? I, for one, think that EVERYONE reading your words (and even you the author) will turn our collective heads and look when there is something our brains decide is important to see. While it was a very nice rant...millions of years of evolution aren't going to disappear because it's a tad bothersome for EMT and the cops. I agree it's a pain. I stated that. But it's human nature to want to see the thing that has been at the forefront of our consciousness for the past hour while we sit in a traffic jam. It ain't gonna change. Vent all you want but them's the facts.

Tell me you stay eyes forward and never look. And even if you do....tell me you don't flinch when about to be hit by something. It's evolution and you can't fight it. Besides, don't be mad at the motorists that just had to sit in a traffic jam and take time out of their day. Be mad at the human that made the mistake that caused the wreak in the first place.

No, I don't look. I've seen the results, and to be quite honest, I've seen enough flashing lights and wrecked vehicles to last a few dozen lifetimes.

Don't be mad at the motorists who just had to sit in that traffic jam? I'm not. I wasn't. But the idiots who decided they "earned" the right to rubberneck (and yes, I've had people tell me that. they sat in traffic and by God they deserved to see the wreckage, human and machine, that caused it) need to seek professional help.

It's morbid curiosity, pure and simple, and I find it disturbing in people. Someone is hurt through being in an accident and people want to see that? Put yourself in the victim's shoes for a bit. Would you want to be some kind of roadside freak show to amuse some hoople in a passing car? Imagine if that was your family being loaded into ambulances. Would you want some idiot yelling out "hey, anyone killed?" And if you don't think that happens, think again.

Be mad at the human that made a mistake that caused a wreck? You know, sometimes accidents just happen. A tree branch falls in the roadway and hits a car. Something mechanical breaks and causes a wreck. Or some other idiot does a hit and run and leaves the scene of a serious accident.

[Chokecherry]

Traffic slows a lot by accident here because most accidents in my neck of the woods happen in the snowy season here and if there is an accident it usually is a good indicator that the roads are not good. So in an attempt to not kill the people standing on the road around the accident or crash into the wreckage we slow down.

And since we're rural rubber necking is helpful. With cold temps, not a lot of traffic most of the time and snow most people driving by any accident which doesn't already have police cars at least slow down to look to see if someone is in the car that needs help etc.

General speaking we don't have a lot gawkers here. Mostly concerned folk and people trying to not slide off the road and kill more people.

[CatfishPilot]

I don't think I'm going to get you to see my point. I do see your point and understand the problem.


I'll try one more time. I'm just saying it's evolution. It's human nature. It's in peoples DNA. If I hold out my closed hand to you and then open it you are going to instinctively look. Even if I tell you not to look you're brain is going to want to look.

As to the morbid bit, that's human nature too. If a man jumped off the top of a tall building most would watch him to the ground. Some would turn away, but most would watch. That doesn't make them bad people for watching. It's not their fault and they aren't even making a conscious choice to do it. I guess that's all I have to say about it. I really do understand your point, but I'm hopeful you understand mine too.

I think you'd have an easier time bailing out the ocean with a dixie cup than getting people to 'not look'.

[hzoi]

GeotaggedBloger, on 25 January 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

scott9282, on 25 January 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

Rubberneckers.

God I hate them.

(snip)

Do you think your post above will change human behavior for the .00000000000000000000001% of the population that you reached? I, for one, think that EVERYONE reading your words (and even you the author) will turn our collective heads and look when there is something our brains decide is important to see.

Well, this is a "peeves" thread, not a "you all need to be doing this or I'll beat you about the face and neck" thread. It's the airing of grievances. (All we need's an aluminum pole and feats of strength and it's a Festivus party.)

[A & J Tooling]

scott9282, on 25 January 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

Rubberneckers.

God I hate them.

Unless you are responding to the accident, or stopping to render qualified medical assistance, keep you head forward and just drive on.

I can't tell you how many secondary accidents we used to handle because of rubberneckers. Some idiot who just has to see the blood and guts, keeping his or her head turned to the side, and totally missing the other idiot ahead of them who had to slow down a lot or stop to get a better view.

We used to deal with rubberneckers in a more or less gentle manner. One officer, if available, would be on the side of the road, and he'd point at the drivers slowing down. Not motioning for them to stop. Just pointing at them.

For some reason this always resulted in the drivers snapping their heads back to the front and driving on. This would work for about 5 minutes or so and then we'd have to repeat the process. I don't know why it worked, but it did.


On a related note, we were handling a vehicle accident which had been moved off to the side of the road. It was a pizza delivery guy. He messed up his car pretty bad, but he was not hurt. He had some pizzas on the front seat that he was in the process of delivering.

Some nitwit rubbernecker actually stopped on the highway, in the right lane, and yelled out, "Hey, was anyone killed?"

One officer who was standing next to the mangled car, rather than yell or pull the imbecile over for stopping, reached into the car, picked up a handful of pizza sauce and cheese, letting it drip down, and said, "Why yes. But it's OK, he was very tasty." And proceeded to eat some of the "gore and guts" from his hand.

The rubbernecker let out a little yell, seemed to get physically ill, and sped off.

I bought that cop dinner that night. Not pizza though.

So, what you're saying is, the cop stole some pizza? Bad cop! No doughnut for you!