[PLUG-TALK] Re: [PLUG] OT License plates and covers.

[Jeme A Brelin]

On Thu, 11 Dec 2003, Michael Luevane wrote:
> > Fast is relative, of course.  If we define fast to be "too fast to
> > avoid collisions with people", then we're on the same page.  That'd be
> > my definition of "really fast" in this context.
>
> For a train, that definition would most likely be "stopped".

Yeah, the mass is really crazy, there.  We do our best.

> > I think it's reasonable to ask folks to stay off of train tracks and I
> > think serious investigation should be required WHENEVER a person is
> > killed by a train.
>
> I'll grant you that point. It's a no-brainer in my book.

Cool.  So we're together.

> > Mostly, my problem is requiring the same thing of people staying out
> > of the path of automobiles in town.
>
> How else do people get around in town if they can't drive and have a
> long way to go and a short time to get there (with apologies to Mr.
> Reed...)?

Cities aren't really that big... and the ones that are usually aren't any
faster to get around on surface streets in automobiles than they are by
bicycle or on foot.

> I say
> 1. Place the blame where it's due.

Right... with the person acting in an unsafe manner... like throwing a ton
of steel down a public thoroughfare at tens of miles per hour.

> 2. If the pedestrian can't figure out that a driver needs more than 1/2
> sec and 3 feet to stop, I say they get what's comin' to 'em.

If a driver can't figure out that he needs to be able to respond within
1/2 a second and 3 feet, then he be held responsible for his unsafe
driving.

You just automatically believe the driver is right to do this and the
pedestrians have to accomodate.

> I also take exception to you constantly referring to vehicles as
> "weaspons". If you want to call cars "weapons" then I'll have to call
> *everything* a weapon, including my little white stuffed beanie teddy
> bear...

If your beanie baby is barbed or flung around at the maybe hundreds of
miles per hour that it would have to go to kill somebody, then yeah...
it's a weapon.  If you have it lunging on the end of a stick, then it's a
weapon.

A parked car isn't a weapon, but a car flying down city streets is.

> As in "Do you understand what I'm saying", yes.
> As in "Do you agree?", uh... no.

Well, then we're half way there.

J.
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     Jeme A Brelin
    jeme at brelin.net
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