Links to Me
Recent Comments
Re: “Perception of (violent) Crime problem is a nationwide epidemic, Pew reports”
If making misleading statements based on misunderstood data was a crime, talkingbolloxpopuli would get his own page in the UCR report
Re: “City names members of prostitution ordinance task force”
This could almost be as big as the missing i in Cty Hall
Re: “Mud on the badge”
I'm not a cop but I work closely with APD
I have an informed (I see and hear what goes on at all levels of the organization), external ( I am an inside, outsider) and objective (I have no political,monetary or other reason not to be straight) view.
The overwhelming majority of the 2500 APD workers are well trained and motivated to do their job as well as anyone of us can expect. They work long and difficult hours. they get paid.
They are good guys - most of them are proud of what they do (even if they cant say it) - and they try to make a difference.
Of course there is variation - what do you expect in a population that large. There are exceptional individuals - there are also less capable individuals.
Of course there are bad apples.
Doesn't it sound just like your workplace?
You may not like what they have to do sometimes (speeding tickets) but you do other time (arresting notorious gang members).
You love it when a cop shows discretion and lets you speed slightly, you hate him when he pulls you over.
Surely its a bit like your visit to the doctor (Like immunisation, dislike needles). perhaps a better comparison would be a sports umpire - it doesn't really matter what they do - we hate them (That is until we have to watch our NFL football with High School umpires)
The folk above making sweeping judements are clearly without thought or reason. if you liked their comments, you are probably also an idiot/sheep/lemming. Time to grow up?
Oh by the way - if you think you could do better (I doubt you would pass the background check or examinations) why not join ? They are hiring.
Re: “Ticket that bicyclist!”
like most things, I cant quite get the hang of this new fangled posting stuff. Oh well, if its worth saying once....
Re: “Ticket that bicyclist!”
Rather than disappearing up a cul de sac inhabited by discussions of camera triggering systems and the realtive mass of vehicles, can I encourage viewing the problem with common sense.
1. Cyclists sometime bend the laws to their advantage
eg. - passing a stationary line of traffic at a stop light. This rarely disadvantages motorists - but it does vex us/them
- not stopping at STOP signs when there is nothing else there
2. Motorists sometimes bend the laws to their advantage
eg.
- Do you always adhere to the speed limit
- No right turn on red. Need I say more.
- Texting while driving
In the absence of an unrealistic zero tolerance traffic policing regime, the secret to a happy and healthy life is to take personal reponsibility:
1. Don't do anything that is LIKELY to endanger yourself or others.
2. Exercise some defensive driving/riding.Just assume that bike,truck,car, person, bus (whatever the weight) is going to do something unexpected and foolish.
Try it, it works.
Of course you can just get very angry and/or wait for the legal and law enforcement of your dreams.
Re: “Ticket that bicyclist!”
Rather than disappearing down a cul de sac inhabited by endless discussions of vehicle weight and camera triggering systems, it can be useful to view your behaviour - and that of other road users through a lens of common sense.
Most cyclists sometimes bend the rules to their advantage.
Examples:
1. Skipping lines at traffic lights, because they can. This rarely disadvantages motorists - but it does wind them/me up.
2. Not coming to a dead stop at a STOP when nothing else is around. Actually I think this behavior is shared by motorists too.
Most Motorists sometimes bend the rules to their advantage.
Examples:
1. Do you really stay under the 55 MPH speed limit?
2. Look at that texting going on out there
3. No right turn on red - need i say more.
The secret, in the absence of an unrealistic zero tolerance traffic policing regime, is for us all to show grown up common sense:
Try not to do anything that may endanger yourself or others.
Exercise some defensive driving and riding - expect the unexpected worst of everyone you see on the road.
Re: “Another reason to hate those metal plates on Atlanta's roads”
Balderdash Broacher
I agree with everything you say.
It is because all of those plates that I avoid the roads and drive my Hummer on the beltline - even if it means i need to remember my gun.