Speed Cameras
I’m not totally against them, but I wonder what the real reason is that they are being used. Are they installed to control speeding, or………just another way to squeeze money out of us.
If they are really used to control speeding, then why are they placed where they are? Wide dual lane divided highways in the middle of nowhere, designed by engineers to be safely traveled at 70MPH +, but are signed at 55. Single lane roads in rural areas, where the only thing to fear is an occasional deer, or maybe a fox, but are posted at 35MPH. Placed at the bottom of grades where you must brake to keep to the posted limit. And the placement that gets my goat, the mobile vehicular mounted cameras that are used in construction areas at night, when there are no workers there to protect. I never see them in the daylight, when workers are present. Hmmm….are you seeing what I see?
We all know that children shouldn’t be playing in the street. But they do. They’re kids. Ever see a speed camera on your city street? Ever see one in a school zone, hospital zone, or elderly community? I know of only two, and those communities demanded it. Most people driving in these congested areas realize that a child can dart into the street without warning. An elderly person can start across the street because they didn’t see or hear you. A door can be flung open into your lane by a parked car. Why aren’t these areas protected by speed cameras?
Why, you ask? Because the governmental agencies that place the cameras know that, by and large, we are more alert of dangerous situations driving in these areas. But, out on the open road, we tend to let our guard down. The government knows this. Hence, that’s where the cameras are. CLICK-FLASH-GOTCHA.
Our elected, and appointed, officials know that raising fees, taxes, and appraisals are extremely unpopular. “Red light cameras have generated a lot of revenue. Let’s add speed cameras too. A couple of thousand dollars to install. We will get that money back in 50 speeding tickets. After that……free money. The public won’t complain, because we are protecting them from speeders”.
And let’s be honest here. If speed cameras are installed on your normal routes to and from work, or school, or your favorite hang out, you already know their location. You saw the ditches dug, the concrete poured, and the crew installing them. We slow down to the speed limit, pass the camera, and accelerate up to our normal speed. No harm….no foul, right?
Just a few years ago, we controlled our speed simply because over the next hill, or around the next curve, a police officer may be sitting with radar, vascar, or a speed gun at the ready. We rarely see a speed trap anymore. I wonder what all those traffic cops are doing now? (I probably don’t want to know). And what happened to all that expensive equipment? Sitting somewhere collecting dust I suppose.
So…… you tell me……are speed cameras used to protect the traveling public, or are they just another way to collect revenue? Think about it.
GOD bless you all.
FB 02/26/12
Giggles, Laughter, and Tears
Today, I realized that my previous attempts at blogging may be too opinionated, cynical, and biased. I know that during the reading of my blog, some people have nodded their heads in agreement, while still others just got p*ssed off. In an effort to regain the readers that I once had, (and to show I’m not such a bad guy), I decided to throw some humor into it every once in a while.
The following story was related to me a few years ago, and I’d like to share it with you. I do not know the original author, but will gladly acknowledge him/her on this page.
Sit back, relax, and let your imagination run wild as you read this writing.
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Last weekend I saw something at Larry’s Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was Valentine’s Day and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety….?? I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I’d get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and taser in the other. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of body control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries. All the while I’m looking at this little device measuring about 5” long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, ‘no possible way!’ What happened next is almost beyond description, but I’ll do my best…? I’m pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and a tingling in my legs. The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room. |
Pro Football 2011-2012
F- I- N- A- L- L- Y. This year of professional football has finally come to an end. It’s been a good year for some teams, and a great year for a lot of fans (unless you are a fan of the Colts, Rams, Dolphins, Browns, Vikings, or Deadskins……oops, typo there, I meant Redskins). Most of my friends, including my Wife, are Redskin fans, and I dearly love to tease them. You see, for thirty years I was a Baltimore Colts fan, and it was a requirement that you had to “hate” the Redskins. Of course, I don’t dislike the Redskins anymore. In fact, I am a fan (don’t you go telling my friends that), unless they are playing the Colts, or Ravens. Old habits are hard to break.
It’s been a year full of surprises and accomplishments. Some teams playing WAY over their talents, and great teams playing UNDER theirs. Fans or not, you have to enjoy watching Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. They make it look so easy, setting records as they go. And the future of the quarterback position in the NFL, Newton, Stafford, and TeBow. Next year, if things play out as predicted, we can watch first round draft picks, Luck, and RGIII. How exciting. I’m not taking anything away from the talented running backs, wide receivers, tight ends , line backers. corner backs, kickers, linemen, and special teams, I’m just saying the Old Guard at quarterback is being replaced by a new breed.
Peyton Manning. Quite possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. (I’m sure Brady and Brees would disagree with that statement). Peyton, sidelined with neck surgery, had to watch his beloved Indianapolis Colts lose game after game. As you watched him on the sidelines, you could almost see the tears in his eyes. For this team does not belong to owner Jim Irsay, it belongs to Manning. He built this franchise. Without him, they would still be at the bottom of the AFC South (just like this year). The new Lucas Oil stadium isn’t called the “House that Peyton built” without reason. So, whatever happens to Peyton, whether he plays, retires, or coaches, he will always be the “Gentle Giant” of football to me.
Moving on to Super Bowl XLVI. One team, the Patriots, which I predicted before the season started, would be there. And the Giants, not a chance in h*** of being there (I predicted the Bears). But, the Cinderella Giants, and, playing beyond his natural ability, Eli Manning prevailed. They beat the dominant Patriots, and their cheating head coach Belichick, at their own game (again). And, ironically, Eli Manning did it in the “House that Peyton built”. Congrats to the entire Giants team for a job well done.
Ten years from now, will we remember which teams played, and which team won? Probably not. But, we will remember some wanna-be singer named M.I.A flipping off the crowd, and millions of people watching on TV. Such class. When will people learn that, if you want to be remembered, do great things. Create world peace. Stop global warming. Cure cancer. Don’t resort to sensationalism, as your claim to fame (aka Janet Jackson). Maybe this young lady(?), who calls herself M.I.A., will do us all a favor and really become M.I.A. (Missing in Action).
God Bless America
What’s It Like To Be A Republican in 2012
What’s it like to be a Republican in 2012? Embarrassing, Scary, Ashamed, Humiliated, Bewildered, ……….. I’m running out of adjectives here. My vocabulary is limited, so, feel free to throw-in any other words that come to your mind. I need help (some people will say in more ways than one) when did my Republican party, that I knew for decades, become the GOP we see today?
Where is the “Hooray, Hooray USA”? Where is GOD in our society? What happened to family values? What the H*** is a same sex marriage? Why can’t we close our borders? Why do I have to learn a foreign language in my own country, just so some illegal can communicate with me? And what happened to “THIS IS AMERICA, WE WORSHIP GOD, WE WAVE THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, AND WE SPEAK ENGLISH…….LOVE IT, OR LEAVE IT”.
Now, I’m not sitting here trying to blame all of this on the Republican Party, but they all played a hand in it. Where are the “Eisenhowers’, Nixons’, Reagans’ of decades ago? The men who loved this country, what it stands for, and the people in it. The current GOP is split (partly because of the “tea party”), has no sense of direction, is way too far to the center and left, and has lost contact with the American public. They don’t seem to care about what it is that we want, it’s what they want.
I became a Republican in 1954. I was seven years old at the time. Didn’t know a darn thing about politics, but, all of my family were Republicans. That was good enough for me. Besides, the symbol for the Democrats is a donkey, and I liked being an elephant better. Big, strong, larger than life, mammal that symbolized the Republican party, and what it stood for. I know what you’re thinking right now, “Ol’ Freds’ been a Jackass most of his life”. And, you’re probably right, but that has nothing to do with my political party affiliation.
So, here we are in 2012. The Republican party is up against the Democratic, radical, insensitive, far left Obama-ism regime for the next President of the United States. The Republican party has to pull together and nominate the candidate that can bring down this out-of-control, far-left, Marxist-style man and his administration. Here they are, the cream-of-the-crop, the top-notch, the first-rate, the highest quality candidates that the Republicans can assemble:
ü Mitt Romney – Ex-governor who almost broke his state financially, authorized the highest health costs in the nation, and, next to California, is the most liberal state in the union.
ü Newt Gingrich – Ex Speaker of the House, thinks he is the second coming of Ronald Reagan (which he is not), doesn’t appear to be the same man who in 1994 was pushing term limits, tax cuts. welfare reform, and a host of other proposals.
ü Rick Santorum – Ex-Congressman, and ex-Senator, quite possibly the best candidate, excellent voting record, speaks with authority and knowledge, but lacks money and support from the old school Republicans.
ü Ron Paul – Ex-Congressman, good track record, good beliefs, good ideas, good family man, but…….not a chance in H***.
Well, there ya go. My Republican party at it’s finest. If we can get through the name-calling. mud-slinging, money-grabbing, lying, cheating primaries, we will have our candidate for the most respected political office in the world, the President of the United States.
I’m embarrassed.
UnderThisOldMansHat 