This is just FYI

Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago to News
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Tune in to 'Stossel' on Fox. He's doing a whole report on the militarization of police forces. Also, the interior US checkpoints. Well worth watching. It's been an interesting 18 minutes thus far. The videos that have been posted here about checkpoints, and their illegality are getting coverage now! Watch! Please.

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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Italians view traffic laws as less than mere suggestions! Parisians are only slightly less anarchical when it comes to driving in the city.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I know! They are the people not following the rules of the road. It's actually a pleasure to drive in Europe, because people actually do so, on the highways at least. In Rome, it's dog eat dog. I had to close my eyes when we were being driven there from Fiumicino Airport, lol.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You need to view that as an opportunity. I now drive mostly in the right lane, and do generally 5 mph faster than the left lane. If those who want to park do so in the left lane, that's OK by me. And if ever pulled over by hwy patrol my response to passing on the right is going to be "officer, I was driving in the furthest right lane that provided unobstructed flow - the fact that there are idiots that want to obstruct flow in the lane(s) to my left is not my problem."
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Also the RBT, Random Braking Technique will actually cause terrible traffic behind the moron RBT-ing on a highway. And stay in the right lane unless passing! Pet peeve!! Get over! It's not a threat to one's masculinity! REALLY. Just get out of my way. Grrr
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Large trucks (18 wheelers) have had this technology for a while (I used to work for the company that made the components for this). The fact that it is now available in automobiles is great.

    I look forward to the day when we no longer have to drive our automobiles. It will remove congestion and prevent many accidents.

    I have done simulations that show that highway congestion is mostly a function of individual "optimization" and overall sub-optimization. If everyone just stayed in a single lane, traffic would move more smoothly. It is when a driver switches lanes for their own personal "gain" that causes problems. Those behind slam on the brakes, which causes a ripple effect.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My daughter just purchased her first vehicle, a 2013 Ford Edge. It has not only cruise control, but a "gap maintainer" which allows her to define the minimum distance between her and the vehicle in front. Thus, much more control then the "old" cruise controls.
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  • Posted by $ Snezzy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Same way a deaf man carrying an oddly-shaped piece of furniture is supposed to obey DROP YOUR WEAPON.

    Fortunately most police officers are exceptionally observant and very cautious. Only recent recruits with military battle training might be quick on the trigger.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It's funny, I have it, I just never use it. I like to feel exactly what's going on, and why, when I drive. But that's the little smidgeon of type "A" I possess. I think the only smidgeon.... ;-)
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    What the heck! How could you possibly tell what he was doing with that flashlight? Plus, your horses might have spooked if there were lights flashing, an even a sudden siren sound. I hope he calmed down. Yikes. I'm glad nothing more serious transpired there.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I saw a guy a few streets over tell the cop to get off his private road. The next day, there were chains across each entrance and these huge boulders at one of them. I laughed when I saw them! Good or him!
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  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Today they'd have the bomb squad eject it from my mouth.
    Do they still make Bazooka gum?
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  • Posted by Technocracy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This is why cruise control is a required item on any vehicle I buy.

    Too easy to have your speed creep up without realizing it on a long highway drive.
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 10 years, 9 months ago
    We're all just revenue-producing livestock to these guys. Do what they say, or else... And, yes Snezzy - read their minds too.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago
    When living in Detroit, I used to go pretty regularly over the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Canada because we liked eating a certain restaurant there. When crossing back into the USA I'd usually joke with the officer when he'd ask if I had anything to declare. I might say, "Just a bazooka -- not the weapon, the musical instrument." He'd smile, I'd smile, and my wife, myself and my two boys would chug on home. I wouldn't dare do that today. And as far as I'm concerned, that says it all about the change in America from the 80s to today.
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