Re: bike path news

On Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:05:33 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

On 3/11/2025 9:29 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 3/11/2025 10:36 AM, AMuzi wrote:

On 3/11/2025 9:20 AM, Zen Cycle wrote:

On 3/11/2025 8:57 AM, AMuzi wrote:

On 3/10/2025 10:09 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 3/10/2025 9:37 PM, John B. wrote:

>
Well... you exhibit a fear of firearms ...

>
Bullshit. I exhibit distaste for the American fetish
for firearms, and the effect it has on society. And I
exhibit scorn for paranoia so severe as to cause a
person to _require_ a firearm to do ordinary things
like ride a quiet bike path, drive a car, fill a gas
tank, etc.
>
I'm sympathetic to those controlled by some phobias.
Not this one.
>
And BTW, it's not just our super-timid tricyclist. One
classmate of mine in an adult education class brought
his handgun to a class picnic in the country. Nice guy,
but that was crazy paranoia. Another guy, less
admirable in general, bragged to me about carrying his
handgun into a folk music concert we attended. Absolute
stupidity, and crazy paranoia.
>
That latter guy played guitar, but was so obese that he
used a special stand to hold his guitar out away from
his belly. Maybe his physical shortcomings triggered
feelings of great vulnerability, as with Mr. Tricycle?
Nonetheless, his risk assessment was off the charts
crazy - as is Mr. Tricycle's.
>

>
Replace 'firearm' in the above with 'bicycle helmet'.
Same argument.

 
Not quite, Andrew. While it's true that both the helmet
mania and the "handgun for protection" mania have been
driven largely by marketing, helmets have not killed any
innocent bystanders.
 

And regarding risk assessment, I'm reasonable certain
that this shopping  mall in Greenwood Indiana never
experienced a deranged madman shooting into a crown
before, and most probably never will again.
>
However, on one fine July day, it happened.
>
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/07/hero-armed-
citizen- landed-8- of-10-shots-at-40-yards-to-stop-mass-
shooting-in-15-seconds/

 
:-) Our anecdote master has found another one! But that
tremendously rare "good guy with a gun" tale is buried under
thousands of "jerk with a gun" tales of deliberate or
incompetent shootings. Or incidents like Zen's example:
 
 

https://people.com/calif-toddler-accidentally-shoots-and-
kills- mother-with-unsecured-gun-police-8759431
>

>
Much agreed.
>
In the same way that red light running cyclists or the
meandering idiots in and out of a lane or the wrong-way
cyclists all drive me nuts, I very much agree that firearm
ineptitude/fecklessness/reckless disregard is a real problem.
>
Which is a matter of practical implementation not of
principle itself.

 
Right. Try enacting a law calling for serious training and
re-certification of gun owners. See what the NRA and GOA say
about that. "Hell no, we have a constitutional right to be
incompetent!"

Yet another example of someone talking about something he knows
nothing about:
"According to available information, states that typically require
proof of training before issuing a gun license include: California,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
Washington, and the District of Columbia; these states often mandate
completion of a firearm safety course to obtain a license to carry a
concealed weapon"
">

"...helmets have not killed any innocent bystanders."
>
Nor has Mr Tricycle. Score 0-0.
>
:...law calling for serious training and re-certification of
gun owners"
>
Actually, much time and expense for a couple hundred years
have been spent by service organizations (NRA, GOA),
schools, Scouts, quasi-governmental programs (CMP) etc on
firearms operation, safety protocols and marksmanship. To
good effect I might add.  The hundred million plus lawful
firearms owners are notable primarily in the absence of
negligence and malice.  More regulation, impedimenta,
harassment and bureaucracy is unlikely to move the scale
from 'excellent' to 'perfect'. (your opinion may vary of course)
>
Which cannot be said for criminal possession and use which
is rampant, laws be damned:
>
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-jersey/newark-police-shooting-teen-suspect-arrested/6178529/
>
Which laws?
Prohibited person in possession (14 years old)
Possession of unlicensed and untaxed full auto weapon.
Armed assault (fired first).
Assault of police officers.
Murder and attempted murder.
>
The murderer will not be executed for his crimes, that being
New Jersey and of course a tender youth of 14 years old.

--
Cheers,

John B.