Drag Racing = Vehicular Idiocy
Man, how stupid can ya get?
I’m talkin’ about those Earnhardt-wannabes who were caught drag-racing on I-85 North. Yes, they were arrested — and not a moment too soon: As I understand it, the 19-year-old who was caught was already doin’ 87 mph, had no license, and (if that wasn’t bad enough) resisted arrest! All that and reckless driving, too!
Look … in my travels throughout the US and Canada, I’ve seen quite a few draggers, and, usually, the end result is a helluva lot more tragic than just bein’ caught by police! Most of these clowns aren’t usin’ seat-belts anyway (hmph … they think it takes away from the thrill), so, apparently, they don’t mind if, when they hit someone head-on, their face goes through the windshield and ends up lookin’ like thawed pizza (WHOA!! A little rough?? Gotta calls ‘em like I sees ‘em. Besides, I have seen a couple like that …).
In some jurisdictions, they have an unusual sentence for anyone caught and convicted of drag racing — and, quite frankly, I think the courts oughtta adopt this idea (why? ‘Cause it works!!):
Whenever a person’s been caught and convicted of drag racing, he or she should have to visit, under police escort, a morgue. There, they would view the body of victim of a severe auto-accident, prior to its preparation.
Then, again under escort, they’d have to attend the funeral of a child who was killed in a severe auto-accident. After the funeral, they would return to the courthouse to be lectured by officers who’ve witnessed crash scenes, victims and their families.
Harsh? Maybe so. But, remember: I’ve seen two crashes that resulted from “drag racing” (fortunately, neither was on an Interstate), and, in one case, viewed the victim myself (thankfully, there wasn’t a child involved). And, in jurisdictions where the “sentence” I just described has been handed down, they see a reduction in these shenanigans … in fact, i reckless driving as a whole.
Look … if it saves one life, it’s worth it, right??
HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARMECK!! If there’s one sentence that describes the beginning of ‘09 it’s the catchphrase from Monty Python:
Remember your very first car? It was usually a sign that your folks finally trusted you enough to have some personal freedom and responsibility. Mine was an old 1966 Ford Fairlane — an olive green machine that ran as rough as it looked.
Hey … what’s a New Year without ‘em, huh?? Well, if you’re havin’ a hard time makin’ ‘em, let Double-E help(’member? Now the Electric Eagle? I left the Relic behind in the old year …).
But, first, this breaking story:
Since we’re comin’ down toward the end of the year, why not leave it with some good news for a change? Ya with me?
I know the title of this sounds a little odd, but think about it for a moment: Across our country, there are literally thousands of new homeless people — victims of either the economic crunch, foreclosures, or both.
I’ll bet the cardiac unit at Presbyterian Hospital could tell ya this, but:
Well, it looks like the people have spoken …
Was it a holiday miracle … or optical illusion?
Okay … if you get stuck uptown today, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Y’see, a load of fans are expected uptown at The Square (Trade and Tryon Streets, for you newbies) for a pep rally. It’ll be from 11 AM to 6:30 PM, but the roads are gonna be closed from 7 AM to 10 PM!
Santa Claus may be able to fly around the world in a sleigh, but even he can’t cross North American airspace without NORAD (North American Air Defense Command) knowing about it.
DRIVERS, SLOW DOWN THIS SEASON!
To most of us, there was no doubt: The pitiful little remains in the bag they found near the Anthony home were those of little Caylee. And, last week, word from Orange Country ME Dr. Jan Garavaglia, proved us right …
BLAGOJEVICHIN’ Didja see that half-cocked “announcement” made by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (he of “Honest Roddy’s Used Senate Seat Emporium”)?
Over the past two weeks, we’ve read or heard about the number of pedestrians that’ve been hit in our area. Whether it was on Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Milton Road or on a road in South Carolina (where a man was “relieving himself”!), it’s still a terrifying experience for both victim (if he/she lives through it) and the driver who hit the victim!