What's Next, A Ban On Walking While Talking? Oh Wait...

from the how-about-chewing-gum dept

First there were bans on yakking while driving; then it was yakking while bicycling. So it's only logical that they'd go after yakking while walking.. That's right, a state senator in New York wants to ban the use of cell phones and iPods while crossing the street. The proposed legislation comes after two pedestrians in New York were recently killed, walking across the street while listening to their iPods. This is a really typical response from a lawmaker. As soon as something bad happens, their first inclination is to just ban whatever they think caused it. Certainly, these things could be distracting, and in rare instances, it might cause someone to not notice that the sign is no longer blinking "walk". But the majority of people who talk on the phone or listen to an iPod are able to navigate the task of crossing the street just fine, without having to stop what they're doing. Hopefully this law sounds as ludicrous to other lawmakers as it does to us, but at this point there's no telling what they'll do in the name of "public safety".
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  1. identicon
    Dan, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:30am

    I'm embarrased to live in NY now.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Sanguine Dream, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:37am

    What the hell?

    People want to ban cell phones in cars, on bikes, and now while walking? Why not just ban cell phones altogether?
    /rant

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    David Canton, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:39am

    Walking Ban

    Why not just ban crossing the street?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Bumbling old fool, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:39am

    In the name of the blanket

    It's too rediculously difficult to enforce a pedestrian ban on using these devices when crossing the street.

    So what they ought to do (in the name of the almighty blanket of protection) is just ban all cell phones and ipods.

    That would simplify things greatly in terms of public awareness and enforcement.

    (ok, so that might sound rediculous (!sp) but really its not much of an extension to the trends already face with micro managing our liberties in order to protect us from ourselves...)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Ryan, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:40am

    umm

    The law also bans deaf people from driving, crossing a street, or walking without the assistance of a non-ipod wearing, hearing enabled person.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Walt, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:41am

    If you can't walk & chew chewing gum @ the same time I don't think you're qualified to use a cell or ipod (physically & mentally challenged excepted)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Baddog357, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:41am

    Wow two people! I wonder how many deaf people live in NY that can cross the street and manage to not get themselves killed? I say we call this the "pay attention to what you are doing" law.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Robert, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:42am

    Cleaning the pool

    Why do people want to interfere with natural selection? It's cleaning out the gene-pool for crying out loud.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:43am

    Re: Walking Ban

    (this made me giggle)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Baddog357, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:45am

    Wait a minute, I just figured out that all of these accidents have two things in common. Stupid people and cars. I think I may be onto something here.....

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Russ, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:45am

    Idiot!

    Cell phones did not kill those people, cars did.
    Why not ban cars in NY too? Idiot!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Trickyny, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:54am

    missing the point

    The senator is missing the point that, at least in NYC, the pedistrian ALWAYS has the right of way. It doesnt matter if someone is talking or jaywalking, its still the driver's fault they hit the pedistrian.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    lar3ry, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:01am

    Isn't this an example of blaming the victim?

    These pedestrians got killed when they crossed the street while listening to an iPod. Whose fault is that? Is it the fault of the driver, who should have been in complete control of his vehicle at all times? Of course not! Lets blame the pedestrian!

    Police officer on scene: "Why did you run over that pedestrian?"

    Driver: "Look... he was listening to an iPod... He was just askin' for it, ferchrissakes!"

    Policeman: "He wasn't listening to it. He didn't even have the ear buds on!"

    Driver: "Yeah, but I saw that device on his belt. I tell ya, he was just beggin' for it. I just had to hit him."

    Policeman: "I see. You crossed two lanes of traffic for the sole reason of killing this guy. Is that also why you backed over him afterward?"

    Driver: "Yeah. I got out to make sure he was dead. I also took his wallet. And those boots... do you think they're my size?"

    Policeman, filling out report: "Pedestrian insisted on getting killed. We need more pedestrian laws to handle this..."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:05am

    this is what it took to make you embarrassed to live in NY? Wow.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Disgusted, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:05am

    I have one thing to say to the pencil pusher who came up with this ban "Schmuck" No, I'm not Jewish. But nothing could say it better than that.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    Disgusted, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:08am

    Hey #14 what reasons do you have that people should be embarrassed to live in NY. That's my home town...What are you some kind of a Redneck Bible belt freak? If your gonna say something like that Don't be an AC Post your name. I mean what ? Am I just going to jump through your monitor and Beat you? Keyboard Courage.......

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Corporal Max Sterling, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:10am

    details

    This story lacks certain details...

    maybe they WERE paying attention, but there are some crazy people/drivers in NY - I should know, I've almost been hit before - and maybe it had NOTHING TO DO with the stupid gadget they were using.

    maybe the ipod/cellphone wasn't even on, and the drivers in those situations decided "I'm just not going to stop"

    we don't know, and not to mention how many people live in NY?? so if I go out and I kick two of you other New Yorker's, will we then ban feet??

    how do we know it wasn't utter hatred for their iCrap device that made them run at the cars in a suicidal kamikaze attempt??

    and, I mean... maybe it was an important call, dammit!!

    ...(can go on forever).....

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:16am

    I can't believe no one posted this before... but how about we just ban Senators? *eg*



    Okay -- not flamebaiting... just using the protracted logic to resolve what appears to be a really stupid cure for the perceived problem.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    Baddog357, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:18am

    Yo disgusted, I got two words for you that explain why you should be embarrassed to be from NY.
    Hillary Clinton. Enough said.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    zazie, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:21am

    well... from a NY'ers standpoint

    Getting around the city can occasionally be quite trecherious. Simply dodging yellow cabs is enough to make you think you are playing "Frogger".

    It's funny because there are lights and crosswalks at just about every intersection in the city, well, at least for midtown, and if you wait for the marked time at a crosswalk, odds are in your favor that you WON'T be hit by a 2000+ lb. piece of steel.

    Truth of the matter is that accidents happen. People are careless, and walk out into traffic. The car on the street is usually going somewhere between 15-30mph, and can't stop on a dime. It's simply unavoidable. Suck it up and deal with it. We don't need legislation, we need common sense!

    I walk through the city every friday, with my trusty iPod playing the whole time. I am observant of my surroundings and haven't been hit by a car. Not even once!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:22am

    Just ban cars

    Why not just ban cars. After all, they kill lots of people each year. Absolutely too dangerous for your average user.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    Apex, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:25am

    Warning Labels

    We should ban warning labels. That's what is causing all these problems. If we took the warning labels off of everything, the stupid people would do what they do best. Kill themselves. Thereby "cleaning the gene pool" as a poster above said.

    After a generation or two of no warning labels we'd all have our flying cars, jet packs and moon vacations because humanity would be filled with geniuses.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:26am

    BIG BROTHER "IS" Watching you!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Baddog357, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:32am

    Make something idiot proof and the world will produce a better idiot.

    besides you are assuming that stupid people actually read the warning labels. Not likely.

    But I still want my flying car!!! And I'm going to drive it with out reading the owners manual. MMMMHHHAAAAA (evil laugh)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. identicon
    TheDock22, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:34am

    Don't pay attention?

    "It's too dangerous, Drivers don't pay attention and pedestrians don't pay attention

    I love this quote from the article. It's basically saying "we need this law because drivers don't pay attention and we're tired of telling them to be more careful." I'm so glad I don't live in New York.

    Besides, two people killed? How many other pedestrians get whacked by cars in New York everyday? I want to see the numbers since I believe it's more than two.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. identicon
    Disgusted, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:37am

    Hey Baddog357. Well, I didn't vote for her, Neither will I vote for her as Pres. Giuliani all the way Baby!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    J M, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:45am

    Walking and Talking

    Look for this bill to be introduced in the Colorado legislature. Not having original ideas of their own, and in an attempt to impress costal folks, they are consistantly composing bills similar to the California and New York sessions, almost word for word.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 8:52am

    Re:

    One letter on why I'm embarrassed to be an American. W Fortunately the terror will end in 712.5 days.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    s, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:02am

    warning labels

    you stole the removing warning labels comment from bash.org

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    BilDivX, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:03am

    ummmm...

    does this make any sense? You're thinking that two people in New York were killed because they failed to heed the lights while talking? Ok...so, I've been to New York a few times, and in my experience, ignoring traffic lights has little to do with being on a phone. In fact, jaywalking and crossing against signals seems to be par for the course on the east coast. I saw a lot of it in Boston too.

    In California, nobody does it because cops actually will enforce those laws. Maybe that is actually the cause? you know, as opposed to assuming it's some random device that you happen to have a vendetta against because "it's new and unknown" and therefore you find it scary...

    Don't get me wrong...California has plenty of "dumb moments in legislature" But this sounds more like you need to tell cops to enforce the pedestrian laws, not create a new and pointless one.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    AC, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:07am

    Darwin!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:18am

    Re: Isn't this an example of blaming the victim?

    Are you mentally challenged? If you are driving 40 mph and someone walks out 5 ft in front of you car, no matter how in control of your car you are, you're still going to hit them. You're an idiot.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:21am

    Ban. Nah. Think of it as evolution in action.....

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    MCeeP, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:29am

    RE: W

    and what pray tell does that have to do with the current discussion?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:37am

    I'm for banning bans.

    Perhaps we need an obvious study to show how much people think stupid bans are stupid first.

    Let me call my congressman to get a special ear-mark in the next totally unrelated bill so I can get a $Mil for my study about how stupid bans are.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. identicon
    A Nony Mous, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:44am

    Sanguine Dream: Banning cell phones is alright with me! At least until people learn what etiquette is! I know it'll never happen, but one can dream, can't she?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    Austin from ATL, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:46am

    This is quite possibly the more disturbing to me than anything that is coming out of Iraq, at least at the present.

    I support the above stated ban on bans.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. identicon
    lar3ry, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:54am

    Re: Re: Isn't this an example of blaming the victi

    And if you are driving 40 MPH in the streets of NYC, then YOU are the mentally challenged one, sir.

    It's a fact that there are a number of pedestrians out there. It's also a fact that it's the driver's responsibility to avoid pedestrians, not the other way around. Blaming the victim in this case is as absurd as my original posting in this topic. Listening to an iPod isn't the equivalent to asking to be hit by a car, no matter how you try to spin it.

    Before iPods, there were other portable players, all the way back to the Walkmans in the 80s, and before that, there were those silly transistor radios with the thingamabob that you stuck in your ear in the 60s. In all that time, we never had a need for a law to ban their use by pedestrians. It's only now that some muck-raking politician wants to get on a soap box and make an ass of himself by proposing legislation that, in effect, makes being hit by a car the victim's fault.

    The fact that somebody that reads this blog would actually consider that the proposed legislation has any conceivable merit is simply inconceivable. ("You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.")

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    Ray, 7 Feb 2007 @ 9:58am

    Can't believe no one mentioned this.

    How many people were killed by guns during the same time period?

    I'll bet this same gumby would put a stop to any law trying to ban those.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    Danno, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:00am

    If they'd only ban people then NOBODY would get killed!

    incidentally, if you die as a result of having your iPod so loud and subsequently not paying attention as you cross the street, you probably deserved what you got. Harsh, I know.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    volition, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:04am

    Re: Cleaning the pool

    here here...more morons we can get rid of the bettw

    link to this | view in thread ]

  42. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:16am

    Re: Re: Cleaning the pool

    Let natural selection keep on running. Momma always said to look both ways before crossing the street. Ipods have no affect on your vision so far as I know.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  43. identicon
    Dave, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:17am

    ...

    Just thinning the herd ...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  44. identicon
    viewfromthenorth, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:25am

    natural selection at work?

    Is it just me, or does anyone else here see natural selection at work in these cases?..Up here in canada, they passed laws requiring motorists to slow down to 30kph while passing shchools,which at first blush sounds reasonable, till you realize this includes high schools (our equivialnt to college) and universitys.

    ok for grades 1 to 8 schools this makes sense with the little kids there, but come on .. if by the time you graduate out to the higher schooling, if you don't have the brains to look both ways before crossing a street.. that is natural selection at work.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  45. identicon
    viewfromthenorth, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:25am

    natural selection at work?

    Is it just me, or does anyone else here see natural selection at work in these cases?..Up here in canada, they passed laws requiring motorists to slow down to 30kph while passing shchools,which at first blush sounds reasonable, till you realize this includes high schools (our equivialnt to college) and universitys.

    ok for grades 1 to 8 schools this makes sense with the little kids there, but come on .. if by the time you graduate out to the higher schooling, if you don't have the brains to look both ways before crossing a street.. that is natural selection at work.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  46. identicon
    viewfromthenorth, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:27am

    oops

    blaming double post on dial-up lag..lol

    link to this | view in thread ]

  47. identicon
    Mitch the Bitch, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:34am

    Re:

    Not anymore embarrased than I am to live in California. Do you see the relationship? Too bad the fools that elect bigger fools are in charge in these two fucked up democrat controlled states.

    Time to start slapping libs upside the head and tell them to wake up to the reality.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  48. identicon
    Pat, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:35am

    Re: Banning iPods and cell phones crossing/sreet

    Why don't we just ban BANNING.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  49. identicon
    Damon Billian, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:36am

    You can't

    You can't legislate stupid away.

    I don't know how one would even enforce such a rule. Would cops have to stop and ticket everyone that was doing such activity?

    It was obviously a tragic accident. It was obviously an issue of poor driving, not an issue of someone yakking/listening to a portable device.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  50. identicon
    Katieh, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:37am

    Re:

    HAHA!! Absolutely!!! I like the name of that law.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  51. identicon
    Mitch the bitch, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:42am

    Annonymous Coward is useless

    Please god let us have a FILTER. I pray that I no longer have to read any more useless tripe from this loser.

    What a waste.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  52. identicon
    Comicfan2000, 7 Feb 2007 @ 10:47am

    ban this ban that

    A story from my childhood, I was running in the house, shouldn't have and cracked my toe very hard off the chair. I was furious and smacked the chair blaming it to no end. My Dad pulled me away and yelled at me saying "how is it the chair's fault? ! you ran into it!" Funny how Senators can't figure this out!

    We'll i'm not from NY but even in my state, a high school kid ran into the road on his bike wo looking and directly into a semi. Now, I felt bad for the parents and it is tragic for any parent or relative, however, where was the common sense? Now there is also a 30 mph speed reduction and police men busting everyone 12 mile over the limit. $$ hmmmm.



    Isn't it funny how in this day and age, we can blame inanimate objects for our lack of grey matter? This isn't new, it's been happening for quite some time, we keep losing small freedoms due to idiots.

    We had headphones back in the 80's with cassette players and wore them all the time, never did I hear someone getting crammed because of it.

    I make it a point to keep in touch with my kids and what the do, they are the most important thing in life over anything and I will make time to teach them common sense, to take out those buds when crossing a street with an ipod, to look both ways, to NOT assume a car will stop....Yeah , those little things that may save their life.

    People this is the reason we still need instructions on shampoo bottles.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  53. identicon
    Xiera, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:04am

    ^_^

    "we don't know, and not to mention how many people live in NY?? so if I go out and I kick two of you other New Yorker's, will we then ban feet??"

    No, we'll ban whatever electronic devices the other two NYers were using at the time.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  54. identicon
    Einstein, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:04am

    Cell phones dont kill people, people do...
    Ipods dont kill people, people do...
    Cars dont kill people, people do...
    Guns dont kill people, people do...

    Correlation?

    Nah.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  55. identicon
    average joe, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:10am

    idiots

    As the comedian says... You just can't fix STUPID.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  56. identicon
    Evil_Bastard, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:13am

    thin the fucking heard!

    New York is almost as insane/inane as the UK, with Mass and California not far behind.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  57. identicon
    A Nony Mous, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:17am

    "Time to start slapping libs upside the head and tell them to wake up to the reality."

    When we're done slapping some reality into the liberals, let's slap some conservatives around. They need a reality check as well!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  58. identicon
    Hagrun, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:19am

    so one day...

    Because there is no end in sight to these dumb laws, will it one day be illegal to die? Or for that matter to be born?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  59. identicon
    Andy, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:33am

    Re: ummmm...

    Geez....do you read what you write? Enforce the pedestrian laws? You're as bad as the goddamn idiot who wants this new law. Treat adults as adults (kids are a different story). If people reach "maturity" and can't figure out how to cross the road, without a law being enforced, they're either retarded or suicidal. Either way, no law, enforced or otherwise will make a difference. Take responsibility for your actions people and screw these unnecessary and insulting laws. Hey and we'd be able to fire a few overpaid lawyers at the same time! ;-)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  60. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:45am

    Re:

    its people like you that make us embarassed

    link to this | view in thread ]

  61. identicon
    CoJeff, 7 Feb 2007 @ 11:55am

    Ban Senators!

    "This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."

    This was taken from CNN's article, so how is this a major public safety issue? How many people in NY use phones or music players and how many live in NY? So because of two morons everyone in NY must be subjected to BS laws like this.

    As some people have posted, if guns kill people how come we don't ban that or what about booze? I remember a college freshman killed here in Colorado because he drank too much. Lets go back to the prohibition days!!! YIPPIE!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  62. identicon
    Ben(damnit), 7 Feb 2007 @ 12:04pm

    Senator Who?

    Personally, I'd just like to know the name of the senator that came up with this proposed ban.

    I'd e-mail them a list of other things that should be baned, like capitalism and rampant consumerism.

    Following senate reasoning, if people couldn't buy all these cell phones, and music devices, and cars, and shoes, then no one would be in danger of anything because we'd all be at home reading.... wait, then we might get eye strain, better ban that too. damnit.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  63. identicon
    Not Always Plugged IN, 7 Feb 2007 @ 12:29pm

    everyone shares the blame in this

    some people who wear ipods have them blasting away so it is a wonder that they can hear anything else besides the music...and if they are very involved in what they are listening to they may not really be aware of their environment...the same can be said about cell phone users.

    why people feel the need to be constantly plugged into something is amazing...

    people need to realize that not everybody can or know how to multitask and this can create some dangerous problems in performing normal daily tasks like crossing the street (remember your mother telling you to look both ways for cars before crossing the street).

    perhaps the driver of the car was on the cell phone immediately before the accident.

    i am not defending politicians, however, when people refuse to use common sense it can be really frustrating for everyone involved.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  64. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Feb 2007 @ 12:51pm

    Re: everyone shares the blame in this

    i am not defending politicians, however, when people refuse to use common sense it can be really frustrating for everyone involved.

    Yeah its frustrating that people have to deal with these BS proposals! There is no way you could justify banning a device like this. What is the person was reading a newspaper while walking? It seems to me that a newspaper blocks the persons vision and he could step out into the traffic. You mention common sense, then tell me why there is a label on top of lawn mowers to turn it off before sticking your hands by the blades??? This was most likely because some moron said "Oh I'm supposed to turn it off first, where was my warning!" and sued the company.

    If people can't multitask then why do they continue to do it. This is such a multi-tasking issue then maybe that should be the ban. I for one can multi-task very well and I talk to people while listening to music all the time. Its when I have to focus on the conversation that I'll turn off the music. I believe our politicians should have an age limit. After a certain age they aren't allowed to write any technology laws.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  65. identicon
    Disgusted at disgusted, 7 Feb 2007 @ 12:59pm

    name

    hey disgusted..., you comment to an AC for not putting a name on his post, yet you don't put a name on your post. sure "disgusted" is a name, but i can put disgusted as well and so can every other poster. why not pur your real name/info on there before you complain that others don't?

    i'm not complaining that you should, i'm saying that you should do it youself before yelling at someone else.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  66. identicon
    Money, 7 Feb 2007 @ 1:25pm

    Money

    It's about revenue, really.

    A more appropriate change would be to include inquires into whether any involved individuals were distracted during the accident. So if GTA a pedestrian that walks into traffic because they were flapping on the phone or jamming to some mp3, it can be used to help determine fault. Impaired individual are usually noted and tested if necessary, with the advent of gadgets there influence on the situation should be noted as well

    link to this | view in thread ]

  67. identicon
    Beerhunter, 7 Feb 2007 @ 3:46pm

    Good thing it is only iPods that they want to ban. I will just continue to use my MP3 player. Apple must be pretty evil for making such a dangerous product.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  68. icon
    chris (profile), 7 Feb 2007 @ 4:46pm

    Corporate Conspiracy

    I wonder if the people driving the car worked for Micro$oft? Since Gates is mad at the current commercials, maybe in the next one Mac gets run over by a car, and PC says "Mac Kills."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  69. identicon
    Dr. Lizardo, 7 Feb 2007 @ 7:22pm

    Open Letter to Fat-Ass State Senator Kruger

    Hey, Shit-for-Brains, you better back down on this one, 'cause New York City does about half of all it's business on a cell phone while walking from one place to another. And that's a lot of money being made by people with no time for games, nor sympathy for fools. Stop and think about it. Then stop and look at how many traffic fatalities people are willing to put up with every year because driving is such a vital part of life here in America. Safety is nice, and this may have seemed like a good idea to whatever moron you use as a political advisor, but there's no way you'll have any career left in public life if this gets passed. You'll have achieved infamy.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  70. identicon
    ScytheNoire, 8 Feb 2007 @ 3:19am

    dumbest city in America?

    it seems like there is some competition going on to see which American city can be named dumbest city in America, and quite possibly dumbest city in the World.

    Boston and New York are doing well, but it's hard to beat cities like Seattle and San Francisco.
    should be a good year for stupidity.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  71. identicon
    Steve, 8 Feb 2007 @ 5:49am

    Jusrt another way for the city to make money

    This is just another way for the city to make money. The infraction will cost $100 per violation. New York City is notorious for enforcing so called "Quality of Life" violations. This is just another example of it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  72. identicon
    Tim, 8 Feb 2007 @ 11:03am

    Actually...

    This is not all quite so ludicrous as those who would ridicule it make out. The problem with anti-driver laws was their imbalance. Having once been forced to screech to a halt so hard I stalled, because of some thick-headed pedestrian sailing out into the road oblivious of cars coming round the corner, I have a lot of sympathy with imposing the same restrictions on them as on any other road user.

    What I don't have sympathies with is the use of legislation to make any of the above a specific offence itself. They should be regarded as contributory factors in cases brought for other reasons, and courts should have the balls to expect people to exhibit personal responsibility.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  73. identicon
    Ryan, 9 Feb 2007 @ 7:39am

    Legislating Behavior and Stopping Crime

    The idea of law enforcement is to stop crime. Crime is defined as the act of damaging another person or another person's property. That's it, that's all. It's actually pretty hard to get through life without damaging someone else or someone else's property in some way - so that's a lofty enough goal.

    That said, if you want to put yourself in danger, pierce your nipples, bungee jump, or risk your life by crossing the street with your iPod blaring, that should be your own right as a free person.

    This disturbing trend starts with the attempt to "stop crime before it happens" or "protect you from yourselves" but in reality it is nothing less than fascism by other means. It is based in the arrogant belief that I as a person know better than all others, so therefore my own morality should erveryone else's.

    Those who would decree what behavior is to be start out by saying they are trying to "protect" us from crimes about to be committed, or legislate behaviors that have the effect of say, reducing a neighborhood's property values, thus damaging another person.

    But then they start taking away our rights to be and to do as we will as free people. This is therefore nothing less than the destruction of Liberty itself. Following this trend to the logical extreme no one will be permitted to say anything, do anything, or be anything. We might as well just be honest and rip up the Constitution, throw away our Liberty willfully and consciously, and bow down before those who know better than us about everything.

    Look, at MOST, if you cross a street with your iPod, the driver of said car that creamed your butt should be given a "get out of vehicular manslaughter" card. But if I'm smart enough to use an iPod and not get creamed crossing the street, great.

    If there's NO HARM, there should be NO FOUL.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  74. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2007 @ 1:09pm

    Re: Walking Ban

    they should ban crossing the street

    link to this | view in thread ]

  75. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Apr 2007 @ 1:10pm

    Re:

    we should kill him

    link to this | view in thread ]

  76. identicon
    harry potter, 21 May 2007 @ 6:37pm

    english

    hi my name is harry potter i am so cool hahahahahaha

    link to this | view in thread ]

  77. identicon
    b, 15 Nov 2007 @ 9:12am

    stupid

    does anyone realize no one ever reads these comments?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  78. identicon
    l, 15 Nov 2007 @ 9:14am

    woop

    i like harry potter and eddie izzard

    link to this | view in thread ]

  79. identicon
    l, 15 Nov 2007 @ 9:15am

    woop

    i like harry potter and eddie izzard

    link to this | view in thread ]

  80. identicon
    Sam, 29 Jun 2008 @ 4:23pm

    Re: Isn't this an example of blaming the victim?

    Hi Look when people are talking on the phone and getting ready to cross the street they dont look at the Traffic light! they just walk and think about what they are talking about on the cell phone. Also there used to be a little non told rule about crossing the street (Walk up To The Corner-Use your eyes to look out-Use your ears to hear- and wait until the coast is clear then cross the street. what happen to that little un told rule! I see you can`t Use your ears to hear they are busy listening to what someone is saying to you.
    So who is the Victim now Oh yea the poor driver who Hit the person when they walked into the cross walk because they where on their cell phone not paying attention to the traffic light or signs that say STOP DO`NOT WALK!!!!!!!!!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]


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