Drivers’ Ed
In the wake of the Santa Monica killings, I suspect we’ll see an increase in the calls for mandatory testing of older drivers. In fact, the issue is already coming up in Texas.
I’m all for requiring testing of drivers who reach a certain age. The state of drivers’ ed in our country is pretty poor these days. I’m not sure of the law these days, but a few year ago Texas didn’t even require an actual driving test as long as you could show that you’d passed drivers’ ed.
Money quote from the DMN article:
“It would be discrimination,” Mr. Kormos said. “We are trying to make sure nothing like that happens in the Legislature.”
Discrimination is not illegal. If there’s a compelling state interest, the government can discriminate all day (OK, almost all day…). We don’t allow 10-year-olds to drive because they can’t do it safely. When we reach the point where seniors can’t either, it’s time to take steps to solve the problem. I believe we’re at that point. (Ditto for teens under 18, too, IMHO—at least until we get far more stringent training and testing).
Driving is not a right, it’s a privilege. It’s also one of the rare activities in which you pose a great danger to others, but never have to demonstrate any skill whatsoever once you’re initially licensed.
UPDATE: See the extended entry for a further note.
Work 4 Years - Get Paid For Life
In March of 2002, a Milwaukee police office named Robert Henry was caught on videotape roughing up a prisoner in the jail. Henry was hired into the force in 1998. After Henry manhandled the prisoner, he flexed his biceps for his buddy and they appeared to celebrate a little.
The videotape caused a stir here in Milwaukee as charges of police brutality were voiced. Henry was fired by the police chief and then reinstated by the Fire and Police Commission, the civilian board that oversees the police and fire departments.
The case is questionable. Although Henry obviously manhandled the prisoner, he did so after the prisoner became threatening and violent. Henry’s juvenile celebration was certainly unprofessional, but not illegal. The FBI is still deciding whether or not to bring charges.
Well, now for the fun part. Henry and two of his doctors say that he is now suffering physical and mental stress because of this incident. Here’s what he got:
Officer Robert Henry, 34, was granted lifetime duty disability on June 23 by the city’s Employee Retirement System. He will receive a lump sum of about $23,300 and a monthly allowance of $3,293.59 until is he 63 years old, when he will be eligible for the standard police pension.
Henry worked for 4 years, and will now be paid for life. This is an outrage. It is stupid things like this that keep our taxes so high and faith in government so low.
Here’s a quote from a member of the board that voted this abomination:
“I don’t think the pension board in its history has ever turned down a decision rendered by a medical panel,” Murphy said. “I don’t know if we could even do that.”
What?!? The board has never turned down a pension like this? Isn’t it their job to oversee this stuff or are they just a rubber stamp for the bureaucrats? But I guess the second statement explains it all. This moron doesn’t even know if they can deny the pension. If they weren’t allowed to say “no” then what’s the point in voting at all?
Here’s the best part:
Henry’s attorney, Jon Cermele, said Henry suffers physical problems related to stress resulting from his dismissal and subsequent reinstatement. He said Henry is on vacation in Florida and could not be reached for comment.
That’s where your tax dollars are going, Milwaukee. What a great bargain you’re getting.
Lost Internet
I’ve lost internet access at the office, so I’ll be slow posting for a while. I just dialed up to check mail.
Back soon!
A Lawyer’s Fate
Here’s the end of life story of a petty, hateful little lawyer who once inflicted his miserable self on all those around him. Remember this story the next time your heart fills with hate.
Did he ever think that his life’s purpose was to serve as a warning to the rest of us?
Referrers
I added Stephen Downes’ excellent referrer script to the blog. I think it’s counting refreshes in the referrals, so the numbers may be inflated, but it’s a start.
Lame Endorsement
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has one of the lamest endorsements I’ve ever seen.
Both men who seek the job vacated by Plale are quality candidates with long, strong roots in the community, but our choice - chiefly by reason of his experience in government - is Al Foeckler.
The bold type is mine. The editorial goes on to say that Foeckler (be careful saying that name) has held more government positions than Honadel, who has never held public office.
Are we to choose our elected representatives solely of the basis of whether it is their career or not? Just because Honadel is a private citizen, is he somehow unqualified? What does this say to civic-minded folks who want to serve their community?
I don?t know about you, but I?d much rather decide on my representative based on their vision for my district/state/country than how many other public offices they have held.
It should come as no surprise that Foeckler is the Democrat in this race.
HA!
Not just funny - Hee Haw Funny!
(Link via Viking Pundit)
SAR-1
As Kim Du Toit said when he purchased his, it’s a COMMIE GUN! But hey, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse…
The Romanian/U.S. built SAR-1 in 7.62x39, with hi-cap 40 round magazines (unlike the one in the photo).
Photo courtesy of Kim Du Toit.
ICC
Remember the International Criminal Court? The US very wisely withdrew from the court because a) it is unconstitutional for Americans to be tried by anything other than American courts, and b) the Bush Administration correctly saw that ICC as another tool for America’s opponents to attack her.
Looks like the Bush Administration was right.
Since the swearing-in of the International Criminal Court’s judges and prosecutor, there has been a surge of complaints - numbering almost 500 - from 66 different countries.
[...]
And nearly 40 communications accused the United States and its allies of aggression against Iraq.
Troop complaint
The crime of aggression is in the treaty but until there is international agreement on how to define it, the ICC can take no action.
Sixteen complaints received by the prosecutor deal with acts said to have been carried out by American troops in Iraq.
But the prosecutor can launch an investigation only into alleged crimes committed by the citizens of a state which has ratified the ICC treaty or on the territory of such a state.
Neither the US nor Iraq is a party to the treaty.
These Eurocrats are just itching to bring up an American on trial. It wouldn’t matter what the actual charge was, the American would be tried for all of America’s “crimes”, real or perceived, since the dawn of time.
Pissed Off Soldiers
Drudge liks to a story from ABC about morale dropping among our troops in Iraq due to extended deployments.
I can certainly understand where the troops are coming from, but they’re choosing to air their greivances in the wrong way. Soldiers are known far and wide to be among the best complainers to ever live. However, it is generally preferred to keep those things in-house. Much like a family, there is an unspoken rule that you don’t air your dirty laundry in public. It’s a matter of trust. And you especially don’t allow the reporter to attach your name to the comment.
It also doesn’t reflect well on the professionalism of the unit. No matter how undesirable or unpleasant the task, you just keep your mouth shut and get the job done. Having your unit’s grievances aired before the national media will do more to harm morale than you can imagine. As the saying goes, shut up and color.
Race Rebellion
Occam’s Toothbrush suggests that we follow his lead by not filling out the race question on applications - or fill in the wrong one.
I commented earlier on Ward Connerly’s initiative in California about this.
Once people are required to stand before an admissions committee and defend their race selection, the absurdity and blatant racism of the process will be clear to all.
BTW - I blogrolled Occam’s Toothbrush too. I’ve been reading it for a while and finally got around to putting it on.
Fiscal Frustration
I agree with Eric over at Viking Pundit. I am also becoming very concerned and very frustrated with the fiscal state of the Fed.
I am not philosophically opposed to deficit spending. It is smart to leverage debt when appropriate.
The problem is that Bush is abandoning conservative values on domestic issues. Spending is skyrocketing. Entitlements are being added (see: Prescription Drugs). Taxes are coming down, but it’s an unsustainable trend. At some point, the Fed will either have to hike taxes to meet their spending or spend less. Given their track record, I fear the former.
This Day In History
TRINITY: The atomic era began in 1945.
Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy in 1969. 4 days later, man walked on the moon for the first time.
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa was fought in 1212 and marked the beginning of the end of Muslim rule in Western Europe.
Blogroll
I’ve added Homeschool & Other Education Stuff to the blogroll. Very good stuff about education issues and such (hence the title).
Give it a read!
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