Trial lawyers today take almost any case hoping that a jury will give their client big money for their stupid acts. They usually are correct. Why do jurors find for the Plaintiff (the one who sues) even when the Plaintiff did something stupid but wants to get paid for the action. The jury finds against the Defendant (the person/company being sued) who did nothing wrong.
A jury finds the defendant – McDonalds – at fault and awards the lady who put hot coffee in her lap a million dollars. Now McDonalds has a sign saying that their coffee is hot.
A lady puts her Winnebago on cruise control and leaves the driver's seat to go make herself a sandwich. The Winnebago, of course, crashes and she sues the company. The company lost because their Owner's Manual didn't say not to leave the driver's seat while on cruise control – now it does. The jury gives her a new Winnebago and a million dollars. The price of a Big Mac went up a few cents which we all now pay. Jurors today think that companies have a lot of money so it doesn't matter how much it allots the Plaintiff. Where does this money come from – YOU! Every time you buy something today you pay additional so you (a member of the jury) can give tons of your money to the idiots. How smart a juror are you? NOT VERY.
You Don't Maintain Your Distance
This person is different than the "Gap Filler." The Gap Filler can't stand any distance between you and him. He sees you up ahead, gets lonesome, and speeds up until he's too close behind you and stays there.
This type of driver, like the one who followed me the other day, runs up to you, probably realizes he's too close, backs off, now thinks he's too far from you and runs up to you again. In a two mile stretch this driver must have done it at least a half-dozen times. You wonder if one of those times he's out to get you and will crash into you. It's very nerve racking so don't do it anymore. (The only time that maneuver is acceptable is if you do it to your mother-in-law to scare the dickens out of her). Why can't you just find a safe distance between the car in front of you and maintain your speed. This driver had distances of between two car lengths and a thousand feet. How much of a nervous jerk is he?
This type of driver, like the one who followed me the other day, runs up to you, probably realizes he's too close, backs off, now thinks he's too far from you and runs up to you again. In a two mile stretch this driver must have done it at least a half-dozen times. You wonder if one of those times he's out to get you and will crash into you. It's very nerve racking so don't do it anymore. (The only time that maneuver is acceptable is if you do it to your mother-in-law to scare the dickens out of her). Why can't you just find a safe distance between the car in front of you and maintain your speed. This driver had distances of between two car lengths and a thousand feet. How much of a nervous jerk is he?
You Don't Use Jury Nullification When Warranted
One innocent man was sent back to prison for sexual assault of a child after the Supreme Court ruled he had no right to evidence that would later set him free.
Another was convicted of murder and came within weeks of being executed because prosecutors had hidden a blood test that later freed him.
Last week Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who argued that criminal defendants have no right to “potentially useful evidence” that “might” show they were innocent.
In the past, the court has shielded individual prosecutors from being sued, even if they deliberately framed an innocent person.1
A juror once asked the judge about Jury Nullification. The judge told him that it was not legal. How much trust would you put in a judge's opinion who lies to his jury to follow his own agenda instead of the law?
Juries originally were introduced into England to protect the individual from the tyranny of government. One of the first cases of Jury Nullification was in 1670. Jury Nullification even dates back to the Magna Carta. Could we not say that the above examples come close to tyranny by the government?
Another was convicted of murder and came within weeks of being executed because prosecutors had hidden a blood test that later freed him.
Last week Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who argued that criminal defendants have no right to “potentially useful evidence” that “might” show they were innocent.
In the past, the court has shielded individual prosecutors from being sued, even if they deliberately framed an innocent person.1
A juror once asked the judge about Jury Nullification. The judge told him that it was not legal. How much trust would you put in a judge's opinion who lies to his jury to follow his own agenda instead of the law?
Juries originally were introduced into England to protect the individual from the tyranny of government. One of the first cases of Jury Nullification was in 1670. Jury Nullification even dates back to the Magna Carta. Could we not say that the above examples come close to tyranny by the government?
You're 16 or 17 And Still Tailgating
Tailgating (aka following too closely) is the #1 cause of accidents for 16 and 17 year old. Although the 2-second rule is generally accepted for most drivers it is now recommended that those in this age group should follow the 3-second or 4-scond rule. Why?
Because you don't have the time behind the wheel, knowledge or experience yet.
Rule: Pick a spot where the car in front of you is, start counting, 1-1,000, 2-1,000, 3-1,000. If you passed that spot before you got to 3-1000 then you were tail-gating.
Or use the tick, tock, tick, tock, tic, tock, rule on my other Post.
Because you don't have the time behind the wheel, knowledge or experience yet.
Rule: Pick a spot where the car in front of you is, start counting, 1-1,000, 2-1,000, 3-1,000. If you passed that spot before you got to 3-1000 then you were tail-gating.
Or use the tick, tock, tick, tock, tic, tock, rule on my other Post.
You're Not Concerned About Your Passengers
A few days ago a female passenger was dropped off at her house. They found her frozen to death in front of her house the next morning. When my children were in school I, like most parents, ferried them and their friends around. Whenever I dropped them off I would wait, especially at night, until I could see them inside their house. I would tell them, especially the girls, to either flick on the front light or wave so I knew they were and would be OK. There have been incidents where stalkers have waited outside a house and kidnapped/injured/killed young girls by their front door. This does not only pertain to children but also to older people and especially the elderly.
Another critical area is in a parking lot (especially) at night. Several people leave the building, get in their cars and leave the parking lot. The last person's car won't start and your friend is now left alone with no one to help. You were second to the last car but weren't smart enough to wait until your friend's car not only started, but also that the car moved behind you. If the car moved, it started up. Because you waited you drive home knowing that your co-worker or friend was not stranded in the night. And you feel good about being such a caring person. Don't you?
If you are the one being dropped off and believe that the driver is stupid you can ask the driver to wait until you get inside the house. Same in a parking lot. Ask someone to wait until your car is started.
Another critical area is in a parking lot (especially) at night. Several people leave the building, get in their cars and leave the parking lot. The last person's car won't start and your friend is now left alone with no one to help. You were second to the last car but weren't smart enough to wait until your friend's car not only started, but also that the car moved behind you. If the car moved, it started up. Because you waited you drive home knowing that your co-worker or friend was not stranded in the night. And you feel good about being such a caring person. Don't you?
If you are the one being dropped off and believe that the driver is stupid you can ask the driver to wait until you get inside the house. Same in a parking lot. Ask someone to wait until your car is started.
You Aren't Concerned About "Home Firearms Safety."
Home Firearms Safety
“There is no more dangerous object in the house than an unloaded gun.” (Mark Twain).
Your handgun is safest when being carried, secured in its holster, and on your person. You are, or should be, aware of its condition, location and dangers associated with firearms.
But when the weapon is to be left in the home you have no physical control over that weapon. Gun owners and members of their families have been injured and killed because of complacency. You know that you would handle the weapon safely and therefore may feel that everyone else would do the same.
But have the other adults or older children been trained or briefed by you regarding firearms safety? And if they have, what about their friends or other visitors to your home? Can you expect your very young children or their friends to have the same understanding regarding firearms safety?
If you live alone the problem may be minimized and you may feel that it doesn't have to be secured. What about friends? Remember, handguns are highly prized by burglars and some may know that you have one.
There are two opposing views regarding weapons in the home. The first is that weapons should be locked away and not discussed. The second, that everyone in the home should be made aware of firearms safety.
But is either way practical or would a combination of both be better? The adults and older children could certainly be made aware of the dangers relating to firearms but the very young or immature, regardless of age, cannot understand the dangers and would be best served by merely securing the weapon so they cannot physically obtain it.
“There is no more dangerous object in the house than an unloaded gun.” (Mark Twain).
Your handgun is safest when being carried, secured in its holster, and on your person. You are, or should be, aware of its condition, location and dangers associated with firearms.
But when the weapon is to be left in the home you have no physical control over that weapon. Gun owners and members of their families have been injured and killed because of complacency. You know that you would handle the weapon safely and therefore may feel that everyone else would do the same.
But have the other adults or older children been trained or briefed by you regarding firearms safety? And if they have, what about their friends or other visitors to your home? Can you expect your very young children or their friends to have the same understanding regarding firearms safety?
If you live alone the problem may be minimized and you may feel that it doesn't have to be secured. What about friends? Remember, handguns are highly prized by burglars and some may know that you have one.
There are two opposing views regarding weapons in the home. The first is that weapons should be locked away and not discussed. The second, that everyone in the home should be made aware of firearms safety.
But is either way practical or would a combination of both be better? The adults and older children could certainly be made aware of the dangers relating to firearms but the very young or immature, regardless of age, cannot understand the dangers and would be best served by merely securing the weapon so they cannot physically obtain it.
You Don't Trim The Bushes
Of course bushes and trees should be pruned and trimmed properly to do and look their best, but that's not what I'm talking about. Then how does this topic relate to driving safety. I'm talking about the bushes and trees near the street in front of your house that block the traffic sign. The state and/or the city highway departments should be aware of this and do the trimming, but many times they don't. I have seen many stop and other signs blocked by trees or bushes at the last second and have had to jam on my brakes or miss a turn. Is your house on the corner at the intersection? How many times has there been an accident? How many times have you heard screeching brakes? How many times have you done nothing about it? When are you going to get a clue? When are you going to do something about it? "Well, I can't now, I'm watching an adult cartoon." You should call the highway department and advise them of the problem. If they don't take care of it in a reasonable amount of time then do it yourself. If the tree or bushes are on your property then you should do it. It's not only the stop signs that should be cleared. Any traffic and Route number signs in front of your house should be your responsibility and any that you observe while driving should be called in to the highway department.
There Were a Lot of Tears Today
Fifteen years of a perfect companionship ended today. When he first came home he would fit in the palm of one of my hands. Soft white fur with a black nose made it a joy to gaze upon him. On many days he would take either my wife or I, and sometimes both, on a walk. He never got over 20 1/2 pounds but today he only weighed 15 1/2 as in the last month he was rapidly losing weight. One month ago he was in the hospital for six days and it seemed that he might get better. But he did for only a few weeks and again started to deteriorate. The last three days we had to take him to a vet for an evaluation. Monday evening we couldn't make up our minds even though we knew that we probably should have. But Tuesday again, then Wednesday. After watching him and trying to take care of him with medication, pain pills and eye drops nothing seemed to work in his favor. For the last three days he followed either my wife or I everywhere we went in the house. It seemed that he was trying to say, why aren't you helping me, am I invisible to you? As much as we wanted to keep him at least until Christmas, and forever, so he could open the toy that I had bought for him. He used to like to open his own present on Christmas day. So excited he was. My wife was very brave today for making the decision that was best for him. I'm glad and maybe I was a little selfish to not make the decision on Monday night as we had him for an additional two days. But then, today, it was time. His name was Max.
You Don't Let Other Drivers Merge
Mergers are different than Sliders which I discussed in an earlier Post. Has this ever happened to you? You have plenty of room to safely merge when entering a highway but when the other driver sees you he speeds up. You attempt to pass a car (safely) in a passing zone then try to get back in the travel lane but, you guessed it, as you get alongside the other car he speeds up. This is one of the rudest and childish acts you can engage in. One of the lanes ahead is closed due to construction so the cars have to merge into one lane. The proper procedure is to take turns, one car at a time. How many of you try to 'hook-up' to the car in front of you so the other car can't take his turn to merge? It's your inferiority complex that makes you do these things. You feel, which is different than thinking, that the other driver thinks you are inferior to him. Guess what, he's not. He doesn't know you, wasn't thinking about you, doesn't care who you are. So far you're both equals. But by not following the rule you now not only prove to him but also to yourself that you do have an inferiority complex.
