Last night I got very lucky. I was on a back "country road" returning from my hockey game. I was unaware that a short stretch of road I travel has a speed limit of 30. I thought it was 55 (most back country roads I travel are) so I was going 57. So I got pulled over.
The officer informed me of the speed limit and my speed. I did not argue. I would never. Not knowing the speed limit is not a good excuse.
The last time (and only time) I got a speeding ticket, it was the end of the month. I'm not sure if there is any truth to this but I have heard you are more likely to get a ticket towards the end of a month when officers are trying to meet their monthly quota. It was September 26th. I was sure he was bringing me back a very expensive ticket.
So I was shocked when he informed me that he was giving me a warning. I thanked him and drove away...surprised.
My question is, why did I get a warning instead of a ticket? What makes a police officer decide between the two when he/she pulls over a driver?
I have no idea. Perhaps, for me:
1. He looked at my record and saw that I have never been arrested and have never had a speeding ticket before (the first one was wiped off my record...long story). He knew I was generally a law-abiding citizen and let me go.
2. He noticed the hockey bag and sticks in my truck bed. He happened to be a fellow hockey fan and decided to let me go.
3. He was just a real nice guy being nice.
I really cannot think of any others. I broke the law. I was exceeding the speed limit by 27 miles an hour. All logic suggests I should have received a ticket. All I can do now is wonder why...and consider myself very lucky.
-wj
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Parents and Profanity
I STRONGLY disagree with parents who use excessive profanity in front of their kids. It drives me crazy when I see parents weave curse words into usual dialogue in the presence of their children as if they were regular, common, run-of-the-mill words.
I see this more frequently than I would like. Today, while I was leaving work, there was a guy with his two kids in the parking lot. The dude opens his car door and immediately starts lacing into his daughter about how he is "infuriated by all the s***" she keeps leaving in his car. The girl had to be 7 or 8 years old at most. The boy was maybe old enough to be in preschool.
Now, don't get me wrong, I get aggravated when my kids leave food wrappers and other trash in my car too. And I completely understand having to raise your voice to drive home a point while disciplining your child. But to lace your tirade with profanity is just uncalled for. It teaches kids words they don't need to learn yet and that it is okay to use them in public places. Keep in mind, we were in an elementary school parking lot.
No preschooler or elementary age student needs to be screamed at with profanity. Simple as that. You can make your point just as easily without those words.
This is just one example. I see it everywhere. Walmart, sporting events, you name it. Am I the only one that was taught that these words were "bad" words? My parents cursed. But it was not very frequent and never in public. I knew that these words were not acceptable to say whenever one felt like it.
So is it just the latest generation of parents who have more relaxed views about language? I mean come on, just listen to the radio or turn on the TV. A couple of decades ago you would have never heard what you hear now. Or maybe it's just because I'm older now and a parent myself that I notice things like this now. Maybe things haven't gotten worse and I'm just more aware. Whatever it is, I wish things could change.
I didn't say anything to the guy. It wasn't my place. He could discipline his children how he sees fit. But I sure don't have to agree with it.
-wj
I see this more frequently than I would like. Today, while I was leaving work, there was a guy with his two kids in the parking lot. The dude opens his car door and immediately starts lacing into his daughter about how he is "infuriated by all the s***" she keeps leaving in his car. The girl had to be 7 or 8 years old at most. The boy was maybe old enough to be in preschool.
Now, don't get me wrong, I get aggravated when my kids leave food wrappers and other trash in my car too. And I completely understand having to raise your voice to drive home a point while disciplining your child. But to lace your tirade with profanity is just uncalled for. It teaches kids words they don't need to learn yet and that it is okay to use them in public places. Keep in mind, we were in an elementary school parking lot.
No preschooler or elementary age student needs to be screamed at with profanity. Simple as that. You can make your point just as easily without those words.
This is just one example. I see it everywhere. Walmart, sporting events, you name it. Am I the only one that was taught that these words were "bad" words? My parents cursed. But it was not very frequent and never in public. I knew that these words were not acceptable to say whenever one felt like it.
So is it just the latest generation of parents who have more relaxed views about language? I mean come on, just listen to the radio or turn on the TV. A couple of decades ago you would have never heard what you hear now. Or maybe it's just because I'm older now and a parent myself that I notice things like this now. Maybe things haven't gotten worse and I'm just more aware. Whatever it is, I wish things could change.
I didn't say anything to the guy. It wasn't my place. He could discipline his children how he sees fit. But I sure don't have to agree with it.
-wj
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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