Shitty Luck

[tooter_mcgee]

I've had a really weird past couple of days. I came into a large sum of money on the 1st that i wasn't expecting which was great. Unfortunately, a few hours later i had the pleasure of being arrested for my 1st time by an 8 year old cop for a f***ing traffic violation of all things!! Then yesterday, my laptop crashed and i have to send it back because it's under warranty (thank god) which means i won't be able to use the computer much for the next week or 2. So.. don't forget about me everyone please :)

~Lots of Love to You All~

Di

[Unkle_John]

Sorry to hear about that tooter, what made them arrest you for a traffic violation? Was it unpaid tickets? Again, sorry to hear about that.

[RockyJay]

Unfortunately, a few hours later i had the pleasure of being arrested for my 1st time by an 8 year old cop for a f***ing traffic violation of all things!!

I just had to read that a few times before it actually registered. Next time be on the lookout for the pint-sized 8 year old cops, they're nasty.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that kid was the same one in the picture trying to get some revenge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/___/c4c5a29d.jpg

Take care Diana :)

[tooter_mcgee]

I got nailed for driving without a liscense, my 2nd offense. I'm not sure how it works other places, but here you dont typically get arrested for it unless it's like your 5 offense. I think it was just a dumb, new little cop getting excited over what was probably his 10th arrest.

:hippie:
Di

[toman]

I don't mean to be rude particularly, but I think there is a reason it's illegal to drive a car without a license. Isn't it because people without licenses aren't capapble, for whatever reason, of driving without putting other people's lives at risk? IMO, a person who makes a consious desicion to threaten innocent people's lives with several thousand pounds of fast moving steel needs to do some time in a tank, to think about making responsible decisions.

[Icarus]

Toman, I agree with your general point....however I doubt that Tooter was reckless or intent on harming another. Not to mention the various and often stupid legalities that crop up at the DMV. Relax man, Tooter could probably use a break...especially since support and understanding oughtta be the operative words around here from my perspective. Not picking a fight, just think you might relax a bit..... :hippie:

[toman]

Hahah... that's funny, because I'm really about the most relaxed person you'll find. Driving and traffic issues just get my goat, because as an avid cyclist I encounter a lot of drivers who are extemely irresponsible, even homicidal, many of whom are no doubt driving without licenses because of a pattern of irresponsible behavior and endangering others. Also, there is the issue of insurance. A person driving with no license is not insured in any way, and therefore if (when) they hurt or kill someone, that person is going to be completely out of luck. They will at best be injured with no compensation, and at worst dead or alive with a destroyed life and no future prospect. Driving an automobile is an extremely dangerous practice, both for the driver and the general populace. It is a priviledge granted those who have proven themselves responisble and skilled enough to drive in such a way as to put themselves and others in the least amount of danger possible. To drive without a license is to show blatent disregard for human life in general, and it's a big "Fuck you" to the other people on the road who are following the rules and trying to make modern transportation as safe and functional as possible.

[Icarus]

So relaxed you'd never rant on a fellow forum member when you were really angry at some motorist that almost ran you over sometime in the past? Oh wait....that already happened. Seriously my friend, are you honestly under the impression that a driver license is granted as "a priviledge granted those who have proven themselves responisble and skilled enough to drive in such a way as to put themselves and others in the least amount of danger possible"? Because if so you are sorely mistaken. I don't know where you obtained your driver's license but when I got mine it was based on the fact that I had $35 dollars to pay and not because I proved I could drive 3 miles, turn around, parallel park and drive back. I totally agree on the insurance thing, though the government requirements on that are also quite ridiculous and based on insurance lobbyist's wish lists and not actual fact. So, here's the real issue.....you're pissed at people who show no regard for you as a bicyclist and decided to vent a little on Tooter's post...which is fine, though a little out of place (not to mention I've now completely hijacked her post...sorry Tooter). You cannot seriously believe that a piece of plastic with your picture on it that any monkey could obtain is proof of a responsible person. I get the point, but I also get the feelings behind it which I think are taking precedent over the facts. Anyhoo, happy smokin' friend o' the forum...my 10 cents are officially in.

[toman]

Actually, I don't think I hijacked the thread. The subject was regarding being arrested being bad luck, when in fact it was the simple consequence on an irresponsible decision. My opinions don't come from simply having a bad experience riding a bicycle, but years of observing people completely inept at driving an automobile. Like you say, it takes virtually no skill to obtain a license; so tell me, what reason is there to drive without one? I have known people who repeatedly drive drunk with no license, and end up hurting people. As a child I had a friend who was run over by a hit and run driver and killed. Why do you think that driver ran from the scene? On another forum I post on, a person was hit by a car while bicycling and now is brain damaged and partially blind, possible never able to work again. I'm all for liberal viewpoints; multiple people have labeled me antisocial because of my often anti-establishment ideas. But I still believe in responsibility and respect for other people, becaue without it society doesn't function, and when society doesn't function, intelectual discussion is pointless.

I think I'm done commenting on this subject, because as far as I'm concerned, there is no argument. Driving without a license and uninsured is a very immature, irresponsible thing to do, and I don't see any way to argue with that unless someone feels it's their god given right to hurt people and take no responsibility. I realize that's not a nice thing to think about, it's easier on this forum to talk about cute animals, mean cops and vegetarian casseroles, but when it comes down to something that involves life and death, and the possibility of a person being charged with vehicular manslaughter and spending decades in prison, I think discussing it straight up is called for. Hopefully someone will think about what I'm saying and get something out of it, and not just think I'm an uptight grouch or some mean guy who likes to go off on people suffering from "Bad luck". :cheers:

[Icarus]

No, no, I meant I hijacked the post, not you. That aside...point taken, processed....and accepted. My two best friends in the world were killed by a drunk driver in May 1999, so I understand. Still not sure about all of it, but I certainly don't think you're an antisocial grouch. Peace, brother. :cheers:

[treehugger]

Tooter, I'm sorry you've been having such a shitty time of things...

And I have to comment on the drivers liscence debate....

There's different reasons somebody might not have a license.

One reason, of course, is that it was taken away.

But there are other reasons such as poverty that may simply make somebody unable to AFFORD renewing a license.

The insurance issue....you may not be aware of this but in Wisconsin, where Tooter and I both live, you are NOT required to carry insurance, to drive. I'm not sure why that's the case, but it IS the case in Wisconsin.

Once upon a time, in extreme poverty, I didn't carry insurance. Foolish of me, yes.

Had to do it to feed my face. It was either insurance or food.

I was an AWFULLY careful driver when I didn't have insurance. Every ounce of caution I had, was in high gear. Any accidents could not, would not, be my fault.

So...enough of MY threadjack...my sympathies go to Tooter; she is a wonderful contributor to this forum who is always supportive of everybody else.

Kath

[BandAide]

Perhaps I'm misreading something, but I'm pretty certain that Tooter was driving without her license in her possession, not with a suspended license. I think that in most states (certainly New Jersey) they arrest you and impound your car if you're driving with a suspended drivers license.

[tooter_mcgee]

ok, its been a bit since i've logged on and posted here. i'm wishing i had never started this thread. i'm not a 12 year old, i know that its not right to drive without a liscense. i never got one because i'm still paying off truancy and smoking fines from when i was a teenager, not because i can't drive. this isnt the most pleasant of threads i suppose.... :confused:

:hippie:
Di

[RockyJay]

ok, its been a bit since i've logged on and posted here.

Welcome back tooter_mcgee! :cheers:

[toman]

As luck (?) would have it, a friend of the family was just rear-ended the other day by an un-licensed, uninsured driver. He hit my friend at a stop light going about fifty miles an hour, shoving my friend's classic chevy into the car in front of it. He's now dealing with whiplash, a destroyed car, no compensation other than his own uninsured motorist insurance which will only cover his medical, and a ticket for hitting the car in front of him. The other driver was not drunk, stoned or anything else, probably just felt he was a good enough driver he didn't need the man telling him whether he could drive or not. Apparently the law agrees, because he was let off the scene with a ticket.