Sometimes, you've got to wonder about people

[T.O.M.]

This is turning into one of those days when I'm seriously concerned about the future of the human race.

1.  There's a bit of snow/ice on the ground here in central Ohio.  It is December after all.  I'm behind a car in traffic. We're stopped at a red light.  Light turns green, and I watch the little front-wheel drive car in front of me as I hear the tires start to spin on the ice/snow.  And I watch as the car starts that slide to the side when the tires are spinning with no real traction.  And the car keeps sliding, and I her the engine actually revving up instead of backing off.  Sure enough, the tire hits pavement, and the car accellerates rapidly, right over the curb, across the sidewalk, and into a fence.  Good news was that there was a cruiser coming towards us, so I could just go on my way, and ignore this idiot.

2.  In court, and putting a guy on probation for assault, resisting arrest, and some other minor charges, and tell him that if he violates after he's released from jail today, he can be sent to jail for up to an additional 2 years by the time all of the sentences are added up.  He then pipes up, tells his lawyer to shut the f@#k up, and tells me that he's going to kick my f@#king a$$ if he's not home for Christmas.  I've already told him he's going home on Probation, and repeat this to him.  He tells me to perform a sex act on him involving my mouth, stands up, spits at me, and flips the table over.  He gets introduced to the wall, then the foor, while I order the hearing continued, and him remanded to jail until the next hearing in January, 2011.

3.  I log on here at lunch and find several PM's about my recent coyote threads.  All names have been removed to protect the innocent and guilty alike.  One advises me that I should just carry my shotgun  around during our walks, as it is useful against coyotes, snakes, and two legged varmin.  Another suggests that I get proactive and start shooting coyotes as I see them with a .22 rifle.  A third recommends that I might want to think about getting a .223 rifle, like an M4, to carry during walks because it's got the longer range to be effective against coyotes as they run back to the pack.  A fourth berates me, and says that if it wasn't for treehuggers like me who don't want to hurt some animal who tries to attack me or my dog, there wouldn't be a problem with coyotes.  A fifth told me I might want to consider getting a CCW permit and carry a pistol just in case.

Maybe I'm just having one of those days, but did someone declare today to be act like an idiot day???

Rant off, back to my ham and salami sandwich.

[AZRedhawk44]

Real men carry Garands on their dog walks.

[makattak]

3.  I log on here at lunch and find several PM's about my recent coyote threads.  All names have been removed to protect the innocent and guilty alike.  One advises me that I should just carry my shotgun  around during our walks, as it is useful against coyotes, snakes, and two legged varmin.  Another suggests that I get proactive and start shooting coyotes as I see them with a .22 rifle.  A third recommends that I might want to think about getting a .223 rifle, like an M4, to carry during walks because it's got the longer range to be effective against coyotes as they run back to the pack.  A fourth berates me, and says that if it wasn't for treehuggers like me who don't want to hurt some animal who tries to attack me or my dog, there wouldn't be a problem with coyotes.  A fifth told me I might want to consider getting a CCW permit and carry a pistol just in case.

Maybe I'm just having one of those days, but did someone declare today to be act like an idiot day???

Rant off, back to my ham and salami sandwich.

Hey, I'm insulted:

Why no inclusion of my suggestion of a detcord collar as a last resort for your dog if the pack gets him?


Ohhhh, you were only listing bad ideas, my mistake.

[BrokenPaw]

2.  In court, and putting a guy on probation for assault, resisting arrest, and some other minor charges, and tell him that if he violates after he's released from jail today, he can be sent to jail for up to an additional 2 years by the time all of the sentences are added up.  He then pipes up, tells his lawyer to shut the f@#k up, and tells me that he's going to kick my f@#king a$$ if he's not home for Christmas.  I've already told him he's going home on Probation, and repeat this to him.  He tells me to perform a sex act on him involving my mouth, stands up, spits at me, and flips the table over.  He gets introduced to the wall, then the foor, while I order the hearing continued, and him remanded to jail until the next hearing in January, 2011.

It's probably not something that falls within the realm of professional decorum for one in your position, but if I were in your shoes, I might be just the eensiest bit tempted to send the lad a Christmas care package containing a picture of my arse and a note saying "sorry you won't have the opportunity to kick it.  Here, kiss it, instead."

That would probably be a Wrong Thing to do.

I know that because all of the Wrong Things come from the voice behind my left shoulder.

[Tallpine]

Well - when driving to town yesterday I had to pull over several times to let people pass because I refused to drive faster than 45-50mph on the ice covered road. 

Sometimes I think the whole world is insane exept for me, and that's driving me crazy 

[230RN]

1.  There's a bit of snow/ice on the ground here in central Ohio.  It is December after all.  I'm behind a car in traffic. We're stopped at a red light.  Light turns green, and I watch the little front-wheel drive car in front of me as I hear the tires start to spin on the ice/snow.  And I watch as the car starts that slide to the side when the tires are spinning with no real traction.  And the car keeps sliding, and I her the engine actually revving up instead of backing off.  Sure enough, the tire hits pavement, and the car accellerates rapidly, right over the curb, across the sidewalk, and into a fence.  Good news was that there was a cruiser coming towards us, so I could just go on my way, and ignore this idiot.

There's a long hill on northbound Kipling before it gets to 38th Avenue.  Every time it snows, there's a couple of "The car wouldn't stop" accidents coming down that hill.

No.  You couldn't make the car stop because you were driving too fast for conditions.

2.  In court, and putting a guy on probation for assault, resisting arrest, and some other minor charges, and tell him that if he violates after he's released from jail today, he can be sent to jail for up to an additional 2 years by the time all of the sentences are added up.  He then pipes up, tells his lawyer to shut the f@#k up, and tells me that he's going to kick my f@#king a$$ if he's not home for Christmas.  I've already told him he's going home on Probation, and repeat this to him.  He tells me to perform a sex act on him involving my mouth, stands up, spits at me, and flips the table over.  He gets introduced to the wall, then the foor, while I order the hearing continued, and him remanded to jail until the next hearing in January, 2011.

Now, that's what I call "swift and terrible justice."

You're wrong, by the way. This is "Idiot Week."

Terry, 230RN

[HankB]

Having grown up and lived in various Snow Belt cities, I can relate to the first incident - I call them "Digital Drivers" - on icy surfaces, either the brake or the gas pedal are pressed to the floor, there's no in between.

As far as Incident 2 is concerned . . . having served as a juror a couple of times and watched people represent themselves in court, I know there are some amazingly stupid people, but this is beyond the pale . . . maybe the perp's home situation is such that he actually prefers a jail cell?

  . . .  A fifth told me I might want to consider getting a CCW permit and carry a pistol just in case.

What's wrong with that idea - and not just for coyotes? Having a CCW doesn't mean you're going to become a trigger happy dolt, it just means you'll be discretely prepared, and have a choice of how to react. (It worked for the Governor of Texas.)

Well - when driving to town yesterday I had to pull over several times to let people pass because I refused to drive faster than 45-50mph on the ice covered road. 

Once when driving from MN to IL through WI, I was driving about 35 in a 70 zone in the lane that was least icy. A moron, after honking his horn at me to pull over onto the worse part of the interstate so he could pass (fat chance!) eventually roared by, flipping me the bird as he did so.

I caught up to him about 5 miles later . . . his car was spanning the ditch alongside the road, supported by the front and rear bumpers. A State Trooper was approaching, so I drove on, thinking "Karma is REAL!!! 

[Tallpine]

I caught up to him about 5 miles later . . . his car was spanning the ditch alongside the road

29 years ago, my new bride and I drove about 40 miles to pick up her brother at a nearby town.  He was coming home from college and that was as far as his other took him.  It was the evening before thanksgiving and both the traffic and the roads were horrible.  Lots of cars slid off the road everywhere but I kept plugging along in her old VW bug, scraping ice off the inside of windshield.

We were heading back and almost home when another car came up in the left lane to pass.  He got directly even with me when I hear this awful scraping scratching noise.  I looked left and saw the short distance between our car and his slowly increase until he hit the soft snow at the edge and spun around. 

I wasn't going to stop out there for anything!   

It was within walking distance to an exit and phones.

[roo_ster]

Coyote Option 3a. Carry an M4gery with a AOW shorty Rem 870 12ga slung where the M203 would go.  And a tactical wheelbarrow.

[T.O.M.]

I'm afraid it may be catching.  Just dropped a speedloader in the toilet, right before I flushed.  Good thing I've got more ammo, and HKS loaders are cheap.

Funny thing about the coyote deal.  I was just looking for info about behaviors, if they are skittish, etc., not the crap you read on Wiki/PETA/etc.  I know some of you have real experience, so I was looking for that information.  Yet so many people took it as "I want to hunt coyotes with my dog," or missed the "I live in the suburbs."  Can't carry a long gun in the suburbs without getting lots of unwanted attention from the local PD, and probably the SWAT team at that. Even if I could, I'd worry about touching off a .223 round when the houses are that close together.  A shotgun, maybe with smaller shot...maybe I should think about a Taurus Judge, or a cruiser model Mossberg and a leather trenchcoat.  

 I have a CCW permit, thank you very much.  And, I only hug trees after way to much to drink.  

The now jailbird is in solitary...head-butted a deputy on arrival at the jail.  Now facing felony charges.

[AZRedhawk44]

maybe I should think about a Taurus Judge

FTFY.

 

[/JudgeHate]

[HankB]

The now jailbird is in solitary...head-butted a deputy on arrival at the jail.  Now facing felony charges.

You must have a nice jail, for the perp to like it so much he doesn't want to leave. 

As for hugging trees . . . even after way too much to drink, don't hug them below, say, waist level of the previous inebriated man . . . you know, the one who was, uh, done with his beer.

[230RN]

"The now jailbird is in solitary...head-butted a deputy on arrival at the jail.  Now facing felony charges."

Somewhat slower but even terribler justice.

Good thing you offered him probation, but it sounds as if this guy has a "why can't we all just get along?" problem and shouldn't be on the streets anyhow.

[Tallpine]

A shotgun, maybe with smaller shot...maybe I should think about a Taurus Judge, or a cruiser model Mossberg and a leather trenchcoat.

Which is why I said that it's a pity that a sawed off (maybe 6" barrel?) is such legal hassle.  If you had to shoot one in the suburbs, shot is a better option that either handgun or rifle.

The thing about coyotes is that they are infinitely adaptable, and there's really no predicting them at all.  They usually run away, unless they don't.  Lately I've seen more and more that just stand and look at you, like "oh yeah?  whatcha gonna do...?   "

Before (when was it ... earlier this year?) I would never have believed that coyotes would kill a healthy adult - even a petite and pretty folksinger  

I don't want them to be eradicated, but I shoot every one that I get the chance, which isn't very often.

[RevDisk]

Funny thing about the coyote deal.  I was just looking for info about behaviors, if they are skittish, etc., not the crap you read on Wiki/PETA/etc.  I know some of you have real experience, so I was looking for that information.  Yet so many people took it as "I want to hunt coyotes with my dog," or missed the "I live in the suburbs."  Can't carry a long gun in the suburbs without getting lots of unwanted attention from the local PD, and probably the SWAT team at that. Even if I could, I'd worry about touching off a .223 round when the houses are that close together.  A shotgun, maybe with smaller shot...maybe I should think about a Taurus Judge, or a cruiser model Mossberg and a leather trenchcoat.  

 I have a CCW permit, thank you very much.  And, I only hug trees after way to much to drink.  

The now jailbird is in solitary...head-butted a deputy on arrival at the jail.  Now facing felony charges.

Sorry about the coyote thread.  Even here, folks can be hard of understanding.  Don't take it too hard, it's still better than most of humanity.

As for the guy, brilliant.  Truly.  Sober?


I have a semiserious question.  I understand most (all?) courts transcript the proceedings.  Do they include things like the comments the guy made?

[T.O.M.]

Sorry about the coyote thread.  Even here, folks can be hard of understanding.  Don't take it too hard, it's still better than most of humanity.
As for the guy, brilliant.  Truly.  Sober?
I have a semiserious question.  I understand most (all?) courts transcript the proceedings.  Do they include things like the comments the guy made?

In order of presentation:  I like it here very much, which is why I keep posting my gun questions here.  Better answers, and fewer negative comments about my decision to only carry a .380/.39/9mm, etc.

Yes he was sober today, after spending the last three weeks in jail.  Just dumb or crazy.

As for transcripts, yep.  Every word. We use digital recordings on a computer, then pay for transcripts as needed.  If the files weren't protected, I'd try making an MP3 of some of teh "greatest hits" and posting for all of your amusement...

[230RN]

Ohhhh, mannnn, I can't resist.... Please forgive me, yeronner, but...

380/.39/9mm, etc.

Probation?  Please?  I've got to be home at Christmas.

.............................................

And I promise not to carry my .46 any more and will run out and buy a .39 right away.

I'm not signing this one so nobody (especially hizonner) will know who posted it.

[Perd Hapley]

Chris, after reading your story, I wonder if some of you judge-types are just in it for the lulz.

Maybe I'm just having one of those days, but did someone declare today to be act like an idiot day???

I used to have trouble remembering which day to act like an idiot. So now I just do it every day.

[Hawkmoon]

Drivers are nutz. Twice within he past week I have encountered enough loonies on the streets that I have commented to my wife that the locals are celebrating "Get Hawkmoon Day" way too often.

As for the coyotes, I am following the advice closely. My issue is slightly different. We also live in a 'burb. Coyotes have entered the area as of a couple/few years ago, and my wife and I are now the custodians of her granddaughter's toy poodle. I've fenced in an area of the front yard so the toodle can "go" without our worrying that she'll run off, but I don't think the fence is enough to stop a hungry 'yote. So I keep reminding my wife not to let the toodle out during the day unless she keeps an eye on her, and at night I stand armed guard.

I'm trying to decide whether it would be a good idea or a Very Bad Idea to bait the 'yotes into the yard so I'd have an excuse to terminate them with prejudice.

[Gowen]

Is there any way that you could sentence the guy to a few years of remedial education classes?  I highly doubt he even knew what probation means. 

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i suspect he and his peers know quite a bit about probation and parole

[Jamisjockey]

i suspect he and his peers know quite a bit about probation and parole

This.  I'm thinking batshit crazy was involved, and maybe some drugs/withdrawls.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

or hes a real punk and was trying to build some rep before they send him to the country. hoping that this time he wouldn't have to write to mom and ask her to send makeup and pantyhose to him

[Perd Hapley]

This.  I'm thinking bat**it crazy was involved, and maybe some drugs/withdrawls.

I'm thinking he's a guy with phenomenally poor judgment and a tendency to commit violence. Hence the assault charge, then head-butting a deputy.

[TechMan]

Well - when driving to town yesterday I had to pull over several times to let people pass because I refused to drive faster than 45-50mph on the ice covered road. 

Sometimes I think the whole world is insane exept for me, and that's driving me crazy 

Did you create a traffic jam in your town?