clyde@ut-ngp.UUCP (Clyde W. Hoover) (01/23/84)
Sorry, all you well-meaning types, I agree with the contention that
manadatory seat-belt and helmet laws suck. If I want to risk my
life, THAT IS, AND ALWAYS SHOULD BE <<MY>> BUSINESS, NOT THE
STATE'S!! If I want to ignore my 'responsibilties', that is my
problem.
The worst part of this sort of thing is that people will not
do something that is good just because they are TOLD to by the state.
You CANNOT force people to take care of themselves - they barely
can handle taking care of others (I do agree with coercing
the use of child seats).
And, on top of that, by having such laws, (like the 55 mph speed
limit), you have the potential of making almost EVERYONE a minor
criminal - which is a useful thing for the state to be able to do.
(There is the beginning of a good flame here, but not now...)
BTW, I always wear my seatbelt - as a protection against both
my slopiness (occasionally) and OTHER people's stupidity (often) -
I don't intend for my promising and enjoyable life to be ended
by flying through some windsheild at the behest of a stupid or
drunk driver.
--
Clyde W. Hoover @ Univ. of Texas Computation Center; Austin, Texas
(Shouter-To-Dead-Parrots)
clyde@ut-ngp.{UUCP,ARPA} clyde@ut-sally.{UUCP,ARPA} ihnp4!ut-ngp!clydeseifert@ihuxl.UUCP (D.A. Seifert) (01/27/84)
> And, on top of that, by having such laws, (like the 55 mph speed > limit), you have the potential of making almost EVERYONE a minor > criminal - which is a useful thing for the state to be able to do. Excuse me? I fail to see how making everyone a criminal can possibly be considered a good thing. If you're proposing a police state where everyone is assumed guilty until proven innocent, maybe you'd like to lobby for the repeal of the bill of rights? I used to have respect for the police, before they turned into highway bandits. "OK, turkey, hands up! Who do you think you are going 0.01 mph over the limit in our fine state? Out to kill some innocent children, are you?" Even if they stopped this foolishness today, it would take many, many years to repair the damage they've done. 1984 - big pig is watching -- _____ /_____\ from the flying doghouse of /_______\ Snoopy |___| ____|___|_____ ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert
jj@rabbit.UUCP (01/27/84)
Two comments. 1) I think our ?friends? in Europe would be thrilled if this debate moved into net.auto, where they weren't stuck for the bill. 2) As far as I'm concerned, NOT wearing seatbelts should be considered contributory neglegence, and the person who wasn't wearing belts should have to pay for the greatest part of his/her own injuries. I don't see as I can tell anyone to wear belts, but I don't see as THEY can expect ME to pay for their lack of responsibility to themeselves! -- TEDDY BEARS ARE PEOPLE, TOO! (allegra,harpo,ulysses)!rabbit!jj