It was to cold and wet to ride to work today so I took the truck. Well coming home a kid ran the red light and plowed into my truck. If I had been on the bike I would be dead. Lesson always wait a little before pulling out on a green light. I do it on the bike just for this reason. Ride safe and fast all.

Glad to here you're OK Curt. I always hesitate at green lights an extra second just for that very reason.

Sorry about your truck. Glad it wasn't on the bike.

Sorry to hear about the truck, happy to hear you weren't on the bike. If where you live is anything like where I live, you never ever jack rabbit at the green light. There's always someone running the dark yellow/light red light.

We had red light cameras to catch the jerks but the ACLU bleeding heart a$$holes got them removed. I guess people are supposed to have the right to run red lights. Rant over.

Ever read this quote from Ben Franklin? "People who would give up freedom for security deserve neither." I can see the desire for security, having someone watching on the camera to catch the people who run red lights. In Curts case we would have a video record of his accident. Hard to see how that helps here. By the way Curt glad you came through OK, at least physically.

Right now as I go around the roads and intersections in my neighborhood I can find cameras focused on intersections and stretches of highway and on store parking lots.They don't really stop crime but you may get a picture of someone doing something.Personally I find it all a little worrysome. Do I really want someone watching my every move?

Right now it is possible to use surveilance hardware to look into your house and see what room you are in and what you are doing. Sniff sensors can detect the residue of explosives or similar compounds on your body or clothing. It is possible to listen to your conversations in your home without ever planting a bug. Your phone conversations are monitored for key words that might indicate you are a terrorist. The Feds can come into your house and search it by convincing a friendly judge that you might be associated with a threat to homeland security.

I could go on and on. All you have to do is belong to an undesirable group as defined by some bureaucrat and you are on a watch list. Can you say Biker Trash? It is not paranoia if someone is really out to get you. Recently in Texas an older couple were passing through the state on a move from Florida to Arizona. They were from a generation that had reason to not trust banks. Accordingly they had converted all of their assets to cash and had it in the car with them. They were pulled over for speeding and since they had Florida plates the state trooper thought they might be mules transporting drugs.He asked to search their car. Being upstanding citizens and knowing they were not crooks they said yes. The cop found their money. If you have a lot of money the fuzz can take it and jail you saying it must be drug related. They can also confiscate and sell your car, house, etc.

It took these people two years and multiple court dates to get their money back and be compensated for their legal fees and "stolen" property. It resulted in billboards all across Texas telling the citizenry to not agree to random searches of their vehicles. These are searches without probable cause. All they need to do is say you were acting suspiciously anyway. What if your teenager smoked a joint in your car and left behind a roach or other identifiable residue? You're toast my friend.

Right now the government monitors your spending patterns via your bank. You are limited on how much cash you can withdraw. You are limited on how many times you can transfer funds from your savings to your checking. If you make repeated "large" withdrawls you are targeted for additional surveilance. Hey it's your money...isn't it?

Sorry about the rant but the special victims unit looking at video to see if they can find out who killed me doesn't help me, I'm already dead. Your security and safety is your responsibility. Keep your eyes open wide, get a concealed carry license, and don't give the Feds an inch. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Damn I love a good rant, it opens the pores and moves the blood.<br><br>Post edited by: Brutha, at: 2007/02/15 00:04

Well said Brutha!!

I agree with all you're saying Brutha, I suppose my hypocrisy would like Big Brother to protect me from idiots on the highway but leave me alone otherwise.

Curt, glad you're OK. And right on, Brutha!! Only one exception however, if you're an illegal alien, you're of course exempt from governmental scrutiny.. Heck, Bank of Americas will even give you a credit card (w/out a SS#) ...

Post edited by: Tbone21, at: 2007/02/14 09:24<br><br>Post edited by: Tbone21, at: 2007/02/14 09:25

Curt, glad you're ok and the bike wasn't involved! As for the waiting a tick before leaving a green light, that's just simple defensive driving. As an ex-cop and former MSF Ridercoach, I can attest to the fact that defensive driving doesn't mean driving 15mph below the speed limit everywhere you go. It means be aware or your surroundings, drive according to conditions, and expect that idiot to pull out in front of you! My 2 pennies.

Learn to ride on the freeways of L.A.(The San Diego, Ventura, Hollywood...) and you'll learn defensive driving simply for survival. You'll know when a person is going to open his door when your coming down the white line by looking at his eyes in his mirrors.
Glad to hear your ok. Hope you weren't testing the rev limiter.<br><br>Post edited by: thebru, at: 2007/02/14 09:36