spokesNspin

Here is a news story related to the recent court ruling regarding the  gun ban in D.C.

(Springfield, MA) — The Second Amendment Foundation and gunmaker Smith and Wesson have partnered to create a laser engraved commemorative revolver to recognize the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Washington, DC’s handgun ban. SAF founder Alan Gottlieb [[ GOTT-leeb ]] says the idea came from a talk show caller who thought the six original plaintiffs who challenged the gun ban should get a limited edition firearm. Smith and Wesson will make the commemorative five-shot revolver available for consumers this fall, and it will direct some of the proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation in Washington, which is waging challenges of gun laws across the country.

While I personally believe the gun ban had good reason,  I also think it was a little extreme.  By the same token, this action by Smith and Wesson does not feel good either.

I don’t believe a decision that is likely to result in more death is a cause for celebration.

Let me put this another way.

I don’t believe abortion should be illegal.  It doesn’t necessarily follow that I am in favor of abortion.  The action by Smith and Wesson would be akin to creating some type of commemorative abortion device and celebrating the loss of each life through abortion.

Check this out regarding columnist Robert Novak. 

Is a guy who isn’t aware of a pedestrian “splayed across” his windshield astute enough to be a national columnist?

And in regards to my post yesterday about D.C. traffic and pedestrians all I can say is, “I rest my case”.

I just read some tagging going on out there via Fat cyclist.  One of the questions was regarding if you could have one bike what would it be?

Let me bastardize a quote from Ben Hur.

“One God, that I can understand; but one bike? That is not civilized. It is not generous!”

Copenhagen is moving the stop line for autos back about 15 feet from intersections.

I don’t know all the details around the recent deadly accident here in D.C. but doing something similar would help prevent this type of accident.

Will the day ever come when we actually give pedestrians and bicycles a priority over cars? 

We have busy intersections here in D.C. where the light cycle never stops automobile traffic in all four ways at once.  What that means is a light will turn red to stop cars driving from the street in front of you and cross walk signal turns to let you cross.  The lights at that same time allow traffic coming from the other street to turn onto the street the pedestrian is crossing. 

There are a lot of drivers that could care less that there are pedestrians walking with the pedestrian light.  Cars roar through a left turn  honking at pedestrians for having the audacity to cross the street in the cross walk.

These intersections are in very busy high tourist pedestrian traffic areas.

This is one of those consumer issues that just really chafes my hide!

Do these boxes ever open the way the instructions indicate they should?

They never do for me.

As you can see this box has been torn all the way around.   I freely admit I did it. They normally just smash in. 

If they actually happen to work per the instructions, which hardly ever happens,  then just how in the  sam hell do you get a finger or anything in there to pull it out?

Come on people there really has to be a better way.

Welcome everyone from Camp Candid Carrie to The Tour de Spokesnspin.  I have spent the weekend sweeping and cleaning.  I have added a category on my blogroll just for you.  It is Red’s Rad & Tremendous Trio.  Three of my best, per my humble opinion.

There are no cue sheets.  Just go on a whim in any direction you desire.

If you want a reason to get on your bike check out this post.

For some thoughts on safe cycling read this.  I forewarn you it was a sad tragedy involving a cyclist that motivated the post. 

This post introduces you to my bike family including pics.

As always, ride right and be safe.  Feel free to take anything you want from here.  Just remember and acknowledge from whence it came.

Thanks for coming and may the wind always be at your back.