Re: Bronco Busting or now I put my foot in it

[JShadzi@aol.com]

    Well, I don't intend to take this thread too far, and there are dozens of 
issues here that are undiscussible over an email list one message at a time.  
I am concerned with the number of times you refer people as "idiots", and 
your concept of natural selection in society.  I also have this odd feeling 
you are from Idaho somewhere, very prepared for Y2K...
Javad

In a message dated 9/9/99 9:40:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
wcelliot@concentric.net writes:

<< No offense intended, but your view is socialistic I disagree with it in
 every way and will agressively fight with any lawmaker espousing this
 point of view.
 
 You probably think seat belt laws are a good thing as well.  I consider
 them an infringment of my basic liberty (but I always wear one.) Ditto
 for helmet laws.
 
 Manufacturers _don't_ agree with you; left to their own accord, they
 would make cars as safe as practical within the market limitations, but
 they're terrified of someone like you on a jury so they don't make the
 type of vehicles many of us would like to drive.
  
 A motorcycle is not as safe as a car, but we're still allowed to own
 one.  Convertibles aren't as safe as hardtops, but they're still legal.
 ...FOR NOW!
 
 I'm all for safer vehicles, but some of us _need_ ground clearance and
 towing capacity.  That _will_ make the vehicle have different handling
 characteristics.  Unsafe?  Compared to a car, maybe.  Compared to a
 tractor/trailer, maybe not.
 
 I think I should be allowed to own convertibles as well.  Using your
 logic, I shouldn't.
 
 Your example was having to swerve in an emergency situation.  If you're
 driving a truck, you should drive it in such a way not to put yourself
 in that situation.  If you're not skilled highly enough, you shouldn't
 be in a truck anyway. (Remember I did mention that a special license
 would be okay.)
 
 Suzuki's were used for years all over the world before coming to the
 US.  Only when they were driven by idiots thinking they had a sports car
 did their handling characteristics become an issue.
 
 I also own antique vehicles.  Should I not be allowed to drive them
 since they're not as safe as a 2000 model? In case you don't know it, we
 don't "all have rev limiters and overboost protection".  Some of us
 drive well enough not to need it. (Again, I think its great we have it,
 but I wouldn't want it regulated.)
 
 We live in an overregulated society.  We spent all of our time
 infringing on the freedoms of the majority to protect the small
 precentage of idiots historically dealt with by natural selection.  The
 more we "progress", the more basic liberties we lose.  I'm amazed we can
 still get warm coffee at drivethru's.
 
 As I warned in my earlier message, if cars were built for the lowest
 common denominator, we'd all be driving 50hp Civics. And if people who
 think like you get their way, we would be. "Thank goodness" they're not.
 
 Think what you like. I'll keep fighting my battle knowing full well your
 type will eventually win because our society has lost the ability to
 reason. 
 
 At least you're driving an Audi. ;-)
 
 I'll put my soapbox away and refrain from any further (public) comments
 on this non-Q topic.  
 
 Bill Elliott
  >>