Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
As an anecdote to stories of people left to die in the street, or in hospital corridors, this story is heartening. Passers by working together, fixating not on the threat a burning car presented to their safety, but to save the life of total stranger. This is the kind of news that restores at least some level of hope.
Last week, a traffic light at a major intersection in Los Angeles went out, and a citizen stepped forward to safely directed traffic for 15 minutes until the police arrived. Once on scene, the police didn't direct traffic, but they did stay on scene long enough to issue the guy a ticket. So I have to wonder, how many rules and regulations did these good Samaritans break? They were not trained. They were lacking in credentials and appropriate safety gear. Surely this is an All You Can Eat Buffet of OSHA violations. More power to them, I say, with thanks.&nbs
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Aug '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Thankfully the good state of Utah recognizes good samaritans for what they are.
California maybe not so much, in their eyes, the much arrested, Rodney King is more praised than some guys that stopped him high on PCP in a stolen car going 110 mph..
The lawyers that work for the state of Cal have their own union. Now how stupid is that ?
Do they outsource litigation on personnel matters to another state or have to hire private lawyers to be objective ? Glad to be from somewhere else. Where was the driver of the burning car anyway ?
Jan '11
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
For some of these people, the phrase "first responders" is cruel irony.
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
I should hasten to point out that this incident happened in South Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles. I wouldn't put it past some of my LAPD colleagues to embarrass cops this way, but at least this time it wasn't us.
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Thanks for the clarification, Jack, but who ever they are, embarrassment seems in order.
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
KC, it's a lesson we learn again and again. Citizens acted on 9/11. Citizens stopped the shoe bomber and the underwear bomber. And the citizens will be the ones to save the country. That's what free people instinctively do.
Jan '11
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Where's that danged "I love this!" button???
Jun '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
There's more to this thread than meets the eye, but it's seldom recognized much less talked about. The difference reads as follows: independent, proactive, self-motivated, assertive, and free vs. dependent, helpless, passive, cowardly and easily dominated. A healthy republic requires the former while collectivism demands the latter. It's the difference between someone who will change a flat tire and get back on the road vs. the hapless incompetent who will hit the ON-STAR button and wait two hours for assistance. I could go on at length, but you get the idea.
Aug '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Glad to see someone stand up wherever. Call me, we'll find a lawyer to defend ya
Edited on Sep 13, 2011 at 6:21pmOct '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Would like to see how this plays out if the fella with the ticket performing a public service goes before a Judge. Film at eleven.
Dec '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
It's nice to see the good story get some publicity, even if juxtaposed with the South Pasadena story.
I have asked my employees to get out of the truck, put their vests on, and get to work when a car pulled over in front of a truck and forced it to flip off into the right swale. We are all first responders. I had one guy broom out the left shoulder, so vehicles could inch around cleari the highway without getting flats; the rest of us took care of the driver. Once he was clear and stable, we took his keys (with his permission) and ;entered the trailer;he had hazard placards. We used supplied air and a 4-gas meter.
By the time the HIghway Patrol got there, traffic was flowing again on the interstate and the broken containers were bagged up and ready for proper disposal.
Cost to tax payers, zero. Cost to our client, that would have been paying for us to sit in our truck in traffic, zero.
The HP was initially pissed, Once they figured it out, they escorted our truck up the interstate at high speed, to help us get back on schedule.
Aug '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Thank you CJ. Thank you .Thank you. Thank you.
(Kitty Genovese would be 76 this year)
Edited on Sep 13, 2011 at 5:39pmJan '11
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
[Slaps forehead] Dang! I DO get the idea. Too many people only can use one tool - their mouth.
Jun '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Yeah...ok.
[Slaps forehead] Dang! I DO get the idea. Too many people only can use one tool - their mouth. · Sep 13 at 6:21pm
I'll be grateful to anyone who can post Heinlein's list of things all people should be able to do. I think perhaps the late, great Colonel Jeff Copper had his own list as well. Double thanks to anyone who can find that one.
Jun '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
When I first saw that posted somewhere I didn't even click on it.......I assumed it was more rioting in one of the world's many hot spots.
Very, very cool!
Feb '11
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
~Paules
Yeah...ok.
I'll be grateful to anyone who can post Heinlein's list of things all people should be able to do. I think perhaps the late, great Colonel Jeff Copper had his own list as well. Double thanks to anyone who can find that one. · Sep 13 at 6:27pm
~Paules: I don't mean to be rude, but don't you know how to google?? “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
Aug '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Mama Toad
~ but don't you know how to google?? “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." · Sep 14 at 9:07am
This is very wonderful and I thank you for bringing it to my attn. I immediately sent it off to one of the kids. Never spent much time in Heinlein's world, other than Stranger which was some kind of hippy construct back then, grok and all.
Feb '11
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
flownover -- every time I see your posts, I grin. Your avatar always makes me smile and I enjoy hearing your thoughts. Stranger certainly was... (stranger, that is...)
Aug '10
Re: Might A Good Deed Go Unpunished?
Thanks Ma-
The Toad was the mascot of my high school. So I always grin when I see your smiling face .