Deleting double post

[quote][b]GroversMill[/b] - @avenger:

No sir, it most certainly is not. It is never OK to presume the worst in situations where observational skills, cool-headedness and common sense are better tools to employ. Testosterone, stress and adrenaline cannot be given the benefit of the doubt when others' lives are at stake. The officer had neither a gun nor a vehicle aimed at him: the ill, unarmed citizen did. [/quote]

On the day that Jamie Hood shot two ACC police officers, the first shots were fired during what seemed like a compliant traffic stop. Jamie Hood's brother was driving the car that pulled over in response to SPO Howard's blue lights. Everything was going according to plan until Jamie Hood jumped out of the vehicle and started firing. You'd be crazy to suggest that every officer in the region doesn't think about that at every traffic stop. At least those are the details as I remember them from the reports.
Now put yourself in the shoes of this officer. He's attempting to stop a driver that is not responding to lights or commands, and only stopped after striking another vehicle. In this situation the officer has no idea what he may be dealing with, regardless of whether excessive speed or evavsive action was taken. He also has no way of knowing if this seemingly disoriented driver is armed. I'm sure that the officer had no desire to shoot anyone (and I'm glad that he didn't have to), but when you don't obey a lawful order to stop a vehicle you are treated as a perceived threat until it's determined that you are not one.

A friend of mine that is a police officer once told me a saying that he learned as a young officer: "I'd rather be tried 12 than carried by 6." My point is, if your actions give a police officer reason to fear being able to return home safely, then you're likely to see the business end of his/her weapon. And I, for one, don't have a problem with that.

@Aredman: I have to agree with @Realist. Even when there are viable walking options, there are some that choose not to take the safe route. A local example would be right here at exit 8 on Loop 10. There are sidewalks with crosswalks and signals available to pedestrians, yet there is a very worn path 100 yards away where folks cross over both the exit and entrance ramps on foot. They then cross all 4 lanes of the loop rather than utilizing the sidewalks under the bridge. Sure, the walk along sidewalks may involve more distance, but many people choose convenience over safety. I don't know if this was a similar situation at I-75, I'm simply pointing out walking routes are not always utilized when available.

That said, this is still a tragedy and I'm saddened that it happened.

@justreadinginathens: No worries!

I have to respectfully disagree with everyone that thinks the driver was not punished harshly enough. Don't get me wrong, this is a terrible tragedy that could have been a lot worse and he's completely at fault. I have to believe that a better solution would be for the driver to somehow be held financially responsible for every penny of the victim's medical bills, lost wages, etc. I also think that his wages should be garnished until every financial obligation is met, which can't happen if he is behind bars. That may not seem as punitive as serious jail time, but I bet it would help the victim and her family out a lot more.

@justreadinginathens: Thanks for setting me straight. I certainly join everyone else in praying for continued recovery.

I'm sure his sentence was a stiff as they could make it considering that there was no malicious intent or impairment, just moving violations with horrible consequences. I think it's safe to say that the young lady's health insurer has already begun the process of getting every dime possible from his auto insurance to offset their portion of her medical bills. There is also nothing stopping the victim from seeking damages in civil court.

@tucker:
I'm very much in favor of less-lethal options like tasers or bean bag rounds for use by law enforcement, but my impression is that those things are used on agitated persons that are not necessarily armed. Hitting a moving target with a pistol, particularly under pressure, is not an easy thing to do, despite what we see in movies and on TV. For that reason, when an officer deems it necessary to use a weapon they aim at the largest area possible, which would be the torso. The bottom line in any case is that if you don't want to be shot by police then obey their instructions and don't charge them with weapons!

@skull:
Yep, that's what I get for trying to be a grammar Nazi (a job for which I am woefully unqualified). Thanks for setting me straight.

Shouldn't it be "Too slow" in the title?

@munsondawg:
As a fan (and a human being) I hope that he, and others like him, get good advice about their finances and follow that advice. It's hard to feel sorry for million dollar athletes that are broke as soon as they're done playing, but you still hate to see it happen.

[quote][b]Billy[/b] - A multi million dollar mistake!
[/quote]

Yep. Justin Houston failed a drug test at the combine and fell from a projected 1st rounder to the third round, also a mulit-million dollar mistake. When you consider the hazards of playing football, that rookie contract could be the only one a player ever gets. It just makes you wonder what goes through a player's head?

@Tewise: It's a drama set in the early part of the 20th century that tells the story of the fictional Crawley family and their servants. It's in the third season on PBS on Sunday nights, but you can also stream it on Netflix or Amazon Prime,

@nowheregirl: Very good question. Since taxpayers are paying for the lot, the University better not be getting the (admittedly small) benefit of football parking revenue.

[quote][b]fmrclarketchr[/b] -
Also, does anyone know what's happening at Peter Street/Olympic Drive? I missed that one.
[/quote]

I was wondering about that myself.

I'm betting it will only be full 6 days a year

[quote][b]fixit[/b] - $2.30 million for 223 parking places. $10,000 per space. Incredible.
[/quote]

Yes, but didn't you see all the "green" enhancements that it has?

I would think that locking a bike up in that lot would be an almost certain way to ensure that your bike will be gone when you come back.

Sometimes maybe the only thing that can/should be said is that this is a very sad reality for some, and more should be done to stop it.

I'm pretty sure PSY's 15 minutes are just about up (at least here in the U.S.)

By all means Kim, please go away

I think ALL beverages that contain caffeine should clearly state the caffeine content so consumers can at least be more informed. Also, while I wouldn't support an outright ban, I think drinks that are above a certain threshold (say 75mg caffeine/12oz) should be age restricted to 18+.

I know he's not going to hang around forever, but I was hoping he'd stay for another year or two. Oh well...

I wrestled for Coach Thurmond back when he was at Johnson High School in Gainesville. He really is a class act, and I applaud him and all of his kids for their success.

@webbty80: Is that the new Soylent Green Tabasco?