Archive for the 'Preapocalyptic technological dystopia' Category
At least we don’t live in Las Vegas . . .
. . . where things are so bad Scott Nowicki got his picture in the paper just for riding his bike to work.
Many of my readers know Scott, formerly of Phoenix. My favorite quote from him in the article, about riding a bike in Las Vegas:
“This is dangerous. We’re going to die here.”
The [...]
Firefighter who shot at cyclist released on $200,000 bond
From the Asheville Citizen-Times:
Accused Asheville firefighter posts bond
Staff Reports • July 29, 2009 12:15 AM
ASHEVILLE — A firefighter accused of shooting at a bicyclist, striking him in the helmet, was released from jail Tuesday after a judge reduced his bond.
Charles Alexander Diez, 42, fired at Alan Simons, of Asheville, after arguing with him about riding [...]
Exhibit A
The story:
Firefighter charged with shooting at bicyclist
Josh Boatwright • July 27, 2009 12:33 PM
ASHEVILLE — An Asheville firefighter charged with attempted first-degree murder after witnesses said he shot at a bicyclist, made his first appearance today in Buncombe County District Court.
Charles Alexander Diez, 42, apparently fired at the Asheville man after arguing with him about [...]
Health care
Something that always sends a shiver up my spine is when a client tells me they rejected an ambulance ride because they feared what the cost would do to them.
I even have clients who literally fought their way off gurneys, because they were afraid of financial ruin.
And I regularly have clients who report removing their [...]
Of 143 nations, U.S. ranks 117th in happiness
I get the feeling we in the U.S. are doing something wrong. It turns out that fast-paced, high-consumption living, done mostly from the suburbs or behind the wheel, is not a prescription for personal happiness.
(CNN) — Forget Disneyland! Costa Rica is the happiest place in the world, according to an independent research group [...]
Another Tucson bicycle fatality –Alexander Nuñez
From the AZ Daily Star:
Tucson police identify cyclist killed Thursday
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.03.2009
A man killed Thursday evening while riding his bicycle on West 22nd Street near South Sixth Avenue has been identified as 49-year-old, Alexander Nuñez, police said.
Nuñez was hit by a van in the eastbound lanes of 22nd Street at about [...]
You want to get a ticket or dontcha?
One the things I find the most irksome about the Tucson Police Department’s various bad policies is their habit of telling wounded cyclists that if they have to write up an accident report they are going to give the cyclist a ticket.
Here’s how it works:
A cyclist gets hit by a car, and is lying in [...]
What do you think of this?
Just wondering.
–Erik Ryberg
Report from the William Wilson sentencing
I couldn’t attend, but a reader has written this:
The sentencing for the Mr. Wilson was this morning and I attended. Tucson’s TV channel 13 crew was also there so it will be on today’s news. Bottom line: no jail time, 3 years of probation, he never drives again and he is to remain in an [...]
Vail man reminds us of life’s dangers, urges everyone to stay inside forever
Martha R sent me this from today’s AZ Daily Star:
Re: the June 10 article “Man faces additional charges in cyclist death.”
Having a stroke or some other medical impairment, a tire blowout, equipment failure, are all potential causes for a driver accidentally killing a cyclist riding on the shoulder of a road.
Every person who chooses [...]