Licensing of Cyclists Redux...

Top of the evening to all...

Over the last several years, I have written several times about licensing cyclists.  Here are two of my blog entries on that: Licensing of Cyclists and Safety Blitz.

My thoughts have not changed much from either of these listings.  Still, it never hurts to look at things again.  So....

Mayor Tory has announced that a program to photograph speeding cars and then to issue citations to the vehicle owners will finally commence in July.  Here is the article from 680 News: Speed Cameras. 

Before I respond to the details of the article, I remind the good folks at 680 News that grammar is important.  Please note the following paragraph:

An image of the license plate will be captured and stored and if an offence is confirmed, a ticket will be mailed to who the license plate is registered too, regardless of who is driving.

Better would be that "a ticket will be mailed to the vehicle registrant."  I object to the above sentence on the grounds that it ought to be taken out and shot.  The sentence is so bad that the only way to save it is to rework it.

Anyway, the article lists several safety concerns.  These are issues that have become more prevalent since the rise of COVID-19.

1.  In nine locations throughout the city, 142,000 vehicles were caught speeding.  That averages out to 986 a day.  It averages out to 15,778 per location.
2.  Since COVID began, the number of cars on the road has plummeted.  However, the number of citations for stunt-driving has increased 600%.

In other news, the Globe and Mail reports that bike sales surge during the pandemic.  It is considered a safe, socially distant activity.  As well, people are not comfortable commuting in crowded trains full of potential carriers.  The article says that car traffic in Toronto was down 55% between March and May.  In the same time period, cycling traffic was up 20%.  

It is possible that once in my cycling career, I could have gotten a speeding ticket.  I managed to hit 63 kph.  I was pedalling downhill with a lovely tailwind.  Beyond that, Mayor Tory has not reported cyclists getting caught stunt-riding.  He has not reported nine locations throughout the city in which cyclists show flagrant disregard for the speed limit.

As I stated in both of my blog entries above, a license is not a guarantee that someone will obey the law.  I further repeat what I wrote in one of those entries: "I would appreciate it if someone could explain to me how licensing cyclists would bring about citywide sunshine and lollipops.  Licensing drivers has clearly not had that effect.  There is no logic whatsoever in assuming it would work on cyclists any more than it does on drivers."

At some point, people will yet again bring up the idea of licensing cyclists.  The idea is useless and irrelevant.  Enforce the laws as they exist.  Everything else will fall into place.

Good night.

R/SCG

Falling Church Attendance...

Top of the evening Ladies and Gentlemen...

I know.  I know.  Why does a rabbi care about falling church attendance?  It is more than just professional respect for my colleagues.

I have been watching with appall as the social upheaval in the United States continues.  Pulling down the statues of people deemed not to be sufficiently woke is the latest crusade of the politically correct.

On some level, I suppose that there is some merit to the removal of some of the monuments.  Many of the statues of the Confederate generals of the US Civil War were put there after the fact, as a backlash to the results of that war.  Perhaps their removal is appropriate.  It is certainly worthy of discussion.

I drew the line today.  Why?  Today was the day I found out that folks in San Francisco pulled down a statue of Ulysses Grant.  General Grant was a slaveowner.  He owned one, to whom he granted freedom in 1859.  He later wrote that "as time passes, people, even of the South, will begin to wonder how it was possible that their ancestors ever fought for or justified institutions which acknowledged the right of property in man."  We know that he led Union troops to end slavery.  We know that he advocated for the rights of freed slaves.

Other statues were pulled down in San Francisco as well.  After toppling the statue of George Washington, it was burned with an American flag wrapped around it.  I am unimpressed at this temper tantrum.

I guess for starters, it might have been nice to have other limited pictures of President Grant in mind in toppling his statue.  Perhaps someone might have said his statue was inappropriate due to his treatment of the Jews.  As a general, he signed an order that President Lincoln had to override ordering the Jewish community out of Tennessee.  Why is that not an issue for me?  When he was President, he and his entire cabinet attended the dedication of Congregation Adas Israel in Washington DC.  He made amends.

A note from Jewish tradition:

בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁבַּעֲלֵי תְּשׁוּבָה עוֹמְדִין אֵין צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים יְכוֹלִין לַעֲמֹד

In a place where those who have returned (repented) stand, even the entirely righteous cannot stand.

I shudder to think that we now live in a world where there is no forgiveness.  I shudder to think that only absolute purity in thought and in deed, from cradle to grave, is the only type of role model we now accept.

No one is without sin.

I wonder whether or not those who are on the rampage are willing to tear down statues of Martin Luther King.  Whatever else he might have done, he was a known philanderer.  That is spouse abuse.  Here is only a small part of that history: https://nypost.com/2006/01/02/mlk-confessed-to-wife/.

However, if we are going to discuss Martin Luther King, I am going to invent a couple of lines to add to one of the most compelling pieces of oratory ever delivered, "I Have a Dream."

I have a dream that we might be remembered for our successes instead of, or even despite, our failures.

I have a dream that we might one day be judged on our growth instead of on our errors.

I have a dream that we might accept that no one is morally pure.

I have a dream that we might accept and be thankful that the list of people in history who oozed evil from every pore is a very short list.

And why did I mention church attendance?  The parable from Christian Testament (John 8:7) leaves us with the famous saying: let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.

Please let this madness end.

Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG

Saturday Night Fever...A Parody...

Good evening to all...

I had a different title for this blog entry in mind. This title works on its own, and I am writing it on a Saturday night.

The following is sung to the tune of "Stayin' Alive," with my deepest apologies to the Bee Gees.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, you can tell by the that I don't cough, I'm a healthy man, don't stand close to talk.

I've been home for three months straight, binge-watching "50 First Dates."

'Cause now it's COVID, a new disease...

And we can't run away it seems.

So we hide, beneath our beds,

And go to work in pajamas.

Whether you're with Brother or whether you're with Mother you're stayin' at home, stayin' at home.

Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin' and we're stayin' at home, stayin' at home.

Oy...Oy...Oy...Oy....stayin' at home, stayin' at home.

Oy...Oy...Oy...Oy....stayin' at home.

                                                                                                                                                              Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG

Social Distancing - Rated R...

Top of the evening to all...

Onward we blunder through the wackiness of COVID.  What is fascinating about this wackiness, and probably about all wackiness, is that wackiness yields wackiness.  For example, I have just managed to use the word 'wackiness' four times in the same sentence.  That would not have happened without the wackiness of COVID.

Anyway, regarding the wackiness of COVID, there is the next generation of COVID wackiness (that is now twice in the same sentence).  What is this next generation of wackiness?  Take note of the following article from the New York Post: NYC Health Department.  

I will cite some of the paragraphs from this article:

"The newest advisory is an expanded version of one released in March, 

which warned against kissing and in-person dates, 

saying masturbation was the safest type of sex."

"That's still the case - with officials suggesting hopping on a computer in order to get off."

"Video dates, sexting, subscription-based fan platforms, 

sexy 'Zoom parties' or chat rooms may be the best option for you."*

There are other ideas in this article.  There are, however, at least two obvious pieces of advice that are absent from the New York City Department of Health's guidelines.  As well, at least one suggestion could hold hidden dangers.

The obvious pieces of advice?  First, it is entirely safe regarding COVID to have no partner whatsoever.  There is no need for a mask, though a mask could be fun in its own right.  The other obvious piece of advice, if abstaining is not the right choice, is to have only one partner on a permanent basis. Above and beyond questions of COVID, this is a recipe for good physical, mental, and emotional health.

The dangerous piece of advice is "officials suggesting hopping on a computer in order to get off."  I mean...really!  There is hardly enough room for one person on the computer.  Two people on it...you might end up breaking the hard drive.  The washing machine is really much better suited for this than the computer.  And what if the computer has a virus?  I thought we were trying to avoid viruses.  And do you really want to zoom through this?

Despite the last paragraph, this was a serious blog entry.

Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG

Improper Use of Metaphor...

Good morning to all.

I have been too serious of late.  This blog entry is more tongue-in-cheek.

You are all aware of my dislike of the misuse of words.  I poked fun at it in a previous blog entry: Apologies to My Unpaid Editors... 

It has been almost five years since I wrote that entry.  Sadly, little has changed.  My least favourite word is present in that entry, and is still a problem today.  The word is 'literally.'

In general, adverbs are often not necessary.  The strength of the word on its own should be sufficient to eliminate the need for an adverb.  Adverbs can be useful if a homework assignment requires a certain number of words.  Beyond that, they are usually best left alone.

The lack of necessity should be sufficient to remove the word 'literally' from daily use.  However, and alas, it is far worse than the use of an unnecessary word.  It is also the improper use of a word.

A couple of definitions are in order.

According to Merriam-Webster:

Simile - a comparison of two unlike things that is often introduced by 'like' or 'as.'

Example: he was like the fly on Aesop's chariot crying oh what a dust do I raise.

Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.

Example: I cannot match the senator from Massachusetts in decibels or Jezebels.

*Please note that the use of 'literally' in the definition of metaphor is Merriam-Webster's.  Also, the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia once used the first piece from Aesop's fables in reference to another senator.  The late Jesse Helms of North Carolina used the metaphor of Jezebel (check your Bible) in reference to the late Senator Ted Kennedy.

I point this out because of what I believe to be the questionable use of metaphor as a literal term.  

Please note the following quotation:

"I am literally going to explode."

I hear this all too often.  I guess it is technically possible.  Still, even Calvin has challenges with it:

 Calvin and Hobbes

Notwithstanding the comic genius of Bill Waterson in the comic above, human beings likely do not explode, at least not in the literal sense.  It is okay.  To use explosion as metaphor is quite appropriate.  Furthermore, the use of an adverb to modify a metaphor is also appropriate.  However, when the adverb forces the metaphor out of its use as a literary device, there is a problem.  Is a person literally going to explode?  Okay.  Clear the area and get a mop.  

It is probably easier to get rid of the adverb.

Enjoy your day.

R/SCG

The Wisdom of Ambassador Spock...

Top of the evening to all.

When Leonard Nimoy died, I tried to develop a sermon for Yizkor based on the wisdom he offered throughout the years of "Star Trek," both the show and the movies.  The sermon did not come together.  The overwhelming logic did not mesh well with the emotional time that Yizkor is for so many people.  That being said, the research for this sermon is still useful.

With cries for defunding or disbanding the police growing in volume, the city council in Minneapolis is preparing to vote to dissolve its municipal police force.  I suppose that it is prudent to see what is going to happen before passing final judgment.  However, Ambassador Spock has great wisdom to share in the meantime.

What are Minneapolis's reasons for doing it?  "Insufficient facts always invite danger, Captain."  Whatever the reason is, it should be more than one reason.  It should not be a decision made in the moment.  The heinous behaviour of one police officer should not cut it for anyone.

What is the plan?  If the nice folks in Minneapolis really think that everyone is just going to be excellent unto each other, there may be a rude awakening.  If crime has no means of enforcement, it will increase.  The riots in the US last week prove that.  As well, if crime has no means of enforcement, people will take steps to protect themselves and their property.  If you are concerned about people getting shot by the police, what will happen when people who purchase means of self-defense fail to spend the necessary time to become proficient with those means?  So, on behalf of Ambassador Spock, "after a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.  It is not logical, but it is often true."  To the folks in Minneapolis, please be careful what you ask for.  You may get it.

Last, such an abrupt decision carries another long-term danger.  City council could easily tell the police force that the workweek ends on Friday and not to come in on Monday.  What is the plan if this does not work?  We must remember that "as a matter of cosmic wisdom, it has always been easier to destroy than to create."

Again, every policy and procedure at every level of any organization should be subject to constant and ongoing review.  Societies change.  People change.  Technology changes.  All of these changes should have an impact on how we make decisions.  Change is not necessarily bad.  Throwing out the baby with the bathwater though is not going to be the way to go.

Live long and prosper.

R/SCG

Can we stop screaming long enough to talk?

Top of the evening to all.

Wow!!  Please let the carnage that is seizing the United States see a speedy, safe, and productive conclusion.  Part of that conclusion would be helped by protestors making some sort of statement about what they want.

My friends, there is not a single person in the United States, in Canada, or anywhere else in the civilized world who is not completely appalled by the police killing of George Floyd.  It is rare that there is universal agreement on whether the sky is blue.

That being said....

You are all aware that I am military.  In the planning of anything, there are meetings beforehand.  There are meetings during, if possible.  There are meetings afterward.  There is an after-action report filed up the chain of command.  This happens, whether the operation was successful or not.  There is always a lesson to be learned.  There is never complacency based on success.

I point this out because police departments perhaps should follow similar rules.  Many of them likely do.  Just because something worked yesterday does not mean it will work tomorrow.  It is axiomatic that the operation plan will never survive first contact.

With that in mind, the city of Minneapolis has this week banned the use of chokeholds in making arrests.  NYPD banned them back in 1993.  Crime in New York City hit its lowest rates in the late 1990s.  I agree with banning chokeholds.  They are dangerous. They can render a person unconscious in seconds.  There are other ways of restraining someone who is presenting an immediate physical danger.

Many communities are also discussing reducing or defunding the local police services.  Perhaps there are certain things that we can and should do differently.  Just because the current system maintains some semblance of public order, and just because that system more or less allows us to live our lives, does not mean that we cannot do it better.  Perhaps someone sleeping on a park bench illegally might be better handled by a social worker than by the police, both in terms of the situation and terms of the fact that Toronto police recently said that they spend all of their time dealing with 911 calls.  Someone sleeping on a park bench should be handled differently.  A response from a social worker might be better way, or perhaps not, but we can discuss, and we should.

Regarding defunding, be careful what you ask for.  (One wonders how many of the people requesting such defunding live in gated communities, have additional home security, and travel with bodyguards.)  Defunding is a great idea, until someone is breaking into your house.    If nothing else, before defunding, have a plan in place.  Absent that, the US will devolve into the Wild West overnight.  It will be ugly, and it will be bloody.

With concern and fear for the country that birthed me.

R/SCG

Exculpatory Statements...

Top of the afternoon everyone...

It is with revulsion, sadness, and fear that I watch what is going on in the United States right now.  Whatever discussions need to take place on matters of race cannot do so in an atmosphere that has been taken over by violence.

Please note: without question, and without reservation, I stand with those seeking full evidence, disclosure, and trial as necessary for the police officer accused in the murder of George Floyd.

Two things come to mind right now though, and I am curious about your thoughts on both.

1.  The US Park Police used either smoke or tear gas to clear the park right before President Trump walked over to the 'Church of Presidents.'  The New York Post and WTOP report that several people from the US Park Police said that they did know that the President was going to be walking there.  They also denied using tear gas.

Do we believe the Park Police?

2.  Mayor deBlasio of New York City said that the NYPD officer who drew his weapon should lose his badge.  The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) showed a longer video in which the officer's boss was hit over the head with a brick.

Do we believe the PBA?

And I guess that the disturbing part of this is that the answer to both of my questions is going to be a resounding no.  That answer is not from me, and it may or not be from my trusted readers.  It is the resounding answer though because it is far easier for many to believe that the evil President and his misguided minions ordered the tear gas.  It is far easier to believe that a police officer is nothing more than a trigger-happy thug just waiting for an opportunity.

I welcome your thoughts, and absolutely insist that they be civil.  As always, I will delete any comments that do not reflect the friendly tenor that I have tried to maintain on this blog.

Hug the folks around you everyone.

R/SCG