Obey the law or use common sense?

[Smokin Joe]

A dyslexic walks into a bra...

 

[mary-jane]

...and says "ouch".

 

[PaulB]

A middle aged man who has sex with an experienced 13 year old girl who is a willing participant might well persue the same line of argument.

And indeed did in the famous case of Bill Wyman and Mandy Smith. Only thing was, no-one even thought to question it at the time or indeed much since. Now has the law changed or is it our attitude to the law that's changed? If the latter, have we all not been manipulated by the media to force us to comply and toe the line?

 

[yenrod]

During an aborted ride from Bournemouth to Lulworth Cove I happened to find myself riding along the seafront at Bournemouth just after 10am during August which there is a rule (or maybe even a law) against.

Upon passing a lifeguard hut a voice shouted out it was after 10am and I would have to push my bike. Because the weather was so bad there was no-one about so I said I was sorry but I was going to have to use my common sense and keep riding, if the promenade got crowded I would walk.

Upon passing another lifeguard position they sent out an angry lifeguard who stood in front of me virtually nose to nose and shouted at me to get off my bike. I started to explain my reasons for riding but knowing I was actually in the wrong I didn't persevere and when threatened with a fine decided to cut though a car park to the road.

I know they were only doing what someone else had asked them to enforce and they do a sterling job of pulling people out of trouble in the sea but surely a bit of common sense would have prevailed? There were just as many people pushing their bikes as there were people walking.

And in September if we happen to have a good weekend of weather the place will be rammed and because the rule only applies in August anyone can cycle up and down the prom all day.

Comments?

The jobsworths a self-gratification artist !

 

[Smokin Joe]

And indeed did in the famous case of Bill Wyman and Mandy Smith. Only thing was, no-one even thought to question it at the time or indeed much since. Now has the law changed or is it our attitude to the law that's changed? If the latter, have we all not been manipulated by the media to force us to comply and toe the line?

We've drifted off topic a bit, but if you contrast the treatment Gary Glitter is getting with how Wyman, Pete Towshend, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis among many others were able to continue their careers with no loss of public dignity it does suggest that our attitudes are largely governed by the line the media decide to take.

 

[tdr1nka]

The jobsworths a W*NKER !

One could argue, in the first instance, that choosing to ignore a by law and an earlier request to stop is a bit w*nky too?

 

[saddlesoar]

Crikey! I didn't mean to start a slagging match between senior members!

You can grumble all you want, I think you're just miffed at being caught out.

Of course I was miffed. Who wouldn't be?
I can't deny I was in the wrong. I'm not a habitual lawbreaker. I even used to stop at red lights when I was a cycle courier. It just seems to me that with all the new laws we may turn into a nation of mindless automatons incapable of doing anything without the government telling us if we can do it or not.

Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men

I like this quote but there are probably more fools than wise men at the moment, unfortunately. Which is why the law about riding on the prom is there and strictly enforced. And this kind of opposes what I said above.

Today I went to the same stretch of prom again with my bike, but had finished cycling by 10am so no problems. I even stayed below the 10mph speed limit! Interestingly after 10am I did see three vans, a digger and a road train go by on the prom. Also early in the morning, when no people were about there where dogs on the beach, without leads, despite the signs saying no dogs on the beach at this time of year and if you have them on the prom they must be on a lead. But I can't complain about last considering my law bending last weekend!

Also,it is nothing to do with the RNLI,it is a council by-law

I saw the same guy that shouted at me this weekend and he had "Beach Warden" on his T-Shirt. So I guess that means he was a council employee, if that makes a difference.

 

[Night Train]

Today I went to the same stretch of prom again with my bike, but had finished cycling by 10am so no problems. I even stayed below the 10mph speed limit! Interestingly after 10am I did see three vans, a digger and a road train go by on the prom. Also early in the morning, when no people were about there where dogs on the beach, without leads, despite the signs saying no dogs on the beach at this time of year and if you have them on the prom they must be on a lead. But I can't complain about last considering my law bending last weekend!

It takes a good person to uphold the law and an even better one to uphold the law even when all others are flouting it. :?:

 

[Kovu]

We've drifted off topic a bit, but if you contrast the treatment Gary Glitter is getting with how Wyman, Pete Towshend, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis among many others were able to continue their careers with no loss of public dignity it does suggest that our attitudes are largely governed by the line the media decide to take.

But has that not always been the case? The media has always influenced our ideas and opinions on certain matters.

 

[PaulB]

Some laws are clearly drawn up by the incompetent and enforced by the most feeble minded members of our society. One 86 year old man round here got a huge fine because the lid on his dustbin was raised! The fact that as he lived on his own and couldn't possibly have generated that amount of rubbish so his bin was clearly overfilled by someone else was ignored in the council's clamour to take more money off him.

Recent laws now tell us that previously advisory road signs in car parks such as those in supermarkets are now regarded as legally enforceable. It's taking our discretion away. It's reached the point that people are terrified to use their judgement anymore. I'm sure we've all seen people sitting at a red temporary traffic light when it's perfectly clear the road ahead has no traffic on it at all. Taking the line that "the law must be obeyed at all costs" would mean subjecting yourself to the whim of a council employee in this case (and wouldn't the power crazed no-marks love that?) I'll repeat again my assertion that if you genuinely believe the law is an ass
or irrelevant in a given situation, then you'd be mad not to challenge it.

 

[ufkacbln]

SafePavement......


I know its the law, but as I am a brilliant cyclist I can ride however I like within my own limits. This is because I am the best judge of what it is safe for me to do. Laws are merely a vindictive oppression of cyclists, and a money raising tool for the Government with no effect on the price of bananas road safety.

Sound familiar..........?

 

[swee'pea99]

A friend reported emerging from a restaurant in smalltown Sweden late in the evening to find a huddle of people waiting at the crossing for the lights to say they could cross the road - the only car in sight being around 1/2 kilometre away, and parked. Zey voz only obeyink orders!

 

[Dayvo]

[quote name='swee'pea99']A friend reported emerging from a restaurant in smalltown Sweden late in the evening to find a huddle of people waiting at the crossing for the lights to say they could cross the road - the only car in sight being around 1/2 kilometre away, and parked. Zey voz only obeyink orders![/QUOTE]

The Swedes looked at me incredulously when I happily crossed the road on a red pedestrian light!
Some actually said that you can't cross the road at a red light. I replied that you can't actually get knocked down and injured by a vehicle that isn't there! They condescendingly replied that that wasn't the point. That I HAD to obey the law! Bollox to that!

 

[rich p]

The Swedes looked at me incredulously when I happily crossed the road on a red pedestrian light!
Some actually said that you can't cross the road at a red light. I replied that you can't actually get knocked down and injured by a vehicle that isn't there! They condescendingly replied that that wasn't the point. That I HAD to obey the law! Bollox to that!

Rebel!

 

[Dayvo]

Rebel!

Without a cause; or should that be b-cause!