Today's Chuck Norris Fact:
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
--------------------------------------------------
Had another trip up to Loveland today. I've done a lot of driving over the past few days, in less-than-optimum weather, and I've been able to make some observations about drivers in Colorado.
If the car is an Audi, the owner drives like a moron. (We were saw an unusual number of Audis driving very badly, either cutting us off or speeding excessively. It's a pattern I've noticed over time, so I'm just bringing it up now.)
If the car has a ski rack, the owner drives like a moron in the snow. (I've seen this hold true time and again. I suppose that if you're that focused on snow all the time and make that sort of investment, you begin to feel invincible in it.)
If the car has Wyoming plates, the owner drives like a moron. (This was easily apparent from the number of vehicles traveling on I-25 north of Denver that were doing at least 90mph. All of them...ALL OF THEM...had Wyoming tags.)
Now then, your mileage may vary, and yes, this would probably classify as "profiling", but welcome to the real world.
--------------------------------------------------
On the profiling issue, I mean, really, what's the big deal? What so many people call "profiling" is part of the human survival instinct. It's the only good way we have to quantify risk. Profiling is another way to phrase the phenomenon of taking past experiences and applying them to the present. Since we are visual creatures primarily, if we see something (or with profiling, someone) that fits a past negative experience, we are much more likely to react negatively to that thing or person. All that "don't judge a book by its cover" nonsense...that's all well and good for interpersonal relationships and all, but when it comes to life and death? I think I'll continue my profiling, thank you very much, and so will most folks. We simply can't help it.
Consider the following scenario. The worst case occurs, and we have another terrorist attack, this time in Chicago. The Sears Tower is destroyed when two planes crash into it simultaneously. Further research determines that there were four individuals on each plane, each of whom had Muslim names. A quick search through government records brings up pictures of these individuals, and all of them clearly look very Arabic. Do you think the case AGAINST profiling by security personnel would continue to hold up? No, probably not...in fact, I predict that if there is another serious terrorist attack even close to the scale of 9/11, anyone in the US with a Muslim name and Arabic appearance would probably be best to leave the country...IMMEDIATELY. I doubt the public will put up with more of the Democrats' ridiculous palaver if this worst-case should ever come true.
So cut these security folks some slack...they're simply doing what every human being does every day.
--------------------------------------------------
I saw my first car accident today...at least, the first that I wasn't involved in. I was traveling west on US-36 toward Boulder, and I had just gotten to the Flatiron Crossing area. I glanced down to look at something, and when I looked back up, I saw a 16-foot flatbed pickup spinning around two or three times in a huge cloud of smoke. Now, this was about 200-300 yards ahead of me, and in the lanes headed the opposite direction, so I wasn't in any danger. It was very disconcerting, however, as I'd never seen one before. There were probably 30 other cars in the area at the time, and we all got a great view. When I reached the accident (everyone slowed noticeably, as would be expected), the driver of the truck was still sitting in his truck. His truck had ended up mostly facing the correct direction. Directly behind him, a Chevy SUV had been turned completely around and was facing my direction (westbound); it had been hit in the front pretty badly. In front of the SUV but facing the correct eastbound direction, there was a small sedan with a crumpled front end. No one seemed to be hurt, thank God for that. It was quite a surreal scene, though. Heidi has seen several accidents in her life, including a couple where tarps were required to cover...um, things that shouldn't be seen at an accident. But this one was the first in my entire life that I actually saw take place as a witness. Our unforgettable moments can spring up on us at unexpected times and in unusual ways.
--------------------------------------------------
On a lighter note, I rediscovered on of my favorite sights on Sunday while at church. That sight is a smiling baby. There's just something amazing and indescribable at seeing an infant look at you and smile. My son Connor always had a wonderful smile; his was funny because he would stick his tongue out while he was smiling. It was very cute. Katie always had a great smile, too. I don't know how anyone could see a baby smile and not feel joy. Perhaps that should be the test of a truly evil person.
--------------------------------------------------
Shameless plug: the hat I'm wearing in my picture at the top right of the blog? That's a Tilley hat. Those of you who know me personally know that I'm almost never found without it. Tilley hats are some of the most wonderful hats made by human hands. They're reasonably priced, and I say "reasonably" because every Tilley hat is GUARANTEED FOR LIFE. If it wears out, just send it back and they'll send you a brand-spanking-new one, free of charge. They're even insured for the first two years you own it. If you lose it, if it is destroyed in some way through your own negligence, if it is eaten by an elephant (this has actually happened), just send whatever is left, along with half the original price, and Tilley will send you a new one. Tilleys even come with an owner's manual, and my favorite part, the "brag tags". These are small paper tags you can hand out with funny stories and interesting bit of info about Tilley hats, so that you can give them out to folks who ask you. Tilley's own "person-to-person" marketing.
The one in the picture is actually my third. The first one had a stitching problem on the inside, and Tilley replaced it. The second one shrank slightly and didn't fit any more. As Tilleys are also guaranteed not to shrink, Tilley replaced it. I've had this one nearly two years now, and I love it. If you're interested in checking one out for yourself, go to the Tilley website.
--------------------------------------------------
That reminds me...I have to send Heidi's Tilley back to get a different size. I keep forgetting. I'll take care of that ASAP, babe. Once she's got hers, I'll post a pic of her in her own Tilley, alongside me in mine.
Thanks for reading along.
No comments:
Post a Comment