I hate America

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I AM SOOOOOO MAD!!!!!!

Everyone in America is soo stupid!!!

Everyone sues everyone for everything!!!  And it's illegal to do innocent ass stuff!!!  What the heck?!?!!?

I almost got a 175 dollar ticket for skating down a city block.  But we all ran away, so that stupid cop couldn't do anything.

And then people say, 'oh he's just doing his job', shut up he's not doing his job!!!  


I'm never standing up for that stupid national anthem ever again!!!  'Liberty and justice for all' my ass!!!

And all these people are like, oh respect the judicial branch and the judicial system...  Man **** the system!!!  The system is stupid!!!
 And who ever came up with these stupid gay marriage and weed laws are stupid.

[j_menz]

So, you're unhappy that you didn't get a ticket for breaking a law you personally find inconvenient and therefore think the whole system is beyond redemption?

I'm missing your point, I'm afraid.

[ajspiano]

So, you're unhappy that you didn't get a ticket for breaking a law you personally find inconvenient and therefore think the whole system is beyond redemption?

I'm missing your point, I'm afraid.

The opinion is probably a fair one, he just has all the wrong reasons.

[iansinclair]

There are lots of laws and regulations which are strange... some of which I myself find inconvenient -- or just annoying.  But... that is part of what we get for living in a more or less democratic society.  And, if one doesn't like a law, it is sometimes possible to persuade other people of your view and change it.

For Rach, though... I would point out that you are free to move wherever you might choose, within rather broad limits.  Would you prefer... say... Russia?  How about... France even? 

[austinarg]

You got it wrong, it's 'Murica.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

So, you're unhappy that you didn't get a ticket for breaking a law you personally find inconvenient and therefore think the whole system is beyond redemption?

I'm missing your point, I'm afraid.

No I'm unhappy that I almost got a ticket for doing nothing.

And as I was thinking about it, I was reminded of how America sucks.

[ajspiano]

No I'm unhappy that I almost got a ticket for doing nothing.

I thought you skated down a city block..?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I thought you skated down a city block..?

That's is doing nothing!!!

[j_menz]

That's is doing nothing!!!

Hmm... spot the difference:

 

BTW, you should get one of these on a T-Shirt:

[ajspiano]

That's is doing nothing!!!

Here I thought it was skating, down a city block..  which is no doubt against the law where you were...  because you could potentially run into something, like a woman with a baby. Its a legally enforced caution, like dont drive too fast, or wear a seat-belt.

Don't they have parks specifically designed for skating?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Here I thought it was skating, down a city block..  which is no doubt against the law where you were...  because you could potentially run into something, like a woman with a baby. Its a legally enforced caution, like dont drive too fast, or wear a seat-belt.

Don't they have parks specifically designed for skating?

I asked the cop why can't we skate here.

And he was like, 'yeah man, it damages property, and if you fall and hurt yourself, you can sue the building'.  WHAT THE HECK?!!!

First off, it DOES NOT damage property.  I don't know where the hell people get that from.  

I can sue the building what the heck?!  So if someone's walking down the street and they trip on their shoelace and fall and break their arm, they can sue the building?!  That's stupid!!!  

I remember one time my dad got in a fight at his job and he fell down the stairs and tore his ACL.  He was feeling salty so he called this radio station to ask if he could sue the company he's working for.  SHUT UP DAD!!!  STOP BEING SUCH A DOUCHEBAG!!!

I could potentially run into something?  Are you kidding me?!  You could potentially run into something even if you're walking, or riding a bike, or riding a segway or...  Running.

Skateboarding is no different than riding a bike, or a segway, or inline skating.

And what the hell is with longboarders?!?!!?  They don't get anything from cops what the heck?!?!!?


Skateparks aren't as good as street spots.  For example, if you're from where I live and like skating stairs or handrails, you wouldn't come to my local parks.  One only has a tiny 4 stair with no handrail, and the other one has an 8 stair with a handrail, but it has white concrete so the the sun reflects off the ground and the park turns into an oven.  There's no shade.  And on top of that you have to wear helmets.  The run up on the stair set is really short so it's difficult to get enough speed to do any trick down it, and the handrail is too mellow, so it's dangerous.  Catch my drift?  This is precisely the reason why street is better.  

 Or it's too crowded.  Or you have to pay to get in.  Or you need to wear a helmet.  Or they're not open 24/7.  Or from 3-5 every day they kick you out because have skate lessons for little kids trying to learn but they don't learn anything.  

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Hmm... spot the difference:

 

BTW, you should get one of these on a T-Shirt:

Hey I was skating down the block!

There are a couple shirts like that you can buy, but I wouldn't buy one.  I just wear plain t-shirts or button ups.

[j_menz]

You could potentially run into something even if you're walking, or riding a bike, or riding a segway or...  Running.

Quite so. It's why I go everywhere in one of these:



Much safer.

BTW, doesn't the copious amount of blood you leave trailing after your various misadventures on a skateboard cause, if not damage, at least a certain disfigurement to whatever you hit?

[ajspiano]

You could potentially run into something even if you're walking, or riding a bike, or riding a segway or...  Running.

The thing about walking is that if you run into someone you won't do yourself or the other person nearly as much damage.

If you're running through a busy area it may not be illegal, that would probably piss people off too and it is relatively unsafe. Thats why they say "no running" in certain places.

If you're riding a bike you should be on the road not the sidewalk.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Quite so. It's why I go everywhere in one of these:



Much safer.

BTW, doesn't the copious amount of blood you leave trailing after your various misadventures on a skateboard cause, if not damage, at least a certain disfigurement to whatever you hit?

We get a lot of minor injuries, a lot of really small road rashes, like the color of your skin is still there.  And tomorrow you'll be a little sore.  But a serious one like a rolled ankle or a broken bone is rare.  When most people see us fall, they're like...

Random person:  omg are you all right?

Us:  what the heck get out of my face I'm fine...

Random person:  but your elbow is bleeding!

Us:  where?  Oh there?  That little ass scratch!  It's not even bleeding, my skin is just a little peeled...

Besides, you don't fall and hurt yourself from skating down the street.  That like never happens.



We fall on the ground.  We don't run into poles or anything.  And if we do hit something, we take the most damage, not the object.


ANYWAYS, could you stick to one account?  It's tiring to have to reply to two versions of you.  Just type up everything in one comment.  THANKS...

[rachmaninoff_forever]

If you're riding a bike you should be on the road not the sidewalk.

That's why I skate down the street if it's not busy.  I don't wanna get hit by a car. 

Well it's not a sidewalk the whole block is just this one building and this giant Picasso statue.  So there's a lot of room to move around.  it's a plaza!  There we go!  Just the word I was looking for!

However, if it's like Michigan Avenue or something, there's tons of people walking on the sidewalk so there's no room to skate.  And do you know what we do when there's no room to skate?  We don't skate!

[j_menz]

If you're riding a bike you should be on the road not the sidewalk.

People who ride bicycles on the road should be locked up. And the key thrown away.

[pjaul]

I can sue the building what the heck?!  So if someone's walking down the street and they trip on their shoelace and fall and break their arm, they can sue the building?!  That's stupid!!!  

In the American city where I'm from, the sidewalk outside of storefronts is the responsibility of the store to maintain, although it is public property.  So, if a store is negligent and let's its sidewalk go to ruins, injuries or damage caused by the ruined sidewalk are likely the fault of the store.

[lostinidlewonder]

At least you're not living in a 3rd world country.

Skaters do generally damage property when they perform grinding tricks. Not all skaters do it but many do.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

In the American city where I'm from, the sidewalk outside of storefronts is the responsibility of the store to maintain, although it is public property.  So, if a store is negligent and let's its sidewalk go to ruins, injuries or damage caused by the ruined sidewalk are likely the fault of the store.

So if I trip and fall, I could say that it's he sidewalks fault.

That's ridiculous. 

The law may say that it's the fault of the store, but it's really not.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

At least you're not living in a 3rd world country.

Skaters do generally damage property when they perform grinding tricks. Not all skaters do it but many do.

No matter how hard someone skates a ledge, you can still sit on it.  Skating stairs or handrails won't render them useless.  Most people can't even tell the difference between a skated ledge/rail vs a non skated one.  I've never seen any damaged property caused directly by skating.

However, I have seen people cut through gates and use power tools to make non-skateable stuff skateable.  Now THAT'S a big no no.

[ajspiano]

People who ride bicycles on the road should be locked up. And the key thrown away.

I'm talking about a city street. There are places its appropriate and places it isnt.

If any nut job road their bike down flinders st in melbourne on the sidewalk rather than the road they probably would get locked up.. or atleast I'd hope so.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I'm talking about a city street. There are places its appropriate and places it isnt.

If any nut job road their bike down flinders st in melbourne on the sidewalk rather than the road they probably would get locked up.. or atleast I'd hope so.

My aunt HATES bikers.  She thinks that it should be illegal.

ANYWAYS what the heck is up with this illegal gay marriage and smoking weed?!?!?!

I hate everyone!!!

[gyzzzmo]

And you think the skateboarding thing is ridiculous?
What about the legal guns for everybody, the brainless support for Israel, 'legalized' torture abroad by americans, and creating breedingplaces for terrorism with all the innocents being bombed with drones? Yeah, go worry about your skateboard 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

And you think the skateboarding thing is ridiculous?
What about the legal guns for everybody, the brainless support for Israel, 'legalized' torture abroad by americans, and creating breedingplaces for terrorism with all the innocents being bombed with drones? Yeah, go worry about your skateboard 

I will end the world...

[outin]

People who ride bicycles on the road should be locked up. And the key thrown away.

Where should I ride mine then? 

[ajspiano]

Where should I ride mine then? 

[outin]

I normally use my broom for that...

[ajspiano]

I normally use my broom for that...

 

I'm afraid we may have to burn you alive.

'murica.

[j_menz]

I'm talking about a city street. There are places its appropriate and places it isnt.

So am I. To correct you to equate to my view...

If any nut job road their bike down flinders st in melbourne on the ... road they should get locked up.. or at least I'd hope so.

My aunt HATES bikers.  She thinks that it should be illegal.

That's two things (at least) I like about her.

[j_menz]

I normally use my broom for that...

Then you have no excuse for the bicycle at all.

Quidditch anyone?

[outin]

I'm afraid we may have to burn you alive.

'murica.

You'll have to catch me first!

Note to self...stay away form American airspace...

[outin]

Then you have no excuse for the bicycle at all.

Oh but I do, my broom runs on moonlight...it's an eco model...

[ajspiano]

So am I. To correct you to equate to my view...

you NSW people are just nutty.

[ajspiano]

Note to self...stay away form American airspace...

More seriously, perhaps avoid saudi arabia and/or cameroon.

[outin]

More seriously, perhaps avoid saudi arabia and/or cameroon.

That should be ok, as long as I wear my burka...

[j_menz]

That should be ok, as long as I wear my burka...

Nope. Your bicycle would be OK, but only if you are accompanied by a male relative/husband. Not sure whether your broom is analogous to a bike or a car. If the latter, burka or no burka you still can't use it.

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/01/saudi_arabia_lifts_ban_on_women_riding_bicycles/

[Bob]

Haha.... Since you posted online -- Has the NSA found you yet?

This post will be "stored," but not "collected" for future reference.


*The next day Rach4 finds a quarter-sized black box attached (almost, but not quite hidden) to his skateboard.*


Actually, I wonder if Nils has ever had to release data about this website, like ip addresses. I think the site is in Texas.  Nils is in Sweden?  Users are all over, but mainly in English-speaking countries.... The NSA is storing all that non-US data.... and the US data that happens to get caught while storing that non-US data.  Of course, Nils couldn't tell us.  If we ask and he denies... that's our proof.   Haha.

[the_fervid_pig]

Nope. Your bicycle would be OK, but only if you are accompanied by a male relative/husband. Not sure whether your broom is analogous to a bike or a car. If the latter, burka or no burka you still can't use it.

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/01/saudi_arabia_lifts_ban_on_women_riding_bicycles/

Know a bloke who was stationed in Saudi a good few years back, he says women there are banned from all sorts of things, but they still do it, there's ways around it. For example, they drive if the bloke says they have to do the shopping, pick kids up from school etc.

[iansinclair]

Just remember folks... in many places, even in the US, it is illegal to defend yourself against attack.  It is illegal disparage some religious beliefs.  It is illegal to dress in certain ways.  It is illegal to take a bottle of water through the check-in at an airport.  It is illegal to criticise your government.  It is illegal to...

Freedom is not free; one must be on guard constantly to ensure that the freedom to do things which do not harm your neighbour (for example, riding a skateboard down a street!) is not compromised or taken away by those who, having acquired power, believe that they know what is best for you and then proceed to force you to do it.

I may not like what you do.  This, however, does not give me the right to force you to not do it, with the sole exception that I do have the right to defend myself if what you are doing actually harms me or my family.

For those with very very long memories... the group I served with, proudly, many decades ago, has the motto "de oppreso liber"...

[h_chopin148]

Quidditch anyone?

So we have Harry Potter fans on pianostreet? 

[j_menz]

So we have Harry Potter fans on pianostreet? 

Nope. He never played for the Wollongong Warriors. I support my local team, thanks. 

[chopin2015]

Dude...do you drive? DON'T!!!!!!!!!! I have 1 more strike before I get my license revoked...and I'm only 21!!! Could you imagine how many accident's I've been in? Dude, don't let me even begin to tell you the tickets I have had to deal with!!! No reflectors on my 1998 acura, reckless driving then the same cop pulled me over the next day and gave me a ticket for following too closely...I just want to punch the next person that looks at me wrong!!!!

[outin]

Dude...do you drive? DON'T!!!!!!!!!! I have 1 more strike before I get my license revoked...and I'm only 21!!! Could you imagine how many accident's I've been in? Dude, don't let me even begin to tell you the tickets I have had to deal with!!! No reflectors on my 1998 acura, reckless driving then the same cop pulled me over the next day and gave me a ticket for following too closely...I just want to punch the next person that looks at me wrong!!!!

Please don't! I don't think you'll be allowed to log into PS when in jail...Maybe they won't even have a piano for you to play Chopin...You'd be missed

[the_fervid_pig]

Dude...do you drive? DON'T!!!!!!!!!! I have 1 more strike before I get my license revoked...and I'm only 21!!! Could you imagine how many accident's I've been in? Dude, don't let me even begin to tell you the tickets I have had to deal with!!! No reflectors on my 1998 acura, reckless driving then the same cop pulled me over the next day and gave me a ticket for following too closely...I just want to punch the next person that looks at me wrong!!!!

Wow, over here you may possibly have already lost it! You'd get 3 points for each offence, if you get 6 while you've only been driving for a couple of years you get your license revoked. Maybe you should get a slower car, I'd suggest a 1980's Landy Defender. Some have cages over the lights so they never break, and they can pull a piano. Less accident damage too. At least to your car.

[chopin2015]

Please don't! I don't think you'll be allowed to log into PS when in jail...Maybe they won't even have a piano for you to play Chopin...You'd be missed

D'AWWWWW

My car is already a 4 cylinder...I really don't think I'm the one who needs to change here 

[davidjosepha]

ANYWAYS what the heck is up with this illegal gay marriage and smoking weed?!?!?!

idk, stupid laws, they're both on their way out though. I'd be surprised if weed wasn't legal on a federal level in 10 years, same with gay marriage.

'murica.

Aussies are not allowed to say that. Americans shouldn't say it, but they're allowed to.

[the_fervid_pig]

I'd be surprised if weed wasn't legal on a federal level in 10 years, same with gay marriage.

10 years behind us...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338279

Keep up over there.....

[davidjosepha]

10 years behind us...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338279

Keep up over there.....

Only seeing gay marriage in that article there, and my state, Minnesota, has already passed a bill that will allow gay marriage, starting August 1st, I believe, a bit sooner than the UK. We also have decriminalized possession of under 42.5g of cannabis. How's putting people in prison for years over a bit of bud working out for you guys in the UK?

[the_fervid_pig]

There's been civil partnerships here for a good few years, but this makes things legal in the same way as any other marriage.
Technically you can be imprisoned for up to 5 years for possession, it was reclassified in 2009, but in practise this rarely happens, especially on a first offence. Prisons are already overcrowded, each case is judged individually, taking into account intended usage and the character of the individual. They're heavier on supply and most of the time possession for small amounts of any classification  just gets a fine or community service.