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Re: “Hole opens in Cantrell viaduct”
With all the frenzy about handguns in the current Ledge, make that "Gats, tats, and twats."
Re: “Now, Arkansas will be sued”
Who says the state has to defend against the lawsuit? "Your Honor, we've been to law school a time or two in our lives, just like you - and probably the Plaintiff too - and we agree this Act is unconstitutional. We plea no contest." It's the right thing to do, and saves the taxpayers a whole lot of money...
Re: “Rapert's abortion ban is unconstitutional”
Brother Drew, you ought to know better than to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man like Mr. Bell... It just ain't fair ;-)
Re: “David Koon: At the Obama inaugural”
Well written, Dave ! My first trip to DC was just before Christmas in 1993 for a business trip, and a friend and I spent every off hour hiking around to see those same things, and the first place we went was the Lincoln and Washington memorials. I've back there from time to time, and the same urge to explore gets me every time. Thnaks for sharing this!
Re: “Bicyclists call for safer streets in Little Rock”
"The above article states for the rider to ride in the center of lane...You're not going to pass anyone riding in the middle of the lane in city traffic."
Hackett: That's exactly why you do that, called "controlling the lane." You want to make another driver pass you in the same manner as they would any other vehicle, by crossing the lane line and making a legal, safe pass. Otherwise, many drivers underestimate the size of their vehicle and will try to squeeze in through teh same lane as the cyclist.
The average lane width here in LR is 10 feet, 12 in some of the newer areas, and 14 feet in a few rare places like Riverfront Drive. A Ford F-150 pickup, commonly encountered, is 8 feet, 9 inches wide, mirror-to-mirror. Add in the 22 inches width of a typical cyclist, and there simply isn't room for both to fit side-by-side in the same lane, not counting the three feet separation required by law.
So, I teach my students to follow the traffic rules, and put yourself in places where other drivers expect to see other traffic. Control your space in that lane until it is safe to yield that control (such as pulling over to the side to let faster folks pass) and, never compromise your safety for the convenience of someone else.
Being behind a cyclist is no different than being behind one of those horse & buggy rigs that you see downtown, or one of the streetcars, or even one of those blue-haired little old church ladies navigating her way home. With typical LR traffic, the 15 to 20 seconds that you might save in the best case before you hit the next red light or stop sign simply isn't worth another person's life.
Re: “Bicyclists call for safer streets in Little Rock”
Hackett: Arkansas law concerning impeding traffic applies Code applies only to drivers of motor vehicles. Here's the text of the law: 27-51-208. Minimum speed regulation. (a) No person shall drive a _motor_vehicle_ at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law. Human- or animal-powered vehicles are considered to be moving with the normal and reasonable movement of traffic when they are going as fast as they are reasonably expected to. Lollygagging around and practicing trackstands in the middle of the traffic lane would not be kosher, but if you're pedaling along like you're going somewhere, you're okay by the law. Same rule applies to and accommodates slow-movers like farm vehicles, which we also frequently encounter out here in the Delta. And please remember that the term "speed limit" refers to the _maximum_ safe speed set out for that stretch of road; not the speed you are expected to go all the time. Spokes: At least two traffic laws that were violated by Mr. Ward 1)Passing on a blind curve (such as was where the accident occurred) 27-51-307. Restrictions on passing overtaken vehicle on left. (a)(1) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. (2) In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within one hundred feet (100') of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. (b) No vehicle shall, in overtaking and passing another vehicle or at any other time, except upon a one-way roadway, be driven to the left side of the roadway, under the following conditions: (1) When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view along the highway is obstructed; (2) When approaching within one hundred feet (100') of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing; (3) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet (100') of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel; (4) Where official signs are in place directing that traffic keep to the right, or a distinctive center line is marked, which distinctive lines [e.g., the solid double-yellow lines) also so direct traffic as declared in the sign manual adopted by the State Highway Commission. and 2) Failure to safely pass a bicyclist: 27-51-311. Overtaking a bicycle. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of not less than three (3) feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. (b)(1) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (2) A person who violates this section with the violation resulting in a collision causing death or serious physical injury to the person operating the overtaken bicycle shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000) in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law. However, in keeping with Little Rock's national ranking as the most bike-UN-friendliest city in the most bike-UN-friendliest state in the country, it is the practice of most law-enforcement officers not to write a citation unless they personally witness the traffic violation. No citations were issued in this crash, at least not yet, and probably only if Mr. Ward's samples come back positive for DUI or substance abuse, which probably isn't likely.
Re: “The Monday night line UPDATE”
The concept of evil is not unique to Christianity or the Jewish faith, but occurs in most religions. A common concept is that as darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of good, whic may in turn be attributed to the absence of God, or deity. If there is no evil, then why do we arrest and lock up crminals? Why do we wage war in the name of deity, "because those folks are just flat wrong."
Mental illness is one of those things can can cause a person to forsake the community morals and commit a wrong, whther it be theft, vandalism, or murder. In the past, it's been associated with demon possession, which was considered a manifestation of evil.
Current laws are designed to keep criminals from getting hold of guns. It doesn't work all that well, because sociopaths typically aren't criminals (yet) when they formulate their plans and obtain some sort of weapon. Yes, modern weapons make it easier to commit mass murder ina much shorter period of time, but it still happened when the only weapons available were rocks, clubs, and butcher knives. It is the person... the demented or the sociopath that we have to get after to get any sort of grip on preventing these tragedies.
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Re: “Hibernia Irish Tavern”
Not at all impressed after three visits. I'm sure the Irish eat something in addition to mashed potatoes, which seem to be served with nearly every entree.
Loud and noisy, so it's not a place to go have a quiet conversation with friends.
Service was less than stellar, both of the last times I was there with a group they lost my order, never got served with anything except the bill. I will not be going back.