The owner of this Toyota Pious saw me in a parking lot with my kids. We were in the Stop and Shop lot in Pittsfield, MA. She saw my two kids with their heads out the window and stormed up to me in a chastened tone and reminded me that I could be put in jail for that. When I asked if she would like to see me in jail for raising my kids the way I see fit, she scampered off smugly.
I used to think folks like this did not exist, until a few days later when we were in s local pizza shop. My son as he is sometimes prone to doing had half his butt hanging off of a three foot high stool. Now, aside from the fact that I was standing right next to him with an eye on him and aside from the fact that he never falls and aside from the fact that he already disobeyed my request to sit up straight (for posture reasons and manners) … Did it ever occur to anyone that I might want him to fall out of that chair? What’s that old expression about experience being the best teacher?
So being in Pittsfield, what do you think happened? Another woman came charging over to help straighten him up because, “I just can’t bear to see him fall!”
I said nothing to her I think because I was stunned. I still am.
Like these tyrants really have my own children’s best interests at heart? Like they care about them anywhere near I do? That in one case one would relish a cop with guns taking away the kids’ father right in front of them for the heinous act of allowing them to feel what a breeze in their hair would feel like in an empty parking lot?
Without danger, there will be far less delight. Would these tyrants have prevented me from creek walking with my kids the week prior? That was after all far more dangerous? And if these tyrants want thugs with guns to deal with the way I raise my kids, just imagine how else they’d get a thrill at deploying the police power?
I will teach my children to stay far far far away from these sorts of people. They are pure evil, and they live next door. Pardon me.
I completely agree that such people are jerks. But what if your son was not on a 3-ft. stool but a 20 ft wall? And what if he was standing on one leg, rather than sitting on three? My point is that telling you how to raise your children “properly” seems rude and patronizing BECAUSE you are a caring and cautious parent who truly has your kids’ best interest in mind. If you were a terrible parent I would see such people as kind, caring individuals…sure, they think they know best, but in that case maybe they at least know better.
There may be a time for Good Samaritanship, but how do you know– how does anyone know– when that is? And if we can’t know, when (if ever) is it morally permissible (or even morally required) to step in and do what you think is right, even if it means telling others how to live?
I agree 100% Wintercow. Falling off a stool properly, moreover, is a skill young American men should master, and the earlier the better. Came in quite handy during my college years as I recall. Hell had I been there I there I might have even given him a little nudge…
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers!
Where are your contact details though?
I could not possibly agree with you more. I regularly tell my kids that one very simple (and cheap) way to make the world a far far better place would be to convince people to mind their own business more often.
As an aside, yesterday I saw a Prius in our motel’s parking lot with an Obama 2012 sticker. I wonder, isn’t that pretty much implied? Is a verbose sticker really necessary? I think it’s superfluous.
Ok, I’m going to dissent here.
First of all, I’m in no way sticking up for either of these people, and I would have been pretty offended if this happened to me. That being said, I find the first incident far more offensive than the second. At least the second woman in theory could have been doing this out of misguided concern, and she didn’t threaten the use of force. But that still doesn’t make it ok.
In any case, I question the wisdom of using phrases like “totalitarian” and “pure evil” to describe people that are simply jerks, but nothing more, nothing less (at least from what can infer about them based on limited information). Rather than resort to name-calling, I think you build credibility if you rise above the whole thing. My suspicion is that most people like this are full of hot air and are unlikely to actually follow through on the threat to call the police. Perhaps I’m too willing to give people the benefit of the doubt here, but giving people the benefit of the doubt isn’t always bad. Of course, I’m not saying that their conduct is acceptable.
I’m presuming that by posting the picture of the vehicle, with its bumper sticker displayed prominently, that you are attempting to make some comment about this person’s worldview. I object to the notion that the type of car one drives, or the stickers on that car will be much of a predictor either way as to whether or not that person is likely to be a jerk. Some of the most intolerable people I’ve ever met had worldviews similar to my own. At the same, I’ve met plenty of people with very opposite views that I didn’t like either, and my reasons for not liking them had little to do with their opinions on important issues.
Also, even if the person in question were pure evil, I still would have blocked out the license plate. (This website if viewable to the general public, after all).
I second Andrew. It’s easy to get irritated when these people tell you off. But I doubt that even Lenore Skenazy, the national archivist for stuff like this, would call these people “pure evil”. More like sanctimonious and pestering.
Why does this person deserve the courtesy of me blocking out their license plate when she threatened to call the police on me? And why do they deserve being treated like reasonable human beings when she ran away after I asked her name and why she cared so much?
Growing up where I did this person would have been punched in the face – I thought I was being a “good boy” for restraining myself from doing that, or at least from deflating all of her tires.
I used to feel more like Dan and Andrew. I really did. Not anymore. But rather than depress all of you I’ll end the comment here.
I absolutely love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal
website and would like to learn where you got this from or what the theme is named.
Many thanks!
Pittsfield Ma. That’s all you had to say. That’s loony-toon central even by Ma standards.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. I think that you ought to publish more on this issue, it
may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not discuss these topics.
To the next! Many thanks!!
Why should her license plate not be visible? It’s a public thing, there’s nothing secret, or even private, about an automobile license plate. What wintercow should have done was take her photo and put that in this blog, so on the off chance that one of us should be unfortunate enough to encounter that harridan we would know who we were dealing with. In fact, people should photograph others that are classless jerks and these photos should be posted to regional websites organized around their offenses. Additionally, photographs of all government employees, with their name and place of work, should be posted on websites so we can know who the parasites are among us.
179606 774439Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog internet site? The account helped me a appropriate deal. I had been a bit bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided brilliant transparent thought 962362
639932 567365Following I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any method youll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks! 626389
397288 626394Thanks so much for one more post. I be able to get that kind of data data. friend, and exactly. 593477
When someone writes an article he/she retains the image
of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it. Thus that’s why this post is outstdanding.
Thanks!
Remarkable! Its genuinely awesome piece of writing, I have got much clear idea about from this
piece of writing.
Hello there, I discovered your site by way of Google while
searching for a comparable subject, your site
came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just changed into alert to your weblog via Google, and found that it’s
really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
I’ll appreciate should you proceed this in future.
Numerous other people will be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site.
I am hoping to view the same high-grade content from you in the future as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me
to get my own website now 😉
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your web site,
how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account helped me a
applicable deal. I were tiny bit acquainted of this
your broadcast offered shiny transparent concept
Right now it appears like Expression Engine is the
best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are
using on your blog?
My brother recommended I might like this website. He used to be entirely right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how so much time I had spent for
this information! Thanks!
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little
changes that will make the greatest changes. Many thanks for
sharing!
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am
glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The web
site style is ideal, the articles is really excellent : D.
Good job, cheers
bookmarked!!, I really like your website!
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
I always spent my half an hour to read this blog’s content
all the time along with a cup of coffee.
Great post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m inspired!
Very helpful information specifically the final section 🙂 I care for such
information a lot. I used to be looking for this particular information for
a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
708199 246441Very informative post. Your current Internet site style is awesome as nicely! 899687
I every time spent my half an hour to read this web
site’s articles daily along with a cup of coffee.
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid
to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
852716 52471Safest messages, or a toasts. are normally launched at 1 point during the wedding but are likely to just be hilarious, humorous to unusual as effectively. greatest man jokes 727186
422524 801536Thank you for every other informative internet site. Exactly where else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect means? Ive a mission that Im just now operating on, and Ive been at the appear out for such info. 503965
Hello very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing
.. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?
I’m glad to seek out so many useful information here in the submit,
we need develop extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
Hi friends, its great post concerning educationand completely defined, keep
it up all the time.
I’ve been using https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/collections/full-spectrum-cbd-oil through despite a while conditions and they’ve creditably been a game-changer as regards force and sleep. The first-rate part? No grogginess in the morning impartial a undisturbed composed feeling up front bed. Gain they taste extraordinary opposite from some other supplements Ive tried. I was skeptical at first but after devotedly using them I can indubitably say they domestics with unwinding after a extended day. If youre looking on a ordinary way to chill without any preternatural side effects CBD gummies are significance trying. Just get steadfast you fathom a eminence stamp with third-party testing
I was skeptical yon CBD at initial, but after frustrating them like joy organics hemp gummies, I’m exceptionally impressed. They offer a suitable and enjoyable sense to pick CBD without any hassle. I’ve noticed a calming object, outstandingly in the evenings, which has helped with both stress and sleep. The beat some is the pre-measured dosage, so there’s no guessing involved. If you’re looking as a remedy for an unhurried and tasty way to encounter CBD, gummies are unquestionably benefit all things—straight modify steady to buy from a well-thought-of sort!
754071 557338Hey there! Fantastic stuff, please do tell us when you post once more something similar! 493090
CBD products present a expedient and enjoyable way to experience the effects of this compound. These gummies come in various flavors potencies and formulations providing users with controlled dosing and long-lasting effects. Many consumers appreciate them for moderation stress relief. Degree it’s important to digest them responsibly as effects may ferry longer to recoil in compared to smoking or vaping. Forever verification dosage guidelines and certify compliance with nearby laws before purchasing or consuming.
827444 312559Most beneficial gentleman speeches and toasts are produced to enliven supply accolade up to the wedding couple. Newbie audio system the attention of loud crowds need to always consider typically the great norm off presentation, which is their private. best man speaches 453121
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us
so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be
tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and excellent design.
What’s up, I check your blog daily. Your story-telling
style is witty, keep it up!
329344 543838Great weblog here! Also your internet site loads up quickly! What host are you employing? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol 354447
766375 916328This internet website is my breathing in, really great layout and perfect content material . 356799