Florence Child Dies in Tractor Accident

rtimgray · Sep 17, 2012

Mace Canute said:
Doing the same thing they did and expecting a different result is not rational.

So by that logic, if they had been letting the child ride along in the past, then there should be nothing wrong with doing it again.

Excellent example of critical thinking.

rd_macgregor · Sep 17, 2012

...Or even if they see the neighbour's kids have ridden along on the mower and not suffered from it yet.
If you asked a parent if it was safe to do that, I bet most would admit it isn't really. Still, many would do it thinking "I'm more careful" or "I can do it safely". We all take calculated risks everyday, but the consequences of taking this kind of risk are just too horrible to contemplate.
Its really a bit late for these folks (and all we can do is extend sympathy), but its worth it for the rest of us to take the hard lesson to heart.
I have to support Mace here: think ahead and visualize the worst that can happen, then take action (or avoid bad decisions) so the worst can't happen. This is a habit that is worth cultivating for your own safety and to avoid a lifetime of self-recrimination and regret.
BOB

Mace Canute · Sep 17, 2012

rtimgray said:
So by that logic, if they had been letting the child ride along in the past, then there should be nothing wrong with doing it again.

Excellent example of critical thinking.

Once again you prove you don't know what "Critical Thinking" is.

Mikeeemo · Sep 17, 2012

I understand what Mace is saying.

About 12 years ago, i got involved with tractors. I was doing a lot of research regarding tractors, implements & methods when i read a report. It was about a guy that gave in to the pleas and let his son ride on the fender while mowing.
The fender broke off and his son fell in to the mower. The report was very detailed and graphic in nature. It got MY attention. I sat down with my young son and explained that we would not be riding the tractor together.

I had considered finding a way for him to ride, prior to that day. It could have been me, or him.
Myself and others pass this kind of info on in efforts to try and prevent tragedy.

My heart aches for that family.

I hope they have the strength to pickup and move forward.

With respect,

Mike

Downeyfire · Sep 17, 2012

First my respect and thoughts to the family.
Now to the meat of it.
Critical thinking. Really. So all the nah Sayers have never done anything that the next day thought back and said that was dumb or when did you all start wearing seatbelts? When it became a law??? How about when you were kids and went on a family trip and played in the back of the car unrestrained.
Accidents are part of life. Without them we don't learn. I see terrible stupid accidents everyday I'm at work. Most due to someone knew better but due to human nature choose poorly and now someone somewhere will grief or be in pain.
I'm not a religious man but I do believe in right and wrong and he who lives in glass houses shouldn't through stones.
And I will be the first to admit I am guilty of allowing my children ride with me while on tractor. Do I know better yes! Do I love to see the joy on their faces as we drive around yes! My children will not live in a plastic bubble. I raise them as I was raised and don't believe my childhood was overly dangerous. I know many will condemn me for my statement but it is wrong to even consider that the poor mother of this child ever had any thought as to the danger.
Excuse my rant but an accident it is.

/pine · Sep 17, 2012

Mace Canute said:
I wish they would quit referring to these as "accidents". That word gives some people the impression that "nothing could be done to prevent it" when in fact one simple thing could have been done to prevent it...not letting the kid ride along!

Exactly...the "mother"should be charged...there is no excuse...

It is going to take something similar to MADD to bring awareness...you can't fix stupidity...

Downeyfire · Sep 17, 2012

Yup more big government to protect us.

/pine · Sep 17, 2012

Downeyfire said:
Yup more big government to protect us.

What in the #$%& does government have to do with intelligence? (other than the lack there of by the electorate)

When was the last time you read *all* the safety precautions that came with any tool or piece of equipment?

Those precautions are written to protect people from their own ignorance and stupidity (which is to blame for this and similar occurrences)...they are mandated by manufacturer insurance not the gov.

The problem is you can't fix stupidity...but you can fix ignorance...

Downeyfire · Sep 17, 2012

Government or other groups (MADD) should not mandate freedom of choice weather it be ignorance or other.
And I read all my Manuel's to all equipment I use and own and stare at the idiot labels that are plastered on everything due to people spilling hot coffee in their lap at the drive thru of any McDonalds and suing. Or how they put engine kill switchs on mowers so you can't mow backwards.
All the labels and Manuel's in the world will not stop bad choices. I really don't want anymore governing of my equipment.

joshuabardwell · Sep 18, 2012

swick1 said:
Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I am always surprised when people bring up Pascal's Wager as a serious argument, given how easy it is to discredit it. There is even a section in the very Wikipedia page you link, called "Criticism".

Pascal's Wager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's also interesting to me that people consistently omit this part of Pascal's Wager:

If there is a God, He is infinitely incomprehensible, since, having neither parts nor limits, He has no affinity to us. We are then incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is....

In other words, American Christians hold up Pascal's Wager as argument that their God should be believed in, but the Wager itself contains the premise that all of the Christian beliefs about the specific nature of God must be rejected as totally invalid. Oops.