I witnessed foolishness today

[Midniteoyl]

Wow.. glad my post started such debate..


However, I wasnt saying 'dont let the kid ride', I'm talking about the idiots who think its ok to go full blast while the blades are turning, whipping around the yard with their kid wearing diapers only in one hand, steering with the other, and a beer between thier knees. WSe all do stuff with our kids other parents might think is dumb, but most of us can agree on what is 'acceptable' given the skills and supervision present and what isnt.

 

[LD1]

Wow.. glad my post started such debate..


However, I wasnt saying 'dont let the kid ride', I'm talking about the idiots who think its ok to go full blast while the blades are turning, whipping around the yard with their kid wearing diapers only in one hand, steering with the other, and a beer between thier knees. WSe all do stuff with our kids other parents might think is dumb, but most of us can agree on what is 'acceptable' given the skills and supervision present and what isnt.

I guess it is hard to judge just based off of one persons recollection of the event. Sure, I see some things that make me take a second look. But when you try to describe it to others, people only pick up on the high points. IE: man mowing yard, holding kid. Nothing wrong with that. And the other things, like "going full blast" and "whipping around the yard" are often things that get over exaggerated. Not saying you did this, but just saying...

We have all witnessed things that are hard to believe. But I guess the point is, unless you are there or have a picture, everyone paints a different mental picture based off of what you are saying.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Agreed..

 

[jerrybob]

I guess we all get to decide what is stupid and unsafe in our own little worlds.......accidents do and will continue to happen......hope you make good decisions for you and your families.....good luck.:thumbsup:

 

[the old grind]

My friend Mark died of a heart attack while on a riding mower.
Tony collapsed from heat stroke while on a riding mower.
Granted, these were 'old men' in their 40's and neither was holding a child at the time. (whew!)

Attitudes:
Accidents happen to others.
I've never had a mishap when mowing. So what if I'm holding a ____ when I'm out there.
A child who can operate a tractor by the age of ten will grow up to be a fine citizen who will never be a victim of a farming accident.

Risks:
MYOB! If anything happens, I'll take responsibility.
My daughter trusts me with the grandson.
Just this one time ...
Long-shot odds are for lotto players.

We're adults.__ We know the odds.__ The call was important and couldn't wait.__ So far, so good.__ Stuff happens.

"You go ahead."

Hey, no prob. There's an excuse for that.
(Flame suit on.)

 

[Coyote machine]

Watched at a light behind a van where the guy made a left on red? Is that a new law I missed?

 

[Sysop]

Watched at a light behind a van where the guy made a left on red? Is that a new law I missed?

If you are on a one way street in the left hand lane and are turning into the left lane of another one way street, yes it is legal. Otherwise it is not. We have one intersection in our town that it is allowed for this reason.

 

[Redneck in training]

I was working in south Italy years ago. I stopped on red and drivers behind me honked to start moving. When enquired at work about the driving rules I was told the traffic light is just a machine. It doesn't know that there is no traffic across. It is a mere suggestion that you should slow down and look. When asking if it is OK to drive one way road in wrong direction I was told that it is allowed only if you are in hurry. Otherwise you shouldn't do it. They were not joking.
My father was also of the opinion that kids should be prepared for life by exposing them common dangers like climbing trees and operation machines in his machine shop. I had quite few close calls when I could have been killed or hurt. One day a neighbor came with broken axle for pull wagon. He brought rusty piece of round bar to make him new axle and asked me if I would tell the father to fix it for him. I was about 8 at that time and decided that I could (after he left) handle that. While turning the bar to the correct diameter on the lathe there was rust collecting on the knife so I decided to wipe if off with a piece of rag without stopping the machine. The rag got caught on the turning part grabbed my hand, threw me over the lathe and wrapped my arm around the chuck. Then fortunately the belts started slipping. I was hanging there for some time when father's friend walked in. Turned the lathe off, unwrapped me, beat my butt and threw me out of the shop. When my mother found out what happened she made my father to put padlock on the shop and I could work there only when he was around.

There are risks in life and kids should be prepared. Overprotecting them is a disservice.

 

[300UGUY]

Our state had a terrible incident a few months ago.......a grandpa ran over his 3 yr. old grandson while mowing backwards. The youngster was killed. Terrible, terrible incident. We all need to think and be careful....all the time.

We seem to have that here every couple of years. One I remember, a young kid, 3 or 4, was riding on the fender of a tractor, and got run over by a 15 ft batwing mower. I grew up in my dad's tool & die shop, from age 13. He didn't let me do anything dangerous, and I always had to wear safety glasses. But generally, a bridgeport mill isn't going to crush you. Farm equipment is much more hazardous than a lot of other things. And another thing, is Why? I mean, letting the kid ride on a fender is taking a chance that isn't necessary.

 

[300UGUY]

My friend Mark died of a heart attack while on a riding mower.
Tony collapsed from heat stroke while on a riding mower.
Granted, these were 'old men' in their 40's and neither was holding a child at the time. (whew!)

Attitudes:
Accidents happen to others.
I've never had a mishap when mowing. So what if I'm holding a ____ when I'm out there.
A child who can operate a tractor by the age of ten will grow up to be a fine citizen who will never be a victim of a farming accident.

Risks:
MYOB! If anything happens, I'll take responsibility.
My daughter trusts me with the grandson.
Just this one time ...
Long-shot odds are for lotto players.

We're adults.__ We know the odds.__ The call was important and couldn't wait.__ So far, so good.__ Stuff happens.

"You go ahead."

Hey, no prob. There's an excuse for that.
(Flame suit on.)

Good post.