wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Double doggone darn interesting conversation we got going here.
Put me down on the "pro-checkpoint" column.
Here's why.
1. Checkpoints are no different in reality than back in the day having a cop pull you over because he knew you and your patterns. There are so many of us that we've had to develop rules of behavior solely because there are so many of us. We're strangers to them and they're strangers to us.
It's not unlike traffic or speed cameras as I see it. Back in the day you knew if you spun your tires or ran a stop sign word of it would beat you home. What's the difference between a camera saying you did it and the old bat who hated kids in cars on the corner telling your mom on you?
It's society adjusting for the circumstances.
2. If they only pick up one or two percent of the drivers for DUI that still makes the road safer. Think about all the money that's spent putting in dividers on the Interstates and how many actual places have been the scene of a fatal. I guarantee you it's less than one percent of the miles of roadway where we have or are going to put in the barriers.
3. The threat of the checkpoint reaches a lot farther than the grasp of a checkpoint. They're valuable if for no other reason the casual drinker who has had too many doesn't drive because they understand there might be a checkpoint.
4. Your right to swing your fist in my direction ends before you find my nose. When there are a ton of noses in the immediate area then you don't have a right to swing at all.
The crying about the loss of rights because there are so many of us anymore is irrational. If you want freedom then go where no one is. If you want to live and work where everyone is then you have to accept responsibilities. And anyone that's married or has kids understands that responsibilities always limit freedom.
I appreciate cops. I wouldn't want to do what they have to do. And what's really sad is most of the time the reasons a person wants to be a cop is the very reasons we shouldn't allow them to become officers. So I really appreciate the courts. They protect us from the small number of cops who become cops and shouldn't have.
Put me down on the "pro-checkpoint" column.
Here's why.
1. Checkpoints are no different in reality than back in the day having a cop pull you over because he knew you and your patterns. There are so many of us that we've had to develop rules of behavior solely because there are so many of us. We're strangers to them and they're strangers to us.
It's not unlike traffic or speed cameras as I see it. Back in the day you knew if you spun your tires or ran a stop sign word of it would beat you home. What's the difference between a camera saying you did it and the old bat who hated kids in cars on the corner telling your mom on you?
It's society adjusting for the circumstances.
2. If they only pick up one or two percent of the drivers for DUI that still makes the road safer. Think about all the money that's spent putting in dividers on the Interstates and how many actual places have been the scene of a fatal. I guarantee you it's less than one percent of the miles of roadway where we have or are going to put in the barriers.
3. The threat of the checkpoint reaches a lot farther than the grasp of a checkpoint. They're valuable if for no other reason the casual drinker who has had too many doesn't drive because they understand there might be a checkpoint.
4. Your right to swing your fist in my direction ends before you find my nose. When there are a ton of noses in the immediate area then you don't have a right to swing at all.
The crying about the loss of rights because there are so many of us anymore is irrational. If you want freedom then go where no one is. If you want to live and work where everyone is then you have to accept responsibilities. And anyone that's married or has kids understands that responsibilities always limit freedom.
I appreciate cops. I wouldn't want to do what they have to do. And what's really sad is most of the time the reasons a person wants to be a cop is the very reasons we shouldn't allow them to become officers. So I really appreciate the courts. They protect us from the small number of cops who become cops and shouldn't have.