Andy Borgmann's Blog

Andy, Andy, Andy
When we have just begun to agree on things you post this. Let me start with the one thing we probly agree on. The government was started for two purposes: Defense and Postal Service. But as we all know it has grown to be "the man". Well since I work for "the man" I have come to agree and disagree with him/her. But let me tell you one thing. If you don't wear your seatbelt you are likely to be hurt seriously r die. You say.. well its my choice... there are studies that show that if people wouldn't have worn their seatbelt they would have survived. So if these are your arguments, why do I have to have an air bag in my car, why does my car have to have lights on it, why does it matter if I have a windshield or not? Well theres a reason... cause it saves your butt when you get hit or run into someone else. I have seen first hand what someone looks like when they have flown a couple 40yds out of their car breaking their kneck and bleeding from every oriface on the ground. Or how about the infant that wasn't buckled who flew not outside the car but rattled within the car like the rattle it was playing with just seconds before the vehicle was hit. I agree the government shouldn't "guide" our lives over every aspect of our life. But it just makes sense to wear your seatbelt. And if you dont well I would rather not have to hear your family scream, cry, and get emotional at me when I have to go to their house to tell them you are dead. Or maybe all police officers when making a death notification should just say "Well it was his choice and now he/she is dead. Deal with it!"

Did you make that poster? It is awesome!

Adam and I were just having this same talk the other day about how awful and controlling the seatbelt law is! I don’t think that the government should be able to mandate people to be “safe” – I mean lets be honest, if stupid people kill themselves from not wearing their seatbelts… great, less stupid people in the world! :) But truly, a friend of mine who lives in a former soviet country in Central Asia was just home for two months and she is adamant about the fact that the US is heading towards communism. She was outraged about the seat belt law as well as the new cell phone law!

And now about this health care thing and taking obese kids from their parents… that is insane! If the government wants to control something in regards to obese children, control the chemicals and preservatives and food color that is going into all the food people are eating. Obesity would be reduced greatly if inexpensive food wasn’t so full of trash!

But let me tell you one thing. If you don't wear your seatbelt you are likely to be hurt seriously r die. You say.. well its my choice... there are studies that show that if people wouldn't have worn their seatbelt they would have survived.

This is what everyone comes back to. And I am not disagreeing with it. I know full well not wearing a seatbelt is stupid. I am not disputing that.

That is why I like the case of the health situation. Everyone thinks I don't like the seatbelt law because I don't like wearing a seatbelt. They say, ahhh ha! That's your motive. But that isn't true. And health is a great example of that.

To this day I still weigh 140 lbs. Still in great health. My kids will probably be the same. But I will fight to the death a law that says the government has the right to keep others healthy.

Because in the end, it isn't the law or the lawmaker or the law enforcer. It is about the healthy role of government in our lives.

And if you dont well I would rather not have to hear your family scream, cry, and get emotional at me when I have to go to their house to tell them you are dead.

You know I love you Chris, but this isn't a good defense. We can't make legislation based on what police officers are afraid to feel. I admit that is about the suckiest job of all. I can't imagine having to do that. But it is a hazard of the job that most are aware of before they become a cop and one that doesn't justify the infringement of rights from the government.

Did you make that poster? It is awesome!

Sort of. Most of that poster is a popular ad campaign. But I just "tweaked" it a bit.

But truly, a friend of mine who lives in a former soviet country in Central Asia was just home for two months and she is adamant about the fact that the US is heading towards communism.

Bingo. All in the name of safety, etc...


One More Personal Note
I would like to add one thing. This is not police officers fault. I know the poster makes it look like I am blaming cops, but that isn't true. In the great checks and balance that our country came up with, cops (executive branch) only enforce the laws, they do not create laws. This is a legislative problem.

Andy,
After venting on here I went out with my family to run erands. While doing so I began to think about what I said. And now I think I have a better understanding of how you are coming at this. And yes I was a bit hard with the whole death notification (per my wife it was sick and mean). But nevertheless I look at it this way now.
I am a smoker, yes this is bad for me and I have had family members die of lung cancer due to smoking (so the docs say). But if someone were to tell me that I couldn't do that anymore because it was bad for my health I would tell them and their government to pack it. Someone could also say to me why would I put my family in that position? I understand...
As far as the child obesity issue I totally agree with Sarah on this one. Why are they regulting the parents? When (you remember) there are soda machines packed in our old highschool. Not only the soda but I remember buying melted cheese and soggy chocolate chip cookies filled with grease for lunch(which tasted AWESOME!). Although I think parents could regulate at home, but to make that a law??? I disagree with that!!!
And on to my last issue: Death Notification
You are right this is a "hazard" of the job. But at what point do LE/FIRE/EMS have to stop writing things off as "hazards" and finally put some responsibility on others.
Well thats all I got for now. I hope this helps clarify some of my points. And I thank you for the support of LE in the US. Cause we don't make the laws we just enforce them.

*** IF YOU WANT TO START A REAL GOOD ARGUEMENT WITHIN YOUR BLOG. HOW ABOUT LE PERSONNEL GETTING OVERTIME TO WRITE SEATBELT TICKETS?? OPERATION PULL OVER IS A BIG ADVOCATE OF THIS. OFFICERS WHO NEVER LOOK FOR SEATBELTS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO WRITE SEATBELT TICKETS. (ALTHOUGH THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES DRUNK DRIVING) FOR THE MOST PART IT IS SEATBELT EXCLUSIVE.

I am a smoker, yes this is bad for me and I have had family members die of lung cancer due to smoking (so the docs say). But if someone were to tell me that I couldn't do that anymore because it was bad for my health I would tell them and their government to pack it.

Exactly. I may think smoking is bad for you, but I'll fight to my death so the government can't stop you from doing it.

And yes I was a bit hard with the whole death notification (per my wife it was sick and mean).

Well that's just because your wife is a kinder person than you or I. I really didn't think it was "mean" or "sick" - I just didn't think it was a good argument ;)

Not only the soda but I remember buying melted cheese and soggy chocolate chip cookies filled with grease for lunch(which tasted AWESOME!)

Tell me about it. Those were the best!

HOW ABOUT LE PERSONNEL GETTING OVERTIME TO WRITE SEATBELT TICKETS?? OPERATION PULL OVER IS A BIG ADVOCATE OF THIS. OFFICERS WHO NEVER LOOK FOR SEATBELTS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO WRITE SEATBELT TICKETS. (ALTHOUGH THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES DRUNK DRIVING) FOR THE MOST PART IT IS SEATBELT EXCLUSIVE.

Yeah this does make me angry (and I knew it happens). Mainly because there are a lot of better things to be paying cops overtime for. Plus, this is an example of the Executive Branch (DOT) basically becoming a lobbying group and legislative body - which drives me nuts.

how do you make those neat quoted boxes?

Do you know how to do normal HTML like <b> or <i> - it is the same thing just with <blockquote>

<blockquote>So how do you...</blockquote> produces:

So how do you...