Carpundit

Police Unions Making Asses of Themselves

Yesterday there was more obnoxious police protesting of the Governor's rational decision on paid details. Watch the NECN video of the off-duty (I assume) officer deliberating driving the wrong way and pretending it was because of a flagger's mistake.

You're supposed to enforce the law, gentlemen, not break it.

When they feel threatened, unionized law enforcers turn into nothing but thugs from the Local 123. It embarrasses me.

And End to Paid Police Details in Massachusetts? Maybe Not, But It's a Great Start

I've posted about paid police details, and about the police unions many times over the past several years.  Finally, some good news on the topic.  Kudos to Governor Patrick for accomplishing what Mitt Romney couldn't.  Unlike Romney, Patrick promised AND delivered.

An end to idling state police cruisers and pacing local cops on state highway jobs is long overdue.  If only the 350 cities and towns could find the same political will.  We can break the back of the police unions here, if people don't chicken out.  And what's with Arlington Police Chief Ryan and his snit, quoted in the Boston Globe:

"In my 25 years in law enforcement in this state, I have never worked with a more insensitive and arrogant administration that is simply unwilling to listen on this issue[.]"

He must be facing a contract renegotiation with his department's organized crime unit union.  Or at least some of his fellow city chiefs are.

These new anti-detail regulations are a victory for the taxpayer, for common sense, and for law enforcement.  We need police who give their attention to their jobs, not to holes in the ground.

Photographic Proof that the paid police detail system is ridiculous

Here's a Boston police officer working a detail in a Back Bay alley. The alley is completely blocked by the truck and a front-loader. What's the police officer for? Keep the traffic flowing smoothly?

Asinine. It's time we ended the union stranglehold. And did you see all those cops in uniform trying to intimidate the opposition at the hearing Monday?

Massachusetts State Police Dodge Chargers

Remember that low profile Dodge Charger in Massachusetts State Police livery from the IACP show last year?  Well, I've seen two on the highways within the past two days.  Someone in D Troop has one, and someone on the Turnpike, as well.  So there are probably more around the Commonwealth.

The next time you see a Dodge Charger coming up fast, your first thought shouldn't be, "what a pretty shade of blue."

"Oh, shit," is more like it.

Wednesday Morning Rush

Just quick takes today:

Falwell's dead.  I can't think of anything to say except: good riddance.  With each passing year I become more angry at those who would abrogate the civil rights and human dignity of an entire class of people.  So, screw Falwell.  The world is better off without him.  There; I did think of something to say.

Boston ranked third in road rage.  Third?  We let New York beat us again?  Get with it, people!  All it takes is a single finger and a little random horn-blowing.  Maybe all our psychotherapists are dispensing too many meds.  Anyone care to do a correlation survey?

What Happens When You Sue a Judge?

Craig Jackson is finding out what happens when you sue a judge - you get sued right back.  The latest dispatch from the Barracuda wars is in the upcoming issue of Sports Car Market.  In brief, a judge from the midwest was upset that Barrett-Jackson didn't get enough money for his car at the Scottsdale auction.  So he chained it up and refused to go through with the deal.  B-J sued him for business libel and a bunch of other things they probably should have left alone.  Now he's suing back.  It's been a bad year for B-J, and I'm perfectly happy to see Craig Jackson get slapped around a little.  Stay tuned.

Speed Enforcement in Prague

In Prague, apparently they pull you over by waving a red and white stick out the window.

Weird.  They seem to have electricity there....

That's a Lot of Parking Tickets

All I can come up with to explain why the tickets are strewn across the seat is that maybe the glovebox was full of them already.  There were more on the windshield, and the meter maid was approaching.

Probably cheaper just to park in a garage.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance

Massachusetts may reform the auto insurance system that has plagued its drivers for years, according to Fox25 News, that bastion of level-headed in-depth reporting.  The new rates would be based on miles driven instead of merely location of garaging.  I'm for it, of course, because my commute is one mile, but I'd support almost any change to the current system.

Here's a crazy idea: what if we let insurers compete for our business?

Random Friday Evening Blogging

Random thoughts:

1. Why is that I am now more interested in reading Cook's than Autoweek?  Please note, I still grab SCM, Roundel, and Panorama before Cook's.  In that sense, I am more like my father these days.  It used to frustrate me that he only likes what he likes, and never spends time on the other stuff.  Is this a natural consequence of aging, spending time on only the things you know you like?  I have no patience for another article about another Japanese coupe or American sedan.  I just don't care, and you can't make me.

2. It is ridiculously easy to speed in a 996 Carrera.  I can't imagine what a 997 Turbo is like.

3. My never-before-used, been-sitting-in-its-box-unopened-for-five-years, Valentine One seems to work fine.  I decided to break it out tonight on the way to the Cape, because my usual ticket-avoidance method -eyeballs- doesn't work as well at night.  Crossing into one of the small towns along the route, I learned the V1 works when it warned me of a cruiser well before I saw it.  I wasn't actually speeding at that point, but I might have been.  A permanent install is on my modifications list.

4. Tomorrow we lift off the hardtop from the Carrera for spring.  Let's see how creased that back window is.

5. AG AG is really hanging on.  He's moved from lying denial to lying forgetfulness.  The next step is confession.  Then resignation.  Could we move it along, please?  The guy is in so far over his head, it's amazing he can breathe.  Being GWB's friend has really paid off over the past six years.  I'm sick of the whole crowd, myself.