Closed books, closed minds

[unixronin]

From rosencrantz23:

Unfortunately, to the kind of people who ban books, shutting out unapproved ideas sounds like a really good ... well, idea.

Comments

Re: (Part 2 again)

[beckyzoole.livejournal.com]

I've called the police a few times. They've always responded promptly, much sooner than 20 minutes.

But, sure, the police can't prevent crimes. When my sister-in-law was shot, she was confronted in the parking lot of her apartment complex by her ex-husband. The guy was angry because he'd heard that she was remarrying, and he "just wanted to talk". He showed his gun to persuade her to come talk with him. Pegi screamed for help, neighbors called 911, and a police officer arrived very quickly. (The ex was still trying to drag her into his car at gunpoint to "talk".) The police officer, drawing his own weapon, commanded the ex to drop his. Seeing the police officer's weapon didn't prevent the ex from shooting Pegi. He shot Pegi in the side at close range, and the police officer then emptied his magazine into the ex. The ex was killed, but he had managed to seriously hurt her anyway. (Fortunately no major organs were damaged. The bullet passed through her arm and both breasts. She lost a lot of blood, and ended up not being able to nurse my nephew when he was born.)

jilara's neighbor was very fortunate that her ex was slightly more sane, or perhaps it was that he was not carrying a firearm of his own.

Re: (Part 2 again)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I've called the police a few times. They've always responded promptly, much sooner than 20 minutes.

You're fortunate, then. You're ahead of the odds on that score at least.

(Counter-example: The one time I ever had to call the police, in Spokane Washington, it took two calls and 45 minutes for an officer to arrive. Spokane PD, among others, will no longer even investigate property crimes. They say it's because they're too overloaded. Ask most people in Spokane and they'll tell you it's because too many of them are posted on traffic enforcement.)

Re: (Part 2 again)

[beckyzoole.livejournal.com]

Spokane PD, among others, will no longer even investigate property crimes.

St Louis PD has been uneven on that score. When my car was stolen, they didn't bother to investigate at all. But when someone broke into our garage and stole $200 worth of power tools, two officers arrived about ten minutes after we called.

But when an inebriated neighbor punctuated a barbecue party this past summer by shooting into the air, three squad cars showed up literally moments later.

Re: (Part 2 again)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yup, "shots fired" is one of the things that usually brings an as-immediate-as-possible response. I was on ride-along once with SJPD when my ride partner got a call for backup ... we were about half way there when the unit already on scene called shots fired. She lit'em up and stepped on it.

Fortunately, that time it turned out to be a backfiring truck.