[Paddlewise] FW: Safety, Ads, & PFDs

<SNIP>

>  "victimless-crime laws"
> 
Rick, I respect your opinion.  No flames intended, but I'd like to share my
opinion on some of your comments, just for consideration.  It's a
"victimless" crime until someone drowns, and that's what the law is trying
to avoid - some people need to be protected from themselves, unfortunately.
Very few drownings were intentional, most were accidents that could have
been avoided.  Additionally, don't forget the other victims - their
children, spouses, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.  They are
being protected as well, by these "victimless" crime laws.  I do agree,
however, that some laws seem completely victimless, and seem designed with
the intention of raising revenues.    I SURE HATE THOSE!

<snip>

people should wear a PFD when they think it protects them, not to be  role
> models.
> 
That's the funny thing about accidents.  It's hard to predict WHEN an
accident will happen, and therefore WHEN to put it on.  Sure, there are
obvious situations where accidents are more likely than others, but if you
want to stake your life on it, and the well-being of those other
"victimless" victims, it certainly is your perogative.  I look at my two
children, and suddenly I'm not willing to take the chance.  

<snip>

> Having thus expostulated, I almost always wear a PFD;  but, like Charles
> Barkley, I sure as hell am no role model.
> 
Glad to hear you almost always wear one.   About the role model...    IMHO,
everyone is, by default, a role model to someone who is on the same path,
but a few steps behind.  They can be modeling both good and bad behavior
(agh!  I hope I don't start a morality debate here!)  The question is really
whether or not they accept that fact and act accordingly, and secondly, what
behavior are they modeling.  If you don't want to be a role model, someone
will still watch your actions and to some degree emulate them.  There's no
way possible to prevent that.  Mass murderers don't have the ambition of
being a role model, but they are one to all the "copy cat" killers who
follow in their foot steps. Using Barkley as the example, do you  think that
kids across the country close their eyes when they see him play or turn down
the volume when he's interviewed?  He can say he's not a role model, but
what he means is that he doesn't "want" to be a role model, or he's not a
"good" role model....but in the end, he is still "a" role model. He just may
or may not be the one you want "your" kids to emulate.  But, I respect your
opinions and choices nontheless.  That's what makes the world so
interesting!


The other Rick


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