Is Yule coming early?

So I caught a link to this on APS just now...

Oh, boy. Talk about an interesting situation!

The relevant part:

Thank God for the Madison police. Apparently unbeknownst to them, another concealed carry case (Wisconsin v. Joshua D. Schultz) as working it’s way through the court system in Clark county which challenged Wis. Stat. 941.23 as unconstitutional. When the Madison police retrospectively issued disorderly conduct charges against what has become known as “The Madison Five” for patronizing Culvers while lawfully armed, they really proved Schultz’s case for him. Police powers were being used for the mildest of reasons (someone was “disturbed” by just the sight of a gun) to destroy a persons constitutionally protected right. Today, Wis. Stat. 941.23 was ruled unconstitutional.

It's only applicable to Clark County (for now). But it gives precedent for the rest of the state...

Follow-up on bullying...

So... Sabra posits her theory here. And it got me thinking (never a good thing)...

How much of a role has "social networking" played in these problems? Seems that every time one of these cases hits the news, we hear about all the abuse folks are getting via Facebook/Myspace/Youtube etc. Is that really adding that much to it?

I do know that the current generation is changing the paradigm of relationships, largely on the availability of instant access into each-others' lives. "Facebook stalking" is an actual term, and the feeling I get from many is that kids really don't see anything wrong with it...

There's also the change in break-ups. Used to be, one breaks up with someone, and they would have to make some effort to contact/keep tabs on their ex. Now, your ex knows exactly what you're doing most of the time, just by pulling out the leash in their pocket and checking a networking site (there's a reason I have never turned Facebook on on my Android, or any other phone I've owned). Today's generation seems completely linked into each others' lives, and often almost unable to separate out of it...

Not sure what the solution is, even if there is one. But the first step (regardless) is acknowledging that there IS an issue. We can't start figuring out the parameters of it until we recognize that it's there...

Bullicide

Ok... we've all seen the reports on the rash of teen suicides currently cropping up. most of which are being blamed on "bullies".

Now, I remember my school years, without any fondness. But it seems we're hearing more and more about how terrible kids are treating each-other, and the suicides that result.

So I have a question: are bullies today really that much worse than previous generations? Or are today's kids thinner skinned? Maybe a little of both?

I imagine the pervasion of "social networking tools" makes it easier for kids to torment each-other, but there almost has to be more to it than that...

Update on Spoon...

Ok... better late than never, right?

Spoon's doing fine: only injury was a pulled shoulder, which is healing. Interesting factoid: both cars had their front ends smashed, neither airbag deployed. Always nice to know we can count on equipment to function properly!



That's what the Accord looks like now. Spoon is PISSED: she loved that car.

But at least SHE'S ok. Better than the other way around, right?

BEEWBZ!!!!

Yes... like so many of the cool kidz, I changed the font color for Brest Cancer Awareness month...

... and the excitement continues...

So... Went to the local ABATE meeting today. I rode with my VP, so we could continue discussions. Spoon drove herself.

On the way home, a young lady running late for work felt she didn't need to stop for that stopsign. Which she didn't: hitting Spoon's Accord brought her to a complete halt.

Spoon seems ok, but we're still having her checked out at the ER.

Have to give kudos to the EMTs that took care of her: felt as safe as if AD was taking care of her. Can't think of any higher praise I can give.

Updates as I know more (she's in x-ray as I type this)

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