I received a traffic citation tonight.

(Hunrobe) wrote:

Chris B. wrote:
(Chalo) wrote:

Though one might think that cops are predominantly dim because dim
people are disproportionately attracted to policing, there is also a
widespread hiring practice of screening out applicants for police jobs
who score too highly on IQ tests. I became aware of the practice many
years ago while living in Texas, and I half suspected that it was some
sort of urban myth. However, a relatively recent federal
discrimination suit affirmed that the policy of hiring only people of
sub-average intellect to be cops is alive and well. According to a
Federal Court of Appeals, it's also a legally permitted form of hiring
discrimination!

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_56314.html

I guess being good at thinking gets in the way of one's ability to
shoot first.

Makes for quality detective fodder too.

If you or Chalo had actually read the article he cited you would have noticed
the last sentence-

"The average score nationally for police officers is 21 to 22, the equivalent
of an IQ of 104, or just a little above average."

Only Chalo could interpret "above average" to mean the same thing as
"sub-average".

I'm afraid Chalo has taken on a new career as full-time troll. "Cops
are dumb, soldiers are mongoloids, and if you're driving a car that a
child falls on you're liable" are a few of his latest gems.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

tctcrap wrote:
: In denver the citizens and the police ride on the sidewalks in perfect
: harmany.

sadly this is very, very true.
--
david reuteler

(Hunrobe) wrote:

If you or Chalo had actually read the article he cited you would have noticed
the last sentence-

"The average score nationally for police officers is 21 to 22, the equivalent
of an IQ of 104, or just a little above average."

Only Chalo could interpret "above average" to mean the same thing as
"sub-average".

Maybe in your great-grandaddy's time 100 IQ was average, but the
so-called "Flynn Effect" has observed average IQ rising by 5 to 25
points per generation, depending on specific population.

From http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eintell/flynneffect.shtml :

"Tests like the Ravens, the Norwegian matrices, the Belgian Shapes
test, the Jenkins test, and the Horn test are examples of tests that
attempt to measure fluid intelligence. These tests try to emphasize
problem solving and minimize a reliance on specific skills or
familiarity with words and symbols. These tests on average have shown
an increase of about 15 points or one standard deviation per
generation."

So, in short, 104 IQ is quite a bit sub-average, and so are most cops.

Chalo Colina

"dlakey" wrote in message ...

Should I fight the ticket?

Well, of course -- but it won't necessarily be easy.

If it does go to court (in case dealing directly with the Chief of
Police as others have suggested doesn't work), then I would strongly
suggest hiring a lawyer. Traffic 'commissioners' are often just as
clueless as the police when it comes to bicycle provisions in the
vehicle code. Having a lawyer will be helpful in the event you have
to appeal and a lawyer will also know more than you about what
is and isn't a police 'lawful' order.

If the courts and/or police dept is still unresponsive, then consider
attending the next traffic commission meeting (assuming your town
has such a thing) and bring up the issue during public comment; and/or
contact your city council representative. Political pressure can be
highly effective.

Many of the posters have advocated not merely fighting the ticket, a view
with which I agree, but effectively stomping on the offending officer and
possibly even the department itself. While doing so would undoubtedly feel
good, I cannot help wondering if educating them officer and the department
wouldn't be much more effective for all cyclists in the area in the long
run. If they get stomped, they will undoubtedly comply with the judge's
ruling, but their collective attitude towards cyclists may be poisoned for a
long time. I do not see any benefit to cyclists in that.

Correct them. And make friends with them.

Mark Hickey

wrote:

I'm afraid Chalo has taken on a new career as full-time troll. "Cops
are dumb, soldiers are mongoloids, and if you're driving a car that a
child falls on you're liable" are a few of his latest gems.

Mark Hickey

And that's a shame because his posts used to be interesting and sometimes even
persuasive. Now though he's joined the loony fringe in the bozo bin.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

Note: This message was queued when I expected it to be immediately
sent. Sending much later now...

On 03 Nov 2003 02:52:54 GMT, (Hunrobe) wrote:
(Walter) asserted:
In a lot of small towns hear in Illinois, a few courses at the
community college in Law Enforcement and being 21 without a criminal
record, and an uncle who is on the force is all it takes to become a
cop.

You should check your facts before making such ridiculous statements. Illinois
law prescribes the amount of training required (and certain other minimum
requirements) to become a full time sworn police officer in the State. The
minimums are the same in Cairo as they are in Chicago, regardless of who your
uncle is.

Unfortunately, reality does not always equal the laws on paper.
It's common* for people to bypass mandatory minimum requirements
into positions of power, such as government or law enforcement, here
in RI...is it different in Illinois?

*: I can't cite any examples off the top of my head, but it happens.

Regards,
Bob Hunt
--
Rick Onanian

Note: This message was queued when I expected it to be immediately
sent. Sending much later now...

On 03 Nov 2003 07:10:24 GMT, (Hunrobe) wrote:
Kevan Smith wrote in part:

Most _people_ are stupid
assholes most of the time, but there are some good ones.

most people are decent most of the time and I'm willing to bet that I've seen

Indeed, the reason for hasty generalizations that many of us make is
because we only remember the stupid ones. Hence the drivers who try
to force cyclists to take right of way -- they remember only the
unpredictable cyclists, and we remember only the unpredictable
drivers.

Regards,
Bob Hunt
--
Rick Onanian

On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 12:27:19 -0800, David Reuteler wrote:

tctcrap wrote:
: In denver the citizens and the police ride on the sidewalks in perfect
: harmany.

sadly this is very, very true.

And it is also illegal. Colorado State Traffic Code leaves regulation
of sidewalk cycling to municipalities. The City of Denver bans such
riding.

Multi-use-paths (bikes, peds, rollerbladers, dogs, etc.) that terminate
onto sidewalks always puzzled me when I rode paths in the city of Denver.


Richard Kaiser