Boo Got Shot

I can't believe that there's anyone in Atlanta who has not yet heard about Boo. Simply put, he got shot.

Until now Neal Boortz has not posted his funniest bit online. And, if you've missed it, there's a less funny rap version, too.

(sorry about the ads and the pops on the streams, I can't do anything about those, but it's worth it!)

New Orleans and Flood Insurance

I recentley made a comment on Dignan's blog concerning his post about Nagin's recent comments on rebuilding that city. Unfortunately, I made my comment without being fully informed and when I tried to reply to someone else's comment HaloScan crapped out.

So here is my reply to Jaime in Metairie:

Jaime,

I'll take back the last part of my comment. I, like those who testified before Congress, was misinformed and under the impression that very few people had taken out flood insurance. I sincerely hope that you had the appropriate insurance coverage and wish that the companies would respond more quickly. My family (including me at one point) has been in the insurance industry for many years, and everyone in the industry dreads resolving hurricane claims because of the difficulties in determining which policies cover what damages. It is a painfully slow process for all involved, and people in your situation are stuck waiting while the companies move more slowly than anyone would like.

I've not been a big fan of Nagin through this entire process, but I like his approach here - rebuild if you want to but don't expect much help from the government. This is the way it should be.

The flood insurance program is a government program which exists because no private insurer is able to provide that coverage at an affordable cost. This should provide some insight as to how risky it is to live along the Mississippi River. Even with the tax subsidies some people were unable to afford flood insurance; this is unfortunate, but it was their responsibility to determine how much risk they were willing to make with their investment. In our search for a new house we have decided to avoid houses where flood insurance is required because we could not handle that much risk. It has meant that we have had to pass up on some areas where we would love to live, but that reflects our risk tolerance.

My tax dollars are already being used to pay for flood claims. I wish the best for you as you rebuild, all I ask is that you and others in New Orleans do not use any more of my tax dollars to do so.

Precrime Arrests in Texas???

TABC officials said the sweep concerned saving lives, not individual rights.

Shades of Minority Report in Northern Texas.

Apparently Texas has some sort of government agency called the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and its purpose is to protect people from the evils of alcohol. The TABC and the Irving County Sherrif recently decided to raid several bars, and found drunk people in them - what a surprise! The Sherrif then proceeded to arrest the intoxicated patrons. While there is a law in Texas against being publicly intoxicated anywhere (including a bar), the Sherrif and the TABC supposedly carried out this raid to curb drunk driving. The kicker is that some of the people who were arrested were at a bar in a hotel where they were guests!

It is the responsiblity of law enforcement to arrest those who have committed or are in the process of committing a crime. Law enforcement should even bust conspiracy to commit major crimes, such as terrorism, robbery, and murder. However, it is wrong to arrest people for drinking to prevent DUI when they have not even walked out the door and aren't holding car keys!

Praise for Irresponsible Parents

When my parents drove me home my mother held me in her arms. I wasn't in a car seat. I never knew bike helmets existed until I was in college. I played outside with kids (of different ages) in my neighborhood, and we ran through the woods with sticks in our hands and threw pine cones at each other. If my teachers said everything was fine, then things were good, and if I got in trouble then I would get spanked again once I got home!

By today's standards my parents would be considered irresponsible. Today's parents seem to think that they need to control everything about their kids' lives. These parents want to believe that they're "being good parents" and controlling their kids' environments and activities for the good of the children. The truth, however, is that the parents are just plain obnoxious and self-centered. It's not the kids that they're worried about, it's their own reputation and the vicarious success.

I hope that our kids will have the chance to be kids. Children need to run around outside without schedules. They need to climb trees, fall out, get hurt, and go to the hospital. They need to have the occasional fight to learn when the best defense is to run and when the best choice is to defend one's honor. And parents just need to butt out.

If others want to label me as an irresponsible parent, then I'll wear that label with pride.