OFF THE WIRE
Starting this Sunday, motorcyclists can legally move freely in and out of traffic, splitting lanes on the roadways.
"I
think anything to prevent riders who are kind of invisible most of the
time anyway, to be able to be more visible, to get out of harm's way
more quickly or be more proactive rather than reactive, I think is a
good idea," said motorcycle rider Thomas Richards.
The law allows motorcycle riders to drive between rows of stopped or moving cars.
"I'll go up to the front because there you can be seen," said Melody Curren, motorcycle rider.
Technically,
this practice has neither been illegal or legal. It simply has fallen
into a gray area, considered to be okay by law enforcement.
"It
helps with our commuting, it helps with so many different aspects of
traffic flow," said Sgt. Russell Mengel, Santa Maria Police Department.
"I
always like to ride in front of the cars also, but by splitting lanes
you're just taking your life into your own hands. People aren't
expecting someone to fly by at 20 or 30 miles faster than they are
driving," said motorcycle rider Ramon Diaz.
Others object to the new law completely.
"There's
a reason they call them 'donor cycles'. They are dangerous enough. I
don't think people should lane split," said Gary Stoner, a San Luis
Obispo resident who rode motorcycles for 30 years.
"I think it's
extremely dangerous for both the motorcyclist and the vehicle driver.
Sometimes they do it so quickly and I have had them cut in front me so
quickly, that I slam on my brakes," said Bonnie Louwerens, San Luis
Obispo resident.
But motorcyclists say they feel safer being out in front of the stop and go traffic.
"I absolutely feel safer lane splitting hands down," said motorcycle rider Alex Katz.
Motorcyclists
can now lane split through traffic on any roadway, at stop signs or
lights, but riders can not go over the speed limit to do so.
Read more: http://www.ksby.com/story/34144519/new-2017-law-aims-to-clarify-motorcycle-lane-splitting-rules
Sunday, January 1, 2017
California Democrats legalize child prostitution
OFF THE WIRE
By
Beginning on Jan. 1, prostitution by minors will be legal in California. Yes, you read that right.
SB 1322 bars law enforcement from arresting sex workers who are under the age of 18 for soliciting or engaging in prostitution, or loitering with the intent to do so. So teenage girls (and boys) in California will soon be free to have sex in exchange for money without fear of arrest or prosecution.
This terribly destructive legislation was written and passed by the progressive Democrats who control California's state government with a two-thirds "supermajority." To their credit, they are sincere in their belief that decriminalizing underage prostitution is good public policy that will help victims of sex trafficking. Unfortunately, the reality is that the legalization of underage prostitution suffers from the fatal defect endemic to progressive-left policymaking: it ignores experience, common sense and most of all human nature — especially its darker side.
The unintended but predictable consequence of how the real villains — pimps and other traffickers in human misery — will respond to this new law isn't difficult to foresee. Pimping and pandering will still be against the law whether it involves running adult women or young girls. But legalizing child prostitution will only incentivize the increased exploitation of underage girls. Immunity from arrest means law enforcement can't interfere with minors engaging in prostitution — which translates into bigger and better cash flow for the pimps. Simply put, more time on the street and less time in jail means more money for pimps, and more victims for them to exploit.
As Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley, a national
leader on human trafficking issues, told the media, "It just opens up
the door for traffickers to use these kids to commit crimes and exploit
them even worse." Another prosecutor insightfully observed that if
traffickers wrote legislation to protect themselves, it would read like
SB 1322.
Minors involved in prostitution are clearly victims, and allowing our law enforcement officers to pick these minors up and get them away from their pimps and into custody is a dramatically better solution than making it legal for them to sell themselves for sex. That only deepens their victimization and renders law enforcement powerless to stop the cycle of abuse. SB 1322 is not simply misguided — its consequences are immoral.
Unfortunately for Californians, SB 1322 isn't an outlier — it's only the tip of the liberal iceberg. 2017 will see the Golden State subjected to wave after wave of laws taking effect that are well-intentioned but disastrous embodiments of progressive utopianism.
One such new Democratic-authored law throws open the door to even greater government dependency on the part of the poor by rolling back proven reforms. In 1996, welfare reform was one of the greatest social legislation achievements of the last century, ending the lifetime welfare system and putting millions of Americans on the road to self-reliance and self-respect. In its wake, California lawmakers passed a law barring increased payments to women who have more children while still on welfare, in order to encourage women to achieve independence before having more children.
It's a tough provision that works — which was apparently irrelevant to Gov. Jerry Brown, who just signed a bill repealing that prohibition. Henceforth, no matter how many children someone has while on welfare, the state government will ratchet up payments with each child, with no limit. Incredibly, the Democratic author of this bill claims she wants to discourage women from having more children while on welfare — but instead passed legislation replacing that effective reform with a law that restarts the cycle of welfare dependency.
In similarly inverted fashion, state Democrats have taken action to make California's youth unemployment rate — one of the nation's highest — even worse by boosting the minimum wage. It is an empirical fact that minimum-wage hikes increase unemployment among those who are the least skilled and most in need of entry-level jobs — our youth. Like other misguided liberal policies, this latest minimum-wage legislation will only lead to fewer jobs for our youth.
And the list goes on. Thanks to other new Democratic-sponsored bills, an estimated 50,000 felons will be voting in the next state election, many from their jail cells; if you go hunting with a buddy and lend him your shotgun, you'll be breaking the law; state employees will be forbidden from traveling on business to states which prohibit transgender bathrooms. The parade of inane and idiotic legislation in California is virtually unending.
The common thread running through this avalanche of liberal-left legislation is the total absence of common sense and a stubborn insistence on ignoring human nature. On a certain level, we shouldn't be surprised. After all, progressives still believe eliminating poverty is a matter of spending enough money on enough government programs. Despite spending $15 trillion on anti-poverty and welfare programs since 1965, our national poverty rate is actually slightly higher today than it was then.
California is loaded with natural resources and talented people who want to work hard, be successful and enjoy the fruits of that success. The tragedy is that California is in the grip of liberal politicians who believe we can help underage prostitutes by making it legal for them to be prostitutes; who believe we can reduce welfare dependence by increasing opportunities to become dependent; and who think we can increase employment by making it more expensive to hire people. California is ruled by a political party that places a higher priority on dictating to public schools their mascot choices than enabling parents to send their kids to the school of their choice.
Do Brown and the Democrat politicians behind this wave of bad legislation mean well? I believe they do, but unfortunately they're only succeeding in proving that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It's the bad luck of Californians that they're dragging the rest of our state down that road with them.
By
Beginning on Jan. 1, prostitution by minors will be legal in California. Yes, you read that right.
SB 1322 bars law enforcement from arresting sex workers who are under the age of 18 for soliciting or engaging in prostitution, or loitering with the intent to do so. So teenage girls (and boys) in California will soon be free to have sex in exchange for money without fear of arrest or prosecution.
This terribly destructive legislation was written and passed by the progressive Democrats who control California's state government with a two-thirds "supermajority." To their credit, they are sincere in their belief that decriminalizing underage prostitution is good public policy that will help victims of sex trafficking. Unfortunately, the reality is that the legalization of underage prostitution suffers from the fatal defect endemic to progressive-left policymaking: it ignores experience, common sense and most of all human nature — especially its darker side.
The unintended but predictable consequence of how the real villains — pimps and other traffickers in human misery — will respond to this new law isn't difficult to foresee. Pimping and pandering will still be against the law whether it involves running adult women or young girls. But legalizing child prostitution will only incentivize the increased exploitation of underage girls. Immunity from arrest means law enforcement can't interfere with minors engaging in prostitution — which translates into bigger and better cash flow for the pimps. Simply put, more time on the street and less time in jail means more money for pimps, and more victims for them to exploit.
Minors involved in prostitution are clearly victims, and allowing our law enforcement officers to pick these minors up and get them away from their pimps and into custody is a dramatically better solution than making it legal for them to sell themselves for sex. That only deepens their victimization and renders law enforcement powerless to stop the cycle of abuse. SB 1322 is not simply misguided — its consequences are immoral.
Unfortunately for Californians, SB 1322 isn't an outlier — it's only the tip of the liberal iceberg. 2017 will see the Golden State subjected to wave after wave of laws taking effect that are well-intentioned but disastrous embodiments of progressive utopianism.
One such new Democratic-authored law throws open the door to even greater government dependency on the part of the poor by rolling back proven reforms. In 1996, welfare reform was one of the greatest social legislation achievements of the last century, ending the lifetime welfare system and putting millions of Americans on the road to self-reliance and self-respect. In its wake, California lawmakers passed a law barring increased payments to women who have more children while still on welfare, in order to encourage women to achieve independence before having more children.
It's a tough provision that works — which was apparently irrelevant to Gov. Jerry Brown, who just signed a bill repealing that prohibition. Henceforth, no matter how many children someone has while on welfare, the state government will ratchet up payments with each child, with no limit. Incredibly, the Democratic author of this bill claims she wants to discourage women from having more children while on welfare — but instead passed legislation replacing that effective reform with a law that restarts the cycle of welfare dependency.
In similarly inverted fashion, state Democrats have taken action to make California's youth unemployment rate — one of the nation's highest — even worse by boosting the minimum wage. It is an empirical fact that minimum-wage hikes increase unemployment among those who are the least skilled and most in need of entry-level jobs — our youth. Like other misguided liberal policies, this latest minimum-wage legislation will only lead to fewer jobs for our youth.
And the list goes on. Thanks to other new Democratic-sponsored bills, an estimated 50,000 felons will be voting in the next state election, many from their jail cells; if you go hunting with a buddy and lend him your shotgun, you'll be breaking the law; state employees will be forbidden from traveling on business to states which prohibit transgender bathrooms. The parade of inane and idiotic legislation in California is virtually unending.
The common thread running through this avalanche of liberal-left legislation is the total absence of common sense and a stubborn insistence on ignoring human nature. On a certain level, we shouldn't be surprised. After all, progressives still believe eliminating poverty is a matter of spending enough money on enough government programs. Despite spending $15 trillion on anti-poverty and welfare programs since 1965, our national poverty rate is actually slightly higher today than it was then.
California is loaded with natural resources and talented people who want to work hard, be successful and enjoy the fruits of that success. The tragedy is that California is in the grip of liberal politicians who believe we can help underage prostitutes by making it legal for them to be prostitutes; who believe we can reduce welfare dependence by increasing opportunities to become dependent; and who think we can increase employment by making it more expensive to hire people. California is ruled by a political party that places a higher priority on dictating to public schools their mascot choices than enabling parents to send their kids to the school of their choice.
Do Brown and the Democrat politicians behind this wave of bad legislation mean well? I believe they do, but unfortunately they're only succeeding in proving that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It's the bad luck of Californians that they're dragging the rest of our state down that road with them.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Mike Rowe’s Response to a Dying Special Forces Soldier is What Every American Needs to Read to End 2016
OFF THE WIRE
By Tribunist Staff
In recent months, Mike Rowe has become known for his impassioned and emotional Facebook posts just as much, if not more so, than his string of hit television shows. Today, Mike posted another update to his popular Facebook page about a special forces soldier who is going through a very tough time with ALS.
Apparently, Mike had received a communication from Justin, a former Special Forces soldier who fought for the United States before his body began failing him. Mike wrote back to the young man and it was just recently that he received Mike’s message.
That’s when Justin’s parents sent another letter to Mike and inspired Mike to write another poignant response.
Here is the letter received by Rowe from Justin’s parents:
Dear Mike: I sit here in tears, because of you.
Our son Justin – a strong willed, a special forces military man who fought in countries where most of us will never go, loves to watch and read about you. “Totally an admirable man.” That’s what he always says about you.
Our son is dying from ALS. Later this afternoon, he had a horrible experience causing him great discomfort both physical and emotional. After a little time to calm down, and with the help of his girlfriend, they opened his mail, and found what you sent. It brought tears to his eyes just knowing you took the time out to acknowledge him.
So, from two parents who are watching their son die a slow and horrible death, brought on by defending our freedom in other countries, we send you our deepest gratitude.
Sincerely
Diane Dodson
That’s when the always eloquent Rowe went into another heartfelt Facebook post that likely left thousands of people, not just Justin’s parents, with a tear in their eye.
Hi Diane,
I suspect words like “Merry” and “Happy” are difficult to hear at the moment, so I’ll forego the holiday greetings, and simply say “you’re welcome.”
I was very sad to learn of your son’s illness, and deeply humbled that a man like Justin finds me “admirable.” Please assure him the feeling is mutual.
The truth is, acknowledging Justin’s service is both an honor and a privilege. I know that my freedom and my liberty were bought and paid for by people like your son. I know his freedom is now being removed one day at a time. I know that his liberty is being slowly denied, by an enemy he cannot overcome.
I would like you to know, that your note reminded me of just how tenuous it all is. Our freedom. Our liberty. Our health. It’s all so fragile. And so damn easy to take for granted.
Sooner or later, our bodies will fail us. There are no exceptions. But what Justin did with his body while it was still in his control, has left me forever in his debt, and mindful of what matters most. Because ultimately, there is no greater threat to our freedom, than a lack of gratitude to those who provide it.
Your note is a reminder that acknowledging soldiers like Justin, requires me to count our many blessings, and vow to be a better version of myself. Actually Diane, it’s more than a reminder – it’s a gift. A gift from you and your son.
A gift for which we, the undersigned, are most grateful.
Mike
Here is the full post from Rowe’s page:
By Tribunist Staff
In recent months, Mike Rowe has become known for his impassioned and emotional Facebook posts just as much, if not more so, than his string of hit television shows. Today, Mike posted another update to his popular Facebook page about a special forces soldier who is going through a very tough time with ALS.
Apparently, Mike had received a communication from Justin, a former Special Forces soldier who fought for the United States before his body began failing him. Mike wrote back to the young man and it was just recently that he received Mike’s message.
That’s when Justin’s parents sent another letter to Mike and inspired Mike to write another poignant response.
Here is the letter received by Rowe from Justin’s parents:
Dear Mike: I sit here in tears, because of you.
Our son Justin – a strong willed, a special forces military man who fought in countries where most of us will never go, loves to watch and read about you. “Totally an admirable man.” That’s what he always says about you.
Our son is dying from ALS. Later this afternoon, he had a horrible experience causing him great discomfort both physical and emotional. After a little time to calm down, and with the help of his girlfriend, they opened his mail, and found what you sent. It brought tears to his eyes just knowing you took the time out to acknowledge him.
So, from two parents who are watching their son die a slow and horrible death, brought on by defending our freedom in other countries, we send you our deepest gratitude.
Sincerely
Diane Dodson
That’s when the always eloquent Rowe went into another heartfelt Facebook post that likely left thousands of people, not just Justin’s parents, with a tear in their eye.
Hi Diane,
I suspect words like “Merry” and “Happy” are difficult to hear at the moment, so I’ll forego the holiday greetings, and simply say “you’re welcome.”
I was very sad to learn of your son’s illness, and deeply humbled that a man like Justin finds me “admirable.” Please assure him the feeling is mutual.
The truth is, acknowledging Justin’s service is both an honor and a privilege. I know that my freedom and my liberty were bought and paid for by people like your son. I know his freedom is now being removed one day at a time. I know that his liberty is being slowly denied, by an enemy he cannot overcome.
I would like you to know, that your note reminded me of just how tenuous it all is. Our freedom. Our liberty. Our health. It’s all so fragile. And so damn easy to take for granted.
Sooner or later, our bodies will fail us. There are no exceptions. But what Justin did with his body while it was still in his control, has left me forever in his debt, and mindful of what matters most. Because ultimately, there is no greater threat to our freedom, than a lack of gratitude to those who provide it.
Your note is a reminder that acknowledging soldiers like Justin, requires me to count our many blessings, and vow to be a better version of myself. Actually Diane, it’s more than a reminder – it’s a gift. A gift from you and your son.
A gift for which we, the undersigned, are most grateful.
Mike
Here is the full post from Rowe’s page:
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