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Idiots driving around crossing gates!

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Idiots driving around crossing gates!
Posted by emd_SD_60 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 7:54 PM
Earlier today, I was at one of my hotspots waiting on a train to move through. The gates had already came down and the train was slowly approaching. Well this hothead in a pickup truck decides he cant wait the 3 minutes and goes around, with the train only 20 feet from hitting him![:(!] I was wishing it (train)had gone just a little faster and him (motorist idiot) a little slower, then he would have learned "pain" the hard way. Fortunately I had my camera rolling and it caught the dumba** in the act![:D] I wonder if it'll do any good to show it to the railroad (CN), but probably since I didn't catch his plate # it will probably do no good. Hopefully the brakeman got it, as he was still waiting for traffic to clear before turning on to the highway![:o)] Serves you right, you clown!

Of course I am probably not the only one to be infuriated by these actions, what's so bad waiting a friggin 2-3 minutes?[:(!]

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Posted by chad thomas on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:13 PM
Bottom line...Some people are just plain STUPID / selfish.
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Posted by chad thomas on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:16 PM
Mabee we can start arming locomotives with artilary and let the conductor shoot for points. After a while the avg. intelegence of the world might go up a few points. [:D]
[8D]
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:27 PM
Warning! Warning! the gates are lowering on a request for a little political correctness.

In the short time that I have been reading this forum, I have noticed the frequent use of the term “Retard” to describe someone. I understand that it is a term that has been used for years, but I have a severely retarded sister and she would know not to step in front of a train.

Surely, "Retard" can be substituted with...well, the first word I think about when seeing people try to beat the train is not printable, but I know that they are not Retarded.
The mentally retarded can't be anything but the person they are. But those who break the law are, we all assume, possess a fair amount of intellect and common sense. Their actions should not be compared to the behavior of anyone like my sister.
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Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by emd_SD_60

Earlier today, I was at one of my hotspots waiting on a train to move through. The gates had already came down and the train was slowly approaching. Well this hothead in a pickup truck decides he cant wait the 3 minutes and goes around, with the train only 20 feet from hitting him![:(!] I was wishing it (train)had gone just a little faster and him (motorist idiot) a little slower, then he would have learned "pain" the hard way. Fortunately I had my camera rolling and it caught the dumba** in the act![:D] I wonder if it'll do any good to show it to the railroad (CN), but probably since I didn't catch his plate # it will probably do no good. Hopefully the brakeman got it, as he was still waiting for traffic to clear before turning on to the highway![:o)] Serves you right, you clown!

Of course I am probably not the only one to be infuriated by these actions, what's so bad waiting a friggin 2-3 minutes?[:(!]




Another "Darwin Award Nominee" ?
Hope Pictures/tape will do some good.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by CP5415 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:31 PM
I'd call that person stupid but that would be an insult to stupid people!

Just my 2 cents !!!!

Gordon

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Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs

Warning! Warning! the gates are lowering on a request for a little political correctness.

In the short time that I have been reading this forum, I have noticed the frequent use of the term “Retard” to describe someone. I understand that it is a term that has been used for years, but I have a severely retarded sister and she would know not to step in front of a train.

Surely, "Retard" can be substituted with...well, the first word I think about when seeing people try to beat the train is not printable, but I know that they are not Retarded.
The mentally retarded can't be anything but the person they are. But those who break the law are, we all assume, possess a fair amount of intellect and common sense. Their actions should not be compared to the behavior of anyone like my sister.



Let's just say "IDIOTS" ,"FOOLS" and the unmentionable name.
My [2c]

















Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:44 PM
SD60...
Do me, and yourself a favor...
Find another word besides retard...

I taught severly mentally handicapped children, and a autistic child basic horsemanship classes a few years ago, at Ft Sam Houston, in San Antonio.

Not looking for any political correctness, but just a little compassion.

Until you have dealt with, and interacted with kids, and adults, that are challenged like that, you never will understand the meaning of innocence.

Not a mean bone in their bodies, and most of them are trusting of the "adults" around them.

By using the word retard, you send the readers of your posting a message...
One that says you are a person lacking in compassion, understanding, and simple manners.

You can edit your posting, if you choose to.

Although I agree with you that the fools who run grade crossing often get what they deserve, I dont agree with you that they are retarded...most of the mentally challenged kids I worked with were too smart to do something that dumb!

Ed

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Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 8:54 PM
I'm with Ed,worked with kids for "Special Olympics" for several years;
I think they are/were smarter than the "adults" helping them.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by emd_SD_60 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 9:25 PM
Geez, if I had known this was going to cause a stir, I wouldn't have bothered posting this![:(!] Just ignore "retard" and think "Idiots" instead. I have no excuse.[;)]
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Posted by unit1073 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 9:33 PM
I just came back from the Folkston Funnel. Four grade crossings in less than one mile. I think about 1 out of 10 of the local "idiots" run the crossings. Someone must keep statistics on the crossings that have the most accidents - anyone know a good source?
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 9:53 PM
Happends all the time!
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Posted by Junctionfan on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 10:18 PM
I say the trains should be armed with some kind of battering ram and they should speed up as to smash it out of the way.

Their is a game I play called Stronghold which is like a strategy computer game on the crusades. When the enemy is too close, I light up the pitch field they stand on and if some of my workers decide to walk into the fire instead of using intelligence and walk around it, good riddens then. Who needs stupid people when I have plenty of potentially smart peasents without a job.

Same thing with people and railroad crossings. The railroads may decrease national unemployment rate in more than one way.
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Posted by louisnash on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 10:37 PM
I see it everyday. Nothing but idiots.
I watched a guy couple days ago play a little chicken with a train.

Brian (KY)
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 10:48 PM
For three times in as many days I find myself agreeing with Locomutt. In this matter rather than insulting someone or running the risk of sounding crass; political correctness would be a good dodge for someone that is trying not to sound insulting or crass.However In matters that include such unexplained behavior such as running through active gated grade crossings, jumping 100 feet down into a dry rock quary, and playing chicken in an automobile Northbound on the Southbound lanes of an Interstate the term for the winner would be "one of questionable sanity on the way to jail if caught" or DEAD for those that tie or loose at the grade crossing, in the bottom of the quary, and on the interstate. By the way an unsuccessfull suicide attempt is still a crime in some states.[2c]
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 10:55 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan


Same thing with people and railroad crossings. The railroads may decrease national unemployment rate in more than one way.
That's cold man,
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 4:56 AM
Darwin award nominee sounds good to me.
People like this get killed frequently enough on double track when they only notice one train..
Several years ago in Chicago, I was stopped first in line at a (then) unprotected grade crossing on south Austin ave. where The busy BRC and a IHB branch parallel each other several yards apart.
This fool pulls up in the right lane, radio blaring..
As soon as he saw the caboose of a very long BN transfer approaching the crossing threw the car in drive and pulled across the IHB so he could get around me on the right. What he did or didn't see was the short ICG transfer entering the crossing from the other direction at 30 or so mph, and blowing the proper horn signal.
It barely missed him.
He was very fortunate that the ICG train entered from the opposite side of the road from us or he'd never have made it..
I know the terror I felt.
I can only imagine what he and the train crew felt.
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Posted by Hugh Jampton on Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:09 AM
Surely it's the fault of the railroad / FRA / whoever for mandating that the gates go down so long before the train gets to the crossing.
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Posted by bbrant on Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:13 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs

Warning! Warning! the gates are lowering on a request for a little political correctness.


I guess you can't even come here without someone stirring the pot with political correctness?!? What about freedom of speech. I'm fed up with people who tell everyone we need to conform to THEIR way of thinking (yet still believe in individualism). Anyone see the flaw in the logic?

Now, for the topic at hand. The guy did something stupid and luckily nobody was hurt. If police officers can dress like construction workers to help catch speeders in work zones, why can't they dress like railroad maintenance workers and catch people going around gates at crossings. Would make most people think twice before darting out in front of a train and needlessly risking lives.
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Posted by spbed on Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:04 AM
Maybe it would have been better for the train to clip the rear end of his truck to show him how silly he was. [:(][:(]

Originally posted by emd_SD_60

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:38 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

I'd call that person stupid but that would be an insult to stupid people!

Gordon


Well, there's also:

(1) Moron [%-)]
(2) Mental MIdget [D)][D)]
(3) Brain Dead Dweeb, [D)][D)][D)]
(4) Norm Mineta [D)][D)][D)][D)][D)]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by edblysard on Thursday, April 7, 2005 6:50 AM
Brant..
Not so much political correctness, but just plain compassion.
I hope that you have a chance to interact on a personel basis with someone who is challenged...
It will alter the way you think, not only about their lot in life, but yours too.
Humbleing isnt descriptive enough, but it will do.
You realize just how lucky you are, no matter how bad a day you are having, when you have to watch a 15 year old girl, beautiful by anyones standard,
struggle with a task most 5 year olds can do with out thinking about it.

You take tying your shoe for granted, but imagine it being a task that required your complete concetration...

How about having such a hard time speaking clearly, and trying to ask your instructor for permission to go to the restroom, and being unable too...finally getting so frustrated with your inability to speak and express yourself like others, that all you can do in the end is cry and point?

Trust me, your value system changes after a while....things you find insignificant become big achivements for retarded kids...things you find impressive dont even exsist in their world.

I used the word retarded on purpose...its meaning is quite clear...the word means "held back"...and often, these kids have that done to them...society and ignorance of their problems do just that, holds them back.

They didnt ask to be born this way, and in many cases, they have no choice in what happens to them, or how their life will be lived...they exsist in a world where the only reason they are not dumped into institutions is because of the compassion of those around them.

They have no choice in the matter.

The fools who drive around gates...and the ones who chose to insult the handicapped, do.

I dont use the word retarded in conversation...not out of correctness...but out of compassion.

I have watched the faces of parents whos child has never accomplished any of the things "normal" kids do...while their kids, for the first time, rides a horse around a ring, alone, with no helper leading it.

You would think they were watching their kid walk on the moon....the hope that things will finally work out, the idea that their kid is not as handicapped as they though, the concept of, just for a few minutes, their kid is "normal"....

You come watch their faces, look at their eyes...and I bet you would never, not in a million years, use the word retarded within their hearing!

Ed

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 7:20 AM
The term "politically correct" isn't appropriate here. It's social awareness. Years ago the mentally challenged were regarded with derision - social outcasts. We, as a society, have discovered that was the wrong way to look at them. "Retards" is an outdated term that reflects an outdated way of thinking of them. It needs to be retired.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:09 AM
In the official terms of the medical past, there were three levels of mental retardation, each signifying the level of disability. They were idiot, moron and imbecile. I don't think anyone is aware of these terms or cares for their history. Idiot is so frequently used.

I personally think "LOSER" is an appropiate term for any idiot who crosses tries to beat a train. I use to be a paramedic and I've seen the body damage such an event can cause.

to: bbrant. Freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom of speech does exist and you can say what you when you want. But don't expect not to get corrected for being unkind.

How we refer to others often reflects how we treat others. For example, railfans are being called "suspicious" thus they are being treated as such. If I never called you anything but good things, then I would be naturally treat you as I called you.

I don't mean to take time on this forum to rant, but I always get concerned when anyone throws around our right to Freedom of Speech to justify bad behavior.
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Posted by jchnhtfd on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:09 PM
Ahem. Hello? We seem to be involved in a PC argument here. In general, I am in the same camp as Edblysyard -- but then, I usually am!

The folks we see driving around crossing gates, or displaying other behaviours of that sort (ignoring stop signs, running red lights, whatever...) are, in general, no different from most of us in regards basic intelligence or education or ... and I could go on. Where the difference arises is in attitude. Our initial poster put it correctly: the fellow didn't want to wait the three minutes. This type of behaviour -- and the resulting accidents -- usually comes from one of two places: inattentiveness (often from paying attention to or focussing on something else, occasionaly from fatigue) or a particular form of selfishness: whatever I am doing is the most important thing in the world, and nothing else should interfere. And for these folks, that 'should' is an imperative: they will allow nothing else to interfere, and assume that their will will prevail. In dealing with other people, it usually does -- and we see these folks in many walks of life, happily trampling on whoever to get to their personal goal. Unfortunately, their will will NOT prevail in other situations -- like railroad crossings, or building houses on flood plains and beaches, or... fill in the blanks.

It's the 'me first and the Devil take the rest' attitude that is truly the problem, not mental capacity!
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Posted by MP57313 on Thursday, April 7, 2005 2:47 PM
Points well taken.
Some of the risk-taking folks (the "chicken" types) have what is sometimes called the 'thrillseeker gene', and they enjoy the adrenaline rush. Others are just impatient, or just have poor judgment.
Neither of these kinds of drivers are likely to listen to reason, even if they are involved in a close call. Maybe, with the passage of time, they will slow down...but there are always new drivers to "take their place" on the roads.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 3:16 PM
If the photo is clear and crisp enough , you might send it to the local newspaper. They could find it interesting enough to print as a good example of a bad example.

As far as "political correctness:" I believe it is a term generally used derisively by those who belittle respect for other groups yet demand it for their own. It has nothing to do with free speech. Any careless individual, bigot or tiresome bore is free to speak his mind in this country. He shouldn't be surprised to get a negative reaction though.

Titles of threads can be edited if the poster desires, I believe.

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Posted by locomutt on Thursday, April 7, 2005 3:48 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs

In the official terms of the medical past, there were three levels of mental retardation, each signifying the level of disability. They were idiot, moron and imbecile. I don't think anyone is aware of these terms or cares for their history. Idiot is so frequently used.

I personally think "LOSER" is an appropiate term for any idiot who crosses tries to beat a train. I use to be a paramedic and I've seen the body damage such an event can cause.

to: bbrant. Freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom of speech does exist and you can say what you when you want. But don't expect not to get corrected for being unkind.

How we refer to others often reflects how we treat others. For example, railfans are being called "suspicious" thus they are being treated as such. If I never called you anything but good things, then I would be naturally treat you as I called you.

I don't mean to take time on this forum to rant, but I always get concerned when anyone throws around our right to Freedom of Speech to justify bad behavior.



"LOSER" works quite well. If 'you' mess with a train,that's exactly
what you will get. You'll LOSE!!!!!!

I'm a former FF/EMT and have seen several cases like that.
It ain't pretty!!!!!!

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 7, 2005 5:57 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs

In the official terms of the medical past, there were three levels of mental retardation, each signifying the level of disability. They were idiot, moron and imbecile. I don't think anyone is aware of these terms or cares for their history. Idiot is so frequently used.

I personally think "LOSER" is an appropiate term for any idiot who crosses tries to beat a train. I use to be a paramedic and I've seen the body damage such an event can cause.

to: bbrant. Freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom of speech does exist and you can say what you when you want. But don't expect not to get corrected for being unkind.

How we refer to others often reflects how we treat others. For example, railfans are being called "suspicious" thus they are being treated as such. If I never called you anything but good things, then I would be naturally treat you as I called you.

I don't mean to take time on this forum to rant, but I always get concerned when anyone throws around our right to Freedom of Speech to justify bad behavior.



"LOSER" works quite well. If 'you' mess with a train,that's exactly
what you will get. You'll LOSE!!!!!!

I'm a former FF/EMT and have seen several cases like that.
It ain't pretty!!!!!!
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Posted by bbrant on Friday, April 8, 2005 5:26 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs

In the official terms of the medical past, there were three levels of mental retardation, each signifying the level of disability. They were idiot, moron and imbecile. I don't think anyone is aware of these terms or cares for their history. Idiot is so frequently used.

I personally think "LOSER" is an appropiate term for any idiot who crosses tries to beat a train. I use to be a paramedic and I've seen the body damage such an event can cause.

to: bbrant. Freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom of speech does exist and you can say what you when you want. But don't expect not to get corrected for being unkind.

How we refer to others often reflects how we treat others. For example, railfans are being called "suspicious" thus they are being treated as such. If I never called you anything but good things, then I would be naturally treat you as I called you.

I don't mean to take time on this forum to rant, but I always get concerned when anyone throws around our right to Freedom of Speech to justify bad behavior.



If the term were directed to someone who is mentally handicapped then I would agree 100% that it was offensive. But the context the word retard was used in is no different than the context of calling this guy a moron, idiot or otherwise. I have to ask why the PC warning gates didn't go down on either "moron" or "idiot"?

Moron - A person of mild mental retardation having a mental age of from 7 to 12 years and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education.

Idiot - A person of profound mental retardation having a mental age below three years and generally being unable to learn connected speech or guard against common dangers.

Look, the bottom line is the guy who cut in front of the train did something incredibly dumb and dangerous. But the context to describe the guy was not meant to offend anyone nor should anyone be offended.

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