Pretty Sad State of Affairs ...

ound: :spit:

 

Well I see "PorscheCastro" is back!

Three investigative judges? Are you insane man!? After that comment you have been upgraded to PorscheChavez!

The jury system is not perfect and we as Americans know this! But to lay our fate in the hands of a judge or judges only is madness! A very part of the foundation of our country and the individual rights we enjoy under the Bill of Rights would be gone...if that's the case then many in government will question why we need the rights that have been left over. Hell, isn't that what is being currently debated all the time as it is??? Don't we all get riled up on VFRWorld because of such issues when they get posted?

Many countries have dumped the jury system because a jury can tell the goverment to take a walk. Judges don't. They bend to political pressure and posturing and that's what governments truly wants...more control over it citizens.

BZ

 

This may be true, but juries are usually selected from not quite the brightest bunch of individuals, so that they may be swayed by the lawyers. I was called up for jury duty 10 years ago when I was stationed in Tucson, when it was found that I was active military and educated I was dismissed from jury duty. I reported, ready for my duty as a citizen, but the prosecuting lawyer didn't want me around. No big deal, I was ready and willing to see our legal system in action. Unfortunately this was not to be. No system is perfect but I do believe that ours is pretty darn good given all the alternatives and options.

 

Guess it was the initial amount of $2.9 million that grabbed the Worlds headlines, obviously the final ( but still crazy ) amount scaled down by the judge wasn't as newsworthy.

Linky:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald's_coffee_case

 

The McDonalds case award was reduced substantially, it's one way a jury can be kept in check. I think it was settled for under a few hundred thousand. Just enough to let the attorneys get paid.

As for Honda's warning. Thank the legislature for passing such broad and actionable laws. This is what enables people to sue. California is the worse. The consumer is so overprotected there, his own stupidity can be someone elses liablity. I used to work in Ford's legal department and the things you see. . .

While the obvious warning seems to be common sense, the cost of the sticker is less than a penny. What it offsets are the many claims of people coming in saying "this Honda keychain damaged my personal property (the top triple clamp) and I want a new one" so Honda then has to step up and warranty a triple tree possibly for about $100.

So a manufacturer spending 1 cent to avoid $100 or so claim is just business decision to them.

There's always someone wanting something for free somewhere. And we all pay for it in the end with higher parts/bike prices.

 

Wouldn't it be cheeper to not send out plastic Keychains most people couldn't give a tinkers cuss about, maybe send out something like Honda Wing or HRCA stickers in its place.

Of course they'd still need to spend the penny warning riders " placing the sticker on the mirror surface may inhibit rearward vision. "

 

Sir,

Your post has caused me to snort 2 ounces of perfectly good, 30 year old MacAllan's all over an expensive 24" Sony LCD monitor, splashing over a perfectly lit Bolivar Belicoso (Cuban) which will now have wet spots and possibly runners as I attempt to enjoy it over the next 70 minutes. In addition my sinuses are now burning something awful.

I hereby demand compensation for the paper towel which you recklessly forced me to use to solve this intractible problem.

 

This is one of those number keyrings. If I loose my keys and someone honest (are there many left?) finds them they can go to the trouble of dropping them in a mailbox and eventually Honda might send them back to me. of course, by then I've already gotten another key made:biggrin:

Shinigami, I'm sorry for the anguish, bro. Send me your address and I promise I'll send you a new (well, maybe slightly used) paper towel to replace the one that I may have caused you to use. Of course if you wanted to share the hooch and smokes I might be able to find an unused one!

 

I like these kind of lawsuits. I spilled ice cold water on my crotch at Wendy's and won 2.6 Mil for "shrinkage"

 

You're right Reg, there are a few bad apples ruining a lot everywhere..... It is really everywhere you look. Its just not right that its so easy to bring a lawsuit against a person or corporation. I'm sure at one point people didn't think it was possible to sue big corporations because of the expense and time it takes but our own freedom to do so means theres someone trying everyday. The problem is the checks and balances are all out of whack and because of the power of $$$ responsible decisions are no longer made. Attorneys have to stop. I have to do paperwork in my job everyday that is some form of disclosure or waiver that protects my company and myself from lawsuits or jail time. People seem to take the path of least resistance and lose their sensibilities when it comes to blaming someone for misfortune then finding a way to profit from it. I don't know what can stop that mentality. Now I have to get away from this computer, its bad for your eyes you know. If you can prove that you had your vision affected by your monitor I'm sure theres a lawsuit there.... I know a good lawyer...... I didn't see any warnings on the box!!!

 

How do you think us military people feel. We are being sent to countries that some of these politicians haven't been to, dying for our country and when we get out we have to deal with the VA and it's endless myriad of paperwork just to be seen by a medical professional. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for the benefits, I actually want to serve my country, and be socially responsible. The politicians really have it good compared to the majority of people out there. Granted if I could vote myself a raise and better ebnefits I might, but not at the expense of others.

 

Bubba, I will say this just one time....knock off the name calling or I may be forced to pinch your head off.

 

Thank you Bob for having a sense of humor on this issue:biggrin:

BZ

 

Everyone:

There is much to be said about scumbag attorneys, our system of government, and especially our elected officials and the antics they pull in and out of office.

I think Reg, Doug(the Cook) have pointed out some serious issues regarding the politicians world and the citizens world. And PorsheBob's response really reflects the frustration we all feel from time to time with our system, I think we can all relate. All you Veterens, you get one of the worst deals ever. My wife's Dad served in Vietnam and his VA stories are nuts. He did say they vary on service depending upon which one you go too.

Lobbyists...well I don't have many positive things to say about this group. Case in point, the NRA. Why do we as gun owners have to pay for our freedom??? (No response needed, I know the answer) I ask this qustion to try and generate thought in you all. We have been conditioned to believe we must pay for our constitutional rights...rights that have been garanteed to us!? It was that moment when I said "Goodbye" to the NRA. Freedom is taken and exercised by the individual, not bought and sold in the market place.

I realized it has been us individuals that let the scumbag attorneys, politicians, and lobbyists get away with everything becasue we do not ask or demand accountability for their poor actions...our society does not value accountability. It was something we lost a long time ago. The blame is once again on US. If you don't believe me, then study pop culture. What does our pop culture value, or I should say, what are the values of our pop culture. Hmmm...that's easy, screwing people over, caring only for oneself, and blaming others when their demise is at hand.

I work for the government and I have to take phone calls on certain issues. I see this everyday folks. People have no concept of civics. I found out civics is not even taught in some schools anymore!??! Imagine, you never learned how a bill becomes law, what the Bill of Rights means to you as a citizen of this nation? It all becomes clear...we have two to almost three generations of uneducated individuals (when it come to civics) who have become conditioned to believe they have a constitutional right to own a cell phone, watch MTV and pay for the rights that have been garuanted or add whatever rediculous thing we value at the moment.

I think you all understand what I am trying to convay! Us serious motorcyclists value freedom, and not in a trivial way either.

Sorry for the rant, hope I made sense!

BZ

 

I think we should come together as one group, not pulling apart - being devisive- but coming together, collaboratively, -being a united force- to move forward in a positive direction to advance the state of the art in noble reform, to make our riders points of light as we march toward tomorrow for the children, defending the rights earned by the blood of our forefathers as they built the bridge over troubled waters to assure the continued survival of the Honda VFR legacy!!!

Are you with me?

 

I've decided not to buy anything anymore. What ever you buy has several pages of caveats warning you that if you use it, you may be injured, killed, or start a fire, or cause injury to someone else.

 

I gave a rat's ass. I was never in the military except for a few years of ROTC but I've always supported you guys. I took my chances with the draft during Vietnam and they didn't want me. I grew up outside an Army base, and I had a lot of friends who were Army.

During the era when returning vets weren't very popular I was one of the people who was ashamed at the way my countrymen were acting. I apologize for them. It was a lousy thing for anyone to do, and they had no right.