Car vandalism
Posted by: Dungassin on 02 May 2013
Well, some evil little moron decided to 'key' my new car while it was parked outside my daughter's house this afternoon. Can't imagine why (jealousy?), but I'd love to know who it was so that I could inflict some damage to something he/she values.
Dear Don,
The little replay set continues to bring unalloyed joy! Thank-you for asking.
brilliant, as ken c would say "enjoy"
One day I may write something on the Twins Thread, about it to round out that particular thread.
Look forward to it
PS: Let's call it PAX here, if you want?
Absolutely. I might push a point to get people thinking, but I don't feel malice towards others. I'm sure we'll disagree on other things in future, but we probably agree on many more than we disagree - at least I hope we do.
Cheers
Don
Dear Don,
We both are lucky to live in such a well off, and,nice and pacific country as Britain, even if not every detail is quite perfect!
I almost wrote a "two months on" post at the weekend, and there is much to say that is entirely comforting about the way the V1 and NAP 100 have settled to the task to feeding the ESLs with glorious music. The run-in was - as expected - subtle, but all good. Sometimes the tiniest improvements in quality are disproportionately significant.
Best wishes from George
Who pays for the vast number of pedestrians, who outnumber cyclists vastly?
It is a part of modern civilised society that there is provision of services and facilities that are not paid for directly or even proportionally by those avail themselves of them.
George
99% of us are pedestrians. General taxation covers the cost of footpaths, ie paid for by 100% of us and used by 99%.
10% of us are cyclists. I don't consider these 10% should dictate the terms on which the motorist can use the highway which the motorist has paid for. And I don't consider these 10% are entitled to demand free use of this road network.
When cyclists were fewer in number and less vocal about their rights, I didn't feel as strongly as I do now. So I guess cyclists should either SHUT UP or PUT UP. IMHO of course.
Cheers
Don
99%, 10% etc are notional, please don't ask for references.
Don Atkinson
FYI
http://ipayroadtax.com/no-such...ng-why-this-matters/
(edited to remove the word 'Tosspot' from message)
Don Atkinson
FYI
http://ipayroadtax.com/no-such...ng-why-this-matters/
(edited to remove the word 'Tosspot' from message)
Wow! What a fantastic link!
Very interesting, factual, and educational.
Thanks for posting it, nodrog : )
Debs
FYI
http://ipayroadtax.com/no-such...ng-why-this-matters/
(edited to remove the word 'Tosspot' from message)
Oh, I know, I know. That is the status quo (poetry ?)
But this antiquated system system, introduced 75 years ago, currently referred to as VED needs to be changed, doesn't it. We can't live in the past forever. Otherwise Guy Gibson's dog would still be called ****** and the House of Lords wouldn't be debating Gay Marriage. What goes round comes round.
Road Fund Licence, Road Tax, Car Tax, Vehicle Excise Duty call it what you will, I know the current situation. I am proposing the need for modernisation, and explaining some of the reasons.
A bit like "The polluter should pay" lobby. I'm simply proposing a new tax on bycicles, based on highway occupancy. Call it Bycicle Excise Duty. I propose a rate of £1,000 per year for a Carlton(*), increasing to £2,000 pa for a penny farthing.
We can't live in the myopic past forever - IMHO.
Cheers
Don
(*) sorry George, its the only decent raod bike I can think of off-hand - please, please don't take offence. Perhap Carltons could be excused BED. cheers Don
Dear Don,
No apology needed!
I would argue that classic cycles like Curly Hetchins, Carlton, Holdsworth, and so on should be Cycle Excise Duty exempted, while "imports" should carry the burden!
Only kidding!
ATB from George
Dear Don,
No apology needed!
I would argue that classic cycles like Curly Hetchins, Carlton, Holdsworth, and so on should be Cycle Excise Duty exempted, while "imports" should carry the burden!
Only kidding!
ATB from George
Oooooo!!
You wouldn't make a very good Chancellor 
Cheers
Don
Dear Don,
If I stood for Parliament, it would have to be under the
"Fiercely Independent" rosette!
I’d loose my deposit for sure! No conventional party could contain my views! No doubt Cameron would regard me as a swivel eyed loony!
ATB from George
Completely irrisponsible car driver. Her twittered comments are despicable.
Cheers
Don
10% of us are cyclists. I don't consider these 10% should dictate the terms on which the motorist can use the highway which the motorist has paid for. And I don't consider these 10% are entitled to demand free use of this road network.
When cyclists were fewer in number and less vocal about their rights, I didn't feel as strongly as I do now. So I guess cyclists should either SHUT UP or PUT UP. IMHO of course.
I see you are a tolerant man Don!
How about those who don't own a car and are not polluting the environment. Will they get some of their taxes back, the part that ended up in roadwork, will they get some form of compensation for the damage done to our environment and our health due to abysmal inner city air? What about the families who have lost someone due to some idiot speeding or stupid driving?
Quite a bill there!
In any case, unless the tax rules in the UK are different, there is a good likelihood that taxes cannot be purpose bound, in other words all tax revenue needs to pay for all costs within society. It's the role of the government to allocate the funds appropriately. The costs of roads and damages go into the billions, the money raised through car/petrol related taxes doesn't cover it, everyone's paying not just the bloody motorists.
How about those who don't own a car and are not polluting the environment. Will they get some of their taxes back, the part that ended up in roadwork, will they get some form of compensation for the damage done to our environment and our health due to abysmal inner city air? What about the families who have lost someone due to some idiot speeding or stupid driving?
What on earth are you on about ?
Quite a bill there!
In any case, unless the tax rules in the UK are different, there is a good likelihood that taxes cannot be purpose bound, in other words all tax revenue needs to pay for all costs within society.
Yep, and £1,000 pa per bike seems like a good revenue earner in Winkies utopian society.
It's the role of the government to allocate the funds appropriately.
The costs of roads and damages go into the billions,
That's utter bollocks but............
the money raised through car/petrol related taxes doesn't cover it,
......... this proposed bike tax would go a long way toward closing such a gap.
everyone's paying not just the bloody motorists.
the sooner cyclist pay, the better.
Cheers
Don
Yep, and £1,000 pa per bike seems like a good revenue earner in Winkies utopian society.
Cheers
Don
Well yes, except it would earn nothing. We'd all get off our bikes and into cars. Then you'd see some real traffic.
Bikes aren't the problem, they are part of the solution. The amount time that drivers are delayed by bikes is trivial. Bikes impose no wear and tear on the infrastructure. They impose very little in the way of indirect environmental and health costs (manufacturing and distribution of bikes and spares being the main contributor). They don't kill 30,000 people in the US alone every year. They are not responsible for the 2,000 killed in the UK every year; and 20,000 serious injuries.
The riders of the bikes are less likely to suffer from costly obesity related health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
You don't seem to realise but you're better off because of the decision by others to ride their bikes. You might, be trivially delayed, or have some sort of moral outrage or your sense of fair-play might be offended, but that is all it is. Your call for some sort of bike taxes is bogus, and I sense you know it is.
I'm going to stop now. I'm sure I am being trolled, and I am bored with it.
This evening I got knocked off my bike by a car driver who stopped afterwards, but made no attempt to before ploughing into me. I think he may have been on the phone. I was on a (bike) crossing.
Broken arm. Broken toe. Broken bike. Lots of cuts'n'bruises.
5 hours in casualty. €100 for a taxi home. Having to clear up dog shit singlehandedly - literally (hardly the dog's fault, he'd been on his own for eighteen hours) when I got back.
And in France, the roads are paid for by local taxes. I have a car anyway, but cyclists pay precisely as much. As do pedestrians, and even the bedridden.
But the French are the worst, most arrogant, rudest, most selfish and plainly rubbish drivers in the world, bar none. So I must have been mad in my resolution to cycle to work more often.
He was still being talked to by the police when my friend went to collect my mangled bike, long after I'd been carted away. It was one down from deliberate, so I shall be inclined to take his insurance for everything I can.
Still, judging from the crack in my helmet, it could have been lots worse.
I've never had a limb in plaster before. How the hell do you keep clean? Can I drive with one arm? (automatic car), is this sensible, legal even? (In France you probably win a prize).
And bang goes my marathon training...
To bring the thread back to its origin, I did at least manage to break the arsehole's bumper. Albeit with my toe (apparently).
And here's what's wrong with France's economy - when I was discharged, she asked me how long I'd like off work. Seriously.
But the French are the worst, most arrogant, rudest, most selfish and plainly rubbish drivers in the world, bar none.
You've never ridden in Australia have you?
Sorry to hear about your injuries. I hope you recover quickly and completely.
Yes Rod - best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Sad news Rod, hope all goes well and you have a Speedy recovery. The older we get, the longer it takes to get back our mobility, so make sure you get lots of physio on the arm, etc.
Sounds like you might be looking at a major claim ( worth at least a full reference system !)
ATB
Rod,
Sorry to hear of your injuries:
Just a thought but, here in the UK [and maybe where you live] if you have a household insurance policy they usually have a recommended firm for accident compensation claims which is far more beneficial for the victim than the great many no win no fee that advertise elsewhere and everywhere.
Expect the end result [compensation payment] to be long time, probably well over a year, but don’t give up on it. Look at it as an well earned investment, revenge, a new bike, and karma all rolled into one.
I know it sucks when you are injured, the novelty goes out as soon as one recovers from the shock, but as you say - it could have been worse...
Debs
Eh ?
Cheers
Don
Hi Rod,
What a dreadful situation !
I do wish you a speedy recovery, without too much inconvenience on the way.
Careless and negligent drivers should be punished and made to pay (via their insurance) for all the damage and distress they cause. If any is found guilty of deliberately attacking a cyclist or pedestrian or another vehicle using their car as a weopon, they should be punished for attemted murder. I have no sysmpathy for them whatsoever.
But the main thing is a speedy rcovery.
Cheers
Don
I'm going to stop now. I'm sure I am being trolled, and I am bored with it.
No trolling, just exploring different perspectives.
Cheers
Don
And here's what's wrong with France's economy - when I was discharged, she asked me how long I'd like off work. Seriously.
God I love the French sometimes.
PS - Get well soon Rod.