Chopp143's Blog

News that Illegal immigrant Andre Martins was shot and killed by a Cape Cod Police Officer has drawn outrage from the Brazilian community and other advocates for illegals. While tragic, the fact remains that if you fail to stop for a police officer and then try to run him down with you vehicle you will most likely be shot.  This is not about discrimination against immigrants, it is an example of someone who broke the law on many levels and suffered the consequences for his actions.  When you break the law you deserve punishment and if you attempt to kill a police officer you will suffer a harsh and justified penalty.

Maybe it is a function of turning 50, but I find myself getting a little more cranky with each passing year.  Some random thoughts about things that tick me off:

1.   People who insist on carrying on a cell phone conversation at the same time they are trying to order a coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

2 .People who wait until they reach the bank teller to fill out their paperwork rather then taking care of it prior to getting line.

3. People who throw their trash on the sidewalk when there is a trash barrel within sight.

4. People who try to jam themselves onto a subway car before the people inside can exit.

5. Fans who need to get up in the middle of play to get a beer refill rather than waiting until there is a break in the action.

6. People who stop in the middle of the intersection and cause grid lock because they are so self important.

7.  People who are too lazy to brush the snow off their entire vehicle and then get on the interstate doing 75 mph so the wind will blow it off.

8.  People who stand on the street corner trying to get me to take a personality test.  I have a news flash for them, I DON'T HAVE A PERSONALITY, so stopping asking.

9.  People who let their dogs walk loose and use the sidewalk for a toilet.

10.  People who complain about other people's stupid habits. (I am looking in the mirror as I type this)  Guilty as charged!!

The news that CVS has won approval to open health clinics staffed by nurse practioners seemed to be a step in the right direction in getting basic health problems (cold, flu, ear infrections ect..) taken care of in a non hospital setting.  Apparently Mayor Menino finds this unacceptable.  Too often on a daily basis, people with non life threatening health problems use 911 for transport to a local Emergency Room for treatment.  This ties up valuable resources that are intended to be there for true medical emergencies and needlessly overcrowds our ERs.  This type of walk in clinic is only a small step in addressing our overburdened health care system, but at least it is a start.  Mayor Menino should concentrate his efforts on cleaning streets, fighting crime, educating the children and leave the public health issues to the professionals.

I just finished reading about the latest attempt by the Boston Police to stem the violence in Boston neighborhoods by seeking parents permission to have the Police search their teenager's rooms without a warrant to find weapons.  At first it seems like a reasonable attempt to be proactive and certainly would do more good than candle light vigils.  I guess then the caffine from my morning coffee kicked in and I actually started to see how ridiculous an idea this is.  Why should the police be the ones to search these teenage rooms??  What about the parents stepping up to the plate and search their own teenagers room themselves???  Parents need to parent.....this means if you suspect your child has an illegal weapon you confront them, search their room  ect....