The Arrogance of Authority

[anEinherjer]

Just a wonderful example of why people like me get sick and tired of authority figures of all stripes:

This morning, traffic on I-95 and I-395 heading into DC came to crashing standstill around 7:45. Most thought it was just accidents - first rain we've had in a month and who knows how many new immigrant drivers were on the road :D.

But then we come to find out that no, it's not accidents, it's not road construction or rain, anything like that.

It's a funeral procession.

It's cops shutting down entrances to the commuter lanes - at least 10 minutes early! - so the loooong procession, starting with at least a half-dozen cop motorcycles, can have a free and clear path to drive from wherever the hell they started in Alexandria up onto the commuter lanes and in to Arlington Cemetery.

Not only do they shut down the commuter lanes behind them, creating a backup that lasts over an hour, but they also created massive backups on the main lines of I-395 as they blocked off on-ramps to the commuter lanes, creating havoc. They also created a mess on the side streets and people aggravated by the nonsense tried to find alternative means to get into the city.



Now, I respect the dead (more or less). I respect our military, I respect those who've died for whatever cause our leaders felt like committing us to (the causes, not so much...). I understand the community desire for things like funeral processions.

What I cannot accept is the sheer arrogance of them. How brain-dead would you have to be to think that jamming the procession onto the busiest commuting path in the nation's capitol AT RUSH HOUR would be a great idea?

What does this have to do with authority? The power to **** up my life and the lives of tens of thousands of others on a whim. Say one of the millions of nameless faceless people in northern VA dies today - is there any chance that they'll shut down the biggest roads in Virginia tomorrow for any of us? Of course not.

It's a minor, yet extremely telling, abuse of power.

I don't care who the hell it was who died - I have no idea. But why not show a little respect for the people who grant you the power to pull such shit off and start the procession after 9 or so when you won't disrupt the 99.9% of the population that DOESN'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR DEAD!

Thank you, that is all.

[shiva2999]

BEST...POST...EVER...

****ing funeral processions.

[pmoon6]

I crossed a funeral procession on a feeder road in Houston once.

I was in a company truck and exited the freeway, waited for the procession to pass and thought it was clear. I crossed over to the right hand lane and stopped at the light 500 yards down the road. Three cars were lagging a ways behind, so a motorcycle cop pulls up beside me a yells into my open window "You ever do that again boy, and I'll ****ing lock you quicker than shit".

Startled the crap out of me.

[JLB]

Wow that's a terrible place to do that in the 1st place.

I've been through there and it's no picnic without something like that.

Great way to start the day. :nono:

[35Pete]

Just a wonderful example of why people like me get sick and tired of authority figures of all stripes:

This morning, traffic on I-95 and I-395 heading into DC came to crashing standstill around 7:45. Most thought it was just accidents - first rain we've had in a month and who knows how many new immigrant drivers were on the road :D.

But then we come to find out that no, it's not accidents, it's not road construction or rain, anything like that.

It's a funeral procession.

It's cops shutting down entrances to the commuter lanes - at least 10 minutes early! - so the loooong procession, starting with at least a half-dozen cop motorcycles, can have a free and clear path to drive from wherever the hell they started in Alexandria up onto the commuter lanes and in to Arlington Cemetery.

Not only do they shut down the commuter lanes behind them, creating a backup that lasts over an hour, but they also created massive backups on the main lines of I-395 as they blocked off on-ramps to the commuter lanes, creating havoc. They also created a mess on the side streets and people aggravated by the nonsense tried to find alternative means to get into the city.



Now, I respect the dead (more or less). I respect our military, I respect those who've died for whatever cause our leaders felt like committing us to (the causes, not so much...). I understand the community desire for things like funeral processions.

What I cannot accept is the sheer arrogance of them. How brain-dead would you have to be to think that jamming the procession onto the busiest commuting path in the nation's capitol AT RUSH HOUR would be a great idea?

What does this have to do with authority? The power to **** up my life and the lives of tens of thousands of others on a whim. Say one of the millions of nameless faceless people in northern VA dies today - is there any chance that they'll shut down the biggest roads in Virginia tomorrow for any of us? Of course not.

It's a minor, yet extremely telling, abuse of power.

I don't care who the hell it was who died - I have no idea. But why not show a little respect for the people who grant you the power to pull such shit off and start the procession after 9 or so when you won't disrupt the 99.9% of the population that DOESN'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR DEAD!

Thank you, that is all.
Look on the bright side anEin. It was probably some Washington power broker going for the dirt nap.

[Lucidvizion]

I think any kind of death ceremony is retarded.

Harvest my organs then drop my ass in a bonfire at a keg party.

[anEinherjer]

Alright alright, it was funeral. That ain't the point people! :D

[JLB]

I think any kind of death ceremony is retarded.

Harvest my organs then drop my ass in a bonfire at a keg party.

will do! :partysmilies:

[shiva2999]

Why does being bereaved give you the right to inconvenience others?

Earth to mourners!

Get that ****ing hearse outta my face!

[Lucidvizion]

It is a dumb law. I wouldn't call it an abuse of authority.

If anything, the person who planned the funeral should be bitch smacked.

[anEinherjer]

Thanks lucid - it's not a serious "abuse", but the fact that whoever it was even thought sending the procession through rush hour traffic demonstrates to me that said person does not respect the people who pay his way - and that's based on the power s/he wields.

[35Pete]

You're DEAD! You don't have to worry about getting in an accident. You're dead. The police escort is not necessary.

And your loved ones have plenty of time the day of the funeral. It's not like your daughter's bitching that things are behind schedule and that she'll miss the first 30 minutes of Oprah. Besides, she'll Tivo it. So having the funeral convoy follow normal traffic is not an unreasonable request.

Get in the hearse...err, have a few pals toss you in it, and go for the ride to the cemetary, shut up, be dead, get buried. No special treatment.

But for God's sakes, would you please stop inconveniencing the living?

[Green Lantern]

Heaven forbid death should be a cause for inconvenience.

[shiva2999]

Why should anyone expect special treatment just because they're sad?

Butch up girly pants and get the **** outta my way!

[kybillsfan]

I think any kind of death ceremony is retarded.

Harvest my organs then drop my ass in a bonfire at a keg party.
I have to second this. Anyone of my family member that spends the money I worked hard for, for a thousand some odd dollar funeral will be haunted by me for the rest of their lives. Whats really sick is that I cant build myself a pine box to be burried in nor can I have my family throw me into a bon fire after I die because the gov in all their wisdom made it against the law. Protectionism???

[Ralonzo]

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/48nwgoOtgbQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/48nwgoOtgbQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Gibby]

I have a list of enemies and as soon as I purge them I will host banquets for the masses where people will publically denounce them

[Mouldsie]

I was late for class b/c of that the other day... I let it bother me way too much

[TigerJ]

Hmmm, interesting. I've ridden in lots of funeral processions in my line of work, all of them in small towns. The last one was about 3 weeks ago. I made a point of asking the funeral director with whom I rode if funeral processions were afforded any rights under the law. He assured me they were not, that they depended on the consideration of other motorists. I assume this is something that would be up to states or municipalities. They could establish such laws if they wanted to, but unless the funeral director was wrong, there is no universal protection for funeral processions.

[kybillsfan]

Hmmm, interesting. I've ridden in lots of funeral processions in my line of work, all of them in small towns. The last one was about 3 weeks ago. I made a point of asking the funeral director with whom I rode if funeral processions were afforded any rights under the law. He assured me they were not, that they depended on the consideration of other motorists. I assume this is something that would be up to states or municipalities. They could establish such laws if they wanted to, but unless the funeral director was wrong, there is no universal protection for funeral processions.
That isnt the case in KY. I have seen two cops doing the funeral percesion where one of them would whip out of it and go after someone who didnt stop.

[Green Lantern]

So a libertarian picked the wrong state in which to live, must be the moral of this story.

[kybillsfan]

So a libertarian picked the wrong state in which to live, must be the moral of this story.
Doesnt bother me so much, I dont mind stopping for a funeral percesion. We are more free than many states. One of the last to have the rediculous seatbelt laws and we dont have the state wide smoking ban. Also arent taxed near as bad as most states. I guess the moral of the story is everyone should stop having funerals so we dont bother our neighbors.

[Green Lantern]

Doesnt bother me so much, I dont mind stopping for a funeral percesion. We are more free than many states. One of the last to have the rediculous seatbelt laws and we dont have the state wide smoking ban. Also arent taxed near as bad as most states. I guess the moral of the story is everyone should stop having funerals so we dont bother our neighbors.

You were not the libertarian to whom I was referring.

[kybillsfan]

You were not the libertarian to whom I was referring.Oh, okay. WHat the hell are you doing here anyway aqua, shouldnt you be tailgating in London?

[Green Lantern]

Oh, okay. WHat the hell are you doing here anyway aqua, shouldnt you be tailgating in London?

I am blackberrying you from the left-hand side of the road.

[pmoon6]

I am blackberrying you from the left-hand side of the road.That's funny right there, I don't care who ya are.

[kybillsfan]

I am blackberrying you from the left-hand side of the road.classic