Dangerous thoughts on a Boulder trail

The tall, slender man rolled fast toward me
on his bicycle, talking to the purple-haired
woman riding next to him, looking at his phone,
unaware of his likely imminent demise.

I had the body mass index advantage, I said
later. I had a helmet. I was going downhill
as he was going up. He was shirtless and the
road rash would be ugly if he even survived.

My bicycle was new, nearly scratch-free. I had
things to do, a looming deadline, bills to pay.
I shouted, too politely, and spared his life,
as I had with the oblivious guy the other day.

The next time he may not hear me and we’ll collide
but I swear in advance that I tried to avoid him
even though I was tempted to teach him a lesson.
I really don’t have time to waste in prison.

Boulder Sheriff, welcome to civil disobedience

You will have to forgive me for nearly laughing out loud (I mean, LOL) when I read of Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle’s concern regarding a protest tonight that involved blocking traffic on U.S. Highway 36.

The story says Pelle thinks it’s a “no win” situation for police because either the public will be upset if law enforcers do nothing or the protesters and their supporters will be upset if someone uses tear gas or force or something and “we will be scrutinized.”

Isn’t scrutiny of law enforcement precisely the point, FCOL?

Sheriff Pelle seems to not have been paying attention. More from the article:

“The thing is, I’m not sure, exactly, what they are trying to accomplish,” Pelle said.

Now I understand. Our sheriff hasn’t a clue. He needs to get one.

Welcome to Civil Disobedience 101, Sheriff Pelle. Pay attention now, as upsetting as it may be…

via U.S. 36 shut down as protesters march down 28th toward Baseline – Boulder Daily Camera.

100 march in Boulder to protest Missouri grand jury decision

Elk shooter’s character more important than residence

Would Sheriff Andy Taylor have shot and killed an elk like Boulder’s Big Boy right there in his own town of Mayberry?

Of course not. The fictional sheriff wouldn’t have gunned down the critter in Mayberry—or in Raleigh or Durham or any other city or town, in season or out, let alone lie about it.

It’s not a matter of residence, as a politician and a Denver Post writer would have it as laid out in this Sunday opinion piece.

It’s a matter of character, plain and simple.

There may be good arguments for requiring some workers to live in the city that employs them, and as the column points out the issue has been legislated and litigated.

It’s more important to have police officers who can be trusted to obey the laws they are supposed to enforce.

Jeremy Meyer’s column simply confuses two important issues.

More fuzzy thinking on Boulder County roads

There he goes again.

Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle is quoted in the Daily Camera as saying a canyon road will be closed to cyclists for several weeks, but open to motor vehicles.

Why is it closed to people who travel by bicycle?