Surviving the '50s, '60s...

[Michaelson]

Not ME! I'm as nostalgic as the next, but I grew up freezing in winter (we had natural gas space heating in a house with 12 foot ceilings), and roasting in summer (all we had was an upstairs window fan to 'cool' that 2 story Victorian monster) with open screen doors, so I'm quite fond of my central heating and air now, thank you very much!

I'll put up with that discomfort when driving my 50's Plymouth day in and day out to work, but not at home.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Lincsong]

I think the age/weight got raised to 8 years/80 lbs largely due to the efforts of a mom whose child was not sitting in a booster seat and was killed in a crash. She lobbied for some time to have the law changed to protect other people's children, so they wouldn't have to experience a loss like hers. Unless I'm mistaken she was not a politician, just a grieving mother.

Now maybe, instead of a gov't mandate, it could have been gov't mandated education (much like the education required to obtain a license to drive---helpful for all to know the rules of the road). "Parents, please use booster seats and at least THINK about the safety of your child, instead of thinking only of your own selfish agendas for a change."

Just a thought[huh]

A thought well received.

 

[CWetherby]

Thank you very much!

 

[Lincsong]

Metal Lunch Pails

Remember those? In 1975 I had Underdog and in 1976 I had a Mickey Mouse, themed School Bus. I think they were banned because some cry baby's were complaining that kids were using them to defend themselves against bullies. If you don't like something; pick up all the toys, and make a law to ban it! :rage:

 

[Lincsong]

Aftermarket auto air-conditioners?

They used to fit under the dash board of the car. I remember my Dad didn't have Air Conditioning in the 1965 Country Squire Station Wagon, and we drove down to Los Angeles. He borrowed the neighbors aftermarket model. My Grandfather had a 1973 Datsun 510 with one. It sucked so much power out the tiny 4 cylinder engine he never used it.[huh]

 

[mysterygal]

Remember those? In 1975 I had Underdog and in 1976 I had a Mickey Mouse, themed School Bus. I think they were banned because some cry baby's were complaining that kids were using them to defend themselves against bullies. If you don't like something; pick up all the toys, and make a law to ban it! :rage:

I know, now they make these cheap plastic boxes that last maybe a couple of months before they're all torn up...they just don't make things like they used to!

 

[mysterygal]

our air conditioning as a kid was rolling down the windows lol

 

[Burma Shave]

Indeed I do...

...remember those metal lunch boxes. I have a scar on my bottom lip from where my sister belted me with one. And no, I wasn't a bully. She got mad, hauled off and whacked me a good one with the box, and started screaming when my bottom teeth poked through a new, extraneous hole in my face.

True to form, my parents didn't take me to the doctor, or let me hit her back. "Your mouth heals more quickly than any other part of the body," they said. "You'll be fine." And they were right -- and not a single lawsuit was filed.

 

[Katt in Hat]

And they were right -- and not a single lawsuit was filed.[Q]

Damn Right!

Ban all plaintiffs' lawyers except put a few on retainer.

Just in case I NEED ONE!!! :deadhorse

 

[Roger]

I have to agree. I'm sick of all these politicians trying to "protect" me, or trying to prevent others from having drama in their lives. Yeah, I feel sorry if somone lost a loved one, but don't use that to go overboard on the regulation side. What are the acutaly chances that someone is going to be thrown out of the back of a pickup? It isn't too likely, though it happens.

 

[John in Covina]

I have to agree. I'm sick of all these politicians trying to "protect" me, or trying to prevent others from having drama in their lives. Yeah, I feel sorry if somone lost a loved one, but don't use that to go overboard on the regulation side. What are the acutaly chances that someone is going to be thrown out of the back of a pickup? It isn't too likely, though it happens.

********
I am of 2 minds on this. We wear seat beats not for what usually doesn't happen, an accident, but when the time comes we're usually glad to have been wearing them. Back before the California seat belt laws we were driving and got intro a small fender bender. I was the passenger and wound up jamming my knee against the bottom of the dash board. Limped for about a week, but was nervous to ride or drive for a couple of weeks, and since then would not consider being without the seat belt on.

When I was 8-10 I got to ride in the back of my dad's uncles pick up truck in the summer the 2 mile trip from their business to home a half block from my parents home. If while working the gears it was alittle jerky, I got banged up. if I was not paying attention and they turned or stopped, I got banged up. Did I love riding in the back of the truck? Yup, and in spite of any bruises from slipping around on the bottom of the bed.

Parents try to protect their children and children do need protection, but the question is when is it overbearing protection? I think of those extreme sports videos where there is a blacklash to be free to have an adrenilin rush, but they all are wearing safety equipment.

Helmet laws fall into this catch 22 also.

It is a perception of the danger level that shapes the response.

Here in LA county the Fire department requires class room doors to be closed at all times, no matter how hot it is or stuffy. Why because when the door is closed you are safer if there is a fire. Now, since most schools don't burn down, you could say that 99.99999 percent of the time your not in flames and it would be good to open the windows and the door to get a cross breeze going. Do it and you'll get fined. Now when I was in school we did this all the time, also where i went they did not have A/C for school rooms, so opening the windows was the solution and having the door open allowed a good breeze to come thru, and all the time we were in grave danger of bursting into flame. And no that teacher or the students cannot simplyy close the door should a fire start and approach the room. Question: How many here had fire drills at school where you evacuated the building? (In size order of course!) How do you do that if you have to keep the doors closed? Go thru the windows? We never practiced that, and it's not fun if you are on the 2nd or 3rd floor or higher.

Accidents do happen and in some things we try to anticipate things BUT....
It's all in the perception of danger. [huh]

 

[mysterygal]

also with bicycle helmets, there are so many crazy drivers out there, that you do need some extra protection...myself, I don't see any problem with all the protection laws, for the most part they sound like common sense. Grown ups can make their own choices wether to buckle up or wear a helmet while riding their bike,k but with children, we need to protect them.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

also with bicycle helmets, there are so many crazy drivers out there, that you do need some extra protection...myself, I don't see any problem with all the protection laws, for the most part they sound like common sense. Grown ups can make their own choices wether to buckle up or wear a helmet while riding their bike,k but with children, we need to protect them.

Yes. I totally agree.

 

[jamespowers]

also with bicycle helmets, there are so many crazy drivers out there, that you do need some extra protection...myself, I don't see any problem with all the protection laws, for the most part they sound like common sense. Grown ups can make their own choices wether to buckle up or wear a helmet while riding their bike,k but with children, we need to protect them.

Now remember back then. Did you wear all that stuff?
I know I didn't and that was even after I managed to crash into a parked car, slide up the hood over the top and down the trunk lid. What did we do? Say "cool, lets do it again!" You just couldn't ride the bike too straight after that with the bent front rim.


Regards,

J

 

[John in Covina]

Ban Water and Fire!

fftopic: and in a joking manner taking an absurd turn on the safety issue:

Water drowns and fire burns. Use shall only be granted to Certified Technical Specialists licensed in these fields. Too many unprotected children suffer needlessly because of the use of these dangeous elements.

Drownings in pools, bathtubs, accidents in showers, improper disposale of used water all causes of great grief every day.

Fire in homes and buildings burnt down, accidents while cooking, use of fireplaces and barbeques all lead to the death or disfigurement and to the pain and suffering of the Children. Parents cannot be trusted to administer these elements properly so out right banning, control and licensing are the only way Government can protect people against the improper use of the elements. And make no mistake there are no supposed guarenteed rights in the constitution to get in the way of these protections. 14 day waiting period for matches and lighters. Outright ban of the offensive specialty lighters. Propane torches, heaters and welding equipment must be turned in or you will face siezure of property, fines and imprisonment, for the use of banned items, all connected items. You must buy special state licensed locks for all faucets, pumps and water holding devices.

Don't get in Hot Water, Join Protect The Children At All Costs League Now, before we find out who you are.

 

[jamespowers]

Certainly. Let's send a petition to Congress to ban Dihydrogen monoxide. It kills thousands of people each year. More than many other solutions. You should be required to get a license to use it and have a background check to make sure you won't use it improperly.

Regards,

J

 

[mysterygal]

the problem is, most people with using common sense can avoid a lot of these disasters, it's the 'bad apples' that ruins it.
Back to bicycle helmets, I didn't wear one either, but you better believe my children will

 

[Katt in Hat]

I want only Laws and Regulations with which I agree!

What you want, I care not.

What I want is to regulate You.

The Four Freedoms?

FOR ME! FOR ME! FOR ME! FOR ME!

 

[mysterygal]

sorry to say darlin', but the world does not revolve around you....one of lifes lessons...you can't always get what you want

 

[Katt in Hat]

???????????????

sorry to say darlin', but the world does not revolve around you....one of lifes lessons...you can't always get what you want

:deadhorse


You have no sense of IRONY and completely missed the point.