Re: Inquiry on History of the Speed Limit in Montana

On Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:04:36 -0700, "Calif Bill" <bmckeespam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


When I was a kid in the 50's, California had a 55 prima faci limit. Was a
normal limit, but if conditions were safe, you could go any reasonable
speed. I remember commenting to my dad when we passed a CHP parked in the
middle of the desert near Mojave as we passed at about 100+ mph. Said as
long as safe was ok. Cop did not move. Dad had a 51 Hudson Twin H power or
might have been the 1953 Hudson.


These days it's hard to remember when cops had common sense, isn't it? Little
different situation, when I was a kid, my dad was the Hamilton County
(Chattanooga) Auditor, what they call the Comptroller these days. On many a
Saturday I'd go in to work with him. We'd cross the street to the county jail
for lunch (I still LOVE boiled cabbage :-) Dad and the Sheriff ("Bookie"
Turner, for those familiar with the local era) would sit and talk (OK, there
MIGHT have been a little 'shine involved :-) while I went out into the
prisoner section and played with the prisoners. I was small enough to squeeze
between the cell bars so I could go in and out of any cell.

Even with the guys in jail for serious stuff like robbery and murder, there
was never even a thought that one of 'em would hurt a little kid. Even crooks
had some standards :-) I don't have a single memory of a guard abusing a
prisoner, verbally or otherwise. Those were some of the most fun times of my
early life. As long as I stayed away from the drunk tank, the prisoners were
fun to play with.

I can't help but believe that part (not all but part) of the reason modern
criminals are so hardened and just plain mean is how they're treated. We know
that even a mean dog can many times be calmed down by gentle treatment but we
also know that brutal treatment can make even a nice dog mean. I suspect that
the same thing holds true for humans.

John
--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
What do you call 4 Blondes in an Abrams? Air Tank.

.

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