Philosophy meets reality
July 23, 2008
I am on my way to the grocery store and my philosophical view of life ran into reality. Not literally, but in the form of Officer Obie from the very good Costa Mesa Police Department. Did, I say very good Costa Mesa Police Department? Yes, I think I did.
In an instant I was involved in the crime of the century. This crime was so horrendous they were using up all the cop equipment they had hanging around the Police Officers Station. There was drug sniffing dogs, 8x10 glossy photographs, helicopters, motorcycles, squad cars, and emergency vehicles sirens blaring. And, then there was Officer Obie leading the charge for decency, safety, law and order for all.
I thought they must be after the worst mother rapers and father stabbers this side of Chicago. Crossed my mind they probably were from Chicago. At least from Lost Angeles but never the Costa Mesa Newport Area.
Then to my surprise Officer Obie pulled in behind my car with his lights flashing with the determined look of a starved bull dog. Surprise turned to disbelief when I realized he was not after the worst mother rapers and father stabbers of them all. Officer Obie was after me. This realization almost caused me to get in an accident trying to reach a safe place to pull over. I'm much closer to a beach bum than the worst mother raper and father stabber of them all. How could this be? What henrondous crime could I have possibly committed. This had to be some kind of terrible mistake.
Officer Obie first asked for my license and copy of my Mexican Insurance also known as Uninsured Motorists Insurance. Uninsured motorists insurance is another way my government is helping me...by making me buy insurance for a car not my own. After verifying that I was not an immediate danger to society, he proceeded to inform me that he had observed me driving with out my seat belts worn in a proper manner. I immediately informed the Officer that my mom was the only one allowed to tell me how to dress. You know seat belts or that dark sport coat with gray slacks. And, since she died right after I got out of the Army, I was on my own. It was up to me to decide for myself if I needed seat belts or the dark sport jacket with gray slacks.
Officer Obie in his professional, quite polite but commanding way informed me of all the lives saved by seat belts. I informed Officer Obie that seat belts dug into the side of my neck and collar bone and was a major distraction when driving. That the constant attempt to adjust the belts to a non painful and irritating position was more dangerous to my health than not dressing properly. Then in some types of accidents the lower seat belt will cause more harm than good. Officer Obie in his professional, quite polite, but commanding way informed me that you never know what type of accident you may be involved in.
Wham bam, we came to a point of agreement . You never know! The government does not know. I do not know. Since, we all do not know together it should be up to me decide how to approach the unknown. For it is I that must face the consequences of my choices alone. No Officer Obie, no drug sniffing dogs, no helicopters, no 8x10 glossy photographs, no motorcycles, no emergency vehicles with sirens blaring...only me!
Officer Obie, not willing to give up so easily, said he could end up paying my medical bills as a taxpayer. I reminded the Gentleman and an Officer that he volunteered and that such duty was not needed or requested by me. Possibly he might be more discriminating for whom he votes in the future.
I asked Officer Obie how much the fine would be for the government looking out for my welfare. About 100 dollars was the reply. Possibly, I had used up 100 dollars worth of the governments time by trying to convince Officer Obie to consider individual freedom and choice was important matter to be considered by all. We both laughed and proceeded to help our fellow citizens as best we could. One supporting the work of the nanny government and one who believes the American Dream is individual freedom. Especially the freedom to make important choices for ourselves..both good and bad and with both good and bad results.
If things keep getting worse, I think I will have to ask the government to stop trying to help me!
Note: The Real Officer Stukkie of the Costa Mesa Police Department (motorcycles) was ever bit the Officer and a Gentlemen with a good sense of humor. I'm sure he would be a credit to any place he choose to work. The operative word here is choose. Officer Stukkie choose to be a Police Officer, at times, a dangerous vocation. Officer Stukkie choose to ride a motorcycle which could increase the danger on a daily basis. I'm sure Officer Stukkie weighed the benefits vs. loss or plus vs. minus of his decesions and choose what he thought best for him and others he cared about. We all deserve the same choice when it comes to life or death situtations...especially our own!