Television in the U.S of N.A. is VERY censored. I learned this while living abroad for about a year. I heard AND saw what was REALLY going on in the war when the U.S. was only reporting "foreign casualties." On one hand, I understand for reasons of moral, on the other why hide the truth simply for politics? But then again, it's all a game isn't it? We're just the ones being controlled by the players.
He isn't a 'Russian nutcase' as this was documented in the TV Series: Conspiracy Theory with Jesse the Body Ventura. They got a pretty interesting sound bite: "So you're telling me, that if I was a regular guy in the local bar, you'd not only tell me all about what HAARP does, but would even give me a tour? But if I approach as a reporter then I am denied not only access to the facility, but you don't even have the courtesy to answer my call from the door/buzzer/speaker unit (at the gate)?"
That might not have been word for word, but that is what the guy who worked at the HAARP facility said when Jesse put together everything he said. Yeah, we have cause to be concerned and not trust blindly.
On one of my earlier web site versions, I had the songs up. I never checked to see how many people actually DL'd them. It'll be interesting to see how many people make their way that far to find them now though haha.
You know, this is a great example of the type of disconnect there is between development, engineering and deployment. Unless you are in all 3 of those situations, you just can't truly comprehend the needs of each.
The only thing an iphone is good for in that part of the world, is to barter for your release or something else.
Sorry dude, they think it's like a video game where you can carry 100's of lbs without any cost to the human (player). When in reality, disposing of batteries is better than carrying around 10-15 lbs of a (re)charging battery kit.
As I mentioned in another post, it was unfortunate (I actually feel worse for losing THOSE powerexx batteries than the camera itself!) but it will help me in my case later on.
Also, whats ~$250 plus 4 batteries compared to my white wall tires that come in @ over $300 each? Plus towing, plus inner tubes, plus getting them replaced/balance? Seriously, say ~$300, it's an amount I'll EASILY and HAPPILY lose ANYTIME compared to what would have happened without it.
So no, I'm not worried about getting that camera back, I'm worried about having to spend MORE money than that again. Hope that answers your question.
Well, I am glad you're amused lol. No really, I was really upset at first but it did help me out and will continue to help me out in my cause.
As I said in another post, there is no way that guy could have known what was in that box. What was your opinion of what you saw? Mine is that he went right for it. As you can see, there are 2 cars parked there, and behind one car (on the right) is my motorcycle. This guy had to turn sideways to get in and take it. JUST that box. Isn't that weird?
That's why I say it's someone who knew it was there, as someone who came to do something and was like wtf is that and left. I have images of that person too, but as the police said "you can't implicate them because you have NO PROOF." Even though that bastard was never seen before or since.
At that time, I was trying to catch someone in the act, instead of preventing. The camera was entirely stealthed out. All of the LEDs that could give it away were modified so they gave off no light. So as far as anyone (including the neighbors), there was a box amongst other boxes. After that, the camera and battery pack were mounted high up where once you're in the garage, you're on film and you can't get to it easily. Even then, you'd have to destroy it or rip out a huge chunk of wall to get it lol.
What we all wonder though, is what did that guy do once he realized it was wireless? Must have been exciting for a couple of days eh?
You are correct sir! I can not take action myself, because that might HURT my case. So, I had to rely on the police. So, regardless of all the "other things happening," they basically didn't care (the detectives since there has been 2 with my case).
I have a good idea of where this person could be found, but I can't do anything. The worst part about this, is that when it happened, I heard that dudes car pulling up. I was walking to the front of my apartment building. As the guy left, I was walking back. Since I had it hooked up to an extra lcd monitor I had, I noticed "no connection." I Immediately ran out when I realized I was looking at the dudes crotch in my security display lol.
So, as you can assume, there is more footage. The guy took the cam into his car, took off with it and the camera still transmitted until it was out of range. Very frustrating!
So, SOMEONE slashed my motorcycle tires. I didn't want that to happen again since those particular tires are expensive for my bike (whitewalls). I went to Fry's and realistically spent about $2,000 on hardware. Now, I KNOW I am not going to keep all of it, but I just wanted to see what worked best for my needs. About 3 trips later I ended up with:
# $250-$350 4 channel DVR (I don't remember how much but it was the cheapest decent recorder).
# 1 $275 + tax wireless camera with receiver. (awesome quality and sound!)
# 1 "bullet cam" that is not tiny, but small enough to be hidden in plants. It is wired. Maybe $50?
I later returned the Fry's DVR and got one off of newegg for $100 +tax and shipping, though I had to provide a SATA drive that I already had.
I also spent a bit more, like $80 on 8 D cell rechargeable batteries, and then like $145 on a powermaxx (best company EVER) for a D charger with 4 batteries. Although I had a wireless camera, I had no where to plug it in. So I made a battery pack. My #'s indicate I could run that camera for at least 24 hours with consistent connection and quality, then about 12 more hours and it got dimmer, crappier video quality and less night time infrared abilities as the batteries died.
Thanks to Fry's excellent return policy, the only thing you lose is your time! But I was able to return all that went unused. Here are some things to avoid: Small/tiny wireless cameras: their quality and resolution sucks. Avoid very expensive cameras as that they'll be no better than middle range cameras. Don't worry about the DVR, they all pretty much suck. Don't use your PC as a DVR, pretty much most people have problems with it. Oh, and of all the DVRs I used, all of them had issues being accessed through the internet.
Yet people continue to think its a good idea to invest their hard earned money so they can wait to retire and then find out they lost it all. I know about 2 instances, Enron and IndyMac Bank. In both cases people lost EVERYTHING they had "put into" their retirement. "But that won't happen to me, we're to big for that to happen.":(
I honestly tell people "you're better off in Las Vegas or even playing the lottery, because at least that's something you can understand and control yourself." (No, you can't control stocks even if you're very invested in it yourself because a lawsuit can change everything before you have a chance to sell.)
hurm, he wasn't referring specifically to aerial imagery, but rather the "data sink" the gov't was trying to create as in "collect everything now, sort it out later." Check out what they talked about for more details, it definitely lights up a privacy persons radar!
Yeah, I'm tired of gov't fees, taxes, and licenses to do anything. If I can lose my property because I don't pay taxes on it, it means I never owned it to begin with. The gov't does. Isn't the USA supposed to be property-based? Why does the lady who cuts my hair have to have license to do so? Why do I have to have permits to build on my own property? Oh, yeah. We covered that one. The property belongs to the gov't, and I have to give them money for the privilege of improving their property at my expense.
RAPTOR 3 people liked this.
Yet ONE more example of the liberty-crushing intrusion of statism and those who profit from it. Technology, always a two-edged sword, is giving government at all levels a greater capacity for mischief. The demoncrat and RINO scum on Capitol Hill of course need to be flushed out after a good bleaching and scrubbing on November 2nd. Do not forget, though, that liberty can be lost just as easily to state and local governments. Statists, regardless the level of government they infest, need to be expunged whenever possible. The hour is late. Pray it isn't too late.
Whosurdaddy 3 people liked this.
We pay the gov officials salaries and they fine us for it. I'm thinking of the time I visited Paris and you could easily jump of the Eiffel tower first story. Why aren't there more jumpers? Cuz people aren't idiots. There should be free pool inspections by local officials for safety. They get paid to do a public service not for making people try to avoid paying fees
Personalspace 3 people liked this.
carl hit it on the head. i dont need to pay someone other than my installer. does the township come and sweep the pool or maintain it? then stay out of my personal business.
The speaker moxie said basically, what the gov't had been trying to do but would never be able to is what google is doing now. To put it in perspective, he asked: "Who do you think knows more about the people of Iran? It's government, or google?"
So for all the good google does, this is one small way that it hurts some. That's not to say though, that the people who have these pools are innocent. Yes, we're a capitalistic society as many think, but no, you don't pay to have the roads you drive on to be paved, you contribute like everyone else does in small amounts. And without those small amounts almost nothing would be possible as we get much more and further by working together than alone.
Well, while osx is part of the bsd family (though the white sheep of the family), I still prefer android simply because I disagree with apple's ethics. Everyone is good and bad, it just depends on what benefits you. I don't like mindlessness and intolerance so I stay away from apple. More specifically, growing up with BSD and it's freedom makes me feel like i'm in jail when dealing with apple products. Don't like their music devices (never have or will own one), phones or computers. Though I originally "learned" on an apple and worked with them in the past.
Actually, I think you can't understand since you don't live *here.* I didn't mean to offend, really... and to most people here, oriental means chinese, vietnamese, japanese etc... (Because they don't know who "orientals" really consist of.
So no offense meant to you. In talking with a co-worker yesterday, he said this to all of this:
It's like in mexico, if you try to make a complete stop, the person behind you will probably hit you because no one really stops at a stop sign, they just roll through it.
That's just how it is there, laws are guidelines and most people don't respect them - which is fine. Because everyone has an understanding of this. Now, if everyone did respect, it would be MUCH better. But it's a cultural issue now. I always tell people, the Aztecs had been around for thousands of years. Their city was constructed without cars or transportation in mind. They didn't have horses or donkeys. Now mexico city is one of the cities on earth that has most cars in the world. So all that adds up and contributes to the problem. And in case you didn't know, in mexico, you can't drive everyday, depending on what your license plate ends in, is what days you can drive (that's the last i heard of that anyways, i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm mistaken).
This sequence of events led to a huge magnetic bubble of plasma being blasted into space. As the eruption was on the Earth-facing side of the sun, the CME is heading right for us -- see the SOHO video of the CME. We can expect its arrival on Aug. 3.
Last night on my way home, something similar to that almost happened! So I'm at a 4 way stop, I want to turn right. The car on the right wants to go straight (straight to my left side). So a guy with his family walks into the cross walk without even looking at me.
Just to avoid some confusion, the car that wanted to go straight had just let another car go. So they were JUST ABOUT to move when this guy stepped in. I was about to go to because in my mind, "I'd rather let the cars go and wait 5 seconds than making the cars wait 30 seconds and possible upset them and hit someone as they speed by us." But then again, not everyone is very considerate.
It's really amazing to me (though it shouldn't be) how people don't take care of their family. I can understand when they're alone, but with wife and small children??
Now, before anyone thinks of getting upset at me, let me point out that Chinese, Vietnamese, Loation, Pakistani and Indian people have all told me the same thing.
Ok,so let me put it this way: we have a LOT of speed traps here because we have some pretty cool roads to drive on. Even though we see people pulled over EVERY DAY, that doesn't convince enough of the driving population to actually drive 35 or 40 MPH. Or even slow down in front of the school zone marked area with 2 motorcycle cops (whose primary duties are to give out tickets).
On another note, I honestly, honestly, don't know of many other places that have as much diversity as we have here in Los Angeles and in New York (for example), and that language is a huge barrier. Remember, in North America, we have a total of 3 "main" languages, English, Spanish & French. Most people don't care to learn more than 1 unfortunately. So when you go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), you can take your DMV test to obtain your driving license in probably over 20 languages. Now, the main argument people make (I call them racists) as to why it should only be in English, is because it's great they can pass a test, but if they can't understand the signs such as "School Zone" then they shouldn't be driving.
Now, I'm GUESSING, but most in Signapore are going to be local. As much of those in India are. So driving shouldn't be as much of an issue as they understand the "local driving." But mix in those who are locals, with those who aren't and it gets pretty crazy. I literally pay twice as much in insurance by living in the L.A. area than if I live 30 mins away (which is about 35 miles). Why is this? Well, for those of you local, you'll know about the City of Monterey Park. I don't think anyone who is honest will say the contrary.
But if what is going on is working, than good for you! I hope it gets as good as it can. But with the #1, #2, and #3 police departments in the state that give the most tickets, with all the cameras that take your pictures in intersections when you run the light or make illegal turns, and even with traffic officers, it's not that much better.
So you can see where I'm coming from, a street I used to cross now has a stop light and intersection where it just used to be a pedestrian crossing. You would think that's good right? And I agree. But the reason it was put there was because too many people kept running over kids. Yep, I could have been one. But the traffic signal hasn't STOPPED the problem. In other places speed bumps have been introduced, but THAT hasn't stopped their problems too.
And finally, where you say: "Your argument essentially is on the lines of, 'Orientals' are culturally disposed towards rule breaking," that's incorrect. My argument is that "Orientals," as told to me by themselves (Asians including Pakistanies), "Have a feeling of entitlement. Such as driving and cutting others off or driving as if they are alone on the road so they go extremely slow and create dangerous situations." This isn't without saying that only THEY do this. But like I tell people, sometimes stereo types exist for a reason. And when you call BS, please read my sig.
Oh and just to touch on the Afghans being terrorists... a lot of people confused my Pakistani friends (family really) as terrorists after 9/11. They were scared and started carrying bats in their cars in case they had to defend themselves. One experience they had with a family member was they were surrounded in their car and had their windows bashed out. Why? Because they "looked the way they did." Another story is they started putting up all kinds of things they *thought* might help them escape similar situations by putting american flags and stickers on their cars. So no, I don't think like everyone else as I grew up knowing many families from that area of the world. A lot of them we helped out because they were decent people and hard workers. And when we've needed help, they did the same.
You were very lucky! When law enforcement officials have "ask us questions" day, I asked why can police officers drive AND talk on cell phones while we, non law enforcement can't? They said:
Law enforcement can drive and use the cell phone for work related reasons. For example, sometimes it's easier to communicate with someone over their cell phone than through the radio. It's also possible that they're getting information about....
When asked, "but I saw one in particular laughing it up. That couldn't have been someone in need?" "Well, it could be he was talking to another officer and they shared a story about something funny that happened" was the response.
But what YOU need to realize, besides (Who watches the watchmen), is that they do not like and will not tolerate your mentality. Just last week there was a story about a dude who was pulled over with a cam and it all went south for him. While working at a fast food joint many years ago, I used to see the Sheriffs drag race from light to light. But who's going to say anything? (Meaning, you'll have more problems than it's worth to most).
On a side note, I do go out of my way to stand up for what I believe in. A long while back, I had a pretty cool car in yellow. So, a Sheriff decided to follow me. That wasn't a problem, but after a while, it became annoying. My friend who was with me said I was paranoid, but I knew better as I took all back streets and most, even them, don't take those streets. I knew they had NOTHING on me, so there was no need for this harassment. After my plates came back they should have go on about their business. So, I pull into their station. When I parked, they pulled their cruiser up on my ass. Having my cajones well placed, I stepped out and so did the Sheriff. I asked "Is there a problem, officer?" He replied: "did I pull you over?" So I just smiled and walked into his station while he just stood there like an a-hole and stared me down. I could feel the tension, it was exciting! (I was majoring in Political Science at the time and wasn't oblivious of my rights). So I walked in and reported to the on duty supervisor that I wanted to complain. They asked about what, and I explained. So they told me to wait a min until they were available. Big surprise that they never showed up right?
Now what was the point of all that? Well, that's a story for another day!
Slashdot Mirror
Television in the U.S of N.A. is VERY censored. I learned this while living abroad for about a year. I heard AND saw what was REALLY going on in the war when the U.S. was only reporting "foreign casualties." On one hand, I understand for reasons of moral, on the other why hide the truth simply for politics? But then again, it's all a game isn't it? We're just the ones being controlled by the players.
He isn't a 'Russian nutcase' as this was documented in the TV Series: Conspiracy Theory with Jesse the Body Ventura. They got a pretty interesting sound bite: "So you're telling me, that if I was a regular guy in the local bar, you'd not only tell me all about what HAARP does, but would even give me a tour? But if I approach as a reporter then I am denied not only access to the facility, but you don't even have the courtesy to answer my call from the door/buzzer/speaker unit (at the gate)?"
That might not have been word for word, but that is what the guy who worked at the HAARP facility said when Jesse put together everything he said. Yeah, we have cause to be concerned and not trust blindly.
On one of my earlier web site versions, I had the songs up. I never checked to see how many people actually DL'd them. It'll be interesting to see how many people make their way that far to find them now though haha.
congrats btw (07/17/2010)
I have the same philosophy! So recently i've been redoing my site... I think I shall add some of the music I've made.
That sounds like an argument for why porn should NOT be put on bluray and in HD!
Now I'll be able to afford the 60GB model! (Because you know, I deal with junk!)
You know, this is a great example of the type of disconnect there is between development, engineering and deployment. Unless you are in all 3 of those situations, you just can't truly comprehend the needs of each.
The only thing an iphone is good for in that part of the world, is to barter for your release or something else.
Sorry dude, they think it's like a video game where you can carry 100's of lbs without any cost to the human (player). When in reality, disposing of batteries is better than carrying around 10-15 lbs of a (re)charging battery kit.
It helped me win part of my case, which is worth the expense in itself and it'll do more good in the future. :>
As I mentioned in another post, it was unfortunate (I actually feel worse for losing THOSE powerexx batteries than the camera itself!) but it will help me in my case later on.
Also, whats ~$250 plus 4 batteries compared to my white wall tires that come in @ over $300 each? Plus towing, plus inner tubes, plus getting them replaced/balance? Seriously, say ~$300, it's an amount I'll EASILY and HAPPILY lose ANYTIME compared to what would have happened without it.
So no, I'm not worried about getting that camera back, I'm worried about having to spend MORE money than that again. Hope that answers your question.
Well, I am glad you're amused lol. No really, I was really upset at first but it did help me out and will continue to help me out in my cause.
As I said in another post, there is no way that guy could have known what was in that box. What was your opinion of what you saw? Mine is that he went right for it. As you can see, there are 2 cars parked there, and behind one car (on the right) is my motorcycle. This guy had to turn sideways to get in and take it. JUST that box. Isn't that weird?
That's why I say it's someone who knew it was there, as someone who came to do something and was like wtf is that and left. I have images of that person too, but as the police said "you can't implicate them because you have NO PROOF." Even though that bastard was never seen before or since.
At that time, I was trying to catch someone in the act, instead of preventing. The camera was entirely stealthed out. All of the LEDs that could give it away were modified so they gave off no light. So as far as anyone (including the neighbors), there was a box amongst other boxes. After that, the camera and battery pack were mounted high up where once you're in the garage, you're on film and you can't get to it easily. Even then, you'd have to destroy it or rip out a huge chunk of wall to get it lol.
What we all wonder though, is what did that guy do once he realized it was wireless? Must have been exciting for a couple of days eh?
You are correct sir! I can not take action myself, because that might HURT my case. So, I had to rely on the police. So, regardless of all the "other things happening," they basically didn't care (the detectives since there has been 2 with my case).
I have a good idea of where this person could be found, but I can't do anything. The worst part about this, is that when it happened, I heard that dudes car pulling up. I was walking to the front of my apartment building. As the guy left, I was walking back. Since I had it hooked up to an extra lcd monitor I had, I noticed "no connection." I Immediately ran out when I realized I was looking at the dudes crotch in my security display lol.
So, as you can assume, there is more footage. The guy took the cam into his car, took off with it and the camera still transmitted until it was out of range. Very frustrating!
So, SOMEONE slashed my motorcycle tires. I didn't want that to happen again since those particular tires are expensive for my bike (whitewalls). I went to Fry's and realistically spent about $2,000 on hardware. Now, I KNOW I am not going to keep all of it, but I just wanted to see what worked best for my needs. About 3 trips later I ended up with:
# $250-$350 4 channel DVR (I don't remember how much but it was the cheapest decent recorder).
# 1 $275 + tax wireless camera with receiver. (awesome quality and sound!)
# 1 "bullet cam" that is not tiny, but small enough to be hidden in plants. It is wired. Maybe $50?
I later returned the Fry's DVR and got one off of newegg for $100 +tax and shipping, though I had to provide a SATA drive that I already had.
I also spent a bit more, like $80 on 8 D cell rechargeable batteries, and then like $145 on a powermaxx (best company EVER) for a D charger with 4 batteries. Although I had a wireless camera, I had no where to plug it in. So I made a battery pack. My #'s indicate I could run that camera for at least 24 hours with consistent connection and quality, then about 12 more hours and it got dimmer, crappier video quality and less night time infrared abilities as the batteries died.
Thanks to Fry's excellent return policy, the only thing you lose is your time! But I was able to return all that went unused. Here are some things to avoid: Small/tiny wireless cameras: their quality and resolution sucks. Avoid very expensive cameras as that they'll be no better than middle range cameras. Don't worry about the DVR, they all pretty much suck. Don't use your PC as a DVR, pretty much most people have problems with it. Oh, and of all the DVRs I used, all of them had issues being accessed through the internet.
Someone ended up stealing that wireless camera, and I have that on DVR! My buddy put it on youtube for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE0NkvA1uh4
I ended up buying another 2 of those cameras and mounted them high up and attached securely to the wall.
If you want more info on what exactly I bought, feel free to email me.
Yet people continue to think its a good idea to invest their hard earned money so they can wait to retire and then find out they lost it all. I know about 2 instances, Enron and IndyMac Bank. In both cases people lost EVERYTHING they had "put into" their retirement. "But that won't happen to me, we're to big for that to happen." :(
I honestly tell people "you're better off in Las Vegas or even playing the lottery, because at least that's something you can understand and control yourself." (No, you can't control stocks even if you're very invested in it yourself because a lawsuit can change everything before you have a chance to sell.)
hurm, he wasn't referring specifically to aerial imagery, but rather the "data sink" the gov't was trying to create as in "collect everything now, sort it out later." Check out what they talked about for more details, it definitely lights up a privacy persons radar!
The speaker moxie said basically, what the gov't had been trying to do but would never be able to is what google is doing now. To put it in perspective, he asked: "Who do you think knows more about the people of Iran? It's government, or google?"
So for all the good google does, this is one small way that it hurts some. That's not to say though, that the people who have these pools are innocent. Yes, we're a capitalistic society as many think, but no, you don't pay to have the roads you drive on to be paved, you contribute like everyone else does in small amounts. And without those small amounts almost nothing would be possible as we get much more and further by working together than alone.
http://www.defcon.org/html/defcon-18/dc-18-speakers.html#Marlinspike
Well, while osx is part of the bsd family (though the white sheep of the family), I still prefer android simply because I disagree with apple's ethics. Everyone is good and bad, it just depends on what benefits you. I don't like mindlessness and intolerance so I stay away from apple. More specifically, growing up with BSD and it's freedom makes me feel like i'm in jail when dealing with apple products. Don't like their music devices (never have or will own one), phones or computers. Though I originally "learned" on an apple and worked with them in the past.
check it out on jalopnik
http://jalopnik.com/5602570/chinese-to-revolutionize-cities-with-traffic+straddling-bus
You made me put down my breakfast for this!
"The same way they "fix" their computers: they ask their resident IT advisor to do it for them"
Seriously...
So no offense meant to you. In talking with a co-worker yesterday, he said this to all of this:
That's just how it is there, laws are guidelines and most people don't respect them - which is fine. Because everyone has an understanding of this. Now, if everyone did respect, it would be MUCH better. But it's a cultural issue now. I always tell people, the Aztecs had been around for thousands of years. Their city was constructed without cars or transportation in mind. They didn't have horses or donkeys. Now mexico city is one of the cities on earth that has most cars in the world. So all that adds up and contributes to the problem. And in case you didn't know, in mexico, you can't drive everyday, depending on what your license plate ends in, is what days you can drive (that's the last i heard of that anyways, i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm mistaken).
Last night on my way home, something similar to that almost happened! So I'm at a 4 way stop, I want to turn right. The car on the right wants to go straight (straight to my left side). So a guy with his family walks into the cross walk without even looking at me.
Just to avoid some confusion, the car that wanted to go straight had just let another car go. So they were JUST ABOUT to move when this guy stepped in. I was about to go to because in my mind, "I'd rather let the cars go and wait 5 seconds than making the cars wait 30 seconds and possible upset them and hit someone as they speed by us." But then again, not everyone is very considerate.
It's really amazing to me (though it shouldn't be) how people don't take care of their family. I can understand when they're alone, but with wife and small children??
Now, before anyone thinks of getting upset at me, let me point out that Chinese, Vietnamese, Loation, Pakistani and Indian people have all told me the same thing.
Ok,so let me put it this way: we have a LOT of speed traps here because we have some pretty cool roads to drive on. Even though we see people pulled over EVERY DAY, that doesn't convince enough of the driving population to actually drive 35 or 40 MPH. Or even slow down in front of the school zone marked area with 2 motorcycle cops (whose primary duties are to give out tickets).
On another note, I honestly, honestly, don't know of many other places that have as much diversity as we have here in Los Angeles and in New York (for example), and that language is a huge barrier. Remember, in North America, we have a total of 3 "main" languages, English, Spanish & French. Most people don't care to learn more than 1 unfortunately. So when you go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), you can take your DMV test to obtain your driving license in probably over 20 languages. Now, the main argument people make (I call them racists) as to why it should only be in English, is because it's great they can pass a test, but if they can't understand the signs such as "School Zone" then they shouldn't be driving.
Now, I'm GUESSING, but most in Signapore are going to be local. As much of those in India are. So driving shouldn't be as much of an issue as they understand the "local driving." But mix in those who are locals, with those who aren't and it gets pretty crazy. I literally pay twice as much in insurance by living in the L.A. area than if I live 30 mins away (which is about 35 miles). Why is this? Well, for those of you local, you'll know about the City of Monterey Park. I don't think anyone who is honest will say the contrary.
But if what is going on is working, than good for you! I hope it gets as good as it can. But with the #1, #2, and #3 police departments in the state that give the most tickets, with all the cameras that take your pictures in intersections when you run the light or make illegal turns, and even with traffic officers, it's not that much better.
So you can see where I'm coming from, a street I used to cross now has a stop light and intersection where it just used to be a pedestrian crossing. You would think that's good right? And I agree. But the reason it was put there was because too many people kept running over kids. Yep, I could have been one. But the traffic signal hasn't STOPPED the problem. In other places speed bumps have been introduced, but THAT hasn't stopped their problems too.
And finally, where you say: "Your argument essentially is on the lines of, 'Orientals' are culturally disposed towards rule breaking," that's incorrect. My argument is that "Orientals," as told to me by themselves (Asians including Pakistanies), "Have a feeling of entitlement. Such as driving and cutting others off or driving as if they are alone on the road so they go extremely slow and create dangerous situations." This isn't without saying that only THEY do this. But like I tell people, sometimes stereo types exist for a reason. And when you call BS, please read my sig.
Oh and just to touch on the Afghans being terrorists... a lot of people confused my Pakistani friends (family really) as terrorists after 9/11. They were scared and started carrying bats in their cars in case they had to defend themselves. One experience they had with a family member was they were surrounded in their car and had their windows bashed out. Why? Because they "looked the way they did." Another story is they started putting up all kinds of things they *thought* might help them escape similar situations by putting american flags and stickers on their cars. So no, I don't think like everyone else as I grew up knowing many families from that area of the world. A lot of them we helped out because they were decent people and hard workers. And when we've needed help, they did the same.
When asked, "but I saw one in particular laughing it up. That couldn't have been someone in need?" "Well, it could be he was talking to another officer and they shared a story about something funny that happened" was the response.
But what YOU need to realize, besides (Who watches the watchmen), is that they do not like and will not tolerate your mentality. Just last week there was a story about a dude who was pulled over with a cam and it all went south for him. While working at a fast food joint many years ago, I used to see the Sheriffs drag race from light to light. But who's going to say anything? (Meaning, you'll have more problems than it's worth to most).
On a side note, I do go out of my way to stand up for what I believe in. A long while back, I had a pretty cool car in yellow. So, a Sheriff decided to follow me. That wasn't a problem, but after a while, it became annoying. My friend who was with me said I was paranoid, but I knew better as I took all back streets and most, even them, don't take those streets. I knew they had NOTHING on me, so there was no need for this harassment. After my plates came back they should have go on about their business. So, I pull into their station. When I parked, they pulled their cruiser up on my ass. Having my cajones well placed, I stepped out and so did the Sheriff. I asked "Is there a problem, officer?" He replied: "did I pull you over?" So I just smiled and walked into his station while he just stood there like an a-hole and stared me down. I could feel the tension, it was exciting! (I was majoring in Political Science at the time and wasn't oblivious of my rights). So I walked in and reported to the on duty supervisor that I wanted to complain. They asked about what, and I explained. So they told me to wait a min until they were available. Big surprise that they never showed up right?
Now what was the point of all that? Well, that's a story for another day!