I have learned a little bit more about the spam program that I have installed and I set up the program to be a little more friendly to letter writers. As a result, some spam is filtering through, but also, regular letter writers are getting a much higher "karma", which is separating them from the spam pack. I kind of screwed up at first by making it too tough on spam, which also tended to block valid entries. If you are having troubles -- specifically, if you see any information that asks you to input a text string to verify or if it blocks you from commenting, please send me an email to let me know. I am optimistic that over time I can get this program to work the way I want. If you look in the footer, you will see that I now have a count of how many spam letters to the editor that I have killed. In just a couple of weeks it is over 3000. That is an unfortunate side effect of using WordPress over Blogger. Then again, you always had to enter a text string at Blogger.
In case you didn't notice, I've changed the look at the site. I tried a couple over the weekend and decided that this is the look I want. It's more than the look, though. You will notice that I have a tool bar across the top. I intend to use that to put more background information in place as time goes by. Right now, the "HOME" tab is the only one with anything of value (if you consider this half-baked crap valuable). As we go along, however, I intend to add stuff. I won't say what just yet, but I'll let you know when goodies come.
One thing that is added to the site is a "search" window in the upper right hand corner. If you ever want to see what I've said about a certain subject, type it in and the site will be searched. For example, type in "derek jeter" and you will get a bunch of posts where I talked about the Captain in hushed, reverential tones. Type in Aaron Gleeman and find out how many times I've kissed up to the King of all Bloggers recently. I'm not sure if you get every single post (I'll check on that sometime this week), but you can at least get an idea how I feel on a topic.
Finally, some closure on the Roethlisberger story. Remember how Ben said how he wasn't breaking the law by not wearing a helmet? It's my choice, he said. Um, no.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be cited for failure to wear a helmet and not having a motorcycle license after an accident last week left him with a concussion, broken jaw and nose.
Roethlisberger and the driver of the car he crashed into on June 12 both had the green light, but the driver of the vehicle will be cited for failing to yield, police said Monday.
Only licensed cyclists can ride without a helmet in Pennsylvania.
See, he didn't have a license and you don't have a license, you can't ride without a helmet. And why exactly didn't he have a license? The world may never know. The second paragraph points out exactly why you should always wear a helmet. The accident wasn't his fault. The woman probably didn't see him and turned out in front of him. Even if a motorcyclist is "safe," he cannot account for everyone else. Someone else can be "unsafe" and cost a motorcyclist his life. Big Ben says he'll be wearing his helmet. If you ride (and I am talking directly to someone in particular here -- you know who you are), you should wear your helmet, too!
Only licensed cyclists can ride without a helmet in Pennsylvania.
Stupidest. Rule. Ever.
The little piece of paper in your back pocket won't do anything keep your head from getting split open on the pavement.
Well, it protects young riders. That's the intent -- to force young kids on back to wear helmets even if the stupid riders won't.
Once a Pennsylvania motorcycle rider becomes licensed, their personal information is now on record, which aids in identifying their helmetless body post-accident. Makes sense to me.
Well, it protects young riders. That’s the intent — to force young kids on back to wear helmets even if the stupid riders won’t.
If you require licensed AND unlicensed riders to wear helmets, would a licensed rider really wear the helmet and then not make a young kid riding with him wear a helmet?
I mean, I guess it's better than nothing with regards to protecting unlicensed riders, but while we're at it we might as well protect the licensed riders, too.
I mean, I guess it’s better than nothing with regards to protecting unlicensed riders, but while we’re at it we might as well protect the licensed riders, too.
You'll get no disagreement from me on this. I just thought it was funny how Big Ben was asserting that he had the right to wear the helmet when, in fact, he didn't nor did he even have the right to ride the motorcycle in the first place. He said he wasn't breaking the law, when in fact he knew full well that he didn't have a license in the first place!