Naw, That's Just Silly

Maybe I just grew up in a simpler time.

I grew up in L.A.  The "Wild West" by all accounts.  I remember seeing the smoke from the Watts Riots (the first Watts Riots in '65).  I've lived in the Pacific Northwest for the last twenty years, and I've noticed a startling occurrence.

The cops in Portland Oregon shoot a lot of people.  I mean, A LOT.  According to copwatch.org, there's been more than 50 in just the last 10 years.  The most recent shooting of a young, unarmed man distraught over his brother's death, has resulted in turmoil for the city of just over a half a million residents.  Maybe it's just me, but that just seems like a lot, even to someone who grew up in L.A.

I sometimes make comments, off the cuff, that are relatively silly.  I did so around 2006 after another young man, mentally ill, was shot by a Portland Police Officer.

I said, "geez, you'd think they could, like you know, use a lasso or something on these guys - it could prove a lot less lethal."

Four years later, and I've thought about that comment a number of times.  Yes.  I grew up writing school reports about Will Rogers, and I regularly visited with my family the ranch and inn owned by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.  Perhaps I was predisposed to the whole cowboy thing.

But seriously, I've seen many a cowboy and charro execute phenomenal lassoing techniques.  Beyond the obviously silly, maybe it's true that guns shoot to kill, tazers don't work on the people they're needed most on, and bean bag guns...well, those are just stupid.

The hysterical thought comes in thinking about retraining cops to use a lasso - a skill that takes hours (read: years) to master (which is presumably why it's not used).  Just think of all the YouTube vids of all the cops getting caught up in their own ropes!

Then again...maybe there would be just one less dead kid out there on the streets.  I mean, do we have to shoot them?  Really?  If you're a cop, and you're that scared of a frightened kid, you should hang it up.

I actually am a fan of law enforcement - they've saved my bacon a few times over the years, and for all those times, I am incredibly grateful to all of you.  For all of you who've managed to find solutions to disastrous situations without killing anyone, I forever thank you.

In case you're interested, here's a video of some trick roping I found.  It's kind of interesting, and certainly nostalgic.

Exactly the Same, Only Totally Different

Charged with the challenge of devising a way to keep Mr. Blondetwit's cellphone holster attached to his belt, I went to a local fabric/crafts store today for materials, and of course, inspiration.

See here for the backstory, as to why Mr. Blondetwit was needing such a device: A Good Turn

As I was perusing the elastic, velcro and other assorted notions trying to develop an acceptable solution, another lady had arrived in the same aisle, and as I moved to allow her better access, I realized it was someone I knew, but hadn't seen in a long while.  She's a senior member of the local police department.

After saying hello, she asked me what I was working on, so I shared with her Mr. Blondetwit's problem.  She then decided to confide in me that she was there for exactly the same project. 

Only slightly different.

She was trying to figure a fix for a police officer who's gun keeps falling out of the holster.

Seems our local cop shop hasn't changed much.  Sheriff Taylor used to make Barney keep his bullet in his pocket.  If that were still the case, this wouldn't be a problem.