In Case You Missed This

Published on September 10, 2004 By Insightful In Current Events

No! This piece is not about terrorism from abroad. Rather, it's about the paranoia that persists and how we relate to one another here at home.

I was out riding my bike today.
(It helps with stress, the bonus is, it keeps my weight within 8 lbs. of my 21st birthday.)

Anyway, while on my ride, I came upon this young boy that had just taken a spill on his bike. He was about 12 years of age. I stopped to see if he was ok?
He said, "yeah, I'm alright."
I asked, "what happened?"
"I think my front brake locked and I flipped over", he answered. Ouch!
The young lad was bleeding from the elbow and from one knee.

As I started to approach the boy, I could see that he was becoming nervous, so I stopped short, about 7 or 8 feet away. I took out a rag from my seat bag and threw it to him, and suggested he wipe the blood and compress the injuries.
He said, "thanks," and worked the rag on his elbow and knee.

As he was wiping and dabbing, I could see that he was beginning to relax a bit.
Never the less I kept my distance and allowed him, his "safety space." I believe that he was coming to the conclusion that I was not, an ax murderer that had sprung from some black hole. The boy began to inspect his bike to see what the problem was, and to see if he had damaged anything during the crash.

He finally said, "my front wheel is all locked up and I can only turn the front wheel, this far, to the left.
I asked if he minded, if I took a look?
He said, "yeah sure".
I began to check for what the problem might be. Apparently the front brake cable, had wrapped around the steering shaft. I made a quick repair and the look of relief on the boys face was worth a million dollars.

The boy gave me back the rag and said, "thanks mister", and we both continued on our separate paths.

Now, I'm aware that mothers and daddy's tell there children not to talk to strangers.
I myself, would never approach any child these days. I don't even say, "hi," when I'm out on one of my rides. But on the other hand, I'm not going to ignore one, if they are hurt.

What a shame that we have deteriorated to this mind-set.

Last year, I was taking a trip to my summer place, when I noticed this lady that appeared to be having an awful time, trying to change a tire. Being in no hurry, I pulled over to see if I might be of some assistance.
As I got out of my car to approach, I could see that she was becoming as jittery as a, cat at a dog fight.
Again I stopped short.
I asked if she needed some help?.
She was very quick to respond with, "No, I've got it." I said, "Well ok then".
I got back in my car and drove off, but with some regret. I thought, "I could have changed that tire in 10 minutes flat, and made us both feel good, tahhboot."
Because of how times change, we were both denied of something special.

From where we've come, to where we are heading.

I can remember, cruising down the main drag in our city with a buddy riding shotgun, the car rumbling with a low roar. We might see some girls walking down the street, toot the horn and wave. If they waved back, we would pull over to the curb and they would nearly always stroll up to the car. We would strike up a conversation, about nothing, and asked if they wanted to go cruising.

(Ok folks, this may not be politically correct by todays standards, but back then, we didn't have to be.)

The girls would get in the back seat, and we were off to cruise the avenue.
(Hoping to switch around the seating arrangements later.)

Can you imagine, tooting your horn today? Or try slowing down and pulling over to the curb?
BAM! The person's direction immediately changes, the cell phone comes out of it's holster like a six gun, and 911 is dialed. They've got your license plate number and you're in big trouble.

Ever look over your shoulder when using the ATM Machine? Do you look to see if any suspicious cars are around?
Do you experience a short bit of anxiety when using your credit card on the internet?

Caution! Caution Caution! The signs and signals are everywhere.

The bad guys are taking away our sense of security and robbing us of more then our valuables and money.

I've given but two examples here of, how nervous our society has become. One young boy that allowed me to help him.
The woman with the tire problem declined.

All that I can do is to keep trying. However, I can understand their trepidation.
.............and what a shame.

(DISCLAIMER)
I live in a large metropolitan area. I'm not sure if this content applies to rural towns or the, vast,
open country of some of the western states.

Just trying to make our world a better place.

Comments

Shovelheat

on Sep 10, 2004

An older friend of mine stopped to help to girls on the side of road with their hood up one day (in a rural area). When he looked under the hood, one struck him in the back of the head hard with a blunt object. When he came too the girls were long gone. He was left there with a fractured skull and no wallet.

What I do is pull a safe distance away and offer to make a phone call for them to the highway patrol.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 10, 2004

And this is exactly why I'm reluctant to relocate to Vegas.

Shovelheat

on Sep 10, 2004

And this is exactly why I'm reluctant to relocate to Vegas.

But this (the event I was refering to) happened in rural Oklahoma, nothing around but wheat fields and cows. Are we safe anywhere?

Insightful

on Sep 10, 2004

Shovelbeat

Good suggestion my friend.

Yes, I've heard of that (the fake break-down) happenging around my city too. I guess we have to be on our toes all the time.
We can't take things on how they appear anymore.

Never the less, because of this caution that we are forced to endure. we are missing out on so many opportunities to interact with one another.

Thank you for the reply.

Insightful

on Sep 10, 2004

Gideon

I haven't been to Vegas in some time now. Is it really become that bad?

Insightful

on Sep 11, 2004

Thanks Little_whip

I'm glad to hear that some are still willing to take a chance, toward a great experience.
I think the odds are 1 in 10 that something bad will happen. To many, those odds are too steep to take chance and I can sympathize with their concern.

To me, if you give me, Vegas odds, of being successful 90% of the time, I will take that gamble.
The personal rewards make the experience well worth the effort.

I suppose we could lock ourselves in a, "safe room", in our homes. But then again, we wouldn't experience anything, would we? But we would be safe.

Thank you once again for the reply.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 11, 2004

But this (the event I was refering to) happened in rural Oklahoma, nothing around but wheat fields and cows. Are we safe anywhere?

shovel,

In certain neighborhoods in a city like Vegas, it's often not IF, but WHEN you will get robbed.

By the way, it never happens where I am at at present. You can actually pick up hitchhikers here. Incidentally, we have "open carry" laws.

So much for the idea that gun control reduces crime.

Insightful

on Sep 11, 2004

Ok Gideon

You've aroused my curiosity. Where do you live? Not your address, the state or general area will do.

I'm thinking it's Texas, being you're allowed to pack "heat".
Yes? No? Maybe?

Where ever it is, it sounds like a great place to, set up house-keeping.

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