Comments by diegonomics | San Diego Reader

Robert Hagen

Stupid Chick's Lucky

I've been reviewing the breakdown on this accident, and heres where I come down. Bicyclists, and remember, I'm an everyday bicycle commuter, I don't even own a car, again bicyclists, are responsible for themselves to get through the intersection. You cannot enter an intersection safely based upon the expectation that the cars in the intersection have seen you. Unless you have a light and traffic speed momentum, right turners and potential right turners in an intersection preclude a bike from safely just rolling through an intersection in a crosswalk. You have to stop and look both ways before crossing the street as a pedestrian or pedestrian speed level bicycle. Everyone should have learned that in kindergarten. I rode more miles a year on city streets than probably 90 percent of bicyclists, and as for those that clock more miles, they often do it on more open roadways at higher speed. I ride in all the most congested areas, including TJ, where I live. The bicyclist is clearly at fault here, and its bullshit to argue an intersection love tap by a car that was at a standing stop immediately prior to the collision. This as evidenced by the lack of injury and damage. Both vehicles were travelling at a low speeds. Right? Everyone got that? Okay, what vehicle is designed for and operated at such speeds? Bicycles. Cars are not out to hit us. Okay? I, personally, use anything I can to screen myself from the nose of a car. I won't just ride by a car appearing to intend a right turn without making eye contact with the driver. Its a slower process, to be sure. Its just that, and heres the coup de grace, the right turner scenario at play here is, without a shadow of a doubt, the number one hitch in low speed intersection traversals. On a bike, and walking, if I'm on the right side of the road entering an intersection, I look behind me, to keep from getting run over from behind by a right turner. As a bicyclist, I don't carry insurance, it wouldn't be worth it. I have to stay out of accidents, period. On the sidewalk, I endeavour to ride behind cars that are pulling out, even though I technically have right of way to ride in front and make them wait for me. Its not courtesy, its safety. Finally, I think San Diego Critical Mass should start to redefine itself somewhat. I ride my bicycle to make money, so I wont be homeless. The last thing I want to do is antagonize drivers, or the public at large. Maybe the Critical Mass method was good when biking was coming up, but now, its behind the times. I was born in SoCal, and learned to ride a bike here, and I dont give a f%&k what some European has to say about how to do it. Our roads are the best, most trick in the world, and we have the most cars around. Co-existing with cars should be our emphasis, and not the other way around. Bike safety really justs comes down to this- watch out for cars. So I think I pretty much have an idea
— February 4, 2011 11:36 a.m.

Stupid Chick's Lucky

What I see here is a little fuzzy in the sense that the specifics of the incident have not been laid out that clearly. I mean this is an intersection incident, I'm pretty sure, and that's a sequence of events scenario. Off the bat, the bicyclist is at fault, and the worse for that. You figure, if a bicyclist manages to get run into by a car that is just taking off, the negligence is with the bicyclist. Thats not fatal. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes, things get dinged. Its a learning experience. As far as the victim of the accident, the bicyclist, its only natural that shes going to get on her cell phone and connect with people after an accident. People do that now. As a pretty much expert on traffic, considering my 2008 published letter in the L.A. Times explaining the best way to drive out of freeway stoppage, ahem, and as a bicycle commuter in San Diego, I'm a little taken aback- okay? Diva, you didn't describe the scene so well that I can make a forensic analysis on what happened. From what I gather, the bicyclist shot through the intersection, as you made a right turn.
— February 3, 2011 10:56 p.m.

Suit Filed to Halt Wind Zero's Proposed Military Training Facility Near Ocotillo

I want to apologize to Mr. Webb and his associates for an above post that is intemperate, sarcastic in an insulting way, and largely devoid of substance. The appropriate way to discuss important issues is politely, and reasonably. The remarks reflect poorly on me, not on anyone else. An apology is warranted, along with a commitment to amend my actions in the future. Regardless of what the issue is, when people are personally attacked verbally, it just adds to the contention, and doesn't serve the debate at all. Once again, my sincere apologies to Mr. Webb et al. Sincerely, Robert Hagen aka Diegonomics
— January 28, 2011 6:03 p.m.

Suit Filed to Halt Wind Zero's Proposed Military Training Facility Near Ocotillo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvjpS4dpOng
— January 27, 2011 12:03 p.m.

Suit Filed to Halt Wind Zero's Proposed Military Training Facility Near Ocotillo

Excellent report, Mr. Hargrove. Thanks for the heads up. With Wind Zero, as with Blackwater, what we have is a couple former Navy SEALs that have a problem understanding James Bond movies. So lets go over this apparent bump in the road of consciousness thats at play here. The hero in James Bond movies is James Bond, it is not, REPEAT IT IS NOT the kooky focker that wants to build a compound with helipads and take over the world. That would be the villain. Look that up, don't take my word for it. Additional themes in this latest misbegotten adventure include Chain of Command. Lets lick our finger, place it in the air, check the wind, and see if we can determine, as best we can, what is the chain of command. Having done so, we can determine whether or not to bivouac two miles outside the San Diego County limits, or whether prevailing wind conditions favor decamping said location in favor of Alaska. Because San Diego already has all of the military capacity necessary to conduct its affairs. Were Wind Zeros training ability so great, its directors, whomever they are, would appreciate that before a shot is fired in training, anger or BY MISTAKE its advisable to observe the chain of command. Intelligence GENIUSES may also be tantalized to examine, hopefully not over the course of decades, hint hint, that permitting scads of unknown individuals who listen to former SEALs and favor walrus mustaches to scurry about, hither and yon, heavily armed and questionably trained is a security sieve. Finally, bringing already well trained peace officers into this boiling cauldron of mercenary activity for- what? Advanced training? The fact is Brandon Webb would benefit from training by actual police, not the other way around.
— January 27, 2011 11:47 a.m.

Soccer Mom Part 4 - Cop Shop

Kenny deduced that Mando was correct. He knew his mom wouldn't abandon him. The problem was to acquire information from Mando. "Where are you from?" asked Kenworth Clifton. "I'm from Tijuana." said Mando, looking at her. Smashing Pumpkins - 'Disarm' Lyrics and Video Disarm you with a smile And cut you like you want me to Cut that little child Inside of me and such a part of you Ooh, the years burn I used to be a little boy So old in my shoes And what i choose is my choice What's a boy supposed to do? The killer in me is the killer in you My love I send this smile over to you Disarm you with a smile And leave you like they left me here To wither in denial The bitterness of one who's left alone Ooh, the years burn Ooh, the years burn, burn, burn I used to be a little boy So old in my shoes And what I choose is my voice What's a boy supposed to do? The killer in me is the killer in you My love I send this smile over to you The killer in me is the killer in you Send this smile over to you The killer in me is the killer in you Send this smile over to you The killer in me is the killer in you Send this smile over to you More lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/smashing+pumpkins/#s… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o52VGr9yoxM
— October 14, 2010 12:15 p.m.

For-Profit College Stocks, Including Bridgepoint, Walloped

Exactly. What a crying shame that so many people use the system, instead of contributing great journalism. I learn from Don Bauder. When people realize that journalism really is the basis for a free nation, especially in this day and age, we'll all be better off. Don Bauder, you tell it like it is. I wish I could promise you that what you do will go on, but I can't. However, I'm in in negotiations.
— October 14, 2010 11:46 a.m.

For the rest of 'Soccer Mom' parts I-III, visit http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/may/05/di… scroll to comment #19 and have some fun with it. This is part 4 - 'Cop Shop' Buenos Aires, Argentina - Present Day Young Kenny Clifton was flipping channels, snuggling on the hotel room bed with his girlfriend, Amy. Mando was seated on a chair, in a corner of the room, not saying nothing. The problem with Mando, Kenny Clifton had determined, was that he wasn't interested in saying anything. It was difficult to pry anything out of him. Finally, Kenny nudged Amy, and whispered in her ear 'Try something.' Amy, an incredible young beauty, popped off of the bed like an old pro. She was just waiting to get the word from her man. "Mando, you can't shut us in like this without at least telling us something." She said, strutting back and forth for emphasis. "No ingles." said Mando, disinterestedly. Kenny jumped off the bed and threw his fists down to his hips, and said "Mentiras! Mentiras! You speak English! You understand me! Where is my Mom?! Where is Tino?!" Mando sighed, and said "They in Chile. They take a plane to Chile. They supporting miner rescue. Okay, boy? Plus, I never lie to you, I just don't tell you nothing. There's a difference." "You said 'no ingles', that means you don't speak English, so you did lie." said Kenny, looking at Amy. "No ingles mean no english. I dont speak English mean I dont speak English." said Mando. "You're equivocating." "No ingles." said Mando to the young genius. He knew how to deal with him. Boundaries. Stephanie Clifton and Tino Escudero had taken off like a shot from Buenos Aires, and left Mando to baby sit. Next door, a couple of Buzos were in a hotel room, monitoring, and backing up. Mando's decision- 'watch tv and sit here.' Mando knew the Soccer Mom would be back for her child, he could tell. Meanwhile, why take chances? He could leave them alone, but they would probably end up having sex. Mando believed in keeping a tight rein on situations that were dynamic. In other words, he was not going to let the American teenagers have sex alone, he was not going to let them leave the hotel over the short term, and he was not going to become impatient. "When are they coming back?!" demanded Kenny. "I don't know, but your mother won't leave you here." said Mando. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9--0OdPxi5w
— October 14, 2010 2:12 a.m.