Respect The Procession
They do in Port Huron, Michigan.
Some don’t in Florida, though.
Smaller Government. Lower Taxes. More Freedom
Several weeks ago, when the Republican Party announced Gov. Palin’s selection, I remarked to a few folks that this might be enough to pull me back to the party.
I had previously announced to some of those same folks that I was voting Libertarian this year. I have come to the realization that the 2 leading parties are entirely too similar to each other, and that most members of those parties are more interested in beating the other party, than in what’s best for the country. The federal government has grown too large to be effective, and both leading parties are more concerned with how to maintain and grow that power than they are with trying to lead the country.
In 2004, I had also announced to friends that I was voting Libertarian. I panicked at the last minute though, and voted Republican. I said at the time that while I wasn’t sure that Bush was the best choice for the country, I was sure that Kerry was wrong, and I was concerned about Ohio going to Kerry.
This year, I thought I was in a similar position. I feel that neither Democrat nor Republican is what’s best for the country. Both tickets have issues. If I were pressed to choose from those two parties, I’d vote for McCain/Palin. I think they’re less wrong for the country than Obama/Biden.
But voting for what’s less wrong is still voting for the wrong thing. We’re paying far too many dollars in taxes to support a government with far too much power. The Libertarian Party best represents my feelings for what’s right for the country, so I’m voting Libertarian this year.
There are those who say that I’m throwing my vote away, or wasting it, and that the Libertarians have no chance of winning. Yet, this year, they are on the ballot in enough states to take 270 electoral votes, despite efforts to keep them from the ballot, or ignore electoral laws in favor of other parties.
Take a look at the Libertarian platform. See if you agree with the planks there. Decide if you want to support a government that is increasingly intrusive in our lives, or if you want to support a government that remembers who it works for.
Funeral Processions and the Law, Take 2
An Oregon resident writes about rude drivers in a letter to the editor. Note that the drivers weren’t just being rude, they were in violation of several Oregon statues covering funeral processions. I’ve come to the realization that people are just ignorant of procession laws, since they vary so from state to state. What’s required in some states isn’t even mentioned in others; several states don’t recognize processions at all. Add in self-appointed legal experts, and things become even more murky.
Locally, a Delhi Township police officer was struck during a funeral procession in suburban Cincinnati. His injuries were not considered life-threatening. The driver apparently left the scene after the crash, but later returned.
Funeral Industry News - 17 September 2008
In this summary: a funeral home employee steals urns, then sells them for scrap; an SC funeral home recovers from an arson fire; and an NC funeral home has its license suspended.
The Best and The Worst
It’s said that a funeral will bring out the best and the worst in people. I was amazed at some of the folks who came to pay their respects to my dad when he passed. There were people I hadn’t seen in years, and folks who I know it was physically painful for them to come out on that September evening. But they came.
I’ve also seen fights break out at viewings and funerals. People choose some incredibly poor moments to make public some monumentally stupid event from the deceased’s past. Sometimes they decide now is the best time to let Aunt Susie know how much Dad hated her, or how Grandpa never forgave Uncle Joey for some slight. Family members start worrying about the estate, and who’s going to get what, and how that person doesn’t deserve anything, because they were never around for Dad, and Dad’s not even in the ground yet. It’s amazing and yet not, all at the same time.
Funeral directors (they prefer that over “mortician.” Honest.) in Cincinnati are noticing more problems with arguments and violence at funerals. I haven’t seen too many issues like that here in Columbus, but I suppose it’s coming.
Dial 911 and Die
Over 40 years ago, Jeff Cooper coined the word “hoplophobe,” meaning a “mental disturbance characterized by irrational aversion to weapons.” I’d like to coin a new word, pertaining to the irrational dependence on protection orders, restraining orders, and the 911 emergency system. There needs to be such a word for people who think that a court order is going to stop someone who is bound and determined to kill them, or that all they have to do is call 911, because the people there will always protect you. Not.
Sagavanirktok
That’s a river in the North Slope region of Alaska. It’s an Eskimo word meaning “strong current.”
I love strange place names. One of my favorite books is Passing Gas, a book about strangely names places in the US.
This AP article touches on some of the strangely named places in Alaska, like Eek, Chicken, and Mishap Creek. Neat stuff.
It Is Time
Here’s an email I sent out today to many folks I’ve worked with over the last seven years.
Almost seven years ago, I answered an ad in the Dispatch looking for people to escort funeral processions. I knew the history of the situation, but applied anyway. What a ride it’s been.
I’ve run almost 3,500 processions in that time, for babies, centenarians, and everyone in between. I’ve ridden in conditions I wouldn’t have been driving in. I’ve seen the best and the worst Central Ohio has to offer in the way of drivers - sometimes in the same procession!
I’ve seen twelve-year-old boys stop playing, and hold their hands over their hearts for a procession.
I’ve seen entire communities turn out to honor a fallen soldier.
I’ve seen tearful “Thank you”s mouthed through countless windshields.
I’ve escorted processions with tow trucks, motorcycles, fire apparatus, police cruisers, school buses, classic cars, and more. I had a low-boy lead a procession once, and have seen a flatbed tow truck used as a hearse. I did one with a horse-drawn hearse, too.
Through it all, I’ve been privileged to work with some of the best colleagues in the profession. I might be biased since I’ve helped train most of them, but I think it’s safe to say this is one of the best groups of escorts in the country.
Likewise, I’ve been honored to work with some of the best funeral directors and support staff in the industry. I’ve made many friends over the last few years, which makes it hard to move on.
I’ve got many fond memories from my time in the funeral industry. I’ve done one-car processions, and 140-car processions. I’ve worked with almost every police department in central Ohio at one time or another. It’s been an honor to run some of the processions I’ve run, and I’ve always tried to give every family the same professional effort to get them safely to the cemetery.
What’s been the best part? There are too many to name. I loved being able to say, “I’m getting paid to ride a motorcycle.” Introductions were always interesting, as well. “What do you do for a living?” “Oh, I’m a male escort.” Watching the kids wave to me from limos and cars was always a kick, too.
This blog isn’t going away. I plan to continue talking about the industry, and I’m hopeful that my friends and colleagues will keep me informed about local news. So, until next time, be safe.
Escort Dies
Steven Keith, the 51-year-old funeral escort hit by a drunk driver on 3 April, has died.
Here’s his employer. You can send your condolences there.
A Good Idea Then, But Now?
In 1923, Plimmon H. Dudley, an engineer who worked for the New York Central Rail, left over $150,000 to Yale to establish the the Dudley Professorship of Railroad Engineering. His desire was that the professorship continue his research into railway safety, particularly as it applied to the development and improvement of designs of rails, roadbeds and crossties. That was all well and good in 1923. But eventually, rail’s luster dimmed, and the chair sat empty for 70 years. Yale finally realized that the 1923’s steam engines were destined to be replaced by magnetic levitation trains, and in 2002, seated a professor.
Many other schools are facing similar dilemmas in dealing with quirky endowments. This NY Times article discusses it in more detail.
It was an interesting piece to me as my wife and I created an endowment a few years ago to benefit our church. We made no special conditions on the endowment, other than to create a chain of succession should our congregation or district go away. But it’s interesting to see what others have done with endowments.