Why there are helmet laws....

[Jessterw]

You know, some people might take offense at what they might imagine as a racial comment...

But growing up where I did I know they carry glocks

[rylan]

Ok, then require basket players to wear kevlar vests!

[Gurm]

Definitely.

Everyone who supports mandatory helmets for bicyclists must now do one of two things:

1. Blindly support mandatory heavy protective gear (HPG) for all ball players. Such gear can include, but is not strictly limited to:
- A helmet, the bigger and bulkier the better. I'm thinking an astronaut-sized helmet would be ideal. This will prevent head injuries.
- Kevlar vest. For protection against glocks.
- Shoulder guards. To... uh... protect... the shoulders!
- Boots which come to mid-calf. This will reduce ankle injuries.
- A large leather codpiece. (See http://leatheroaks.org if you're confused at all about this.)
- Goggles, for eye protection.
- Chainmail. As a good outer layer of deflective material.

OR

2. Shut the **** up about helmet laws, because they're ****ing retarded.

Your choice, people! Since I know sports are near and dear to all of your hearts, and you don't want the game of basketball ruined forever, I'd say let the helmets SLIDE.

[Gurm]

And in fact, since the game of Football - WITH FULL PROTECTIVE GEAR - causes nearly as many ER visits as bicycling... I vote that we just ban Football altogether. Of course this has been a goal of mine for years now, but it's nice to know that it has popular legislative support (using the same logic that mandates bicycle helmets)!

[lowlifecat]

if not banning football then atleast rename it to 'Pigskin tossing' and give soccer it's real name back. FOOTBALL!

[Jessterw]

So we should all shut the f* up because we disagree with you? Right.

Football... well having grown up playing what we call soccer, I don't get the point of modern American football. The game was far better when it still resembled rugby on some level. Now we have steroid enhanced slabs of meat huffing down the field. Granted, I love getting out on a field and playing it with a group of people where it's not inhibited by all the glaringly useless rules the professionals play by.

[Sasq]

Inversly, Gurm has proven why these sort of laws need to be legislated, as in some people are just too damn pig headed, and thick to do what is best for themselves, their children and their economy without being forced to.

[Wombat]

2. Shut the **** up about helmet laws, because they're ****ing retarded.

Your choice, people! Since I know sports are near and dear to all of your hearts, and you don't want the game of basketball ruined forever, I'd say let the helmets SLIDE.

Helmet laws have to do with riders in public, on public roads, mingled with pedestrians and drivers. Nobody's on a basketball court or football field unless they're there as part of the game. Put a biker on a private space and he can do whatever the **** he wants.

[Dr Mordrid]

AMEN!

Dr, Mordrid

[Dr Mordrid]

Update: Roethlisberger has been charged with riding without a helmet and riding without a motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license;

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/06/19/bc.fbn.roethlisbergerac.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Dr. Mordrid

[rylan]

You know, there is some school parents' group in this state trying to get helmets required for kids who play soccer. Perfect example of the extreme posts made earlier to make a point about where does it stop.

[Jessterw]

Sigh. The thing about parents' groups is that they rarely represent the majority of parents and almost almost always have an agenda to push that is not in their children's (or anyone else's) best interest.

Helmets in soccer? I played the game from as early as I can remember and in all those years I can only remember a few times someone's head was impacted by anything other than the ball. One's shins/knees and groin were far better targets for punishment. Maybe they should be pushing for better guards for those areas, because I can remember having rather bruised and bloodied shins even with shin guards on.

OT, someone or some group is always going to take something to the extreme - it's a given. That, however, does not mean common sense laws don't have a place.

[rylan]

Yeah, unfortunately the "parents" groups are usually comprised of a few power hungry people who want to force their will on everyone else.

OT some more, but there is also a rep in this state who is trying to get Fluff (the marshmallow gooey stuff... peanut butter + fluff sandwich) banned as an option for school lunch.