Whenever I drive my son to school or other activities, he asks me questions about the rules of the road that often lead to more profound discussions. A recent conversation went like this:
My son: Why do we have to stop at red lights?
Me: We stop when it’s red because someone else has the green, which means it’s the other person’s turn to go.
My son: What would happen if we didn’t stop?
Me: The person with the green light might crash into us because we’re going when it’s not our turn. Everybody has to take turns, just like when you want to go down a slide or play on the computer at school.
My son: Can a policeman go through a red light?
Me: Yes, if there’s an emergency. That’s why police officers flash their lights and turn on their sirens; they’re telling people to stop or get out of the way.
My son: What would happen if a policeman went through a red light when it wasn’t an emergency?
Me: The police officer would be breaking the law and would be in trouble, just like we would be. In fact, the police officer might be in even more trouble than we would be.
My son: Why?
Me: A police officer is supposed to make sure people follow the law. If a police officer runs a red light when it’s not an emergency, he’s breaking the law. He also wouldn’t be doing his job, so he’d get in trouble twice.
My son: What would happen if the policeman pretended there was an emergency, but there really wasn’t?
Me: The police officer would be in even bigger trouble.
My son: Why?
Me: Because then the police officer would be lying about whether there was an emergency, AND not doing his job, AND breaking the law. That’s three things wrong.
My son: (Pause.) When can I learn to drive?
Me: In about 10 years.
Hey good stuff…keep up the good work!
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This blog rocks! I gotta say, that I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
This blog rocks! I gotta say, that I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
A definite great read…
-Bill-Bartmann
I‘m sure many of you are like me and one of the first things you do in the morning is head here and check out the new post. Along with seeing the new posts, I’m also always checking out the blog roll rss feed and watching them grow, or shrink sometimes. In one of my past …but all in all excellent site. Keep it up!
Just wanted to drop you a line to say, I enjoy reading your site. I thought about starting a blog myself but don’t have the time.
Oh well maybe one day….
Thanks! Hope to hear from you again!