Rides and Tales

Along about 11:00, Saturday morning, Bill and I pulled to the side of Shoreline Drive  which runs along the marina  that is across the street from downtown Corpus Christi. 

I’d spotted a dolphin swimming inside the breakwater,  a thing I’d never seen or heard of before, and wanted to see if I could get photo.

The place I shot from is one of several miradores that are placed along the drive.

Mira (MEE-dah) is a Spanish word that means “look”  a place to look from is called a mirador (MEE-dah-thoad), or as some of us make it, “mirrador”.

As you might guess, the dolphin didn’t cooperate  by swimming closer to the sea wall.

The day didn’t end up to too snazzy, but it was, at least, another morning in paradise.

From the “Just so’s you know” department:

I received a  prompt reply from my  State Representative’s office concerning banning non-emergency  use of cell phone and text messenger in cars and trucks.

What follows is an edited version of the email sent by Representative Ortiz’s office.

It appears to me that the lawmakers have recognized the problem and are trying to address it.  The line, “This issue is likely to be controversial…” is telling, I think.

Dear Mr. {Fiddle Mike}

{edited}

I don’t want to conclude
this email without attempting to answer your good question about a total ban.
Texting while driving is a indeed problem for adults, too. That said, a
complete ban would be difficult to pass the legislature. This bill is a
starting point (it can be amended) and Rep.
Ortiz decided to start off by filing the youth ban version
because its chances of passing are greater.

{ edited}

This issue is
likely to be controversial and legislators are looking at a variety of ways to
tackle the issue. In fact, one legislator, Rep. Jose Menendez of San Antonio , is taking
two different approaches. He’s filed one bill (HB220) which is a total ban
(like you suggest) and another bill HB219 that only bans it in school zones.
Rep. Ortiz did not want to duplicate his efforts.

You can track the
progress of HB 220, HB 219, and HB 662 online at www.capitol.state.tx.us
.

There’s some interesting
discussion going on over at Burnt Orange Report: http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7857

{edited}

Will Krueger

Office of Rep.
Solomon Ortiz, Jr.

(512) 463-0484

Ill admit to taking a simplistic view of the workings of government, forgetting that there are many interests and influences to be dealt with; like being at a swap meet.  But,  I read the original email describing the bill, thought it looked  ineffective and asked,  ”why”?

Now, I know.

In any case, it looks like they are on the job, in Austin.

My next entry should be more entertaining.

I get, periodically,  these “updates” and fish fry invitations from
State Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr , via email.  I usually just delete them, unread.   He is the son on my US Congressman (the one more interested in “uniting families” than enforcing US immigration law) and, since I’m not convinced that legislators connected with LULAC or the Hispanic Caucus represent me, the idea of an Ortiz “dynasty” (a la Kennedy) just doesn’t harden my nipples , if you catch my drift.
 

Today’s email subject caught my eye, though.  Rep. Ortiz has introduced
HB-662, intended to take cell phones and text messengers out of the hands of teen drivers under the age of 18.  Since, twice, last week,  teens on cell phones ran stop signs as I was motorcycling through the intersection,  I opened the email and read the blurb. 
Ortiz had some snazzy  statistics to back him up, but I noticed they were stats for teens 16-17 years of age, only.

In a bold move, on my part, I emailed Our  Man in Austin, pointing out that the problem isn’t teens, but devices. 

 Texas motorcyclists will be threatened with a mandatory helmet law, this legislative session, but  un-helmeted heads aren’t the cause of biker injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tells us that most accidents are caused by inattention to driving.  Period.

At any rate, I opined that Texas needs to build better drivers and that a ban on the use of communication devices in cars and trucks  would be a dandy start (I will require the battery to be removed when I am in charge).
I asked why he didn’t go for a complete ban.  Who knows, maybe he’ll answer.

Then,  my compadre  came by wanting a battery charger for his Sportster and  I was side-tracked.

*Just so’s you know:  I choose to don a SNELL approved  helmet every time I mount a bike.  I want that to remain a choice.

Ortiz represents House District 33, which includes part of Nueces
County and the City of Corpus Christi . Rep. Ortiz encourages
constituents to contact his office on this or any issue of interest at
(512) 463-0484, email him at district33.ortizjr@house.state.tx.us or visit the House of Representatives website at www.house.state.tx.us.