So in Oregon, can I defend myself with just force? What are the laws for self defense in Oregon? They seem a little wishy washy in the case of self defense.

Was what I said insensitive? Perhaps, if you lack the ability to read between the lines. But remember, you (everyone, myself included) do not have the right to not be offended. I voiced my opinion on something I feel strongly about (albeit, in a light hearted way) and went a step further and explained my intentions in greater detail. But then, you\'re not trying to understand, so why should I attempt to clarify?

I believe I\'ve used up all my vowels.

Drivers will start taking safety seriously when there are real consequences attached to their actions. A car is a deadly weapon just as surely as a knife or a gun. Intentionally hit a cyclist? That\'s homicide or attempted murder with a weapon. I\'ve had enough drivers threaten me that I realize that when people operate a car they make deliberate choices about exposing others to risk. If you engage in road rage and \"accidentially\" run someone over, it wasn\'t an accident.

We all make deliberate choices, if a drive hits me while chatting on their cell phone they have made a choice to value their cell coversation over my life. It would be no accident, but a purposful choice to subject others to a greater level of risk. Start trying these vehicle operators for murder, aggrevated assult or manslaughter. Hold people accountable.

Answer: Read the comments on any article on bikeportland about bikes getting tickets for anything. Next read your insensitive comments about swinging from a rope in a straight jacket.

E, Thank you for the link, it\'s an interesting read. No I don\'t have patience for people trying to ride in the slip stream of those not in control of their faculties. I also don\'t understand mental illnesses and don\'t claim to. Do you? Does anyone? There are a lot of people that make a lot of money professing that they do, but then again, I spose everyone\'s an expert, paid or not.

If I don\'t understand my own mind, why I do the things I do, including the things I know I shouldn\'t, or the things that seemed like such a good idea at the time, then how can I begin to even try and understand someone else\'s mind? I\'ve lived with depression and other \'issues\' for as long as I can remember, but I\'ve never blamed my actions on those faults. Do I expect everyone else to live their lives in my image? Of course not. Clearly there are those who truly cannot control their actions any more than they can appreciate the outcome, but there are many that will try to use this solely as a means for bartering.

Perhaps I should have been more specific and said \'temporary insanity\'. People that are otherwise \'normal\' but have a berzerker moment, and then says \"I\'m much better now, thank you, I\'d like to go home now\" I don\'t know if there is a legal distinction between the two, insanity and temporary, but that\'s really what I was pointing at. My original intent was to sort of avoid a long, drawn out explanation. Well, that worked out rather well for me I\'d say ;-)

E #17,

I don\'t about that. My wife has worked on a lot of the state\'s locked mental health wards, and the quality of life is much better than typically found in the prison system.

A real problem is screening competent prisoners who are looking for easier time in the wards. They tend to prey upon the more impaired patients who more clearly belong in the mental health facilities and are a danger to the workers. I guess that is one reason, prison systems are developing their own mental health capabilities in house.

If anyone wants to read more about GEI, you can do so here:
http://www.disabilityrightsoregon.org/pubs/MentalHealthLawOregon/mh_ch3.htm

slick,

i believe the commenter was referring to insanity pleas in general... and not \"all drivers\".