when the dog bites, when the bees sing, when i'm feeling sad...i simply remember my favourite things

[shallwegather]

I've never minded cops too much. When i've gotten pulled over in the past, i try to be very honorable, and understand that i was pulled over because i did something wrong. It's best to be courteous to cops

Comments

[katielovesjoel]

Just a question for you ... do you think that what you read about in the old Mennonite handbooks is for Mennonite to Mennonite? I mean, I kind of live in the ghetto and so I know I have developed a more cynical outlook on this kind of thing.

In my neighborhood, if somebody drove away after backing into my car ... they did it because they had no intention to claim responsibility for it. Period. In fact, a friend of mine had her car sideswiped in front of our house and nobody ever claimed responsibility for it. And even if we had known who did it, I would have called the police. I would honestly fear what might be waiting for me if I knocked on a door to tell somebody, "I saw you hit my car."

I know that's an extreme ... but I think you can expect something different out of a fellow Mennonite than some random Joe Shmoe (or Jane Shmane) on the street.

[shallwegather]

Back when that sort of thing was written about and was a big concern, Mennonites were still really separatist, so it was probably written for Mennonites dealing with other Mennos, or at the least, other Christians. Likely, people extended it to dealings with anyone. "Going to law" was bringing in the state, when the matter should have been resolved by a mediator, or an agreement between the victim and the perpetrator

It's Wise to Involve the Police

[anonymous]

The Po-Po (police) ARE the mediators. It's always wise to contact them in the case of an accident so that the situation can be documented for legal purposes, and you emliminate the potential for he-said, she-said. It's all in the police report. I watch Judge Judy, and the People's Court. I've had enough rap sessions with Harvey-on-the-street to know that the Po-Po should be called as soon as possible.

Menno to Menno is a different situation that what you experienced by friend. Menno to non-Menno, worldy, irresponsible, didn't-even-leave-a-note, drive-off-with-no-intention-of-telling-anybody-she-hit-your-car woman, is another.

Re: It's Wise to Involve the Police

[anonymous]

Rich,
It's me, Rigel. I left the comment above... and I meant "eliminate" not "emliminate." And "than what you experienced my friend" instead of "that what you experienced by friend." I was typing fast. Peace out!

Re: It's Wise to Involve the Police

[shallwegather]

Yeah, that's kind of what my friend Katie was saying above. I tend to assume that people have scruples, and not everyone does. All the same, i guess i don't think it's the best mindset to expect to go to court. I want to expect the best of people, and I do think that should be my outlook. If i call the police, then to me, that's giving in to the idea that i should be guarded against others. I don't want to be like that. My strong feeling is that i should maintain an attitude of trust, and be redemptive. Obviously, that's not always going to work, but calling the police shouldn't be my first response.

I do see your point though.

Re: It's Wise to Involve the Police

[ext_96757]

Rich