Author Archives: Steve Tilford

Are 12 Year Olds Adults?

This entry was posted in Important Life Stories, Racing on by .

IMG_6652Can you believe this article that is in the Topeka paper today?  This article says that a judge in Michigan ruled that two 12-year-old girls, “MUST stand trial as adults” for an attempted homicide.

First off, I know nothing about this except what this article says.  But, I don’t need to know anything else.

I can’t think of a situation where a 12-year-old person should be, or in this case, must be, tried as adults.  Both girls?  That is even more insane.

What is the matter with this judge?  Actually, if you read the article, what is the matter with the district/or states attorney that decided to charge these girls with attempted first-degree intentional homicide?  He must have known that they would be tried as adults.

What is the matter with our legal system if we can’t take better care of our children than this? The article says that they could each receive a sentence of 65 years if convicted.  What?  Only 65 year for sacrificing a classmate for a fictional character.  Fuck that.  Let’s just hang them.

There is nothing that a child can do in our society that should mandate that.  Especially they shouldn’t lose their whole lives for trying to kill another 12-year-old  for a game.

Obviously, these children had some issues if they did what they are charged with.  But they didn’t kill anyone, which, in my opinion, doesn’t really matter.  I don’t care if they did kill someone.  They haven’t lived enough to make decisions properly yet.  They need help, but  losing their whole lives isn’t correct.  They get a get out of jail card here.  And that card is-

They are kids.  12 year olds.  In 6th grade, elementary school.

Come on, our society is lost when we legally treat our children as adults.

Tirreno-Adriatico Finish – Weather Protocol Situation?

This entry was posted in Comments about Cycling on by .

The stage finish from just a few minutes ago in the Tirreno-Adriatico was on a 16 km climb.  The announcers from Eurosport said the temperatures were -1C.  And it was misting on the climb, then turning to snow the last few kilometers.

I guess they needed to cancel the stage?  At least according to this “huge” problem that the sport seems to be having concerning weather and cycling.  Our, by our I mean here in the US, new riders group, ANAPRC would like that to be the case.  They suggest a +3C, plus snow, as a “plan B” switch.  Wonder what that would have been today.

Don’t worry, we have recently retired rider David Millar on point to figure this whole issue out for the riders.

My feelings, bike racing involves weather.  The sport is an outside sport.  Sure, it the organizers can avoid a complete tragedy by altering the course before the races, when the weather is extreme, they should.  But, they already do that.  Every once in while, it is just bad.  Bad luck, probably a little bad planning, etc.  In those instances, the riders themselves, or their team managers, can decide whether they should take the risks or just stop.  Some will, some won’t. That is how sport works in extreme conditions.

Fabian doesn’t like it again.  He isn’t too big on heat, or snow now.  Wonder what he’s going to say if it’s raining for Roubaix?  Maybe someone else will carry the torch then.  Danger is danger in my book.

I don’t understand how having specific rules in place can address each and every weather situation.  More rules, less sport, that’s the way I see it.

Nairo Quintana (Movistar), winning in the snow today.

Nairo Quintana (Movistar), winning in the snow today.