The Ranting Thread

[Graham Kennedy]

New layout? It looks the same to me...

[Tsukiyumi]

My rant? A month ago, I had an accident; my knees gave out, and I fell onto the back of my head. I woke up on the floor, and my friends helped me up, and brought me home. The next day, I realized how bad my neck and back hurt. I figured I'd just tough it out, wear a neck brace, and I'd get better.

So, two days ago, my legs started going numb. Now, I'm a bit concerned. I called to see about getting an x-ray done at a local emergency center. When I told them I don't have insurance, and they could send me a bill, they told me their policy is cash upon service - $200 to walk in the door, and the doctor's consultation and x-rays would be on top of that...

In other words, don't bother coming in. Thankfully, the numbness issue seems to have gone away for now. Maybe I'll get better on my own. I just wanted a f*cking x-ray to determine exactly what's wrong; then I can make a decision about what to do.

X-ray: 50 cents. charge: $200+



What a load of bullsh*t.

[Sionnach Glic]

Wait....you have to pay $200 but still have to pay more to even see a doctor or get anything done? What the fuck is that $200 charge for?

[Tsukiyumi]

Wait....you have to pay $200 but still have to pay more to even see a doctor or get anything done?

Right.

What the f**k is that $200 charge for?

American Awesomeness Fee? I really have no idea.

[Mikey]

Wait....you have to pay $200 but still have to pay more to even see a doctor or get anything done? What the f**k is that $200 charge for?

Door fee. You know, you can't get anything done if you can't get in the door, right?

This is where insurance regulation needs to be mandated, not in any sort of federally-run competitor to private insurers. The only reason costs are like this is because of the way covered bills can be inflated, which in turn is due to the way insurers have pre-set "discounts" (read: "not marked up to an arnitrarily ludicrous number for show") for those doctors which have agreed to be in that insurer's network (read: "blackmailed by the carrier so they'd still be able to claim that insurer's clientele as customers.")

[Tsukiyumi]

Thankfully, I talked to some of my friends and family yesterday, and got some information; I don't need to see a doctor at all. The numbness issue is still gone as well. I'm just going to be super extra careful for a while, and spend a lot of time in bed. Hopefully, I can convince some of my female friends to keep me company there.

[Mark]

Thought you were going to be super careful

[stitch626]

Ok, this has happened three times in the last month and its bugging me.

Do funeral caravans have less traffic restrictions?

As in, can they run red lights, ignore stop signs, ignore padestrians in crosswalks, and block traffic on a multilane road?
I want to know before I get into an accident with one.

[Lighthawk]

Ok, this has happened three times in the last month and its bugging me.

Do funeral caravans have less traffic restrictions?

As in, can they run red lights, ignore stop signs, ignore padestrians in crosswalks, and block traffic on a multilane road?
I want to know before I get into an accident with one.

Pretty much, they have the right of way in any situation as long as they stick together.

[Captain Seafort]

Pretty much, they have the right of way in any situation as long as they stick together.

What idiot was responsible for that idea?

[Sionnach Glic]

Ok, this has happened three times in the last month and its bugging me.

Do funeral caravans have less traffic restrictions?

As in, can they run red lights, ignore stop signs, ignore padestrians in crosswalks, and block traffic on a multilane road?
I want to know before I get into an accident with one.

Not over here they can't.

[Lighthawk]

Pretty much, they have the right of way in any situation as long as they stick together.

What idiot was responsible for that idea?

It's not really as terrible a thing as it sounds. I think its mostly a matter of making sure A) Everyone gets to the cemetery (especially out of town people who might not know the location) and B) getting everyone to the cemetery in a timely fashion so that no one misses the burial and/or they don't have to wait for someone who got lost. Most places have little flags with magnetic bottoms or some other method of attaching to your car, which marks you as part of the procession as well, so impatient assholes can't jump into the procession in order to run lights and stuff. Also a lot of places include police involvement.

[Captain Seafort]

It's not really as terrible a thing as it sounds.

Other than the small issue of running the strong risk of getting people killed.

I think its mostly a matter of making sure A) Everyone gets to the cemetery (especially out of town people who might not know the location) and B) getting everyone to the cemetery in a timely fashion so that no one misses the burial and/or they don't have to wait for someone who got lost.

Both of which would be much better solved by a) knowing how to read a map or b) following someone who know where they're going. Not ignoring the rules of teh road

Also a lot of places include police involvement.

This is a funeral we're talking about, not a presidential visit.

[Lighthawk]

It's not really as terrible a thing as it sounds.

Other than the small issue of running the strong risk of getting people killed.

It's not really that likely. The procession doesn't go speeding down the streets or anything. I've been in three, and I don't think any of them went over 30 mph. And as I said, police involvement is pretty common, usually with them moving ahead of the procession to block off intersections just prior to the hearse reaching them.

I think its mostly a matter of making sure A) Everyone gets to the cemetery (especially out of town people who might not know the location) and B) getting everyone to the cemetery in a timely fashion so that no one misses the burial and/or they don't have to wait for someone who got lost.

Both of which would be much better solved by a) knowing how to read a map or b) following someone who know where they're going. Not ignoring the rules of teh road

Maybe, but they're not "ignoring the rules of the road", they're being given a pass to ignore a few rules under specific conditions. Also keep in mind, this is going to be a very emotional and stressful time for some. Keeping it simple as "follow this line of cars" is probably a good thing for some.

Also a lot of places include police involvement.

This is a funeral we're talking about, not a presidential visit.

So? Is there anything particularly wrong with the police helping out?

[Tsukiyumi]

So? Is there anything particularly wrong with the police helping out?

I thought they were just around to oppress people. Huh.