Do you ever feel vulnerable with the top down?

[ddb]

Originally Posted by JackG

Umm.. because that's what happened? Why do you think this fact should be ignored?

Jack

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your response. I didn't say anything should be ignored. I just asked why it was important to include the "darker colored minorities" description. I think it is a legitimate question.

If you read the thread, several people describe situations where they felt nervous, threatened, or worse. I just find it interesting that not one of these posts included any descriptions of color. So, I wondered why the poster felt he needed to add this to his post.

In addition to my original question, I guess I could have asked the other posters why they didn't feel it necessary to include descriptions of color in their posts.

Thanks,

ddb

[Brucelee]

I'd suggest there is no cheese down this particular tunnel.

Originally Posted by ddb

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your response. I didn't say anything should be ignored. I just asked why it was important to include the "darker colored minorities" description. I think it is a legitimate question.

If you read the thread, several people describe situations where they felt nervous, threatened, or worse. I just find it interesting that not one of these posts included any descriptions of color. So, I wondered why the poster felt he needed to add this to his post.

In addition to my original question, I guess I could have asked the other posters why they didn't feel it necessary to include descriptions of color in their posts.

Thanks,

ddb

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I'd suggest there is no cheese down this particular tunnel.

Hi,

Agreed. Let's not turn this into a Liberal SoapBox on the Socio-Economic inequities of Inner-City populations.

In many major inner cities, the minority population approaches 70%. The fact that most inner city arrests involve minorities is not Racial Profiling, it's simply the Law of Averages.

The simple truth is that I'm not too worried about having my Porsche jacked by some Socio-Economically mobile MBA. They're much smarter than to rob one person at a time - they look for economy of scale and rape the economy and corporations (and consequently citizens and shareholders) for millions in one stroke ala Ken Lay.

I'm worried about the guy who wants to jack my Porche and trade it in on a $100 piece of Rock!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Brucelee]

"I'm worried about the guy who wants to jack my Porche and trade it in on a $100 piece of Rock!..."

The consulting firm of Smith and Wesson can provide professional help for a modest cost. However, you must our training course and of course, be licensed in the state of your choice.

www.smithandwesson.com

[mtch]

Perspective is a funny thing. I happen to be a “darker colored minority”, and I laughed when I saw the post. I don’t blame anyone for fearing for their safety in less that ideal situations, because fear is what keeps us alive. I am in the nuclear industry, and most nuclear facilities are located in rural southern and mid-western areas. Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Like anyone with common sense, I always attempt avoid confrontation, and like many of you, I keep a couple of close friends with me at all times. Mr. Carl Walther is always on my hip and Mr. Gaston Glock is usually on the passenger’s seat whenever I take Mr. Ferry P. out for a drive.

[ddb]

[QUOTE=mtch] Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. QUOTE]

mtch,

I too have experienced the same uneasy feelings while driving my Boxster top-down on similar roads. Unfortunately idiots exist everywhere.

Thanks,

ddb

[Brucelee]

Regarding tournament karate!

"Boards don't hit back!"

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by mtch

Perspective is a funny thing. I happen to be a “darker colored minority”, and I laughed when I saw the post. I don’t blame anyone for fearing for their safety in less that ideal situations, because fear is what keeps us alive. I am in the nuclear industry, and most nuclear facilities are located in rural southern and mid-western areas. Being from a major metro area in the north-east, I get the same uneasy feeling when driving top down on the beautiful country back roads of the south (for which the Boxster was made) that some of you get when driving the urban areas across the country. My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Like anyone with common sense, I always attempt avoid confrontation, and like many of you, I keep a couple of close friends with me at all times. Mr. Carl Walther is always on my hip and Mr. Gaston Glock is usually on the passenger’s seat whenever I take Mr. Ferry P. out for a drive.

Uh, I am staying out of the whole race discussion. Mtch - I find your post very interesting, or disturbing maybe. You work at a nuclear facility and you can show up to to work with two handguns?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of the second ammendment, but what kind of security do you guys have at that place?

[luxury1]

I think the clear theme is to avoid the situation in the first place. I actually love driving in the city because there is so much more to look at (I live 30 minutes out in the burbs) but driving in the city might not be the best idea if traffic is heavy.

One other tip I thought I would share is my timed approach to lights. If the upcoming light is red I approach it slowly. If I can stay rolling or at least minimize the amount of time I am sitting idle, it reduces the time a situation might develop (as I think we would all agree that it is sitting when you are subject to the biggest risk).

[mtch]

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

Uh, I am staying out of the whole race discussion. Mtch - I find your post very interesting, or disturbing maybe. You work at a nuclear facility and you can show up to to work with two handguns?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of the second ammendment, but what kind of security do you guys have at that place?

I was not trying to turn this into a racial debate either. In fact, my intent was quite the opposite. I was trying to communicate that crime, especially violent crime and theft are usually functions of income, or lack there of , and income is usually a function of education and social status. Where there are poor people with little hope there will be high crime rates. I've been to several Asia, African, and European countries, which did not have more than one race ( at least not in significant numbers). In those places crime still exists. It boils down down to have's and have not's. The have not's want to forcefully take from the have's.

Regarding me carrying at or to my place or work......there are high security and low security areas. No one could get a weapon into a high security area. However, if someone were to have the proper credentials to get into the complex, one would normally not undergo a vehicle search. Additionally, vehicle searches are for explosives and devices that will cause massive amounts damage. No one would find a handgun in a search nor would they really care about someone having a handgun in the car of the parking lot which is always very far from anything important.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by mtch

My fear, which is that a jealous, uneducated, lowlife (often of the mountain or backwoods bred lighter majority) will look at me and either have a problem with me being in a Porsche, with me being in their neck of the woods, or both.

Do you mind if I ask if you've ever really had anything happen? I live in the south, and while I realize that bad things happened years ago, it seems that society has moved on quite a bit. I truly don't know anyone who would give you a second look if you were on a drive around here.

Just curious...

[luxury1]

I had something happen in the back woods of Ohio last week (Southern Ohio near West Virginia). I was driving my Mercedes which is very rare around those parts. I was driving about 60 in a 55 and quickly approached this old pick-up truck that was doing about 40. I couldn't pass and kept a safe distance but all of a sudden he slammed on his brakes so I would either crash or hit him (fortunately I had the engineering of Mercedes behind me and swiftly went around). Him and his friend looked at me and extended a back woods greeting (middle finger) and I just kept going. I drive a lot (about 40,000 miles per year) and this happens a good bit when I am rolling in a nicer car.

[tqtran]

If you are worried about your safty when driving with the top down then I would suggest getting a firearm. I am trained in several Martial Arts but I still carry a gun because I know the law is better for gun CCWers in self defense than "Fighters" in self defense. The line between self defense and assult is too thin when fighting but a gun shot is always self defense unless you shoot the guy in the back.

My personal choice for a life saver :
FN FiveseveN 5.7X28mm
Glock 19 9mm

[mtch]

Originally Posted by JackG

Do you mind if I ask if you've ever really had anything happen? I live in the south, and while I realize that bad things happened years ago, it seems that society has moved on quite a bit. I truly don't know anyone who would give you a second look if you were on a drive around here.

Just curious...

I am greatful that most of society has moved on, and that I could drive around where you live with no problems. However, I titled my post perspective because that what it is really all about. How many people on this board have ever been mugged or assaulted in an urban area, yet there is still a feeling of vulnerability in cerain situations. I grew up living in Baltimore and Philadephia, and I feel safe driving top down in many places that many other Porsche owners would not. People can control their actions, but not their feelings. Feelings are based partly on instict and partially on perceptions and beliefs. That's why perspective is a funny thing. Two people will often perceive the same situation much differently.

and to answer the question directly......

Yes it has. At the time, I was stationed in Louisianna, which is the most boring Army base in the states. It was my first weekend there, and there was only one bar in town. I drove to it, and in the parking lot I was met by the (un)welcoming party.

At that time, I did not own a gun, and I doubt I would have had to use one even if I had. It was only 10 pm, and most patrons are not quite drunk enough yet to do something that stupid. Had it been later, say midnight, I may have had a real problem.

As a young Army officer, I was a little miffed because I had recently taken an oath to defend the citizens of this country, yet I was the one in need of defense from some of the very citizens I had sworn to defend.


After that incident, I realized a couple of things. First, was that ignorant and closed minded people exist everywhere and in all groups. No race, ethnicity, or religion is void of it's share of ignorance and lowlife.( as I stated before, crime nd violence are functions of education and income in most cases) Second, was that I was stationed less than 100 miles from Jasper TX. I bought my first handgun a week later, and obtained a carry permit shortly after that.