[stoinkythepig]

The other night a young kid was killed by a car while walking on 125 in Haverhill by Ralph's restaurant. The entire incident is tragic and I have sympathy for those involved, though I don't know them.

Presently, there is a big pile of flowers, balloons and other stuff on the side of the road near where the boy was killed. I hate that. These roadside shrines seem to occur any time someone dies on the roads now. Three weeks from now, everyone will have already begun to get over the grief they feel but the shrine will remain, though in an unkempt state. The last thing Haverhill needs is more unkempt crap on the side of the road.

A good solution: If people want to remember and honor those killed on the roads, they should adopt the road, in his name, for roadside cleanup. The state or town can place a tasteful sign on the road and the grieving can do some good for society.

[SWEET_Z]

Yep, I never liked the idea of the shrines. It ussually does a good job of sobering up drivers that go by though.

[Honclfibr]

I always thought the small white cross on the side of the road provided an appropriately tasteful memorial, and served a dual purpose of warning other drivers about bad intersections and dangerous roads. Anyone remember that section of the old two lane 101 where there were so many crosses it looked like a graveyard? To this day, that road gives me the creeps...

[g®eg]

I think they are quite strange, and I really don't think they are appropriate... but it's a free country I guess...

this one seems to say it all

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
I always thought the small white cross on the side of the road provided an appropriately tasteful memorial, and served a dual purpose of warning other drivers about bad intersections and dangerous roads. Anyone remember that section of the old two lane 101 where there were so many crosses it looked like a graveyard? To this day, that road gives me the creeps...

That stretch of 101 goes right through my home town. I could see a particulary dangerous intersection with 101 from my bedroom window, growing up; and can recall countless accidents there, though none fatal.

The divided highway is far safer but pretty boring. Sure helped my property values though. My house has more than tripled in value in the 11 years since we built it, all because of the highway and the ease of commuting from Raymond. One of my better investment decisions. Don't want to talk about that Global Crossing stock...

[Matt K]

the thing about those crosses and stuff, is how long are they gonna be there for? I mean, do we really need a permanent marker at every sopt somebody died on the road? It's kinda creepy, IMO... I guess it's pretty harmless though, so if it helps somebody deal with their grief or something like that, then whatever, it's not exactly hurting me...

[Dianne]

Coming from someone who has a cross on the side of the road from a lost family member, I have to say that is a reminder to folks, the person will not be forgotten. Although I also have to say that there is a point where it becomes too much. Just my 2 cents worth...

[Stoneman]

I, myself have never been a big fan of them either. I have the upmost respect and offer my fullest sympathies to friends and families of those who have lost their lives on our roads, as I too have lost several friends in motor vehicle accidents (mostly motorcycle). But I would never take part in memorializing them THAT particular way. There are much better ways to eternalize their memory, in my opinion...

[snowborder]

i vote to make polticians signs illegal too. Too much of that shit goin round too.

[SEVENSGT]

Originally posted by snowborder
i vote to make polticians signs illegal too. Too much of that shit goin round too.

In RI they can only be posted on private property, if they are on public then they get pulled up asap.... I thought most sates were like this???

[stoinkythepig]

In RI they can only be posted on private property, if they are on public then they get pulled up asap.... I thought most sates were like this???

Prolly true elsewhere as well but I'm guessing they are left alone to avoid seeming too cold hearted.

I think crosses are OK, it's the pile of soggy posters, deflated ballons and dead flowers that irks me. When I die, I don't want to be memorialized by a pile of crap on the side of the road. I nice memorial adult book store or something would be much more appropriate...

[SEVENSGT]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
Prolly true elsewhere as well but I'm guessing they are left alone to avoid seeming too cold hearted.

I think crosses are OK, it's the pile of soggy posters, deflated ballons and dead flowers that irks me. When I die, I don't want to be memorialized by a pile of crap on the side of the road. I nice memorial adult book store or something would be much more appropriate...

I meant politician signs

I think they are appropriate and have no problems with them, and it seems as if I'm the only one here that does so. If it makes someone fell better, why not? And how is the presence of a shrine REALLY effecting you? Is it somehow physically interfering with your travel? It isn't, so what's the big hoopla?

Maybe they can also serve as a reminder as to how many fucking idiot drivers there are and what they cause.

It also reminds me that at any moment, on any highway, my life can be taken. Even though I may have ridden the same stretch of highway for years, I never, ever get too comfortable on it.

I actually have trouble believing that so many of you actually complain about them, that it materialized into an actual thread...

[Dianne]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
I think they are appropriate and have no problems with them, and it seems as if I'm the only one here that does so. If it makes someone fell better, why not? And how is the presence of a shrine REALLY effecting you? Is it somehow physically interfering with your travel? It isn't, so what's the big hoopla?

Maybe they can also serve as a reminder as to how many fucking idiot drivers there are and what they cause.

It also reminds me that at any moment, on any highway, my life can be taken. Even though I may have ridden the same stretch of highway for years, I never, ever get too comfortable on it.

I actually have trouble believing that so many of you actually complain about them, that it materialized into an actual thread...

AMEN!

[bemused]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
I actually have trouble believing that so many of you actually complain about them, that it materialized into an actual thread...

I actually have trouble believing that you have trouble believing this...

(unless you're just trying to stir up some shiznit... )

do they provide an avenue for grief and remembrance for survivors? it would seem so.

can they serve as a reminder to the rest of us how dangerous a business navigating the highways can be? sure.

but they are, by their nature, morbid. and the ones that are left to go to pot can appear pretty pathetic-- almost an anti-tribute to the victim they purport to memorialize.

there are a coupla psychological issues at play here, too... but I won't drag out this post w/ them.

suffice it to say: most of the folk who've responded here acknowledge that there is certainly some value to 'em... just that they don't like 'em, for various reasons.

what's not to believe?

[beet]

not where i kicked

[Dianne]

Originally posted by snowborder
i vote to make polticians signs illegal too. Too much of that shit goin round too.

I know what you mean! It's ridiculous! They are everywhere. As for the road side memorials, I think we'll all have to agree to disagree on this one. To have them or not, how much is too much, etc. There are so many different variables and so many opinions.

Originally posted by bemused
I actually have trouble believing that you have trouble believing this...

(unless you're just trying to stir up some shiznit... )

do they provide an avenue for grief and remembrance for survivors? it would seem so.

can they serve as a reminder to the rest of us how dangerous a business navigating the highways can be? sure.

but they are, by their nature, morbid. and the ones that are left to go to pot can appear pretty pathetic-- almost an anti-tribute to the victim they purport to memorialize.

there are a coupla psychological issues at play here, too... but I won't drag out this post w/ them.

suffice it to say: most of the folk who've responded here acknowledge that there is certainly some value to 'em... just that they don't like 'em, for various reasons.

what's not to believe?

I don't know but this topic struck a chord for some reason. I'm not trying to stir up shiznit...

It's like every time I ride by one of those things, it really does make me think that 9 times out of 10, someone lost their life at that spot, for no really good (and probably completely avoidable) reason.

It kind of brings me back to earth those days I twist the throttle, or hit the pedal into the triple digits. Makes me think about just how damn easy it is to die on a highway.

I just never thought anyone would actually have a problem with those shrines, of all things to complain about.... To me, it's almost like complaining about someone's gravestone. I mean damn, someone DIED there, do you (blanket "you") really know what that means?

I actually drive by 3 significant memorials every day on the ride to work, and I'm kind of glad to see some of them kept up nicely, even those that aren't so kept up, means someone out there actually gave a crap about the person who died, so excuse them if you consider their shrines "tasteless" or a "little overboard"...

Originally posted by beet
not where i kicked

BAWHAHAHAHAH!!!

I can picture this good:

The year: 3109

A deep underwater excavation in an area that used to be known as Meriden, CT uncovers what appears to be an ancient two wheeled vehicle termed "motorcycle". This unique specimen was found beside some pre-mutagen period bones and had the words, "Here lived the beet" crudely inscribed on what is believed to be the fossil fuel reservoir.

[SEVENSGT]

Hey when I die I want 3 things

1. I want a Hawian pig roast and open bar for my wake
2. Someone is to ride my bike in the procession, and anyone with a bike is required to ride thier bike in the proccession.
3. I want my bike burried with me



That is all

[beet]

Originally posted by SEVENSGT
Hey when I die I want 3 things

1. I want a Hawian pig roast and open bar for my wake
2. Someone is to ride my bike in the procession, and anyone with a bike is required to ride thier bike in the proccession.
3. I want my bike burried with me



That is all

i.e. wheelies burn outs big fucking drunkin party
my son & daugher get my toys i like 2 see things used

[Dianne]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
I don't know but this topic struck a chord for some reason. I'm not trying to stir up shiznit...

It's like every time I ride by one of those things, it really does make me think that 9 times out of 10, someone lost their life at that spot, for no really good (and probably completely avoidable) reason.

It kind of brings me back to earth those days I twist the throttle, or hit the pedal into the triple digits. Makes me think about just how damn easy it is to die on a highway.

I just never thought anyone would actually have a problem with those shrines, of all things to complain about.... To me, it's almost like complaining about someone's gravestone. I mean damn, someone DIED there, do you (blanket "you") really know what that means?

I actually drive by 3 significant memorials every day on the ride to work, and I'm kind of glad to see some of them kept up nicely, even those that aren't so kept up, means someone out there actually gave a crap about the person who died, so excuse them if you consider their shrines "tasteless" or a "little overboard"...

Mystery Squid... you continue to say exactly what I am feeling but can't exactly find words for. Thanks for that. And Amen to all that you have pointed out in this thread. Good work.

[stoinkythepig]

I mean damn, someone DIED there, do you (blanket "you") really know what that means?

I know what it means. People die every day in hospitals and nursing homes. You don't see piles of deflated balloons, dead flowers and soggy posters in those places.

My dislike of the shrines is the fact that they end up becoming a pile of litter on the side of the road. Ever been to the place where Princess Diana died? Looks like shit with all the crap people leave there. I bet she would not have wanted to be remembered by people leaving litter and graffiti in a city as beautiful as Paris.

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
I know what it means. People die every day in hospitals and nursing homes. You don't see piles of deflated balloons, dead flowers and soggy posters in those places.

My dislike of the shrines is the fact that they end up becoming a pile of litter on the side of the road. Ever been to the place where Princess Diana died? Looks like shit with all the crap people leave there. I bet she would not have wanted to be remembered by people leaving litter and graffiti in a city as beautiful as Paris.

I'm actually very surprised that isn't kept up a little better given the significance of who it was . That case is certainly an extreme.

Originally posted by SEVENSGT
Hey when I die I want 3 things

1. I want a Hawian pig roast and open bar for my wake
2. Someone is to ride my bike in the procession, and anyone with a bike is required to ride thier bike in the proccession.
3. I want my bike burried with me



That is all

Awesome! Should put that in a will you know! Can you just imagine people saying, "That was the best damn wake I ever went to!"