The Charge of the (Ultra)Light Brigade

When I was a freshman at Washington College, I experienced the most indelible image of my relatively brief tenure there(2 yrs). It occurred during the course of the hazing rituals then practiced. Tradition held that the sophomores would descend upon our dorm, G.I. hall, and trash the place. Things didn't exactly go as they planned, and we were able to repel their foray with a large water hose, and a larger physical presence. Just by chance, we had a disproportionate number of large dudes in our class. Mule Jennings was  our ringleader. Having defended our turf, we mounted a counter-attack the next night. Someone in our class had taken a truck to Trusslow's poultry farm, and brought back the mother load of rotten eggs. We were armed and dangerous, and so proceeded to make our way to Somerset Hall. We rallied by the front door and taunted the sophomores to come out, or we would come in. After several minutes of no response, the door burst open and running out with right arm raised came Prof. Norman James, who was the dorm proctor. He shouted "charge", even though he had no back-up. So he bore the brunt of our egg fusillade, collapsing in a heap on the front porch. We then proceeded to give Somerset a thorough egging, inside and out. Prof. James "charging" out the door was the most indelible image of my WC experience. The good humor and pluck that he showed then are among the reasons he became a beloved
figure at the college.
    

Red Light Cameras-Do They Work?

Cameras that are intended to catch motorists running red lights, have become the subject of considerable
controversy. Critics of the cameras(most of whom seem to be those who have been caught) claim that they are ineffective, and may create accidents. Such accidents are said to occur as you apply the brakes in response to the yellow light, and the driver behind you accelerates and attempts to pass in order to run the red light(doesn't that frost you when it happens). The purpose of the cameras, as I understand it, is to catch red light runners, which is a violation of the motor vehicle code. Are they effective? Everywhere that they have been employed, they have caught violators by the score. It appears that red-light-running
has become the most popular vehicular sport, replacing "chicken". Critics of the cameras would probably prefer that traffic lights simply be abolished. Then they would never have to stop, and the camera question would be moot.
Following the same line of reasoning, one has to question the continuing existence of police departments, which have been around for centuries. Are they effective? Clearly less so than cameras in catching red light runners, and many other types of crime also persist. The NRA would clearly favor this position.
No traffic lights, no police. Everyone responsible for their own protection. Love that freedom.