Comments on: “Family of bus-slaying victim sues suspect, Greyhound, authorities”

By: Todd Rogers

Todd Rogers — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:42:36 +0000

If it’s not about the money, and the plaintiff truly was interested in accountability for example, and wanted to use a financial measure as a means to an end, why not donate the proceeds or start a foundation which serves their started end?

By: David Wisniewski

David Wisniewski — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:26:50 +0000

Karen said, “Sometimes people file suits because it’s the best way to ensure accountability.”

If that was the reason this suit was filed, why not ask for damages of only $1? Whenever someone says it is “not about the money” and then demands $150,000, they are only fooling themselves.

By: Deoxy

Deoxy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:08:17 +0000

It’s not about the money. Did you notice the amount of the suit? $150,000. No American lawyer would touch it for that kind of a take

Ah, but in Canada, they've got Loser Pays, so the "take" for the lawyer (assuming they win) is ON TOP of the 150K, not taken out of it. Enormous difference!

By: James Moore

James Moore — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:19:12 +0000

It’s not about the money. Did you notice the amount of the suit? $150,000. No American lawyer would touch it for that kind of a take – How many zeros would we have to add in order to turn this into an American-style lawsuit?

By: Bill Poser

Bill Poser — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:03:26 +0000

Prohibiting carry on bags on buses is a terrible idea. Have you ever taken an intercity bus? You’re likely to want to have with you books, food and drink, laptop, games if you’re traveling with children, etc.

There’s no need at all for increased security on buses. This is a ridiculous reaction to a one-in-a-million incident.

By: Todd Rogers

Todd Rogers — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:24:04 +0000

Why in the world would we stop at wanding only those who ride on a bus? Why not wand everyone who gets behind the wheel of any four-six-eight-ten-eighteen wheeled vehicle? Why do vehicles even need to be involved to justify wanding? How about pedestrians? Plan on going for a stroll…a walk of the dog? “Hold it right there, we’re going to need to wand you first – never can be too sure…HEY, ARE THOSE NAIL CLIPPERS!?!?! Take this thug to the lock up and his dog, too…wew, that was a close call. Alright boys, let’s go find another unsuspecting villian.” Maybe we shouldn’t just limit our detection devices to those which sense metallic objects. Perhap we should also put K9s on all buses, too? In fact, why even have detection devices (or creatures) at all? Why not strip search everyone who plans on leaving his or her home – of course each citizen would have to file a travel plan with the politburo, first. But that’s no worry…”papers please.” At least we’ll all be safe in transit. Just ask Harrison Bergeron.

By: roy

roy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:30:32 +0000

As far as securing busses go, it’s worth remembering that a lot of people use busses as part of their day-to-day lifestyle, which implies sometimes carrying dangerous materials. Somebody riding home from the sporting goods store in preparation for a camping trip may well have a machete. Groceries may include cleaning supplies that create hazardous fumes. Laborers riding to and from work may have screwdrivers, knives, and any number of potential improvized clubs. Then there are pocket knives.

Airlines have to invest a lot to make the bag check system practical, and it’s still pretty bad. Will Greyhound have to do something similar for grocery bags and toolbelts?

By: OBQuiet

OBQuiet — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:20:03 +0000

“Metal detectors on the side of the road – I doubt it – but hand held wands might help – the drivers must collect tickets – wanding a person isn’t really going to get in the way.”

??? Wouldn’t the driver need to set off the buss to do this? They probably need to often anyway to load luggage but now it would be always. Extra time to wand. And to remove all the metal from pockets. Exposing your personal possessions to the eyes of possible thieves on board. And are we prepared to give the driver the same level of authority we provide the TSA in the US or what ever group pulls similar duty in Canada?

Will I have to leave my pocket knife at home for a bus trip like I do for the plane now?

Your point about loser pays is valid though. Better there than here to test the theory.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:49:33 +0000

Filing lawsuits brings accountability… yeah like lawyers bring justice….. A fantasy only found in the minds of profoundly out of touch humans.

Lawsuits are brought for one reason only..
Two people thinking they can get rich, the so called wronged person and the lying amoral snake who hopes to pocket as much of the lotto win as possible.

There are exceptions to the wronged person but never a exception to lawyer, they always have one thing in mind…. Your money and as much of it as they can steal.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:59:07 +0000

Sometimes people file suits because it’s the best way to ensure accountability. Given that the damages are regulated under the Fatal Accidents Act and total all of $150,000 for eleven people (we’re not talking windfall here, people) and given that there are things that can be done, I’m not sure why people think this is so outrageous. Metal detectors on the side of the road – I doubt it – but hand held wands might help – the drivers must collect tickets – wanding a person isn’t really going to get in the way. One change that has already been recommended is not to allow carry-on baggage in the compartment.

Sometimes the only way to get their attention is to file a suit.

Don’t forget – in Canada, loser pays, so no one does this frivolously.