Justice is sometimes sweet indeed in Daydreaming on the Porch

  • Aug. 27, 2024, 10:35 p.m.
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  • Public

Occasionally I come across stories in the news that are so deliciously offbeat and strange, in a humorous way, of course, that I have to share them. Here’s one.

You know how when you’re driving down a busy street, or in a quiet residential neighborhood, it doesn’t matter, and the car or truck pulling alongside of you at the stop light has one of those 20,000 watt car stereo amplifiers that you can hear for two blocks in either direction? Ever feel really angry when that happens, like you’re actually a peaceable person, but the type of “human being” who does this brings out feelings of primitive revenge and even, dare I say it, simmering rage and incipient thoughts of violence that you thought evolution and higher thought processes had squelched?

Well, yep. There are actually people like this. They are young or youngish, middle aged or worse, car-stereo/hearing impaired, and bordering on deaf (but that’s no excuse). And, remarkably, they seem to have not one smidgen of guilt or shame or human decency, or whatever you want to call it, and proceed to make life miserable for others, for seconds or unbearable minutes at a time, blaring their car stereos so that glass in windows vibrates and buildings seem to shake.

In Detroit, a teenager, one Justin Rushford, 18, was just unlucky enough to be in a suburb with a noise pollution ordinance that was enforced, and to pull up next to a police car while rap music was blasting from his truck sound system.

The judge was not too sympathetic. In fact, he must have been one of those hardliners we hear about. He sentenced Rushford to listen to the compact disc, “Wayne Newton’s Greatest Hits” three times in a jury room in the courthouse in Troy, Mich.

“This young man shouldn’t be imposing his music on others,” the judge said. Rushford could have been sentenced to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for violating the noise ordinance.
Now for people in, shall we say, a certain demographic group, this punishment not only fits the crime, it does so exquisitely.

After two hours of listening to Newton belt out “Danke Schoen” and “I’ll be With You In Apple Blossom Time”, the young miscreant was apologetic. (“Red Roses for a Blue Lady” isn’t half bad, actually, but that’s another story). According to the news article, he said, “It makes me think about other people’s styles of music. I probably wouldn’t appreciate it if some old man drove past me blasting this music.”

Rushford had his 15 minutes of fame, too. He appeared on CBS’ early morning show.
And for the rest of us, we can read some good news in the paper for a change.

And finally, this comment from a reader:

“…And if the kid becomes a repeat offender, the judge should then make him listen to Tiny Tim singing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” for three hours.

Amen!

One of the most famous and popular entertainers in Las Vegas history sings his signature song.

https://youtu.be/LRPILZS1hc8?si=FZu_rEeSvBlMewsg


music & dogs & wine August 28, 2024

LOL! This is great. I just heard that Tiny Tim song recently and couldn't believe people liked listening to that!

Oswego music & dogs & wine ⋅ August 28, 2024 (edited August 28, 2024)

Edited

People loved him. His schtick was to be that persona and freak people out. He was a regular for awhile on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and married “Miss Vickie” on the show. I think it was the Carson show with the highest ratings. That was a long time ago, of course. Haha 😌

He actually was a very serious music historian and was conscientious about the songs he chose and his singing.

This is from ChatGPT:
Old Standards and Ballads**: Tiny Tim excelled in performing old standards, particularly those from the Tin Pan Alley era. His renditions of songs like "I Got You Babe" (a duet with himself, singing both parts) and "Living in the Sunlight, Loving in the Moonlight" were notable for their unique charm and authenticity.

  1. Sentimental Songs: Tiny Tim had a knack for delivering sentimental, nostalgic songs with a sincerity that resonated with audiences. His version of "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" demonstrated his ability to handle more serious, reflective material.

  2. Falsetto and Traditional Songs: While his falsetto was a signature of his style, Tiny Tim could also perform traditional songs in a lower register. This versatility allowed him to cover a wide range of genres, from vaudeville to early pop.

I need to go back and listen to some of his serious stuff.

Sleepy-Eyed John August 28, 2024

Haha that's funny

Jinn August 28, 2024

That is hilarious . Here the cars that “ thump “ are usually gang members. It’s best to ignore them; keep your eyes straight ahead. They often have guns.

Oswego Jinn ⋅ August 28, 2024

Yeah. Don’t provoke them or you’re likely to be shot.

Jinn Oswego ⋅ August 28, 2024

It’s a fact …

gypsy spirit August 28, 2024 (edited August 28, 2024)

Edited

that sure is a clever punishment and fits well the 'crime' better than a jail sentence or fine might have. I agree that those selfish noisy fools deserve lesson but their real justice will happen as they age and lose their hearing, which will happen. Possibly their eardrums will burst before that happens anyway.
Yes, they are a major annoyance but their time does come.
smiles p

Oswego gypsy spirit ⋅ August 28, 2024

Absolutely, I keep saying to myself they will get what’s coming to them. This is one of those tolerated crimes in society that causes much suffering, as I can personally attest. Yet it’s excused as “youthful indiscretions.”

Newzlady September 01, 2024

That’s justice!

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