" samiam wrote "Lodian: The point of the article is to address the issue of joggers not obeying laws"

Nope, the point of the letter was to vent anger and call joggers names. Martinez does not look to be a reasonable person. "

" samiam: Are you okay? My diet? What the heck are you talking about?

Martinez tells us more than just his detest for joggers. He sounds completely unreasonable, evidenced by his derogatory names for joggers and calling jogging a "fad". I get the feeling that Martinez would get pissed no matter what/whom was in front of him on the road. Can you say "road rage"? I bet he hasn't even seen a jogger go through a light, as he states. He just wanted to vent his anger towards people out jogging and just plain in his way. Is that not obvious by his nasty letter? Geez, it screams "anger issues"!

It's interesting, I've been driving for many decades now and joggers have never bothered me in the least. And I drive everyday just like everyone else. In fact, I find most joggers to be courteous and friendly. I think it's really smart when they wear reflective clothing too. I guess it's all about ones attitude.... and obviously Martinez needs an attitude adjustment. LOL! "

" Lodian: The point of the article is to address the issue of joggers not obeying laws (like running red lights). Your posts indicate that we should believe that joggers are allowed to do this regardless of the laws. I assume that you believe joggers should be able to run wild without looking at for safety. If joggers and cars stop at red lights, its all good, right? And Im proud of you that you are changing your diet. Also, when you run a red light because you have the attitude I can do whatever I want whenever I want, I will stop for you. "

" samiam wrote "You need to lay off the retard sandwiches man."

Sure, that's intelligent. "

" I think we can all figure out the intelligence level of Tony Martinez when he states that jogging is a "fad". We can also venture a pretty good guess about his character when he makes sweeping generalizations about people that jog by calling them names. It sounds like Tony Martinez needs a vacation! "

" samiam: Vehicles are to stop at red lights and stop signs AND for any and all pedestrians, period. Drivers must stop even if the driver, like Tony Martinez, thinks that the pedestrians are "...social progressive, politically correct, ego smiling fad joiners who are self-centered...". "

" Lodian: pedestrians do have the right of way in crosswalks, when they stop and look both ways. They have the right of way at lights when they are green. The author is not speaking of these people, its about the people who run into crosswalks and run against the red lights. What dont you understand about that? You need to lay off the retard sandwiches man. "

" samiam: This is not speculation. Wake up and read! This is what Martinez said in his own words...

"Who are those people? I've decided that they are the social progressive, politically correct, ego smiling fad joiners who are self-centered..." etc etc.

This guy sounds wound too tight to me!

Pedestrians have the right of way, samiam. Deal with it. "

" Pure speculation on your part, but obviously it entertains you, enjoy those thoughts. "

" samiam: Nope, I just think Mr. Martinez has problem and it's not with joggers. He seems like one of those people that feels he owns the road. You know, we've all seen them out there.

Mr. Martinez comments go beyond a jogger in a crosswalk etc when he says, "Who are those people? I've decided that they are the social progressive, politically correct, ego smiling fad joiners who are self-centered..." etc etc.

No, these joggers are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and LODIANS out for a healthy run.

Maybe Mr. Martinez should get out of his car now and then and go for a walk or a run, if he can. It's obvious that he needs some fresh air.

I have a feeling, just by his attitude, that Mr. Martinez is one of those people that speeds through intersections too. And he probably speeds through school zones as well. God forbid a child uses the crosswalk! They'd better get out of the way when Martinez is coming! "

" Lodian and Safeway: If you re-read the letter, the author is writing about those who RUN THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND IGNORE RED LIGHTS, not law abiding runners. "

" Actually, Mr. Martinez's attitude comes through loud and clear - he doesn't want anyone in "his" street. If it doesn't have a motor, stay out of his way!

He's incensed that he must be vigilant of people who have the audacity to take advantage of our city streets for jogging or riding their bicycles. And while he doesn't "want" to be liable for them if he drives over them, he will be if he does.

I've seen far too many drivers who simply ignore people who patiently wait at intersections to walk from one corner to another, even where there are devices in place to warn vehicles that there are pedestrians desiring to cross the street.

Finally, had Tony not exposed his incredible disdain for non-drivers as he has in his second paragraph, perhaps I would give him the benefit of the doubt - that he really doesn't want anyone to be harmed. But I sense that his near-hatred for those so inclined to run or ride a bicycle far outweighs any sense of concern on his part. "

" I have a feeling that maybe Mr. Martinez is so petty with his issue towards joggers because he is not fit himself. There's obviously something wrong with a person that calls someone nasty names just because he/she is out doing something good for their health. Maybe Mr. Martinez should join in and get some exercise himself. A note to Mr. Martinez: JOGGERS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY! DEAL WITH IT! Most every jogger I have ever seen has been respectful and considerate of drivers. They usually watch out for cars because they know there are a lot of idiots out there driving that do not pay attention. "

" I think Carlos said it best. The writer is complaining about joggers who disobey the law, not joggers who obey the law. And boo hoo for the joggers who feel the need to run in the street because they feel the wittle sidewok is twoo hard. The streets were actually built for cars, numnutz! "

" Most stop signs in Lodi have crosswalks, where pedestrians have the right of way -- which means "joggers" are not ignoring stop signs, as the letter writer says. Vehicles must come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians, not the other way around.

As a runner, I can tell you that I am very alert to drivers, and I never trust them to stop or make room for me. I'd bet that even though you're thinking you're about to run someone over, that person is thinking of an escape route (maybe a mad dash onto a nearby lawn) in case you swerve out of control.

Regarding the sidewalks, you try pounding thousands of steps on hard concrete, while also watching for uneven cracks, as well as the constant slopes of driveways. "

" It's funny how most people are getting on Tony's case when he is doing nothing wrong. He isn't complaining about joggers on the sidewalk, just the joggers in the street. He is only complaining about the joggers that are disobeying the laws of both traffic and common sense. "

" Cogito wrote on Sep 13, 2008 8:08 AM:

" This is why I don't run. People who sit on the couch and watch sports, tend to live longer than those who get hit by cars. I remain sedentary for health reasons. "

Now that was funny! LOL! "

" Mr. Martinez: Most runners head out for a run early in the morning so as to avoid all the traffic and, in the summer, the heat. It's also much more pleasant to run in the early morning hours and before work. You are supposed to be doing your job, as the operator of a motor vehicle, and watch out for what is in front of you, and around you. Stay off the cell phone, dial in your favorite radio station before you leave home and make sure your grooming needs have been met before you head out the door. And make sure FOR GOODNESS SAKE that your lights are on, both on the car and upstairs in that noggin of yours. "

" Leonard one thing I absolutely admire about you is you have the power to bring the dead back to life. Whenever you blog, those two deadheads, girardo and Phoenix Brian return from their comatose states to again render their versions of the Limbaugh blues! ROFLMAO
Have a great day, Lenny, and hope that Texas climate is enjoyable and growing that little one of yours both mentally and physically. "

" cogito, bless you, my man! I love honesty and would love to have a chance to "couch it" with you and have a nice, long, friendly argument some day. "

" A runner who wants to keep healthy knees stays off the hard "multi-miilion dollar" (?!?!) sidewalks and runs on the more forgiving asphalt surface of the street. Also, visibility is better in the street than on the sidewalks in most neighborhoods. That said, runners should stay in bike lanes when they are avaialable and run AGAINST traffic in reflective gear. "

" This is why I don't run. People who sit on the couch and watch sports, tend to live longer than those who get hit by cars. I remain sedentary for health reasons. "

" Tony Martinez wrote:

I leave home early in the morning while it is still dark outside. It matters not which street that I drive on; I still have to be constantly on alert so that I will not run over people running in the streets.

Tony, as an operator of a motor vehicle, "constantly alert" should be your default position.

A moving car is just as dangerous as an assault rifle yet people treat cars as if they toys. I find your attitude disturbing. "

" Mr. Martinez - what is it? Your vehicle doesn't have headlights? You cannot see people jogging on the side of the street unless the sun is shining? Or perhaps something else is distracting you from paying attention to what is going on around you?

Now I don't jog, but it's not because I'm a member of some "anti-social non-progressive, politically incorrect, ego smiling fad-hating group." Yet I wasn't aware that those who desire to stay in good physical shape only participate in this activity for political or ideological reasons.

Pedestrians have every right as you or I to take advantage of our thorough-fares. Sure, they should be vigilant and wear clothing that makes it easier to identify them for safety reasons. But before you claim that they are somehow breaking the jaywalking laws by taking a little run in the early-morning hours (or whenever they desire to do it), you should familiarize yourself with just what their responsibilities are in this regard - and while you're at it, understand just what you are required to do as well. "

" AMEN TO YOU TONY.... I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLE HEARTILY. "