If you think you've heard everything, listen to this:

[PCIntern]

My reliable patient just informed me that right outside my building, just now in Center City Philly, there was an ambulance parked loading a patient who was on a stretcher. There was a guy pulling out from the space in front and he got jammed in so he had to go back-and-forth a bunch of times, pulled out, opened his window, took something sharp and punctured the tire of the ambulance and drove off like a bat out of hell. Thank God two people, including my patient’s husband, got his license number and called it right in to the police.

I hope and pray that the person being loaded in does not die because they’re unable to get him to the hospital because of a flat tire.

How fucking crazy ARE some people????

[EYESORE 9001]

1. ' How fucking crazy ARE some people????'

A question that I hope never gets answered definitively. I find myself pondering the mental state of those around me to a much greater extent nowadays.

[judesedit]

4. Totally right

[COL Mustard]

18. As attributed to Einstein

There are two things without limits: the universe and human stupidity, and I think the universe may actually have limits.

[EYESORE 9001]

20. Good one

Just when ya think you’ve heard every Einstein quote…

[calimary]

30. Ooooh, good quote! I hadn't heard that one before!

[burrowowl]

67. I would add dishes, always needing to be done!

[Walleye]

2. I hope the person on the stretcher was his mother

[Haggard Celine]

5. Maybe she was.

Doesn't seem to matter anymore.

[Walleye]

9. Ugh!

[dutch777]

3. Sad. Completely crazy. I would suspect that driver faces serious charges beyond mere vandalism

Interfering with first responders in such a material way and jeopardizing health and safety come to mind as additional charges.

[DENVERPOPS]

55. So,

I'm driving a fire engine, red light and siren, down a street with one lane in each direction. I am doing the speed limit. A BMW pulls up behind me, is obviously in a big hurry, and he passes me. Both the Officer beside me and I got a good look at his face, and the officer got his license plate.
After the call was finished, we called the police. They came by and took statements from everyone on the Truck and we had to sign them. The police officers called the station later and told us they had gone to the guys home, identified him by our descriptions, and had given him a ticket for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, speeding, and several other charges. they could add on including Reckless Driving At that time, the failure to yield charge was a huge fine, and like 10-12 points on his license......The Reckless was a huge fine and 8 points........

[Grins]

62. "Reckless" is a big one for insurance companies.

He will now pay much higher rates for coverage for at least the next 5 years.

[DENVERPOPS]

64. Yes

They don't use it as often as they should, most of the time they hand out "careless" which is 4 points compared to 8 for Recklesss.

There are a whole lot more "Leaving the Scene of an accident". For awhile, leaving the scene was a much lesser charge than the DUI, so DUI drivers were leaving and letting them catch up with him when they had had time to sober up. That way, they wouldn't have a DUI on their record and not be able to get insurance, or if they could it would be at a much higher rate and lower coverages.
The legislature was going to make the leaving the scene equal to a DUI, but I never heard if they did or not.....
Even if they did, the person would still not have a DUI on their record.

[dutch777]

71. Good to hear.. justice. So sorry first responders have to deal with this BS on top of a tough job

Hard to believe that so many people are so full of themselves that they literally get in the way of keeping us all safe and healthy. Do they put dash and rear cameras on emergency vehicles other than police?

[walkingman]

6. There are some real nutjobs out there - be careful.

[barbtries]

7. i think the word is entitled

rage filled and entitled. how dare that life saving vehicle box him in like that?!

[Beartracks]

37. And he'd be the first to decry someone else's supposed sense of entitlement. n/t

[barbtries]

38. yeah.

because nobody else matters. it's like we've become a nation of sociopaths, very casual sociopaths.

[2naSalit]

56. Or cause him to WAIT for a minute or two.

Maybe he was the cause of the other person's need for the ambulance and was trying to escape the scene of a crime.

Glad someone saw and reported.

[Archae]

8. I saw a story at Youtube about something worse...

An elderly woman called 911 since she fell and hit her head.

A neighbor threw a fit and tried to pull the elderly woman out of an ambulance since the neighbor needed a babysitter the next day.

[Demobrat]

43. You win.

[csziggy]

61. That story might have originated from Reddit

I seem to remember reading that one. In general, people suck.

[Hugin]

10. There's a non-trivial segment of the population who go...

fricking nuts at even the slightest personal inconvenience.

A week ago a guy was yelling and gesturing at me so hard his car was shaking as I made a simple and fluid left turn into a parking lot from a turn lane. Presumably, because he had to stop on exiting the parking lot to give me the right-of-way. He was delayed by maybe ten seconds.

This sociopathy is a new thing, at least around here. I don't know what's driving it. Drugs? The lack of drugs?

[GoneOffShore]

16. Really bad food. Too much McDo/TacoBell/KF/Krispy Kreme/Starbucks.

[Hugin]

27. Hmm... A possibility.

Civilization has taken a crude turn for the worse.

[EYESORE 9001]

21. I witnessed a road rage incident right in front of me a short while back

Guns weren’t drawn - or seen - but I was close enough that i was suddenly very concerned about stray shots.

[Hugin]

28. I'm really sorry to hear of that, EYESORE...

I believe that people should feel safe and secure in their daily lives.

[gratuitous]

32. Yep, and I'm reminded of it almost daily

I commute by bicycle, and even in a bike-friendly town, you're taking your life in your hands on the surface streets. It's made me a better driver, oddly, because I just expect people to do dumb things, e.g. lane diving at the last moment for an exit, or turning without signaling (or signaling without turning).

[Hugin]

35. I'm one of those oddballs who habitually signal...

I know. Weird, huh?

I do try to be understanding of cyclists. To the point where when I come up behind one pumping their way up a hill on a side street. I'll coast along behind them leaving them clear to open up on the downhill. I know from experience that's what they live for...

[LisaM]

49. Pedestrians appreciate that too.

We don't know what cars are going to do and a lot of drivers think you only need to signal for other drivers.

[OldBaldy1701E]

50. It is called MASSIVE caffeine addiction.

Our intake of caffeine is insane. (For example... NO child under the age of six should even be allowed to have any caffeinated drink. But, go to the nearest Starbucks or Walmart and see what is transpiring.) It is no wonder that most people are on edge and about to explode. Their hearts are racing, their blood pressure is spiking and they are suffering from a ridiculous increase in brain activity. When one's brain is not exactly hitting on all cylinders anyway... you get the idea. With the advent of things like RedBull and Monster.... well, just buckle up. It is not going away any time soon.

[llmart]

66. +1

I agree with you, though I'm sure that's not the only reason. I've worked at two, post secondary institutions of higher learning and the amount of caffeine drinks the students would consume in my 8-hour shift just floored me. That was usually in addition to the candy and other snacks.

Also, several years ago I went to a coffee shop and saw a mother buying her child, who looked to be about 10 or 11 a cafe mocha. My two kids never had coffee until they were out of high school and even then they weren't excited to even try it.

I don't know how old you are, OldBaldy but I'm 74 and I am sometimes so glad that I grew up in a different era. A lot of parents these days treat their children like little adults.

[OldBaldy1701E]

69. Weeeeeell...

I was always a caffeine-aholic when I was younger. But, bear in mind that the ones I got when I was little were either 8 oz. or 12 oz. Hell, I remember when '2 liters' came out! Usually the 8 oz. ones. Or, you went to the local soda fountain (usually in the drugstore) and they made one for you. (We used to get them to make 'suicides', which meant you put in one shot of every flavor they had. I am pretty sure I would gag these days but back then it was heaven.) My uncle owned the local hardware store. So, I got 8 oz. bottles from his machine all the time. (The bottom one was messed up and would let you pull a drink out regardless of paying for it. Only a few people knew this.) But, I did not drink several a day every day, twice as much on Sunday. We had a Coke or a Pepsi like twice a week. (The schools absolutely refused to have them on campus. We had milk or juice. Or you could get a cup and go to the water fountain.) The amounts that some kids drink these days is maddening and so dangerous. Yet, very little is done about it.

(I will never forget the time I was interviewing for a job with a Radio Shack (Yes I am old enough for those. I am 60, so not quite with you. However, where I grew up was usually about 20 years behind the times so it is as if I am older than you!) The manager hired me and then said, "I hope you like coffee, we are all big time coffee drinkers here!" I replied that I was. We finished the chat and then she grabs her cup and says, "Well, time for number two!" I said I was probably going to have my third once I got home. She walked out and stopped at their little employee station in the back where the maker was. She pours another cup and says, "I hope I won't need three!" I stopped and looked at her. "Oh, you meant 'cups'." I said. She looked puzzled at me. "Yes..." Suddenly, she looked a bit shocked. "What did you mean?" I smiled. "I meant 'pots'." She looked at me and exclaimed, "You have had two pots of coffee this morning?!? I said, "Well, it is summer.&quot .

[yardwork]

63. Watching Fox News and listening to hate radio.

It's got a sizable part of the population pumped up on rage most of time. Can't be good for them,

[iluvtennis]

11. Some people have just lost their human dignity and empathy - it's so sad.

[niyad]

42. You are assuming that they had any to lose? I am becoming more and more

convinced that there is some genetic abnormality in thee people, either something missing in their genetic code, or some other kind of flaw.

[Stargazer99]

53. You are onto something - scientist have found in parts of some peoples brains where compassion

shows up do not light up as much as in normal compassionate people. They are called social pathic narcissists . There are % degrees of lack as in a killer being extreme. Science estimates 11% to 20% express this lack of empathy. Their brain does not function as in most of humanity so they see no wrong in what they do. Look up socialpathic on the internet for a complete understanding of this type of person

[iluvtennis]

57. Can't disagree with you. n/t

[vlyons]

12. Anger is poison

Some people never learned self control as children.

[KPN]

13. No kidding! Alas, it seems like just a sign of the times.

[EYESORE 9001]

23. It is worse after the onset of COVID-19

I noticed a sharp uptick early on, and it doesn’t seem to have returned to pre pandemic levels. It’s like inflation in a way. You’re paying more in the form of maintaining just enough free-floating anxiety to remain vigilant.

[LoisB]

14. Disgusting.

[markodochartaigh]

15. Growing up a half century ago,

one of my classmates told how his dad, one of the wealthier ranchers and real estate owners in the area, bashed a Volkswagen until it was disabled permanently. The Volkswagen had pulled into a parking space the rancher wanted. His truck had a custom bull bar, cattle catcher, on the front. The lesson was clear, stay out of the way of our betters.

[NoMoreRepugs]

17. Arm the EMT's will be the NRA's response.

[BlackSkimmer]

40. Why would the NRA have any comment on an alleged tire puncturer on the loose in Philly?

Oh lordie.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

68. Because their response to all kinds of crimes

Is MOAR GUNS.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

19. It's increasingly a me, me, me world these days.

Thanks mostly to the global right wing's infusion of unwarranted fear and divisiveness into working populations. They preach individualism simply because it's easier to control populations with no sense of community or brotherhood.

No better example of that trend than the proliferation of people who can't even settle a simple argument without pulling a gun and shooting everyone within sight.

Hope that patient got a ride in a backup ambulance and the guy puncturing that tire gets a shiny pair of silver bracelets.

KY

[not fooled]

52. ++++++++++++++++

You got it, IME.

Sad that people have no idea why they feel and react the way they do.

[Scottie Mom]

22. Did he have a Trump 2024 sticker on his bumper?

That could explain -- but not excuse -- the crazy behavior.

[BlackSkimmer]

39. In Philly?

ok.

[sarcasmo]

24. Our society is crazy and any little thing sets them off these days.

[Joinfortmill]

25. Really fucking crazy. Thank you for your good work. My doc is my rock star. Saved my life.

[Danascot]

26. I'd be willing to bet good money this person

was a Trumper, Republican or RWNJ, or all three. That kind of self-entitled behavior is a hallmark of the breed.

[BlackSkimmer]

29. How the hell was he able to puncture an ambulance tire without even getting out of his car? A heavy

duty emergency vehicle tire? How close would you have to be to be able to reach a nearby vehicle with "something sharp" from your window?

Your patient left out some details, it seems.

[yellowdogintexas]

34. If he went after the sidewall, it is much thinner there

Lots of men carry pocket knives though.

[BlackSkimmer]

36. You go try and puncture the tire of an emergency vehicle with a pocket knife leaning out from the

window of your own vehicle. How close would you have to be to try that? How strong? Come on now.

No doubt the patient did tell the OP this, but it seems the patient may have embellished the tale a bit.

[PCIntern]

44. Nope. Police showed up.

That’s what happened.

[BlackSkimmer]

45. We'll, that's bound to make the news. Not a normal occurrence, I woudn't think.

Share the link with us when you see it.

[stopdiggin]

65. Skimmer is right

not saying it didn't happen - but it takes some doing - and some really 'leaning in' kind of force. Maybe this guy had some previous experience .. ?

[Effete Snob]

41. That's not really the point, though

He is in front of the ambulance, parked in.

Presumably, they are parked on the left hand side of the street, so that the driver's side window can be lined up with a tire on the ambulance, but a pocket knife is not going to make that reach to the tire. It's an ambulance, not a monster truck. This also means it is a one way street, since there is left side parking.

So, E. Chestnut, not Sansom, E. Walnut, not Locust, not Spruce, not Pine.... If we are talking immediate Center City, then the only left side street parking is E. Chestnut and E. Walnut. Now, it's kind of amazing there was a parking space available for an ambulance on either street in the daytime.

Otherwise, he has to pull out and turn around to line up the driver's side window with the ambulance.

He carries a spear or something that he can access from the driver's seat in case the need arises.

[BlackSkimmer]

46. Oh, I carry a spear at all times next to my driver's seat!

It came in handy when I lived in Key West...I'd catch sight of a mahi-mahi just offshore, jump in and get it....mm good.

[IronLionZion]

31. The slightest inconvenience is oppression to some people

[Bayard]

33. Me, me, its all about ME!

These people worship trump because he is like them, and gave them permission to make their hatred, sociopathy, selfishness, and prejudice public.

[H2O Man]

47. Unreal.

Just unreal.

Recommended.

I'm trying to think of something else to say, but all I can come up with is "unreal."

[Martin68]

48. That goes beyond vandalism because it possibly endangers lives. I hope the guy does prison time of

that.

[marble falls]

51. This crazy ...

...

Just joking, this is a knitting club meeting.

[Warpy]

54. The proper medical term is

"crazier than a bunch of shithouse rats." It's getting worse, too.

I blame background economic anxiety amplified by fearmongering on all broadcast channels, nobody ever seems to hear good news any more, or it just fails to register amid all the noise. What would have been an ordinary, impatient asshole who was cussing his fool head off turned into a felon who punctured an ambulance's tire during a pickup of a person sick enough for an ambulance.

The dude is going to spend some quality time in the city lockup, no matter how important he thinks he is to the running of the universe.

Good for people for getting his license number.

[Emile]

58. Crazy people out there.

[MissMillie]

59. Not trying to one-up you... but crazy/stupid/nasty has happened in my neck of the woods

Someone poured acid onto the sides at a playground in my state.

Little girl took a ride down the slide and was burned by the acid.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/2-kids-suffer-burn-injuries-acid-poured-slides-massachusetts-playgroun-rcna89092

[BeckyDem]

60. So sad how unhinged people are.

Seems to be more common too.

[RocRizzo55]

70. As one of my favorite authors once said...

" Apart from hydrogen, the most common thing in the universe is stupidity."
Harlan Ellison