# Boycott Pasadena **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 30, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293 "2005-08-30T18:06:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/1 "2005-08-30T18:06:53Z")
I am boycotting Pasadena because, last time I was there, I was pulled over for a nonsensical, groundless offence and I just had to pay a ticket for $200. The offense you ask? I was “improperly positioned” for a left turn. There were no other cars on the road, and I made a left turn. The officer pulled me over because I was, he alleges, not far enough over to the left when I made the turn. This is moronic, groundless, and a transparent attempt to shake me down for money. So, ok, Pasadena, you can have the $200. But I am not coming back. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/2 "2005-08-30T18:13:08Z")
That’ll show _them!_ ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/3 "2005-08-30T18:18:43Z")
That reminds me, one of my best friends lives in Pasadena. Right off Colorado. I have to go visit her sometime soon, I always have a blast there. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/4 "2005-08-30T18:23:46Z")
Since I live in the Houston area, I am improperly positioned to boycott Pasadena, CA. I’ll be happy to boycott Pasadena, TX for you, though, 'cause it’s smelly. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/5 "2005-08-30T18:25:49Z")
You weren’t by chance in a red Super Stock Dodge, driving real hard as the terror of Colorado Boulevard, were you? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/6 "2005-08-30T18:30:24Z")
Pasadinero law enforcement probably isn’t any different from that of most any other town. Unfortunately, there’s good cops and bad cops in each and every. While I still know a few really admirable cops and don’t envy the job any of them have undertaken, the notion they’re all above questionable behavior, or at least haven’t become jaded from the grind to a less idealistic stage is one I abandoned many years ago. Too many bullshit, _make my quota_ tickets. Too much abominable behavior out of the public’s eye. Most are good intentioned, Lord knows we need them, but too damn many have their own agendas. ---
**Author:** ![OrangeJumpsuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OrangeJumpsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrangeJumpsuit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/7 "2005-08-30T18:30:40Z")
I’ll boycott Pasadena, but not because of bored cops handing over tickets frivolously. If I were going to do that, I’d have to boycott the whole damb country. I’ll boycott Pasadena because it’s a shithole with really terrible bars. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/8 "2005-08-30T18:36:19Z")
> [@constantine](#): > > I am boycotting Pasadena because, last time I was there, I was pulled over for a nonsensical, groundless offence and I just had to pay a ticket for $200. The offense you ask? I was “improperly positioned” for a left turn. There were no other cars on the road, and I made a left turn. The officer pulled me over because I was, he alleges, not far enough over to the left when I made the turn. I saw that! I thought it was total bullshit. You signaled well in advance so that everyone else on the sidewalk knew you were turning, you barely nicked that bus stop bench – what more do they want? Frickin’ Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![OrangeJumpsuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OrangeJumpsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrangeJumpsuit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/9 "2005-08-30T18:43:25Z")
Way to exaggerate. He said nothing about failure to signal, or practically driving on the sidewalk. If he was making a left turn, I’m going to go ahead and assume the light was green and the coast was clear. I don’t know, maybe he ran a red light or starting turning left while pedestrians were in the middle of the crosswalk, but from judging from the post, no one was on the road, and there probably wasn’t anyone on the sidewalk either. His failure to scootch a little bit to the left on a deserted street while making a left turn rubbed the cop the wrong way. Nuke Pasadena. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/10 "2005-08-30T18:50:42Z")
> [@OrangeJumpsuit](#): > > Way to exaggerate. He said nothing about failure to signal, or practically driving on the sidewalk. If he was making a left turn, I’m going to go ahead and assume the light was green and the coast was clear. I don’t know, maybe he ran a red light or starting turning left while pedestrians were in the middle of the crosswalk, but from judging from the post, no one was on the road, and there probably wasn’t anyone on the sidewalk either. His failure to scootch a little bit to the left on a deserted street while making a left turn rubbed the cop the wrong way. Wow, now that you mention it, my post _did_ in fact contain potential factual errors! I am deeply embarrassed. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep posting here after this. No one look at me! I am a monster! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/11 "2005-08-30T18:56:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Nuke Pasadena. But if you do that, the fallout will drift over San Bernardino and… Oh, hell, it’s just San Berdoo. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![OrangeJumpsuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OrangeJumpsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrangeJumpsuit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/12 "2005-08-30T18:56:49Z")
Oh brother. I’m just agreeing with constantine here. I think the cop was being douchey and was itching to hand out a ticket. Not like con was speeding making unsignaled left turns at rush hour while people were trying to cross the street. Was in the middle of the night, and he was just a little bit too far to the right. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/13 "2005-08-30T19:01:03Z")
GGRRRAAARRRGGGGH!!! _:: lurches around with one arm covering face ::_ ---
**Author:** ![OrangeJumpsuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OrangeJumpsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrangeJumpsuit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/14 "2005-08-30T19:01:15Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > But if you do that, the fallout will drift over San Bernardino and… > > Oh, hell, it’s just San Berdoo. Never mind. Isn’t Santa’s Village in San Bernardino? I used to want to go there when I was little, am now kind of over the whole Santa thing. So yeah, let’s get rid of San B too. Is this a hijack? I’ll get back on topic. In conclusion, Libya is a land of contrast. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/15 "2005-08-30T19:04:10Z")
> [@OrangeJumpsuit](#): > > Oh brother. I’m just agreeing with constantine here. I think the cop was being douchey and was itching to hand out a ticket. Not like con was speeding making unsignaled left turns at rush hour while people were trying to cross the street. Was in the middle of the night, and he was just a little bit too far to the right. Just sayin’. Seriously. In the day he sweats it out in the streets of a runaway American dream. At night he rides through mansions of glory in suicide machines. Sprung from cages out on highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin’ out over the line. Baby Pasadena rips the bones from your back. Its’ a death trap, it’s a suicide rap. **Constantine** ’s gotta get out while he’s young 'cause tramps like him, baby, he was born to run. I’m from Jersey. Does it show? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/16 "2005-08-30T19:08:42Z")
The question still burning is: was the OP actually fully in the furthest left-hand lane when he made the turn? I note that he did not defend himself by saying that he was, in fact, in the left lane, he only says that there were no other cars around when he turned. So, did the cop write the ticket because the car was three inches too far to the right, or six feet too far to the right? I only ask because I have noticed a hell of a lot of folks around DC making turns from center lanes lately. Yes, they had enough room in traffic to do so, but I would have looooooooved for them to get a ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/17 "2005-08-30T19:17:31Z")
I always just go to Burbank or Glendale for shopping and/or movies. Parking is easier, just as good a selection. I never saw the point of going to Pasadena. Except to visit the Huntington Library or Norton Simon Museum. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/18 "2005-08-30T19:25:50Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > GGRRRAAARRRGGGGH!!! > > _:: lurches around with one arm covering face ::_ It’s a monster! Flee for your lives!!! ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/19 "2005-08-30T19:28:08Z")
Can I still drive through Pasadena to get ome from work or does boycotting preclude that? ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293/20 "2005-08-30T20:07:22Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > You weren’t by chance in a red Super Stock Dodge, driving real hard as the terror of Colorado Boulevard, were you? Dammit, I came into the thread to make this crack, and I’ve been beaten to the punch! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-pasadena/319293.md?page=2)