careless, heartless and selfish!

**nvmommyx6** · 10-20-2008, 11:08 AM

I think we have all seen someone broke down on the side of the road, or maybe your even one of those nice people who's pulled over to help the person on the side of the road!! (I would hope so)
Yesterday morning at 9am my Father broke down on the side of the I5 freeway in Seattle, (near exsit 168 to be exact!!) his first call was to hubby to tell him what the truck had done and hubby spent all day with him on the phone to get the problem fixed! He figured out what the problem was, called the closest auto parts store's and found the part for my Father, got my Father to the auto parts store and back to his truck safely and by 9:48pm last night the truck was up, running and driving down the road! this being a difficult task to begin with as my father is not able to walk 20 miles to the closest auto parts store and back and the taxi companies wont pick someone up on the freeway!!!

That is 12 hours and 48 minutes, and to my Fathers guess, it was well over 8-10000 cars that passed him in those 12.48 hours, and at least 2-300 cops!! Not one of them ever stopped and asked my Father if he was OK, if he needed help......Nothing!

Am I the only person who would have stopped? Probably not, but apparently over 90% of Seattle Washington is that frigging selfish, including the "public servants"!!

Now, my Daddy ain't no scary lookin Biker, he is not a slob and does not dress or act in a frightening manner! There is nothing about him that would put a person in a situation to think, " OMG, I'm not takin that chance!!" He stands 5'8" he is a little heavy, bald and 63 years old! He wears jeans and T-shirts and tennis shoes!! He also walks with a sever limp as he has a bad right hip and is limited in what he can and cannot do!
So, I can imagine this poor old man, bent over the engine compartment of a 1983 Chevy dually trying to lay on an engine to replace the distributor!!! And I am sorry folks, but if it were me, and lets keep in mind I am 37 years old, I stand a whopping 5'4" and weigh in at 122 pounds....I would have stopped and helped him!! NOT Because he is my Father, because I give a rats A$$ about the safety of others! Because I care about others in general and try to help people in need as I would hope that someone would do the same for me if I were in that same situation!!

What in the hell is the matter with people in this world, I am ashamed to think that many people could pass by someone broken down in a 12.48 hour period of time and never once, not one person stop to help!! Especially the police!! I was under the impression that was what the words "Public service" meant....to serve the public (HELLO?) to, "serve and protect". Is an elderly man with health problems broken down on a freeway not deserving of "Help"?

I thought, people became doctors and nurses because they care about others and want to help them! People become police officers because they don't like what they see and want to help others!!
Apparently I was sadly mistaken, and although I am not sure the reasoning people become police or doctors, I was (dumb ass for thinking it) under the impression it was to help others!!

The fact of the matter is this, people have become so self absorbed, so careless, and blind to anything but their own "holier than thou" selves, that they have embraced hatred like they should love!

For anyone who saw my Father broken down on the side of that freeway yesterday and did nothing to help (especially you "so called" Police officers) or even just ask without any intention of helping, "Shame on you Seattle, and shall what you do (or in this case the lack there of) come back to you 7 fold!"
Rant over!!

**Momto2Boyz** · 10-20-2008, 11:33 AM

Honestly, as a woman (usually alone in the car or with children), I am hesitant to stop. I mainly stop for the extremely elderly or mom's (with kids in the car), that appear safe (I realize that isn't always the case). And if I do stop, it's normally just to crack my window and offer them the use of my cell phone if needed. I would never give anyone a ride in my car, or even allow them to sit in it. Unfortunately, that's the world we live in today. It is really bad, that the cops didn't stop though. Here in Illinois, if you break down on the side of the road (especially a highway) the cops ALWAYS stop and harass you (more than they help anyways)! At least your hubby was able to get him help!

**frugalbabe** · 10-20-2008, 11:42 AM

We live in Idaho and two of my sisters live in Seattle when we went to visit them we had something similar happen where we needed help and no one stopped (authorities included) When I was commenting on this to my sisters they said Seattle is known as a rude city and we kind of like it that way. Uh wow that makes me want to move there! Here we have horrid winters and we always stop to help those stranded if I am alone I may not get out of my car but I will use my cell phone to call for help at least. Good grief we need to quit rushing, rushing, rushing so much and take the time to look around us and help those in need. I think we get so caught up in our own little bubbles and fail to actually see the people around us. Give me my small town "hick" values anytime. I'm glad your dad was ok! That makes me sad to think of him all alone like that for so long.

**PAVallygrl** · 10-20-2008, 11:50 AM

Sorry, but I can't believe the cops wouldn't stop for him. If he's on the side of the freeway it is part of their job to stop for stranded motorists and make sure they are OK. If they indeed didn't I would file a complaint with the Authorities in that State. As far as everyone else not stopping, people are hesitant to stop these days due to the rotten apples who go around car-jacking people. Glad to hear he's OK now though.

**prftstrngr** · 10-20-2008, 12:02 PM

Im not sure I would stop....because I am a woman and also know nothing about cars...BUT...I would have called the local police....911 or whatever it is there to let them know someone was stranded on the highway and needed assistance. I have done that many times here. I cant believe the police didnt stop....makes you wonder what they get paid for......

**fernykins** · 10-20-2008, 12:04 PM

My sister lives in Washington right now. She had been living in Montana. I can say that the people in Montana have stoped for me and helped when we broke down. They even helped get our car going again. My sister does not like Washington and wants to move back to Montana. I try and help when I can and I live in Ca where most people are rude too....... Thank God for your dh......
Fern

**katybug** · 10-20-2008, 12:06 PM

Now, I just wanted to add a ray of hope into this post. My hubby and I got into a TERRIBLE accident back in March of this year. We had TWO cars (3 people total, 2 guys and one woman) stop and help us. The woman called our families and the ambulance and the guys helped pick up our stuff. The weather was horrible and the woman had to go after she called, but the guys waited with us, even though they were trying to get home. I wish I had gotten their names and numbers so I could have thanked them later.

There still are good people out there! If I was with my husband I might stop, but almost everyone I've seen with trouble/stopped on the highway seems like they have help already.

Also if you see someone in a terrible accident, trust me from experience, it makes all the difference to have someone stop and make sure you are ok. I wasn' thinking clearly afterwards, and I'm glad the woman called for medical help because I wasn't going to (that would have been a stupid move on my part, because I was actually quite injury, hubby was ok though).

The shock from the accident can keep someone from thinking clearly and a level head can really help!

**katholc** · 10-20-2008, 12:44 PM

I had the same problem a couple of years ago. There was something on the expressway that cut my tire and also a tires on a couple of other cars. It was the middle of rush hour on I-285 in Atlanta. No one stopped then either. Me and the 2 other people were there for approximately 2 hours. The man changed his own tire, I was able to call AAA, and the other woman got the AAA man to change her tire for her. We have a service here called HERO. They are part of the DOT and are supposed to stop, change tires, bring gas, help after accidents, etc. They didn't stop, neither did the police or the sheriffs department and I called DOT and 911 before I called AAA.

I thought that was what we paid for but apparently I was wrong.

**nvmommyx6** · 10-20-2008, 01:03 PM

Although I changed the letter just a tad, I just forwarded it to the Seattle police department!!
We'll see what kind of responce I get, if any at all!

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-20-2008, 01:05 PM

The police should have stopped, but as for the others, no. If it was a local highway or regular road, maybe, but it is dangerous to stop on a freeway.

**nvmommyx6** · 10-20-2008, 01:10 PM

While I don't blame anyone (non law enforcement) for not stopping, I myself would have called for some assistance for him at least!! And the police not stopping for him was just plain unacceptable!!

**HisDaisy** · 10-20-2008, 04:13 PM

My mom and brother broke down in Tacoma once at rush hour and it took 3 hours for someone to stop. She did no have a cell phone. Someone finally stopped and called AAA for them.
I don't usually stop for people for my safety, but the cops should have stopped.

**McD** · 10-20-2008, 04:17 PM

I wouldn't have stopped. I almost always have my son with me and there are just too many creeps and weirdos in this world. I won't risk his safety. I do think that the police should have stopped, if they were able to do so safely (i.e. slow down, pull over without causing sudden stops and blockages in traffic).

If your father had his phone on him and was able to call your husband, why was he unable to call anyone else for assistance? If I were in that situation, I would have called the local police or highway helper myself. I don't put my safety into the hands of stranger when I am able to take care of myself?

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-20-2008, 04:19 PM

Had it been me, I might not have stopped either, especially since I am only 5' 2" and weigh only 115 lbs and I would have been with my daughter.... I am not surprised that many people didn't stop however, the police or any other service vehicles should have stopped.

I am glad to hear that your father arrived home safely and got his truck fixed.

**freebs** · 10-20-2008, 04:58 PM

Being a former mail carrier that had to drive her own vehicle, i dont know how many times i broke down and no one stopped more than one time. Now the last time i broke down i was on my way to a girl scout meeting with my dd and we broke down on a major highway and state troopers went on by, finally a man on a bicycle stopped and offered me his cell phone and he told me if he hadnt seen that i had a child with me he wouldnt have stopped.