... I'm not so fond of these maybe-you-stop-maybe-you-don't stop signs that are starting to pop up around Chicago.
Apparently, it's to reinforce the law that pedestrians in crosswalks always have the right of way -- but here's what I've observed. People see the small red STOP sign and instinctively STOP (look, for must of us, it's a reflexive muscle-memory type thing), and for those few who understand that STOP actually means GO in this case (unless pedestrians are within the crosswalk, as the rest of the instructions state) and who happen to be behind those cars that are instinctively STOPping, what ensues is frustration, nearly bumped bumpers and almost accidents.
Further making me suspicious -- these signs are popping up on the streets with all of the bars, which seems like we're over-protecting drunken pedestrians while we create this confusion (not to get all "eugenical", but drunks who step out in traffic and don't end up making it all the way across the street are kind of thinning the evolutionary herd in a way I don't necessarily mind).
Bottom line -- law or no law, the pedestrian needs to have the ultimate accountability in these situations ("these situations" defined as the interaction between person and multi-ton machinery) just as its the toreador is who is to blame if he or she is not prepared for an angry bull (anyone know -- do female matadors have their own gender-friendly word?). That kind of personal accountability would obviate the need for these STOP-MEANS-GO signs once and for all (and all kinds of other governmental intrusion -- hey, ma, look at me -- I'm turning libertarian!).
LOOKS LIKE IT'S A "MATADORAS":
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/17/134623159/for-matadora-bullfighting-is-her-absolute-truth
SO MAYBE I SHOULD JUST CHILL AS THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO 50 DEATHS:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/ped/news/2012/jul/cdot_installs_stopforpedestrianssignsatcrosswalks.html
CUTE KITTY I FOUND WHEN GOOGLE SEARCHING "WHEN STOP MEANS GO":
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/ped/news/2012/jul/cdot_installs_stopforpedestrianssignsatcrosswalks.html
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