I have received e-mails from not one, not two, but three different blog readers telling me that I have been taking some terrible risks lately and warning me of dire consequences I may not be aware of. These people aren’t talking about me being clumsy and falling up the steps or driving on our local freeways or things like that. No, they want me to know that being a good guy can get me into trouble. Here are the things they are concerned about.
After reading my blog titled We Got Geeked about a visit from our friends Jim and Chris Guld from Geeks on Tour, somebody wrote to tell me that we were taking a big risk by letting them park their van in our driveway and plug into our electricity overnight because if there was a power surge that zapped their RV’s system, we would be liable. Or if, God forbid, there was a fire and they were injured or killed while sleeping in their RV on our property, we could get sued by them or their surviving family members.
Then two people wanted to let me know that going out to help our neighbor who had fallen, which I reported on in my blog Eaten By A Trash Can, was absolutely foolish. One said that as an attorney, he always advises people to mind their own business, and if the older gentleman I helped up had any broken bones or permanent injuries, it could come back to haunt me because a sharp attorney could claim I aggravated the situation. Someone else said that by inserting myself into the episode, he might find some way to blame me for it and file suit.
I recall getting the same kind of e-mail when something similar happened a few years ago when we were in Indiana and I encountered an elderly man with dementia who had gotten lost. I wrote about that in a blog post titled Listen To That Little Voice, and while most people were appreciative of the fact that I was able to get in contact with his family and that we stayed with him until someone got there, I had one person say that we were lucky he hadn’t lost his wallet or gotten his pocket picked, or we could have been blamed for it.
You know what? While I appreciate your concern, and I am sure that some ambulance chaser somewhere could convince somebody to sue me over something like that, but I will take my chances. I was raised by people who taught me to help others in need, not to turn my back on them and “mind my own business.” When someone is hurting, when someone needs help in any way that I can give it to them, it is my business. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll be the one needing help.
Today is your last chance to enter our Free Drawing for an autographed copy of Learn Google Photos 2021 by Chris Guld from the Geeks on Tour. The book is loaded with easy to understand instructions on how to assemble your lifetime of photo and video memories in one place, and then how to use the program’s powerful tools to edit, organize, and share them, all for free. Chris is a Platinum Level Product Expert for Google Photos and she and her husband Jim have taught classes on computer technology from coast to coast for years. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. The winner will be drawn this evening. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with U.S. addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – I’m not interested in whether you’ve stood with the great. I’m interested in whether you have sat with the broken.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
I am with you Nick, I was also raised by parents that led by example. I remember my Dad getting out of bed to answer a knock at the door around midnight, the man knocking on the door said his car had slid into a ditch and he needed help. My dad told him to wait while my dad got dressed then he went out to the barn got his old John Deer tractor and drove to the man’s car and within minutes had the car on the road again. The man offered to pay but my dad said don’t be silly you would have done the same for me. I have never forgotten that lesson from over 70 years ago. You and my dad are the kind of neighbors that we need more of.
How tragic it is that in today’s society, people forget basic common sense “goodness” in offering aid to someone in need. Once I was driving through a small town and an elderly man was out in his yard mowing or something, I can’t remember what. He was very feeble and took a tumble. He was very close to the curb and I immediately pulled over, jumped out and crossed the street to where he lay and helped him up. He was shocked that I saw him and made an effort to stop and render assistance, but he thanked me profusely. I will always help someone who needs it.
Amen to helping people. You never know when it might be you. And yes they could sue you but they might also sue you for NOT helping. Each situation is different and everyone must asses each situation. We need more helpers and fewer people who ignore everyone else but themselves. Glad you were there Nick to help.
NIck I have run into these types before, especially when we lived in San Antonio 1975-1978 in a decent middle class neighborhood. We belonged to a CB club and did some police assists and mobilized for others in need or hurt. Back then we had a camper and we have had more than a few of our RV friends visit and occasionally park on our property in Louisiana which had water and electric and a sewage dump. Homeowner’s insurance covers the idjits. I’ll bet all those people are big proponents of “thoughts and prayers.”
Hell yeah Nick- your direct action for your friends and those you and Miss.Terry encounter who are in need demonstrates your your character, moral courage and a true perspective of the greater good in need reflects. Lead, follow or get out of the way.
I agree…I will take my chances…people have helped me/us at different times and I am so thankful they did. We too help where we can. I remember one time pulling into a gas station and a young woman with three little’s was crying at the gas pump. She thought she had a $20 bill in her wallet but couldn’t find it…we told her to wipe those tears, Ron filled her tank with our credit card and sent her on her way. She kept saying she couldn’t pay us back, no problem sweet lady…if we didn’t have it we wouldn’t have helped.
Also, I would love to win the book of the week to learn how to better use Google photos.
You are so right. Perhaps if people would help others more,the world would be a much better place.
Way to go Nick. People have helped me when they didn’t have to and I try to pay it forward. Let the naysayers cower and worry, I wasn’t raised that way either. Sometimes you can even have a little fun with it. Some years ago (in the days of 15% tips, at most) I was out to breakfast with a car club I belonged to. When the bill came, the six of us pulled out our wallets and I suggested we each just throw in a twenty. My friends went along with it! We gave the waitress $120 for about a $70 bill. The look on her face when we said we didn’t want change, and she realized she didn’t have six idiots all demanding separate checks AFTER the meal, was great! Made her morning, but it made our day too. Keep doing good, the world needs it!
As Charlie Brown would say, “Good Grief!”
I thought that’s why we are here?
Amen Nick well said!
I wonder how well those complainers sleep at night?