Re the US and guns - Switzerland and Canada have higher gun ownership than the US, yet a far lower rate of gun crime. While access to guns is clearly an issue, it's not the only one.
I think I read recently that only men have suffer psychopathy which may account for some of the difference.
That is a great quote from Ovett. That sort of genuine quote I like, it's the macho/cheesy sound bites I don't like - like the injury one and the loser thing. The one I really hate, which a lot of people seem to love, is the crass line about pausing the Garmin if you see me collapsed by the road.
Reminds me of when on the Chris Evens breakfast show years ago they asked school kids what could be done to make the world more fun. The one that really made me laugh was "put ejector seats on everything". I could just picture walking down the street and regularly hearing "boing" as people flew through the air
Colin - you're on a wind up yes? You have the right to mow someone down as you have right of way? You seem to know your Highway Code but I think you made that one up. People have been tried for manslaughter and attempted murder for testing that. Yes, if there are decent pavements then people should use them (as there are in RP, though sometimes those paths are choc-a-bloc with casual riders), but if the person is in the road why should you care? Following them is just a bit too road-ragey and maybe you need to turn up your dial marked perspective.