Story Archive

Safety First

Justin Palmer, 25, was driving in Bellingham, Wash., when he saw a pregnant woman smoking on the sidewalk. Apparently seeing it as his civic duty, Palmer yelled from the truck, “Who the heck smokes when they’re pregnant?” “Obviously, I do,” replied the eight-months-pregnant woman. According to court documents, the exchange grew heated, with Palmer calling the woman a “white trash” prostitute and telling her that she “better put the smoke out now.” The woman later told police that she ignored Palmer and kept walking, and that’s when he allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her. The light turned green, and he drove off, and the woman called the police. When officers caught up with Palmer, they found two handguns in his truck, and he acknowledged the exchange, but denied pulling out a gun. But he pleaded guilty to felony harassment and was sentenced to 20 days in jail. As he is now a convicted felon, he must surrender his guns. (MS/Bellingham Herald) ...Right: only the government can demand to have say over someone’s health decisions without having to pay for it.