Why do so many Americans die falling off ladders?

[Jason]

Tall ladders are designed for one purpose: to cause human beings to fall from dangerous heights. Though I recognize the legitimate use and purpose of stepping stools and ladders under 6 feet tall, ladders taller than 6 feet are meant only to cause injury and death and should be banned.

[SteveB]

[Blind groper]

My country had slightly fewer ladder deaths per capita. I conclude that American has two problems.

1. Access to ladders is too easy, and especially lightweight, concealable ladders.
2. A very unfortunate and harmful ladder culture.

[Gallstones]

Funny.

[JimC]

I think they actually die when they rapidly decelerate at the end of the fall...

(no, not the autumn... )

[Azathoth]

I don't know, but this reminded me of the poor bastard in London who was working on his ladder with a chainsaw when he fell and killed his wife below by nearly completely decapitating her.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ident.html

edit: in case you haven't read enough good news already recently

One darwin award coming up. Standing under a ladder while someone is wielding a chainsaw at the top of it is none too bright. That's if it was an accident and she didn't just give one too many helpful tips about a bit he had missed.

[FBM]

My country had slightly fewer ladder deaths per capita. I conclude that American has two problems.

1. Access to ladders is too easy, and especially lightweight, concealable ladders.
2. A very unfortunate and harmful ladder culture.

It's deeply embedded in our culture. Our horses were so tall, you see, we needed stepladders in order to survive on the frontiers. And it helped us spot Injuns and buffalo. And Redcoats. How did Paul Revere know the British were coming, the British were coming? He was standing on a ladder, of course. Patrick Henry: "Give me ladderty or give me death!" If you take ladders away from Americans, you'll be taking away from them the very element that made this country what it is today.

[Jesus_of_Nazareth]

It's racial - black folks have heavier bones, therefore they fall off easier...........when white fellas shake the ladder.

[cronus]

Going up ladders whilst packing iron could also add to the weight for a average American. And confusing the hammer with a six shooter could add to the body count too?

[Bella Fortuna]

I was just on a tall ladder last night, but I failed to die. I just can't do anything right.

[Thinking Aloud]

Wow. I never thought I'd see a time when that smiley was actually appropriate to anything other than Feck's original tale, but I was WRONG!!

[mistermack]

Reminds me of the FIRST moon landing, that they managed to keep quiet.

It's a little known fact, but all of the moon shots actually happened a week before the footage was transmitted just in case anything went wrong.

On the actual first Moon landing, the guy said,
"that's one small step for a man, ......
Oh, shit, this ladder's too short, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh !!!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't think you folks understand the gravity of the situation.

[mistermack]

I don't think you folks understand the gravity of the situation.

But surely there are steps that people could take, to sort it out?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't think you folks understand the gravity of the situation.

But surely there are steps that people could take, to sort it out?

That would lead to an escalation of the situation.