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Detroit shock jocks attack cyclists on air

Old 08-13-09, 06:56 AM
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Detroit shock jocks attack cyclists on air

Have you guys heard this?
A segment on the Demenski and Doyle show, aired on Detroit's WCSX, characterized bicyclists as "jerks" and expressed a desired to "lob something at their heads" and "go grand theft auto on them" - a reference to a violent video game where characters are beaten to death.
Here's the details:
https://bit.ly/PqJ7i
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Old 08-13-09, 07:46 AM
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"They then went on to question whether cyclists would have the “gumption” to call in and face them. None did, but they put on several callers who agreed with them."

Hmmm, the show runs 6am to 9am? Do they think that most cyclists have radios playing while they ride into work? Of course they aren't going to get a cyclist calling in at that time!

But, to make statements like that during the morning rush hour-the time when more cyclists and cars are sharing the roads, is totally irresponsible.
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Old 08-13-09, 07:49 AM
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I would like to call them and ask them if they have the "gumption" to throw something at someones head when they don't have a big fast metal cage to run away in.

Pu$$ies.
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Old 08-13-09, 07:57 AM
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their showing is mind numbingly boring and i gather this is probably a ratings ploy- their ratings are in the tank and their show was recently cut by an hour in favor of music. my guess is they'll be off the air soon seeing as Drew is back with Mike.
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Old 08-13-09, 08:05 AM
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Inciting a riot is a federal offense.

How is what these DJs did any different?
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Old 08-13-09, 09:27 AM
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That's one way to get ratings--spew hatred. Rally the masses against us and challenge us to call to a hostile audience.

I got to think that if I lived there and got hit by someone throwing something, I'd sue the station and win. No judge would side with garbage.

I don't know how to respond to this, but it needs to be done. Unless you live there, what can you do?
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Old 08-13-09, 09:59 AM
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I posted this to a similar thead on the A&S Forum:
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Their program has been on a local talk show station in Boston, substituting for Don Imus. There has been some discussion about it on a local radio talk show blog, most of it unfavorable. FYA:

https://www.savewrko.com/2009/08/10/w...roit/#comments
As a native Detroiter, it's sad to see that image of the city displayed. I got my start in the cycling lifestyle there, and ride in the Metropolitan area about three times a year.
Here in Boston there was a recent rant on talk radio about unruly cyclists, but violence was explicitly diavowed.
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Old 08-13-09, 10:06 AM
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I play Grand Theft Auto and one of the things you can do is ride a bike in front of a car, forcing the car to stop, then car jacking the dude. You can also do drive bys on a bike. Is that what the shock jock meant? That cyclists might car jack you and shoot you from their bikes? /sarcasm
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Old 08-13-09, 10:27 AM
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For god's sake. They're shock jocks. They have nothing but anger and contempt towards anyone who isn't a Coors-Lite-drinking, SUV-or-pickup-driving, real-manly-sports-watching, wife-beater-wearing, Republican-voting, chunky thick-necked angry white male. What did you expect?
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Old 08-13-09, 10:39 AM
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Shock jocks or not, you can't promote violence on the air.
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Old 08-13-09, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by lil brown bat
For god's sake. They're shock jocks. They have nothing but anger and contempt towards anyone who isn't a Coors-Lite-drinking, SUV-or-pickup-driving, real-manly-sports-watching, wife-beater-wearing, Republican-voting, chunky thick-necked angry white male. What did you expect?
Republican voting?
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Old 08-13-09, 10:49 AM
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D*bags, plain and simple.
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Old 08-13-09, 11:18 AM
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obviously they don't know what they are talking about, re "taking the lane". But I really think you can tell a difference between a commuter and just some dude on a bike. The 'dude on a bike' too often will do just crazy things. Riding sidewalks with no regard for pedestrians, running red lights without stopping or looking, going down the wrong way etc. Commuters seem to be more responsible.
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Old 08-13-09, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Jasmijo
Shock jocks or not, you can't promote violence on the air.
They can do anything they can get away with. If they are in violation of their FCC license terms, then the appropriate thing to do is report the violation to the FCC, not complain on Bikeforums about what you'd like to do to them.
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Old 08-13-09, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Hot Potato
Republican voting?

That's right. Because Republican = Conservative = Evil. Didn't you know that? You can judge any book by its cover.

I always knew Howard Stern was a closet Republican.
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Old 08-13-09, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by barturtle
"They then went on to question whether cyclists would have the “gumption” to call in and face them. None did, but they put on several callers who agreed with them."

Hmmm, the show runs 6am to 9am? Do they think that most cyclists have radios playing while they ride into work? Of course they aren't going to get a cyclist calling in at that time!

But, to make statements like that during the morning rush hour-the time when more cyclists and cars are sharing the roads, is totally irresponsible.
I cycle to work somewhere between the hours of about 5:30 to 7:00 AM and I'm always listening to a talk show. Rarely do I call when en route, but I often E-mail when I arrive at work, signing as Jim from Boston, WRKO's Number One Fan among Boston's Bicycling Commuters.

I once was interviewed by Howie Carr, a talk show host bicycling foe, while (stationary) on my bike at a remote broadcast in Kenmore Square.
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Old 08-13-09, 12:24 PM
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It's crap like that radio show, and recent violence towards cyclists in the local area which led me to write the following blog entry, which I admit was written from a seat of extreme anger, and advocates some highly dangerous and illegal activities: (reposted with censure for the BF filters)

It's Time For Escalation
"- 2 cyclists in the past week have been shot with blowdarts while riding in Ballard.
- Multiple riders and support vehicles were shot with a pellet rifle on Bainbridge Island during the Chilly Hilly ride in February.
- Tacks, nails and staples were spread across the shoulder of the road at multiple locations during the Daffodil Classic and the Tour de Cure.
- I've had loose change thrown at me twice this year, on a 50mph road from a vehicle travelling the opposite direction.
- Riders are getting intentionally doored, buzzed and pinched into curbs.
- Just 2 days ago I had to deal with a woman who stomped the gas to pass me, only to cut me off at the red light which was less than 100' away. Then when we turn the corner she slammed her brakes and made a right turn into a parking lot (without a signal) presumably to "brake check" me and see if I would end up hitting her minivan.
- On the way home I had someone pull over the divider line of the turn lane to my left as I was positioned in the middle of the right turn/go straight lane, and attempt to hook a right in front of me when the light went green. Then she had the audacity to threaten me with a lawsuit when I kicked a big phracking dent in her door panel as she ran me off the road.

CYCLISTS! THIS IS YOUR CALL TO ARMS!

Let the a-hole drivers know we are not going to take this crap any longer. Every time there's a story about a random attack on a cyclist, pick a random car and let the air out of a tire or two. For every driver who throws something at you, pick a random car and loosen a few lugnuts. For every driver who swerves at you, pinches you to the curb, tries to hook you or bumps your back wheel at a stop light, pick a stretch of highway and litter it with roofing nails.

Tit-for-tat. Just look at the comments on the news station web sites whenever an incedent like this is reported:
"This wouldn't happen if they stayed off my roads"
"Well, if they would follow the traffic laws..."
"Put a little barbituate in the darts, and voila; catch-and-release cyclist hunting!" (actual quote from kirotv.com's site, written by John Wesley Hardin)

It's time to end it. Drivers; you think it's funny? Wait until it's your phracking turn."
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Old 08-13-09, 03:22 PM
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What do u mean you can't promote violence on the air...LOL! You watch any TV in the last 50 years??? Roadrunner cartoons ring a bell??? Wiley's been trying to kill the roadrunner FOREVER!!!!
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Old 08-13-09, 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1

Let the a-hole drivers know we are not going to take this crap any longer. Every time there's a story about a random attack on a cyclist, pick a random car and let the air out of a tire or two. For every driver who throws something at you, pick a random car and loosen a few lugnuts. For every driver who swerves at you, pinches you to the curb, tries to hook you or bumps your back wheel at a stop light, pick a stretch of highway and litter it with roofing nails.
I think you forgot highly moronic? Just about the stupidest thing I have ever read on this forum.
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Old 08-13-09, 06:34 PM
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I just listiened to the little rant they had . One person who did call (joe) in went on a bike ride with his wife on a bike path. According to him they had a discussion about the cyclists who ride on the street and wondered why they would do that. (joe)"That's what bike paths were bult for" was his reply. Also (joe)"while driving I hit you hit I get manslaughter, you on the other hand get crippled for the rest of your life" the dj's response after they chuckle (dj's)"I'm not really sure who wins in that case" "hey joe appreciated man, and that's from a guy on a bike." (OMG)

To say things "like wouldn't you love to lob something at their heads" or "man wouldn't you like to go grand theft auto on their a$$" or hitting them "could launch them like acorns into a tree" are very disturbing statements .
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Old 08-13-09, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by lil brown bat
For god's sake. They're shock jocks. They have nothing but anger and contempt towards anyone who isn't a Coors-Lite-drinking, SUV-or-pickup-driving, real-manly-sports-watching, wife-beater-wearing, Republican-voting, chunky thick-necked angry white male. What did you expect?
Please don't down that road. As a Conservative, was Republican; drives old pick ups, don't drink, yes I like NASCAR, cowboy that meets people with civility and courtesy regardless of who they are (because that person may save your bacon another time; part of the Code of the West), not angry but situationally aware of what's going on.

These Shock Jocks only incite trouble for the most part and yes I include politicians in that group as well. When was the last day of working with their hands in honest labor? Instead of inciting people against each other for the smallest of differences in order to gain power and money to rule in any fashion at any and all cost for short and long term control??!!
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Old 08-13-09, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by pcmike
Have you guys heard this?
Sadly, I agree with them on too many points. They also disclaimed from fingering all cyclists. If I were to argue their inconsistencies and inaccuracies, which I would not bother, I would point out:

1. The posted speed limit is not your God given right to go that speed. It is the maximum safe speed for that road, not a mandatory requirement. Do I hate it when I have to follow a school bus down a narrow street in a car waiting for every kid to mosey off the bus and get a safe distance from the road? Hell YES! Do I want to throw things or run people over? Of course not. Why are school bus drivers so arrogant as to be in the middle of the road letting the kiddies off? Because that tactic saves lives.

2. Make up your mind. Do you want me out of your way, or do you want me to stop for every red light? I can't do both. If I safely run the red lights, you will only see me one time as I disappear over the horizon. If I stop for every one, you will be stuck behind me light after light after light until you can safely pass with 3 feet to spare. In short, you will NEVER get past me Downtown if I stop for the lights.

3. Not only are cyclists in better shape than your Classic Rock arse, but they probably own cars, trucks, and SUVs too and generally, according to certain statistics, are well educated (i.e., smarter than the average DJ) and in a higher income bracket. No doubt most adult cyclists pay more local road taxes than a lowly Rock Jock or the caller driving a dump truck.

4. People disobey traffic laws. Nearly ever driver on the road - car, motorcycle, SUV, whatever - breaks the law. Why single out cyclists. Roll through right-on-red, roll through stop signs, stopping in crosswalks, driving drunk, texting, speeding - especially on interstate highways, illegal lane change, no signal turns and lane change.....I saw ALL of that just today. Do I want to "get all Grand Theft Auto" on every motorist out there. Well...sadly...YES I do.

5. Why do I have a right to be on public roadways and where does my arrogance (at times) come from? Because when I am on a bike, and you are in your ego-structured carbon-belching ecological bomb tin crap junk vehicle, I simply have more right to be on Earth than you do.

Last edited by JoeyBike; 08-14-09 at 08:39 AM.
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Old 08-13-09, 07:44 PM
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Was this by any chance on a Clear Channel radio station?

These types of "Shock Jock" rants against cyclists have been standard fare for Clear Channel stations across the nation for years. Before Clear Channel KLOL fm went Spanish format we had Stevens and Pruit whose standard slock was to have topless dancers in studio and having an dorky intern named Loc Zebenhausen go to remote locations and ask women to show him various body parts. One day they started ranting about cyclists. Not a bit of leachery in the show content at all. Totally out of character for them, and except for a few Richard Heads calling to agree probably one of the slowest shows for audience involvement.

Despite that they didn't ever switch gears to what they knew worked, like they've done in the past when a bit goes south, but kept harping on the cyclists the entire show. I think someone high up at Clear Channel has some sort of ax to grind.
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Old 08-13-09, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RayB
I think you forgot highly moronic? Just about the stupidest thing I have ever read on this forum.
I specifically stated that it was written entirely out of anger. I wrote it the day that the news article went to print about 2 riders in Ballard getting tagged with a blowgun, and I had nearly been taken out by two drivers on separate instances during my commute.
Probably a very similar state of mind that a driver might be in after getting caught up in a CM, and then goes home and writes a rant much like any of those "I hate cyclist" ones we see re-posted here all the time.
Is my "I hate cagers" rant just as stupid? Sure.
Would I actually go and do anything I wrote about in that rant? Tough to say. Probably not.
Do I think the world needs a Spiro Bikopoulis or two rolling around? Heck yes.
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Old 08-13-09, 08:46 PM
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Well put, JoeyBike.
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