Originally Posted by
wphamilton
OP is wrong IMO, but you guys are misreading Dave and me.
The problem is that you and others are (more than) suggesting that the violent response to a hand gesture is
normal.
Flipping people off is bad because it might set-off dangerous, irresponsible, violent psychopaths.
You mean
this Dave?
Originally Posted by
Dave Cutter
OH HELL YES!!! I am an old retired senior (and an avid cyclist).... but you flip me off and I am very likely to stop my truck (SUV, or car) to see if you really do want to test this old guy.
Originally Posted by
wphamilton
The parable does not defend the scorpion as I understand it, although it's become such a cliche now that people probably see it that way. It's more about the frog, and the way the world imposes limitations on morality and reason.
The scorpion is being
excused, not defended (the scorpian can't "help it"). Drivers really have no excuse for violent responses (a violent response when driving means the person is a bad/incompetent driver).
Too many people here have more of a problem with the hand gesture than with the violent response to it they appear to think is "required".