Lets get a few things straight here.
Firstly I do not believe either of these people intended to hit or try and hit me. The first guy grazed me, the second guy, well I don't know what he was doing, cause if it wasn't for me he would have crashed into the curb!
I have been driving (but not riding for about 10 years) these roads for a very long time. I see everyone from kids to adults, to full out roadies all the time. NEVER ONCE have I seen someone "take the lane" on a bicycle, nor have I seen them act like a car, heck they are ALWAYS on the shoulder.
So I got back into biking, I read through a lot of posts here, and took heed to the words of making myself wide, etc. And I tried it, I rode and rode, and did what everyone recommends, act like a car, be aware of your surroundings, act like they don't see you. And I realized, people don't care here. The first incident happened while i was riding in the lane. Not only that when you do ride in a lane here people lay on their horns and try to graze you. Its a free for all! And I thought back to all the riders I see and have seen and realize here you need to ride to protect yourself, that means avoid everything you can at all costs. Sometimes you have no choice and have to ride in the lane, but the rest of the time, get out of they way cause they will put you out. People have no problem hitting and running over cyclists here, dragging them and leaving, it happens almost weekly.
Bikes have no brake lights, the thought of stopping at a light with a car directly behind me is terrifying, here people ride up on the back bumper of the car ahead, you WILL get squished. So damn right I am not going to wait in line, I'm going to pass when I can, and GTFO of the way.
I wish I lived in a place where the rules of the road applied, but around here its every man or woman for themselves, and you need to ride (and drive) defensively as well as offensively. And no I'm not saying its right for me to road rage on people, but IMHO being extra careful, getting as far out of the way as possible (even if it means riding on the shoulder) and doing everything you can to get through, around and by traffic, is what you need to do to survive. And in my opinion, giving someone a piece of my mind, maybe it will get them to pay attention, maybe it will get them to aim for me, but damn right I do feel better after doing it.