Maelochs

No, you have not. That is a flat lie.

Have you no honor whatsoever?

How can we expect to have a profitable discussion when you toss around lies like that for the sole purpose of irritating others and to give yourself the same sense of smug self-satisfaction for which you deride others?

We could have some great discussion on some of these topics if people would just hold themselves to the standard of discourse they would expect of a half-bright, well-raised child.

Seriously ... if people just want to shamelessly lie, can't the mods create a "dishonesty, misdirection, verbal professional wrestling/talk radio" forum?

Maelochs

Every time I see people use their often inefficient and emotionally mis-programmed human brains properly to manage real-life situations I have hope ... that most of the race will depart and the few good ones will remain.

Reason, knowledge, calm exchange of information, and everyone goes on his way without incident.

But ... the media cannot get any mileage out of this story, so we get thugs and vandals.

People here need to realize that clicking on clickbait ensures more clickbait.

(Well done, CB-HI.)

(Referring to handling the incident, not clicking clickbait.)

berner

It maybe difficult to believe but I once saw a cyclist, male, on the bike path here wearing a tutu. I didn't ask. I just quickly sped away.

arbee

Actually, if you delve into the coverage (for me, it’s local), there’s a claim from a disinterested eye-witness (a pedestrian) who’s quoted as having seen the incident initiated by a driver hitting one of the cyclists with his car. Does that justify the cyclists’ response? I don’t think so, but it appears the cyclists were provoked.

And there’s more to this story.

There’s a driver in this incident who made an illegal u-turn claiming he intended to use his car as a weapon directed at the cyclists but instead struck and injured an off-duty police officer, for which behavior the driver received no penalty.

I doubt this thread (or any thread in this sub-forum) is going to arrive at fully-informed and well-reasoned conclusion (which is why I mostly avoid participating in A&S), but considering the cyclists were apparently provoked and there’s obvious imbalance in the response to the illegal operation of a motor vehicle, I’d say there’s grist for both advocacy and safety.

At this moment, my only conclusion is that there are a lot of moving parts here.

Gresp15C

In my view, being "provoked" is rarely, if ever, an excuse for anything. If a person thinks that some sort of confrontation is brewing, and is in any control over their own actions, they can always just leave the scene.

randomgear

No, just sleepy and it was past my bedtime.

The people in the video are just that: people. Not thugs. They may not be behaving in a socially responsible manner, but that does not make them thugs.

FBinNY 

You're right. They were not members of an Indian religious cult. However, roving and attacking people comes pretty close to the modern meaning.

randomgear

Actually, I would like to hear what other possibilities you've thought of.

Don't worry about offending me; I doubt it would lower my opinion of you. But, I will keep that opinion to myself.

Maelochs

Score!

CB HI

Thank you for providing 2 additional data points towards forming an opinion of you and your post.

Milton Keynes

I admit, I read some of the comments. Looks like the red hats are out in force.

Chris0516

Well, There is still a bright spot. Yes, Intentionally scratching a car is illegal. But did any of them pull out a gun, NO. That article is inflammatory and racist. I am not criticizing the OP for posting it. I am criticizing the news station for blowing it out of proportion. Despite what the woman being interviewed said.

CB HI

Seems your the one who is racist, as neither the article or anyone in this thread mentioned race. Then you try to minimize the thugs actions by saying at least they did not use a gun.

Chris0516

If the boys had been Caucasian. I bet they would not have been judged the same way.

Am I condoning their behavior, no. Am I enabling their behavior, no. But, apart from any direct physical confrontation. I won't have a harsh response. If anything. I am concerned for their health. Because, They were all over that road.

CB HI

Your the only one race baiting here. Your bet is full of BS. Take your race baiting somewhere else.

FBinNY 

+1

Making up excuses based on race is no different than making up blame because of race.

The actions of the perpetrators doesn't reflect on the classes they belong to, whether bicyclists, blacks, youth or whatever. It's individual actions of a handful of players which reflect on nobody beyond those involved.

Let's stay focused on the actions themselves, and not the race of those who committed them.

Chris0516

Cute, I am not race bating at all.

Maelochs

Say, what would it take to get this thread closed ... I'd say, about two more posts in the wrong direction.

So ... if the thread is done let's leave it, and if the thread can go in a worthwhile direction let's take it there.

It is almost embarrassing that we need mods, you know?

FBinNY 

Wrong direction?

Sorry, I don't see anything objectionable or out of line so far. Yes, there were some posts mentioning race, but those weren't in and of themselves problematic. Simply raising and discussing the question of whether race is a factor in how the event is perceived.

Regardless to anyone's opinion on various related issues, or even if they're related, I hope we haven't reached the point where we can't debate this openly and respectfully.

rydabent

Describe a person that is riding a bicycle that is not a cyclist please.

avole

I think the problem is that human beings can assume many different roles. So, a computer scientist can be a parachutist, a doctor can be a cyclist, and a ballerina can be a burglar. What they wear when performing these activities, is, of course, up to them, providing they don't infringe any local bylaws.

Clearly you are correct, anyone who rides a bike is a cyclist.

Maelochs

and if I take aspirin I am a doctor.

avole

Afraid you've missed the point. Remember to become a Doctor takes several years of study and practice. Taking an aspirin is self-medication, so not remotely similar, so no analogy there.

Perhaps it would be easier if you could explain why you think someone riding a bicycle is not a cyclist.

Maelochs

is everyone who writes a note an author. If you sing along with the radio once, are you a musician? if you run to get the phone before it stops ringing, are you a runner.
You hold the answer and drop it to grasp the answer.

Maelochs

Fighter: "The best part of fighting is winning."

Winner: "I just walked away."

Be well.