man beaten by motorists (not cycling!)

[SadieKate]

Were you there personally, mimi? Why pick this one act of random nasty behavior out of the gazillion that happen?

I'm sure we all know the world has lost its collective brain. Just trying to figure out why this one is important to you.

[jobob]

Yikes, the world is scary - Everybody panic !!!

[alpinerabbit]

Yikes, the world is scary - Everybody panic !!!

Every day people post stuff here about people other people don't know. People admit breaking in tears over stories they did not live thru, about people they will never even meet. Why the criticism?

Yes, I am panicking and despairing because of the stupidity, selfishness, and lack of respect for existences other than oneself that are portrayed by these types of stories. Sadly, it seems the mediascape, and the mindscape of the mainstream rotates around sensationalism of this kind. And it's not helping. It's making matters worse.

[oxysback]

My 2 cents....

I'm sure Mimi posted this because we can sympathise with the poor gardener, and to point out that road rage isn't just directed at cyclists.

I don't understand why people get that angry over a seemingly silly thing. It just takes too much energy to be that angry.

[Trek420]

Yikes, the world is scary - Everybody panic !!!

Yes, the world's a crazy place. Crazier each day. As I work with the great unwashed public (in my job at the antiques shop) and contact a lot of people. I have theories.

Is it from sitting in cars, in home in front of the idiot box, on the web? Maybe.

Is it education or lack thereof? Maybe.

Are we desensitized by too much Grand Theft Auto games and too few books? Maybe.

Or have people been doing awful stuff since forever and now we're more aware of it? Maybe.

Everybody settle down and have some chocolate. And on a positive note.

Don't panic, get out and ride. Here's some bikes riding for peace, check it out. An Oakland ride to stop guns and violence!!

http://scraperbikes.net

[KnottedYet]

Wow, Mimi, that's a scary one! And not far from your house, either!

I often see folks out watering those traffic circles (we have them here in North Seattle, just like the ones you've got in South Seattle and Rainier Beach) and just never imagined that kind of response to someone tending the plants!

[SouthernBelle]

Generally riding in my vehicle does not make me happy. The only exceptions were when I was 16 and first licensed, and when I had my convertible sportscar.

I can find myself really irritated while sitting in traffic wondering if I'm going to run late. I can picture myself mouthing off to somebody.

In the instant case I wondered:

1. If the gardener picked a bad time of day to water, i.e. rush hour;

2. If the women in question were substantially blocked off or just a little inconvenienced;

3. If the last guy really knew what was going on or thought he was rescuing some ladies who were being assaulted.

The trouble with many articles is the reporter often doesn't have the entire story, doesn't report all of it, or doesn't quite grasp all of it.

[kelownagirl]

Here's another one to add to the collection, Mimi. I do not understand people.

Disabled woman attacked over parking space.

[crazycanuck]

I don't get why we're posting this stuff? It's nothing to do with cyclists..

I could post a gazillion links but THEY"RE NOT ABOUT CYCLISTS getting bashed, mashed or whatever by drivers or pedestrians..

Can we keep it this way please?

[Trek420]

Generally riding in my vehicle does not make me happy. The only exceptions were when I was 16 and first licensed, and when I had my convertible sportscar.

That's it! Each grumpy, tired, angry motorist will be given a convertible sportscar problem solved.

In the instant case I wondered:

1. If the gardener picked a bad time of day to water, i.e. rush hour;

Yeah, seems a poor choice of timing. But even a rush hour delay I would not jump out of the car and pummel someone ... I've had some choice words in the privacy of my car when Caltrans picks the worst possible time to do road repair.

[ttaylor508]

I think this article is very relevant (at least to those of us in Seattle) as 9,000+ cyclists will be riding through this neighborhood on Saturday. If one man trying to simply water some plants elicits this kind of road rage, just think what could happen when the surge of cyclists come through their neighborhood. Thanks for the heads up Mimi!!!

[Iris616]

Mimi-Is there an update on the victim?

These stories should always be relevant, they should make us stop and feel sadness for the victims (and maybe the perpetrator). Heck, that Man is somebodies Dad/husband/son/Grandfather who was injured. That matters in this world.

[SadieKate]

Hmm, I'm flabbergasted. If mimi recommended a particular book and I asked why it was special to her I think she'd be more than willing to explain. She reads a lot. I think it's great that people read a lot and read broadly.

I ask the same question about a newspaper article and it invokes anger.

I didn't ask about relevancy. I asked her what made the article stand out above hundreds of others on the same topic.

[KnottedYet]

Mimi-Is there an update on the victim?

These stories should always be relevant, they should make us stop and feel sadness for the victims (and maybe the perpetrator). Heck, that Man is somebodies Dad/husband/son/Grandfather who was injured. That matters in this world.

These stories should also remind us that when dealing with persons who are clearly behaving in an emotionally disturbed manner (in the throes of irrational road rage or other irrational mind-spasms) that our behaviour must remain CALMER and MORE RATIONAL than theirs. Sometimes (often times, as so many of us have experienced) reacting out of our own anger only escalates things.

(obviously everyone in this particular news story was angry, and everyone contributed to the escalation)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

These stories should also remind us that when dealing with persons who are clearly behaving in an emotionally disturbed manner (in the throes of irrational road rage or other irrational mind-spasms) that our behaviour must remain CALMER and MORE RATIONAL than theirs. Sometimes (often times, as so many of us have experienced) reacting out of our own anger only escalates things.

(obviously everyone in this particular news story was angry, and everyone contributed to the escalation)

That's a good point, yeah it's true. Hard to do in certain situations, too!