General Road and Highway Discussion

[ijmorlan]

Just because there is method to it doesn’t mean it isn’t madness.

It’s pure vandalism. As far as I’m concerned it could be random and it would be no worse. Arguably not even as bad, because these people are pretending to have thought things through and arrived at a considered decision to participate in an action, when that action is really just criminal activity.

What next, break the windows of businesses of which we disapprove? There are a lot of SUV dealerships with some pretty nice windows…

You're welcome to disagree with direct action although, as I have done as late, I'd suggest you least try to understand the societal reasons why it is happening, and it's historical context, and it's historical record of effectiveness.

But to suggest that random behaviour is "better" is absurd on the face. You are suggesting that while the effect on the victims is identical, it is somehow worse BECAUSE those doing it want a better world, rather than a more chaotic one?

Yes, there has to be space for teenagers (stereotypically, but could be anybody) to do dumb, thoughtless things. People who do things out of a sense of moral certitude need to be held to a higher standard. I don’t mean the random prank is OK, of course, but once the perpetrators grow up and think about it a bit they’ll realize they shouldn’t have done it.

I do agree that trying to understand is always a good thing. But this will be ineffective and even counterproductive, for reasons that should be obvious. What would your reaction be if you came out to find your bike inoperable due to activism from people concerned about bicyclists speeding on the sidewalk?

Rosa Parks sitting on the bus was also a criminal act. It was also a planned protest. These things are not mutually exclusive.

Rosa Parks didn’t harm anybody. OK, some racists got butthurt (and some white guy didn’t get a seat that day), but that doesn’t count as harm. Having to deal with a flat tire for no good reason clearly does count as harm.

I think it’s also worth looking at what is being asked, and of whom: Rosa Parks wanted the buses to be desegregated. If the bus company desegregated, the demand would be met and the protest would end. What do these activists want, specifically, and of whom? Under precisely what circumstance should the so-called protest end? For all they know, every single one of their victims is already using bicycles for most trips and just gets out the old SUV once a week when needed.