Mr. Graham's post is so disrespectful and bogus. If JIM GRAHAM cannot moderate his abusive rhetoric he should find another venue for his blather. Where is the list moderator? FOUR letter swearing? PAAHlease.
JIM doesn't seem to have a good grasp of what happened during the Mass, or the philosophy of the protest. He misrepresents both. I would suggest that he come down at the end of July and see for himself - if he is such a bicycle advocate - before he spews forth with more diahrrea of the mouth. I was in the Mass. I agree that it is dangerous for the cyclists who insist on riding against traffic - though it did not happen as JIM describes. I do not have the cohones or the lack of brain cells to do so. However, I did happen to cross the double yellow line in the course of the event and so take JIM's insult personally. The individuals who did so were all kids/young adults, acting out in a once a month protest against a culture that allows the streets to be unsafe for children, or adults, to ride in the street, any street. As a cyclist who rides the streets every day of the year I am disgusted that it takes such courage and daredevil spirit to do so. For the most part the gracious attitude of motorists toward the mass was wonderful. Most people in their cars understand the message even if they are not familiar with the movement. And they are happy to stop, smile, wave and watch the parade go by. The hindrance to traffic is less than if a train blocked the street. At no point during the Mass was the public endangered. Only a hysteric who was not there could maintain so. The only argument that is really at issue with the Mass invading oncoming lanes is the complete stopping of traffic along the route for two minutes. The Mass is about more than just bikes vs. cars. Our culture has absorbed the dehumanization of mechanization. Rush, rush, rush, me, me, me first. Wouldn't it be cool to just stop your car on the Central Ave. bridge for a minute and look out over St. Anthony Falls and take in the skyline of Minneapolis? Only the Mass will give you that opportunity. But the mayor, because of people like JIM GRAHAM, can't allow you that pleasure. In reality the Mass bears little resemblance to the depiction in the post below. It's not about a bunch of mucky-mucks hot rodding around the streets acting like thugs. In reality the Mass has a great spirit and is a lot of fun for all ages, the whole community (now that it seems safe from the MPD's abuse of force). I encourage everyone to come down and go for a ride this month. Matthew Devany Proud to be a cycling jerk in Powderhorn USA P.S. If the Mass was such a menace to society why wasn't the danger reported in the Star-Tribune? The short blurb in the Metro section didn't mention anything about inattentive motorists, just something about the MPD and the Mass working together. Why isn't the public warned in advance of this menace on the streets of Murderapolis the last friday of every month? -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of JIM GRAHAM Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 12:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] June Critical Mass Who, along with me, thinks riding against traffic is a bone-headed, stupid, prank that does nothing more than alienate people who might be borderline in your support? I am deeply disappointed that the Mayor did not have these jerks immediately arrested. I am also deeply disappointed that the other participants did not ride along side these jerks and dump them as they disserve. Would they have been happy if a surprised, inattentive, motorist had looked up and seen them, swerved, and struck an innocent person. I believe this is analogous to and the same mind set that says it is alright to sell crack on the corner of Franklin and Chicago, and that Police arresting the dealer is harassment. PAAHlease, give us all a break and call a self-righteous jerk the jerk he or she is. RT Rybak does the citizens of Minneapolis a disservice when he only "leaves the ride" when such actions take place. He should have taken the responsibility to stop it, and now publicly condemn it. Political expediency is no excuse. I began riding a bike to and from work thirty-three years ago and had to fight thoughtless drivers in downtown Minneapolis, who back then could not imagine a bike having any right to be on the street. We argued that a bike had the same rights as any other vehicle, but along with that had the same responsibility. These jerks want to say they have more rights and NO responsibility. In doing so they do harm to the cause of creating biking as a, generally perceived, viable transportation option. Do any of these bike people feel it is OK for on coming traffic to drive down the bike path the wrong way? How about making an unannounced right turn across a bike path in front of a bike? Illegal operation of a vehicle on city streets is and needs to be the same for everyone So RT, lets hear a little moral indignation on this one, don't forget they tried to rain on your parade also. Or is it not politically expedient? Jim Graham, Ventura Village {The rarest of all gems is the truth. Yet as scarce as truth is, the supply has always far exceeded any demand for it. In fact it may well be the lest desirable commodity in the Universe. Ask any politician.} ----- Original Message ----- From: michael libby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 7:24 AM Subject: Re: [Mpls] June Critical Mass > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > On Saturday 29 June 2002 00:36, Jim MCGUIRE wrote: > > I'm not good at estimations, but my best guess is 150-200 riders (no > > arrests). > > I saw the ride pass me as I waited for the bus at 7th and Nicollet. I'd say > this count sounds right from my observation. And what a sight! That was > really cool! > > Glad to hear the police that followed the group did not arrest anyone. Was > their presence more of a public safety presence, or does the Mass feel > threatened by them? > > I have to say I think it's a bad decision to ride against traffic, even > with a large group like that. I don't at all mind the blocked > intersections-- so many drivers willingly block intersections when traffic > is heavy that they should be able to deal with it. But riding the wrong > way seems dangerous and needlessly confrontational. > > Either way, what an inspiration! > > - -michael libby (cleveland neighborhood of north mpls) > > > ______Michael_C_Libby__{_x_(at)_ichimunki_(dot)_com_}______ > | my website: http://www.ichimunki.com/ | > |____ public key at http://www.ichimunki.com/public.key ____| > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) > Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org > > iD8DBQE9Hacr4ClW9KMwqnMRAl3CAJ9mwRQWg5WPcqohxbEkefTeu7z4igCcCx61 > 2tQ40djMQaD9Le2JWWtrC3E= > =lGPc > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
