Thoughts from the Front
As February rolls hurriedly in, the knowledge that spring is not far off is comforting. Soon the rain and cold will be replaced by green trees, cherry blossoms, and warm blue skies; afternoon rides will become a norm and the thick mud will be reborn into buff singletrack.
Not all news is good however; to my dismay I read that the hit and run murderer Ashley Wick is back on the streets, free after her parents posted $50,000 in bail money. Apparently she had brain surgery as a young child, and will exploit a loophole in Washington law to gain an even lighter sentence than the maximum of 3 years. This is of course if she is even sentenced, I also hear that her rich parents have hired two powerful attorneys. Perhaps it is because this crime occurred in an area I frequent daily, or that I empathize with the student who died, but something strikes me as very wrong here. The small details too, such as the blood spilled at the crime scene, the arrogance of the murders parents, and the sickeningly self-righteousness that money can buy a way out of any situation grind against everything I know to be right. When I learned that the dead students parents arrived in America, mere hours after their son who was on life support died, I didn't know what to think. They were robbed of even a simple goodbye to their son. Ashley Wick drives free; having exploited the system in every possible way imaginable.
It crossed my mind today that perhaps I have given this sad story too much thought, or that my stance against the car culture is at times too strong. I was born as stubborn as anyone, but even I feel the sheep mentality calling in the back of my head every now and then. It is always non-offensive, appealing to a sense of shared apathy; that no one else cares so strongly about such things, that it is useless to stand in independence, that it would be easier to just give up contrarian opinions and meld minds with the collective conscious that inhabits this society. Perhaps it would be easier, but the small voice never calls strong enough. The French Philosopher Blaise Pascal addressed his Pensee to the one 'so designed as to find belief impossible' and while Pascal was writing about those who are born without the ability to live a life of faith, I think there are striking comparisons to be made with the contrarian spirit that inspires one to disavow other social norms. I find it simply impossible to fall in line with many of the creeds we are all supposed to adopt, and while it may sound self-righteous I really can't take full credit, the streak is simply born in, as it is in many people whether they have come to realize it or not. It is in this spirit that I must carry on in my own fight against apathy, hoping that by attempting to live in accordance with my personal views that I can inspire other in the same way that many people continue to inspire me.
Ride on.
Not all news is good however; to my dismay I read that the hit and run murderer Ashley Wick is back on the streets, free after her parents posted $50,000 in bail money. Apparently she had brain surgery as a young child, and will exploit a loophole in Washington law to gain an even lighter sentence than the maximum of 3 years. This is of course if she is even sentenced, I also hear that her rich parents have hired two powerful attorneys. Perhaps it is because this crime occurred in an area I frequent daily, or that I empathize with the student who died, but something strikes me as very wrong here. The small details too, such as the blood spilled at the crime scene, the arrogance of the murders parents, and the sickeningly self-righteousness that money can buy a way out of any situation grind against everything I know to be right. When I learned that the dead students parents arrived in America, mere hours after their son who was on life support died, I didn't know what to think. They were robbed of even a simple goodbye to their son. Ashley Wick drives free; having exploited the system in every possible way imaginable.
It crossed my mind today that perhaps I have given this sad story too much thought, or that my stance against the car culture is at times too strong. I was born as stubborn as anyone, but even I feel the sheep mentality calling in the back of my head every now and then. It is always non-offensive, appealing to a sense of shared apathy; that no one else cares so strongly about such things, that it is useless to stand in independence, that it would be easier to just give up contrarian opinions and meld minds with the collective conscious that inhabits this society. Perhaps it would be easier, but the small voice never calls strong enough. The French Philosopher Blaise Pascal addressed his Pensee to the one 'so designed as to find belief impossible' and while Pascal was writing about those who are born without the ability to live a life of faith, I think there are striking comparisons to be made with the contrarian spirit that inspires one to disavow other social norms. I find it simply impossible to fall in line with many of the creeds we are all supposed to adopt, and while it may sound self-righteous I really can't take full credit, the streak is simply born in, as it is in many people whether they have come to realize it or not. It is in this spirit that I must carry on in my own fight against apathy, hoping that by attempting to live in accordance with my personal views that I can inspire other in the same way that many people continue to inspire me.
Ride on.
Labels: Commuting, Indifference, Rationalism
posted by Joel at
9:07 PM
3 Comments:
Joel,I don't think you are alone out there in your quest to follow what is right in your mind and heart, even when it does fall outside the safety of conformity. As word from a fellow commuter, I think everyday about my sister's friend who stepped out of her car on the side of a highway to check for damage from a side swipe, and was run over and killed by another passing car. I barely knew her, yet I have carried this story in my mind, with fear, for many years now. Also, having driven last year in NH, I can say that, though it is easier at times, the feeling of guilt and entrapment I felt owning and driving a car, never made it worth the small bit of comfort that it supplied. There is truth to the saying that you get out what you put in. Commuting day in and day out can be draining mentally and physically. But, you will reap the rewards of better health, less stress, more money, and less impact on the planet throughout your life. And, hopefully in the years to come, having some company on the roads, will be a comfort as well. We can't wait to get there in only a few months!!!
Good points. I have to agree that commuting can be mentally draining sometimes... not because riding a bike is difficult, its not, but because town riding can require lots of attention. I guess this is why I'd be a poor roadie, I like being in the woods too much where you don't have to worry about stop signs and crosswalks.
But, seeing another commuter and tossing a wave never fails to re-energize me. Commuting is like that, we don't need to all get together to reinforce our collective resolve, the drive comes from inside the individual and just knowing others are out there doing the same is good enough!
Looks like you blew it on your rant about Ashley Wick. Apparently she is accepting responsibility and serving her time.That is what you get for acting like an expert and not knowing the facts. Your blog was filled with false accusations from the time line of Ashleys surgery to the arrogance and wealth of her parents to name a few. Seems your independence has led you astray.
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