runninboy said:
As far as Francois the Postman, in his long winded way he basically is just another apologist for the system. He acknowledges the problem but finds excuses as to why the riders should shirk their responsibility. That is the type of thinking that got us here.
Where i come from growing up you had a degree of morality that kept you on the right path.When that would wane you could count on your parents to set you straight. Beyond that you had other family, neighbors, even total strangers who stressed principles that included honesty above all else.
I would buy that if I was the sort of person who would step back myself, and use this "make my own mind up as my excuse for inaction". For me.
And if you are using me as an example of people not stepping forwards when it could cost you, who are part of the attitude problem,
and sit back.... you have no idea.
I do hear you, I believe you are right. You might well jump in when it matters to someone, taking big risks in the process, and I would cheer you all the way. If you do, I don't know.
But I also have tasted on more than one occasion what the difference is between writing that sort of stuff, hearing that sort of stuff, and then seeing how many people are
actually willing to jump in with you when it gets a bit real and in-your-face... when I frequently went in anyway. Not always. In the end I am no different, not special. I make a personal calculation and act accordingly, on a scale that makes sense to me.
And I
still don't blame those that decide that my scale is not theirs.... because my mother taught me well too.
I might be long-winded. But there is still more to it than you have read.
My experience with groups of people is that they are quick to tell others that they should "do something right" and "see right", but once on-the-spot themselves, identical or similar, the number of actual jumpers is depressing, the moment the water is likely to become choppy. I don't questions people honestly held beliefs, I accept it will guide them mostly, and probably guide them well. But on the knife's edge. No, sorry, different things kick in for
everyone.
I don't excuse riders. I don't blame (probably most of) them. And I certainly won't make their real-life decisions for them, given I have nothing to lose, and only to gain.
Apologist for the system? It looks I need to use even more words then, if you read my posts here on this forum that poorly. Sorry.
Kimmage stood on a knife's edge, but decided that being a hero there and then wasn't gonna work. I think he mad the right call, but I also stress that it was his call to make. His and his alone. He vented his frustration and wrote a book. He then ignored people then who could characterise him as another apologist, one who gave excuses to transgressors he could finger there and then (it is the system as a whole, not the people I know and i kinda get where they coming from and it would be
unfair if.... ).
There is an amazing parallel, to me. It is interesting for me to see how people can change seats and either not realize it, or see it, but decide that the new seat is befitting the role they have to (or can/hope to) play.
Sure I am an apologist and part of the problem, and you know what is "right". If that simplifies your argument, feel free to see it that way. It will also be where I remove myself from the discussion.