@Crickey7 129804 wrote:
Not sure it needs repeating, but do NOT read the comments on WTOP’s website.
I like to post to help show that the rabid “drivers never break laws and if they do, it’s OK” crowd do not represent everyone out there. I won’t get worked up about individual arguments because I know I’m unlikely to “win” an Internet argument. So I don’t bother. But I do bother to get the word out there, that there are people who are concerned about traffic and transportation safety and who think that all people on the roads, sidewalk, crosswalks and trails deserve respect and a safe environment. The extremists won’t change their views, but more moderate people might start to give these matters more thought after repeated conversations and posts.
I usually just post a few replies or messages and move on. I finally came to my senses at some point and realized that it’s not worth engaging some people in ongoing shouting matches, while at the same time, I think it’s useful to get in some points for general consumption on comment sections. (Except for some of the very ideological websites. Sorry to say it, but it’s true. Comments on those sites are much more extreme, and much more “tolerant” of hatred and threats against undesirables, such as cyclists, hipsters, people who live in central cities, and most people who are considered “different” in some way.)
I also learned to tune out a lot of the noise. I go in expecting a lot of garbage. I scan through those quickly. If I see some points that can be countered quickly, I will do so. The raving hate statements can’t be countered, so I don’t even try with those, other than to point out how dangerous those people are, and that they pose as much of a danger to American civilians as any foreign terrorist does. (If you look at fatality rates, those reckless/aggressive drivers actually present a far greater threat to most Americans.)
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