Finding a stranger in the alps

[RandoRock]

I've been having a hard time trying to contain my inner Walter today. A co-worker of mine lost his life in a tragic firearm related accident and since he works for the state the story made the local news. I made the mistake of reading the article on Facebook and that let me see the comments people were leaving regarding the situation. I've never been quick to anger, even if someone disagrees with a subject I happen to be passionate about I've always been able to calmly state my side and just leave it at that. Even though it's not the first time I've read the publics reaction to news about someone I know something about reading those comments filled me with an anger I find hard to describe. All I wanted to do is grab a bat and show each and everyone of them just what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass but I decided that would be an unwise decision and I decided to turn it into a philosophical discussion instead. So that leads me to my question, when do we say that's enough and stand up to those that try to piss on our rugs? Is it more Dude to Abide the fascist behavior of others? Or do we follow the Dude's example buy calling out the human paraquats?

On a side note I think the thing that got to me so much was that people were saying such horrible things about a good man because of the nature of his accident. The man was a first Sergeant with 24 years in the Army infantry, along with his military career he had held several positions in Department of Corrections during his 20 year career, was a firearms instructor, and was active various community programs. He was a husband, a father, and an all around good person that dedicated his life to the service of others. Despite all that people were quick to throw stones and drag his name through the muck because what happened was firearm related. Given his qualifications and the level or awareness he had when dealing with firearms all this should say to anybody is that nobody is immune to freak accidents. Since I don't want to dig through and find the news story I'll just tell you that he dropped his conceal carry weapon on the ground which caused it to fire, the bullet struck him in the leg, hit an artery, and he passed away from the injury. I can't help but wonder if he had a perfect driving record and yet died in a single vehicle accident would people still be saying the same things?

Hmm I seem to be developing a habit of letting my posts turn into rants. I'll try to work on that.

[Reverend Al]

First, let me say I'm sorry for your loss.  It isn't clear in your post how well you knew your co-worker or how friendly you were, but I know that even the loss of a "casual acquaintance" can have an impact.

Next, I'd like to remind you of the phrase, "Consider the source."  In my experience, most people are self-important assholes.  I respect everyone's opinions even if I don't agree with them, but still believe most people just don't know when to shut the fuck up.  And the Internet, for better or worse, does seem to bring out this "quality" in people.  Everyone has an opinion on just about everything, and the 'Net gives them a platform to prove just how stupid and ignorant they really are.  You could present irrefutable evidence that your co-worker was a good man, and thurrah, and at least half of these jackasses would ignore it because they've already chosen to believe what they believe based on the minimal information they've read, heard, or seen.

That being said, I do think it's important to call out the human paraquats when it would actually do some good and correct a situation.  But that rarely happens when your forum is a world-wide computer network of people who won't, or can't, allow you the same level of respect that you would show them.

[jgiffin]

I made the mistake of reading the article on Facebook and that let me see the comments people were leaving regarding the situation.

My sympathies, man. But I think you've already identified the source of the problem. Get the hell off myface and spacebook ASAP.

[RandoRock]

Thank you, Dudes for your kind words. You both made good points and ultimately you're right. There is no sense in arguing with anonymous on the internet because that's a fight you just can't win. I've been contemplating just scrapping social media all together since all it really is anymore is a constant reminder of how doomed society is, hell even the Dudeism group on Facebook has quite a few people that only try to breed negativity. Life's to short to be bombarded by negativity all the time.