Emily dickinson was on to me:

A WORD is dead
When it is said,
Some say.
I say it just
Begins to live
That day.

Wishing you well, dhg

True that the Internet has no compassion. It is a morally neutral means of communication. People can use it for good things or otherwise.

It is also true that many people do not consider the fact that other people are out there other than themselves and their own friends–or just don‘t care. You can consider it the source of “Internet Bullying” but I have seen many bullies who bully in the presence of the victim. They know they are hurting others but either don’t care or most likely, enjoy hurting them.

Please note that the Internet is not to blame, but rather the person using it to carry out his–or even her–wishes.

I wonder if some bullies realize they are being bullies. I notice several who keep telling others to shut up because they don’t like what they are saying. I personally tend to deal with concepts rather than personalities even though I personalize those concepts with anecdotes, illustrations and gentle irony (what some misjudge as sarcasm). Others attack the person, call him names for daring to openly have a different opinion or a different viewpoint. If they could, they would force others to keep their different thoughts to themselves, rather than honestly discussing them.

I am realizing people are out there. I like those people, even if I don’t agree with them, even if they mistakenly disagree with me.

David against grade inflation

Scorn for a drunk driver? Me? I try to be pleasant. I regret you think otherwise.

“It’s too late to undo what is done but if you love your parents or yourself or anyone at all, please don’t do this again in the future. Please. PLEASE don’t do it again. You have another chance, please don’t blow it, don’t excuse it, don’t waste it. You may not get another.”

A reminder of the harm done by such actions and a call to change. Actions and attitudes.

“those who drive heavy machines at high rates of speed down roads which carry our loved ones.”

A reminder to all that this is not just about his sensitive feelings but about protecting those we love.

“Regrettably many think getting drunk is sign of manliness.”

This advice may have been too subtle, but it means: Please don’t teach your children that drinking is a sign they are adults and don’t believe it even if your parents DID teach you that. It isn’t.

“now that you have seen how so many ridicule people who drink and drive, does that make you more likely to face such withering scorn?”

Message: You may face public humiliation if you drink and drive. Please seriously consider not drinking and driving.

“It just seems to me that when people go to shooting at random into crowds, confiscation would be in order and that driving while drunk is essentially the same thing other than the fact that a car can kill way more people.”

This points out that driving is a large responsibility and doing it carelessly is equivalent to shooting randomly into a crowd.
Please don’t do such things.

David reaching out

If so, my apologies

It just seems to me that when people go to shooting at random into crowds, confiscation would be in order and that driving while drunk is essentially the same thing other than the fact that a car can kill way more people.

It also seems to me that a real loss of an actual, physical thing might convince some to reconsider endangering the lives of others. And if it didn’t, at least they would be weaponless until such time as they managed to replace it.

David for convincing killers not to kill