A Serious Post from Me, for a change -- Your Opinions, please

[dawgmom]

*stepping out of absurdist/smartass/what-the-hell-did-you-think-my-handle-meant mode for a second*

OK, so last night at around 11:30 or so I was heading home (alone) from a friend's house in my trusty pick-up truck (I live in redneck country -- it's the law here). I was in a fairly remote area and as I pulled near the intersection with the highway, I saw a teenaged boy along the side of the road, walking two bicycles (he was in the middle, walking one on either side). He was all alone, and it was pretty chilly here last night. Without thinking at all, I rolled down the passenger window and called out to him, "Hon, do you need some help?" I figured I would let him toss the bikes in the back, let him climb in the back himself, and I would give him a ride to wherever he was going. He responded with a smile and a thank you, saying "Oh, thanks very much, that's very nice of you, but my friends are just right up there," and he motioned across the highway to a housing addition. I proceeded on my way.

Today, I told the story to my friend, and her husband called me an idiot for what I did. I said that I probably would have been cautious enough to just have the kid ride on the bed, rather than inside (as I was alone), but my friend's husband said I was still an idiot, and the KID COULD HAVE HAD A GUN OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A PLOY OR SOMETHING TO GET SOMEBODY TO STOP SO HE COULD ROB THEM.

So here's my question: is your world view that the world is a dangerous place, beware, beware, beware -- or is your instinct to help in the best way that you can?

I won't tell you my friend's husband's political affiliation, but I'll bet you can guess.

[Symarip]

1. I typically stop

Even when I lived in So Cal. I've pushed many a car up a highway off-ramp and given plenty of strangers rides.

But... I'm 6'4"/235 lbs. If you plan on hurting me, you better kill me.

[harmonicon]

2. the world is a dangerous place

...but that doesn't mean tat you have to be a dick because of it. There are times when people even ask for help and I brush them off, because I think I spot B.S., and other times I've just offered help - some times people take it, and some times they don't. I don't see any reason to live in fear all of the time. I generally just assume that most people don't want to jump me and rob me, even in "bad" neighbourhoods in cities like New York, LA, and Chicago.

[mainegreen]

3. In the city? Don't stop. In the boonies? Stop.

But I'm from the boonies, so ....

[LeftyMom]

4. I'm generally one to stop and help.

I'm tiny, but I can take care of myself, and I have good instincts. I grew up in a pretty shitty neighborhood, and didn't have much in the way of parental supervision. I got a lot of practice with emergency situations at a young age.

I do tend to be much more cautious with my kid around. I'll help people out with him around because I want to set a positive example, but I'm much more selective about who, when, how and where than I would be otherwise. My level of acceptable risk for myself is fairly high, and for him it's microscopic.

[flvegan]

5. Two bikes?

Why would one person have two bikes at night?

[taterguy]

6. Kid was probably toting stolen bikes

Should've called the cops on him

[petronius]

7. Cops are typically busy - I's just run over the obvious bike thief

;)

[dawgmom]

14. The bicycles could have really messed up my truck (n/t)

[petronius]

16. Good thinking - you were going to trick the thief into the truck bed,

then eject him with some sharp high-speed maneuvering!

Seriously, I think you did a safe and neighborly thing. I'm sure you (at least subconsciously) assessed the totality of the situation, and decided that this kid was exactly what he looked like. Really, anyone who thinks robbers, rapists, and/or murderers are using a walk-two-bikes-lat-at-night ploy is a bit too fearful and paranoid. Which is the definition of a republican...

[dawgmom]

17. Exactly! Score two bikes for me!

Nobody got it -- that was my plan all along. He pops off the back of the truck, and I score two bikes.

[dawgmom]

11. There you go

Messing up my sincere post, illustrative of my soft side, with your sarcastic sarcasm, Mr.
Snarky Sarcastic Snark.

Laugh? I thought I'd die.

[auntAgonist]

8. I'd have done the same thing as you did

My husband says I'm naive and don't know what dangers are out there.

I've never lived anywhere that was high crime though and I've never really given much thought to stopping and helping. It's just what I do.

aA

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. I refuse to buy into the Republican meme of be afraid and fearful at all times.

Most people are just fine.

The chances of the kid being a generous millionaire are probably far higher than the chances of him pushing two bicycles around to sucker women into letting him into their trucks so he can blow their heads off.

[dawgmom]

13. Yup

If you really look at crime statistics, the chances of being a victim of a violent crime are miniscule. However, the media shoves every random violent episode down our throats so much that we have created a society filled with fear and distrust. My favorite example of this is the irrational fear of child abduction, which has created a generation of kids who have no clue about the freedom to roam and explore that my own childhood contained.

[Rabrrrrrr]

15. Oh, God, yes! on the fear of child abduction!

Why, just last week, EVERY CHILD IN MY CITY WAS ABDUCTED BECAUSE THE PARENTS DIDN'T GIVE THEM A CELL PHONE AND GPS DEVICE AND HAVE THEM ON A LEASH AND DIDN'T DRIVE THEM PERSONALLY TO AND FROM SCHOOL IN AN ARMORED SUV!!!!

EVERY CHILD!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I read it in an email.

Republicans love to be afraid, because it makes them feel powerful in a weird sort of psychotic way. The chances of being affected by a terrorist attack are pretty hundreds of times lower than the chances of winning the lottery - and that's a pretty fucking slim chance. Which should mean that I should be able to win the lottery, since I've already won the "in a terrorist attack" lottery... but, well, what're ya gonna do.

[Iggo]

10. Both of those are contained in my world view.

The world is a dangerous place. Beware.
Help in the best way that you can.

Not sure what I'd've done in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. My experience is all SoCal cities and suburbs. I expect I'd just drive on by.

I know it doesn't help much, but I don't think you're an idiot.

[dawgmom]

12. Oh, but I am, in general

I'm just not sure this incident is illustrative of that.