70 Argentine people injured during terrifying piranha attack

[Jesus Malverde]

A group of men, women and children were victims of a horrifying piranha attack on Christmas Day in the Parana River in Rosario, Argentina.

At least 70 people were injured, including children who were bathing in the river to cool down from the heat.

Director of lifeguards Federico Cornier said Thursday that thousands of bathers were cooling off from 100-degree temperatures in the Parana River in Rosario on Wednesday when bathers suddenly began complaining of bite marks on their hands and feet. He blamed the attack on palometas, “a type of piranha, big, voracious and with sharp teeth that can really bite.”

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/12/argentina-piranha-attack/

[PeaceNikki]

1. Holy shit!! I have a friend from Argentina who is visiting there right now.

I doubt he was in the Parana River, though.

[darkangel218]

2. lol. fishes attack!!

[Penicilino]

3. If you had children and they were bitten would you laugh? nt

[darkangel218]

5. Oh cmon!!

What do you think Parana river means?? Do you think they had absolutely not the slightest idea that there might be piranhas in that river??

Lighten up Francis!!

[Penicilino]

9. "Parana" doesn't mean piranha. You didn't even do research

And even if it meant "piranha," many people swim in places where sharks have at times been present.

Again, it does not mean piranha.

[darkangel218]

13. Waters are fishes habitat.

Piranhas bite. So do sharks. Get in the water ( their habitat) at your own responsability.

[CreekDog]

72. Yeah, you must think they are stupid for not recognizing an English word

what's the matter with these Argentinians?

of course, even in Spanish, Parana, doesn't mean piranha or fish.

and you probably think, well, the word is only a few letters different than "Piranha" (in another language no less) and based on your misspellings here, you probably think that should be close enough.

am i right?

[darkangel218]

10. Welcome to DU, btw.

[Jesus Malverde]

66. When do Tragedies Become Funny?

After the terror attacks on 9/11, there was a sense that comedy had died and we would never be able to laugh again. Comedians were baffled, comedy clubs closed, and no one knew when they would reopen. Late-night talk-show hosts literally stopped telling jokes, and the sentiment was that nothing would be the same again. As we all know, comedy did not die, and though it took a while, comedians slowly got their acts together. Over the years, there were even jokes about 9/11 (you can Google them yourself). This seems to confirm what Mark Twain famously quipped: “Humor is tragedy plus time.”

People seem to regularly find some tragedies and other mishaps in life funny, but there are many variables involved in the transformation of tragedy into laughter. As Erma Bombeck once said, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” Why do so many people find tragedies and misfortune to be funny, and what makes it so?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/humor-sapiens/201209/when-do-tragedies-become-funny

[jberryhill]

69. Dark humor is, imho, different from thinking a tragedy is funny

I would contrast "lol, fishes attack" with the comment below in this thread to the effect of not going hiking on "Avalanche Mountain".

While the name of the river and the name of the fish are not related, the second comment is more about wordplay than thinking there was something funny going on.

The thing with dark humor is that part of the humor value is the guilt factor. They say that babies laugh as a defense mechanism against being threatened, and there is a tie-in there somewhere. Take, for example, Lewis Black. He puts me in stitches, but if you really look objectively at some of the things he says, it's not funny at all. He is basically ranting and screaming about awful things, but the way he does it makes me laugh.

He even ends his shows with a self-referential indictment of the audience for thinking he's an entertainer. He tells this story about a circus act in which the human cannonball or some acrobat went flying into the open mouth of a hippopotamus and died. He reads a supposed newspaper account which ends, "The crowd, thinking it was part of the act, applauded wildly" and then just gives a deadpan look at his own audience.... which applauds wildly.

[Jesus Malverde]

70. I'll definitely defer to you in the humor department.

You've had me loling many times...



Generally when encountering "tragedy humor" that falls flat, one says "Too soon" and leaves it at that.

[jberryhill]

71. Some of the tragedy jokes are all purpose...

...and get recycled.

Famous person X dies in horrible car crash, for example.

"What was the last thing that went through X's mind?

The steering wheel."

or

"Did you hear that X was on the radio yesterday?"

"No, really?"

"Yeah, X was on the radio, the speedometer, the glove compartment..."

What those are, removed from the specific tragedy about person X, are wordplay ambiguity jokes where "going through one's mind" or "on the radio" denote a more literal sense than the way those phrases are normally understood. The humor value comes from the structure of those common expressions, and not because what happened to person X was itself funny.

Or... Person X dies in horrible maritime incident:

"What did person X say to his/her spouse before leaving the house?"

"You feed the dog, and I'll feed the fish."

[ChisolmTrailDem]

4. Fish attacking children. Sooooo funny! n/t

[darkangel218]

6. Piranhas are piranhas. Dont get in the water if you dont wanna be attacked.

That simple, dear.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. Thanks for the term of enDEARment, dear. n/t

[darkangel218]

8. Its common sense.

Why should I cry for whose who willingly go into the lions den?

[Penicilino]

11. Just as it was common sense to you that "Parana" means "piranha" when it doesn't

Please.

[darkangel218]

14. Even if it doesnt. I havent reserched it.

People living in that area know there might be pirahnas in that river. Like we know there are sharks on the FL coasts.

Should I say oh poor people!! No. They knew the risks. Live and let live.

[Penicilino]

16. Thanks for admitting you made something up

In order to exaggerate the likelihood of piranhas swarming the area and biting these people.

By the way, if a 5 year old child was bitten, are you still laughing? Discuss his/her judgment in entering the waters.

[darkangel218]

18. Go cry me a river.

[Penicilino]

19. Go do me some basic research nt

[darkangel218]

22. The point of the matter is people living there knew the dangers.

Yet they took the risk.

Humans don't live in the water. Humans get in the water for entertainment purposes. And sometimes the animals living in those waters strike back. Its nature, dear. Get over it.

[Penicilino]

26. Did the children know the danger?

And how do you know how dangerous each adult thought the waters were? What is the history of piranhas attacking people this way in that area? Or did you not bother to do research in that area, either?

[jberryhill]

30. So hikers being attacked by bears or mountain lions is funny to you?

Or do you just have a generally sociopathic lack of empathy?

[CreekDog]

76. well your excuse for not reading the article in the other thread you were commenting on...

was that you were too busy in this thread to read that article.

so if you were too busy there to read the article here.

and too busy here to read the article there.

it seems like you're just posting about topics you haven't even read the articles about.

which explains the contribution of nothing but fight-inducing ignorance in both threads.

and now you're flagged from posting for a month.

[LanternWaste]

15. I imagine we all of us rationalized our mocking and petulant behavior as something justified when in

I imagine we all of us rationalized our mocking and petulant behavior as something justified when in our youth.

[darkangel218]

17. Fishes live in that river.

Humans invaded their habitat.

Why should I feel sorry that they got a few bites??

Lesson learned I hope. Stay out of piranhas waters.

[PeaceNikki]

20. 70 people. Not 'a few'. Some children lost entire fingers and toes.

They went into the water to cool off.

Ha! Ha! Lesson learned!!

[Penicilino]

23. "some children had lost entire fingers and toes" (from the article)

From the article. Still laughing about those "Few bites"?

[darkangel218]

24. Parents should have known better.

[PeaceNikki]

25. EEssh, don't let anyone call *you* a bleeding heart liberal.

[Penicilino]

27. Say something about the children

anything.

[jberryhill]

35. Rosario is a large city

So if someone is bitten by a rattlesnake in Arizona, that's funny to you?

Or, forget the fish, how about drowning?

The reason this story made news is because it was an unusual attack, even for Rosario. But I'm sure you - the expert on what people should do there - really know nothing about the place.

[darkangel218]

40. Take some nature/zoology lessons, mr " expert"

I never said I was one.

[jberryhill]

51. I've been to Rosario

Your ignorant glee at people being attacked is atrocious, as is your typical lashing out at anyone who takes issue with your behavior.

Incidentally, I'm supposed to be on your ignore list.

[a la izquierda]

21. Don't you work in healthcare or something?

I find it kind of weird that you would laugh at this.

[darkangel218]

28. We have alot of sharks attacks in FL.

A lot of swimmers and surfers get bitten. They know the dangers. They don't hate the sea creatures.
Its nature. They live in those waters and when humans intrude, some attack.

That simple.

[Penicilino]

29. Nice defense: "I laugh at adults and children who lose fingers in Florida, too!" nt

[darkangel218]

31. Why are you quotting something i never said?

[Penicilino]

32. Even worse: "I only laugh at Argentinians who lose fingers to fish, not people from my country"

Oh boy. Are you now saying that piranha bites are laugh-worthy but shark bites aren't?
Enlighten me.

[darkangel218]

36. Never said such thing.

You're making shit up as you go.

Good luck.

[Penicilino]

37. The obligatory question: Do you laugh at those in Florida attaked by sharks?

Or do you not? And why? There has to be a reason why you brought up shark attacks.

Your position is that if someone swims in water, which is were fish live, they should have known better. What distinction is there between the Florida victims and the Argentina victims that makes you treat them differently in regard to laughter?

[exboyfil]

44. Many of these children where in the water to cool off

You did seem somewhat insensitive in your posts (even though I did rule in your favor as a judge).

[Matariki]

58. That had to be one of the most frivolous alerts ever

You are laughing at people (children!) who lost fingers and toes and wonder why people are calling you out on it

At Thu Dec 26, 2013, 03:25 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Even worse: "I only laugh at Argentinians who lose fingers to fish, not people from my country"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4232308

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

I never made those alegations. This is a troll who just joined DU to flamebait. Please hide and let MIRT deal with him.
darkangel.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Dec 26, 2013, 03:44 PM, and the Jury voted 2-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT and said: I agree. Original poster should not have put quotes attributing a quote from darkangel218 that he did not say.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Knock it off. This post is not hide worthy. "putting words in your mouth" or whatever is not a violation of DU rules. You could also be accused of posting flamebait and this is an improper use of the alert feature.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: To quote you, "cry me a river." Try being more sensitive to those who now won't be able to work, play guitar, touch type on a keyboard, etc. You're also doing an awful lot of responding to somebody you put on ignore, too, and continuing the flamebaiting yourself. I'll avoid going "WHHAAAAAH! Call me the WHAAAMbulance!" and just go with this: "I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given

[tammywammy]

67. good job to juror #4

[darkangel218]

33. Did you just join DU to flamebait?

You're ignored.

Gah..

[Penicilino]

34. Being mad at someone who laughs at children who lose fingers is not flamebait. Trust me nt

[darkangel218]

38. Yah, it is. I defended the animals habitat.

We shoot bear when they invade our backyard.

Piranhas bite . That's what they do.

No. I don't feel sorry and you can't understand basic nature.

[Penicilino]

39. Sharks bite too, yet you won't admit to laughing about Florida victims of sharks

For some strange reason.

[darkangel218]

43. I gave you an example of what animals do in their habitat.

We have to respect their habitat, be informed and take precautions.

If they attack, is not their fault. Is what they do. That's how they feed/defend themselves.

Did you only join DU to stir up shit?

[Penicilino]

49. Do you "lol" at people in Florida who get bitten by sharks yes or not?

How hard is that question? And if the answer is no, tell me what is the difference between going into waters where sharks have been vs. waters where piranhas have been.

[Drew Richards]

54. WoW DA who pissed in your cornflakes this morning...yeah you were being less than tactful over

injuries own up and move along.

[jberryhill]

65. No one said anything about it being the fishes' "fault"

The point is about you LOLing about it.

People know the risk of car accidents too. Does that make them funny when they happen?

Many people die from falling down stairs. Having accepted the risk of falling down stairs, these incidents are hilarious to everyone else.

[PeaceNikki]

41. No, your first reply in this thread was, and I quote, "lol. fishes attack!!"

And then you added this "chuckle" impage to drive the hilarity home:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4232112

[PeaceNikki]

55. Lame attempt at a personal attack but you must have mistaken me for someone else.

Go on telling us how you were defending the fucking fish.

Don't you claim to be going into nursing? You should work on empathy or you will fail miserably.

[CreekDog]

75. interesting, darkangel referenced a fight which started and ended before she got here

She didn't join until July 2012.

The blowup was in 2011 and early 2012. Iverglas was removed in May 2012.

While not saying all the conflict went away, it wasn't really noticeable, outwardly, after that.

You'd have to be inside one or both groups and pretty tuned into a very complicated history to know enough for the reference she made to even make sense.

But I have at times felt the account was used to make us look ridiculous, like caricatures and so much they posted caused so much conflict, that it almost seemed designed to do so.

The idea that they were versed in a history and conflict predating that screen name is not as surprising as it sounds.

[Drew Richards]

79. I totally agree and noticed that too...was gonna mention that myself...

[CreekDog]

80. darkangel is unflagged now

sadly.

[arcane1]

57. If you have bears around that need shooting...

Doesn't that make you the invader into their habitat?

[jberryhill]

62. Not if you have a piranha-filled moat around your yard!

Bears fall in, piranhas attack bears... What's not to like?

[CreekDog]

73. Your statement is ironic

[a la izquierda]

42. Well, multiple others have pointed out the blackness of your humour...

so I'll defer to them.

[darkangel218]

48. So ignore me.

How simple is that?

[Penicilino]

53. Ignoring is not as simple as you think

You said in post #33 that you would ignore me, but didn't. There must be a complicated procedure involved.

[JaneyVee]

12. THANKS OBAMA!

[arely staircase]

45. people get attacked by piranhas and DUrs figure out a way to get inba big fihht about It

Classic

[Drew Richards]

59. Calling a new member a troll because they express sympathy over a situation and disgust over your

callousness to that situation puts you in the wrong. And is unbecoming someone who is supposed to be so logical and analytical.

Please rethink this post.

[Jesus Malverde]

52. Interesting place sometimes...

I'm often surprised by what does and what doesn't resonate.

[a la izquierda]

61. Well, when a longtime DUer finds it amusing that children got injured...

and then doubles down on her disgusting lack of empathy, yeah, people are probably going to be pissed about it.

God forbid someone mentions not being proud to be an American. That really gets darkangel's knickers in a twist.

Oops, shit. There I go.

[Matariki]

63. He's not a 'long time DUer'

unless your consider 2012 a long time ago. No matter - his post was pretty over the top on the callousness scale - and he got pretty personal with anyone who pointed it out.

[a la izquierda]

64. Really??? Only since 2012?

Holy crap…I should've checked but I feel like he/she's been here forever. LOL, that'll teach me.

Yesterday seems like a long time ago at this point. I'm recovering from a first semester that kicked my ass

[Drew Richards]

78. I bet you were thinking of DarkStar god rest his soul...good man.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

50. Note to self: don't go to Parana River

also avoid Avalanche Mountain and Quicksand Valley.

[Jesus Malverde]

56. There's a place in the emerald triangle nicknamed "murder mountain"

Another one for the list.

[Ellipsis]

60. ...

[Demo_Chris]

68. Where in the hell is Jeremy Wade when you need him?!

[yuiyoshida]

74. I hate to say this but,..

Betting on a new hollywood movie about man eating fish...well, a renewal of that Piranha series.