My Rant - A Lot of People are Uncaring Selfish Jerks

[bleedingheart]

Mr. B and I just came back from a great 20 mile bike ride.

About 9 miles into the trail we discovered a tree that had fallen over the bike trail. There were about 4 people trying to do something with the tree but it was a rather large collection of branches and without a tool...it was an impossible task.
The one fellow really wanted to clear a path for his wife because she was paralyzed and could not get over it with the type of bike she had.

So Mr. B and I ride back to a small town and Mr. B finds this man out in his yard and this fellow volunteers a small tree saw...and we go back with his teenage son to where the tree is. At this point all the people are gone so here we are with this young man sawing away at branches to remove it from the trail.

Meanwhile people are carrying their bikes over this collection of branches ...Finally another couple stops and the fellow helps my husband and the young man clear out the branches. This is not easy work by any means and it takes about 45 mintues.

Most people however are miffed that we are clearing the trail and that sometimes they have to wait until we clear a branch for them to carry their bikes over...Others actually biked over these branches (this was after we had removed about half of them) while we were actively sawing away.

Then the part that really pisses me off. This freaking tree has been down for 3 days and no one bothered to call anyone to let them know. (How did we find out? Because at least two other bikers tell us...) Now there are at least 3 local firehouses around that could have easily brought a chainsaw in with an ATV...and they could have done this in just 20 minutes or less...but no one called about it.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised..I volunteer for politics and other activities and most of the time only a small percentage of people do anything and the rest bitch. I coached soccer and there was nothing more heartwarming than the lazy jackasses who brought their kids to practice and would sit there watching me coach...and then later give me advice on what I was doing wrong...meanwhile I am out on the freaking field running with my team while they sat on their tushes watching me.

But this...this was special because even if someone didn't have the strength to remove the tree...they could have called some folks to get it removed...or alerted people to this hazard and the fact that people didn't just disgusts me.

The only saving grace for this was the fact that one older gentleman thanked us for our work amd one other person volunteered to help but at that point we had just enough people given the fact that we had only one saw.

Mr. B and I gave the kid money because we had interrupted his day of relaxing at home after his dad volunteered him and the saw...

Grrrrrrr.

[petronius]

1. So you're the goddam person who stole my tree!

I put it there for a reason, you know...

On the bright side, you did find a helpful kid (and/or dad) and a few other people - so all is not total darkness yet. And, of course, huge credit to you and Mr. B for stepping up - perhaps some of those who passed by will think about your example and pitch in next time.

[bleedingheart]

8. well it is still where you left it..

it was far too heavy to move...
but we did cut it up ...

[Elidor]

2. You met four helpful people

The dad, his son, and the couple. You're already ahead of the curve. If you meet even one helpful person, it's a good day. The others were all sleepwalking. We're surrounded by sleepwalkers. They don't see. They don't hear. They aren't really even there. They're like ghosts. Maybe they'll wake up someday, maybe not.

[styersc]

3. You're right.

Bicyclists suck.

[VLC]

4. No doubt you met some jerks

But maybe no one called about the tree because they didn't realize it was a problem, or didn't know who to call.

[bleedingheart]

7. it basically blocked the trail entirely...making it impassible

people had to carry their bikes over it.

Anyone like the woman with the specialized bike (she peddled with her hands) were basically not going to make it over..

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. I agree...

Our bike path is maintained by the local Park & Planning Commission. When a tree comes down or there's some other problem; it's usually fixed right away. Our path is also regularly patrolled by U.S. Park Police on horseback; so I'm sure they're looking out for safety hazards and things that might block the trail.

By the way, welcome to DU! :hi:

[TreasonousBastard]

5. That's why I...

always carry around a bag of tacks.

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

6. Why not a

basketball :rofl:

[Darth_Kitten]

9. You are right.

We must be on the same wavelength tonight. People are lazy, inconsiderate, and selfish.

I was thinking on my way home the world is just too saturated with stupid people, there should be a backlash. ;)

Sometimes I feel like I'm always cleaning up somebody else's shit.....or taking over doing something because it's obvious nobody else will do anything.......

If it's worth anything, you did the right thing.

[mykpart]

11. And these assholes enjoy the same rights and freedoms

as the rest of us! Well, actually, I'm one of the assholes, so I should say, the rest of you. Why don't people care more about each other?