Judging Others

by larc 31 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  BeautifulGarbage

  I still think that we do have to draw certain limits. I think that all here would condemn pedophiles. I don't think anyone would say, well the pedophile has the right to live by his impulses. We must accept him and celebrate his uniqueness

  I would agree with you on this one, Larc. Society, as a group, determines what is acceptable, and not acceptable, behavior, by what laws are passed and enforced. An individual may not agree with what society has determined to be appropriate behavior, whether or not this person actually breaks the law themselves. We then have our formalize system of judgment, the courts.

  There is the crime of pedophile which most people judge to be extremely harmful and deserving of harsh punishment. Then there are helmet laws. Some people believe them to be good because they can save lives. A fine is deserved if one is caught without one while riding a motorcycle. Others believe them to be a blatant violation of their personal rights and because they are the only ones "at risk" the decision should be left up to the individual on whether or not they should be worn.

  Andee
• 

  animal

  interesting you should bring up helmets... in a helmet-free state, I should get a fine for not wearing one?

  Animal
• 

  BeautifulGarbage

  Animal

  I wondered if you were going to post something to my helmet comments. Now, I personally have no strong opinion either way regarding the public wearing helmets while riding their motorcycles. I do happen to have family that are serious Harley riders. Namely, my Stepfather and Mom. Yes, they wear helmets. Plus, I have promised my husband, who was once a professional motocross rider, that once we are financially able, will be able to purchase the Harley of his dreams. I assure you, the man, because of his obligation to me and our children, WILL be wearing a helmet once his posterior is placed on that seat. Helmet free state or not.

  Andee

  Of the "or his ass is grass" class
• 

  animal

  Read the label inside the helmet he will be forced to wear... before you spend money on the harley....

  "Serious injury or death can occur at speeds in exess of 15 MPH"

  Back to the thread... do you look at a helmetless rider and refer to him/her as stupid or a similar term?

  Animal
• 

  DannyBear

  Andee,

  ***There are many stubborn branches that resist to be cut off, but with repeated sharpening of brain cells the reward is a clear trail that leads to the satisfaction of ones own self determination.***

  This is a classic. You just summed up the reason why, so many of us, despise anyone telling us what we should be doing or saying. Being former cultic slaves, our antena's are super sensitive to any type of manipulation. It matters little if the manipulation is for good or bad.....we just need to sharpen our own brain cells, at our own pace.............it is the only way one can honestly say I made my mind up, and really mean it.

  Danny
• 

  larc

  Getting back to the subject, do Harley riders have to deal with negative, judgemental stereotypes, or this a thing of the past?
• 

  BeautifulGarbage

  I am well aware that there are still dangers regardless whether one wears a helmet or not. My spouse is an very experienced bike rider and owner. Street and dirt. He also had many years working in the industry.I really do not care to debate helmet laws. I just used that as an example of what people, as a group, determine to be acceptable behavior. Even something apparently benign as the wearing of helmets.

  Now, do I think someone without a helmet is "stupid"? Actually, no, I have never thought that. I realize the risk is theirs either way. To be honest, outside of my own family, this issue, in particular, is not one of great importance to me and I will not divert the direction of this thread with anymore responses to it.

  Andee

  Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 13 October 2002 1:34:23
• 

  animal

  Larc,

  Thats why I jumped on this thread... we do very much see the judgementalism. Most of it is made from the movies etc... and the fact that a large number of Harley owners think they have to act like Marlen Brando or Peter Fonda to be cool.

  I have been turned away from bars and motels because of my look... I have also been looked down on at my different jobs because I aint shy about what I think about things reletive to my lifestyle, as opposed to hobby riders.

  Now, as a cool twist... many riders/bikers use terms like "wannabee", RUB (Rich Urban Biker), jap bike, etc. Those terms are judgemental and derogitory and in our group, Sons of Liberty Riders, we wont let people use those terms.

  Animal
• 

  larc

  Very interesting Animal, I only know two harley riders. They fit the image, but not the sterotype. John Trible owns my favorite neighborhood bar in Flint, Michigan. He is 6 foot three and weighs about 250 pounds with not much fat on him. He has hairy arms and legs and a harley tatoo on one arm. He is the one of the nicest guys I have ever meet. The other Harley rider is a customer of the same bar, and always wears biker cloths. He stopped drinking years ago, but has the disipline to come into the bar and have a root beer and visit. Many times he plays the piano for a half hour or so. He is self taught and good. He also is a nice guy.
• 

  animal

  I know people that fit into the whole gambet. I am refered to as a "gray beard" biker... from the old school. I dont belong to a club, so I dont dress like a clubber. I ride every day, and hate driving a car or my truck. But thats me. I dont look at other riders and think anything negative, since I dont know them. I know plenty that I dont think nicely of, but its thier life, not mine... and my judging them wont change a thing and would only make me look like an ass.

  This is a good subject Larc, and covers a load of other lifestyles too. My life is bikes and has been for 30 years, so this is the only one I feel like I can give opinion on. I ride in 120 degrees, and have ridden in below zero weather. I am also heavily into the politics of riding.

  Animal
  http://solriders.net