Letters to the Editor
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I know you are, but what am I?
Yes, that's right, eating a steak is just like racing motocycles at triple digit speeds! I admit it, I am wrong. Please forgive me. I am stupid.
Alright, stupid wouldn't leave much to forgive, would it? I mean, it's likely not a choice and, as a condition, hard for victim to remedy, really.
I, for one, am happy to forgive you for being preachy in the first place and jeuvenile after that. I'm from Alb., originally so we're kinda homies. Or vatos, if you're from the valley.
Mike, your concerns are valid, but obligation isn't yours to bestow. You are not the arbiter of acceptable risk. Ours is a free (comparatively) society. Riding and racing are both within the law.
You are free to vocally judge those of us who pursue those activities, but you're getting a sense of what such judgement wins you.
Is it worth it?
-rkd
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rkd
I continue to respond because I have a hard time with folks who insist that marriage doesn't come with any responsibility to your spouse or children to not undertake highly hazardous activities and with those who think that motorcyle racing is not dangerous or no more so than anything else we do. Somehow the fact that we are all going to die eventually is supposed to justify us doing anything we want. The arguments that I've heard so far are all illogical, dishonest, or self-serving.
Yes, racing is legal. So is cheating on your spouse.
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Talk about self serving
"I continue to respond because I have a hard time with folks who insist that marriage doesn't come with any responsibility to your spouse or children to not undertake highly hazardous activities and with those who think that motorcyle racing is not dangerous or no more so than anything else we do. Somehow the fact that we are all going to die eventually is supposed to justify us doing anything we want. The arguments that I've heard so far are all illogical, dishonest, or self-serving."
Who's insisting what you claim? Nobody here. What's self serving is your continued insistence that you get to decide what's responsible for someone else or better yet insinuate that people who don't hold to your nanny standard are irresponsible. The "Reponsible Family Man" lecturing/posing is somewhat tiresome.
The guy in question was racing before he got married so he didn't undertake anything new and as has been pointed out, there are plenty of other highly hazadous activities and jobs, recreational and otherwise. So, those are off limits to married people beacuse you say so? Not responsible, huh? But on the bright side, since we know it's an absolute fact being married automatically means that more people care about you than when you were single, if one does decide to be "irresponsible" and something terrible happens, he/she will have more people to cry over them during the funeral.
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Yep, and huh?
KStone, my analysis was the author had chosen to write an expressive piece about some of her recent experience. Much more than that isn't possible on the basis of the material. There's plenty of room for speculation, and if you're into ascribing a wealth of negative personality and motivation to author with very little to go on, hey, there's that free society thing again.
I forgot "snapshot?" You lost me. If you're claiming I got the idiom wrong, I think snap judgement is acceptable usage but I'm prepared to be wrong about that. I typoed "apparently" and screwed up the block quote thing, too. So I guess my fallibility is pretty hard to hide now. Those sorts of gaffes must provide tremendous insight into my character!
I'm genuinely pleased you're amused, even if it's coming off a bit smug.
Mike, man, who made the argument that marriage entailed no responsibility? I know you're not really making an attribution, but the extremism doesn't help your cause. You seem to want acknowledgement of the moral high ground on the issue. Well, expect resistance!
I hear what you're saying. I simply don't agree that riding, on or off the track, represents the abdication of responsibility to family and community. I understand that you do and I suspect that conviction comes from motivations I'd respect.
No choice we make is without consequence. A common consequence is being lectured by those who would choose differently. I'm ok with that. I hope you are too.
-rkd
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What a prosaic bunch you are.
This isn't about motorcycle racing. It's about facing love at an older age, and realizing that two grown adults have different lives and then what do you do when you want to be together?
It is a lovely, heartfelt essay. Thank you.
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NEWS FLASH:
Typical "Mike_in_NM" of the clueless to put fingers in both ears at the sound of real thought in to a argument
Unlike the streets, racetracks are designed for racers to make errors. They have run off areas, sandbags, tire barriers, and air fences, all these are the devices put in place to safely decelerate a fallen competitor, not to mention staff always on scene to immediately direct traffic in the event of any mishap. Unlike, as you would believe the *safer* streets after you've been knocked off by the inattentive SUV driver. Your now contending with curbs, boulevards, parked cars, on coming traffic, sign post, and other pedestrians. You really feel safer on the streets???
NEWS FLASH: As for eating high calorie foods look in to it, it *will* take it's toll on the body and not just heart failure. Many have had early funerals for eating all the wrong things.
As for your responsibilities to your spouse or children. Where do you draw the line for "undertaking highly hazardous activities",
Flying for business purpose: Legit
Flying for vacation: Unacceptable?
& to the confused soul who mentioned that if your racing donor cycles you should discuss preferences concerning ventilators, & feeding tubes. Are people not ridding motorcycle exempt for this all to important convocation.
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adult love finding a common ground?
Lola - I do see your point, but in this article, I see no common ground being reached, no compromises being made. I see Bauer whining and nagging and stomping off and acting like a child until her boyfriend gives up his passion, and then I start wondering, "What's next? What does she want him to give up next?"
Marriage at any age is about compromise and accomodation and respect.
None of these does Bauer afford her boyfriend/spouse.
Btw, Ms Bauer, I am a librarian, too. I may not be drop-dead sexy, but I try to look attractive and put-together. Quit giving librarians a bad name.