Slog - Comments on Grumpy Old Man Pissed That Everyone Else is Such a Pussy

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:52:13 -0800

uh, he has a point.

I don't think he needs to be called grumpy for calling out a bunch of cowardly, assholes.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:54:14 -0800

um, are you guys ok, or did you go on a bender last night?

Comment by keshmeshi

keshmeshi — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:59:43 -0800

A service dog ripping apart that jackass (the guy punching the blind woman, not the old man) is a dog attack I can get behind.

And in circumstances like this, it often takes several seconds, if not minutes, for the shock to wear off and for people to intervene.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:59 -0800

She should get a pit bull.

Comment by Cato the Younger Younger

Cato the Younger Younger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:01:25 -0800

What the fuck was the driver doing during all of this?!?!?!?

Comment by PC

PC — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:01:58 -0800

what @1 said.

For once, one Seattleite isn't passive and makes a decision and then tells the truth and you criticize him as grumpy? WTF?

Kew Gardens redux?

Save the grumpy charge for those who truly are.

[4...3...2...1...]

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:06:14 -0800

6: It seems like a matter of time and placement. The old guy was closest to the woman and her attacker, and naturally comprehended what was happening first. It's not like the other riders refused to get involved, they were just a little slow on the uptake, for reasons that are understandable, I think.

But you're right, it was heartless of me to call that grumpy old man grumpy. Maybe he's exceedingly cheerful, and will sue me for defamation.

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:07:17 -0800

David Schmader is a fucking coward.

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:08:45 -0800

#5 Thank you! The whole time I was reading this I wondered where the driver was in all this. The bus driver should have got his or her ass fired over this. Once again I say we need Metro cops like they have in other big cities, but until then it is the driver's responsibility to prevent shit like this from happening.

Comment by kid icarus

kid icarus — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:13:48 -0800

Anyone else wondering what exactly the "H" word is...?

Comment by N

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:15:43 -0800

@5 Driving, probably.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:15:52 -0800

Hero.

Comment by shub-negrorath

shub-negrorath — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:17:21 -0800

Wait, I don't get it�what exactly is the old dude insinuating that the Stranger got wrong? The blind lady obviously couldn't see who helped her, but someone obviously did, and that someone wasn't old dude. So what if the entire bus didn't bumrush the attacker; all it takes is one.

Comment by Ziggity

Ziggity — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:23:52 -0800

The victim seems pretty satisfied with the outcome of this event. She doesn't want a dog, she doesn't want pity, and she doesn't want some old bastard telling her that things should've gone down differently. I'm sure she's had plenty of time to parse out the scenario for herself from her own perspective, and her satisfaction far outweighs this old guy's dissatisfaction.

Comment by stinkbug

stinkbug — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:37:35 -0800

I'm gonna buy the script/movie rights to this event.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:41:44 -0800

15: It would make a great musical.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:54:32 -0800

As a grumpy old man, I would like to point out that being grumpy does not preclude being right. He has a point. It's unclear why, if "reaction time" is the reason for other people not doing anything, grumpypants was able to somehow roust himself from this Metro-induced stupor, despite his disability, but the able-bodied around him were not.

Comment by CPT_Doom

CPT_Doom — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:09:39 -0800

It's called "diffusion of responsibility" and it is a common issue when there are a lot of people around. It is counter-intuitive, but the more people are around, the less likely any one person is to help. Once someone does step in, like the "grumpy" old man, it (as shrinks would say it) "models" the correct behavior for others, and they tend to join in (as happened here.

The trick for a victim is to take matters into their own hands, if possible. Do not simply hope someone will help, or vaguely ask for help, but rather point to one person (randomly) and demand their help. It worked for me when I was attacked in DC a few years back and needed assistance.

Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball

Jubilation T. Cornball — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:33:21 -0800

@16, you rang????

Why should I not beat you up on the bus?
God told me to do so.
Life is an unfair drag, old gal,
Welcome to the Metro.

Put down your white cane,
Your pack and the rest.
Time for a flogging, oh!
Life is an unfair drag, old gal,
Welcome to the Metro.

Come hear the word,
The word of God.
He blew his horn,
in revelation;
Right at me,
Now here's abrasions!

No use resisting
this prophet of doom,
I'll knock your glasses low.
I am the wrath of God, no?
Life is an unfair drag, old gal,
Welcome to the Metro!

Etc...

Comment by Mike Schank

Mike Schank — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:36:26 -0800

Schmader, you also called the guy cripple? Is that not insulting you faggot? You're a faggot aren't you David? David like most men who suck cock and get fucked in the ass can't defend themselves let alone anyone else. Only a faggot would defend a bunch of young people who sat around and didn't do shit to help a blind women who was attacked. Schmander is your average fag, to busy staring at his navel to notice anything else going on around him.

Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball

Jubilation T. Cornball — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:38:04 -0800

@20, I think the average fag would be staring at cock.

Fuck off.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:49:53 -0800

No, I was asking for it with that "cripple" crack, which I used only because the man is not, in fact, differently-abled, but has a heart condition. My calling him a cripple was in response to him calling himself disabled.

Still, #20, you're right, I'm a fag. You must work for the FBI.

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:19:39 -0800

#11 I know s/he was driving, but considering the amount of time this event must have taken, the driver could have pulled over, even at the next stop, and intervened (unless the bus was on the freeway).

#20 As someone who is in a wheelchair (hopefully temporarily) I don't have time to care if someone wants to cal me "crippled" any more than I care if some one calls me an "Injun," which I prefer, or a "non-practicing" bisexual, which, for the first time, I am admitting here.

Worry about yourself and let us "minorities" defend ouselves.

Comment by it'smarkmitchell

it'smarkmitchell — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:26:57 -0800

And you're hardly average, Dave.

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:33:15 -0800

elswinger sounds like a sitcom or payoff to a tasteless joke.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:34:12 -0800

My dear Schank, the proper usage is "pussy you faggot", preferably prefaced with "Go back to France".

And Mr. Schmader is by all reports an OUTSTANDING fag, far from average. Even in trivial matters, such as his tolerance for your pathetic bullshit, he is superior to the norm.

Comment by Kat

Kat — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:01:02 -0800

The driver was doing their job- driving. Bus operators aren't cops. In fact we are instructed to place an EA (silent alarm) and wait for police- WHEN WE REALIZE CONFRONTATION IS OCCURING. News flash, we can't hear shit, especially in the hybrids. There are so many noises competing with our attention in the driver chair. Far be it for me to know what is happening in a 62 ft long coach. The avenger was correct, the passengers were apathetic about what was going on. This is very common at Joe Metro. Everyone has the right to a non- harassing ride. If I don't know what is going on, then I can't make any decisions nor actions. Case in point- yesterday I boarded a drunker then shit ass s/b at prospect on elliot. The bus became crowded. I cant see nor hear down the aisle. Not until 1st and Bell did I hear another individual yell "Shut up! I'm tired of hearing your obscenities and threats!" An argument ensued. I immediately pulled into the next zone, secured the coach, walked to the back and told him to leave (yes I knew whom the perp was.) While i received an ovation, I was rather disappointed that no one brought this to my attention, wtf? It has to come to point of a brawl, and both parties will be arrested? (By the way, what I did was so against policy.)

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:17:56 -0800

#25 I will be at the Shoreline branch of the King County Library until about 4:30pm today and then I will be at the Park Ridge Skilled Nursing Center, where I temporarily live, after 5pm if you want to come by. I am wearing a Led Zeppelin hockey jersey.

#27 Thank you for clarifying that. I agree that someone should have brought it to the attention of the driver than assume that they knew what was going on. I would like to think I would have intervened, but in the past I admit I have been one of those apathetic, or scared, passengers.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:08:06 -0800

There's such a thing as a Led Zeppelin hockey jersey?

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:02:03 -0800

I bought it on Amazon. It might be dumb but I like it (and they didn't have a Frank Zappa jersey).

I got tired of waiting for BA at the library so I am sitting in the lobby of the Nursing Center if s/he wants to stop by.