Progress on the Richardson crash shrine.

Deadmandrinking said :

Clown Killer said :

I’m still not impressed by the Riot-Act’s conduct in this manner

I know this is an oldie but a goodie – but you don’t like it here can leave anytime DMD.

Personally, I applaud JBs actions over the weekend and see the progress so far as one of the positives of the on-line media.

ClownKiller, JB was threatening to do something that did concern a community wider that the Riot-Act. As a member of society, I have a right to criticize that.

It would be hypocritical of the Riot-ACT to dish out criticism with such vigilance and not accept it in return. Hopefully, this will pass and the Riot-Act will regain it’s better moral standing.

Here, I return the favour DMD. I agree.

Now let us bury the hatchet and move on. Megan Minney and Steven Rial need to rest in peace, the home owners need to live in peace. All have suffered enough.

A giant pussy statue memorial to commonsense. Brilliant idea.
And where will this giant statue of a pussy be erected? I must come, pay my respects…

If you had read the posts instead of just making an opinion off others opinions and just jumping on the bandwagon, you would see that everyone in the original thread was whinging and calling for an apology to the homeowners. When I have said, how about an apology for pulicly outing people in the same way and fashion, I was told to get over it and not everyone gets what they ask for.

BIG difference.

The homeowners weren’t threatening violence and abusing people when driving past their homes at all hours of the morning. The only people ‘publicly outed’ (when they were already members of a PUBLIC group on Facebook with their comments in plain view) were those that made absolutely despicable comments.

JB

I think it’s time for another riot-act get together.

Some things are best resolved in person over a drink. (my reasons for passionately siding with the homeowners on this forum include that I was present at the crash (professionally).

Jim Jones said :

ahappychappy said :

Jim – If you have read any of the posts instead of just jumping on the bandwagon, and then throwing your two cents in you would probably have seen everyone whinging and bitching for an apology yet when someone else does it that is the response.

What in all hell does that mean? And how is it an example of hypocrisy?

Answers in 500 words or less. Bonus points for intelligible grammar.

Sorry – Wrote that when in a rush on the way out of work.
What I meant was:

If you had read the posts instead of just making an opinion off others opinions and just jumping on the bandwagon, you would see that everyone in the original thread was whinging and calling for an apology to the homeowners. When I have said, how about an apology for pulicly outing people in the same way and fashion, I was told to get over it and not everyone gets what they ask for.

As for “digging myself into a hole” I personally don’t see where this has happened. I’ve not been proved to have contradicted myself, and my points have been valid. Unfortunately it is easy to gang up on the one who stands up and says something.

Just so there is no question mark over my head I did not email Samantha. I would never go to that extent.

Frog.

But I said it.

OK as long as I get the last word.

Frog.

Hank said :

I think its time to move on from this discussion, enough people have been dragged in.

My thoughts are with all peoples affected by this tragedy.

peterh said :

how about we go and talk about fireworks, babars bathrooms, really slow drivers and let this thread end?

plus 100 live and let die

BerraBoy68 sums up what I think on the matter. That’s at 89, not 91.

However I’d just like to add that the homeowner was never against the memorial being out the front their house. They just wanted something smaller and more dignified.

ahappychappy said :

Jim – If you have read any of the posts instead of just jumping on the bandwagon, and then throwing your two cents in you would probably have seen everyone whinging and bitching for an apology yet when someone else does it that is the response.

What in all hell does that mean? And how is it an example of hypocrisy?

Answers in 500 words or less. Bonus points for intelligible grammar.

There’s a Generation Z!

Forgvie the typo’s etc. above. My kids were bothering me. Damned Generation Z.

#72 +1
#83 +1

ahappychappy said :

I’ve made my point, there is no need to forward it to the indivduals as they’re read these already and then responded either with an apology or a pointless trolling.

Again, by saying “Just because you want something from someone doesn’t mean you’re going to get it” shows the hypocricy. You all sat here an complained through your keyboards for the rights of the homeowner, abused and named people at their own expence. I agreed with the rights of the homeowner, but also put a different spin on the abuse and naming of individuals, and I get condemned for it! If you’re over the situation then stop reading (like you saying if you don’t like it dont come). I was only looking out for those too young to do it themselves against a group of judgemental people who would stand over them and dismiss them like the majority of you did Cory and Crystal.

Nobody dismoissed anybody. My take on teh whoe thing is this:

A small group of people supposedly friends of the deceased joined a well meaning petition for a memorial but instead of simply saying “I support a memorial” they ended up like an on-line version of lord of the flies, verbally abusing and making threats against a person who actually tried to help the victims and who for his own reasons doesn’t want to memorial to remain where it was outside his house.

A second group heard about this first group and took them to task for attacking the homeownwer. Sure it go messy but the good thing is a few people learned some valuable lessons about the internet and group psychology. Did I think everybody on the FB page deserved to be outed? I say ‘no’, but those with the worst attitudes and loudest voices did. No-one deserves to be vilified the way the homeowner was. This, to me, means a) those that apologised learned something positive and b) there is real hope for these two people in the future. The only ugly thing I learned today is that people have sent nasty e-mails to the sister of the young boy that died. This is disgraceful and those that did this should be ashamed.

http://www.showchina.org/en/Gallery/Odd/200802/W020080219329408264419.jpg

A giant pussy statue memorial to commonsense. Brilliant idea.

Commonsense is for pussies!

ahappychappy – generally, when one finds oneself at the bottom of a deep hole, common sense suggests that it’s time to stop digging.

Jim – If you have read any of the posts instead of just jumping on the bandwagon, and then throwing your two cents in you would probably have seen everyone whinging and bitching for an apology yet when someone else does it that is the response.

Angry – I’m just defending myself now. If people stop making stupid accusations, trying to find where Ive left a hole in my opinion or flaming me for putting across my point of view then I’ll not have to post anymore.

I think that this just teaches us that if you are not prepared to have your business read out to the whole world, then dont blog it and have your name attached to it.

ahappychappy said :

Again, by saying “Just because you want something from someone doesn’t mean you’re going to get it” shows the hypocricy.

Um … what hypocrisy?

ahappychappy said :

I’ve made my point, there is no need to forward it to the indivduals as they’re read these already and then responded either with an apology or a pointless trolling…

Yep you’ve made your point, and illuminated that everyone is a hyporcrite

Honestly ahappy what is there left to say?

Shut up man!

blah blah blah

crap crap crap

waa waa waa

laa laa laa

rant rant rant

I’ve made my point, there is no need to forward it to the indivduals as they’re read these already and then responded either with an apology or a pointless trolling.

Again, by saying “Just because you want something from someone doesn’t mean you’re going to get it” shows the hypocricy. You all sat here an complained through your keyboards for the rights of the homeowner, abused and named people at their own expence. I agreed with the rights of the homeowner, but also put a different spin on the abuse and naming of individuals, and I get condemned for it! If you’re over the situation then stop reading (like you saying if you don’t like it dont come). I was only looking out for those too young to do it themselves against a group of judgemental people who would stand over them and dismiss them like the majority of you did Cory and Crystal.

If you have an issue specifically with Johnboy, take it up with him.
(email john@the-riotact.com or ask him to forward your rant to the user of your choice)

ahappy, nice reply… I nearly didn’t make it to the part where you mentioned me

Now stop flaming.

Just because you want something from someone doesn’t mean you’re going to get it.

Deal with it.

AngryHenry said :

I haven’t read ANY of ahappychappy’s comments properly becasue they just go on and on and on…

Give it a rest mate, crapping on about something that could have been sorted quite a while ago between all parties concerned is not doing anyone any good.

+!

Also, he’s not a happy chappy at all. I find this naming to be willfully deceptive and grossly offensive to the delicate sensibilities of all decent, god-fearing Riot Acters.

johnboy said :

Let’s all take a breathe and leave it be.

Faced with the same situation I would do the same thing again.

Having said that I’m very sorry if I’ve hurt some people’s feelings along the way, perhaps a smarter and better person could have de-fused the situation without any collateral damage. But we’re all stuck with me.

Fair enough – I still think it was hypocritical of Riot-ACT to persecute and threaten innocent people in regards to that list. My feelings were not hurt, as I was not named or anything like that, I do not even know those who were. However I wanted to portray a seperate point of view of someone who can express their feelings a bit better than the invididuals involved in the nasty comments on that petition.

Loose Brown said :

ahappy:

You want to know why you are a hypocrite?

You remained a member of a group calling the homeowners ‘disgraceful, disrespectful, not compassionate or humane’ at the same time you spout off about being ‘thankful’ to the home owners!

You say you joined before these comments were added, yet you did nothing, even when you became aware of them. You state your reason for remaining in the group is because you support a ‘tasteful’ memorial. Yet you joined a group whose sole purpose was to lobby for the existing memorial!

You slag off JB for ‘calling for the blood of the members of the petition’ when he has done no such thing. You are the member of the hate group. JB’s contribution was to threaten to name the members of that group.

Your continued attempts to slide away from these truths is pathethic. You don’t know whether you are Arthur or Martha!

Again, you’ve completely ignored what I said! I do not agree with what the individuals said, but what the group stands for THERFORE I support the group! How does that make me hypocritical when I say I am thankful to the family that owns that house? I didn’t abuse or say ANYTHING in reference to them OTHER THAN that I was thankful! Just because some people with the same belief made obscene threats and had a seperate opinion in the matter, DOES NOT mean I agree with it or support it. That is like saying all Muslims are terrorists because their extremeist faction are terrorists! Can you not see that?

I raised my opinion that JB and a few others have been JUST AS BAD as the few members of the petition. Yes I follow and support that a memorial needed to be there, and before I knew full facts (like nearly all of the followers of the petition) I supported that the memorial should be placed back. Now I understand the reasoning and full facts I do not support it, however still believe that a memorial of some sort should be across the road. As for me avoiding facts? I think you’re mistaken. I’ve been nothing but honest and straight to the point.

AngryHenry – Nice post. Maybe if you read the posts you would understand why I keep responding. I’m half waiting for a decent response from JB or Davo, the two who called so loudly for the list to be published. I don’t know whether I’ll get one or not though.

Danman said :

There is a lot to be said for what can be achieved through face to face communication, and how the internet is killing common decency and manners.

And I’m only bloody 31. Jesus Christ – is there no help for me ?

always help for anyone danman. you only need to ask. city pub – thursday. buy you a drink.

There is a lot to be said for what can be achieved through face to face communication, and how the internet is killing common decency and manners.

And I’m only bloody 31. Jesus Christ – is there no help for me ?

If you are genuinely sorry – apologise in person.

How did people apoligise before the internet ?

I could easily see how a few close friends of the deceased could personally approach the hoemowners and propose a small brass plaque to be permanently installed on site – and offer to maintain it on behalf of their friends memories.

Thats what I would have done.

It still can be done.

As for the other bs, nothing to do with me. Glad its over.

Let’s all take a breathe and leave it be.

Faced with the same situation I would do the same thing again.

Having said that I’m very sorry if I’ve hurt some people’s feelings along the way, perhaps a smarter and better person could have de-fused the situation without any collateral damage. But we’re all stuck with me.

Changing the subject matter slightly, but I am just interested on what is the longest thread heald by a topic on RiotACT. It woulndt happen to be 334 + 69 by any chance?!?!?!

how about we go and talk about fireworks, babars bathrooms, really slow drivers and let this thread end?

ahappy:

You want to know why you are a hypocrite?

You remained a member of a group calling the homeowners ‘disgraceful, disrespectful, not compassionate or humane’ at the same time you spout off about being ‘thankful’ to the home owners!

You say you joined before these comments were added, yet you did nothing, even when you became aware of them. You state your reason for remaining in the group is because you support a ‘tasteful’ memorial. Yet you joined a group whose sole purpose was to lobby for the existing memorial!

You slag off JB for ‘calling for the blood of the members of the petition’ when he has done no such thing. You are the member of the hate group. JB’s contribution was to threaten to name the members of that group.

Your continued attempts to slide away from these truths is pathethic. You don’t know whether you are Arthur or Martha!

I haven’t read ANY of ahappychappy’s comments properly becasue they just go on and on and on…

Give it a rest mate, crapping on about something that could have been sorted quite a while ago between all parties concerned is not doing anyone any good.

I think its time to move on from this discussion, enough people have been dragged in.

My thoughts are with all peoples affected by this tragedy.

Loose Brown said :

Ahappychappy,

JB’s threat removed a FB forum that was a vehicle for inciting hatred. Were you a proud member of this forum? Or just a ‘supporter of the cause’ as you claim above?

Now you seem to have a problem with JB as the hate site has been removed?

If you are so ‘thankful to the home owners’ why did you sign up to a FB site that claimed the owners of the house were ‘disgraceful, disrespectful, not compassionate or humane?’

Or when this came to your attention – why did you not remove yourself from the group and distance yourself from it?

Why do you continue to try and justify your actions? Even the people who have made the most disgusting comments have apologised. The site has been removed.

If you are so supportive of a memorial, why are you continuing to agitate when the people who are actually involved have come to an agreement?

You don’t know if you are coming or going! You are a disgraceful hypocrite!

Have you even read any of my comments properly and think through what you have just posted? I have said I was a supported of the cause as I support the thought that a memorial for thsse young individuals is needed, and at the time without knowledge of the full facts supported for it to be replaced. This was BEFORE the description was added, BEFORE the comments were made and BEFORE this whole mess started. I still support that a tasteful memorial should stay, therefore I did not leave the group. I have never said once that I endorsed or supported ANY of the comments there, other than those calling for sanity.

My problem with the way JB and other posters here on Riot-ACT did not come about because the group was deleted? Otherwise I could not have commented on the issue yesterday or the day before as it was only deleted today! Perhaps you should read things properly, as again you seem to have made yourself look like a bit of a fool.

I am in no way trying to justify my own actions? I have nothing to justify? So I do not know why you have even tried to make me look like one of the offenders… I am not trying to agitate either of the people involved in the memorial and its placement? I am only trying to point out that JB and the other Riot-ACT posters calling for the blood of the members of the petition, are JUST AS BAD as the minority of the young adults that were involved in the petition who made the horrible comments.

Maybe you should go back and read my posts, see past your brown nose, and instead of assuming I’m arguing because YOU can only see two parts of the story, actually read things thoroughly and think outside the box. I never said that I was angry the facebook petition was removed, I never said anything against the creators of that petition OR the homeowners who were sticking up for themselves. I merely said I was disappointed in the way the Riot-ACT moderators and posters behaved themselves. So if you can show me where I have been hypocritical I’d like to see you do it. I think your ego is a little too big for your IQ don’t you?

jessieduck has seen my point, and I apologise for using your posts as an example Jessie and singleing yours out, but I just wanted to get my point across. The Brad also sees my point, as just like if the homeowners were hurt Brendan and Samantha would’ve been responsible, if Samanth/Brendan had been hurt or anyone on that shame list (had it been publicised) had been effected, JB and the Riot-ACT would’ve been responsible. THAT is part of my point Loose… try and get your head around it please.

> JB may have been held libel

Correction – May have been held accountable.

Deadmandrinking said :

The Brad said :

Here’s an example (albiet – extreme) of what can happen as a result of protest groups
– http://www.poligazette.com/2009/06/01/abortion-doctor-murdered/comment-page-1/
Pro-lifers do not condone this murder(so there is no irony), but their regular protests fanned the flames of hate.

All it takes is 1 nutbag to take notice of one hate mail (from facebook to the homeowner or riotact to Samantha), and it can all end tragically.

Then by your logic, the riot-act should be shut down too.

If some-one was receiving angry emails as a result of this thread, then yes. Just this thread, not the whole site. I don’t think it will happen now that the FB group is buried, but if Samantha was physically hurt because of this anti-protest protest, rather than simply receiving angry emails, then JB may have been held libel.

Fighting fire with fire is dangerous.

Jim Jones said :

Mr Evil said :

The best memorial you can build for a loved one who has died, is to simply remember them for always in your heart.

Giant statues are cooler.

nah, shitloads of teddy bears, ftw.

jessieduck said :

You know what? I do feel a bad about naming a girl and her place of work- It wasn’t very adult of me. She has apologised and now the group is being deleted I guess I feel the remorse is being acted on, not just spouted….

I got pissed off at these kids. I got annoyed that someone was naming jb and trying to imtimidate so I did it back. Not grown up behaviour. Bad Jess.

As penance for you sins – purchase three hot chocolates and five lattes from Gloria Jeans.

Go in Peace. 🙂

Tooks – That probably wouldnt happen. Not because the people are ungrateful, but because the majority of people learnt their lesson this first time around. I think goes without saying that the people close to those involved truely do thank the homeowner, the other family members that helped and emergency services personnel who helped out.

Shauno – Yes, everyone agrees on your point. The issue wasn’t the memorial being where it was, it was removed and the young individuals were given mixed information by the news reports and creators of the FB group. This is what caused their reaction, all they wanted was the memorial or something along those lines back, hence why it has been moved over the road. Unfortunately, the tree that was hit happened to be on a front lawn, and therefore was where the make-shift memorial was placed.

You know what? I do feel a bad about naming a girl and her place of work- It wasn’t very adult of me. She has apologised and now the group is being deleted I guess I feel the remorse is being acted on, not just spouted….

I got pissed off at these kids. I got annoyed that someone was naming jb and trying to imtimidate so I did it back. Not grown up behaviour. Bad Jess.

Ahappychappy,

JB’s threat removed a FB forum that was a vehicle for inciting hatred. Were you a proud member of this forum? Or just a ‘supporter of the cause’ as you claim above?

Now you seem to have a problem with JB as the hate site has been removed?

If you are so ‘thankful to the home owners’ why did you sign up to a FB site that claimed the owners of the house were ‘disgraceful, disrespectful, not compassionate or humane?’

Or when this came to your attention – why did you not remove yourself from the group and distance yourself from it?

Why do you continue to try and justify your actions? Even the people who have made the most disgusting comments have apologised. The site has been removed.

If you are so supportive of a memorial, why are you continuing to agitate when the people who are actually involved have come to an agreement?

You don’t know if you are coming or going! You are a disgraceful hypocrite!

The thankyou/apology page, that is…

Now THAT is a good idea.

Has to one of the sillier things ive seen for a while on the net. Erecting a memorial on some ones private property FFS. So it should mean Id be able to erect a memorial to my Dad on the steps of Calvary hospital.

How about a facebook thank you/apology page to the homeowners who assisted on the night of the prang?

Mr Evil said :

Giant statues of junk from the Reject Shop/Sam’s Warehouse/Go Lo?

Nothing says love as eloquently as a blue resin dolphin covered in glitter.

(But yes, permanent memorials that you drive past every day come to be just depressing in future years. Its not like you ‘get over’ someone dying, you just kind of adapt to it).

Agreed! Peter we should have a big warm hug and a beer or two.
That being said, I don’t see an apology coming from the FB side of things from the young individuals concerned directly to the homeowner. They have posted both here and FB before it was deleted with apologies whether the owner saw it or not. As I stated above in the first comment on this thread, the owner is the only one who deserves that apology, it is not up to members of Riot-ACT to decide whether it is ample or not (which happened above and in the other thread).

Unfortunately, I do not see an apology from those on this side of the fance to those they have insulted and named here. But that is not for me to pursue or ask for as they would not be directed at me. It just shocks me that in this case, some of the young individuals have more integrity and maturity than some of the posters here that were quick to persecute them.

Mono – I am not quite sure what you are implying?

Mr Evil said :

Jim Jones said :

Mr Evil said :

The best memorial you can build for a loved one who has died, is to simply remember them for always in your heart.

Giant statues are cooler.

Giant statues of junk from the Reject Shop/Sam’s Warehouse/Go Lo?

Sure. Why not?

Erect it on someone’s front lawn and then threaten to kill them if they touch it.

It worked for Ramesses II: “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair”.

I think it is only fair now, for a nice big group hug as suggested, the moderation of all posts with personal details here on Riot-ACT in the original thread, and a few beers after such a heated and passionate discussion.

Well you seem to tipping those beers over heads now ahappychappy.

Jim Jones said :

Mr Evil said :

The best memorial you can build for a loved one who has died, is to simply remember them for always in your heart.

Giant statues are cooler.

Giant statues of junk from the Reject Shop/Sam’s Warehouse/Go Lo?

ahappychappy said :

peterh – Many of the people, including myself, have noted to the homeowners on multiple occasions of how thankful we are for what they did. It was noted by a few thankyou notes left by people at the site of the crash. I myself would never want to see anything like that after witnessing one of my best mates pass away in a “P-Plater Hoon labelled” accident.

I think it’s easy to see that those leaving the abusive and horrible comments aren’t the really close friends of the deceased (it is very easy to say you were close to someone who recently passed away). If they were, they would understand that the comments would never make a positive impact on anything, and the deceased wouldn’t have wanted things to have panned out this way. As I have said on many occasions now, I do NOT endorse or accept the way these individuals acted, I am merely showing that JB and many others here were not much better with their actions. They poured as much petrol on the flames as the posters of the comments on facebook. Every single comment here saying how horrible and disgusting the facebook petition was, has been backed up by a claim that also applied to how Riot-ACT handled this matter. If the shoe fits on both feet?

ahappychappy,

I did not read the fb page. I didn’t care for the discussion on RA, which is why I expected the same on the fb site. You are correct in that the way that this was handled by both parties was woeful, but I merely pointed out that putting an apology message up on the site to homeowner might repair some of the damage done. The people effected by this event, both close and distant, need to ensure that the abuse the homeowner is receiving is stopped. now.

monomania said :

peterh said :

This of course is the same mentality as a lunch mob

Yeah, gotta watch those lunch mobs…

Especially around midday..

STAMPEDE!

And I even previewed it. Sort of.

funnier the way it turned out, though.

Mr Evil said :

The best memorial you can build for a loved one who has died, is to simply remember them for always in your heart.

Giant statues are cooler.

peterh – Many of the people, including myself, have noted to the homeowners on multiple occasions of how thankful we are for what they did. It was noted by a few thankyou notes left by people at the site of the crash. I myself would never want to see anything like that after witnessing one of my best mates pass away in a “P-Plater Hoon labelled” accident.

I think it’s easy to see that those leaving the abusive and horrible comments aren’t the really close friends of the deceased (it is very easy to say you were close to someone who recently passed away). If they were, they would understand that the comments would never make a positive impact on anything, and the deceased wouldn’t have wanted things to have panned out this way. As I have said on many occasions now, I do NOT endorse or accept the way these individuals acted, I am merely showing that JB and many others here were not much better with their actions. They poured as much petrol on the flames as the posters of the comments on facebook. Every single comment here saying how horrible and disgusting the facebook petition was, has been backed up by a claim that also applied to how Riot-ACT handled this matter. If the shoe fits on both feet?

To Loose Brown – I was waiting as to when the obviously intellectual types (read the sarcasm there mate) would throw their two cents in. Unfortunately, those posters are the people who ruin these public forums for everyone else. Obviously you have nothing better to do with your time than boost your ego by posting pointless and not even funny comments on a public forum. I’m glad you have a life.

The best memorial you can build for a loved one who has died, is to simply remember them for always in your heart.

Remember when someone blacked out certain letters on the Richardson sign so that it spelled “hard on”? That was funny.

Sorta like when people black out part of the second ‘o’ in ‘Cook’, so it says ‘Cock’.

You’re right, that IS funny!

peterh said :

This of course is the same mentality as a lunch mob

Yeah, gotta watch those lunch mobs…

Especially around midday..

STAMPEDE!

And I even previewed it. Sort of.

ahappychappy said :

My proper target I believe is quite obvious, as it can be clearly seen in all of my posts. Even you yourself can clearly see one of my targets, as you have admitted JohnBoy is no saint and stuck up for him. So I think I will continue to stand outside of my soapbox. Maybe you should read things properly before posting.

RiotACT is rarely, if ever, unified. Sometimes I side with Jb, sometimes I don’t.

I could have a go at Jb for tarring everybody who was a member of the Facebook group as part of the mob and making his own threats, but could see where he was going, and it was lesser of the evils.
Giving tacit support, or failing to visibly distance ones self (while showing that you are an active member of the group) from calls for arson, puts you on the -other- side…

If Jb had followed through with his promise, believe me, I would indeed be having a go at him.

He makes as much sense.

36 and 37: Good to see there’s some intelligent debate on the Riot-Acts side of things…

nice troll!

ahappychappy blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
point a) Blah, blah, blah
Point b) Blah blah blah blahhhhhhhhh

The Brad said :

Here’s an example (albiet – extreme) of what can happen as a result of protest groups
– http://www.poligazette.com/2009/06/01/abortion-doctor-murdered/comment-page-1/
Pro-lifers do not condone this murder(so there is no irony), but their regular protests fanned the flames of hate.

All it takes is 1 nutbag to take notice of one hate mail (from facebook to the homeowner or riotact to Samantha), and it can all end tragically.

Then by your logic, the riot-act should be shut down too.

This of course is the same mentality as a lunch mob

Yeah, gotta watch those lunch mobs…

Especially around midday..

STAMPEDE!

Here’s an example (albiet – extreme) of what can happen as a result of protest groups
– http://www.poligazette.com/2009/06/01/abortion-doctor-murdered/comment-page-1/
Pro-lifers do not condone this murder(so there is no irony), but their regular protests fanned the flames of hate.

All it takes is 1 nutbag to take notice of one hate mail (from facebook to the homeowner or riotact to Samantha), and it can all end tragically.

Pommy bastard – Many of the people who signed for this petition still believe in the cause, and signed up to it before the hate filled taunts and messages began. I also know that the description of the group was added after it already had a large following. Does this mean that because a minority of people within a group are vocal and doing the wrong thing the whole group should be punished?

I can see how it would be unfair to post the names of those who had no idea of this and than number of the more intemperate comments were made by people on the spur of the moment when emotions are high. This of course is the same mentality as a lunch mob.

I am personally a member of this petition, and knew both the deceased and the other passenger that made it out okay. I joined the petition as I support that a memorial (something like a nice, classy cross or something that ISN’T an eyesore) should be in place.

Not all the people who supported this petition were youngsters. ahappychappy is asserting the voice of calm and reason and offering hugs all round. But he was prepared to support the petition which he joined either before the above changes occurred or afterwards and to remain associated with this particular protest and so give tacit support to the abuse and treats directed towards the householders.

ahappychappy said :

Personally, I applaud JBs actions over the weekend and see the progress so far as one of the positives of the on-line media.

CK – You applaud a threat to post a list of people, in which a minorty had said, THEN apologised for, some unsavoury things with the purpose to damage their reputation?

The only progress that has been made, is the facebook petition closed down as they were pressured to do so, people have been named here on Riot-ACT and their reputation tarnished and thankfully, Johnboy and davo111 have decided not to post a list of all names on the petition. Why don’t we all celebrate how, as grown adults, we have conducted ourselves in such a mature and respectful way? What a joke.

having the chance to stop and take note of what has been said, and whether the comments on the fb site were a bit over the top – have any of the people baying for the homeowner’s blood actually thanked them for their assistance to your friends?

It is a terrible thing to witness, either as a friend or a stranger, and i am certain as skid pointed out that the homeowner would love to move on and put it behind them to some degree. I would.

Regardless of how jb and others have behaved, the end result is that a group of people who are hurting after the deaths of their friends won’t inflict harm on some innocents over a memorial. Good win, all round, wouldn’t you say?

Perhaps you should advise the members of your fb page to thank the person who, as a stranger, tried to help out as best they could with your friends?

The original posters of the hateful comments have apologised. They want to get on with their lives, not dwell in hatred. the methods weren’t the best, but the result is great, for all of the families directly effected.

Would you have wanted an innocent family to be accidentally killed by stupidity, by a bunch of people believing that they had insulted the memory of their friends? feuds start this way. all of the participants on this site have given an opinion on the behavior, the comments made by both sides of the fence. I have seen a lot of bad stuff in my life, but this is the best example of the closest it could have got to a real mess.

It is a shame that this started with the deaths of two young people. Perhaps greater pressure needs to be exerted on the ACT govt to fix up clift cres, using slowing devices like chicanes, speed humps, etc.

Here’s my contribution to the group hug
******HUG******

Skidbladnir said :

However, this does not give you or anyone else the right to pressure the “screaming mob of emotional teenagers” into changing THEIR opinion.

Please, point me at the undue pressure I have exerted on anybody.
Otherwise, get back in your box until you find a proper target, or just make nonspecific comment instead of directing them at me.

PS: Johnboy is no saint, I’m pretty certain both he and I are aware of this.

I am not saying you personally have placed any pressure on anyone, however just trying to point out your contradiction for you. I’ve only directed that passage of that post towards you as YOU were the one who stated the homeowner should not be pressured.

My proper target I believe is quite obvious, as it can be clearly seen in all of my posts. Even you yourself can clearly see one of my targets, as you have admitted JohnBoy is no saint and stuck up for him. So I think I will continue to stand outside of my soapbox. Maybe you should read things properly before posting.

Remember when someone blacked out certain letters on the Richardson sign so that it spelled “hard on”? That was funny.

Clown Killer said :

I’m still not impressed by the Riot-Act’s conduct in this manner

I know this is an oldie but a goodie – but you don’t like it here can leave anytime DMD.

Personally, I applaud JBs actions over the weekend and see the progress so far as one of the positives of the on-line media.

ClownKiller, JB was threatening to do something that did concern a community wider that the Riot-Act. As a member of society, I have a right to criticize that.

It would be hypocritical of the Riot-ACT to dish out criticism with such vigilance and not accept it in return. Hopefully, this will pass and the Riot-Act will regain it’s better moral standing.

However, this does not give you or anyone else the right to pressure the “screaming mob of emotional teenagers” into changing THEIR opinion.

Please, point me at the undue pressure I have exerted on anybody.
Otherwise, get back in your box until you find a proper target, or just make nonspecific comment instead of directing them at me.

PS: Johnboy is no saint, I’m pretty certain both he and I are aware of this.

Personally, I applaud JBs actions over the weekend and see the progress so far as one of the positives of the on-line media.

CK – You applaud a threat to post a list of people, in which a minorty had said, THEN apologised for, some unsavoury things with the purpose to damage their reputation?

The only progress that has been made, is the facebook petition closed down as they were pressured to do so, people have been named here on Riot-ACT and their reputation tarnished and thankfully, Johnboy and davo111 have decided not to post a list of all names on the petition. Why don’t we all celebrate how, as grown adults, we have conducted ourselves in such a mature and respectful way? What a joke.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

As for this comment by ahappychappy:
Why should this young male have to justify himself more than what he has already done to you or anyone else other than the homeowner?

We live in supposedly civilsed society, and the comments and behaviour were, in my view, unacceptable. Publicly threatening an innocent party with violence is way out of line. Sure, he apologised, but only after copping some pressure.

I agree, the comments were unjustified and unacceptable in this society today. However, why should this individual be forced to justify his apology to people who weren’t involved? It is not their apology to accept. Sure, there was a delay in the posting of his apology. The time between his original, emotional post coupled with the backlash of the general public obviously influenced him and let him realise he was in the wrong. Isn’t that a positive?

Skidbladnir – I knew exactly who you meant and inferred. I merely stated that I do not see any of the posters here on Riot-ACT apologising for the way they intimidated, made threats and then named people and posted their personal details. I then stated that IF these people (who should show a greater level of maturity than these young individuals on the facebook site) decided to apologise like Cory and Crystal did then only the individuals named on this website by the posters would be able to accept their apology. The posters here should ONLY have to apologise to those they named IF they chose to do so, not the entire facebook petition. Luckily, the list of names was removed here without much issue and the majorty of people on the petition wouldn’t know it existed (otherwise using the logic of the people here on Riot-ACT, it would be a rather long apology). I didn’t see my name here as I didn’t see the list, so I do not expect an apology.

As for this comment : “I will support someone’s right to have final say over what can stay on their property, and not have a screaming mob of emotional teenagers try and pressure them to reverse the decision.”

You have every right to your opinion to support the homeowners, as does everyone to make their opinion known. However, this does not give you or anyone else the right to pressure the “screaming mob of emotional teenagers” into changing THEIR opinion. That is what Johnboy, Davo111 and other posters in the original thread did? They threatened and pressured both the administrators of the petition, as well as other members of the petition AND Riot-ACT into a) removing the petition b) apologising for their comments and c) consider to change their opinions about the whole issue. Unforunately, some of these young individuals have shown more maturity, and integrity than some of the posters here on Riot-ACT.

Unfortunately DMD… when information is posted on a public forum, there will ALWAYS be a budding Sherlock Holmes with too much time of their hands who decides to investigate more than is needed.

ahappychappy said :

Even then using your logic only the people they named would be able to accept their apology.

I was thinking more Mr\Mrs Homeowner, as in This Person Here (Comment 141 in the thread).

ahappychappy said :

I don’t believe this issue will just disappear as it is no longer about the site in question but about the way people of the public (both on Riot-ACT and on the facebook petition) carried on and made a fuss. Posters on BOTH sites are in the wrong. Not just the one!

True, assuming you mean ‘some of posters’. I doubt that nobody has any idea of the facts, but its also quite possible that most people have no idea of the facts.
The reactions of both groups are proportional to eachother and directed at the other, but entirely disproprotional to the original action by the ACT Rangers, and misdirected in that the ACT Rangers were apparently meant to consult.

But recognise two different points of view here.
Group 1: a crowd of teenagers who lost a friend, for whatever reason, in a friend’s car. AFAIK none of them were there on the night.
Group 2:Random family, who had a car accident occur outside their home, and rendered assistance on the night, and saw more than their fill of death, destruction, and bleeding people.
Teenagers from Group 1 built a memorial shrine to their friend, they see it only as this.
Members of Group 2, on the other hand, in addition to having occasional flashbacks to the night when they see the road, have a constant reminder of the trauma that occured on their doorstep and their entirely realistic feelings of helplessness and inability to save a human life every morning when they leave their driveway.
(I had the unpleasant experience of watching a friend die in a car accident years ago, and occasionally drive through the roundabout where it happened. There is no indulgent shrine\memorial cross, so I don’t have a reminder, and occasionally have the luxury of not remembering it, and being able to pay attention to the road.)

If they choose\ask to get rid of it, they’re just exercising their rights.
I will support someone’s right to have final say over what can stay on their property, and not have a screaming mob of emotional teenagers try and pressure them to reverse the decision.

An apology for encouraging others to burn down their house is a good start, even if it did take the idea of a karmic backlash to get that ball rolling.
But its still just that, only a good start.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

We live in supposedly civilsed society, and the comments and behaviour were, in my view, unacceptable. Publicly threatening an innocent party with violence is way out of line. Sure, he apologised, but only after copping some pressure.

They are kids dealing with fairly heavy feelings a couple months after the loss of someone they knew. What they said wasn’t the best, but i am sure they’ll think twice before going down this path again.

Time to start knocking on about the cost of books, the RSI website or some other such subject to lighten our Mondays. Leave them all be, its the best for all parties concerned.

I’m still not impressed by the Riot-Act’s conduct in this manner

I know this is an oldie but a goodie – but you don’t like it here can leave anytime DMD.

Personally, I applaud JBs actions over the weekend and see the progress so far as one of the positives of the on-line media.

FWIW, I actually saw and perused the full list prior to it being deleted, and suspect many others did too.

As for this comment by ahappychappy:
Why should this young male have to justify himself more than what he has already done to you or anyone else other than the homeowner?

We live in supposedly civilsed society, and the comments and behaviour were, in my view, unacceptable. Publicly threatening an innocent party with violence is way out of line. Sure, he apologised, but only after copping some pressure.

I agree happychappy.

I’m still not impressed by the Riot-Act’s conduct in this manner. I think the wider group membership deserve an apology for being threatened with their details. Part of the trouble with having personal data on the internet is people putting too much on, the other part is others using it to hurt them.

Jim Jones said :

Why do I get the feeling that this issue is not going to simply fade away and die a natural death?

If it does die a natural death, can we have a memorial for it?

+1

Thanks Crystal and Cory for shedding some light on your side of things. Well done for reflecting on what has happened and coming to such a mature conclusion.

My condolances for your loss.

Skidbladnir said :

While it is very nice that they have realised that standing up in a crowd and saying “Lets burn down their house unless they agree with us!” to riotous applause may not be the wisest of moves, and a gain on the maturity front, in that they have apologised for allowing themselves to be wilfully misled…

A comment like:
…I refer to my early comment in which i stated that we should continue to put the memorial up and that someone should burn the home owners house down. A comment that was never intended as a threat nor an idea to be acted on…
is in line with saying “I will swing my fists in front of me and encourage others to do the same, while moving in your direction. If you get hit or feel that it threatens you, then that is your problem and no fault of mine.”

You may be 17 (I am guessing here) and think an apology in a similar online forum is enough to clear public opinion, but you have a lot to learn, and a lot further to go.
(ie: If I hear a comment from the homeowner is fine with what has happened and that both parties have settled greivances like adults, with no threats or fear of retribution, and that their children are suffering no lasting social effect, I will be satisfied. Otherwise, Mr & Mrs Homeowner deserve better, seeing as you were trying to incite a crowd to intimidate them through fear of violence, and destroy their property.)

Why should this young male have to justify himself more than what he has already done to you or anyone else other than the homeowner? He has already shown enough maturity to admit he was immature and reacted out of passion/anger, and he admitted his wrongs where he was under the most scrutiny of all. How can you now judge whether that is enough or not? I don’t see any of the forementioned people apologising for overreacting and posting peoples personal details in a defamatory measure? Even then using your logic only the people they named would be able to accept their apology.

I don’t believe this issue will just disappear as it is no longer about the site in question but about the way people of the public (both on Riot-ACT and on the facebook petition) carried on and made a fuss. Posters on BOTH sites are in the wrong. Not just the one!

Why do I get the feeling that this issue is not going to simply fade away and die a natural death?

If it does die a natural death, can we have a memorial for it?

While it is very nice that they have realised that standing up in a crowd and saying “Lets burn down their house unless they agree with us!” to riotous applause may not be the wisest of moves, and a gain on the maturity front, in that they have apologised for allowing themselves to be wilfully misled…

A comment like:
…I refer to my early comment in which i stated that we should continue to put the memorial up and that someone should burn the home owners house down. A comment that was never intended as a threat nor an idea to be acted on…
is in line with saying “I will swing my fists in front of me and encourage others to do the same, while moving in your direction. If you get hit or feel that it threatens you, then that is your problem and no fault of mine.”

You may be 17 (I am guessing here) and think an apology in a similar online forum is enough to clear public opinion, but you have a lot to learn, and a lot further to go.
(ie: If I hear a comment from the homeowner is fine with what has happened and that both parties have settled greivances like adults, with no threats or fear of retribution, and that their children are suffering no lasting social effect, I will be satisfied. Otherwise, Mr & Mrs Homeowner deserve better, seeing as you were trying to incite a crowd to intimidate them through fear of violence, and destroy their property.)

Well seeing as I’m no longer able to comment on the previous thread after my two posts (not quite sure why, maybe moderation got the best of me), I figured I’d place my responses here.

Davo111 – “Who said anyone would be forwarding this to recruitment teams in the ACT? The names would be posted here.” You’ve addressed that post to HR Recruitment Personnel. I therefore assumed that this meant you were using the post as a draft, with the intent to forward them the list. If that assumption is wrong, then I apologise, however I still believe posting it here is still the wrong thing to do.

Ari – There’s always one who decides to again [after the questioning the responsibility in posting peoples full names and other personal details (such as car registration and employment details)], who decides to push the point. I think you’re coming REALLY close to the fine line of personal privacy. Sure, it is a public website with public comments, however that in no way allows you to post their details in a derogatory and defamatory way on a different public website for all to see. Just because some of the posts in question on that facebook site have been moderated and removed, does not mean that because certain posts still remain that they are speaking for, and welcomed by, all the members of this petition. If that was the case, read the posts at the top of the page, not the bottom.

Pommy bastard – Many of the people who signed for this petition still believe in the cause, and signed up to it before the hate filled taunts and messages began. I also know that the description of the group was added after it already had a large following. Does this mean that because a minority of people within a group are vocal and doing the wrong thing the whole group should be punished? Why not punish all the Muslims in the world with your generalisations while you are at it. If you do believe that the minority of people should be heard, read the multiple recent posts by more mature young individuals and post them here, as there is also a minority talking properly and respectfully within the majority of people who have no knowledge of this issue.

I think that all parties involved (including myself and the other posters here on Riot-ACT) need to take a step back and realise that this issue was blown out of proportion due to misinformed people throwing their two cents in. I’m glad that the petition has been removed, as much as I still support the cause, as it was causing too many problems that were not forseen by such young individuals. I also believe that some of the people here on Riot-ACT need to realise that they were also acting immaturely, and need to move on with a lesson learnt. As of course, we all here SHOULD be more mature and professional in portraying our beliefs, than a group of young emotional teenagers and young adults.

I hope to think that there wasn’t a goal to scare anyone into submission, and if this IS the case then Johnboy you are NO better than this facebook group everyone has been complaining about. Nearly all the complaints about the group were justified by stating that the group was trying to bully, and intimidate the homeowners. Is there then any difference between the two websites? Of course, one is a group of young individuals trying to “intimidate” the homeowners by the use of threats and abuse, but the other is a group of individuals that showed almost the same amount of maturity as the first, which tryed to “intimidate” the other by naming parties innocent and not involved in the issue, with the intent to damage their credentials as shown by the letter header addressed to HR Personnel.

I think it is only fair now, for a nice big group hug as suggested, the moderation of all posts with personal details here on Riot-ACT in the original thread, and a few beers after such a heated and passionate discussion.

“And please stop sending angry emails to Samantha who, we should remember, has lost her sister.”

Yeah, and who help incite that? Shouldn’t you post the names of the people who have been sending angry emails to the victim’s sister?

johnboy said :

More that once there were no longer incitements to hatred and violence against the poor homeowner the issue was moot. That was all I wanted. Many thanks to Brendan and Samantha.[/quote>

What about the other 1,394 “angry youngsters threatening to (amongst other things) burn down the house of the family who tried to save their friends lives”?

Actually, I think Johnboy achieved what was probably his desired goal; putting a scare into those involved with the FB group. Hopefully they’ll all be more careful about what they say in a public forum in future, and what groups they associate their names with.

thelozenger said :

Changed your tune now, haven’t you johnboy?
Once you couldn’t access the group, and realised how wrong it was to name innocent people you did a backflip.

More that once there were no longer incitements to hatred and violence against the poor homeowner the issue was moot. That was all I wanted. Many thanks to Brendan and Samantha.

Changed your tune now, haven’t you johnboy?
Once you couldn’t access the group, and realised how wrong it was to name innocent people you did a backflip.

Wow, a surprising amount of maturity has emerged.

Glad to see the aforementioned people have made some personal growth.

Sounds like a couple of people who’ve discovered the meaning of the word ‘ramifications’.

Sounds like a sensible outcome for all involved.

Well resolved.

Well said.