Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 3, 2013 at 7:22am

there is something to be said for your comment that we cannot draw conclusions as to the driver's soul or what kind of person he is. However, Adam's statement that there is still no excuse at all for the act, rings just as true.  Lets assume for the purpose of this discussion that what you say is true.  Lets assume the driver is a fundamentally good person.  His bad act still took a life.  If anything it MUST be a beacon to us all that a single stupid act can still be lethal.  A single night of bad behavior can still be lethal.  It does not matter who you were before, you still took a life. Think before you get in a car drunk. Think before you get on a bike drunk. Think before you get sidetracked by (whatever). Think before you kill somebody.  We seem to be too wrapped up in our own lives to pay attention to the world around us. We need to be empathetic BEFORE we make the life changing bad decision.  Putting the best spin on the driver, I still see a self absorbed [insert descriptive expletive here] who suffered the buzz kill of driving into an innocent person.  It goes down hill from there. 

But, that being said, I don't condemn the guy to hell.  He is young enough that the life he has (and Bobby does not) can be used to do some good in the world.

chicagoBikes said:

I am absolutely NOT defending his actions. But I am defending him.

He is not a bad person, he is not a murderer. There is no reason to villainize him, individually; though I'm sure they'll make a prime example of him, he'll bear the punishment for a crime that is probably one of the most ubiquitous of all.

This is turning into a Salem witch hunt--would you be satisfied if the strung him & burned him at the steak? We've evolved since then, we don't do that anymore--catch up to the rest of us.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 3, 2013 at 7:23am

I love how Mr. Hamel's goonies showed up in droves and are defending his actions. Oh but he feels bad, so let's just let him off with a warning.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 3, 2013 at 7:30am

"Close to a first-hand witness" because you were in the car, Claire, or because of your business relationship with Ryne in Aquatic Innovations?

chicagoBikes said:

I assure you I am very much a female and not "Nick," a pro-Ryne troll. I've been following this story since it happened, as I mentioned--I'm close to a first-hand witness of the accident. I joined because I am horrified at how vindictive you all are being. 

This isn't Syria guys. 

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 3, 2013 at 7:31am

Stop creating straw men. The only one here talking about "burning at the stake" here is you. Mr. Hamel's life may very well suck for the next ten years, but that's the price he has to pay. He committed a crime that he 100% could have prevented himself, and should be punished. Feeling bad just isn't enough in this case.

chicagoBikes said:

This isn't Syria guys. 

Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on June 3, 2013 at 7:32am

If I'm twirling around a loaded handgun, it goes off, and I kill someone, then I am a murderer.

It may not have been premeditated in that he didn't set out to specifically kill Bobby, but it was premeditated in that he performed an action that everyone knows can inflict death.  What's more, it's not like he hit a rare pedestrian while going around a bend in a sparsely populated country area while coming home from the saloon (monstrous, but at least the narrative makes some sense).  We are in -ing Chicago.  There's plenty of other transit options that allow a person to not become a murdering shitbag.

Also, I don't know what kind of world you live in, but I don't know anyone who drives drunk.  Not because I'm friends with only cyclists (alas, cyclists make up a very small portion of my social circle) but because I apparently don't spend much time around assholes.  "A crime that is probably one of the most ubiquitous of all"?  Da fuk? I'm pretty sure that would be jaywalking, or torrenting movies.  Right thinking people know to designate a DD, call a significant other to pick them up, or take a cab/public transit.

chicagoBikes said:

I am absolutely NOT defending his actions. But I am defending him.

He is not a bad person, he is not a murderer. There is no reason to villainize him, individually; though I'm sure they'll make a prime example of him, he'll bear the punishment for a crime that is probably one of the most ubiquitous of all.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 3, 2013 at 7:36am

Drunk driving isn't an accident. It's entirely preventable though responsible actions. THAT is why we are vilifying Mr. Hamel. He, though his own negligent actions, directly took the life of another human being. There is no excuse for which to defend his actions.

Permalink Reply by Bez on June 3, 2013 at 7:39am

And is that first-hand witness Hamel?  

Here's the reality of the thing:

Whether or not he meant to do it, he got very drunk and got into a car.  He then drove said car 20 mph over the speed limit (this is the reckless driving ticket) down a road that others were also using.  Since his judgement was very impaired, he KILLED another human being.  All through his actions.  Let me recap them for you:

1. very drunk

2. driving

3. speeding enough to have earned an extra ticket

4. hitting and KILLING a cyclist.  A cyclist who, from what I can see, was a friend to many people here.

5. sending his cronies (whether directly or not) here to defend his actions

Do I villify him?  I didn't at first, but I certainly do now.  He didn't just "make a mistake", he killed another person.  He ended the life of a person who wasn't doing anything to him.  Frankly, any sentence that they hand to this person is not going to be enough.  What he needs to do is to spend his time going forward being humble and doing all that he can to make amends and better the lives of others.  Instead, I imagine he'll likely spend his time talking about how it was just a little mistake and he really wasn't at fault.

Oh, and comparing us to Syria?  That's just a step down from Godwinning the thread, which is about what I expect you to do next...

chicagoBikes said:

I assure you I am very much a female and not "Nick," a pro-Ryne troll. I've been following this story since it happened, as I mentioned--I'm close to a first-hand witness of the accident. I joined because I am horrified at how vindictive you all are being. 

This isn't Syria guys. 

Duppie 13.5185km said:

Well, look at that...

Another pro-Ryne troll. Joined 35 minutes ago. First post.

Hello "Nick"! Did you have a quick sex-change operation this morning?

chicagoBikes said:

I will tell you that I know with absolute certainty from a first-hand witness how completely decimated & heartbroken Ryne was at the scene. He did everything he could to assist the nurse in aiding Bobby and waited with him until medics arrived. He was fully cooperative with police at the scene; submitted willingly to a field sobriety test and provided the names of the bars at which he drank prior to the accident.

He is a normal, 28 year old guy who drank too much on one of the first beautiful summer days we had this season and made the extremely unfortunate choice to drive after doing so.

I'm assuming every one of you posting on here has never driven drunk, gotten into a car with someone who had been drinking, or stayed silent when someone you were fully aware was drunk left to drive. It goes without saying how incredibly hypocritical if not malicious casting that kind of judgment would be.

Similarly, propagating vicious, completely manufactured gossip such as claiming Ryne wasn't remorseful or that he was disrespectful is despicable. Ryne was absolutely devastated at the scene. I am sure he is struggling with every fiber of his being to find the will to survive or feeling that he deserves to right now. It's disgusting that any one of you would ever suggest or believe otherwise. 

Simone, what is your objective in disseminating that despicable lie? Did you hope to create more drama? Create more pain in a nightmare situation? You're calling for people to show up at these court hearings to punish him more than he will be already? What exactly are you hoping for, would you be satisfied if Ryne committed suicide? Would that level the playing field you? 

Ryne is not a murderer. He did not wake up that morning determined to go kill someone. He made an extremely poor choice to drive drunk—a choice every last one of you has made personally or witnessed. Don't doubt for a second that his life won't be absolute hell for the next decade. And yes, at least he has a life—but does ruining his accomplish anything at all in the way of honoring Bobby's? 

I sincerely hope the rest of you reading and posting in this forum have a more evolved sense of justice than Simone. 

Permalink Reply by Davo on June 3, 2013 at 7:42am

Sure a directory of bars that doesn't promote drinking just great deals. I still feel that they should make some comment about not drinking and driving. Keep in mind the site is called ALL YOU CAN DRINK.  And I am the ignorant one.

chicagoBikes said:

The site does not promote drinking. It serves as a directory for bars & restaurants --like metromix or yelp. You apparently haven't even visited the site. Ignorant. 

Davo said:

I suggest that we go to the facebook page and demand that his company issue a statement about what they intend to do for this "human" they employ. Perhaps if someone works with anonymous, they could do something as well.  Seems like a site who promotes drinking should share responsibility of actions of their employees.

Permalink Reply by blair on June 3, 2013 at 7:42am

Until people stop living like they're the only person on this planet, horrible tragedies like this will continue to happen.  Every decision we make affects others - even if we never see it.

Permalink Reply by Marion on June 3, 2013 at 7:43am

The "Well, who hasn't gotten into a car drunk?" arguments are making me nauseous. Not everyone makes poor decisions, and if you think it's kinda normal to drive drunk once in a while, you need to rethink your life choices and let this be the occasion that changes your habits for good, because you may and SHOULD be held responsible if you ever hurt someone while driving drunk. Never ok. You could kill somebody.

I'd very much love to go the court hearing, but I'm a bit intimidated by the court setting - would love to go with others.

Permalink Reply by Marion on June 3, 2013 at 7:50am

Also, when is the court date? Someone in this thread said mid-July, but in the news article it says next Monday..?

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 3, 2013 at 7:52am

Well, Ms. ChicagoBikes, you do not disappoint me. That sentence right there is one beautiful brainfart. Please keep 'em coming.

chicagoBikes said:

[...] Hyperbolic arguments are fallacious

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I love how Mr. Hamel's goonies showed up in droves and are defending his actions. Oh but he feels bad, so let's just let him off with a warning.

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