Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by blair on June 4, 2013 at 7:02am

Manny - I haven't missed a day on my bike ever since this horrible accident, but I don't see anything productive about judging those that have.

Let's all stick together in this community - not tear each other down.  There are so many different types of cyclists in this city.  At the end of the day, the one thing we have in common is wanting to feel safe when we ride.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 4, 2013 at 7:17am

I don't see Manny judging anyone. He said was angry that people made the decision to stop riding. I agree with Manny that living itself is dangerous and that it is a mistake to live in fear. I didn't know Bobby Cann, but from what I've read about him since he was killed he seemed like a wonderful human being. I have the impression that he would not want us to stop riding.

What Manny said didn't strike me as tearing people down so much as to help us remain standing. 

blair_ said:

Manny - I haven't missed a day on my bike ever since this horrible accident, but I don't see anything productive about judging those that have.

Let's all stick together in this community - not tear each other down.  There are so many different types of cyclists in this city.  At the end of the day, the one thing we have in common is wanting to feel safe when we ride.

Permalink Reply by Zach Thomas on June 4, 2013 at 9:37pm

Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

I have the impression that he would not want us to stop riding.

This is absolutely true.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 5, 2013 at 4:46am

Agreed, please stop comparing an act of terrorism to a drunk driving incident. They are not the same.

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on June 5, 2013 at 1:01pm

Why, because the terrorists weren't drunk ? LMAO !!!

Just kidding, Adam. I needed to change the mood. It was getting a bit too serious.

However, I do agree.

How many other drunk drivers have killed cyclists? (or anyone for that matter?)

We can unify ourselves for the sake of unifying.

We could use any of the bicycling community's deaths to help motivate us to stick together.

However, I choose to be motivated because I can make it a better future for myself and my children.
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Agreed, please stop comparing an act of terrorism to a drunk driving incident. They are not the same.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 6, 2013 at 3:47am

Via Streetsblog Chicago I stumbled upon this Suntimes article about the Groupon currently being done around Bobby Cann's death.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/20566657-418/groupon-honors-staf...

It quotes a memorial piece written by Bobby's girlfriend, Catherine Bullard:

"Bobby talked about the Ride of Silence and Critical Mass bicycle rides like some people talk about church: a way to commune with others, to feel joy and belonging as a participant in Chicago’s culture."

I do not remember anyone articulating why I ride that clearly before...

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 6, 2013 at 3:50am

"Bobby talked about the Ride of Silence and Critical Mass bicycle rides like some people talk about church: a way to commune with others, to feel joy and belonging as a participant in Chicago’s culture."

That's how I've often felt at large bike events.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 6, 2013 at 4:30am

They are not the same and yet they have similarities. In both cases, someone has a set of beliefs which they think are more important than human life. When they act on those beliefs sometimes people die. 

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Agreed, please stop comparing an act of terrorism to a drunk driving incident. They are not the same.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 6, 2013 at 6:17am

I know it can feel better to have a full trial, but trust me, it's not the right route. First of all, the trial has the chance of the assailant getting off as not guilty. He could get off on some technicality – he did refuse a breathalyzer test. Another thread stated he has a good lawyer, and there is no doubt he will be looking for any and all possible technicalities to get him off. In addition, the trial would just be a waste of time and money for the state, even though a judgement of guilty is likely. Plea bargains are SOP for drunk driving cases, and he will likely still serve jail time. It would also get him off the streets faster. Justice still can be served via a plea bargain.

I will not be signing the petition.

clp said:

Thanks Tony.  I agree.   Both cases involve fighting our own irrational fear.  Fear of biking in traffic, fear of running in a crowd.

Incidentally a northside cyclist has put a petition on line that all Chainlinkers should sign immediately.   We want to make sure that this guy receives a FULL TRIAL with no chance of a plea bargain.  The story behind the on-line petition is here.

...A retired 72-year-old cyclist is leading a charge to prevent city prosecutors from accepting a plea bargain in the case against the driver...Robert Kastigar, a North Park resident, had never met Cann...But Kastigar said he had to do his part in standing up for the young cyclist...

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 6, 2013 at 6:24am

You're missing the point; it is about the charges he will have to face and the charges he will be found guilty of.  Personally I want him to have to face, and carry with him, a homicide conviction vs. one for manslaughter.  

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I know it can feel better to have a full trial, but trust me, it's not the right route. First of all, the trial has the chance of the assailant getting off as not guilty. In addition, the trial would just be a waste of time and money for the state, even though a judgement of guilty is likely. Plea bargains are SOP for drunk driving cases, and he will likely still serve jail time. It would also get him off the streets faster. Justice still can be served via a plea bargain.

I will not be signing the petition.

clp said:

Thanks Tony.  I agree.   Both cases involve fighting our own irrational fear.  Fear of biking in traffic, fear of running in a crowd.

Incidentally a northside cyclist has put a petition on line that all Chainlinkers should sign immediately.   We want to make sure that this guy receives a FULL TRIAL with no chance of a plea bargain.  The story behind the on-line petition is here.

...A retired 72-year-old cyclist is leading a charge to prevent city prosecutors from accepting a plea bargain in the case against the driver...Robert Kastigar, a North Park resident, had never met Cann...But Kastigar said he had to do his part in standing up for the young cyclist...

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 6, 2013 at 6:37am

Adam, Do you work in the legal field? You do speak with certain authority that makes me think you do.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I know it can feel better to have a full trial, but trust me, it's not the right route. First of all, the trial has the chance of the assailant getting off as not guilty. He could get off on some technicality – he did refuse a breathalyzer test. Another thread stated he has a good lawyer, and there is no doubt he will be looking for any and all possible technicalities to get him off. In addition, the trial would just be a waste of time and money for the state, even though a judgement of guilty is likely. Plea bargains are SOP for drunk driving cases, and he will likely still serve jail time. It would also get him off the streets faster. Justice still can be served via a plea bargain.

I will not be signing the petition.

clp said:

Thanks Tony.  I agree.   Both cases involve fighting our own irrational fear.  Fear of biking in traffic, fear of running in a crowd.

Incidentally a northside cyclist has put a petition on line that all Chainlinkers should sign immediately.   We want to make sure that this guy receives a FULL TRIAL with no chance of a plea bargain.  The story behind the on-line petition is here.

...A retired 72-year-old cyclist is leading a charge to prevent city prosecutors from accepting a plea bargain in the case against the driver...Robert Kastigar, a North Park resident, had never met Cann...But Kastigar said he had to do his part in standing up for the young cyclist...

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 6, 2013 at 6:41am

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but no, I do not work in the legal field.

Duppie 13.5185km said:

Adam, Do you work in the legal field? You do speak with certain authority that makes me think you do.

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