A few (more) fringe actors
posted at 4:32 pm on April 4, 2007 by Bryan
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Refresher, in case you missed it.
Add to the list those students who pelted Karl Rove at American University (should we call it that anymore?) Tuesday night.
Add to the list those foreign students, a trio including a chum of Yale’s boola boola mullah, who snatched up a privately-owned American flag and burned it.
And add to the list a group of 3,000 obnoxious, atavistic ecoterrorist cyclists who attacked a family in San Francisco.
Susan Ferrando, her husband, their two children and three preteens had come to San Francisco from Redwood City to celebrate the birthday of Ferrando’s 11-year-old daughter. They went to Japantown, where they enjoyed shopping and taking in the blooming cherry blossoms.
Things took a turn for the worse at about 9 p.m., when the family was leaving Japantown — just as the party of about 3,000 bikers was winding down its monthly red-lights-be-damned ride through the city.
Suddenly, Ferrando said, her car was surrounded by hundreds of cyclists.
Not being from San Francisco, Ferrando thought she might have inadvertently crossed paths with a bicycle race and couldn’t figure out why the police, who she had just passed, hadn’t warned her.
Confusion, however, quickly turned to terror, she said, when the swarming cyclists began wildly circling around and then running into the sides of her Toyota van.
Filled with panic, Ferrando said, she started inching forward until coming to a stop at Post and Gough streets, where she was surrounded by bikers on all sides.
A biker in front blocked her as another biker began pounding on the windshield. Another was pounding on her window. Another pounded the other side.
“It seemed like they were using their bikes as weapons,” Ferrando said. One of the bikers then threw his bike — shattering the rear window and terrifying the young girls inside.
All the while, Ferrando was screaming, “There are children in this car! There are children in this car!”
Bad stuff. The Critical Mass gang did over 5 large in damage to the minivan (whose insurance will pay for that?). They attacked it because it was a minivan, and they don’t like minivans. They didn’t care that they were endangering children. But as bad as that is, that might not be the worst part of this story. The worst part might be the reaction of the police:
Sgt. Ed Callejas — the lead cop on the scene and a veteran of Critical Mass rides since their inception — said he’d never seen anything like it before.
“I’ve seen the bikes swarm cars, and scratch them as they go by. I’ve seen guys get out of their cars and start fighting with the bikers, but if you had seen the faces on those little girls in tears,” Callejas said. “All I could do was apologize for what they had been through.”
He’s seen all that smaller scale crap and evidently done nothing about it. So now, when he sees genuine terror on a child’s face resulting from actions similar to what he has seen and done nothing about in the past, all he can do is…apologize?
No, sir. That wasn’t all you could do. It was all you were allowed to do, which is a very different thing.
When did San Francisco remove the power of arrest from its police officers? When Critical Mass become a problem.
The city tries to ignore the unplanned rides, but there are always cops on hand to monitor the gatherings, even though any kind of traffic planning is impossible because no route is announced.
And even though the rides are held every month, Critical Mass has no organized leadership — so no one can be held accountable for the group’s actions.
In 1997, then-Mayor Willie Brown tried to control the rides. The result was anarchy and mass arrests.
Since then, the rides have shrunk in size. The city’s generally hands-off attitude leaves cops as little more than bystanders.
“We sit there and they just go right through the red lights,” Sgt. Callejas said. “What else can we do? Arrest one rider while 500 keep going?
“The only way to control this is through a massive effort by police and the Sheriff’s Department,” he said.
Well, given the group’s violent history there are probably legal steps that could be taken against them. If the city had any backbone against leftist agitators, that is. If the Klan did what Critical Mass does, you betcha that city hall would be all over them. But Critical Mass directs its unreasoned hate in a politically correct direction, so Critical Mass gets a pass.
It doesn’t help that the current mayor has his own history of flouting the law when it suits his political agenda.
Weakness in the face of aggression begs for more aggression. Critical Mass is obviously aggressive, and its unchallenged unruly behavior is evidence that anarchy has been loosed in San Francisco.
Do I need to mention that San Fran is the city that keeps electing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi?
(h/t Michelle)
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That dog don’t hunt in Florida.
Kid from Brooklyn on April 4, 2007 at 4:37 PM
Yeah Bryan,
This is outrageous. But not as outrageous as Ann Coulter inferring someone might be a faggot.
there it is on April 4, 2007 at 4:43 PM
Critical Mass is populated with the unhinged and angry.
And they usually couldn’t *really* care less about using less oil and all that, they are just as materialistic as anybody.
They claim they want to help out and volunteer for the community and then back out and find excuses.
They’re wastrels…
I know a few. Angry people…
benrand on April 4, 2007 at 4:44 PM
Ditto for S. Florida.
Build a fence and and declare the city a faggot “free for all” zone. Checkpoints to get in or out. Oops, I’m not supposed to say “faggot”-it’s PC “hate speech”.
Oh, well. Still MHO.
tormod on April 4, 2007 at 4:44 PM
Yes, damnit… arrest that one. And hit him/her with a big fine. Then arrest another. And another. And another. 3000 bikes, huh? Betcha you could get at least 30 of ‘em each ride.
But Bryan, you missed the money quote:
Reading things like this make me physically ill. How are these people any different that somebody strapping a bomb to their back and blowing up children, or blowing up an abortion clinic. It’s called terrorism… using terror to make a statement.
And Newsom just shrugs it off.
dalewalt on April 4, 2007 at 4:44 PM
I just hope these nutjobs try to pull this crap in a concealed carry state.
I can guarantee I would just sit in my car and let these overgrown children vandalize my car and get away with it. If the police wouldn’t do anything about it - I would.
Chad on April 4, 2007 at 4:45 PM
Correction - I would NOT sit in my car….
Chad on April 4, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Congratulations! You win for stupidest, more irrelevant comment evah!
We haven’t posted about that in weeks. People like yourself keep bringing it up though. Bitter, much?
My suggestion: Get. Over. It.
Today would be a good day to start.
Bryan on April 4, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Nothing an accidentally, yet stragegically spilled box of tacks can’t handle.
Matticus Finch on April 4, 2007 at 4:50 PM
bike rider?
meet Mr. SUV
wanna try to scare my kids again you SOB?
Defector01 on April 4, 2007 at 4:50 PM
Oh I would……with the RPM at about 5500 on the tach
Limerick on April 4, 2007 at 4:51 PM
Dalewit, the police would have to have a chief and DA that would back them, and they do not. The city is rife with libs who want their power and do not want to have to answer to anyone except the other nutroots.
In a few years they will be in big trouble as there is an exodus of families and decent citizens out of the city.
bbz123 on April 4, 2007 at 4:51 PM
All it takes is about 5000 non-bike riding citizens and a few hundred lengths of clothesline strung across the street at about chest level. Honestly. Once the people themselves get tired of the antics, the police will have no choice but to stop it. The riders are now at a point where they have turned the population from supporter to non-participant and now to active opposition of them.
Maybe it is time for “critical minivan” or something. If the police won’t do anything about it, at some point the people will. That is human nature and is supposed to be why we have police in the first place … so people don’t HAVE to use the mob action solution.
crosspatch on April 4, 2007 at 4:51 PM
Solution: Put the gas pedal to the floor - he’ll move. And if he doesn’t then he’ll get what he deserves.
Chad on April 4, 2007 at 4:52 PM
They complain that they can’t arrest them all but admit that when the mayor did try to arrest them all participation went down.
Idiots. This should not stand.
Besides, how “green” can their activity be if it causes them to breathe more frequently, thus exhaling that CO2 they whine so much about.
Esthier on April 4, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Yep, there’s something in the glove compartment of my vehicle that would have helped.
Are you serious?
SouthernDem on April 4, 2007 at 4:56 PM
And remember, liberals are the ones that always claim that it’s “for the children.”
Those anarchist cyclists badly need to make the acquaintance of Mr. Water Cannon and Mr. CS Gas, and any that still want to cause trouble after that can be introduced to Mr. Police Baton. (Mr. Police Helicopter flying in low over the massed cyclists would be a wonderfully educational experience, too.) But of course that would require a city government that had both a spine and a desire to maintain law and order, which you won’t find in San Francisco. Instead they’ll keep screwing around with these thugs until somebody gets killed, and then they’ll point fingers and somehow try to make it George Bush’s fault.
ReubenJCogburn on April 4, 2007 at 4:56 PM
Years ago I read a book on mob psychosis, which is exactly what’s going on here. It’s scary what people will do when they sense the power and impunity that comes from being part of a crowd. If this isn’t stopped, it’s going to end in disaster.
RedWinged Blackbird on April 4, 2007 at 4:56 PM
I’m assuming that was a typo? :-)
dalewalt on April 4, 2007 at 4:59 PM
If you want to delve into some real moonbatiness, check out the Rants and Raves at the Craigslist SF page. They are actually defending the bikers saying that their side of the story is not being told, that the woman driving is as much to blame.
I agree with the idea of arresting as many as they can next time they are out causing trouble, which is all they want to do anyway.
bbz123 on April 4, 2007 at 5:01 PM
Yes, I am. The definition of terrorist is: “One who utilizes the systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve political objectives, while disguised as a civilian non-combatant.”
Okay, so these people haven’t killed anybody (yet), but the definition doesn’t require a specific level of violence in order to be met. And these “people” were terrorizing the family in the mini-van… including the little children; and it didn’t phase them in the least.
dalewalt on April 4, 2007 at 5:02 PM
Dont need to arrest them. Just cut their bikes in half and send them on their way. If they leave the bike … THEN you arrest them … for littering.
crosspatch on April 4, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Alright, but you acknowledge that they haven’t killed anyone, and that IS a very large difference.
Esthier on April 4, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Wow, I have never heard about this before. I cannot believe these animals but I’m not surprised that it happened in San Francisco. I will never, never, never ever travel there or spend money there unless that city does a 180 (which I doubt it ever will).
Catie96706 on April 4, 2007 at 5:13 PM
That’s the lesson that comes from this story: no sane person should travel to San Francisco - ever. It’s obviously not a safe environment (especially for families) and any money you spend is just going to support this kind of violent lunacy.
Chad on April 4, 2007 at 5:16 PM
I loved this bit:
Okay, not really. But he seems about that concerned.
John on April 4, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Two words. Spike strips.
I bet they’ll slow down.
gekkobear on April 4, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Agreed. But I have trouble equating them to market suicide bombers. Hooligans and scum, yes. Mass murderers, no.
I think a little tear gas may have been the appropriate measure.
SouthernDem on April 4, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Seems like the city of SF could issue warnings in the newspaper that if another such ride occurs, police will be authorized to use pepper spray, nightsticks, tear gas, tire strips, and high-power water hoses to punish lawbreakers (all of them, since they run multiple red lights throughout each ride). Then, if they follow through on the next ride, putting as much of their police force on it as possible, that would very likely be the end of these rides. If police had been authorized to get this rabid pack off the minivan using any or all of these techniques, I bet it wouldn’t happen again. Even better if they would arrest the idiots and make them pay damages.
I think this kind of thing is not impossible in Texas, but far less likely. Too many people with concealed gun licenses here. Think the cyclist blocking that lady’s minivan might have moved if she pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at him through the windshield?
aero on April 4, 2007 at 5:19 PM
I love this. Is there a better vehicle in which to carry five children and two adults?
Laura on April 4, 2007 at 5:22 PM
San Francisco’s!
Let the city also pay out for emotional distress for knowingly allowing this dangerous situation to persist. It may also help to name the individuals responsible for the current policy regarding these rides.
They had better fix it before someone gets killed -driver, passenger or even cyclist.
taznar on April 4, 2007 at 5:24 PM
I wonder what minivans symbolize to them that they hate so much? Order? Suburbia? Family? Careful driving? “My child is an honor student” stickers? Soccer? French fries stuck between the seat cushions? Children who weren’t aborted?
Maybe it’s this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFE3B0Rje0
aero on April 4, 2007 at 5:25 PM
I think you’re forgetting that they travel where cars also travel, but I like what you’re thinking.
Actually, I went there for my second anniversary. The place is gorgeous, and the climate itself is something else.
It’s just a shame that the libs run it.
Esthier on April 4, 2007 at 5:26 PM
By my count, there were 7 people in the minivan. That would give them about 175 mpg per head. Much better than the milage of hybrids or compact imports these absolutists probably drive around with no passengers.
forest on April 4, 2007 at 5:30 PM
We have four kids. Considering the impossiblity of fitting 3 infant/toddler/booster seats in the back seat of any vehicle, plus the prohibition on putting kids in the front with air bags, a minivan is the only option short of a Suburban.
taznar on April 4, 2007 at 5:33 PM
“but I’m not surprised that it happened in San Francisco”
Think about it for a few minutes. These are people who would be for “peace” yet engage in violence against anyone who would think differently (not much different than the jihadis). They claim to be a party of peace while they physically assault Rove. They claim to have tolerance and sensitivity for people of differing points of view but look how they treat anyone with a differing point of view on their blogs and websites.
The truth is they are hollow. They are driven only by cynicism. They are, in fact, quite evil.
crosspatch on April 4, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Exactly. But then I guess you’re eeeevil for having so many kids - you know population bomb and all that - so you deserve what you get.
It’s bad enough that they’re thugs, but they aren’t even consistent about it. I mean, take the KKK. They have a consistent internal logic that can be seen to fit with their actions. So do the Islamofascists.
These types don’t even have that going for them. The message is to be green, use less fossil fuel, etc. So they terrorize kids (who they’re saving the planet for) and vandalize a minivan which is providing the most green option available to transport that many people. Morons.
Laura on April 4, 2007 at 5:44 PM
I probably would have left about 371 squished cyclists in the crimson red, tire-tread patterned wake of my minivan.
DaveS on April 4, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Ah…tinfoil hatted leftist loons on wheels. Easy prey. Easy target. Too bad the “cops” there are so sensitive. I wouldn’t go that place for all the tea in China!
Time to equalize the playing field folks…where ever you are.
sharinlite on April 4, 2007 at 6:03 PM
This is what is so effen annoying. I do not understand why this is not pointed out more by conservative pundits. Only the ultra-left think this is ok.
brtex on April 4, 2007 at 6:04 PM
That’s why everyone should carry a small aluminum baseball bat in their back seat. Any policeman stopping you can see it’s not a weapon, just sports equipment. Any weenie bicyclist can see it’s a weapon, one that would do real damage to a thousand dollar bike. And of course, the first bike to get hit would send all the cowardly critters running.
A $40 dollar super-sized container of pepper spray in the glove compartment is an excellent precaution, too.
Tantor on April 4, 2007 at 6:07 PM
This is why I read this blog. It makes me feel a little better to know that we aren’t all immoral, hateful and crazy. I don’t see good things coming in this country. I see this country as very divided and each side is very angry or getting very angry. Pretty soon we’re going to start to encounter the violence the rest of the world lives with daily. I feel that the left is inciting this behavior. I just don’t understand why? It can’t all be hatred of Bush.
My husband and I never bought a gun because we felt guns were too dangerous. Now I think we are foolish not to own at least one.
CCRWM on April 4, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Ah, but how to get only the bikes and not the cars?
Therein lies the rub!
Great idea, however. I like it.
Bob's Kid on April 4, 2007 at 6:21 PM
Mr. bicyclist,meet Mr. Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 4WD.I’d also like you to meet another good friend of mine,Mr. S&W 686.
Frantic Freddie on April 4, 2007 at 6:34 PM
Go buy two, and take lessons on their proper use. Then have some fun practicing. Guns aren’t dangerous when the person behind the gun is trained.
R D on April 4, 2007 at 6:36 PM
Sure, there’s a difference in degree… they haven’t killed anyone so there’re not at the level of, say, KSM. But it’s *still* terrorism.
dalewalt on April 4, 2007 at 6:57 PM
No, they’re not at the same level suicide bombers; but I think they’re far beyond ‘hooligans’.
dalewalt on April 4, 2007 at 6:59 PM
Forget mudding. Bowling for bicycles!
Coronagold on April 4, 2007 at 7:13 PM
That was hilarious. As a minivan-owning Dad, I can vouch that the “Mom my Ride” video is true. I don’t know what it is about minivans. The rules are different in my car and the kids seem to survive OK.
I’m an avid cyclist. In Florida, that takes some courage — or foolhardiness. I’ve also spent some time involved with the human-powered vehicle folks. For an engineer, it’s a cool way to combine a love of gadgets with some exercise.
Most of the people I meet at local bike clubs are very cool. But every now and then you run across a hardcore “bike activist” who is truly scary. These people are true believers in the evils of cars and their own corresponding righteousness. They are fascists, plain and simple.
This incident is a perfect example of the danger posed by green fanatics in every area — not just the two-wheeled variety of green fanatic.
Anton on April 4, 2007 at 7:18 PM
The word “faggot” isn’t hate speech but it’s incredibly obnoxious. Use it if you like. I don’t really care. But if you give a speech at CPAC and act like an idiot in front of millions of people you’re not helping the conservative cause.
aengus on April 4, 2007 at 7:37 PM
It’s like these people are trying to induce a police state.
spmat on April 4, 2007 at 7:38 PM
Apropos
They’re children with adult bodies and pathological boundary issues.
spmat on April 4, 2007 at 7:41 PM
As I’ve said before, I disagree. Although if the culture war becomes violent I think it will because of Islam. Take for example Spain and India. The Inquisition took place in a Spain that had been islamified for centuries. In India the practise of suttee (Mark Steyn’s favourite anecdote) became commonplace after centuries of Islam had influenced Hindu culture. The globalised spread of religious warfare has enflamed religious disputes in the US and the fact that the post-Cold War dream of “the end of history” that the left cherished has been destroyed creates deep resentment in their hearts. So even though I don’t think civil war is likely, tensions are definetly rising and I see your point.
aengus on April 4, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Bingo. Look at it from their point of view - they can provoke, and provoke, and provoke, and there are seldom consequences. They win. On the rare occasions that there are consequences, their worldview is validated, and they have fodder for more propaganda.
Heads they win, tails we lose.
Laura on April 4, 2007 at 7:46 PM
Amen to that. If Tacoma thinks they can collect from the military for the actions of its resident thugs, these poor citizens should be able to invoice SF for damages, pain & suffering, etc. Maybe if enough of its citizens collect it’ll become worth it for SF to get a spine about these
ridersraiders.Also, if you’re surrounded, have no idea what’s going on, and feel gravely threatened, you have a right to defend yourself with lethal force. A front grille will work just fine on any skull.
The Ritz on April 4, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Yeah, my minivan looks a lot like that, too. Unfortunately, that video is all too accurate. :-)
aero on April 4, 2007 at 8:09 PM
I’m thinkin’…throw down lots of spike strips!!!
Bicyclin’ bastards!
Viewtifulgare on April 4, 2007 at 9:08 PM
The real irony is that even with that minivan she uses less fossil fuel in a month than their Hero Gore does in a day.
Somethings will just never make sense. Do these nitwits think that TWO vehicles would be a better choice? have they stopped to think of the math of that equation or is that another subject pushed out of public schools so they can teach gay marriage and how to put condom on bananas?
Noelie on April 4, 2007 at 9:20 PM
I’m thinking……… time to take a drive to the ‘ol city by the bay, and practice my “NASCAR Victory Burn-Out!”
PinkyBigglesworth on April 4, 2007 at 9:41 PM
I like Savage’s solution. Set up a minivan with a decoy “family” in the front and a bunch of Hell’s Angel Bikers hiding in the back with chains, When the van starts a rockin’ the Hell’s Angels jump out the back and bitch wip the cycle-weasels.
silenced majority on April 4, 2007 at 9:48 PM
I was telling my family about this story and by bikers, they thought I meant Hell’s Angel’s types, not a bunch of liberal weenies out to
savecontrol the planet. I think we’ve finally reached the point where we ought to build a big, thick wall around San Fran and stop letting people out.Laura on April 4, 2007 at 10:20 PM
It didn’t matter to them that they were terrorizing the children. Those bikers don’t have children and don’t like children. Consider the population of that city, probably the most hedonistic and with the fewest number of couples who can actually produce children of any in the U.S.
I wonder how quickly the police would have arrested the mother if she had mowed down a bicyclist? I suspect, pretty darn quick.
Sensible Mom on April 4, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Those critical mass idiots presented a clear and present danger to the life of that family. All of the attackers should have been shot. No arrests needed. Does the SFPD not carry guns?
If you’re ever surrounded in your car, you are at risk of your life. Run the bastards down and get the hell out of there. Chlorine is desperately needed in that section of the gene pool.
libertarianuberalles on April 4, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Send those hippies some real bikers…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LxvBgf6ErGI
(Violence and language content warning if you speak Japanese…)
Bad Candy on April 5, 2007 at 1:40 AM
When the empowered police force fails to act, the only recourse is for the citizens to take matters into their own hands.
Mini-van vs. hippy on a bike, wonder which would lose that battle? Excuse: Gas peddle got stuck (works for 80 year-olds who plow into crowds).
Neo on April 5, 2007 at 8:05 AM
I was in San Francisco just after New Years. On two successive days, while on the freeways in the city, I was nearly involved in an accident with a speeding lane-hopper that cut me off so closely, that had I not slammed on my brakes, there would have been a high-speed collision. One of these incidents occurred while I was driving in a motorcycle-escorted funeral procession, right at the end of the Bay Bridge as it enteres San Francisco.
My experience with California drivers, and their rude habits, over the years fills my heart with sympathy for these out-of-towners.
But I have to admit that the “critical mass” event described in the linked article and here in this thread seems to be the ultimate expression of intolerance, rudeness, intimidation, and felonious assault by a group of bicyclists than I can imagine.
Their behavior does not border on terrorism, IT IS TERRORISM.
To read that the police are not unable to prevent such excesses — at the command of City Hall — causes my imagination to consider how the old Soviet Union, Mao’s China, North Korea, or any other similar totalitarian state might have dealt with these bicyling enthuisasts. Claymores and machine guns come to mind….
georgej on April 5, 2007 at 8:57 AM
Ah, Critical Mass!
The number one reason to let Mothers and Fathers own machine guns.
opusrex on April 5, 2007 at 1:59 PM