Sunday, December 17, 2006

Death on the Mountain



Late this afternoon, rescuers found the body of one of the three climbers lost for over a week on Mt. Hood. The identification hasn't been made public, but because the body was discovered in a snow cave, I surmise it's the one who was injured and holed up in a snow cave with a cell phone.

You can, of course, catch this on your late news. The reason I'm blogging about it is my disgust at the truly hateful and disrespectful comments I've seen on a number of sites this evening. As always, AOL boards are by far the leaders in snippy, hateful, stupid comments. The mildest of the nasty comments called the three men stupid, inexperienced risk-takers, etc., etc. A cursory examination of the biographical information extant on them tells you that they were far from inexperienced. They had paid their dues, knew what they were doing, and had the proper equipment for the climb. What they could not control was nature. Bad weather blew in, and there was nothing they or anyone else could do to turn it back. Accidents happen, and they happen to the very best of the pros.

People who don't know what they're talking about should do themselves a favor and just shut up. As we all know, the Internet is filled with stupid people who yack-yack-yack just because they so love the sound of their own voices. It's too bad they have no clue how other people perceive their idiocy. If they did, they'd slink away and the Net would be a neater, smarter place.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

people suck usually and bloggers tend to suck more. Something about hiding behind not being known makes them braver and meaner.

That is really sad news so soon before CHristmas.

Serena said...

I don't know why sitting behind a computer monitor makes some people puff up with snottiness and cruelty, but it does. It's appalling how many truly repugnant people there are out there. Anyway, yes, it is sad news, especially at this time. I hope the families never read those ugly comments I referred to.

Anonymous said...

I agree.

rkfinnell said...

Hateful comments abound online without a reason. I've seen it time and again.

Serena said...

This is true. I think these halfwits do it just because they can.:(

LZ Blogger said...

All of life is a risk to someone... none of us gets out of it alive. I like the old quote... "All TRUTH is good, but not all TRUTH is good to be spoken" (or posted), but when it may NOT EVEN BE TRUTH, that is even worse! At any rate... I just wanted to wish a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family! ~ jb///

Serena said...

True words. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too.

Unknown said...

I am more impressed they can type to be honest.

Serena said...

I know it, Kan. Although, they're not very good at it. I think the Word Police are going to have to start keeping an eye on them. :)

Rex Zeitgeist said...

Hey, hey, lets not bash the typing challegned among us.....

1. People create personas in the internet, often personalities that are irrasible and negative, and their sole pleasure is seeking to inflict pain on others....

Typically, there are no 'real' repercussions for any bad behavior on the internet and people exploit that opening....I have been on both sides of the coin, but as a 'bad guy', I always used humor as my amin weapon, even at my meanest.....


2. These guys are experts and may have known exactly what they are doing, but it their own actions and decsions that put them in the current situation.....

My intrest in climbing a mountain is somewhere below zero, the risks are just to great.....It IS a tragedy for their families, but these guy put themselves in harms way.....

Serena said...

Nawwwwww! Negative, malevolent personalities on the Internet? You ain't just whistlin' Dixie. Sometimes it almost seems as though they outnumber the decent people.

People have a lot of different passions when it comes to their leisure activities. Whether it's football, scuba diving, mountain climbing, hang gliding, skydiving, baseball, hockey, or whatever, there's always an inherent element of danger. Those who love to do it accept the risk and, to some extent, put themselves in harm's way. I don't think that makes the love of one sport less acceptable than another. People do what they love to do. Sometimes they die in the pursuit of their passion. It's a risk they're willing to take, but it is very sad when they don't make it.