Some people can be so callous

[Number One]

Maybe seeing images of mutilated corpses will encourage people to slow down and drive/ride more carefully after seeing the potential effects of high velocity collisions.

If you think that's bad, then check out www.bestgore.com

If you don't like what the media presents, then don't look at it.

whatever - has it slowed people down yet...if it worked that way wouldn't the death rate on roads be getting lower? No sorry I don't buy that.

I was actually referring to general media coverage of any type of fatality - not just stuff on the road - eg; the te papa CE pulled out the bush, the pilot in hong kong and heaps of others that I can't even name...because I do tune out...however it isn't easy to avoid some of this crap unless you are complete no mates live at home hermit.

Seriously I don't believe it adds any value to show me and everyone else someones corpse being taken away from the scene of their death...surely the story itself is enough....in fact I'd argue that much of the doom and gloom and shit on the news isn't actually NEWS.

BTW the link didn't bother me...I have no issue with blood and guts at all...I just don't see the value or POINT in blasting these images all over the place...respect for the families (and the dead) should come before selling a few papers and getting a few hits on the internet!

On another note - what's up your arse? I've been observing your posts since I've been logging in again and I can clearly see why you are so popular

...I'd expect based on the depth of your posts that you are all piss and vinegar behind your keyboard but totally underwhelming to meet in person. It's okay though - being the 'ripe old age' of 21 you'll hopefully grow out of...eventually...

[SMOKEU]

whatever - has it slowed people down yet...if it worked that way wouldn't the death rate on roads be getting lower? No sorry I don't buy that.

I was actually referring to general media coverage of any type of fatality - not just stuff on the road - eg; the te papa CE pulled out the bush, the pilot in hong kong and heaps of others that I can't even name...because I do tune out...however it isn't easy to avoid some of this crap unless you are complete no mates live at home hermit.

Seriously I don't believe it adds any value to show me and everyone else someones corpse being taken away from the scene of their death...surely the story itself is enough....in fact I'd argue that much of the doom and gloom and shit on the news isn't actually NEWS.

BTW the link didn't bother me...I have no issue with blood and guts at all...I just don't see the value or POINT in blasting these images all over the place...respect for the families (and the dead) should come before selling a few papers and getting a few hits on the internet!

On another note - what's up your arse? I've been observing your posts since I've been logging in again and I can clearly see why you are so popular

...I'd expect based on the depth of your posts that you are all piss and vinegar behind your keyboard but totally underwhelming to meet in person. It's okay though - being the 'ripe old age' of 21 you'll hopefully grow out of...eventually...

Showing a pic of a corpse is all part of the story. It helps to sell the story, which is what journalists are paid to do.

[KapitiLizard]

That does suck big time..... but alittle off topic here, I hate the way it's reported "High Powered Motorcycle hits back of tractor" and Police would like to speak to any one who saw the bike before the crash!...

To me just sounds already a little negative towards the biker... whats the first thing that comes to mind when you read that, biker more than likely at fault?

Ditto from me. What has the size of the engine got to do with this tragedy? The implication is that he has a powerful motorcycle so he must have been speeding. Not only are bikers being killed by arseholes who don't know how to drive safe, but apparently it's our fault too ??? ARGHHHHH

[Number One]

Showing a pic of a corpse is all part of the story. It helps to sell the story, which is what journalists are paid to do.

Geeze man don't requote the whole damn post...server space and all that!

I agree that bad news sells and we are quite visual creatures but I still don't think it's on. Paid to do yeah - that will certainly drive all kinds of disgusting behaviour on the part of media companies and their journos.

Pretty fucked off with Fairfax at the moment actually...publishing a suppressed victim impact statement in it's full form from my friends kid...plastered the story all over the front page and the poor bugger is already really traumatised and here these pricks are 'making money' blatant scum sucking soulless bottomfeeders I reckon

[Rogue Rider]

Meh.

Bikers don't have any more empathy than anyone else - except when it suits them.

Empathy, empathy........ empathy, that is a word that is said easy but often not accredited with passive understanding or thought.
It's easy to look on from the outside and to pass judgement, the reality is, that people handle things in different ways, just as they express them in different ways.
I hear people mock, people joke, people cry, some get angry some just walk away numb. All can be understood to have empathy, just not acted out in way that is compassionate or understood.
However we react to a situation, understand that a complete stranger can feel the anguish, hurt and loss of someone they can relate to, and in doing so will out work it in the way they best handle grief.
What happened is very sad, and the reality is the man was someones husband, father, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, colleague, associate, riding buddy, sports friend, mentor, etc.
My thoughts are with those who knew him, loved him, and those who feel the loss of a comrade. That is who we lost, a comrade, one whom shares the same passions as us.

Our father in heaven, hallowed be thy name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom of power and glory, forever. Unto you whom we commit this soul, in peace and grace.

[SMOKEU]

Pretty fucked off with Fairfax at the moment actually...publishing a suppressed victim impact statement in it's full form from my friends kid...plastered the story all over the front page and the poor bugger is already really traumatised and here these pricks are 'making money' blatant scum sucking soulless bottomfeeders I reckon

Maybe a strong worded letter to the newspaper is the right thing to do.

[Number One]

Maybe a strong worded letter to the newspaper is the right thing to do.

Let's just say that there is no need for a toey letter to the editor and that difficult conversations have been and are continuing to be had....

Hope they don't pull anymore shit concerning this specific case.

[SMOKEU]

Let's just say that there is no need for a toey letter to the editor and that difficult conversations have been and are continuing to be had....

Hope they don't pull anymore shit concerning this specific case.

I have to agree with you that Fairfax are being complete dicks about publishing that victim impact statement. I can understand why you would want to smack some cunt over because of it.

[Number One]

Yup the whole thing is hideous. Poor kid is quite affected and of course being a teenager everyone knows who is who. Bloody horrible for his parents and brother too.

AND to make matters worse they have almost celebrated the little bastards who hurt him...making a sexy and salacious story out of what was essentially 'really fucked up teenager' behaviour

scum sucking bottom feeders!

[oldrider]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...670575&ref=rss

The paper says his name was Julian Budd. Condolences to his family and friends.

Shit, surprising how many times I have almost done that myself "after dark" and the pricks have had no lights on at all either!

[PrincessBandit]

Meh.

Individual perception of empathy and humour is just that - individual.

You can guarantee that if the biker had been riding a Harley, many people here would be gleefully pissing themselves over it (especially as it involved a collision with a tractor...).

I can recall about a year ago when an Asian lady was killed in a Jet Boating accident - there was a thread on here dedicated to jokes about it.

Bikers don't have any more empathy than anyone else - except when it suits them.

Yeah, it's pretty appalling what some people will find funny or amusing; and you're right - bikers included can have a pathetic take on other people's tragedies when it doesn't involve them. Different story when it's closer to home eh.