Paul Soglin responded in the Wisconsin State Journal to the negative reaction to his blog that said that people riding their bikes in a recent Madison snowstorm should be “taken out and shot.”
“Some people have no sense of humor,” he said.
I'm one of those who missed the joke. My bad. Let's see what makes his comment so darn funny.
Soglin says he was trying to be “subtle, ironic and topical” by making the suggestion. The Journal explains:
“In writing the storm-bikers should be “taken out and shot,” however, he used a phrase he thought would be familiar to the blog 's usual readers.
“The comment was an oblique reference to a similar comment posted facetiously by a teacher on another blog in mock praise of the Columbine shooters. The suburban Milwaukee teacher was arrested, but Washington County officials said this week he would not be prosecuted.”
In addition to not having a sense of humor, I suppose I can't even follow simple logic. Is he saying his blog was funny because it reflected a comment regarding the Columbine shootings that got a Milwaukee school teacher arrested?
Whew. That's a real knee-slapper.
The Journal interviewed Soglin about his sudden fame in the bicycling blogosphere. His initial rant drew 78 comments, mostly unfavorable; two follow-ups received about 50 so far.
Probably far more helpful than all this spouting off is an article written last year by bicycling instructor Mike Gerke for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. It's entitled “Loving Winter Bicycling and Nights.”
Also, check out the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin's Winter Biking factsheet. It has just about everything you need to know to stay safe in the snow.
See also: Ex Mayor should apologize to bicyclists
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