But when I see something like today's sad story my first inclination is not to either heap condemnation on the recently deceased, or to make a for/against argument for at-grade light rail.
Pedestrian hit, killed, by Metro Rail on South Loop. Dug Begly & Anita Hassan, Chron.com
Witnesses reported seeing the man walking along Fannin, then onto the southbound tracks, said Jerome Gray, a Metro spokesman. He crossed over to the northbound tracks and had walked about 20 to 30 feet when he was hit, Gray said.
The man's back was to the train and fire department officials said he was wearing earbuds, Gray said. The guard rails were lowered and the signal lights were flashing, the spokesman said.
The man was believed to be in his 50s and witnesses said he hung out under the South Loop, Gray said.Of course, the Chron.commenters are in full voice:
Tomasina
Those trains are so hard to see. Moron.
catsfan
don't be an idiot with earphones on or texting while you cross an intersection. This is hardly Metro's fault
stevenf
Reason #362 why the rail system in Houston needs to go away. Instead of transporting working professionals from the burbs into downtown, it brings a less than desirable element into downtown to just hang out and ask for money. In the Summer, it is free AC for the homeless. This is an epic waste of money!
And these commenters are an epic waste of space.
Sometimes, when I'm feeling happy, I go to the chron.comments area before I begin to write a blog post in the curmudgeon voice. It never fails. Anonymous comments are well intelligence goes to die. It's why I don't allow them on here, haven't for a while and never will again. And while I'm sure that this, and a very small readership, prevents me from having any comments at all it's the price I'm willing to pay for preventing this kind of crap from settling in the soft underbelly of the blog and generally bringing down the collective IQ.
Were I King of the Chronicle I would do away with the comments section all-together. It never adds anything interesting and it typically devolves into shouting matches between those with a tenuous grip on the facts.
Over the last 8 days 2 people woke up in the morning having no idea that the walk they would take later in the day would be their last. In a sane world there would be some discussion as to whether or not the small Houston Light Rail system has enough safeguards in place to try and prevent tragedies such as this. Alas, we don't live in either a sane world (or city for that matter).
Instead we live in a world where making fun of someone who's lot in life has apparently not been as blessed as those commenting is the norm and the first instinct of Houstonians is to see who can either get in the first snarky comment, or (in their minds) the best snarky comment.
What none of them realize is that being the "best" in online commenting is akin to winning first prize in the Darwin Awards.
Yes, you came in first but you're still a loser.
Here's hoping the families of the deceased choose not to read that and view how the unproductive class regards their loved ones.
