Dear Cyclist<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> We refer to the attached disgusting article about cyclists published recently in the beeld. Please join us in lodging a protest with the Editor by forwarding the following e mail to csmuts@beeld.com with your name attached. Giovanni Mottalini of CGC is getting legal opinion on the article and what steps we as cyclists can take. In the meantime please play your role. Regards Simon Nash The Editor Beeld Dear Editor We write to you as concerned citizens and cyclists regarding the article dubbed ?Vat So julle fascistiese fiets-twatte by journalist Deon Maas. In the first instance Mr Maas clearly has anger issues to deal with. The fact that he spent a considerable time dreaming up ways in which he can insult, threaten and belittle people who ride bicycles goes beyond an inability to value differences in our society, it shows clear signs of anti social behaviour. His derogatory comments are a reflection of his lack of intellect, so what if cyclists shave their legs and wear brightly coloured clothes? So what if some of us ride expensive bicycles and drive even more expensive cars? Would it be acceptable to start an anti farmer movement based on their wearing khaki clothing and driving diesel vehicles? Could we start a mow down the farmer game because our local farmers block the roads with their farm vehicles on the way to market? Clearly not, and with good reason. What difference does it make if he pays more for a license than others. Mr Maas shows a distinct lack of understanding of cycling as a sport and as a mode of transport when he refers to cycling as a Sunday sport, and is completely ignorant of human anatomy when he suggests that cyclists either have currently got prostate problems or will have soon? Does he think our many thousands of female riders have prostates? This kind of irresponsible journalism is in poor taste, even more so when considering that it will be read by the many families of cyclists who have been maimed and even killed by vehicles on the roads, that large heavy thing with four wheels that can take human life so easily as pointed out so gleefully by Mr Maas. Mr Maas should answer to the Human Rights Commission on the basis that hate speech against cyclists is no different to hate speech against a member of a racial or religious group, it is the mindless senseless act of someone incapable of even understanding that there should be differences between us, never mind that the differences between us are what makes the world such a wonderful place. He should also answer to the Department of Transport, they who are spending a fortune publicising the need for road safety, only to have a moron like this write an article suggesting that a new national sport should include knocking cyclists off their bike and get points for this. Regrettably he shows his true colours by allocating more points to black cyclists, supposedly on the grounds that there are less of them. I am sure that Mr Maas could argue that the article was a light-hearted joke, if that is the case Mr Maas, your sense of humour sucks and is entirely insensitive. If not Mr Maas, may you be lucky enough to never have to be on the receiving end of the narrow minded bigotry you yourself display. We believe that Mr Maas should, and will be brought to book and will make every effort to ensure that the appropriate authorities are made aware of this article. We also believe that it is your responsibility to get Mr Maas to withdraw this article and apologise to the many thousands of cyclists in our community. Simon Nash simonnash@vodamail.co.za
