The basis of this mentality is authoritarianism, which is now the
predominant right-wing conservative
perspective in the USA, particularly Christian Conservatism. Violence
directed towards perceived
lower tiers without conscience, combined with a kiss-up attitude
towards authority figures.

The driver assumes anyone else would do the same thing given the
opportunity. The perception is
magnified by the metaphor that the car did the violence on the
drivers' behalf (absolution),
and the cyclists' lack of official operators credentials.

The language used in newspaper articles and local broadcast TV/radio
to describe automobile crashes is intended to reinforce the
absolution, in part because automobile manufactures/retailers are the
primary (and sometimes only) advertising revenue source.
The lack of enforcement of harsh fines or jail time for this behavior
removes any doubt that this behavior is sanctioned. This is driven by
conservative politics.
the lack of cyclist licensing and registration/plates credentials
informs an authoritarian that the cyclist does not belong
on the road and thus should be punished for getting in the way, or
even just for fun.

I think the best way to counter all this is to make cycling more
Authoritarian friendly. An vigorous licensing and registration
bureaucracy. Drum up patriotic and religious associations with the
bicycle. The flag, cross, and bible imagery! Build segregated
bikeways like in Europe, protected with bollards and make it downright
christian and patriotic.

Logically Christian conservatives have every supposed moral, ethical,
and principled reason to be all about bikes, but modern conservatives
have no conscience. They really don't - at least not since
Goldwater! You have to give them increasingly authoritarian
reasons. and that can be done and will work like a charm.

On Jun 12, 5:01*pm, Tºm Shermªn °_° ""twshermanREMOVE\"@THI
$southslope.net" wrote:
Police report:

"THE CYCLIST WAS WEST BOUND ON MS50 NEAR THE TRULOVE LOOP INTERSECTION.
* V1 WAS WEST BOUND ON MS50 APPROACHING THE CYCLIST FROM THE REAR. *THE
FRONT OF V1 COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF THE BICYCLE. *THE IMPACT THREW THE
CYCLIST INTO THE AIR BEFORE LANDING ON THE HOOD OF V1 AND ONTO THE
WINDSHIELD. *V1 CONTINUED FOR A FEW FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *THE
CYCLIST WAS THEN THROWN TO THE ASPHALT WHEN V1 STOPPED. *THE DRIVER OF
V1 EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THE CYCLIST WHILE TALKING ON THE
PHONE. *D1 THEN REENTERED HER VEHICLE AND RAN THE CYCLIST OVER AGAIN
BEFORE BEING FORCED FROM HER VEHICLE BY WITNESSES. *V1 CAME TO FINAL
REST FACING WEST IN THE WEST BOUND LANE ON MS 50 JUST METERS WEST OF THE
TRULOVE LOOP INTERSECTION. *THE CYCLIST CAME TO FINAL REST NEAR THE
RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF V1."

See
http://www.accidentin.com/article3079581/friends_family_of_accident_v....

Why is Robbie Norton, 44, of Cedar Bluff, MS still free to commit mayhem
with her vehicle?

http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/node/5919

--
Tºm Shermªn - 42.435731,-83.985007
I am a vehicular cyclist.