Watch Out, Missouri Cyclists:

[HankB]

Another take on flash mobs - groups of "youths" are apparently attacking and beating up bicyclists for kicks in St. Louis:

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/08/29/alert-for-swarm-and-slug-mobs/

One of the victims stated that they didn't seem to want to rob him, they just wanted to beat him up. If so, this is a disturbing turn of events, as it isn't just a group of shoplifters - these are thugs who want to hurt people for fun.   (Didn't something like this happen in Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago?)

[CNYCacher]

Can we stop calling these things flash mobs?  That is the term for an organized secret event where a lot of people participate in some silly activity at a predetermined time and place.  For example, walking around talking to a banana like it's a cell phone.

"Improv Everywhere" is a group that puts on a lot of great examples of this.

[AJ Dual]

Eh... I'm okay with the use.

Flash.. well, that indicates the use of social media and wireless communications to organize. Mob.. well that's just a mob.

The fact that the funny/oddball performance art groups coined the term first doesn't quite give them ownership of the term when it fits the nefarious definition just as well, or better.

And yes, it did happen at the WI State Fair, who's grounds are 1/4 in Milwaukee and 1/4 in the inner-ring suburb of West Allis.

[Perd Hapley]

[Obligatory prediction of eventual encounter between flash mob and CCW holder.]

Hm. My boss is a cyclist and lives in the city. I will make sure she knows about this. She is NOT a CCW type, though. 

[41magsnub]

Speaking of posers...  anybody else amused by all the posters going all ITG* mentioning firearm specifics?

*Internet Tough Guy

[MicroBalrog]

Can we stop calling these things flash mobs?  That is the term for an organized secret event where a lot of people participate in some silly activity at a predetermined time and place.  For example, walking around talking to a banana like it's a cell phone.

"Improv Everywhere" is a group that puts on a lot of great examples of this.

This one is a lost battle.

[CNYCacher]

This one is a lost battle.

You're probably right.

I'm going to get back to hacking this website now.

[MillCreek]

[Obligatory prediction of eventual encounter between flash mob and CCW holder.]

Hm. My boss is a cyclist and lives in the city. I will make sure she knows about this. She is NOT a CCW type, though. 

I am.  Whenever I am on the bicycle. Please do not try to commit a deadly force felony upon me whilst I am on the bicycle.  Appropriate action may be taken.

[Lee]

They call them MO-ped mobs.

[Vodka7]

Same thing happened here in Philly back in 09, a couple times, then once again this summer. Same exact situation, lone cyclist assaulted for no reason, nothing stolen. The one this time was an older gent, they cracked his skull open.

[AJ Dual]

Now why can't the DUY's (Disadvantaged Urban 'Yutes) strike when there's one of those Critical Mass rides? 

[Perd Hapley]

Now why can't the DUY's (Disadvantaged Urban 'Yutes) strike when there's one of those Critical Mass rides? 

Wouldn't be easy pickins.

[HankB]

Now why can't the DUY's (Disadvantaged Urban 'Yutes) strike when there's one of those Critical Mass rides? 

For the same reason PETA types generally prefer to throw paint on elderly ladies wearing fur, rather than Hell's Angels wearing leather.

[MillCreek]

Wouldn't be easy pickins.

In Seattle, some of the CM riders like to use their U-locks to smash cars that interfere with their rides.

[Perd Hapley]

In Seattle, some of the CM riders like to use their U-locks to smash cars that interfere with their rides.

And that is why you have GOT to control your bliss-ninnies.

[Jamisjockey]

In most big cities, critical mass is just a collection of lefty activists. If they weren't clogging the road, they'd be burning down a new housing development or attacking an animal research facility somewhere.
Showed up once for a cm ride.  Figured the agenda out right quick like.

[HankB]

In Seattle, some of the CM riders like to use their U-locks to smash cars that interfere with their rides.

A coupld of years ago I heard through the grapevine (must be true, right?) that a guy in a pickup who had a biker smash his windshield with a chain responded by twitching his steering wheel to the right . . .

Didn't end well for the cyclist.

Not wise to pick a fight with a guy driving a 2-ton battering ram.

[Tallpine]

A coupld of years ago I heard through the grapevine (must be true, right?) that a guy in a pickup who had a biker smash his windshield with a chain responded by twitching his steering wheel to the right . . .

Didn't end well for the cyclist.

Not wise to pick a fight with a guy driving a 2-ton battering ram.

I'm sure that I would be so startled that I might momentarily lose control of my pickup