Social Media Shitdiots and Hijacking the Toronto Police #RIDE Hashtag on Twitter

Hey Danny.

Thank you so much for this post! I have done dozens of interviews on the issue and the reasons why people choose to support the potential for assisting in the continuation of a criminal offence. I really believe that many people think they are doing a harmless "civic good" for their fellow drivers, not ever considering the potential consequences.

On December 24th, when I tweeted "If you tweet a #RIDE location tonight, make sure you also apologize tomorrow to any families who lose a loved one to a drunk driver" I never would have predicted the result.

Many people removed tweets from their timeline, apologized and, I believe, "got the big picture."

We are often quick to act and don't always consider all the ramifications...those who think it's ok to facilitate criminal acts or turn a blind eye to those who think its fine to drink and drive, are in that group.

All the best.

Tim

Hey Danny. Thank you so much for this post! I have done dozens of interviews on the issue and the reasons why people choose to support the potential for assisting in the continuation of a criminal offence. I really believe that many people think they are doing a harmless "civic good" for their fellow drivers, not ever considering the potential consequences. On December 24th, when I tweeted "If you tweet a #RIDE location tonight, make sure you also apologize tomorrow to any families who lose a loved one to a drunk driver" I never would have predicted the result. Many people removed tweets from their timeline, apologized and, I believe, "got the big picture." We are often quick to act and don't always consider all the ramifications...those who think it's ok to facilitate criminal acts or turn a blind eye to those who think its fine to drink and drive, are in that group. All the best. Tim

Unbelievable. Makes me ashamed to be a Torontonian. Great post. Agree with absolutely everything you said. I wish the police could fine for that sort of thing - isn't it an obstruction of justice in some sense? Then we could all 'out' those on Twitter abusing the medium to undermine the cops. Sounds like a good idea, but it's probably unconstitutional or something.

Unbelievable. Makes me ashamed to be a Torontonian. Great post. Agree with absolutely everything you said. I wish the police could fine for that sort of thing - isn't it an obstruction of justice in some sense? Then we could all 'out' those on Twitter abusing the medium to undermine the cops. Sounds like a good idea, but it's probably unconstitutional or something.

Merry Holidays, My friend.

Stuff like this is like poking me with a pointy stick and expecting NOT to get pistol whipped for your own stupidity (and my sheer pleasure).

You go, man!

Absolutely! As a retired alcoholic (yes, yes), I can honestly say I was thoroughly sloshed for a long enough period of time that I'll probably be pretty well pickled for decades to come...so I feel like I am kinda an expert. (Call Dino!)

(No, seriously- THAT was a joke! ...cringe)

No matter where I was, what bar, who's home, garage, campfire, what state, country, city or town - no matter where I was, there is ALWAYS someone who can get you a ride home.

EVEN the coppers.

Driving under the influence is STUPID. Helping (and yes, encouraging) people drive under the influence is beyond STUPID. (More like, "Yep, you are stupid. Sterilize Immediately. NO BREEDING permitted!")

Thanks for being The Man on this one, Danny- it is really important, to us all.
~Amber-Lee

Merry Holidays, My friend. Stuff like this is like poking me with a pointy stick and expecting NOT to get pistol whipped for your own stupidity (and my sheer pleasure). You go, man! Absolutely! As a retired alcoholic (yes, yes), I can honestly say I was thoroughly sloshed for a long enough period of time that I'll probably be pretty well pickled for decades to come...so I feel like I am kinda an expert. (Call Dino!) (No, seriously- THAT was a joke! ...cringe) No matter where I was, what bar, who's home, garage, campfire, what state, country, city or town - no matter where I was, there is ALWAYS someone who can get you a ride home. EVEN the coppers. Driving under the influence is STUPID. Helping (and yes, encouraging) people drive under the influence is beyond STUPID. (More like, "Yep, you are stupid. Sterilize Immediately. NO BREEDING permitted!") Thanks for being The Man on this one, Danny- it is really important, to us all. ~Amber-Lee

Danny,

Good to point this out. It is really a ridiculous and childish way to protest something. It's the old "rebel without a clue" syndrome.

More importantly, you use the term shitdiots a lot. Isn't it properly pronounced shitediots where you are from? :)

Have a great new year!

Danny, Good to point this out. It is really a ridiculous and childish way to protest something. It's the old "rebel without a clue" syndrome. More importantly, you use the term shitdiots a lot. Isn't it properly pronounced shitediots where you are from? :) Have a great new year!

G'Day Danny,
Thanks for speaking out about drunk driving. We've had quite severe penalties about this Down Under for more than 20 years.
Given my Celtic antecedents, I enjoy more than a wee dram or four. But drink driving is not only dumb. It's plain bloody selfish. As one of the slogans used here says, "Drink. Drive: You're a bloody idiot!"
If severe penalties for drink driving are what it takes to keep drunks off the road, that's an "abuse of police power" I totally support.

By the way, Sydneysiders are complaining about the coolest December for 50 years. Average daily temperatures have been in the mid-high 20s--About 70+F.

Whether it's drink driving or weather, some silly buggers dunno they're alive.

Duck! Here comes 2012! I'd hoped to follow that line with a clever and witty second line to make up an amusing couplet. But I can't. You try finding a decent rhyme for "!2."

Take care
Leon

G'Day Danny, Thanks for speaking out about drunk driving. We've had quite severe penalties about this Down Under for more than 20 years. Given my Celtic antecedents, I enjoy more than a wee dram or four. But drink driving is not only dumb. It's plain bloody selfish. As one of the slogans used here says, "Drink. Drive: You're a bloody idiot!" If severe penalties for drink driving are what it takes to keep drunks off the road, that's an "abuse of police power" I totally support. By the way, Sydneysiders are complaining about the coolest December for 50 years. Average daily temperatures have been in the mid-high 20s--About 70+F. Whether it's drink driving or weather, some silly buggers dunno they're alive. Duck! Here comes 2012! I'd hoped to follow that line with a clever and witty second line to make up an amusing couplet. But I can't. You try finding a decent rhyme for "!2." Take care Leon

Hey Danny
I'm missing the agility of the old Livefyre - any news?

Hey Danny I'm missing the agility of the old Livefyre - any news?

Hi Danny
Not come across the term "Shitdiots" but good to see/hear someone speaking out.

With you all the way on drunk drivers, and the police deserve our support.

Hi Danny Not come across the term "Shitdiots" but good to see/hear someone speaking out. With you all the way on drunk drivers, and the police deserve our support.

Well, here in Europe some people not only drive drunk but under the effects of drugs and every weekend there are deaths on the road. And they do it because if something happens you just get a slap and that's it. Being stoned while driving is more of an excuse than a crime. Italian Justice System. But you can have your driving licence cut in two if you drink a beer more.

Anyhow, hoping to not offend someone, I don't think the real problem lies in drinking a couple of beers more. I still remember 20 and so years ago when there were no alcohol tests and people who drunk too much went home slowly and calmly even if this meant driving at 5 mph. Today people get drunk, maybe take some drugs, go in their car, pump up the volume and begin driving like a Formula 1 driver. That's the real problem for me: either they don't care to arrive at home safe or they think they are in a kind of superhuman mode and if something happens they just have to put another coin in the videogame and begin another game. It's not they they drive drunk, it's that they don't care at all about what can happen.

This is the real issue imho, which is helped a lot if like in Italy you risk almost nothing if something bad happens. Just to give a real life example some months ago a man drunk and under drugs killed eight people in a row and was sentenced less then ten years of jail which with all benefits people have in Italy means more or less four years at most. Imagine if this can be a deterrent.

But especially with youngs the real problem is that they don't care and they think they are cool and somehow immortals and don't care about others.

People have always drunk but they wanted to arrive at home safe without causing any damage. This is what has changed, their attitude to life. Or said differently peple has changed and alcohol has little to do with this. As you say Danny if you exaggerate and drink too much you can just call a taxi or sleep in your car. That's what people in Italy were used to do in the past because they cared about their life and that of others. Well, we all know and see everywhere that the world has changed right?

Note: I've generalized a bit, I know. :)

Well, here in Europe some people not only drive drunk but under the effects of drugs and every weekend there are deaths on the road. And they do it because if something happens you just get a slap and that's it. Being stoned while driving is more of an excuse than a crime. Italian Justice System. But you can have your driving licence cut in two if you drink a beer more. Anyhow, hoping to not offend someone, I don't think the real problem lies in drinking a couple of beers more. I still remember 20 and so years ago when there were no alcohol tests and people who drunk too much went home slowly and calmly even if this meant driving at 5 mph. Today people get drunk, maybe take some drugs, go in their car, pump up the volume and begin driving like a Formula 1 driver. That's the real problem for me: either they don't care to arrive at home safe or they think they are in a kind of superhuman mode and if something happens they just have to put another coin in the videogame and begin another game. It's not they they drive drunk, it's that they don't care at all about what can happen. This is the real issue imho, which is helped a lot if like in Italy you risk almost nothing if something bad happens. Just to give a real life example some months ago a man drunk and under drugs killed eight people in a row and was sentenced less then ten years of jail which with all benefits people have in Italy means more or less four years at most. Imagine if this can be a deterrent. But especially with youngs the real problem is that they don't care and they think they are cool and somehow immortals and don't care about others. People have always drunk but they wanted to arrive at home safe without causing any damage. This is what has changed, their attitude to life. Or said differently peple has changed and alcohol has little to do with this. As you say Danny if you exaggerate and drink too much you can just call a taxi or sleep in your car. That's what people in Italy were used to do in the past because they cared about their life and that of others. Well, we all know and see everywhere that the world has changed right? Note: I've generalized a bit, I know. :)

Fabulous post Danny! RT'd of course. Fortunately, I've not been touched by any tragic events related to drinking & driving but only an idiot would argue that it is not a problem. I've tweeted many times over the past few weeks about it as — unbelievably so — charges stemming from the RIDE program (in Durham Region) have increased this year over last. Even as I write this I still can't believe it...are we that bloody stupid! I wish they would put zero tolerance to a vote. I'd be at the front of the line saying YES! Any legal drinking limit is just not acceptable. Especially these days when people are distracted by so many other things while driving. Thank you for this Danny — and the other good works you donate your time to.

Fabulous post Danny! RT'd of course.

Fortunately, I've not been touched by any tragic events related to drinking & driving but only an idiot would argue that it is not a problem. I've tweeted many times over the past few weeks about it as — unbelievably so — charges stemming from the RIDE program (in Durham Region) have increased this year over last. Even as I write this I still can't believe it...are we that bloody stupid!

I wish they would put zero tolerance to a vote. I'd be at the front of the line saying YES! Any legal drinking limit is just not acceptable. Especially these days when people are distracted by so many other things while driving.

Thank you for this Danny — and the other good works you donate your time to.

Hey Danny, just saw this. Talk about abuse. The Toronto Police services are starting to use Twitter more often as a way to get citizens help them spread the word about their initiatives. I remember when I talked to them over a year ago they were very hesitant to even use Twitter because they'd open up a Pandora's box. It only takes an idiot few to turn good initiatives into a fiasco. The good news is that I see a lot more people like you and everyone on this thread attacking the very people for misusing the hashtag. I think TPS feels pretty good about their frontline defence right now:)

Hey Danny, just saw this. Talk about abuse. The Toronto Police services are starting to use Twitter more often as a way to get citizens help them spread the word about their initiatives. I remember when I talked to them over a year ago they were very hesitant to even use Twitter because they'd open up a Pandora's box. It only takes an idiot few to turn good initiatives into a fiasco. The good news is that I see a lot more people like you and everyone on this thread attacking the very people for misusing the hashtag. I think TPS feels pretty good about their frontline defence right now:)

Hi Danny,

We live in sad times. The increasing stupidity of people seems to be paralleling the ability of people to make their voices big and loud. Good for you for calling this out.

Hi Danny, We live in sad times. The increasing stupidity of people seems to be paralleling the ability of people to make their voices big and loud. Good for you for calling this out.