After I wrote the response below, Criss replaced his offensive posting with a much more pleasant one. This turns my response into nonsense, as the letter to which it was responding is no longer posted. I would delete the response as well, but I will preserve it in the interest of maintaining a record of probably the most antagonistic exchange in this board's history.
todd
hey criss,
I just wanted to let you know that your condescending tone is most unappreciated and is blatantly disrespectful, reflecting negatively not upon me but upon you. First of all, as I said before, I am very aware of the dangers of road conditions in the DR. I have driven in India and motorbiked in Indonesia. Roads there suck too and zero respect is given for motorcyclists. Thailand is a step up, but not too far up. Second (to the guy who mentioned taking a trip to hospitals) I am very aware of the resource shortages and technological inadequacy from which hospitals in underdeveloped nations suffer. I don't need you to enlighten me about this, nor do I need to take a field trip to a hospital. I was hospitalized in a state (public) facility in Indonesia due to food poisoning. Also, this "idiot" who is willing to recklessly risk his life on the DR's roads has done research at Oxford University on the economics and politics of underdeveloped nations, and I have reviewed many empirical studies of resource shortages in their transportation and medical sectors. In short, I am very well-versed in the shortcomings of medical care and road conditions in underdeveloped nations. I am a student now at one of the top law schools in America, and it's ludicrous that you (criss, not marc) address me like some sort of dim-wit. It's also pretty downright hilarious that you pick out and exploit my use of the term "bike" to characterize me as some sort of naive buffoon, as if I purposely use that term to make the activity sound innocent. I am really impressed with the size of the bike you drove in Thailand. The bikes I drove in Indonesia were only in the 300cc range; I guess this makes me some sort of moron in need of your benevolent guidance. What I've found is that very defensive driving results in safe trips. I go very slow, show deference to larger vehicles, and avoid especially crowded areas if possible. You obviously have an over-inflated ego, which you need to reaffirm through insulting strangers like me on online bulletin boards and probably also through engaging in unsafe and overly aggressive driving practices. Get a little tact and subtlety in your writing and maybe you won't provoke reactions like this.
I was 1 mile from ground zero when the plane struck; that sickened me, but it didn't scare me. I understand the danger one is under in riding a motorbike, but I don't harbor disproportionate and exaggerated fears of this danger. I'm not xenophobic, I don't go near resorts, and I let what will happen happen. I try to live without barriers. Forgive me if you find this distasteful.
They offer sound advice, and make a lot of us laugh at the same time. You will come to know the people I am talking about the more you read the board. I hope you enjoy your trip here in the DR.
