This news story from the paper in my hometown of Midland, Texas is apparently making the email rounds with the local motorcycle crowd. I just received it today. And while the story is about a bicyclist who was run over and killed by an inattentive driver who was texting at the time of the incident, it still resounds strongly with experienced motorcyclists. On a regular -- sometimes even daily -- basis, we are practically assaulted by the gaggle of jackasses that comprise the cager demographic.

Now mind you, I realize that ranting about the fact that most American drivers are apparently retarded is preaching to the choir with those who read this blog. That's not my aim with this entry. My aim is to point out the mild slap on the wrist the driver received for essentially murdering another human being. Prepare to be angered:

"A driver who was distracted on his cell phone and fatally struck a bicyclist from behind last year has pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to five years probation by the 385th District Court."

That's right, no jail time and only five years probation. But wait, there's more:

"Judge Robin Malone Darr ... also ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine."

Gasp! A whole 2,500 dollars? Such cruel, cruel punishment.

What a joke.

The message? "Go ahead, American drivers. Eat those bagels. Drink those lattes. Send those texts. And do it all while driving. Sure, we'll make you pay a little fine or some-such if you kill a biker or cyclist, but only 'cause we hafta. The important thing to remember is that all those two-wheeled riders out there on the roads deserve whatever they get. After all, they shouldn't be riding those stupid contraptions in the first place. They should be driving Hummers while watching DVDs like the rest of us. Don't worry about taking personal responsibility for your actions -- we abandoned those ideals as a country long ago, anyhow. We'll just blame the victim or call it an accident, and still be home in time to watch American Idol or some other pop-culture crap that makes us even stupider."

The idiocracy is fully upon us.