Forever,
While I agree that everyone should prepare their boat before getting underway, I cannot support the premise we need to take responsibility or blame when an irresponsible (unseamanship like) boater causes damage or worse yet injury. You did not address the injury part at all.
"A couple of minutes preparations before casting off the lines is all it takes to avoid any ill effects from the most inconsiderate boaters." I feel that is at best an oversimplification and at worst just not true. I do agree that we should prepare our boats for worst anticipated conditions (and probably beyond).
I have seen situations where the actions of someone else caused unavoidable injury on another boat. So, while being prepared is important, irresponsible (which is actually illegal) boaters need to "man up" (meant to be gender neutral) and care more about the impact of THEIR actions and operate in a responsible manner! Can you say courtesy? Thinking, (I know for some that actually hurts) about others, even for just a few seconds and adjusting accordingly is all it takes. Most boaters do know how big a wake they throw, and unless complete idiots, what that wake can do under the wrong conditions. If not, they should not be boating, and blame should not be placed on the innocent party but on the party perpetrating the wrongdoing.
As an analogy, what you stated is somewhat like: you wouldn't have much if any sympathy for someone who suffered a violent home break in because they did not have the correct (best) locks. "They need to take responsibility for their own actions and not blame others (the burglers). It is just not right"
Again, while I support that we need to "ready" our own boat, blaming those who "miss something" or forget, for the outcome of the reckless action of someone else is just not right!
JMHO.