On Tuesday, July 20th, 2010, the Hays Street Bridge, being blocked off for almost 30 years finally reopens not to vehicular traffic as it was originally designed for, but to bicycle and pedestrians turning this dilapidated structures that has been seen for as far as I can remember from driving on Interstate 37. Its a nice place to be especially on a hot afternoon because that is where the wind is blowing. Its basically a park on a bridge with joggers and cyclist from the neighborhood next to it just hanging out, watching the trains go by.
But from the comments from the news story page and letters to the editor, it sounds like government waste at it's best. The neighborhood has a history of being a rough place, but my friend is moving to that same neighborhood and she likes being near the center of town. last I check, she's a very attractive woman with a nice rack if you get my meaning. Other have complained about drugs and crime, but check out this news story, it looks like the the North West side of town are the worse place to be if you go by homicide rate yet now one is worried about getting mugged there. http://media.mysanantonio.com/images/sahomicides_p1.jpg
The bad comments where made as letters to the Editor in the San Antonio Express news. http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/your_turn__july_18_2010_99134524.html?showFullArticle=y Frank Goll in July 25 letters stated "City leaders seem to find plenty of tax dollars for items like the Hays Street Bridge restoration ($3.7 million) plus a few million for pet projects like the South Side San Antonio River beautification, light rail, red bike project, paddleboats, bike lanes, green job corps and other wish list items for our mayor and his cronies at City Hall." Yet he failed to mention the fact that City hall has been aggressively seeking Federal Funding to keep Police and Fireman in place. Right now, there asking for new recruits in the city.
And on July 26, Robert Mendez complained about the weeds over Salado Creek on Glember Rd and was there any money to clean it up. Maybe somebody should tell him the phone # 311. That is where if you have a complaint about the sidewalks, parks, bridges in San Antonio, they'll find the resources and time to clean it up. http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/your_turn__july_26_2010_99137579.html?showFullArticle=y.
Now what about Waco and the recent opening of the Washington Avenue Bridge there just two days later. It has the same design as the Hays Street bridge and from the local paper there, it seem to be getting praise from the residents of Waco, Texas. Here's one quote from http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/Bill-Whitaker-Old-Washington-Avenue-Bridge-spans-our-failures-our-hopes.html Bill Whitaker saying "Most celebrants won’t be aware of it in their patriotic glee, but there’s something wonderfully ironic and reassuring about the old Washington Avenue Bridge being re-opened to foot traffic in time for this evening’s Fourth of July festivities in Indian Spring Park. For a year and a half, the 109-year-old bridge has undergone reconstruction to bolster it again for two-lane traffic." And so far the only Letter to the Editor there praises the opening of the bridge. http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/letters/LETTERS-Readers-sound-off-on-Wacos-spay-and-neuter-law-bicycle-paths-and-Washington-crossing-the-Brazos.html From Hats off for headline by Sandy Spark Corwin of Waco "I laughed out loud when I read the Friday headline, “Washington crossing the Brazos.” Hats off to the writer. That’s the kind of reference to history we can all appreciate. As a native of Waco and one whose dad, Dr. Milton Spark, served the people of all parts of Waco but had his office in East Waco, I’m delighted this old bridge is back in service." After all this bridge renovation only cost $4.8 Million dollars.
But wait, I know why people are complaining about the hays Street Bridge, it doesn't allow Cars on it anymore and second, it in a neighborhood that has a pseudo reputation about it. It tales of drugs, drive by's and crime will probably keep old timers stuck in there car. No wonder it is a waste of money. But just as Waco using there bridge to connect neighborhoods, we are also using this bridge to connect neighborhoods that are cut off from Downtown. Only this time, it to the future of pedestrians and bicycles because just ask anyone who lives and works downtown, finding parking is a pain in the (add curse word of your
choice here).
Links to Sources.
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/letters/LETTERS-Readers-sound-off-on-Wacos-spay-and-neuter-law-bicycle-paths-and-Washington-crossing-the-Brazos.html
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/editorials/97642899.html
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/Bill-Whitaker-Old-Washington-Avenue-Bridge-spans-our-failures-our-hopes.html
http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/editorials/EDITORIAL-Bridge-to-Somewhere.html
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/your_turn__july_26_2010_99137579.html.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/your_turn__july_18_2010_99134524.html
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/running_through_east_side_history_99172694.html
http://www.mysanantonio.com/corrections/Corrections_July_19-25_2010_98896144.html
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/hays_street_bridge_opens_98884294.html
http://www.mysanantonio.com/livinggreensa/old_span_may_becomea_bridge_to_the_future_98688589.html
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Unemployment Check are stimilous checks.
Today, the president sign the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 that will extend benifits for another 6 months. But this is nothing new, the only difference is that this time the money is going to the unemployed, not the employed.
Remember back in 2008, when Bush issued out checks? I got one and I believe a few years earlier they issued them again. The were called Stimilous Checks and at first, I was told I didn't make enough money.
Can't you guys see this is as the same thing, the stimilous checks during Bush, the unemployment extension under Obama; they're both the same. There are there to keep us spending and here's why. Our Economy is based on "spend here and spend now." But this stimilous will not keep the economy going for long.
The big problem with capitalism, the economic system worse except all others is that it requires people to spend there money for this and that. I could never understand this at all because once you spent your money, well you didn't have anymore. Although you go out and earn some more and that is what was pushed on to me except I begin to wonder, what if there was no more money to earn anymore?
And that is the whole problem with our economy right now, is that there's less money to be earned. And the Capitalistic system has been in place for over 500 years now since the inception of the East India Company. We call the periods of "less money to be earned," depressions and recessions. And like anything of nature, which our economy is no different, it has cycles and season of birth, growth, aged, and Death. We call these seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. And that is the problem with the entire system, it fails to accound the cycles, the aged and death, the fall and winter in our economy. As long as we have intellictuals and business man who fail to account for the fall and winter parts of our economy, then well have depression and recessions. How many people back in 2004 or 2005 and said, "our economy will go on like this forever." How many people back in 97 said that?
Now I'm not demanding we all become communist, or socialist, even though our economy is more socialistic in nature than capitalist. I'm simply asking those who make policy realize the nature of things and that things don't grow forever. I'm asking for a change in the way we plan, the way we see things coming around the corner. And as long as we have economist and CEO's failure to think long term and in cycles, we'll continue to have recessions and depressions in the future. A human Being doesn't grow forever, he/she eventually ages and dies. So do all lifeform on this planet. What makes you think you can go against nature, or if your religious, GOD.
Remember back in 2008, when Bush issued out checks? I got one and I believe a few years earlier they issued them again. The were called Stimilous Checks and at first, I was told I didn't make enough money.
Can't you guys see this is as the same thing, the stimilous checks during Bush, the unemployment extension under Obama; they're both the same. There are there to keep us spending and here's why. Our Economy is based on "spend here and spend now." But this stimilous will not keep the economy going for long.
The big problem with capitalism, the economic system worse except all others is that it requires people to spend there money for this and that. I could never understand this at all because once you spent your money, well you didn't have anymore. Although you go out and earn some more and that is what was pushed on to me except I begin to wonder, what if there was no more money to earn anymore?
And that is the whole problem with our economy right now, is that there's less money to be earned. And the Capitalistic system has been in place for over 500 years now since the inception of the East India Company. We call the periods of "less money to be earned," depressions and recessions. And like anything of nature, which our economy is no different, it has cycles and season of birth, growth, aged, and Death. We call these seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. And that is the problem with the entire system, it fails to accound the cycles, the aged and death, the fall and winter in our economy. As long as we have intellictuals and business man who fail to account for the fall and winter parts of our economy, then well have depression and recessions. How many people back in 2004 or 2005 and said, "our economy will go on like this forever." How many people back in 97 said that?
Now I'm not demanding we all become communist, or socialist, even though our economy is more socialistic in nature than capitalist. I'm simply asking those who make policy realize the nature of things and that things don't grow forever. I'm asking for a change in the way we plan, the way we see things coming around the corner. And as long as we have economist and CEO's failure to think long term and in cycles, we'll continue to have recessions and depressions in the future. A human Being doesn't grow forever, he/she eventually ages and dies. So do all lifeform on this planet. What makes you think you can go against nature, or if your religious, GOD.
Friday, June 25, 2010
A City Divided and shows in City Council Vote.
As a residence of San Antonio since I was 8 years old, I came to realize somethimg about the city. That there is a disconnect between its sides and parts of town. That one side of town is totally different from the other side. Like small cosmic universe of a certain culture, the difference is almost like night and day. As a resident of the far East Side, you begin to feel that your city don't even care about you unless you drive a car and own a home in the Dominion.
This disconnect between those who live in side the loop and those who live outside the loop at the Thursday city council meeting. The council voted 8 to 3 to Denounce Arizona's new Immigration law. Those that supported AZ new Law are the City councils are 8, 9 and 10. All Clearly these districts are out side of Loop 410. I don't know if this is a sign of thing to come for other things that effect the city such as development, law enforcement, and transportation but I'm starting to see at the public meetings on certain sides of town. At the South side Smartways SA meeting on June 23, I was told by almost all who attended was that "enough! don't ride the bus, we do and that should be shown in the number of bus routes and services provided on the South Side." These attitudes and feeling in my opinion have been dormant for decades and are only now coming to the surface. With a new Generation coming of age and demanding to live with in the center of the cities themselves, It only a matter of time that we'll see the South Side Become A power house just Northsiders as the North Side is today.
Already they are reconstructing the San Antonio River on the South Side to be a park just like Brackenridge. They are building the New Texas A&M Campus on the Southside. Also I've started to see more and more people who live on the South Side attend public meetings more and more. Although we lack bookstores and such, We are starting to have problems with traffic jams that are just unheard of in decades past. Only now are we starting to see the tide turn south.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/council_approves_resolution_denouncing_arizona_immigration_law_97100349.html?c=y&viewAllComments=y
http://webs.sanantonio.gov/council/maps/CouncilDistrictMap09.pdf
Smartwayssa.com
This disconnect between those who live in side the loop and those who live outside the loop at the Thursday city council meeting. The council voted 8 to 3 to Denounce Arizona's new Immigration law. Those that supported AZ new Law are the City councils are 8, 9 and 10. All Clearly these districts are out side of Loop 410. I don't know if this is a sign of thing to come for other things that effect the city such as development, law enforcement, and transportation but I'm starting to see at the public meetings on certain sides of town. At the South side Smartways SA meeting on June 23, I was told by almost all who attended was that "enough! don't ride the bus, we do and that should be shown in the number of bus routes and services provided on the South Side." These attitudes and feeling in my opinion have been dormant for decades and are only now coming to the surface. With a new Generation coming of age and demanding to live with in the center of the cities themselves, It only a matter of time that we'll see the South Side Become A power house just Northsiders as the North Side is today.
Already they are reconstructing the San Antonio River on the South Side to be a park just like Brackenridge. They are building the New Texas A&M Campus on the Southside. Also I've started to see more and more people who live on the South Side attend public meetings more and more. Although we lack bookstores and such, We are starting to have problems with traffic jams that are just unheard of in decades past. Only now are we starting to see the tide turn south.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/council_approves_resolution_denouncing_arizona_immigration_law_97100349.html?c=y&viewAllComments=y
http://webs.sanantonio.gov/council/maps/CouncilDistrictMap09.pdf
Smartwayssa.com
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Immigration isn't so simple anymore.
When I heard about AZ new law, My thought was, "this is 20 years to late." And let me tell you why it to late.
Take Eric Balderas, High School valedictorian, and Harvard Student. He was here since age 4. Every morning, like any other school kid, he put his right hand on his heart and said 'I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of American. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all.' How is this kid any different from any other who was born with in our borders?
The Reason why AZ Law is 20 years out of date is because we have kids like Eric here who no nothing of their birth country. They are American as you and me. They know English and speak no different from others who they grew up with.
Until We enact the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act that has been introduced without success in Congress since 2001, we'll be seeing more and more people like Eric get deported to a country which sucks and have no memory of or don't speak no Spanish. That's Right, Mexico Sucks, why do you think Eric parents came to America?
The next time you support tough immigration enforcement, just remember, their are kids like Eric Balderas that will get sent back to a country that sucks and no nothing about. Why people want to send back intelligent people is beyond me. Now I haven't mention the ones that died in Iraq who are serving a country there not suppose to be in. Today, the Immigration debate isn't simple anymore. It not about sending back Illegal Aliens, but about sending back our undocumented Citizens.
Take Eric Balderas, High School valedictorian, and Harvard Student. He was here since age 4. Every morning, like any other school kid, he put his right hand on his heart and said 'I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of American. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all.' How is this kid any different from any other who was born with in our borders?
The Reason why AZ Law is 20 years out of date is because we have kids like Eric here who no nothing of their birth country. They are American as you and me. They know English and speak no different from others who they grew up with.
Until We enact the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act that has been introduced without success in Congress since 2001, we'll be seeing more and more people like Eric get deported to a country which sucks and have no memory of or don't speak no Spanish. That's Right, Mexico Sucks, why do you think Eric parents came to America?
The next time you support tough immigration enforcement, just remember, their are kids like Eric Balderas that will get sent back to a country that sucks and no nothing about. Why people want to send back intelligent people is beyond me. Now I haven't mention the ones that died in Iraq who are serving a country there not suppose to be in. Today, the Immigration debate isn't simple anymore. It not about sending back Illegal Aliens, but about sending back our undocumented Citizens.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Driving legally is getting harder to do
Today in the San Antonio Express News, there was a story on SAPD cracking down on those who run around railroad crossing gates and those who parked on the railroad tracks. It was an effort to inform people about the law and to collect some good old ticket dollars. This is response to 3 people getting killed because they couldn't obey the law.
But also it not just that, Last Legislative Session, several laws were passed to make it harder for people to get driver licenses.
In a state that requires every man, woman, and some children (teens) to drive here and there, maybe somebody should have shouted at this one sided policy and say "hey, they're idiots out there causing alot of accidents. Maybe we should invest in more transportation options." But no, it was "lets make it harder to make stupid mistakes by making young people attend drivers ed course this way those kids can spend there mother's money on a drivers ed course."
Also they are now enforcing kids, up to 8 years old to be force to sit in a child safety seat or shorter than 4ft 9in. When I was 6 years old, I was sitting down like a regular kid in the back seat and the safety seat was well history. And that was before we had air bags.
Is it just me, or is this state refusing to see the problem for what it is that there's only one choice to get around and thats by car. And if there is only one choice to get around and it turns out that it is an unsafe way to get around, shouldn't we invest in other modes of Transportation? I don't know about you, but maybe its time to ignor those who say we need more roads and instead say 'we need more buses, more trains, and more light rail.' After all, all those roads are getting clogged up with idoits talking on there cell phones.
Sources
Police issue tickets to drivers ignoring railroad warnings
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/police_issue_tickets_to_drivers_ignoring_railroad_warnings_95481069.html
Viewpoint: New drivers ed rules aim to make Texas roads safer http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/opinion/new_drivers_ed_rules_aim_to_make_texas_roads_safer_93466124.html?showFullArticle=y
Tickets loom if kids aren't in booster seats
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/motorists_now_fined_if_children_lack_booster_seats_95269799.html
But also it not just that, Last Legislative Session, several laws were passed to make it harder for people to get driver licenses.
In a state that requires every man, woman, and some children (teens) to drive here and there, maybe somebody should have shouted at this one sided policy and say "hey, they're idiots out there causing alot of accidents. Maybe we should invest in more transportation options." But no, it was "lets make it harder to make stupid mistakes by making young people attend drivers ed course this way those kids can spend there mother's money on a drivers ed course."
Also they are now enforcing kids, up to 8 years old to be force to sit in a child safety seat or shorter than 4ft 9in. When I was 6 years old, I was sitting down like a regular kid in the back seat and the safety seat was well history. And that was before we had air bags.
Is it just me, or is this state refusing to see the problem for what it is that there's only one choice to get around and thats by car. And if there is only one choice to get around and it turns out that it is an unsafe way to get around, shouldn't we invest in other modes of Transportation? I don't know about you, but maybe its time to ignor those who say we need more roads and instead say 'we need more buses, more trains, and more light rail.' After all, all those roads are getting clogged up with idoits talking on there cell phones.
Sources
Police issue tickets to drivers ignoring railroad warnings
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/police_issue_tickets_to_drivers_ignoring_railroad_warnings_95481069.html
Viewpoint: New drivers ed rules aim to make Texas roads safer http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/opinion/new_drivers_ed_rules_aim_to_make_texas_roads_safer_93466124.html?showFullArticle=y
Tickets loom if kids aren't in booster seats
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/motorists_now_fined_if_children_lack_booster_seats_95269799.html
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Anger at BP and Obama Misplaced.
After over 40 days of the gushing pipe of Crude oil into the Gulf Of Mexico, we as a nation are frustrated and angry at the Administration and BP. But what is done is done, and things could have been done to prevent the spill, but not it's aftermath.
I have a saying, "It takes a dead guy to put up a traffic light." And we can apply this saying to the disaster in the Gulf Of Mexico. You see, the saying refers to the fact that it takes a death at an intersection to get a traffic light at that intersection.
The Story goes, 'One day after Mr Tim walked across an intersection that was known as a hazarded crosswalk by local resident. "We've been complaining for years to get a red light at this intersection for years" Complained Mrs Wallace. And now after the death of Mr Tim, the City said that it will begin construction of a traffic light by next week.' Sounds Familiar huh!
Now with the lack of equipment by the US government and the petty corporation that has the equipment, we now have a disaster that will change the future when it comes to drilling off the United States. What died was the Gulf Of Mexico residents and there lively hood. All parties can point fingers at each other demanding that they had this and that before the disaster. But that is thinking from the sidelines and after the fact. It no different saying that Tim Duncan Should have pass the ball to Parker instead to Ginobili. We can point to what should of happen but ask yourself, did you really think this event would have occurred?
Now with the death of Mr Tim, (The Gulf Of Mexico, Louisiana and other Gulf States) we can now put in the traffic light that some people were demanding years ago. Unfortunately as always, it takes a death to put in a traffic light.
I have a saying, "It takes a dead guy to put up a traffic light." And we can apply this saying to the disaster in the Gulf Of Mexico. You see, the saying refers to the fact that it takes a death at an intersection to get a traffic light at that intersection.
The Story goes, 'One day after Mr Tim walked across an intersection that was known as a hazarded crosswalk by local resident. "We've been complaining for years to get a red light at this intersection for years" Complained Mrs Wallace. And now after the death of Mr Tim, the City said that it will begin construction of a traffic light by next week.' Sounds Familiar huh!
Now with the lack of equipment by the US government and the petty corporation that has the equipment, we now have a disaster that will change the future when it comes to drilling off the United States. What died was the Gulf Of Mexico residents and there lively hood. All parties can point fingers at each other demanding that they had this and that before the disaster. But that is thinking from the sidelines and after the fact. It no different saying that Tim Duncan Should have pass the ball to Parker instead to Ginobili. We can point to what should of happen but ask yourself, did you really think this event would have occurred?
Now with the death of Mr Tim, (The Gulf Of Mexico, Louisiana and other Gulf States) we can now put in the traffic light that some people were demanding years ago. Unfortunately as always, it takes a death to put in a traffic light.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Cars do good Too
Yesterday, while reading my Facebook statuses, I came across a story titled. “Cars Sucks.” http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/5/22/869005/-Cars-Suck
To me this is an as some blog about how destructive cars really are to our society. How they'll never be green option and how they caused our society to be so dependent on oil and threatening our security and the environment as a Nation.
Personally being so anti car, I agreed with his point of view. But then I asked my self, what has the car done good for the world. This is a challenge for me for I hate cars and the society I live in attitude is Drive here and drive now.
1. The Model T saved a Landmark. Back in the early 1920's, the San Antonio National Historic Missions weren't even on any body's radar as worth saving. But with a committed group of Model T owners, they offered tours of the the Mission that sat along the San Antonio River. With there effort, they got the message out that these places were worth saving and thus today all the mission except the Alamo are a National Park.
2. Cars Made Trucker Lives Easier. Well yes they did, by building the Interstate System, it is now easier for people who drive trucks for a living to move good a lot easier. For on any Interstate System regardless of where, there are no stop signs. No Traffic Lights, and knowing where you are along the highway is very helpful because by law, all of these Highways have mile markers. Try finding your way on a US or State Highway and it becomes more and more challenging especially when your 80,000 lbs make your stopping distance long and hard.
3. Cars made Talk Radio possible. I might get hit by this by Liberal views, but regardless of your point of view, talk radio wouldn't really be made possible if it wasn't for car radios. Yes its nice to hear your favorite song behind the wheel, but that don't help you think. Talk radio help you think as you hear a blow heart discuss the days news and how screwed up things are. Also it help made possible the Coast to Coast AM show. This late night Talk show talks not about politics, but about UFO's, Ghost, and mainly other subjects of the Paranormal.
Well thats all I can think of, maybe you can
To me this is an as some blog about how destructive cars really are to our society. How they'll never be green option and how they caused our society to be so dependent on oil and threatening our security and the environment as a Nation.
Personally being so anti car, I agreed with his point of view. But then I asked my self, what has the car done good for the world. This is a challenge for me for I hate cars and the society I live in attitude is Drive here and drive now.
1. The Model T saved a Landmark. Back in the early 1920's, the San Antonio National Historic Missions weren't even on any body's radar as worth saving. But with a committed group of Model T owners, they offered tours of the the Mission that sat along the San Antonio River. With there effort, they got the message out that these places were worth saving and thus today all the mission except the Alamo are a National Park.
2. Cars Made Trucker Lives Easier. Well yes they did, by building the Interstate System, it is now easier for people who drive trucks for a living to move good a lot easier. For on any Interstate System regardless of where, there are no stop signs. No Traffic Lights, and knowing where you are along the highway is very helpful because by law, all of these Highways have mile markers. Try finding your way on a US or State Highway and it becomes more and more challenging especially when your 80,000 lbs make your stopping distance long and hard.
3. Cars made Talk Radio possible. I might get hit by this by Liberal views, but regardless of your point of view, talk radio wouldn't really be made possible if it wasn't for car radios. Yes its nice to hear your favorite song behind the wheel, but that don't help you think. Talk radio help you think as you hear a blow heart discuss the days news and how screwed up things are. Also it help made possible the Coast to Coast AM show. This late night Talk show talks not about politics, but about UFO's, Ghost, and mainly other subjects of the Paranormal.
Well thats all I can think of, maybe you can
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Opinion Blame Misplaced.
In Today's San Antonio Express news, I was reading the opinion page and looking for maybe they printed my opinion I sent in last week. While skimming though it I came across this opinion.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/your_turn__may_22_2010_94615244.html?showFullArticle=y
"U.S. needs rapid rail
Well, at last we have a politico who says we need high-speed trains. Euro Rail has been Europe's main transportation for years, and Great Britain has just completed its new rapid-rail system. The Euro would be going 110 mph and had to slow to 45 mph when it came through the tunnel to Great Britain. Now, it's a delight to ride on the train from London to Manchester and look out at the cars that look as though they are going 15 mph.
Now we come to the U.S., which for years had the best rail transport in the world, but now we rely on air and bus. You can ride the train, but don't expect a fast trip because your train could be put on a siding three or four times to let a freight train go past. That's really stupid! Thank you, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood!
Amelia Fales"
Amelia Puts the blames on the wrong guy for causing our lopsided transportation choices. Ask any rail fan, and they would tell you that Amtrak usually gets the siding because of the size of the train, not the priority. But this has been going on for the entire history of Amtrak since It creation back in 1971. Unlike Europe, which devotes tons of government money to their trains, we don't because we believe that roads, and airlines pay for themselves. This has been our transportation policy for the past 60 plus years.
We, as a nation have and continue to sideline rail over highways and planes. The only way this will change is when gasoline stays at $4 a gallon for a long period of time. Then we'll demand alternatives that don't use as much fuel, but by that time it will be a little to late to demand such a service which takes years to get off the ground. If you want to put any blame down for a lousy rail service, blame the lack of political will starting back with Nixon, not the current guy in power who wants to change the status quo.
Maybe I'm wrong here, and she's thanking LaHood for changing the priorities from road to rail, but thats now how I read it.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/your_turn__may_22_2010_94615244.html?showFullArticle=y
"U.S. needs rapid rail
Well, at last we have a politico who says we need high-speed trains. Euro Rail has been Europe's main transportation for years, and Great Britain has just completed its new rapid-rail system. The Euro would be going 110 mph and had to slow to 45 mph when it came through the tunnel to Great Britain. Now, it's a delight to ride on the train from London to Manchester and look out at the cars that look as though they are going 15 mph.
Now we come to the U.S., which for years had the best rail transport in the world, but now we rely on air and bus. You can ride the train, but don't expect a fast trip because your train could be put on a siding three or four times to let a freight train go past. That's really stupid! Thank you, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood!
Amelia Fales"
Amelia Puts the blames on the wrong guy for causing our lopsided transportation choices. Ask any rail fan, and they would tell you that Amtrak usually gets the siding because of the size of the train, not the priority. But this has been going on for the entire history of Amtrak since It creation back in 1971. Unlike Europe, which devotes tons of government money to their trains, we don't because we believe that roads, and airlines pay for themselves. This has been our transportation policy for the past 60 plus years.
We, as a nation have and continue to sideline rail over highways and planes. The only way this will change is when gasoline stays at $4 a gallon for a long period of time. Then we'll demand alternatives that don't use as much fuel, but by that time it will be a little to late to demand such a service which takes years to get off the ground. If you want to put any blame down for a lousy rail service, blame the lack of political will starting back with Nixon, not the current guy in power who wants to change the status quo.
Maybe I'm wrong here, and she's thanking LaHood for changing the priorities from road to rail, but thats now how I read it.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tolerance by Atheist Required.
I'm tired of hearing it how somebody is offend by the word God in the pledge. Why? I ask this because I'm not a Christian, or a Muslim, or a Jew, and nor do I care what you believe. I'm more incline to believe the beliefs of Buddha and Wicca. But every time I hear an atheist come out against a public profile of a religious symbol, mainly the the Cross, I wonder why are you against such a thing, for just being there will not change your beliefs or the world.
Atheist would claim the separation of Church and sue to there hearts content to remove symbols, mainly Christian. At the same time they also defend the teaching of evolution, a scientific Theory and despite the belief of the religious right, Intelligent Design isn't a theory, but a copy of Creationism simply retitled "Intelligent Design." And yes, there's tons of Fossil evidence as well as new discoveries in DNA that confirm Evolution. With out the theory, modern Biology doesn't make sense.
The Mojave Cross is just the latest example of people making a mole hill into a mountain. The Cross is gone now because somebody desired to rip out of the ground. Also Why nobody caught the thieves in the process is beyond me, after all somebody had to come in a big truck to take the cross away. Why they sued is simple, because they believe that Christianity is the root of evil. The thought they could remove a hateful symbol out of the ground. But since it is okay by the the Supreme Court to keep the cross up, in no time, there will be a bigger cross up at this location and bigger than a lousy 7 1/2 feet tall. So to all those who wanted the cross removed. :p
So what the solution to all of this childish behavior? Tolerance, by all people and beliefs. It is up to Atheist to except that a lot of people believe in god, and your just going to have to except like a good artist, we show off our art work.
please except that christians are not all bad like the Taliban, the West Bank Jewish Settlers and pro life movement. At the same time, it is up to the other side, the religious right, to except that not everyone believes that Jesus Christ is the son of god. Um, god having a son, sounds like Hercules. We all have our own beliefs and I ask everyone, please allow my beliefs just as much I will allow yours.
So Atheist, please allow us to be ignorant, because ignorance is bliss.
Christians, So what were going to hell, I want to go to hell. Despite all your preaching, we'll all find out eventually when we die.
It is up to everyone, Believer in god, non-believer to except the beliefs of other people. Always remember "One mans lie is another mans truth." At the same time, please don't shove it down my throat, for God is a girl and this song said so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvK5UocZrA :p.
My advice is simple and old as a cowboy with a cross around his neck. "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make the horse drink." Or As I like to say: "You can't convince an Atheist that there is an Afterlife, they'll find out eventually. Also if you can see spirits like Mary Ann Winkowski, She'll always tell you those are the most fun dead people (atheist) to see at there funerals.
Sources for Articles are...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvK5UocZrA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beta/evolution/intelligent-design-trial.html
http://friendlyatheist.com/2010/05/11/mojave-cross-stolen/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/21/cross-replaced-in-memorial-mystery/
Atheist would claim the separation of Church and sue to there hearts content to remove symbols, mainly Christian. At the same time they also defend the teaching of evolution, a scientific Theory and despite the belief of the religious right, Intelligent Design isn't a theory, but a copy of Creationism simply retitled "Intelligent Design." And yes, there's tons of Fossil evidence as well as new discoveries in DNA that confirm Evolution. With out the theory, modern Biology doesn't make sense.
The Mojave Cross is just the latest example of people making a mole hill into a mountain. The Cross is gone now because somebody desired to rip out of the ground. Also Why nobody caught the thieves in the process is beyond me, after all somebody had to come in a big truck to take the cross away. Why they sued is simple, because they believe that Christianity is the root of evil. The thought they could remove a hateful symbol out of the ground. But since it is okay by the the Supreme Court to keep the cross up, in no time, there will be a bigger cross up at this location and bigger than a lousy 7 1/2 feet tall. So to all those who wanted the cross removed. :p
So what the solution to all of this childish behavior? Tolerance, by all people and beliefs. It is up to Atheist to except that a lot of people believe in god, and your just going to have to except like a good artist, we show off our art work.
please except that christians are not all bad like the Taliban, the West Bank Jewish Settlers and pro life movement. At the same time, it is up to the other side, the religious right, to except that not everyone believes that Jesus Christ is the son of god. Um, god having a son, sounds like Hercules. We all have our own beliefs and I ask everyone, please allow my beliefs just as much I will allow yours.
So Atheist, please allow us to be ignorant, because ignorance is bliss.
Christians, So what were going to hell, I want to go to hell. Despite all your preaching, we'll all find out eventually when we die.
It is up to everyone, Believer in god, non-believer to except the beliefs of other people. Always remember "One mans lie is another mans truth." At the same time, please don't shove it down my throat, for God is a girl and this song said so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvK5UocZrA :p.
My advice is simple and old as a cowboy with a cross around his neck. "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make the horse drink." Or As I like to say: "You can't convince an Atheist that there is an Afterlife, they'll find out eventually. Also if you can see spirits like Mary Ann Winkowski, She'll always tell you those are the most fun dead people (atheist) to see at there funerals.
Sources for Articles are...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvK5UocZrA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beta/evolution/intelligent-design-trial.html
http://friendlyatheist.com/2010/05/11/mojave-cross-stolen/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/21/cross-replaced-in-memorial-mystery/
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Why Have Dick Lie Again?
A week ago or so, the Senate had there hearing on the oil spill. The three CEO of BP, Transocean, and Halliburton all pointed fingers at each others. But would it have made a difference to bring Dick Cheney along? After all, Obama already denounced the “ridiculous spectacle” of finger-pointing by BP Plc, Transocean Ltd. and Halliburton Co. over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Thats According to MSNBC Hardball Host Chris Matthews. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/37118030#37118030 A week ago he demanded that they should have got the former Vice President testify so he could show that his laws and his time in the White House would shown how that created failure of April's 20th disaster. This is because he was also the former CEO of Halliburton. Yea you could, but why waste the time? He would have just pointed fingers at the Obama administration.
What they should have done was have next to the CEO of Halliburton and BP, was to have the CEO of Exxon Mobile. Why have a CEO of another oil corporation? Because of the policies of Exxon have on Drilling. You see Exxon has a policy of having there engineers on station during the drilling process. As they hire contractors like Halliburton to cement the drill hole, the engineers from Exxon are on hand make sure that the proper material is used, that all are in coordination with each other so no accidents ever happen to Exxon again. The Exxon Valdez spill taught Exxon a lesson that BP is now learning that spills aren't just bad for the environment, there bad for business.
Having Dick Cheney at these hearing would have just made trash talk to be thrown by right wing radio talk shows on how socialistic the legislative branch is. retired, so leave the old man alone. Having him testify would have been no different then republicans demanding Bill Clinton show up at a hearing about another senator or congressman's affair.
Thats According to MSNBC Hardball Host Chris Matthews. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/37118030#37118030 A week ago he demanded that they should have got the former Vice President testify so he could show that his laws and his time in the White House would shown how that created failure of April's 20th disaster. This is because he was also the former CEO of Halliburton. Yea you could, but why waste the time? He would have just pointed fingers at the Obama administration.
What they should have done was have next to the CEO of Halliburton and BP, was to have the CEO of Exxon Mobile. Why have a CEO of another oil corporation? Because of the policies of Exxon have on Drilling. You see Exxon has a policy of having there engineers on station during the drilling process. As they hire contractors like Halliburton to cement the drill hole, the engineers from Exxon are on hand make sure that the proper material is used, that all are in coordination with each other so no accidents ever happen to Exxon again. The Exxon Valdez spill taught Exxon a lesson that BP is now learning that spills aren't just bad for the environment, there bad for business.
Having Dick Cheney at these hearing would have just made trash talk to be thrown by right wing radio talk shows on how socialistic the legislative branch is. retired, so leave the old man alone. Having him testify would have been no different then republicans demanding Bill Clinton show up at a hearing about another senator or congressman's affair.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Finding money for Highways? Why?????
At Yesterday Transportation Policy Board meeting, the complaints where few but most often noted was Toll Roads.
The Transportation Policy board of the The San Antonio metropolitan Planing Organization had there meeting yesterday and Item 10 was the Short Range Transportation Plan (FY 2011-2014). Also known As TIP for Short.
The Topic of hatred, Toll Roads especially for the loop 1604 and US 281. These areas in my opinion are not inside San Antonio at all. Take it from a South Sider, it you ain't in side Loop 410, then your somewhere else.
But this TIP, except for signage for the Mission Reach of the River Walk, there's virtually nothing for the south side. Representative for City council District 3 of San Antonio complained and asked why isn't there funding to help the congestion at Brooks City Base and I-37. The reson is that Brook City Base is a City of San Antonio project and not a County or MPO project.
Here's my advice, you wanted a parking lot, you got it. Yes it nice to have a Best Buy on the south side, but unless your in a car, its hard to get from one place to another in that location. The Sidewalks for the most part end at crosswalks that don't allow enough time to make it across. And once your on the other side of Military Dr, there's no connection from that sidewalk to the Target and HEB.
If you want a solution to that congestion, My advice is to built better connectivity for transportation options that uses your two feet. You know, sidewalks, public transit, and bicycles. Otherwise, you just create a parking lot.
The Transportation Policy board of the The San Antonio metropolitan Planing Organization had there meeting yesterday and Item 10 was the Short Range Transportation Plan (FY 2011-2014). Also known As TIP for Short.
The Topic of hatred, Toll Roads especially for the loop 1604 and US 281. These areas in my opinion are not inside San Antonio at all. Take it from a South Sider, it you ain't in side Loop 410, then your somewhere else.
But this TIP, except for signage for the Mission Reach of the River Walk, there's virtually nothing for the south side. Representative for City council District 3 of San Antonio complained and asked why isn't there funding to help the congestion at Brooks City Base and I-37. The reson is that Brook City Base is a City of San Antonio project and not a County or MPO project.
Here's my advice, you wanted a parking lot, you got it. Yes it nice to have a Best Buy on the south side, but unless your in a car, its hard to get from one place to another in that location. The Sidewalks for the most part end at crosswalks that don't allow enough time to make it across. And once your on the other side of Military Dr, there's no connection from that sidewalk to the Target and HEB.
If you want a solution to that congestion, My advice is to built better connectivity for transportation options that uses your two feet. You know, sidewalks, public transit, and bicycles. Otherwise, you just create a parking lot.
We don't Want Oil, but We want what it creates.
As Oil gushes out into the Gulf Of Mexico, we as Americans do little to prevent future disasters. We as a nation has several occasions to prevent this spill from happening, but Americans don't care.
Lets go back to the 1970's and the oil crisis that took place. Believe it or not, we were producing more oil then then in any time in our history. http://www.eia.doe.gov/aer/txt/ptb1105.html On average, we were producing 8.4 million barrels a day, yet we had lines at the the gas pump. When gas hit $4 a gallon, our oil production reached an all time low of 4.9 million barrels a day and was declining ever since our peak of production in 1970.
Yet we as a nation want our energy regardless on where it comes from. We continue to drive everywhere, we continue to expect our outlets to have electricity coming out of them when we plug in our plugs. At the same time, we have said no to the production of these fuels in our back yard. We say no to that Oil platform off our coasts. We say no to that refinery in our towns and yet we demand that the product that these refineries provide be at our local gas station.
We continue to produce alot of electricity by Coal. The oil that is used to propel the Train from the coal fields to the powerplant runs on the oil that we refuse to find in our back yard.
We also complain about the green technologies of where we put wind and solar plants. In the Mojve, there's already a move to prevent a solar plant being built because it would destroy habitat for tortoises. We don't want a wind farm off MA because it will be bad for the scenery.
But its okay to get our energy from countries that suppress freedom and women rights. That kill gays for being as such and from people who don't give a damn about pollution. We live in a carbon Economy and when that economy is in a recession we demand that the energy is cheap but at the same time we are saying no to building that plant in our back yard.
The route we have chosen is set, and there's little we can do for change. Every chance we had to change the status quo was met with resistance and instead of saying no to the status quo, They win.
It started with Regan tearing up the Solar panels out at the White house and stopped funding for new sources of Energy research especially with the Alge. It stopped with the investments of Solar during the late 90's. And even right now as oil creeps back down to prices we can afford, the investments have started to dry up.
In the not to distance future, we will come to another oil crisis and yet we'll have the opportunity to stop using oil as our main source for energy. But we'll not want to simply because it to hard. Enjoy your two legs, you'll need them when your car runs out of gas. Or better yet, carry your bicycle with you for riding a bicycle is always better than walking.
Lets go back to the 1970's and the oil crisis that took place. Believe it or not, we were producing more oil then then in any time in our history. http://www.eia.doe.gov/aer/txt/ptb1105.html On average, we were producing 8.4 million barrels a day, yet we had lines at the the gas pump. When gas hit $4 a gallon, our oil production reached an all time low of 4.9 million barrels a day and was declining ever since our peak of production in 1970.
Yet we as a nation want our energy regardless on where it comes from. We continue to drive everywhere, we continue to expect our outlets to have electricity coming out of them when we plug in our plugs. At the same time, we have said no to the production of these fuels in our back yard. We say no to that Oil platform off our coasts. We say no to that refinery in our towns and yet we demand that the product that these refineries provide be at our local gas station.
We continue to produce alot of electricity by Coal. The oil that is used to propel the Train from the coal fields to the powerplant runs on the oil that we refuse to find in our back yard.
We also complain about the green technologies of where we put wind and solar plants. In the Mojve, there's already a move to prevent a solar plant being built because it would destroy habitat for tortoises. We don't want a wind farm off MA because it will be bad for the scenery.
But its okay to get our energy from countries that suppress freedom and women rights. That kill gays for being as such and from people who don't give a damn about pollution. We live in a carbon Economy and when that economy is in a recession we demand that the energy is cheap but at the same time we are saying no to building that plant in our back yard.
The route we have chosen is set, and there's little we can do for change. Every chance we had to change the status quo was met with resistance and instead of saying no to the status quo, They win.
It started with Regan tearing up the Solar panels out at the White house and stopped funding for new sources of Energy research especially with the Alge. It stopped with the investments of Solar during the late 90's. And even right now as oil creeps back down to prices we can afford, the investments have started to dry up.
In the not to distance future, we will come to another oil crisis and yet we'll have the opportunity to stop using oil as our main source for energy. But we'll not want to simply because it to hard. Enjoy your two legs, you'll need them when your car runs out of gas. Or better yet, carry your bicycle with you for riding a bicycle is always better than walking.
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