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Should States Impose Development Laws to Cut Car Use?

LibertySugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:54 -0700

California is close to adopting a law aimed at slowing the increase in vehicle emissions by encouraging housing and development projects near job sites and transportation hubs. It's sort of a "if you build it here, they will ride the bus or stop driving" plan. If passed by the Senate, the measure would tweak the current regional planning process by setting some new goals to reduce emissions. This would be the nation’s most comprehensive effort to cut back on sprawl and would essentially reward cities and counties that comply with efforts to minimize driving (and thereby emissions).One enthusiast told the New York Times the law means California is "planning for housing needs, transportation needs and climate-change needs all at the same time," while others worry it will override some of the current development laws. Source

Should States Impose Development Laws to Cut Car Use?

Yes! I think it will force developers to build near cities and will reduce emissions.

No! Most people won't change their habits (by moving, taking the bus or train) anyway.

Something else. See my comment below.

Congressman Targets Islamic Subway Ads — Train Wreck?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:45:30 -0700

The Islamic faith may be getting a ticket to ride — the New York City subways that is. A series of ads selling Islam are planned to hit cars in September — unless one US congressman has his way. Rep. King (R-NY) says advertising for Allah is fine — but he thinks the people sponsoring the messages unacceptable.The 1,000 posters set to grace the subway's 6,200 cars are sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America and showcase Q&A style headlines like, "Head Scarf?" or "Prophet Muhammad?" followed by "You deserve to know." One cleric promoting the campaign said: The idea is to evoke certain thoughts in the mindset of the person who is looking at the ads and get them to a point where they can reflect upon certain words that one could define as hot words or key words that get thrown around a lot but are not necessarily defined in the most proper context.

Why would Rep. King have a problem with that? It's not the ad, it's the money behind it. One of the backers is Siraj Wahhaj, imam of a Brooklyn mosque. Though he was the first Muslim to lead a prayer before the House of Representatives, he was also a character witness for convicted 1993 World Trade Center bombing mastermind Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman.King (also a ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee) says, "he is a known Islamic extremist, and you would be giving him credibility and stature through a known government facility." King is asking the MTA to can the campaign. Should they?Source

Congressman Targets Islamic Subway Ads — Train Wreck?

Total train wreck. It's free speech — the ads are acceptable regardless of the backers.

Right on track. King's raising a salient point — running the ads validates the backers.

Other. I'll give you my roundtrip in the comments.

Are High Gas Prices Getting You on the Public Bandwagon?

LibertySugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:45:22 -0700

While gas prices break records, so do ridership rates on public transportation systems across America. The New York Times reports that the biggest increases are seen in areas with a significant driving culture, such as the South and West. Mass transit systems are having trouble coping with the masses. Rising fuel costs hit the systems hard, and the economic slow down means less funding from sales tax receipts. Thus, there is not enough money to put more buses on the street. Even so, people are opting for the standing room only services. American bicycle shops are also reporting stronger business so far this year. A record number of commuters are expected to participate in Bike-To-Work Week and Bike-to-Work-Day (May 16th). So, what about you? Have gas prices caused you to change your transportation habits? Do you think high gas prices could eventually motivate Americans (and their cities) to ditch their cars and develop efficient mass transit? Source

Are High Gas Prices Getting You on the Public Bandwagon?

Mass transit all the way! I've ditched the four wheels for good!

Not quite, but I do carpool a lot more.

I wish. But the only public transit system around me is the sidewalk.

No! Gas will have to be a lot more expensive before I ditch my comfy car!

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Chronic Groper Faces Life in Prison

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:00:09 -0700

Freddie Johnson has been arrested 53 times for groping women on NYC subway trains. Now, he faces life in prison for his latest arrest, which came only two weeks after his release from prison.

This time, plainclothes officers recognized Freddie from police photos of repeat offenders. They followed him, while he groped a female passenger selected at random.

Gropers often attack in crowded areas, and almost always escape. Apparently, there is not a crossover of offenders that grope, and those that engage in rape or other serious sexual assault. According to a recent survey, 63 percent of respondents reported being sexually harassed in some way on the NYC subway.

Like graffiti — the negative impact of an anonymous grope seems less severe than other crimes; but both subway-prone crimes decrease the overall feeling of security in the community. Plus, unlike graffiti, which everyone sees, groping involves personal violation, not shared with all the other riders.

If Freddie Johnson is intent on re-offending, does New York have no choice but to lock him up forever? Or, should we spend tax money locking up more dangerous offenders, while suffering an occasional grope?

Source

Check This: Are Women-Only Buses Discriminatory?

LibertySugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:02:26 -0800

Twenty-two million people ride Mexico City's pubic transportation system each day, and among this enormous number lurk men ready to cop an anonymous feel on a crowded bus. Mexico City has decided to confront the sexual harassment problem by chartering women-only buses, marked with a pink placard and all!

Men get left in the dust of the "ladies' night on wheels" that travels the main routes of the city. According to the New York Times, some Mexican men feel that the policy is discriminatory and resent being left to wait for the next coed bus. Others accept their gender's punishment for inappropriate behavior.

Do you think there is such a thing as positive discrimination? Or is female preferential treatment an example of segregation?

Source