Comments by nonpartisan
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Posted on May 14 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey gang, tomorrow is Bike to Work Day. I'd suggest that all you folks who gripe about cyclists ride tomorrow so you can see what it's like on the other side. All the cyclists I know drive, and plenty of us understand why drivers get mad. I've nearly hit a few people over the years while they were doing stupid bike tricks. But I've also been nearly hit a few times by people doing stupid driving tricks (cell phones are frequently involved in these).
Most cyclists and most drivers are responsible. A few aren't. Age is often a factor. Kids do dumb stuff as a general rule, and when they get on a bike and ride on the road, they tend to act their age. Middle aged types like myself are more conscious of mortality and act like it. As a rider, I've had things thrown at me from passing cars, usually driven by teenagers.
The big problems are people being in too much of a hurry, drivers and riders not paying attention (guilty parties can be found in both groups), reckless behavior (not that common from either side, but always remembered when witnessed), and the big variable, drunkenness. A drunk cyclist is as dangerous as a drunk driver, because he/she can force drivers to take sudden evasive actions that can lead to accidents.
Gas prices will not be coming down in our lifetimes, so bikes are bound to become more frequent. Bikes are a good solution to a worsening problem; cyclists reduce demand for gas. In the long run, cyclists are doing every driver a favor.
Posted on May 7 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sherry: State Senator Gary Wilken has made repeated efforts at forcing unincorporated areas of Alaska into boroughs for just this reason. He's never been able to push it through the legislature. I don't know if there's a sufficient property value base in remote areas to meet school costs. Tok & Delta, maybe, but elsewhere not so likely. Anyone out in the village want to offer some insight?
Posted on May 7 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sherry29: Bush schools are entirely funded by the state.
My father (a staunch conservative of the old school when conservatives were still honest) always said that all the fixes and new ideas in education will never do any good unless parents force their kids to do their homework, behave in class, and learn. Thirty years ago he was criticizing left-wing education resolutions. Today he applies that same standard to Bush's No Child Left Behind hogwash (he's a consistent conservative, not many of those left these days).
I had no choice but to do well. If I got in trouble at school or did poorly on my work, I suffered the consequences at home. I graduated college just shy of the honor roll. Without my father forcing the issue, this wouldn't have happened. My children are simply expected to do well, and they do.
Teachers will never be able to solve the problem of poor parenting. It used to be the Democrats who expected them to cure society's ills, now it's the Republicans. There are bad teachers, and we need a way to filter them out of the system, but most are doing the best they can with the students they are given. It's a thankless job, as some of the comments posted above make clear.
Posted on April 29 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Corinne, I have to agree with you about being glad for federal intrusion in this case, as well as the trials of officials in Juneau. It probably is the mere tip of the iceberg, but it's also a start. Alaskan citizens, as well as the state courts, have a long record of refusing to fight the corruption that has run rampant in this state for decades. If the feds will do what we won't, more power to them.
I, too, have been appalled as I've watched local officials get away with actions I would be prosecuted for. Our state judiciary is in severe need of an overhaul. There should be one standard of justice to which everyone is held to. I don't support excessive punishment for elected officials, but letting them off (as has happened more than once here in town) is likewise unacceptable.
I'm hoping our current governor will take steps to repair this situation. She's willing to stand up to the old boys, and the state government has plenty of houses that need cleaning.
The House in DC needs cleaning as well, and I look forward to voting for Sean Parnell in the upcoming primary. For once I'll feel like I'm voting for someone for our lone representative, rather than merely casting a futile vote against the one in office.
Posted on April 27 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here are some links worth investigating for those who think the oil crisis isn't real:
A preview of Hubbert's Peak by petroleum geologist Kenneth Deffeyes:
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&...
An abstract of the GAO report on peak oil, with links to fuller versions:
http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.ph...
A review of Twilight in the Desert from Businessweek:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/con...
And Wikipedia has links to countless articles and studies exploring both sides of the controversy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
Judge for yourselves, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for oil prices to come down. Production is at its peak right now, and can't keep up.
Glacierles: It's unfortunate that you can only respond to this letter with a slew of childish responses. I know for a fact that Ms. Koepf rides her bike year round and takes many other steps to lighten her impact on the planet. What are you doing to make this world better? If you can't offer reasoned, intelligent thoughts why waste your time? It is possible to critique someone else's ideas without being rude.
On Earth Day
Posted on April 26 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Griff, thanks for the added details, they cleared up my questions about your original response to my post before I even had time to ask them. Those are some important observations you've added to this conversation.
Posted on April 25 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have known five people who committed suicide. The circumstances in each case were unique, ranging from a new mother whose baby had died to a pair of suicides when I was in high school, two weeks apart, the second a copycat (and this was a small town; everybody knew everyone). In none of these cases was selfishness ever an issue. Hopelessness was the issue, though in varying forms each time.
I hope the letter writer and the initial respondent are rethinking their positions after reading the entries that have been posted here. 2bad4u, thank you for your honesty, your words might save a life today.
Suicidal feelings are nothing to be ashamed of and should never be treated so by others. But they do need to be addressed. If you or anyone you know is experiencing these thoughts, get help.
For those of you suffering from the recent loss here in town, I did not know the man myself, but I'm all too familiar with what you are feeling right now. You have my deepest sympathies.
Posted on April 16 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben,
It took tremendous courage on your part to write this letter and have it publicly published, especially considering the level of bigotry that exists in this community. I commend you for taking a stand for decency and honesty. Remember that you have far more integrity than your critics. As a happily married father of two, I support you in your desire to be true to yourself. I can only hope my own children, when they reach your age, will be able to demonstrate the compassion for others that you show in this letter.
Never let the hatred of others destroy you. Let those who hate destroy themselves. Remain strong and true, and you will rise far above those who seek only to drag others down. You have a good life ahead of you.
Posted on April 15 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Life is Good and all you other DOT guys: Thanks for getting the highways cleared out so fast yesterday. That was quite a mess, but by the time I drove home the road was cleared. Couldn't have been an easy day.
On Road work
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Posted on May 14 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sgt Goeden: Thank you for the clarifications.
On Watch for bikes