Hans, (No we have not met... yet - how does Café Zoma sound some Saturday in May?).
I'm not giving up on the Lampert Smiths forever, just the ones over 18. My perspective is not about giving up, but focusing our efforts where it will make the most difference. Believe me, I have tried to convince people to change their ways - both subtly, and with the type of direct action you describe. I can't say I have convinced anyone to change anything about their lifestyle. The automobile has lodged itself so deeply into the hearts of Americans that many feel it is their patriotic duty to drive a car everywhere. The people most likely to be open to considering lifestyle changes are the ones that have not chosen their lifestyle yet - our kids. If we can create a "world-class" biking and walking environment around schools, we are teaching kids to expect that everywhere. Then the kids get older, and they are more likely to complain about problems in the built environment - because they have learned what good facilities look like. Even if those kids choose an automobile lifestyle when they become adults, their biking and walking experience will probably make them more sympathetic to the safety of bikers and walkers. And, when they become voters, they are likely to be more open to voting for single people who don't drive to work - this is how we defeat the Lampert-Smiths in our midst. Yes, it is going to take a long time - and it will probably require that us adult bikers and walkers give up a few infrastructure improvements so we can focus on improving the bicycling and walking experience of our children. But I believe we will start seeing measurable results within 5 years (less traffic problems around schools, which typically account for 37% of morning traffic). In 5 more years, we should see a significant drop in the parking problems associated with high schools. 5 years after that, I'll bet we start to see a drop in parking and traffic problems at UW, and I suspect that traffic and parking issues (the #1 complaint in every aldermanic district) across the whole city will begin to subside - we may even start to see some improvement in our air quality. Because fewer young adults will be spending $6000+/year on automobiles, I bet the local economy really picks up too. After that, the auto-dealers in town poop their pants. Whoopie! -----Original Message----- From: Hans T Noeldner (E-mail) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 12:35 PM To: 'Matt Logan' Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Michael D. Barrett' Subject: Lampert Smith and "getting it" Hi Matt (Have I met you?) If we decide that the Lampert Smiths among us are a lost cause, then the whole effort to PROACTIVELY create a sustainable society is a lost cause...although resource scarcity and ecosystem debilitation will eventually force sustainability or massive contraction upon us. Remember that the Lampert Smiths and their corporate playmasters control the money. What then? I say we have to get more aggressive; give up on being "nice" and nonconfrontational. And our standard of progress should be cobwebs on gasoline pump handles. Essay on "nice" attached. [...] _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
