----- Original Message ----- From: "Walt Cygan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2002 12:50 PM Subject: RE: [Mpls] car facts
> Matthew Devany wrote: > > And don't forget the cost of fighting foreign wars and > > killing poor people and further enriching billionaire > > despotic monarchs in backward countries like Saudi Arabia > > that we call "friends". > > ... > > Yes, I'd say it's clear. The automobile is a fabulous > > thing. Destroying our communities, our families, our health, > > and our planet in a remarkably quick and efficient manner. > > And boy don't I look stylin' in one? > This is the kind of "argument" that keeps the "green" message from being > heard. If you want to change behavior, give people an alternative they can > live with rather than demonizing their current choice. Few people are in the position to give alternatives. It is up to us to demand them. > Would I take mass transit to work if I could? Yes. Can I today? No. I live > in South Minneapolis and work currently on the east side of Downtown St. > Paul. It would take me 3 times as long to get here on the bus compared with > driving. Driving gives me additional time *with* my family, so I can't see > how my family is being destroyed. Being able to drive to work has also given > me the opportunity to significantly increase my income. There are many ways to weaken a family. Just why are rates of asthma among children in America skyrocketing? What kind of example will I set for my children? What is the most important way that people can make their voices heard in support of mass transit? Use it. I ride my bicycle to work every day of the year. I do it because I like it. I chose to move here to Minneapolis from Ohio in part because I would be able to bike to work. I know people who commute by bicycle the distances you mention. It's not unreasonable at all. Not for the meek though. I do not advocate cycling as a solution for mass transit problems. Busses and trains are the most accessible option for everyone in society. If we build them they will come. At some point you must decide to live by your principles and not insist that someone else do the hard work before you will climb on board. > I couldn't possibly bike or walk to my job in the winter and the extra time > it would take in the temperate months would be time away from my family. > [BTW, Terrell was also correct about the frequently boorish behavior of > cyclists in town.] Now who's demonizing whom? How many poeople were killed by mad bicyclists last year? How many bicyclists punched old ladies in the jaw in a fit of road rage? > I am trying the best I can, given my circumstances, to live a more "green" > life. But sometimes environmentalists make it so darn hard. Rather than > assigning evil intent to those of us who drive to work, please put that > energy into making alternatives more reasonable. People generally respond > much better to the carrot than the stick. If cleaner air and healthier lives doesn't entice you I have nothing better to offer. > Walt Cygan > Keewaydin > > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
