Part of the problem lies in our definitions, which seems ever to be the case. I do not find a garage, even -gasp- a double-car garage, to be "envirnonmentally unhealthy." I suspect, given the amount of cars and garages located in this city, that most people agree with my sentiment.
Here's the big problem: WHO gets to decide what is okay and not okay for Minneapolitans to do with their own property? (That is a rhetorical question, FYI) I submit to this list that we must consider that question carefully, because those decision-makers may not always be on our "team." The more power we give to them (regulatory, etc.) the harder we may get bitten in the future. I understand that some list members don't like to look at their neighbors' big ugly garages. That's really a shame. I don't like to look and the broken-down, rat-infested, dirty and depressing houses that MCDA has left languishing on my block since I moved here. I don't like looking at the trash-strewn weed fields that also exist on my block where our fine city has smashed some of the aforementioned houses to smithereens as neighborhood children looked on in vague awe. I don't like the abject poverty, drug addiction and hopelessness that I see in the faces of my neighbors each and every day, as I make my way down Franklin Avenue, one block from my home. My point? We have a lot more important problems in this city than some silly garages. I cheer everyone who is willing to live here, and as they invest in their homes, they are investing in this city. Every time someone on my block plants a flower, I get excited. Then again, maybe my neighborhood is a little different... BTW: Now that I have addressed the subjects with regard to Minneapolis, (my favorite topic) I will briefly respond to Mark Snyder's non-city-specific baiting: He cites the following about Republicans: A. - taking away a women's right to make choices about her body CN: first of all, this is not relevant to the Minneapolis Republicans, because the last time I checked, city officials did not make decisions about abortion rights. Second of all, everybody knows that the Republicans who are Pro-Life are such because they believe the fetus is another being, and therefore they are championing the right to life for THAT person. Lastly, I find this topic exhausting, because I am Pro-Choice. B. - treating gay folks as second-class citizens by opposing gay marriage or health benefits for same-sex couples CN: I didn't hear anyone at Pride saying they felt like we thought they were second-class citizens... C.- prohibiting the dispensing of birth control drugs and devices in schools CN: I oppose any attempt to remove a parent's right to raise their children with the values dictated by their own reasonable faith and beliefs. D. - giving preference to heterosexual couples over same-sex couples for adopting children CN: Our adoption system is needlessly complex and overregulated, and should be revamped. E. - making English the official language of Minnesota CN: Which language would you prefer? Connie Nompelis Minneapolis Republican Committee Ward 6 - Ventura Village __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com _______________________________________ 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
