Catherine Leighton writes: "To turn social pressure, including ostracism against those who drive, as a solution to pollution/congestion/etc. is distasteful. "
Avidor- I don't agree with demonizing car drivers either. I recognize that most people have to drive to get to work and shop because Minneapolis was transformed in the last century into an auto dependent city. The Star Tribune since Sunday has had an excellent series of articles and editorials explaining how our elected officials over time have created the auto dependent metro region we live in. But that's not to say that there isn't an individual responsibility regarding car use. We may not all be able to live "car-free" but most Minneapolitans can become "car-light" by planning to reduce unnecessary car trips and choosing to drive the smallest vehicle they can. Everyone regardless of whether they walk, bike or take the bus or drive can let their elected officials know that they want to shift government spending on car infrastructure to transit. Technology is not "neutral". Cars creates a range of problems that are often dumped on the least politically powerful in our society....this creates social inequity. The individual car driver must be aware of the tremendous costs of car dependency. I don't think people should be made guilty because guilt and shame are not very good at transforming people from passive to active participants in the political process. Anger is much better. Is it possible to be against the use of coal and uranium to make electricity and still use electric lights and computers? Is it possible to be against airport noise and still travel on Northwest Airlines? We don't give up our right to be a part of the political process that effects our lives simply because technology is involved. If we say that technology is "Progress" and we cannot challenge or restrict it in any way, what is left to discuss here or in any public forum? When I ride in Critical Mass, I am always amazed with how many drivers honk and wave at us. I think it's a mistake to think that all car drivers want to drive. I also think it can be mistake for pro-walk, pro-bike, pro-transit activists to alienate sympathetic car drivers by always laying a big, heavy guilt trip on them...it can make us look like grim-faced puritanical prudes...and we're not! I like to walk and bike because it's fun and it would be even more fun if more car drivers joined us... that's a message car drivers and transportation policy makers also need to hear. Ken Avidor Kingfield _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
