I think this is media hype. How many of these hit-run baddies did they ever nail? I would think very few given that you'd have to have witnesses that could solidly identify the driver as the guilty one. Let's face it, driving is dangerous to your bank account. I constantly think "how can I avoid the goof that means $250 out of my pocket?" It involves some luck and a lot of attention. But you get on the road, the risk is there. Plus, the Pioneer Press illustrates again that some people SIMPLY can't afford to drive. The person mentioned didn't even cover her car with collision. I'd do that with a junker, but not any car that was really worth keeping. At least a person without collision should have a savings account so they can keep glass in their windows. This is Minnesota, and it gets COLD in the winter! Yeh, its a shame the police can't do this anymore, but that's just part of the Pawlenty-Sviggum New Order. I suppose in Eagan, they never did offer to track down hit and run perpetrators. So Tim thinks Minneapolis is wasteful in doing it.
Teen Center
With all the history of church involvement in child abuse and coaches who are found to be abusers, people naturally are leery of someone who makes a show of wanting to interact with kids. It should be a laudable thing, but it seems all the wrong people volunteer. And so I'm sure nowadays foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, volunteer coaches, etc all have to be checked out. As always said, it takes just one rotten apple to spoil the barrel. It is ESPECIALLY dangerous when you get one of these diehard individualists who doesnt want to much attention, such as participating in some organization. I applaud Mr. Samuels for being cautious. As for the teen center, it could be beneficial. Kinda depends on what they do. My wife grew up in North and spent some time at a settlement house, so I think she got some benefits. It does seem to me the city is loaded with agencies that could get together and sponsor such a thing. There really is no need from someone to "do it myself". In fact, if he can't work with others, he shouldnt be a role model for kids. Kids need, above all, to understand working with others. Even if the loner is somehow the hero on TV. TV is not life. TV is entertainment, nothing more. Most of life does NOT work as it is shown in TV scripts. The more we can draw kids AWAY from the distortions of TV and toward real life, the better they will function later. As for the gangs trying to make it HQ, get the police involved. That will assure the gangs choose other haunts. And at least the kids who spend time there will spend less time on the streets where they can be bullied and led astray.
________________________________________
Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
No bonds for colonial wars. Say "no pay no play" and spare the grandkids from a life of poverty.
_________________________________________________________________
Get 10MB of e-mail storage! Sign up for Hotmail Extra Storage. http://join.msn.com/?PAGE=features/es
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
