Thank you for this! I live near downtown and I've been telling everyone I know the same thing. We need to do all we can to make sure our wonderful local businesses make it through the construction and the impending dry summer! :)
I feel for the businesses in these routes. I hope the good people of Tucson won't let these closures deter them from continuing to visit those businesses in the coming months. (47 Scott and Buffalo Exchange, I'm thinking of you). Fortunately I'm just a bike-ride away :)
"Privatize! It will cause rates to go down!" scream the Republicans. I have yet to see a single institution in this country whose prices went down as a result of privatization. If the city/county can't keep the system solvent at their current rates, what makes you think that private companies are going to serve for lower rates and risk losing a profit? Duh.
Look at how privatization has benefited our telephone rates. Ask other states and counties how privatization has helped their utility bills go down. NOT.
I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If they need to raise the rate a dollar or two per month to cover a budget issue, I'd be willing to pay it. But privatization has proven time and time again that it mostly results in worse service for higher rates.
Sorry Johnny, just saw your second comment after I posted mine.
You know, I read the article and it made me very sad; my heart goes out to the woman and her child.
And so I put myself into the situation if I'd had a gun... First off, who answers the gas man at the door with a gun in their hand? Do you whip out your gun every time someone rings the doorbell? Chances are my gun would be in my bedroom, under my bed or in a nightstand. I probably wouldn't even have a chance to get to it in time if they caught me off guard and were close enough to stun me before I could make a run for it.
I think a gun would have been pretty useless in that case.
Besides, unless I called for someone to come out to my house, they have no legitimate reason for coming into my home. They wouldn't get past the view of my peep-hole.
I was on a bit of a rant. For the record, I'm not strictly against gun ownership. I question the need sometimes, especially for carrying in public in an urban space. I'm not absolutely convinced either way.
You certainly "served me" on several points, but I'll respond where I can:
1. "I find it funny how your post is oozing with intolerance, aggression and hatefulness towards those who hold a different view from yourself."
I think my paranoia about getting shot by someone having a bad day or being irresponsible is as valid as yours about needing to be able to defend yourself "just in case."
But yes, instead of "conservatives," I should have said, "Gun Owner," or "Gun Carrier." It was wrong of me to make the generalization there. But wouldn't you agree that someone who would shoot another person over their political beliefs, or in a bar for looking at them the wrong way, or in a drive-by shooting, could legitimately be called intolerant, aggressive, or a douchebag? :)
I do believe the majority of all people are well-intentioned and good in their hearts. But let's not pretend that most throwing around hostile statements in the public discourse, like, "I'll just have to use my gun on all those wimpy commie hippies if they keep trying to take away my gun rights!" are conservatives/right-wingers. That's where my prejudice comes from... conversely, I have yet to meet or hear of a liberal or left-leaning individual that engaged in death threats - over any issue.
3. All of my *trained* gun-loving friends (and I have quite a few) say they would shoot to kill if someone entered their home. I've been told it's best to completely annihilate the person because there's a chance they might have a gun and shoot you after you've... oh... say... shot them in the leg or something.
5. "So how do you feel about unlicensed and untrained people wielding 2 tons of metal at high speed, running around a large city? I am referring to drivers, of course. " I assume by making this statement you are saying that requiring a license and training to drive a car is not a deterrent to idiots getting behind the wheel, and by the same token gun regulation is not a deterrent to idiots carrying in public... kind of like saying the death penalty is not a deterrent to violent crime? Sure, I'll concede on that point.
6. "It's not just a dream, it's reality!" Correct me if I'm mistaken, but don't Federal Laws apply to All states in the Union? No matter what state you move to, you're subject to them, whether you agree with them or not (case in point: gun control, or lack thereof). I was trying to say that if states had ultimate authority over some of these hot-button, uber-controversial issues, our crazy infighting and vitriol might ease up, and people could just live their lives without feeling persecuted, oppressed or attacked, whichever side they happen to be on. Sorry if that sounds naive, but if the political situation gets any worse in our country, it just might be the way to achieve some modicum of collective happiness and peace!
Funny, I'm more afraid of getting shot by a crazy, intolerant, aggressive, hateful conservative than I am of getting my house broken into. I am nervous about going into bars which allow guns. What's to stop some drunken douchebag with a gun from going postal on me for looking at him the wrong way? Or a road-rage-fueled drive-by shooting (as evidenced by the article above)?
Personally, my material possessions are far less important than my sanity; If I accidentally killed another human being, even if they were entering my home illegally, I don't think I could live with myself (hmmm... perhaps I actually have a soul). Besides, according to the gun-loving Christian right, wouldn't it be "God's" will, if my demise should come from being killed by a gun-toting home intruder?
Do tell, where are the statistics about this epidemic of Tucsonans just breaking into people's houses to hurt them, anyway? Is it really such a common occurence that we should feel the need to be prepared to kill on site?
Seriously, I'm not some tree-hugging hippie. I absolutely support gun-ownership for hunting, those living in rural areas and for sport. But allowing unlicensed and untrained persons to carry guns around in public in a large city just doesn't sit well with me. My political beliefs are closer to the middle than the left - by most standards I'm considered quite wealthy, and I don't love paying so much taxes; I do agree with reducing federal government and giving states more control over their own affairs.
It would be a dream to be able to just move to another state if you don't agree with those who surround you, wouldn't it? I'm sure many right-wingers would love to live in a place that allowed unlimited gun rights, no taxes, no entitlement programs, deregulation of every industry, banishment of all illegal aliens, corporate welfare, and integration of church and state. And I'd love to live in a state with gun control, abortion rights, gay marriage, deregulation of drugs and alcohol, universal healthcare, multicultural diversity and freedom of religion. Let's make THAT happen!
And Kingjoey: I'm stuck here temporarily because of work, but don't worry, in a couple of years I'll take my (sizable) tax dollars, consumer spending power and charitable contributions with me when I get out of this state full of hateful, intolerant vigilantes.
It's nice to see such a beaming smile on the face of someone who I imagine has experienced a lot of pain and suffering since the tragedy. Ms. Giffords is a great example of a strong, courageous survivor!
Recent Comments
Look at how privatization has benefited our telephone rates. Ask other states and counties how privatization has helped their utility bills go down. NOT.
I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If they need to raise the rate a dollar or two per month to cover a budget issue, I'd be willing to pay it. But privatization has proven time and time again that it mostly results in worse service for higher rates.
You know, I read the article and it made me very sad; my heart goes out to the woman and her child.
And so I put myself into the situation if I'd had a gun... First off, who answers the gas man at the door with a gun in their hand? Do you whip out your gun every time someone rings the doorbell? Chances are my gun would be in my bedroom, under my bed or in a nightstand. I probably wouldn't even have a chance to get to it in time if they caught me off guard and were close enough to stun me before I could make a run for it.
I think a gun would have been pretty useless in that case.
Besides, unless I called for someone to come out to my house, they have no legitimate reason for coming into my home. They wouldn't get past the view of my peep-hole.
I was on a bit of a rant. For the record, I'm not strictly against gun ownership. I question the need sometimes, especially for carrying in public in an urban space. I'm not absolutely convinced either way.
You certainly "served me" on several points, but I'll respond where I can:
1. "I find it funny how your post is oozing with intolerance, aggression and hatefulness towards those who hold a different view from yourself."
I think my paranoia about getting shot by someone having a bad day or being irresponsible is as valid as yours about needing to be able to defend yourself "just in case."
But yes, instead of "conservatives," I should have said, "Gun Owner," or "Gun Carrier." It was wrong of me to make the generalization there. But wouldn't you agree that someone who would shoot another person over their political beliefs, or in a bar for looking at them the wrong way, or in a drive-by shooting, could legitimately be called intolerant, aggressive, or a douchebag? :)
I do believe the majority of all people are well-intentioned and good in their hearts. But let's not pretend that most throwing around hostile statements in the public discourse, like, "I'll just have to use my gun on all those wimpy commie hippies if they keep trying to take away my gun rights!" are conservatives/right-wingers. That's where my prejudice comes from... conversely, I have yet to meet or hear of a liberal or left-leaning individual that engaged in death threats - over any issue.
3. All of my *trained* gun-loving friends (and I have quite a few) say they would shoot to kill if someone entered their home. I've been told it's best to completely annihilate the person because there's a chance they might have a gun and shoot you after you've... oh... say... shot them in the leg or something.
5. "So how do you feel about unlicensed and untrained people wielding 2 tons of metal at high speed, running around a large city? I am referring to drivers, of course. " I assume by making this statement you are saying that requiring a license and training to drive a car is not a deterrent to idiots getting behind the wheel, and by the same token gun regulation is not a deterrent to idiots carrying in public... kind of like saying the death penalty is not a deterrent to violent crime? Sure, I'll concede on that point.
6. "It's not just a dream, it's reality!" Correct me if I'm mistaken, but don't Federal Laws apply to All states in the Union? No matter what state you move to, you're subject to them, whether you agree with them or not (case in point: gun control, or lack thereof). I was trying to say that if states had ultimate authority over some of these hot-button, uber-controversial issues, our crazy infighting and vitriol might ease up, and people could just live their lives without feeling persecuted, oppressed or attacked, whichever side they happen to be on. Sorry if that sounds naive, but if the political situation gets any worse in our country, it just might be the way to achieve some modicum of collective happiness and peace!
Personally, my material possessions are far less important than my sanity; If I accidentally killed another human being, even if they were entering my home illegally, I don't think I could live with myself (hmmm... perhaps I actually have a soul). Besides, according to the gun-loving Christian right, wouldn't it be "God's" will, if my demise should come from being killed by a gun-toting home intruder?
Do tell, where are the statistics about this epidemic of Tucsonans just breaking into people's houses to hurt them, anyway? Is it really such a common occurence that we should feel the need to be prepared to kill on site?
Seriously, I'm not some tree-hugging hippie. I absolutely support gun-ownership for hunting, those living in rural areas and for sport. But allowing unlicensed and untrained persons to carry guns around in public in a large city just doesn't sit well with me. My political beliefs are closer to the middle than the left - by most standards I'm considered quite wealthy, and I don't love paying so much taxes; I do agree with reducing federal government and giving states more control over their own affairs.
It would be a dream to be able to just move to another state if you don't agree with those who surround you, wouldn't it? I'm sure many right-wingers would love to live in a place that allowed unlimited gun rights, no taxes, no entitlement programs, deregulation of every industry, banishment of all illegal aliens, corporate welfare, and integration of church and state. And I'd love to live in a state with gun control, abortion rights, gay marriage, deregulation of drugs and alcohol, universal healthcare, multicultural diversity and freedom of religion. Let's make THAT happen!
And Kingjoey: I'm stuck here temporarily because of work, but don't worry, in a couple of years I'll take my (sizable) tax dollars, consumer spending power and charitable contributions with me when I get out of this state full of hateful, intolerant vigilantes.