Archive for February 7th, 2007
State Sen. Carl Krueger, a Democrat who represents New York’s 27th district in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, claimed that the phenomenon of “iPod oblivion” has led to a number of fatal accidents on urban streets. While he did not cite any statistical studies that have indicated a rise in such incidents, he referred to the January death of a 23-year-old Brooklyn man who, tuned into his iPod headphones, walked into the path of a city bus.
The bill would effectively make it illegal to use any kind of portable electronic device–a music or video player, cell phone, smart phone, gaming device, etc.–while crossing the street in cities such as New York, Albany and Buffalo. Offenders would be slapped with a $100 fine and a criminal court summons. Joggers and bicyclists would have to limit their iPod use to city parks in which no street crossing would be involved.
First we had the cell phone ban while driving. Then, we had NYC banning trans fats. Next, Demone Smith is trying to do the same thing here in Buffalo. Now we have a proposed ban on listening to iPods while crossing the street. The government is never happy with limited power. Every extra power it seizes is used to gain even more power at the expense of our freedom.
I am sick and tired of bureaucrats deciding what I can and can not do. What we need is a ban on government. Soon we will have to consult a list of approved activities before doing anything. I usually try to refrain from foul language on my blog, in this case I am going to make an exception. State Senator Carl Krueger, you are an asshole!
Source: N.Y. lawmaker hopes to ban iPod use in crosswalks | Tech News on ZDNet
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Sheldon Silver, with the consent of Joe Bruno, showed Eliot Spitzer that they still have control over the most dysfunctional state legislature.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat like the governor, decided to ignore the agreed-upon selection process after the screening panel failed to recommend any lawmakers for the post. He and Joseph L. Bruno, the Republican majority leader of the State Senate, threw their support behind Mr. DiNapoli, a Democrat.
Governor Spitzer, facing his first serious political defeat as governor, bristled at what he called the “stunning lack of integrity” of the legislative leaders and charged that they had let “politics and cronyism” triumph over sound judgment.
The losers are the taxpayers, as usual. Spitzer is just as much to blame as Silver and Bruno. He chose to play politics with this issue and remained largely silent when he was the Attorney General. This could have turned out much differently with the voters making the choice. Instead we were treated to a political battle for power. “Day one” my ass! The lack of integrity began when Eliot stood on the sidelines and played backroom politics.
Source: Legislators Pick a Comptroller, Defying Spitzer - New York Times
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I love the following wording, President Bush wants to give $305 million . . . Is he pulling it out of his wallet? It sounds like he wants to take our money.
President Bush wants to give $305 million to cities and states to come up with ways to charge drivers for traveling at peak traffic. Such “congestion pricing” has worked in a few cities such as London and Singapore. But can it succeed with toll-averse Americans?
A rush-hour fee would not be aimed simply at easing the commuting hassles of only those workers willing or able to pay a few extra dollars a day. It’s a scheme with wider benefits, such as reduced fuel consumption, less air pollution, and better efficiency for business.
We already have enough fees, taxes and regulations. This is a poorly thought out plan. Instead of trying to force people, through fees levied, to change their behavior, practical solutions need to be evaluated.
Traffic congestion is becoming a problem. So is inefficient traffic flow in general. There is a solution that will solve both problems, cost less money, save fuel and reduce pollution. As a bonus, it would also be embraced enthusiastically by commuters.
The answer is a computerized traffic control system. Lights would be synchronized to maximize traffic flow. A system like that could be very beneficial to the development of downtown Buffalo. One of the frequent complaints of suburbanites is the inconvenience of driving on city streets.
It is possible to design a computerized traffic control system that utilizes real-time input from traffic conditions. That enables real-time adjustments in traffic light timing to maximize the flow of traffic.
Toll roads may play an important role in the future. Presently we need to take advantage of other, less intrusive solutions first.
Source: A rush-hour tax on urban drivers - Yahoo! News
