tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post76902389971791639..comments2023-11-05T04:34:10.303-05:00Comments on The Naked City: Planning commissioners get toughUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-76851935578195343492010-08-09T21:34:31.801-04:002010-08-09T21:34:31.801-04:00I returned to the hotel from a day of meetings. Ha...I returned to the hotel from a day of meetings. Had dinner. Turned on the tube while I checked email and twittered.<br /><br />A Republican debate was on. <br /><br />In a few short years, that vacant piece of land described in this post is going to hold tents, campers and people sleeping in their cars. No need to worry about future development.<br /><br />As a nation, we are not remotely prepared for what's happening now and what's coming down the road.<br /><br />The Republican candidates sound like a bunch of circus clowns trying out for their first road show. And they all have the same act.<br /><br />1st Republican: I'll cut taxes.<br />2nd Republican: I'll cut taxes more.<br />3rd Republican: You're both a liar. No one can cut taxes like me (said with a smile).<br /><br />Are the Republicans still a political party? Serious. Are they? They sound like accountants.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. The Democrats are mostly clueless. But the Republicans are dangerous. Seriously so.<br /><br />My fear is we are in such bad shape that top down political parties might not, probably are not the solution for our immediate future. That could give way to mobocracy.<br /><br />That's why the Tea Party, as disgusting and inept as their politics and strategy are, resonate with a lot of people on the right. In fits and starts they have done a back and forth over control from the Republican "party". The left has yet to field a new, emergent party that's broad, but focused enough to capture the rage of the left and center left. <br /><br />People are mad on the right, left and center. Neither of the two dominant political parties has the courage, intellect or independence to face the truth and tell the public what's going on; and how we might get out of this mess.<br /><br />Not that the people would want to hear it. We have become a bunch of obese, tattooed, drug sniffing, tv/cable watching, high school dropout, non reading, non writing, NASCAR watching, gambling, get something for nothing fools. But in fairness to "the people", this land of ours was set up by those amongst us who called themselves leaders. They said they were giving us a better life, our American way of life, and this is what "the people" got out of that deal. They are called consumers instead of citizens.<br /><br />As a nation, we've been here before. But we've never been here the way we are now. 315+ million people and growing-rapidly, a failed state of 125+ million on our southern border engaged in a life or death internal drug war, collective debt that is unimaginable and will never be repaid by any of us, peak oil-soon to be peak a lot of things, and leaders in all fields and persuasions scared out of their wits.<br /><br />What are we left with? The mob?<br /><br />What an awful way for the American project to go.consultanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06212860754280555647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-64045557789079838362010-08-08T15:11:36.304-04:002010-08-08T15:11:36.304-04:00In a location like this, surface parking and stora...In a location like this, surface parking and storage facilities have become the "go-to" temporary development devices of the last 20 years.<br /><br />Did the city stall the owner while waiting for more lucrative deals, like the one across the street?<br /><br />The owner wants to make some cash while holding the property. If the city approves, hopefully the site will have sufficient lighting to keep it safe.consultanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06212860754280555647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-81108494855772775212010-08-08T13:44:00.431-04:002010-08-08T13:44:00.431-04:00Hopefully they make it like the building across fr...Hopefully they make it like the building across from it on East Blvd. Where 131 Main Restaurant is located. Underground parking with street-facing building fronts.<br /><br />Or at least, surface parking on the interior of the lot that can be obscured from street view by future street-front commercial or residential structures.<br /><br />Either way, any permanent parking arrangement should be compatible with prospective future development.Display Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174184676822635473noreply@blogger.com