Sea change? Pawlenty says gas tax is on the table; Rybak: we need a broad vision
On Almanac. I’m floored. I ran into Pawlenty the night of the collapse. I was impressed with his presence of mind at the time and I’m glad he’s following through by taking this event seriously as both disaster and opportunity for policy review. Rybak advocates for a broad vision - we have to rethink transportation from top to bottom.
Remark: Is it true that there is a group going to protest Bush tomorrow? That’s sick and wrong. Please, don’t. If Bush goes to the same place the First Lady visited, that’s right next to my cul-de-sac. I’ll be moving my things out and that’s the last thing I need.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Just because a bridge collapsed and a half dozen people died doesn’t mean we need to forget that a war was started and a half million people died.
That man needs to be protested at every step he takes.
I understand that you don’t need it, and I am grateful for you and everyone’s efforts in helping out and documenting the catastrophe, but I’m not going to go along with the whole “Let’s all come together and forget politics” thing.
The disbelief in the power of government to improve people’s lives and provide for a common ground on which we can all stand, bike, drive, and do the business fo our every day lives is something I can’t abie. And that’s what this president represents.
It really sucks that your place was condemned. I know of a nice place in Marcy Holmes at 427 4th St SE (where I live when I am not in DC interning for the summer) that has some open apartments… since you are in the market.
Thank you so much for helping out during this catasrophe–not just for assisting the survivors, but for documenting the scene afterwards so that the MSP diaspora could get a better idea of what was going on in the place we not so lightly call our home. We in DC very much appreciated it, especially those of us who go to class every day during the school year on the West Bank.
Good luck in your move and in your part in helping the cities pick up the pieces.
Peace.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:59 am
I respect your opinion and I do have the same policy perspective. I was deeply involved in the protest movement from 2002 to 2003 - since, I have developed a jaded view of the actual utility of public protest versus other forms of social change. Thanks for your comment.
August 4th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Well, if our leadership had any sense of shame, protest might actually accomplish something.
As the President and Vice-President clearly do not care what the people think, protest changes nothing. However, if people had shown up to protest him while he toured the bridge, it would have taken away the last dignity he has–that of being able to be some sort of national healer in times of tragedy.
I sure as hell don’t feel healed, him having been there, but maybe some protesters would have just reminded people that he is almost universally reviled and that no catastrophe would make us forget or ignore the crimes he’s committed.