tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post7761265795004335474..comments2024-01-05T06:18:18.086-05:00Comments on CommentaramaPolitics: Practical or Spectacular?AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-65900772022898760532014-12-06T21:17:46.252-05:002014-12-06T21:17:46.252-05:00In case anyone is still reading, this is why we ca...In case anyone is still reading, <a href="http://factually.gizmodo.com/the-new-wtc-train-station-will-probably-cost-more-the-s-1666242793?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow" rel="nofollow">this is why we can't have nice things!</a> :-) <br /><br />It's re: the transit hub boondoggle mentioned above.ScottDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09619078842202925064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-85424538626717169742014-12-05T19:56:31.639-05:002014-12-05T19:56:31.639-05:00"And maybe they added that Dante and their da..."And maybe they added that Dante and their daughter are overwhelming more likely to injured or killed while black by another black teenager than they are by any cop...period. When that is part of the conversation ..."<br /><br />Its been part of the convo for a very long time. BUT the black criminals who kill black people are sent to jail, often for a very long time, life or they get death penalty.<br /><br />The issue on the table right now is will cops, black or white, who kill unjustly be meted out the same?<br /><br />This discussion has been going on for decades (hundreds of years now really) amongst black Americans. Now it appears its getting mainstream media time too.<br /><br />Good.Hemamalininoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-5230989289512802362014-12-05T13:28:33.557-05:002014-12-05T13:28:33.557-05:00Darski - let's just say that I doubt there wil...Darski - let's just say that I doubt there will be any NYC cop throwing themselves in front of a bullet to save DiBlasio ever again. I will assume that along with sitting down with their son about how he will be perceived by the cops, they also told him to NOT commit crimes, do not hang around with kids who commit crimes, don't do or sell drugs and don't dress or speak like some gang banger. <br /><br />And maybe they added that Dante and their daughter are overwhelming more likely to injured or killed while black by another black teenager than they are by any cop...period. When that is part of the conversation and not an "insulting and racist talking point" right out of the FBI's own statistics in , then we can have a honest conversation about what the real problems are. Until then, it's only Al Sharpton's words that matter...BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-27754911040083106782014-12-04T17:24:31.117-05:002014-12-04T17:24:31.117-05:00I heard a report that Diblasio had a sit down with...I heard a report that Diblasio had a sit down with his son and told him how cops would treat him. Personally, I think the NYPD should agree to stay very, very, far away from him and his family. If he is opposed to police protection - let him eat cake.darskinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-43506517751493947892014-12-04T03:38:15.957-05:002014-12-04T03:38:15.957-05:00Bev,
The fact Garner raised his hands rather than...Bev,<br /><br />The fact Garner raised his hands rather than submitting them to be cuffed is resistance, but its resistance that doesn't put cops in danger or place them in reasonable fear of their lives (which say, groping for an object in one's waist would do) so it didn't merit deadly force.<br /><br />Also, who said anything about the Garner's crime being unintentional? The unintentional thing was the cop killing Garner, but the cop did so by breaking a rule (no chokeholds) established to avoid such killings so he should not have completely avoided punishment for it.<br /><br />The fact Garner sold cigarettes and maybe even Big Gulps repeatedly is an indicator that the law needs to be tightened, but I don't think death should be one of the punishments.<br /><br />Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-3620809532045151992014-12-04T01:35:20.663-05:002014-12-04T01:35:20.663-05:00You need both. Lame answer I know but without the ...You need both. Lame answer I know but without the boring but practical things, the spectacular won't stand out. Koshcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552108950848576633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-83844113697698825932014-12-03T22:52:22.154-05:002014-12-03T22:52:22.154-05:00My vote is for practical and ecologically, resourc...My vote is for practical and ecologically, resource efficient. "Spectacular" in my mind means simple, open and classical architecture which incorporates as much nature as possible into the design.<br /><br />Dubai is just plain tacky. They have so many over the top futuristic style buildings while half the women are roaming around with their faces covered.<br /><br />They are like a mini-USA in the desert. Trying to outdo the world in gluttony, ostentatious displays of wealth and obnoxious consumerism. <br /><br />Yuck!<br />Hemamalininoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-79239374378294967312014-12-03T20:50:46.025-05:002014-12-03T20:50:46.025-05:00Bev, Twitchy (Michele Malkin) posted many tweets f...Bev, Twitchy (Michele Malkin) posted many tweets from Liberals (crazies) defnitely inciting violence. Disgusting. But, if I were a leader I would call it off because I would not want such a pitiful sight. (or I am incredibly weak)CrisDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-89111423801297283872014-12-03T20:12:09.794-05:002014-12-03T20:12:09.794-05:00CrisD - No, they will not cancel the Tree Lighting...CrisD - No, they will not cancel the Tree Lighting at Rock Center. And let the violent protest shut it down. But if violence does ensue and innocent people are harmed, let it be on Al Sharpton's head. I say that knowing that he will once again be excused and so will those who incite violence. It's a shame because violence just breed more violence. Isn't this what Martin Luther King spoke out against?BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-71206279849553101672014-12-03T20:07:48.011-05:002014-12-03T20:07:48.011-05:00Anthony - Let me ask you a question. If you daugh...Anthony - Let me ask you a question. If you daughter continued to spill her soup on the couch after you punished her, what would you do? Would you continue to "punish her" but still excuse her behavior.as being "unintentional"?<br /><br />Metaphorically, that is what Garner did. He was a career petty criminal know well to the police. They tried to arrest him and he resisted. It took 4 cops to take the 400 lb man down. Should he have died? NO. Should have put himself in that position? Also, NO.<br /><br />I don't want to be incendiary, and I respect you and your valuable opinion, but from my perspective, Al Sharpton solves nothing. It is hard to be understanding.or sympathetic.BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-6155315509963569002014-12-03T18:01:31.298-05:002014-12-03T18:01:31.298-05:00So Bev,
Are they going to have to cancel the Chris...So Bev,<br />Are they going to have to cancel the Christmas Tree Lighting tonight? I heard a violent protest was in the works (twitchy).CrisDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-72666161994404838002014-12-03T17:37:21.585-05:002014-12-03T17:37:21.585-05:00Bev,
Where did I say we should ignore petty crimi...Bev,<br /><br />Where did I say we should ignore petty criminals? Seriously, kindly point out to me what phrase or combination of phrases I used at any point in this or any other discussion that led you to that conclusion. I suspect I will have a very long wait since I explicitly stated the fact the guy was being arrested was fine since he was committing a crime, but neither the crime nor his method resisting arrest merited lethal force.<br /><br />If you want to give the police or any other government agency a blank check to do whatever it feels needs doing, fine and good, but don't twist my words to do it. Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-86332479805855867562014-12-03T17:07:38.392-05:002014-12-03T17:07:38.392-05:00Anthony - Yes, yes, he was a petty criminal and w...Anthony - Yes, yes, he was a petty criminal and we should just ignore the petty crimes. I get it. But then again, that's what got NYC in trouble in the first place that started us down the road to needing "stop and frisk"...ignoring petty crimes. <br /><br />Since I am NOT a petty criminal because I choose to NOT be a petty criminal, I have no sympathy for petty criminals. This is MY city and I am tired of people telling me that I have to put up with petty criminals. Don't commit crimes, don't LOOK like you are committing crimes, and you won't have to come in contact with the police.<br /><br />Sorry, but I have no sympathy. He was committing a crime and he resisted arrest. What do you consider a crime that is worthy of the police, anyway??BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-90980334017585235772014-12-03T16:40:48.663-05:002014-12-03T16:40:48.663-05:00Bev,
I'd say there is a spectrum of resistanc...Bev,<br /><br />I'd say there is a spectrum of resistance. Backing up and raising one's hands after one has been told to put them behind one's back is resisting arrest, but its not the same as punching, shoving or wrestling with a cop.<br /><br />Also, its worth keeping in mind that the police were there because they suspected him of selling cigarettes illegally. That is a crime which cheats the state of revenue, but it didn't make him a menace to the public.<br /><br />Both the crime and his form of resistance indicate to me that the lethal response was uncalled for. <br /><br />As for the argument the killing was accidental, yeah, it was, but the cop intentionally used a move which was banned because it killed people. <br /><br />To use a metaphor, that is like one of my daughters staining the sofa because she spilled soup on it after I told them to only eat at the dining room table. No, it wasn't an intentional act, but she did it by ignoring the rules I set which would have prevented the accident from happening. She didn't escape punishment because the stain was an accident.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-73539466192637516892014-12-03T16:23:04.852-05:002014-12-03T16:23:04.852-05:00"...there needs to be genuine accountability...."...there needs to be genuine accountability."<br /><br />Andrew - One would think, wouldn't one? When they draw up budgets for these projects they even build in a certain amount for cost overruns. But it never works out that they are penalized for it in public projects anyway.BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-87278828544032879352014-12-03T16:20:17.831-05:002014-12-03T16:20:17.831-05:00Anthony - Fortunately, we are having freezing rain...Anthony - Fortunately, we are having freezing rain, so maybe that will keep the violent protests to a minimum. Even violent protestors don't like bad weather. And anyway, I think Al Sharpton is either in DC commiserating with Obama about how to burn NYC to the ground with Mayor Diblasio's blessing or he's still in Ferguson making sure that the fires keep burning there. <br /><br />I am not the least bit surprised by the Grand Jury's decision. Garner was a criminal committing a crime who resisted arrest. It took 4 cops to stop his 400 lb body from resisting. None of the NYC cops intended to kill him, just to stop him from committing a crime. Isn't that what they are paid to do?<br />BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-72650228664261174442014-12-03T16:05:23.666-05:002014-12-03T16:05:23.666-05:00OT, but big news. The NY cop who choked the guy t...OT, but big news. The NY cop who choked the guy to death using a move long banned by the NYPD because it tends to kill people skated. <br /><br />Disappointed but not surprised. Hopefully the protests will be peaceful. Burning down buildings and hurting people wouldn't solve anything.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16124128949343301445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-89047459833631397272014-12-03T16:02:12.469-05:002014-12-03T16:02:12.469-05:00I like cityscapes. Really enjoy them. But I'l...I like cityscapes. Really enjoy them. But I'll tell you what conservative art appreciators like me get funny about---some of the new designs!!!<br />The one I can think of off the bat is the Denver Airport-meant to reflect the idea of snowy mountain tops?? Yet looks like cheap canvas??? Just don't get it. CrisDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-9247635118411931582014-12-03T15:59:58.966-05:002014-12-03T15:59:58.966-05:00Scott - Ah yes, major public works boondoggle....t...Scott - Ah yes, major public works boondoggle....the famous 2nd Avenue subway line - 86 years in the making and only 30 blocks long...don't...get...me...started.BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-66451298923005894002014-12-03T14:46:51.131-05:002014-12-03T14:46:51.131-05:00Kit, Sadly, the modern version of that is tech par...Kit, Sadly, the modern version of that is tech parks, where these companies all build ugly buildings on over-sized lots. And like I told Bev, the problem is things like environmental laws, which make building anything big impossible, and government interference and government terf wars.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-46588149033076525882014-12-03T14:44:34.826-05:002014-12-03T14:44:34.826-05:00Bev, I think that's a key to making this work ...Bev, I think that's a key to making this work -- there needs to be genuine accountability. That means realistic budgets, people losing their jobs when things go wrong, and much more efficient work.<br /><br />That is true that many of these buildings were built by private persons. I think the problem today is that environmental laws make it impossible for anyone but the government to do the work.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-57514278315155025892014-12-03T14:21:32.899-05:002014-12-03T14:21:32.899-05:00Jed, The environmentalists have become a huge prob...Jed, The environmentalists have become a huge problem. Not only do they fight every single attempt to build anything, but they have jacked up the costs so high that big, new projects are virtually impossible.<br /><br />On your other point, that is definitely a valid counter: government wastes too much money, we have better uses for the money. And this has created a real distrust in government which makes it hard to convince people to allow any sort of spending.<br />AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-17393590425137451482014-12-03T14:15:27.465-05:002014-12-03T14:15:27.465-05:00Scott, That is a huge problem. Any sort of big pr...Scott, That is a huge problem. Any sort of big project turns into an over-budget nightmare when the government does it. What they need to do is learn to hire professional construction management companies and tell them to keep it on time and under budget.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-33273319059072233252014-12-03T14:11:28.468-05:002014-12-03T14:11:28.468-05:00Eric, True, St. Louis does have the arch, but beyo...Eric, True, St. Louis does have the arch, but beyond that it really is much like all the other big Midwestern cities -- function over aesthetics, lots of generic buildings.<br /><br />Good call on Pittsburgh! They have some amazing architecture, though it was largely put in place a long time ago.<br /><br />I have a lot of respect for things like Cleveland's lake-side cleanup, Baltimore's inner harbor, and other attempts to clean up downtowns and pull middle class people back in from the suburbs.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-84155674037291201812014-12-03T14:08:32.091-05:002014-12-03T14:08:32.091-05:00Critch, "Lower Slobovia" -- LOL! Well p...Critch, "Lower Slobovia" -- LOL! Well played, sir! :DAndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com