As You See It: Nov. 12, 2009

[Jason]

nocklebeast wrote:

The road on West Cliff is perfectly fine for cyclists as it is. Making the road one way for cyclists won't make it better for cyclists. Replacing a traffic lane with a two way bike path will just increase the conflicts between cars trying to get to the parking on the ocean side of the road.

I don't see why the parking lots could not be moved so that cars never have to cross the new bike path. You seem to picture a bike path being built right on top of where the lane that would be removed is. Removing a lane to expand the bike path simply opens up more space to do this. If a lane is removed to build a bike path, then it makes more sense to build the path entirely adjacent to the existing pedestrian/bike path and move the parking lots away from the cliffs.

[nocklebeast]

"You seem to picture a bike path being built right on top of where the lane that would be removed is."

This is because, until now, this is what everyone else was proposing.

It's true, moving the bike path to be adjacent to the existing sidewalk and moving the existing parking closer to the new one way road would eliminate the conflict between parking cars and cyclists.

It would, however, make it even more inconvenient for cyclists who's destinations are the West Cliff neighborhoods.... that is cyclists who intend to travel to and take one of the many cross streets to West Cliff. Cyclists can more easily access cross streets on the existing two way road, than from the proposed side path.

One thing I find particularly tiresome with proposed new bicycle facilities in general, is that, more often than not, the proposed facility is worse than the existing facility. Why do people propose inferior facilities to bike on and then wonder why cyclists aren't grateful for these suggestions?

Jason wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't see why the parking lots could not be moved so that cars never have to cross the new bike path. You seem to picture a bike path being built right on top of where the lane that would be removed is. Removing a lane to expand the bike path simply opens up more space to do this. If a lane is removed to build a bike path, then it makes more sense to build the path entirely adjacent to the existing pedestrian/bike path and move the parking lots away from the cliffs.

[Westside]

Oh my god NO! Do not direct traffic through residential neighborhoods, that idea will go down like a lead balloon!

[Deej]

Doug, What are you the view police? People aren't allowed to enjoy the view in both directions because you think so. Fixing problems that don't exist is nuts and so is your idea.

[X Kyuzmi]

pat wrote:

Doug Eghfer, that is a great idea! it is nearly impossible to ride comfortably and safely on the sidewalk or on the road.

Hmmm....perhaps you should try attaching the seat to your bike?

[Scrooge]

rita wrote:

How long doe one expect omeone to be sentenced to prion? Life without parole for anything you deem worthy of such a sentence. 8 years in prison is not a walk in the park. A sentence that will involve little assistance in readying the inmate for a return to the community and even less support to keep them from returning to prison Let's just keep doing what we are/aren't doing at present. Do you think all judges come from the ranks of defense attornies, ready to be as lenient as the law allows? Do you think all law enforcement and prosecuters are infallible and only interested in justice for all involved? You had the barest of information about the case. the principals, from the judge, prosecuter, defense, and law enforcement all had more knowledge of the particulars. If you letter had included specifics of all factors involved in sentencing, instead of just kneejerk spewing, your opinion might have had some value. We've been locking up crack addicts and dealers and gang member for quite awhile, now. Is the problem getting any better? Maybe we best look for other solutions, instead of tying the hands of judges, who usually, get to the bench with years of experience and proven competence (Clarence Thomas aside).

Rita, Rita, bleeding heart, you really make me sick. Better get a blood transfusion and fast otherwise your heart is going to bleed out. Yes Rita, there are rotten vegetables among us and they deserve nothing more than being culled from society. The solution to being accepted into society is to behave.

[Jaydog]

Troubling rash wrote:

yet another pot-bot ... just an FYI the dealers didn't get the memo, if you want the profits you don't sell through 'legal' channels.
<quoted text>

Exactly, when legal channels open up, the illegal market dries up. Like I said, get down there and check it out. Look at inmate records, ask a cop. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[Jaydog]

Pittsburg wrote:

Jaydog, stay in Gunpoint, buy your pot there.

I have no idea what "Gunpoint" is. I was born at Dominican Hospital (or santa cruz community..who knows) and have lived in Santa Cruz county for 34 years. You must be new to Topix. The location is where your server is or some such thing. I have never been east of Oaxaca and have certainly never set foot in Pittsburg. See, I can't even spell it!

[rita]

Scrooge wrote:

<quoted text>
Rita, Rita, bleeding heart, you really make me sick. Better get a blood transfusion and fast otherwise your heart is going to bleed out. Yes Rita, there are rotten vegetables among us and they deserve nothing more than being culled from society. The solution to being accepted into society is to behave.

the issues your express concern about will not be resolved by armchair genralities. Who deserves to be culled out? A 12 year old sucked into a neighborhood gang? A battered woman who fights back? An innocent? Actually, if you sentenced people on thier likelihood of reooffending, murderers would serve very little time. Except for gang-related and the occasional serial murderer, In the '70's, the avergae sentence, in california, for simple kidnapping, for example, was 18 months. Will more severe sentencing on that charge, have we seen a lowering of that crime's occurance? Insanity is the practice of repeating hte same thing and expecting a differant outcome. What we are doing is not working. Instead of guards making $100,000 plus a year, maybe good educations, an infracture not based on corporate greed and jobs would do more to alleviate crime statistics.