As You See It: Oct. 27, 2009

In a typically mangled headline, "Lot of work ahead of local Tour of California organizers," we learn to our great dismay that the Amgen will be coming to Santa Cruz again next May.

[DA and Supervisors]

In response to "Violence threatens community's core": Also call the District Attorney's Office and City/County Supervisors. Most of the people committing these crimes already or probably have criminal records. They need full prosecution to ensure they cant hurt people again. Call Supervisors to loosen budget restraints on law agencies so that officers can continue to patrol and conduct a thourough investigations. Notice that the increased violence has spiked since furloughs and overtime cuts.

[Barry]

Wow, the i d i o t award goes to Michael Lewis. You sir are one unhappy individual. Sorry your life sux so much.

Seeing more people ride bikes is a good thing but Mr. Lewis is toooooo blind to see that

[Barry]

Mr. Lewis, more people are inspired in one day by Lance Armstrong than you will ever inspire in a multitude of lifes.....

[Mandy]

Please be sure the Sentinel publishes the date and time of the "Take back the night" march.

We usually find out about these events after the fact.

[Born and Raised SC]

Welcome AMGEN tour can't wait!!!

[Art Vandelay]

Santa Cruz has been struggling to find an identity for decades. After the university was built it tried to become Berkley 2.0, then for a while it was trying to be a frontier town with businesses named 'The Santa Cruz Widget Co' located in old buildings but still everything seemed phony like Disneyland's Main Street USA, then they tried to capitalize on this mess by being proud that it was 'weird' when it was really just a mess.

I grew up there but I hate to go back to visit family. It's such a hostile, little town with a big ego. I'd rather go to the Monterey Peninsula.

[Lon Lowe]

What is the Dear Leader's plan for Afganistan? Is he going to let all our boys die for nothing? Please don't respond with a Bush response as he was not a good president. What's the Dear Leader's plan? The Nobel Peace prize winner is continuing this stupid war!

[Rick121]

Art,

You grew up here, but you don't like what Santa Cruz has become. That's your privilege, and your solution is a good one; go somewhere else. You, and we, will feel a lot better.

[My Opinion_El Paso_Texas]

Lon Lowe wrote:

What is the Dear Leader's plan for Afganistan? Is he going to let all our boys die for nothing? Please don't respond with a Bush response as he was not a good president. What's the Dear Leader's plan? The Nobel Peace prize winner is continuing this stupid war!

Interesting question since Topix.com is showing you as living in Canada. Maybe you should address your question to the guy in charge of your government there in Canada who's been sending your Canadian soldiers to the war zone.

[nocklebeast]

The location under the name doesn't mean anything. It's only the location of your ISP the moment you post... otherwise I'd be from Virginia if you believed what was under my name.

My Opinion_El Paso_Texas wrote:

<quoted text>
Interesting question since Topix.com is showing you as living in Canada. Maybe you should address your question to the guy in charge of your government there in Canada who's been sending your Canadian soldiers to the war zone.

[nocklebeast]

"For two weeks before, and indefinitely after, Lance Armstrong wannabes sail through stop signs and stop lights across the county, take the sidewalk at corners and flout as many traffic regulations as possible in each ride"

Lewis doesn't have any data that says this is true, or the Amgen Tour or any other bicycle race that goes through town (such as last Sunday's race). He's repeated this often enough now that it's true in his head.

[Lon Lowe]

nocklebeast wrote:

The location under the name doesn't mean anything. It's only the location of your ISP the moment you post... otherwise I'd be from Virginia if you believed what was under my name.
<quoted text>

Thank you for your response. As I've said before, I reside in Santa Cruz but have business in Canada. I'm an American citizen.

[local taxpayer]

I am very excited that Santa Cruz City Council had the leadership to support the Amgen Tour of California returning the Santa Cruz. We are an active community that does support a wide varity of sports including cycling. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our great coastal venue with supporters of this huge event. Like it or not, we are a tourist town! I for one will be there with my cow bell as the riders cross the finish line.

[Walker]

Michael Lewis, honey. Have a glass of wine. Chill out. It's OK if other people have fun that doesn't involve you.

[Nils]

To Michael Lewis: Your letter demonstrates how little you know of the sport of bicycle racing, and reeks so much of cynicism and ignorance that it barely warrants a response.

> Lance Armstrong wannabes
Most professional racers you'll be seeing were racing long before Armstrong broke the Tour de France record. Furthermore, in a tour of this caliber, many aren't even American.

> sail through stop signs
+
> flout as many traffic regulations as possible in each ride
The entire course is closed with permits; this is perfectly legal and not to be considered an example for bicycle commuters.

> devolves into an expensive, garish caricature of its basically frugal and sensible function
Just like any other professional sport, except cycling is given far less priority than virtually any other televised sport in America. And I think you added a 'd' accidentally onto 'evolve', this these racers can do more with a bike than the stupid hippies riding down the wrong side of Mission St. at night.

> Media spectacles such as Amgen do more harm to the cause of bicycling than good
Amgen is a title sponsor, just as Credit Lyonnaise is for the Tour de France. How are they different?

Oh, and nice try at the prissy prose there, buddy, but I guess you have to pour lots of icing on top of a half-baked cake. Go soak your head.

[Breaking Away]

The Cutters!....pick it up, he's back in the race!

[Ironman]

Thanks to Santa Cruz for welcoming the AMGEN Tour to town. I will be traveling from Wisconsin to enjoy this wonderful,high class, exciting event!

[-Ivy]

I don't suppose this person see's how promoting a healthy lifestyle helps everyone. It dosen't always have to be about the team kits, accessories, and the bike. It's a shame the writer misses the point and also misses how bringing droves of people into a town center is good for tourism & business....as well as, the promotion of ones business. Unless of course, you are too lazy to do the latter.
All of which in the end helps to bolster the local economy and promote good-will.

[Randal]

Michael Lewis posting regarding the Amgen Tour of California is quite a pathetic view from an obviously anti-social individual. I am sure that his view is not share by anybody else in Santa Cruz. Believe it or not Santa Cruz is a tourist town and openly welcomes such “Media Spectacles” as the Amgen Tour of California. Just ask the any Santa Cruz merchant. Perhaps Mr. Lewis needs a reality check. You are not living in Mayberry!

Randal
Sacramento, CA

[John from Colorado]

So your city does not want my money? Is that what you are saying? You really don't know what you are saying and the fact that you have a column is pathetic. You should be excited that people flood into your city giving a boost to our sluggish economy. You shouldn't stereotype either, that is a very bad personality trait and has no business in journalism. Cyclists are good people. The ToC is a great event. Sorry to inconvenience you so much. See you in May with my lycra.-John from Colorado