Comments on: Setting George Will Straight…

By: TimK

TimK — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:34:49 +0000

Will: “Does LaHood really think Americans were not avid drivers before a government highway program ‘promoted’ driving?”

Well, they weren’t, so if LaHood thinks that, he’s right.

U.S. government policies favoring automobile use date back to the 1920s — which, not so coincidentally, is the decade when public transit began to decline in earnest due to competition from the automobile. Even so, the period of mass automobile ownership did not begin until after World War II, when government policies at all levels were bent toward increasing automobile use both directly (through increasing subsidies of automobile transport) and indirectly (FHA/VA lending policies that forced most people who wanted to buy a house to buy in car-oriented suburbs, and that permitted the odious practice of redlining to decimate central cities).

The idea that Americans drive cars because we want to is stupid today, and more generally, it betrays a lack of historical perspective.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:46:31 +0000

Chip, that possibility was explored in one of the various “debunking” articles I read about Will’s column. I still have my doubts…

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:43:26 +0000

Incidentally, I do wonder if Mr. Will “mis-typed”. I wonder if his “0.01%” (one hundredth of one percent) was really supposed to be simply 1%? It’s very easy to do that with typed percentages.

And quite frankly, I’d say 1% is pretty good when it comes to bicycle commuters nation wide.

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:03:18 +0000

OK, so I read Will’s article. Eh. No biggie. He’s playing to his crowd there. I think the “0.01%” crack was just that- a wisenheimer quote because he didn’t want to bother to look up the real statistics that might prove him wrong. Overall, there was a tone of desparation in the work that tells me he knows he’s fighting a losing battle.

Maybe someone ought to buy that boy a bike.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:17:39 +0000

Karen, excellent points!

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:23:25 +0000

GW doesn’t want to see bike and alternative transportation options subsidized by government but doesn’t seem to have much to say about subsidies for highways, road, bridges, etc. It’s all subsidized. Many cities are debating with the private sector on whether or not development should shoulder more of the burden and pay for the cost of it’s growth through impact fees. Would GW support the elimination of those subsidies? If it threatens the individual’s right to car ownership, I think not. Funny, that I have never felt that anyone was trying to take away my car. Just the opposite. I’ve felt that in most places that I’ve lived car ownership was a manditory regardless of whether or not one’s income was sufficient to own a car, pay rent or a mortgage, buy food, save for retirement, or take an occasional vacation. I see new urbanism and smart growth strategies not as government trying to usurp my freedom but as facilitating the best use of public and private monies. Our one car, necessary where we live for several months out of the year due to inadequate public transit, is a financial ball and chain, one that my husband and I would readily relinquish given options.

By: Bikes and Politics « In The Spin

Bikes and Politics « In The Spin — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:31:43 +0000

[...] May 22nd, 2009 by Jack “Ghost Rider” Sweeney · 1 Comment [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 23 May 2009 22:55:05 +0000

Will George isn’t the only one who needs to be set straight, check out this pissed off excuse of a so called “woman” here in Austin who, HORRORS of HORRORS!! got a bike lane striped in front of her CAVE…

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/05/11/0511stone_edit.html

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:56:58 +0000

I was actually looking for those denim cycling shorts that were popular in the early 90s…I thought I could find a photo of Cipollini in them (they were vaguely popular with Italian pro racers). I hit on that plus-size site and knew I’d struck gold, though!

By: Mike Myers

Mike Myers — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:05:28 +0000

Okay, Jack, just why did you know the URL for a plus-sized women’s clothes store? I’ve seen pics of your wife, and she’s little. You’re too Tyler Hamiltonesque to wear a size 12, if you had drag tendencies(although I’ve never seen a drag queen with mutton chops). Do tell, bro. Do tell……