Doug Ford (Ontario): the war on bike lanes

[myata]

Ridiculous as it stands in this century among advanced first world economies (wait - is it about us, still?) it's only another obvious illustration of the nature of the binary "same ones at the trough" pseudo-politics: anything, any matter can be instantly raised as a (dumb) battle cry, the fake issue of contention, no matter how stupid, useless or irrelevant ideological cause only to make a splash, draw attention during the election season, and then back to business as usual: ruling with no accountability, oversight or even basic transparency.

This system will drain the democracy dry and run it into the ground. How can there be any doubts still, of that?

Edited October 20, 2024 by myata

[Michael Hardner]

15 minutes ago, myata said:

Ridiculous as it stands in this century among advanced first world economies (wait - is it about us, still?) it's only another obvious illustration of the nature of the binary "same ones at the trough" pseudo-politics: anything, any matter can be instantly raised as a (dumb) battle cry, the fake issue of contention, no matter how stupid, useless or irrelevant ideological cause only to make a splash, draw attention during the election season, and then back to business as usual: ruling with no accountability, oversight or even basic transparency.

This system will drain the democracy dry and run it into the ground. How can there be any doubts still, of that?

I don't doubt we have problems with the functioning of the public sphere. The characterization here is a bit easy though 

Has it always been this bad? Is it always the same?

If it is, then it would seem we've arrived at an equilibrium in public governance. If it's not then why is it not?

[Legato]

1 hour ago, myata said:

Ridiculous as it stands in this century among advanced first world economies (wait - is it about us, still?) it's only another obvious illustration of the nature of the binary "same ones at the trough" pseudo-politics: anything, any matter can be instantly raised as a (dumb) battle cry, the fake issue of contention, no matter how stupid, useless or irrelevant ideological cause only to make a splash, draw attention during the election season, and then back to business as usual: ruling with no accountability, oversight or even basic transparency.

This system will drain the democracy dry and run it into the ground. How can there be any doubts still, of that?

Bike lanes started the war on cars, now the cars are fighting back.

As for the rest it's just politics always has, is and will be.

[myata]

1 hour ago, Michael Hardner said:

Has it always been this bad? Is it always the same?

No: it's an erosion, decay a slow but certain degradation. At the outset the elites perhaps were guided by some standards and principles. There's one problem though: there's no mechanism to monitor them, then maintain. So they degrade.

Next the elites and the services they run pay lip service, tribute to the principles and standards, like they still exist but not here, somewhere in another better one or ideal world. Sounds familiar?

And now, we're zooming in, fast on the realization that really there are no bounds except as formally set in the book (it reads, to remind: "nothing, zero, just none") and so anything goes to get to the chair. The entropy. It just cannot be beat with any great words.

[ExFlyer]

1 hour ago, Legato said:

Bike lanes started the war on cars, now the cars are fighting back.

As for the rest it's just politics always has, is and will be.

I agree with Ford that the bike lanes and bike acceptance has gone too far.

It is not just a war with cars but with businesses along those streets affected by bike lanes. Deliveries have to be made and trucks block what is left of the streets. Busses are inconvenienced and when they make stops now, they also impede traffic.

An interesting observation, every time bike lanes are on the news, where they show the lanes with bikers on them, many times bikers are breaking the laws by not stopping at lights or intersections LOL

As for politics.. well municipal allowing and enforcing bike lanes is as political too so...if Ford is getting involved, it has to be from the constituents.

Edited October 20, 2024 by ExFlyer

[Michael Hardner]

45 minutes ago, myata said:

No: it's an erosion, decay a slow but certain degradation. At the outset the elites perhaps were guided by some standards and principles. There's one problem though: there's no mechanism to monitor them, then maintain. So they degrade.

Next the elites and the services they run pay lip service, tribute to the principles and standards, like they still exist but not here, somewhere in another better one or ideal world. Sounds familiar?

And now, we're zooming in, fast on the realization that really there are no bounds except as formally set in the book (it reads, to remind: "nothing, zero, just none") and so anything goes to get to the chair. The entropy. It just cannot be beat with any great words.

Ok, well, a slow and steady degradation. Seems like a natural decay rather than something that came up over a cataclysmic event or what not. So reform needs to happen, I'm guessing?

[ExFlyer]

1 hour ago, Michael Hardner said:

Ok, well, a slow and steady degradation. Seems like a natural decay rather than something that came up over a cataclysmic event or what not. So reform needs to happen, I'm guessing?

Reform what?

If opposition had anything better, then present it. If oppisition has ideas, then show them. If whining is needed, then they do it well.

I am not a big fan of Ford but, he does listen and to the dismay of many, he does tell it like it is. There is only so. much to go around and if those that get it do not spend it wisely or diligently, you cannot blame Ford.

[Michael Hardner]

2 hours ago, ExFlyer said:

Reform what?

If opposition had anything better, then present it. If oppisition has ideas, then show them. If whining is needed, then they do it well.

I am not a big fan of Ford but, he does listen and to the dismay of many, he does tell it like it is. There is only so. much to go around and if those that get it do not spend it wisely or diligently, you cannot blame Ford.

Reform our institutions and/or practices.

[ExFlyer]

7 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

Reform our institutions and/or practices.

Geez Michael...reform them to what and for what?

Every government that get elected reforms something...they make new laws, they make new processes, they make new paths and procedures.

Governments, our world, is in a constant state of reform. If you don't like something they just to cry reform it LOL

 

[Michael Hardner]

3 minutes ago, ExFlyer said:

Geez Michael...reform them to what and for what?

Every government that get elected reforms something...they make new laws, they make new processes, they make new paths and procedures.

Governments, our world, is in a constant state of reform. If you don't like something they just to cry reform it LOL

 

You have to read the exchange between Myata and myself above.

New Laws or even superficial process changes don't address Myata's points IMO 

[ExFlyer]

20 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

You have to read the exchange between Myata and myself above.

New Laws or even superficial process changes don't address Myata's points IMO 

Yes ,but I responded to you and your statements.

[Michael Hardner]

4 minutes ago, ExFlyer said:

Yes ,but I responded to you and your statements.

Okay then you have your answer.

[myata]

Note that this was an avid proponent of "small government" and a knight against "red tape". How "small"? Now the government will examine bike lanes in every village (in the thousands) having how much h*cking clue about what it's like there? Right. That's what commies were famous for. Look, a paradox!?

Maybe not: just bullsh*t lying in your face, politics of division and zero sum game. Whatever flies and no shame. Surely, we'll see more of it with each and every cycle. Why wouldn't we?