This is Super Bowl Sunday. For most that is the dominant matter of the day. Egypt is some thing thousands of miles away so we need not be concerned, although what happens there will affect our lives. It is sad that to protect our interests and that of the one incomplete democracy in the Middle East where the oil is, we have to go to bed with dictatorships.
Why do I use the term "incomplete" in reference to Israel? In all respects it is a true American style democracy. Religious freedom exists, but unfortunately a minority extremely orthodox element is able to have a disproportionate religious influence on daily Jewish life and Jewish rights of citizenship. To its credit, Iran which claims to be a democracy is an aggressive theocracy which would plunge the world into a devastating war.
But these are not matters for we insignificant mortals. Instead why has this city, Plainfield not enforced its laws about snow removal. How many fire hydrants are covered with a foot or more of ice? Are storm drains cleared so we don't have flooding if there is heavy rain? Is the DOT immune from local laws? Who has responsibility for the south side of North Ave by the station? What are our street parking laws regarding snow storm warnings? . Do we have the capability of addressing these questions? If not what remedial action must be instituted? My bet is nothing.
What was the state of pothole repairs before the December storm? Has anything been done to protect cars and people by filling the bad ones since then? I would suppose that as a result of any serious accident or loss of life as a result of a pothole the city would have some legal protection b y claiming the driver had contributory negligence by not using the degree of caution required by the conditions. Have we applied for the available state emergency aid?
This blog has too many ? marks. Tomorrow, we will have the Council meeting. In the meanwhile read the letter in the Courier from a non Plainfield resident, Also read Renata's blog. There is meat in it. Don't overlook her hint on a Council run.
Ability to do - YES.
ReplyDeleteWill - NO. Enforcement is the first step in moving forward on multiple issues....we can see where Plainfield sits.
My wife listens to a radio station popular in the area. Today they had some imam talking about how wonderful everything is in Sudan. How glorious it is that the youth are taking Egypt back from the bad guys. The only true islamic democracy is Iran and that the whole problem in the middle east and the world is caused by Israel and American greed for oil! He said that if it weren't for our oil interests over there we wouldn't be defending israel at all, and the problem could be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteIt's ironic, if it weren't for Judaism and Christianity, there never would have been an islam!
As far as the potholes, I have a theory. Non repair is a government strategy to create jobs. The Feds own GM and Chrysler. They also give state aid to NJ for road repair and other things. They have a deal worked out with NJ not to repair the potholes and in this way more cars will be severly damaged and the owners will have to buy new vehicles, which will create a demand for more cars and therefore create new jobs!
And as for Renata, I think she has eyes first on Sharon's job, then Jerry's!