Raise the Hammer

schmadrian, great post. I have a great disdain for cars and their place in our world as well. I understand your statement about being behind the something taking over when you're behind the wheel. Normally the most I drive is once a week, getting my son from the East Mountain to a guitar lesson on Locke. Returning home we usually drive up Queen St to Garth and take Fennell East. It's so easy to get caught up in that mentality of getting where you need to go and getting there now. I like to think I'm better than that. I and I hope I am but I do sometimes find myself doing it on those trips and the odd other times I drive.

It's quite amazing how upset people get with you when you drive according the rules fo the road, whether it's driving the speed limit, stopping at an amber light, allowing a pedestrian to clear the intersection before turning, making a left turn in the right lane or right turn in the left lane.

I've never been much of a speeder but a couple of months ago I decided to always drive the speed limit where ever I was going. Last week I was returning from an appointment driving East along Fennell just after 4:00 PM driving 50-55 km/h. The car in the next lane was driving about the same speed but a about car length ahead of me. In the rear view mirror I could see a Lexus SUV coming up really fast. The woman driving it pulled up beside me and rolled down her window and was yelling at me while banging on her steering wheel, giving the finger and hunching over so as to insinuate I was driving like a little old lady. I smiled and waved and kept driving as I was. The person in the other car did not speed up or give this woman the opportunity to pass but did finally turn and the Lexus sped away. There is often a speed trap on the stretch of Fennell between West 5th and Garth but sadly not this day.

I completely agree with you we need a "shift in our value system". Keep being the broken record, maybe it will sink in with some people.

Frank, it's unfortunate but I don't think most people want politicians that lead. They want politicians that follow, that will do whatever they want them to do. They aren't interested it what is good for the city in the long run, it's all about "me" it's all about now. That's the attitude voters have and it seems to be the attitude the politicians have - how many votes will this get me in the next election?

There's a definite pattern here with this council and this mayor. Everything needs to be studied, first by consultants then by staff. If it's not the "popular vote getting answer" they say it needs more study regardless if it's the right answer. I have trouble believing that this council and previous councils don't really believe that this needs to be done. They have to know this, it's painfully obvious.

They're following not leading. They're not looking at what's best for the city and the people. It's a difficult position to take but isn't that what we elect them for?

Hamilton, the best place to raise a child to be an aggressive driver.