LA FOR EFFORT
As much of an LA hater as I am, I have to give them their props for trying to shed their sprawling ways. This is according to a recent article in The Economist: "Tackling the Hydra." Legislators are loosening restrictions to allow for more density near transit stops and stadiums, while halting plans for development in far-flung places, "signaling that the metropolis must now grow up, not out." '
Of course, this being LA, these shifts are not happening without a fight. "Density" is, to too many, a fighting word, conjuring up loss of breathing room and even more traffic. And, if people are honest, fear of "those people" moving in - insert your own bugaboo of who you don't want sharing your kids' classrooms and playgrounds.
Another tool legislators have is to get the price right so that peoples' day-to-day economic decisions are in sync with a more appropriate built environment. For example, free parking isn't free: it's absorbed by the provider of the parking lot, who then passes it on to all customers. There is therefore no incentive for an individual to conserve parking usage. Or, as the article puts it:
"A big reason Angelenos drive everywhere is that they can park everywhere, generally free. Businesses must provide parking spaces according to a strict schedule. This raises the cost of doing business and hugely lowers the cost of driving. Free parking is, as Donald Shoup of UCLA put it in a recent book, 'a fertility drug for cars.'"
But legislators can change the equation by increasing parking taxes, resulting in a more efficient supply of parking space vis a vis other land uses. Even die-hard Angelenos are changing their behavior in light of rising gas prices; get the price right in other aspects that affect the car culture and you could conceivably arrive at an equilibrium that is environmentally sustainable and economically logical.
So there's hope that the City of Angels can get it right. But frankly, I'm pessimistic. LA has a great transit system but it's sadly under-utilized, poorly understood, and scoffed at by the typical resident. The article mentions that the proposal for a single, 130-unit complex on Ventura Boulevard was vilified as portending the transformation of the neighborhood into another Manhattan. There's even talk about putting an initiative on the ballot that bans all high-density housing developments.
So if, a generation by now, all the ice caps have melted, the LA shoreline has washed away, gas is $20 a gallon, and yet Angelenos still own more than one car per adult and drive everywhere, then may I resume my LA hating?
3.31.2008
MORE RICH KIDS IN THE BIG APPLE
An interesting piece in the Washington Post about the spike up in wealthy white toddlers living in Manhattan: "The Big Apple's Little Boom." This quote, by a local developer, says it all: "It used to be that somebody would live in a 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan until they had kids, and then go buy a 3,000-square-foot house in the suburbs. Today they want to go and create the 3,000-square-foot house in a luxury building in Manhattan."
In other words, cities are becoming more competitive: for a larger and larger proportion of upper middle class people, once they have kids, the urban location/amenities/schools/safety package is holding its own against its suburban equivalent. What this means is that other, financially needier city residents benefit from the extra tax revenues these families add to their municipalities, either in the form of lower taxes and/or more amenities (notably social services, education, and recreation).
And, as Mayor Bloomberg pointed out in his latest sustainability report, more people living in dense Manhattan rather than a far-flung suburb means less pollution, congestion, and natural resource consumption. Partaking of various recreational resources, cultural amenities, or retail districts probably happens more often, too, since they now involve walking down the street or hopping on the subway or taxi for five minutes, rather than fighting traffic for God knows how long and then circling forever to find a parking spot. So there's a consumption-driven stimulus to the core of the metro economy, as well.
In short, who knew that having more rich white toddlers living in the Big Apple would have so many different kinds of benefits for so many different kinds of people? So you can hate all you want on the pricey preschools and the $700 Maclaren strollers, but know that there's a lot of good coming out of this demographic trend.
An interesting piece in the Washington Post about the spike up in wealthy white toddlers living in Manhattan: "The Big Apple's Little Boom." This quote, by a local developer, says it all: "It used to be that somebody would live in a 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan until they had kids, and then go buy a 3,000-square-foot house in the suburbs. Today they want to go and create the 3,000-square-foot house in a luxury building in Manhattan."
In other words, cities are becoming more competitive: for a larger and larger proportion of upper middle class people, once they have kids, the urban location/amenities/schools/safety package is holding its own against its suburban equivalent. What this means is that other, financially needier city residents benefit from the extra tax revenues these families add to their municipalities, either in the form of lower taxes and/or more amenities (notably social services, education, and recreation).
And, as Mayor Bloomberg pointed out in his latest sustainability report, more people living in dense Manhattan rather than a far-flung suburb means less pollution, congestion, and natural resource consumption. Partaking of various recreational resources, cultural amenities, or retail districts probably happens more often, too, since they now involve walking down the street or hopping on the subway or taxi for five minutes, rather than fighting traffic for God knows how long and then circling forever to find a parking spot. So there's a consumption-driven stimulus to the core of the metro economy, as well.
In short, who knew that having more rich white toddlers living in the Big Apple would have so many different kinds of benefits for so many different kinds of people? So you can hate all you want on the pricey preschools and the $700 Maclaren strollers, but know that there's a lot of good coming out of this demographic trend.
WHERE I'LL BE LIVING, WORKING, AND PLAYING IN TWENTY YEARS
Why I'm just now getting my hands on this report when it's been out for almost a year is beyond me, but here it is (warning: large pdf): "Analysis of the Economic and Fiscal Revenue Impacts of a Proposed Ballpark Village on the City of Fremont and the Economic Base of Alameda County." In twenty years, after I've bankrupted myself paying for my kids' college tuition, I'll be retiring to Oakland, where I'll live in one of the Ballpark Village's 2,900 housing units, work on the field as a groundskeeper, and (because my back and knees will be shot from having carried my kids and their belongings around) do all of my shopping within the 550,000 square-foot retail complex. Come visit me and we'll take in a Cisco/Google/Apple A's vs. the GE/IBM Yankees game.
Why I'm just now getting my hands on this report when it's been out for almost a year is beyond me, but here it is (warning: large pdf): "Analysis of the Economic and Fiscal Revenue Impacts of a Proposed Ballpark Village on the City of Fremont and the Economic Base of Alameda County." In twenty years, after I've bankrupted myself paying for my kids' college tuition, I'll be retiring to Oakland, where I'll live in one of the Ballpark Village's 2,900 housing units, work on the field as a groundskeeper, and (because my back and knees will be shot from having carried my kids and their belongings around) do all of my shopping within the 550,000 square-foot retail complex. Come visit me and we'll take in a Cisco/Google/Apple A's vs. the GE/IBM Yankees game.
GREEN BALL
Governing Magazine's 13th Floor blog highlighted this article on the Washington Nationals' new, LEED-certified stadium: "Play Ball! Washington Nationals will play in first U.S. green-built stadium." (See also " Take Me Out to the Ballpark," in this month's Fast Company.) Of course, even though I don't know exactly how the point system works in obtaining LEED certification, I'm sure that the biggest pro-environment decision that was made about this stadium had nothing to do with the construction or operations of the stadium but rather its location, and the fact that it is very transit-accessible. Hey Oakland A's, are you listening?
Governing Magazine's 13th Floor blog highlighted this article on the Washington Nationals' new, LEED-certified stadium: "Play Ball! Washington Nationals will play in first U.S. green-built stadium." (See also " Take Me Out to the Ballpark," in this month's Fast Company.) Of course, even though I don't know exactly how the point system works in obtaining LEED certification, I'm sure that the biggest pro-environment decision that was made about this stadium had nothing to do with the construction or operations of the stadium but rather its location, and the fact that it is very transit-accessible. Hey Oakland A's, are you listening?
More Vindictive
Every so often, you rub shoulders with somewhat of a nemesis - someone you just can't seem to get along with, no matter how hard you try. I won't say in what circle this happened to me a couple of years ago, but I recall the tension escalating in our relationship over the course of several weeks.
It finally defused when I did a good deed for him, Not out of the goodness of my heart, mind you, but out of a desire to let him know I was a better man than him. At the time, I thought immediately of Jesus' exhortation to love our enemies, that we might "pour heaping coals over their head." I used to think that's what He meant: if you really want to get back at your enemies, do them good.
Except that exactly not what Jesus meant. Apparently, to pour heaping coals over someone's head is a Middle Eastern way to bless someone. So what Jesus really meant was: if you have an enemy, bless them really, really big.
Thankfully for humanity, God is far less vindictive than I. I don't like the stories in the Bible that warn about people who don't forgive the smaller offenses when God has forgiven our larger ones, because they are uncomfortably convicting to me. Thankfully for me, God is still in the business of changing hearts from the inside out, as I need a full transplant to heed His command to let go of vindictiveness and return offense with love.
It finally defused when I did a good deed for him, Not out of the goodness of my heart, mind you, but out of a desire to let him know I was a better man than him. At the time, I thought immediately of Jesus' exhortation to love our enemies, that we might "pour heaping coals over their head." I used to think that's what He meant: if you really want to get back at your enemies, do them good.
Except that exactly not what Jesus meant. Apparently, to pour heaping coals over someone's head is a Middle Eastern way to bless someone. So what Jesus really meant was: if you have an enemy, bless them really, really big.
Thankfully for humanity, God is far less vindictive than I. I don't like the stories in the Bible that warn about people who don't forgive the smaller offenses when God has forgiven our larger ones, because they are uncomfortably convicting to me. Thankfully for me, God is still in the business of changing hearts from the inside out, as I need a full transplant to heed His command to let go of vindictiveness and return offense with love.
3.28.2008
BASEBALL IS AMERICA
"I never feel more at home in America than at a ballgame." - Robert Frost
Here here, RF. I maintain that an evening spent at an outdoor ballpark is as American as it gets: you get to sing the Star Spangled Banner and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; there's red, white, and blue bunting everywhere; and you even pass money and beer/dogs back and forth without worry (the last universal American courtesy left). Plus you get to watch America's pastime played out under the stars. What could be better?
Hence the National Constitution Center's title for its temporary exhibit of items from the Baseball Hall of Fame - "Baseball as America." It was featured in today's Inky ("Stars, Stripes, and Pinstripes"), and as luck would have it, I was near the museum with an hour to kill between meetings.
So I plunked down the 15 bucks and treated myself to my childhood love. I got downright misty-eyed when I heard Lou Gehrig's famous "luckiest man alive" speech or saw post-9/11 footage at various ballparks. I loved how the exhibit discussed baseball's intersection with various topics that help define America, like diversity, enterprise, advertising, and pop culture. And I loved this quote by author W.P. Kinsella: "Baseball at night is more like a church than a church." Amen, brother.
Many would say the sport has been tarnished a bit, to say the least, with all the steroid scandals. Admittedly, some of my innocence is lost, in that regard. But the game still has the ability to evoke a sense of national pride, childhood allegiance, and just plain goosebumps. For better or worse (and there have been some notable examples of both), baseball mirrors America; you might say baseball is America. So to my country and my childhood love: here's to a great 2008!
"I never feel more at home in America than at a ballgame." - Robert Frost
Here here, RF. I maintain that an evening spent at an outdoor ballpark is as American as it gets: you get to sing the Star Spangled Banner and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; there's red, white, and blue bunting everywhere; and you even pass money and beer/dogs back and forth without worry (the last universal American courtesy left). Plus you get to watch America's pastime played out under the stars. What could be better?
Hence the National Constitution Center's title for its temporary exhibit of items from the Baseball Hall of Fame - "Baseball as America." It was featured in today's Inky ("Stars, Stripes, and Pinstripes"), and as luck would have it, I was near the museum with an hour to kill between meetings.
So I plunked down the 15 bucks and treated myself to my childhood love. I got downright misty-eyed when I heard Lou Gehrig's famous "luckiest man alive" speech or saw post-9/11 footage at various ballparks. I loved how the exhibit discussed baseball's intersection with various topics that help define America, like diversity, enterprise, advertising, and pop culture. And I loved this quote by author W.P. Kinsella: "Baseball at night is more like a church than a church." Amen, brother.
Many would say the sport has been tarnished a bit, to say the least, with all the steroid scandals. Admittedly, some of my innocence is lost, in that regard. But the game still has the ability to evoke a sense of national pride, childhood allegiance, and just plain goosebumps. For better or worse (and there have been some notable examples of both), baseball mirrors America; you might say baseball is America. So to my country and my childhood love: here's to a great 2008!
ECONOMISTS ON THE ECONOMY
And I thought economists said there's no such thing as a free lunch. And yet there we were, about twenty of us, at the Federal Reserve Bank downtown, bantering over a catered meal on the local and national economy, on the invitation of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.
If my memory serves me correctly, PICA was set up in the early 1990's by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oversee the City of Philadelphia's finances. (They approve the City's budget every year - you can click here for a copy of the City's most recent five-year financial plan.) So this was an opportunity for local economists to dialogue with City officials on what's going on locally and nationally, and what effect that has on City finances, revenue projections, and other relevant topics.
Some people's version of hell, I know. But for me it was rather heavenly. Lots of heavy hitters in the room, opining on such topics as the subprime meltdown, the local effects of a possible national recession, and even what effect climate change will have on how to plan and run the City.
While I've tried to keep up a steady reading regimen, I'm in the middle of a three-month hiatus from my subscriptions to The Economist and Business Week, on account of life being busier at home due to Amy working. So it was nice to get caught up on what's what and who's who over one lunch. Plus I got to hear some delicious economist jokes.
And I thought economists said there's no such thing as a free lunch. And yet there we were, about twenty of us, at the Federal Reserve Bank downtown, bantering over a catered meal on the local and national economy, on the invitation of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.
If my memory serves me correctly, PICA was set up in the early 1990's by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oversee the City of Philadelphia's finances. (They approve the City's budget every year - you can click here for a copy of the City's most recent five-year financial plan.) So this was an opportunity for local economists to dialogue with City officials on what's going on locally and nationally, and what effect that has on City finances, revenue projections, and other relevant topics.
Some people's version of hell, I know. But for me it was rather heavenly. Lots of heavy hitters in the room, opining on such topics as the subprime meltdown, the local effects of a possible national recession, and even what effect climate change will have on how to plan and run the City.
While I've tried to keep up a steady reading regimen, I'm in the middle of a three-month hiatus from my subscriptions to The Economist and Business Week, on account of life being busier at home due to Amy working. So it was nice to get caught up on what's what and who's who over one lunch. Plus I got to hear some delicious economist jokes.
REDLINING ALL OVER AGAIN
People seem to be tripping over themselves to do something - anything! - about the subprime meltdown. Locally, City Council has called for the suspension of sheriff sales of foreclosed properties. Housing advocates are cheering.
Let's be careful here, though. Anything that makes it hard for lenders to extricate themselves out of risky loans gone bad will make them think twice about making those loans in the first place. It's quite likely risky neighborhoods could be avoided altogether, undoing decades of progress in the fight against redlining.
Lost in the vilification of subprime lending is the fact that a lot of decent lenders made decent loans to decent people who otherwise wouldn't have gotten access to them. Of course, it's the shady lenders and the irresponsible borrowers that get all the press, so we throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Even worse, this sort of action is going to hurt the poor worst of all. The subprime meltdown has largely affected two kinds of regions: hot places where people speculated (Florida, Arizona/Vegas, California), and stagnant places where people are now underwater in terms of property values (the entire Midwest, it seems). Tightening the credit markets by encouraging banks to avoid high-risk places will mean richer people won't be able to extend themselves (probably not a bad thing), but it will also mean poorer people won't be able to get access to the capital they need to buy a home and build some equity (definitely not a good thing).
Well has John McCain drawn a clear distinction between himself and his Democratic challengers, who are swinging for the fences in search of a salvation message that will resonate with the most voters. I fear that if a Democrat wins the White House and keeps on swinging, poor people and poor regions will suffer greatly from illiquidity. And I fear that no matter what happens nationally in November, that's what's already in motion here in Philadelphia.
People seem to be tripping over themselves to do something - anything! - about the subprime meltdown. Locally, City Council has called for the suspension of sheriff sales of foreclosed properties. Housing advocates are cheering.
Let's be careful here, though. Anything that makes it hard for lenders to extricate themselves out of risky loans gone bad will make them think twice about making those loans in the first place. It's quite likely risky neighborhoods could be avoided altogether, undoing decades of progress in the fight against redlining.
Lost in the vilification of subprime lending is the fact that a lot of decent lenders made decent loans to decent people who otherwise wouldn't have gotten access to them. Of course, it's the shady lenders and the irresponsible borrowers that get all the press, so we throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Even worse, this sort of action is going to hurt the poor worst of all. The subprime meltdown has largely affected two kinds of regions: hot places where people speculated (Florida, Arizona/Vegas, California), and stagnant places where people are now underwater in terms of property values (the entire Midwest, it seems). Tightening the credit markets by encouraging banks to avoid high-risk places will mean richer people won't be able to extend themselves (probably not a bad thing), but it will also mean poorer people won't be able to get access to the capital they need to buy a home and build some equity (definitely not a good thing).
Well has John McCain drawn a clear distinction between himself and his Democratic challengers, who are swinging for the fences in search of a salvation message that will resonate with the most voters. I fear that if a Democrat wins the White House and keeps on swinging, poor people and poor regions will suffer greatly from illiquidity. And I fear that no matter what happens nationally in November, that's what's already in motion here in Philadelphia.
3.26.2008
2008 MLB Predictions
I can't say that I've done my homework here - I don't even recognize some of the players in the A's starting lineup - but what's the beginning of a baseball season without some predictions?
AL: W - Mariners, C - Tigers, E - Yanks, WC - Red Sox
NL: W - Diamondbacks, C - Brewers, E - Phils, WC - Mets
DS: Tigers over Red Sox, Yanks over Mariners, Mets over Brewers, Phils over Diamondbacks
WS: Tigers over Mets
AL: W - Mariners, C - Tigers, E - Yanks, WC - Red Sox
NL: W - Diamondbacks, C - Brewers, E - Phils, WC - Mets
DS: Tigers over Red Sox, Yanks over Mariners, Mets over Brewers, Phils over Diamondbacks
WS: Tigers over Mets
3.25.2008
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
I'm late to the part on this, but I'm still filing this in my "sometimes when the government tries to help the poor, it ends up hurting them" file: "Hillary's Disastrous Proposal to Solve the Mortgage Crisis." Almost lost in the whole subprime meltdown and ensuing hysteria (and shame on liberals for forgetting this) is that increased liquidity is a good thing in terms of a broader swath of America getting a chance to own a home. Heavy-handed government intervention, however politically heroic, will simply dry up the availability of funds for the universe of borrowers that need the most help. Think about this when you go to the polls in November.
I'm late to the part on this, but I'm still filing this in my "sometimes when the government tries to help the poor, it ends up hurting them" file: "Hillary's Disastrous Proposal to Solve the Mortgage Crisis." Almost lost in the whole subprime meltdown and ensuing hysteria (and shame on liberals for forgetting this) is that increased liquidity is a good thing in terms of a broader swath of America getting a chance to own a home. Heavy-handed government intervention, however politically heroic, will simply dry up the availability of funds for the universe of borrowers that need the most help. Think about this when you go to the polls in November.
3.24.2008
WORDS THAT WARM MY CAPITALIST, EARTH-LOVING HEART
Did you catch the Journal's special section today on business and the environment? If you didn't, here are my two favorite blurbs:
1. When asked why he was so aggressively pursuing environmentally friendly technologies - was it out of a personal concern for the earth, or maybe it's good PR - GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said, "I work for investors. I'm a capitalist and I'm a businessman." And as for the inevitability of a carbon cap or tax: "The day it becomes law, you're five years late. And you either get out ahead of these things or you get stomped by them." In other words, GE is in the business of making and selling things that will make them a profit. And that is completely consistent with, not counter to, a business approach that does the most for the environment.
2. When asked if his customers would be willing to pay more for products that were better for the environment, Walmart CEO Lee Scott said, "Our question is, why should they have to? If you can take the waste out, if you can take the cost out, and you can provide people who are working people living paycheck to paycheck with an opportunity to be more sustainable, we think they will react to that, and they do." In other words, Walmart was founded on the principle of squeezing out inefficiency to provide the customer with the lowest price and best value possible. And that is completely consistent with, not counter to, a business approach that does the most for the environment.
As an aside, none other than uber-VC John Doerr was interviewed about environmental technology plays he was looking into. Noting that cow manure contributes to about 18 percent of greenhouse gases, he made a cryptic comment about farms in California's Central Valley, after which the interviewer deadpanned: "We know where the traffic is moving after this conference." So to my sister and my brother-in-law who are thinking about buying a house in Merced, buy soon!
Did you catch the Journal's special section today on business and the environment? If you didn't, here are my two favorite blurbs:
1. When asked why he was so aggressively pursuing environmentally friendly technologies - was it out of a personal concern for the earth, or maybe it's good PR - GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said, "I work for investors. I'm a capitalist and I'm a businessman." And as for the inevitability of a carbon cap or tax: "The day it becomes law, you're five years late. And you either get out ahead of these things or you get stomped by them." In other words, GE is in the business of making and selling things that will make them a profit. And that is completely consistent with, not counter to, a business approach that does the most for the environment.
2. When asked if his customers would be willing to pay more for products that were better for the environment, Walmart CEO Lee Scott said, "Our question is, why should they have to? If you can take the waste out, if you can take the cost out, and you can provide people who are working people living paycheck to paycheck with an opportunity to be more sustainable, we think they will react to that, and they do." In other words, Walmart was founded on the principle of squeezing out inefficiency to provide the customer with the lowest price and best value possible. And that is completely consistent with, not counter to, a business approach that does the most for the environment.
As an aside, none other than uber-VC John Doerr was interviewed about environmental technology plays he was looking into. Noting that cow manure contributes to about 18 percent of greenhouse gases, he made a cryptic comment about farms in California's Central Valley, after which the interviewer deadpanned: "We know where the traffic is moving after this conference." So to my sister and my brother-in-law who are thinking about buying a house in Merced, buy soon!
3.23.2008
The Best Part of Easter Service
With all due respect to our pastor (who gave yet another fiery sermon) or the choir (very inspired singing), it was a little girl that taught me the most about faith and worship this morning. Barely two, she gleefully raised her hands during the first round of songs to motion to her dad that she wanted to be picked up, and then, that beaming smile still on her face, she let herself be picked up, and then swayed with her dad as he sang the song. As I watched father and daughter, it occurred to me that this is how God wants us to be with Him: happy to be with Him, wanting only to be closer, acknowledging her tininess and being lost in something bigger and greater than herself. We would do well to emulate such a posture.
WHERE HAS JESUS BEEN FOR THE PAST 48 HOURS
Did Jesus spend Saturday in hell? I assumed this to be true, given the clause in the Apostles' Creed (one of the most widely spoken confessions in the Christian world): "he descended into hell." But my father-in-law, who is quite the Bible scholar, told me many people, including himself, do not believe that to be true.
Thankfully for the Internet, I can get a quick review of what's what and who's who. There are some, notably the Catholics, who believe Jesus spend Saturday preaching to people in hell, and saving some. On the other side, none other than John Piper, one of my favorite Christian authors of all-time, omits the phrase when he recites the Apostles' Creed (see this link from his website from yesterday morning).
My own take is informed by Acts 2:23-24: "This Man [that is, Jesus], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power."
I always understood that to mean that Jesus experienced hell in its purest sense: human death, spiritual separation from the Father, and (delicious oxymoron warning) at least temporarily experiencing the finality of death and its power over us. That's what makes the Easter message so incredible, and so relevant to the rest of us humans who are in fact destined to die and to stay dead, at least in the human sense: God sent His Son to become human, to live as a human, to suffer as a human, and to die as a human, and yet demonstrated His power over death by raising Him from the place of death to the seat of honor.
Perhaps we confuse things by assuming hell is a place (say, below the earth) and heaven another, different place (say, above the clouds). The geography of hell and heaven may be vastly secondary to who's in charge where. And, according to my read of Scriptures, when Jesus died in the flesh, He went to where the enemy of our souls is in charge, but Almighty God brought Him back to life and conquest and eternal reign. And the Easter message is that He's still in the business of doing that same thing for us and others who will submit to the Lordship of the First Son He did that for. He is Risen, Hallelujah!
Did Jesus spend Saturday in hell? I assumed this to be true, given the clause in the Apostles' Creed (one of the most widely spoken confessions in the Christian world): "he descended into hell." But my father-in-law, who is quite the Bible scholar, told me many people, including himself, do not believe that to be true.
Thankfully for the Internet, I can get a quick review of what's what and who's who. There are some, notably the Catholics, who believe Jesus spend Saturday preaching to people in hell, and saving some. On the other side, none other than John Piper, one of my favorite Christian authors of all-time, omits the phrase when he recites the Apostles' Creed (see this link from his website from yesterday morning).
My own take is informed by Acts 2:23-24: "This Man [that is, Jesus], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power."
I always understood that to mean that Jesus experienced hell in its purest sense: human death, spiritual separation from the Father, and (delicious oxymoron warning) at least temporarily experiencing the finality of death and its power over us. That's what makes the Easter message so incredible, and so relevant to the rest of us humans who are in fact destined to die and to stay dead, at least in the human sense: God sent His Son to become human, to live as a human, to suffer as a human, and to die as a human, and yet demonstrated His power over death by raising Him from the place of death to the seat of honor.
Perhaps we confuse things by assuming hell is a place (say, below the earth) and heaven another, different place (say, above the clouds). The geography of hell and heaven may be vastly secondary to who's in charge where. And, according to my read of Scriptures, when Jesus died in the flesh, He went to where the enemy of our souls is in charge, but Almighty God brought Him back to life and conquest and eternal reign. And the Easter message is that He's still in the business of doing that same thing for us and others who will submit to the Lordship of the First Son He did that for. He is Risen, Hallelujah!
3.21.2008
DISCOVERING "DISCOVERING"
A comment on one of my posts earlier this week led me to this blog: "Discovering Urbanism.". I especially liked his post last month on who pays for the roads we all use: "Are Cyclists Freeloaders?" Consider this yet one more blog I've bookmarked and will want to make time to read.
A comment on one of my posts earlier this week led me to this blog: "Discovering Urbanism.". I especially liked his post last month on who pays for the roads we all use: "Are Cyclists Freeloaders?" Consider this yet one more blog I've bookmarked and will want to make time to read.
Bi-State Urban Run
If it is a sign of sickness to consider a long run up and down the Ben Franklin Bridge on a cold, blustery day to be the best way to relax, then call me incurable. I'd circled this day on my calendar, as it was a confluence of a work holiday plus my kids being off at day care. And of course, the first item of business was to go on a long and relaxing run.
I decided that running to New Jersey via the Ben Franklin Bridge would do just the trick. I cut through the southern edge of the Penn campus and across the South Street Bridge, through the G-Ho and Queen Village neighborhoods and across I-95 to Penn's Landing. From there, I ran along the river, took a jaunt down Elfreth's Alley, and doubled all the way back to 5th Street, where you can jump onto Ben Franklin.
The bridge is over a mile and half long, and within a few minutes you're a story above the cars and a few stories above Old City. The vertigo-inducing experience intensifies as you get above water, especially when the wind is howling like it was today. And of course, it's steadily uphill for half of the span, and then downhill for the second half.
On the way across into New Jersey, I stifled the temptation to look back, since I'd get that view on the way back. Instead, I looked forward, and lamented how much parking abuts the waterfront on the Jersey side. On the way back, there was a fair amount of parking, as well, as well as remnants of older industrial uses mixed in with newer recreational uses. (The waterfront is a premier location for so many reasons, but parking your car just seems to be such an under-utilization of such a location.)
Upon my return, I cut through the National Constitution Center area and hopped on the subway at 5th Street - by that point, I'd gone over 8 miles, and didn't have it in me to squeeze out the additional 4 miles home. Just for kicks and giggles, I got off at 52nd Street instead of 40th Street (46th Street is still under construction), adding a couple of extra blocks to the end of my run but affording me the opportunity to see the newly reconstruction station at 52nd.
All in all, it was a successful urban run, and in my sick mind, a restful one at that. Maybe next time I can use two tokens instead of one, and, using 5th Street as a starting and finishing line, have more gas to tool around on the Jersey side instead of just turning around once I got to the end of the bridge.
I decided that running to New Jersey via the Ben Franklin Bridge would do just the trick. I cut through the southern edge of the Penn campus and across the South Street Bridge, through the G-Ho and Queen Village neighborhoods and across I-95 to Penn's Landing. From there, I ran along the river, took a jaunt down Elfreth's Alley, and doubled all the way back to 5th Street, where you can jump onto Ben Franklin.
The bridge is over a mile and half long, and within a few minutes you're a story above the cars and a few stories above Old City. The vertigo-inducing experience intensifies as you get above water, especially when the wind is howling like it was today. And of course, it's steadily uphill for half of the span, and then downhill for the second half.
On the way across into New Jersey, I stifled the temptation to look back, since I'd get that view on the way back. Instead, I looked forward, and lamented how much parking abuts the waterfront on the Jersey side. On the way back, there was a fair amount of parking, as well, as well as remnants of older industrial uses mixed in with newer recreational uses. (The waterfront is a premier location for so many reasons, but parking your car just seems to be such an under-utilization of such a location.)
Upon my return, I cut through the National Constitution Center area and hopped on the subway at 5th Street - by that point, I'd gone over 8 miles, and didn't have it in me to squeeze out the additional 4 miles home. Just for kicks and giggles, I got off at 52nd Street instead of 40th Street (46th Street is still under construction), adding a couple of extra blocks to the end of my run but affording me the opportunity to see the newly reconstruction station at 52nd.
All in all, it was a successful urban run, and in my sick mind, a restful one at that. Maybe next time I can use two tokens instead of one, and, using 5th Street as a starting and finishing line, have more gas to tool around on the Jersey side instead of just turning around once I got to the end of the bridge.
3.20.2008
WHAT YOU GAIN BY LIVING IN THE CITY
It’s time to update to my modern-day routine a post and calculation I did almost three years ago about what I save in money and environmental impact by living in the city. Here’s a link to the original post: “Another Reason that Living in a City is Good.” In case you’re wondering, this time around I assume $3 gas, 30 MPH, and 20 MPG.
5 round-trips per week to work:
· me in the city = 20 minutes one way = 167 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 30 minutes one way = 250 hours/year driving + 375 gallons of gas = $1125
5 round-trips per week to drop off the kids at day care:
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 42 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 15 minutes one way = 125 hours/year driving + 188 gallons of gas = $563
3 business or personal trips downtown per week (meetings, meeting up with friends, administrative errands):
· me in the city = 5 minutes walking + 10 minutes transit one way = 25 hours/year walking + 50 hours/year transit + no gas + 300 tokens = $435
· me in the suburbs = 30 minutes one way = 150 hours/year driving + 225 gallons of gas + 150 parking fees @ $3 each = $1125
3 personal errands in the neighborhood per week (dry cleaner, produce truck, park):
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 25 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 5 minutes one way = 25 hours/year driving + 38 gallons of gas = $113
1 personal family outing per week (zoo, aquarium):
· me in the city = 10 minutes one way = 17 hours/year driving + 33 gallons of gas = $100
· me in the suburbs = 20 minutes one way = 33 hours/year driving + 50 gallons of gas = $150
1 trip to the grocery store per week:
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 8 hours/year driving + 17 gallons of gas = $50
· me in the suburbs = 10 minutes one way = 17 hours/year driving + 25 gallons of gas = $75
1 or 2 long car trips per month (in-laws, recreation):
· me in the city = 1/month @ 45 minutes one way = 18 hours/year driving + 27 gallons of gas = $81
· me in the suburbs = 2/month @ 45 minutes one way = 36 hours/year driving + 54 gallons of gas = $162
Annual total – city:
· $666 spent on gas and tokens
· 77 gallons of gas consumed
· 43 hours spent driving
· 50 hours spent on transit
· 260 hours spent walking
Annual total – suburbs:
· $3312 spent on gas and parking
· 954 gallons of gas consumed
· 636 hours spent driving
So if you’re keeping score at home, here are the benefits over a year:
· $2600+ more in my pocket
· 877 less gallons of gas consumed
· 593 less hours of my car polluting the environment
· 593 less hours of my car adding to traffic
· 593 less hours of my car wearing down roads/bridges
· 593 less hours of me cramped in my car
· 593 less hours of wear and tear on my car
· 260 hours of outdoor exercise
· 50 free hours on transit to read
· 283 more hours to myself
That’s not a bad package. And while supply and demand and other cyclical forces may bring gas prices down in the short run, there’s much more will than ever before to impose appropriate energy taxes. So you have to think that the value proposition for high-density living will only increase. So tell me again why living in the city is seen as either unattractive or sacrificial?
It’s time to update to my modern-day routine a post and calculation I did almost three years ago about what I save in money and environmental impact by living in the city. Here’s a link to the original post: “Another Reason that Living in a City is Good.” In case you’re wondering, this time around I assume $3 gas, 30 MPH, and 20 MPG.
5 round-trips per week to work:
· me in the city = 20 minutes one way = 167 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 30 minutes one way = 250 hours/year driving + 375 gallons of gas = $1125
5 round-trips per week to drop off the kids at day care:
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 42 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 15 minutes one way = 125 hours/year driving + 188 gallons of gas = $563
3 business or personal trips downtown per week (meetings, meeting up with friends, administrative errands):
· me in the city = 5 minutes walking + 10 minutes transit one way = 25 hours/year walking + 50 hours/year transit + no gas + 300 tokens = $435
· me in the suburbs = 30 minutes one way = 150 hours/year driving + 225 gallons of gas + 150 parking fees @ $3 each = $1125
3 personal errands in the neighborhood per week (dry cleaner, produce truck, park):
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 25 hours/year walking + no gas = $0
· me in the suburbs = 5 minutes one way = 25 hours/year driving + 38 gallons of gas = $113
1 personal family outing per week (zoo, aquarium):
· me in the city = 10 minutes one way = 17 hours/year driving + 33 gallons of gas = $100
· me in the suburbs = 20 minutes one way = 33 hours/year driving + 50 gallons of gas = $150
1 trip to the grocery store per week:
· me in the city = 5 minutes one way = 8 hours/year driving + 17 gallons of gas = $50
· me in the suburbs = 10 minutes one way = 17 hours/year driving + 25 gallons of gas = $75
1 or 2 long car trips per month (in-laws, recreation):
· me in the city = 1/month @ 45 minutes one way = 18 hours/year driving + 27 gallons of gas = $81
· me in the suburbs = 2/month @ 45 minutes one way = 36 hours/year driving + 54 gallons of gas = $162
Annual total – city:
· $666 spent on gas and tokens
· 77 gallons of gas consumed
· 43 hours spent driving
· 50 hours spent on transit
· 260 hours spent walking
Annual total – suburbs:
· $3312 spent on gas and parking
· 954 gallons of gas consumed
· 636 hours spent driving
So if you’re keeping score at home, here are the benefits over a year:
· $2600+ more in my pocket
· 877 less gallons of gas consumed
· 593 less hours of my car polluting the environment
· 593 less hours of my car adding to traffic
· 593 less hours of my car wearing down roads/bridges
· 593 less hours of me cramped in my car
· 593 less hours of wear and tear on my car
· 260 hours of outdoor exercise
· 50 free hours on transit to read
· 283 more hours to myself
That’s not a bad package. And while supply and demand and other cyclical forces may bring gas prices down in the short run, there’s much more will than ever before to impose appropriate energy taxes. So you have to think that the value proposition for high-density living will only increase. So tell me again why living in the city is seen as either unattractive or sacrificial?
WHAT AM I WORKING ON
As has become my custom every three months, here's what I'm working on now at work. I won't repeat anything from last time that I happen to still be working on, and for confidentiality's sake I have to blur some of the details for some of these studies). The goal is to stimulate dialogue, either online or in person, that we might mutually help each other towards a better understanding of what's going on in the world and a more useful contribution to making it all better.
* Looking at if and how an inclusionary zoning requirement will lead to more affordable housing in Philadelphia
* Doing another year's worth of analysis on City contracts to determine if and where there is disparity in the utilization of minority, women, and disabled owned businesses
* Entering the "response period" of our work with the State of New Jersey concerning statewide affordable housing policy
* Discussing the economics of various proposed "greenway" trail routes passing through Philadelphia and up and down the East Coast
* Providing a suburban county with an overall economic development framework, plan, and priorities
* Making the case for public sector coordination of and investment in the bloc of industries associated with for-profit technology Creative Economy sorts of activities
* Estimating the effect of a proposed new high-end lifestyle development in the suburbs on a municipality's future revenues and expenditures
As has become my custom every three months, here's what I'm working on now at work. I won't repeat anything from last time that I happen to still be working on, and for confidentiality's sake I have to blur some of the details for some of these studies). The goal is to stimulate dialogue, either online or in person, that we might mutually help each other towards a better understanding of what's going on in the world and a more useful contribution to making it all better.
* Looking at if and how an inclusionary zoning requirement will lead to more affordable housing in Philadelphia
* Doing another year's worth of analysis on City contracts to determine if and where there is disparity in the utilization of minority, women, and disabled owned businesses
* Entering the "response period" of our work with the State of New Jersey concerning statewide affordable housing policy
* Discussing the economics of various proposed "greenway" trail routes passing through Philadelphia and up and down the East Coast
* Providing a suburban county with an overall economic development framework, plan, and priorities
* Making the case for public sector coordination of and investment in the bloc of industries associated with for-profit technology Creative Economy sorts of activities
* Estimating the effect of a proposed new high-end lifestyle development in the suburbs on a municipality's future revenues and expenditures
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY
In honor of tomorrow's Good Friday, I will be doing nothing. And that's probably the most faithful, God-honoring, self-preserving thing I can do. I've been running myself ragged. And the confluence of work extending a holiday and day care still being open means I get a window of eight or so hours of free time, an unfathomable amount for someone whose discretionary time is usually measured in minutes or even seconds.
Here's hoping you enjoy your Good Friday as much as I do. And here's hoping at least some of that "doing nothing" time is in fact filled with contemplation on what exactly is good about Good Friday. I leave you with a post from a few years back for your consideration: "Who Killed Jesus?"
In honor of tomorrow's Good Friday, I will be doing nothing. And that's probably the most faithful, God-honoring, self-preserving thing I can do. I've been running myself ragged. And the confluence of work extending a holiday and day care still being open means I get a window of eight or so hours of free time, an unfathomable amount for someone whose discretionary time is usually measured in minutes or even seconds.
Here's hoping you enjoy your Good Friday as much as I do. And here's hoping at least some of that "doing nothing" time is in fact filled with contemplation on what exactly is good about Good Friday. I leave you with a post from a few years back for your consideration: "Who Killed Jesus?"
UPDATE ON "DEAR ZACHARY"
Here's an update from my friend Kurt on the recent successes of his documentary, "Dear Zachary," about the murder of his best friend and his best friend's son. Please consider supporting the cause.
***
Hi everyone,
I've just returned from two festivals in a row - Cinequest in San Jose and SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas - where "Dear Zachary" was received with a passionate enthusiasm even beyond what we experienced at Slamdance. Cinequest was a particularly meaningful experience for me, as it took place in the San Jose Bay Area, where Andrew and all of us grew up; the screenings were filled with familiar faces of those who knew and loved Andrew, and it meant so much to have everyone there. All of the Cinequest screenings were packed, but the first one - held in a 300-400 seat theater - was so full (standing room only) that they had to turn people away; that Saturday night screening, March 1st, will certainly live on my memory as one of the most meaningful nights of my life. A rave review that documented the evening is here:
http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/reviews/movies/dearzachary
All three screenings once again received standing ovations, with strangers and friends alike flooding Kate & David Bagby with hugs after the shows. It then emerged as the most honored film of Cinequest, the only film to receive two awards: a Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature (an award created specifically to honor "Dear Zachary") and the Audience Award. This was particularly pleasing as "Dear Zachary" has been programmed "out of competition" at most other film festivals thus far, making it ineligible for awards consideration by festival rules for various reasons; it played out of competition last week at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas, also to packed houses. While it was ineligible for awards there, at least 5 critics named it as either the best or one of the best films of the festival:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36025
http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2422
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=3789
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/03/17/sundance-why-didnt-you-show-dear-zachary/
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/the-ten-best-films-of-sxsw-2008.php
(The reviews the film has been receiving are, to put it mildly, pretty terrific, above and beyond what I'd dared hope for. A compilation of all the best quotes & reviews can be found on the home page of www.dearzachary.com if you'd like to see and read more. You can click on the quote source to read the full article from which each quote is derived.)
The audiences in Austin were similarly stunned, speechless and tearful after the screenings, and I've been receiving emails constantly from strangers present at the screenings thanking me for making the film, telling me that it has changed their perspective/outlook on life, and has moved them to want to write Canadian Parliament in support of changing the bail laws that allowed Andrew's killer to kill again. It seems to be having the desired effect and then some. And we're just getting started... :)
Its next two festival dates are at the Sarasota Film Festival in Sarasota, Florida, where it plays Saturday, April 5th at 8:15 PM and Sunday, April 6th at 3:00 PM. Click this link for ticket information:
http://filmguide.sarasotafilmfestival.com/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/title.php/detail/?AlphaRange=DD&ShowShorts=Y&ShowPast=Y&
Following that, the film will at last have its Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival in Toronto. It shows Friday, April 25th at 6:30 PM & Sunday, April 27th at 11 AM. Click this link for ticket information:
http://hotdocsaudience.bside.com/2008/films/dearzacharyalettertoasonabouthisfather_hotdocs2008
I'll keep you updated as more festival dates are lined up. Some of you having been asking about the film's distribution future: I'm not allowed to say too much about it at present, but a very exciting opportunity is currently being negotiated for the film, about which I'm quite thrilled; I hope to be able to issue a more concrete, detailed statement soon. :)
Thank you again to all of you for your support of this film, and of Andrew, Zachary, Kate & David. Thank you to the festival programmers who have been giving this film a venue, as well as such terrific screening times and theaters. Thank you also to the wonderful and amazing critics who have been shouting their praise from the rooftops, helping to get this film seen. We couldn't be pulling this off without all of you!
All the best,
Kurt
Here's an update from my friend Kurt on the recent successes of his documentary, "Dear Zachary," about the murder of his best friend and his best friend's son. Please consider supporting the cause.
***
Hi everyone,
I've just returned from two festivals in a row - Cinequest in San Jose and SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas - where "Dear Zachary" was received with a passionate enthusiasm even beyond what we experienced at Slamdance. Cinequest was a particularly meaningful experience for me, as it took place in the San Jose Bay Area, where Andrew and all of us grew up; the screenings were filled with familiar faces of those who knew and loved Andrew, and it meant so much to have everyone there. All of the Cinequest screenings were packed, but the first one - held in a 300-400 seat theater - was so full (standing room only) that they had to turn people away; that Saturday night screening, March 1st, will certainly live on my memory as one of the most meaningful nights of my life. A rave review that documented the evening is here:
http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/reviews/movies/dearzachary
All three screenings once again received standing ovations, with strangers and friends alike flooding Kate & David Bagby with hugs after the shows. It then emerged as the most honored film of Cinequest, the only film to receive two awards: a Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature (an award created specifically to honor "Dear Zachary") and the Audience Award. This was particularly pleasing as "Dear Zachary" has been programmed "out of competition" at most other film festivals thus far, making it ineligible for awards consideration by festival rules for various reasons; it played out of competition last week at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas, also to packed houses. While it was ineligible for awards there, at least 5 critics named it as either the best or one of the best films of the festival:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36025
http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2422
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=3789
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/03/17/sundance-why-didnt-you-show-dear-zachary/
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/the-ten-best-films-of-sxsw-2008.php
(The reviews the film has been receiving are, to put it mildly, pretty terrific, above and beyond what I'd dared hope for. A compilation of all the best quotes & reviews can be found on the home page of www.dearzachary.com if you'd like to see and read more. You can click on the quote source to read the full article from which each quote is derived.)
The audiences in Austin were similarly stunned, speechless and tearful after the screenings, and I've been receiving emails constantly from strangers present at the screenings thanking me for making the film, telling me that it has changed their perspective/outlook on life, and has moved them to want to write Canadian Parliament in support of changing the bail laws that allowed Andrew's killer to kill again. It seems to be having the desired effect and then some. And we're just getting started... :)
Its next two festival dates are at the Sarasota Film Festival in Sarasota, Florida, where it plays Saturday, April 5th at 8:15 PM and Sunday, April 6th at 3:00 PM. Click this link for ticket information:
http://filmguide.sarasotafilmfestival.com/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/title.php/detail/?AlphaRange=DD&ShowShorts=Y&ShowPast=Y&
Following that, the film will at last have its Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival in Toronto. It shows Friday, April 25th at 6:30 PM & Sunday, April 27th at 11 AM. Click this link for ticket information:
http://hotdocsaudience.bside.com/2008/films/dearzacharyalettertoasonabouthisfather_hotdocs2008
I'll keep you updated as more festival dates are lined up. Some of you having been asking about the film's distribution future: I'm not allowed to say too much about it at present, but a very exciting opportunity is currently being negotiated for the film, about which I'm quite thrilled; I hope to be able to issue a more concrete, detailed statement soon. :)
Thank you again to all of you for your support of this film, and of Andrew, Zachary, Kate & David. Thank you to the festival programmers who have been giving this film a venue, as well as such terrific screening times and theaters. Thank you also to the wonderful and amazing critics who have been shouting their praise from the rooftops, helping to get this film seen. We couldn't be pulling this off without all of you!
All the best,
Kurt
3.19.2008
MORE BLOOMBERG
If you're wondering how I stay fresh on Bloomberg news, it's because I get his regular email updates. I'm late on this one, but wanted to chime in anyway: "Mayor Bloomberg Delivers State of the City Address." It has everything you'd want in a presidential agenda: pro-immigration, metrics-oriented, fearlessness towards bureaucratic reform, a call for accountability, fiscal prudence, innovative social programming, and far-sighted infrastructure investment. Mayor Mike, are you sure you're not interested in the presidency?
If you're wondering how I stay fresh on Bloomberg news, it's because I get his regular email updates. I'm late on this one, but wanted to chime in anyway: "Mayor Bloomberg Delivers State of the City Address." It has everything you'd want in a presidential agenda: pro-immigration, metrics-oriented, fearlessness towards bureaucratic reform, a call for accountability, fiscal prudence, innovative social programming, and far-sighted infrastructure investment. Mayor Mike, are you sure you're not interested in the presidency?
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, COAST TO COAST
Another cool Bloomberg initiative, and this one hits close to home for me, literally (SF is near where I grew up) and figuratively (I taught entrepreneurship to inner city kids for ten years): "Mayor Michael Bloomberg And San Francisco Mayor Newsom Launch The Cities For Financial Empowerment Coalition." Coupled with a nice piece in the Economist about paying the poor to make their kids' doctor appointments and keep them in school, and you can begin to pick up a method in Bloomie's madness: aggressive social programming combined with a fundamental belief in the free market. You can see why I dig the dude.
Another cool Bloomberg initiative, and this one hits close to home for me, literally (SF is near where I grew up) and figuratively (I taught entrepreneurship to inner city kids for ten years): "Mayor Michael Bloomberg And San Francisco Mayor Newsom Launch The Cities For Financial Empowerment Coalition." Coupled with a nice piece in the Economist about paying the poor to make their kids' doctor appointments and keep them in school, and you can begin to pick up a method in Bloomie's madness: aggressive social programming combined with a fundamental belief in the free market. You can see why I dig the dude.
3.18.2008
TALKING ABOUT RACE
However you feel about Barack Obama - and I'll go on record as saying I don't agree with most of his political positions - and however you feel about his approach to race and politics - and again, I'm left lacking there * - you have to feel glad that he's had the platform to talk about race in America, and the thoughtfulness to talk about it so eloquently. Here's the transcript from his speech this morning in Philadelphia: "A More Perfect Union."
Whether or not he was able to navigate the various nuances of race and racism; whether or not he was able to answer his critics without diverting attention from the campaign at large; whether he said the right things or not; whether or not he ends up winning the Democratic nomination or the presidency; the fact remains that he spoke, others listened, and many of us are continuing to discuss and contemplate and seek to better understand. This is, undoubtedly, a good thing for real racial reconciliation in America.
* Thankfully, the speech itself affirms that Obama understands what's swirling around him, and having previously tip-toed around those winds, acknowledges them and deals with them. Kudos.
However you feel about Barack Obama - and I'll go on record as saying I don't agree with most of his political positions - and however you feel about his approach to race and politics - and again, I'm left lacking there * - you have to feel glad that he's had the platform to talk about race in America, and the thoughtfulness to talk about it so eloquently. Here's the transcript from his speech this morning in Philadelphia: "A More Perfect Union."
Whether or not he was able to navigate the various nuances of race and racism; whether or not he was able to answer his critics without diverting attention from the campaign at large; whether he said the right things or not; whether or not he ends up winning the Democratic nomination or the presidency; the fact remains that he spoke, others listened, and many of us are continuing to discuss and contemplate and seek to better understand. This is, undoubtedly, a good thing for real racial reconciliation in America.
* Thankfully, the speech itself affirms that Obama understands what's swirling around him, and having previously tip-toed around those winds, acknowledges them and deals with them. Kudos.
3.17.2008
MAYOR PLAYS MAYOR
Stop me if my Bloomberg-fawning nauseates you, but here's a link to an article about his upcoming appearance in the NBC show, "30 Rock" - "‘30 Rock’ Rolls With City Hall." A nice blurb in there about the economic impact of the entertainment industry in NYC; those big numbers are why cities and states are setting up all manner of tax and other incentives to lure both filming (temporary activity) and production (permanent activity). So there you have it: conclusive evidence that I am officially a nerd, that 30 Rock to me is about economic impact and not about a good laugh.
Stop me if my Bloomberg-fawning nauseates you, but here's a link to an article about his upcoming appearance in the NBC show, "30 Rock" - "‘30 Rock’ Rolls With City Hall." A nice blurb in there about the economic impact of the entertainment industry in NYC; those big numbers are why cities and states are setting up all manner of tax and other incentives to lure both filming (temporary activity) and production (permanent activity). So there you have it: conclusive evidence that I am officially a nerd, that 30 Rock to me is about economic impact and not about a good laugh.
3.16.2008
Congratulations
A college friend of mine was recently ordained, and an effort was made to assemble some congratulatory remarks from those close to him. Here are excerpts from my contribution:
This ordination represents a lot of work on your part, for which I
hope you will be able to take time to celebrate. It also represents a
human imparting of authority and responsibility, which I know you will
not dishonor. And of course it represents a special anointing by God
- you have been called, first to be in relationship with Him, and now
to hold a special office among the priesthood of all believers, for
which you will be held to account and through which you will bless and
be blessed.
I believe in the leavening effect of saints in communities, not just
through passive osmosis but through active engagement, in the
spiritual and structural things that govern our day to day living.
And from that perspective, my family is blessed to be your neighbor
and I am blessed to be your co-laborer for the Kingdom.
Congratulations today, from me and my family.
hope you will be able to take time to celebrate. It also represents a
human imparting of authority and responsibility, which I know you will
not dishonor. And of course it represents a special anointing by God
- you have been called, first to be in relationship with Him, and now
to hold a special office among the priesthood of all believers, for
which you will be held to account and through which you will bless and
be blessed.
I believe in the leavening effect of saints in communities, not just
through passive osmosis but through active engagement, in the
spiritual and structural things that govern our day to day living.
And from that perspective, my family is blessed to be your neighbor
and I am blessed to be your co-laborer for the Kingdom.
Congratulations today, from me and my family.
Advantage, City
I'm pretty sure I've blogged about this before, but I'll blog it again: one huge advantage to city living over suburban living is the much higher probability of chance encounters. Just this weekend, just from walking the kids around from place to place, I bumped into four different people: a former student of mine, a former co-worker of mine, a church friend and her daughter, and a politically active colleague of mine.
Each time, we were able to enjoy brief but no less meaningful discourse for valuable social and/or professional benefit. This would never happen in the suburbs - even if you saw someone on the highway or stop light, you wouldn't get a chance to exchange words or shake hands.
Instead, seeing people involves intentionally making appointments to do so. Not that there's anything wrong with intentional meet-ups, far from it. But random encounters are often what add texture and depth to relationships, as we see people outside of their usual contexts. They keep things from becoming compartmentalized events, connecting our lives into one contiguous unit. I'd say that's a good thing.
Each time, we were able to enjoy brief but no less meaningful discourse for valuable social and/or professional benefit. This would never happen in the suburbs - even if you saw someone on the highway or stop light, you wouldn't get a chance to exchange words or shake hands.
Instead, seeing people involves intentionally making appointments to do so. Not that there's anything wrong with intentional meet-ups, far from it. But random encounters are often what add texture and depth to relationships, as we see people outside of their usual contexts. They keep things from becoming compartmentalized events, connecting our lives into one contiguous unit. I'd say that's a good thing.
A Blog is Worth a Thousand Posts
This is my 1000th post at Musings of an Urban Christian in a little over 5 years of blogging. Thanks to all who have stopped by and especially those who added to the conversation. Here's to more musings!
RACE IN AMERICA
For the past couple of weeks, I've been meaning to post on one or both of the following topics:
1. Race and gender are somewhere in between "completely irrelevant" and "the deciding factor" in terms of influence on the Democratic presidential primary.
2. Getting indignant about overtly racist comments or actions gives us a false ability to wipe our hands clean of our own racist beliefs and of our contribution to institutional racism.
Thankfully for the reading public, Oliver Wang over at Poplicks has nicely encapsulated both points in a recent post: "The R-Word." Race as a defining and divisive issue is alive and well in America, and we need to confront it with honesty and humility, in ways that neither sweep it under the proverbial rug nor cause it to overtake all other frames of reference.
Sadly, this year's exciting and made-for-TV primary, while giving us an excellent forum to do just that, has mostly instead yielded "either-or" screeds, as pundits and politicos try to outdo each other in either righteous indignation or bombastic sensationalism. Here's hoping for more thoughtful posts like the one I've linked to above, as well as this one from Slate Magazine (scroll down to the post on Wednesday, March 12).
For the past couple of weeks, I've been meaning to post on one or both of the following topics:
1. Race and gender are somewhere in between "completely irrelevant" and "the deciding factor" in terms of influence on the Democratic presidential primary.
2. Getting indignant about overtly racist comments or actions gives us a false ability to wipe our hands clean of our own racist beliefs and of our contribution to institutional racism.
Thankfully for the reading public, Oliver Wang over at Poplicks has nicely encapsulated both points in a recent post: "The R-Word." Race as a defining and divisive issue is alive and well in America, and we need to confront it with honesty and humility, in ways that neither sweep it under the proverbial rug nor cause it to overtake all other frames of reference.
Sadly, this year's exciting and made-for-TV primary, while giving us an excellent forum to do just that, has mostly instead yielded "either-or" screeds, as pundits and politicos try to outdo each other in either righteous indignation or bombastic sensationalism. Here's hoping for more thoughtful posts like the one I've linked to above, as well as this one from Slate Magazine (scroll down to the post on Wednesday, March 12).
3.15.2008
Beautiful Because He Said So
This afternoon, Amy and I took the kids to the local McDonalds to enjoy the nice weather and have a little family time. Of course, the place was packed with green-clad college students partying it up on account of St. Patrick's day. Many were already inebriated, and many of the young women were wearing outfits that would make you blush.
One pretty young woman made faces with Jada, and Jada couldn't take her eyes off her because she had multiple green bead necklaces. The young woman kindly took one necklace off and gave it to Jada, and then turned to us and said, "She's beautiful." We thanked her for her gracious words and her generosity.
But there was something else I wanted to tell her, but there was no way I could say it without it being misunderstood or misconstrued, so I said nothing. I wanted to reply to her, "And you're beautiful, too." Meaning that she was beautiful in and of herself, without having to wear certain clothes a certain way, without having to do or not do certain things for the guys she was likely to meet that night; and thus she needn't compromise herself, her body, or her values in a quest for acceptance or affirmation.
I said nothing to her, but I was mindful to talk to Jada later that night, and let her know that she was beautiful because God said so, and that she didn't need to act or dress or talk a certain way in search of approval or affection. I can only hope that Amy and I love her well enough for her to be secure in that truth; but some day it will be on her to decide whether she's OK being herself or whether she has to chase after false worth to be OK with herself.
One pretty young woman made faces with Jada, and Jada couldn't take her eyes off her because she had multiple green bead necklaces. The young woman kindly took one necklace off and gave it to Jada, and then turned to us and said, "She's beautiful." We thanked her for her gracious words and her generosity.
But there was something else I wanted to tell her, but there was no way I could say it without it being misunderstood or misconstrued, so I said nothing. I wanted to reply to her, "And you're beautiful, too." Meaning that she was beautiful in and of herself, without having to wear certain clothes a certain way, without having to do or not do certain things for the guys she was likely to meet that night; and thus she needn't compromise herself, her body, or her values in a quest for acceptance or affirmation.
I said nothing to her, but I was mindful to talk to Jada later that night, and let her know that she was beautiful because God said so, and that she didn't need to act or dress or talk a certain way in search of approval or affection. I can only hope that Amy and I love her well enough for her to be secure in that truth; but some day it will be on her to decide whether she's OK being herself or whether she has to chase after false worth to be OK with herself.
Cast the First Stone
Let me be the absolute last person to chime in on the whole Eliot Spitzer scandal. He has certainly made an easy target for gleeful or hateful tsk-tsking: as his behavior patterns come to light, they reveal a man who is prideful, prone to lust, and selfish. I want to join in, too, because condemning and ribbing makes me feel better about myself; kicking a man while he's down only lifts you up higher.
Except that I too am prideful, prone to lust, and selfish. And so far from making me feel better about myself, as if life were graded on a curve and the class nerd just went down in flames on the last exam, Spitzer's indiscretions only remind me that I too am depraved in the same ways. Jesus once said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." While I condemn Spitzer's actions, I know that I too am deserving of condemnation, so I find myself unable to join in on the stoning.
No man, in fact, is without sin. And so while you think it will make you feel good about yourself to cast a stone in the direction of the latest high-profile sinner, I've got a better way: acknowledge your own sinfulness and feel the acceptance of the One who was condemned for your sake. Kicking a man while he's down doesn't lift you higher; but casting your lot with the One who humbled Himself unto servanthood and death does.
Except that I too am prideful, prone to lust, and selfish. And so far from making me feel better about myself, as if life were graded on a curve and the class nerd just went down in flames on the last exam, Spitzer's indiscretions only remind me that I too am depraved in the same ways. Jesus once said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." While I condemn Spitzer's actions, I know that I too am deserving of condemnation, so I find myself unable to join in on the stoning.
No man, in fact, is without sin. And so while you think it will make you feel good about yourself to cast a stone in the direction of the latest high-profile sinner, I've got a better way: acknowledge your own sinfulness and feel the acceptance of the One who was condemned for your sake. Kicking a man while he's down doesn't lift you higher; but casting your lot with the One who humbled Himself unto servanthood and death does.
3.11.2008
KEEP IT CLEAN, PHILLY
In the spirit of giving our best for our city, Mayor Nutter is organizing a citywide cleanup on April 5. Here's hoping this takes off in terms of people taking pride in Philadelphia and in keeping it clean.
In the spirit of giving our best for our city, Mayor Nutter is organizing a citywide cleanup on April 5. Here's hoping this takes off in terms of people taking pride in Philadelphia and in keeping it clean.
FAITH IN GOVERNMENT
A nice piece in this month's Government Executive about religion in the government workplace: "Faith First: Employee Networks Appeal to Religion's Higher Calling - Public Service." I particularly appreciated this line: "Managers might not be willing to take the initiative to manage religion as another form of diversity or another kind of motivation."
Our workplaces are now generally more sensitive about gender, work/life balance, and even sexual orientation. And yet, aside from knowing when faith-based holidays are, there's been little progress in making our workplaces more faith friendly.
And, given how almost all levels of governments are struggling with having to replace retiring administrators, there's been relatively little movement in cultivating people of faith to put their faith in action towards careers in public service. The good governments will be the ones that inspire those who are divinely inspired to join in on the important work that cities, states, and the feds do for citizens like you and me.
A nice piece in this month's Government Executive about religion in the government workplace: "Faith First: Employee Networks Appeal to Religion's Higher Calling - Public Service." I particularly appreciated this line: "Managers might not be willing to take the initiative to manage religion as another form of diversity or another kind of motivation."
Our workplaces are now generally more sensitive about gender, work/life balance, and even sexual orientation. And yet, aside from knowing when faith-based holidays are, there's been little progress in making our workplaces more faith friendly.
And, given how almost all levels of governments are struggling with having to replace retiring administrators, there's been relatively little movement in cultivating people of faith to put their faith in action towards careers in public service. The good governments will be the ones that inspire those who are divinely inspired to join in on the important work that cities, states, and the feds do for citizens like you and me.
THE GREEN IS ALWAYS GREENER
A nice report and presentation by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council on sustainable construction in Philadelphia: "Building Green: Overcoming Obstacles in Philadelphia." The event was attended by Mayor Nutter, who is committed to making Philly the greenest city in the world, and who to that end is setting up a cabinet-level sustainability czar to help lead the effort.
While Philadelphia's barriers (outdated code, ignorant politicians and developers) are well-known, as are its weaknesses (not nearly as much recycling or green building going on), it was good to hear we're doing good on locally produced food and on non-auto commutes. It was also good to see Councilman Kenney jazzed up about going green: when your local politicians are speaking excitedly about rubber sidewalks and green roofs, you know a trend has gone mainstream.
I also appreciated a new wrinkle to the multiple bottom line argument for going green, told from a regional competitiveness standpoint: in addition to saving the environment and saving energy costs, you have a generation of Millennials who make locational decisions based on deeply held values like sustainability and environmental stewardship. So mundane things like an airport that redoubles its effort to make recycling easier and a city government that wants to replace all of its light bulbs with compact fluorescents can actually make a difference in a young'un deciding to spend their 20's in Philadelphia versus Austin, Boston, or Seattle.
Here's a link to the report (warning: large PDF).
A nice report and presentation by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council on sustainable construction in Philadelphia: "Building Green: Overcoming Obstacles in Philadelphia." The event was attended by Mayor Nutter, who is committed to making Philly the greenest city in the world, and who to that end is setting up a cabinet-level sustainability czar to help lead the effort.
While Philadelphia's barriers (outdated code, ignorant politicians and developers) are well-known, as are its weaknesses (not nearly as much recycling or green building going on), it was good to hear we're doing good on locally produced food and on non-auto commutes. It was also good to see Councilman Kenney jazzed up about going green: when your local politicians are speaking excitedly about rubber sidewalks and green roofs, you know a trend has gone mainstream.
I also appreciated a new wrinkle to the multiple bottom line argument for going green, told from a regional competitiveness standpoint: in addition to saving the environment and saving energy costs, you have a generation of Millennials who make locational decisions based on deeply held values like sustainability and environmental stewardship. So mundane things like an airport that redoubles its effort to make recycling easier and a city government that wants to replace all of its light bulbs with compact fluorescents can actually make a difference in a young'un deciding to spend their 20's in Philadelphia versus Austin, Boston, or Seattle.
Here's a link to the report (warning: large PDF).
ELECTRIC YOUTH
You may have heard of Elon Musk, whose first X Prize was announced in 1995: $10 million to the first non-governmental organization that could achieve space flight in a reusable craft. The latest X Prize is a $25 million purse for the entity that can make a car that gets 100 miles to the gallon and that is cheap enough to be mass-produced and mass-marketed. The goal is to stimulate innovation towards energy-efficient vehicles, something that DC and Detroit seem slow to embrace.
As it so happens, one of the entrants in this contest is down the street from where I live: a group of inner city teens from West Philadelphia High School, a school most recently notorious for a string of fires and violence that constantly interrupted operations. The place may have a bad rep, but the kids working on the entry are top-notch, a force to be reckoned with, and (if I can be of any help), a voice that ought to be heard.
This morning, I met with Simon Hauger, the head of the West Philly Hybrid X Team, and a good friend of mine from church, as well as with Jeremy Proffitt, who is assisting Simon in building out the team's website. We were energized by the many ways in which the participating youth could have a voice in this whole process, from designing the vehicle itself to pushing for more energy-efficient vehicles. In an election year, there is all the more interest and opportunity to move the needle in terms of discussion, action, and policy. It's Simon's job, curricularly, to engage the kids to that end; and, to the extent that the website can be a platform for filling into that leadership and advocacy position, that's where Jeremy comes in. And if I can help either, I'll do my best to try.
So keep your eye out on these young men and women. If one day you're filling up your car with two gallons of gas, or no gas at all, you might have them to thank for it.
You may have heard of Elon Musk, whose first X Prize was announced in 1995: $10 million to the first non-governmental organization that could achieve space flight in a reusable craft. The latest X Prize is a $25 million purse for the entity that can make a car that gets 100 miles to the gallon and that is cheap enough to be mass-produced and mass-marketed. The goal is to stimulate innovation towards energy-efficient vehicles, something that DC and Detroit seem slow to embrace.
As it so happens, one of the entrants in this contest is down the street from where I live: a group of inner city teens from West Philadelphia High School, a school most recently notorious for a string of fires and violence that constantly interrupted operations. The place may have a bad rep, but the kids working on the entry are top-notch, a force to be reckoned with, and (if I can be of any help), a voice that ought to be heard.
This morning, I met with Simon Hauger, the head of the West Philly Hybrid X Team, and a good friend of mine from church, as well as with Jeremy Proffitt, who is assisting Simon in building out the team's website. We were energized by the many ways in which the participating youth could have a voice in this whole process, from designing the vehicle itself to pushing for more energy-efficient vehicles. In an election year, there is all the more interest and opportunity to move the needle in terms of discussion, action, and policy. It's Simon's job, curricularly, to engage the kids to that end; and, to the extent that the website can be a platform for filling into that leadership and advocacy position, that's where Jeremy comes in. And if I can help either, I'll do my best to try.
So keep your eye out on these young men and women. If one day you're filling up your car with two gallons of gas, or no gas at all, you might have them to thank for it.
CAR FAST
Philly Car Share is goading citizens to "Walk Ride Share Philadelphia" - give up your car for a month and get unlimited Philly Car Share access, a Transpass, and even a free pair of running shoes. Do I have the stones to submit an application and go for a shot at all that free stuff, plus a weekly online forum to talk about what it's like to go without my 2006 Chevy Aveo for 30 days? Um . . . gimme a minute to think about it.
* Update: I've been told it's not unlimited PCS access, but rather a set credit amount. Also, I've decided to fill out an application. Will keep everyone posted.
Philly Car Share is goading citizens to "Walk Ride Share Philadelphia" - give up your car for a month and get unlimited Philly Car Share access, a Transpass, and even a free pair of running shoes. Do I have the stones to submit an application and go for a shot at all that free stuff, plus a weekly online forum to talk about what it's like to go without my 2006 Chevy Aveo for 30 days? Um . . . gimme a minute to think about it.
* Update: I've been told it's not unlimited PCS access, but rather a set credit amount. Also, I've decided to fill out an application. Will keep everyone posted.
3.09.2008
Not Ashamed at All
I've been plowing my way through the Bible with Aaron in the mornings,
and we are now up to the book of Jeremiah. I had to do a double-take
yesterday morning when, twice in the span of three chapters, I read
the exact same verse (6:15 and 8:12):
and we are now up to the book of Jeremiah. I had to do a double-take
yesterday morning when, twice in the span of three chapters, I read
the exact same verse (6:15 and 8:12):
"Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They
certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush;
therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time of their
punishment they shall be brought down," says the LORD."
I couldn't help but think of so many politicians on both sides of the
river, who brazenly practice corrupt deeds as if they are above the
law. In their minds, perhaps they are, themselves being lawmakers and
being in tight with judges and other people in places of power so that
even if they were caught, their punishment would be minimal if
anything.
The prophet reminds me that there is a higher law and a greater Judge
who will one day make sure that punishment is meted out justly and
decisively. Evildoers on this side of glory may practice their
evildoing with nary a blush; but one day they will feel true heat, and
the people of God, who love righteousness and who may have had to bear
temporary injustice, will rejoice on that day.
THE MAYOR AND THE WIRE
How's this for a mayor who gets it? Mayor Nutter is such a fan of HBO's "The Wire" that he's hosting a screening tonight; and he also wrote a piece for today's paper. I haven't seen the show myself but it's been highly recommended to me, mostly for the realism of flawed institutions and flawed people. Here's hoping that in the real world, however we flawed we are and however flawed the entities we're a part of, that we'll see less violence and less corruption, more peace and more justice.
How's this for a mayor who gets it? Mayor Nutter is such a fan of HBO's "The Wire" that he's hosting a screening tonight; and he also wrote a piece for today's paper. I haven't seen the show myself but it's been highly recommended to me, mostly for the realism of flawed institutions and flawed people. Here's hoping that in the real world, however we flawed we are and however flawed the entities we're a part of, that we'll see less violence and less corruption, more peace and more justice.
3.06.2008
NO CRY FROM SEPTA
Did you hear that silence? That's the sound of SEPTA not asking for a financial bailout. For most of the last decade, spring meant "pitchers and catchers report," the Flower Show, and SEPTA going hat in hand to Harrisburg for help to patch a leaky budget. But with Governor Rendell having provided a long-term funding solution for the transportation authority, no budget crisis. In fact, SEPTA is in a growth mode - with no transit increase on the horizon to pay for it: "SEPTA Raises Spending, Not Fares." Mark my words: as populations increase, climate change continues to be an environmental/political/economic issue, and energy prices soar, cities are going to boom, and cities that have good transit infrastructure to move people around without creating congestion and pollution will really boom.
Did you hear that silence? That's the sound of SEPTA not asking for a financial bailout. For most of the last decade, spring meant "pitchers and catchers report," the Flower Show, and SEPTA going hat in hand to Harrisburg for help to patch a leaky budget. But with Governor Rendell having provided a long-term funding solution for the transportation authority, no budget crisis. In fact, SEPTA is in a growth mode - with no transit increase on the horizon to pay for it: "SEPTA Raises Spending, Not Fares." Mark my words: as populations increase, climate change continues to be an environmental/political/economic issue, and energy prices soar, cities are going to boom, and cities that have good transit infrastructure to move people around without creating congestion and pollution will really boom.
Planning and Building
It's been an even busier week than usual for me, between getting the
kids set up at a new day care, taking on the responsibility of
dropping them off and picking them up (I used to do just the
drop-off), and juggling the usual assortment of projects at work;
complicated by a few extra work things that hit my desk this week, as
well as a dental procedure and an adoption hearing for my son. And
yet, when I heard that both Andy Altman and Jerry Sweeney were going
to be at this month's gathering of the Design Advocacy Group, I knew I
had to be there.
kids set up at a new day care, taking on the responsibility of
dropping them off and picking them up (I used to do just the
drop-off), and juggling the usual assortment of projects at work;
complicated by a few extra work things that hit my desk this week, as
well as a dental procedure and an adoption hearing for my son. And
yet, when I heard that both Andy Altman and Jerry Sweeney were going
to be at this month's gathering of the Design Advocacy Group, I knew I
had to be there.
If you don't know, Andy Altman is the new Commerce Director, with
enhanced authority now that more roles have been reorganized to be
under his purview. In fact, this is mainly what he talked about,
especially the integration of planning and development, heretofore all
too often siloed functions that ought to be more coordinated but
usually aren't. So it was good to hear his enthusiasm and his
commitment to marrying the two functions.
Jerry Sweeney is President and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust, which
used to do mostly suburban office space but has made a big splash with
the development of the Cira Centre and which is now very bullish on
University City. And who wouldn't be: when you combine the nation's
second busiest train station (behind only Penn Station in New York
City) with a major road and transit hub, and big league institutions
like Penn/HUP/CHOP and Drexel, you have the makings of a successful
development. (By the way, speaking of transit, it was good to hear
that 80 percent of the people that work in the Cira Centre take
transit to work, and that most of the parking built for the building
is unused.)
It's an exciting time for the city from a real estate development
standpoint, housing crisis notwithstanding. And I was glad I took the
time this morning to get the take of two people who are very
influential in turning that potential into reality.
3.04.2008
DON'T BLAME THE FOREIGNER
I found this link to an article by conservative economist Thomas Sowell via Greg Mankiw's blog: "Rescuing the Rust Belt." It's a compelling description of how unions and government, and not NAFTA, are the reason for economic stagnancy in such states as Ohio and Michigan. Here's my favorite excerpt: "Jobs are always disappearing. The big question is why they are not being replaced by new jobs. Rust belt policies that drove out old jobs also keep out new jobs. NAFTA makes it easier for politicians to blame the problem on foreigners. In fact, foreigners make ideal scapegoats for politicians. After all, people in Japan or India can't vote in American elections."
It was less than a generation ago that a Chinese-American named Vincent Chin was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat a week before his wedding because two unemployed white auto workers thought he was Japanese and they wanted to take out their frustrations on an easy scapegoat. So erroneous and ominous messages about how free-trade policies cause Americans to lose jobs to the Chinese or the Mexicans not only offend my intellect, they cause me to fear a little for my own personal safety.
Let's be clear: most manufacturing jobs weren't lost to other countries, they were lost to machines. And the resulting productivity gains we humans enjoyed, to the extent that we reinvested them into professional development and new skills training, led to astonishingly large gains in our quality of life. The things we take for granted in our day-to-day living - the cars we drive, the appliances in our kitchen, the medical advances that ease our pain - were very far away from the average American barely a generation ago. On both counts of economics and of race/ethnicity, shame on Clinton and Obama for twisting this story.
I found this link to an article by conservative economist Thomas Sowell via Greg Mankiw's blog: "Rescuing the Rust Belt." It's a compelling description of how unions and government, and not NAFTA, are the reason for economic stagnancy in such states as Ohio and Michigan. Here's my favorite excerpt: "Jobs are always disappearing. The big question is why they are not being replaced by new jobs. Rust belt policies that drove out old jobs also keep out new jobs. NAFTA makes it easier for politicians to blame the problem on foreigners. In fact, foreigners make ideal scapegoats for politicians. After all, people in Japan or India can't vote in American elections."
It was less than a generation ago that a Chinese-American named Vincent Chin was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat a week before his wedding because two unemployed white auto workers thought he was Japanese and they wanted to take out their frustrations on an easy scapegoat. So erroneous and ominous messages about how free-trade policies cause Americans to lose jobs to the Chinese or the Mexicans not only offend my intellect, they cause me to fear a little for my own personal safety.
Let's be clear: most manufacturing jobs weren't lost to other countries, they were lost to machines. And the resulting productivity gains we humans enjoyed, to the extent that we reinvested them into professional development and new skills training, led to astonishingly large gains in our quality of life. The things we take for granted in our day-to-day living - the cars we drive, the appliances in our kitchen, the medical advances that ease our pain - were very far away from the average American barely a generation ago. On both counts of economics and of race/ethnicity, shame on Clinton and Obama for twisting this story.
3.03.2008
Level the Playing Field for Cities
Yet another reason why if you're a city lover, you should be for a carbon tax: suburbanites currently don't pay their fair share of the environmental impact of their low-density living. That's according to Edward Glaeser's recent article in the Boston Globe: "A Level Playing Field for Cities."
Apparently suburbanites’ buying 85 percent more gas equates to two more tons of carbon dioxide emissions per household per year. And I love Glaeser’s slight dig on Thoreau, but it’s true – high-density living, not bucolic serenity, is the best formula for environmental stewardship.
It’s cool if you like the burbs; in this country, we’re free to live wherever we can and want to. But a carbon tax would equal out the environmental equation, reducing our current levels of excess pollution and consumption that result from under-pricing carbon. And cities would, in this case, rightly gain from that redistribution.
Yet another reason why if you're a city lover, you should be for a carbon tax: suburbanites currently don't pay their fair share of the environmental impact of their low-density living. That's according to Edward Glaeser's recent article in the Boston Globe: "A Level Playing Field for Cities."
Apparently suburbanites’ buying 85 percent more gas equates to two more tons of carbon dioxide emissions per household per year. And I love Glaeser’s slight dig on Thoreau, but it’s true – high-density living, not bucolic serenity, is the best formula for environmental stewardship.
It’s cool if you like the burbs; in this country, we’re free to live wherever we can and want to. But a carbon tax would equal out the environmental equation, reducing our current levels of excess pollution and consumption that result from under-pricing carbon. And cities would, in this case, rightly gain from that redistribution.
3.02.2008
WATER IN CHINA
In the run-up to this summer's Olympics, I had heard before of how countries were planning to send their athletes to nearby countries to train, but not to China because of air quality; and I had heard that Beijing was thinking about literally shutting down all industrial activity for two months before the Games to clear out the air.
But this is the first I've read about another, potentially larger environmental concern: "China Has Been Moving the Earth to Gain Water." The nation whose appetite for oil and steel has been well-documented apparently is as thirsty as it is hungry, with potentially disastrous consequences for the local environment.
Even worse, Beijing has responded in desperation with plans to divert water from rural farms to ensure adequate supply for the Olympics, further exacerbating a poor rural / rich urban divide. I had predicted late last year that China would suffer an environmental disaster embarrassingly close to the Games, and a few times about growing unrest between rich and poor (here, here, and here). I hope to be wrong on two counts; but sadly, in both cases, my odds of being right appear to have increased.
In the run-up to this summer's Olympics, I had heard before of how countries were planning to send their athletes to nearby countries to train, but not to China because of air quality; and I had heard that Beijing was thinking about literally shutting down all industrial activity for two months before the Games to clear out the air.
But this is the first I've read about another, potentially larger environmental concern: "China Has Been Moving the Earth to Gain Water." The nation whose appetite for oil and steel has been well-documented apparently is as thirsty as it is hungry, with potentially disastrous consequences for the local environment.
Even worse, Beijing has responded in desperation with plans to divert water from rural farms to ensure adequate supply for the Olympics, further exacerbating a poor rural / rich urban divide. I had predicted late last year that China would suffer an environmental disaster embarrassingly close to the Games, and a few times about growing unrest between rich and poor (here, here, and here). I hope to be wrong on two counts; but sadly, in both cases, my odds of being right appear to have increased.
SMALL TOWN, SMALL GOVERNMENT
Amy's family is from New Jersey, so I get asked a lot about my opinion of Governor Corzine's proposed budget. My general take, without having delved into the details, is that the state has lived beyond its means for a generation, effectively pushing costs and challenges to future generations; and since Corzine was hired to do the tough stuff needed to get that right, he would get my support if I was a voter and taxpayer.
One easy place for efficiency is government consolidation. This is a terrifying word for many, who view it as a threat to small towns and a code word for massive layoffs. Yesterday's Inquirer had a nice piece on the subject: "Small NJ Towns See Big Threat." One resident is quoted as fearing consolidation would mean his municipality would lose its small town feel.
Let's make an important distinction between a small town and a small government. Government consolidation, in New Jersey's case, does not necessarily need to be about small towns getting swallowed by bigger ones, but rather right-sizing the level of geography of various services that have become inefficiently cut up into pieces. To use a countrywide example, national defense is necessarily a federal concern. It would be stupid for each city or even state to have their own national defense budget. Instead, we all pay federal taxes and the federal government provides this service.
On a more local level, not every municipality is big enough to justify its own power grid or water treatment facility. So while some big cities have their own, many smaller towns have shared access to such resources. There is no discernible change to the end user; we all still flick on our light switches and turn on our taps, with no thought as to what size of government structure enabled that convenience.
Let's get back to New Jersey. According to the Inquirer article, the state has 566 municipalities, 616 school districts, 486 local authorities, and 792 fire companies. Pine Valley, population 19, has a mayor and borough commissioners, a clerk, a solicitor, a tax assessor, a tax collector, and even its own police force of seven. It also has a school district, although it has no children.
To me, that's a lot of salaries and a lot of administration that doesn't need to be there. Consolidating the services with neighboring jurisdictions would have no discernible impact on the end-users. Pine Valley is a bad example because it's actually a golf course masquerading as a town; but there are other examples of towns of less than 500 people that have paid government administrators and school boards, and consolidating these functions into larger geographies would save money without adversely affecting the services received by residents and workers.
It seems to me that if you want to live in a small town, you can have it one of two ways. The town can be smart about sharing services that deserve to be shared, so as to provide those things at reasonable service levels for reasonable tax rates. Or it can decide that it wants to be a very amenity-rich place, and set high tax rates in exchange for the high service levels. But it can’t have it both ways, and demand high overhead while complaining about high taxes. As creatures of the state, municipalities as a group are and ought to be as diverse as possible, so that within a state different people can choose into different “products” – some want big cities and others small towns, some want low taxes and others high services. Consolidating services won’t change that menu of options for New Jerseyans; it just right-sizes functions that really ought to be done at larger geographies. So let’s not confuse swallowing functions with losing small town charm.
Amy's family is from New Jersey, so I get asked a lot about my opinion of Governor Corzine's proposed budget. My general take, without having delved into the details, is that the state has lived beyond its means for a generation, effectively pushing costs and challenges to future generations; and since Corzine was hired to do the tough stuff needed to get that right, he would get my support if I was a voter and taxpayer.
One easy place for efficiency is government consolidation. This is a terrifying word for many, who view it as a threat to small towns and a code word for massive layoffs. Yesterday's Inquirer had a nice piece on the subject: "Small NJ Towns See Big Threat." One resident is quoted as fearing consolidation would mean his municipality would lose its small town feel.
Let's make an important distinction between a small town and a small government. Government consolidation, in New Jersey's case, does not necessarily need to be about small towns getting swallowed by bigger ones, but rather right-sizing the level of geography of various services that have become inefficiently cut up into pieces. To use a countrywide example, national defense is necessarily a federal concern. It would be stupid for each city or even state to have their own national defense budget. Instead, we all pay federal taxes and the federal government provides this service.
On a more local level, not every municipality is big enough to justify its own power grid or water treatment facility. So while some big cities have their own, many smaller towns have shared access to such resources. There is no discernible change to the end user; we all still flick on our light switches and turn on our taps, with no thought as to what size of government structure enabled that convenience.
Let's get back to New Jersey. According to the Inquirer article, the state has 566 municipalities, 616 school districts, 486 local authorities, and 792 fire companies. Pine Valley, population 19, has a mayor and borough commissioners, a clerk, a solicitor, a tax assessor, a tax collector, and even its own police force of seven. It also has a school district, although it has no children.
To me, that's a lot of salaries and a lot of administration that doesn't need to be there. Consolidating the services with neighboring jurisdictions would have no discernible impact on the end-users. Pine Valley is a bad example because it's actually a golf course masquerading as a town; but there are other examples of towns of less than 500 people that have paid government administrators and school boards, and consolidating these functions into larger geographies would save money without adversely affecting the services received by residents and workers.
It seems to me that if you want to live in a small town, you can have it one of two ways. The town can be smart about sharing services that deserve to be shared, so as to provide those things at reasonable service levels for reasonable tax rates. Or it can decide that it wants to be a very amenity-rich place, and set high tax rates in exchange for the high service levels. But it can’t have it both ways, and demand high overhead while complaining about high taxes. As creatures of the state, municipalities as a group are and ought to be as diverse as possible, so that within a state different people can choose into different “products” – some want big cities and others small towns, some want low taxes and others high services. Consolidating services won’t change that menu of options for New Jerseyans; it just right-sizes functions that really ought to be done at larger geographies. So let’s not confuse swallowing functions with losing small town charm.
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