Posted on November 23 at 10:34 a.m.

I suspect that just about everyone who has lived in SB for twenty years or more knows someone who has taken their life using this bridge. I'm not sure why putting a barrier up is such a big deal for some people. I understand that a person intent on suicide will find a way, and that this kind of brute force approach is a weak palliative at best, but it seems that the more difficult you make it, the better chance of saving a life you have.

On Phony Vacancies

1 of 1 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on November 23 at 10:18 a.m.

Of course it's all good and well for straight men to make passes at all those nubile high school girls, eh? What a crock - there is plenty of inappropriate behavior in all of us humans, to pretend that a gay person making passes is something out of the ordinary or merits extra special attention and concern is simply bigotry in action.
And yes, "militant gays" is a talking point with little evidence to back it up. When was the last time a "militant gay" went out and killed a straight person because of their sexual orientation? It's a load of crap intended to sensationalize and further marginalize a very legitimate expression of discontent with the status quo.

On Killed Because They Were Different

Posted on November 20 at 4:11 p.m.

Well old Deepockets can use all the free press he can get, to be sure...

On Seven Spiritual Laws of Success -- 11/20/09 at Center of the Heart

3 of 3 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on November 20 at 12:16 p.m.

I have pretty much sworn off eating any factory farmed meat. I think a common sense approach for everyone is first, eat less meat, second, always buy from farms that raise and harvest meat correctly (for example, grass fed cows or sustainable fisheries such as wild salmon) since not only is that meat less environmentally destructive it is also actually good for you, and third, actively advocate for reform.

On Eating Animals

2 of 6 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on November 19 at 10:49 a.m.

Just because you've already spent a boatload of money on something should not color the reasons pro or con for proceeding forward. As the board itself says, they look to the future, not the past. It appears that their vision of the future is not widely supported and perhaps not even supportable given the physical characteristics of Mission Canyon.

On High Noon in the Garden of Controversy

Posted on November 18 at 10:22 a.m.

I agree that SB is too small for district elections, although there is a definite disconnect between the cultural provenance of the council and the population of the city which invites some attention. I have no idea how to address the issue, but the first step is to admit that it's there.

On The Missing Fourth

Posted on November 13 at 1:15 p.m.

hmm, interesting approach and one that hadn't even occurred to me. Perhaps you should have thrown out the top two, of course at some point this strategy breaks down badly...

On The Missing Fourth

0 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on November 13 at 1:12 p.m.

oy...

On Tyrants at Work

Posted on November 13 at 1:10 p.m.

As a bicycling commuter from SB to Goleta, my only complaint is directed at bicyclists who, for some insane reason, insist on using sidewalks, ride like maniacs without protective gear or lighting, and, in general, give the rest of us poor slobs on bicycles a bad name. Most drivers are overly courteous, OTOH, sometimes to a fault (I would much rather they proceed through the stop sign while I am slowing to stop for them than them waiting for me to go first when it is clearly not my turn). There are a smattering of numbskulls behind the wheel, no doubt, some who insist on directing you to the sidewalk - on streets that have two lanes mind you. But overall it is the bikers that could use more education, perhaps even licensing is in order (I hate to say). I'm sure we can all coexist if we try a little harder.

On More Bikes on City Streets

Posted on November 13 at 1:01 p.m.

Wolfswinkel had little to do with electing two conservatives to the council, it was practically pre-ordained by the fact that voters were limited to voting for less seats than would be filled. At a minimum one conservative was a shoo-in even before any votes were cast (unless SB is completely liberal, which is doubtful). As it is, thanks to the city charter, we got two.

On 103-Year-Old Woman of Mystery