Public transportation

This is one of the underground platforms providing access to the (new) Link light rail which connects Seattle and Tacoma with SEATAC airport.

Vice President Joe Biden is suggesting we stay out of confined public places, especially public transportation. Thank goodness someone is willing to say it.

First, let's get this straight. VP Joe Biden was responding to a direct question this morning and he answered honestly. He can't help that the mind-numbingly stupid yakking twits on morning news and talk shows are taking his comments out of context. I'm talking to you, Contessa and Mika. He was asked what he would advise a family member if they indicated an interest in traveling by commercial airliner to and from Mexico in the coming week. That's a very specific question and Biden said he would tell that family member to avoid traveling in a confined aircraft.

He answered the question honestly and he is exactly right.

With municipal campaigns coming up, what are your views on sustainable communities, sprawl, smart growth, and our approach to these things in North Carolina?

1. First, how do you define these terms? They're so broad at this point to be almost meaningless.
2. Second, how do you view sprawl? Where do you fall in the smart growth debate?
3. Third, what should we do at the municipal level, the state level, and the national level to build sustainable communities?

As it stands, while some affluent people are moving back into cities, there remains a huge divide between suburban and urban in America. Cities have higher taxes and less resources. How can we solve many of the problems facing America without mending this divide?

As some of you are aware, I am currently on the other side of the continent, enjoying some relatively good weather (fingers crossed) in the Puget Sound area. One of the things I always try to do when traveling is to ride around on whatever public transportation is available. Part of the reason is so I can better envision what might work in North Carolina, but another reason is because you get to interact with locals on an equal basis. You're not just a tourist asking stupid questions, you're a fellow passenger, so you can be trusted with all sorts of local gossip. :)

Frontpaged by James