Is IRV (Instant Runoff Voting) the solution to the current campaign woes in the 11th District? The Progressive Populist just published this article on the Brooklyn race, describing how it would help.
And no, the author’s surname is not a coincidence.
There have been some interesting views, a division essentially, on what is apparently a neighborhood fixture: a guy who sells drums, fans, and other Afro centric articles. Evidently this guy, who is said to be homeless and an unlicensed street vendor, usually sells his items on Canal Street, but has recently been camped out on Lincoln Road in front of the Prospect Park subway station.
Some people have expressed annoyance at his lewd commentary toward women, public urination, noise, garbage, etc. Others are defending him.
But the bottom line is if you happen to live, say, across the street from where this fellow is camped out there is certainly nothing good about it. Personally I could care less about licensing, or the items he sells.
Behavior does concern me. I still cannot comprehend people thinking lewdness is okay. Nor the public urination, which is — pardon the expression — a personal pet peeve of mine. Okay, assuming the guy is actually homeless I can understand the necessity for public urination. But the park is across the street from his current “campsite” why not just be a good fellow and do the neighborhood a favor.
On my street public urination is rampant. And it has nothing to do with homelessness. It has to do with laziness and convenience. The first year I moved to this street I dubbed the tree in front of my house the “pee tree” and though we have since pruned the tree and added more outdoor lights to discourage using the tree as a pee station, I still wear heavy-duty gloves to plant or weed the tree pit.
The first year I lived here, I went outside when I saw males approach the tree. I even saw two women direct their children toward the tree pit and begin to pull the pants off the kids — a behavior I rudely interrupted; suggesting perhaps a spot in the gutter would be an improvement since at least the city cleans the gutter three times a week.
“Why not, dogs do it?” the women angrily asked me.
“Are you putting yourself on the same level as dogs?” I asked.
They essentially told me to fuck off, which was fine with me. Not for the first time and probably not the last. Food for thought for everyone and the tree pit was pee-free that day.
Now also on my street is a hair braiding salon and a regular hair salon located next door to each other. Some of the women who work in these places bring along their children and leave them outside to play on the street. It is not uncommon to see 6-8 kids playing out on the street all day long. Unsupervised little kids aged 2 - 8. These little kids are public pee-ers in training as well as being under the influence by the local thugs. Perhaps it is disruptive for the kids to enter the salon to use the toilet. One was hit by a car a couple years ago — seriously what does it take for people to learn having a five year old baby-sit a two year old is not a good idea.
I understand cultural differences, I do. Really. But people also need to adapt to the laws and conventions of their adoptive country. And people need to look after and train their children.
Sorry, I have no plans to lower my expectations. Politically incorrect? Maybe, but I don’t care.
