Helping in times of crisis (please read!)

As I was going through my daily routine of looking through Twitter updates and blog entries, I came across this poignant thought from a commenter on lightrailblogger.com. This hearkens back to an entry I posted back in December with some words of wisdom from Kirsten Martin, a good friend and one of my Student Ambassador colleagues:

With all the cuts in the Phoenix city budget and Maricopa County budget, there are going to be far fewer services to help the homeless get off the street and back into productive living. We need to step up and help - NOW. Whether it's serving food at St. Vincent de Paul, or Andre House or getting involved at the Lodestar Day Resource Center or making a financial donation (even $5 will be welcomed) to CASS or SVdP -- every little bit helps. In my experience, volunteering my time to help those in need provides far greater personal rewards than the help that I give. I particularly suggest it if you are having your own pity party about your personal financial situation. It helps put life into perspective. Donation and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.stvincentdepaul.net.

Please feel free to pass this along to your contacts and networks so that we can make Phoenix a better place, even if it is in a time of economic hardship.
-Edward Jensen

Infr-obstruct-ure

On her self-titled show, Rachel Maddow talks about why investment in US infrastructure is so critical now. But apparently it's become rather political and Paul Krugman explains:

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Bishop Chane on the Rick Warren selection

If you've been remotely listening to news lately, you probably have heard that there is a bit of controversy over President-elect Obama's selection to have Rick Warren deliver the invocation at the inauguration.

While most of the debate and discourse has centered around Mr. Warren's viewpoints of same-sex marriage and how some of Obama's supporters see this as a 'slap in the face', I found an interesting letter from The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. While he brings up the same-sex marriage issue, he also talks about the worldview of Mr. Warren and how that is incompatible with basic tenets of Christianity.

The letter is online at the Diocese of Washington's website. But I thought I'd post it for you all to read:

I am profoundly disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to invite Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church to offer the invocation at his inauguration. The president-elect has bestowed a great honor on a man whose recent comments suggest he is both homophobic, xenophobic, and willing to use the machinery of the state to enforce his prejudices—even going so far as to support the assassination of foreign leaders.

In his home state of California, Mr. Warren’s campaigned aggressively to deny gay and lesbian couples equal rights under the law, relying on arguments that are both morally offensive and theologically crude. Christian leaders differ passionately with one another over the morality of same-sex relationships, but only the most extreme liken the loving, lifelong partnerships of their fellow citizens to incest and pedophilia, as Mr. Warren has done. The president-elect’s willingness to associate himself with a man who espouses these views as a means of reaching out to religious conservatives suggests a willingness to use the aspirations of gay and lesbian Americans as bargaining chips, and I find this deeply troubling.

Mr. Warren has been rightly praised for his efforts to deepen the engagement of evangelical Christians with impoverished Africans. He has been justifiably lauded for putting the AIDS epidemic and global warming on the political agenda of the Christian right. Yet extravagant compassion toward some of God’s people does not justify the repression of others. Jesus came to save all of humankind, and as Archbishop Desmond Tutu has pointed out, “All means all.” But rather than embrace the wisdom of Archbishop Tutu, Mr. Warren has allied himself with men such as Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda who seek to “purify” the Anglican Communion, of which my Church is a member, by driving out gay and lesbian Christians and their supporters.

In choosing Mr. Warren, the president-elect has sent a distressing message internationally as well. In a recent television interview, Mr. Warren voiced his support for the assassination of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. These bizarre and regrettable remarks come at a time when much of the Muslim world already fears a Christian crusade against Islamic countries. Imagine our justifiable outrage if an Iranian cleric who advocated the assassination of President Bush had been selected to offer prayers when Ahmadinejad was sworn in.

I have worked with former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to improve the relationship between our two countries as hawkish members of the Bush administration pushed for another war. He has spoken at the National Cathedral, which will host the president-elect’s inaugural prayer service, and I have visited with him several times in Iran and elsewhere. Iranian clerics are intensely interested in the religious attitudes of America’s leaders. In choosing Mr. Warren to offer the invocation at his inauguration, the president-elect has sent the chilling, and, I feel certain, unintended message that he is comfortable with Christians who can justify lethal violence against Muslims.

I understand that in selecting Mr. Warren, Mr. Obama is signaling a willingness to work with both sides in our country’s culture wars. I appreciate that there is political advantage in elevating the relatively moderate Mr. Warren above some of his brethren on the Religious Right. But in honoring Mr. Warren, the president-elect confers legitimacy on attitudes that are deeply contrary to the all-inclusive love of God. He is courting the powerful at the expense of the marginalized, and in doing so, he stands the Gospel on its head.

The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, D.D.
Bishop of Washington

Food for thought.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

An open letter to METRO's persistent naysayers

Every time I read an article on METRO Light Rail, I am shocked at all the negative (and naive) comments that readers post. I offer this open letter to everyone who is still vehemently opposed to METRO.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but METRO Light Rail is here and it's slated to open up in 13 days. I know that many of you are opposed to METRO and think that through your persistent complaints on it that it's going to go away and the investment will suddenly make Arizona's budget crisis disappear. I know that $1.6billion is a lot of money, but it was spent when the economy was in fine shape.

First, some history. METRO was originally going to be a project just within the City of Phoenix. When the Transit 2000 bond in Phoenix passed on 14 March 2000, the original route was just over 13 miles long would have been METRO's alignment from Christown (19th Ave/Montebello) to the Airport (44th St/Washington). Through many iterations, the process became a regional effort and METRO Light Rail (as we know it today) was born. The Transit 2000 bond called for a 20-year, 0.4% sales tax (or $0.04 in tax on a $10 purchase) with a federal match of $600million to METRO and $200million to the bus system. That bond passed and we are here today. In 2004, Maricopa County voters approved Proposition 400, allowing for a regional sales tax of 0.5% ($0.05 in tax on a $10 purchase).

Second, the art. Phoenix city ordinance requires that 1% of the capital construction costs of all publicly-financed buildings/projects go to art. For METRO, the artwork goes to the stations. In addition to the architecture of the station, each station has its own identity that individual artists have put into that station. The Heard Museum (Central/Encanto) station, for instance, has artwork inspired by the cultures represented inside the Heard Museum. The Downtown Phoenix/City Hall (1st Ave/Jefferson southbound) has a mosaic of Arizona's own Sandra Day O'Connor because it is near the seat of Phoenix government. You say that the artwork will be defaced. There have been reputable studies by many institutions that artwork at a public gathering point decreases crime because it increases microregional (the area nearby) pride.

Third, the future. I know that the economy isn't all that great now, but nobody projected this back in 2000 when METRO started. For every $1 put into capital improvements like light rail, the return is $3-$4. As a result of METRO, investment in the 20-mile corridor has been significant. When the economy rebounds soon, you watch what will happen along the route. When the price of gasoline goes back to record levels, won't you want to be where you can live, shop, work, and play along the line? Or now: is sitting in traffic congestion to commute from the far exurbs of Phoenix to downtown Phoenix fun? I look at traffic congestion maps of the Valley during rush hours and I see more red than yellow or green. If your commute is 60-90 minutes each day one way, that's 2-3 hours per day stuck in traffic doing nothing and breathing toxic fumes. If you lived and worked along the METRO line, that is an extra 2-3 hours per day with the people you love.

A quick note on crime: you say that light rail and public transportation will bring crime into your neighborhoods. Evaluate that statement. If I was a criminal, I probably wouldn't take public transportation as my getaway vehicle! First, they're not all that fast; second, you would be in close quarters with other people watching what you're doing. This argument makes little sense.

I leave you with this: You say that public transportation is subsidized by taxpayer dollars. This is true; no system is completely self-sufficient. But aren't your roads also subsidized by taxpayer dollars? What return do we get from those? Aren't your schools subsidized by taxpayer dollars? What financial return do we get from those? What about your police and fire departments? Do we get a financial return from those?

I probably cannot speak for you, but I can speak for myself and all of my fellow residents who choose to live the urban lifestyle: we cannot wait for METRO to open up in 13 days.

METRO is reality and it is coming on 27 December 2008.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Fundamental human rights

A couple of days ago, Gov. Mike Huckabee was on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. They had a conversation on the same-sex marriage debate that is worth 7 minutes of your time. Both sides do make some great points, but with how Mr. Stewart frames his argument, it seems like marriage is something that should be enjoyed by all and not controlled by one religion or one sect:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Mike Huckabee Pt. 2

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

if you cannot see the video, stop by my blog to see it!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Sharing more words of the wise

In a recent blog entry, my good friend and colleague Kirsten Martin continued on her trend of sharing some words of the wise with us and so I simply have to share them with you. In the spirit of Christmastide, I hope that her words resonate with you:

I truly believe that each of us are all worthy to have our needs met, and not one of us should go hungry. If you have the resources then give. It is not our job to judge, and we can never see into the hearts of others and know how they are feeling or where they really are in life. I hope that as we embark on this Christmas season we can all give gifts of second chances, gifts of service, and gifts of kindness to all those around us whether or not they are deemed 'worthy or unworthy'. [excerpt from "worthy vs. unworthy" by Kirsten Martin]

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Grow up, Gilbert!

If one wants an idea of how backwards some parts of the Valley of the Sun are, one has to look no further than the naming of a new high school in Gilbert. As preface, there has been some controversy over the name. The name approved by the Gilbert school board is Campo Verde HS. Campo Verde is Spanish for "green field". So, here's from today's Arizona Republic:

Almost 4,700 people filled out the survey conducted after the board received more than 100 angry e-mails about the name, which is Spanish for “green field.” Several complained that the name was Spanish and others said it was too generic. All argued that the district and board should have gotten public input beforehand, prompting a weeklong effort to gather suggestions via e-mail, a student focus group and an online survey. [emphasis mine]

Simply because the name is Spanish is an automatic criterion for disqualification? Really? Two words: GROW UP. On this eve of Thanksgiving, where we celebrate (among other things) the arrival of the Pilgrims from Europe. In short, we're all a nation of immigrants.

To make my point, I turn to Randall Munroe of the webcomic xkcd and Ryan North of dinosaur comics. Pardon their language but these comics prove my point eloquently:


from xkcd, #84 "National Language" by Randall Munroe


from dinosaur comics, 25 November 2008, by Ryan North

The point is this: there is not one true American culture. Like it or not, the US is one great melting pot of different races, cultures, languages, and creeds. To say that some is unacceptable because it doesn't reflect one culture's homogeneous beliefs is beyond absurd.

For what am I thankful this Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for people who understand and are tolerant of other cultures. I'm thankful for people that realize that the US is not just one culture but many cultures. I'm thankful for people that seek to end cultural stereotypes and cultural inequities. Or, in other words, I'm thankful for people who get it.

Happy Thanksgiving! O, ¡feliz Día de Acción de Gracias!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

I don't think she gets it.

During the course of the campaign, I refrained from making comment on Sen. McCain's running-mate, Gov. Sarah Palin and how there were times when I thought that she just didn't get it.

And then videotape emerged of her executing an interview whilst turkeys were being executed in the background. The irony? This was just after she pardoned a turkey in Alaska.

My video of choice comes from tonight's (24 November 2008) edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Enjoy:


if you cannot see the video, stop by my blog to see it!

Come on! I really don't think that she gets it.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Quick thoughts on the bailout

A couple of quick thoughts on the bailout bill and how the bill seems fundamentally flawed:

1. I'm not happy with the idea of bailing out businesses who have made mistakes. If I made poor investment decisions, where's my money from the government?
   
2. On bailing out the American auto industry: if we did that, then there would have to be some fundamental changes to what they do. The auto industry would have to start turning out significantly more fuel-efficient autos, producing autos that don't need gasoline to run, make contributions to transit systems, etc. For instance, 50% of cars sold would have to be powered by alternate fuels (hydrogen, CNG, solar, electric, etc., but not ethanol) and those that are still gas-powered, the average city fuel economy should be 35mpg.
   
3. Whatever the government does, there would have to be strict standards. You want money? Then you have to do these things.
   

Like I said, these had to be quick. More later.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Thought for the day: P.J. O'Rourke

Courtesy of today's The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor, here is a thought for the day from P.J. O'Rourke:

"The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it."

Happy Friday!
-EJ

Keith Olbermann on Prop. 8 in California

On 10 November 2008, Keith Olbermann on his program Countdown expressed some thoughts on what marriage apparently isn't now in society.

As preface, and Mr. Olbermann says it eloquently: "I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is." But, unlike Mr. Olbermann, I have personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.


if you cannot see the video, come over to my blog to see it

"With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"

-EJ

Election Day in America recap

Well, we know who the 44th President of the United States will be.

Earlier today, I posted the races that I was going to watch closely. My take on what's happened:

1. President: Obama won. This shows that the politics of division do not work in the United States of America. I was disgusted by - but not really surprised at - the mention of President-elect Obama at Sen. McCain's concession speech brought boos from the crowd. It's appalling. Let's hope the divisions in this land can heal - and heal quickly.
   
2. Arizona's Proposition 102 (definition of marriage): It's looking like discrimination will be written into the Arizona constitution.
   
3. Arizona's Proposition 105 (majority rule): Fortunately, it's been defeated. Democracy still has a chance here in Arizona.
   
4. Arizona's Proposition 200 (payday loan system/usury 'reform'): Despite the record amount of money spent in Arizona by the payday loan industry, the voters saw that this wasn't the promised reform and it's been defeated.
   
5. Maricopa County Sheriff (Arpaio v. Saban): Are Maricopa County residents wanting change? I guess not? The race hasn't been called but a Saban win seems doubtful.
   
6. California's Proposition 1a (high-speed rail in California): At the time I write this bit, it's still WAY too close to call. More tomorrow?
   
7. California's Proposition 8 (the same as Arizona's 102): So far, with 22% of California's precincts reporting, same-sex marriage will be banned in California. But it's still too close to call.
   

More tomorrow.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

If things were switched around...

I rarely pay attention to things that have been forwarded to me over e-mail, but this was something that caught my eye. And it's not because it's a pro-Obama piece, but because it still shows that racism is still out there. Sadly.

Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?.....think about it. Could the country's collective point of view be different? Could racism be the culprit?

Ponder the following:

• What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?
• What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?
• What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?
• What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?
• What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?
• What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?
• What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?
• What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?
• What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)
• What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?
• What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?
• What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?
• What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?
• What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?
• What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

Educational Background
Barack Obama
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with amSpecialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

So what if Obama was Muslim?

Something that's been bothering me over the course of this election is the way in which the religion card has been played. Essentially, candidates have tried to out-Christian others. There have been those who have accused Obama of being Muslim, and then there are those who still believe that Obama is Muslim.

This raises the question: so what if he was? Why have we become complacent with setting up an unConstitutional system saying that to run for public office, you must be Christian? A survey of the Constitution's Article VI clearly states otherwise.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. [emphasis mine]

I am reminded of a blog entry on The Lutheran Zephyr, one of many blogs I read. In an 11 October 2008 entry, the author raises two points. First, it is assumed that the United States is a Christian nation. (An op-ed in the 7 October 2007 edition of the New York Times argues that a nation of Christians is not a Christian nation.) Second, by corollary, we need Christian politicians to lead this nation. To what does this lead? The author states this:

It is a direct affront to Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians in our country. The more our candidates perpetuate - rather than challenge, rather than change (to use Obama's word) - the faith-based myopia of national identity, the harder we make it for religious minorities - or for Christians who do not want to play the faith-based game of identity politics - to claim their rightful place in the American democracy. (from "'Barack Obama is a strong, Christian family man'", 11 October 2008)

This leads to the next point: on a recent edition of her namesake show, Campbell Brown offers commentary on this unconstitutional setup that has been created but not challenged.

if you cannot see the video, click here

When did it matter? Why does it matter? It shouldn't, but perhaps this is just being too idealist.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

PS In the coming days, I'll post a blog entry offering my opinions on why some use the term "liberal" as if it's one of the Seven Words (homage to the late George Carlin).

Some words of the wise

My friend and colleague Kirsten Martin wrote a blog entry recently that I think is worth sharing with you. Regardless of her perspective as a Social Work student, it has a truly valuable lesson that we all can share:

We are torn and wrinkled by the experiences in life. Some experience more of this than others, but yet our value remains a constant. So many times it is easy to look at ourselves or at others and see the wrinkles and tears and feel like the value is not there or has decreased. It is essential to remember that this is not the case. ... We still retain our dignity and self worth and in turn our value as a human being (excerpt from "The Value of People" by Kirsten Martin)

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Stephen Colbert on John McCain

Back on September 4, I posted a video from Jon Stewart talking about the change in heart of conservative commentators on women running for President. With Hillary Clinton, these commentators were critical of her (saying stuff like she should act like a man, etc.); with Sarah Palin, they were accusing the media of being extremely sexist.

If I may borrow from Dick Morris and some comments he made on Fox News (Hannity & Colmes, 5 November 2007) about Hillary Clinton: "When a woman wants to be President, she shouldn't complain based on gender. ... I'm going to take my toys and go home because the big boys are picking on me." Right, so it's true about the Democrats and their candidates, but it's not true about Sarah Palin? If she is a heartbeat away from being the 45th President (McCain would be the 44th), then she should be able to take the media and the McCain campaign leaders should not be protective of her.

On the 23 September 2008 edition of her namesake show, Campbell Brown touched on these same sentiments.


if you cannot see the video, click here

On 15 September 2008, Stephen Colbert, on his nightly show The Colbert Report, talked about something that's also been bothering me. The McCain campaign has been very protective of Sarah Palin and limiting her appearances on various national media. And also, in lieu of providing us with factual arguments and principled reasons why we should vote for him, they (the McCain campaign) are playing the POW card in the same way that they accused Barack Obama of playing the race card or Hillary Clinton of playing the gender card.


if you cannot see the video, click here

On the same day as I posted my video of Jon Stewart, I was critical of the Republicans for using their Convention in Saint Paul for attacking the Democrats and not offering any of their policy positions.

What are your stances on policy issues, Republicans? I know I can go to your various campaign websites and see for myself, but I want a principled argument from your side why I should vote for you. To say that Obama is inexperienced - even if he might be - is not the basis for an academic argument. (from "On the Conventions and Academic Arguments", 4 September 2008)

The first Presidential debate is this evening across most of the major networks. I'm interested to see if we can get a principled argument out of the McCain campaign.

Not just more "lipstick on a pig".

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

(In full disclosure, I am a supporter of Barack Obama and his candidacy to be President. I have been opposed to the Iraq War from the beginning and I believe that a preemptive war with Iran is simply unacceptable. I believe that we should support our troops who have so valiantly fought in all American wars by giving them proper armor, medical treatment, educational opportunities, housing assistance, etc. I believe that energy independence comes through reducing demand for oil and through investing in mass transportation projects. I believe the present urban policy is wrong and favors the suburban cities. Our national infrastructure is crumbling and does not look like infrastructure of one of the richest countries in the world.)

The Hidden Costs of War

What does war really cost?  The people at GOOD did the math and this is what they found:

Click here to see the video.

Now, is war sustainable?

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

What's at stake

The stakes of this election are too high to judge candidates based on one or two issues from narrow policy arenas.

If you're going to support a candidate, you better have a lot of reasons - from all policy arenas - why you're going to vote for them.  (And be able to rattle off those reasons in short succession.)

The stakes are high.  The era of the litmus test is over.

Cheers-

Edward Jensen

Community organizing is not a crime!

I rarely get this agitated over political discourse. But something that was mentioned at the Republican National Convention makes me think that two people owe this nation and its citizens an apology.

Sarah Palin and Rudolph Giuliani owe this nation an apology.

My friend and colleague at the ASU College of Public Programs, Sam Richard, wrote a blog post on community organizing. If you recall, Mrs. Palin said this (source NPR), "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

Rather than repeat what's been said, head over to Sam's blog, "Deserted After Dark", and read "Standing on the Shoulders of (Organized) Giants".

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Where's the METRO safety campaign?

Like a lot of people, I commute to and from the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus on the bus system. I live about a mile north of ASU so this is easy. But something I always see on my incredibly short journey is people jay-walking across Central Avenue - and the new METRO light rail tracks - in front of the Burton Barr Phoenix Central Library. First, this is illegal. Second, this is unsafe.

Something that I believe METRO has not done enough - and even in cooperation with the cities - is to focus on and even enforce safety around light rail. Phoenix and the entire metropolitan area is not used to driving around train tracks. Unlike most major cities, Phoenix doesn't have that much for railroad tracks. It is my fear that - given Phoenix's automobile safety record and how we like to run red traffic lights - there will inevitably be an accident involving someone who thought that they could beat a train through an intersection. Or a pedestrian who walked out on the tracks and didn't see or hear the train coming.

So my question to the METRO people is this: Why haven't you started an aggressive safety campaign in cooperation with the cities? Why aren't we fining people who walk -illegally - across the tracks in all the cities in which METRO operates? Why aren't all the traffic signals at all METRO intersections - namely the left-turn signals - working? If we want a culture of safety around train tracks - which I think we all want - why haven't we started that from the inceptions of this project years ago?

Regardless of your opinions on METRO, it is a reality. It is here. The first trains are out on our streets and it opens up Safety issues are not a reason to oppose light rail.

If you want information on METRO safety, you can go to METRO's website for more: http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/light_rail_safety/.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen