January 29, 2008
Sen. Therese Murray
President
Massachusetts State Senate
State House, Room 332
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Murray:
I am writing to you with regard to the recent news of the Cape Cod Regional Transport Authority’s (CCRTA) budget. As you know, the CCRTA fell short of meeting operating costs last year by $968,000. RTA’s are funded retroactively by the State of Massachusetts paying into the State Contract Assistance program, paying back the shortfall in local RTAs. During the fiscal years of 2006 and 2007, the State has failed to sufficiently fund this program.
Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed budget for this coming fiscal year will allow for $56,638,391 to go towards RTA’s around Massachusetts. This is promising, as it is roughly $4,400,000 more then last year’s allotted budget. However, even with the increase, it fails to cover the deficit of last year’s operating cost at every RTA, including the CCRTA. Mr. Patrick only controls roughly a quarter of the MRTA’s operating budget, relying on a further $170 million dollars from fare revenues, federal taxes, and local government contributions. Gov. Patrick does not have the power to appropriate the $3.8 million dollars it would take to eliminate the CCRTA’s deficit and allow the CCRTA to continue operating at 100%.
As a student on Cape Cod, I have ridden the Breeze and the Flex (the names of CCRTA busing lines), and though I don’t personally rely on them for transportation, I know many people who do. The affordable fares allow low income workers on the Cape to travel beyond walking distance. This is especially important to some low-income persons because of the rising prices of gas, particularly on Cape Cod. If something is not done to provide more funds for the CCRTA, the results will hurt low income Cape Cod residents, including workers and students like myself
Anticipated cuts in the CCRTA’s services would include ending the Flex route, doubling all fares, and reducing hours of service, and ending service on weekends and holidays. For people who live on the lower Cape who cannot afford a car, these cuts will end their only reliable mode of transportation. The Flex, so named because it will diverge up to ¾ of a mile from its route to pick up passenger, is a crucial to public transportation on Cape Cod.
These proposed cut are not just unfair to the people of Cape Cod, they are also impractical. Ridership on CCRTA buses is up 17% from last year. The annual Massachusetts Transport Report in 2004 found that for every dollar put into an RTA system has a return equal to $3 put into economic development plans around the state. Public transportation allows access to schools, shopping centers, hospitals, airports, the community college, and places of business all located on the current busing routes of the CCRTA.
I think that as a civic leader of Cape Cod, it is your responsibility to shepherd the CCRTA through these troubling budget issues. I understand that the CCRTA is not under you direct jurisdiction, I would ask you to join Senator Robert O’Leary’s caucus to examine this issue if you haven’t already done so.
Public transportation is necessary to build a sustainable future. Cape Cod is home to some of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the world, and global climate change is affecting them. Public transportation produces significantly less CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
The buses of the CCRTA are cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable then the legion of automobiles on the Cape. If anything, its routes should be made larger, its fleet size increased. If the buses can make it through this budget crisis, I know it will be one small part of leading to a better future.
Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
Sincerely,
Bagger Boy
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Some thoughts
A Good and Meaningful Life
To live a life where I pursue knowledge and have friends to help me in that pursuit while achieving some level of what Aristotle describes as intellectual divinity sounds to me like reasonable recipe for a happy and meaningful life. What I’d like to do here is to describe where I think Aristotle and I are on the same page, and where I have some problems.
Aristotle’s position can be stated, for simplicity’s sake in a formula:
Friendship + Intellectual work/Happiness + Purpose = Good life
The first variable in this equation is friendship. Aristotle argues that friends are necessary to the good life for three reasons. A happy man needs friends to help and be helped by in times of adversity, to “do well by” in times of prosperity, and to satisfy the innate need for companionship because he is, as Aristotle says “a political creature”. It’s common sense that friends are useful in bad times. I’m more interested in why Aristotle thinks they’re useful in good or prosperous times. Aristotle argues that we feel more significant and happy when we help other people. This I know to be true from my own personal experiences with both community service and just doing homework with friends. In both these situations, Aristotle clarifies that he believes it is the characteristic of friendship for two people to mutually do well by each other. He also observes that we want to spend more time with friends then chance persons. This makes logical sense to me and is consistent with my experience in life to date. Being around friends makes me happier, and helping them gives me a sense of purpose. Although I am just one data point, I’m glad to discover that Aristotle and I are on the same side of this issue, although I admit that I’m not used to thinking of friendship in such a serious philosophical context. It’s a little “strange”, to use Aristotle’s word, that friendship is discussed as being just as important an ingredient of a meaningful life as reason and contemplation. I have to wonder about who Aristotle’s friends were, and if they were like mine? He certainly had more impressive professional relationships. Pupil of Plato, teacher of Alexander, inspiration to the Enlightenment are just a few titles he could take on. The second variable in the Good and Meaningful life equation is the person’s commitment to intellectual work. The contemplative life, as Aristotle calls it, is a life where one can ponder significant questions and experiment to find answers. In Nicomachean Ethics he makes a deliberate point of distinguishing between non-intellectual human pursuits and the contemplative life because he views them as separate entities. Once again to my surprise, Aristotle and I are on the same page. I believe that learning is something divine. Going to school is a religious experience for me. I feel happy when I learn something new and even better when I discover it myself. If what I learn is unpleasant for me, at least I will feel accomplished for learning it. It’s in response to these feelings that makes me want to learn more. This gives me a purpose. The pursuit of knowledge is an exclusively human condition, but within human society, Aristotle recognizes that not all people will try their best to use their intellects. Maybe he really did have friends like mine, meaning people who could learn a lot but choose not to. I like his idea that by living intellectually, people can become divine. Aristotle does imply that to live this contemplative life, one must leave behind some things that are common among non-intellectual people. I have known people who are far more euphoric about the prospect of intellectual growth then a chance to socialize. Aristotle I think assumes that all men are like him, and are happy to expand their world view. In today’s culture there are people who do not wish to learn for learning’s sake. I believe that people who do not choose the contemplative life can be happy and feel purpose. However, without living a contemplative life, I know I would feel unfulfilled, unhappy, and without purpose. So again, I’m glad to be on Aristotle’s side about the importance of contemplation, but I am not sure I agree that what’s true for me and for Aristotle is true for everyone. Many people I know, young and old, don’t appear to be contemplative but still claim to have a good and meaningful life. Are they deluded, or is Aristotle wrong? I don’t know yet.
I do believe that to achieve an optimum level of purpose and happiness, it is necessary to blend both friendship and contemplation. The best thing I can think of in my future is finding a place where I can pursue knowledge in the company of friends with that same goal. That would be a good life. I think so. Aristotle thinks so. Simon’s Rock thinks so.
To live a life where I pursue knowledge and have friends to help me in that pursuit while achieving some level of what Aristotle describes as intellectual divinity sounds to me like reasonable recipe for a happy and meaningful life. What I’d like to do here is to describe where I think Aristotle and I are on the same page, and where I have some problems.
Aristotle’s position can be stated, for simplicity’s sake in a formula:
Friendship + Intellectual work/Happiness + Purpose = Good life
The first variable in this equation is friendship. Aristotle argues that friends are necessary to the good life for three reasons. A happy man needs friends to help and be helped by in times of adversity, to “do well by” in times of prosperity, and to satisfy the innate need for companionship because he is, as Aristotle says “a political creature”. It’s common sense that friends are useful in bad times. I’m more interested in why Aristotle thinks they’re useful in good or prosperous times. Aristotle argues that we feel more significant and happy when we help other people. This I know to be true from my own personal experiences with both community service and just doing homework with friends. In both these situations, Aristotle clarifies that he believes it is the characteristic of friendship for two people to mutually do well by each other. He also observes that we want to spend more time with friends then chance persons. This makes logical sense to me and is consistent with my experience in life to date. Being around friends makes me happier, and helping them gives me a sense of purpose. Although I am just one data point, I’m glad to discover that Aristotle and I are on the same side of this issue, although I admit that I’m not used to thinking of friendship in such a serious philosophical context. It’s a little “strange”, to use Aristotle’s word, that friendship is discussed as being just as important an ingredient of a meaningful life as reason and contemplation. I have to wonder about who Aristotle’s friends were, and if they were like mine? He certainly had more impressive professional relationships. Pupil of Plato, teacher of Alexander, inspiration to the Enlightenment are just a few titles he could take on. The second variable in the Good and Meaningful life equation is the person’s commitment to intellectual work. The contemplative life, as Aristotle calls it, is a life where one can ponder significant questions and experiment to find answers. In Nicomachean Ethics he makes a deliberate point of distinguishing between non-intellectual human pursuits and the contemplative life because he views them as separate entities. Once again to my surprise, Aristotle and I are on the same page. I believe that learning is something divine. Going to school is a religious experience for me. I feel happy when I learn something new and even better when I discover it myself. If what I learn is unpleasant for me, at least I will feel accomplished for learning it. It’s in response to these feelings that makes me want to learn more. This gives me a purpose. The pursuit of knowledge is an exclusively human condition, but within human society, Aristotle recognizes that not all people will try their best to use their intellects. Maybe he really did have friends like mine, meaning people who could learn a lot but choose not to. I like his idea that by living intellectually, people can become divine. Aristotle does imply that to live this contemplative life, one must leave behind some things that are common among non-intellectual people. I have known people who are far more euphoric about the prospect of intellectual growth then a chance to socialize. Aristotle I think assumes that all men are like him, and are happy to expand their world view. In today’s culture there are people who do not wish to learn for learning’s sake. I believe that people who do not choose the contemplative life can be happy and feel purpose. However, without living a contemplative life, I know I would feel unfulfilled, unhappy, and without purpose. So again, I’m glad to be on Aristotle’s side about the importance of contemplation, but I am not sure I agree that what’s true for me and for Aristotle is true for everyone. Many people I know, young and old, don’t appear to be contemplative but still claim to have a good and meaningful life. Are they deluded, or is Aristotle wrong? I don’t know yet.
I do believe that to achieve an optimum level of purpose and happiness, it is necessary to blend both friendship and contemplation. The best thing I can think of in my future is finding a place where I can pursue knowledge in the company of friends with that same goal. That would be a good life. I think so. Aristotle thinks so. Simon’s Rock thinks so.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A little Question for all y'alls
How awesome are senior priviledges? I say way awesome. Reasons I've heard for having senior priviledges have been as follows.
~They work really hard so...
~Its a way to keep people at the school till then
~They are old enough to realize that its unsanitary to sit on the ground while they eat
~After completeing at least Algebra II, they have been deemed capable of operating a microwave
~Osh Obby is a loud mouth ick
~Its part of the fabric of are great community
DAMN STRAIGHT!
respect senior priviledges even when you ass is wet on the grass cuz you can't have a lawnchair.
~They work really hard so...
~Its a way to keep people at the school till then
~They are old enough to realize that its unsanitary to sit on the ground while they eat
~After completeing at least Algebra II, they have been deemed capable of operating a microwave
~Osh Obby is a loud mouth ick
~Its part of the fabric of are great community
DAMN STRAIGHT!
respect senior priviledges even when you ass is wet on the grass cuz you can't have a lawnchair.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Mr. Bill
This is part one in a series of rants against the man. Mr.Bill, you think your so cool with your mock turtle necks and your whispy chest hair. I've got news for you. YOUR NOT!You think just because you were a nerdy pot smoking track star , all your students will think your just as cool as cracker jack? Guess what? YOUR NOT! You think that just because you talk about porn and hookers your that awesome teacher that keeps it real. YOUR NOT! Basically, you sound like a perv, and guess what? Teenage girls don't like pervs. Thats right, so all your "witty banter" and your screened office window, and your nasty ass couch, they are all worthless, because you are a pervy man.
You want to be just like Mr. Shmonzett but guess what? You are bald! thats right you are bald. Bam.
And whats with all the capitalist bs? You are a teacher at a private school. If you were sucking the teet of the capitalist system, ok, but no. You have spent 18 years of your life catering to the snooty children of the bourgeuise for less then 50 grand a year. And all you can think about is, gee, maybe someday i will make an impact on their lives, like that movie with the tango teacher.
Ha, you spend more time on your New Years Plans then Mercantilism and why? Because you put on your tux and went to a party were nobody you knew was there. Who does that? Just goes to a random party? And what was your big moment of the night? You spoke german with some middle aged lady as desperate as you. ROCK ON CASANOVA! Of course, with all you witty stories about sex drugs and history, how did you fail to mention casanova? he had a profound affect on the history of Europe!
One more thing, your grading system. If your gonna bump people up ten points, bump me up your rhymes with ick.
So, you sad little man in the pocket of the bigger man, go on and do what you do. Make more sketchy jokes, tell us more about your highschool experience, and teach as little history as possible. The kids don't care about history I guess. They think that the details are irrelevant. That they should only need to learn the broad concepts and patterns. To this I say, WTF? History is the details.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
You want to be just like Mr. Shmonzett but guess what? You are bald! thats right you are bald. Bam.
And whats with all the capitalist bs? You are a teacher at a private school. If you were sucking the teet of the capitalist system, ok, but no. You have spent 18 years of your life catering to the snooty children of the bourgeuise for less then 50 grand a year. And all you can think about is, gee, maybe someday i will make an impact on their lives, like that movie with the tango teacher.
Ha, you spend more time on your New Years Plans then Mercantilism and why? Because you put on your tux and went to a party were nobody you knew was there. Who does that? Just goes to a random party? And what was your big moment of the night? You spoke german with some middle aged lady as desperate as you. ROCK ON CASANOVA! Of course, with all you witty stories about sex drugs and history, how did you fail to mention casanova? he had a profound affect on the history of Europe!
One more thing, your grading system. If your gonna bump people up ten points, bump me up your rhymes with ick.
So, you sad little man in the pocket of the bigger man, go on and do what you do. Make more sketchy jokes, tell us more about your highschool experience, and teach as little history as possible. The kids don't care about history I guess. They think that the details are irrelevant. That they should only need to learn the broad concepts and patterns. To this I say, WTF? History is the details.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
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