Downtown noise
I'm not sure I heard right, but changing the noise ordinance that currently isn't being consistently enforced doesn't sound like a good idea ("How late is too late?" Oct. 9).
We in Kernersville love to dine out and visit downtown Winston-Salem and frequent the sidewalk cafes, but when did louder mean better? I don't go to bars or restaurants if I have to scream to talk with my friends. No matter how much I would love to move downtown, I wouldn't if the businesses think that being like those "thumper" cars at the intersections is called being a good neighbor.
The occasional barking dog goes with the 'burb territory, just as a honking horn or passersby talking goes with living downtown. It's not expected that restaurants and bars should be allowed to blast music outside, nor should people be encourage to lounge on the sidewalks till 2 a.m. every night. Hearing-damaging noise levels and longer exposure to those volumes in downtown doesn't attract more to downtown; it deters them.
ELIZABETH WHITE
Kernersville
Another form of abuse
In response to the Oct. 2 column by John Railey, "From 'Z' to 'A,' we're backtracking on domestic violence," I agree with him about how community awareness and involvement are essential to changing attitudes about the horrors that families suffer from domestic violence. I want to bring attention to another form of domestic abuse: elder abuse. Acknowledging the existence of elder abuse has been slow because the problem is considered by some to be a private family matter. Elder abuse is called the "silent" or "hidden" crime. Elder abuse is a complex social issue that cannot be understood from a single perspective. It is a community problem, a legal issue, a social concern, a medical matter and a matter of morals.
Elder abuse doesn't just mean physical abuse; it includes emotional and sexual abuse. Financial exploitation, self-neglect and abandonment are common forms of abuse, as well. Detecting and preventing abuse requires the involvement of professionals and community partners from various disciplines. One powerful strategy to protect the aging population is through community education. We must learn to recognize and report any and all types of domestic abuse. Silence is not an option. Our elders deserve our protection and the right to age with dignity.
JOYCE VANDER LINDEN
Winston-Salem
Unfair
This is my response to the Oct. 19 letter "Federal fuel tax," concerning the rise in the federal fuel tax:
It appears the writer is concerned about his job and is attempting to find a way to fund the mass transit that is being pushed on all Americans. In the South, it is not catching on, and because of schedules, it is just not feasible to ride the transit system.
I think it is unfair to think that people who do not use the transit system should pay for it. If it is not profitable, then it should be abandoned. We should not be charged another tax or increase in current taxes to pay for something that does not work.
We pay high taxes in fuel for roads and highways. If our government would quit taking money that is supposed to be for one thing and using it for other items they want to fund we would have enough to have the best highways in the country.
A modest increase in tax (five cents) per gallon is an additional $1 per tank.
I think Americans are tired of the only answer to our problems being to increase taxes.
I say no.
JOHN T. LITTLE
Winston-Salem
No safe way
In reference to the recent article "More teen boys use condoms," Oct. 13, stating that teen boys are using condoms more these days, practicing safe sex: There is no safe way to break God's Seventh Commandment.
KEVIN D. WINEMILLER
Winston-Salem
I'm not sure I heard right, but changing the noise ordinance that currently isn't being consistently enforced doesn't sound like a good idea ("How late is too late?" Oct. 9).
We in Kernersville love to dine out and visit downtown Winston-Salem and frequent the sidewalk cafes, but when did louder mean better? I don't go to bars or restaurants if I have to scream to talk with my friends. No matter how much I would love to move downtown, I wouldn't if the businesses think that being like those "thumper" cars at the intersections is called being a good neighbor.
The occasional barking dog goes with the 'burb territory, just as a honking horn or passersby talking goes with living downtown. It's not expected that restaurants and bars should be allowed to blast music outside, nor should people be encourage to lounge on the sidewalks till 2 a.m. every night. Hearing-damaging noise levels and longer exposure to those volumes in downtown doesn't attract more to downtown; it deters them.
ELIZABETH WHITE
Kernersville
Another form of abuse
In response to the Oct. 2 column by John Railey, "From 'Z' to 'A,' we're backtracking on domestic violence," I agree with him about how community awareness and involvement are essential to changing attitudes about the horrors that families suffer from domestic violence. I want to bring attention to another form of domestic abuse: elder abuse. Acknowledging the existence of elder abuse has been slow because the problem is considered by some to be a private family matter. Elder abuse is called the "silent" or "hidden" crime. Elder abuse is a complex social issue that cannot be understood from a single perspective. It is a community problem, a legal issue, a social concern, a medical matter and a matter of morals.
Elder abuse doesn't just mean physical abuse; it includes emotional and sexual abuse. Financial exploitation, self-neglect and abandonment are common forms of abuse, as well. Detecting and preventing abuse requires the involvement of professionals and community partners from various disciplines. One powerful strategy to protect the aging population is through community education. We must learn to recognize and report any and all types of domestic abuse. Silence is not an option. Our elders deserve our protection and the right to age with dignity.
JOYCE VANDER LINDEN
Winston-Salem
Unfair
This is my response to the Oct. 19 letter "Federal fuel tax," concerning the rise in the federal fuel tax:
It appears the writer is concerned about his job and is attempting to find a way to fund the mass transit that is being pushed on all Americans. In the South, it is not catching on, and because of schedules, it is just not feasible to ride the transit system.
I think it is unfair to think that people who do not use the transit system should pay for it. If it is not profitable, then it should be abandoned. We should not be charged another tax or increase in current taxes to pay for something that does not work.
We pay high taxes in fuel for roads and highways. If our government would quit taking money that is supposed to be for one thing and using it for other items they want to fund we would have enough to have the best highways in the country.
A modest increase in tax (five cents) per gallon is an additional $1 per tank.
I think Americans are tired of the only answer to our problems being to increase taxes.
I say no.
JOHN T. LITTLE
Winston-Salem
No safe way
In reference to the recent article "More teen boys use condoms," Oct. 13, stating that teen boys are using condoms more these days, practicing safe sex: There is no safe way to break God's Seventh Commandment.
KEVIN D. WINEMILLER
Winston-Salem
"Those people in the Republican primary have got to lay off of this stuff... If they want to lose, this is the game for losers."
ReplyDeleteImagine that: a former director of Goldmann Sachs, Rajat Gupta, is being charged with insider trading.
ReplyDeleteAnother form of abuse. What the writer points out is correct. Abuse of seniors also takes place in nursing homes too. It is not just abuse by family, but even total strangers.
ReplyDeleteKoch-Cain make a republican do strange thangs.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.marketwatch.com/specialreport/2011/10/25/the-1-nearly-triple-their-income-cbo-says/
ReplyDeleteThe 1% nearly triple their income, CBO says
and all the while, the median income has dropped by $4,000 in 10 years
ReplyDeleteA small minority of older children take in their aging parents for the wrong reasons, i.e. their social security checks. They also frequently demand than doctors do every thing they can to keep their relative alive so they can continue to get these funds. The real reason for having the parent in their home is not to honor and care for them but to get the check. The desire for money contributes to elderly abuse. Sad.
ReplyDeleteWordly, we read about this type of scheme somewhere up north just last week though I think it was non family people, but rather a person who ran a "group home" and took their checks and physically abused them. Sick!
ReplyDeleteWhich reminds me of two quotes by Mark Twain, WW:
ReplyDelete“Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it”
“Indecency, vulgarity, obscenity- these are strictly confined to man; he invented them. Among the higher animals there is no trace of them.”
Bob...truly spoken. No one seems immune anymore.
ReplyDeleteMr. Little:
ReplyDeleteAnytime the Democrats take over, and worse, are in the majority, your taxes are going to go up. You see, they think your money is the government's money, and you are too dumb to spend it correctly. Plus, they have thousands of irresponsible social programs to fund, so they have to find a way to get at your money.
There are two good solutions. Vote, and call everybody idiots that vote for Democrats. The first one works, and the second one makes you feel better. I know it does me.
Mr. Winemiller, try telling that to a teenage boy and see what reaction you get.
ReplyDeleteFoxNews is reporting that ACORN is behind some of the OWS protests. I don't think anyone is going to be surprised. There's no limit to how low scummy liberals will stoop.
ReplyDeleteNancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, ....you can name them off. The list of scum bucket Democrats goes on and on.
No safe way. Teenage boys may be reduced to carrying photos of their right hand at this rate.
ReplyDeleteThis is a rising theme as the OWS becomes more clear.
ReplyDeleteThe “Occupiers” Aren’t a Political Movement… | Power Line
www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2011/10/the-occupiers
Good afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: I haven't the noticed the downtown noise being excessive to the point I couldn't have a conversation with the person I'm with. If you're going to move to a downtown loft, you should spend some time there at night to gauge for yourself whether or not the noise level is acceptable. If not, then don't buy there.
LTE 2: Nice reminder that the elderly are amongst the population's most vulnerable to abuse as well as fraud.
LTE 3: The reason mass transit is not as popular in the South is that there are no high population density centers here that make mass transit the preferable mode of travel. The govt is not a for-profit enterprise, therefore, the comment "If it is not profitable, then it should be abandoned" is absolute nonsense. Drive the NJ Turnpike, then get back to me on whether tolls are preferable to higher taxes.
LTE 4: In a perfect world, we would all mate with just our spouse for life, but this ain't no perfect world. Raging hormones plus opportunity equals a combination too strong for most teenagers to handle even for those who are in church whenever the doors are open. Condoms are the teenager's equivalent of a car's airbags. It's not encouraging the behavior that would cause the use, it's just in case to prevent further damage from being done.
Power Line's authors typically support the conservative agenda, especially the Iraq war and the War on Terrorism. But they criticized former President George W. Bush for being insufficiently conservative on issues including immigration and affirmative action. The blog advocated the nomination and confirmation of judicially conservative judges during the Bush administration and regularly features analysis of court decisions. Power Line often vigorously criticizes Democrats and liberals for dishonesty, lack of morals, bad judgment and disloyalty to the United States. They occasionally attack Republicans for similar shortcomings, such as Senator John McCain for his position advocating the US should not "torture" suspected terrorists or "enemy combatants."
ReplyDeleteSo I would expect their opinions to be less favorable.
hypothetically, if 200 or so protestors disguised themselves and destroyed over $1million in property belonging to the largest corporation in the world that was in cahoots with the government, what would you think?
ReplyDeleteThanks 'whitewall' for the information. I hardly ever learn anything from the liberal Democratic participants in here.
ReplyDeleteIt frequently turns into the comedy hour when they start chattering away.
Bob..without consulting Wikipedia first, I would call it the Boston Tea Party. Or Greece.
ReplyDeleteand you would be correct, WW :) BTP it was
ReplyDeleteBob...I have been hanging window blinds today. Mrs WW told me all summer long that WE wanted new blinds. Damned if she wasn't right!
ReplyDeleteAn Iraq war veteran was in critical condition on Wednesday with injuries sustained during economic protests on the streets of Oakland on Tuesday night, a hospital spokesman said.
ReplyDeleteOccupy Wall Street organizers said former U.S. Marine Scott Olsen was hit in the head by a tear gas canister fired by police during a confrontation near downtown Oakland.
Damn pot smoking hippie student dead beats.
Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.
ReplyDeleteall this time I thought it was Simper Fi
ReplyDelete"...or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
ReplyDeleteEarlier Bob wrote about an Iraq war veteran being injured during a protest in Oakland. I guess all that means is that if one feels the need to instigate violence dont be surprised when violence finds you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure anonymous. There has been no evidence presented that this soldier was instigating any violence.
ReplyDeleteO.T., the magic word in your post was "peaceably"...I dont think there was much "peaceably" about the occupiers actions in Oakland.
ReplyDeleteI guess he was there just sittin on his thumb
ReplyDeleteI doubt it.
ReplyDeleteSounds a bit un-marine.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it too, thats why I said what I said in my post, when one directs violence towards others one might find violence directed towards them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he was the instigator of the violence, I was just saying there has been no evidence of such presented so far.
ReplyDeleteIn critical condition, truly tragic.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous....a lot of liberals don't understand common sense. For example, they think that just because you join the Army, doesn't mean you should be sent to war. Duh?
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who did precisely that. She told me she joined the Army to just get the money (she's a nurse), she didn't think she'd ever get sent to Riyadh.
Yep, and she's a devout Democrat. If wasn't so sickly pathetic, one would just laugh.
I told her in a nice way she was an idiot. After all, she's a relative.
Runs in the family.
ReplyDeletethere has been no evidence of that so scratch my instigator word and substitute participator, we know that is true! as far as being un-marine, well he forgot one of the first things taught, keep your head down. While it is sad I dont think I would call it tragic. Tragic would have been if one of the police had been injured.
ReplyDeleteBucky, turning an anecdote into a generalizationis well, if I need to explain then you wouldn't understand.
ReplyDeleteI see, anonymous. Quite telling.
ReplyDeleteThere has been no evidence presented so far of ANY violence instigated by the protesters. The cops SAID that they were throwing rocks and bottles. I have watched all the videos and have seen no such thing.
ReplyDeleteHaving participated in quite a few peaceful demonstrations in the 1960s, I know that the only violence that I witnessed came from the government.
Anonymous, whoever THAT is, is just another fool who believes whatever the gov tells them. "Mission accomplished".
I was unaware that there was a war going on in Riyadh. I guess geography is yet another of the Buckbutt's shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteIs there a "News Cafe" in Riyadh?
ReplyDeleteBob, quite telling from your side too, OT, you must be one lonely dude if all you have to do is watch those videos, and are you sure you have saw them ALL? Sure you didn't miss one there buddy? So what if all the demonstrators did was throw rocks and bottles? Reminds me of an ole Chinese proverb, when you smack a tiger dont be surprised if you pull back a nub!
ReplyDeleteOT just for your info, unlike you I dont believe anything THIS gov says!
ReplyDeleteHi Roblo58a, welcome back, you should firewall your ports
ReplyDeleteOT Bucky said his cousin was a nurse and was sent to Riyadh, there is a military hospital there called Riyadh Military Hospital, I guess your a fool who didnt know that. Think before you type.
ReplyDeleteHi I'm just too lazy to sign in
ReplyDeleteFor example, they think that just because you join the Army, doesn't mean you should be sent to war. Duh?
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who did precisely that. Except there is no war in Riyadh.
Oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
ReplyDeletespeaking of think before you type. You already admitted to being lazy and it's been my experience that most lazy people don't think much at all because they are lazy.
ReplyDeleteIf youuuuuuuuu say so.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too lazt to think, and out think you, just dont feel like taking the time and see no need to sign on.
ReplyDeletethat's just my experience. I have no doubt that others may have had diverse exeriences when it comes to lazy people.
ReplyDeleteyes we all know about your "vast" experiences".
ReplyDeleteyou need not sign in, I knew exactly who you were by the improper use of the simple past in place of the past participle
ReplyDeletethink about it.
ReplyDeleteShould have known that it was Robby boy. Only he or Buckback would equate serving in a hospital in Saudi with being sent off to war.
ReplyDeleteBob, my experience with lazy people is that they not only don't think, but that they are useless appendages to the human race.
the only person you will ever out think is yourself.
ReplyDeleteand I wouldn't bet on that.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you did. Glad that I am seared into your brain. You must look for me in every post and around every corner.
ReplyDeleteWhoever is lazy in his work becomes brother to one who destroys
ReplyDeleteseared no, stored yes
ReplyDeleteBucky never said his cousin was sent to war only that she was sent to Riyadh, OT, learn to comprehend what you read. Reading is more than the mere looking at the words.
ReplyDelete"For example, they think that just because you join the Army, doesn't mean you should be sent to war. Duh?
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who did precisely that"
Precisely that, not just somewhat like that, but precisely that.
"Reading is more than the mere looking at the words."
ReplyDeletePrecisely
Do lazy people even look?
ReplyDeleteI dont read it that way but so you Bob dont go on and on all night, as you are known to do, I will agree it could be read that way.
ReplyDelete"For example, they think that just because you join the Army, doesn't mean you should be sent to war. Duh?
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who did precisely that. She told me she joined the Army to just get the money (she's a nurse), she didn't think she'd ever get sent to Riyadh."
Bucktwat (My emphasis added, Rob Knob)
Good evening, folks! Glad to see all in good spirits :D
ReplyDeleteLTE1: The city has been trying to revitalize downtown since Thruway Shopping Center and its subsequent siblings sapped the vitality of the central city by my early adulthood. Various efforts failed. The latest, turning part of downtown into an arts and entertainment center, appears to have worked nicely, and adds welcome diversity to the city.
The LTE writer overlooks the fact that the current make-up of downtown has drawn people back, making the place much safer and livable. Those drawn back include residents who would not be there had the center not revitalized. Perhaps things get a bit noisy at nights, but just how close do folks really to those businesses? Having lived in an L.A. suburb, I find the downtown at night to be comparatively tranquil.
LTE2: I agree with the LTE writer, but having had a couple of run-ins with blue hairs operating Buick LeSabres, I report that elder abuse can be taken two ways :D
Some seeming nursing home abuses are the result of staff shortages and inability to tend patients as quickly as possible. With 10% unemployment, one would think that would not be an issue, but some jobs go unfilled. In the meantime, buckaroos complain about Latinas who would fill those jobs and work hard and kindly.
LTE3: A 5-cent gas tax increase will cost me 75 cents a fuel fill. Oh the pain. People who complain about such will quite willingly plunk down a dollar for a bottle of water, or $1.35 for a bottle of flavored carbonated water. I'll skip the Dasani and the Coke, pay a bit more of my way on the road. Raise the fuel tax, but don't be shy, index it in the form of a sales tax.
LTE: Hey, WW, I guess this LTE writer wants teen boys to go back to only dating ol' Minnie and ol' Rosie.
Stab, the main "noise" is along Fourth Street and Trade Street where the restaurants and bars are. Very few people live near those places. The ones who do mostly seem to enjoy the downtown ambiance.
ReplyDeleteThe only public complaint has come from one couple living at One Park Vista, and being intimately familiar with the geography, I would say they must be out on their balcony and listening pretty hard to hear any appreciative "noise". Maybe they would be happier back in the suburbs where the most exciting annual event is the cat peeing on the sofa. That doesn't make any noise, but it certainly stirs the pot.
There IS the matter of trains blowing their horns at all hours, especially as they move between the upscale Winston Factory Lofts and the Gallery Lofts along Sixth Street. The WFL is sold out and I have not heard one complaint from anyone there.
I am just across the street and actually enjoy hearing the trains. When I am asleep they would have to park in my bedroom and blow for me to hear them.
Having lived in a very nice suburb for about 25 years, I would have to agree with your term "tranquil" to characterize downtown. Quietest place I have ever lived. No lawnmowers or leaf blowers on Sunday mornings. No barking dogs. No loud domestic squabbles. On Sundays this spring I awoke to a mockingbird serenade from the parapet of the building next door.
Downtown isn't for everyone. But for those of us who love it, it is paradise. What we really need is a lot more apartments for all those young professionals who want to join the fun. Coming soon.
And don't you just love someone complaining about teenaged boys using condoms more often?
ReplyDeleteAs Ray Charles used to sing "Gonna send'em back to Arkansaw!"
OT...I assume you are not in the real estate biz, but can you tell if the $250k range condos are selling and staying occupied? I ask because I have one between Old Salem and downtown. I don't live in it by the way, but in a neighboring county.
ReplyDeleteStab...it must still be a status symbol for a young guy to have a "circle imprint" inside his wallet?
ReplyDeleteWW...I mostly know Winston Factory Lofts, Gallery Lofts and Piedmont Leaf, all at or above $250k. WFL and Piedmont Leaf are sold out, Gallery Lofts a bit less so. Some are investments and rented, others owner occupied, mostly by retired couples.
ReplyDeleteCondos are not a great investment for spec developers right now, just as with any other dwelling for sale. But apartments are red hot downtown. Hard to find a decent one, with waits up to a year.
About 200 should be coming online in the next year at old RJR Factory 64 (1st Camel plant, 1913) next to Piedmont Leaf, Brown, Rogers, Dixson (Coe Plaza) between Trade and Cherry and the Pepper Building. We need even more and more again.
WW...LOL...I knew a lot of guys in high school who carried condoms in their wallets until they fell apart...condoms, not wallets.
ReplyDeleteTwo most lied about subjects: sex and religion.
Thanks, I think you are probably right re apts. I have a young couple in my place and they love it as they are affiliated with Salem College and enjoy downtown. Hope those apts come soon.
ReplyDeleteOT..yeah, me too. None of us were smart enough to throw away the condom once in a while just to lie about it.
ReplyDeleteWW...your young couple has it just right, Salem and downtown.
ReplyDeleteBut I think that the epicenter will be moving toward the center of PTRP, between First and Seventh Streets and more toward the railroad. PTRP now has about 40 businesses operating in that area and the old RJR #91, an $87 million project, will open early next year. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will transfer 320 jobs from Hawthorne Road to #91. Those will not be new jobs at first, but it will grow.
Since the PTRP is a planned zone, mostly controlled by WFBMC, who can get the bucks to do what they need to do, that is the best future. A huge 4-lane highway project, beginning southeast of Salem College and cutting through the PTRP into downtown, will be a major spur to development.
The 20 year projection is 20,000 jobs in the research park. If that comes close to happening, we will be well on the way.
WW...the reason we didn't throw the condoms away was that they were hard to come by.
ReplyDeleteDrugstores kept them "under the counter" and some of the pharmacists were frustrated stand-up comics whose sarcastic looks could make asking for condoms an intimidating process.
There were coin operated machines in the bathrooms of some of the clubs and bars that dispensed three-packs in the rare event that they were actually working.
One night some fool emerged from the bathroom at the Polo Lounge loudly complaining (heard by all above the band noise) that the condom dispenser was not working, as in he had maybe two or more hot dates that very night and was in desperate need. Having known him all my life, I would guess that the chances are 70-30 that he is STILL a virgin.
People like Rush are so worthless and problematic, that they could be compared to a pieces of dung that refuse to be flushed.
ReplyDeleteNO,Bucky, NO!! If that's all you can do, go back to bed.
ReplyDeleteOne can be critical without being childish. It's simply a choice.
ReplyDelete