May 16
...serving up your daily dish.
From Sunday's Star Ledger, news that secession talk is alive and well. Five mayors from Essex, including our own Mayor Remsen (left), have produced a new public access television show designed to keep the movement alive and drive home the point that life could be better outside of "Essex."
Taking the debate from back rooms to living rooms, the "Mayors' Forum" program began running on public access stations in Verona, Cedar Grove, Montclair, Glen Ridge and Millburn earlier this month and will repeat through the end of May.
"We want to establish in the public mind that this is happening in five towns," said Montclair Mayor Ed Remsen. "This is real and we're hanging in there with this thing."
When he's not on public access, our renaissance-mayor Ed Remsen can be seen around town, as he was yesterday in full biking regalia, speaking to throngs of happy cyclists yesterday at Bike Montclair. Unconfirmed reports suggest he did not do any actual biking. More on the huge turnout at Bike Montclair next post.
May 16, 2005 in Controversy, From the Crazy Mixed-Up Files of Raymmmondo | Permalink
Okay, here's something that's very much to the point, based on the photo above: no human being ever looks anything but silly in those teardrop-shaped bicycle helmets. It looks like an egg (or an alien) growing out of Mayor Remsen's head. And perhaps bikers (the non-motorized, non-outlaw kind) can answer this one for me: why, when cyclists (the motorized, fun kind, 1000 cc or better) have to wear much bulkier protective headgear, do bicyclists get away with something seemingly less coddling of one's brain pan?
Posted by: cathar | May 16, 2005 9:41:13 AM
I used to say that "helmet laws suck" for bicycles, having survived my childhood without one. I took many a fall off my bike and ended up with nothing more than a few scrapes and scratches. No one got sued and I wasn't traumatized. That being said, I have taken to wearing a helmet after seeing how the driving habits of New Jerseyans have deteriorated over the years. Drivers cut you off, talk on their cell phones, try to sideswipe you, etc. Bicycling in NJ is no longer enjoyable for me, unless it's in a car-free environment.
P.S. My brother in Oregon owes his life to a bike helmet. He hit a pot hole on his street and went head-over-handlebars. If he hadn't been wearing his helmet, I believe he would be dead or comatose. My sister-in-law said that he left the house that night without it, but but later came back to get it...good thing.
Posted by: Miss MarttaMiss | May 16, 2005 10:16:31 AM
[why, when cyclists have to wear much bulkier protective headgear, do bicyclists get away with something seemingly less coddling of one's brain pan?]
Perhaps b/c the average bicyclist probably rides their bike 2-10 mph maximum and on the side of the road...but motorcycles are often zooming in and out of traffic at 55+ mph.
Posted by: butchcjg2 | May 16, 2005 10:41:17 AM
Hey, I thought this was Comment Intelligibly Week? Let's stay on topic, shall we?
This article wasn't about bicycle helmets, bicyle accidents or bicycle speeds. It also wasn't about motorcycle helmets, skiing helmets, helmet hair, the band Helmet or Helmut Kohl. So no commentary on German politics, Cathar. Even though Kohl might feel right at home on this blog.
We also shouldn't talk about hiring a copy editor for Cathar to do nothing but add white-space to his posts.
But if this is "Comment Intelligibly Week", why is an article about secession fronted by a picture of Remsen talking into his bicycle pump?
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 11:20:08 AM
That is a good point Lex. I'd like to respond but fear I cannot and stay on topic.
Actually, now that I think about it, the above comment itself isn't really on the Topic is it?
Uh-oh. Now my second comment was on the topic of topics and clearly not on-topic.
Ack. I just did it again!
This is gonna be a hard week.
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 11:29:07 AM
Perhaps it's Columbia Blue? He seems sort of half-baked too.
But I guess going to Columbia would disqualify you from politics anyway.
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 11:53:03 AM
We cant leave Essex county, this would go against everything we liberal believe in. We need to help everyone not abandon them! They need our help. My heart hearts.
Posted by: Liberal Lou | May 16, 2005 12:14:58 PM
Liberal Lou, when they said it was "Post Intelligibly Week", they said "Week", not "Weak."
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 12:26:31 PM
Well, I can tolerate the week so long as it is also "Malapropism Week".
But, when is "double-entendre" week? That's what I want to know.
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 12:33:19 PM
What about "Dangling Participle Week" or "Block That Metaphor Day?"
Chris, where are ya when we need ya?
Posted by: Miss Martta | May 16, 2005 12:37:52 PM
Yes, Chris is always good at pricking at our dangling issues, to be sure.
(oh.....wait, I am early, aren't I?)
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 12:50:15 PM
It's a good thing you got the order of those words right, ROC!
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2005 12:54:16 PM
There once was a Barista named Deb
Who wanted her threads to be read:
"Give me more like cathar
"And less that's bizarre"
Right of Center was carried off (dead)
Posted by: pale imitation of chris | May 16, 2005 1:01:49 PM
I know! One week we should form two teams, we could call them the Red and Blue teams, say. Then we'll play fun games like "Snark Attack", "Boggle", "Link Wars" and "Mischaracterize the Issue"! We could have polls and T-shirts, extraneous links and unflattering photos...
Oh, wait a minute.
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 1:06:15 PM
BTW, this is the official off-topic topic of the week, isn't it?
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 1:07:17 PM
I fear the poor Barista ain't seen 'nuttin yet!
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 1:10:40 PM
(The phrase "sheep-hearding cats" comes to mind)
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 1:12:44 PM
Maybe instead of asking for intelligent posts, she should have asked for intelligent posters. If she kicked you and me off, that should raise the average IQ by a couple of dozen points.
Maybe she should ask a tricky question before you're allowed to post.
Posted by: Lex | May 16, 2005 1:17:23 PM
Well any spelling test would catch me out.
But maybe a test question like:
"you are walking down a deserted street with your wife and children when suddenly out jumps a man with a knife rushing headlong towards you. He stops and says 'gimme your wallet or somebody gets it' . What is your answer?
Lex's response:
"Well there is too little information for me to decide. Is he poor? Was he abused? Has he gotten enough welfare? Why is the street deserted? Shouldn't there be a neighborhood association to spruce things up a bit? How has he been harmed by society?"
ROC's response:
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! (sound of reloading) BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Posted by: Right of Center | May 16, 2005 1:26:14 PM
