There are a few bloggers that I enjoy reading. After signing up, the new Patch system notified me by Email that one of my favorites, Robert Marr, had again put his thoughts out there for all to read. He is on my list because he often looks at the ordinary, not only in a different way, but he dares to question. While many go through their day and life with eyes closed in acceptance of everything presented to them, Marr opens his and attempts to open those of others.
His latest, "'Stupid' Traffic Lights," put my mind in gear. I can see his point. How much gas is used up overall while people idle at the light through there obviously is no danger in proceeding. And Newton's law tells us that considerable gasoline is expended getting a massive amount of metal moving again from a resting state. Then talk about a thief's delight. He does not have to think of a way to stop you, the red light does it for him and you wait for him to vandalize you.
I tried to look at it from the government's point of view. Perhaps it is lazy mind, of either not think about lights and traffic, or looking only at the physical device and saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
Perhaps apathy; it is not their $4 a gallon gas being used up. And even when it is one of their vehicle sitting at the light, heck they get paid by the hour and tax payers are footing the bill anyway.
That reminds me. It has been several years since I lived in cold Michigan. Do people with government or utility company jobs still leave their vehicles running in the winter to keep them warm while they take coffee in a restaurant?
I sometimes wonder if the government sincerely has the betterment of the citizens in mind and works towards that, or if they are of the belief that what is good for them is good for the people.
Marr has expressed a thought about traffic lights in the city. Will an entity responsible and/or knowledgeable in this area respond to his thoughts in the belief that if one person thinks it others might as well. Or will they just ignore it? If so what will be their reason? Will they believe the blog to just be the insane ramblings of a single person. Is it possible that they really do not have a good answer and do not want their authority questioned? They may remain silent hoping to take advantage of the many who act like sheep just accepting.
Personally I am curious about an answer from a responsible entity. Surely we cannot know everything pertaining to the lights operating the way they do. There is always two sides to a story. What seems obvious to Marr may not be all the information. Not to mention the fantastic public relations they can achieve from posting an intelligent response. Now, if they say nothing what does that say about them?
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