Quote:
Originally posted by pan6467
Does anyone else see that compared to our dying schools, our crumbling infrastructure and the fact that 1000's upon 1000's of good paying jobs are being lost and replaced by 100's of minimum wage temp jobs this marriage thing is a pimple?
The powers that be and the press prefer us fighting over this minutia because it takes our eyes off the more serious problems that are not getting solved but are being made worse.
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You ever take part in municipal planning? I have. Many municipalities across america, like in Pennsylvania, where we have the commonwealth system) have very specific rules regarding things like screens.
A screen is a row, or several rows of trees to block a development such as a factory, warehouse, or housing development from the people across from it.
The "proper" planting trees can actually spark discussion. Developers don't care. Trees are relatively cheap. But the developers and their lawyers make a big deal out of the planting of screens. Some municipalities will require 5 rows of screen. The developer says "Well, We only want to plant two rows. And they will only be 5% coniferous, 22% maple instead of 15% coniferous and 7% maples etc...." Well the munic and the residents of course don't like the developers skirting the rules so they start to argue. And arguments about Screens can last HOURS.
In the end the developer
always gives in and promises to do the required screening. By then everyone is tired and the plan gets passed just so everyone can go home. In the meantime, becasuse of a lengthy debate that sapps everyones energy and just doesn't leave time for it, the stormwater retention basin may be just a
little bit too small or the building setbacks may be a few feet too close to the property boundary. Or the developer is putting 350 subdivisions on X acres when the subdivision/land development ordinance for the municip clearly states only 275 subdivisions on X acres are allowed.
But by then, after it is passed and someone remembers what the real concerns were, it's too late, there isn't anything you can do about it now.
I see this in different forms every week or so, but most often the bait is screening. And it almost always works.
Now I think allowing gays to get benefits is an important issue. But we all know that this amendment has no chance of passing, and I am sure the backers of the amendment know that as well.
And we are missing the bigger picture of the state of the nation. unemployment, jobs leaving america forever, crushing debt, 2/3 of our military entangled in an unnecessary war leaving us unprepared for a real emergency....
Bush is trying to divide the nation and get them to vote on the single issue of gay marriage.