Thank you Frank.

I have a great deal of concern with the alarming power of technology in the hands of humans who can become careless and erratic in their thinking.
That's not to say that I don't find the capacity of technology to be quite amazing, but rather that I am not mesmerized by its reach. Unlike Faust I cannot fall under its spell and say: ?Verweile doch, du bist so sch?n? ? ?Stay a while, you are so beautiful?.

As you like it bodhipooh...let's see what the future brings.

I was watching a program concerning cyber security (or the lack of it) during the night on CSPAN. They seem to always put these panel discussions on air while most of the world is asleep.





Anyway there was a government specialist on the Presidential level talking about (among other things) dangers to our infrastructure (water, the electrical grid, transportation etc.) and her view kind of lent to the idea that the older the system the safer it is, which makes a lot of sense. She put out a lot to worry about on that level. Actually, she seemed to favor less connectedness instead of more as a protection method, using the election booths as an example.





When they got to the Internet of Things and how all of our home appliances and vehicles would soon be connected and subject to manipulation by the maniacs of the cyber world, she hit upon a frightening insight. Political officials with heart devices (think Dick Cheney)and such which were controlled by computer so that adjustments might be made by the specialists (or whoever I guess) could be taken or manipulated out by security hackers.



They're only just beginning to wake up to the dangers of an internet controlled world while the cybernuts are leagues ahead of them already waiting for their opportunities. The problem is that businesses can't stop themselves from pushing these things onto the market and the public is so happy with their new toys that they won't take a moment to think of the dangers inherent in the products. The people in the government who study and advise on these matters are trying to convince industry of the possibilities of danger.





BRAVE NEW WORLD!! I wonder....

Well then, my ignorance seems to be the problem. I thought that bike lanes were for riding in by bicycle riders.

Please accept my apology.

Well, if you can explain how to fix Terhune Avenue for safe bike riding up or down that lane, I'll defer to your wisdom.
Compromise to bring safety is not backward thinking.

On Wednesday night my wife and I visited my sister-in-law up on Terhune Avenue. Terhune is a park on both sides venue. There is a bike lane on the left side of the road, and I just shake my head in disbelief that it's there. If a careless passenger exits their car without looking and a bike rider collides with the door and the passenger while a car is coming up the road tragedy is inevitable.
As a bike rider myself, that opened car door is something I fear more than traffic.
I feel that a compromise may be reached within Jersey City wherein bikes should be off limits on some dangerous streets in order to focus more on the wider avenues where citizens will realize that bikes are to be expected and there is room to avoid tragedy.
The lack of thought that the city administration displayed in putting bike lanes on streets that are dangerous for bike riders was an unnecessary and probably expensive waste of public funds and of no use to the bicycle rider.

I've cancelled my newspaper subscription. I just click on your postings instead.

Just a word of caution on the safety issue. There have been some comments alluding to the idea that the streets are becoming safer. This article from yesterday refutes that:

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/ ... increased-8-percent-2016/

The most notable feature in the report is that distracted drivers (all types) have replaced drunk drivers as the leading cause of fatalities.

So don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Whackos are behind those wheels and they're killing people with their carelessness.

Be careful out there.

What a fascinating thread.
I never realized how much difficulty and travail there was in getting around in Jersey City.

Thank you for the corrections.

Livin'...

Livin' in the citeee...
Stevie Wonder.

There has to be some consideration for residents who are already established when welcoming immigrants to a community.

I can still recall the chaos that ensued when the first large scale immigration from Puerto Rico took place back in the early sixties. Entire neighborhoods were impacted by a largely island culture trying to find its place amongst a population of European based earlier immigrants. The downtown suffered decades of decline from which it is just in the last decade or so lifting itself.

If you were there you know what went on.

BTW, the Catholic church was a large scale mover in the bringing of this huge immigration. In time, Saint Bridget's witnessed its own decline and destruction--along with many other churches in Jersey City.

I was in NYC the other day and viewed the security first hand -- very cool to see the powers on display.
The helicopters were especially impressive.

I revisited this thread out of curiosity just to see what was added.
Now I understand how posters get the "home away from home" designation.
Sheesh -- everyone's going in circles.

Where's the "get on your bikes and ride" person??--seems like they'd be a natural for this topic.

Again, find a safer place to ride for enjoyment of your bike. Realize that the driving public is getting more and more dangerous to all of the populace. Those of you shouting for ticketing, enforcement etc., be careful--you may get what you wish for on both sides of the coin. Municipalities love nothing more than revenue streams from laws that once on the books are hard to eradicate.

Remember the traffic cameras??

This is just an observation, but it would appear that bicycle riders take their lives in their hands while being two wheeled in Jersey City street traffic.
I can understand a desire to ride a bike both for utility and recreation, but given the state of mind of a lot of drivers on our roads today, is it really wise to be amongst them? No amount of enforcement can bring you back to life or health from a serious injury at the hands of distracted drivers we're seeing on the roads today
. If it's the joy of bicycle riding that you're pursuing wouldn't Lincoln park or Liberty State Park be a better place to safely enjoy yourself? Given what appears to be the norm for development in Jersey City a lot more cars than bicycles will be in the offing in the near future. I would think that associations seeking more safety measures to be implemented for rider safety look for more amenities to be created where the road needn't be shared with motor vehicles. Drivers simply can't be trusted with bike riders' safety regardless of how many laws are engaged and created in the effort.

I thought that the venture would pass, but it didn't.

The people have spoken.

I do believe though that the legalization of marijuana issue which Sweeney and a couple of other pols are positing has replaced the casino idea.

The revenue from this move will be astronomical with quite a bit less effort overall.

Wow!!

Was that poorly planned!!

Waiting on line for a half an hour and more to get a drink or some food.

Incredible rip off!!

Just doing their job:

http://nj1015.com/20000-dwi-cases-cal ... -nj-is-yours-one-of-them/

Quote:


I'm a bit confused about dtjc's posting. The report is cited and then there is a comment on the lack of planning??

Reading through the report shows that quite a bit of thinking going into a good game plan to make the city more safely green by increasing the canopy throughout Jersey City.

I can understand parkman's frustration, but I do hope that he won't refrain from using the forum to post pertinent material on any issue. It's a needed public service.

Wow!! What a great posting.

We're fortunate to have this kind of information presented, because the content is important and I'm sure that others who've have read it will have benefitted from all you've told.
As well jersey City as a community benefits because you took the time to post and overcame what I'm sure has caused others to forego posting positive, helpful information.

Thank you....

Quote:


Many thanks for the info--will do, and I hope that many others will consider planting trees for those who will come after us as well as for our own sense of contributing to the present.

BTW, for your back yard a paper (white) birch is a beautiful ornamental to tuck in a corner, not taking up much canopy space and a beauty in all seasons. I just gave one to a friend on seventh street and it loves his yard (and good sun exposure).
The only problem may be locating them since Home Depot and Lowe's stick to a pretty generic selection. I ordered mine from out of state. Sometimes you'll find them along railroad tracks near wooded areas. A young one easily transplants.

Wonderfully informative post.

I planted my first trees over forty years ago and just recently I saw them towering quite a ways up.
There's a wonderful sense of contributing something that will be here long after we're gone, reaching into future generations. It's too bad that as we become more urban in our habits that we leave this duty to government DPW's and the like.
I'm with HPYC : "bring 'em on".

You make a good point Yvonne.

It's hard to understand why up above West Side Avenue onto the Boulevard, sometimes you encounter these huge sycamores that haven't damaged sidewalks, although whether or not they intrude on the sewer systems can't be known.

I would guess that a little research into trees best suitable for urban environments is in order. I have noticed quite a few plantings of Ginko trees in the downtown area. Perhaps the Mayor's office could offer direction to the right department.

A friend of mine just told me about two magnificent trees at 7th and Erie which may bear appreciating.

They don't appear to be causing much trouble and the owner of the building which hosts them is quite proud of them and most glad that they are there.

That's great news--thanks for the posting. Trees do so much for a locality in many ways. Try to plant one wherever you live, and remember, they need care--especially during the hot months.

Has anyone planted and cared for one recently?

I think the city could use some new ones and future generations would appreciate the effort.

Take a walk in the Island area anytime and you'll find a real nice area with easy proximity to downtown and the Square.

They're the best bet for the money!!

https://www.amazon.com/Berenice-Abbott ... ng-New-York/dp/1565845560

This wonderful book of photographs documents the times when NYC was comprised of neighborhoods much like those of Jersey City's today.

Then the concrete canyons replaced most of them. NYPL also has her digital collection available for those who are not bookish.

Reading through all of the arguments on this thread, if one were to decide to embrace religion I would wonder : "why?"

Having the good fortune of being born and raised in Jersey City long ago, I have the pleasant remembrances of a nicer place than the one that haphazardly exists today.
Unfortunately urban renewal cut a senseless swath through quite a large area along Montgomery Street and ours and many other homes were lost.
I kind of note a similar situation today especially in the downtown area as NYC spreads across the river and destroys the remainder of a unique culture in a rapid fashion.
Soon little pockets of what once was will be all that remains as buildings of behemoth proportions and too expensive condominiums crowd out those who represent earlier generations and their ways.
Some see it as progress I term it violence.

Thanks to all for contributing to the thread.