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135 comments on DrumBeat: October 10, 2006

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odograph on October 10, 2006 - 9:25am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
Leanan, you always find a lot of good links.  But I do have a couple to add ...

More on a Mitsubishi MIEV

Autoweek reports that Mitsubishi has plans to sell a small electric car in the U.S. The car will be powered by lithium-ion batteries, has four doors, all-wheel drive and a 1.1-liter gasoline engine. Each wheel has an electric motor built into the wheel assembly, a MIEV--Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle.

and my personal favorite:

American bike makers eye commuter market with new models

A radical idea is sweeping the world of American bicycle manufacturing: building bikes that people will use for actual transportation.

After decades of pushing models designed for recreation, from full-suspension mountain bikes to ever-faster road bikes, industry heavyweights are now moving into commuters -- rugged specimens made for riding to work. Nearly every major manufacturer has a new or revised commuter model for 2007. They may look like 1940s Schwinns, but materials like aluminum and carbon make the frames lighter, while technological advances mean better brakes, shock-absorbing seats, smoother shifters and even electric power. The models usually come with practical accessories, like racks for carrying briefcases, fenders for splash protection on wet roads, lights that turn on automatically at dusk and big chain guards to keep legs and clothing away from chain grease

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eric blair on October 10, 2006 - 10:00am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Thanks for the bike link.   I've forward that one about.

And on the 'how does this all end well'? George Ure has a datum point from New Orleans

http://www.urbansurvival.com/week.htm
New Orleans is filthy. Definitely divided by the have's and have-not's and most of them are the haven't. I saw the future of America depicted as a third world war zone. There are hundreds living on the streets. The despair in their eyes is heart wrenching.

They immediately tell you to not drink the water - even though we did have to shower in it.

I had a moment where I found myself surrounded by a small group of people and we all just '"connected". I went to high school with one of them. What are the odds on that? One of them and her daughter brought supplies for a community church. The church had had no drinking water for two days. She brought cases. They asked "How did she know?" I shouted, "God directed you to them" and there were smiles all around.

The girls (Regina and Mary) and I did walk-abouts. There is still a national guard and state police presence. I don't think people know how to get out of there - and I know they do not have the funds. At night, there are constant sirens going off - police and ems. Not many visitors there and the shops are empty.

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AlanfromBigEasy on October 10, 2006 - 11:13am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I don't think people know how to get out of there - and I know they do not have the funds

Wrong I believe. Note the "I don't think". Everyone back had to make a decision to come back since everyone left at the end was forcibly evaced at gunpoint, regardless of circumstances (some few good).  Most still visit first before returning, finding places to stay (often a sofa or sleeping bag in a friends hallway or "one more" in a FEMA trailer).

And "I can't take it anymore" and leaving again is quite common (as are suicides).

But there is also determination and a willingness to help and incrediably high levels of civic involvement.  I am in the 20% that was not destroyed (burned out block accross the street) and do all that I can to help.  Being "out of the loop' for 1.5 months has hurt.

hen I left 1.5 months ago to help my father, the US Army had removed 70% of the debris.  Rats were a problem.  Somewhat better today.  The tourist areas are clean, 3 city employees were assigned yesterday to put damaged street signs back up.  They hope to be finished in a year. "Stop" and "One Way" signs first priority.

There is a determined effort to keep crime down, Nat'l Guard is patrolling the drowned areas with minimal habitation and NOPD does the areas that didn't drown and those coming back strong.  Yesterday, NG shot and killed someone.  Didn't catch details.

Reopening schools are a mixed bag.  Catholic OK, some charter schools (new) are doing well, others are not.  State takeover schools are off to a bumpy start but seem headed in the right direction.  Remaining public schools can't get their act together but perhaps with time.  All in all, education will definitely improve !

Welcoming home a friend that evaced tonight, her first night back :-)  She may be 3 or 4 months away from moving back into her drowned home (staying at friends with inflatable mattress).  An MD so she is not a "have not" and medical care is perhaps our most important lack.

A shock for those coming from a suburban bubble (we were shocking before Katrina :-), but people can and will adapt.  This unique city is well worth the degraded standard of living, pain, struggle and effort !  All those that came back believe this.

As I told my father, I would rather live in a shack in New Orleans w/o indoor plumbing than a mansion in Phoenix !

BTW, I drink the water all the time (coffee a few inches away).  I have used drinking fountains in the drowned areas.  Potable water leakage is slowly being fixed.  1.5 months ago teh ratio was 2 gallons leak for every one used.  Water pressure for fire fighting is slowly being restored.

Best Hopes,

Alan

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Kalpa on October 10, 2006 - 12:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Odo
About a year ago I researched electric bikes and scooters, hoping to make a purchase of somekind.  I ended up getting a single speed commuter bike with baskets and fat tires instead.  I call it my Cadillac because it's so comfortable.  If I were more techno savvy I'd post a pic.
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Consume More on October 10, 2006 - 12:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Kalpa,

IIRC, you are in eastern Neb, Lincoln or Omaha?  How do you find the commuting?  I lived in Lincoln for years, and found I could get anywhere by bike in 20 min or less.  Moved to Omaha 12 yrs ago, and it's the opposite here, at least in the part of town where I live.

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tate423 on October 10, 2006 - 2:39pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
From those who've moved there in the past two years(lots too), I understand there is nothing to do in Omaha.  Is this true?
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shawnott on October 10, 2006 - 3:45pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I moved here a year and a half ago. Big mistake - I can't wait to get out of here. I still haven't found anything to do. It is one of those places that is good to live if you like the midwest, have a family with 2.3 kids and want to live in the suburbs.
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tate423 on October 10, 2006 - 3:56pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
That's what I thought.  I bunch of RR guys to relocated the Omaha, and many stayed briefly and moved back here.
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Kalpa on October 10, 2006 - 5:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
tate
What do these people like to do?  From what I've heard there is some good momentum concerning younger people enjoying living in Omaha these days.  There are quite a few colleges and universities, including highly rated Creighton and UN Medical Center.  The Missouri River area has been developed recently and a pedestrian bridge will be added soon.  It has a world class zoo, brand new performing arts center, convention center, art museum, botanic garden and outstanding restaurants.  Its Indie music scene has become quite well known and its produced Bright Eyes and 311.  It has had 5 fortune 500 companies for many years, quite a few for its size.  Buffett money has had a positive influence on it, not because Warren gives his away, but his investors have.  Negatives IMO are not enough bike trails and public land, and weather.
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tate423 on October 11, 2006 - 10:03am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I'll be real.  I've got supposadly the second/third best zoo in the country after the San Diego.  I go maybe once a year.  I do see shows at the Fox Theatre sometimes, but again rarely.  The people I know are mostly middle aged men/women who look for things to do and the ones who moved there from here aren't happy with what's available.  

Oh and the botanical garden can't even compare to the one here due to ours being like the 3rd best after one in France somewhere.  I took a college class in stl history and there's a lot here that's left over even if the rest of the city went to $hit.  I'm sure the Oracle effect isn't bad though.

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Valuethinker on October 12, 2006 - 3:50am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
My favourite story of Buffett was he was at the local country club.

I forget what prompted him, but he asked why the local club had no Jewish members.  The response came back that it had never had Jewish members.

Buffett announced that since it appeared that the club had an informal discriminatory policy, he didn't feel any need to continue to be a member of the club.

Needless to say, the club now has Jewish members ;-).

Sometimes the world can be changed, one small step at a time.

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Kalpa on October 10, 2006 - 5:28pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Consume more
Yes, I'd agree that you can bike anywhere in about 20 min. in Lincoln though it's a city of 250,000.  Bike trails and designated streets are reasonable though there are critical links missing here and there.  The city has done a pretty good job of continuing to add and improve paths for many years.  My personal favorite is the rail-to-trail MoPac which continues 26 miles east of town.  What a missed opportunity in the early 80's when the state legislature voted down joining Lincoln and Omaha with that trail.  Now half of it is a lost opportunity forever.  And, Omaha, for some reason has been very slow in developing trails, though it seems they're trying harder in recent years.
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