tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post2605660335374142218..comments2024-03-26T03:46:04.937-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: "Tragedy of the Commons" RevisitedP. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-32235134891161433932010-01-09T07:15:44.550-08:002010-01-09T07:15:44.550-08:00Dawn, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. My own...Dawn, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. My own father was a railroader (as were his father and two uncles), working as head of a survey department and also serving on railway safety committees. When I was growing up, I heard a lot about the economic competition between trucks and trains carrying freight. Railroads had to build and maintain their own tracks; trucks do pay higher taxes when they buy fuel, but the trucking companies have no building or maintenance responsibilities. While my dad was involved in railroad safety, and my mother was photographed for the rr newsletter wearing one of the first car seatbelts, I don't remember discussions of the kind you suggest, but I do see the connection you're going for.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-14953486095983151692010-01-08T06:31:35.233-08:002010-01-08T06:31:35.233-08:00P.J. I'm still thinking about this. It's...P.J. I'm still thinking about this. It's hard to put my finger on it exactly, but it has something to do with the common highways being used to increase the wealth of the trucking industry at the expense of the lives of others that appear to be just considered a cost of doing business. That's not the eloquent parallel I'd like to express but I'm struggling with the exact nuance. Each time I read your entry I feel that connection, it speaks to me, but it's likely because I'm so involved in the safer highways movement. My Dad was killed by a tired trucker 12/23/04. I'm now on the board of Truck Safety Coalition. See more about us at http://www.trucksafety.org/Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824027366993286152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-8859084005320691392010-01-07T06:44:35.459-08:002010-01-07T06:44:35.459-08:00Maybe I'll get to see that series on DVD. Saw ...Maybe I'll get to see that series on DVD. Saw part of the first episode while visiting family in Minnesota. Anyway, Bill, did you know that David used to have a house down in what is now Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore? When the park came in, he was upset at first, as were many people. Now when we drive down to where his house used to be, the memories of it are still there without any rancor. It is so lovely--the meadows, the woods, the beach! On one of our visits, David blessed the park, saying, "Without it, this would all be condos." And wouldn't that have been a shame?P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-51840160930806302262010-01-06T17:51:55.280-08:002010-01-06T17:51:55.280-08:00I'm thinking of Ken Burns' "National ...I'm thinking of Ken Burns' "National Parks, Americas Best Idea" series and the recurring issues / struggles of obtaining the lands (and holding on to them) and how that fits with this. Many examples of the fights between commercialization / privatization vs. preserving for nature / all people / the future. And what happens when we lose.Bill Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901872026653431490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-90203430367820435892010-01-06T14:15:05.091-08:002010-01-06T14:15:05.091-08:00Thanks, Karen. I understand (at least in part) the...Thanks, Karen. I understand (at least in part) the legal motivation for granting "personhood" to corporations, but IMO that "personhood" should be limited, not placed on a par with actual persons, as if a corporation could ever be a human being. Treating corporations as human beings with the same rights is as bad as allowing patenting of genetic material. Two enormous cans of worms were opened with those decisions, and it's hard to see how the worms could ever be put safely back into the cans and the cans resealed.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-34954381156492002902010-01-06T11:21:43.928-08:002010-01-06T11:21:43.928-08:00Thoughtful analysis. A similar argument is made b...Thoughtful analysis. A similar argument is made by Robert Reich in Supercapitalism. The idea that "corporations" are expected to be good "citizens" being at odds with their #1 goal: increase wealth of owners. I really liked his book.<br /><br />Sorry about your friend.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02038437615680439554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-13620292903465316302010-01-05T14:15:38.901-08:002010-01-05T14:15:38.901-08:00Dawn, you've got me very curious about your &q...Dawn, you've got me very curious about your "fight with the trucking industry." I'd be interested in the parallels you see with Hardin's argument.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-35872072399077457752010-01-05T12:24:57.740-08:002010-01-05T12:24:57.740-08:00The death of a friend is always so difficult. I&#...The death of a friend is always so difficult. I'm glad you got there in time. That truly is a gift.<br /><br />I need to reread this post, as so much of it seemed to relate to my fight with the trucking industry..and yes I realize that has nothing to do with what you or the author were really discussing..but there seemed so many parallels...that I need to reread and think.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824027366993286152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-73652650362485898112010-01-05T08:10:19.564-08:002010-01-05T08:10:19.564-08:00Thank you, Gerry.Thank you, Gerry.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-75743758568130876202010-01-05T06:55:57.338-08:002010-01-05T06:55:57.338-08:00In the bleak midwinter, eh? I am sorry for the de...In the bleak midwinter, eh? I am sorry for the death of your friend. It's hard, such a loss. I'm glad you were able to be there yesterday, offering the best one person can to another--loving presence at the hard times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com