text:
Alpert and the GGW gang are hardly the first people to be drawn into D.C. politics by debates over the shape of the city. Many the city's political leaders in the early days of Home Rule cut their teeth during the epic fights against 1960s-era plans to build highways through various parts of the District. Perhaps the most apt precedent for Alpert's activism is the late Cleveland Park lawyer Peter Craig, who led the anti-highway forces.
"The experts proposed a pretty bad idea, and were corrected by the people," says Zachary Schrag, an assistant professor at George Mason University who wrote the Metro nerd bible, The Great Society Subway. "His tools were the typewriter and the mimeograph, but had blogs been around in 1959, I imagine his would have looked something like Greater Greater Washington."
Instrumental in that earlier effort was the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, a now-87-year-old organization dedicated to the preservation of the original L'Enfant plan for the city. Thanks to their relentless advocacy, D.C. remains a walking-scale city, retaining many of the elements of a healthy urban environment that Alpert & Co. promote today.
But revolutions always eat their young. And now, a generation later—a generation during which the powers that be finally realized that urban renewal and downtown freeways were a lousy idea—there's little love for GGW among some of their forebears.
Take this column from the Committee of 100's chairman, which appeared in the organization's newsletter in 2008. It didn't mention Alpert or his blog, but the identity of the "insidious" force it slams was pretty clear nonetheless: "The Committee of 100, a scarred veteran of freeway battles and early champion of D.C.'s Living Downtown, is being tarred as a gaggle of aging couch potatoes bitterly clinging to cars and big houses," the message reads. "The mischaracterization is coming from so-called 'smart-growth' advocates who want to recreate Washington, DC as a high-density destination for the healthy, wealthy and young…. Smart growth, as experienced by many District residents, has come to mean demands for multi-family mixed-use development on every available scrap of land without regard to need, scale, balance, or the opinions of impacted District residents. This is coupled with hostility toward all automobile use, whether or not any other form of transportation is available. To live in this 'smart' vision of the District, you should be willing to forego elbow room and to accept that a neighbor who enlarges his house may be literally an arms length away."
In other words, says Committee of 100 Chairman George Clark, Alpert's crew wants to turn D.C. into a Manhattan-esque metropolis. "I like the Upper West Side, but I don't want to live there," Clark says. "If I wanted to live there, I would move there. We're Washington. We're a capital city, we're a world city, and we're different."
Furthermore, Meg Maguire, the Committee of 100's point person on streetcars, says the "anti" caricature is inaccurate and unhelpful when discussing massive public projects. "I think with David, you're either for something or you're against it," says Maguire. She says her beef with D.C.'s streetcar initiative had to do with poor planning and lack of funding, not an objection to change on principle. "I think he mischaracterizes our position when we raise complex issues, like how [the streetcar] will be paid for." (Zartman, the preservationist Alpert recalls as his first "anti," died earlier this year).
Alpert, in fact, says he does appreciate historic preservation—and doesn't think developers should be given carte blanche to build as big as they want. He just thinks that today's preservationists, who formed their alliances back when opposing things was the best way to defend the city's livability and charm, have gone overboard.
"Now, you're also starting to veer into preservation being about preserving the mistakes," Alpert says. In between bites of a spinach salad at the Dupont Circle Sweetgreen, his feet up on a chair, he cites historian Richard Longstreth's argument against demolishing the Third Church of Christ, Scientist at 16th and I streets NW as an example. Preservationists opposed bulldozing the unloved, Brutalist structure because it now represents a bygone era. "I thought he could probably say that about the dirt that's along the edge here of Connecticut Avenue, that should be landmarked, we should never clean that up, because in such a such year there was dirt there, and that was when Eleanor Roosevelt walked by, you know, or something like that."
Our Readers Say
Great idea.
Second, they're not making policy decisions for the city. That's still very much in the hands of the DC officials. What they're doing is making their opinions known...something every resident is entitled to, even the Committee of 100 folks that a lot of the GGW crowd tends to oppose.
That said...Metro needs third and fourth tracks. The two track system is a fundamental design flaw and need immediate correction. Perfect for the Obama jobs bill we won't be getting.
When was the last time he advocated for any initiative east of the river?!?! Its easy to criticize when you're not held accountable for anything but writng blogs.
Go back to Brooklyn dude...Williamsburg needs you.
i really appreciate that this article didnt have the negative tone that i usually expect from the city paper. i'd read the cover story more if i could count on this mature level of journalism.
Also, I wonder how many of their bloggers work for real estate and development interests.
who gives a damn if they are well off, white and/or effeminate? bigots, that's who.
Their source of expertise? Reading something on another blog, that "seemed neat". Their defacto decision making process? "Is it cool"?. Their depth of thought on an issue goes only as far as "is it shiny and neat to look at"?. Their attitude on
The worst part is that District politicians are knee jerk reactive to folks like this, kowtowing to their every demand regardless of how ineffective, inefficient or fiscally responsible it is, solely because they command large email lists and tons of free time during the middle of the day to send nasty grams to politicians, many of them not even being District residents. They push their billion dollar pet projects, fully admitting they haven't thought of, or don't care where the money comes from, how its planned or paid for, or whether or not is makes one bit of technical, fiscal or common sense.
Read this blog and those of his contributers sometime. It is filled with a bunch of smarmy "my utopia is better than yours" kids who, I kid you not would outlaw all vehicles other than street cars and buses, and would redesign all roads in the District to walking/biking only tomorrow if they could.
Alperts view?
"Well I am rich enough in my early 30's not to work and live in a million dollar house in downtown DC, near multilayers of transportation options, everyone else needs to as well".
His readers political viewpoint? I don't care about anything else, my vote for mayor will depend solely on who supports spending billions of dollars on a street car system.
Literally...this is the depth of thought he and his readers protray.
Its filled with people posting who think its fine for cyclists to ignore all existing traffic laws (ignoring stop signs, lights etc) and proceed in whatever fasion "they" subjectively think it right, and every conflict on the street is ALWAYS the fault of those hateful people who "gasp" own and drive cars. Think I am kidding? Go ahead and read for yourself. This blog is nothing more than a collective of underemployed hipster wanna-bes with an odd obession with unrelenting car hate trying to thinly veil itself as "informed debate".
Blogs are fine way for underemployed people to talk to the world about their life, their wants or desires, but they certainly aren't authoratiative and are always, always heavily biased. I thought that by now people would have learned that just because you "saw it on the internet" doesn't make it true or legitimate.
Quite frankly, Alpert could probably afford a car, home with parking, parking at his destinations, gas, insurance, etc. much more easily than most of the people better transit benefits most. But having a car-addicted, smog-filled, traffic-jammed city is hard on everyone, especially the poor, and I think it's great that he wants to change that. So why is it that you think your way is better again?
I am a frequent commentor on David's site. While I agree with much of the frustration you express (more below), I will say that there are a lot of commentors posting a VERY WIDE RANGE OF OPINION, and we do not, to say the least, fall in lockstep with David's views. Not about cars, plastic bags, bikes and so on. Not in the least. So, you are a bit off base there. Reflecting this, the problem I have with David sort of gathering up everyone in his arms (the commentors) and characterizing us as "Smart Growthers" (TM) or "urbanists," is that it is FAR FROM THE CASE that we 1) even know what these terms mean; and 2) even agree that we are them. I hate both those terms (reductionist and simplistic), and I disagree with David *a lot*. And he knows it. And so do a few other commentors.
I will agree with you that the fact is that politicians are knee jerk and react quickly to one of GGW's initiatives. And, not to pile on too much here, David also ... has a car. I mention that, because it annoys me personally that he advocates building quickie condos and apartments (ie, to me it seems he takes the developer view too often) and transit (WHICH I'M GLAD HE DOES) while living in his house and keeping a car at it too. There does seem to be a lack of historical perspective and thought many times. It's pretty often "density, density, density." Damn the rest.
Some of the commentors and contributors ARE quite knowledgeable. They are not ALL necessarily the kids you want to portray. So I'd correct you there. And, David goes out of his way to have decision makers on his blog doing live chats. And true experts too.
You might be a regular commentor, I don't know. But I think your criticisms some of which are justified are a bit generalized and over the top.
The issue you raise though is a good one about the influence blogs like these should have in public life. With declining leadership and expertise in our government and media, what are we to do?
The thing about GGW is that David hit upon a fantastic design and it is easy to use. I think he overposts a lot, and I get turned off by that, and the tech also turns a huge segment of the population off, but the simpicity of use and design cannot be argued against and are I'm convinced at the heart of his success. And the fact that he can use restraint.
However, Alpert has done little to get out of his bubble to promote his ideas. Instead of trying to convince people that their behavior (ie driving cars) is bad, he would rather try to slip in policies that merely make it less convenient to drive. Unfortunately for Alpert, we aren't seeing fewer cars on the road.
Alpert has the same instincts as many planners. It's not the designs that are flawed, it's the people. Unfortunately for him, there is a political and social side to all of this outside of the halls of the District Building.
Alpert, make an effort to be more inclusive and you could see your ideas really take off. Keep on doing what you're doing and you're likely to make as many enemies as friends.
What's great about GGW is that it gets people talking about urbanist issues. If Alpert, or whichever of his authors, is wrong, then by all means, respond to the argument on its merits. Right or wrong, people in DC are thinking about issues that they otherwise might not have. That's a good thing.
Arguing that the authors are automatically incorrect because of who they are, where they came from, how much money they have, or whether or not they own a car, suggests that it would be better for their voices to be silenced. Or that they don't have a right to opine on these topics.
The role that GGW plays in the political process should really be inspiring to everyone. The idea that people can rise from nothing and within years have the ear of policymakers is important; especially if the alternative is a closed-to-the-world media system where only 'insiders' have any say about anything.
Really? My very limited experience with GGW and Alpert himself would suggest that he has the same instincts as many wanna-be politicians and other self-promoters.
Gotta love anonymous commentators.
Hehehe...see, this exactly makes my point.
My sister "worked" energy issues with a Senator for 8 years, does that make her an expert in nuclear power production or power transmission systems? No, in fact she calls an electrician every time she trips a breaker.
I once worked in an office building where Amtrak had an office. Does that make me an expert on rail travel? No. I ride the bus nearly every day of the week, does that make me a transportation expert? No. I eat bread or some baked product almost every day. Does that make me a baker? Again, the answer is no.
Everyone is entitled to "an opinion", but the mistake that thinking your "opinion" is anything other than that, or is more authoratative than those of the people who do these things for a living is just plain ridiculous.
Has he ever rezoned a piece of property? Is he an engineer, has he ever designed a road, or rail bed or modeled traffic flows? Does he have a degree in Planning? The answers to all these questions are without fail, no.
In fact, he frequently ridicules the opinions of those he labels "nimby's" as uninformed, yet he is no more technically or legally qualified on any these issues they they.
Gotta love people who think they "know" something, even though they have zero official credentials to do so.
David has given us a wonderful gift. As Washington continues to develop, these issues of mobility, walkability, and livability become increasingly important. Decisions regarding those matters will affect all of us for decades. The GGW blog gives us a chance to exchange ideas, argue, and even learn from one another. And it does its best to keep our local politicians honest, into the wee hours of the morning.
You can see my educational background and how I got involved with transit and urban planning advocacy at greatergreaterwashington.org/cavan.
I am just thankful that 99% of the people who actually matter are to busy to post comments.
East-of-the-River, you'll hopefully note, gets more coverage than such wealthy NW DC neighborhoods as the Palisades, 16th Street Heights, Chevy Chase, and Glover Park. So relax, and read on.
1. One guy who is soon to graduate with a degree in architecture.
2. 3 Planners
3. Two Geographers
A few didn't bother stating their qualifications, but thats it, ~35 people and there are 6 people who I would consider professionally versed in things GGW lobbies for or against (planning, zoning, transportation, urban design).
Everyone else lists their qualification as "interested in XYZ".
No traffic modelers? No civil or structural engineers, no utility experts no zoning attorney etc...
Well, I have a deep seated interest in the space program, but that doesn't make me an astronaut or qualified to lecture or critique NASA on more efficient orbital flight plans.
Also, my point is now well proven regarding the residency conflicts. It seems a large majority of his contributors aren't District residents, which I imagine is mirrored in the readership which is no less offensive than some Senator from Utah holding up District law because they want to, or MD pastor trying to rewrite DC gay laws considering they lobby the District lawmakers on behalf of whatever issue is near and dear to their hearts.
I wonder of the thousands of supposed emails Gray got from irate "urbanists" about his streetcar funding switch (which he then switched back), how many of them actually live in the District. This kind of interference by a group of underemployed non-residents makes me no less irate than the interference by outside legistators or religious officials the District has to endure.
Yeah, god forbid that someone who gets the ear of flipflopping lawmakers, and speaks on behalf of the entire city be actually qualified to do so.
And no, just because someone doesn't like your subjective "utopia", that doesn't make them "biased" or "fearful".
You have ideas. You can have a blog. Your blog can have fans. You can have clout.
Now, of course, I occasionally contribute to GGW, so I am perhaps a bit biased. However, I would have to say that complaining about the lack of credentials of GGW writers misses the point. Do people in power pay attention to GGW? Sometimes, depending on the issue. Does it mean that a blog post is going to get turned into policy? Certainly not. It's about ideas and looking for ways to make the region better for everyone.
And for what it's worth, what better way for people to become experts than to spend their time studying a topic, writing about it, and talking with experts? All of these so-called "experts" were originally just people who were passionate and figured they had the ability to learn.
I don't see how this is any different than any other civic group coming together to talk about issues. In fact, people want to talk about experts, honestly I'd have to say there's likely more knowledge about these issues among the GGW staff than say the staff of most DC Councilmembers. Sure, many of the ideas floated on the site may be unrealistic, but what's so bad about that? It's usually followed by a lively debate in the comments and it's not as if it magically gets turned into policy because it appears on the site.
I'd rather have a group of dedicated non-experts talking about these things than a room full of experts who don't even think about these matters at all. GGW works as a way to bridge that gap, to get ideas out there, and to get them in front of policy makers, and yes, these so called experts.
There are better ways. Boots on the ground. Getting involved, staying involved, less publicity. More work. Doesn't seem to happen much in DC, though. Talking with experts is one thing. Doing the work on an ongoing basis and not expecting awards is something else entirely.
I agree with those who say the bloggers and commentors can just tar someone with the NIMBY label and move on. I complain about it **all the time** on the blog, in fact. David used to have a NIMBY tag. I think he's now removed it, thankfully. Maybe that is one learning experience.
Oh, and Richard Layman's blog is good. It suffers in that it is not as easy to use. But Layman's great. He's practical, he works on the issues, he knows what he is talking about. He needs a more user friendly blog, that is all.
32 ain't young, City Paper!
gosh, I can't be the only person who things the city should be doing X". Now, with GGW, ideas are floated, real world situations are presented to a broader audience, and where it makes sense, advocacy is born.
I think having a place to test ideas, and share commonality is always a good thing.
expert who can guarantee a workable solution. Smart
Growth plans can fail just as equally as badly as
traditional urban planning. Calling your adversary
petty names is immature. Most of the time the fruits
of urban planning take decades to realize because
funding trickles in. There are three type of advocacy
in urban planning: the goverment, the neighborhood,
and the developer. Often a project will be advertised
as being "Smart Growth" but whether it is the
*smart* thing maybe another story. A true debate
focuses on the facts and not name-calling. With
respect to public hearings for zoning ordinances
- often the likely course of actions is already been
determine before the public hearing starts.
That means that Brookland will change somewhat. More than a quarter-mile or so from the station, Brookland will remain a quiet residential neighborhood. Around the station, you'll suddenly have more neighbors, more stores to go to, more places to eat and have a cup of coffee or a beer. The horror, the horror.
Did it ever cross your small mind that the people who live there should be the ones who get to decide this and that you don't have the right to dictate it? The arrogance of it all. Thank God Fenty and his arrogant crew will be out of here soon. Will GGW survive? Only if it changes its stripes.
Grow up, guys.
Seriously, a guy has a blog about urban planning Washington City Paper and you make it out to sound like he's the secong coming of Jane Jacobs and Le Corbusier rolled into one.
I'm sitting here, working 5 years after two undergraduate degrees, finally getting accepted into a top 10 Urban Planning Graduate School, just waiting to get my career started. This guy hasn't taken one course or facilitated one community meaning and just because he can recite some technical jargon he's knowledgeable in the field?
This is horse-sh*t.
Hey Washington City Paper, I'm a former Washigntonian about to make it big as an Urban Planner, why don't you write an article about me? I've witnessed open-air gun fights, hand-to-hand drug deals and numerous other issues that plague our urban communities. Write an article about me.
Just like with the GGW blog, it's called a citizen diving in and getting involved and sparking discussions and organizing other residents to also get involved.
How this might not make sense to someone soaking in academia is not exactly shocking to any of us. Get involved yourself, it's called applying things in the real world.
While he has set up a web-site that is attractive and easy to use, his understanding of the issues he discusses has been stunted by his lack of study or experience and his demonstrated unwillingness to learn.
Visitors who go to his blog expecting to learn about urban planning issues will be mislead or disappointed.
But in arguing for rigorous adherence to facts and truth, I guess you're not expecting anyone to value those in your own rhetoric.
This guy seems to only want to surround himself with people who agree with him, which is fine. But he then loses any and all credibility to legitimately push his ideas (at the behest of others) on public officials.
This guy exudes the same "nimby" like attitude he conveniently dismisses. The only difference is he has a large email list (most of which don't even seem to be DC residents) that he beats District politicians with.
The horror.
The horror.
You know for certain that a blogger's email address is mostly non-District residents? Says what exactly? (It's a regional blog, btw, cute of you to both ignore that, and to foster an impression that DC City Councilmembers would give a damn about, say 100 emails from Clarendon about a DC zoning case).
You had comments deleted? How about posting them here. Let's see what kind of stuff got you booted, from a blog overflowing with dissent daily. Maybe it had nothing to do with dissent, but rather other content (if it even happened, that is).
But all the irritation being thrown at GGW is entertaining. Opening popcorn, at 9:12am.
More popcorn over here please!
I am well aware that it is a regional blog. But that has nothing to do with my critisizm. Residents of Arlington, Montgomery County, Alexandria have zero right and no business lobbying District lawmakers on their issues.
"and to foster an impression that DC City Councilmembers would give a damn about, say 100 emails from Clarendon about a DC zoning case"
GGW led the charge against Gray when he exhibited a bit of fiscal sense and decided not to spend 50 million the city didn't have on their precious tram/streetcar. He lobbied all his readers and linked bloggers to send emails to Gray, he provided his contact info, then days later Alpert took credit and was congratulated for Gray's reversal and the thousands of emails he received. The result is that District taxpayers now had to go an additional 50 million in the hole when our budget was already more than half a billion in the red all because some folks in Clarendon thought it would be neat for the District to have a tram. So no, I am not "fostering" anything, and yes...apparently Council members and its own Chairman "gave a damn" about emails from non-constituents, to the detriment of the Districts own residents and taxpayers.
Thats the danger of supposed "email" activism. There is no way of knowing where the email came from. His contributing bloggers seem to be a majority non-district residents, it doesn't take much brainpower to make the logical conclusion that at the very least, a large percentage of his readers are as well.
Then you state that Gray's decision was in direct response to the assumed majority non-DC emails.
Conjecture on top of conjecture.
At the time this occured, I asked online about whether those who'd phoned and emailed CM Gray were DC residents. From the responses, it was pretty clear that most of the commentators on the matter on GGW were NOT residents of DC. As to whether these same commentators actually phoned in/ or emailed the CM in response to David's incitement, I got a mixed response. A few said that they understood that would be wrong and didn't do that. Others said that because they worked in DC and needed transporation while there both to get to work and to partake of their leisure activities in the city, that they felt they had a right to weigh in ... and had indeed phoned and emailed. Most posters simply ignored my request for information on this matter. I'd suspect that is because most posters are indeed from outside DC ... and did infact meddle in our politics. Actually, anytime they comment on a posting that only involves DC, they are meddling. I comment often on GGW but I think I've maybe only once or twice commented on a matter that didn't directly involve DC. And I also rarely comment on matters outside my neighborhood unless they are city-wide matters. I see David involving imself daily in neighborhood matters in which he is not a neighbor. He lives in my neighborhood. That is plain wrong. He justifies it as being an 'advocate' for certain ideas. But if he is an 'advocate' for an idea, he cannot also be a 'journalist' as he often claims to be. The two are not mutually compatible. Either he is the honest broker providing fair and balanced coverage of issues that are important to us, or he is a self-paid shill for a vision he sees himself as being the Glen Beck of a movement that thinks all urban areas, including Washington and environs, should be JUST LIKE the west side of Manhattan.
Thanks for buttering my popcorn with delicious delicious Double Standard Brand butter.
Who am I? You first. Your first and last name please. If you are calling out people to identify themselves on an annon website, you have to as well.
I am a 14 year resident of the District who takes as much offense at the interfering of some non-ANC resident like Alpert, or some Arlington blogger in District politics and legislation, as I do when some Congressman from Utah, or Alaska does it.
I am not sure what in any of my posts has been nasty, but I suspect that you, like many others in life perfer to simply label someone who disagrees with you as "mean", "nasty", "nimby" because you are unable to deal with legitimate constructive critisism. C'est la vie.
And John, I don't have to "assume" anything so I am not sure why you are ignoring the factually obvious. Many of his daily posters admit to not being District residents. The Bios of most of his contributing bloggers are pasted right there on his website, and again many are not District residents. What don't you understand?
You can write about whatever you want, blog about anything you desire. But sending coercive and demanding emails to elected officials you can't elect, testifying, pushing your agenda on officials that don't represent you is ridiculous.
If you don't have a problem with that, I suggest you tell me what ANC / Ward you live in, so I can show up and start pushing my agenda in your neighborhood.
I can see NIMBYsibirsk, Russia, from my back porch.
It's ok though, popcorn's good out here too. Sunset, rocker, iced tea.
1. does the writer really think that GGW is trendsetting??? The smart growth movement, Tommy Wells, the decision to tax plastic bags, etc are not inventions of this blog! I really appreciate some information provided on GGW, but I always go into conniptions when the media (in any form) overly exaggerates its influence. It's great to have these opinions shared, but let's not go too far with the back-patting.
2. Is there not a conflict with publicly-funded planners openly advocating in a completely not objective manner in a public way? As a publicly-funded planner, it's just not something I would do because of the obvious professional conflict given that we are public servants.
I'm not half-joking bro-seph. I'm heart attack serious. I graduated from Undergrad with Bachelor's in Urban Planning and Political Science in 2005. It took me 5 years of working before I was even comfortable trying to apply to grad school. I worked in some of the toughest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and Cleveland (don't snicker, if you would, you don't know how serious it is). I've been in the room where the cogs of still existant machine politics slowly moved the proverbial "greased wheel." I haven't experienced everything, but I know that I've see the highs and lows of working in urban communities.
Even then, I still looked at 12 schools in 12 very different cities to determine which was my best fit. It took me over a year just to visit everywhere. If you want to pick my brain, email me at firstname.lastname@example.com , just let me know who you are in the subject line and I give you better, more direct advice on the search for graduate schools in Planning&Design than some comment section would provide. I'd be more than happy to provide you with more advice dude or dudette, just email me to make it more direct. I check it 1-2 times a day.
"@Disco Duck: I know you're probably half joking, but I am interested in hearing your story, though I'm not heading a major newspaper or magazine! I'm also finishing up an undergrad in design and am looking for urban planning schools, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on selecting one."
By my count I've said it half a dozen times above, but you still don't get it...
My concern on the streetcars was "here we go, these are the critical words so pay attention" for NON DISTRICT residents. Get it?
I am not sure how many other ways I can say it for you. Non-DISTRICT residents get zero say in how the District taxpayers spend their money. Unfortunately, thats not how it happend when non-DISTRICT residents, hundreds if not thousands of them made threats and demands they had no business or power making, and the DC Council chair caved and committed the actual DISTRICT taxpayers to spending 50 mill they didn't have.
You live in the District the fine, you can petition the Council to install slurpee machines on the corner of every block, or whatever you want. You don't live in the District, then butt-out of my cities business and quit contacting my Council pretending to be someone you are not to make demands when you have zero skin in the game.
Right back at ya there, dtp67.
Any streetcar segment that gets built there is part of a citywide system because the technology used on it will without question affect the technology used throughout the rest of the system. It is a "DC issue" ... and NOT a neighborhood issue.
David's site gives a very narrow slice of opinions, and many errors go uncorrected. As Lance mentioned, he rarely comments on matters outside his neighborhood unless they are city-wide matters. So you cannot rely on him to correct misrepresentations of the concerns of many of the groups and individuals that David dismisses as "antis." And Richard Layman's viewpoints on many issues simply are not that different from David's so his limited presence isn't providing a diversity of opinions or corrections to misrepresentations about neighborhood concerns.
If you doubt that this is a problem with David's web-site, you need simply compare the discussion of particular projects with discussion on neighborhood listserves which don't censor the comments or the official testimony on those projects.
If David had confidence in his representation of the facts, his representations of the positions taken by others, and the robustness of his conclusions, he wouldn't find it necessary to block comments from IP addresses that have pointed out errors and omissions.
I am writing to complain about the fake subway maps used to illustrate this story in the formal print version of The City Paper.
None of the subway stops are named for Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS). This is an outrageous oversight, and not in keeping with the L'Enfant Plan, as codified by McMillan and Hickenlooper (U.S.C. 1009-1763, Section II).
I believe there are at least two subway stops on the real subway map that reference "Federal," as there should be (I am current Man of the Year at the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, but I digress). I do not know off the top of my head what the names of the subway stops that reference "Federal" might be, as I drive and park, and do not ride the underground. But you get my point.
Under the precedent set by WAMATA and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) by naming two (2) stops "Federal" something, it is required that fake subway maps intending to illustrate the organizations involved in the viewshed of planning and zoning in the District of Columbia and the Federal City MUST include AT LEAST three (3) stops on the fake subway map illustration that reference CHRS. Did I mention that if it were not for me, the subway stop at 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue SE would have been named Navy Yard, and Eastern Market would have gone out of business? Poof! But I digress.
Please immediately reprint the newspaper with the following three subway stops included in your fake subway map: (1.) CHRS (it should be a dead end at the intersection of the fake subway, the 22nd-Century streetcar that is powered by mosquito breath and has no wires, and a parking lot); (2.) CHRS PUD (anyone stopping at CHRS PUD has to pay CHRS $1.3 million for a study of historic buildings we will support demolishing); and (3.) CHRS Hine-Town Square (it should require elimination of any school children I don't like seeing, and then a private developer must tortuously reconfigure their plans to reflect a re-routed Pennsylvania Ave. SE that exists only in my head).
Unless immediate action is taken, we will blockade work on the 11 Street bridges with every copy of the paper we can get our hands on, and then we will sue your ass. Ask the residents in the new Barney Circle Historical District what happens when CHRS is ignored.
Pompously yours,
You know very well what my name is!
Until then, I wish you Godspeed.
I think it's going to be interesting to see what happens when there is a changing of the guard at many of the District's agencies ... after Gray becomes mayor. David has too easily let himself be the cheerleader for any and all ideas other 'white, hipster, 20-or-30-somethings' in any District agency have wanted to try out ... without the proper planning or inclusion of ALL stakeholders.
It may have seemed that the views of the GGW bloggers where 'representive' of what everyone in the District actually wanted, because the agency connections David had surely played it that way to the press. But what the press (and maybe even David) didn't fully understand was that it was actually David being played by these agencies to sell 'their' ideas. Now that 'their' ideas are going to be going by the wayside, I think it'll be a lot clearer how very un-representative of the whole of DC the views of most of his posters are ... in particular the many of which who aren't even District residents.
Interesting times are right around the corner!
Again, i hate these recent transplants that think everything is fucked up because its not like NYC. Metro was designed to ease congestion coming into down town DC and built stations at the fringe of densely populated parts of the metro area to relieve commuters. the original ends of the line were : Springfiled, VA; New Carrollton, MD; Silver Spring, MD and White Flint (Rockville), MD. 4 pts along the DC beltway dummies.
Alpert has done some great things (e.g. bike lanes) and some extremely shitty things (Streetcars to Nowhere that D.C. cannot afford). His position would be far more interesting if he lived in a less fluffy part of town and used the bulk of his savings on not owning a $1.+ million house to resurrect the opportunities there. Let's face it, he likes things white people like. A lot of people do. The problem is when he pushes for things at the expense of social programs or a functional municipal budget.
I'm all for discouraging cars -- how about a toll for non-residents who drive into the city during rush hour!? -- and promoting municipal and foot-powered transit options. But then he does stuff that is just unnecessary, like a $40 million streetcar "system" when a simple metro bus line with more frequent stops would do. Want to make it greener? Make it an electric bus or a solar-powered one or whatever.
D.C. is a multi-ethnic, multi-income city. It is the only city of its kind where a forest runs through it. We don't have to strain our necks to see the clouds. So let's advocate not just for "smart growth," but INTELLIGENT growth that takes into account our financial position and the impacts actions have on the less-affluent.
Change begins with a conversation...and online blogs or community news sites can surface the issues that really matter. Sure, someone could hold a public hearing or information session, but most of the time, no one knows about those things until decisions have already been made. Residents can be surveyed...and theoretically, we elect people to represent us. But sometimes it takes a contentious discussion to raise an issue to the point that people start to really think about it. All this guy is doing is sharing information about topics he is passionate about with a goal to make Washington greater. The fact that he has become influential may make some jealous because it seems he created a "shortcut" to bypass what they thought were the appropriate paths to influence, but so what? If you disagree, you can certainly argue your case as well.
I'm not local to DC (although I did live there for a couple years), so I'm sure my opinion would be dismissed by those who feel that you have to live in a town for 10 years to matter, but on a much smaller scale, I've experienced the same kind of growing influence in a town where I started a blog. We are all learning--and maintaining influence depends on listening to the detractors and never forgetting that you are a new, alternative voice. But we are not newspapers seeking to filter ideas or policitcians seeking to represent the majority--we write from our own perspective and welcome discussion--believing that an open discussion of ideas will lead to positive change.
That's GGW in a nutshell. Alpert built a colosseum, but the stuff that goes on inside is mostly entertainment. The people who don't like GGW are frustrated by the times politicians confuse the gladiators for the colosseum.
@Mr. Bigglesworth, issues like tolling at the city boarder (or at beltway exists) and commuter taxes have been discussed on the GreaterGreaterWashington blog. Just do a search and you will see a wide variety of perspectives, even if it isn't a feasible solution because of federal oversight.
EIGHTEEN months process, maybe 30 meetings, and John Feeley in that hearing video admits he never held a single member district meeting on this huge issue, never went around the neighborhood and flyered houses to poll their opinions (in response to good questions from Vince Gray and Harry Thomas about what he and other commissioners did to sit there and say they truly represent their constituents). And after all that, they sit there and say start over, from scratch.
February 10, 2009, go to Council's website and look it up, it's VERY enlightening after now watching it and having read all the nonsense in this thread. What a show!
When considering the groups that oppose the issues GGW supports, (such as Columbia Country Club or the Committee of 100) I would argue that we have a robust and diverse cornucopia of people contributing to GGW. Perhaps there is a concentration of students of urban planning and architecture, perhaps there is a concentration of younger folks, but come on out to one of our contributor meetings and you are likely to see many different types of people.
In practice, what a hot mess. I'm from Ward 6, where David's dumpling darling CM Tommy Wells is in a contested primary. Albert should be embarassed by what he wrote in opposition to Wells' opponent:
"His opponent, Kelvin Robinson, has attacked these policies with vague racial innuendo"
David's is not the only source of information about the Ward 6 debate on the whole world wide web.
Go here to read a summary of the debate sponsored by Eastern Market Metro Community Association and a complete transcript of everything said.
Go here to read a summary of the debate sponsored by DefeatPoverty DC and the Ward 6 Democrats, and watch video clips of the debate.
I challenge David Albert to find ONE instance of "vague racial innuendo" in Mr. Robinson's remarks. David's dismissal of Robinson amounts to a false and unsubstantiated allegations, name-calling and an ad hominem attack on Robinson that is beneath GGW and should not be tolerated.
Oooooops, what did I just say?
The funny part is that, of course, the commenters took Albert to task for his false, black-face minstrel portrayal of Robinson, so fiercely that Albert had to send his brand new Asst. Editor Matt Johnson in to delete a bunch of comments and threaten to ban one commenter taking issue with Albert.
The grounds for this ungracious behavior toward a guest of GGW?
Asst Editor Matt Johnson scolded the commenter thusly: "It is also not appropriate to post unsubstantiated allegations or to resort to name-calling. Ad hominem attacks will not be tolerated."
Ummmm, isn't that precisely what Albert did to Robinson here?
"you talk a lot about 'oldtimers' and 'newcomers'--when you say 'newcomers', aren't you really talking about 'white people'?
Kelvin Robinson's response?
"a lot of people are talking about 'white people'. I'm not talking about 'white people', just talking about the concerns of people who are talking about 'white people'."
1. What I offered you and other readers was not a "nice try," it was an opportunity for you to read the transcript of one debate and watch video of another. Did you do you homework, or are you just going to cling to this failed example of what you seem to think is Robinson's campaign of "vague racial innuendo"?
2. Second, I think you made up the quotes. Can you cite the time stamp? I cannot find the exchange you "quote" quote here. What I can find, starting at 39:15, is Tom Sherwood badgering and interrupting Robinson, trying to corner Robinson into a no-win, gotcha corner that Robinson correctly dodged. The exchange is demeaning to Sherwood, to Robinson, to Wells and to Kojo. That's why Kojo cuts Sherwood off at 42:05. Listen to that segment and find me the "vague racial innuendo."
3. Most importantly, you ignore the whole Kojo show, the whole EMMCA debate, the whole Ward 6 Democrats debate (see the video clips) and post one exchange, possibly a false exchange you made up (correct me if I am wrong with the time stamp) and try to turn a very impressive candidate, former Mayor Williamson chief of staff and current ANC Chairman Kelvin Robinson as some kind of Stepin Fetchit-cum-demagogue. Sheesh. And shame on you.
Anyone can pull a quote out of context, or make up a quote, and paint a false picture.
Here is an actual, documented, true exchange between Wells and the moderator at the EMMCA debate:
COUNCILMEMBER TOMMY WELLS: In many ways through benign attention had been supporting taxpayer money for oppressing and discriminating others and realized that not only was same sex marriage an important civil right but also that things like vouchers, where we take vouchers paid by taxpayers that include gay and lesbian taxpayers and then they're used by organizations and schools that then discriminate….I realized that we were just turning a blind eye and that we were using again against the folks that were testifying saying "This is our civil right," we were taking their taxpayers to fund organizations who would then discriminate against them.
MODERATOR'S QUESTION: When you talk about a group that discriminates against women, you're talking about the Catholic Church?
WELLS: Yes.
MODERATOR: How much money do Catholic charities currently receive in other funds from the District? Why don't you cut off all funding to Catholic charities?
WELLS: That was exactly the issue….I think you also pose a good question, though, in terms of how our taxpayers moneys are used and is it funding discrimination.
(Source: Ward 6 Democratic Council Candidates' Forum, August 24, 2010, Southeast Library)
Shouldn't I read that and conclude Tommy Wells is an anti-Catholic bigot? Is he some kind of KKK hood-wearing, No-Nothing Party, nativist anti-Papist?
Jesus, people. Get over yourselves.
Oh, and I love the idea of the streetcar. We should have never torn them out in the first place. I would gladly take my car to a junkyard and pass the $2000 a year or so that I spend on insurance, maintenance, and gas along to better public transportation, if I could get everywhere and anywhere conveniently.
Trulee (actually) asked: "Is he [Tommy Wells] some kind of KKK hood-wearing, No-Nothing Party, nativist anti-Papist?"
Last time I checked, no. Moving past the pure crank rhetoric, my previous post was a paraphrase, the reality is worse, and I got your time stamps right here, pal:
1:23, Sherwood asks about racial divide, Kelvin dodges, esp. at pt 2:03
Kelvin's dodging is the intellectually and morally bankrupt equivalent of some GOP pol saying, in response to a question on Obama's religion: "well, that's the debate people are having, we need to have a debate" instead of aggressively and forthrightly taking a rhetorical fire extinguisher to divisiveness.
But as someone who peppers your rhetoric with the crankspeak mentioned earlier, Trulee, I'm betting you have a tin ear for my point.
Everyone else, watch the vid. Wells excels.
You "paraphrased" the "quote" quote in your original comment.
Now you have written a new "paraphrase." None of that is causing your credibility to increase in my eyes.
Just so you are clear on this, JDC, your timestamp (taken from YouTube) and mine (an audio file from Kojo's site) are pointing to the exact same part of the conversation.
I am going to stick with my paraphrase as more accurate, when I wrote:
"I cannot find the exchange you "quote" quote here. What I can find, starting at 39:15 [Kojo audio file time stamp], is Tom Sherwood badgering and interrupting Robinson, trying to corner Robinson into a no-win, gotcha corner that Robinson correctly dodged. The exchange is demeaning to Sherwood, to Robinson, to Wells and to Kojo. That's why Kojo cuts Sherwood off at 42:05 [audio file time]. Listen to that segment and find me the "vague racial innuendo."
The challenge I made stands, whether you use your time stamp or mine, go to that section and type out the exact quote that will show to God and everybody that Kelvin Robinson engaged in what David Alpert called, falsely, "vague racial innuendo." It is not there.
Here, I'll make it easy-peasy for you, because I don't want a third "paraphrase" from you. I'd like facts.
Starting at 1:23 on YouTube:
SHERWOOD: Some people have suggested, and this is a racial question,[you] as an African American, some people have suggested that the streetcars and the bag tax and the bike lanes and all that are somehow anti-black, or are just favoring the upper-income white people of this city. I find it incongruous that people would say that. But you've heard that argument. Do you buy into that somehow or other that's catering to the well-to-do white people in town, that somehow black people don't ride bicyles.
KELVIN ROBINSON: Again, I think that those issues are really issues that don't deal with the day-to-day lives of individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. I mean, when we talk about...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): Is there a racial aspect to that?
ROBINSON: Well, some have certainly suggested....
SHERWOOD (interrupting): No, I don't mean some, whether you think there is a racial aspect to that.
ROBINSON: I'll leave that for those who would consider whether they're getting the kind of support they need in the areas...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): You're suggesting that you're open to the idea that there's a racial aspect to Mr. Wells support of those items?
ROBINSON: Well, let me just say that in the ward I believe...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): It's a very sensitive issue and that's why I want to be as clear as possible, and not code words.
ROBINSON: I have said at my ANC Commission meetings that I chair in 6A, that the racial tension is palpable, and we need to have a conversation in our ward about those issues. We cannot ignore them, and we ought to be forthright in having a real conversation about the change that's undergoing in the ward. Look...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): So you believe there's a racial disparity in the way Mr. Wells represents the ward. You want to have a conversation about it but you don't want to say it.
ROBINSON: That is not what I've said, and what I believe is, as we have change in our communities and we have new people coming, and a majority of those people are coming without the understanding...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): They are white people. I just want to be as clear as possible about this.
ROBINSON (annoyed): Well, I am too!
KOJO (hopping in to save Sherwood from himself): Allow me to help clarify because economic tensions in our city often manifest themselves as racial tensions...
ROBINSON: Thank you!
(BTW, Sherwood himself later acknowleged that "Kojo said it better than me, that economic disparities can also have a racial affect.")
Knock yourself out. Point me to the words that support David Alpert's pernicious charge that Kelvin Robinson engages in "vague racial innuendo."
Read the actual words Tommy Wells said, and tell me. What is Tommy Wells' attitude toward the Catholic church?
MODERATOR'S QUESTION: When you talk about a group that discriminates against women, you're talking about the Catholic Church?
WELLS: Yes.
MODERATOR: How much money do Catholic charities currently receive in other funds from the District? Why don't you cut off all funding to Catholic charities?
WELLS: That was exactly the issue….I think you also pose a good question, though, in terms of how our taxpayers moneys are used and is it funding discrimination.
Who said:
"But in arguing for rigorous adherence to facts and truth, I guess you're not expecting anyone to value those in your own rhetoric."
(See Comment #58 for the answer)
What I meant to say was,
"Anyone can pull a quote out of context (as in my case in the example that follows, where I pull together everything Wells said about Catholic Charities, and present only that, as if to leave the impression that Wells is a frothing-at-the-mouth Roman Catholic Church-hating Norwegian. In context, Wells' comments were in response to a specific question, not something Wells brought up),
or (as in your case) make up a quote, and paint a false picture."
Obviously Wells is not an anti-Catholic bigot. He is just trying to put political pressure on his challenger, Kelvin Robinson, for Robinson's service as Vice Chair of the Board of Catholic Charities. Who wouldn't?
So, the last quote--how in the Sam Hill does Robinson explain his association with Catholic Charities? This should be good. What does he say Catholic Charities does, exactly?
"COUNCIL CANDIDATE KELVIN ROBINSON: Catholic Charities is an organization that for the past 80 or some-odd years has been providing, in partnership with the District, some of the most comprehensive social service programs in the region. It is the largest social service agency providing much-needed support to families who need it. …They come to our doors every single day, every night, looking for a place, looking for unconditional love to get their needs met."
David has a talent for setting up an attractive web-site and a clear writing style, as well as a knack for self-promotion, but he also lacks background and experience in the issues that he discusses. He has shown by his actions that he isn't interested in having his errors corrected or learning from others who do not share his preconceived notions. So, at the age of 30 and with no background, he seemed to have determined that he has nothing new to learn, and his blog reflects that decision. And at age 32, he has not yet realized that this decision is short-sighted.
So, read and rely on his blog at your own risk, and do not assume from the dearth of comments correcting errors or flawed reasoning that the information presented is correct or that there is any merit to the analysis presented.
But, I have participated on GGW it seems like from the get go, and in my experience, David appears to delete when there is profanity or over the top attacks of a personal nature. I criticize him ALL THE TIME, and though I do not go back and check all of my comments, in the hundreds at least, I do not think he has deleted a one. (Unless I have asked him to, when I posted on the wrong entry, for example)
I never rely on his blog for judgment calls at least. About anything important or substantive, I always research.
You can disagree - in fact, that kind of discussion is welcomed - but you have to do it nicely. You have to do it based on the issues.
And, chances are, if you can't manage to put your criticisms in a polite manner, your criticisms aren't that strong to begin with.
And, apparently, my polite, but pointed, contributions to the discussion are not welcome. David has used the spam blocker to prevent my participation as well as the participation of others. The criticism that I posted was strong, and would have been persuasive if David allowed it to stand. In fact, I usually pointed out fatal flaws in David's analysis, clear factual errors with citations included, or examples in which David posted information from questionable sources without fact-checking. Without the ability to compose a strong rebuttal, David, instead chose censorship.
This is his forum, and he can limit participation as he chooses, but apparently, other frequent participants and contributors don't realize that David has blocked those that have pointed out serious errors in his posts.
That would be quite impossible in today's litigious society.
Try to be tolerant of the exception, it makes life interesting. And makes for a hell of a good story.
Yes I'm sure, including your habit of obsessive citation mania, thousands of words. It's off limits on any quality thread. Glad GGW doesn't put up with it. Glad that PLENTY of comments highly critical of GGW stand there, all over GGW, to prove your delusional victimhood wrong.
Like the cranky shouters we see at the Brookland hearing, and many others, you're angry at GGW because of its success, and the rest we call "rationalization." I could explain that with "citations included" but prefer not to burden you with the Merck manual re: emotional issues.
I'll take your silence as assent, JDC. You can't prove that explosive charge. You agree that the quote you made up to prove it was false.
David Alpert, who originated that false statement about Robinson, and whose entire analysis of Robinson is that lie, has nothing to say. There is nothing else in GGW's analysis of the Ward 6 challenger except that lie.
If Alpert will not come forward and fix this, that smelly lie will hang around his neck and the neck of GGW forever.
JDC. Sorry, but my posts were neither long nor rambling, but they raised basic questions about the facts and analysis. While there are some critical comments in GGW now, there are quite a few topics where basic errors have gone unchallenged and flawed logic has not been exposed.
in your little head, TR, yes it will. for the rest of us, the stench of KR's vague racial innuendo, and the smell of political death after his numbers come in on Primary night, will overwhelm. drink up on 9/13, 'cause you'll feel better about election night 24 hrs. later.
Or maybe GGW is your latest excuse for not winning.
Convenient. All half dozen serious GGW haters: go get your own groove on. We're waiting. Meanwhile we're also winning.
Thanks. I'd be interested in knowing what the issue was, as well as viewing the link you posted originally.
I'm still waiting. I'm patient. Can you prove it?
"would that make me black? Or would you have to see me dance first?"
Do you have any proof that Kelvin Robinson has ever engaged in vauge racial innuendo, or does the author of that calumny, David Alpert, have any proof?
Or was Alpert's analysis as much a lie as your "quote" quote of the exchange between Sherwood and Robinson that occurred nowhere in the universe except in your head?
Obviously, many black Washingtonians are unhappy that Chocolate City is turning vanilla. Maybe they can hold a seance and commiserate with the white Washingtonians of yore who were unhappy about all the Negroes moving into their fair city. Tastes change, places change.
Can you give me one example of that?
That's what Robinson is doing. Black people in Ward 6 see various improvements as part of The Plan, and Robinson is signaling to them that he recognizes their desire to limit demographic changes in Ward 6, even though he can't come out and say it, at least on WAMU. Robinson is effectively saying, "If you're angry or fearful about white people moving into Ward 6, then vote for me." And again, if Robinson feels comfortable enough to speak in code on WAMU, what's he saying when he talks to (black) individuals?
KELVIN ROBINSON: Again, I think that those issues are really issues that don't deal with the day-to-day lives of individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. I mean, when we talk about...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): Is there a racial aspect to that?
ROBINSON: Well, some have certainly suggested....
SHERWOOD (interrupting): No, I don't mean some, whether you think there is a racial aspect to that.
ROBINSON: I'll leave that for those who would consider whether they're getting the kind of support they need in the areas...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): You're suggesting that you're open to the idea that there's a racial aspect to Mr. Wells support of those items?
ROBINSON: Well, let me just say that in the ward I believe...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): It's a very sensitive issue and that's why I want to be as clear as possible, and not code words.
ROBINSON: I have said at my ANC Commission meetings that I chair in 6A, that the racial tension is palpable, and we need to have a conversation in our ward about those issues. We cannot ignore them, and we ought to be forthright in having a real conversation about the change that's undergoing in the ward. Look...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): So you believe there's a racial disparity in the way Mr. Wells represents the ward. You want to have a conversation about it but you don't want to say it.
ROBINSON: That is not what I've said, and what I believe is, as we have change in our communities and we have new people coming, and a majority of those people are coming without the understanding...
SHERWOOD (interrupting): They are white people. I just want to be as clear as possible about this.
ROBINSON (annoyed): Well, I am too!
Kelvin Robinson says, "These are issues that don't deal with the day-to-day lives of individuals who are struggling to make ends meet," and "I have said at my ANC Commission meetings that I chair in 6A that the racial tension is palpable" and "we ought to be forthright in having a real conversation about the change that's undergoing in the ward."
To me, that sounds like Robinson is the adult in this conversation. Sherwood's contribution is not elevating, and though you cut it off in your cut-and-paste, Kojo stepped in at exactly that point to cut Sherwood off and try to elevate the conversation again.
I still don't see any "vague racial innuendo." In fact, the opposite. Robinson's saying that at ANC-6A, a racially mixed ANC where he's chairman, he's trying to be forthright and bring this conversation out into the open where adults can address the policy issues, in a real discussion about policy priorities. He'd like to do the same as CM. But that's just me (and Kojo)...different people can interpret the words and the videos differently.
See how much better the conversation can go when everyone addresses the facts and truth? Much better than that idiot up at #97 who just makes up a question from Sherwood and an answer from Robinson that never happened and was a lie. Sometimes at GGW, David Alpert does the same thing--removes comments that bring facts to bear that disprove his unfounded thesis on this topic or that one.
With all due respect, Mr "...", I do have to scold you for making unfounded allegations, and resorting to name-calling and ad hominem attacks--GGW and his Asst Editor say that's not tolerated on the tony pages of GGW.
When you say, without any proof, that Robinson:
* would say something different on WHUR or WPGC than he said on WAMU
* would say something different when he's on the doorstep asking Shanique for her vote.
You don't have any proof for that. Your speculation is "vague racial innuendo," for which you ought to be ashamed of yourself. And your baseless, offensive race-baiting is the exact opposite of everything we know about Kelvin Robinson and his extensive experience in important positions in government.
With that, I have to go. I hope you will never engage in the evil practices of the commenter at #97 and inject falsehoods into conversations and claim they are facts; I am glad you are willing to start with the facts, such as the transcript you cite.
I also hope you will look into your soul and inquire whether those overheated conspiracies you invent, among people whose names you find laughable, conducted (you believe) through "vague racial innuendo," don't actually really happen out in the real world (at least, you come with no evidence or proof of it), but rather, occur in reverse somewhere very close to home for you and Mr. David Alpert.
Yup--infotainment. Nothing more. Nothing less.
What they're doing is providing a set of voices and viewpoints (as well as an opportunity for opposing viewpoints in comments) on a set of issues that are tremendously important both for the District and for surrounding communities. No other forum I'm aware of provides as much coverage of these issues in our locality. No other forum I'm aware of discusses them so attentively. I may not always agree with GGW, just as I don't always agree with the 3-4 blogs that cover my neighborhood. Nonetheless, I'm glad that GGW exists to further my understanding of these issues, just as I'm glad about the existence of neighborhood blogs which let me know about ANC-, crime- and development-news. Sometimes you learn from people you disagree with. As long as GGW is a respectful, rational voice on issues we need discussed (and note -- just because someone disagrees with you, or doesn't have the degrees you have, or even happens to be wrong, does not mean they're irrational or disrespectful), then I'm tremendously glad to have their voice added to the mix.
Except the minute GGW, i.e., David Alpert, starts labelling those who don't agree with his opinions as 'antis' or 'opposed to change on principle', then the views have ceased to be either rational or respectful. A line has been crossed. It's the old 'if you can't argue on logical grounds, then resort to demonizing your debate opponent'. Frankly, this speaks volumes. It reminds me of Bush's 'You're either with us or against us'.
I know its possible that the City Paper took David's words out of context. But were that the case, I would have expected David to forcefully diassociate himself with the way he appears to paint each and every person and each and every organization that is not in lockstep with his opinions. He did not do that. He actually got on his own blog and instead said:
<i>"You know you've arrived when..."</I>
Can someone really think they have all the answers? And everyone else is ... well ... just wrong ... And just want to see things stay as they are because 'that's the way they've always been' ... or because 'we just want to oppose David Alpert" ... ?
The transcript includes David's condescending testimony claiming that others misunderstood OP's proposal, when in fact his description of how they erred highlighted David's own errors and that he considered only a few bullet points rather than each of OP's 17 recommendations.
He also stated that some people saw disadvantages in things that OP stated were advantages, implying that the opponents must be mistaken. Presumably, he did not understand or possibly did not even try to understand the risks or harms that opponents described, and that OP's statement that these changes are advantageous does not obviate the possibility that others find the changes to be harmful nor does it eliminate the need to evaluate the impact.
There was other related information that was posted for the hearing which might make the transcript easier to interpret, so an evaluation of David's understanding of the issues would benefit from a review of the transcript and the official file.
GGW certainly doesn't get everything right (who does?) and I do not mean to imply direct comparison of Alpert to Jane Jacobs. As an urban planner working in the area, however, I appreciate that GGW is helping to motivate folks to take an interest in critical planning issues like improved multi-modal transportation in a growing metropolitan region. (I do think a greater diversity in the demographics of the contributors could improve upon GGW's offerings and broaden its appeal.)
There are plenty of "experts" (planners, structural engineers, etc.) working in local and regional government, or in the private sector advising these governments on planning and land use matters. Sometimes these experts are up to date on best practices and sometimes they're not, but regardless, most of the time they are not the decision makers. The decision makers' choices may or may not be based on the best available information from experts, but they are almost always based in part on the desires of residents/constituents, neighborhood groups, developers and their attorneys, business owners, other appointed/elected officials, etc. In my view, community members that are conversant with today's theories for designing compact, transit oriented and accessible development, are welcome allies for planning "experts" who have been trained to plan the same but are typically not vested with decision making authority.
Actually, we had this discussion on GGW. Cars are much maligned. And falsely. With the catalytic converters of today, the exhaust emitted by todays cars is arguably cleaner than the city air into which it is emitted. Additionally, much mass transit is actually far more polluting AND much less efficient in total terms of energy used than a personal vehicle. Why? Because (a) buses/streetcars etc. most of the day travel with only a fraction of their capacity of people (b) they can only truely be economical on routes where there are a lot of people going to the same places at the same time and (c) many mass transit vehicles rely either on dirty deisel or electricty ... which tends to be produced with dirty coal. I.e., Cars are most certainly the cleaner choice. And of course, bikes (or feet) work too ... provided you don't have very far to go, not much to carry (forget about carrying grown kids), and it's neither too hot, too cold, too rainy, too snowy, too humid ... i.e. too 'Washington weather'. Yep, you can't beat the old automobile for an effiencient and far-less polluting alternative to other means of getting around.
And all of the sudden the existing voices, almost none of them with any transportation or planning experience when they first started getting involved, don't think things are being discussed in the right way.
That's why they are losing the momentum on all the issues, because the new voices don't understand anything, or because the new voices just didn't let the old voices go on and on for another couple thousand words, basically repeating the same losing argument over and over.
Seems to me the real issue for the existing voices is the very existence of new voices! Things are usually what they just plain seem to be, and that just plain seems to be the situation here.
Nobody is preventing anybody from having a voice in front of elected officials, city council, city commissions and boards. Nobody is cutting off debate there, nobody is running into any hearing rooms and stealing one side's testimony or scrambling your many footnotes.
One side is just out-pacing the other, they're just winning. That's what's happening here. And hold onto your seats, Lance and "Anon" and the rest of the subset of existing voices: that arc is not going to re-bend your way under Gray.
Yes ... and no ....
Yes, that when you have the right tools you can easily over power someone (anyone) who doesn't. Look at what happened when the Spanish conquistadors came to the New World with their gunpowder and other new technology. It didn't matter who was right or who was wrong, 'Strength made right' ... A few thousand Spaniards were able to wrest control of an empire of millions.
No, that 'that's what's happening here'. What's 'happening here' is that you had some Fenty administration department heads that were given marching orders to get certain things done, with little guidance or resources for getting them right ... who just 'had to get them done ... or their heads would be on a platter'. Conveniently, they found someone out there who was willing to back their actions with a 'false constituency'. False in that it really represented only a very small part of the actualy constituency ... and even then represented a part of the constiuency that had it been hard to really 'participate' never would have had the time, energy or incentive to really participate. But sending an email or writing a response on a blog isn't all that difficult ... as I will concede. (smile)
So, you had the perfect storm to create a co-dependent relationship between Fenty administration department heads on the one hand --- who needed a 'constituency' to point to as justification for doing what they were doing without any real public consensus ... And David on the other, who needed government departments and agencies he could point to as successfully implementing his 'Smart Growth' ... and thereby gaining credibility for his views and his own successes.
It was the perfect relationship. Note I'm saying 'was' because it's unlikely that the Fenty part of the equation will survice the upcoming election.
Which critics of GGW don't have the Internet, obviously the ones in this thread do. And while many residents of this city might be on the short end of a digital divide, again you and other GGW critics clearly have a connection and more importantly you had the lead on all the traditional modes of organizing. And so you have the ability to do the same thing GGW is doing to recruit people and get your views into the process. So I don't see the big unfairness that you see only someone being quicker smarter and putting more digital elbow grease into it all, or maybe you are just not advocating the facts as well as you assume you are, or have the wrong information, or misunderstand things, even though it seems that is what you want to accuse GGW of doing. In other words, have you ever thought of the possibility that you just might be wrong, you know the same thing you suggest GGW is incapable of considering for a moment?
Keep hoping for that big attitude shift that you're anticipating after the election of Mayor Vincent Gray:
He [Gray] said the city needs "a forward-looking policy that gets people out of automobiles."
Things might happen slower and with a lot more time for everyone to have input, you know like that long Brookland hearing where everyone got to speak, and Vince Gray got to ask the "antis" lots of questions, including about their efforts over 18 months and 30 meetings to hold an SMD meeting, but they never did. Who won that one, a key issue mentioned in the article above?
And btw, it's not like Smart Growth people have a monopoly on smart growth ... And lots of what GGW was the cheerleader for was far from smart.
And if it doesn't, I am so saving this. And who will you blame then? What will your rationalization be then? And I am all for more inclusiveness as it was obviously Fenty's problem. And we'll see what your real impediment was and what it really was for all the people so displeased with GGW's activism.
As you know, representatives of organizations generally get additional time to testify at the Zoning Commission, usually 5 minutes, rather than the 3 minutes available to individuals. Like you, I have found no other reference to this organization.
Inconsistency. Another reason DC's existing voices keep losing, even when Vince Gray is listening, like in that Brookland small area plan hearing.
Also I have to agree with those who say they are almost all White, -I attended one of their parties- these guys and especially David Alpert come across as arrogant and they think they know it all. I interviewed David months ago, he is smart and knows what he is doing.
Anacostia Streetcar! Yeesh!


text:
Hallermann Streiff Syndrome
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
It is possible that the main title of the report Hallermann Streiff Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
- Francois dyscephaly syndrome
- Hallermann Streiff François syndrome
- oculomandibulodyscephaly with hypotrichosis
- oculomandibulofacial syndrome
General Discussion
Hallermann-Streiff syndrome (HSS) is a rare genetic disorder that is primarily characterized by distinctive malformations of the skull and facial (craniofacial) region; sparse hair (hypotrichosis); eye abnormalities; dental defects; degenerative skin changes (atrophy), particularly in the scalp and nasal regions; and proportionate short stature. Characteristic craniofacial features include a short, broad head (brachycephaly) with an unusually prominent forehead and/or sides of the skull (dyscephaly); a small, underdeveloped lower jaw (hypoplastic mandible); a narrow, highly arched roof of the mouth (palate); and a thin, pinched, tapering nose. Many affected individuals also have clouding of the lenses of the eyes at birth (congenital cataracts or corneal stromal opacities); unusually small eyes (microphthalmia); and/or other ocular abnormalities. Dental defects may include natal or neonatal teeth, absent permanent teeth (hypodontia or partial adontia), abnormal tooth development resulting in short roots and early loss of teeth, and/or improper alignment of teeth. In almost all cases, HSS has appeared to occur randomly for unknown reasons (sporadically), and this syndrome is thought to be the result of a new change to genetic material (mutation).
Hallermann-Streiff syndrome was first described in the medical literature in 1893. The disorder was named for two investigators who later independently reported cases of the syndrome, recognizing it as a distinct disease entity.
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
6 Execuitive Drive
Suite 2
Fairview Hiights, IL 62208
Tel: (618)566-2020
Fax: (618)566-4718
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.nfed.org
FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
PO Box 11082
Chattanooga, TN 37401
Tel: (423)266-1632
Fax: (423)267-3124
Tel: (800)332-2373
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.faces-cranio.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
P.O. Box 317
Watertown, MA 02272-0317
Tel: (617)972-7441
Fax: (617)972-7444
Tel: (800)562-6265
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.napvi.org
Little People of America, Inc.
250 El Camino Real Suite 201
Tustin, CA 92780
Tel: (714)368-3689
Fax: (714)368-3367
Tel: (888)572-2001
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.lpaonline.org/
NIH/National Eye Institute
31 Center Dr
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/
Institute for Families
4650 Sunset Blvd Mail stop 111
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tel: (323)361-4649
Fax: (323)665-7869
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.instituteforfamilies.org
Coalition for Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue (CHDCT)
4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 404
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202)362-9599
Fax: (202)966-8553
Tel: (800)778-7171
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.chdct2.org/
Craniofacial Foundation of America
975 East Third Street
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Tel: (423)778-9176
Fax: (423)778-8172
Tel: (800)418-3223
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.craniofacialfoundation.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
Hallerman-Streiff Syndrome Resource
3524 Blenheim Road
Phoenix, MD 21131
Tel: (443)318-4461
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.hallerman-streiffsupport.org
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Last Updated: 4/11/2012
Copyright 1988, 1990, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2012 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Emtek 96413US7
French Antique 3.5" x 3.5" Solid Brass Square Corner Ball Bearing Mortise Hinge - Pair
Item # BCI599411 | Model # 96413US7 | 3-1/2 Inch Hinges Collection
Questions about Emtek 96413US7?
Contact us for advice or more details. Our product specialists are here to help.
All Emtek items are made to order.
3-1/2 Inch Hinges Collection Emtek Square Corner 3.5" x 3.5" Solid Brass Ball Bearing Mortise Hinge - Pair
Emtek quality ball bearing hinges are made with the finest steel alloys featuring removable ends for the attachment of the finial of your choice. Complete your project with details that are consistent and thoughtful.
- Sold as Pair
- Ball Bearing Hinge
- Heavy Duty Strength
- Removable Pin: Yes
- Wood Screws Included
- Square Corners
- Traditional / Classic Theme
- Arc Hole Pattern
Ball Bearing Hinge: Ball bearing hinges are designed to handle the extra stress brought on by high traffic doorways. The greased bearings reduce the rotational friction extending the life of a hinge in heavy use situations. These hinges tend to be more durable than standard, or plain bearing hinges.
Material - Solid Brass: Solid brass is made from copper and zinc and is prized for its resilience, durability, and beauty. Solid brass can always be polished back to its original sheen and is highly resistant to rusting. Solid brass is often available in finishes that other hinge materials are not.
Mounting: The standard corners for mortised door hinges are 1/4" radius, 5/8" radius and square corner. It is recommended that three hinges be used on doors up to and including 7.5 feet with one additional hinge for each additional 2.5 feet. Make sure you check your current hinges before making a purchase.
- 3.5 Inch Height
- 3.5 Inch Width
- Made from Solid Brass
- Mount: Mortise
- Gauge: 0.098" (Thickness of Hinge Brass)
- 5 Knuckles
- 6 Screw holes
Emtek is dedicated to bringing interesting, well made hardware back into American homes. Emtek's mission is to satisfy the higher expectations of today's homeowners with regard to door locks. They strive to provide a broad and interesting range of products that consumers can use as elements of decor, and not just as a way to latch a door.
Additional Emtek Links
This Emtek item can also be referenced by the following color/finish specific model #:
- Emtek 96413US7
French Antique
- Emtek 96413PVD
Lifetime Polished Brass
- Emtek 96413US10B
Oil Rubbed Bronze
- Emtek 96413US15A
- Emtek 96413US26
Polished Chrome
- Emtek 96413US14
Polished Nickel
- Emtek 96413US4
Satin Brass
- Emtek 96413US15
Satin Nickel
*Discontinued model or finish
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We're committed to providing you with the best assortment of Emtek products with over 400 warehouses across the country.
Our knowledgeable product specialists work to bring you the best prices on every product and provide unmatched customer service. Your satisfaction is our highest priority!