Apology to Iran

The New York Times reported that Iran's president, Mahoud Ahmadinejad, urged Washington to apologize for its actions toward his country over the past 60 years. Most Americans, upon hearing of this statement, would ask, "What should we apologize for?" Well, for starters, we should apologize for past actions in support of the former monarch of Iran. We should apologize for the actions of the CIA in twice thwarting popular revolutions and an opportunity for the creation of a democratic government in Iran. We should apologize for policies that lead to control of the country by Muslim clerics. Any student of the history of relations between the United States and Iran can find many more reasons for an apology from the United States. An apology would go a long way towards improving diplomatic relations and, thus, creating an atmosphere that could possibly deter Iran's nuclear ambitions. An apology would indicate that the U.S. was willing to abandon its past behaviors as a colonial overlord when it attempted to replace the United Kingdom's role in Iran. An apology would be beneficial in many ways.

The problem in getting an apology for Iran is that most Americans are unaware of our history in Iran. The Bush administration went out of its way to paint Iran as a villianous nation, part of an Axis of Evil. Yes, Iran's government has done despicable things in support of Islamic fundamentalist causes. But, our past actions could be considered despicable as well. The only way we can get past the past and address the future is by a reconcilliation that begins with an apology. I predict it will happen, after an apology is preceded by the right kind of publicity. Otherwise, it will be politically hard to do. Well, there's precedent. Nixon went to China. It is not inconceivable that Obama will go to Iran. Remember, you read it here first.

I Want A Tax Cut

Please cut my taxes. I mean, really cut 'em. Zero taxes, that's what I want. In the first place, I don't want the hassle of getting the papers together that it takes to file my tax return. I want to be able to decide how I spend every penny I am able to glom onto. I don't like to save money from month to month to pay real estate taxes every 6 months. I don't want to figure in the sales tax when trying to figure out if I can afford a major purchase. I don't like to have every little purchase bumped up by a 7-plus percent sales tax. I could drive more if part of the cost of a gallon of gas didn't include taxes. What's more, I wish my beer and liquor purchases weren't taxed, so I could by a better grade of spirits or an exotic imported beer without feeling like I was splurging. Come on, give me a break, no taxes, no how, no way.

There, in one fell swoop, I have outdone the Republican mantra of: Tax Cut, Tax Cut, Tax Cut. Never mind that government has to be paid for somehow. Public schools need money, too. Highways must be built and maintained, and so on. So, if you chant the mantra of Tax Cut, you are admitting that some taxes are necessary. But, if you are a chanter, what you're really saying is, "Let's argue about how much government we should have." You are also saying, "Let's argue about how much the economy can afford to have apportioned to taxes." And, finally, you're saying, "Let somebody else pay for government and all it does."

Well, we live in a representative republic, so we can have as much government as we want, with the caveat that the economy has absolute limits as to the amount of wealth that can be devoted to government. How do we know what that limit is? It's probably a matter of opinion, because surely if there were an empirical standard, it would have been determined by now, even if it varied by whether the economy was expanding or contracting. That thought brings us to the real question, Who pays? Of course, the other guy should pay. That's what is called personal politics. Like I said in the first paragraph, I don't want to pay taxes.

But I do pay them. We all pay them, except of course for tax evaders who under-report income, do work "off the books", engage in barter or use loopholes. I think we all should have been paying more taxes for the past umpteen years. Perhaps, the State of Kansas and other states wouldn't be facing a budget gap. Perhaps, the states would have enough cash reserves to see them through a lean tax time. Perhaps, we could have found ways to conserve our financial resources and, thus, compensate for slightly higher taxes. Perhaps, a higher Federal income tax rate would have avoided the deficits piled up from the war in Iraq or, in the alternative, the financial sacrifice would have made the war unpopular enough that our troops would have been pulled out sooner leaving the Iraqis free to settle their own problems. Taxes can actually be a good thing and we should be proud to pay whatever taxes are need to live in the greatest country on this planet.

Elevator in the Palouse

Driving around Kansas, I had the opportunity to photograph numerous grain elevators. I have been using the photos for subjects of watercolors. I particularly liked to paint the geometric shapes, shadows, textures, and perspectives of the grain elevators. The large sky areas are a challenge for a uniform wash. I have done about five paintings so far, but based on the number of photos I have, many more are coming.

This painting depicts an elevator in the Palouse, an area of wind-blown loess hills in southeast Washington known for growing wheat and lentils. This elevator is located south of Pullman on the highway to Clarksville. It has been scavenged for its corrugated metal siding which was added to the elevators to protect the wood siding. There were also several political campaign signs on the elevator that I omitted from the painting. The elevator still has a use as a billboard frame even if its crop storage days are long over. One of these days it will fall down after the ravaging is done and weather takes its toll.

One of my elevator paintings titled, Sentinels of the Prairie, appears on this blog. I hadn't seen any other paintings of grain elevators at art shows, so I thought that perhaps I had a unique subject. I had never Googled images for grain elevators, but I should have. Last week, in a local newspaper, a magazine called American Profile featured an article titled, "Prairie Cathedrals" about "A Montana couple's love affair with grain elevators". Upon reading the article, I learned there was an organization called the Country Grain Elevator Historical Society. The couple featured in the article, Bruce and Barbara Selyem of Bozeman, Montana, also have a web site. The full article, Prairie Cathedrals, is posted to the magazine's web site. There is even a slide show of photographs taken by Mr. Selyem. This new knowledge of mine makes my fascination with grain elevators as a subject for watercolor paintings seem more important.

Abstinence Only Sex Education - An Oxymoron

"Abstinence-only sex education" is an oxymoron. If all that is taught in sex education is abstinence from sex where's the sex education? Admittedly, I don't have a clue as to what is taught in comprehensive sex education. I can only guess at the topics covered. My guesses would only take me as far as my direct and vicarious experience can take me. However, I am sure that quite a list of topics from arousal to zygote could be covered. And frankly, I never had any sex education, at least not in school. That topic just wasn't covered in Health class as far as I remember. I imagine I would have paid attention and, if it was interesting enough, at least I'd have a recollection of an instructional block called "sex education". I do recall learning about reasons for abstinence, i.e. beware of venereal disease; babies are caused by the joining of an egg and a sperm (Biology class!), so avoid doing anything that could cause a baby; and shotgun weddings are what happens to guys who get a gal pregnant, etc. but never about abstinence itself, except when my father told me to avoid sex before marriage, because I would have plenty of sex once I got married.

I think Obama is right about cutting Federal government funding of "abstinence-only" sex education. It doesn't prevent unplanned pregnancies any better than parental admonitions and exhortations do. Parents who want to teach their children to abstain from sex can do so now without Federal dollars. The only reason some parents want abstinence-only taught in school is to squelch the teaching of other topics dealing with sex. Please parents don't delude yourselves. Your children will learn about sex with or without covering the subject in health education. If you don't believe me, just ask them.

Kansas Budget Woes

The expenses go on, but the income falters. The result: a budget gap. The solution: reduce expenditures and increase revenue. Sounds pretty simple, but it isn't. Cuts in spending hurt, especially when personnel reductions are involved. Government workers with specialized skills have a hard time finding another government employer. Some things can't be cut, i.e. utility costs. Capital spending like for vehicles can be postponed, but maintenance costs are likely to increase. Actually, tax rates on income and property can be increased to support essential services like education, disability and elderly services, public safety and transportation. However, revenue increases have limited potential for solving budget problems due to the political backlash of fewer paying more. It's probably a good time to raise user fees and charges. But, if the demand for services and the means of service delivery are both reduced that can moderate the amount of money received. Anyone should be able to understand the dilemmas and decisions required by a budget pinch. So, the Kansas Legislature, the Governor, the budget staff, the special interest groups and the public will have a real go-around before the budget is adopted.

Just for fun, let's imagine what things would be like if we hadn't had tax cut after tax cut for the past umpteen years. An adequate reserve of cash would be available to carry us through this recession with only minor adjustments and without all the disruption of government and political turmoil. Of course, there is a problem with collecting more revenue than is needed on an annual basis. I doubt if our politicians are mature enough to actually keep the excess in reserve for times like these. If there are excess funds, politicians are apt to spend it, which defeats the idea of having excess funds to weather a recession that reduces revenue. Maybe some day maturity will rule, but politics has always had the flavor of a fight amount 4th graders.

Horrific Headlines

On Saturday last, the KC Star front page headline reads,"FATHER FACES CHARGES OF INCEST AND MURDER". The victims: a teenage daughter and three dead babies. Today, on a Sunday, the KC Star "Local" section's top headline reads, "BABY'S PARENTS CHARGED". The victim: a 4 month old boy who starved to death last Fall. In the same section of the paper on page B2, the top headline read, "Woman accused of prostituting daughter, 5". The victim: the aforementioned 5 year old girl and her two older sisters who suffered the same fate. Below this declaration, another headline reads, "Search yields no sign of missing boy". The victim: an 11 year old boy who disappeared 10 years ago. All of these children have suffered and some have died at the hands of their parents or foster parents. This type of offense seems to be all too common and becoming more frequent. I can't imagine any act more vile and despicable than one causing the death of someone who is totally dependent on the perpetrator of that act. Something needs to change and fast before other victims are chronicled in the local paper. As a society, we should hang our head in shame.

Lillie Rogers' Steamed Carrot Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup raw carrots, ground
1 cup raw potatoes, ground
1 cup suet, ground
1 cup raisins
1-1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves

Directions:
Mix well, steam for 3 hours
Serve with sauce or whipped cream

Comment: Lillie was an aunt by marriage. She didn't identify the type of sauce, so you can experiment with this to find a sauce that goes with the carrot pudding. I just hope the art of steaming hasn't been lost.

Have You Noticed

Have you noticed how many news commentators and policy pundits are weighing in on what the new U.S. President and his administration have been doing? I even had a pollster call on Obama's second day as President to ask whether I approved of the job he was doing. I looked up the poll results on www.surveyusa.com. I found out there are already people out there who don't approve of the job he's doing. Well, they're probably the same people who approved of the job former President Bush was doing. Somehow, I can't give them any credence, nor should I. Let's face it, if we expect the public to get behind the new President, we are delusional. We just can't be silent. If you agree with Obama, say so. Don't be afraid to say, "Yes, I agree with closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp." or "Yes, I agree with a woman getting pay equal to a man's pay when they do the same job."

It's evident here in Kansas that the Bush-Cheney dosage of fear of terrorists has worked. Else why all of the fuss about moving some of these terrorists/guerrilla fighters to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Have you noticed that no one complained about that place before? I'll bet it already houses some guys you wouldn't want out on the streets of our fair cities. None of them have escaped, at least lately as far as I know.

McClanahan's Red Light Running Solution

E. Thomas McClanahan, conservative pundit of the Kansas City Star, in a commentary of January 4, 2009, stated that "Longer yellow-light times mean fewer violations and accidents." In addition to the "blinking green" and "point of no return striping" he has offered yet another idea as to how the problem of motorists disrespecting red lights can be solved. McClanahan cites several studies that reported decreases in intersection accidents after yellow-light times were lengthened, but he did not mention the duration of the previous yellow-light phase of the traffic signal cycle, the speed limit applicable at the intersection, the type of collision reduced, or any other of several factors that could affect the number of collisions. In other words, he focused solely on the length of the yellow-light phase of the signal cycle as the determinant of motoring safety.

The KC Star editorial board stated recently that the yellow-light duration at intersections where cameras are planned ranged from 3.6 seconds to 3.9 seconds and, that where cameras are installed, they would monitor the times to see if they are changed or not. Considering all the interest in the fairness and practicality of red-light cameras, it is time to look at some facts. At 35 miles per hour, the speed limit usually applicable on streets with traffic signals, a vehicle will travel 180 feet in 3.5 seconds or 205 feet in 4.0 seconds. According to national traffic authorities, the stopping distance for a car traveling 35 mph, assuming good brakes and a good road surface condition, is approximately 51 feet. From this data, it can be seen that a vehicle driver, who is not speeding excessively or is not physically impaired, has more than sufficient reaction time and braking power to bring a vehicle to a stop before entering an intersection.

A short ( one to two second) yellow light phase can present problems to speeding drivers, while longer phases (three to four seconds) are more forgiving of excessive speed. Lengthening a short yellow phase could be beneficial, but doing the same for a yellow phase that is already of ample duration would be unlikely to provide any benefit.

Personally, I consider red-light cameras to be a "two-fer", better traffic enforcement and more revenue, both of which Kansas City surely needs. If McClanahan really wants to "step up enforcement in the proper way-- with traffic cops issuing tickets at the scene", then I'll be looking for his commentary supporting a tax increase to pay the bill for his desire.

Strategic Planner- Barack Obama

Some people who are not clued in to the world around them question what all the fuss is about with the inauguration of Barack Obama. What has caused millions to crowd the open spaces in the Capital from the Capitol to the Washington Monument and beyond and beside these landmarks? It's obvious, with an African-American in the office of President, that a large portion of our countrymen finally feel like they are truly stakeholders in this great country.

Martin Luther King was a visionary. His message was that we are all stakeholders in this country and that we all benefit from the realization of his vision. Barack Obama is a strategic planner. He is not the realization of King's dream, but the mechanism to advance it. Barack understands that stakeholders must be involved in reaching the goals expressed in the vision. He understands how to frame an issue in a way that stakeholders can understand it. He expresses the vision as goals. He depends on others to prepare the strategies and put the action programs in place to attain the goals for the benefit of the stakeholders.

Neither Obama magic or a skilled cabinet will produce the change. It is the people who believe the mantra, "Yes we can." who will change this country. Give thanks to Martin Luther King for giving us the vision. Give thanks to the stakeholders who want the benefits of the vision. Give thanks to Providence for the planner who will guide us in the effort towards the realization of the vision.

Second First

Barack Obama is indeed the first African-American President of these United States of America. Obama's father was an African and his mother was an American. The bifurcation of this adjective represents his paternal and maternal ancestry, not just the geographic roots of his forebearers and his national identity. As Obama is first to hold the office as an African-American, the future will give us the second first, an African-American President whose ancestors were slaves. Surely, this distinction will be made, but the difference will be difficult to discern and the second first will not have the significance of the first first.

Sign of the Times

At the Kansas University versus Texas A&M basketball game tonight, a sign held up by a student on this Martin Luther King Day read: "I have a dream that the whole world will become JAYHAWKS!" Now, that's a sentiment for world peace and prosperity, if I ever heard one. But, alas, it won't come to pass as long as there's a sign being held up in Manhattan, Kansas, that reads, "Every man a WILDCAT!"

Combo Tech

The cell phone has morphed into a combo tech tool. It can be a telephone, a camera, a GPS monitor, a music player, a video player, a Web browser, a text message or email typer, and who knows what else. So, how about doing something with the telephone handset? It could be a TV remote, a VHS and DVD player remote (at least for basics), a garage door opener, a ceiling fan remote, and who knows what else. What spawned this idea of mine? Well, this morning at breakfast, I reached under the newspapers for the TV remote, picked up the telephone handset by mistake, and pressed its buttons to no avail. They say necessity is the mother of invention and I say that human frailty is the father of salvation. To err is human, to forgive divine. Help me here and cut down the number of gadgets we have around the house.

Blinking Green

A KC Star Opinion writer suggested that, rather than red-light cameras, a blinking green light phase be included in traffic signals. The idea is that the running of red-lights would be diminished by the addition of a light phase of blinking green before the light turns yellow, because drivers would have more warning as to when a green light was about to turn red, and thus, could be prepared to stop when they saw the yellow light. Recently, on this blog, I offered the idea that a "point of no return" stripe be painted across the lanes at the intersection to help drivers gauge their ability to stop upon seeing a yellow light. Both ideas have merits and faults. Detractors will say that the blinking green light would just encourage speeding up before the light changed, an act which would persist through the yellow light just as speeding up occurs now. The warning stripe would not be readily visible at night or during inclement weather and would be confused with a crosswalk marking.

So, what can be done to reduce the number of drivers who go through an intersection on the red? For one thing, we could encourage drivers to relax. What's the big hurry? It is not life or death whether one arrives at his or her destination a few minutes later than would happen with aggressive driving. For another thing, we could stress respect for the law at all times, even when driving. The rules of the road are designed to benefit all by providing safer travel. Aggressive driving makes for accidents and that isn't worth the repair cost or the anguish of injury or death that results from accidents. Finally, we should do more to enforce speed limits even if by means of direct control of car speed. I foresee the day when cars are equipped with radio-controlled speed governors that adjust their speed so it doesn't exceed the posted speed limit. In the meantime, radar controlled flashing speed indicators are an example of how technology is helping with enforcement. More effort needs to be applied to the problem of speed enforcement.

Solving the world's problems, one at a time.

Minnie Cannon's Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups flour
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
Instructions:
Mix well, roll thin, cut with cookie cutter and bake in moderate oven.
Minnie Cannon 12/2/1930

Philosophical Question

The philosophical question posed for the annual philosophical competition, known as the "2009 Think-Off", of New York Mills, Minnesota, (where ever that is!) is, "Is it ever wrong to do the right thing?" You may enter the competition by submitting an essay of 750 words or less before the April 1 deadline to the contest sponsors. I'm not going to enter, but I have some thoughts about the question.

My first realization about the question is that it assumes prospectively that the action taken was right, that is, that the act was the correct thing to do by whatever standard one wishes to apply.

If the question is answered in the affirmative, that doing the right thing was in fact the wrong thing to do, then the initial assumption of the act being the right thing to do is erroneous. But, this cannot be, because for it to be so, then the question would have to be false. If the question is answered in the negative, that doing the right thing was in fact the right thing to do, even though in retrospect it turned out to be the wrong thing to do, we find that, in this case as in the previous case, the initial assumption is erroneous, because doing right created a wrong, which is not the right thing to do, and therefore, we find that the original assumption of the act being the right thing to do is erroneous.

The basic question is fallacious. By definition, it can never be wrong to do the right thing, because right is right and not wrong. Hence, the essay competition is based on a conundrum, masquerading as an enigma. The contest's question is no more than a riddle. The prize should go to whomever exposes the truth, which is the right thing to do. However, if that approach doesn't win the contest, then it was the wrong thing to do, and therefore, the question is not based on a false premise. Got that?

Solving the world's problems, one at a time.

Kansas City Star vs. Governor Sibelius

The Kansas City Star in a Sunday editorial published the day before Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius gave her State of the State speech listed eight "top picks" for action by the Kansas Legislature. It occurred to me that I might listen to her Monday night speech, paying particular attention to how the legislative ideas expounded by the Governor diverged from those proposed by the Star. Below is what I learned along with my reaction.

In the area of highways, the Star proposed adding mass transit to the Kansas transportation plan. Sibelius suggested that perhaps another 10-year iteration of the plan, concluding this year, might be authorized. Mass transit is not going anywhere in Kansas. There is no interest by Kansas commuters and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is not proposing mass transit links that would be advantageous to Kansans. Highway needs are still of major importance for movement through and around the Kansas metropolitan areas and between urban centers across the state. With federal stimulus money possible, several important highway projects that would be leading candidates for the early years of a new 10-year plan may get done. Look for all the attention to be devoted to economic stimulus with a new long-range plan coming up in the 2010 legislature.

As to public smoking restrictions, the Star wants a statewide ban on smoking in public places. The Governor made no mention of this issue, so presumably it's not high on her priority list. Presumably, she would support new laws that decrease cancer risks, therefore, if the legislature acts, which I doubt will happen, the Governor will go along. I doubt that cigarette taxes will be increased. Both parties have ruled out tax increases during a recession to cure a recession caused budget crisis and they would not want to appear hypocritical by putting both new restrictions and taxes on smokers.

To decrease deaths among teenage drivers, the Star supports raising the driving age and adding other restrictions to youthful drivers. This issue got no comment from the Governor. Since she's term limited, presumably she would not veto raising the age to begin driving. Interestingly, the Star didn't suggest a minimum age for driving, just raising it. Well, I will make a suggestion. I say raise it to 19, unless the individual wanting to drive has a high school diploma or GED certificate. That would not only make highways safer, it would reduce the expense of parking lot maintenance at high schools.

It seems to me that newspapers don't sell a lot of ad space for political campaigns and, hence, they don't protect their advertiser's interests. The Star favors disclosure of all financial donors' identities. Again, no mention of this issue by the Governor. It's hard to tell where she would come down on this issue. Personally, I feel full disclosure should be the rule. You have the right to support a candidate with your funds and to freely associate with others to do so. Why should your identity be shielded from view? There is no penalty attached to free speech, only the judgement of your peers. Why would you want to escape the judgement of your peers by donating anonymously?

Under the mantle of energy policy, the Star plugged renewable fuels for power generation rather than coal, as does Sibelius who favors expanding power generation from all sources as long as it's not coal-fired. The Senate President's response led me to believe that the Western Kansas Republicans will lead another attempt to build a power plant that mainly serves Colorado with energy and pollutes the air in Eastern Kansas. Neither the Star nor the Governor mentioned nuclear power directly. I say expand Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant. It has an excellent operating record from both safety and economical power standpoints. Besides, Coffey County could use more tax revenue.

For the care of vulnerable citizens, the Star is particularly interested in the mentally disabled. Sibelius extends her concern to all disabled persons. I am with her, but I cannot understand how enrollment in aid programs can be suspended as is proposed as a expense saving device. Equal protection under the law should not mean "until we can afford it." I say, "Serve one, serve all." There is a moral imperative here. The gate-keeper should be a standard of need, the worst cases get served first, rather than time of application. If that can't be done, then pony up the bucks.

Under the umbrella of health care, the Star emphasizes treatment access as of priome concern. Sibleius emphasized the advances made in Kansas towars becoming a center for cancer research. Both are important. More public clinics are definitely needed. I don't think the legislature will take any action, lacking funds and knowledge of what the Federal government will do to improve health insurance coverage.

Life science. the leading area of new research, also was of interest to both the Star and the Governor. The newspaper is pushing bioscience, while the Governor touts the economic development potential of a life science corridor between Manhattan and the Kansas City area. It is ironic that the county that passed a dedicated sales tax to boost state efforts in life sciences, cancer research and education, will probaly get the shaft from reduced state shared revenues. That's double punishment for the taxpayer. I say that, if the localities and higher education must bear the brunt of state budget corrections, then the local "Research Triangle" tax should be suspended unless or until the state fixes things.

This legislative session will be one to follow closely.

The Eleventh Reason

In a previous post, I proposed the top ten reasons why Sarah and Todd Palin's daughter had not got married before their baby was born. Once baby Tripp came into the world and the bidding started for the opportunity to have the first photograph, finally topping out at a reported $300,000, I realized the real reason there was no wedding before the birth was the money. A picture of an out-of-wedlock baby is worth more than one born of married parents. I also realize how naive I was when I made up the ten reasons and left the payoff out and how naive I still am. Of course, I should have realized that a picture of a b****** was worth more than one of a legitimate baby. I am still naive, because I wrote above that the bidding started after the birth. Heck, the bidding was surely going on before the due date. I hope the parents put enough of the money in a trust fund and invest it wisely to pay for Tripp's education, otherwise I've got a feeling that easy money will go pretty fast.

Point of No Return

A motorist approaching a traffic signal that has just turned from green to yellow must make a decision - accelerate to clear the intersection before the signal turns red or brake to stop for the light. In an effort to arrive at their destination as soon as possible, aggressive drivers typically accelerate often entering the intersection at full speed after the light has turned red. They have violated a red light, risked or caused an accident, and confirmed a defensive driver’s need to hesitate before proceeding on a green light. Defensive drivers typically brake, resigning themselves to waiting through a signal cycle.

With the increase in traffic on city thoroughfares, the problem of scofflaws running red lights has become serious. In response to the problem, the use of video cameras has been introduced to detect traffic signal violators and issue citations. The decision to adopt ‘big brother’ techniques of remote surveillance has brought heated objections from some motorists, which is somewhat disingenuous, because the simplest way to avoid a ticket is to simply stop on the yellow. But, perhaps the opposition to cameras is not simply a desire to avoid a fine and goes deeper. Perhaps, the motorists who object to the cameras are reacting to feelings of fear and frustration. Upon seeing the light turn yellow, such emotions can be produced and run the gamut from not knowing whether they will be able to stop in time, whether they will be rear-ended if they attempt to stop, or whether they can speed up in time to clear the intersection and avoid being hit by cross-traffic.

There is a possible solution to the dilemma of decision/indecision posed by a yellow traffic light. As a motorist approaches an intersection with a traffic signal, a point of no return is confronted. Based on the road’s speed limit and the vehicle’s stopping distance, there is an imaginary line across the roadway before the intersection, the point of no return, past which a stop short of the intersection cannot be made or before which a safe stop is possible. I propose that a new traffic marking be placed at signalized intersections. I propose that a yellow band be painted perpendicular to the center line of the street approaching an intersection to indicate to motorists the location of that ‘point of no return’. The cross street marking would be an aid to the motorist’s decision-making, enabling safer vehicle operation and fewer inadvertent violations.

The location of the cross street marking could have buffers built into it. A vehicle speed 5 miles per hour above the speed limit, a rate at which most traffic seems to travel, could be used to calculate stopping distance. The braking ability of a vehicle could be based on trucks, rather than passenger cars. The cross street marking could be made of reflective materials to facilitate recognition at night. A roadside sign could be added to help the motorist locate the point of no return. If marking lines across streets before every signalized intersection was considered too costly for traffic control budgets, the fine for running a red light at an unmarked intersection could be increased as a deterrent. There are most likely other considerations that would need to be applied to this traffic control innovation, before it would be considered state of the art. The most likely consideration would be to paint the lines at a few prominent red light violation intersections for a test to see if it worked.

Solving the world’s problems, one at a time.

Predictions and Wishes

January 1st is a day of reckoning. It's the time for predictions and wishes, staples of newspaper editorial pages and editorialists. They are about as useless as it gets. If the prediction is right or the wish comes true, it was probably inevitable. If wrong or unrealized, the same can be said. No one can predict the future. All that can be done is to interpolate and extrapolate the trends, applying some common sense and playing the odds. Yet, these staples are fun to read, both before and after.

I think some newspapers are missing a bet by not doing an opinion poll to assess the public's estimation of what will come about during the next year. Some papers do this, but not the ones that are full of themselves. And those I predict won't change, but I wish they would.