Chicagoist: Backing Off the Bag Ban?

E

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:28:37 -0600

@3sides: "there's never been a paper bag for drugs." I still stand by my assertion that the city should require it's drug fiends to be environmentally responsible by issuing or selling tiny canvas bags that they can reuse every time they cop some rocks. It's only common sense, people. Save the earth.

plumbum82

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:45:07 -0600

@Matty: If Matilda had a nice rack too, this would be epic. Also, Matilda can go die in a fire.

matty

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:43:43 -0600

bitch fight

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:11:07 -0600

Spav: Substance leads to clarity. And the end of history idea came from Hegel, as I am sure you know,. Pissed off people have started a lot of changes-look at unions and abolitionists, or the progressives of about 100 years ago, including some in Wisconsin--but you are right about coalitions, at least to a point. I think you need a wider view of history. But I am sorry, if someone is an idiot--someone gets basic facts wrong, or cannot support a flimsy view, no matter whether I agree or not--that person deserves to be called out. That is part of living in a healthy society, and its better than just giving everyone a fucking gold star for effort. Too few people engage in critical thinking, and such an ability is being lost, especially as we drown in and celebrate trivia, or engage in groupthink. Think about that.

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:00:29 -0600

I am absolutely a heckler. It is like that "End of History" idea where everything has a thesis and an antithesis and then they merge into a synthesis and on and on until the best idea possible is formed. My ideas don't lack SUBSTANCE, just clarity. And I am working on it. And "passionate" doesn't HAVE to mean "pissed off". How do things change? By building coalitions. How do you build coalitions? By neing NICE. Check out the Supreme Court, idea is the same there. I guarantee you Scalia doesn't get Kennedy to join his opinions by calling him an idiot or otherwise berrating him. Think about it.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:53:13 -0600

Spav: Hate? If anyone hates someone on the internet, that person needs to review his/her priorities. Yes, I've heard the saying, but I think we need more pissed-off people in our society, especially on civic matters. We are too busy pretending to be nice to each other, and not trying to make a gaffe or something that will haunt us later, that real debate is often tossed aside. You said one thing right: I am sincerce. Too many people detach themselves from civic culture and hide behind cheap cynicism or irony. I think that is dangerous. Spav: Tell me, though: What have you offered but smart-ass asides that, most times, lack significant ideas or insight? You basically riff of other people while offering few ideas of your own. You remind me of nothing so much as a heckler.

UTV

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:32:09 -0600

Nice to know I can agree with you on that. The "everybody wins" culture certainly is making our younger generations into a bunch of nacho-bloated crybabies. I think it's good for people to get pissed off once in awhile - hopefully it kick-starts something upstairs.

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:30:01 -0600

Matilda: Ever heard that saying "better to use honey than vinegar?" People hate you because you are a spiteful, vicious, petty, SINCERE bitch. There are a BILLION other ways to influence people and opinion than the vile, condescending shit you spew here day after day. I suggest you take a week off to gain some perspective. It certaintly helped me.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:21:21 -0600

UTV: I'm not 100% right, just 74.6% right, actually. Can't you do math? And yours was not a fresh use of irony, proving my earlier point. Seriously, though, I amazed when certain people get mad when I point out their facts are wrong. Spook, Kevin, etc. Or when I challenge flimsly opinions. People today have such thin skins, and often react like spoiled children when challenged. This trait will bite us all in the ass within a generation or so as our society becomes ever more wussified and idiotic, and more inclined to groupthink.

UTV

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:15:47 -0600

Thank you Matilda. I'm glad someone who is always 100 percent right could stoop to my level. Drinks all around!

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:59:13 -0600

Don't lie, Spav. I can read your thoughts through those Scientology eyes of yours. UTV: Uh, yeah, that's original. It's not even irony anymore, despite your claim. It's just cliched riff on a cliche. Gold star for effort, though. I mean, even the slow kids need to feel appreciated sometimes.

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:53:42 -0600

matilda: I absolutely do not. Unless it is opposite day.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:50:20 -0600

Spav: Yet you still love me.

Pinko

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:44:47 -0600

Cat fight at Sheffield's next Thursday night. Followed by Trivial Pursuit, of course. Spook is buyin', but only if you're crazy and/or homeless...

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:36:59 -0600

Matilda: I really don't understand your problem with Trivia? Also: you are an asshole, and if you came to Trivia, no one would like you EVER. No matter how many drinks bought me. And, along those lines, don't you have bigger battles to fight than commenting on local ordinances that we all agree on ridiculous? Don't you have a march on Washington to go to? Or a cow NOT to eat? You are a a fucking bourgeoisie hypocrite.

UTV

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:43:43 -0600

When little plastic baggies are outlawed, only outlaws will have little plastic baggies. * (Disclaimer: The intent of this statement may differ from its actual wording. Hope no one freaks out about that.)

shameshameboy

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:37:01 -0600

Perhaps our illustrious aldermen might consider a two-for-one compromise: require tiny plastic bags to carry a warning that indicates the contents may be hazardous to one's health.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:27:44 -0600

Mich: I just made a comment about writing and how it translates into blogs. What the hell is your problem? Christ, some of you are very, very senstive. Oh yeah, we just talk about trivia and pat each other on the back and make meaningless comments because that is what our culture's about. Sorry, didn't get the memo. Spav: Thanks. I take that as a compliment. Really.

mich

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:24:09 -0600

chill the fuck out matilda.

Spav1

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:12:36 -0600

Matilda: Not worth your time. They will never listen. Or care. Also: you are an asshole.

A2

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:03:24 -0600

It would be awesome! I would stop by every police car: "Officer--I think I saw a small baggie blowing down Michigan Avenue. If you hurry, you can probbaly catch it."

matty

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:51:13 -0600

oh man that would be funny. call the police anytime you find a small plastic baggy! haghaha!

A2

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:34:30 -0600

Me on cell to Chicago police: "Hi...I'm walking down State Street. I just wanted to let you know, I think I passed a man with a tiny baggie a while back. And he looked crazy." 25 times a day.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:33:15 -0600

Free advice for internet writers, as so much of writing in the future will be published primarily on the net and I have a strong interest in good, clear writing: Sarcasm and irony rarely translate well in the Web--hell, they rarely work unless the sarcasm and irony are really good to begin with, and even then, the audience usually has to be like-minded enough that you are preaching to the choir. Such a thing is an enemy of good writing, as the best, most enduring writing englightens, informs and/or motivates those who may not agree with you in the first place. I know our sarcastic, ironic culture can make many people think they are nearly as good as Swift or Twain (not talking about anyone in particular, by the way, just a general observation), but the vast majority just don't have the talent. And in any case, simple wit usually is stronger, and often translates better on the Web for whatever reason.

A2

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:33:10 -0600

Too bad. I was looking forward to leaving those baggies on my co-workers desks and then dropping a dime on them.

Kevin Robinson

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:16:42 -0600

I meant that since Moore is on that committee, he'll be all over it. Since he's all about unenforceable, symbolic legislation. Just a little Friday morning sarcasm folks....

Mycubehas3sides

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:12:56 -0600

But more importantly, where does Chicago stand on the Beer-in-a-BROWN-BAG-in-public laws?

sparky

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:02:03 -0600

I thought Fioretti introduced this, Kevin, at least according to everything I have read.

matilda

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:01:07 -0600

"Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd), sponsor of the plastic bag ban, which has been the subject of nationwide ridicule, could not be reached for comment."--from the Sun-Times. Does this mean Moore still introduced it? Not sure about parliamentary rules. Hey Moore: Whatever the fuck happened to those CTA hearings you promised, you useless windbag.

matty

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:50:24 -0600

Moore introduced this?

Kevin Robinson

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:42:08 -0600

Joe Moore is the king of useless legislation.