On Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, an organization called Truckers and Citizens United plans to spend the day driving slowly through Auburn into Skaneateles. The protest is in response to a recent proposal by the state Department of Transportation to keep trucks off rural roads.
But Genesee Street (Route 20) falls under federal rules and is not part of the proposal. So my questions are ... wait, what?
The DOT's proposal is intended to stop truck drivers from taking shortcuts down rural roads, such as Routes 41 and 41A.
The village of Skaneateles has taken issue with garbage trucks driving through its downtown, but garbage trucks aren't anticipated to show up for the protest.
So, again, my questions are - wait, what?
What is the point of this protest? I'm not opposed to non-violent demonstration, but this isn't like marching on Montgomery. It's more like throwing red paint at runway models; an action that does very little to stop people from producing, buying or wearing furs. If the truckers really want to protest, they should strike.
Trust me, government officials will come around when the garbage piles up, stores shelves are empty and diesel sales plummet.
But, protest if you will. It's a free country. I'm sure Gov. Paterson will be much more sympathetic to your cause after you've ticked off some of the biggest taxpayers in upstate New York.
And what better way to garner public support than to thwart commerce and the very people who buy the goods and services that you supply?
And if you're going to do it, why not tie into Christmas? A holiday defined by generosity, compassion and peace. Throw yourself in front of Santa's sleigh! It's brilliant!
Besides which, the truckers claim to be 500,000 strong, versus about 3,000 Skaneateles residents.
And a spokesperson for the organization has asserted that the needs of the few should never outweigh the needs of the many (a valid point; thank you, Mr. Spock).
Bottom line; it doesn't matter how many people support the cause if your protest isn't helping to achieve the goal.
Truckers and Citizens United launched a similar protest on the state capitol in June to no avail. I think it may be time to explore a different angle.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
The DOT's proposal is intended to stop truck drivers from taking shortcuts down rural roads, such as Routes 41 and 41A.
The village of Skaneateles has taken issue with garbage trucks driving through its downtown, but garbage trucks aren't anticipated to show up for the protest.
So, again, my questions are - wait, what?
What is the point of this protest? I'm not opposed to non-violent demonstration, but this isn't like marching on Montgomery. It's more like throwing red paint at runway models; an action that does very little to stop people from producing, buying or wearing furs. If the truckers really want to protest, they should strike.
Trust me, government officials will come around when the garbage piles up, stores shelves are empty and diesel sales plummet.
But, protest if you will. It's a free country. I'm sure Gov. Paterson will be much more sympathetic to your cause after you've ticked off some of the biggest taxpayers in upstate New York.
And what better way to garner public support than to thwart commerce and the very people who buy the goods and services that you supply?
And if you're going to do it, why not tie into Christmas? A holiday defined by generosity, compassion and peace. Throw yourself in front of Santa's sleigh! It's brilliant!
Besides which, the truckers claim to be 500,000 strong, versus about 3,000 Skaneateles residents.
And a spokesperson for the organization has asserted that the needs of the few should never outweigh the needs of the many (a valid point; thank you, Mr. Spock).
Bottom line; it doesn't matter how many people support the cause if your protest isn't helping to achieve the goal.
Truckers and Citizens United launched a similar protest on the state capitol in June to no avail. I think it may be time to explore a different angle.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 7 comment(s)
CayCntyLifer wrote on Nov 30, 2008 9:17 AM:
localman wrote on Nov 30, 2008 8:55 AM:
john wrote on Nov 29, 2008 1:48 AM:
northender wrote on Nov 27, 2008 7:27 AM:
Northender wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:45 PM:
nature lover wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:11 PM:
qwerty1234 wrote on Nov 24, 2008 5:36 AM:
I really enjoy reading your opinion columns. It really makes me wonder how you got this job in the first place.
Let's take this step by step. You say you don't understand the protest because Rte 20 is not on the list. Do you know where Rte 41 is? My guess is no. It's right down the street...off of Rte 20. If you want to get to Rte 41...you have to travel through Skaneateles on Rte 20.
Why would the truckers strike? Are they upset with management? Do you know what a strike is? Again...my guess is no.
How would a strike leave shelves empty, garbage piling up. These garbage trucks aren't picking up trash in Skaneateles. They're picking up trash in NYC and taking it to a landfill in Seneca Falls. But you probably didn't know that because it wasn't in the one article you read.
You say that Paterson will be sympathetic once the truckers tick off some of the biggest taxpayers in upstate?
So...these people are going to stop paying their taxes? Good idea, Carole! That'll show em!
By the way...the protest the group held in Albany was about the skyrocketing price of diesel fuel...not similar at all. And it was interesting to see 500 trucks turn the state capitol into a parking lot.
But then again, you probably didn't know that. "