Commuting by bike is against the Constitution

[KnottedYet]

At first, I laughed.

And then I felt like crying. Cuz this nut is in the lead in the gubernatorial race.

http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15673894

Bicycle infrastructure is anti-American, and in fact is an attempt by the UN to take over the world.

[JennK13]

I love that this comes out today, they day current Gov. Ritter will stand on the steps of our state Capitol with Lance Armstrong to announce Tour of Colorado.

[Trek420]

Yep, it's obviously a slippery slope to the downfall of civilization ;)

If you let people ride safely, legally, well and looking faaaaabulous in their TE gear (check it out, there's FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100) at first yeah, sure they say they love only one lifetime steel lugged bike. They're going to want multiple bikes. And they may want to ride with a Wald basket or Burley dog trailer and then animals are involved. :eek:

And think of the children; do you want your children seeing that riding a bike is acceptable? "don't look son, those are cyclists. Quick, get back in the SUV, have a slurpie and some chips. I'll turn on the DVD. What? Your sister doesn't want to watch that movie? She has her own screen on the back of your Mom's seat. It's only 2 blocks, we'll be home soon". ;)

And it's not just your kids. The children of cyclists get teased on the playground because their parents wear those funny pants and are fitter, look younger regardless of their real age and are just plain healthier than the other parents.

[7rider]

What about MY rights and MY personal freedom??
Driving a car isn't the only expression of freedom in this country.
Hallmarks of the conservative side have long been self determination and self sufficiency (it's that whole "nanny state" fear). My determination to ride a bike - and not rely on my motor vehicle (which I own and CHOOSE to leave parked in the driveway) should be applauded by the T-partiers and their ilk. They are just another side of the Man shoving his views down my throat.
This guy goes beyond "kooky" into the realm of dangerous paranoia.

[Tri Girl]

He's serious??? Oh my- that's scary.

"Maes said in a later interview that he once thought the mayor's efforts to promote cycling and other environmental initiatives were harmless and well-meaning. Now he realizes "that's exactly the attitude they want you to have."
"This is bigger than it looks like on the surface, and it could threaten our personal freedoms," Maes said.

"At first, I thought, 'Gosh, public transportation, what's wrong with that, and what's wrong with people parking their cars and riding their bikes? And what's wrong with incentives for green cars?' But if you do your homework and research, you realize ICLEI is part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty," Maes said


I know, right? Just think of the horrid effects on the planet if we commute and work together with other nations to do right by our planet. Think of the anti-consumerism that will abound if we buy bikes and gear related to it... oh the horrors!!!


I still don't get how CO is a red state, BTW.

[PamNY]

Oh my goodness. This is priceless. Scary, but priceless.

[Thorn]

And at the same time the CDC releases the current obesity rates (1% increase in the last 2 years), but, quoting the CDC....


If you go to Denver and outside of Denver, there are bike trails, walking trails, and they're heavily used, suggesting that Colorado has more of a culture of physical activity than other states," the CDC's Dr. William Dietz said

So, again, what is the problem with being a global citizen and getting on the bicycling band wagon?

[[obesity article: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0318532120100803 ]

[Tri Girl]

well my state (OK) could take a lesson from CO, because when the CDC came out with their findings, my state is one of the 9 worst states in the country for obesity. We have 30% obesity, where the other 41 states in the union are only at 15% or less. I'm so proud (not!)

Healthiest is CO and Washington DC. Nicely done, CO. ;)

[uforgot]

I love that this comes out today, they day current Gov. Ritter will stand on the steps of our state Capitol with Lance Armstrong to announce Tour of Colorado.

And OUR governor killed the Tour of Missouri, which Colorado is now jumping on.:( My vacation will NOT be in Missouri any more if I can help it. I can't wait for the next election. I think Mr. Nixon is going to be surprised at how many Missourians are on bikes. Not just Belgians...(His words, not mine. Thanks for being here today when you could have been out watching Belgians ride bicycles.ha ha ha).

Enjoy the tour. It is something else!

[uforgot]

And think of the children; do you want your children seeing that riding a bike is acceptable? "don't look son, those are cyclists. Quick, get back in the SUV, have a slurpie and some chips. I'll turn on the DVD. What? Your sister doesn't want to watch that movie? She has her own screen on the back of your Mom's seat. It's only 2 blocks, we'll be home soon". ;)



I'm dying here...I needed this laugh.:D

[indigoiis]

The interesting thing is, there is no one identifiable *thing* that they are against, exactly. What is their argument? Are they arguing that cities would somehow sign themselves out of the country and become part of the UN? Um, it's not exactly that easy.

[ny biker]

I would like someone to ask him exactly what makes the U.N. so evil.

[OakLeaf]

Eh, you blue state peeps are so naïve. ;) We've been hearing this stuff for ten years at least...



I still don't get how CO is a red state, BTW.

Seriously? Most of the economy from mining and ranching? Those foofoo enclaves are a very small part of the state, just like in Idaho.

[PamNY]

Here's an irony: Our greenway/bike path is interrupted by the UN. You have to move onto an actual avenue to get past it.

I'm sure this guy would be thrilled if he knew that.

[denda]

I'm SO excited about the Tour of Colorado. I live close enough to go watch that! Yea!

[smilingcat]

You can't argue with those who can not maintain a coherent well connected reasoning. They have none!

When the gas price goes through the roof, because of dwindling sources and increase consumption by Chinese (1 billion and counting for some time) and by Indians (1 billion and counting and soon to surpass Chinese), we can't be consuming 25% of world supply of oil. We account for less than 10% of world population.

I'll stick with my bike and work on solar power.

Thank ya very much. And trek420 is very funny, sad so true!!

[ny biker]

This was taken at the Quiznos Pro Challenge announcement this morning:

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2010/08/kids-300x225.jpg

Those poor children!!! They've been corrupted by the U.N. at such a tender age.

(from this velonews.com article: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/08/news/quiznos-to-sponsor-colorado-stage-race_132692).

[Owlie]

We've all been corrupted and brainwashed by the UN and are now part of this socialist-pinko-commie-hippie-multilateralist agenda. We're now totally incapable of fathoming the danger to the American Way that Mr. Maes has so thoughtfully pointed out, all because of THE BICYCLE!

:rolleyes:

[Crankin]

Love my bluest of blue state.

These people are crazy. Yea, my bike is going to ruin the world.

[redrhodie]

I bet he secretly watched the tour in the men's bathroom stall. ;)

[Owlie]

I bet he secretly watched the tour in the men's bathroom stall. ;)

Thanks. Now there's chai all over my screen.

[Thorn]

I bet he secretly watched the tour in the men's bathroom stall. ;)



Thanks. Now there's chai all over my screen.

That makes two of us owlie....

[Trek420]

I bet he secretly watched the tour in the men's bathroom stall. ;)

:D :) Yep, subtly moving his foot over and showing some sock

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSO_SHA.html

[Tri Girl]

HA! You all are killing me!!! :D

[Trek420]

I bet he secretly watched the tour in the men's bathroom stall. ;)

Bet he secretly wears bike shorts under his suits. ;)

[Owlie]

:D :) Yep, subtly moving his foot over and showing some sock

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSO_SHA.html

I need to stop reading this thread when there's liquid in my mouth. Now there's cream soda on my keyboard.

[KnottedYet]

As Jason Jones says: "...that which you hate the most, you secretly are."

(he reads Momentum on park benches during his lunch hour, wearing a big pair of sunglasses and a Walz cap pulled low over his face) http://www.walzcaps.com/

[roguedog]

I think he was picked on when he was 8 years old by kids riding their bikes home from school and hasn't ever let that go.

HE'LL SHOW THEM.

[Owlie]

OT:
Roguedog, I know I've heard the song that your sig line is from. What is it?
/OT

[Trek420]

I think he was picked on when he was 8 years old by kids riding their bikes home from school and hasn't ever let that go.

HE'LL SHOW THEM.

His first wife saw those chiseled calves and ran away with a Cat1 racer. ;) He'll show us!

[OakLeaf]

He has a pair of bike shorts at the bottom of his underwear drawer, and sniffs the chamois when no one else is home.

@ Owlie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTBnqsLP5a0

I didn't know it either - but song lyrics are one of the things I don't hesitate to google. :) Kind of a cool song.

[Bike Chick]

Bwaaaa ha ha ha ha...............

[MommyBird]

You all are missing his point. He has nothing against promoting bike friendly policies. In fact he is all for them. He has an issue with ceding American sovereignty to an international organization. Any time a country signs on to a treaty they agree to give up some of their right to self-government. That is what makes it unconstitutional.

This article is written in a deceptive manner to make Mr. Maes look kooky and anti-bike but if you read his own words without the biased reporters spin you get a different picture.

"At first, I thought, 'Gosh, public transportation, what's wrong with that, and what's wrong with people parking their cars and riding their bikes? And what's wrong with incentives for green cars?' But if you do your homework and research, you realize ICLEI is part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty," Maes said.

International treaties, like this one, include policies that are often very harmless on the surface. Unfortunately, biased journalists love to make the party who will not sign them look evil for wanting to thwart the so called good work when the underlying reason for not signing is because the party realizes how important it is to hold on to and respect America's sovereignty at all costs. Many of the policies within treaties trample on the freedoms we value as Americans. The good policies in these seemingly harmless treaties can easily be adopted without sliding down the slippery slope of ceding ones national sovereignty.

On this issue we should be thanking Mr Maes for protecting our liberties instead of demonizing him.

[KnottedYet]

ICLEI is not a treaty.

ICLEI does not cede any sovereignty in any way, shape, or form.

Half of the ridiculousness of Mr. Maes' paranoid fantasy is that he doesn't even understand what ICLEI is.

http://www.iclei.org/

"ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Our basic premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve local, national, and global sustainability objectives."

I will mock him, because he is xenophobic and paranoid and sees increased bicycle usage as "reining in" Americans' freedoms.

If someone from my city planning department wants to get free information from a Copenhagen city planner through ICLEI on how to design better bike lanes, I'm all for it.

At some point every nation has to grow up and realize there are more people in this world than just itself. We can either become part of the larger world, or we can spin into a paranoid tight little ball and implode into something like Kim Jong Il or explode into something like what started WWII. Targeting ICLEI and bicycle infrastructure education and information as a sign of impending doom is paranoia.

[OakLeaf]

But it's true that underlying most of this is a strong feeling that it is Americans' "God"-given right to take every resource from every country, live with the greatest perversity we can imagine, and destroy the earth for all of its denizens including ourselves.

Really, I hear it in nearly those words all the time. Maes is neither unique nor new.

[7rider]

ICLEI is not a treaty.

ICLEI does not cede any sovereignty in any way, shape, or form.

Half of the ridiculousness of Mr. Maes' paranoid fantasy is that he doesn't even understand what ICLEI is.

http://www.iclei.org/

"ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Our basic premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve local, national, and global sustainability objectives."



As one of the commenters to the article stated;

It's designed to share best practices. Everybody panic!

:rolleyes:

[Tri Girl]

Maes is not protecting my liberties, because they are not being threatened. Agreeing to work together to change our resource-devouring ways does not cede American sovereignty. It's being responsible and creating solutions so that we can still have a planet on which to practice our American sovereignty.
His line of thinking is odd (at best) and at worst he's igniting fear in people that we're somehow going to lose all our freedom because we are in agreement with other cities/nations to reduce our carbon footprint and find sustainable alternatives. Insanity!

[PamNY]

The NY Times (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/spokes-cities-engage-in-vast-biking-conspiracy-shh/?hp) had something to say about Mr. Maes. The comments in this group are more incisive and funnier, though.

[malkin]

It's nice to know that the stupidest politicians are not all in my state.

[Crankin]

Thank you all for stating the ridiculousness of Maes' position in a coherent and polite way.
I really don't understand how a person could think that the U.S. "gives up sovereignty" when it joins an international delegation, to help solve a pressing world issue like sustainable resources. G-d forbid we *collaborate.* Why are people so afraid that we might *gasp* become a little more like the rest of the world?
Yea, xenophobia is a good word.
Like I said before, there's a reason I live where I live...

[Trek420]

G-d forbid we *collaborate.* Why are people so afraid that we might *gasp* become a little more like the rest of the world?


First bikes and next thing you know we'll be *gasp* playing soccer! ;) :p

[channlluv]

But God forbid we ever call it football.


Roxy

[Crankin]

Oh no! Both of my kids played soccer and one even became a bike racer.

[Catrin]

hmmmm, I was considered a black sheep and rebel in my youth - guess that my cycling means that I am STILL a rebel :D :eek: :D :cool:

[jessmarimba]

This guy is now promising to lay off at least 4,000 people if he gets elected.

1) There are a bunch of people who will now NOT VOTE FOR YOU for fear of losing their jobs, and

2) He won't even have the power to do that if he DOES get elected.

*sigh* this is going to be an interesting election.

[Trek420]

This guy is now promising to lay off at least 4,000 people if he gets elected.

1) There are a bunch of people who will now NOT VOTE FOR YOU for fear of losing their jobs, and

2) He won't even have the power to do that if he DOES get elected.

*sigh* this is going to be an interesting election.

He probably lurks here (that after his 2nd wife ran away with some bike trail honey ;) "I'll get them!")

But seriously I don't know much about this candidate and even less about his opponent. But if his stance on cycling angers you get involved.

You can make calls from anywhere, pass the hat after a club ride. But vote if you're in the area. vote vote vote. :D :cool:

[Desert Tortoise]

I wonder if the Jon Stewart Show has seen this? It could make for a fun little skit.

[crazycanuck]

Wait Wait! Sport can no longer just be termed "sport"

SOme folks in Aust associate football with footy..Football & Footy are two totally separate games & different shaped players :cool:

Same with rugby..rugby union, rugby league

International relations are no longer simple...:rolleyes:

+100000 for oak..thank you!
But it's true that underlying most of this is a strong feeling that it is Americans' "God"-given right to take every resource from every country, live with the greatest perversity we can imagine, and destroy the earth for all of its denizens including ourselves.

[KnottedYet]

I wonder if the Jon Stewart Show has seen this? It could make for a fun little skit.

I'm fascinated by how widely and rapidly news of this political farce has traveled.

[Eden]

But it's true that underlying most of this is a strong feeling that it is Americans' "God"-given right to take every resource from every country, live with the greatest perversity we can imagine, and destroy the earth for all of its denizens including ourselves.

Really, I hear it in nearly those words all the time. Maes is neither unique nor new.

There is a sad and frightening reality about this... I was watching a documentary about evangelical families (Jesus Camp - it was interesting, definitely worth a watch) One of the families was teaching their children that god put everything on this earth specifically for them and that they did not need to concern themselves with conservation or being environmentally responsible because god would continue to provide for the people who believed. Environmentalism is just a left wing conspiracy to keep us down.... While yes, these people were more on the fringe, the thoughts are out there and even more mainstream people are susceptible....

[Desert Tortoise]

There is a sad and frightening reality about this... I was watching a documentary about evangelical families (Jesus Camp - it was interesting, definitely worth a watch) One of the families was teaching their children that god put everything on this earth specifically for them and that they did not need to concern themselves with conservation or being environmentally responsible because god would continue to provide for the people who believed. Environmentalism is just a left wing conspiracy to keep us down.... While yes, these people were more on the fringe, the thoughts are out there and even more mainstream people are susceptible....


If one can make this argument about extremist christians, couldn't the same argument be made about extremist environmentalist who burn down houses and SUVs?

[Eden]

If one can make this argument about extremist christians, couldn't the same argument be made about extremist environmentalist who burn down houses and SUVs?

What argument? that extremist environmentalists they think they have a god given right to use up resources?

I think you are looking for something that is not in my statement......

[Desert Tortoise]

Eden, not looking to argue. The last part of your statement about the thoughts out there and mainstream people are susceptible to them.

I may have misunderstood and sorry if I did. To me it sounded like the last part of what you said was that mainstream might fall for some of that belief about not worrying about our environment.

I'm just saying that would be as likely as mainstream falling for the extreme environmentalist arguments when they burn down things.

Each looses a lot credibility with such actions.

[Trek420]

Calm down, join hands, sing kumbaya, hand me the chocolate ;)

There is extreme everything, some call us extreme because we ride whether everywhere or even at all. :cool: I think brevets are kinda extreme, you may think they are too short. :rolleyes:

But speaking as a Jew, kinda a bagel with bacon and cream cheese Jew but also an old well middle aged tree hugger :p I am heartened to see a growing movement among Christians, even evangelicals towards awareness of climate change.

"Just a year ago, we found out from climate scientists that the melt in the Arctic had turned into a rout. It was happening so fast it was as if your hair turned gray overnight. Now, I have a receding hairline, but I don't have my hair turning gray overnight. Well, that's what happened with the environment. An area the size of Colorado was disappearing every week, and the Northwest Passage was staying wide open all September for the first time in history. And so, to look at this and not see what's happening, I think is, well, it was sort of the ignorance is strength idea. Well, not. It's not strength. Look, strength is knowing what's happening to the world around us, and moreover, as a Christian, we can't claim to love the Creator and abuse the world in which we live." ~ Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97690760

*emphasis Trek's

[KnottedYet]

"My faith tells me to take care of God's creation; science tells me how." - Rev. Robert Lowry.

[Eden]

I agree that folks on the fringes do a disservice to more moderate people no matter what side of things they are acting for. Maybe its my bias, but I do honestly think there is a big difference between the situations.

Few people think that burning things down is a reasonable thing to do, no matter what the circumstances and just seeing someone do this as a radical act is unlikely to convert large numbers of people who are more mainstream thinkers. Not to mention that it is against the law and it takes a lot of conviction to intentionally break laws for your philosophies.

Rationalizing the use/overuse of resources (no matter what rationalization you use - it doesn't necessarily have to be religious - there are certainly folks who just think that they are better, smarter, whatever than people in 3rd world countries, so they just automatically deserve more) doesn't have to sound unreasonable, isn't against the law and does not have the immediate effect of hurting anyone. I think it is much more insidious and can creep into everyone's thinking much easier.

[Desert Tortoise]

But speaking as a Jew, kinda a bagel with bacon and cream cheese Jew but also an old well middle aged tree hugger :p


Trek, you're cute!:) I now have this visual of you with one arm around a tree, the other holding a bagel w/cream cheese and a big smile on your face:D

DT

[Trek420]

That's pretty much me :p with a cup of coffee. :p One arm around the tree, the other around Knott. Wait, how do I hold the bagel? I'm outta arms ;) :confused: :p :)

[Melalvai]

That's pretty much me :p with a cup of coffee. :p One arm around the tree, the other around Knott. Wait, how do I hold the bagel? I'm outta arms ;) :confused: :p :)
And I guess you can bike with no hands, since they're busy with the bagel and Knott...how do you get the tree on the bike??

[Trek420]

DT pictures me with one arm around the tree so I'm just standing there next to the tree. ;) It's a slim tree so I can hold the bagel and coffee with one hand leaving the other hand free for Knott. She's holding the bikes? ;)

[OakLeaf]

The tree has its own bike. :D

[Trek420]

The tree is on a custom tree-hauling ultra cycle. :p Of course being a tree hugger the tree is live and in a planter.

[PamNY]

Wonderful story (http://turtlebay.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/08/05/when_the_un_takes_over_america_it_will_storm_the_heartland_on_red_bicycles_not_blac) about problems with bike racks at the UN.

[NbyNW]

Wonderful story (http://turtlebay.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/08/05/when_the_un_takes_over_america_it_will_storm_the_heartland_on_red_bicycles_not_blac) about problems with bike racks at the UN.

We truly live in interesting times!

[crazycanuck]

I went to a small planning round table discussion on sustainable transport yesterday & our main speaker was Dr Lee Schipper from Stanford. I loved both of his lectures & will be looking up info from the Precourt Energy Efficiency Center.

This topic came up in one of the lectures :cool:

[OakLeaf]

I totally forgot, Trek, I have a picture of your tree.

I knew it had its own bike.

[Kathi]

At first, I laughed.

And then I felt like crying. Cuz this nut is in the lead in the gubernatorial race.

http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15673894

Bicycle infrastructure is anti-American, and in fact is an attempt by the UN to take over the world.

Primary voting ends tomorrow. We'll see which republican candidate wins out or will it be the independent Tom Tancredo?

[jessmarimba]

Well, our UN Bike Conspiracy guy (Maes) apparently won the GOP race. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, but I really hope the entire gubernatorial race doesn't come down to the candidates standing on bicycles.