So I was browsing some online letters and opinions from the newspapers, and ran across this little jewel from one of the papers, I'll dupe it here, then follow with my comments on how brilliant this observation was.

"Try free HOV lanes on Narrows

WALLY DeMUCHA; Gig Harbor

Some year back I suggested a toll on the Narrows Bridge by using a free diamond lane for multiple-passenger cars, while other lanes would be available for single-driver cars paying a toll.

During a visit to San Diego this month, I was traveling across the Coronado Bridge which connects San Diego to Coronado and North Island. I was relaxed and enjoying the view, when suddenly I noted we were in the HOV lane. Lo and behold, our four-passenger vehicle zipped right through without a slowdown. My head spun around, and I noticed standing lines of cars, all driver-only, bumper-to-bumper awaiting their turn to pay a $1 toll. This bridge is as big, if not bigger, than the Narrows Bridge.

I wish the politicians and engineers involved with transportation would check out the Coronado Bridge history. Some California ideas can be workable in our Pacific Northwest.

WALLY DeMUCHA

Gig Harbor

12/26/1999"

Now for my comments...

Ok, so as best I can gether, Mr DeMUCHA is using the Coronado Bridge experience as an example as to how the Tacoma Narrows bridge might be reconfigured. Is it just me???

First off, he was TRAVELING to San Diego. He was a foreigner to the land. We can further conclude that he does not work there. He does not live there. Therefore, his travel experience is based upon 'out of towner' or 'tourist' conditions. He had a carload of people he most likely wouldn't have, if he were driving himself to work everyday. It has been repeatedly proven, that people DON'T carpool to work, just to take advantage of HOV lanes. They operate under the conditions which give them the most power and flexibility. If they want to leave early, they do so, because they don't have to wait for, or provide a ride to someone who doesn't leave early, or late.

Second. And this is just floors me. I'm not sure if the paper printed this letter because of its obvious short-sightedness, or they *gasp* actually thought it was a good, thoughtful letter. Anyway, Mr DeMUCHA writes: "My head spun around, and I noticed standing lines of cars, all driver-only, bumper-to-bumper awaiting their turn to pay a $1 toll. This bridge is as big, if not bigger, than the Narrows Bridge."

Hello?!?! Is there anyone home?!?! This brilliant idea employed on the Coronado bridge has obviously led to gridlock MELTDOWN!!! There's one lonely car in the HOV lane: Some out of town pinhead who didn't contribute a single dollar to the local transit economy, that day, and THOUSANDS of vehicles, all who have to pay the toll, and are SINGLE driver, at that! This is the situation that DeMUCHA wishes to emulate???: Rare or out of town vehicles whizzing past the people who live and work there, AND PAY THE TOLL!

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), December 29, 1999

Answers

" And this is just floors me. I'm not sure if the paper printed this letter because of its obvious short-sightedness, or they *gasp* actually thought it was a good, thoughtful letter. "

The newspapers print letters that incite others to write more letters. The more outrageous (within their limits), the better.

-- Jim Cusick (jccusick@att.net), December 31, 1999.

You know, I would believe this if this were a different kind of letter. Something hateful, or vindictive, but the 'feeling' I get, is the paper actually thought this letter had merit, and was well thought out- it also falls into that dreaded category: "Well in [add in place], they do it this way, and it makes so much more sense". I think the editors of the paper actually overlooked the secondary meaning and just went on the authors perception of its value.

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), January 01, 2000.

No Jim. The papers print letters that they have edited..unless those letters happen to parrot their twisted point of view. Free speech in the American press is reserved for the editor.. the people bite the big one

-- maddjak (maddjak@hotmail.com), January 02, 2000.