Thought For The Day

(SPECIAL) Wisdom de ja vu

February 14, 2011 / 0 Comments

The workings of the politician’s mind never ceases to amaze me. Obviously I have become too cynical – but then, who hasn’t.

Bedford, Texas. Problem solved. . .at least partially.

Workers are installing cameras and computers that will monitor traffic on major thoroughfares [Bedford has major thoroughfares?] and adjust traffic signals to keep it flowing, Public Works Director John Kubala said. Installation should be complete by December, he said.

Anyone who drives, anywhere, knows that the only thing that allows traffic to “flow” is less cars on the roadway.

A computer will analyze the data and tell traffic signals when to change.

Yeah, right. Remember the old joke – “this plane is being flown by a computer. Nothing can go wrong. . .can go wrong. . . can go wrong. . .can go wrong. . . .
The system cost more than $2.3 million, Kubala said. But the city will pay only about 20 percent of that thanks to an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant of $1.85 million. “It really came as a surprise,” Kubala said. “We didn’t figure we had a chance [when the city applied]. All of the sudden the stimulus money came in, and we got some of it.”
 
It’s practically free. We don’t have to pay for it. We’ll just stick it to those folks who pay taxes. It’s magically created money direct from Washington, D. C. Never mind the Country is going down the economic tube.

Kubala said it’s impossible to know how much the system will affect drive time until it’s running.

Why does this remind me of former U. S. House Speaker Pelosi’s statement, “We have to pass this legislation so we can find out what is in it.”

At least I can stop being concerned about wasting 20 minutes sitting at the signal at Bedford Road and Central.

Quotes from an article by Terry Evans, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *