I think you're missing something, 8:58. I don't like this any more than you do, but Robby has a point. There hasn't been as loud of an outcry for a better environment/ better use of public space/ more safety at the gas stations we have here now.
I'll ask the same question the lawyer for the developer asked when he closed his argument for the application, if a responsible gas station can't properly use the public space in front of the property, what business can?
I don't think 8:58 missed the point, 8th and El. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing they're saying that being supportive of all of our neighbors' efforts to improve where we live is a better way to garner support and assistance than insulting them and then asking for help.
I get that part. I don't think Robby has been fair at many points with his assessments of the neighborhood (I think he know how I feel about it:)) But that doesn't change the fact that there are still two really vagrant gas stations not that far from Maryland Ave site. Will there be a website to get raise awareness of these places? Will we be signing petitions at the next H St Festival condemning the existing gas stations? Or are all the issues raised from not building the gas station on Maryland over now that they do not have access to public space?
"Now that the public space effort is over, will you any of you join in the efforts to reform the BPs?"
Gee, I don't know, Robby. I think you'll agree that we all want "easier access to cheaper gas." If we force the BP guy to make improvements to his stations, it will drive up his operating costs and possibly push him out of business. That will a) decrease local competition and b) make me drive even further to get my gas. Like you, "I would like to not have to drive a long distance to fill my car up with gas at a reasonable rate. It matters to me and to all that drive, and it matters more to those on tighter incomes." Do you now not care about people on tighter incomes? :(
Your short-sighted plan of action on neighborhood improvement by focusing on the BPs frankly amazes me. "I guess human life and public safety are not as important as a gas station." After all, "[p]eople should matter more than a gas station."
You now want to debate "a gas station, and I am worried about what fresh new hell the spring and summer will bring. My priorities are a little different. Not better, but different." What you propose, my friend, "is just NIMBY pablum to me." Dare I say "myopic and NIMBY."
So in closing, "[my positions stand. We need competition. We need as much effort that has gone into this opposition to go in to building sustainable change in the community. I will never apologize for standing up for the little guy, the kid that is beating the odds and doing well. I will not stop reminding people here that H, and the surrounding area was not some brave new world that they discover and is theirs to conquer and reform. If that's unwelcomed, then it is so. But it is the truth. When black men and woman stood up and demanded there [sic] rights that too was divisive. When women demanded the right to vote that was divisive. When the Pan Indian movement took hold that was divisive. As was the workers movements, and the Latino rights movements. The question is divisive to who? To those movements it was called progress. It pushed this country's growing edges and made it better. I will not betray my heritage, by not speaking out. Even if it earns me insults stabs in the dark by people I call friend. We've come to [sic] far and it's been too long."
A garden center would be a good idea for that location, and a welcome addition to the neighborhood! It would need to be cheaper than Fragers, and would have some parking!
Now that the public space effort is over, will you any of you join in the efforts to reform the BPs?
Shell yes!
Just put together a website with a practical plan to effect change--or skip the website and just put across a cogent plan for action--and I'm sure you'll get a lot of takers.
That's essentially what the "Shell No" folks did...
I am just reading all of this, and I wont bother really to respond to it. I think 8th has it and the rest will catch up. I did support the gas station at MD. For the purpose of improving the BP gas stations nearby.
I stand by my actions and words, and see that we have a moment of opportunity to either be bitter enemies or to be neighbors.
We've had one meeting with the owner of the BPs and he seemed to be open to more there will be a new ANC on the 5B08 side and I believe she would be open to working the six side to engage the owner in a meaningful way to encourage them to improve the lighting, to removed the cars w/o tags, to remove snow and ice during winter.
The idea isn't to put him out of business, but it is to intervene in his operation for the good of the community.
Listen I don't have the goal of making friends here, I simply want to make things better. If people want to help they can e-mail me. We can meet with both ANCs and we can carve out a plan.
That's all I want and all I wanted, if you all want to continue taking shots at me it's cool my skin is thick.
Anyone who wants to work on cleaning up the BP stations, step up.
Those who spent the hundreds of hours it took to keep environmental hazard/eyesore gas station #3 from popping up in your neighborhood at not cost to you, are spent, I'm sure.
...Or, Robbies and 8ths-and-Els of the world, are you too busy playing armchair quarterback on the comments sections blog like this to do something that counts? Thought so.
This game get's old. I set up a meeting with the BP owner in October, and met with him with my ANC. I've kept in contact with him and will push forward with future meeting with my new ANC and the ANC across the street from the BP on the six side.
I don't think engaging a business providing a list of action items and then monitoring performance and working toward building a better relationship with the business owner is playing armchair quarterback on the comments sections blog like this.
I'm just saying do some research on me before you try to insult me. You'll learn quickly that I am not one for BS. I don't ask more of others than I require of myself.
So the question still stands, besides this insult there's been no response. There's a Mayor's walk through tomorrow. I hope they go by the gas station again.
So the question still stands, besides this insult there's been no response. There's a Mayor's walk through tomorrow. I hope they go by the gas station again.
I think I read somewhere that hope's not a plan.
Look, it's pretty clear from your posts on the earlier threads that you're passionate about this issue.
The other thing that came across pretty clearly is that you repeatedly indulged in gratuitously hating on your neighbors.
The folks who came out against the Shell station came out with an argument, and a plan. They showed leadership and made it simple for folks to get involved, and to make their voices heard.
Like I said upthread, you'll probably find a lot of takers if you can convince folks they're not just tilting at windmills. "Let's make some signs, and go march at the gas station so they'll clean it up" is not a recipe for a movement.
And to paraphrase Anonymous (12/19 @ 8:58) saying, "Follow my lead you racist elitist assholes!" is not effective leadership.
Wait a minute, because I didn't support a cause you believed in, I'm a armchair quarterback? Congrats on winning, but don't be a douche about it. I went to the hearing, but couldn't stay, I had to go to work. Forgive me, it wasn't that important to me.
I've dedicated years of my life towards making things better here. I get attacked and talked down to, and then if I stand up for what I believe for the things that matter to me and to my neighbors I am insulted.
The folks the that came out against the Shell had resources. I am one person. The conversation in October with the BP guy was my doing. I am really really tired of wrangling people to give a damn. From elected officials down to citizens who complain but do nothing.
I never advocated for a march on the BP, I would like to meet with them and chart out a covenant with the community. We need to develop business community partnership. It's not some plan that can, in my living room, come up with and float to people to see if they want to support. This needs to be organic and reflective of the needs and desires of the citizens.
But what this has taught me is that people here don't really care, and the best thing I can do is just go away.
There's so much promise here, but the entrenchment is intractable.
You all win. My goal with the BP was was to get them to shovel their sidewalks a list of about 11 action items grew out of the meeting. Perhaps the new leadership in 5B08 can shine more light on the SMD and make changes that need to be made. There are a lot of dark places and there's been little light.
If you want to keep up the attack or tell me in further detail that I should chart a path make is easy and then people may consider paying attention you can write me directly at robbycu at yahoo
Other than that, i floated my ideas, they were rejected.
No one really gives a damn, the question is why should I.
19 comments:
so what happens now? will they still put in some kind of station or are they walking away
Now that the public space effort is over, will you any of you join in the efforts to reform the BPs?
Robby, you're kidding, right?
You just spent the last several days insulting everybody who worked against the Shell station.
As for BP? Perhaps you said it best: Viva the gas station!!!!
(I am joking about BP.)
I think you're missing something, 8:58. I don't like this any more than you do, but Robby has a point. There hasn't been as loud of an outcry for a better environment/ better use of public space/ more safety at the gas stations we have here now.
I'll ask the same question the lawyer for the developer asked when he closed his argument for the application, if a responsible gas station can't properly use the public space in front of the property, what business can?
I don't think 8:58 missed the point, 8th and El. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing they're saying that being supportive of all of our neighbors' efforts to improve where we live is a better way to garner support and assistance than insulting them and then asking for help.
So Robby what do you have in mind?
I get that part. I don't think Robby has been fair at many points with his assessments of the neighborhood (I think he know how I feel about it:)) But that doesn't change the fact that there are still two really vagrant gas stations not that far from Maryland Ave site. Will there be a website to get raise awareness of these places? Will we be signing petitions at the next H St Festival condemning the existing gas stations? Or are all the issues raised from not building the gas station on Maryland over now that they do not have access to public space?
Robby said:
"Now that the public space effort is over, will you any of you join in the efforts to reform the BPs?"
Gee, I don't know, Robby. I think you'll agree that we all want "easier access to cheaper gas." If we force the BP guy to make improvements to his stations, it will drive up his operating costs and possibly push him out of business. That will a) decrease local competition and b) make me drive even further to get my gas. Like you, "I would like to not have to drive a long distance to fill my car up with gas at a reasonable rate. It matters to me and to all that drive, and it matters more to those on tighter incomes." Do you now not care about people on tighter incomes? :(
Your short-sighted plan of action on neighborhood improvement by focusing on the BPs frankly amazes me. "I guess human life and public safety are not as important as a gas station." After all, "[p]eople should matter more than a gas station."
You now want to debate "a gas station, and I am worried about what fresh new hell the spring and summer will bring. My priorities are a little different. Not better, but different." What you propose, my friend, "is just NIMBY pablum to me." Dare I say "myopic and NIMBY."
So in closing, "[my positions stand. We need competition. We need as much effort that has gone into this opposition to go in to building sustainable change in the community. I will never apologize for standing up for the little guy, the kid that is beating the odds and doing well. I will not stop reminding people here that H, and the surrounding area was not some brave new world that they discover and is theirs to conquer and reform. If that's unwelcomed, then it is so. But it is the truth. When black men and woman stood up and demanded there [sic] rights that too was divisive. When women demanded the right to vote that was divisive. When the Pan Indian movement took hold that was divisive. As was the workers movements, and the Latino rights movements. The question is divisive to who? To those movements it was called progress. It pushed this country's growing edges and made it better. I will not betray my heritage, by not speaking out. Even if it earns me insults stabs in the dark by people I call friend. We've come to [sic] far and it's been too long."
Kind regards,
NERD (Newly Educated Robby Disciple)
Well, it appears the Beano lobby has won.
A garden center would be a good idea for that location, and a welcome addition to the neighborhood! It would need to be cheaper than Fragers, and would have some parking!
Looks like Trinidad is getting up tp 30 cameras to monitor the streets.
Now that the public space effort is over, will you any of you join in the efforts to reform the BPs?
Shell yes!
Just put together a website with a practical plan to effect change--or skip the website and just put across a cogent plan for action--and I'm sure you'll get a lot of takers.
That's essentially what the "Shell No" folks did...
I am just reading all of this, and I wont bother really to respond to it. I think 8th has it and the rest will catch up. I did support the gas station at MD. For the purpose of improving the BP gas stations nearby.
I stand by my actions and words, and see that we have a moment of opportunity to either be bitter enemies or to be neighbors.
We've had one meeting with the owner of the BPs and he seemed to be open to more there will be a new ANC on the 5B08 side and I believe she would be open to working the six side to engage the owner in a meaningful way to encourage them to improve the lighting, to removed the cars w/o tags, to remove snow and ice during winter.
The idea isn't to put him out of business, but it is to intervene in his operation for the good of the community.
Listen I don't have the goal of making friends here, I simply want to make things better. If people want to help they can e-mail me. We can meet with both ANCs and we can carve out a plan.
That's all I want and all I wanted, if you all want to continue taking shots at me it's cool my skin is thick.
-Robby
Anyone who wants to work on cleaning up the BP stations, step up.
Those who spent the hundreds of hours it took to keep environmental hazard/eyesore gas station #3 from popping up in your neighborhood at not cost to you, are spent, I'm sure.
...Or, Robbies and 8ths-and-Els of the world, are you too busy playing armchair quarterback on the comments sections blog like this to do something that counts? Thought so.
This game get's old. I set up a meeting with the BP owner in October, and met with him with my ANC. I've kept in contact with him and will push forward with future meeting with my new ANC and the ANC across the street from the BP on the six side.
I don't think engaging a business providing a list of action items and then monitoring performance and working toward building a better relationship with the business owner is playing armchair quarterback on the comments sections blog like this.
I'm just saying do some research on me before you try to insult me. You'll learn quickly that I am not one for BS. I don't ask more of others than I require of myself.
So the question still stands, besides this insult there's been no response. There's a Mayor's walk through tomorrow. I hope they go by the gas station again.
-Robby
So the question still stands, besides this insult there's been no response. There's a Mayor's walk through tomorrow. I hope they go by the gas station again.
I think I read somewhere that hope's not a plan.
Look, it's pretty clear from your posts on the earlier threads that you're passionate about this issue.
The other thing that came across pretty clearly is that you repeatedly indulged in gratuitously hating on your neighbors.
The folks who came out against the Shell station came out with an argument, and a plan. They showed leadership and made it simple for folks to get involved, and to make their voices heard.
Like I said upthread, you'll probably find a lot of takers if you can convince folks they're not just tilting at windmills. "Let's make some signs, and go march at the gas station so they'll clean it up" is not a recipe for a movement.
And to paraphrase Anonymous (12/19 @ 8:58) saying, "Follow my lead you racist elitist assholes!" is not effective leadership.
""Follow my lead you racist elitist assholes!" is not effective leadership."
I don't know. I find that oddly stirring. I've been motivated by weirder.
Wait a minute, because I didn't support a cause you believed in, I'm a armchair quarterback? Congrats on winning, but don't be a douche about it. I went to the hearing, but couldn't stay, I had to go to work. Forgive me, it wasn't that important to me.
It never ends.
I've dedicated years of my life towards making things better here. I get attacked and talked down to, and then if I stand up for what I believe for the things that matter to me and to my neighbors I am insulted.
The folks the that came out against the Shell had resources. I am one person. The conversation in October with the BP guy was my doing. I am really really tired of wrangling people to give a damn. From elected officials down to citizens who complain but do nothing.
I never advocated for a march on the BP, I would like to meet with them and chart out a covenant with the community. We need to develop business community partnership. It's not some plan that can, in my living room, come up with and float to people to see if they want to support. This needs to be organic and reflective of the needs and desires of the citizens.
But what this has taught me is that people here don't really care, and the best thing I can do is just go away.
There's so much promise here, but the entrenchment is intractable.
You all win. My goal with the BP was was to get them to shovel their sidewalks a list of about 11 action items grew out of the meeting. Perhaps the new leadership in 5B08 can shine more light on the SMD and make changes that need to be made. There are a lot of dark places and there's been little light.
If you want to keep up the attack or tell me in further detail that I should chart a path make is easy and then people may consider paying attention you can write me directly at robbycu at yahoo
Other than that, i floated my ideas, they were rejected.
No one really gives a damn, the question is why should I.
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