NYCkayaker Ferries/Barges vs Cigarette boats -- some points....

[TomBrooklyn]

> > From: David Gottlieb <peekamoose at optonline.net>
 
> I watched the Poker Run from my patio in Rockland County and have some
> observations...blah, blah, misc. complaints and safety concerns...
> So, in writing to the authorities, perhaps the following points about safety
> should be stressed....
> 
> * The citing of deaths in other areas due to similar Poker Races with
> Cigarette boats (as cited in a previous post)
> * The danger to anyone on a dock 
> * The danger to other boaters 
> * The danger to life and property (boats and docks in particular)

If you feel the race isn't being run safely enough then I suggest the gist of any letters to any
bureaucrats or politicians ought to be to call for greater safety measures, not for the
cancellation of the race. 

Formula One Street racing is dangerous too, but it is viewed by most people where it is held as a
prestigous event and matter of civic pride.   Monte Carlo, the international capital of luxury and
enchanted playground of the rich and famous that has been called a heaven of peace and serenity is
host to the annual Monaco Formula One Grand Prix which everyone who is anyone desires to attend. 

http://www.la-france-autrement.com/monaco.html

For some years now, Las Vegas, Americas premier adult playground has hosted the Vegas Grand Prix
on the streets of that town.       http://www.vegasgrandprix.com/

Just last month, the port city of Valencia, Spain announced they will stage a Formula One Street
race beginning in 2008.    Valencia is also currently staging the America's Cup sailing event.    
http://content.msn.co.in/Sports/FormulaOne/Stories/FormulaOneAP_020607_227.htm

But perhaps some don't think New York should host such a prestigous event as a Poker Boat Race.   

These are probably the same people who think New York shouldn't be the prestigous host of a
National Football League team like the New York Jets or Giants (who both currently and ashamedly
have their stadium in New Jersey.)    

These are probably the same people who don't think New York deserves to enjoy and be proud of
another National Basketball League team like the NJ ("Brooklyn") Nets.      

These are probably the same people who didn't think it would be a good idea for New York to be the
ultra-prestigous host of a Summer Olympic Games, such as those of 2012, an honor fought over by
many major cities around the world. 

Perhaps some think New York shouldn't spend any time, effort or money on such matters of
recreation and entertainment for the middle and upper class as a Poker Race.   Perhaps they think
New York money would be better spent on more subsidies for the poor huddled masses that flock to
New York because of it's reknown generousity to those of that ilk. 

> Of course there are other reasons already expressed by other posters on this
> thread, such as the environmental ones

Citing enviromental issues of the Poker Race is just silly anyway.    More than a hundred times
more air pollution than the Poker Race is created on every single Hudson River crossing on every
weekday during rush hour alone.    As for the water, there is at least a thousand times more water
pollution created in the Hudson every time it rains than is caused by the whole leadup to and
running of the Poker Race.    And personally, I'd rather be in water containing a miniscule amount
of burnt oil in it than a whole bunch of human feces and urine.   

TomBk


       
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