Atrios and Pandagon, spurred by WereBear give some indication that they’re in tune to at least a few of the spatial implications of the urban realm. One of the problems I’ve always had with MyDD and DailyKos is that it’s more or less all political rhetoric and strategy without any recognition of space. Even today, Chris Bowers today lauded the 200th chapter of Drinking Liberally as part of a Creative Class progressive social network. Someone took him to task by pointing out that the idea is lame for being so feebly centered on the middle class. As one of my professors noted, the author of the Creative Class theory is an apologist for the children of middle-class suburbanites who are now gentrifying the central cities their parents abandoned. (One thing that Kunstler still gets right, though he’s gone off the deep end about most things, is that none of the major Democrats have any inkling of this. For them, the American lifestyle is still non-negotiable).
The point is that none of these systems — energy use, urban economics, politics — takes place outside of space. These are all inextricably linked to the spatial mismatch of jobs and housing; the overexpansion of suburban infrastructure; the overconsumption of fossil fuels through housing and transportation. If the progressive/liberal movement is solely centered on recruiting the middle class, I’m not sure there is much value to it, because I am sure its coalition would sell out whoever needed its help when the chips were down, politics being what it is. Likewise, a problem with the progressive movement seems to be one of creative class consumption, thinking that there’s a technical solution or strategy to solve our biggest problems when it is really going to take a major shift in lifestyle.
At any rate, the choice of urban living, while better than its suburban alternative, if simply another consumer lifestyle emphasizing convenience, is not much of an improvement and nowhere near the thoughtful consideration of lifestyle choices (soon to be necessities) people should be making, like choosing urban living and forgoing auto transportation because it’s their responsibility.
This post doesn’t belong in this thread, but I couldn’t find an email address on your blog and I wanted to get this in your hands. Please utilize and delete at will. Thanks.
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Its Democrats and Republicans going toe-to-toe, or should we say
“bumper-to-bumper” to benefit Community Inclusive Recreation.
This Saturday Night August 25th, The Bob Frahm Community Racing Challenge
returns to Springport Motor Speedway, presenting the 2007 Congressional
Challenge.
Michigan State Senator Mark Schauer, State Representative Mike Simpson,
State Representative Rick Jones and State Representative Mike Noffs will be
donning the drivers gear and taking to the high banks of Springport Motor
Speedway in a 10 lap sprint to prove who the fastest legislator is. The Bob
Frahm CRC Congressional Challenge race will kick off at 7:30pm at Springport
Motor Speedway.
Benefiting from this week’s event is Community Inclusive Recreation, based
in Battle Creek, serving all of Calhoun, Barry and Jackson counties. The
Mission of CIR is to provide and promote inclusive social, recreational,
educational, and art activities for people of all abilities through
programming, leadership, and support of community inclusion. CIR is a
United Way Program Delivery Partner
Senator Mark Schauer commenting on the CIR; “They are a wonderful
organization with a vision and commitment to community inclusion. The CIR is
changing mindsets, attitudes, and accessibility barriers and I am proud to
support their efforts”
CIR is fortunate to have a wealth of partnering individuals and agencies
throughout Battle Creek, and beyond. As a result of the relationships that
have been cultivated throughout the 12 years that CIR has been in the
community, participants have had opportunities to experience wonderful
activities. And this weekend is no exception as the world of Automobile
Racing will be opened up to the great folks at Community Inclusive
Recreation.
Representative Rick Jones raised the bar of competitiveness when he said;
“with my 33 years in law enforcement, serving over 30 years with the Eaton
County Sheriff Department; I’ve chased bad guys from every corner of this
county and back… now they’ll be chasing me.” There is no doubt that this
fun event will be very racy as these 4 strong minded and strong willed
drivers jump behind the wheels of Bob Frahm’s Community Racing Challenge
pure stocks for a 10 lap featured heat. Joining the Congressmen will be two
representatives of Community Inclusive Recreation, making it a full field of
challengers.
The Community Racing Challenge charge is to provide meaningful support to
local non-profit organizations in the form of fund raising and team building
events which will not only foster new interest in local short track racing,
but enhance the relationship between drivers, owners, local businesses and
the citizens of our community.
The Community Racing Challenge will kick of this event on Thursday, August
23rd at Brown Stadium in Battle Creek where CIR will be hosting their 13th
annual Celebrity Softball Bash. This event pits the members of the Detroit
Red Wings Alumni and Detroit Tigers Alumni in a softball game versus Battle
Creek Community Leaders. Former Detroit Tiger pitcher Dave Rozema and
former Detroit Red Wing Shawn Burr are among the many big names taking part
in this big event.
The Community Racing Challenge will be on-site, along with one of our
Challenge Race Cars handing out free vouchers for the race on Saturday Night
and giving everyone an opportunity to sit in the racer and try on some race
gear. Senator Mark Schauer and Representatives from Mike Noffs office are
expected to be on-hand to meet and greet all the dedicated people involved
in this important community event.
For more information on this event, please visit
http://www.communityracingchallenge.com, the online home of the Community Racing
Challenge. There you’ll find videos and photos of past events, directions
to the race track, ticket information, event schedule, free on-line vouchers
and more. Or contact Patrick McNamara via email at
patrick@communityracingchallenge.com or phone 734.536.0319