Streetsblog New York City

The same thing’s happening in Charlotte, where they’re using the Twitter tag #cltgas: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23cltgas

The Charlotte Observer is tracking the reports via Google maps: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/221402.html

And things have gotten so bad that the Charlotte mayor (a big transit supporter!) had to cancel events in his campaign for governor and head back to the city (well, there’s also that Wachovia sale to worry about): http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/221363.html

You know, if there were a few people down there who had really big cars, then people who are going the same direction could meet up at a particular point and one of those people could give them a ride. Maybe they could even pay the owners of the cars for some of the gas. It would use a lot less gas than everyone going in their own cars.

Cap’n, what kinda hippie commie idea is that!?!?!?

You want ME to share space with someone else? Someone I don’t even know?!?? I don’t work hard every day to have to sit next to some stranger and, God forbid, actually be polite and possibly have a conversation. Just leave me alone and let me isolate myself in my wasteful car. Yes, wasteful. I’m successful, God damn it, and I can afford it so who are you to tell me what to do?? The only thing I don’t like about my car is that I can’t drive it directly to my office. There is a chance that, between parking and sitting down at my desk, I may encounter a member of the unwashed pedestrian underclass. Or even worse, a cyclist. I’m sure you wouldn’t want someone of my stature to suffer such an indignity. You should think about these things before promoting your un-American ideas.

From the Charlotte Observer story:

“To have to park my truck and walk, it’s almost disrespectful,” Sharpe said.

“To have to park my truck and walk, it’s almost disrespectful.”

God, that’s depressing. We really are just going to stick our heads in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that things might be changing in regards to free and easy motoring.