From BT .. (the green type)
Lol... sorry Ron... unlike most I try to limit my "online" life. I much prefer face to face interaction and therefore turn off devices at various times.
Don't know who you are. That's good, as my ignorance allows focus only on the ideas at hand.
The answer to your question is of course ...True. Of course this answer literally has nothing to do with "Mobile food vendors". These vendors are a part of life in every city around the world. They add vibrancy... they add choice... they add competition... they add employment... they add a touch of creativeness and whimsy not otherwise found during our dreary boring workdays.
Thank you BT. We have your agreement so far on the first point. You did say ... "true". So, let's move on to the next objective, which is to get you to admit that the food trucks are very much related to the first point.
Your comment saying that "These venders are a part of life in every city gourd the world." is very true. And ... as you say, they do add vibrancy, choice, competition, employment, creativity, in an otherwise boring environment in which we work. I totally agree with all of what you are saying. But there is more to the story ... and that "more", will show you that the scenario is much like one giving a tasty soup for another to eat. The one enjoying the soup wants more, all the while not realizing that there is small doses of poison within. You and others wish to poison, not intentionally, but by ignorance that the soup recipe ... somehow... has poison within.
You and others are attempting to legislate against a problem a few seem to percieve but really does not exist. There is no evidence that I am aware of that shows the trucks are a detriment to business downtown. In fact... some of the B&Ms downtown seem to embrace and encourage the trucks.
And me and others wish to enlighten you and others .... so that you can perceive. It is not as simple as saying that the "trucks are a detriment to business downtown." Their existence in the core is not the issue, as I actually "want" the trucks in the core. Again, me and others actually see the benefit to the core by having these trucks. But the quantities, locations, and the times for their existence "is" the issue. My objective is to illustrate why I and others hold this opinion.
You have presented theories and lengthy dissertations full of assumptions... but no more.
Call them theories, or lengthy. Call them assumptions. The only way I know to have a discussion is to digest the opinions of others, to weigh them, and then to offer ideas for consideration by my fellow debaters. Should I remain silent?
I think that, although the specific issue on this thread, according to the title, concerns the food trucks -- it concerns much more than some are willing to admit. I always accept the possibility that I might be wrong in much of what I say. But I cannot believe I am wrong until somebody can convince me of it by way of sound argument. To say that I am a fu*kg nut will not do. To say that I am an idiot will not do. To ban me from the forum will not do.
My concern is fundamentally the state of the core. We have all seen ... and let's admit it ... the relative stagnation over recent decades. The lack of significant movement toward vibrancy means that either it is impossible, or that there exists some fundamental causes -- perhaps habits of thinking by many involved -- for the lack of movement.
The food truck issue involves more than statements like: "Food Trucks add choice and competition, and satisfy customer demand for variety." Of course they do. But there is more to the story. And that's why I am engaging BT in further discussion.
Many are saying that freedom for food trucks is what is needed, as we have a free market economy, and that anyone not wishing freedom for the trucks is simply afraid of competition. Sounds good .. but is it all good, or is bad mixed within?There is more to it.
If excessive freedom is given to the food trucks in the core, we will see just one more mistake, as tendered by our city council and mayor .... and by all those wishing for total freedom for the trucks. The mistake will exist via a lack of perception as to the consequences of total freedom. The mistake will further impede any efforts for progress in the journey to real vibrancy. The mistake will provide candy for the immediate, but perpetuate a silent and hidden disease over the long run.
But it is not enough to simply say that total unrestrained food trucks in the core would be a mistake. One must convince others of it, via solid argument. That is why I began the specific discussion with BT.
I think that basically, the individuals on both sides of the argument are assuming that their opponents want the extremes of either full freedom, or heavy restrictions. And these assumptions are causing a rise of emotions, which ultimately tends to impair logic and one's ability to perceive the opponent's position. As with most things in life, the middle ground is the answer ... moderation is the solution. There cannot be total freedom, nor can there be total or heavy restrictions.
I doubt if anyone wants total freedom regarding food truck quantity, locations, and times. I doubt if anyone wants a total ban of food trucks. As for me, I "want" food trucks in the core, whether spaced strategically and individually in certain locations, or in "food truck parks". However, I realize the danger to the core's progress toward revitalization, if we allow excessive freedom to the food trucks. And this realization is why I engage the subject.
Rest. zzzzzzzzz
