Hoops could be shot down in University Park thanks to a proposed ordinance banning basketball goals in front yards. The reason? To some city officials, they don't look too good - and under the proposal, violators could be fined up to $2,000 a day. But some homeowners with the goals called the proposed law ridiculous, silly and stupid.
I swear, sometimes I think this nation could benefit from a good civil war or at least another extended depression to put us back to reality.
http://www.dallasnews.com/
2006-08-03 04:59:04 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I honestly think the reasoning behind this prohibition against basketball goals goes beyond aesthetics. Many communities are asking for the removal of basketball goals because, in their mind, the game happens to attract the criminal element more than any other.
Unfortunately, instead of dealing with the problem of crime head on, they take the cowardly and easy way out and transfer the blame to a piece of recreational equipment. Sometimes bureaucrats make you lose faith in man's intelligence.
I think a resolution concerning this topic is to make it a race related issue. After all, basketball is the most popular sport among the African American community, and by removing basketball goals from neighborhoods you are intentionally barring most of them from recreation. I know it is a cheap shot, and bit of a leap in logic, but there is nothing like throwing in the race card to get things to sway in your favor.
2006-08-03 05:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by Lawrence Louis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you about the general absurdity of regulating other people's private behavior by public law. In this specific case, it is more than usually absurd for two reasons:
1) The ordinance is being proposed for University Park, along with its neighbor, Highland Park, they form the Park Cities suburb of Dallas. The small difference is Highland Park is one of the wealthiest communities in the country (with a strong architectural regulation ordinance to keep those property prices up,) while University Park (the subject of your story) is the "poor" cousin ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Park,_Texas ) The developers who dominate the town council are always trying to "legislate" higher property prices - and that is stupid.
2) As there is no "community association" or pre-existing architectural control law, any attempt to legislate the "looks" of private property (other than safety) is unconstitutional. What is completely stupid is even is such a law passed the next day there would be a restraining order followed by a trial the twin is bound to loose. To spend public money trying to stop a foregone conclusion is the definition of stupid.
I don't think we need a war or to give these people guns, just hand out sticks of gum at the next council meeting, these people cannot possible chew and walk at the same time, they will all fall flat - just like their legislation.
2006-08-03 05:23:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Knowitall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The proposed ordinance IS rediculous. Take em to court. (no pun intended) Protest. What would a thousand basketballs sound like if they were being dribbled all at once in City Hall.
There is no such thing as a "good" civil war. That idea is even more rediculous. The depression is coming, better get your debt paid off.
2006-08-03 05:11:58 · answer #3 · answered by GJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would I do? I'd be at city hall today to voice my disapproval of such a silly ordinance. Do these people not have more pressing matters of concern? Given their firm stance on this issue, I think it may be time for a recall election. The council members serve at the pleasure of the people and they should enact laws that protect the citizenry. There is no just cause for a ban on basketball goals. Good Lord, this kind of garbage makes me mad!
2006-08-03 05:12:05 · answer #4 · answered by metimoteo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start having batting practice. A couple baseballs through the window might get folks to reconsider.
Consider both sides, each have valid arguments. The hoop pictured in this article would have kids playing in the street. Besides looks, there's also a safety issue.
2006-08-03 05:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by askthetoughquestions 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought this was a free country? If I can't put a basketball goal in my front yard cuz it "looks ugly", then what am I gonna do with my 15 year old green station wagon? And wait till they get a load of my pink house!!! I think there gonna relocate me to the Nevada desert. But then again my green station wagon and pink house would fit just right in Las Vegas!!! hehehe..
2006-08-03 05:08:34 · answer #6 · answered by gillamacs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wasnt going to answer this question at all because I think the ordinance is ridiculous,and I really dont want a sqaubble with a bunch of internet nuts,but now I know why his name is NONE.It refers to what he knows about me and his I.Q.
2006-08-03 05:16:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds ridiculous to me too. If noise is a problem, enforce the noise ordinance.
A house is not a home without a basketball goal.
2006-08-03 05:04:37 · answer #8 · answered by Diane D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right dude. Any douche that would ban basketball goals of all things is and asshole. Doesn't our goverment, local and national, have better things to do than ban basketball goals and crap like that? When you think about it it's really quite sad, isn't it?
2006-08-03 05:04:50 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Goodbar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's almost as bad as the neighborhood association that made a guy take his POW MIA flag down. It's another step the liberal elite wants to make toward controlling our lives.
2006-08-03 05:07:30 · answer #10 · answered by El Pistolero Negra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋