Internet courtesy.

Apparently I need to put up a post about courtesy. You would think that it wouldn’t be a topic that needs to be  out there on a blog post in the internet void, but apparently it does. 

I don’t appreciate people who surf the blogs just to find something to post negative comments on. It’s rude. Especially when you’re a complete stranger to that person.  People post links, videos, write bits about their lives and what they care about. Choosing to demean (there’s that word again) that person and how they feel isn’t courteous.  I posted a list of restaurants/stores that I miss that other places have that Vermont does not, and people thought it would be a good idea to imply I was trying to rob Vermont of what it’s apparently strived to be – vacant. I’m not the only person who thinks that it wouldn’t kill the state to get a Target. Yeah, there’s the one in Plattsburgh now, but it’s still not exactly convienent (or cheap) to get to.  [Paying $25 to take a ferry over, or driving 2+ hours up and over the lake isn't that cost-effective. ] My point is having a Target in Williston or somewhere else around here isn’t going to destroy Vermont. Having a store that pretty much everyone could get use out of isn’t going to cause the state to erupt into flames.  I understand a lot of people that choose to live in Vermont for its lack of commercialism would hate to be surrounded by mini-malls and restaurants galore – but the state has plenty of room for you to live in the mountains, in the fields, wherever you’d like. Catching up to the rest of the world with a couple stores in and around Burlington isn’t going to rob you of a lakeview from your house in the mountains.

And I get it. When one thing is built, why wouldn’t they build more? I’m not saying this place should knock out someone’s farm in the middle of Plainfield and plop a three story mall in the middle of it. Not in the least. But like I said, we are one of two states without a Target. We’re one of very, very few states that hasn’t obtained a lot of the fast food chain restaurants or decent 24 hour drug stores. Fast food: I know, god forbid I even say those words. I get it. We’re the “healthiest state”. Hooray for us. But it’s not a crime to want a place to get a quick meal at 2AM if you’re traveling. Keep in mind, Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonalds. And now Burlington doesn’t have one either (granted, that one on Bank Street was pretty bad). I’m just so sick of watching people close their business’ doors every day around here. Shelburne Road has become creepy with all the giant empty stores. And Church Street doesn’t look so hot either. And it’s not just local businesses closing their doors – we’ve seen a Quizno’s come and go, too. Give the people things they need and stop pitching a new antique store, or store that sells handmade wood bowls every two feet. Maybe you’d notice a difference. Now, I’m not an idiot – I’m not a huge fan of the way Williston is set up either. I appreciate the stores, but the layout is one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Basically having one way to get in and out of each side of the retail developments with the shortest lights on the planet, winding in and around the parking lot just trying to figure out how to get out of that lot. Terrible design. So I don’t blame anyone for complaining about that shopping center being a cluster-youknowhat – for it’s design. And have I mentioned I’ve been the victim of attempted muggings twice in the past couple weeks walking home from work? You know why? The options for work have dwindled down to nothing, and everything around here is so expensive, it’s becoming more impossible to have a livable situation without feeling desperate. Keep in mind I’m not saying I condone mugging an innocent bystander for the money they probably don’t have either – but I do understand where that desperation comes from.

I’m not the only person that looks at it this way. The Burlington Free Press put up an article this morning about needed development, while still preserving the state’s integrity:

“Wadhams, who lives in Burlington, is quick to acknowledge that development, commercial and residential, is necessary in the state. As the population grows and its needs change, systems have to be in place to accommodate that growth. But there is a way to grow that preserves the historic integrity of the state, she said.”

Also, a note about a separate BFP article this morning regarding the cutting back on train service – as far as I’m concerned, there’s barely many options as is: 

“Despite increasing ridership, budget shortfalls might force cutbacks or an elimination of some Amtrak routes in Vermont within the next few months… Several scenarios of cutbacks are being considered, Zicconi said, including eliminating one of the two lines or shortening the Vermonter’s route. The shortened route would eliminate service from St. Albans to White River Junction — cutting out stops, including those in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier and Randolph.”

For those who aren’t from around here, cutting said stops basically eliminates anyone from being able to leave the state. I took a trip to CT a few years back and had to get to Essex Junction to take a train down there because Burlington didn’t even have a direct route. Not good news for us.  It’s already fairly ridiculous just to find a cab if you need it, let alone a long-term transportation alternative to driving on ice in the winter.  [sigh] This economy sucks.

Anyway – I would hate to diable comments from people I don’t know just because there are some people who can’t follow the rule, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. I don’t think it’s that difficult to just not post a negative comment, as opposed to going through the trouble of writing and posting one. That being said, I’ve diabled the comments on this post because – to be perfectly honest – I’m not in the mood for someone to argue my opinion on a very cut and dry subject. Courtesy. This isn’t about the economy, this isn’t about Vermont – this is about courtesy towards others.

I don’t surf blogs looking to bash people for their opinions or taste in music, food, lifestyle… so why would you?