Life as Edward Jensen

One of the big criticisms of transportation is that “it doesn’t make money.” This is true – most transit systems are subsidized by taxpayer money.

So if your argument is that transit is bad because it doesn’t make money, look at this, too: Schools don’t make money. Police departments and fire protection don’t make money. Public health services don’t make money. Should we stop funding these programs because they don’t make money? No, because these services – transit included – benefit an entire region.

Food for thought…

Cheers -EJ

I don’t intend to spoil anything if you’re going to read tomorrow’s (Memorial Day, 26 May 2008) The New York Times, but I found a couple of editorials that are definitely merit reading.

The first editorial is “Mr. Bush and the G.I. Bill“. As is common knowledge, President Bush (as well as presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain) does not support a new G.I. Bill that truly supports the troops who are back home after extended tours of duty. So much for the party that has indicated that opposition to the Iraq war is opposition to the troops. On this Memorial Day, let it be known that I have always supported and will continue to support the troops and their missions. But I do not support the war. It can be two separate things. If we’re going to support the troops, then let’s give them better armor, decent equipment, and a decent education at a public university. It is the absolute least any nation can do.

The second editorial shows that the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just doesn’t know from what it should protect us. In “States Chafing at U.S. Focus on Terrorism“, the DHS thinks that the improvised explosive devices, IEDs, will be a threat to American streets and so future funding received by the DHS is contingent upon a plan to address a non-existent threat.

Fortunately, there are only 239 days to go before the end of the most interesting eight (8) years in American history. History will judge who was right, as it usually does, but in the interim, I present you with a countdown to Inauguration Day 2009.

Cheers and much patience – Edward Jensen

Hey everyone –

I’ve heard that, at one time, Thursdays were Mexican Food Day at the Phoenix City Hall 10th floor cafeteria. Does anyone know if this is still true? If it’s the case, then that’s Thursday’s cafeteria that’s being reviewed.

Thanks as always!
-Edward Jensen

As always, if you know of any cafeterias, or would like to stay abreast of what’s going on with the cafeteria project, send an e-mail to cafeterias@edwardjensen.net and thanks!

If you’re interested in receiving new updates from the Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias Project, or you want to share the link with others so they can be informed of where to eat, I encourage them to check out http://feeds.feedburner.com/DowntownPhoenixCafeteriasProject and whenever I review a new cafeteria, you can check it out.

Thanks! –Edward Jensen

So it seemed like I was being repetitive with the Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias Project. I have two blogs: this blog and my personal blog (the former being dedicated to Arizona State University and my experiences therein while the latter is more about downtown Phoenix and my opinions about Phoenix, etc.), and I had posted items to both blogs. I’m putting that to an end and the Downtown Phoenix Cafeterias Project is moving over to But because this is the Internet in the 21st century, the content is still there. On the left-hand column, you’ll notice updates of cafeteria reviews when they’re posted, as well as subscription options for the Project.

Like any blog, you can receive updates through RSS syndication or over e-mail. For RSS updates, the address is http://feeds.feedburner.com/DowntownPhoenixCafeteriasProject and the e-mail link is provided here. Enter your e-mail address and you’ll receive updates.

I shouldn’t leave it there. I have two blogs and they each have a distinct purpose. I encourage you to keep reading this blog to see how it is to be a student at ASU. At the same time, I encourage you to read my other blog to see how it is to be a citizen of downtown Phoenix.

Cheers and thanks –Edward Jensen

Dr. Robert Denhardt, the director of the School of Public Affairs and Regents’ Professor, has been named the first Lattie and Elva Coor Presidential Chair giving a $1mln endowment to develop scholarship and education in leadership and ethics across Arizona State University.

Congratulations, Dr. Denhardt!

ASU news story: http://copp.asu.edu/do/college-news/fp1

Also, check out President Crow’s podcast featuring Dr. Robert Denhardt discussing the high rankings of the School of Public Affairs in the US News and World Report.

Cheers –Edward Jensen

Our friends at RailLife and LightRailAZ are reminding us all of light rail safety. Something that the Phoenix light rail authorities have failed to do is to start an aggressive safety campaign to tell people how to drive, walk, or bike around the tracks.

Anyway, go check out “Don’t cross that line!” at http://raillife.com/blog/post/2008/05/11/Dont-cross-that-line!.aspx.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

If you also applied for the Barrett Honors College at the same time as you applied to ASU, you should have received a letter welcoming you to the Honors College. As the Student Ambassador of the College of Public Programs who is also in the Honors College, please consider me a resource for any questions that you may have. Give me a call at (602) 496-7827 or send me an e-mail at edwardjensen@asu.edu.

Welcome to the BHC!
-Edward Jensen

It’s been a while since I’ve posted some pictures from the Central at Encanto LRT station. Every day, progress is made on the station so it looks like something functional. Here are some photos from May 2008:

This was how the station looked on 2 May 2008. As can be seen, the architectural artwork is complete but no sails have been installed. They’re coming; hang on…

The bricks and catenary supports are ready to go in this 15 May 2008 photo. This is the south entrance of the station from Encanto. It did rain that day, in case you were wondering…

This is how those piles of bricks and stones look when installed, as shown in this 20 May 2008 north approach photo

Sails! Installation began of the sails on 18 May; however, this photo is from 20 May.

The far two south assemblies are proudly showing off their sails in this 20 May 2008 photo.

Photos are (c) 2008 Edward Jensen, all rights reserved.

Cheers – EJ

It’s raining (correction: not raining) here in downtown Phoenix, and it’s simply wonderful. I’ve got my windows open at my house and the inside temperature is a nice 79F. I’m not complaining.

Anyway, the weather people are holding the days of 100F+ over our heads again so we should enjoy this weekend because it’s probably the last nice weekend before the dog days of summer. The Phoenix Symphony is performing Osvaldo Golijov’s opera (in concert performance) Ainadamar featuring sopranos Dawn Upshaw (for whom Golijov wrote the part of Margarita Xirgu), Emily Albrink, mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, and the always energetic Phoenix Symphony Chorus.

You want something outside? Try hiking one of Phoenix’s mountains or going to Encanto Park’s Enchanted Island or rent a paddleboat and stroll the Encanto lagoon. Maybe walk Arizona’s Capitol Mall and walk through (for free admission!) the historic Arizona Capitol Museum – open Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Enjoy the weather (and the weekend!) – EJ