I don't often read the local news these days, but I have been following Bakery-gate and the latest phase of Oakland's rising and spiking bloodbath, so I stumbled on this and I found it kind of funny:
"A group of Berkeley neighbors is preparing to file a lawsuit to stop the Trader Joe's project approved last month for University Avenue." What's the matter, neighbors? Trader Joe's not snooty enough for ya?
Neighbors for an even Scuzzier Livable Berkeley Way explain:
“Are you all so dazzled by the prospect of food and liquor that you can’t make a rational decision to save Berkeley’s neighborhoods for future generations?” he asked. “This project is an elephant dressed up in a Trader Joe’s T-shirt uniform. And as everyone knows, an elephant sits wherever and destroys whatever it wants.”And then there's the guy who is worried that this elephant might "further hamper revenue for local grocery stores." What's he talking about? Fred's? Not the 7-11, surely? Or it could be Andronico's - it's kind of a hellish walk, but it would certainly be SUV-able from there. Anything to keep it livable.
God bless 'em, or something.
Posted by Dr. Frank at August 6, 2007 12:41 AM | TrackBackHuh. Fred's Market has some odd hours (according to their website).
Also: I'm raising my hand to food and liquor! Likey!
Posted by: Erika at August 6, 2007 04:03 AMPeople take their aesthetic preferences, internalize them, and turn them into some kind of universal ethical system. What the hell is wrong with Trader Joe's? And God bless Wall-Mart while we're at it.
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=082206D
Posted by: josh at August 6, 2007 06:37 PMpersonally i love Trader Joe's,and now there's one in North Beach near my favorite boy. He showed me on a quest to make his awesome bruschetta.
I imagine its just more liberal naziism(never imagined I'd have to say that when i came here for liberal falk). Good is never good enough for Berkeley it seems. If they lived in Alaska where all you have is Safeway and Carrs(basically like Albertsons)maybe they'd appreciate tj's a little more...
...along with starving children in Africa.
not to mention the appalling villianization of the elephant breed. last i heard they where sweet and sensitive caretakers who love their families.not some stomping beast! i can't believe that Berkeley in all its acceptance would cast an evil light on these kind creatures because of the largeness of their stature.
its a shame.
(and yes i meant folk previously)
beth ; )
Posted by: just me at August 6, 2007 09:48 PMWhen did Trader Joe’s become the bane of Western civilization? I’m quite familiar with the neighborhood and would likely shop at Trader Joe’s more than I currently frequent Kragen Auto Parts. Why can’t the people predisposed to rallying against seemingly innocuous issues organize for positive change in Berkeley? Truly worthy causes are nearly endless. My starter set of pet peeves: graffiti, litter, violent crime, homelessness, panhandling, carelessly discarded syringes, stench of urine and patchouli (often emanating from the same source), broken parking meters, filthy streets (which in turn, transport garbage directly to San Francisco Bay via the network of storm drains), drum circles (Ashby BART every weekend, agggghhhh!), proliferation of signs proclaiming a never-ending ‘Psychic Faire’, and the always amusing Berkeley Housing Authority. Trader Joe’s? Not even a blip on the radar compared to Berkeley’s real problems.
Posted by: joseph at August 6, 2007 10:21 PM