As time continues, you will get to understand my contempt for polls. I don't know if it is because of the way questions are phrased, the selection of respondents (location, age, sex, status, wealth, religion... etc.) or underlying bias. Polls are great. They give everyone a blind blanket perception of what is. Anyone remember the last presidential election exit polls? Scary.
Anyhow, Readers Digest recently compiled a list of the 50 cleanest metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Portland, OR ranked #1. Am I depressed that Las Vegas ranked #13? Not really. I'm rather shocked and left to wonder how filthy those 37 other areas are. (BTW... take note Las Vegas Department of Sanitation. You ranked 7. That's bad and probably why something from my trash cans winds up on the street in front of my house twice a week.)
My issues with this listing are mixed. I like the fact that they used actual hard data on water, air, toxics, hazardous waste and sanitation. But, when cities #4 (Columbus, OH), #6 (Denver, CO) and #8 (Austin, TX) have a "NA" placed in their Sanitation column... I question their placing. That's like saying, "They did well in other areas, lets average those scores." Also, why weren't those stats there? Not available... my ass. Very peculiar. Did your city make the list?
6 comments:
I'm pretty surprised we were up that high. Every Monday and Thursday afternoon you will find various pieces of trash around my neighborhood because the trash men don't care.
Go hometown of St. Louis... beating Boston at a whopping 47.
And I always wondered what kind of a ranking St. Louis would get.
#31 here. Howintheheck did Miami come in higher? They probably bought some ads in the magazine or something...
Hells yes, Chicago is bringing up the rear in this poll. I couldn't be prouder of my little Windy City.
I barely know you and I already have a bone to pick with you. You commented for me a while back (sorry, I've been lazy) and I clicked on your name, bringing me to your profile. The only words I saw before I clicked on your blog were "Del Amitri" on your music list. Now I have "Roll Over Me" in my head. I don't think I'll ever forgive you.
I've got good news for you, Katie. Chicago may temporarily be moving up as New Orleans isn't looking so good. As for Del Amitri, I really wish their "Always Last To Know" was a bigger hit because "Roll To Me" can get annoying and I keep seeing the video in my head with the 'pseudo-baby' in the carriage. Sorry to torture you like that. B)
I am shocked we are in the top 50, impressed even.
I think of the random garbage in front of my house on Mon and Thurs as a phenomenon similar to losing socks in the dryer. It is easier to acept that way.
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