The 20th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, should prompt us to reflect on the thousands of lives lost and the enduring legacies of those who perished in the attacks.
It is also a time to remember the sacrifices made by so many men and women in our military, as well as their families, in the years since to help protect our country. Empty chairs at the dinner table, missed holidays and birthdays, and precious time with friends and family have all been forfeited in pursuit of a mission for the good of the nation.
I was honored to have the opportunity to spend time this week with some of Florida’s veterans – many of whom served in wars following September 11th – and thank them for all they have done fighting for the United States of America.
Our service members selflessly give so much to our country, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. These brave warriors deserve our utmost appreciation and gratitude, not only today but every day.
No words or actions can encompass our gratitude for all that our veterans and active-duty military do to protect us. It is imperative that our service members know that they will always have our support. They are truly the best America has to offer.
Forget free will. City Commission candidate Khurrum Wahid stunned some Coral Springs residents when he called for “behavior modification” as a solution to city problems.
When a Coral Springs resident asked about transportation solutions at a recent voter forum, most of the candidates for the upcoming city commission seat 2 election gave familiar answers. One talked about solving traffic congestion at the busy intersection of Sample Road and University Drive. Other candidates described transportation options in big cities and density studies. Candidate Shawn Cerra recounted talking to residents on a recent ride across Broward county on a bus. But candidate Khurrum Wahid stunned voters with his call for “behavior modification,” ride share subsidies and electric bicycles as a solution for Coral Springs.
Wahid called on the city to work on “behavior modification” as a solution to transportation problems. He said, “Right now, we have too many cars driving around. So we need to start designing a city for the city we want.”
Mentioning his business interests in technology consulting, Wahid told residents to follow California’s testing of autonomous buses as a possible solution along with the use of electric-powered bicycles. Wahid called for the City to pay for senior citizens use ride-share (UBER/LYFT) options.
Wahid gave no plan on how he would pay for these options.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION VS FREE WILL
According to The Atlantic, “B. F. Skinner’s notorious theory of behavior modification was denounced by critics 50 years ago as a fascist, manipulative vehicle for government control. But Skinner’s ideas are making an unlikely comeback today, powered by smartphone apps that are transforming us into thinner, richer, all-around-better versions of ourselves. The only thing we have to give up? Free will.”
Basically, Skinner believed human behavior could be controlled by reinforcements–positive or negative. Think of the “carrot and the stick” analogy. Good behavior is rewarded. Bad behavior is punished.
Do Coral Springs residents want to give up their free will to city politicians?
How would Khurrum Wahid “punish” the bad behavior of residents?
Who says Khurrum Wahid knows what is good?
How does Khurrum Wahid know there are too many cars in Coral Springs? What is the correct number of cars? What would he do to residents with cars? Buy them back? Force them to give them up?
To paraphrase Jon Snow, what about all the other Coral Springs residents who think they know what is good?
Last month, REDBROWARD exposed Khurrum Wahid’s call for changing Coral Springs. Wahid said:
We can make history. We can change the City of Coral Springs and continue the work [progressive candidate] Nancy [Metayer] started and you’re all supporting. A lot of folks are very excited about this campaign because we’re going to move Coral Springs–more progressive, more in a way that is going to give us all more of a voice, better opportunity. This is a diverse city and it has to start looking more diverse in its leadership. It has to start speaking to those voices that are currently not being heard.
Will Coral Springs voters give control to Khurrum Wahid on June 18th?
REDBROWARD 