EDITORIAL AIRPORT CONTROL.IF Rep. William Lipinski gets his way, federal bureaucrats will have the power to expand Burbank Airport and LAX whenever and however they want - no matter what local residents think about it. Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat, is annoyed that Chicago residents continually stifle plans to expand O'Hare International Airport O'Hare International Airport is an airport located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop. It is the largest hub of United Airlines (whose headquarters is in downtown Chicago) and the second-largest hub of American Airlines (after , notorious for its flight delays. Rather than exercise some leadership and persuade his constituents to cooperate, he's opted for the ramrod approach to government - give the people what they don't want by way of federal decree. Lipinski has introduced legislation that would prohibit local governments from exercising control over development at the nation's 68 largest airports. LAX is ranked No. 3, Burbank is No. 59. Were Lipinski's bill to become law, it would eviscerate e·vis·cer·ate v. e·vis·cer·at·ed, e·vis·cer·at·ing, e·vis·cer·ates v.tr. 1. To remove the entrails of; disembowel. 2. an appellate court A court having jurisdiction to review decisions of a trial-level or other lower court. An unsuccessful party in a lawsuit must file an appeal with an appellate court in order to have the decision reviewed. ruling that upheld Burbank's right to approve or reject a new passenger terminal at the airport it shares with Glendale and Pasadena. Burbank residents would have no say at all about plans that could greatly affect their quality of life in terms of noise, traffic and pollution. And Angelenos could see LAX continue to grow - completely beyond their control - bringing yet more cars and congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. to the San Diego Freeway The San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405, and the part of Interstate 5 south of the El Toro Y[1]) is one of the principal north-south highways in Southern California, and the major beltway of I-5 running through Southern California. . Development and expansion decisions would be left entirely to the whim whim n. 1. A sudden or capricious idea; a fancy. 2. Arbitrary thought or impulse: governed by whim. 3. A vertical horse-powered drum used as a hoist in a mine. of Washington bureaucrats. Considering that the Federal Aviation Agency has never seemed to care about much except boosting airlines' profits, that's a pretty daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin prospect. For Republicans, who still control the House of Representative, Lipinski's bill will be a test of principle. If they are sincere about their commitment to local control and small government, they will sink this proposed piece of federal intrusion in an instant. Rather than expand the FAA's authority over local communities, Congress should minimize it. The people most affected by airports are the people who live around them and they should have a larger - not smaller - role in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of adding more runways, flights or passengers to their airports. It's none of Washington's business. |
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