In other news, the trail issues befalling the Adirondack Scenic and CMR have served me well. I took this as some inspiration for a short satirical essay that I had to do for my college English Comp. and Lit. course, and I tried to do it in such a way where it would be reminicent of John Swift's "A Modest Proposal". The PDF is attached, and if anything, I'd gladly accept some input. Is there anything that should be added to make the essay better?

That's pretty funny lol.

The reason Swift's essay works as a piece of satire is that it appeals to a general audience. It also is so outrageous, the patent offensiveness can be seen on face by even the most casual observer. Your take on it sounds like a reasonable proposal to the uninformed. It's "inside baseball" and as such, may not have the satirical effect you desire.

The FEMA option is by far, one of the best uses of Federal money in renewing a transportation corridor. Well done. Jonathan Swift would be pleased. He was never a big endorser of railroad transportation anyway.

Well, considering died in 1745, I'm not surprised...
Anyway, Mr. Wilkins brings up a good point. Swift's "Modest Proposal" is understandable by a general audience... So, with that regard, what in this essay can be improved to bring it more in line with Swift's satirical style?

I would consider pressing the economic benefits of having a few wild ATV'ers and motor cyclists rat-racing in the dust. The positive stewardship of the environment, the local homes, the nurturing of history, comes to mind. Then there is all that revenue produced by sales of popsicles and $4 worth of gasoline now and then.

I would also consider the tourist draw of watching the riders mentioned above. I mean, who isn't going to drive from out of state to watch these types of activities with their children?

Benefits to local tattoo parlors and body piercers, whether accidental or on purpose, and vagazzling business gains, not to mention amateur pharmaceutacles.

dave

I'm with Mr. Glueck. I don't think all the tiny towns along these two railroads realize the huge boom in business they are going to see once that freakin' eyesore of a railroad is finally ripped out and abandoned. Why, countless little ice cream stands, coffee shops, bicycyle shops and B&B's will almost instantly populate the landscape as soon as word spreads that the golden goose is about to pay them a visit. How else will all of these overstated trail usage numbers ever pay off in the land of make believe?

Look at all the communities along the dormant part of the Adirondack Scenic RR that stand to benefit from this. Why there must be 60 or 70 miles between towns south of Tupper Lake...the perfect distance for a casual Saturday or Sunday bikeride for Dad, the soccer mom and a little gaggle of kids in tow! Further, the section they are after has been in service for, what, 10 years now? And what about the folks from Tupper Lake that raised money locally to rebuild the depot from the ground up? No, they won't mind at all that the railroad may go bye-bye.

And the snowmobilers. Now there's a crowd that has some spending power. I realize winter hangs on a little longer in upstate NY but I just didn't realize how large a group they really are. Now let me get this straight. If these rail lines aren't torn out, are they going to take their money and go ride somewhere else?

Dylan, if you don't get an A+ for this satirical response with all the help we've given you, something is really wrong!

Rob Gardner

Be careful, your prof may be a "sledder" or other trail type! You don't want to teach the opposition!

:-)

Steve Hunter

Don't forget to mention the business opportunities... to open a tavern every place a road crosses the tracks/trail. My impression of snowmobiling here in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin is they buzz from one country tavern to the next, until they get enough of a "buzz" on that they decide to take off across the fields, and get hung up in a fence.

Last comment from me; Swift's "Modest Proposal" was a crafted piece of writing, it was not a sarcastic lambasting of un-ending criticism of fault, ala' Saturday Night Live. Remember your literary context and writing style!

Also keep in mind who your intended audience may/will be; Not everyone recognizes or understands (much less appreciates) satire very well, especially the type practiced by our British cousins.