Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
eyesore_200710A_1.jpg

Here is a horrifically entertaining way to kick off your Halloween day: James Howard Kunstler's "Eyesore of the Month." October's Eyesore is a drive-thru ATM machine in Caseyville, Illinois. Kunstler writes:

The Ionic columns are a nice touch. What I like best is that only twoof them are required to hold up the massive roof of the structure. It'slike a magic trick. Children love magic. . . and the American peopleare uniformly very childlike, so this is perfect for them. Themysterious green metallic object in the traffic circle is another nicetouch, lending an appropriately ominous note to the scene.

Of course, for a real dose of terror, you've got to read his weekly column...

Whenhistorians glance back at 2007 through the haze of their coal-firedstoves, they will mark this year as the onset of the Long Emergency –or whatever they choose to call the unraveling of industrial economiesand the complex systems that constituted them. And if they retain anysense of humor – which is very likely since, as wise Sam Beckett onceaverred, nothing is funnier than unhappiness – they will chuckle at the assumptions that drove the doings and mental operations of those in charge back then (i.e. now).

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Why Did Secretary Duffy Decimate University Transportation Centers?

University Transportation Centers are "where innovation happens." Earlier this month, though, the Trump administration took a sledgehammer to their budgets.

May 20, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Share the Love Edition

Citi Bike's workers are backing Brad Lander for mayor while their bosses at Lyft chip in on Andrew Cuomo's PAC. Plus more news.

May 20, 2025

Day 1: Criminal Court Judge Issues Safety Lectures to Cyclists, Including Citi Bike Celeb

A Manhattan Judge used the bench to give "a talking to" to suspected cyclists — including one of the Citibikeboys!

DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street

It's the sequel you've been waiting for. Here's hoping Mayor Adams delivers, said one activist.

May 19, 2025

Sohn in Albany: State Bill to Force Drivers to Pass Safely Stalls

Apparently, New York City is just too unsafe for legislation forbidding drivers to pass cyclists too closely.

May 19, 2025
See all posts