OREGONIAN
This incident was blown so far out of proportion in relation to the outcome that it proves that GEORGE ORWELL was correct when he wrote the book 1984.
The media is creating the news and thought control is a reality.
The kid was so CUTE that how could he ever be left on the train platform by the mean old train driver!
The father shares 1/2 responsibility for the mess!
But there is a much bigger agenda going on here, a hidden sneaky agenda.
This story came on the heels of a TV news reporter GOING TO THE HOME of a bus driver who took a few pictures while he sat at the wheel of the bus. THE HORROR! THE HORROR!
This bus driver was portrayed the way child molesters are portrayed.
In both incidents, NOTHING HAPPENED!
Nobody got hurt, no damage was done, IT WAS ALL MEDIA HYPE.
An Anti TRIMET and LABOR agenda.
All the pain and suffering going on in this country and PORTLAND and the media covers this nonsense.
Why not cover the HUNDREDS of abandoned children? Or the THOUSANDS of people that have no place to sleep?
No folks, don't be fooled by the manipulative media, there is no story here, just an agenda that nobody really wants to talk about.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/stimulus_spending_in_oregon_no.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/stimulus_spending_in_oregon_no.html
Monday, August 3, 2009
http://bikeportland.org/2009/08/03/is-a-fix-in-store-for-the-dangerous-dance-on-n-williams-and-elsewhere/
“”””Driver: “Hurry up… All your bike brothers are out there breathing my oxygen.”
Me: ‘”They aren’t my brothers, they’re just people… traffic.”
Driver: “They’re an obnoxious, poor excuse for human beings.”””””
~~>I’m sorry, I have a hard time believing this!
==================================
"""“It’s not hard to imagine how this frustrating situation could cause a bus driver to make mistakes, with potentially tragic consequences.”"""
~~~>See the little vignette i wrote 7 years ago on this topic.
=====================================
"""“If there’s a bicycle around, operators are not supposed to signal prior to crossing over [a traffic lane] to service a stop. The idea is that you stop in the traffic lane, then when the bikes have cleared you service the stop.”"""
~~~>Actually what I used to do was stop in the middle of the street!
======================================
""""Take out the on-street parking on the left side and then move the bike lane to the left side of the street, widening it with the newly reclaimed parking lane.""""
~~~>BINGO!!!BINGO!!!BINGO!!!
And why would this EXCELLENT recommendation NOT BE POSSIBLE?
=============================
"""But, the bus driver was very courteous.""""
~~~>Surely you jest!! A decent bus driver? In Portland? NOT POSSIBLE!
=======================
"""There will always be inconsiderate jerks driving buses, and riding bikes."""
~~>Aint it da truth!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
""""Why not remove the right-side parking and make it a bus lane? I haven't seen anyone suggest that yet; is there a reason why not?"""
~~~>Another great idea!
====================
""" Bus drivers invariably cut in front of them and NEVER stop in the car lane to wait"""
~~~>SEE I TOLD YA, THERE ARE NO GOOD BUS DRIVERS IN PORTLAND, JUST ASK THIS GUY!
====================================
""""My issue is with the TriMet drivers who seem to be confused and think that they are driving an emergency vehicle and get to do whatever whenever."""
~~~>YET EVEN MORE EVIDENCE THAT THERE ARE NO GOOD BUS DRIVERS IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND!
===========================
"""I don't see why buses should be different than any other vehicle. If a bus is ahead of me and signals a right hand turn to service the stop, I yield the right of way. Very predictable."""
~~~>SWEET JESUS SAVE ME! A BICYCLIST THAT ACTUALLY THINKS FOR THEMSELVES AND DOESN'T BLAME ALL THE OTHER TRAFFIC!!!
=====================================
"""Many people avoid the situation on Williams by riding north on Rodney which is way more chill."""
~~~~>MORE INTELLIGENT BICYCLISTS!
**********************************************
Ladies and gentlemen, we have seen the following facts presented by BIKEPORTLAND.ORG.
1-THERE ARE LIKELY NO GOOD BUS DRIVER IN PORTLAND.
2-THERE ARE OBVIOUS SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM.
3-THERE ARE BICYCLISTS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS!
As a humble bus driver, I thank you for this valuable insight!
Me: ‘”They aren’t my brothers, they’re just people… traffic.”
Driver: “They’re an obnoxious, poor excuse for human beings.”””””
~~>I’m sorry, I have a hard time believing this!
==================================
"""“It’s not hard to imagine how this frustrating situation could cause a bus driver to make mistakes, with potentially tragic consequences.”"""
~~~>See the little vignette i wrote 7 years ago on this topic.
=====================================
"""“If there’s a bicycle around, operators are not supposed to signal prior to crossing over [a traffic lane] to service a stop. The idea is that you stop in the traffic lane, then when the bikes have cleared you service the stop.”"""
~~~>Actually what I used to do was stop in the middle of the street!
======================================
""""Take out the on-street parking on the left side and then move the bike lane to the left side of the street, widening it with the newly reclaimed parking lane.""""
~~~>BINGO!!!BINGO!!!BINGO!!!
And why would this EXCELLENT recommendation NOT BE POSSIBLE?
=============================
"""But, the bus driver was very courteous.""""
~~~>Surely you jest!! A decent bus driver? In Portland? NOT POSSIBLE!
=======================
"""There will always be inconsiderate jerks driving buses, and riding bikes."""
~~>Aint it da truth!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
""""Why not remove the right-side parking and make it a bus lane? I haven't seen anyone suggest that yet; is there a reason why not?"""
~~~>Another great idea!
====================
""" Bus drivers invariably cut in front of them and NEVER stop in the car lane to wait"""
~~~>SEE I TOLD YA, THERE ARE NO GOOD BUS DRIVERS IN PORTLAND, JUST ASK THIS GUY!
====================================
""""My issue is with the TriMet drivers who seem to be confused and think that they are driving an emergency vehicle and get to do whatever whenever."""
~~~>YET EVEN MORE EVIDENCE THAT THERE ARE NO GOOD BUS DRIVERS IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND!
===========================
"""I don't see why buses should be different than any other vehicle. If a bus is ahead of me and signals a right hand turn to service the stop, I yield the right of way. Very predictable."""
~~~>SWEET JESUS SAVE ME! A BICYCLIST THAT ACTUALLY THINKS FOR THEMSELVES AND DOESN'T BLAME ALL THE OTHER TRAFFIC!!!
=====================================
"""Many people avoid the situation on Williams by riding north on Rodney which is way more chill."""
~~~~>MORE INTELLIGENT BICYCLISTS!
**********************************************
Ladies and gentlemen, we have seen the following facts presented by BIKEPORTLAND.ORG.
1-THERE ARE LIKELY NO GOOD BUS DRIVER IN PORTLAND.
2-THERE ARE OBVIOUS SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM.
3-THERE ARE BICYCLISTS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS!
As a humble bus driver, I thank you for this valuable insight!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/08/oregon_conservatives_launch_no.html
"""" accompanying think tank"""
~~~>Let's stop misleading people by using phony words. These "think tanks" are actually PROPAGANDA MILLS, pure and simple. Thinking is not part of the equation. Pushing an ideology using lies and distortions is what these people are all about. They prey on the stupidity of the average american.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
"""""I want people to feel good about the system again," said Day. "I want to make sure it's done right.""""
~~~>What a joke coming from these people
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"""conservative donors such as Nevada businessman Loren Parks."""
~~~>Right, the only thing these people want is lower taxes on the rich and more hour at work for the rest of us for less pay and less benefits.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"""""Common Sense has also been running radio advertising and promoting a new "Golden Fleece Award" attacking what it regards as examples of wasteful government spending."""
~~~>Uh, how bout the war in Iraq? Or maybe the savings and loan bailouts? NO, THESE BOZO'S PICK ON BUS DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEALTH CARE!
===============================================
""""Why do the conservatives even bother wasting money in Oregon? The big city liberals and progressives control this state all the way, and that's the way it should be."""
~~~>Actual intelligence blogging here? WOWOWOWOW!
==========================================
""""foxworthy, you are right on the money! Let's get rid of the crooked business lobbyists, crooked lawyers, crooked initiative writers, and crooked signature-gathering companies too!"""
~~~>THAT MAKES TWO BLOGGERS WITH ACTUAL INTELLIGENCE!
===================================
""""conservatype"""
~~~~>I THINK YOU GOT IT WRONG BUDDY, THIS MESS IS THE PRODUCT OF YOUR CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY.
=====================================
""""You can only tote the pro-life pro-God anti Union rhetoric so long before you appear as backward as our neighbor Idaho.""
~~>hehehe!
=============================================
""""It's all fun and games until the very country that we know and love gets handed over to a single, uber liberal party system that is gaining in strength and financial backing.""""
~~~>I SURE HOPE THIS COMES TO PASS, AS MUCH AS I HATE SAM ADAMS I AM AGAINST THE RECALL ONLY BECAUSE IT HELPS YOU FOLKS!
===============================================
""""You are absolutely right. They must be slow learners."""
~~~>BINGO!
===================================
""""You see, they're afraid of a fair fight- and rational debate on the merits, because they know that they will lose. Time and time again.""""
~~~>BINGO!
=================================
""""
~~~>Let's stop misleading people by using phony words. These "think tanks" are actually PROPAGANDA MILLS, pure and simple. Thinking is not part of the equation. Pushing an ideology using lies and distortions is what these people are all about. They prey on the stupidity of the average american.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
"""""I want people to feel good about the system again," said Day. "I want to make sure it's done right.""""
~~~>What a joke coming from these people
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"""conservative donors such as Nevada businessman Loren Parks."""
~~~>Right, the only thing these people want is lower taxes on the rich and more hour at work for the rest of us for less pay and less benefits.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"""""Common Sense has also been running radio advertising and promoting a new "Golden Fleece Award" attacking what it regards as examples of wasteful government spending."""
~~~>Uh, how bout the war in Iraq? Or maybe the savings and loan bailouts? NO, THESE BOZO'S PICK ON BUS DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEALTH CARE!
===============================================
""""Why do the conservatives even bother wasting money in Oregon? The big city liberals and progressives control this state all the way, and that's the way it should be."""
~~~>Actual intelligence blogging here? WOWOWOWOW!
==========================================
""""foxworthy, you are right on the money! Let's get rid of the crooked business lobbyists, crooked lawyers, crooked initiative writers, and crooked signature-gathering companies too!"""
~~~>THAT MAKES TWO BLOGGERS WITH ACTUAL INTELLIGENCE!
===================================
""""conservatype"""
~~~~>I THINK YOU GOT IT WRONG BUDDY, THIS MESS IS THE PRODUCT OF YOUR CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY.
=====================================
""""You can only tote the pro-life pro-God anti Union rhetoric so long before you appear as backward as our neighbor Idaho.""
~~>hehehe!
=============================================
""""It's all fun and games until the very country that we know and love gets handed over to a single, uber liberal party system that is gaining in strength and financial backing.""""
~~~>I SURE HOPE THIS COMES TO PASS, AS MUCH AS I HATE SAM ADAMS I AM AGAINST THE RECALL ONLY BECAUSE IT HELPS YOU FOLKS!
===============================================
""""You are absolutely right. They must be slow learners."""
~~~>BINGO!
===================================
""""You see, they're afraid of a fair fight- and rational debate on the merits, because they know that they will lose. Time and time again.""""
~~~>BINGO!
=================================
""""
conservatype: "blah blah blah blah blah"
Translation: "blah blah blah blah blah"
~~~>LOL!!!LOL!!!
=================================
""""The Third Reich was a collectivist, leftist government not a conservative one. Fascism is leftist, not conservative. Collectivists and socialists of all kinds and stripes are left wing not conservative.""""
~~~>I THINK I AM GONNA BE SICK, SOMEBODY GET ME A BARF BAG!
====================================
WELL I CAN'T READ ANY MORE COMMENTS BUT IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE REALIZING THIS "THINK TANK" IS NOTHING NEW.
BILL SIZMORE REINVENTED!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/crusader_targets_drivers_who_c.html
Dr Huang does something truly noble and uplifting now we get to witness some of the
COMPLETE LACK OF ETHICS AND STUPIDITY BY SOME OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS!
I can't believe these people even exist!
Ban driving on the beach and jail the one's who are responsible for killing innocent birds.
Let all the drug offenders out and the prisons will be only 1/4 full.
This country, the best and the worst of humanity, ITS VERY DEPRESSING TO WITNESS SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.
COMPLETE LACK OF ETHICS AND STUPIDITY BY SOME OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS!
I can't believe these people even exist!
Ban driving on the beach and jail the one's who are responsible for killing innocent birds.
Let all the drug offenders out and the prisons will be only 1/4 full.
This country, the best and the worst of humanity, ITS VERY DEPRESSING TO WITNESS SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
http://victoriataftkpam.blogspot.com/2009/07/tri-met-union-fires-back-at-tax -payers.html
Interesting that folks like yourself choose to pick on your fellow citizens who happen to have decent jobs via taxes.
You make no mention of the real villains:
TRILLIONS TO THE BANKS, BILLIONS FOR THE WAR,
no, you want to pick on your fellow citizens who happen to be able to make productive use of our tax dollars!
SHAME SHAME SHAME, you people are truly disgraceful!
You make no mention of the real villains:
TRILLIONS TO THE BANKS, BILLIONS FOR THE WAR,
no, you want to pick on your fellow citizens who happen to be able to make productive use of our tax dollars!
SHAME SHAME SHAME, you people are truly disgraceful!
Friday, July 17, 2009
http://www.katu.com/news/specialreports/50981032.html
“””Don't forget, these folks are also on PERs as well.”””
~~~>WRONG!
……………………………
GOD HELP
THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY GIVING CITIZENS HEALTH CARE!
BUNCH OF COMMIE’S THOSE TRIMET PEOPLE!
This
YOU COMMIE TRIMET EMPLOYEES, DIE IN MISERY LIKE THE REST OF
Thursday, July 16, 2009
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/07/dispatch_from_the_commute_a_tr.html#comments
Well the first two comments are typical of some of the attitudes that us bloggers run into when it comes to trimet and trimet bus drivers.
Over at Jack Bogdanski's blog some of the writers there go so far as to call TRIMET corrupt, a completely false charge made by people that are bordering on TRIMET obsessive/compulsive disorder who just cannot accept the fact that “their” tax dollars would go to any thing as ridiculous as mass transit. THE HORROR, THE HORROR!
Luckily, the TRIMET bashing that happens on the internet really isn't in line with the majority of public opinion. Most people don’t have any opinion one way or the other, and there are plenty of people who would be lost without TRIMET.
Anyway I’m the driver that Mr. Rose did indeed ride with and I would encourage any other TRIMET drivers to take him up on his proposal!
How bout a 72 driver step up and ask him to ride one complete round trip in the middle of rush hour? Or the 12, 20, 4, 33, 8, 9,6, or any other really crappy run that your stuck with.
My 67 run wasn’t able to give him the full flavor of our wonderful employment opportunity.
He really needs to take a whole loop on one of the high density routes to get a complete understanding why bus drivers get mean.
I agree with everything Mr. Hanon had to say.
However there is much more to why bus drivers get downright mean.
Routes that are 2 hours from end to end make a driver MEAN!
Routes that have no breaks make a driver MEAN!
Embellished or completely false complaints make a driver MEAN!
Having to defend yourself over every little thing that happens makes a driver MEAN.
Being forced to take drug tests randomly makes a driver MEAN.
Being forced into a drug test when an accident happens that was clearly not the driver’s fault makes a driver MEAN.
When your job is always hard, when the public thinks you don’t deserve health care, when you are disrespected by the community at large, YOU GET MEAN.
People are people and react to stimulus in very predictable ways.
Bus drivers are people.
Most trimet bus drivers are great!
But when they do get mean, look to the causes behind the behavior.
This is a rotten stinking job at times.
http://www.box.net/shared/static/5yrdxnltxs.bmp
(I do not believe that Mr Rose is on a crusade, I believe him when he says he is reacting to letters from readers)
Friday, June 26, 2009
http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/06/dont-scrap-fareless-square-trimet.html
The 70's FEEL GOOD idea of a FARE LESS SQUARE has longed outlived its usefulness.
Now that citizens within the district are facing serious service cuts its an ABOMINATION to be offering free services to that special class of citizens that happen to inhabit downtown Portland.
Fare less square should be COMPLETELY ELIMINATED!
It clogs the system for actual commuters that are trying to LEAVE fare less, it provides a rolling shelter for people that have no where else to go, and its a enforcement nightmare.
I hardly believe the commentators remark that it is the ENVY of other cities.
That's laughable!
The only problem with Fred's decision is that it doesn't go far enough, GET RID OF FARE LESS COMPLETELY!
Now that citizens within the district are facing serious service cuts its an ABOMINATION to be offering free services to that special class of citizens that happen to inhabit downtown Portland.
Fare less square should be COMPLETELY ELIMINATED!
It clogs the system for actual commuters that are trying to LEAVE fare less, it provides a rolling shelter for people that have no where else to go, and its a enforcement nightmare.
I hardly believe the commentators remark that it is the ENVY of other cities.
That's laughable!
The only problem with Fred's decision is that it doesn't go far enough, GET RID OF FARE LESS COMPLETELY!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/06/riding_the_67_with_al.html
I appreciate that you took the time to come and ride Joseph. The point I was trying to make about Trimet and profit is this:
Plenty of people whine about their tax dollars going in to fund transit, which they don't use.
They think TRIMET should be privatized, a PROFIT MAKING company can do better.
Of course there would be virtually no service at all if a profit making company took control.
There would be no livable wage jobs, and sure as heck NO HEALTH INSURANCE.
No siree! This is America, the land of liberty, AND YOUR LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB WITH DECENT HEALTH INSURANCE.
And TRIMET gets blamed for the cost of its health insurance, AS IF ITS TRIMET'S FAULT THAT AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM IS A FARCE!
Too much COST PER RIDER and all that associated nonsense that people like to throw around when they don't like something!
Well I don't want my tax money going to immoral wars, or the CIA, or the NSA, or foreign aid, but I don't get too choose where my tax money is spent.
The fact that any government money actually gets spent to help AMERICANS, makes some of the more fortunate Americans angry!
This is the kind of country we live in?
Free states, slave states, remember that?
IT'S THE SAME OLD AMERICA, JUST WITH DIFFERENT VISIONS OF SLAVERY!
(the only sane people are the ones that are crazy)
Plenty of people whine about their tax dollars going in to fund transit, which they don't use.
They think TRIMET should be privatized, a PROFIT MAKING company can do better.
Of course there would be virtually no service at all if a profit making company took control.
There would be no livable wage jobs, and sure as heck NO HEALTH INSURANCE.
No siree! This is America, the land of liberty, AND YOUR LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB WITH DECENT HEALTH INSURANCE.
And TRIMET gets blamed for the cost of its health insurance, AS IF ITS TRIMET'S FAULT THAT AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM IS A FARCE!
Too much COST PER RIDER and all that associated nonsense that people like to throw around when they don't like something!
Well I don't want my tax money going to immoral wars, or the CIA, or the NSA, or foreign aid, but I don't get too choose where my tax money is spent.
The fact that any government money actually gets spent to help AMERICANS, makes some of the more fortunate Americans angry!
This is the kind of country we live in?
Free states, slave states, remember that?
IT'S THE SAME OLD AMERICA, JUST WITH DIFFERENT VISIONS OF SLAVERY!
(the only sane people are the ones that are crazy)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
SEARCHING
http://thinkerspodium.wordpress.com/
http://bryanong.blogspot.com/
Hello from Portland Oregon USA
One of our transit executives has been chosen to participate in the "thinker in residence" program offered by your city.
I am searching for information about this.
If anybody can help could you please email me at
alyourpalster@gmail.com
http://bryanong.blogspot.com/
Hello from Portland Oregon USA
One of our transit executives has been chosen to participate in the "thinker in residence" program offered by your city.
I am searching for information about this.
If anybody can help could you please email me at
alyourpalster@gmail.com
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/a_compliment_from_down_under.html
Hmmmm....
I wouldn't have any problem with this at all in times when the money is flowing and services are robust.
But this is not the time and place for "compliments'!
Me thinks this might have more to do with:
"its wine industry, beaches, arts festivals and Mediterranean weather."
A great place to do some thinking alright!
Maybe Fred can think about his secret bailout of the bankrupt WES company.
Or maybe he will think about his failed futures gamble.
Maybe Fred can take some of the TRIMET patrons that now have to move due to their service being canceled, they need to do some thinking to!
What really bothers me about this is that it was discovered BY ACCIDENT, Fred never told anybody about this.
Just like he never told anybody about the WES bailout until it was a done deal, and just like he never told anybody about the futures contract, took a blogger to bring that too light.
NO NO, this doesn't work right now.
All the OREGONIAN platitudes and niceties are actually quite disgusting.
Maybe this was written by the president of the TRIMET BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
This biggest irony of this is that with technology, YOU DON'T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE TO GET INFORMATION.
You can talk to anybody in the world anytime you want.
You can view any document in the world immediately.
Maybe Fred hasn't discovered the internet yet thus he thinks he needs to go places to learn anything.
IT'S A PERK HANDED OUT BY THE ELITE FOR THE ELITE.
I wouldn't have any problem with this at all in times when the money is flowing and services are robust.
But this is not the time and place for "compliments'!
Me thinks this might have more to do with:
"its wine industry, beaches, arts festivals and Mediterranean weather."
A great place to do some thinking alright!
Maybe Fred can think about his secret bailout of the bankrupt WES company.
Or maybe he will think about his failed futures gamble.
Maybe Fred can take some of the TRIMET patrons that now have to move due to their service being canceled, they need to do some thinking to!
What really bothers me about this is that it was discovered BY ACCIDENT, Fred never told anybody about this.
Just like he never told anybody about the WES bailout until it was a done deal, and just like he never told anybody about the futures contract, took a blogger to bring that too light.
NO NO, this doesn't work right now.
All the OREGONIAN platitudes and niceties are actually quite disgusting.
Maybe this was written by the president of the TRIMET BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
This biggest irony of this is that with technology, YOU DON'T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE TO GET INFORMATION.
You can talk to anybody in the world anytime you want.
You can view any document in the world immediately.
Maybe Fred hasn't discovered the internet yet thus he thinks he needs to go places to learn anything.
IT'S A PERK HANDED OUT BY THE ELITE FOR THE ELITE.
Monday, May 18, 2009
http://adronbhall.com/blogs/my_transportation_obsession/post/2009/05/14/241561-Cost-Per-Rider.aspx
I have nothing but respect for Erik, but in the case of contracting out I disagree. The reasons for this are pretty obvious.
Contracting out IN MOST cases usually means one thing, CUT WAGES AND BENEFITS.
I have not seen one case where a contractor pays the equivalent wage and/or benefits as the governmental entity does itself.
If that's where the public wants to save money, I say hell no.
Now my second point is this;
Why is public transit looked at as some sort of money making/losing business?
What is the police cost per bank robber?
Or the cost per house fire at the fire department
Or the cost per citizen to fund the war in Iraq?
Public services are not judged on a cost per basis.
They are provided as a right of each citizen.
This is the problem with transit today, some people insist on turning into just another profit making/losing endeavor. Some things have no business in the profit loss game, and transit is one of them.
Contracting out IN MOST cases usually means one thing, CUT WAGES AND BENEFITS.
I have not seen one case where a contractor pays the equivalent wage and/or benefits as the governmental entity does itself.
If that's where the public wants to save money, I say hell no.
Now my second point is this;
Why is public transit looked at as some sort of money making/losing business?
What is the police cost per bank robber?
Or the cost per house fire at the fire department
Or the cost per citizen to fund the war in Iraq?
Public services are not judged on a cost per basis.
They are provided as a right of each citizen.
This is the problem with transit today, some people insist on turning into just another profit making/losing endeavor. Some things have no business in the profit loss game, and transit is one of them.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/02/legislators_make_plans_to_stre.html
Y'all are ALL on the wrong track, you're not even close to why this is happening!
Blaming the immigrants is the easy thing to do.
Remember when Hitler blamed the Jews?
Well your doing the same thing with the immigrants.
This crisis is not because of them.
It's because of corrupt banks, corrupt Banking institutions such as the Federal Reserve, and ILLEGAL IMMORAL wars being waged WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS that could be used here.
Get out of IRAQ, get out of AFGHANISTAN, close down all the military bases in foreign lands, end of economic crisis, didn't any of you listen to RON PAUL?
End enforcement of victimless crimes such as drug laws, make drugs legal and taxable, AND MONEY WILL BE FLOWING ONCE AGAIN.
But as you have all proved, AMERICANS are an ignorant bunch, trying to find blame where there is no blame, and ignoring the root causes of all this mess.
It's sad.
This stimulus is nothing more than the same sham as the the savings and loan bailout was.
The government IS THE CORPORATE STATE!
Can't you see that?
You sit at your keyboards whining about Nancy Pelosi when the truth is she is no better or worse than GEORGE BUSH!
Blaming the immigrants is the easy thing to do.
Remember when Hitler blamed the Jews?
Well your doing the same thing with the immigrants.
This crisis is not because of them.
It's because of corrupt banks, corrupt Banking institutions such as the Federal Reserve, and ILLEGAL IMMORAL wars being waged WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS that could be used here.
Get out of IRAQ, get out of AFGHANISTAN, close down all the military bases in foreign lands, end of economic crisis, didn't any of you listen to RON PAUL?
End enforcement of victimless crimes such as drug laws, make drugs legal and taxable, AND MONEY WILL BE FLOWING ONCE AGAIN.
But as you have all proved, AMERICANS are an ignorant bunch, trying to find blame where there is no blame, and ignoring the root causes of all this mess.
It's sad.
This stimulus is nothing more than the same sham as the the savings and loan bailout was.
The government IS THE CORPORATE STATE!
Can't you see that?
You sit at your keyboards whining about Nancy Pelosi when the truth is she is no better or worse than GEORGE BUSH!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/02/the_final_i205_max_track_goes.html
First of all, BODANSKI is generally a blowhard. Occasionally he makes some sense, in this case for example.
I agree with the point that all building must cease and desist until the money situation stabilizes.
You cannot build on one hand and cut services on the other. The absurdity of that should be obvious.
The first places that should have gotten bailout funds were the transit authorities around America.
Another in a long list of federal failures
In the long run its cheaper for TRIMET to operate rail vs bus. Basically because they don't need so many employees to run it. (Although most of the world is turning to bus rapid transit vs fixed rail). Of course if there is a problem along the rail line so much for your wonderful mass transit system.
The 'ego' factor is a real syndrome. Developers will build on rail lines, but not on bus lines. American's will ride rail, but not bus. (with those people)
Now as far as TRIMET not getting enough passenger revenue to support itself, this argument is a red herring. Transit is a PUBLIC SERVICE, something the government should provide its citizens, like the police and fire departments.
Neither the police or fire departments generate any revenue from the clients they serve, yet nobody says a thing about it.
If transit is expected to be self supporting so should the police and fire. A fee for service.
Investigation of murder, lets say $100k up front. House fire, you must show a credit card when the fire truck shows up or too bad your house must be left to burn. We at the fire department must be self supporting.
The anti transit crowd has some sort of special phobia just for transit agencies. The fact that anybody rides transit irks these people. These are the Rush Limbaugh crowd, the ones married to that failed ideology that got us into this mess!
I agree with the point that all building must cease and desist until the money situation stabilizes.
You cannot build on one hand and cut services on the other. The absurdity of that should be obvious.
The first places that should have gotten bailout funds were the transit authorities around America.
Another in a long list of federal failures
In the long run its cheaper for TRIMET to operate rail vs bus. Basically because they don't need so many employees to run it. (Although most of the world is turning to bus rapid transit vs fixed rail). Of course if there is a problem along the rail line so much for your wonderful mass transit system.
The 'ego' factor is a real syndrome. Developers will build on rail lines, but not on bus lines. American's will ride rail, but not bus. (with those people)
Now as far as TRIMET not getting enough passenger revenue to support itself, this argument is a red herring. Transit is a PUBLIC SERVICE, something the government should provide its citizens, like the police and fire departments.
Neither the police or fire departments generate any revenue from the clients they serve, yet nobody says a thing about it.
If transit is expected to be self supporting so should the police and fire. A fee for service.
Investigation of murder, lets say $100k up front. House fire, you must show a credit card when the fire truck shows up or too bad your house must be left to burn. We at the fire department must be self supporting.
The anti transit crowd has some sort of special phobia just for transit agencies. The fact that anybody rides transit irks these people. These are the Rush Limbaugh crowd, the ones married to that failed ideology that got us into this mess!
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2009/02/19/fareless_square_may_be_on_the
“Ever check on how much Tri-Met employees make?”
~~>A full time bus driver makes $47k a year. Which is nothing but a lower middle class lifestyle. The reason that looks so good is that there are SO MANY FRIGGEN JOBS THAT PAY SLAVE WAGES!
Bus drivers have more health problems+ die younger than the general population.
It aint no ‘sweet’ deal;.
============================
“Where's the mayor on this one?”
~~>Hanging out in the bathroom. (sorry, couldn’t help myself)
======================
“Sschting, are you really criticizing Tri-Met for paying their employees equitably?”
~~>thank you Graham!
=============
“Have they been laying off employees, I haven't heard?”
~~>70 driver positions are getting whacked, dunno about middle management
…………………………….
“I think that bus ticket prices need to be standardized. Get rid of the zones. Two bucks for all you can ride four hours. if you are going to have fareless zones, enforce them.”
~>AMEN BROTHER!
……………………..
I’ve never been a fan of fareless square. I can’t tell you how many times I would hear:
WAAAIT UPPPP!
I pull over the bus, they hop on, say FARELESS, and they go ONE FRIGGEN STOP!
Fareless square is an idea left over from the 70’s.
It clogs the system and pushes out people that actually need to GET OUT of fareleess square.
Some buses are so full of fareless people that fare paying people can’t get on.
And for those of you skeptical that TRIMET is making this up, check what’s going on in
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29251064/
The entire countries transit systems are falling apart.
So much for OBAMA’S stimulus. USELESS!
There are people that don’t live in
These people have been riding TRIMET for years but are now going to be abandoned by TRIMET.
Its an obscenity for people to be riding FREE right now while others can’t get service and more have to pay top dollar to get to
END
AND, TO QUOTE NUMBER SIX:
I think that bus ticket prices need to be standardized. Get rid of the zones. Two bucks for all you can ride four hours. if you are going to have fareless zones, enforce them.
The fair thing to do is end fareless.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/trimet_may_cut_service_to_cope.html
""I guess it would be too much to hope that maybe they'd dismantle the tram and sell of some of its parts to collectors to keep things running for awhile ""
BRAVO! BRAVO!
.........................................
""Well, they certainly were getting practice cutting service yesterday when I had to wait for my bus for two hours downtown.""
Apparently they don't have the 'bodies' so they are just cutting runs left and right.
...............................
""Mr Rivera, could you ask TriMet how much revenue could be realized by charging TriMet employees fares like other riders?""
I got a better idea, get rid of fare less square.
............................................
""Would that hurt the
fat pensions Trimet retirees receive?"
I just love this anti trimet hatred that appears around the web. They never say anything about all the city employees, nor the state employees, nor the police pensions, nor the fire pensions, its the bus drivers that they whine about. IT'S PATHETIC.
.............................................
"" I swore off riding the bus system after continually watching numerous drivers throw mini tantrums.""
Me thinks you may fall into the TRIMETPHOBIA sociological subgroups of humans who have the illogical ill founded hatred for anything with the word BUS in it.
====================================
"""Bad service has TriMet consider economy cut"""
That remark might have some foundation to it.
=====================================
""Scrap the trains and track.""
Seems logical to me.
============================
""Also, for those of you who think there will ever be efficient and thoughtful management of any city program please stop voting for every new law""
Also not a bad idea.
====================================
""Oregon - trying to have it both ways.""
Not bad.
===================================
""Trimet can start by saving the $2,000,000 a year it costs to operate WES by shutting down WES immediately""
Another logical step that could be taken. (Don't hold your breath)
=============================
""First, they vent out against our Mayor, then against our public transit, what comes next? Our postmen? Our firemen? How can a rational person become so worked up about such basic services, necessary in any town?""
hehehe..............
I thought I was the only blogger that figured that out?
=============================
""One of the more bizarre sets of attitudes Republicans seem to have is hostility towrd mass transit.""
They sure do. It has always amazed me just how much hostility these neo cons have against mass transit. Well we can all see now just how much damage these people can do when they are in power. Just look at the legacy of the failed 8 years of GEORGE BUSH.
=============================
""One of the more bizarre sets of attitudes DEMOCRATS seem to have is hostility towrd mass transit.""
I aways appreciate creative writing.
==============================
""How about a public comparison for maintaining and running this lemon with keeping or improving regular bus service! I bet Fred won't dare do this.""
hehehe.....
good one!
==============================
""Capital costs are much higher, of course.""
These cost have to be included in any cost analysis. You can't just write off capital costs because they are just that. INCLUDING CAPITAL COSTS bus is much cheaper and efficient to run.
==============================
""As General Manager, he should have reserved this capital for a rainy day situation.""
I agree that some of FRED'S actions are very questionable. But I want to know who is he answering to? He's not making these decisions alone, that should be obvious. WHO REALLY RUNS TRIMET? It's not Fred Hansen.
====================================
111111111111111111111111111111111111
""why don't you enlighten all of us by telling us what's right about cutting service?""
I didn't say anything was right about cutting service. I'm just as unhappy as you are about it.
================
""Margu, feel free to expand -to everyone- on why a Trimet employee has it so tough?""
Tough? We earn the money, its a tough job.If you look at the statistics what you will see is that BUS DRIVERS have more health problems and die earlier than the general population.
I say again, we make a livable wage with some benefits. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT? That is supposed to be the way it is in AMERICA!
=============
""It's a good job during tough times. They need to respect that. We deserve that much from them.""
I don't disagree with any of that!
===========================
""Guess what, if the bus you are waiting for has been canceled there is NO WARNING."
True. There are management practices which I definitely have a problem with also.
================
""three number 17 buses that all form a chain up Holgate""
Do you think TRIMET is the only place this happens? The answer is NO! It's a standard problem in all transit districts that even has its own name: BUS BUNCHING.
Why can't they do something about it?
GOT ME???
=============================
""I can't tell you how many times I have seen people chsing a bus that won't stop,"
This unfortunately does happen, but plenty of bus drivers DO LET PEOPLE ON.
It's the one that doesn't that everyone remembers.
========================
""Tri-Met is a service, an optional one at that. If you don't like their service, then buy a car. Tri-Met is not a pleasure cruise, I don't expect drivers to be overly kind to me, I just want to get from point A to point B without sitting next to a homeless man or psycho. If a driver forgets I'm there then I consider it a successful trip.""
GREAT POST!
=============================
""It's a shame TriMet misses opportunities to work smarter-- not harder.""
AMEN!
BRAVO! BRAVO!
.........................................
""Well, they certainly were getting practice cutting service yesterday when I had to wait for my bus for two hours downtown.""
Apparently they don't have the 'bodies' so they are just cutting runs left and right.
...............................
""Mr Rivera, could you ask TriMet how much revenue could be realized by charging TriMet employees fares like other riders?""
I got a better idea, get rid of fare less square.
............................................
""Would that hurt the
fat pensions Trimet retirees receive?"
I just love this anti trimet hatred that appears around the web. They never say anything about all the city employees, nor the state employees, nor the police pensions, nor the fire pensions, its the bus drivers that they whine about. IT'S PATHETIC.
.............................................
"" I swore off riding the bus system after continually watching numerous drivers throw mini tantrums.""
Me thinks you may fall into the TRIMETPHOBIA sociological subgroups of humans who have the illogical ill founded hatred for anything with the word BUS in it.
====================================
"""Bad service has TriMet consider economy cut"""
That remark might have some foundation to it.
=====================================
""Scrap the trains and track.""
Seems logical to me.
============================
""Also, for those of you who think there will ever be efficient and thoughtful management of any city program please stop voting for every new law""
Also not a bad idea.
====================================
""Oregon - trying to have it both ways.""
Not bad.
===================================
""Trimet can start by saving the $2,000,000 a year it costs to operate WES by shutting down WES immediately""
Another logical step that could be taken. (Don't hold your breath)
=============================
""First, they vent out against our Mayor, then against our public transit, what comes next? Our postmen? Our firemen? How can a rational person become so worked up about such basic services, necessary in any town?""
hehehe..............
I thought I was the only blogger that figured that out?
=============================
""One of the more bizarre sets of attitudes Republicans seem to have is hostility towrd mass transit.""
They sure do. It has always amazed me just how much hostility these neo cons have against mass transit. Well we can all see now just how much damage these people can do when they are in power. Just look at the legacy of the failed 8 years of GEORGE BUSH.
=============================
""One of the more bizarre sets of attitudes DEMOCRATS seem to have is hostility towrd mass transit.""
I aways appreciate creative writing.
==============================
""How about a public comparison for maintaining and running this lemon with keeping or improving regular bus service! I bet Fred won't dare do this.""
hehehe.....
good one!
==============================
""Capital costs are much higher, of course.""
These cost have to be included in any cost analysis. You can't just write off capital costs because they are just that. INCLUDING CAPITAL COSTS bus is much cheaper and efficient to run.
==============================
""As General Manager, he should have reserved this capital for a rainy day situation.""
I agree that some of FRED'S actions are very questionable. But I want to know who is he answering to? He's not making these decisions alone, that should be obvious. WHO REALLY RUNS TRIMET? It's not Fred Hansen.
====================================
111111111111111111111111111111111111
""why don't you enlighten all of us by telling us what's right about cutting service?""
I didn't say anything was right about cutting service. I'm just as unhappy as you are about it.
================
""Margu, feel free to expand -to everyone- on why a Trimet employee has it so tough?""
Tough? We earn the money, its a tough job.If you look at the statistics what you will see is that BUS DRIVERS have more health problems and die earlier than the general population.
I say again, we make a livable wage with some benefits. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT? That is supposed to be the way it is in AMERICA!
=============
""It's a good job during tough times. They need to respect that. We deserve that much from them.""
I don't disagree with any of that!
===========================
""Guess what, if the bus you are waiting for has been canceled there is NO WARNING."
True. There are management practices which I definitely have a problem with also.
================
""three number 17 buses that all form a chain up Holgate""
Do you think TRIMET is the only place this happens? The answer is NO! It's a standard problem in all transit districts that even has its own name: BUS BUNCHING.
Why can't they do something about it?
GOT ME???
=============================
""I can't tell you how many times I have seen people chsing a bus that won't stop,"
This unfortunately does happen, but plenty of bus drivers DO LET PEOPLE ON.
It's the one that doesn't that everyone remembers.
========================
""Tri-Met is a service, an optional one at that. If you don't like their service, then buy a car. Tri-Met is not a pleasure cruise, I don't expect drivers to be overly kind to me, I just want to get from point A to point B without sitting next to a homeless man or psycho. If a driver forgets I'm there then I consider it a successful trip.""
GREAT POST!
=============================
""It's a shame TriMet misses opportunities to work smarter-- not harder.""
AMEN!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/02/keep_fareless_square_open_frie.html
samoht1-
Thanks for that interesting explanation, I had been wondering about the nuts and bolts of that fuel deal that TRIMET entered into. How did you get that information if I may ask?
Now, on to fare less square.
It's pretty easy for people that are supporters of this 70's feel good idea called "fare less square" to continue spouting lines such as:
"the square is not so much a place as a steering-wheel-free state of mind."
"At its heart, Fareless Square is a sweep-you-off-your-feet gesture of civic hospitality."
"Trust us. You're going to love our downtown. It's the best we have to offer, Portland's E-Ticket, but put away your spare change. This is on the house."
TRIMET is at this very minute contemplating cutting and eliminating service throughout the district. This means the so called "marginal" routes are in jeopardy, which will then effectively STRAND whoever lives on these lines forcing them to relocate. Most of the people that use TRIMET on the 'marginal' routes do so because they cannot drive. All of these cuts will most likely occur outside of Portland.
Portland already gets the lion share of TRIMET operating funds and has much overlapping service.
People pay $2.30 to get to downtown Portland but people in downtown Portland pay zilch?
How is giving away free service, in a economy that is quickly turning to mush, the right thing to do?
Fare less square is one of the best examples I have ever seen of why government handouts are so miguided.
Fare less square has now created an entire class of dependent individuals who expect nothing but "free" service forever.
It's time to get rid of this misguided relic of the past. People don't value what they don't have to pay for.
All citizens within the TRIMET district need to be treated fairly. Either they all ride free or they all pay.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too, as this misguided editorial attempts to do
Thanks for that interesting explanation, I had been wondering about the nuts and bolts of that fuel deal that TRIMET entered into. How did you get that information if I may ask?
Now, on to fare less square.
It's pretty easy for people that are supporters of this 70's feel good idea called "fare less square" to continue spouting lines such as:
"the square is not so much a place as a steering-wheel-free state of mind."
"At its heart, Fareless Square is a sweep-you-off-your-feet gesture of civic hospitality."
"Trust us. You're going to love our downtown. It's the best we have to offer, Portland's E-Ticket, but put away your spare change. This is on the house."
TRIMET is at this very minute contemplating cutting and eliminating service throughout the district. This means the so called "marginal" routes are in jeopardy, which will then effectively STRAND whoever lives on these lines forcing them to relocate. Most of the people that use TRIMET on the 'marginal' routes do so because they cannot drive. All of these cuts will most likely occur outside of Portland.
Portland already gets the lion share of TRIMET operating funds and has much overlapping service.
People pay $2.30 to get to downtown Portland but people in downtown Portland pay zilch?
How is giving away free service, in a economy that is quickly turning to mush, the right thing to do?
Fare less square is one of the best examples I have ever seen of why government handouts are so miguided.
Fare less square has now created an entire class of dependent individuals who expect nothing but "free" service forever.
It's time to get rid of this misguided relic of the past. People don't value what they don't have to pay for.
All citizens within the TRIMET district need to be treated fairly. Either they all ride free or they all pay.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too, as this misguided editorial attempts to do
Saturday, February 7, 2009
http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2009/02/hard_times_ahea.html#comments
Fred Hansen, where is your leadership?
You disappear during the worst storm in 75 years, you hand out money to bankrupt companies on the sly, now you hit us with this!
A real leader would have made the following statement.
"I regret that I have mishandled pubic funds at the same time that payroll taxes have taken a steep drop, so today I and all of my executive staff are taking 8% cut in our huge salaries. "
"All of our unnecessary expenses are being eliminated. 25% of supervisory staff is now going go get out from behind their desks or trucks and start providing direct services to our riding public either as rail or bus operators."
"Over the past 3 years we have hired many extra assistant station managers who will now be let go. There will be one station manager who will take over all the business of each garage and will no longer be attending any career enhancement seminars."
"We will no longer create shifts for our operators that cause them to fall into physical distress attempting to meet work hours that no human being should be expected to attempt which then leads operators to sick leave.
"Scheduling will be informed to create schedules that will allow operators to function in a healthy environment so as reduce sick leave.
"We will slash our wasteful overtime practices by re devising our methods of filling runs."
"We will immediately institute a hiring freeze on non essential personnel, which includes everyone but bus and rail operators."
"The training department will be cut by 1/2 and those people will once again be serving the public."
"After we have done all of these things, we will look to reducing service to the citizens themselves."
That's what a real leader would do.
You disappear during the worst storm in 75 years, you hand out money to bankrupt companies on the sly, now you hit us with this!
A real leader would have made the following statement.
"I regret that I have mishandled pubic funds at the same time that payroll taxes have taken a steep drop, so today I and all of my executive staff are taking 8% cut in our huge salaries. "
"All of our unnecessary expenses are being eliminated. 25% of supervisory staff is now going go get out from behind their desks or trucks and start providing direct services to our riding public either as rail or bus operators."
"Over the past 3 years we have hired many extra assistant station managers who will now be let go. There will be one station manager who will take over all the business of each garage and will no longer be attending any career enhancement seminars."
"We will no longer create shifts for our operators that cause them to fall into physical distress attempting to meet work hours that no human being should be expected to attempt which then leads operators to sick leave.
"Scheduling will be informed to create schedules that will allow operators to function in a healthy environment so as reduce sick leave.
"We will slash our wasteful overtime practices by re devising our methods of filling runs."
"We will immediately institute a hiring freeze on non essential personnel, which includes everyone but bus and rail operators."
"The training department will be cut by 1/2 and those people will once again be serving the public."
"After we have done all of these things, we will look to reducing service to the citizens themselves."
That's what a real leader would do.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/01/celebrate_not_denigrate_the_ef.html
Hard to improve on the first two comments.
Mr Brian, how is "stealing" $5,000,000 dollars (the CRC bailout funds) something to celebrate?
Will you please tell us what part of TRIMET's budget was robbed to pay for this?
This whole project was created with lies and half truths.
If this service ran 7 days a week, or 5 days a week,once an hour, or even once every two hours, then MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I could have some sympathy for WES and those involved in planning it.
Now Mr Hansen is whining about budget shortfalls!
He wants to cut already existing services now!
SHAMEFUL, utterly disgraceful.
Sure it will remove a "few" cars from the road, but nobody will notice.
Here we are at the gates of the worst economic times in decades, and our public officials "play" with our tax money like we are living in the midst of an economic boom!
Of course, its no surprise. Our government officials, from the president all the way down to the General Manager of TRIMET believe that they own the government and can do whatever they want with our tax revenues.
The truth of it is, they do and they can, because the public tolerates this outrage.
Mr Brian, how is "stealing" $5,000,000 dollars (the CRC bailout funds) something to celebrate?
Will you please tell us what part of TRIMET's budget was robbed to pay for this?
This whole project was created with lies and half truths.
If this service ran 7 days a week, or 5 days a week,once an hour, or even once every two hours, then MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I could have some sympathy for WES and those involved in planning it.
Now Mr Hansen is whining about budget shortfalls!
He wants to cut already existing services now!
SHAMEFUL, utterly disgraceful.
Sure it will remove a "few" cars from the road, but nobody will notice.
Here we are at the gates of the worst economic times in decades, and our public officials "play" with our tax money like we are living in the midst of an economic boom!
Of course, its no surprise. Our government officials, from the president all the way down to the General Manager of TRIMET believe that they own the government and can do whatever they want with our tax revenues.
The truth of it is, they do and they can, because the public tolerates this outrage.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/01/when_can_do_meets_shouldnt.html
hehe...
Hard to improve on the quality of the comments up to now!
All very good points.
I would never have given this project a second thought had it not turned out that FRED HANSEN took public money to use to bail out this company.
He had no right to do that! What gives him the right to just take $5,000,000 dollars and just hand it over to that company? Where did that $5,000,000 actually go anyway?
That's STEALING, THEFT, LARCENY, etc.
People go to jail for that!
And I probably still wouldn't of cared had FRED HANSEN not made a subsequent declaration that all the service budgets and "low performing routes" need to be cut now!
He hands these Willsonville commuters this luxury ride, created with stolen money, and now he wants to cut already existing service.
NO WAY!
Hard to improve on the quality of the comments up to now!
All very good points.
I would never have given this project a second thought had it not turned out that FRED HANSEN took public money to use to bail out this company.
He had no right to do that! What gives him the right to just take $5,000,000 dollars and just hand it over to that company? Where did that $5,000,000 actually go anyway?
That's STEALING, THEFT, LARCENY, etc.
People go to jail for that!
And I probably still wouldn't of cared had FRED HANSEN not made a subsequent declaration that all the service budgets and "low performing routes" need to be cut now!
He hands these Willsonville commuters this luxury ride, created with stolen money, and now he wants to cut already existing service.
NO WAY!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/portlands_trimet_tries_to_lear.html
We did have a similar event four years ago.
Max completely failed back then and the buses were about the same as this event.
Mr Banta was not here four years ago, so for him, its a first time event.
Peggy Hansen was not Director of Transportation either, but I believe she was in charge of Road supervisors.
If its any comfort, Seattle had almost the identical experience as Portland.
Will anything change?
Who knows,
Trimet is an institutional bureaucracy with lots of layers of management.
Too many cooks spoil the soup as they say.
I sure as heck wouldn't want to be in charge!
--------------
BUS SERVICE IN THESE CONDITIONS IS VERY SPOTTY, even on the high density lines.
TRIMET needs to make that clear,
NOT
"expect 20-30 minute delays" which was put out on the media.
I know because I watched almost the whole event.
They need to say,
SOME BUSES ARE RUNNING BUT IT IS UNKNOWN IF AND WHEN YOU WILL GET PICKED UP!
Max completely failed back then and the buses were about the same as this event.
Mr Banta was not here four years ago, so for him, its a first time event.
Peggy Hansen was not Director of Transportation either, but I believe she was in charge of Road supervisors.
If its any comfort, Seattle had almost the identical experience as Portland.
Will anything change?
Who knows,
Trimet is an institutional bureaucracy with lots of layers of management.
Too many cooks spoil the soup as they say.
I sure as heck wouldn't want to be in charge!
--------------
BUS SERVICE IN THESE CONDITIONS IS VERY SPOTTY, even on the high density lines.
TRIMET needs to make that clear,
NOT
"expect 20-30 minute delays" which was put out on the media.
I know because I watched almost the whole event.
They need to say,
SOME BUSES ARE RUNNING BUT IT IS UNKNOWN IF AND WHEN YOU WILL GET PICKED UP!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2008/12/31/goodbye
Oh Amy dear,
Would you mind terribly posting your resume for us to see?
You might be higly qualified for this post, I am very interested in seeing your experience on the subject.
Actually Amy, you would do all of us citizens of this great city of PORTLAND a service by showing us your experience.
If for nothing else just to prove to us that SAM ADAMS is not the kind of politician that would stoop to political payoffs.
We need to know that Sam is really the class act he says he is and to know for sure that we, the citizens of Portland are getting the very best
SUSTAINABILITY coordinator in this great city of ours!
Would you mind terribly posting your resume for us to see?
You might be higly qualified for this post, I am very interested in seeing your experience on the subject.
Actually Amy, you would do all of us citizens of this great city of PORTLAND a service by showing us your experience.
If for nothing else just to prove to us that SAM ADAMS is not the kind of politician that would stoop to political payoffs.
We need to know that Sam is really the class act he says he is and to know for sure that we, the citizens of Portland are getting the very best
SUSTAINABILITY coordinator in this great city of ours!
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/12/paying_the_price_in_a_city_tha.html
Excellent excellent article!
I was hoping someone would be able to come up with these facts to prove just how much the "city that works" only works on the things it wants to, the public need is NOT ONE OF THEM!
Now our beloved self serving selfish city political hacks and 'job for life' civil servants will come whining to the rest of us for more money!
I was hoping someone would be able to come up with these facts to prove just how much the "city that works" only works on the things it wants to, the public need is NOT ONE OF THEM!
Now our beloved self serving selfish city political hacks and 'job for life' civil servants will come whining to the rest of us for more money!
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