Thinking Right

By Apocalypse

May 30, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

A lot of the politicians who refuse to move forward with transit are afraid of losing voters. Their fear is that their opponents will point to the necessary tax increase and use it against them.

By Apocalypse

May 30, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Jim Wooten,

What did you do, run everybody off? I knew it would happen sooner or later. We can only put up with you for so long you know.

By getalife

May 30, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Well, we have a nuclear arms race in the ME.

A new cold war with the Russians.

China is selling us crap to kill us and our pets. They have a huge military build up.

A one party fascist government here grabbing all the money they can.

$516,000 per house hold debt and climbing daily.

Geez and Jim writes about traffic.

God save America †

By Apocalypse

May 30, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

getalife,

Jim can’t see past his nose. It’s typical of conservatives to focus on all the things that ruin their precious little day.

By jm

May 30, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

One thing Mr. Wooten fails to mention regarding traffic is the fact that a lot of our existing infrastructure (airports, roads, bridges, dams and levees etc.) is in need of repair. So in addition to coming up with the $$$$ for new projects, thought needs to be given to coming up with the funds to maintain existing infrastructure. Of course, if we cut taxes enough, the funds will magically appear to pay for all of this.

By getalife

May 30, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Apocalypse,

His next drivel will be about PeachCare again.

I think the AJC could save thousands by replacing him with an illegal immigrant.

By jbmlaw

May 30, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon all. I think Jim Wooten’s essay has 20 words of genius today: “an overall state development strategy to move state department and agencies out of gridlocked Atlanta …and to push growth south.” The state has direct control over no aspect of traffic congestion, save one – where to find its employees. Actually moving bureaucrats out of downtown Atlanta would work like a global “reset” button on traffic congestion. (Think about how great traffic seems on government holidays like the King holiday or Presidents’ Day or Veterans Day – holidays celebrated by bureaucrats only.) With this one move the state Republicans could restore a perception of at least minimal competence, and actually make life better for 3,000,000 people.

The brain train strikes me as a silly idea – why on earth would we want academics traveling to the state capital? They can only feed the worst urges of our legislators and bureaucrats. Lovejoy is nearly as silly, although not as destructive. Just move ‘em out – and encourage the Feds to do the same. Let’s create a government ghetto somewhere in Clayton County.

By deegee

May 30, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

The brain train. What a sad, sick joke on the State of Georgia. Call it the Dawg Sled and somebody might use it to go to a football game or something.

By RCH

May 30, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Jim I could live with the double deck. Make it express lanes and charge to use it to offset some of the costs. They few times I drive through downtown I would gladly pay. Also a substantial portion would be payed by people just passing through. I have learned that the best bet is to take Marta to the few downtown facilities that I use; Airport, Turner field, Phillips arena,etc. jbmlaw made a good point. In the future more venues need to be spread around the city. Have you ever had to go downtown when there is a Braves game, Falcons game, and something else going on. What a nightmare.

By G W Bush is a despicable panderer

May 30, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

jbm

if they had this imperial fed govt/state govt ghetto in Clayton Co there’d be a rash of car jackings, armed robberies and muggings which the racist Clayton Sheriff would be unable/unwilling to deal with!!

I see the smug chimp like smirking Bush coward has been puking up more desperate lies about the treasonous pandering poisonous amnesty for illegal Mexican type leeches bill the vermin in the senate are self abusing themselves over in the “We hate the USA liberal Congress”. As if Bush knows what’s best for America - this mostly moronic spoiled dimwitted tw at has NO idea at all what living amongst freeloading, law breaking illegals who are anti-American, anti-white and rabidly hypocritical. Treat the hordes and hordes of illegal Mexicans exactly the way they treat illegals in their country. If its good enough for the Mexicans its more than good enough for us Americans. We don’t need/want 10% of Mexico’s mostly backward/poorly educated Mexicans living here.

Bush is gleefully betraying America and has lost all credibility!!! Christ even Newt says he’s the GOP Karter!!!

The shrill hateful far left red pinko commie feminazi Cindy Sh!than has finally, in an all too rare, unique moment of lucidity stated the blindingly obvious and appositely called itself an attention w hore! This sorry excuse for a gutless unpatriotic humanoid needs to be immediately forcibly deported to Chavez land!!

Even the lefist USA Today is compelled to expose the hateful lyingbitch V Plame’s shameful vile lies.

http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=USATODAY.com&expire=&urlID=22512034&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fprintedition%2Fnews%2F20070530%2Fa_plame30.art.htm&partnerID=1660

The corrupt to the core Arkansas rapist has its puffy snout in the sleazy criminal funded trough again.

Since he left office in 2001, former president Bill Clinton has been paid by InfoUSA, an Omaha, Nebraska company that has been identified as a key provider of specially designed databases that are sold to criminals who use the detailed information to defraud the unsuspecting elderly.

See Dick Morris’ column from 25/5/07

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DickMorrisandEileenMcGann/2007/05/25/billsuglybuddypaymentsfromscandal-tiedfirm

By deegee

May 30, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

RCH, let’s spread some venues out around your backyard.

By RCH

May 30, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

deegee Like the Gwinnett civic center that is now attracting big name entartainers like the Eagles.Has it not done very well. I haven’t heard any complaints about that venue from home owners in that area. I have visited that location often and wish more events took place there.

By deegee

May 30, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

RCH, I have been there too. I wouldn’t exactly call it easy in, easy out. It can take over an hour to make a left hand turn into the lot. Plus you might have to park a half a mile away. Not fun if the weather is bad. I don’t remember seeing any homes on Satellite Blvd and Sugarloaf Pkwy. It looks like office buildings and shopping centers. I think the Eagles ceased to be big name entertainers around 1979.

By Scholar

May 30, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Silly rabbits, everyone knows we need some more cars and roads and shopping centers and housing developments to solve the traffic problem.

By jbmlaw

May 30, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Dear deegee @ 1:28, if I read your post correctly, Gwinnett Civic Center is a roaring success even though it is not “easy in, easy out” and even though it is not weather friendly. And the only apparent advantage Gwinnett has over the patron-friendly venues is the fact that it is not in Atlanta proper? Isn’t that what RCH is saying?

Dear GWBiadp @ 1:05, agree with you, about the robberies and muggings and absence of local government response, in the event we created a government ghetto in Clayton. And the problem with that is, what?

By G W Bush is a despicable panderer

May 30, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

An interesting article from today’s real Times’ … not the treasonous piles inducer the NY Slimes. The main themes of this highly literate missive are the article’s subject - the life and times of one super erudite Mr C. Hitchens and his very sensible and natural contempt for organised religon, discussed within the (life long) context of his noisily intemperate crapulence.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article1855247.ece

By Redneck Convert

May 30, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

I’m with the other people that want to move everything out of Atlanta. Nothing is there now but crooked lawyers, street thugs, banks, restaurants operated by gays, bums, dope dealers, and something like 10,000 city workers that do something every ten days weather it needs doing or not. I miss the old days of Ivan Allen, when Those uppity People knowed their place.

I don’t want none of my tax money going to pay for double decking Atlanta roads or putting in street cars the gays can ride or putting in trains for the dummies to go to UGA football games or Lovejoy. Put the money into building roads that go around Atlanta. That way we can build up more towns like Lawrenceville and Roswell and Marietta. Where the godly people can live. Let’s put up one-way toll roads that will make it cost too much for Those People to come north and take our jobs and women.

I been reading this RCH guy. It don’t look like his elevator goes to all floors. He was hinting he wouldn’t vote for the Republicans if they made the Mexicans legal in that bill. He knows good and well he don’t have nobody else he can vote for, and so do the Republicans. At election time they’ll bring up abortion and welfare and other things and RCH will forget about the Mexicans and he will set new land speed records to get to the polls to vote for them. But then what’s one more crazy TFTT?

Well, I know you all will be sorry to hear it, but me and the fambly is going back to Panama City beach for a few days starting tomorrow morning. I guess somebody else is going to have to supply the brainy comments while I’m gone. Please be gentle with Sister Dusty. She means well but she ain’t been the same ever since that big stack of hymn books fell on her head down at the Church of Holiness.

By G W Bush is a despicable panderer

May 30, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

jbm … the problem (well kind of) would be we would all see yet again the evils of racist quotas at work in a corrupt incompetent black led police dept. though this would be suitably tempered for most of us by the wonderful regular televisual sight of hopefully numerous indolent arrogant govt hacks becoming hapless victims of the poisonous pandering vote buying racial spoils schemes they seek to impose/implement/perpetrate on folks who are all too often utterly incapable of even just reading and inwardly digesting the duties assigned to their US govt pay grade(s).

By RCH

May 30, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Gwinnett civic is a lot easier to get too, and I feel a lot safer there. Since there are no homes directly on Satallite no complaints.Is it maybe it was thought out better than those downtown venues. Remember there was a movement to build Turner field there too. Why not build more of these venues outside of the city to relieve some of the congestion.

By RCH

May 30, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Redneck Covert Try libertarian.

By Scholar

May 30, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Now this is a REAL blog!

By deegee

May 30, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Let’s just say it hasn’t and won’t fly in North Fulton or South Forsyth. Gwinnett County is Wayne’s world and no development is bad development. The Gwinnett Arena is a nice one but is small, it seats around 13,000. I just don’t think that you are going to get people in the burbs to approve zoning for an arena that is going to seat any more than 13,000 people and how many of those can this market support?

By RCH

May 30, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Degee When the Civic center was built, the main cause of concern was that if it would be viable. As you can see it exceeded expectations. Recently, on its anniversary the manager was asked if there was any regreets. He stated just one. Wish it had been built bigger.

By rarringt

May 30, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon all,

Andy/TFTT/Verminous/Panderer/Scum/Whatever,

Well, it’s good to see you’re (once again) showing how much of a non-racist you are…lol

I just wanted to give a shout out to WTF’s comments from Monday, where he/she praised Redneck Convert’s comments without the knowledge that they were intended as satire.

Your posting, which essentially verified the existence of such “thinkers,” may not fully validate Redneck’s intended victims, but it was at least as entertaining as Redneck/Political Foreskin’s original post.

Btw, PF, your material has improved dramatically since last fall. Keep it up, and hope you and your fambly don’t encounter too many of Those People down in Panama City (I doubt you will.)

lol

By deegee

May 30, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Right, RCH. In Gwinnett you can build as fast and furiously as you want. At what point do you stop expanding because the infrastructure won’t support the extra load?

The problem with going downtown during events is more related to the fact that the City of Atlanta is inept at controlling a crowd, i.e. The New Year’s Eve Peach Drop. What a cluster you-know-what.

By jbmlaw

May 30, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Dear rarringt @ 2:26, you final note reminds me of a mildly amusing (maybe only to me) story from the weekend. Mrs. jbmlaw and I drove down to visit with the Ensign in Pensacola. We stopped at a gas station as we pulled into town. While Mrs. jbmlaw refreshed herself, an exceedingly friendly East European fellow, seemingly traveling alone, asked if I knew which way to Pensacola Beach. I assured him that I certainly did, that it was approximately six miles further down the same road we were traveling. He thanked me, and headed out. When we met up with the Ensign 15 minutes later, he cautioned me that it was Gay Pride weekend at Pensacola Beach, and that maybe we would wish to make alternative plans for the weekend. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

By Southern Democrat

May 30, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

There is a fundamental tension in America’s urban areas not named New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston. There has been a reverse white flight back into the urban, high density areas as people decide that a quarter acre is not worth an hour commute each way. Cities that are reacting are building public transportation and getting cars off of the road (beyond the environmental implications)… cities that are not are, well, Atlanta.

As more and more young professionals enter Atlanta’s workforce and Midtown/Atlantic Station and other areas continue to grow, the demographic will shift somewhat.

Traffic, simply put, is the result of thousands of personal choices. It is not the government’s fault. The government has the responsibility to build and pave roads and build and maintain public responsibility. It is not responsible for reducing your commute. You, as a commuter, are empowered to make choices. You can: a.) Carpool and get into the HOV lane, reducing your transit time considerably. It’s pretty easy, I’m lucky to work within blocks of my wife and we commute in one car. b.) Take public transportation (drive to a MARTA rail station or take the bus) and read a book or magazine on your commute c.) Decide to move closer in-town. For the price of your current mortgage, you can probably get a beautiful condo or an older, smaller home in Virginia Highlands, Ansley Park, etc., around tons of great restaurants and with a shorter commute.

By rarringt

May 30, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Deegee,

Perhaps the problem is the notion that people want to live and pay taxes in their storied hamlets (invariably located OTP, but work, play, shop, eat, hook up and do other various things in the City Proper. This in turn strains resources to the gills, resulting in the cluster you-know-what.

I’m not saying Atlanta is perfect. Far from it. But given the population crush and their limited resources, they do a pretty decent job. Give credit where credit is due, is all.

By Curious Observer

May 30, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

By all means, let’s install street cars to spare the robbers and con artists the trouble of having to go to their victims. I keep thinking of that incident at Bobby Jones Golf Club a few years ago: it seems a bunch of gang-bangers camped out at one of the greens pretty far from the clubhouse and casually robbed golfers as they arrived. The incident spoke volumes about the nature of Atlanta.

The last time I had to go to Atlanta, I was confronted by three panhandlers plus a couple of “tour guides” who wanted to direct me to the building I was looking for in exchange for a couple of bucks. I will not even dwell on the fifty-something stop signs and traffic lights and the casual attitudes of pedestrians who felt free to cross the streets at any point and at any time, nor the trucks that simply park in a traffic lane while making their deliveries, nor the maelstrom of one-way streets and missing/stolen street signs. The cops are evidently content to beat up old men or shoot old ladies. They ignore all the traffic violations and street crime around them.

The greatest favor that transportation planners could do for most commuters is to build traffic arteries that bypass the city of Atlanta. For God’s sake, don’t sink any more money into that savage city, especially if it’s going to mean that civilized people are going to have to travel through that den of chaos.

By deegee

May 30, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

rarringt, February 9th, 2003. The NBA All Star game. January 25th, 2007, motivational seminar and a poutry convention. Did we learn anything?

By Disgusted

May 30, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

rarringt, you err profoundly in confusing the identities of the execrable Political Foreskin and the ever-original Redneck Convert. Believe me, I know Red, who is a distant neighbor of mine.

By rarringt

May 30, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Disgusted,

Too funny. lol.

Deegee,

Assuming that’s directly attributable to the City, that’s two days in four years. I know there are more instances, but the point is on balance, things could be far worse (think LA, NYC, or DC on any given rush hour).

I do agree that we need forward thinking plans to alleviate the traffic issues, which will only continue to worsen. A bridge or tunnel makes good sense, as does fleshing out the public transit system. A statement that the system is grossly inadequate should be of no surprise.

I think, in keeping with Jim’s notions, that “market forces” may actually present the true solution. As evidenced by our friends in Europe and Japan, nothing encourages the use of mass transportation quite like the specter of $6+ per gallon gas, combined with a city congestion tax.

Odd things happen. People move intown in greater numbers. Bikes and scooters go in vogue. People walk.

I know, there will always be folk who think that Jesus gave them the right to drive their Hummers and F-150s on super cheap gas. But as the price of oil continues to spiral (we’re closing in on $4.00 per gallon now), we’ll all be amazed at how “progressive” our “thinking right” friends become.

Btw, jbmlaw, that was a cute story. Hope clan jbmlaw had a great time in Pensacola (and you didn’t get hit on too many times). lol.

By RCH

May 30, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Deegee Market forces do work. If you notice many of the new homes and Condos being built across from Turner field. At one time this was a poor, dangerous area. Builders realized you can move only so far North or South before the time equation takes effect. No one wants to drive 1 1/2 hrs. to work. However if you have ever been caught in downtown traffic especially around a holiday you will find most of these drivers are from out of town.Therin you find the problem. Or during special events. On the gas price, do you really think a five dollar a gallon will make a big difference to someone who drives a Hummer or other expensive gas guzzler? As of today is the price is $2.00 more a gallon with a20 gallon tank you are looking at $40. What is that to a individual who makes 150K?

By G W Bush is a despicable panderer

May 30, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Well, it’s good to see you’re (once again) showing how much of a non-racist you are…lol

cheers for the mightee kind words massa … and cheers again for always biting so nicely … I always tries to do me best tha knows boss!!!

By Patina

May 30, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

RCH, “On the gas price, do you really think a five dollar a gallon will make a big difference to someone who drives a Hummer or other expensive gas guzzler? “

Of course not all people who choose to drive that type of vehicle will be deterred, but I think rising gas prices are going to be the end of the SUV on a large scale.

By deegee

May 30, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

So RCH, what do you want to do? Build a fence around I-285? That should keep the out-of-towners out during the holidays.

By Coast Guard Cutter

May 30, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

No worries redneck convert and rarringt, the only way you will see any of those people down there in PC Beach is warshing your dishes at the restaurant or bringing you fresh towels. Those poeple hate the sun, and hate the water even more!!

But if you really want to see some, just find a state park with some shade trees. Theres bound to be a family reunion of those people going on there.

Have fun.

By RIF

May 30, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Are you people dense? Petro inventories are up, oil is down. Gas is sliding. There is no $4.00/gallon gas in our near future. Stop being alarmist and learn to read the financial section. End rant.

By RCH

May 30, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Degee read blog 1:02

By deegee

May 30, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

RCH, have you heard of the Big Dig in Boston? Do you think we have enough out of towners to shoulder that expense? You seem to be concerned about safety. Do you want a double deck highway in a NASCAR state where the speed limit is no more than a mere suggestion?

By Draken12

May 30, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Jim can’t see past his nose. It’s typical of conservatives to focus on all the things that ruin their precious little day.

What a funny bunch of needledik wingnut dumocraps. We had Speaker Pelosi running around overseas with her thong in a wad over alleged global warming during Memorial Day weekend. She mentioned nothing about the threat of terrorism we Americans face and those overseas face. Then needlediked trolls make comments about simple things that shouldn’t be taken seriously to ruin their precious day? Get blown up by a terrorist who hates you and see how bad your day gets you morons.

By Ptree Man

June 1, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Jim please do your homework…the Peachtree Corridor project is not going to INCREASE congestion at all. A streetcar riding down the street in a mixed traffic lane is no different than a bus - both ride in the lane and stop to pick up people. AND the project includes widening Peachtree to at least add middle turn lanes where they are sorely needed, and the streetcar won’t be added until the road widening is done (north of the interstate - Midtown/Downtown are fine today thanks to tons of parallel streets). The streetcar will actually help stop the illegal parking in the right lane that goes on today in Midtown/Downtown - you won’t park your truck on top of the rails!

The streetcar might take a few cars off the road but it is definitely not a big congestion reliever - but it is not going to cause a lot of congestion either…no lanes are being taken away, they drive in mixed traffic just like a bus, and the road will actually be widened as part of this project in some areas…