MaxRedline

After 20 Years, TriMet Learns

Wanna bet?

Ever since the first light rail line opened, TriMet has had trouble with winter operations.  For over two decades, they've diverted billions of dollars to building more fixed-rail.  You voted them down twice, so you don't get to vote any more.  Some things are simply too important to entrust to voters.

Every time there's a storm and the trains stop running, TriMet says they've learned.  They throw a few million more into the lines, and then another storm comes along, and...

“This is one of those ‘lessons learned,’ ” said Steve Banta, the regional transit agency’s executive director of operations.

They repeat the same mantra, every time.

This'll Never Play In Portland

Seattle's mayor actually learned something from the latest storm:  SEATTLE -- Mayor Greg Nickels announced Wednesday that several changes are being made to Seattle's snow removal procedures including using salt on streets in certain weather conditions.

Not in Portland, by golly.  Mayor-elect Sammy was out there in the media, telling everybody that Portland's approach is more effective.  That, of course, is a complete lie.  Anybody who's ever lived in the Midwest knows better.  On the other hand, the fact that he lied on camera doesn't really matter, because most Portlanders will believe just about anything as long as it's politically-correct.  Heck, some of them obsess endlessly over Gov. Sarah Palin's boobs, belly, and children.  And those are supposedly the "smart folks" in Portland.

Lunacy is always in style at Portland City Hall, and at Lewis and Clark College.

The Queen Waves Her Scepter

Faced with a budget shortfall of roughly $6 billion over the next couple of years, Washington State's Queen has discovered that her state might be able to save a few million by treating illegal aliens as illegal aliens:  rather than providing incarcerated illegals three hots and a cot, she's decided to get on board and begin working with ICE to get the criminals deported.  That should save the state taxpayers at least $9 million in the next two years.

Other Democrats, of course, oppose the idea because they have a hard time with nuance: they don't understand the difference between an immigrant and an illegal alien.  State Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, who chairs the Ways and Means committee, said she will oppose the measure. The veteran lawmaker is also worried other programs that provide humanitarian aid to illegal immigrant women and their children may be proposed to be cut.

"Immigrants are a vulnerable group politically, that face the brunt of difficult budget situations..."

This is a "problem" that essentially goes away when you stop lumping illegals in with actual immigrants.  Democrats have a hard time with that, because they're more into "feeling" than "thinking".

I Was Going To Mention This

But somebody else did a much better job.

"I don't understand it. We send them our
best rockets and this is how they repay us."

NM Climate Change

Can we learn from our predecessors?  And if so, what lesson is to be derived?  If, as has been suspected by some, Neandethal-Made Climate Change ultimately resulted in the extinction of this race, then what are we to make of the concomittant rise of the so-called "modern human"?  Are we simply more resilient; better able to adapt to climatic change?

The overlapping twilight of Neanderthals and dawn of modern humans in Western Europe, from roughly 45,000 to 35,000 years ago, was a time of intense climate disruption. Massive icebergs melting in the North Atlantic stalled major oceanic currents, producing rapid regional oscillations between balmy mildness and harsh cold.

Although increasing evidence indicates that Neanderthals may not have fallen victim to climate change per se, but rather were simply unable to compete effectively with the new breed of humans, one set of facts is incontrovertible:

Severe climate change was occurring at the time.

Modern humans did not cause it (so it must have been All Neanderthal's Fault).

Modern humans went on to thrive.

And the planet did not die, despite the fact that modern humans at the time were too busy doing other things to waste their time and energies on idiocies such as "saving the planet".

The Wonders Of Beer

Just out in New Scientist: If you're frying or grilling a steak, you'd do well to marinate it in beer for a few hours beforehand.  That's because cooking food increases levels of cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HAs). Fried and grilled meat are particularly high in these compounds, because fiery temperatures convert the sugars and amino acids in muscle tissue into HAs.

Beer contains more water-retaining sugars than wine and Ferreira says that may hinder the transport of water-soluble molecules to the steak's surface, where high heat converts them into HAs. Tasters also preferred the smell, taste and appearance of beer-marinated steak.

Bear in mind that this effect applies only when the meat to be cooked is immersed in beer for a period of several hours; the reverse is not true: immersing yourself in beer for a period of several hours prior to grilling will not only have no effect upon the production of HAs, but is likely to increase the risks associated with grilling.

It's Only Money

  Leonard's Loo gets a test.  The $140,000 piece of work fails to flush, and the solar panel power doesn't work because, well - it snowed.

Portland Commish Randy has managed to demonstrate exactly why government should stay the hell out of private enterprise.  If ever you needed an argument in favor of limited government, try to flush.

Hide-And-Seek

You probably loved that game when you were a kid.

It gets a lot more interesting when your opponent is a polar bear.

Time To Lay Off The Cheetos

The Earth's spin-cycle is slowing down, folks.  Like Global Warming, err..."Climate Change", this is bound to be All Your Fault.  Here's a look at what's probably been happening:  you flop around on the couch, eating Cheetos and watching the game on your big screen tv.  You've probably got a big ol' house instead of a one-room with a loft and attached chicken coop.

Now, as the planet spins, your big house and other stuff create wind drag, which means that the speed of the planet's spin must be gradually affected.  Your government is looking at ways to hold you accountable.

Transparent Ted

Well, it was just a matter of time.  You knew the mileage tax was coming.  As "governor" Ted puts it:

“As Oregonians drive less and demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, it is increasingly important that the state find a new way, other than the gas tax, to finance our transportation system.”

It's okay as a sound-bite, Teddy, but let's hold up for a minute:

Oregonians are driving less because our gas-tax dollars are being used for bike paths and bridges, rather than for road maintenance and improvement.  Oregonians are not "demanding" more fuel-efficient vehicles.  In point of fact, Teddy, you and your pals are busily making vehicles less fuel-efficient: no Oregonians "demanded" that our fuel be watered down with 10% ethanol - that was you, Teddy.  Not us.

Your first term as "governor" was fairly innocuous, because you mostly just slept.  Then the unions jumped into your bed and got you all hot and bothered.  And ever since, you've just been looking progressively more idiotic.