October 30, 2008 at 3:19 pm

When was the last time you were stuck in gridlock at 5am?

At the recent debate between Kemper Freeman and Mayor Greg Nickels at the UW, Freeman accidentally seconded the argument for more mass transit: It helps rush hour commuters.

The opposition has no alternative plan, and they don’t even understand the problem. Don’t let them ruin the region’s future. Vote YES on Sound Transit Proposition 1 November 4th (it will be at the bottom of your ballot - don’t be confused by your local city prop 1)! You can read our full list of endorsements here.

Even though the election is just days away, there’s still lots to do. Talk to all your friends, coworkers, and random strangers (girls love it when you talk about trains) and make sure they understand how important this proposition is. As always, visit the official ‘yes’ campaign website at http://www.masstransitnow.org/ for more information.



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Comment by Morgan Wick
2008-10-30 15:37:38

“50% of rush hour commuters on transit”? Where did that come from? Are we really going to achieve those kind of New York numbers?

In my voter’s pamphlet, Prop 1 comes before the City of Seattle measures, right after King County’s whopping eight (!) charter amendments.

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 17:28:03

Yes, actually, we will achieve those numbers. Have a look at the light rail ridership numbers alone during commute times:

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/39870/LRTperformance.pdf

He means downtown, though.

 
 
Comment by Andrew
2008-10-30 15:46:59

That is the whole value of transit! Nickels is awesome.

I voted against all the charters except the discrimination one. I didn’t have any idea why I would ever want those things.

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 17:28:32

Most of the charters are things passed by the council that just need voter approval. The ones with ordinance numbers are basically all good.

 
Comment by Craig
2008-10-30 18:03:19

Bravo for voting on the discrimination thing. How that didn’t get taken care of years ago I don’t understand. It really REALLY aggravates me.

This is the second non-transit mini-rant I’ve gone on here in fifteen minutes. I need to stop.

Comment by Andrew
2008-10-30 23:59:25

You’re good, no worries. Once in a while the conversations, get way off topic, and no one minds.

 
 
 
Comment by Matt the Engineer
2008-10-30 16:07:01

I’m straying off point here, but it annoys me when charter amendments like these are sent to voters. It’s a sign of poor leadership that something as administrative and political as the fine details of how ballots are released has to be voted on by the masses. How many collective hours did the citizens of King County waste on researching these things because of a little bit of in-fighting at the County level? I’d guess about 20,000.

[/rant]

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 17:29:06

We have to. Rant at the state constitution.

Comment by Andrew
2008-10-31 00:03:06

I dunno, most of those amendments are pretty dumb this time around.

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-31 08:41:56

Some of the amendments are in case the Republicans get their ‘non-partisan offices’ thing through. They’re the backup plan.

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Comment by Andrew
2008-10-31 00:05:19

Oh and don’t even get me started about the state constitution.

 
 
 
Comment by Pete
2008-10-30 17:03:43

girls love it when you talk about trains

That’s the best quote I’ve heard in a while. I think it needs to be turned into a T-shirt.

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 17:50:45

The problem is, girls don’t love t-shirts.

 
Comment by Leif
2008-10-30 18:19:36

I can personally verify that this is not in fact true. Most look a little glazed over when you start waxing about the many social and environmental benefits of a quality mass transit system.

On another note, many women in our area seem to view vehicle ownership and use as a sign of success. Very unfortunate that I’m less of a man because I ride the bus (and a bike).

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 18:50:51

Yeah, that’s why I date European women more than anything.

Comment by Oran
2008-10-30 19:26:52

Ha ha Ben.

Come on, riding a bike is being a real man (or woman), especially in our crazy traffic and over our hilly city. You have to be brave, be strong, and be smart to survive.

:)

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Comment by Kari
2008-10-30 20:40:27

I haven’t seen too many “girls” on this blog, but all the smart women I know love BOTH buses and trains. Maybe you guys are hanging out with the wrong type of women.

Personally, I have never met a true cyclist who was not totally hot. There is nothing sexier than protecting my future…

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-31 08:50:20

I think Eric is the only person here with license to talk about ‘girls’. Well, he and Brian. The rest of us are ancient. So, fair criticism.

Cyclists are always hot!

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Comment by FOS
2008-10-30 18:24:01

Your not saying the right words about trains then. Think, powerful, surging, locomotives, pushing their …..

well, you get it

 
Comment by Craig
2008-10-30 18:32:56

Some women love trains. Sometimes train rides can be ummmmm “romantic.”

I shan’t elaborate being that this is a family-friendly blog.

Oh to be 15 again.

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-30 18:51:19

I just took a girl to Chicago on the Empire Builder in a room. It went over well.

 
 
Comment by Al
2008-10-31 10:37:01

Actually, I’m a girl.

1) I like t-shirts, but like them better if they are “woman’s cut” if you want me to wear them. Men’s t-shirts are just not flattering except on a man.

2) I like trains and buses. I think men are MORE manly for taking alternatives. Those who rely on cars to get around when they could use alternatives go down a notch in my book.

3) I am a daily, year round bike commuter and consider myself pretty dang awesome for that. And yes, men who ride bikes are most definately much more attractive for that. I like spandex.

 
Comment by Leif
2008-10-31 12:17:20

Hmmm, this is good stuff.

I guess the real questions to the women who replied is:

Are you single?

When am I going to meet you?

Maybe at the Prop 1 Victory Party? Election night at Kell’s! Everybody ought to be there!

Comment by Al
2008-10-31 14:40:42

Sorry Lief, I am married! ;-)
I’d be happy to say hi if I wasn’t!

Comment by Ben Schiendelman
2008-10-31 17:05:33

Oh, that’s funny. :)

Comment by Leif
2008-11-01 16:59:12

Good stuff indeed. Either way, hope to see everyone at the prop 1 victory party!

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