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Written by Morris Rowe   
Friday, 03 September 2010 09:41
SuperHeroes150

Light Rail SuperHeroes

VIRGINIA BEACH  (September 3, 2010) - - Why is there a problem about the feasibility of light rail?  

Even its most rabid proponents admit it has nothing to do with reducing traffic congestion, including the Norfolk whack job who proposed the thing originally and lives no where that he can ride it without driving 12 miles probably.

It can’t come in on budget, already in a deep hole.  It’s poorly engineered requiring crossing replacements already.  

The Hampton Roads Transit Authority has had to ‘fabricate’ a ‘super hero’ to keep kids, drunks, and homeless safely away from the tracks.

Non-riders (taxpayers) will pay more to subsidize each and every ticket than the light rail riders themselves will pay. 

Virginia Beach Mayor committed to purchase of Norfolk Southern rail right-of-way and didn't know federal grant came with strings, prompting Lyunnhaven Councilman Jim Wood to summarize:  "It's, unfortunately, an inefficient way to do business."  We couldn't have said it better. (Oh, yeah: Wood was chairman of HRT when the incompetent executive director ran the project $108 MILLION over budget in 1-year and then fleeced the taxpayers with a 'Golden Parachute" to keep him from screaming racism against the whiteys on the board for his mismanagement and dismissal).

And its construction will only benefit builders, developers, and other special interest friends of politicians in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

We don’t see the problem, so why is Municipal Blogger Bob O’Connor, in his latest post, asking, “Why Light Rail?” You tell us and Bob.
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French Mackes  - But Does Mikey Like It? |199.111.115.73 |09-03-2010 10:58:38
In our last episode, Mikey was driven insane by the puppet masters insistence that he stop blogging after he lost numerous online debates.

MJB was then involuntarily sent by a judge to the Oberndorf Mental Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

The completed psychiatric evaluation determined that for his own safely he must remain indefinitely in a strait jacket in a padded room.

To test to see if his current medications are helping him, he will briefly be allowed 15 minutes of web access to see if he can now refrain from his nonsensical pro-light rail rants.

The only remaining option is that a frontal lobotomy be performed.

What say you now Mike?

French Mackes
www.votefrench.com

One flew east.
One flew west.
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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Mike Barrett |216.54.27.206 |09-03-2010 12:16:19
Actually Mr. Editor, you really should stop setting up the moribund leadership of the VBTA to once again fail to understand the broad and deep support for light rail at the Beach. Most of us now know what a bad mistake we made by not approving it last time; most will not allow that to happen again.

O'Connor is part of the almost defunct VBTA that has opposed just about every positive development in Virginia Beach. Their opposition is a guarantee of success. In fact, two of the projects they famously opposed and continue to oppose are among the most popular destinations in Hampton Roads; that is, the Park at 31st Street and the square at Town Center.

How can you feature these failed old men over and over again and expect your nascent publication to suceed? MJB sends!
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French Mackes  - Diagnosis: Corrupt Beach Light Rail Madness |199.111.115.73 |09-03-2010 12:37:56
All rise!

The Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Beach District, Court of Public Opinion, is now in session. Judge French Mackes presiding.

Be seated!

I have reviewed this case thoroughly.

Mental illness is a serious issue.

The court concurs with the doctors' recommendation to the court.

For the good of the Beach community, the court orders that a frontal lobotomy be performed on Michael J. Barrett.

Judge French Mackes
www.votefrench.com

Virginia Beach - A Community for a Life Time
Reply
Ben Krause  - Prejudice against senior citizens |67.62.94.176 |09-03-2010 10:02:42
Mike Barrett, CEO of Runnymede, a real estate development company, and president of Virginia Beach Vision, a group of elitists, dislikes senior citizens and denigrates them so very often. When his facts cannot support his arguments, he resorts to name calling and BS. Does his boss, Andrew Fine approve of this?
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alsaf |24.253.145.243 |09-03-2010 13:05:56
May I approach the bench your honor: May I ask the patient if he recalls seeing the initial rendering of the proposed park as was distributed by the City Mgr? It had beautiful trees and benches which I believe is a traditional landscape for any park in the US . Who ever heard of a park w/o benches, trees,
or a greenscapes?
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Judge French Mackes  - Judge, Court of Public Opinion |199.111.115.73 |09-03-2010 16:13:28
Yes. Proceed.

However, keep in mind, that medical experts at the Oberndorf Mental Hospital for the Criminally Insane (in Pungo) have already determined that the patient is not currently in his right mind so do not anticipate coherent logical replies from him.

Let us all hope that with the recommended treatment his condition will improve.

The court is not without compassion.

Judge French Mackes
www.votefrench.com

tax-pay-er: a person who pays a tax or is subject to taxation.
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Mike Barrett |67.62.94.176 |09-03-2010 10:03:28
Morris, in all due respect, how can you in good conscience repeat the accusation by the moribund leadership of the nearly defunct VBTA to the effect that..."And its construction will only benefit builders, developers, and other special interest friends of politicians in Norfolk and Virginia Beach."

Since some 40 community based groups have joined the advocacy team, from a myriad of community interests including the environmental community, the elderly, students, employers, business associations, health organizations, public safety and law enforcement, civic associations, affordable and fair housing advocates, those who oppose drunk driving, etc. is not it apparent that the VBTA is just plain wrong?

The least you could do is point out the obvious; in the last election, the VBTA candidate for Mayor got less than 16% of the vote. They speak for a very limited group of disgruntled and negative anti tax zealots. No need to pay more attention to them, they are yesterday's ...
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Judge French Mackes  - Contempt of Court |199.111.115.73 |09-03-2010 16:20:17
Mr. Barrett, this court has been very patient with you.

But, I am warning you again that you are out of order and are at risk of being found in contempt of court.

Bailiff, be prepared to bind and gag the defendant, if he makes further uncalled for irrational outbursts concerning either trains or further denigrating taxpayers and upstanding citizens of our community.

Mr. Barrett, you are clearly delusional and this court has already found you to be mentally incompetent.

My patience is wearing thin with you.

Judge French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
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alsaf |67.62.94.176 |09-04-2010 00:17:48
I beg the court is there anyway this elfin can receive "rational" shock therapy while he is institutionalized. He appears to be fixated on reciting the same incoherent sound bite themes over & over again. His communication skills are confined to mean spirited tirades when he does not get his way. Your honor I feel this may have a devastating effect on his self esteem.
Perhaps we can arrange for a counselor ASAP
Reply
John Galt  - Capitalist |72.218.5.112 |09-06-2010 06:33:41
What has been mentioned before but never acknowledged by patient Barrett, is that Robert Dean received 43 percent of the vote in a three-way mayoral race. Wasn't Dean one of the founders of the Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance and still their communications director? I still get his meeting notices with that title.
Reply
Mike Barrett |67.62.94.176 |09-07-2010 05:13:42
Who?
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Mike Barrett |67.62.94.176 |09-04-2010 08:10:45
So I guess Mackes, Saferstein, and Krause are now the default spokesmen for the moribund VBTA. So far, we know they support condemnation of hundreds of homes and businesses along I-264 so the interstate can be widened.

Contrast that with light rail that will built in the existing ROW. No condemnation, no inconvenience, low cost, faster increase in capacity in this congested corridor.

How can the nearly defunct VBTA be led by officers with such little regard for the residents and taxpayers of Virginia Beach? They should now call themselves the VBATA; that is, the Virginia Beach Anti Taxpayers Association. MJB sends!
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Ben Krause  - Spokesman |68.225.42.104 |09-05-2010 07:20:43
Guess that means you are the official spokesman for Andrew Fine, Visions and other elitist groups.
How many community organizations are there? Fourty is not many and some of the 40 are special interest groups, just like Visions, Runnymede, etc.
How about a debate or are you still afraid to defend your thoughts. Challenge 46!!!!!!
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alsaf |24.253.145.243 |09-05-2010 07:42:20
Okay Mike. . .Everyone will be watching how you answer this because you are the outside mouth piece for the City Mgr. .Please ry to focus. HOW MANY OF THE 400,000 VB CITY VEHICLES WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM HOUSEHOLDS, ETC IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE FASTER CAPACITY IN THE I-264 CORRIDOR? Since you claim so many cars will no longer be necessary for each of the 170,000 households what will be the economic impact to both VB & the City's struggling auto dealerships, service stations, & insurance outlets for new car sales, auto repairs, fuel reduction, auto insurance and property tax? How many hundreds of millions
are you willing to remove from our City tax rolls & vital businesses?
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Mike Barrett |67.62.94.176 |09-05-2010 03:44:40
So we now see that Safertein and Krause have suddenly realized that their support of widening I-264 and the requisite condemnation of hundreds of homes and businesses is not something they wish to further discuss. Duh!

These members of the moribund VBATA will now say just about anything to try to block a very beneficial, low cost alternative to expanding I-264. They will even say they will support bus service that previously they said should be abolished.

Is anyone with sense and integrity left at the VBATA? Apparently not.
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Carl Freeman |67.62.94.176 |09-05-2010 09:50:52
But Mike you didn't address any portion of the previous poster's questions.

Can you do that?
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alsaf |24.253.145.243 |09-05-2010 12:47:32
Mike when you relentlessly sidestep questions that are paramount to your purported convictions on LTR, you do a disservice to those who thought you could address their point of view in a thoughtful, mature & reflective manner. It appears they were wrong

The truth is that aging is indeed mandatory for all of us, unfortunately growing up continues to remain optional for you. Now please Mike, try to answer the question.
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Mike Barrett |68.231.242.230 |09-06-2010 13:04:23
If you had bothered to read Bob O'Connor's blog, you would see I have been most responsive to questions. Of course, now that we know that the position of the VBATA is to advocate for widening I-264 and condemning hundreds of homes and businesses, it is not a surprise to me that you now want to talk about something else.
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alsaf  - You clearly lack the ability |24.253.145.243 |09-14-2010 12:03:09
to be candid. You did not answer the question because it may be too difficult to respond honestly to anything that defines logic. Why not simply admit that you do not care about mitigating congestion on I-264 .
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 September 2010 11:48