Comments socialscientist has made
benefits understated
The reduction in street congestion will be a shot in the arm to small business, when delivery trucks and couriers can stop and go quicker. This is just one of the hundreds of direct and opportunity benefits of reducing auto traffic. Komanoff has done a great job quantifying this sort of thing. But what is the price of frustration?On The Kheel-Komanoff Plan: A congestion toll to liberate New York posted 10 months, 1 week ago 6 Responses
All this to save the auto
Academics, who depend on the carbon-auto industry for their grants, will talk for hours and not say the obvious - get rid of the auto!
It takes a lot of education to be able to ignore the obvious. Electric cars a just a switch from oil to coal.On The media's central arguments for and against Gore's challenge to the nation posted 1 year, 4 months ago 18 ResponsesGore, Hightower observe public transit blackout.
Anything except public transportation. That is the rule. You will not see high-profile figures breaking this carbon-auto lobby gag order. The tariff [fare] on our public investment in public transportation is restraint of trade. Its purpose is to discourage use. Transit fares benefit the carbon-auto industry and hurt all other business and citizens by promoting sprawl, congestion, and waste. We need free public transit.
http://freepublictransit.orgOn Chatting with Al Gore and Jim Hightower at Netroots Nation posted 1 year, 4 months ago 1 Responsebetter cars -> more sprawl
Make public transit free and we will gradually evolve back to walkable, bicycle-friendly communities.
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http://freepublictransit.org
.On Transportation sector lies at the root of U.S. energy problem posted 1 year, 4 months ago 26 ResponsesThe auto is what is subsidized
Thank you, marigoldmind. It is the auto, oil, and sprawl that are subsidized. They involve private profit. Public transit is a public investment. Its benefits accrue to all, not a narrow interest.
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The DC system is excellent by U.S. standards. You might be interested to read the speeches against building the DC Metro. It was going to be a "socialist boondoggle" -- the end of free enterprise. The carbon-auto puppets in congress fought it tooth and nail.
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http://freepublictransit.org
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On Public transit ridership is up, but no one's talking about a better system posted 1 year, 5 months ago 9 ResponsesCapitalism is not evil.
No evil involved. Corporations are legally required to maximize shareholder value. What is wrong is that we allow them too much influence on public policy.
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The influence of the carbon and auto industries in government is well documented and, frankly, plain obvious. Remember the Chrysler bail-out? Remember the oil-depletion allowance? Remember the war in IRAQ...?
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The auto and sprawl are heavily subsidized and now we can add to that subsidy the trillions needed to address global warming.
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We have listed some of the carbon-auto subsidies (externalities) at:
http://freepublictransit.org/index.php?pr=Externalities
.On Public transit ridership is up, but no one's talking about a better system posted 1 year, 5 months ago 9 Responsesstreetcars deliberately dimantled
In 1920, Phila streetcars carried 900,000,000 passengers in one year. The streetcar systems in the U.S. were deliberately and intentionally dismantled. Get your history on transit from the transit blogs, not from the MSM or the "environmentalist" sources.
http://frepubtra.blogspot.com
On Public transit ridership is up, but no one's talking about a better system posted 1 year, 5 months ago 9 ResponsesWhat Bush knows...
Bush knows that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. His carbon-auto industry bosses have had him bombing and torturing the people of IRAQ for five years and they still will not sign over their oil. Meanwhile more oil is being nationalized elsewhere.
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We need to stop the carbon-auto subsidy and the tariff that hobbles our public transportation investment.
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http://frepubtra.blogspot.comOn Dems and GOP agree to stop filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve posted 1 year, 6 months ago 10 Responsespresident is one person
The president is just one person. The only way to oppose the carbon-auto lobby is with a mass movement. To the extent we do that, our "leaders" can seek real solutions. The difference between Obama and Clinton is that Obama is at least trying to motivate people to get involved, while Clinton is relying totally on corporate support and cynicism.On Direct mailers from Obama campaign hail 'clean Kentucky coal' posted 1 year, 6 months ago 22 Responses
Nothing mystifying about it
Amount of carbon-auto subsidy: $$Trillions
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Only thing that can stop the complete dominance of the auto and sprawl: Streetcars, buses, inter-city rail.
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Obama MUST NOT talk more about it. They will instantly trash him until they turn him into a non-person.
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Obama MUST observe the gag-order on transit.
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http://frepubtra.blogspot.com
On A candidate finally discusses public transit ... at a random lunch posted 1 year, 7 months ago 30 ResponsesAnything but public transportation
Didn't you get the memo? Any public figure or major organization who seriously proposes investing in public transit will be made into a non-entity by the carbon-auto lobby. If you don't believe this, do some searches on global warming, environment, energy policy... and see how many times the "solutions" feature public transport policy anywhere above unplugging the waffle iron. With this gag order in place, silly proposals ensue. The gas-tax holiday is an insult to human intelligence.
http://frepubtra.blogspot.com
.On A gas tax holiday would be cynical and indefensible posted 1 year, 7 months ago 19 ResponsesNot mentioned...
Sean, are you saying the emperor has no clothes?
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Another thing you won't hear. Public transportation. There is a blackout on this subject and almost all the major "environmentalist" groups are observing it.
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We should make urban public transit fare-free.
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On The thing you really never hear posted 1 year, 7 months ago 10 ResponsesKennedy respects public transit blackout
The carbon-auto lobby will not allow any high-profile eco-pundit no matter how "maverick" to advocate public transportation. Kennedy evidently is no exception. All of his energy savings will be gobbled up by autosprawl.
We need a complete system change away from sprawl and the private auto..On RFK Jr. advocates for cap-and-trade, renewables, smart grids posted 1 year, 7 months ago 11 Responses
auto - end it, don't mend it
Better autos, more sprawl.
Stop trying to put lipstick on a pig.On The automotive equivalent of high heels posted 1 year, 7 months ago 2 Responses
Carbon-auto externalities
The direct subsidies to the carbon-auto companies are just the tip of the iceberg.
What do the "free marketeers" say about the trillion-dollar externalities of the carbon-auto industry. They are silent.
Come to think of it "environmentalists" don't say much either.
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On Succeeding in the free market posted 1 year, 7 months ago 7 ResponsesLess talk, more action
Want to DO something?
(see Take Action)
.On Enough with the 'children are our future' already posted 1 year, 7 months ago 7 Responses
Free Public Transit
there... 3 words that say what you are trying to say in 1500 words...
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On We've run out of time to wait for an unknown techno-fix to save us posted 1 year, 7 months ago 11 ResponsesMuch simpler.
Free public transit.
Why do we invest billions in public transit, then slap on a tariff to discourage its use? Think about it.
.On Why consumer protection means selling carbon permits posted 1 year, 8 months ago 4 Responses
Stop the SUBSIDY !
Nothing makes sense as long a you ignore the trillion-dollar carbon-auto subsidy. All the carbon-auto profits are NOT profits as long as the taxpayer is paying to support the system and clean up its mess.
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On Since when is regulation optimal? posted 1 year, 8 months ago 25 ResponsesThe elephant in the room.
Everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room:
The trillion-dollar carbon-auto subsidy.
Because of this, the McCain people can exploit the weakness of any proposal.
The carbon-auto industry is readying a Medicare Part D style bonanza with cap-and-trade giveaways. Technology credits are an easy "anti-market" straw man they can knock down.
Unless we start pointing out the carbon-auto subsidy, the population will not be able to navigate the biofuel/cap-trade smog.
.On McCain 'might take [new CAFE standards] off the books' posted 1 year, 8 months ago 5 Responses
Reduce
We need free public transportation.
Bring back the streetcars. Give the suburbs to the organic farmers.
.On For fossil fuel fans, bleak is the new black posted 1 year, 8 months ago 16 Responses
Elementary Social Science.
Natural scientists need to learn that this is a war, not a discussion.
The trolls know it. You should, too.
.On Does refuting deniers only strengthen and empower them? posted 1 year, 8 months ago 13 Responses
When will we learn?
Stop chasing this scam and start addressing the auto and sprawl.
We need free public transit.
.On To survive, producers wanly import feedstock and export fuel posted 1 year, 8 months ago 18 Responses
Your Choice
Autosprawl or Human Race. Choose.
.On Hey, did you hear about those glaciers? posted 1 year, 8 months ago 7 Responses
Waste is the problem...
It is intuitive that single occupancy vehicles are wasteful.
.On Climate change has it out for transportation infrastructure, says report posted 1 year, 8 months ago 3 Responses
just think...
What free public transit would do.
Transit fares are a restraint-of-trade tariff to protect the carbon-auto lobby.
FPT is the beginning of the end of them.On If we want to create jobs, why aren't we spending on mass transit? posted 1 year, 8 months ago 10 Responses
he leaves out...
He leaves out the main reason tobacco was restrained--the insurance industry turned against it. We might get some corporations against the auto, but don't count on it. We need a mass movement. Join your local bus/transit riders' union.
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On How cars are like cigarettes posted 1 year, 8 months ago 9 Responsesneed to understand
"But I can't understand why the media ..."
You seem smart. Could it be that the carbon-auto industry is influencing them?
We need to stop wondering and worrying. The natural science is clear. Let's not fuzz up the social science.
Call a spade and spade. The carbon-auto industry is controlling the goverment, the media, and the public discourse.
We need free public transit.
.On A (sort of) cold January doesn't mean climate stopped warming posted 1 year, 9 months ago 10 Responses
so far behind...
The U.S. debate on carbon fuel and autosprawl is so far behind the curve it is embarrassing. We should be discussing the best way to implement free public transit.
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On The EPA's phony explanation of its rejection of California posted 1 year, 9 months ago 6 Responsestrying to save autosprawl...
Autosprawl should not be rescued, It should be ended. We need free public transit.
http://www.frepubtra.blogspot.com
.On Researchers find corn ethanol, switchgrass could worsen global warming posted 1 year, 9 months ago 111 Responses
The good news is...
The U.S. needs a fiscal stimulus... and transportation investment has one of the best multipliers of any government spending! We need free public transit ... asap.
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On AGU releases position statement on climate change posted 1 year, 10 months ago 62 ResponsesWorld auto ownership
is growing at 5% per year.
http://frepubtra.blogspot.comOn Ford Motor Co. unveils greener engine posted 1 year, 10 months ago 12 Responses
"taking a big risk"
So it is the well-paid corporate spokespeople vs the handful of brave people who dare to speak out. Doesn't look good. We need a mass movement.
http://freepublictransit.org/index.php?pr=Take_Action
.On Hansen v. coal posted 1 year, 10 months ago 7 Responses
better cars = more sprawl
The world population is growing one New York City per month. Even the current sprawl is unsustainable. Better cars will mean more. The cure for autosprawl is free public transit.
http://frepubtra.blogspot.com/
.On Ford Motor Co. unveils greener engine posted 1 year, 10 months ago 12 Responses
note to greenpath
You correctly point out that corporate power has corrupted some (many?) "environmental" groups. Time is short. We have to rely on the people and build grassroots power. It can and must be done.
http://www.frepubtra.blogspot.com/On It's too late to stop climate change, argues Ross Gelbspan -- so what do we do now? posted 1 year, 11 months ago 45 Responses
re: auto mileage standards...
Better cars mean more sprawl. If you want to accomplish something, work for free public transit. On Bush signs diluted energy bill into law posted 1 year, 11 months ago 5 Responses
real enemy ignored
Lot's of nice words. Anyone ready to take on the real enemy? The private auto.
http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn It's too late to stop climate change, argues Ross Gelbspan -- so what do we do now? posted 1 year, 11 months ago 45 Responses
efficient auto ==> more sprawl
don't make autos better, make them fewer
http://www.freepublictransit.org
.On U.S. could slash emissions at little cost through boosted efficiency, says report posted 2 years ago 3 Responses
how not to build a city
Atlanta is a good example of how autosprawl is a nightmare. Here is how to change it:
http://www.freepublictransit.org On Housing slump is slowing sprawl in metro Atlanta posted 2 years ago 4 Responses
free public transit
stimulates the economy
pays for itself many times over
ends the need for oil wars
helps the working poor
saves the biosphere
threatens carbon/auto profits.... oops, never mindhttp://www.freepublictransit.org
On The next president needs to move with speed and clear vision on mitigating climate change posted 2 years ago 10 Responsesto stop coal, stop cars
The subsidized auto allows energy-wasting sprawl.
http://www.freepublictransit.org
is the beginning of the end of autosprawl.
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On Jeremy Carl argues that coal will be with us for a long while posted 2 years ago 43 Responsesfree public transit
The reason transit doesn't work well is that there is no commitment to it, while the auto is subsidized at the rate of 11 million dollars an hour... just for oil wars alone.
http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn Metro is succeeding, but like all public transit systems, it needs our support posted 2 years ago 11 Responses
Simple answer:
Free Public Transit.
http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn Seattle-area voters tied the knot posted 2 years ago 2 Responses
misdirection
Agrofuels and more efficient autos will prolong the life of autosprawl, probably just long enough to doom us.
http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn Poll finds people ready for action on climate change posted 2 years, 2 months ago 9 Responses
free public transit
lorna..
good ideas... add free public transit.The more people ride the more frequent the service will have to be. Towns and cities will be more attractive. Move back to town and give the farms back to the [organic] farmers.
http://www.freepublictransit.org the beginning of the end of autosprawlOn A guest essay from Jan Lundberg posted 2 years, 2 months ago 16 Responses
Amen
- Carbon Tax
- Free Public Transit
- Carbon Tax
solutions
George, your handling of Cockburn was excellent, as usual. You need not agonize over sequestration. There is another way.
http://www.freepublictransit.org
equal to the carbon tax as a solution. You have to think about FPT a while, it is NOT intuitive.
keep up the good work.On A Nation columnist goes contrarian; GM goes the other way posted 2 years, 3 months ago 7 Responses
Billhook can you help?
If you do not have your own website, would you be willing to join us by contributing to ours?
http://www.freepublictransit.org
We need people who can expose fake "solutions" for global warming.
thanx
btw isn't that the pro-torture show? what are they going to do? twist your arm and make you check your tire pressure?On The TV show 24 will reduce its carbon footprint posted 2 years, 4 months ago 4 Responses
biodiesel
"... biodiesel is triply bad for the planet..."
make that quintuply:
4. nitrous oxide is 296 times as bad as carbon dioxide in green house properties.
and much worse:
5. biodiesel promotes the idea of making autosprawl work, a deadly misdirection.
We need to reverse autosprawl: http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn BS green posted 2 years, 4 months ago 3 Responses
not a class war
This is not a class war. It is a small group of carbon profiteers holding the human species in a death grip. Nothing short of a mass movement will beat them. It is instructive that even a pathetically small fix such as congestion pricing can't even get through.
http://www.freepublictransit.orgOn The connection between congestion pricing and carbon taxes posted 2 years, 4 months ago 18 Responses