Swedes and Koreans Put a Happy Face on Vectus PRT

The Vectus PRT testing facility takes shape on Swedish television. Here are some stills:



...note the massive steel pipe at the center of the guideway:



... looks just like the Raytheon PRT guideway. Also notice that it's mounted on slim posts close to the ground. Why? Because G-forces would require heavier posts if it were up higher. Here's the Raytheon PRT guideway with the massive posts that I Photoshopped over a typical street in Minneapolis:



If Vectus is just like the Raytheon PRT (which flopped) why the heck are they doing it again? For a clue to what the Vectus testing facility is really about, look at the flag posts:



It's phony prop for the media... a futurist Potemkin village.

It won't be long before we start seeing and hearing a publicity barrage about how Vectus is Sweden's and Korea's technological answer to Global Warming and Peak Oil. In October, there's going to be a PRT Conference in Uppsala, Sweden.

The same thing almost happened here in Minnesota.

Speaking of PRT in Minnesota, what's new with the Taxi 2000 Corporation? Nothing since 2004.

Remember the breathless publicity barrage for Taxi 2000's unveiling of the Skyweb Express model at their Fridley office and at the Minnesota Stae Fair?? Watch the video of the Fridley fiasco with Rep. Mark Olson (trial in July) showing off for the cameras:

"PRT is clearly in the future of transit. It is Jetson-esque but not a cartoon. It is the Microsoft of public transit!" -Rep. Mark Olson.



Ken Avidor says Vectus will likely end up on the trash heap like all the other Personal Rapid Transit projects.

Another Delay in Rep. Mark Olson's Trial?

UPDATE: I just called the Sherburne County Court and confirmed that Olson's rescheduled for July.

A DMO reader sent me the following tip:

The trial has now been rescheduled from June 11th to July 9th.

What are all these delays costing Sherburne County?

Keep in mind that Olson is charged with two gross misdemeanor counts. Olson demanded a jury trial on a misdemeanor!!!

When Olson notified the court that he fired his attorney on Friday, the court administrator probably had to work over the weekend contacting jurors and witnesses.

After the trial, I hope we learn what Olson's antics cost the taxpayers of Sherburne County.


Ken Avidor asks; "What has Mark Olson's Personal Rapid Transit scam cost Minnesota taxpayers?"

Rep. Mark Olson Trial Scheduled for June 11

SC Times:

ELK RIVER — State Rep. Mark Olson will be back in court June 11 to face domestic assault charges.

Olson, a Republican, asked for a continuance today in his trial on charges that he assaulted his wife in November in their Big Lake Township home.

Judge Alan Pendleton granted the continuance and rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 11. Olson said he asked for the continuance because he is changing attorneys.

Ken Avidor blogs about Personal Rapid Transit

Rep. Mark Olson Is Getting a Divorce

The Saint Cloud Times confirms that Olson, fired his attorney and asked for a postponement of his trial:

ELK RIVER — State Rep. Mark Olson expects a judge to approve a continuance Monday in his trial on charges that he assaulted his wife in November at their Big Lake Township home.

The delay is the second in the case, which was scheduled to begin Monday morning.

Olson said Sunday that he asked for the continuance from Judge Alan Pendleton because he is changing attorneys. He said the judge approved the move in chambers, but formal approval will be necessary in court because a court reporter was not present.

“It will be just a moment of process,” Olson said of today’s proceedings.

Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney confirmed the change Sunday. Her office was notified on Friday and notified witnesses, she said.

A new date for Olson’s trial will depend on what’s available on the calendar, Heaney said.

Olson declined to name his new attorney, saying he has not yet signed the agreement with the attorney.

Olson has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault. The charges stem from an incident Nov. 12 at the Olsons’ home. Olson’s wife told Sherburne County deputies that she and Mark Olson had argued and that he had pushed her to the ground three times.

Olson was scheduled to stand trial May 7, but a state law prohibits a sitting member of the Legislature to stand trial in a civil or criminal case during the legislative session. The session ended May 21.

Court records show that, since Mark Olson was charged, he and his wife have started divorce proceedings.

The House Republican caucus suspended Olson after his arrest, and some members called for his resignation. Olson vowed to continue serving his constituents in District 16B, which includes Big Lake, Becker, Zimmerman and Clear Lake.

When that divorce becomes final, Olson can resume his carefree, bachelor life:



Meanwhile GOP 6th CD Chair, Mark Swanson is still commenting at MN Publius:

What is the worry?? That people (like Mr. Avidor) distort the truth in their natural bias. You will see that Mr. Avidor himself admits his bias on the comment page and has refrained from editing the entry due to this bias.
If you believe any of my edits are untruthful or in any way change the the facts, please identify them and I will gladly edit them to correct.

As to his question above, I don’t know of the current status for Rep. Olson’s trial, maybe your politically motivated source would care to elaborate??

As far as corrections to your mis-statements, don’t worry as you have A Transportation Expert (ATE) on your trail to correct your inaccuracies (and bias) on PRT there are many of us out there to maintain the neutrality of sites like Wikipedia.

So, Mark Swanson, the GOP 6th CD Chair didn't know at 7:55 PM, Sunday that Rep. Mark Olson had pulled a fast one on the Sherburne County Court two days earlier?

That's pathetic.
Ken Avidor blogs about Rep. Mark Olson and Personal Rapid Transit.

GOP 6th CD Chair's Wikipedia User Page Blanked

Someone with the IP address (208.38.99.19) has blanked Mark Swanson's Wikipedia user page.

The IP address traces to Big Lake, Minnesota.



Ken Avidor has written about Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams.

Rep. Mark Olson Trial Delayed... Again?

I just received the following tip from a DO reader:

Thought it would interest you to hear that Olson has fired his attorney so his trial will be rescheduled to another date. They will be in court tomorrow morning to take care of that.

I've lost track. How many times has Olson delayed his trial?





Ken Avidor blogs about the scoundrels who promoted Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

Mark Swanson Admits He Edited Olson's Wikipedia Page

GOP 6 CD Chair Mark Swanson defends himself in the comments at MN Publius:

"What I changed is actually the unbiased truth and more accurate as required by the neutrality rules that are well established on Wikipedia."

Mark Swanson seems to be unaware that other folks have been caught trying to whitewash their favorite politician's Wikipedia page... for instance the staff of Norm Coleman in January of 2006 :

Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia's founder, criticized the changes made by Coleman's staff. 



"It appears to be a major rewrite of the article to make it more favorable," Wales said. "If they're trying to edit in such a way to change the public record, that's a problem."

Olson goes on trial Monday, June 4th at the Sherburne County Government Center.


Ken Avidor blogs about supporters of Personal Rapid Transit in the 6th CD.

Correction: Rep. Mark Olson's Trial is Monday, June 4th

A DO reader wrote to inform me that Olson's trial is this Monday, June 4th.

It's a jury trial.

8:30 AM at the Sherburne County Courthouse.


Ken Avidor blogs about the trials of politicians who promote Personal Rapid Transit.

Big Lake's Connections to the US Attorney Scandal

Tom Hamburger of the LA Times reveals "part of the reason" why Tom Heffelfinger ended up on the DOJ's list of US Attorneys to be fired:

But newly obtained documents and interviews suggest that what displeased some of his superiors and GOP politicians was narrower and more politically charged -- his actions on Indian voting.

... in particular:

Described as a matter of "deep concern" to Heffelfinger, the issue arose from Kiffmeyer's directive in the fall of 2004 that tribal ID cards could not be used for voter identification off reservations

Kiffmeyer is now involved in a national scandal. If Kiffmeyer ran in a special election, it is likely that she would have to answer questions about her involvement in the GOP's campaign to disenfranchise minority voters.

If Mary Kiffmeyer cannot run for office because of her role in the US Attorney scandal, that may explain why the MN GOP 6CD Chair has gone from "no comment" on Rep Mark Olson to whitewashing Olson's Wikipedia page. Olson's trial for domestic assault is scheduled for June 7th (Correction: Rep. Mark Olson's Trial is Monday, June 4th)

Olson may have his own connection to the US Attorney scandal. Olson worked closely with Gary Dean Zimmermann promoting PRT legislation at the Capitol and at Minneapolis City Hall. It's very likely that e-mails to and from Olson and other GOP politicos turned up on Zimmermann's computer which was seized in a raid on Zimmermann's house only four months before Heffelfinger announced he was going to resign.



Ken Avidor writes about Personal Rapid Transit and other scandals.

New Changes on Rep. Mark Olson Campaign Website

It's got videos from the last session and it's got a picture of woman he pushed to the floor three times and her children back in November:



Mark Olson's trial for abusing his wife is scheduled for June 7th.





Ken Avidor explains what Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams are all about.

CD 6 GOP Chair Mark Swanson Edits Rep. Mark Olson's Wikipedia Page

Rep. Mark Olson's former campaign manager Mark Swanson made two revisions of the Wikipedia page I created for Rep. Mark Olson using the nom-de-wiki Swanny123.

Swanson changed the heading "Domestic Assault Arrest" to "Personal Legal Notes".

Swanson also changed "Legislative staff complained of being abused" to "It was aledged that Legislative staff complained of being abused by Mark Olson in his first term and again in 1997. There is no record of this in pertinent legislative administrative files."

Swanson also changed "Minnesota House Republicans voted to oust Olson" to "Minnesota House Republicans voted to suspend Olson".

Swanson's user page states the following:

Mark is an active Republican activist and is currently the Chair of the Republican Party of Congressional District 6.

It would appear that Swanson is trying to tamper with the facts to make Rep. Mark Olson look good in preparation for Olson's trial on June 7th for beating his wife back in November.

Swanson joins Seattle PRT promoter, David Gow in editing Olson's page.

Here's an article about Olson's abuse of staff that Swanson suggests never happened:



Ken Avidor says beware of Personal Rapid Transit and other anti-transit scams.

Olson's Wife-Beating Trial is June 7th... Crank Up the PRT Publicity Machine!

When Rep. Mark Olson's PRT pal Gary Dean Zimmermann got into trouble before his election in 2005, the PRTistas were there to help out with press releases about PRT projects in Dubai and Heathrow.

My prediction then:

Of course ULTra runs on batteries and will likely end up on the trash-heap like the other PRT projects, but it will serve as a reliable engine of anti-transit propaganda for many years to come.

Now, on the eve of Olson's trial... just in case any reporter asks about Olson's PRT scam, we now have this article about the ULTra Heathrow project in the Sunday Times. It's a very silly article.

The electrically powered “pod cabs” will allow users to key in their destination and be carried there automatically along special roadways at speeds of up to 25mph.

... up to 25 mph doesn't qualify as "speed". The article insists that ULTra "is already being built and has completed trials." The article also says ULTra's Heathrow debut won't be until the end of 2008... then there's this weasel-worded statement:

The pods are seen as more economical, more environmentally friendly and less prone to being stuck in traffic than existing transport inside the airport.

..."environmentally friendly"? Says who?

Martin Lowson, founder and chief executive of Advanced Transport Systems, the Bristol-based manufacturer, said it would be far more convenient for users than conventional airport transport.

... Martin Lowson? Didn't he leave ATS? I guess ATS couldn't find a suitable crackpot or con-artist to replace Lowson.

We get some specs:

The pods will be guided by infrared sensors along 7ft-wide concrete roadways.

... picture that 7ft-wide concrete roadway in front of your home or business...

For the 2.6-mile-long terminal 5 section, they will be raised above existing roads, swooping down as they near their destinations.

... "swooping down"?...

In later phases the taxis will travel along ground-level routes separated from other traffic by 8ft walls.

... so if your battery-powered, glorified PRT golf cart breaks down, you'll either be up in the air or trapped between 8-ft walls.

Also, just in time for Olson's trial, the New Jersey PRT report (PDF HERE). It's filled with the same weasel-worded baloney you find in all the PRTista-generated literature. It's main argument is that after many decades of failure we should waste even more time and money on PRT research.

And there's a new You Tube video of the ugly, automated bus on concrete guideway called the Morgantown WVU PRT.

From the memory hole... here's a vintage video of Olson riding in J. Edward Anderson's toy PRT pod... enjoy:



Ken Avidor blogs about the Personal Rapid Transit.

Lawrence Schumacher on Rep. Mark Olson & Global Warming

Lawrence Schumacher on his SC Times blog:

Caught on tape by Ken Avidor, from Friday night's House floor debate on the energy policy bill. Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, had a few choice words for those who spread the word on global climate change.

Money quote:

"I haven't even studied this extensively. I just became curious about it. And I have received good evidence that it is false ... The national media is known for wanting to tear down this country. They're known for wanting worldwide redistribution of wealth. They're known for wanting a global government. In general, not all of them. They're known for having an agenda."

This was during a floor speech in which he argued that for those who believe in the Bible, the argument of global climate change doesn't make sense.
 
There's enough of the speech there, though a note to Ken: The more you edit the clips the more it looks like you're distorting his argument.

Schumacher is correct about editing giving a biased impression (and I am biased), however, it would be difficult (and painful) to upload a complete Olson rant to You Tube.

You Tube is an example of how the limitations of a technology effects content. A complete video of one of Olson's rants would go beyond the optimum length for a You Tube video. If a video is longer than 3 minutes, it takes many minutes to convert to Quicktime and even longer to upload. Most people don't have the time to watch a 20 minute video... also nobody pays me to blog about politics... unlike some bloggers.

Schumacher mentions another blog's coverage of Olson's antics:

Tom Beckfeld summarizes the remainder of Olson's argument here, describing how Olson decided to conduct an experiment after watching An Inconvenient Truth that you really should read.

Read Beckfeld's post at the Beyond Sound Bites and Headlines blog.

The BSBH blog also has an excellent post on Rep. Mark Olson's obsession with PRT.

Here's a quote I liked:

The only thing I can tell you for sure is that Olson will continue to push this boondoggle for has long as he’s in office. It is his type of Government program. One that will never be built. He can say he’s doing something but even he must know that this is a fraud and a scam. Let’s hope that his time ends very soon.

Here's a video of Olson introducing, then withdrawing his PRT amendment last Friday:



Ken Avidor writes about Personal Rapid Transit and the scoundrels who promote it.

Rep. Mark Olson's Personal Rapid Transit Amendment

From Friday, Rep. Mark Olson introducing (and withdrawing) his PRT amendment to the energy bill:


Ken Avidor says Personal Rapid Transit is a scam.

The Moral Relativism of an Aspiring "Freelance Conservative Revolutionist"

PheistyChick on what mushy liberals think about crime:

And there are many more criminals who deny that what they did was wrong, yet they make excuses for their actions. (In my opinion, the excuses themselves unveil a guilty conscience.)  If a man has murdered a small child, and does not show any form of remorse, does this mean that he has simply  not experienced empathy, and therefore cannot tell the difference between right and wrong?  Does the empathy itself create the moral code? If there is no empathy, is there no crime?  If the jugement of a crime is based upon a person's life experiences and lack of empathy, how can we charge him with a crime?  How can we even have laws?  By your line of reasoning, that man I described would be innocent.

.... okay, let's review the facts in the case:

Mark Olson admittted to throwing his wife to the ground three times. He bruised her. He ran away and hid in a church school. He was arrested and jailed. He cried in court and refused to enter a plea.

Mark Olson delayed his trial several times, using what right-wingers like to call "technicalities".

.... and Olson blamed his wife for what happened:

TO THE EDITOR:

I am proud of my sister, Heidi Olson, and her decision not to try to influence the public by making statements about the incidents which landed Mark Olson in jail. However, after attending the latest hearing on Feb. 9, I heard Olson's lawyer tell a reporter the false story that Heidi "came after Olson and he was trying to control the situation". Perhaps a weak case has led him to apply this tactic. It is misperceptions like that which hopefully will be brought out in court, when persons testifying are under oath.

It is my hope that the people of Sherburne County will agree that physical violence is never warranted or justified. In my 32 plus years of marriage, my husband has never been physically aggressive with me. I don't think I could do anything that would cause him to act that way. Unless there is a common agreement and a standard about domestic violence, there is not much more that can be said.

Holli Rebney

Minnetonka, MN

... and here's Olson when he was tough on crime:



Ken Avidor wants to know why the major news media promoted Personal Rapid Transit.

"PheistyChick" Rethinks Her Support For Rep. Mark Olson

Pheistyblog:

So why am I supportive of Rep. Olson? To be honest, I don’t really know. Every logical thought I’ve had has told me to run from this as fast as I can, in the other direction.

... you should listen to that little voice more often, PheistyChick...

What I do know is that there are more to these stories than what the media is reporting, and that the man that I met with on Friday is a man who truly wants to do what’s right. That’s what my heart tells me. And I’m also reminded that there is more to this than meets the eye, and that I am no one (obviously) to judge.

The right-wingers are always saying liberals listen to their bleeding hearts when it comes to crime. "Too soft on crime" is what the righties say... "lock up the bastards and throw away the key"... except when it's their friends and cohorts who are accused of crimes.

Olson himself was one of those tough-on-crime right-wingers. Here's a clipping from his campaign literature:



Ken Avidor blogs about the hypocrites and liars who promoted Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams.

"Pheistychick" Supports Rep. Mark Olson

"Pheistychick" is a self-described "young woman aspiring to become a freelance conservative revolutionist". "Joey" (Pheistychick, I assume) has a post praising crazy Rep. Mark Olson on Pheistyblog:

In my humble opinion, everything that the news media has said about Mark Olson is absolutely and completely distorted. I found him to be a man who is convicted by his values, refusing to succumb to ‘politics as usual’, and a man who has strength like I have never seen.  He is a true public servant, and has come to the realization that if he is going to be in office, he must stand firm for what he believes is the public good, regardless of ay political backlash.

... wouldja believe it? Joey/Pheistychick has a job:

Since I am a Human Resource Manager, I get to go into the schools on occasion and tell the teachers and students what employers are looking for in an employee.

... hmmmm... how about an employee with serious anger management problem who threw a typewriter at a staff worker on one occasion and screamed at staff workers on other occasions and refused anger management counseling?

But then what do expect from a blogger who calls a Gold Star mom like Cindy Sheehan "a prostitute":

Cindy Sheehan thing, in my opinion, is that she is the prostitute for the media and people with anti-war agendas. That isn't right-wing hate speech, that is simply the truth.

... or who links to website called "Minnesotans for Global Warming".

It's sad that there are people like Pheistychick/Joey who would rather whine about not getting presents from her rich parents for her second wedding than show any respect for a Gold Star Mom like Cindy Sheehan or concern for the decline of walleye in Minnesota lakes due to Global Warming.



Ken Avidor blogs about the right-wingers who promote Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams.

Mark Olson Talks About Global Warming

The Blue man in a Red district blog and the I Don’t Hate America! blog asked for a video of Mark Olson's latest rant at the Capitol.... well, here it is, folks!

It was a long, long rant so I edited to include just a few of his many bizarre statements... the Earth is "never filled with water"... some inventors got their ideas from the Bible... melting ice caps won't effect sea level... the media is out to "tear down this country"... and the best way to reduce carbon emissions is to "build power plants".

In the middle, Olson expresses confidence that he'll remain in the legislature.


Ken Avidor blogs about Rep. Mark Olson and other crackpots and con artists who promote Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams.

Personal Rapid Transit: "Glorified Golf Carts"

Charleston Daily Mail:

Lawrence Fabian, treasurer of Advanced Transit Association and a member of the Committee on Major Activity Circulation Systems of the U.S. Transportation Research Board, calls the feeder system cars "glorified golf carts."

Ken Avidor blogs about the con artists and crackpots who promote Personal Rapid Transit.

ATRA & Personal Rapid Transit Strike Out (Again)

Remember Larry Fabian? He's the guy who sent me this gloating e-mail after the 2006 election:

How is that you haven't posted the results of Tuesday's elections yet?

Bucking the Democrat thumping, Minnesota's two PRTistias were reelected, I see. Wouldn't honesty urge you to post that on your lovely website?

Larry Fabian
The One Who You So Kindly Told to %#$@ Off

Larry Fabian would eat his words when days later, Olson was arrested for beating his wife. Fabian's other winning Minnesota PRTista, Michele Bachmann stepped into Kitty Harris's crazy shoes as the Republican party's leading lady lunatic when she sexually assaulted President Bush at the State of the Union function early this year. Bachmann hasn't said a word about PRT since she was elected and I doubt she will.

Although Olson has managed to stay in the legislature, he has no chance of passing a PRT bill this session. Olson faces a bi-partisan effort to eject him from the legislature at the beginning of the next session if he is convicted next month.

How pathetic that Larry Fabian and ATRA went on a pilgrimage to the hills of West Virginia to praise the Nixon-era gadgetbahn boondoggle, the Morgantown PRT.

ATRA's Fabian poured the PRTista Kool-aid....

Fabian, one of the seminar’s featured speakers, considers the seminar “an exploration of possibilities.”

“There’s a much higher level of interest [in personal rapid transit] in Europe and in Korea,” he said.

Other talk should center on possible expansion of Morgantown’s PRT, Fabian said.

... but, the guy in charge of the troubled WVU PRT wasn't drinking it:

“That is a possibility, but it is an expensive proposition,” said Robert Hendershot, assistant director for PRT operations at WVU.

A more scaled-down “feeder system” might be more practical, Hendershot said. That could use small cars to transport five people or less. PRT cars seat eight, but can fit many more.

There you have it from the guy in charge... "too expensive".

Also notice that the Morgantown PRT seats eight passengers which means it does not fit the PRTista's definition of PRT (small, lightweight vehicles seating 4 people or less). The WVU "PRT" is really an early version of the prosaic, automated people movers that operate in many airports.

So much for J. Edward Anderson's "disruptive technology"... more about the Morgantown PRT boondoggle here.


Ken Avidor blogs about Personal Rapid Transit and other gadgetbahn scams.

LTE: Olson has Wrong Idea about School Program

SC Times:

State Rep. Mark Olson ... gave some wild-eyed legislative rants against the International Baccalaureate Program (House Floor Session, 3:54 p.m., April 18).
Olson refers to the IB program as "anti-American" and presented an amendment to have it removed from the school system. Happily, this self-proclaimed maverick had no support, not even from his own party.

Olson might want to consider turning in his crystal ball for a more reliable model... Where else would he get such foolish ideas? They certainly are not from a reliable, well-documented or extensively researched source. At the very least, is it too much to expect a representative ... to check his sources?

The International Baccalaureate Program is primarily a series of accelerated courses for high-IQ students. Not particularly sinister — unless you consider an intelligent, well-educated individual to be a threat. Perhaps to a radical such as Olson, a smart, well-educated woman in particular poses a grave threat to America.
My daughter was in the International Baccalaureate Program in high school. She was offered a full scholarship, complete with room and board, to West Point. I guess you can't get much more un-American than that.

(Ken Avidor blogs about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.)

Video of Crazy Rep. Mark Olson Talking About Cancer

From MN Publius:



Ask Ken Avidor what he knows about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Lawrence Schumacher: "Things I learned from Mark Olson"

From Lawrence Schumacher's SC Times blog:

Things I learned from Mark Olson

During the debate over SF238, the statewide smoking bill, on the House floor Thursday:

* Tobacco doesn't cause cancer.

* We all have cancer in our bodies, but keeping fully hydrated and maintaining a proper pH balance keep the cancer cells at bay.

I'm always learning things from Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake.

What is crazy Mark Olson going to start babbling about next?...



Ken Avidor can tell you a lot about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Rep. Mark Olson Says it's Okay to Kill Innocent People

From a December 7, 2003 Strib article on capitol punishment:


Ken Avidor says the "Personal Rapid Transit" (PRT) is promoted by crackpots and con artists.

CETA PRTista Emory Bundy & Minnesota Northstar Opponents

From the Anoka County Watchdog:

Update 1/25/06

Issue: Seattle Sounder update

Watchdog readers know of the problems facing Seattle’s commuter rail system.  These problems have been watched closely because of the similarities between the Seattle commuter rail system and the proposed Northstar system.
 
Recently, the citizen advisory group that oversees the Sounder system has warned that costs could be much higher than estimated.  This was reported in a newspaper article.
 
Emory Bundy, a long-time observer of the Sounder has sent us both the article and his response to the article.  Bundy’s response is in the form of a letter he sent to the reporter who wrote the article.  Basically, Bundy asserts that the rail advocates lied from the very start about the costs of the project.  He also takes the media to task for failing to thoroughly investigate the lofty claims of rail advocates. 
 
Both are posted below.  While both are somewhat lengthy, it is well worth the read.  Seattle could be our future (and nightmare) as well.
 
Posted by the Watchdog

 
Read about Emory Bundy HERE.


Ken Avidor exposes the "Personal Rapid Transit" boondoggle.

WVU Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Antique to be "Modernized"

WVU Press Release:

“The PRT is proceeding with our long-term modernization program that will ensure the viability of the system,” Hendershot said. “These programs include replacing all of our old electronic systems, modernizing all of our communication systems and, like the electrical cable replacement program, upgrading the infrastructure of the PRT system.

Not only is the WVU PRT an antique, it doesn't even come close to the PRTista's definition of PRT (slim guideway, lightweight vehicles).
The PRTistas of ATRA will be allowed one last glimpse of the creaky, Nixon-era, antique boondoggle before it is overhauled.
Ken Avidor says "Personal Rapid Transit" is an anti-transit scam.

Drew Emmer Praises Rep. Mark Olson Was Arrested Himself Last Week

Friday, Drew Emmer, a right-wing blogger and nephew uncle of Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) attacked KSTP's coverage of Rep Mark Olson's "Death & Suicide" rant on the House floor last week:

The media wants Rep. Mark Olson gone. There's no doubt about it. Mark is a republican house member who is well respected and obviously supported by his constituents with one of the most consistent re-election margins in Minnesota. He has a pending legal matter before the court that will be settled this summer. But KSTP 5 Eyewitness News has already convicted him. This is not journalism. This is a DFL complicit media hatchet job. This is a blatant violation of journalistic ethics. This is against anyone's sensibilities of human decency.

Today, Drew Emmer has a post on his Wright County Republican blog about his recent arrest for a fowl crime:

The era of "never been arrested" ended for me last Monday. 

It was a gorgeous evening. I was preoccupied with the news of Virginia Tech. I headed west from my office toward Delano to take in a nephew's baseball game. As I passed through Maple Plain two West Hennepin Public Safety squads converged on me and pulled me over. No traffic violation. They were just randomly running plates and when they ran mine the alarm went off. I was surprised to learn that there was a warrant out for my arrest.

Last fall I went on a guided goose hunt in Rochester. Two DNR officers checked our guns and licenses. I did not have a federal migratory waterfowl stamp on my Minnesota license and I got a ticket. (My federal stamp was on my Missouri license, which I neglected to bring with me that day). I was told to call Olmstead County to find out about the fine. I called the next week and was informed that I would have to call back since the DNR had not yet submitted my ticket to Olmstead County. I failed to follow up. Hence the warrant.

....so Drew Emmer ends up in the hoosegow for his wild goose chase. But, Emmer's not too upset because he feels he's being taken care of by like-minded folks:

"The staff at Hennepin County Jail are all Sheriff Stanek's folks and they do a remarkable job considering the slice of society they interact with each day. "

...hmmm... what "slice of society" is that, Drew?

Then when I thought I was finally getting out they put me in general population until almost 2am. My cellmates nicknamed me Crocodile M-f-ing Dun-f-ing-Dee when they found out what I was in for. As I finally walked out of the pod a lone voice said "keep it real birdman".

Emmer then shoots his mouth off about how the cops should have done it different... what a birdbrain!

Emmer and Olson... jailbirds of feather:






Video of Rep. Mark Olson's Capitol Meltdown - 4/20/07

Rep. Mark Olson went completely berzerk last night.

I've made two videos of Olson's bizarre and very public meltdown.

The first video begins around midnight. Olson continued his badgering of Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL 54A). Olson was gently informed that the House rules do not allow representatives to impugn another representative's motives.

Part One:



Rep. Greilling mentions that the Scientologists are opposed to her legislation... Mark Olson takes offense. He complains about the KSTP report on Wednesday. Then well... see for yourself:

Part Two

Rep. Mark Olson is "Truly Nuts"

Great comment on MN Speak:

I work in Rep. Olson's vicinity at the Capitol and I can tell you that he's pretty much a sociopath.

He offers up countless useless amendments, monopolizes time on the House floor for hours at a time (with no particular purpose other than hearing himself talk), has zero social skills, seems himself as a "maverick" when he's really just a "loser," has zero supporters even within his own party, and is going to stand trial for domestic abuse after the session is over.

OK, any questions?

this guy is truly nuts

... and I've heard he carries a gun.



Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

More Crazy Rep. Mark Olson Ranting About Evolution and Humanism

Is Rep. Mark Olson claiming that the Declaration of Independence mentions Intelligent Design (Creationism)? WTF?

This is only a short clip. Olson's rant went on and on....


Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

KSTP Reports on Crazy Mark Olson: "State Rep: Death! Death! Death!"

KSTP:

Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, got a lot of attention last year when he was accused of assaulting his wife, now he's gaining notoriety for his rant on mental health. 

Rep. Olson's diatribe came out of a debate on the house floor over K-12 funding when lawmakers discussed a provision regarding behavioral issues and the use of medication.
"Death, death, death, completed suicide, completed suicide, completed suicide, suicide, suicide, suicide death death, death," Rep. Olson said.

Watch the video at KSTP.com

MN Publius has a new You Tube of Olson ranting.





Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Rep Mark Olson Knows Doctors Who can Cure Diabetes

...and you can take a Personal Rapid Transit pod right to their offices.... but watch out for the black helicopters... and flying monkeys!!!


Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Rep. Mark Olson's Death & Suicide Rap

Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Video of Rep. Mark Olson Going Berzerk at Yesterday's Minnesota House Session

Only a day after a Judge postponed Rep. Mark Olson's trial for beating his wife, Olson went nuts on the House floor, ranting about suicide and death... watch:



H/T MN Publius.

UPDATE: Good post about Olson's other crazy performances yesterday at the Capitol Brew-ha-ha Blog.

Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Breaking: Crazy Rep. Mark Olson Politicizes the Shootings at Virginia Tech

From MN Publius:

I was just watching the live feed from the State House floor (because I’m just that cool) and I can’t even explain what I just saw. They’re debating the omnibus education bill right now (actually interesting otherwise) and everything was going just fine until Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) got up for a 3-5 minute speech. First of all, yes, that Mark Olson, but he’s managed to up the ante.

So, Mark Olson gets up to talk about a provision to allow voluntary mental health screening in public schools. Now, it seems pretty obvious that this might draw some references to Virginia Tech considering that Cho is said to have been mentally ill. So, I don’t really fault Olson for going down that path but, that being said, he had a very tight rope to walk. It starts getting nasty when Olson started politicizing the massacre and citing it as a reason for not passing the measure; yes, he’s trying to make the case that VA Tech shows that we shouldn’t allow voluntary mental health screening. How does Mark Olson string together these two supposedly conflicting realities? Well, of course Virginia Tech was caused by “psychiatric drugs,” or so Mark Olson says…

In fact, the whole speech was totally crazy. At one point in the speech Olson is literally yelling “Suicide! Suicide! Suicide! Death! Death! Death!” on the floor of the Minnesota State House. If this weren’t so outrageously offensive in light of the weight of the current events it would almost be funny, but it was outrageously offensive, and it wasn’t funny.

The MN Publius post also has an audio clip of Rep. Mark Olson ranting about death and suicide.

I will try to get video of this.



Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Saint Cloud Times: Judge postpones Rep. Olson’s trial until June

SC Times:

Elk River — The trial for state Rep. Mark Olson on charges that he assaulted his wife has been postponed from May 7 until June 4.

Olson’s attorney, at a hearing today in Sherburne County District Court, argued successfully that a state law prohibits a sitting member of the Legislature to stand trial in a civil or criminal case during the legislative session.

Judge Alan Pendleton rejected requests from Olson at a February hearing to schedule the trial to begin after the legislative session, which is scheduled to end May 21. Olson didn’t cite the state law at the February hearing but did at today’s hearing, and Pendleton this time agreed to reschedule the trial. A prosecutor both times opposed the motion, said Chief Deputy Sherburne County Attorney Sam Wertheimer.

Olson is charged with two misdemeanor counts after he was accused of assaulting his wife in November at their Big Lake Township home. Olson has pleaded not guilty to the charges that stem from an incident Nov. 12 at the Olsons’ home. Olson’s wife told deputies she and Mark Olson had argued and that he had pushed her to the ground three times.

There's still time for Rep. Mark Olson to introduce another Personal Rapid Transit bill.... GO FOR IT, MARK!!!


Ken Avidor
Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Rep. Mark Olson's Trial Postponed?

From an anonymous tipster:

Mark Olson's trial has been rescheduled to begin June 4th after a hearing this morning in Sherburne County. Apparently, in spite of desiring to hurry this along, his lawyer found a law that prevents requiring a legislator from being in court while they are in session.

The CPRT Not in the Living Green Expo This Year?

They were in 2005 and 2006... don't see them on the Transportation exhibitor's list this year.

Maybe someone complained?

...or maybe it's because PRT isn't popular in Minnesota anymore as the shortage of posts to this PRT Yahoo forum shows:



... or maybe it's because Gary Dean Zimmermann's conviction and incarceration for bribery or Rep. Mark Olson's May 7th trial for beating his wife or Michele Bachmann's lunatic impersonation of a congresswoman?



Ken Avidor
Ken Avidor writes about the "Personal Rapid Transit" scam.

Taxi 2000 Corporation Lawsuit Defendant's Weird List of Campaign Contributions

About a month ago, I received an anonymous tip that Taxi 2000 CEO Morrie Anderson was talking about suing former T2 CEO , founder and PRT guru J. Edward Anderson again. I dropped by the Hennepin County Government Center today and checked... nope, no new lawsuit... but....the documents from the old lawsuit are still there. It was interesting to re-read J. Edward Anderson's private e-mails to his co-defendants Chuck Michael of SEH and Ion Corporation President and CEO, Wendell Maddox.

I did a little Googling on Wendell Maddox and found his interesting list of campaign contributions:

Maddox, Wendell
Ion Electronics/President and CEO
MINNETONKA, MN
55345

08/14/2006--$1,100
GUTKNECHT FOR U.S. CONGRESS COMMITTEE - Republican

$2,000--08/09/2006
GUTKNECHT FOR U.S. CONGRESS COMMITTEE - Republican

08/06/2006--$1,000
ERLANDSON FOR U S REPRESENTATIVE - Democrat Farm Labor

06/30/2006--$1,000
ERLANDSON FOR U S REPRESENTATIVE - Democrat Farm Labor

06/07/2006--$400
KLINE FOR CONGRESS - Republican

03/31/2006--$300
BACHMANN FOR CONGRESS - Republican

12/19/2005--$1,000
KLINE FOR CONGRESS - Republican

12/07/2005--$4,600
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA - Republican

09/28/2005--$500
KLINE FOR CONGRESS - Republican

09/23/2005--$1,000
MARK KENNEDY 06 - Republican

09/07/2005--$1,000
MARTIN OLAV SABO FOR CONGRESS VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE - Democrat Farm Labor

08/17/2005--$500
CANTOR FOR CONGRESS - Republican

08/08/2005--$1,000
GUTKNECHT FOR U.S. CONGRESS COMMITTEE - Republican

07/22/2005--$1,000
MARK KENNEDY 06 - Republican

02/16/2005--$500
KLINE FOR CONGRESS - Republican

Maddox also gave money to Teresa Daly who ran against Kline in 2004.

Rep. Mark Olson Sends Out Crazy Questionnaire

Go over to Democratic Underground to see a copy of one of the wacky questionaires Rep. Mark Olson is sent out to constituents.

Looks a lot like the wacky questionnaire Olson's pal Rep. Michele Bachmann sent out recently.

New Mayor of Kansas City Rejects PRT

The Charleston Daily Mail:

Mark Funkhouser used to ride West Virginia University's Personal Rapid Transit system, which he recalled "was broken down half the time."

Now he'll help develop a light rail system for Kansas City, Mo., population 450,000.

...He says the PRT "wasn't really mass transit...

Recently a snowstorm shut down the PRT and buses has to shuttle the students around.

Of course, ATRA is planning a seminar to celebrate the so-called PRT system that breaks down half the time.

More about the WVU PRT at the PRT is a Joke website.

Did Dutch Company Anonymously Edit Wikipedia Personal Rapid Transit Page?

Looks like somebody from the Frog Company has anonymously edited the Wikipedia PRT page.

A look-up of the DNS # 193.173.31.50 reveals this info:

Ron Hiensch
Frog Navigation Systens B.V.
Cartesiusweg 120
3534BD Utrecht
The Netherlands

Frog has a new PRT page on its website that gives us some specs on its version of Personal Rapid Transit. This caught my eye:

Maximum speed: 40 km/h [25m/ph]

... and that's supposed to be "rapid"?

More about the history of Frog and PRT here.

J. Edward Anderson Says "LRT Lobby" Killed "Personal Rapid Transit" (PRT)

The wacky professor has a paper posted on Professor Schneider's wacky gadgetbahn site called:

Questions and Answers following a presentation on High-Capacity Personal Rapid Transit to an audience of about 60 persons at a meeting sponsored by The Institute of Theological and Interdisciplinary Studies held at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, March 23, 2007.

J. Edward Anderson sounds way tired and way old. He makes a lot of unsupported claims and accusations. He whines and complains that the "LRT lobby":

It has become clear to me that the LRT lobby has Minnesota quite locked out of considering anything but LRT. How they do it I can only guess, but I am aware that they have many paid lobbyists working the Legislature using public money to lobby for private interests. On March 26, 1974 the Minnesota Senate passed an Act (S. F. No. 2703, Chapter No. 573) “directing the metropolitan transit commission to plan an automated small vehicle fixed guideway system, . . .” This unfortunately put the fox in charge of the chicken coop. The MTC, which no longer exists, had strongly lobbied against this Act and contracted with a firm also opposed to new systems. Notwithstanding strong objections they used the large guideway and large cost of the Morgantown people mover as representative of PRT, which resulted in costs and visual impact far too high, which resulted in abandoning interest in PRT. Since the vast majority of people have no interest in transit issues, light-rail proponents became dominant on the Metropolitan Council. They were able to continue to use this bogus data to misrepresent PRT, which enabled them to keep PRT out of the picture. Over two decades ago the circumstantial evidence was strong that two staff members were fired for trying to compare light rail with the PRT system we were developing at the University of Minnesota. No staff member aware of that will dare to venture a favorable opinion about PRT.

No Ed. It's not the "LRT lobby"... here's a clue:

Question: How do we deal with squirrels, birds, raccoons, etc.?

Answer: Small creatures could nest in the bottom corners of my covered guideway without bothering anything. But, the plan is to build a maintenance vehicle equipped with a light, a television camera, and a high-pressure hose. It will be operated from time to time late at night to inspect the guideway interior to remove debris.

Right, lots of cities are going to want a transportation system that rains soggy critters and their crap on pedestrians, buildings and vehicles.

Swedish Government Minister Goes California Gadgetbahning

Andreas Carlgren, an ethically-challenged Swedish Minister for Sustainable Development was in California a couple months ago promoting Personal Rapid Transit to Lt Governor John Garamendi, Energy Commissioner Jim Boyd, Mayor and Council members of Santa Cruz.

Here's a report on the trip (PDF) available on the Pod Car site:

Preliminarily results:

•Initiate city friendship relation between the City of Santa Cruz and the municipality of Värmdö, Sweden. Both cities have in autumn 2006 completed feasibility studies for podcars. Both cities see the benefits of joining forces in their implementation
strategies.

•Initiate West Orange County Group for Podcars. Ten cities, from Anaheim to Huntington Beach, with Fountain Valley as the driving force, are setting up for a large regional feasibility study of podcars. OCTA are positive to fund the work through
their “Go Local” program.

•Irvine sees podcars so interesting that they may defer their decision on which public transport system they will choose for Great Park. The plans of Great Park are to convert a closed airport (the former marine airbase El Toro, e.g. where Nixon landed his Airforce One) into a business and recreation park with strong sustainable profiles. Mr Agran (board of Great Park & council member of Irvine) agreed to come to Uppsala in September to test ride Vectus PRT.

•Cooperation on standardization issues of podcars, “General Transport System”, were further formalized with the University of Irvine.

•The top political officials at the summit meeting, Lt Governor John Garamendi and the Swedish Minister of Environment Andreas Carlgren, were positive to give political support to podcar initiatives.

The Vectus test track looks a lot like the doomed Raytheon PRT track.

Here's a picture of Andreas Carlgren with Lt Governor John Garamendi:

Bachmann, Kiffmeyer and Rep. Mark Olson meet in Sherburne County

Someone from Saint Cloud called the Jason Lewis Show, during the 5 o'clock hour yesterday and mentioned that there was going to be a "Republican convention" at the Salida Depot at 8:30 in the morning.

Bachmann, Olson and Kiffmeyer were invited.

Apparently this "convention" took place. I'll try to get more information about this meeting later.

Seattle PRT Promoter is Behind Phony Al Franken Blog

Mr_Grant is David Gow, the Seattle contact for the CPRT and web guy for several PRT websites has a blog that's supposed to be about Al Franken, but it's really about attacking... well, look at Gow's profile:

"PRT Proponents are Either Crackpots or Con Artists"

That's what I wrote on the Seattle PI forum ...and it was deleted.

Soul not sold to Road Warriors:

"PRT Proponents are Either Crackpots or Con Artists"

PRTSkeptic: your are correct, sir. Once a nut-job, always a nut-job. Same goes for road warriors like Niles who have determined we will have to "pry his car out of his cold, dead hands." Given the incredible amount of injury accidents our region experiences every week, that may very well be the case for many of these CARnage apologists.

Niles and Bundy have always shifted back and forth between losing "alternative" technologies.

Look at their 10 year love affair with an amusement ride called "monorail".

Niles' own co-editor, Jerry "Moonbeam" Schneider, shifts between "emerging" technologies so often, it makes your head spin. 

Of course, the only thing these anti-rail activists can settle on is...you guessed it: a bus. Now, THAT will peak the public's curiousity!



In Alameda, a cybertranny has an opinion piece... likely a response to this article:

Another Rep. Mark Olson Crazy Movie Friday

More weird stuff...

Intelligent Transportation - The Discovery Institute's Other Wedge Issue

Wedge Issue: (noun) A political issue that divides a candidate's supporters or the members of a party.

The Discovery Institute is well-known as a promoter of "Intelligent Design". What is less known is that The Discovery Institute promotes another divisive wedge issue called "Intelligent Transportation".

First, anything that calls itself "intelligent" should raise red flags.

"Intelligent Transportation" is vague and confusing because its purpose is to confuse and bamboozle the public so that some pretty awful stuff like highway boondoggles that wouldn't pass public scrutiny slips in through the back door while people are scratching their heads trying to figure out the "intelligent" stuff.

Most of the "Intelligent Transportation" concepts are far from being new or innovative. They range from telecommuting to monorails to Bus Rapid Transit to "smart roads".

John Niles is a "Fellow" with Cascadia, the Discovery Institute's transportation division. Niles is one of Puget Sound's leading opponents of rail transit. He works with gadgetbahn professor Jerry Schneider at the Public Interest Transportation Forum.

Niles also works with Emory Bundy of Coalition for Effective Transportation Alternatives (CETA) to oppose LRT. Emory Bundy, the former head of a now defunct PRT company called "Pathfinder Systems" claims to be an "environmental activist" and likes to tell people how much he rides a bicycle. Here's Bundy on a local Televison show, railing against rail for the Downtown Seattle Republican Club:

J. Edward Anderson Promotes PRT Plan of Convicted Felon

From a recent J. Edward Anderson paper on the ATRA website. Direct link to PDF HERE.

Figure 8 shows an application of PRT in Minneapolis, which was laid out and has been promoted by a Minneapolis City Councilman.

That councilman is convicted felon Gary Dean Zimmermann.

Here's the professor with another jailbird:

Republican Caucus Approved of Rep. Mark Olson's Gadgetbahning

The Minnesota Republican House Caucus that kicked Olson out recently was once very supportive of his anti-rail transit, pro-PRT campaign as this House GOP press releasefrom 2001 shows:

NEWS RELEASE

District 19 Legislators to Host Transportation Town Hall Meeting

(ST. PAUL) Representative Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township), Representative Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) and Senator Mark Ourada (R-Buffalo) will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 20 to discuss transportation issues for Wright and Sherburne counties. The meeting will be held in the Big Lake High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Informal questions will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Among those attending the meeting will be Dr. Lynn Woodward and Dr. J. Edward Anderson, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota from 1963 to 1986. Dr. Anderson will address the transportation option known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT).

"We want to keep area residents informed as to the technological developments of transportation systems," said Rep. Olson. "The public should be made aware so that all options are considered. I hope many citizens will turn out for this important informational meeting."

That's just one year after the Raytheon boondoggle went bust:

Raytheon pulls out of rapid transit plan

By Ross Kerber, Globe Staff, 3/29/2000

It may take a bit longer to catch Taxi 2000.

Some transit planners still swoon over the design, an ambitious monorail-like system that would send three-seat cars zipping around urban areas at up to 80 miles an hour on elevated tracks. In 1993, Raytheon Co. said it would invest $20 million to build a test track in Marlborough, in a partnership with the Taxi 2000 engineering firm. At the time, defense contractor Raytheon touted the deal as part of its effort to diversify. But the firm has renewed its military focus since then, and yesterday said it has exited what it calls the ''personal rapid transit'' business.

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Raytheon also said it has taken a $6 million charge to ''dispose of'' the test track, a one-third-mile outdoor loop built near a company parking lot. A spokeswoman couldn't be more specific about the track's fate, though she said it was part of a number of cost-cutting steps Raytheon took after a series of financial warnings and slowing sales. Executives were not immediately available to discuss the move, she said.

The end of Raytheon's support might be seen as a setback to Taxi 2000 president J. Edward Anderson, a retired mechanical engineering professor who taught at Boston University and the University of Minnesota.

But Anderson, reached at home near Minneapolis, says he's glad for the 
chance to seek new partners and is in discussions with another company, which he declined to name.

... because it probably didn't exist ...

The electric-powered, computer-controlled system Anderson proposes would be cheaper than light rail and environmentally cleaner than building more freeways and automobiles, he said.

Anderson estimates Raytheon spent nearly $45 million developing and 
marketing the project since 1993.

 

... 45 million freekin' dollars!!! ...

He said the three test cars it built, at 5,000 pounds apiece, were far too heavy. ''We lost eight years'' working with Raytheon, he said. ''But we're going to recover.''

One supporter is Ed Porter, a member of the Santa Cruz, Calif., planning commission who says he will urge that a personal rapid-transit system such as Taxi 2000 be included in a mass-transit study the city is now preparing.

Some oppose the idea because it would involve building elevated tracks 
down city streets, but Porter is unfazed: ''As much as you could improve bus or rail service, it doesn't look like they're going to get the job done alone,'' he said.

Now Porter worries Raytheon's move could harm his case.

''I was hoping to come visit,'' he said.

Raytheon's PRT still exists in this online cornucopia of Gadgetbahn concepts... and on Google maps:



I expect more Gadgetbahn scams in response to growing public concern over Global Warming and Peak Oil.

Here's a good article on a gadgetbahn project in Alameda.

Rep. Mark Olson and Michele Bachmann Owe Minnesota Taxpayers an Explanation

Laurie Blake in the Star Tribune:

Four years ago, leaders in Eden Prairie and Minnetonka resisted a planned light-rail line as an intrusion into suburbia. Now they think it's long overdue.

Why? Because reporters like Laurie Blake and Britt Robson listened to the PRTistas and reported their lies about PRT being better than LRT.

But, now things are different because...

...the popularity of the Hiawatha Line, which opened between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America in 2004, changed attitudes, said county planner Katie Walker.

...now, Laurie Blake who helped the PRTistas delay planning for LRT for years by spreading their anti-LRT message concedes that every tick of the clock means increasing costs for new LRT lines...

If the Southwest Corridor and the other lines are put off until after 2020, inflation will "eat you alive," said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, chairman of a metro counties transit alliance. "We need to do more, faster. Otherwise it's going to cost more and we are going to leave people sitting in congestion for more and more years."

PRTistas like Bachmann, Olson and Phil Krinkie call themselves fiscal conservatives, but they are responsible for a delay in LRT planning and construction that will cost Minnesota taxpayers millions, perhaps billions more dollars because of inflation.

Here's an edited audio clip of Bachmann friend and Taxi 2000 lobbyist, Ed Cain testifying for Rep. Mark Olson's PRT bills back in 2005:

Another Wacky Mark Olson Movie

Here he is again, repeating the nonsense the voices in his head keep telling him to say:

Rep. Mark Olson Gave Homeschoolers Personal Rapid Transit "Workshop" in 2005

A homeschooled student gave this account of a Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators-sponsored "Legislative Training Day Workshop" in 2005:

"After lunch we spent a good portion of the afternoon participating in a mock committee hearing at which Representative Mark Olson introduced the Personal Rapid Transit Bill as the author. Former Representative John Tuma played the role of committee chairman, and we students had the opportunity to question the author and debate the bill in our roles as "representatives." This really gave us the feeling of what it would be like to be a legislator."

Personal Rapid Transit Proponents Muddy Peak Oil and Global Warming Debate.

When the Saint Cloud Times endorsed Jim Huhtala, they criticized Rep. Mark Olson for muddying the debate over the Northstar commuter rail with PRT.

"...Olson, who in 14 years of legislative service has cast more than his share of truly confusing votes and taken some bizarre stands on issue. Tops on the list: He opposes Northstar but supports personal rapid transit, a yet-unproven transit system involving individual cars on yet-to-be-built tracks."

The rapid depletion of petroleum supplies and global warming are serious issues that share one common solution; a decrease in our dependence on fossil fuels.

One part of that solution is a greater public investment in rail transit. Although trains use power derived from fossil fuels, trains are far more efficient. Transit-oriented development is more pedestrian-friendly, allowing people to be less dependent on automobiles.

There are so many websites promoting PRT and other phony "gadgetbahn" transportation concepts. Here's a new one, that brazenly presents itself as a solution to global warming and Peak Oil.... Smart Skyways:

SmartSkyways is seeking a $15 Million joint venture partner to assist us in engineering and building a sales model fn Colorado for our Automated Guideway Transport (AGT).  We will then market our technology for a $5 billion Franchise in the State of Colorado as shown under the routes button. Someday we want to compete for various routes world wide.

Smart Skyways is linked to other websites such as Beyond Oil USA and a grandiose real estate venture called Airpark Village in Fort Collins, Colorado which has gotten the usual puffy media treatment from the news media:

A futuristic 50-block green-research hub is planned for the city. The $1 billion campus would be “a community for the new creative class.”

The promoter of Airpark Village is a wacky real estate developer named Lloyd Goff.

There will always be guys like Goff and Olson around to confuse and bamboozle the public about real transportation choices. It's time the major news media stop publishing gee-whiz puff pieces about PRT. If Global warming and the depleting supply of petroleum are not seriously addressed soon, there will be dire consequences for future generations.

Mark Olson couldn't care less about future generations. He has no children of his own. Olson exploited his step-children in his campaign literature. He beat up the mother of those 2 children (and lied about defending himself against her). After he beat up the mother of those kids, Olson ran away and hid in a church school. At his araignment, Olson cried and clutched a Bible. When confronted by the media, Olson cowardly refused to answer questions. He abused the justice system by delaying his court date so he can keep collecting a check from the Minnesota taxpayers for as long as he can.

That's the sort of person who promotes PRT.

Heidi Olson's Sister Says Rep, Mark Olson's Attorney Told "False Story"

Rep. Mark Olsons sister-in-law has an LTE in today's West Sherburne Tribune::

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Reader: Standards needed

TO THE EDITOR:

I am proud of my sister, Heidi Olson, and her decision not to try to influence the public by making statements about the incidents which landed Mark Olson in jail. However, after attending the latest hearing on Feb. 9, I heard Olson's lawyer tell a reporter the false story that Heidi "came after Olson and he was trying to control the situation". Perhaps a weak case has led him to apply this tactic. It is misperceptions like that which hopefully will be brought out in court, when persons testifying are under oath.

It is my hope that the people of Sherburne County will agree that physical violence is never warranted or justified. In my 32 plus years of marriage, my husband has never been physically aggressive with me. I don't think I could do anything that would cause him to act that way. Unless there is a common agreement and a standard about domestic violence, there is not much more that can be said.

Holli Rebney

Minnetonka, MN

Rep, Mark Olson needs open the Bible he clutches in front of the news media and read the 9th Commandment-- "Thou shalt not bear false witness.... "

Senator Ken Jacobsen is Another Idiotic PRT-Promoting Nutcase

The Seattle Times:

OLYMPIA -- Sen. Ken Jacobsen doesn't own a dog, but wants everyone else to be able to take theirs into a bar.

He also wants companies to pay for roomier airline seats when they fly employees long distances, and the state to designate Oct. 9 as Leif Erikson Day and name the Garry oak the state oak tree. Then there's his idea of a state poet laureate. Washington should have one and give the bard a firkin of beer.

For the most part, he's serious. All 99 bills he's introduced since the session opened in January -- more than any other lawmaker in the state Legislature -- serve a purpose, the Seattle Democrat said, even if most of them die.

"I'm into the theory of chaos. And in the theory of chaos, if this particle exists and this one comes into existence and this one doesn't know that one exists? It still affects the behavior of that one," he said, moving his hands around as if they were giant particles.

Of course, one of Senator Ken Jacobsen's 99 bills is for Personal Rapid Transit.

Friday is Crazy Rep. Mark Olson Video Day

Every Friday... another wacky video starring jailbird legislator Mark Olson. Today's feature flick shows Mark Olson trying to explain why he opposes Northstar:

Two Letters to the Editor from Crazy Rep. Mark Olson

Olson's first letter LTE to the West Sherburne Tribune is a bunch of lame excuses about why he chose the last date offered by the judge for his trial... not too interesting, but the next letter is classic Mark Olson.

Mark Olson compares himself to... get this... John Quincy Adams !!!:

...It should be highlighted that Mr. Beckfeld not only missed the mark by his lack of supporting facts, but also by his definition of effectiveness. Please consider this historical example.

John Quincy Adams, after being president of the United States, served for 18 years in Congress. Then Congressman Adams served in a pro-slavery Congress as an ardent opponent of slavery and became known as the "Hellhound of Slavery". During those 18 years he served 14 years under a gag order from his colleagues that kept him from introducing more petitions against slavery.

In 1839 Congressman Adams had introduced a plan to gradually eliminate slavery in six years, which at the time was over 20 years before the Civil War. This measure too failed and by today's standards for success Congressman Adams was a failure.

However, Congressman Adam's great success was his persistence in doing what is right in the right spirit. In response to his detractors who also raised concerns about his efforts, he is known for having said: "Duty is ours; results are God's." If Congress had been successful to see the truth behind Congressman Adam's Anti-Slavery proposal; America's bloodiest war ever could have been avoided with 600,000 lives saved, and freedom established for all.

For the future I'd like to welcome people to continue writing with their challenges and concerns. Public dialogue is vitally important and healthy for our free society. Especially when the challenges are principle and fact based without rhetorical statements of disparagement. Either of which I purpose to be grateful for with hope that the people are patient and considerate of the truth in the end of each public discourse. Thank you and May God bless America again!

Rep. Mark Olson

Big Lake, MN

Yep, when you think of the sixth president of the United States of America, doesn't Rep. Mark Olson immediately come to mind? Doesn't John Quincy Adam's opposition to slavery remind you of Rep. Mark Olson's "placing" of his wife on the ground 3 times?

Tom Beckfeld has another letter. Tom makes this excellent point about the wife-"placing" legislator from Big Lake:

If I made a statement about Rep. Olson that is not true I would be obliged to apologize and do everything I can to correct my error. I don't believe I've done so. I'm sure that this paper has not done so. However, if what has been said and written is true and makes Rep. Olson appear on the fringe, then maybe he is.