Comments on: Budnick v. Anderson on “Talk of the Nation” This Afternoon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steven Vance http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55693 Steven Vance Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:39:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55693 More information on Chicago's new double decker bike parking at transit stations: http://cdotbikes.tumblr.com/post/43060733/more-bike-parking-at-cta-stations More information on Chicago’s new double decker bike parking at transit stations:
http://cdotbikes.tumblr.com/post/43060733/more-bike-parking-at-cta-stations

]]> By: Max Rockatansky http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55685 Max Rockatansky Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:19:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55685 While the hyperbole is running high this merits closer scrutiny. I think you can argue that the judge's ruling was incredibly poor if not outright prejudiced. How does the installation of a bike rack mandate an environmental report? I could see if he stopped parts of the bike plan but to freeze everything seems unreasonable, much like Mr. Anderson. While the hyperbole is running high this merits closer scrutiny. I think you can argue that the judge’s ruling was incredibly poor if not outright prejudiced. How does the installation of a bike rack mandate an environmental report? I could see if he stopped parts of the bike plan but to freeze everything seems unreasonable, much like Mr. Anderson.

]]> By: Evan http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55675 Evan Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:41:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55675 I listened to that interview live. Was I swayed? No, not really. Rob Anderson is just another person who is exploiting both the law and the emotions of the general public. Should cities have to do an EIA if they want to install a crosswalk, because it might slow cars down and make them use more gas to accelerate again? The same could be said for stop signs and stop lights. You could even go so far as to include the construction delays that happen when you widen a road (and of course the "induced traffic" that will use it). I'd like to see a requirement that every car purchaser do an EIA before they buy a car. More cars means more traffic, more gas used, more pollution, etc. Anything that makes it easier to put another car on the road should be subject to the same test. What is the potential impact of choosing between a Prius and an SUV? What is the potential environmental impact of a gas tax holiday? What is the environmental impact of a mcmansion in the suburbs vs more compact living in the city? I could go on... I listened to that interview live. Was I swayed? No, not really. Rob Anderson is just another person who is exploiting both the law and the emotions of the general public. Should cities have to do an EIA if they want to install a crosswalk, because it might slow cars down and make them use more gas to accelerate again? The same could be said for stop signs and stop lights. You could even go so far as to include the construction delays that happen when you widen a road (and of course the “induced traffic” that will use it).

I’d like to see a requirement that every car purchaser do an EIA before they buy a car. More cars means more traffic, more gas used, more pollution, etc. Anything that makes it easier to put another car on the road should be subject to the same test. What is the potential impact of choosing between a Prius and an SUV? What is the potential environmental impact of a gas tax holiday? What is the environmental impact of a mcmansion in the suburbs vs more compact living in the city? I could go on…

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55671 Spud Spudly Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:31:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55671 A judge applies a law against a set of facts and it's corruption? The info provided here fails to establish that. Anderson may be an undesirable weirdo but he does have the law on his side. If the city wants to make traffic changes in 240 locations then it deserves a full environmental review. In the end some kind of bike plan will be enacted, perhaps one that's better overall than what was proposed before the full review. It's not unreasonable to assume that while the overall regional effect of a bike plan may be beneficial it may in some local areas increase traffic and pollution. If you lived in one of those local areas you'd want to know what alternatives exist to mitigate that. It's definitely not like planting a tree in an open field. A judge applies a law against a set of facts and it’s corruption? The info provided here fails to establish that.

Anderson may be an undesirable weirdo but he does have the law on his side. If the city wants to make traffic changes in 240 locations then it deserves a full environmental review. In the end some kind of bike plan will be enacted, perhaps one that’s better overall than what was proposed before the full review. It’s not unreasonable to assume that while the overall regional effect of a bike plan may be beneficial it may in some local areas increase traffic and pollution. If you lived in one of those local areas you’d want to know what alternatives exist to mitigate that. It’s definitely not like planting a tree in an open field.

]]> By: Peter http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55636 Peter Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55636 I don't see this having much of anything to do with Rob Anderson - he's one person who filed a lawsuit -- big deal. Focusing all this attention on him draws it away from the folks who really deserve it - Judge Peter Busch and Mayor Gavin Newsom. Judge Peter Busch perverted justice in an extreme manner when he forced a continuation of a full injunction against any and all implementation of the bike plan - a decision that will surely go down as one of the most unforgivable and unforgettable in the history of San Francisco political corruption. And Judge Busch has had the support of Mayor Gavin Newsom and his staff ever since. How long before we get an environmental review? Are we really talking years, not weeks? And no city legal challenge to the injunction? It's pure political corruption, nothing more. That we haven't been able to pressure Newsom and the Supes into getting the injunction lifted is a black mark against us, and we need to do more and better to make it happen. I say we start holding Newsom accountable, since he's the one doing the most to hold us up right now. This guy's been skating for way too long. Yep - we need to organize better. Count me in. :-D I don’t see this having much of anything to do with Rob Anderson – he’s one person who filed a lawsuit — big deal. Focusing all this attention on him draws it away from the folks who really deserve it – Judge Peter Busch and Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Judge Peter Busch perverted justice in an extreme manner when he forced a continuation of a full injunction against any and all implementation of the bike plan – a decision that will surely go down as one of the most unforgivable and unforgettable in the history of San Francisco political corruption.

And Judge Busch has had the support of Mayor Gavin Newsom and his staff ever since. How long before we get an environmental review? Are we really talking years, not weeks? And no city legal challenge to the injunction? It’s pure political corruption, nothing more.

That we haven’t been able to pressure Newsom and the Supes into getting the injunction lifted is a black mark against us, and we need to do more and better to make it happen. I say we start holding Newsom accountable, since he’s the one doing the most to hold us up right now. This guy’s been skating for way too long. Yep – we need to organize better. Count me in. :-D

]]> By: Andy Thornley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55634 Andy Thornley Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:04:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55634 Thanks for speaking up for common sense and reality, Noah, we're pretty sick of Mr. Anderson's ill-gotten celebrity out here in SF, and we're pretty sick of California's environmental protection law being used as a cudgel by NIMBYs to obstruct bike/ped/transit improvements. For those who want to dig deeper into the lawsuit and how CEQA works as an automobility crutch, see the SFBC website archives: http://sfbike.org/?bikeplan_lawsuit#nub Be sure to catch this account of Rob and Mary's earlier escapades in rural Mendocino County (north of San Francisco) where they learned how to harass environmentalists with environmental regulations (scroll to second half of article): http://sfweekly.com/2006-09-27/news/troublesome-pastimes/full I'll be climbing in the national media cage (ABC TV) with Rob on Thursday, it's sad to see this little man get so much regard from "news" people, as if his coalition had more than one member, but we'll keep talking sense and let him hang himself with those bonehead quotes . . . --Andy-- Thanks for speaking up for common sense and reality, Noah, we’re pretty sick of Mr. Anderson’s ill-gotten celebrity out here in SF, and we’re pretty sick of California’s environmental protection law being used as a cudgel by NIMBYs to obstruct bike/ped/transit improvements. For those who want to dig deeper into the lawsuit and how CEQA works as an automobility crutch, see the SFBC website archives:

http://sfbike.org/?bikeplan_lawsuit#nub

Be sure to catch this account of Rob and Mary’s earlier escapades in rural Mendocino County (north of San Francisco) where they learned how to harass environmentalists with environmental regulations (scroll to second half of article):

http://sfweekly.com/2006-09-27/news/troublesome-pastimes/full

I’ll be climbing in the national media cage (ABC TV) with Rob on Thursday, it’s sad to see this little man get so much regard from “news” people, as if his coalition had more than one member, but we’ll keep talking sense and let him hang himself with those bonehead quotes . . .

–Andy–

]]> By: Rich Wilson http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55630 Rich Wilson Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:28:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55630 @Josh When 200 economists signed a letter opposing the 'gas tax holiday', Clinton said "I'm not going to put my lot in with economists". I can't find McCain's quote right now, but it was similar. @Josh

When 200 economists signed a letter opposing the ‘gas tax holiday’, Clinton said “I’m not going to put my lot in with economists”. I can’t find McCain’s quote right now, but it was similar.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55626 Josh Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:41:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55626 "Ha! Did anyone else listen? After Noah Budnick cited statistics and expert evidence on how transportation is not a zero-sum game, Rob Anderson closed his remarks with "well... I don't trust the experts."" AWELFKJALCVMALWEKRHASYUKdfaqq32478r80q9275!@#!@%$!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god this make me so mad. There is no element of the zeitgeist in the United States in this decade that infuriates me more than rampant anti-intellectualism. Why do we worship idiocy and ignorance so? “Ha! Did anyone else listen? After Noah Budnick cited statistics and expert evidence on how transportation is not a zero-sum game, Rob Anderson closed his remarks with “well… I don’t trust the experts.”"

AWELFKJALCVMALWEKRHASYUKdfaqq32478r80q9275!@#!@%$!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my god this make me so mad. There is no element of the zeitgeist in the United States in this decade that infuriates me more than rampant anti-intellectualism. Why do we worship idiocy and ignorance so?

]]> By: eLK http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55621 eLK Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:40:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55621 Rob Anderson says he's a sceptic. He wants a study but says he dislikes experts and their studies. What a bore. Or is that NIMBY? Rob Anderson says he’s a sceptic. He wants a study but says he dislikes experts and their studies.

What a bore. Or is that NIMBY?

]]> By: Eric McClure http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55620 Eric McClure Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:27:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55620 Jesus, could Lynn Neary be any more anti-cyclist? And this is NPR. Imagine if Sean Hannity were hosting this discussion. Jesus, could Lynn Neary be any more anti-cyclist? And this is NPR. Imagine if Sean Hannity were hosting this discussion.

]]> By: Chris O'Leary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55618 Chris O'Leary Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:21:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55618 Ha! Did anyone else listen? After Noah Budnick cited statistics and expert evidence on how transportation is not a zero-sum game, Rob Anderson closed his remarks with "well... I don't trust the experts." So I should trust a wacko shut-in from San Francisco instead? Ha! Did anyone else listen? After Noah Budnick cited statistics and expert evidence on how transportation is not a zero-sum game, Rob Anderson closed his remarks with “well… I don’t trust the experts.”

So I should trust a wacko shut-in from San Francisco instead?

]]> By: Jason http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55617 Jason Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:31:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55617 Damn. It's a sad day when legal protections designed to protect the environment are being used to maintain an environmentally irresponsible status quo. Here's a metaphor for ya: The city of SF decides they want to plant a tree in an open field. They announce the plan to plant the tree. Mr. Anderson sues, because the city failed to do an environmental impact analysis of the tree planting. The idea that more bicycling may have a negative environmental impact is just as prima facie ridiculous as this scenario. His main response to this will apparently be: 'Cars always will vastly outnumber bikes, so allotting more street space to cyclists could cause more traffic jams, more idling and more pollution.' We've had month after month of declining VMT in this country as oil prices have rose. It's idiotic to suggest that car usage is a constant; immune to the basic economic concept of elasticity. Damn. It’s a sad day when legal protections designed to protect the environment are being used to maintain an environmentally irresponsible status quo.

Here’s a metaphor for ya:

The city of SF decides they want to plant a tree in an open field. They announce the plan to plant the tree. Mr. Anderson sues, because the city failed to do an environmental impact analysis of the tree planting.

The idea that more bicycling may have a negative environmental impact is just as prima facie ridiculous as this scenario.

His main response to this will apparently be:
‘Cars always will vastly outnumber bikes, so allotting more street space to cyclists could cause more traffic jams, more idling and more pollution.’

We’ve had month after month of declining VMT in this country as oil prices have rose. It’s idiotic to suggest that car usage is a constant; immune to the basic economic concept of elasticity.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55615 Mark Walker Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:27:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55615 I respect Anderson for serving 13 months in prison as a war resistor. Like the Cap'n, I wish he'd find a more productive use for his apparently formidable talent. And he's a non-driver! But I also blame the SF government and courts for gutlessly abetting his mindless opposition to non-automotive progress. I respect Anderson for serving 13 months in prison as a war resistor. Like the Cap’n, I wish he’d find a more productive use for his apparently formidable talent. And he’s a non-driver! But I also blame the SF government and courts for gutlessly abetting his mindless opposition to non-automotive progress.

]]> By: jon winston http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55614 jon winston Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:16:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55614 I recorded a podcast of the demo in front of sf city hall http://bikescape.blogspot.com/2008/08/activism-at-city-hall-and-in-streets.html There's also a segment about lobbying the city pols about our sunday streets project and one about anti bike theft photo booths run by the bike coalition. I recorded a podcast of the demo in front of sf city hall

http://bikescape.blogspot.com/2008/08/activism-at-city-hall-and-in-streets.html

There’s also a segment about lobbying the city pols about our sunday streets project and one about anti bike theft photo booths run by the bike coalition.

]]> By: Jym Dyer http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55613 Jym Dyer Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:00:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55613 =v= Debating points? If Anderson is capable of rational debate on the radio, I haven't heard it yet. Kudos to the WSJ for publishing a fake lithograph of the guy rather than frightening the children with an actual photo! http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2007/04/27/MNGJIPGO321.DTL&o=0 =v= Debating points? If Anderson is capable of rational debate on the radio, I haven’t heard it yet. Kudos to the WSJ for publishing a fake lithograph of the guy rather than frightening the children with an actual photo!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2007/04/27/MNGJIPGO321.DTL&o=0

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55612 Cap'n Transit Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:47:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55612 Mr. Anderson... you disappoint me. Seriously, though, the biggest question is: why not do something more productive with your time? Mr. Anderson… you disappoint me.

Seriously, though, the biggest question is: why not do something more productive with your time?

]]> By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55611 Ian Turner Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:43:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55611 For those without audio hardware, transcripts will be available tomorrow morning at 11 AM. For those without audio hardware, transcripts will be available tomorrow morning at 11 AM.

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55610 J. Mork Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:29:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55610 Sorry, it seems I can't read a schedule. Aaron's link says today's show will be available there at 6 pm. My link says it starts at 8 pm. Here's a page that has links to listen live: http://streamingradioguide.com/radio-show.php?show=474 I tested one of them. Sorry, it seems I can’t read a schedule. Aaron’s link says today’s show will be available there at 6 pm.

My link says it starts at 8 pm.

Here’s a page that has links to listen live:

http://streamingradioguide.com/radio-show.php?show=474

I tested one of them.

]]> By: Eric McClure http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55606 Eric McClure Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:12:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55606 Noah shouldn't need luck -- he's got reality on his side. Call in (800) 989-8255 or <a href="http://www.npr.org/contact/totn.html" rel="nofollow">send in a question</a>. Noah shouldn’t need luck — he’s got reality on his side.

Call in (800) 989-8255 or send in a question.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/26/budnick-v-anderson-on-talk-of-the-nation-this-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-55597 Urbanis Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:26:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4461#comment-55597 Good luck to Noah! Good luck to Noah!

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