Comments on: Senator Diaz: Sticking It to Transit Riders and Proud of It http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: zach http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67778 zach Tue, 12 May 2009 07:57:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67778 Free bridges! Free subways! Free taxis! Free pizza! Free bridges! Free subways! Free taxis! Free pizza!

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67725 J. Mork Mon, 11 May 2009 13:53:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67725 I prayed and prayed for Diaz, but he still ended up screwing his constituents and the rest of the city. I prayed and prayed for Diaz, but he still ended up screwing his constituents and the rest of the city.

]]> By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67710 Ian Turner Sun, 10 May 2009 23:42:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67710 Annonymouse — say what!? Annonymouse — say what!?

]]> By: Annonymouse http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67707 Annonymouse Sun, 10 May 2009 18:11:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67707 So then your issues with Senator Diaz are your intolerance for his religion. You just hate Pentecostals - say it - why beat around the bush? You mask your attacks against his religious convictions with the bridge toll issue. Come out from under those hoods! And know that despite your bigotry, many will be praying for you. So then your issues with Senator Diaz are your intolerance for his religion. You just hate Pentecostals - say it - why beat around the bush?

You mask your attacks against his religious convictions with the bridge toll issue.

Come out from under those hoods!

And know that despite your bigotry, many will be praying for you.

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67692 Cap'n Transit Sun, 10 May 2009 01:57:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67692 One small correction: with the tolls proposed by Ravitch and Silver, there would still have been a fare hike of about this size, but only one. No rental-car or taxi surcharges. That said, I agree with the rest of your argument, BurnInHellDiaz! One small correction: with the tolls proposed by Ravitch and Silver, there would still have been a fare hike of about this size, but only one. No rental-car or taxi surcharges.

That said, I agree with the rest of your argument, BurnInHellDiaz!

]]> By: BurnInHellDiaz http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67691 BurnInHellDiaz Sun, 10 May 2009 01:23:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67691 Annonymouse, I don't think you really get the whole thrust of the debate here. The bridge tolls would have offset fare hikes. Without the tolls, you were left with an anemic transit package that still gives you THREE fare hikes over the next few years. Bridge tolls are a good thing... as someone above said, Diaz's district is not a car-dependent district. Fare hikes will hurt his constituents, bridge tolls would help them. Diaz is on a Pentacostal power trip, pure and simple. This issue, gay marriage, and the whole Malcolm Smith brouhaha showed him to be a naked power player only interested in himself (and God). Annonymouse, I don't think you really get the whole thrust of the debate here. The bridge tolls would have offset fare hikes. Without the tolls, you were left with an anemic transit package that still gives you THREE fare hikes over the next few years. Bridge tolls are a good thing... as someone above said, Diaz's district is not a car-dependent district. Fare hikes will hurt his constituents, bridge tolls would help them.

Diaz is on a Pentacostal power trip, pure and simple. This issue, gay marriage, and the whole Malcolm Smith brouhaha showed him to be a naked power player only interested in himself (and God).

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67669 vnm Fri, 08 May 2009 21:56:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67669 Annonymouse, I guess we have to go over the basics. The fares would not be raised as high if the tolls were put on the bridges, as has been said for the past five months. A certain amount of money needs to be raised. You can either tax polluting motorists or enviornmentally friendly transit riders to raise that amount. We've chosen to let the polluters get a free pass. Annonymouse, I guess we have to go over the basics. The fares would not be raised as high if the tolls were put on the bridges, as has been said for the past five months. A certain amount of money needs to be raised. You can either tax polluting motorists or enviornmentally friendly transit riders to raise that amount. We've chosen to let the polluters get a free pass.

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67647 Cap'n Transit Fri, 08 May 2009 15:22:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67647 <blockquote>What about Simcha Felder who was 100% against the proposed bridge tolls? Or Nydia Velasquez? Or Kevin Parker? Are they also boogie-men?</blockquote> No, they're mean-spirited elitists.

What about Simcha Felder who was 100% against the proposed bridge tolls? Or Nydia Velasquez? Or Kevin Parker? Are they also boogie-men?

No, they're mean-spirited elitists.

]]> By: Annonymouse http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67646 Annonymouse Fri, 08 May 2009 15:17:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67646 VNM might want to attend the next MTA public hearing and actually listen to our neighbors who view things from a very different perspective than the fairy tale "detailed" above. (Love the stats!) The facts are that the MTA was going to raise the subway and bus fares much more than what is happening - and they were going to stick it to motorists to take their too by adding tolls on inter-borough bridges. These hikes would do incredible damage to many communities and small businesses in the City, although they might not impact the lives of the mean-spirited elitists on this board. We have to thank the people who stood strong alongside Senator Diaz and prevented the these additional fees that folks can't afford especially during these very hard times. How come they aren't under fire here like Senator Diaz is? What about Simcha Felder who was 100% against the proposed bridge tolls? Or Nydia Velasquez? Or Kevin Parker? Are they also boogie-men? And again, where is the federal stimulus money that was announced to rescue NYS this past winter so that all would be well? How come there is no outage about the flood of $ that went to Staten Island? Why don't you guys keep your eye on the prize and transfer your energy into being productive? VNM might want to attend the next MTA public hearing and actually listen to our neighbors who view things from a very different perspective than the fairy tale "detailed" above. (Love the stats!)

The facts are that the MTA was going to raise the subway and bus fares much more than what is happening - and they were going to stick it to motorists to take their too by adding tolls on inter-borough bridges. These hikes would do incredible damage to many communities and small businesses in the City, although they might not impact the lives of the mean-spirited elitists on this board.

We have to thank the people who stood strong alongside Senator Diaz and prevented the these additional fees that folks can't afford especially during these very hard times. How come they aren't under fire here like Senator Diaz is?

What about Simcha Felder who was 100% against the proposed bridge tolls? Or Nydia Velasquez? Or Kevin Parker? Are they also boogie-men?

And again, where is the federal stimulus money that was announced to rescue NYS this past winter so that all would be well? How come there is no outage about the flood of $ that went to Staten Island? Why don't you guys keep your eye on the prize and transfer your energy into being productive?

]]> By: Dan Berkman http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67633 Dan Berkman Fri, 08 May 2009 12:55:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67633 I don't love Bloomberg but at least he seems to understand that sometimes it's more important to have the city function well rather then score cheap political points. I guess my ego just isn't threatened by short rich guys from Manhattan. I don't love Bloomberg but at least he seems to understand that sometimes it's more important to have the city function well rather then score cheap political points. I guess my ego just isn't threatened by short rich guys from Manhattan.

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67632 vnm Fri, 08 May 2009 12:53:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67632 Annonymouse raises a good point about the MTA: Where is the money going?? Well, 98% of the wages and salaries go to the 70,000 working class and middle class men and women who build, operate and maintain the greatest public transportation network in the western hemisphere. These people get 2% of the public and media attention for what they do. The other 2% of the wages and salaries go to the management executives who get 98% of the public attention. While it's fun and easy to bash the MTA, it is worth remembering that (unlike the happy motoring utopia) most of its money returns to the local economy, and to our neighbors. Annonymouse raises a good point about the MTA: Where is the money going??

Well, 98% of the wages and salaries go to the 70,000 working class and middle class men and women who build, operate and maintain the greatest public transportation network in the western hemisphere. These people get 2% of the public and media attention for what they do. The other 2% of the wages and salaries go to the management executives who get 98% of the public attention.

While it's fun and easy to bash the MTA, it is worth remembering that (unlike the happy motoring utopia) most of its money returns to the local economy, and to our neighbors.

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67628 vnm Fri, 08 May 2009 11:59:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67628 Mark Walker, I like your theory. Annonymouse adds another theory: He sacrificed his constituents to get back at Bloomberg. Mark Walker, I like your theory. Annonymouse adds another theory: He sacrificed his constituents to get back at Bloomberg.

]]> By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67619 Ian Turner Fri, 08 May 2009 03:11:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67619 Annonymouse, Can you explain to us in what way Mr. Diaz "prevented the MTA's further rip off"? I'm interested in this novel theory. Annonymouse,

Can you explain to us in what way Mr. Diaz "prevented the MTA's further rip off"? I'm interested in this novel theory.

]]> By: Annonymouse http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67617 Annonymouse Fri, 08 May 2009 01:51:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67617 Sticking it to the transit rider? Are you kidding? Are any of these commentators even from Senator Diaz's district? Are these commentators who seem to have lots of issues with a Senator who won with 99% of his district's vote paid off by the Mayor? It must get boring to sit in the cheap seats with the rest of the congestion pricing crew and toss out glib and baseless comments instead of working hard to make a difference in the world. Why don't you pick on Senator Schumer who proudly announced the large amounts of federal transportation surplus money that was supposed to save the day for NY? Why don't you pick on Mayor Bloomberg for giving Staten Island a ga-jillion dollars for their shovel ready ramp for the ferry - instead of using that money for the City's transportation needs? Oops - forgot, these commentators may be Friends of Bloomberg. We must not upset them. We must not disagree with an angry b-b-b-billionaire or his friends. Remember how he publicly humiliated the reporter in the wheelchair? Senator Diaz fought a great fight against bridge tolls and preventing the MTA's further rip off of NY'ers. The tolls are less than expected by anyone. He won. His constituents are delighted. So are many NY'ers. Sticking it to the transit rider? Are you kidding? Are any of these commentators even from Senator Diaz's district? Are these commentators who seem to have lots of issues with a Senator who won with 99% of his district's vote paid off by the Mayor?

It must get boring to sit in the cheap seats with the rest of the congestion pricing crew and toss out glib and baseless comments instead of working hard to make a difference in the world.

Why don't you pick on Senator Schumer who proudly announced the large amounts of federal transportation surplus money that was supposed to save the day for NY?

Why don't you pick on Mayor Bloomberg for giving Staten Island a ga-jillion dollars for their shovel ready ramp for the ferry - instead of using that money for the City's transportation needs?

Oops - forgot, these commentators may be Friends of Bloomberg. We must not upset them. We must not disagree with an angry b-b-b-billionaire or his friends. Remember how he publicly humiliated the reporter in the wheelchair?

Senator Diaz fought a great fight against bridge tolls and preventing the MTA's further rip off of NY'ers. The tolls are less than expected by anyone. He won. His constituents are delighted. So are many NY'ers.

]]> By: Ian Dutton http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67611 Ian Dutton Fri, 08 May 2009 00:43:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67611 Thanks, Streetsblog, for exposing this clown for as the dangerous threat to his constituents that he is proud to be. Remind me why I wanted a Dem majority in the state senate again? Can I take that back? Thanks, Streetsblog, for exposing this clown for as the dangerous threat to his constituents that he is proud to be.

Remind me why I wanted a Dem majority in the state senate again? Can I take that back?

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67596 Glenn Thu, 07 May 2009 21:07:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67596 Pure Comedy. Pure Tragedy. What is a "toll" anyway? <blockquote>\t?l\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Vulgar Latin *tolonium, alteration of Late Latin telonium customhouse, from Greek tol?nion, from tel?n?s collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll; perhaps akin to Greek tl?nai to bear Date: before 12th century 1: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge) 2: compensation for services rendered: as a: a charge for transportation</blockquote> Funny, it certainly feels like I get charged a "toll" everytime I enter the subway or bus system. Does that not count Sen. Diaz? Maybe we should all cruise for parking around his block all night? Pure Comedy. Pure Tragedy.

What is a "toll" anyway?

\t?l\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Vulgar Latin *tolonium, alteration of Late Latin telonium customhouse, from Greek tol?nion, from tel?n?s collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll; perhaps akin to Greek tl?nai to bear
Date: before 12th century
1: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)
2: compensation for services rendered: as a: a charge for transportation

Funny, it certainly feels like I get charged a "toll" everytime I enter the subway or bus system. Does that not count Sen. Diaz?

Maybe we should all cruise for parking around his block all night?

]]> By: Eric McClure http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67595 Eric McClure Thu, 07 May 2009 21:06:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67595 Yeah, Diaz did it for his constituents. The same way the new Yankee Stadium is for the constituents. How are all those new parks coming along? Yeah, Diaz did it for his constituents. The same way the new Yankee Stadium is for the constituents. How are all those new parks coming along?

]]> By: James http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67594 James Thu, 07 May 2009 20:56:32 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67594 Anyone else feel like they are watching a one-man SNL skit whenever this guy opens his mouth? Why would someone who is clearly anti transit (and anti gay?) represent a state senate district in New York City? This guy's stance is so outlandish, so at odds with the needs of his constituents, that it makes you wonder who it is he owes favors to. Anyone else feel like they are watching a one-man SNL skit whenever this guy opens his mouth? Why would someone who is clearly anti transit (and anti gay?) represent a state senate district in New York City? This guy's stance is so outlandish, so at odds with the needs of his constituents, that it makes you wonder who it is he owes favors to.

]]> By: Ann http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67583 Ann Thu, 07 May 2009 18:46:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67583 Ruben Diaz Sr's comments make for some great drinking games. Bad arithmetic? Drink. Showing pride for ignoring his constituents? Drink. Words coming out of his mouth not making any sense? Drink! Ruben Diaz Sr's comments make for some great drinking games. Bad arithmetic? Drink. Showing pride for ignoring his constituents? Drink. Words coming out of his mouth not making any sense? Drink!

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/07/diaz-sr-proud-of-sticking-it-to-transit-riders/comment-page-1/#comment-67582 Urbanis Thu, 07 May 2009 18:22:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6090#comment-67582 His fantasy-land version of the Bronx has no transit riders, no gay residents, and no one who isn't an evangelical Christian. His fantasy-land version of the Bronx has no transit riders, no gay residents, and no one who isn't an evangelical Christian.

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