Blogger Embarassed in PRT Mix-Up

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

*** ******'s current interest in Rep. Mark Olson, religion, sexuality, and whatever they have to do with mass transit brings this exciting news:

Aug. 11 (Holy Christ News Net)-- A two-day blog offensive against Presbyterian Rapture Theology and State Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) was cleared up when the sinner, a Minneapolis-area transit activist, acknowledged that he had meant to criticize another PRT, Personal Rapid Transit, and got confused.

"I was confused," said the activist, who gave his name.

The teapot-tempest began Aug. 10, when the activist quoted 1st Corinthians Ch. 7 as support for his belief that Rep. Olson should cruise for women on trains or buses. "At the time I wrote that, I did not know that that part of Corinthians was actually about the problem of herds of sheep blocking roads in the Corinth metropolitan area, and not about confirmed bachelors at all," said the activist. "Although some kind of mass transit system like LRT, Lutheran Rapid Transit, could have given Corinthians an alternative to herd-jams, so they could leave their chariots at home."

But despite the clarification, the activist still had plenty to question about Presbyterian Rapture Theology. The activist stated, "This elevated form of rapture is bogus! People rising up into the air would be able to see into people's bedroom windows. Ask people in your congregations if they want all the trees on their street cut down, so as not to block ascensions."

He also said that full immersion baptism is "a complete, pathetic waste of time."

"Catholic, 'sprinkle' baptism is a proven, dependable mode of baptism," the activist said. "Full immersion wastes water. It creates a drowning hazard. How do you know the last baptizee didn't pee in the pool? And, uh, it's promoted by beverage companies, who have given large sums of cash to church supply companies."

When asked for proof, he gave reporters the subject line of an e-mail, "Re: Our plan to use up all water on the planet & make everyone drink Snapple." He said he did not have the original message with him.

"I doubt many churches will want to purchase huge baptism pool systems, since the water isn't even heated," he said, holding up an illustrated brochure from the GolgothSpa Pool Company. "Show me where they've installed water heaters in these photos."

Erratum:

This blog has had 1324 visits






gPRT

Kitchen Fire

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

It's often said those who can't stand the heat should get out of the kitchen. In *** ******'s case not only can he not stand the heat (reacting badly to anything he perceives as a personal attack), but he stays in the kitchen (by continuing to dish out abuse at others). In fact, he's setting fire to the restaurant:

:: *** has attacked your Editor: "your voice most likely carries all the tell-tale inflections of a raving crack-pot." This immediately after writing "If you and I lived in England I could sue you for slander and defamation and I'd win." He won't even respond to me anymore (Source, Comment 3).

:: Has attacked a dead man, A. Sheffer Lang, former board member of T2K.

:: Is fascinated with State Senator Michele Bachmann (previously documented) as though she were a bright, shiny object.


Now he's Photoshopping State Rep. Mark Olson's head on Queen Victoria's body, all because two years ago Olson said he thought "Some sex education encourages touching and intimacy. [Young women] need to protect their purity" (emphasis, Source). In addition, *** adds to the smear by asking "So what does Rep. Mark Olson know about "ladies"?", pairing this insinuating question with the data that Olson used to be a "log home builder" (as in Log Cabin Republican? Just asking.) and is unmarried.

Maybe *** missed this part of history class, but Victorian sexual repression, if that's what he's trying to smear Olson with, was about the era, not the monarch. And it was probably all propaganda anyway: promiscuity, drug abuse (such as opium dens) and other illicit activities were probably as widespread then as today. Even the Queen herself had a dalliance, the Scotsman John Brown, although that may never have been consummated--

Hold on, I've lost track: is *** smearing Olson as: a Puritan; a closet case; a bachelor; a constitutional monarch; or poorly educated in British history?

*** ******. He's all about the luv.

Learn more at gPRT

Projectionist has broken spool

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

If you were trying to stop a new invention, what would be your points of attack? Feasibility? Safety? Affordability? Politics?

*** ****** has tried all these, and failed. But over the weekend his private campaign against PRT took perhaps its most bizarre turn yet: now *** is attempting to link PRT to right-wing moralism.

The opening for his attack comes in the form of a two-year old Conservative Tourette's-influenced statement by Minnesota State Rep. Mark Olson, in favor of abstinence-only education curriculum:

"A woman's modesty is her natural protection. Some sex education encourages touching and intimacy. They need to protect their purity."

Olson expressed fear that young women who are taught to safely enjoy their sexuality will become insatiable sexual monsters. "It leads young ladies to be very free with their bodies," he said. "They will be harmed permanently for life. Some people believe that a young woman can grow up and have sex with hundreds and hundreds of men and it's no big deal." Source




Let me interject something here. I have no problem with Biblically-dictated right-wing morality, it's just not for me. As long as those who believe in it use it to live their own lives, as their personal choice and without foisting it upon others, that's fine. More power to 'em.

Clearly, Rep. Olson's personal beliefs have found their way into the public policy process. That is wrong, and I think most people would disagree with that aspect of this issue--maybe even a majority in the district that elected Olson. But maybe not. But even if Olson is merely reflecting the beliefs of his constituents, having those beliefs in law is also wrong.

But this doesn't mean *** is right, for two reasons.

1. Objectively, Olson's ultimate goal, mitigating harmful behavior by female minors that could cause permanent or long term emotional and/or physical harm, is good [1]. Liberals interested in family planning, HIV and STD prevention, etc. would agree with Olson's ends, if not the means. *** seems to be saying that he thinks this is weird.

2. What does PRT, a transit technology, have to do with underage sex, sex education, or sexuality of any kind? The answer is nothing: Mark Olson just happens also to be a PRT supporter. *** is using that age-old trick, guilt by association--Olson believes X; Olson supports Y. Therefore X=Y.

When one looks back at ***'s statements, it's obvious how he attempts to tar PRT using sexual, deviant, anti-social, and even violent imagery. He's the one who has:





:: Tried to say that people call PRT "menage a trois transit" (he's the only one, see August 1). Can you imagine a child Googling PRT for science class reading that? "Mommy, what's a menage a trois?"

:: Said that people riding elevated transit would get "a clear view into... bedroom windows," as though no one owns curtains. Or lives downhill of roads, or other homes, or below taller buildings...

:: Shocked viewers who think they are going to see a legitimate PRT simulation, instead he shows them a poorly animated cartoon of a stereotypical wino throwing up on a family. Is *** saying such things don't happen on transit now? Is he saying it's OK as long as it happens on a train or bus? Is he not compassionate toward alcoholics? Does he even know what he's saying?

:: Photoshopped a female legislator's head onto the body of a dominatrix.

:: Claimed terrorists would use PRT to send bombs, even though his primary target, the T2K Corp., has engineered a Go button that would make sending unattended packages impossible. Is *** saying trains and buses are immune from this danger?




*** has written that PRT supporters are "fearmongers." Sounds like classic projection to me.

Erratum: 967 visits

Ya know, I should try ***'s old trick and end every post with a link to myself. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.



gPRT
------------------
Notes

1. I don't think anyone who isn't currently incarcerated or in costly therapy, or ought to be, truly believes sex with hundreds and hundreds of partners is "fine," as Olson said "some people believe." That has got to be hyperbole, i.e., not to be taken literally.

He Makes You Discuss PRT

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

PRTJJ has a compadre--at least in the ***-mocking department. Check out some of the bon mots lobbed in blogger triple_a's Residual Forces.

Triple_a's blog entry isn't about PRT, PRT isn't even mentioned. The subject is a small group of people who staged a lame media event to show-up Sen. Bachmann.

*** shows up with one of his usual cut & paste posting jobs, and HE brings up the subject of PRT. See? The poor guy MUST talk about PRT, it's like he just can't help it.

This time *** is repeating his tired, disproven, LTO3 claims about the T2K v. Anderson lawsuit and last spring's Minnesota PRT bond proposal.

So triple_a responds: "I am against the boon doggle [sic] of mass transit as a congestion solution."

***, regurgitating a talking point: "PRT is NOT transit. Groups that lobby for transit do not support PRT: ...tlcminnesota.org/Events/2004/Legislatu re/No%20public%20funding %20for%20PRT.pdf"

But being a self-identified transit-opponent and right-winger doesn't make triple_a stupid, he manages to see right through ***'s empty logic as easily as a kindergartner would: "It is transit. Its [sic] in the name for bleeps sake."

PS: In case you forgot-- *** hates it when I don't mention his name, so I don't.

Erratum: 825 visits


gPRT

Opposites attract?

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

***'s web pages and bloggings exhibit an ongoing fascination for Minnesota State Senator Michele Bachmann. It seems to go beyond mere political differences. Gee, I wonder how that got started?

St. Paul, MN
Present Day

Legislative Assistant: Senator Bachmann, you have a phone call.

Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater): Take a message, I'm on my way to a snowflake baby christening.

LA: But it's you-know-who.

SMB: What, again? Tell him I can't talk right now.

LA: But he says he knows you're here.

SMB: How?

LA: Just a sec. Hello, Mr. ******? The senator wants to know how you know she's- Uh huh. Uh huh. Oh. Please hold. He says to say he's watching you, he's always watching you.

SMB: Great. OK, fine, gimme. [takes phone] Hello, ***? Where are you? Across the street... oh. Look, I don't know why you're calling. I told you, it's over between us. There's just no future for a neocon like me and a-- whatever it is you are-- like you. Mary Matalin? Trust me, you're no James Carville. I 'm sorry, that was unfair, I just felt like hurting you; I don't know why.

Yes, I saw your Michele Worship Web Page. Yes, it was lovely, very sweet, but I- let me finish. I can't be with you because of your jealousy.

Don't give me that crap, I know you've been two-timing me with that councilwoman in Rochester. Not to mention Farheen Hakeem!

Dean Zimmerman???!!! He means nothing to me! Jeez, all I did was have one conference call and a couple of committee briefings and you have to get all bent out of shape.

Greens aren't even my type! They have no power, what kind of aphrodisiac is no power? It just isn't sexy. Oh pooh-bear, you do so have power, you're an internationally reknowned- nationally reknowned- regionally- all over the- southern part of the state! Oh, stop it with your self pity!

Look, I'm hanging up. Really. No, I really have to go. No. Don't; don't cry. I can't stand it when- I'm going! Good bye!

Well. At least that's over, once and for-

LA: Senator, capitol security is on the other line. They say *** is across the street. They say... he's holding a boom box over his head. They say we can probably see him out our window.

SMB: [opens window] Is that In Your Eyes?

LA: Someone's got a boyfriend!

SMB: Shut up! I... I think I love him!

gPRT

More PRT Google fun

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

Last Friday I noted that, Googled a certain way, PRTJ et al is a miniscule 1.5% of hits when looking up PRT. This runs contrary to claims by *** and his follower that they are "kicking PRT keyword butt on google, yahoo, msn, wiki,everywhere."

Today I thought I'd share a slightly simpler method to show the insignificance of PRTJ--but one that's still a lot of fun.

:: Google PRT, excluding mentions of PRTJ as much as possible: about 31,300 hits

:: Google PRTJ: about 132 hits

:: PRTJ again, this time excluding self-references (mentions on ***'s own web domains): about 90 hitsUnder this method, we find ***'s PRTJ is mentioned on the web at a frequency 0.29% (90/31,300) that of PRT. Or expressed another way, Personal Rapid Transit is mentioned 348 times more often than PRTJ.



There. Wasn't that fun?

I'm still trying to figure out a way to filter out the hundreds of times that *** has posted his own URL on other people's web sites and blogs.

Errata: 626 visits

Google shows only 8 pages linking directly to PRTJ.

An Army of One

Originally published at "PRT Is A Joke" IS A JOKE v.1
Words written with wildcards (***, !!!, etc.) was the way we originally wrote Ken Avidor, Ken, and Avidor.

In his anti-PRT story "Let's Get Real About Personal Rapid Transit" (2003) at the website of Light Rail Now, the indomitable *** attached the following caption to a photo of a PRT vehicle (emphasis):

"SkyWeb Express/Taxi2000 version of PRT would carry passengers in tiny 3-person pods - leading detractors to christen the system "ménage à trois transit"."

Oh really? Let's Google that! How odd: that caption is the only hit. I guess that makes it "detractor," singular.

Erratum: 568 hits.

gPRT