Unusual restraint by Markie. He doesn't blame Bush until the 7th paragraph.
And in para. 2 it is revealed that the prideful French had to get a Brit to design it.
Until the Islamic terrorists there blow it up.
Let's take up a collection from elitist snobs like Morford and maybe they can come up with the extra money to pay for a breathtaking bridge.
and this
"The Millau bridge is the Jerry Lewis of highway spans. Only Citroens should be allowed on it."-- Le Monde
Sent him an e-mail:
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Mark,
Perhaps you could use your considerable influence in the media to establish a fund to raise the addtional $300 million needed to build a breathtaking bridge instead of a colon-tightening slab, and solicit lump-sum and monthly donations towards that end.
Surely people all over the state with refined aesthetic sensibilities would be more than happy to part with some additional money to build a monument to sublime civil engineering that will endure into the 22nd Century.
You should get in touch with the transportation officials and lead the charge. I'm sure that given the legendary wealth of the Golden State it wouldn't take long to raise the full $300 million and then some.
It might also be an interesting article, or series, to examine the details of the $5 billion cost estimate against those of the other bridges you've cited. There may well be a seamy underbelly of graft and corruption on both sides of the span inflating the estimate, which would make for outstanding investigative reporting fodder.
-Michael Pelletier.
A**hole.
Earth to Pinhead: If beautiful is what you want, you already have the Golden Gate Bridge. If you need to move traffic across water, you don't need a Millau. If you want one, feel free to start a private fund drive.
Better yet, move to France.
...spare no expense...
OK, let me get this straight, it's a bridge right? Don't we create pieces of art for viewing and bridges to aid in transportation from point A to point B? I mean, if I want to view works of beauty, I will go to the art museum, not drive across a frickin bridge. The last thing on my mind while im crawling along in SF traffic is how beautiful the bridge is. I just want to get across it to my destination. IDIOT!!
Y'know, Janet has a point here...
Doctor Frank-N-Furter: So come up to the lab and see what's on the slab. I see you shiver in antici... pation.
I thought he want ranting about some "Hideous Slob"
The bridge in the bay is a government project. It is functional. If you want something better or more aesthetic than pony up some private cash or shut the hell up.
If the French build bridges like their cars and aircraft carriers, a major disaster looms.
Wellllll.... instead of bitching he could *gasp* act like a REPORTER and find out WHY it costs $5B to build a slab when the French have built and impressive (can't deny it) bridge for 10 percent of the cost.
How many retirements will be funded by line items in the new bay area bridge? How much money goes to funding environmental studies, union special interests, and even some unrelated school programs? What are the odds that some of that 5B will find it's way into the local AIDs clinics?
Or he could talk to some engineers and calculate the cost of building the Millau in California! Quarter Trillion? Aw, heck! Us red state Wal-Mart simpletons should fork it over so the bay area snobs can drive on art while they make a morning Espresso run.
Tonight when I'm driving home on a grey slab on stilts I'll think to myself "gee, I'm really upset because Mark Morford in unhappy with the appearance of a new bridge." As I watch Nascar this weekend it won't dawn on me how shallow he seems to not notice he has the Golden Gate Bridge in his city. I might not be able to feed my kids as depression sets in that Mike Morford doesn't like his new bridge. Damn, voter remorse might be setting in by this time. I bet that swell John Kerry (who served in Viet Nam, did you know that?) would have made sure that MIKE MORFORD liked his bridge!
By next week I'll probably need conselling because Mike Morford doesn't like his bridge. All of those well dressed Californians with their freshly detailed Smart Cars and BMWs don't have a bridge that meets MIKE MORFORD's asthetic sensibilities.
Mike Morford! Mike Morford! Mike Morford! It's all about you, Morford. It's your f'king world and we're just living in it.
It should be noted that it is a common practice of Palestinian terrorists to send children to both test the security arrrangements in outposts and at times even place explosive charges.
Most bridges are dang ugly.