"Bridges to Nowhere" is a cute, meaningless sound bite

myself | 16 Nov 2005 | redpoll

[Petronski]

And what about all that oil? Apparently it's all on that little island and they can't get there without a Federally funded bridge like the Mackinac which . . . aw . . . nevermind.

[redhead]

"Coming from a state that tried that once, I can tell you that numbers 1, 2, and 3 worked out reasonably well (though number 3 took three years). It's that number 4 that you need to rethink. It won't turn out that way."

Well, since Alaska has the resources it does, I guess we could leave that part off. It would be nice to be able to negotiate for our resources as a sovereign country instead of a beholden state, though.

[Chena]

Cute, flashbunny. Do not think for one minute that because I do not choose to argue facts with someone who is immune to them means that you are right. And perhaps you could learn a thing or two about "bowing out gracefully".

As for pork, I rarely eat it, and certainly do not indulge in it.

OINK OINK

[flashbunny]

I don't live in ny...and my state does send more out than it gets in.

I don't try to justify pork projects because of that, though - I simply want them ALL ended and the federal gas tax should go with it.

[Chena]

Didn't get the memo? They're forced to live in alaska. They can't move because the rest of us mean bastards won't build a road for them.

I knew you would have fun together!!! Let the sarcasm roll! Keep on talking, the show is better than the Comedy Channel! ROFL!!!

[Chena]

Ahhh, so you're willing to let your tax dollars pay for something but not get anything in return. Now isn't that a noble idea. LOL Oh yes, let's do away with the federal gas tax. EXCELLENT IDEA! SERIESLY! But since we DO pay and HAVE paid, shall we just let the gubbmint KEEP our money?

[flashbunny]

I thought you were leaving...

[Chena]

Ooops, sorry. How rude of me to interrupt. What were you saying???

[flashbunny]

You know, you really need to work on the 'leaving' part.

But I still see you're pretty much just a hypocrite.

[jude24]

But since we DO pay and HAVE paid, shall we just let the gubbmint KEEP our money?

Spending the money on pork-projects precludes the possibility of reducing the gas tax.

But you think you know everything. It's an ailment that is not unique to youth, regardless of what your tagline might say.

[hosepipe]

[ I've lived in Ketchikan and the Mat-Su valley, two of the places next to "nowhere." Ketchikan is a thin strip of roadway on a mountain cliff next to the ocean. The bridge would connect Ketchikan to the island next door, which has many square miles of flat land that could be developed for the benefit of the community. The Knik Arm bridge connects Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with the Mat-Su valley, Alaska's fastest growing community. Calling the Knik Arm bridge a bridge to "nowhere" is either stupidity or willful disregard of the facts. ]

I live in Mat-Su..
True Anchorage is land locked.. the bridge would make Anchorage BOOM.. Its not even that big of a bridge.. Heck the whole area would BOOM not just Anchorage.. Bridge to nowhere is not accurate.. Any that says its NOT NEEDED.. badly.. probably don't want ANWR either.. Alaska needs the bridge, everybody needs ANWR..

[jude24]

If Alaska needs the bridge, Alaska can build it.

[Chena]

I admit that wasn't probably the best way to put it. And no, I don't think I know "everything" as some folks do. But there are facts out there that do contradict so many of the "talking points" that are not at all accurate.

Sadly, misinformation is a plague upon our nation.

[hosepipe]

[ If Alaska needs the bridge, Alaska can build it. ]

True.. its not that they don't have the money already.. in the permanent fund.. same with the Pipe line(gas)..

[flashbunny]

But the princplies always are accurate.

Sadly, some people only apply their principles when something favors them. When it goes against them, they throw the principles they claim to have out the window.

And they'll rationalize it anyway they can.

[flashbunny]

or, if the bridge will be used as much as they say it will, they can raise the money to build it privately and make it a toll bridge.

[Chena]

Wow, we do agree on something. I would not have a problem with a toll bridge. But the fact that bridges are needed is a fact. One would have to come to Alaska and see what I refer to as our "three roads" to understand the situation. Tourism is a HUGE part of what keeps Alaska afloat. That wouldn't be the case if Alaskans could actually use our lands. But if you've been paying attention, you know all about THAT.

[Chena]

oops, sorry again. The duct tape fell off my mouth. ;)

[tubebender]

Does the Governor and his daughter own land in one of those sites that will benefit from one of these bridges?

There are still villages on the Klamath River that don't have electricity nor phones. The people there have to drive 2 hours to Eureka or 3 hours to Redding. A road downriver to 101 would cut that buy half to Eureka.

[hosepipe]

[ or, if the bridge will be used as much as they say it will, they can raise the money to build it privately and make it a toll bridge. ]

the Answer #114..