TBideon

^I have to partially disagree with your disagreement, KJP. The thing about higher oil prices is that they were more psychologically damaging than anything else. Gas at $4 vs gas at $2 is a huge leap; however, we're still only talking pennies when compared to the way other things have jumped in price over the last few years i.e. utilities, college tuitions, food essentials, and until last year housing. There is something wrong with our country when we are okay with paying $600-$1000/year on cell phone calling plans, but freak out when paying a similar amount for gas, which is generally more essential. And there is something VERY wrong with our country when colleges, private and now even public, are having escalating rates at, what, 5 or 6 percent. Wash U. was $30g/year in 2000. Now it's over $50. I would agree on theory with your point that saving on gas bills may act as a kind of stimulus; however, I believe this savings to be fairly inconsequential (at least on a macro level) as the cost of living is so high at this point that, while every dollar counts, I just don't see any real relief coming from saving 40 or 50 bucks a month:( And I say this all with little economics knowledge - just opinion

Last night, a little before 7:30, I saw a man being arrested at the Tower City rapid stop. There were about half a dozen cops surrounding and escorting the gentleman away from the tracks. Does anyone know what happened?

JetDog, I have a question. Does the RTA have a forecast of how much monthly/annual revenue will be brought in from ticketing jaywalkers? Also, has RTA compiled research as to the effectiveness of fining jaywalkers? I only ask because I question whether or not RTA is "serious" about fines. In a cold climate city like Cleveland, I just can't imagine that people are going to be always patient with lights, and I also can't foresee RTA and the Cleveland police really spending signficant man hours on monitoring the stops.

The Plain Dealer is a joke and has been for a long time. Remember when Yitzak Rabin was murdered in the 90s? The Plain Dealer's front page the next day focused more on the Browns leaving than the death of one of the world's most important leaders.

That was not exactly the most inspiring video, and whoever hired the narrator really dropped the ball on that one.

I've just never understood the anti gay marriage arguments. My parents are far more liberal than I, yet even they are opposed to gay marriage. When we discuss it, they offer absolutely no legitimate criticisms, only that that marriage should be between a man and woman. That is their only argument and I find it impossible to convince them otherwise. I guess that mentality - that marriage should neve be same sex - has been institutionalized in their minds.

It's hard to believe it's 2008 and gay marriage is still banned in most states. In twenty years, we are all going to be slapping our foreheads in embarassment/shame.

Living it up in Lakewood

I actually did ride one of those trolleys just for the heck of it. I didn't smile, but they were nice enough to let me on for free:)

Having recently moved back to Cleveland, I certainly look forward to riding in these green vehicles. From what I've read on these message boards and seen walking around downtown, I think these buses are promising and, once the system's kinks are worked out, are definitely worth checking out, if only for the novelty. I'd also like to thank the administrators for maintaining the message boards' archives. I spent some time this weekend reading the 40-odd pages that go back 4 years, and it was pretty cool seeing how this project unfolded through everyone's comments.