A lie a day (Jack Bog's Blog)

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 22, 2008 11:40 AM. The previous post in this blog was Obama photo-rama. The next post in this blog is Volunteers. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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« Obama photo-rama | Main | Volunteers »

Saturday, March 22, 2008

A lie a day

A howler today from an Adams backer: The OHSU Health Club aerial tram is like "the Space Needle, the St. Louis Arch, NY Central Park, the Eiffel Tower."

Posted at 11:40 AM | Permalink

Comments (13)

It's not that far-fetched of a comparison. It's something that adds to the city's skyline, it's quite visible, and the tram can be a fun activity for tourists. I've never had an issue with those who think it's a neat tourist trap.

The fact that it's portrayed as an effective method of public transportation is the laughable part.

Posted by Aaron B. Hockley | March 22, 2008 12:27 PM

the tram can be a fun activity for tourists

It's a sad statement that a trip to a hospital ward is the best we can show them.

Posted by Jack Bog | March 22, 2008 12:42 PM

Tourist attractions generally offer something to do when you get off the ride.

Purchase a full fare ticket on Portland's Scenic Tram, and get a free cholesterol check while you wait.

Families of four will receive free blood typing or body mass index.

Bring your family or class reunion (parties of 79 or more) and one lucky winner will get a free colonscopy or endoscopy (winner's choice).

Posted by LiloandStich | March 22, 2008 12:44 PM

I dont think was ever honestly intended as "public" transportation. It was only sold to the public as such to get public transportation dollars.

Posted by Jon | March 22, 2008 12:46 PM

Doctors and nurses are members of the public, aren't they? Of course it's public transportation! :o)

Posted by Frank | March 22, 2008 2:22 PM

Hey..head up the hill for a colonoscopy. Double your pleasure!

Posted by Bob M | March 22, 2008 3:13 PM

It's something that adds to the city's skyline, it's quite visible

no, it's not "quite visible"--that is, unless you're in a very specific part of downtown or next to the river.

and, the "city" consists of a lot more than the tiny fraction known as "downtown". in fact, most of Portland's population are nowhere near the "skyline".

Posted by ecohuman.com | March 22, 2008 4:52 PM

Double your pleasure!

The City Council doesn't use anesthesia...

Posted by Jack Bog | March 22, 2008 6:05 PM

Sho is in the travel biz - maybe he can hype up usage!

Posted by Gerry | March 22, 2008 6:18 PM

Your Sam booster may well have a point.

After all, was it not the Roosevelt Island Tram that put Manhattan on the map?

Posted by gen. Ambrose Burnside, Ret. | March 22, 2008 7:54 PM

That's got to be one of the dumbest comments I've read. I think a better comparison would be the Millenium Wheel in London. What a lovely sight that big carni' wheel is along the Thames, facing Parliament and all that great architecture. At least the Millenium Wheel was built for the Y2K celebration and paid for itself then.

I don't remember Forest Park or Waterfront Park and such being presented to the public and voted for with ridiculous budget assumptions, only to have City Council start blaming their staff for their own stupidity.

Posted by Ted | March 23, 2008 9:05 AM

The Tram is a demonstration of absurdity. It's high cost and short trip to nowhere
make it the unimpressive "what's that thing" that it is.

Posted by Ben | March 23, 2008 1:18 PM

The Planning Commission, Design Commission and City Council hearings all had PDOT, Planning, and Council member staffs testifying that the tram was NOT a tourist facility but "a transportation link vital (linch pin) to the success of SoWhat for 10,000 biotech jobs." Success hasn't happened, plus Sam now claims it's an Eiffel Tower equivalent. WOW. The sales job continues.

Posted by Lee | March 23, 2008 9:21 PM

In Vino Veritas

Robert Mondavi Solaire, Cabernet 2005
Castello Monaci, Liante, Salice Salentino 2006
Ricardo Santos, Malbec 2006
Quinta da Espiga, Tinto 2006
Charles Smith, Holy Cow Merlot 2006
Charles Smith, Boom Boom Syrah 2006
Charles Smith, The Honorable Pinot Gris 2007
Santa Rita, Cabernet Reserva 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2007
Gloria, Douro, Tinto 2002
Bogle, Petite Sirah Port, Clarksburg 2005
Cardwell Hill, Pinot Noir 2004
Silkwood, Red Duet Cabernet-Syrah 2004
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006, 2007
Osborne, Solaz 2004
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Reserva 2005
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2004
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Hannah Nicole, Red 2004
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2005
Protocolo, Red 2005
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2006
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1996
Kirkland, Roogle Shiraz 2004
Garda, Classico Chiaretto
A to Z, Oregon Pinot Gris 2005
I Giusti & Zanza, Nemorino 2006
Treana, Marsanne-Viognier, Central Coast 2005
Fife, Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
B.R. Cohn, Silver Label Cabernet 2005
Marques de Casa Concha, Cabernet 2005
Santi, Sortesele Pinot Grigio 2006
Al Muvedre, Tinto Joven 2006
Layer Cake, Shiraz 2006
Gritti, Ca' Andrea, Umbria red 2005
Altos de Luzon, Jumilla 2004
Thomas Leithner, Zweigelt 2004
Cain Cuvee NV 3
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot 2003
Meridian, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Paringa, Shiraz 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2005
Kris, Pinot Grigio 2006
Silvan Ridge, Pinot Gris 2006
Fife, Mendocino Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
Castle Rock, Cabernet, Paso Robles 2005
Willakenzie, Pinot Gris 2006
The Show, Cabernet 2005
Essencia Valdemar, Rioja Rose 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Beaulieu Vineyard. Napa Valley Cabernet 2004
Irony, Cabernet, Napa Valley 2003
Rosenblum, Petite Sirah, Heritage Clones 2005
Fra Guerau, Montsant 2002
Barefoot Chardonnay
Kana, Syrah 2004
Castell Salegg, Chardonnay, Alto Adige 2004
Fetish, The Watcher Shiraz 2004
Gold Note, Fair Play Zinfandel 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet 2003
Ponzi, Pinot Noir 2004
Red Diamond, Merlot 2003
Mateus, Rose
Benton Lane Pinot Noir 2004
Penya Cadiella Vins de Comtat 2003
Kamiak, Cellar Select Red 2003
Anselmi, San Vincenzo 2005
Rubrato, Aglianico dei Feudi di San Gregorio 2004
Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Cabernet-Shiraz
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2005
Los Vascos, Cabernet, Reserve 2004
Jackaroo, Shiraz 2003
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes Hermitage Syrah, "La Jalet," 2001
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Cotes du Rhone, "Parallele '45,'" 2003
Rolf Binder, Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Woodbridge Chardonnay 2005
Barnard & Griffin, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2004
Quinto do Carmo, Alentejano Red 2000
Forefathers, Alexander Valley Cabernet 2001

The Occasional Book

Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 18
At this date last year: 74
Total run in 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269