Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

[Patman]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Well between the hockey game and getting my computer "done" and having it not show anything... I'm ready to kick puppies... anybody wanna help me (with kicking puppies). I should make dinner before too long. I've put too much effort into this computer to not to get it to go. I know machines don't care for emotions so I know its a moot point... check the connections, unscrew everything, etc, etc, etc.

edit: my usb keyboard connector light is beeping... so I have in fact done something

edit: I think i may know what it is... but i'm not in the mood to take it apart right now... I think i missed one of the power supply stuff... Tech geeks... can a power supply have both 4-pin and 8-pin connectors and do i have to use both... I have no problem if I don't get an answer to a technical question in here... but i figure I may as well give it a shot.

I'm running out of vacation... I haven't straightened out this place and decorated the tree.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Pardon me as I pull up a chair and flip the * hockey table over.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

So this was the email I sent my state legislator this morning:

Is there a way to straighten the law with regards to Fare Evasion? I have an incident from this morning that I'd like to retell, hopefully without being too long-winded, showing what I think to be a complete lack of sense to the current law on the books. Thankfully, most officers have more sense than the one I came across this morning.

Looking back, I know my attitude toward the officer could have been more pleasant, but I was too taken aback by what he said that I allowed my astonishment to win out over good sense. I took the train into work this chilly Friday morning, riding the train because the buses are on Saturday schedule, and therefore my normal bus route is extremely limited and my bus goes right by the park-and-ride for the LRT. The need to take the train happens during the days around the holidays when large numbers of people are on vacation. With all that said, while on the train a Metro Transit officer and two DHS agents (Department of Homeland Security) came up to me and asked for proof of fare payment. I show my unlimited monthly MetroPass and the officer scans it on the cell phone they have equipped to do just that. He asks when was the last time I rode the train, I answered Wednesday, and he tells me that I haven’t been swiping my card. I replied, “Well, it’s a monthly pass. Why should I scan it?”

“Because it’s the law. I could write you a ticket for fare evasion right here and now,” replied the officer

I then asked, perhaps foolishly now that I look back on it, “Where’s the logic in that law? I’ve paid for a monthly pass and it’s still valid.” I kept my voice calm, and “" I thought “" with an inquisitive tone.

The officer then cuts me off, “Give me your ID, I’ll show you the logic with this $192 fare evasion ticket.”

I reached into my pocket, opened my wallet and handed the officer my ID. I then protest again, “Sir, how have I evaded paying my fare? It’s a monthly pass. My fare’s paid.”

“You didn’t swipe the card, it’s fare evasion.”

“In what way is this fare evasion when my pass is still valid?”

“Look, either you swipe your card or I write you a ticket.”

I didn’t bother to tell the man that we’re on a moving train and the kiosks for paying the fare are, well, not on the moving train. He ends up just handing me back my ID when I said that I clearly didn’t want a ticket. After all, a $192 fare evasion ticket for some simple protocol oversight when fare has clearly been paid? Metro Transit really has lost sight of the goal, making a law like that. They lend even more credence to Thomas Jefferson’s statement, “Most bad government has grown out of too much government.”

In what is now a somewhat belabored topic, and in my defense, when riding the express bus, you have to scan your pass in front of the driver, who also acts as the de facto gatekeeper. No such person exists on the train, just the occasional officer checking passes. Add to that, officers in the past have never made such an argument as the officer did today.

Speaking with other coworkers who ride the train and also have the MetroPass, they were under the same impression as me - they never scan their passes because they thought it was for those with stored-value passes only.

My somewhat biased opinion is either the officer was showing off for the Federal agents on the train or power-tripping, and this coming from a man who grew up in a neighborhood full of law enforcement officials at various levels of government, and liking them.

What I've believe is that Metro Transit has the current language written into the law what is essentially in an effort to track rider metrics. A $192 metrics ticket.

His reply:

I'm sorry you had to deal with this. I'd like to contact the Met Council to get their side of the story, but yes - I agree with you. It appears they are using the possibility of a fine to enforce metrics. Dumb.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Pardon me as I pull up a chair and flip the * hockey table over.

I may join you.

And Scarlet, Chinese food here tonight too. No leftovers in my family.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Great. We'll sit around in a circle with the table laying upside down about 10 feet away. Where are we gonna put the beer (before it goes into our belly, of course)?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Great. We'll sit around in a circle with the table laying upside down about 10 feet away. Where are we gonna put the beer (before it goes into our belly, of course)?

Who sets their beer down?!

* hockey. We celebrate our new #15 ranking by choking on our own dicks and losing to MSU. Badly.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Animal House is on one of the HBO channels.

"What the hell we supposed to do you moron!"

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Animal House is on one of the HBO channels.

"What the hell we supposed to do you moron!"

"Maybe she'll take THIS seriously."

Love that movie.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

So this was the email I sent my state legislator this morning:

Is there a way to straighten the law with regards to Fare Evasion? I have an incident from this morning that I'd like to retell, hopefully without being too long-winded, showing what I think to be a complete lack of sense to the current law on the books. Thankfully, most officers have more sense than the one I came across this morning.

I'm sure that you're right, Metro Transit likes the law written that way. In their defense though, the primary concern of Metro Transit (or any transit agency) isn't revenue - even the largest transit agencies run in the red - it's the ridership level. That gives them hard numbers on which to plan their budget requests (capital, operations and expansion), gives them an idea of where service is needed and where it can be scaled back, and in the end helps you get to your destination more effectively. When you don't actively swipe/beep your MetroPass, the transit planners have no idea that you rode the train that day, and don't know to throw your fare to funding that line.

Having said that, the officer shouldn't have given you lip about not swiping the card, but should have explained why they need the data. No reason to be a power-hungry doosh about it.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

My uncle gets a free turkey from work every year, so they went with that. However, my family loved my side dishes, and they want me to cook for them again.

Good morning, Lodge. Spending some time chasing down a new debit card, driver's license, etc, because I lost my wallet yesterday...

Got a call this morning that a kid from my high school that I had loose ties with (Boy Scouts, spelling bee, etc.) committed suicide.

Pretty much totally out of the blue, seemed to have a lot of friends, apparently was off his meds. No one's sure exactly how or why yet.

That sure stinks.

Who sets their beer down?!

* hockey. We celebrate our new #15 ranking by choking on our own dicks and losing to MSU. Badly.

Ranking? What is that. Basement. That I understand.

Great. We'll sit around in a circle with the table laying upside down about 10 feet away. Where are we gonna put the beer (before it goes into our belly, of course)?

I will be sitting with you, clutching my chocolate milk. I have officially bought a season pass to the *hockey table. Our Sr D passed out front to assist in yet another goal (that went in OUR net) for at least the 4th game this yr I can remember ( think it might be 5-6 games). If he could get assists for us in the same way we might win something. Then the goalie passed to the other team so they could score. Then I went into the HH game and that ended in running time. When does indoor track start??

 

[Patman]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

hey... non computer question/complaint... if a device (a maglite) interior has corrosion gunk all over the place, will I need to toss the device? I would probably say "yes"... but I know some of you guys have run into a corrosion case before.

 

[Patman]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

I'm sure that you're right, Metro Transit likes the law written that way. In their defense though, the primary concern of Metro Transit (or any transit agency) isn't revenue - even the largest transit agencies run in the red - it's the ridership level. That gives them hard numbers on which to plan their budget requests (capital, operations and expansion), gives them an idea of where service is needed and where it can be scaled back, and in the end helps you get to your destination more effectively. When you don't actively swipe/beep your MetroPass, the transit planners have no idea that you rode the train that day, and don't know to throw your fare to funding that line.

Having said that, the officer shouldn't have given you lip about not swiping the card, but should have explained why they need the data. No reason to be a power-hungry doosh about it.

They should come up with a better manner to collect data. If he's allowed to be on the train that's all they need to know unless they want to set up a gate system. I don't see a point to make some other guy's spreadsheet come out correctly.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

They should come up with a better manner to collect data. If he's allowed to be on the train that's all they need to know unless they want to set up a gate system. I don't see a point to make some other guy's spreadsheet come out correctly.

That IS the better method - and a hell of a lot friendlier to the passengers than a turnstile that everyone has to push through. Besides, Metro Transit's policy probably states that only ticketed passengers are allowed on buses and trains. The pass represents a fat wad of cash in one's wallet, and swiping the pass represents buying a ticket with that cash.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

I'm sure that you're right, Metro Transit likes the law written that way. In their defense though, the primary concern of Metro Transit (or any transit agency) isn't revenue - even the largest transit agencies run in the red - it's the ridership level. That gives them hard numbers on which to plan their budget requests (capital, operations and expansion), gives them an idea of where service is needed and where it can be scaled back, and in the end helps you get to your destination more effectively. When you don't actively swipe/beep your MetroPass, the transit planners have no idea that you rode the train that day, and don't know to throw your fare to funding that line.

Having said that, the officer shouldn't have given you lip about not swiping the card, but should have explained why they need the data. No reason to be a power-hungry doosh about it.

I can completely understand that. I even thought about that, however, they have done a horrible job of stating the swipe for every ride. When it says "Pay here" on the machines, and I'm not carrying a pay-as-you-go card, they've done something wrong. This is even especially true when you consider that the other two people in my department who have the same pass as me were under the same impression. Add to that, I can't tell you how many times I've been carded by transit cops. They've never once said anything like that. Normally I'm on the bus, the train is really only if I have an odd shift, expect to stay for happy hour, or the buses are on a weekend/reduced schedule like today.

But still, to threaten me with a $192 bill, that's outrageous. I think the guy's wife dominates him at home.

hey... non computer question/complaint... if a device (a maglite) interior has corrosion gunk all over the place, will I need to toss the device? I would probably say "yes"... but I know some of you guys have run into a corrosion case before.

You can clean them, but if you don't do it right, you run the risk of bad things happening. In extreme cases the battery could blow up. While it's not overly dangerous to you, the battery acid will be all over the interior of the battery.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

I can completely understand that. I even thought about that, however, they have done a horrible job of stating the swipe for every ride. When it says "Pay here" on the machines, and I'm not carrying a pay-as-you-go card, they've done something wrong. This is even especially true when you consider that the other two people in my department who have the same pass as me were under the same impression. Add to that, I can't tell you how many times I've been carded by transit cops. They've never once said anything like that. Normally I'm on the bus, the train is really only if I have an odd shift, expect to stay for happy hour, or the buses are on a weekend/reduced schedule like today.

But still, to threaten me with a $192 bill, that's outrageous. I think the guy's wife dominates him at home.


You can clean them, but if you don't do it right, you run the risk of bad things happening. In extreme cases the battery could blow up. While it's not overly dangerous to you, the battery acid will be all over the interior of the battery.

I don't ride as often as I'd like, and I don't have a pass so I wouldn't know exactly how they work, but aren't the Metropasses the ones you just tap on a reader as you enter the train/bus? Metro Transit's signage doesn't do a good job of telling people what to do though, and that transit cop should have removed the cactus from his posterior before pestering you about your pass. It isn't your fault that you don't have a user's manual to religiously flip through whenever you take a bus.


As for Patman's Maglite, once all the electronics are out, you can probably scrub it clean pretty easily with a bottle brush, hot water and soap. Maybe a mild vinegar bath would help, but take care not to leave the light in too long.

 

[Patman]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

For the train stuff... i have to swipe my card every day when I use the subway here in Washington so I don't see the big deal in that case... I think its ridiculous that one would have to go out of their way to hit a card reader. Seems a bit more authoritarian... nobody has the right to data.... it just makes the problem harder.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Yeah I hate all that pass stuff/busfare garbage when I travel by bus. Oh wait, I have my own personal vehicle. I don't have that problem. Nevermind.

 

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Happy hockey table.

Posting from Minnesota. Only in town for one day though as I really don't want to be away from quiz right now. It's nice to see my parentals though.

Dinner today was fantastic and her brother/fiancée were actually pleasant

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Happy hockey table.

Posting from Minnesota. Only in town for one day though as I really don't want to be away from quiz right now. It's nice to see my parentals though.

Dinner today was fantastic and her brother/fiancée were actually pleasant

No OC Sunday? You beech.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Lodge 125: The Thanksgiving Dinner Version: Gimme Some More...

Good morning to tLodge!