I Have Not Yet Sealed the Ballot

[peristaltor]

I should, but something this year is... different.

Preamble: I have voted officially for president in every election since I was eligible in 1984. I'm not going to defend past presidential choices; no voter needs to defend past election choices.

This year, though, has been hard. This is the first year where I just don't give a shit which of

Comments

[peristaltor]

I can't say I voted straight ticket this time. For example, ST3? The proposed routing infuriated me! Really? You're going to run dedicated bus lines, but not light rail, to Renton? But Issaquah gets rail from Bellevue?! I'm sorry, but someone at ST has property along the proposed rail. Either that, or overt bigotry against the racial perception of Renton's population has overcome good planning sense.

And how many engineering firms have told ST that a rail across the existing I-90 bridges is a no-go (due to insufficient buoyancy)? Last I heard it was more than three. Yet they insist on routing across.

Not to and through Renton. Something stinks there.

Sadly, I don't think Trump is the real threat to the LGBTQ community, meaning the threat will not go away when he's gone. I know that isn't encouraging, and I'm sorry. Trump re-used the rhetoric that was already suffused in paid media (especially radio), which has been used for the last 30+ years to wedge "values voters" away from the left.

Well, we'll see what happens come Tuesday!

[nicoli_dominn]

As far as ST3, if I remember correctly from their later plans, there is a plan to have a light rail extend past SeaTac (more than one, even), but my memory is murky as to the specifics. If I'm wrong in thinking that includes plans to extend the light rail to Renton, then yes, that is messed up. Renton and Seattle need to be connected WAY more than Bellevue and Issaquah do, considering the sheer number of service workers in Seattle, who live in Renton and other nearby towns for reasons of housing affordability. Likewise, Lynnwood and Everett and towns north need to be better connected to Seattle for the same reasons. West Seattle also needs quicker transit connections to downtown. All of that should take priority over a Bellevue-Issaquah connection, or an ill-proposed SR520 track. I think the express buses going across SR520 do just fine right now.

As for Trump being a threat to the LGBTQ+ community, he has stated that he would not only propose revocation of same-gender marriage rights and employment non-discrimination clauses, but that he would also propose amendments to allow other forms of systemic anti-LGBTQ discrimination. I say that the other piece - the violence - would only be heightened against the LGBTQ+ community, and particularly its people of color, because of compounded racist and queerphobic bigotry, and because people who support Trump would feel that his hypothetical presidency justifies their violent instincts. Of course that violence won't go away just because Trump does, but while he is around in the public eye, he legitimizes people's bigotry in a way other politicians and would-be politicians - even the ones writing and passing discriminatory legislation - wouldn't dare.

[peristaltor]

I'm unaware of any Renton extension plans, sadly. The flyer sent out by ST is quite specific as to routing to be funded. So, yeah, messed up indeed. ST has enjoyed some pretty unprecedented successes; losing one election and listening to constructive criticism in the wake of such a loss would be good for them. (Hello! Forget I-90 as a rail link! Insufficient flotation! Trains are heavy! Physics will not be ignored!)

It's impossible for me to separate Trump's personal policy statements from those he pulls from the right-wing radio universe of hate and reuses for vote pandering. He seems, really, to have no concerns other than himself.

I'm personally more concerned about the backlash from fired-up Trumpies once they lose.

[nicoli_dominn]

So now that I'm looking at the ST3 map, it appears that the extension to Renton via Burien and West Seattle is "under study." Seems a little ridiculous that they haven't prioritized it over the definite projects. There is, however, a plan to extend the current SeaTac light rail through Tacoma, which would be great. It would be easier to access than the Sounder, and less expensive to ride. There are also plans to extend the current light rail up through Everett (also great), and into Lynnwood. I can definitely get behind all of that. Less so the extensions into Redmond or the Bellevue-Issaquah links, because again, the express buses and B line are doing just fine, from what I've experienced during rush hour.

...This is why I'm interested in an Urban Planning degree. Not that I'll ever be able to afford one, and not that the job prospects are numerous post-graduation.

[peristaltor]

And if you look carefully, as far as I know no line, dedicated bus lane or light rail, gets anywhere near Southcenter. Not that I have any love for malls, mind you, but really? If your goal is serving people who will ride, why no to Southcenter and yes to Issaquah?

I drive the bus to Issaquah. It gets to Eastgate, and most everyone gets off to transfer to Factoria or hop in the car in the garage. I know what kind of numbers they would get outside the commuters. The only goal has to be selling some prime "undervalued" real estate, or watching their own houses/land skyrocket once the link is made.

Something funny is happening there.