By Alison Chaiken
This interview with Lance is a year old but is fascinating because it's as much about business, politics and social media as about cycling. Nonetheless there's plenty for race fans to obssess over.
By Yokota Fritz
In a close race watched closely by cycling advocates around the United States, cyclist Mike McGinn announced his victory tonight in the Seattle mayoral election after his opponent Joe Mallahan conceded.
McGinn, who campaigned on his bicycle and strongly supports cycling and public transportation, was the dark horse candidate who was outspent three to one. Seattle bike blogger Paul Andrews writes of McGinn and his campaign:
It was a startlingly unconventional way to build a base, campaigning in a bike helmet and blazer. But McGinn knew something that cyclists have long suspected: We’re a strong and growing political constituency, just waiting to be galvanized by a candidate who rides.
When we find out someone else is a cyclist, their stock goes way up. We have an instant bond. We are brothers and sisters in the daily combat of urban traffic. We know there’s a high chance our values will align, if not mirror, our compatriot’s.
The race was very close, and it's amazing to see a guy who was mostly known for his biking to win this. Seattle cyclists are pretty excited and I think we can expect to see some good things there in the coming years.
LaHood announced as Obama's pick for Transportation Secretary
By Yokota FritzObama on LaHood: "He’s created opportunities for bikers and runners to enjoy our great outdoors."
President Elect Barack Obama announced his picks for Trade, Labor, Transportation and Small Business posts for his administration at a press conference this afternoon.
Of primary interest to readers of this site is the selection of Congressman Ray LaHood from Peoria, Illinois as his Secretary of Transportation. Obama highlighted LaHood's six years on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and his efforts to modernize and upgrade the commercial aviation system. He also noted LaHood's efforts to improve mass transit and "beautify" the public landscape so "bikers and runners to enjoy our great outdoors."
At the press conference, LaHood focused on his work improving the highway infrastructure in Illinois and his plans for the rest of the nation. "We cannot stand by our infrastructure ages and crumbles," said LaHood. "We must pursue solid policies that allow our states and communities to address their transportation needs. We have a tremendous opportunity before us to rebuild our infrastructure and reinvigorate our economy, and I look forward to the challenge."
As he listed the areas of public infrastructure that need attention, LaHood noted public transportation before mentioning the highways. "As a nation, we need to continue to be the world leader in infrastructure development, Amtrak, mass transit, light rail, air travel, and our roads and bridges all play a vital role in our economy and our well-being as a nation."
Obama made it very clear that LaHood and the Department of Transportation would be play a key role in any kind of economic recovery plan for the nation. An economic stimulus package "is going to cost a significant amount of money on the front end," said Obama. "What we want to do is make sure that in spending that money to help jump-start the economy and put 2.5 million people back to work, that we are also looking at the long term. And that’s where Ray LaHood , myself, and others on the economic team are going to be changing how business is done in Washington."
By Yokota Fritz
I watched the GOP convention speeches last night. This part where Michael Steele enjoins Americans to "Drill Baby Drill" -- likening our thirst for cheap energy to the uncontrollable, hedonistic, libertine, self-destructive frenzy of a disco inferno -- was just freaky, but there's no denying that this gesture resonates with many many voters.
Even George W Bush said in his State of the Nation speech that America is addicted to oil. And here's T. Boone Pickens explaining why we can't drill our way out of the current (and perpetual) energy crisis.
By Yokota Fritz
Presidential candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties have been invited to a Presidential Candidates' Forum on Transportation and Infrastructure. This forum, scheduled for Thursday, January 31 2008 at the Kimmel Center in New York City, is hosted by the NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management. Sponsors include the League of American Bicyclists and Transportation Alternatives. Confirmation has been received that Senator Gravel will attend, as well as representatives from the campaigns of Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Conference organizers are still working to obtain confirmation from the campaigns of Governors Huckabee and Romney, Representatives Hunter and Paul, and Senator Fred Thompson.
For more information and to RSVP, visit the NYU Wagner Rudin website. League of American Bicyclists members may also submit question ideas to the League; please feel free to post your questions here and I'll forward them on if you don't have the LAB email address.
By Yokota Fritz
GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul likes to bike, saying he would rather be riding his bicycle than speaking to another reporter on a Thursday afternoon. "My vice is that I'm obsessed with exercise," says the Republican congressman from Texas.
Ron Paul is getting some significant interest from the media and blogosphere. While he campaigns on a platform of withdrawing the United States from Middle East involvement, he also consistently votes against measures to promote energy independence.
"Negotiate with God"
Cyclist wins Seattle mayoral election
LaHood announced as Obama's pick for Transportation Secretary
Drill, baby, drill
That reminds me, I have a dentist appointment coming up...
You know, I wonder if these people have a similar approach to dental care. Why brush and floss every day when the dentist can just Drill! Drill! Drill!
The "drill baby drill" clenched it for me last night. I was an undecided voter until that moment. When I saw the bloodthirsty (I mean "oil-thirsty") grins on everyone's faces and realized how selfish the Republican Party is (collective stereotype, I know...), I knew there was no other choice. Despite the fact that the Obama/Biden ticket is far from perfect, it's a helluva lot better than entering into this oil-thirsty, damn-everyone-else-to-hell, we're-taking-what-we-need mentality.
Honestly, I'm very sad for our country. We have become Ugly Americans.
Wow - I didn't watch the RNC last night (had the 1st CX race of the season and lots of pizza afterward). I'm sort of glad I missed it, because after seeing the 'drill bit' and McCain's speech to night, I'm not in the mood for more of the same.
There are a couple of things I wanted to say on this. The first is obvious - the idea that drilling is going to solve anything is nuts. The second is that I REALLY wish everyone would stop using Pickens as THE example of an "enlightened" oilman. His only interest in wind is the fact that he's combining his proposed windfarm with a proposed water pipeline and stands to be an even more wealthy man after all the deals go through. His clear intent is to use support for the windfarm transmission lines to acquire necessary control over the land that he wants to run the water lines on.
I have felt, and continue to, that the solution to home power (the oil/gas/vehicle fuel issue is a different story and wind has 0 to do with it except as a way to charge electric cars) is the expansion of single-home based alternatives like solar and the nifty new mini turbine spheres I saw the other day. As long as we are tied to the antiquated transmission system and massive grid there will be large power plants, which means coal, nuc, and dams.
I'm not thrilled about the Pickens Plan myself, but I used it because he's the type of guy who the "Drill Baby Drill" people might listen to.
Pickens himself says he's not opposed to more drilling, but at least he's realistic in saying it won't do much.
Here is my video mash up version of drill, baby, drill!
I hope you will enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0iJDA7_lY
Presidential candidates forum on transportation
Ron Paul likes to bike
The canditates that have little chance of competing very long in the election, have the opportunity to make lots of noise without consequenses.
They are the lucky ones who get to say what they really want to, as opposed to staying politically correct.
Good observation, Midnight.
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