cherrydrink

Like any minimum wage earning teenager cares about some silly non-disclosure agreement. I was working on x2 at magic mountain when it crashed last summer, they did a good job at covering that mess up.

I'm just saying that if you think this is the extent of the wall street crash, you're wrong. It's not a good idea to buy any stocks right now, no matter how low it is.

You just threw away $500. Sorry dude!

Actually, I did. Longer than two weeks ago. See post, dated Aug. 16, 2008: "...we have one of the worst economies in the history of the US. We are in a recession, the value of the dollar is plummeting, gas prices are skyrocketing, and a depression like we have never seen before is looming over us..." More or less, the point was made. Had anyone asked me if investing in the stock market was a good idea, even a year ago, I would have offered the same advice.

SELL! SELL! SELL! Now is not the time to investing in the stock market. It's about to CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! A long with the economy itself. Don't expect recovery for a while. thanks Einstein - making that call 2 weeks ago would have been a great move.

Look at the first train. It's half way out the station. The amount of force to move a train of that size, that far, would be a lot. Whatever the case may be, the ride is currently operating.

The video somewhat proves it. Notice the panic of everyone. Employees would never let crowds of people roam like that, unless of course such an uncontrolled event did happen. Analyze the video, notice the placement of the trains. I knew video of this would eventually hit the internet.

On another note, has anyone seen this? A "9/11 Tribute" played at the RNC, which served only to throw fear into the political discourse and frighten voters. Absolutely new low for the GOP, shameful. Here's a video with their eerie, and sickening video, and comments by Keith Olbermann speaking up for all of us at the sickening images exploited for political gain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDx80bnFrVs

It's not a religious debate. But let me just post what I PMd to CTU, which addresses why Palin's behavior is unconstitutional. The constitution, you must understand is a very literal document. So when someone makes a decision that directly interferes with the constitution (such as extorting a librarian to censor literature, or interfering with church and state separation) it's very clear. It's not a liberal or conservative issue, it's a constitutional issue. And Sarah Palin's beliefs and past actions are clearly unconstitutional. As far as the books she wanted to ban, the titles haven't been released. It is clear though, that she did want to ban certain literature from a library, which is absolutely inexcusable in any circumstance. It doesn't matter what the book is. With that said, I do believe this was a good discussion on Palin, and how her past decisions may affect all of us in the future. This was never a religious discussion. Food for thought. And anyone can jump in with their opinion at any time.

I don't understand why we would have to continue our discussion privately? Surely our discussion as it relates to the presidential election is valid and within the bounds of this thread's original purpose.

My argument didn't have as much to do with religion, as it had to do with Palin's intrusion on our constitutional rights. Please re-read. Now the question is, How do you feel about Sarah Palin's blatant disregard for the Constitution and our rights? In addition, I was also trying to illustrate Palin's tendency to make irrational decisions because of her beliefs. Oh, and how exactly did the librarian show disrespect for "authority"? By refusing to ban a piece of literature? I applaud the librarian for sticking up for her rights, because at least she realizes that forcing censorship is illegal. Should Sarah Palin be fired because of her disrespect for the constitution? Let me know what you think, because I think you're missing the big picture.

So you support creationism (ie: religion) being taught in schools as opposed to the more widely accepted scientific alternative? You support going against keeping church and state separate, and instead doing something entirely unconstitutional? You support the banning of books with inappropriate language from libraries (ie: censorship), an action so primitive that is completely unconceivable today. She even opposes educating teens on sex issues. Really? We want to elect a lady who threatened to fire a librarian if she didn't ban choice books? What year are we living in? This same lady referred to the Iraq War as a "task from god" and asked people to pray for a plan to build a $30 billion natural gas pipeline in the state, calling it "God's will." It's time to get real people. Now she may sound great to someone who is religious with the same views, but any practical person knows we don't need someone who has so much faith in an invisible force to lead our country in the same way. Her decisions show that she is an extremist. And she will make irrational decisions if she believes it is right (ie: above). Remember, keeping church and state separate is a constitutional issue. Freedom of press is a constitutional issue. She has done everything to show that she will make decisions that are unconstitutional. I won't let this nut intrude on my life or lifestyle because of her own personal beliefs.

Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact. Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches. As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." Between McCain and this religious extremist dummy, my head is spinning. Are these nuts really this close to taking control of our country?

McCain. Good point.

Always a classic, great ride and will be missed by many and remembered in the hearts of everyone.

It's not in any newspaper because nobody knows about it. Except of course for X2 ride employees and of course the guests in line at the time. I'm really hoping this thread doesn't get dismissed or locked because you guys don't believe it. I'd hate for that to happen. I want to be as sincere as I can over the internet, in saying that I know what I'm talking about. Now can we switch gears and discuss the safety of this death trap. I know I won't be riding this ride again, knowing what I know now.

I guarantee this happened. I'm not here to prove it too anyone. If you ask any worker why X2 is down they'll tell you it's down for maintenance. They're told to tell you that. I don't have pictures, and I don't have video. But I do have the facts and story of what happened that night. Isn't more trusted members of TPR in management at SFMM? Ask them to confirm it, I guarantee they are aware of this situation.

Might be awhile before X2 opens again.

If you went to the park today, you may have noticed X2 being closed for the day. This is because the night prior, an accident had happened. With an empty train in the station, another loaded train (with passengers) was just finishing it's run. The train passed all of the brake runs, without slowing down, and at full speed (around 40 mph) collided with the empty train in the station. Luckily no guests were on the opposite side of the gate. The collision had bumped the stopped train with force outside of the station. A very scary scene for employees who work right in the line of the crash. Parts of the train were seen flying, and much damage was done to the trains. Guests went crazy, and fled from the station, it was very chaotic. A very scary, and dangerous situation for both workers and guests. Although I wasn't there when it had happened (I was just a little prior), I have heard eyewitness accounts of what had happened.

Sarah Palin... She's only been governor (of Alaska) for a year an a half. Her previous experience was as a mayor of a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience. Beyond Alaska, she has no experience. Before making his decision, McCain only met Sarah Palin once, at a meeting, before calling her a second time about being vice president. That's about the extent of how closely McCain vet his choice. Sarah Palin's husband works for BP offshore oil, a conflict of interest blatantly obvious considering her stance on "Big Oil first" energy policy (to drill our environment to hell, even though it will have little effect on gas prices a long time from now). Speaking of environment, she sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species because she was worried it would interfere with oil drilling in Alaska. She thinks creationism should be taught in public schools. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. How has someone so inexperienced come so close to becoming vice president, or even president? How do you feel that she could be the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today.

On another note, I've been thinking about the coaster that was rumored to be built in 2009. I'd love for Shapiro to put his money where his mouth is if he is serious about creating family rides, and add a Disney-esque, quality themed indoor-dark ride. And not like the Dark Knight... If only they could pull it off...

Care to elaborate? This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard.

Your argument is flimsy, at best. 1.) Saddam didn't threaten to kill us, nor did he threaten to attack us, nor did he have the ability to do so. Iraq posed absolutely NO threat to us, at all. 2.) We didn't invade Iraq to liberate a country. We were told that we were invading Iraq because they were harboring weapons of mass destruction, etc. None is true. Once this was proven false, Bush all of a sudden changed the point of the invasion into some kind of humanitarian liberation effort. As for you're "WMD factories"... I'm not gonna take some here-say as proof. And believe me, if weapons of mass destruction we're found in Iraq, we'd hear all about it in the media. I'd hardly call the current state of Iraq a liberation. And yes, Bush did lie to the American public so he could invade Iraq. Before the invasion, CIA director George Tenet (on behalf of himself and many senior IA officers) briefed President Bush on intelligence that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. Bush quickly dismissed it, and after the briefing it was never addressed again, nor was it included in the National Intelligence Estimate which stated Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. And what about Osama Bin Laden, the real mastermind of 9/11? We still haven't captured him, and we have relatively little resources working to do so. So given this, it's mind boggling that some people still support the war, and are not outraged at this blatant misuse of the presidency on the part of Bush and his administration. 3.) have family in the military too.

Much safer in Iraq? I'd go as far as saying as it was much safer in Iraq before we invaded. To say we're almost done there is an absurd statement. What have we done? What are we doing? What have we accomplished in the many years we have occupied that country? You should know why we were sold the war. We were told a) Iraq was involved with 9/11 b) they had connections with Al Qaeda, and c) they had weapons of mass destruction. None of that is true. And please sense my sarcasm when I say... it's a good thing we did invade Iraq. Halliburton received all of the contracts to rebuild and liberate this nation, and that's where the moneys at. Not money we will see, however, but money that will line the pockets of the rich and corrupt, like Dick Cheney himself. It's a shame, however, some people still don't realize. And now, because of the policies, and immoral war, started by our current president, we have one of the worst economies in the history of the US. We are in a recession, the value of the dollar is plummeting, gas prices are skyrocketing, and a depression like we have never seen before is looming over us. Picture a future where you will have to roll wheelbarrows full of money to buy a gallon of milk, and a gallon of gas costs over $10. This is a very real not so distant future. And I prelude all of that to say McCain is more of the same. His answer to the oil crisis is to drill for more oil even though that will do more harm than good, and any miniscule effect it has on prices will not be seen for over a decade. Funny, he's willing to sell out the marine environment to keep with the oil-guzzling status quo. He's another corporate wh*re, willing to stay in Iraq for as long as it takes... for all of the wrong reasons.

X2 tends to run thee train operation during the weekends / busy days. In my opinion, this isn't a good strategy because three train operation tends to have no affect on the speed of train dispatch, and with three trains there is a greater chance that technical problems will occur. And if the ride did breakdown... that just more heads you need to take care of. It's better to run two trains, and run them well.