Ed Markey grandstands following Epcot death

We don't even know yet how the kid died and already this moron is using him to push his own agenda. What a jerk. If I was the family of the child I'd be sick.

Federal regulation will not bring the kid back. The fact that he would suggest the CPSC could warn owners of similar rides (there are none) shows just how he's a headline grabber. When are the people of Massachusetts going to let this guy go?

Jeff, this is the same state that has put Ted Kennedy in the senate over and over for the past few decades. Don't hold your breath on Markey.

Jeff, I disagree slightly. There are other rides, such as Gravitrons, that share the characteristic of extended low level G forces.

I agree completely that Markey is premature and trying to grab headlines for his own political benefit. We have no idea at this time why the victem died, and I think any conclusions have to wait for the results of the autopsy.

I wonder if Markey has added the woman who had a stroke on Pirates of the Carribean to his brain injury list. (For the few of you who aren't familiar with it, Pirates is equivalent to sitting on your sofa while you watch the displays.)

Feel free to email Rep Markey and explain your very dear thoughts, as I have done. You need to put in a zip code from his district...I used 02149.

http://www.house.gov/markey/IMA/issue.htm

That article mentioned an accident where a woman died after she fell from the loading platform on Revenge of the Mummy. What happened there?

I love your title Jeff.

I think it is odd the major parks in Florida don't have to follow the same guidelines as the rest of the state for reporting injuries.

CoasterKrazy, I am pretty sure it was a man, and he fell getting into first seat if the train. The park responded by putting up a gate that reaches all the way to the train.

The big ones aren't the ones that worry me though. They stand to lose a lot more than the little family owned park that has a ride or two.
Plus, they employ their own inspectors who I would imagine are state licensed just not state employed. Even though the rides don't go through state inspections, I would be suprised if Disney's own people don't inspect them fairly regularly (at least annually anyway.)

On a side note, its interesting how everyone commented on this 2 days before it was posted. =D

typical democrat, gleeing for himself over a tragedy. I do find it a little weird that a ride would have air sickness bags, but in hearing some therioes from some respected coreners the cause of death is nothing that the federal government can do to prevent. This is a sad story and should be respected not be involved in politics.

"typical democrat"...oh stop your bellyaching you typical republican! ;)

I suggest you replace "democrat" with "politician"...

*** This post was edited by janfrederick 6/15/2005 1:17:46 PM ***

^^ The air sickness bags, probably because the ride is completely enclosed.

I've also ridden a simulator ride at the USS Midway museum that has little red buttons to press and it sounds an alarm for the operator to stop the ride because a person feels sick. Interesting concept, but at least one person wants to know what the red buttons do during loading, before the operator actually explains the red buttons.

Most of the other centrifuge rides are completely open, and in the case of the Gravitron, the operator is spinning inside with the riders.

While no one wants to politicize this case, but if you had democrats in charge of the senate and house then his(markey's) idiotic ideas would have a great chance to become law and he would do eveything in his power to outlaw fun in theme parks.

Then don't politicize it. Don't attack Democrats and make broad, sweeping generalizations just because one man is an idiot. Most politicians, if not all, will use things like this to further their own agenda. I seem to remember a certain Republican using the Terry Schiavo case to further his parties agenda... or did you forget about that? I wouldn't start chucking rocks in a glass house, bub.

With that said, it sickens me yet again to hear of another case of "Markeyism". This man should have a coke, a smile and shut the hell up.

On the news last night they said more people get hurt on rides that let kids on them.

Did some traumatic event happen to Ed Markey at an amusement park when he was a child?

I’ve learned my lesson and try not to include the word democrat or republican in my posts on CB (would a libertarian pass the CB test?)…But I must chime in on this subject in the name of objectivity (plus I’m just responding not initiating).

I once researched this very subject (I can only assume it was in reference to another argument I was having on CB on this very subject) and was unable to find ONE case of a republican calling for further regulation of the amusement industry. I repeat---NOT ONE! I mostly found a lot of hits for Markey (I’m guessing 80% of this stuff is his big mouth), but as I recall there were quite a few democrats who in state-after-state called for further regulations of the amusement industry. Maybe I did not search hard enough or search in the right places.

I do not post this to bash. I only post it to educate. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise if you good folks can show me evidence of ANY cases where a republican is the person calling for tighter regulations of the amusement park industry. I myself cannot believe there are not some cases out there where a lone-ranger RINO McCain type did not attach his name to a case like this. But I was unable to find it in a couple hours of detailed searching.

As of now I would have to say that it is simply not fair to put the word “politician” in place of “democrat.” This clearly appears to be an issue that for whatever reason, seems to attract the “democrat” breed of politician. There are other issues that I’m sure would be more prone to attract the “republican” breed. It does not appear that amusement park regulations are any of those areas.

Again, as I’m prone to do…I invite and appreciate any information that would show my viewpoint to be wrong. Provide me with the evidence and I will indeed then say we can replace “democrat” with “politician.” As it stands now, I think “typical democrat” might actually be a fair statement in this case. Or maybe I might be prone to say---“there goes another democrat…”…looking for that eyes rolling emoticon thing! :-)

P.S. As a relatively new father myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering this family is feeling. I have a tightness in my throat just thinking about a family carrying their child off this ride. Fifteen months ago, I’m sure I would not have felt the same. Those of you who have children most likely know what I’m talking about…

P.P.S. One day jan---I’ll help you see the light---one day! :-)

Anyone who universally believes that the everyone on either side of the aisle is -your superlative here- is a bit weak minded. It's not a black and white world. I vote for the dog catcher because he can catch dogs, not because of his party affiliation.

In this case (and only this case) it appears that only one party has shown the ability to catch dogs. IF this happened to be an important issue to you, then the facts seem to indicate it would be a bit stupid (weak-minded) to vote for a member or the party that can't catch dogs...

Jeffrey, the statement was "typical democrat, gleeing for himself over a tragedy". No one said anything about who supports what legislation. I have to agree that most politicians do that.

This guy should have a hell of lot of better things to put his time and efforts towards.