Ed Markey:"Parks want the most 'dangerous' coaster

NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw had another wonderful clip/segment on the G forces of coasters. They said that New Jersey is trying to limit the G forces of coasters. It was something like 2-6 G's vertically and 1.5-2.5 side to side. Then Markey comes on and is happy that people are doing something. He said how there is an "arms race" for the biggest, fastest, and "most dangerous" coaster. He actually said they are trying to make the most dangerous coaster!! Where did this come from? No one ever said they want a dangerous coaster that I'm aware of. This guy is starting to make stuff up, not just use his "facts". The Six Flags president was there and said that the riders experience the high G forces for only a few nanoseconds, so at least they let a park rep say something.

That's all

Zimm

Word travels fast it seems,I just watched that little clip myself and quite frankly didn't buy one word of it from Markey's point of view. I find it rather improbable that riding coasters with moderate G's can cause any long term problems what so ever,I ve been going to the parks (SFA in particular) for the past 6 years now and have never suffered any problems of any kind after a season of coaster riding.

The big question remains though. What are state officials in New Jersey going to do with the coasters already operating that don't meet the requirements? and still worse I wonder how that will effect parks in other states if Markey's proposed law goes nationwide,we could be in for a lot of coasters falling to the wrecking ball, I hope it won't come to that.

Dang it! Every appearance that this guy makes on a TV news story is not worthy of a topic on this forum. Even if your post disagrees with what the message, you're still getting his message out for people to see. Someone who hasn't yet picked up on his fuzzy numbers might come around here to get more info. They're going to find plenty because every time the Podunk Gazette from Podunk, USA runs a story, someone on this board has to point it out.

Ugh..... I still think there are more important things for a Representative to worry about.

But 2-6 G's? 6 G's is quite a bit...

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Xcelerator-
0-82 in 2.3 seconds! =Wow!

...this may be a *tad* obvious to most, but don't parks really want the most POPULAR coaster instead of the most "dangerous". I mean, they ARE businesses, and a coaster that brings in a lot of customers will make the park the most money. Last time I checked, we were living in a capitalist society......If the people want intense coasters, supply and demand dictates that's what they'll get....(it's certainly what I want)....

bill, still annoyed that jeremy coined the terms buzz-onomics....

I think it is good to put a spotlight on his idiotic comments!! He is bound and determined to do what he can to legislate fun out of theme parks!!!! He is dangerous and with a democratic house or a sleeping public who knows what type of legislation can be passed without people knwoing if attention isnt paid!!!

I saw this also and actually wrote a letter to NBC editors noting the mistakes. I also linked them to Jeff's two editorials on the matter of lying with statistics and the letter to Ed Markey.

I got an e-mail back thanking me for the information saying that they enjoy the feedback and will look into it. Dunno how far that'll go.

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Buzz-onomics? that's a good one LOL!

The video segment is online at msnbc.com

It's called "New Jersey Cracks Down in Roller Coasters" and shows Raptor.

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My two favorite coasters are named Superman.

Does anyone out there know how I can access a copy of the New Jersey bill to see what it actually says?

You know, it's really odd. Out of all the parks commerical I have seen and all the borchures and park stuff I have, not one of them have anything about a park saying it has the most dangerous roller coaster. Some people I just wonder about... And besides, why would all these people be going to parks if they are marketing their coasters as "the most dangerous"?

*** This post was edited by The Shy One on 5/17/2002. ***

The funniest part about this *by far* is that the G-force limits suggested (2-6 vertically, 1.5-2.5 laterally) will do *nothing* at all! I can't think of one coaster that has G-forces outside of that range.

-Nate

I saw the report, and think they said the range depends on how long the Gs are sustained. So 2 Gs would be ok for a long time, but 6 you can only have for a "nanosecond."

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Quoth the Jaguar...."Check"

The War of Terror is more important matter, if he wants to waist tax money, here's my middle finger.

I'm tired of the goverment, putton in things, unless he could hurt us, but coasters don't.

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Even if the regulations limit "sustained" G-forces, it probably wouldn't restrict/limit anything that's out there right now. Existing coaster that pull more than 4 Gs only do so for a fraction of a second. It's an unnecessary restriction that both sides (Markey and enthusiasts) are blowing out of proportion.

Oh, Ed Markey is supposed to be talking on that show/documentary on CBS called "Terror Rides" on the 27th. Yesterday the guy was talking about Ed Markey on "The Rest of the Story," a radio show where they take a modern event and tell you what's behind it and what really happened. Well, guess who got nailed?

Quote Mr.Ed: "Roller coasters are getting taller and faster at new super sonic speeds, yet are they safe? I have contributed my time and effort to study the variety of attractions in the industry and have become fond of their thrills. Roller coasters are meant to thrill, to scare, and give the feeling of danger. For the longevity of coaster, they have done well at this, and perheps now to well."

Everything in itlalics is what I am saying, the rest below is the radio guy.

Then the radio guy stopped the reporting and proved his figures false and said: ...Why not limit the take of an airplane, trains running underwater, how far you can dive, no more space shuttles, no leaving the troposphere.... why not pass a law limiting humans from going over 1 gravitational force? It's unconstitutional to take a protest this far by limiting and industry, preventing the growth of technology, and preventing people's desire to have fun. As many other life threatening causes on your own street and you want to bring up one of the most harmless ones? If you say the the speed limit should be lowered to lower the horrendous rate of car accidents, I would understand. If you would propose a curfew(?) to help give a better control over crime in the city, I could understand. But this?!! This is perpostrious(spell?). More people die delivering pizzas at night then on roller coasters, why not go badger them. You know what? I think this guy is just a big phob(short for phoiba I presume), there's something inside Ed Markey that just freaks him out, but he's just turning into a freak. If he wants to be a chicken them let him be, but don't ruin the fun for the kids.

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Lake Compounce-So Fresh and So Clean Clean

Kudos to the radio guy. You don't by any chance know who he is do you? At first I thought Ed Markey was just doing this as sort of a side-issue, but not it appears that this is what he spends the majority of his work time doing. If I were a voted, I wouldn't be happy to see my representative spending his time trying to 'tackle' roller coasters when there are a thousand more important issues out there.

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|| Jonathan Hawkins ||
http://www.starcoasters.com
Top Gun: TJC flights - Approx. 240 (54 in 2002)

I say we Buzzers unite and strap Mr. Markey into a front-row seat on MF or Goliath, and let him see for himself how fun these things actually are! I mean, come ON........the guy's probably never been on a coaster in his life!

Rollercoasters are primarily rides which are designed to provoke or induce fear. That is their main point - which is why you don't see many people queueing for the kiddies coasters or whatnot for their thrills. The thrills comes from the adrenalin hormone released into the blood by the brain in any situation that is potentially dangerous, to give us the ability to gain strength for the fight or flee situation. Fear causes this adrenaline to pump into the body, as there is a sense of danger while riding coasters.

Believe it or not, parks do try and build coasters that are percieved as dangerous. Their major selling point is the fear, or danger aspect. Parks do indeed want bigger more dangerous rides. Danger is something that must be percieved, it isn't a percentage or a ratio or structural stability or anything.

It is a purely psychological matter. To some people, drinking a glass of milk is considered dangerous (not lactose-intolerant) - danger is a fear of the unknown, or a link to past memories that caused some sort of trauma. A rollercoaster is an obvious example. They are loud and daunting.

If you've ever done hiking, it is exactly like climbing a mountain, particularly one which isn't in a range, one sticking out of nowhere. It induces fear, because its so big, it appears dangerous. I don't know about you, but sometimes, I find myself with adrenalin pumping around before starting a hike.

No, I didn't see this thing on NBC - I'm not even sure if I get NBC. But it is so clear that you are all putting words into Ed Markey's mouth. I for one know exactly what he meant when he said dangerous. Yes, he has said in the past things that aren't in totally great context, and bent the truth, even lied.

He wasn't lying about the comment you all quoted above.

I assure you that it is 100% true, when taken in the correct context, which many of you I don't think have (which admittedly, is how Markey could succeed - misinterpretation from the public).

Sorry guys - its the truth.

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So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?

Just someone else who wants to censor or control what we do. I mean come on how silly can you be, Come to X park and ride the X coaster its so dangerous you will die!!

Man I am 1st in line buddy, no park wants a dangerous coaster, thats like going out to dinner and you sit down and the waiter says, Try our radioactive chili, its great! Oh and you might just fall over and begin to twitch but its DANGEROUS isnt it...

come on guys