He is at it again! Ed Markey!

Looks like Markey is at it again, trying to regulate an industry out of business!

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/dem-senator-roller-coasters-...gulations/

My $0.02:

Similar to other over-regulated industries, such regulations would benefit large amusement operators like Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and Disney, while making it far more difficult for family owned parks such as Knoebel's and Waldameer to compete.

And with Federal Regulation, I doubt we would see such great rides as The Voyage or Ravine Flyer II, simply because the extra costs thanks to government mandates would not make products from companies like the Gravity Group desirable to park operators.

I hope this idiot doesn't get his way. We already have way too many regulations that while technically designed to keep us safe, have major (sometimes unintended) consequences when it comes to technological innovation and competition, benefiting only large we'll established companies that can afford compliance.

Congress doesn't seem like they're in any hurry to create totally new spending programs (unless they involve your vagina).

I agree with your comment Jeff. Unless the them park industry is run by women, immigrants, gay people who want to get married, connected to big Oil, or a country that needs help with their little wars. Congress is going to care less.

Unless of course they are all shareholders. Then they might do something. But, I highly doubt it. They will push it off onto the individual states, to pass the own regulations, and stay out of it. Look at the traveling carnival industry, there are some states who have very strict ride inspection policies, while others have little or none.

Once again it took someone to die on rides, for states to change their laws. But, a carnival is much different than an amusement park. But, again, you often wonder if any of the inspections ever take place. Have been to a few fairs, with rides so rusted they look like moving death traps. One carnival zipper I saw actually had duct tape on the door to keep the door shut. There wasn't anyone riding in that seat, but still. Makes you wonder what else is wrong with it. Also saw a hymalaya with seat missing. That spot just covered with canvas.

Here's an idea. How about a federal regulation that bans Ed Markey?

Regulation of rides should be done by people with training and experience in rides. Maintenance and inspection, likewise.

As for "ladyparts" - that's where private ownership rules should apply! If you don't possess them, and have no specialized training or education in working with them, then all the law school in the world doesn't qualify you as an expert.

I'm pretty well trained. Just sayin'.

I'm sure most of the people here got their training degrees on-line.

It's worth noting that Markey talks about Federal "regulation" of amusement rides, but in fact he has proposed no such thing. He has only proposed giving the CPSC the authority to investigate incidents and issue product recalls as they do for other products. That could produce a form of de-facto regulation in certain cases (the roller coaster going the way of the lawn dart and the Buckyball?) but in general it would do *nothing* to improve ride safety in the absence of an incident.

Having a Federal authority that could investigate incidents might be worthwhile especially in cases such as the Six Flags incident, since the State of Texas does not conduct incident investigations except to determine whether a crime was committed. But the CPSC is not staffed by amusement ride experts or inspectors. Given a choice between an over-extended Federal agency arguably not equipped to handle an amusement ride investigation, and a corporate entity such as Six Flags in conjunction with its own risk management and insurance teams, I would prefer the latter; at least that way there is a good chance that somebody at least understands how the ride is supposed to work.

And of course, over that, I would prefer qualified ride inspectors, either State inspectors or independent forensic engineers. Markey has never proposed any such regulation at the Federal level, and yet that kind of a structure already exists in many states.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

kpjb said:

I'm pretty well trained. Just sayin'.

In both.

The difference now is that Markey used to be 1 in 435 and now he's 1 in 100. He's a lot more powerful and if there's one more death or injury like SFOT again this season, the senate might actually do something about it.

Frankly I'm surprised that the federal government isn't already regulating this industry. Other high speed heavy mechanical objects are regulated, like planes trains and automobiles, why not roller coasters? I mean even playgrounds are regulated. When was the last time you saw an old-fashioned merry-go-round at the local park? They're considered too dangerous these days.

sws said:

I'm sure most of the people here got their training degrees on-line.

Aahh... I see what you did there... Vehryniiice (I don't know how to type in Borat.)

stoogemanmoe said:

Here's an idea. How about a federal regulation that bans Ed Markey?

hey hey hey now. He's a tool but in the grand scheme of things, I'm glad he got Kerry's senate seat. With the tomfoolery that's going on in the house of rep, we need a balance of power.

delan said:

He's a tool but in the grand scheme of things, I'm glad he got Kerry's senate seat.

I think that makes you racist because he's an old white guy and the guy he beat was a Latino. Unless you're a Democrat, in which case, never mind....

bjames said:

the senate might actually do something about it.

Hahahahaha. The senate actually doing something? Impossible!

bjames said:

I think that makes you racist because he's an old white guy and the guy he beat was a Latino. Unless you're a Democrat, in which case, never mind....

Gomez is Latino, but that about sums up *everything* he had going for him...

Ya know, what I really want to know is this. Did someone piss in Markey's Cherrio's while being on the merry-go-round when he was a kid? The guy is obviously a certified moron. Let people go to the parks and have a good time. I really don't think his thinking is in line with what the amusement industry is all about. I love all the newer, steeper, faster, upside down tall rides that are being introduced. Can you really imagine Holiday would without The Voyage or Cedar Point with-out Top Thrill Dragster? I can't and Markey needs to be stopped. He's like a mad scientist that won't stop creating monsters. He's a witch hunter. The guy disgusts me in his way of thinking.

So I take it you didn't vote for him??

I still find it funny that Gomez completely destroyed Markey in Agawam( that's where SF is for those unaware) Massachusetts 63 to 37 :) http://www1.whdh.com/elections/MA130625/county_race?cn=22005

rollergator said:

bjames said:

I think that makes you racist because he's an old white guy and the guy he beat was a Latino. Unless you're a Democrat, in which case, never mind....

Gomez is Latino, but that about sums up *everything* he had going for him...

RACIST! How dare you say the only thing he had going for him was hispanicness! /sarcasm

But seriously, people in this country do elect fools to office based on race. That happens.

sws said:

So I take it you didn't vote for him??

Not a snowballs chance.