markskull

markskull t1_jdb6102 wrote

Seriously, I'm with you on this.

Is fare evasion REALLY this prevalent? Has it ever been so bad that we needed this for the subway in the last 20 years? This seems most like a solution looking for a problem rather than an actual fix.

There's no way SEPTA is losing even half of what these things are going to cost over 5 years. This doesn't make me think the system is safer just that I now have to waste more time trying to get through the turnstile.

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markskull t1_jar72zo wrote

Here's myself:

Semi-detached twin house, about 1100 square feet (more likely 1700 when you include the basement):

  • 1700 Square feet
  • 73° 24/7
  • Central Air unit, so no radiators just pushed heat
  • $289 at the highest for a month

That's about the average for me, too. I don't lower it at night since it just forces the heater to worker harder when you push it up, and I try to keep it fairly stable over the day. The back of the house needs more insulation overall, though.

I don't have any solid tips, but I decided to see if PGW offers any energy audit services. It looks like they do for low-income residents, but I would also say check out this company, ECA, and see how it goes when you ask for additional help.

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markskull t1_j8rsfsu wrote

This is the weirdest fucking comment section I've seen in a while.

This entire subreddit has been a collective circle jerk about how great AI is in terms of art, writing, and coding since all of those fields are over-paid (sure, buddy, artists are making millions living in their mom's basement). Then there's been another circle jerk about Elon Musk being brilliant as well.

Now, apparently, Elon Musk saying the technology they love is something he hates results in not only a barrage of angry down-votes, but also no one really knowing how to feel.

A.I. does pose a risk to civilization, and Elon Musk is still a massive asshole. Two things can be true at the same time. Sadly the bots haven't learned that one yet.

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markskull OP t1_j8odt5f wrote

While I largely agree, we both know that isn't a workable solution for a number of folks. To further complicate matters, the entire area is a car-focused death trap for pedestrians or anyone not in a car.

While there are some nearby offices, there are a lot that are a few miles away from the mall and that creates its own problem.

So it could be a great catalyst long-term, but that would really require Montgomery County to really change their zoning laws and focus on more pedestrian-focused solutions.

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markskull OP t1_j8o9clb wrote

As I've said to others: Why not both?

  • Cleaning up the MFL isn't a billion dollars, it's more about optimizing what already exists to complete the goal.
  • Extending the BSL to the Navy Yard is still doable, and should be done, but in the meantime we can also optimize the shuttle buses that run at the end of the line to run at least at the same pace as the Subways do.
  • The other projects, like the trolley modernization, are either already underway or also require the City of Philadelphia and most likely the State to approve new ways to use the road and allow for a dedicated lane only for the trolley. It's doable, of course, but takes time.
  • The PATCO extension isn't SEPTA, it's... PATCO.

This doesn't mean we shouldn't try and make those things happen, but there IS funding for the subway if SEPTA de-prioritizes the KoP Extension. Same with at least trying to get a BSL extension to the Navy Yard.

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markskull OP t1_j8o8d9b wrote

I think more people, ideally, would use the KoP extension, but SEPTA's estimates have it low. Keep in mind people traveling 76 would both need to get to a station and then from their station of choice to wherever they need to go.

If KoP Station was right at the mall that would be amazing, but that isn't the case thanks to all the NIMBY's who opposed the project and forced SEPTA to change the route.

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markskull OP t1_j8nm48l wrote

I was all for the KOP project for a long time, but the problem is (literally) the NIMBY's who opposed it going along an existing corridor that would have cut costs and made it efficient.

I'm still inherently for it, but between the ballooning cost and the overall low predicted ridership estimates, if I had to pick this project or the Roosevelt Blvd Subway, I'm rooting for the subway.

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markskull OP t1_j8nli85 wrote

AGAIN, why not both?

Northeast Philadelphia has a substantial population, massive car use, and this would still be helpful for both people trying to get to and from the area and helping to slow its population decline. The area is built around cars, and if you're going to advocate for better zoning around mass transit and better pedestrian infrastructure, guess what underlying system helps to foster that?

I'm also advocating for an extension to the Navy Yard, too, and we really need both.

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markskull OP t1_j8ne35n wrote

Both. The real answer is both.

Roosevelt Blvd has the support, and possibly the funding, to create a great mass transit network that could fix a number of serious issues with that area.

We need better zoning and better pedestrian areas, but there's no point in doing only one set. It literally needs to be both improving existing infrastructure and expanding it to places where it could do the most good.

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markskull OP t1_j6gdbqn wrote

EDIT: Forgot Andy won a ring in 2019, so apologies for the error. GO BIRDS!

LOVE MY EAGLES, but I'm honestly thrilled for Andy Reid! He got us there once, was our coach for 14 years, and built this time to our first Super Bowl in forever.

I think it's safe to say that, no matter what, Philly is going to be happy with the Super Bowl, no matter the outcome. But I think it's also safe to say Andy knows what its like to have to wait a little bit longer. ;)

−50

markskull t1_j5yqh01 wrote

Lawncrest.

I was in the area last summer to see someone, and my friend drove us up there. We drove around and literally everyone was parked on the street. There isn't a lot of off-street parking, so that was bad. To make it worse, every street was two-way, but because of all the cars, they were effectively one-way streets. Every non-major street was like that!

It was frustrating getting around, and even as someone who doesn't drive, I wouldn't want to live there since walking around seems like it would be tough because of all the cars illegally parked everywhere.

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markskull t1_j5uwbze wrote

"But I don't like the snow!" You know what? Fuck you!

There was a time and point of your life that you liked snow. Hell, you LOVED snow! Snow was awesome! It was the ultimate salvation in your life! It meant a day off from school, a day off from a shitty job, and a chance to enjoy your life as a human being! It meant staying inside and watching TV or going outside and playing.

You don't hate snow, you hate the shit that comes with it. You hate not being able to get out of work or school. You hate having to clean off your car. You hate the idiots who can't drive in the snow. You hate being stuck at home with your kids who have the day off. You hate having your back hurt from shoveling, the idiots who didn't shovel their walk, the streets not being plowed, paying someone to shovel your walk... all the crap that comes with snow that you, as an adult, have to deal with.

Now that you're grown and snow isn't that "convenient" for you, you hate it.

Snow is a critical part of our ecosystem. It means its cold, stuff freezes, and the ecosystem is working the way it should.

Snow is awesome, despite the inconveniences (many of which I'm dealing with), and I really hope we get some ASAP.

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markskull t1_j5uqujs wrote

Wait wait wait wait...

The guns were stored in GLASS display cases? The stores had their guns stolen because they were locked up like video games in a Wal-Mart?

Why don't stores have to lock-up firearms the same way people with kids need to lock them up? If you have a kid in your home and own a weapon, and the kid gets the weapon, you're liable for anything and everything that happens. Why aren't stores treated the same way with theft? Why aren't there storage laws that mean you need to lock these things up more when being sold like this?!

And lets get this clear: This gang is a problem and I'm thrilled they're locked-up, but... wow. This is a problem!

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markskull t1_j4v4lpj wrote

Good, and frankly, it's a smart move for him and the Philly Dems.

Taking a cue from Former-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, there's a need to let younger and newer people take the lead in the party. The Democratic Primary field filled with at least a dozen people trying to get the nomination, many of whom at younger and haven't been in politics as long as Nutter. This keeps the field open, at least publicly. The biggest concern I have are him and Bob Brady pulling the strings to get their ideal nominees into the office instead.

Also, while a lot of people may look back at Nutter with aww, it's also important to note what the country was going through during his leadership along with a few things he did that haven't aged well. Overall, the nation was going through a relatively good upswing economically after 2008 (he got in right before The Great Recession), and crime nationally was on a downward trend. He also implemented "Stop-and-Frisk", a program he still supports. And he also instituted a "Crime Emergency", something that I don't believe was ever lifted.

He did a decent job, but him formally bowing out is the best thing moving forward.

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markskull t1_j145v0v wrote

I really miss Jack who owned Noise Pollution, and he was a friend of mine and a number of people in the neighborhood.

The first time I met him was 20 years ago. A little gruff, but still kind. I wound up becoming a regular about 15 years ago and we got along great. He always had the best prices on used CD's and vinyl, and he was always more interested in getting you to walk out with something you liked than making a buck (at least for me, he was cool enough to give me a discount from time to time).

I remember when he revealed he had cancer to me in the store. I hadn't seen him for a while, and he mentioned it. He didn't want to talk too much about it and wanted to talk about anything else, so I did. While we're talking, a guy was in the store eyeing a Misfits vinyl on the wall that was $60. He comes over and goes, "Hey, man, I heard about the cancer, and I'm sorry to hear that." Jack goes, "Thanks." "You're welcome... so, um, could you go down to $40 on this?" Jack, being who he was, gave him the discount. LOL!

I still miss Jack, and I'm glad I got to know him when he was around.

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