Here's a transcript of the call I made to Rush Limbaugh today. I am trying to get permission to post the audio clip of the call:
RUSH: Jim from Reno, great to have you on the EIB network, hello.
JIM: Well it's really an honor to speak with you and a pleasure to speak with Snerdley. (the call screener)
RUSH: Thank you.
JIM: I'm calling to tell you about Nevada's first stimulus project to be funded.* It is a tourist railroad. Even though we already have a privately run tourist railroad in Virginia City, who has never taken a dime of public money, these guys are giving Harry Reid the credit. The government Commission to build a competing tourist railroad are giving Reid the credit for bringing 23 million dollars of highway funds to what I guess should be a public transporation project. But the tickets are going to cost about 50 bucks, so, we're calling this the railroad to nowhere...
RUSH: That's what I was going to ask you, where is this tourist train going to go?
JIM: This is the funny part, this is the one, the first 3 million dollars that they fund is going to run the tracks past the brothels in Mound House, Nevada. This is the Red Light Express that they talked about on Fox News, they got it a little mixed up...
Click this link for a full size photo
RUSH: You mean the stimulus bill ... this might be some of the best stimulus money spent! They're going to build a tourist train past a bunch of whorehouses!
JIM: Yeah, if we can use the word whorehouses, that's what they're going to do. You see, they build the whorehouses on the original right-of-way... they have to run around it.
RUSH: Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ponderosa, Virginia City, now we're talkin!
JIM: Oh, this is really fantastic, and here's the funny part. When this project was first proposed, the entire budget was sold at 20 million dollars. Well now they're up to 65 or 70 million, so this 23 million is supposedly going to finish the project. So then they're going to really face the test, because they claim 135,000 people a year will ride this...
RUSH: Aw, no, that's way low. Once these people figure out there's a train that rides right past the brothels...
JIM: You got a point, man.
RUSH: 135,000, that's low, man!
JIM: Can you imagine taking your son on this train and he looks up at you and asks, "Daddy, what's a brothel?"
laughter....
RUSH: Aw, no, no, no, that's, ummmm ... the kids will know that before the father knows it ... unless they're from Port St. Lucie ... especially if they're from Port St. Lucie or Rio Linda**
JIM: Well these days that's true, unfortunately. That's the first stimulus project that's actually going to go out to bid here in Nevada. We're so proud of Harry Reid!
RUSH: You ought'ta be ... this is something that the people of Nevada can be really proud of. A tourist train to the whorehouses ... (laughing) ... first stimulus package, I tell you, I am dreaming this show.
--end--
* NOTE: After speaking to NDOT, this is NOT the first project to be funded, but V&T Re-con Chairman Bob Hadfield made this claim at a mid-May budget meeting, so I feel comfortable repeating it.
Actually the first stimulus funds into Nevada were probably unemployment and Medicaid funds. But this IS one of the first "infrastructure" projects.
** For those who don't know, Rush Limbaugh regularly makes fun of people in Rio Linda near Sacramento, CA. There's more history to it, but Rush used to be a host in Sacramento, CA. I don't know when he added Port St. Lucie, FL to his repertoire. Often when he uses a complicated word, they then simplifies it and says "for you all in Rio Linda"
From the bloghost, Jim from Reno:
ReplyDeleteJust now after I posted this an ANONYMOUS poster posted a factually incorrect and misleading response on my previous post. Here it is with my response:
At June 3, 2009 8:39 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...
After "Jim from Reno" spoke on Rush Limbaugh Wednesday a Google search easily revealed this blog.
After "Jim from Reno" spoke I did some research into Senator Reid's proposal and talked with people who are part of the project. I am not involved with the project but follow it with great interest as a railroad enthusiast and former resident of the area.
"Jim from Reno" said the project would compete with the existing Virginia City operation. Not correct... it will complete it connecting Carson City to Virginia City. "Jim from Reno" said $23 million was going to the project. Incorrect. Senator Reid was nice enough to send $500,000 to Northern Nevada in his Vegas to Anaheim railroad package. If it was $23 million it would finish the project and then some. "Jim from Reno" implies it just goes to the brothels in Mound House. Apparently "Jim from Reno" is still confusing comments by an Arizona Representative aired on Fox quite a few months ago about the Southern Nevada project and has not paid much attention to the local media or done a significant amount of follow-up research. I don't even live in the state anymore and I found all the details with ease.
This project will bring dollars into the communities. I don't disagree the 395 project is long overdue to be finished (the stores were closing on 50 where it was going to cross when I left over a decade ago). However they are in different categories.
Rush knew better than to believe a "railroad to brothels" plan which is why he had such fun with it. Sorry "Jim from Reno" he really didn't take it seriously. When talking to a national radio audience be prepared to have your comments corrected. Also I have saved that segment from today's show in case "Jim from Reno" wishes to be reminded of everything he said should he have selective amnesia.
Perhaps "Jim from Reno" has had his feelings hurt by one or more people in this project. Maybe he needs to get over it and consider the tremendous good this project will have. Maybe he thinks by pointing out an unrelated project that needs the money more he can attempt (without success) to sway public opinion and hurt those he thinks intentionally hurt him. Maybe he cannot support it but trying to bring it down by presenting easily disputed "facts" isn't going to hurt it or sway the opinions of those who have selflessly donated time and money to bring a valuable resource back to the area. Of course a blog being ranked greater than 20,000,000 by Alexa won't have a whole lot of impact.
Of course some good things will come out of the comments of "Jim from Reno." My research has made me decide my company will donate to the project. Also my family and I will be paying passengers with every visit to the area. I'll also pay for any friends I happen to be visiting that want to ride. I'm also spreading the word the project is getting a much needed infusion from the stimulus package. Sorry "Jim from Reno" but your attempts to hurt the project in front of a national audience just helped it. But thanks for reminding me about it.
My response to the person who I suspect is Todd Moore but have no proof because they posted ANONYMOUSLY:
ReplyDeleteFrom the real Jim from Reno:
I saw the comment above and just posted it. It's funny the writer has used so many words and been so disingenuous. I think it's a guy named Todd Moore in LA who wrote it, but since he posted anonymously we will never know.
A couple facts: the Virginia and Truckee Reconstruction project indeed does run by the brothels in Mound House. Everything I said on the show is true. See this project map and you will be able to do some research to see this is the case. As the train leaves Carson River canyon you will get a great shot of the brothels. http://www.livingsteam.com/images-logos/virginia-and-truckee-reconstruction-map/phase-2c.jpg
At the mid-May budget meeting Senator Reid was credited with brining $3 million of stimulus money to the project, and another $20 million will be coming from ARRA/DOT/FHWA funds according to Commission Chairman Bob Hadfield.
Too bad the anonymous posted doesn't actually GO TO THE MEETINGS. Again, I simply suspect that Todd Moore posted that based on the arrogant factually incorrect writing style, but I can't be sure because the poster is hiding behind ANONYMOUS.