July TRAINS takes on the captive shipper debate - Best Issue Ever?

[edblysard]

Murphy,
Just read most of Daves postings....you will get the idea quite quickly!
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Getting pretty technical there about a small point ...

Yes, I agree with you Michael. You are.

Oh, Murphy. Shame on you! Must you always degrade these topics with your subtle misplaced insolence. You're better than that.[V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V]
[:p]

[(-D][(-D][(-D] Fair enough, I guess you owe me that one.[;)] I'll have to research the meaning of misplaced insolence,though.[:)]

[edblysard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Your note reminds me that we did put some power on some hills for a few days in 1977, or possibly 1978. I think it was 1978. It was summer, and for some reason there wasn't much grain moving, but we knew there was quite a bit of storage overhang out in the elevators.

We?
What’s with the "we" stuff, that mean you and the mouse in your pocket?

Unless you would like to tell us what you did for the Milwaukee Road, besides carry a fire extinguisher for a summer as a teenager?

None of this “Special Project” or “Secret Agent” or "Assistant to the smart people, with fame by association" crud…give us the officers position you held that allowed you, personally, to make such decisions


Ed

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Your note reminds me that we did put some power on some hills for a few days in 1977, or possibly 1978. I think it was 1978. It was summer, and for some reason there wasn't much grain moving, but we knew there was quite a bit of storage overhang out in the elevators.

We?
What’s with the "we" stuff, that mean you and the mouse in your pocket?

This doesn't take an advanced degree, so don't offer that as your excuse.

Why don't you first, sit down and read the comment.

Then notice the quotation marks.

Then note the attribution.

Smith was the president of the railroad.

I assume he meant the railroad marketing staff.

What do you think he meant?

Maybe he meant the guy that throws switches that claims he can run a railroad.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Your note reminds me that we did put some power on some hills for a few days in 1977, or possibly 1978. I think it was 1978. It was summer, and for some reason there wasn't much grain moving, but we knew there was quite a bit of storage overhang out in the elevators.

We?
What’s with the "we" stuff, that mean you and the mouse in your pocket?

This doesn't take an advanced degree, so don't offer that as your excuse.

Why don't you first, sit down and read the comment.

Then notice the quotation marks.

Then note the attribution.

Smith was the president of the railroad.

I assume he meant the railroad marketing staff.

What do you think he meant?

Maybe he meant the guy that throws switches that claims he can run a railroad.

At least Ed works for a railroad in the here and now...

He isn't waxing nostalgic on hypotheticals of the old days on the Milwaukee Road...

BTW, where is the MILW road today?? A few moth eaten relics and a bunch of razorblades is all that's left of that line...

Nothing to brag about there unless you're into rails to trails. The world has changed. Remember, there are many in the executive suite who started off pounding the ballast in some capacity or other.

Examples:

Mike Haverty Chairman and CEO of KCS started as a brakeman.
E. Hunter Harrison CEO of CN started as a carman.
Richard K. Davidson CEO of UP started as a brakeman

...and so on...

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Character

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Your note reminds me that we did put some power on some hills for a few days in 1977, or possibly 1978. I think it was 1978. It was summer, and for some reason there wasn't much grain moving, but we knew there was quite a bit of storage overhang out in the elevators.

We?
What’s with the "we" stuff, that mean you and the mouse in your pocket?

This doesn't take an advanced degree, so don't offer that as your excuse.

Why don't you first, sit down and read the comment.

Then notice the quotation marks.

Then note the attribution.

Smith was the president of the railroad.

I assume he meant the railroad marketing staff.

What do you think he meant?

Maybe he meant the guy that throws switches that claims he can run a railroad.

At least Ed works for a railroad in the here and now...

Well, give him an award then.

So did the guy quoted, which Ed did not understand because he's too busy trolling.

I doubt any of the gentlemen you list had half the arrogance to make the claims Ed does, where they started. And, as you note, none ended up where they started.

A key difference.

I am sure all of them understood early on what a quotation mark is, for starters.

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Character
He isn't waxing nostalgic on hypotheticals of the old days on the Milwaukee Road...

BTW, where is the MILW road today?? A few moth eaten relics and a bunch of razorblades is all that's left of that line...

Well, the thread is about Captive Shippers. That's pretty much a modern discussion. Indeed, it's in the July Trains. Are you lost? Confused?

[edblysard]

Still fails to answer the question directly, like a…?
Coward?
Pretender?
Which officer’s position did you hold, at the time Mr. Smith was addressing the marketing department?

Ed understands the concept of generalized statements that allude to something that in reality isn’t so.
He has, in fact, watched you use it in ever single post you ever participate in.

In plainer English, it is called lying by omission...you enjoy leaving the reader or listener to assume, by hinting association with the named individuals, some amount of their prominence or fame, skill or worth.
This ploy quite plainly exposes the fact that you simply share none of their qualities.

Name droppers are bores.

I am quite certain Mr. Smith addressed the marketing department, but I am also sure you were not a part of it at the time.

So, again, your job, besides the part time summer one, was?

It is a simple question, Mike…why do you fear answering it?

Ed

[greyhounds]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol



"History" also includes storage.

"The BNSF says these inverse rates from eastern locations are necessary to supply needs of the PNW export market. That is simply not true. According to the Montana Grain Growers Association, quoting the Montana Ag Statistics Service, there were 79 million bushels of spring wheat in Montana on December 1, 2001. Millions more bushels are in western North Dakota."

US Senate Testimony, March 27, 2002, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, Steve Strege.

I am guessing you don't know that.

As usual.

I suppose you wouldn't care to note that the drought was widespread -- Minnesota's wheat production in 2002 was the lowest in nearly 15 years, and that its total wheat production that year was less than what Montana had just in storage.

But, that doesn't fit your agenda, does it?

Look at Montana and North Dakota combined in 2002: 326,000,000 bushels production, compared to Minnesota at 62,420,000 bushels

BNSF really had to go looking for that Minnesota wheat, didn't it?

I've got to hand it to Sol, he can dance and sing, basically denying that there was a drought, then can come right back and claim "the drought was widespread" without a bit of shame. It takes a real lawyer to do something like that.

Junior Sample Joke: "This tombstone reads, ' Here Rests an Honest Man, Here Rests a Lawyer'; Junior's comment: ' Well, looky here, they burried two people here'".

Of course I knew there was wheat in storage. There's always wheat in storrage. That's what grain elevators do. They're grain warehouses. They store grain. A farmer storing his/her grain in an elevator will get a "warhouse ticket" while storing his/her grain.

I've referenced the wheat in storage in previous posts, not that Sol actually read and understood what was said.

But to be of any earthly use to the BNSF the grain had to come out of storage and move. The BNSF forecast that there wouldn't be enough grain moving to keep its crews and equipment busy.

The Montana farmers/grain dealers didn't want to take the wheat out of storage and actually sell it because the price was so low. (This ought to tell any rational person something important; even a severe drought in Montana that significantly reduces that state's wheat production won't impact the price of wheat on the world market. That's how unimportant Montana wheat is.)

Now there was a down in the amount of Montana wheat in storage. They had to pay the bills, and their current drought ravaged crop wasn't going to do the job. Sometimes you gotta' sell at a loss to get some cash (Just how did Sol miss the whole drought thing? I mean, he was basically saying it didn't happen.)

But between the then current crap crop and the draw down of storage the BNSF figured that their equipment and crews wouldn't have enough work to do. So they took just and proper action to keep 'em working. And they came up with those wonderful, inovative, "inverse rates".

Good Job BNSF grain marketing Guys and Gals! You had the guts to do "The Right Thing".

Of course, the greedy Montana wheat farmers and grain dealers, who were holding back as much grain as possible seeking a higher price on someone else's food, squealed like stuck pigs. (Little farm lingo there that I learned from my dad.) They had fully expected the railroad to just take it in the shorts, store its equipment, lay off its employees and let them make the big bucks.

Didn't happen thata' way. And the BNSF marketing folks didn't have to "look" far for the additional wheat at all. They know every elevator on every line. And all of their children and all of their names. (Just kidding on that last part, it's an old Roger Miller song.) But the marketing types do know the grain production, how it moves, where it moves, etc. That's what they get paid for.

When the BNSF needed some more wheat to move through the PNW ports it knew exactly where and how to get it. And they had the freaking guts to go do it.

Good job BNSF. Jim Hill would be proud.

Ken Strawbridge

[MichaelSol]

Whew ... a lot of invention and speculation and putting thoughts into the "mind" of the BNSF without a shred of proof, not a single supporting fact. The actual fact is, nobody was buying Minnesota wheat. Duluth's high price for Minnesota wheat was below the lowest Portland price.

The fact is, this has turned into the usual Ken Strawbridge diatribe, now imposing his superior knowledge of the wheat industry -- and "storage"!! -- and how it all works. A permanent desk jockey who wouldn't know what a bushel of wheat was if it bit him.

This is the most marvelous caricature of an argument, I mean, worthy of Monty Python, complete with the lawyer slurs because he thinks it will score some points -- but, oh, bring up his industry spokemanship for the brutal greyhound industry -- and THAT'S PERSONAL!!

Let's put it in perspective: zero experience in the wheat industry. Zero involvement in the topic of discussion, wouldn't know a combine if it ran over him, wouldn't know the effects of a drought if he dried up in one, and now, having discovered a website or two, he thinks he's an expert on it all.

See, "there's no wheat in Montana, there was a drought. See, now I know all about storage, there was wheat, but it was those mendacious Montana farmers who did not want to sell at a low price -- just like those Minnesota farmers. So I, Ken Strawbridge, can have it both ways -- the drought meant there was no wheat, and the drought meant the farmers weren't selling all their wheat."

This isn't even spin anymore. This is desperate fabrication of facts and scenarioes without a shred of respect even for his own honesty.

Why are you so desperate to argue something you obviously, transparently, know nothing about?

Go back to the greyhound industry. Apparently they need a shill.

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Still fails to answer the question directly, like a…?
Coward?
Pretender?
Which officer’s position did you hold, at the time Mr. Smith was addressing the marketing department?

Ed understands the concept of generalized statements that allude to something that in reality isn’t so.
He has, in fact, watched you use it in ever single post you ever participate in.

In plainer English, it is called lying by omission...you enjoy leaving the reader or listener to assume, by hinting association with the named individuals, some amount of their prominence or fame, skill or worth.
This ploy quite plainly exposes the fact that you simply share none of their qualities.

Name droppers are bores.

I am quite certain Mr. Smith addressed the marketing department, but I am also sure you were not a part of it at the time.

So, again, your job, besides the part time summer one, was?

It is a simple question, Mike…why do you fear answering it?

Ed

Because I learned long ago, a civil discussion with you is pointless. Your ongoing inferiority complex wears thin. So does your name-calling. My "job" is none of your business. You didn't understand the quote, and you're still mad about three weeks ago when I pointed out how your "observations" on Class I railroads are always so different from real Class I railroaders. I knew then you were going to get back, somehow, because that's the kind of venal person you are. Schoolyard bully, all "growed" up, sort of. I saw the other thread, which I never posted on, which you proceeded to slander me up one side and down the other. I didn't post. You couldn't stand that. The Troll in you didn't get satisfied. So, now you're over here, way off topic, pursuing your vendetta.You can't keep up with the facts, so you attack the people.

I don't give a d*** about your education or your background. It's the quality of your arguments, and your mendacious slander that offends me. But, my background really, really seems to bother you. You're obsessed by it. It recurs over and over with you. Those people who know me, know full well what my background is. They count. The sad fact of the matter is, you don't.

Grow up and get over it.

The fact is, from growing up on a railroad, and working for a railroad, I've been privileged to know some first class people, from track crew to railroad presidents. And I can truthfully say, every single one of them outclasses you.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobwilcox

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

"We were able to aboli***he helper districts in 1974. Your note reminds me that we did put some power on some hills for a few days in 1977, or possibly 1978. I think it was 1978. It was summer, and for some reason there wasn't much grain moving, but we knew there was quite a bit of storage overhang out in the elevators. The harvest season was coming up and of course that's when all of a sudden the new crop doesn't have anywhere to go because there is old grain sitting there. Then all of sudden, the railroads don't have enough cars, of course. Well, we had some empty cars sitting around, and there was a lot of grain out there. It made sense for us to anticipate the upcoming season and help everyone by getting that grain out. We dropped our rate by 15% for a very short period, a week or so. Just to fill up those empty grain cars. Make some money." WL Smith to Sol, 8.14.2002

Now, BN almost always put out a press-release decrying these actions, bringing as much attention to them as possible. I recall them well, as I thought they were a form of free advertising for their competitor and wondered what the strategy was.

Maybe neither railroad understood the "world of railroad rates" prior to Staggers. In that instance, "all I know is what I read in the newspaper." Apologies to Will Rogers

I think someone is pulling your chain. If you really beleve this, meet me in Brooklyn I've got bridge for sale.

I'll bet you do. How much did you pay for it?

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

Maybe Bob wants to sell it at an inverse rate from what he paid for it![;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Still fails to answer the question directly, like a…?
Coward?
Pretender?
Which officer’s position did you hold, at the time Mr. Smith was addressing the marketing department?

Ed understands the concept of generalized statements that allude to something that in reality isn’t so.
He has, in fact, watched you use it in ever single post you ever participate in.

In plainer English, it is called lying by omission...you enjoy leaving the reader or listener to assume, by hinting association with the named individuals, some amount of their prominence or fame, skill or worth.
This ploy quite plainly exposes the fact that you simply share none of their qualities.

Name droppers are bores.

I am quite certain Mr. Smith addressed the marketing department, but I am also sure you were not a part of it at the time.

So, again, your job, besides the part time summer one, was?

It is a simple question, Mike…why do you fear answering it?

Ed

Because I learned long ago, a civil discussion with you is pointless. Your ongoing inferiority complex wears thin. So does your name-calling. My "job" is none of your business. You didn't understand the quote, and you're still mad about three weeks ago when I pointed out how your "observations" on Class I railroads are always so different from real Class I railroaders. I knew then you were going to get back, somehow, because that's the kind of venal person you are. Schoolyard bully, all "growed" up, sort of. I saw the other thread, which I never posted on, which you proceeded to slander me up one side and down the other. I didn't post. You couldn't stand that. The Troll in you didn't get satisfied. So, now you're over here, way off topic, pursuing your vendetta.You can't keep up with the facts, so you attack the people.

I don't give a d*** about your education or your background. It's the quality of your arguments, and your mendacious slander that offends me. But, my background really, really seems to bother you. You're obsessed by it. It recurs over and over with you. Those people who know me, know full well what my background is. They count. The sad fact of the matter is, you don't.

Grow up and get over it.

The fact is, from growing up on a railroad, and working for a railroad, I've been privileged to know some first class people, from track crew to railroad presidents. And I can truthfully say, every single one of them outclasses you.

Kinda explains why he's divorced.

[greyhounds]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Whew ... a lot of invention and speculation and putting thoughts into the "mind" of the BNSF without a shred of proof, not a single supporting fact. The actual fact is, nobody was buying Minnesota wheat. Duluth's high price for Minnesota wheat was below the lowest Portland price.

The fact is, this has turned into the usual Ken Strawbridge diatribe, now imposing his superior knowledge of the wheat industry -- and "storage"!! -- and how it all works. A permanent desk jockey who wouldn't know what a bushel of wheat was if it bit him.

This is the most marvelous caricature of an argument, I mean, worthy of Monty Python, complete with the lawyer slurs because he thinks it will score some points -- but, oh, bring up his industry spokemanship for the brutal greyhound industry -- and THAT'S PERSONAL!!

Let's put it in perspective: zero experience in the wheat industry. Zero involvement in the topic of discussion, wouldn't know a combine if it ran over him, wouldn't know the effects of a drought if he dried up in one, and now, having discovered a website or two, he thinks he's an expert on it all.

See, "there's no wheat in Montana, there was a drought. See, now I know all about storage, there was wheat, but it was those mendacious Montana farmers who did not want to sell at a low price -- just like those Minnesota farmers. So I, Ken Strawbridge, can have it both ways -- the drought meant there was no wheat, and the drought meant the farmers weren't selling all their wheat."

This isn't even spin anymore. This is desperate fabrication of facts and scenarioes without a shred of respect even for his own honesty.

Why are you so desperate to argue something you obviously, transparently, know nothing about?

Go back to the greyhound industry. Apparently they need a shill.

Sol, you just crossed a big personal line for the second time.

If anyone wants to know about how racing Greyhounds are cared for and protected please feel free to contact me at [e-mail]. They have very good long lives.

Ken Strawbridge

[edblysard]

Kinda explains why he is afraid to answer...our janitor also know the president of the railroad, and some track folks too...
Still fails to answer the question.
Not obsessions, Mike...don’t be so vain as to assume anyone other than Dave is obsessed with you.
Just pointing out the fact that you hide behind anonymity.,and refuse to tell us what you did for the Milwaukee Road.

Simply put, we need to know the answer, so we can determine how to judge your postings.
Rants form a wanna be, or words from someone who was in a real position to know.

Pure fabrication, or words that can carry some weight?

Plainly obvious most of the folks here are not putting much value in your comments, as most folks disagree with you on almost every point.
And people currently in both the railroad industry, and the shpping industry, plus quite a few involved directly with shipping wheat, seem to think you off your rocker.
So far, pretty much all you have done is cut and paste graphs and other peoples words, except the snide and slightly arrogant insults...those are singularly yours, and you must be proud of them, you use them quite often to deflect questions you are afraid to answer.

As for “people who know me"...well, that’s the rub...no one here "knows" you, because you fail to provide basic background info.
You are an unknown...the Milwaukee Road Historical Society doesn’t list you as a retired or former employee, so....

Here is your chance to clue us in, add true value to your posting, and clear up any misunderstanding anyone might have as to what you did for that particular railroad.

Or you can dance some more….

Dave, when Mike rings the bell, does he check to make sure your bib is on first?

Ed

[MichaelSol]

"no one here knows you."

Actually, some do, but you've ignored their posts -- inconvenient to your diatribes. Not sure your standards are a "standard".

"...so we can determine how to judge your postings."

You are the last person to be judging anyone's postings.

Indeed, if you think background is so important, then the forbidden zone of your lack of advanced education or experience certainly must be weighed in the balance. But I don't care. You are the only one who does. By the very process of "judging" you fail. Odd that I don't apply your standards to posters in general -- I read what they say, and take from it the inherent sense, common sense, education or experience of the post itself. You are the elitist, who thinks background crucial to judgment. And yet, what is your basis to judge anyone? Education? Broad experience? The self-professed judge seems to lack a foundation to judge.

Then, by your standards, you must fail because you have no genuine qualifications on most of these topics you post to. Odd that you should be the hypocrite on the matter. Usually, its the PhD's that are sniffing down their noses and "judging".

If you don't buy the arguments. Fine. If you do, fine. In your case, the quality of the "judge" is not something that concerns the poster. You don't get it. The quality of your arguments does not propel me to prove anything to you.

This does however, prove to anyone caring, my point a few threads ago: just watch, if there is a thread I post to, edblysard and TomDiehl will show up -- and not because they have ever, ever demonstrated any knowledge of the thread topic.

Trolls.

[greyhounds]

But Sol, what did you do at the Milwuakee Road?

I came out of the Army in 1974 (Transportation Corps, 2nd Lt. I was in charge of the base railroad at Ft. Eustis and I had a truck platoon in the 100th Transporation Company.)

Afther the Army I went to Northwestern University where I earned an MS in Transportaiton. Out of NU I was hired by the ICG in Chicago.

I left the ICG as Assistant Director of Intermodal Market Development and Pricing, then I went to International Harvester as Supervisor of Market Research, then I went to RoadRailer/Thrall as a Marketing Manager.

I then left transportation and worked in telecommunications for MCI and Ameritiech. I'm now in financial services.

My father lost his farm the year I was born and I grew up in a small (1,000 folks) central Illinois town. I spent my summers as a teenager working on farms. I do know what a combine is.

What's your story?

Ken Strawbridge

[MichaelSol]

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

[greyhounds]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

So the man won't say what his qualifactions are. He'll only attack others.

Judge him accordingly.

Ken Strawbridge

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

A quick Google of Mr. Sol shows he regards himself as an attorney and "Historian" of the Milwaulkee RR, for whatever that is worth to anyone.

Based upon that and another entry showing he is a plaintiff's personal injury attorney I draw my own conclusions. According to Google he was with the firm of Sol & Wolfe in Missoula, MT. He is a member of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association.

I wonder how many times he has brought FELA or grade crossing suits against railroads....hmmm...

I guess I can look that up too...

In any event, I doubt he has ever held a job really working for ther railroad. If he had, why would he be taking such great pains to hide it??? If he has actual railroad experience of note that bears upon the issues, why not say so? Could there be a reason?

As to his great knowledge of grain and the grain markets he has written a number of book reviews that either cover railroads or grain books. Perhaps he sues farmers or grain elevators too?

By refusing to answer basic background questions, he merely leaves it open to our interpretation of the available facts.

[bobwilcox]

I've noticed you can tell a great deal about frequent posters by just reading their messages. I earned my living listening to customers and understanding what they needed from my railroad. Those skills are very helpful viewing these threads. Remember, never BS a BSer! I can see you coming before you even get a highball.

[bobwilcox]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

This thread is not about something as BORING as wheat. It is about the July Trains article on captive shippers.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobwilcox

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

This thread is not about something as BORING as wheat. It is about the July Trains article on captive shippers.

Hey, Bob. Tell it to Ken, Ed, and the other obfuscators. In fact, include yourself in that list.

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Character

By refusing to answer basic background questions, he merely leaves it open to our interpretation of the available facts.

OK, why do you hide behind a screen name? Something to hide?

What's your real name? What's your education? Job experience? Divorced? How many times?

These little games cut both ways ....

And they are ridiculous either way.

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by greyhounds

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

So the man won't say what his qualifactions are. He'll only attack others.

Well, you have conclusively demonstrated you have none, what are we to make of that? All I see is a consistent series of posted misinformation and unsubstantiated opinion, colored by outright incomprehension.

It is your factual inaccuracies, not your background, that is the topic. And no one's background protects them from ridiculous arguments.

Now, what does any of this have to do with captive shippers, except the usual flame war when you lose an argument?

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by greyhounds

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

So the man won't say what his qualifactions are. He'll only attack others.

Judge him accordingly.

Ken Strawbridge

We did that a LONG time ago Ken.

Better be careful though, he may publish a list of books on his desk again.

What that's supposed to tell us...... [?]

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobwilcox

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

This thread is not about something as BORING as wheat. It is about the July Trains article on captive shippers.

QUOTE: Originally posted by greyhounds 6/13
You know, a lot of the "captive shipper" BS out here comes from Sol's contention that Montana wheat farmers are "captive" to the BNSF.

They're not.

According to the Montana Wheat and Barley Commitee ...

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol, Posted: 13 Jun 2006

Greyhounds and Montana wheat. Never ends.

[n012944]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by Character

By refusing to answer basic background questions, he merely leaves it open to our interpretation of the available facts.

OK, why do you hide behind a screen name? Something to hide?

What's your real name? What's your education? Job experience? Divorced? How many times?

These little games cut both ways ....

And they are ridiculous either way.

Funny how you ask for stuff you refuse to give out.

[n012944]

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobwilcox

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

Obviously, you had nothing to do with wheat at Portland, in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or anywhere else.

Your "story" shows nothing relevant to the thread.

Which is exactly what your posts demonstrate.

This thread is not about something as BORING as wheat. It is about the July Trains article on captive shippers.

Hey, Bob. Tell it to Ken, Ed, and the other obfuscators. In fact, include yourself in that list.

Hey Dave, you nose looks a little brown, might want to wipe it off.

Bert

[edblysard]

I don’t think a hanky will cut it,....looks more like he needs a bed sheet or two if he wants to get it all....

(List this as obvious obfuscation)
Ed

[MichaelSol]

QUOTE: Originally posted by n012944

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelSol

QUOTE: Originally posted by Character

By refusing to answer basic background questions, he merely leaves it open to our interpretation of the available facts.

OK, why do you hide behind a screen name? Something to hide?

What's your real name? What's your education? Job experience? Divorced? How many times?

These little games cut both ways ....

And they are ridiculous either way.

Funny how you ask for stuff you refuse to give out.

My name is pretty clearly "given out."

But the point was, the person demanding the information hides his own identity behind a fake name. Seems odd to be googling people but then hiding.

After all, what's to hide?