Comments on: Get ready for the Blue Angels http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/ News, events and restaurant guide for Seattle's Ballard neighborhood Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:13:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Black_Sheep http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-2/#comment-11894 Black_Sheep Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:29:12 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11894 SPG, I worked with someone who had just fled the war in Bosnia a few months before the Blue Angels came to town - I have never seen someone as terrified as she was when the planes flew over. It's a fear that most Americans are lucky enough to never have. I was somehow unable to convince her that they were "fun". SPG, I worked with someone who had just fled the war in Bosnia a few months before the Blue Angels came to town – I have never seen someone as terrified as she was when the planes flew over. It's a fear that most Americans are lucky enough to never have. I was somehow unable to convince her that they were “fun”.

]]> By: Stupid Hippie http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-2/#comment-11896 Stupid Hippie Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:13:14 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11896 Wouldn't the money be better spent building pea patches for underprivileged gang members? And what about the carbon footprint? I though we cared more about the planet?<br><br>Vizualize world peace! Wouldn't the money be better spent building pea patches for underprivileged gang members? And what about the carbon footprint? I though we cared more about the planet?

Vizualize world peace!

]]> By: chopper_74 http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11895 chopper_74 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:42:40 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11895 I'd like to get a follow up photo of the show.<br>Preferably, the 'dirty diamond' maneuver.<br>That would be an incredible desk top image... <br>I'll be looking for the link! I'd like to get a follow up photo of the show.
Preferably, the 'dirty diamond' maneuver.
That would be an incredible desk top image…
I'll be looking for the link!

]]> By: SPG http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11893 SPG Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:51:57 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11893 And therefore that makes my entire point completely moot. Thank you. And therefore that makes my entire point completely moot. Thank you.

]]> By: SPG http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11871 SPG Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:51:00 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11871 On a per person basis, sure. But let's look at the chance of it happening this weekend...<br>The blue angels have an accident on average once every 4 years. They probably do about 25 shows a year, so that's 1 in 100. Even if you skew it to include training, and up that to 1 in 1000 it's still enough of a risk that they need to seriously consider where they're doing it.<br>Like I said earlier, I do enjoy it, I just question the wisdom of doing it over a densely populated city. On a per person basis, sure. But let's look at the chance of it happening this weekend…
The blue angels have an accident on average once every 4 years. They probably do about 25 shows a year, so that's 1 in 100. Even if you skew it to include training, and up that to 1 in 1000 it's still enough of a risk that they need to seriously consider where they're doing it.
Like I said earlier, I do enjoy it, I just question the wisdom of doing it over a densely populated city.

]]> By: SeaSpider http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11870 SeaSpider Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:57:21 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11870 Yes but it's still an astronomically low risk - so low as to not be worth worrying about, especially given all the vastly more likely ways in which person can be killed. The average person is more likely to be killed by lightning or win the lottery. Yes but it's still an astronomically low risk – so low as to not be worth worrying about, especially given all the vastly more likely ways in which person can be killed. The average person is more likely to be killed by lightning or win the lottery.

]]> By: SeaSpider http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11892 SeaSpider Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:54:59 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11892 The Israeli air force doesn't fly FA-18s. The Israeli air force doesn't fly FA-18s.

]]> By: SPG http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11891 SPG Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:10:33 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11891 A couple years ago the blue angels show coincided with the Israeli bombings of Beirut. Kind of weird having coffee with a Lebanese friend who hadn't heard from his family while having the same F18s buzzing low overhead. He tried not to show it, but you could tell it was especially unnerving. <br>I know that this isn't enough to stop the show, nor should it, but we should at least be considerate of how our neighbors might feel about these things. A couple years ago the blue angels show coincided with the Israeli bombings of Beirut. Kind of weird having coffee with a Lebanese friend who hadn't heard from his family while having the same F18s buzzing low overhead. He tried not to show it, but you could tell it was especially unnerving.
I know that this isn't enough to stop the show, nor should it, but we should at least be considerate of how our neighbors might feel about these things.

]]> By: SPG http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11869 SPG Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:05:21 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11869 True, I guess my point really is that in most of the cases of dangerous entertainment the spectators that are in danger have made a conscious choice to take the risk for the reward of entertainment. Here in Seattle, an apartment dweller or office worker who could, god forbid, have their building hit by a plane has no choice in their risk exposure. True, I guess my point really is that in most of the cases of dangerous entertainment the spectators that are in danger have made a conscious choice to take the risk for the reward of entertainment. Here in Seattle, an apartment dweller or office worker who could, god forbid, have their building hit by a plane has no choice in their risk exposure.

]]> By: BarneyRubble http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11890 BarneyRubble Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:24:11 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11890 Take it easy Ethel... Take it easy Ethel…

]]> By: SeaSpider http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11880 SeaSpider Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:11:15 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11880 WORD!!!! <br><br>I hate people who whine about this sort of thing. It's like people in Boston who bitch about road closures due to the marathon. If you don't like it move to the 'burbs where you clearly belong! Living in a city means occasionally dealing with this sort of thing. Most of these events have been going on longer than the people who whine about them. WORD!!!!

I hate people who whine about this sort of thing. It's like people in Boston who bitch about road closures due to the marathon. If you don't like it move to the 'burbs where you clearly belong! Living in a city means occasionally dealing with this sort of thing. Most of these events have been going on longer than the people who whine about them.

]]> By: SeaSpider http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11868 SeaSpider Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:09:04 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11868 Actually fans have been injured at NASCAR events. Expand beyond NASCAR to other forms of car racing and many car racing fans have been killed. There was a famously horrific crash at LeMans years ago that killed dozens of spectators. <br><br>Considering the hundreds of millions of people who have seen the Blue Angels over the past 60+ years I'd say they have a pretty impressive spectator safety record. Statistically it's still safer than baseball or hockey. Let's also not forget the child killed in Tacoma at a monster truck rally a few months back. <br><br>Bottom line is just about every activity is dangerous. I think when you look at the safety record of the Angels it's pretty clear they take safety seriously and are doing everything reasonably possible to make sure spectators don't get hurt. Actually fans have been injured at NASCAR events. Expand beyond NASCAR to other forms of car racing and many car racing fans have been killed. There was a famously horrific crash at LeMans years ago that killed dozens of spectators.

Considering the hundreds of millions of people who have seen the Blue Angels over the past 60+ years I'd say they have a pretty impressive spectator safety record. Statistically it's still safer than baseball or hockey. Let's also not forget the child killed in Tacoma at a monster truck rally a few months back.

Bottom line is just about every activity is dangerous. I think when you look at the safety record of the Angels it's pretty clear they take safety seriously and are doing everything reasonably possible to make sure spectators don't get hurt.

]]> By: SeaSpider http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11861 SeaSpider Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:53:49 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11861 There are very tight regulations about how and where they fly. Paths are laid out so if something goes wrong they won't plow into a densely populated area. Many of these regs were put in place following a horrible accident at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany in the late 80's. That accident involved the Italian Air Force and killed dozens of people in large part because some of the planes were flying directly towards the crowd while executing a maneuver. One of the jets went cartwheeling right into the audience. <br><br>AFAIK in over 60 years a civilian has never been killed by a Blue Angels accident. Considering they play to over 10 million people a year that's a pretty good record! By far and away the most dangerous part of seeing the Blue Angels is driving to the show. Odds of you getting killed in a car crash are astronomically higher. There are very tight regulations about how and where they fly. Paths are laid out so if something goes wrong they won't plow into a densely populated area. Many of these regs were put in place following a horrible accident at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany in the late 80's. That accident involved the Italian Air Force and killed dozens of people in large part because some of the planes were flying directly towards the crowd while executing a maneuver. One of the jets went cartwheeling right into the audience.

AFAIK in over 60 years a civilian has never been killed by a Blue Angels accident. Considering they play to over 10 million people a year that's a pretty good record! By far and away the most dangerous part of seeing the Blue Angels is driving to the show. Odds of you getting killed in a car crash are astronomically higher.

]]> By: patooties http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11888 patooties Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:50:25 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11888 Right, speaking of being oh-so-entitled. You buy a house next to some train tracks, and then you're shocked, SHOCKED that you hear noise from trains passing. Imagine - who could have predicted that? By all means, make those noisy trains go somewhere else so you can be happy. Never mind they were here before you decided to come and bless the neighborhood.<br><br>Fact is, there are a lot fewer small planes flying around now then there were years ago. Sorry to bother you with reality. If you really think "they've increased dramatically" since your arrival, you must have parachuted in to Ballard just a few weeks ago. They've been here a long time, newcomer, and if you don't like them, don't let the door hit you in the ass when you move on. Right, speaking of being oh-so-entitled. You buy a house next to some train tracks, and then you're shocked, SHOCKED that you hear noise from trains passing. Imagine – who could have predicted that? By all means, make those noisy trains go somewhere else so you can be happy. Never mind they were here before you decided to come and bless the neighborhood.

Fact is, there are a lot fewer small planes flying around now then there were years ago. Sorry to bother you with reality. If you really think “they've increased dramatically” since your arrival, you must have parachuted in to Ballard just a few weeks ago. They've been here a long time, newcomer, and if you don't like them, don't let the door hit you in the ass when you move on.

]]> By: ethel http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11889 ethel Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:27:23 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11889 I was at Denny Blaine the other day and you could certainly see them from there. All too well as far as I was concerned. I have been jumpy about any planes flying low ever since 9/11, and I just felt as if I was going to be strafed or something. I can see how they look kind of cool, but they are not my thing. I was at Denny Blaine the other day and you could certainly see them from there. All too well as far as I was concerned. I have been jumpy about any planes flying low ever since 9/11, and I just felt as if I was going to be strafed or something. I can see how they look kind of cool, but they are not my thing.

]]> By: Black_Sheep http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11878 Black_Sheep Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:28:19 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11878 Well, YEAH.... Well, YEAH….

]]> By: (n)utcase http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11887 (n)utcase Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:31:13 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11887 they've increased dramatically since I've been here. I guess you're one of the 'entitled' who feels like a flying lawn-mower is good for background noise.<br><br>these little airplanes suck, plain and simple. there a part of what drags this place down. they've increased dramatically since I've been here. I guess you're one of the 'entitled' who feels like a flying lawn-mower is good for background noise.

these little airplanes suck, plain and simple. there a part of what drags this place down.

]]> By: patooties http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11886 patooties Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:52:21 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11886 I love the floatplanes going over Ballard - they're great!<br><br>By the way, they were here before you moved in (unless you've been here for, what, 60 years?). So maybe you shouldn't have moved someplace that had airplanes flying over if you don't like them.<br><br>I say, bring on more floatplanes. They're a great part of what makes this place what it is. You want to get away from the floatplane noise? Fine. Go back to LA or New Jersey or Cleveland or wherever you came here from. I love the floatplanes going over Ballard – they're great!

By the way, they were here before you moved in (unless you've been here for, what, 60 years?). So maybe you shouldn't have moved someplace that had airplanes flying over if you don't like them.

I say, bring on more floatplanes. They're a great part of what makes this place what it is. You want to get away from the floatplane noise? Fine. Go back to LA or New Jersey or Cleveland or wherever you came here from.

]]> By: luv2travel http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11853 luv2travel Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:05:26 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11853 Here here! It's a tradition.<br>i'm so sick of people complaining about being offended. Knock it off already. I love that they are here. Here here! It's a tradition.
i'm so sick of people complaining about being offended. Knock it off already. I love that they are here.

]]> By: (n)utcase http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11885 (n)utcase Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:16:21 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11885 I would actually prefer to have the blue angels flying over ballard than all those stupid little float planes. in my opinion, they are the worst contributors to noise pollution around here, and it's gotten louder and LOUDER the last few years. <br>I guess the lame economy has given all the microsoftees more time to spend up on the island. I would actually prefer to have the blue angels flying over ballard than all those stupid little float planes. in my opinion, they are the worst contributors to noise pollution around here, and it's gotten louder and LOUDER the last few years.
I guess the lame economy has given all the microsoftees more time to spend up on the island.

]]> By: pants http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11884 pants Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:53:57 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11884 Thank you! Thank you!

]]> By: pants http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11854 pants Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:50:42 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11854 Glad this thread went from zero to NATIONALISTIC PROPAGANDA in no time flat... Glad this thread went from zero to NATIONALISTIC PROPAGANDA in no time flat…

]]> By: motorrad http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11883 motorrad Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:07:24 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11883 Dear Allyse-I was very disappointed I did not see them over Ballard today. 9 years ago the Angels were given carte blanche to fly almost wherever and however they wanted in the lead-up to the events. Treetop fly-overs of Queen Anne etc. I was on a high rooftop downtown as one pilot flew between our building and the next right at my eye level. What a gas! People like you complained and the practice day flights were severely restricted meaning less enjoyment for those of us that enjoy it. Sadly it will probably come to pass that the naysayers will win out and it may end altogether. Personally I HATE seafoodfest. It is really inconvenient, ridiculous to block THE major roads, and I avoid it like it was ipecac. BUT I do accept that others enjoy it and it is only a couple days so I deal with it. Just because you don't 'get' the Angels, please respect those that do and just accept it as part of summer.<br><br>I would suggest you go to watch from the 1-90 bridge on Saturday. Give it a shot to see the show from one of THE best spots. Pedestrians are allowed to walk out on the bridge. Seeing the show in it's entirety, not just seeing a lone plane or 2 fly over, is really interesting. <br><br>Accept the differences because the world would be really boring if everyone was the same.<br><br>Just because you don't see the merit in something doesn't mean it has none. I would bet there are things you enjoy that I think are stupid. Let others enjoy their primitive lust for a couple days. Dear Allyse-I was very disappointed I did not see them over Ballard today. 9 years ago the Angels were given carte blanche to fly almost wherever and however they wanted in the lead-up to the events. Treetop fly-overs of Queen Anne etc. I was on a high rooftop downtown as one pilot flew between our building and the next right at my eye level. What a gas! People like you complained and the practice day flights were severely restricted meaning less enjoyment for those of us that enjoy it. Sadly it will probably come to pass that the naysayers will win out and it may end altogether. Personally I HATE seafoodfest. It is really inconvenient, ridiculous to block THE major roads, and I avoid it like it was ipecac. BUT I do accept that others enjoy it and it is only a couple days so I deal with it. Just because you don't 'get' the Angels, please respect those that do and just accept it as part of summer.

I would suggest you go to watch from the 1-90 bridge on Saturday. Give it a shot to see the show from one of THE best spots. Pedestrians are allowed to walk out on the bridge. Seeing the show in it's entirety, not just seeing a lone plane or 2 fly over, is really interesting.

Accept the differences because the world would be really boring if everyone was the same.

Just because you don't see the merit in something doesn't mean it has none. I would bet there are things you enjoy that I think are stupid. Let others enjoy their primitive lust for a couple days.

]]> By: NoraBell http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11877 NoraBell Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:54:05 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11877 Yikes! I'll tell her she needs a beer run. Yikes! I'll tell her she needs a beer run.

]]> By: iheartballard http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11882 iheartballard Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:49:14 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11882 I thoroughly enjoy hearing the roaring sounds of the Blue Angels this time of year. Scared the crumbs out of the napping baby earlier, but gave me goosebumps (hard to do when it is 90 degrees in the house). I can't wait to watch our tax dollars dance through the sky this weekend! I thoroughly enjoy hearing the roaring sounds of the Blue Angels this time of year. Scared the crumbs out of the napping baby earlier, but gave me goosebumps (hard to do when it is 90 degrees in the house). I can't wait to watch our tax dollars dance through the sky this weekend!

]]> By: Black_Sheep http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11876 Black_Sheep Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:29:21 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11876 Not helpful? We'll all be right over... ;) Not helpful? We'll all be right over… ;)

]]> By: kerala http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11881 kerala Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:30:28 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11881 My favorite place is to go on Friday - before the weekend crowds - and watch them anywhere from Mt. Baker Beach to Seward Park on Lake Washington Blvd. Or ride your bike onto I-90 and enjoy the show from there.<br>As a native of Seattle I remember before it was such a corporate event and we'd be on our inner tubes a dozen or so yards away as they sped by. Just paddling around having fun. <br>The Blues and Seafair are a true part of my heritage as my dad was a buddy of the Bardahl team for many years. I know there are many who would rather they stayed away, but for me, it brings back some wonderful memories. My favorite place is to go on Friday – before the weekend crowds – and watch them anywhere from Mt. Baker Beach to Seward Park on Lake Washington Blvd. Or ride your bike onto I-90 and enjoy the show from there.
As a native of Seattle I remember before it was such a corporate event and we'd be on our inner tubes a dozen or so yards away as they sped by. Just paddling around having fun.
The Blues and Seafair are a true part of my heritage as my dad was a buddy of the Bardahl team for many years. I know there are many who would rather they stayed away, but for me, it brings back some wonderful memories.

]]> By: BarneyRubble http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11879 BarneyRubble Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:12:03 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11879 Cue the same whiners every year.... Bunch of effing kill joys. I just don't get it. This has been a part of our summer for YEARS. Get over it. <br><br>The schedules are published long in advance. It's your fault if your commute is messed up. Cue the same whiners every year…. Bunch of effing kill joys. I just don't get it. This has been a part of our summer for YEARS. Get over it.

The schedules are published long in advance. It's your fault if your commute is messed up.

]]> By: SPG http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11867 SPG Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:39:43 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11867 Like I said earlier, I do enjoy watching them too, but I also wonder what the risk/reward calculus looks like on something like this. <br>Driving a car to work or the store is different than participating in a NASCAR event, and so too is air travel vs a precision flying team doing dangerous stunts for our amusement.<br>NASCAR has large barrier walls and fencing so that when an accident happens the fans aren't injured. The Blue Angels do perform most of their more dangerous stunts over the lake for this same reason, but there are still quite a few boaters out there, and there is really no good place for an errant plane to crash around here. If you want to use the car vs plane analogy, this would be more like if NASCAR ran a race over our streets without barrier walls or fencing. It sure would be loud and fun to watch, but it also would be extremely dangerous for the audience and bystanders. Like I said earlier, I do enjoy watching them too, but I also wonder what the risk/reward calculus looks like on something like this.
Driving a car to work or the store is different than participating in a NASCAR event, and so too is air travel vs a precision flying team doing dangerous stunts for our amusement.
NASCAR has large barrier walls and fencing so that when an accident happens the fans aren't injured. The Blue Angels do perform most of their more dangerous stunts over the lake for this same reason, but there are still quite a few boaters out there, and there is really no good place for an errant plane to crash around here. If you want to use the car vs plane analogy, this would be more like if NASCAR ran a race over our streets without barrier walls or fencing. It sure would be loud and fun to watch, but it also would be extremely dangerous for the audience and bystanders.

]]> By: NoraBell http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/30/get-ready-for-the-blue-angels/comment-page-1/#comment-11875 NoraBell Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:29:58 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/?p=8755#comment-11875 It's called a healthy debate. I hear that can happen in blog threads.<br>My answer wouldn't be helpful, anyway. I watch them from my mom's balcony. It's called a healthy debate. I hear that can happen in blog threads.
My answer wouldn't be helpful, anyway. I watch them from my mom's balcony.

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