I have been home sick from work the past couple of days and watcing a lot of CNN, Fox News, CNBC, etc. I have not once seen any mention of the critical nature of the Amtrak situation covered. I would think something that could be so major very quickly would be getting some press - or is it that the average joe just doesn't care and so the news networks don't cover it? It seems this site and only a few others provide me with any news of the current situation and what has been happening.
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
I've also been looking for Amtrak news for the past week or so. I haven't even seen the rolling headline ticker say anything. Granted, much of the Western US is facing major fires right now (2 big ones in my state of AZ), and Elizabeth Smart is still being searched for (let's hope she's safe), along with the new terrorist warnings. However, I think that they COULD give a 2-minute report on the Amtrak situation, and update it as needed.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Amtrak will be the "cover story" on "CBS News Sunday Morning" tomorrow (the 23rd). Check your local listings, as they say.
If Amtrak does begin their shutdown procedure, I think it's safe to predict that all the networks will be intensely covering the story from then on.
Posted by CNJ (Member # 1465) on :
The impending shutdown of Amtrak was covered this evening on CBS...........
Basically, no money is forthcoming yet...Mr. Minetta "supports Amtrak" (sic) but does not see imclined to give it any money...
The report also states that it would cost approximately 50 million dollars to shutdown the system even temporarily.
So nothing new...no breakthroughs yet.....I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Regards.......
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
The only way Amtrak's dilemma will take center stage is if an entire nation's worth of commuters wake up one morning, very soon, to discover they can't get to work.
Despite the millions of people who depend on Amtrak, commuter railways, and urban rapid transit systems each day, the majority of Americans will live their entire lives without ever setting foot on a train of any kind.
Most are far more interested in the new Tom Cruise movie than they'll ever be in Amtrak. So while unfortunate, it's not surprising that Tom's new braces have been scoring considerably more airtime than Mr. Gunn.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 06-23-2002).]
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Last night, Mc Laughlin Group (PBS) had a segment on the possible shutdown. I think the members here would be happy with the discussion aired.
Moderator John Mc Laughlin, panelists Eleanor Clift, Mort Zuckerman and Tony Blankley all made favorable comments about the Acela Express (i.e. acknowledge they use it) and not for one moment the "movers and shakers" would allow their "magic carpet" to shut down.
Only panelist Pat Buchannon dissented; saying that planes and cars can get people around just fine.
All told, Mc Laughlin concluded that Amtrak WILL get the $$$ and that there will be no interruption of service.