3. Announce that we will have bullet trains criss-crossing this country in the next five years. Japan is celebrating the 45th anniversary of its first bullet train this year. Now they have dozens of them. Average speed: 165 mph. Average time a train is late: under 30 seconds. They have had these high speed trains for nearly five decades -- and we don't even have one! The fact that the technology already exists for us to go from New York to L.A. in 17 hours by train, and that we haven't used it, is criminal. Let's hire the unemployed to build the new high speed lines all over the country. Chicago to Detroit in less than two hours. Miami to DC in under 7 hours. Denver to Dallas in five and a half. This can be done and done now
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
quote:Average speed: 165 mph
Um, where...? Not on most of the Shinkansen network; the average speed there is about 145 mph at best, IINM.
I don't see any high speed rail either in Moore's favorite country, Cuba. (Where he won't move to.)
quote:Let's hire the unemployed to build the new high speed lines all over the country
Now that is hilarious. The construction workers' unions (with their communistic leadership) are going to take on all of these unemployed people, unskilled at heavy construction to boot, and train them all to do this kind of work?
Looks to me like Moore's "trains everywhere" would be the very kind of "Crashela" stuff that Red China's been building all over the place.
The Tweet makes even less sense when compounded with all this from three years ago.
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
Moore has once again demonstrated that he is a Dumb A**. In todays regulated invioronment the paper work would take ten years or more to complete. Then there would be all of the lawsuits challenging many items whose paperwork was approved. It took six years to build a six mile second main track in a remote area on NM named Abo Canyon.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
He is such a dunce. There are so many things wrong with his statements. Has he forgotten that we can't build ANYTHING in America without a whole slew of red tape, EIR's, permits, politics, under the table payoffs, etc, etc, etc??? Now if this was 1945, sure, we could do it. But we have painted ourselves into a corner with all of the ridiculous stuff that goes on these days to construct something. We wouldn't have much today if things were like this 50 years ago. We wouldn't have dams, we wouldn't have power plants, the list goes on and on....
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Well, most comemnts paint MM as an idiot of one form or another. And he ain't my favorite commentator. But I'll tell you what - I'd rather be hearing this kind of "dreamer" talk from the yokels all running for President this year (and I include Obama)than assinine bloviations about contraception, partisan tax bickering, hollow promises of impossible tasks, and all else that passes for serious politics lately.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by RRCHINA: Moore has once again demonstrated that he is a Dumb A**.
If you haven't, read [u]Michael Moore is Big Fat Stupid White Man[/u] for a good potrayal of this wonderful person.
quote:In todays regulated invioronment the paper work would take ten years or more to complete. Then there would be all of the lawsuits challenging many items whose paperwork was approved. It took six years to build a six mile second main track in a remote area on NM named Abo Canyon.
And the reason it took so long was one single landowner who owns/leases some 7,000 acres and operates it as some form of high class dude ranch called Dripping Springs Ranch. They had to have spent megabucks fighting it. They had their own studies done, got someone to cook up a tunnel alternative, and tried to pull in everybody they could to add to the noise of the objectors. They went on and on about noise, light pollution, even that the line attacted railfans. A search finds them doing this sort of stuff again, this time over a pipeline project. Search the ranch mname with Mountainair NM and the name Rosas. I find the squawking about the pipeline truly silly. After it is in the ground the only way you know it is there is by the markers at property line and road crossings, plus whatevey they have at long intervals for pumping and pig catching.
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: Well, most comemnts paint MM as an idiot of one form or another. And he ain't my favorite commentator. But I'll tell you what — I'd rather be hearing this kind of "dreamer" talk from the yokels all running for President this year (and I include Obama) than asinine bloviations about contraception, partisan tax bickering, hollow promises of impossible tasks, and all else that passes for serious politics lately
No you wouldn't, if you dug even a little bit below the surface when it comes to Moore. And the concept of taking all the "unemployed people" to work on a project that they have absolutely no skill to construct? That's "asinine bloviation" beyond what's been going on in the Presidential debates.
Like I mentioned before, China has been building "trains everywhere", but at a horrific human cost. Very clear that Comrade Moore has no qualms about repeating that grave error without learning a thing from it — and by "Presidential (executive?) order" rather than the normal legislative process. Really demonstrates the kind of mind in that cranium.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
It seems we all construct meaning to fit our pre-conceptions. I happen to know MANY unemployed people here in the Central Valley of California who are skilled journeymen in the construction trades. Any yes, I would prefer a person in the White House who isn't afraid to dream a little bit. Stating the there ought to be trains everywhere, as a finished goal, would never get done (as all our pragmatic peers herein show). But it would lead to a few more trains somewhere, and that'd be an improvement.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Gingrich dreamed about space travel and a moon colony, and that was pretty much the end of his run (even though he's still running). I don't think voters like dreamers, especially in these economic conditions.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Oh well, it's our turn today.
Turnout is expected to be at a State-wide level of 25% - so much for democracy in action (likely higher here in affluent, strong Republican, DuPage County).
Horray, the robo-calls will come to an end. I've had to pull the plug on the phones for the past week as some of them come after my 830P bedtime.
May the best man win.
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: It seems we all construct meaning to fit our pre-conceptions. I happen to know MANY unemployed people here in the Central Valley of California who are skilled journeymen in the construction trades. Any yes, I would prefer a person in the White House who isn't afraid to dream a little bit. Stating the there ought to be trains everywhere, as a finished goal, would never get done (as all our pragmatic peers herein show). But it would lead to a few more trains somewhere, and that'd be an improvement.
We already have an incumbent president occupying the White House who dreams not just a little bit. Reality set in not long after. The only "preconception" that Moore put out there is his own — that building HSR would put a large swath of unemployed people back to work, not just skilled journeymen who make an average wage of up to $27.40 per hour (plus benefits) or maybe more than that. Most unemployed people would not like to hear of a jobs program for a select few versus a broad cross-section of people; certainly during ARRA and the superfluous highway construction going on, people were not pleased at the results. The incumbent authorized $8 billion for "high speed rail" projects (really improvement to 110-mph for the most part) and that fizzled.
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Well, I'll go on record right here and now as betting the incumbent gets another term. If I lose, I'll post that irishchieftain deserves a coffee with Bailey's on me if we ever cross paths on a train!
Posted by Thunderbush (Member # 30533) on :
Ill go on record and say if the incumbent wins it will be all over. Hes already mucked up enough and needs to be sent home ( unfortunately his home is near my home sighs)
As for Mikey, hes about a loon. I am glad someone over at the OWS movement called him out.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Actually, the biggest blow to me was a local-level referendum. I was for it, but some 80% of the voters who turned out were not.
Now, we are going to pay for "our sin of omission".
Since Real Estate Taxes are at best a no growth; and since McMansion building has been greatly curtailed, there is no longer a case of chopping down my WWII era house and its $6K tax bill (it's public record, volks) in favor of a McMansion with its $15K. So to raise revenue, the Village sought a referendum to enable a 1% "Sales Tax" to be imposed. Now without it, the Politburu (whoops Trustees) will simply retaliate and cut service. While I don't think it will ever come to having Fire or Police not respond to a call, I can see the "little things" go adios, i.e. roads plowed by 6AM. In effect, they will get us in a submission hold, put the referendum on the ballot again, and it will carry.
Why be bombarded with "death by a thousand cuts" when they will just get their tax anyway in the end.
BTW, you can't simply vote the Politburu out of office - not when there are seven of 'em; and two stand for Election every two years.
quote:Originally posted by Thunderbush: Ill go on record and say if the incumbent wins it will be all over. Hes already mucked up enough and needs to be sent home ( unfortunately his home is near my home sighs)
As for Mikey, hes about a loon. I am glad someone over at the OWS movement called him out.
I have made it my goal to be an ambassador of information regarding Barack Obama. I have spent the last two years (but very hardcore for the last 12 months) learning everything I can about him. I won't post it here, but suffice it to say that he is NOT the man people think he is. He is dangerous, and he must not be reelected or this country (and this world) as we know it will come to an end. Just as Hugo Chavez ruined the beautiful, free country of Venezuela right before our very eyes, the same will happen to us---only it will be one thousand fold, and very destructive. I lose sleep at night---it's very, very bad.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
GBN - any big changes in your district's congressional representation due to redistricting or will it be November before that outcome is decided?
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
quote:
Originally posted by smitty195:
He is dangerous, and he must not be reelected or this country (and this world) as we know it will come to an end.
Well, you've got my attention. I went ahead and changed the topic title accordingly. Hope Paul or Santorum gets in so you can catch some shuteye (though I won't).
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Romney will be our next President. He is NOT Dole or McCain, but he will be more like Bush, trying to get along with our opposition (like he did in Massachusetts) . If we have a repeat of 2010, our Nation will probably survive.
If not, there is always the resurrection of the Republic of Texas.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: [QUOTE]
Well, you've got my attention. I went ahead and changed the topic title accordingly. Hope Paul or Santorum gets in so you can catch some shuteye (though I won't).
Paul? No way (that dude is crazy). Santorum? Nope again (way too extreme for my tastes). Romney will be the nominee---it's almost guaranteed at this point, but he's not "my guy". My person didn't even run.
And if the reelection takes place, then yes, the sky will indeed be falling. I've learned so much about this guy--it's frightening.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Presley, at the moment, I am in the 13th, but will be in the 6th come January. None of the congressional district site have yet to offer redrawn maps.
But either way, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL13) and Peter Roskam (R-IL6) are loyal soldiers for "the cause" and are "critters-for life". Having visited here, I think you will safely concur that nobody around here really knows what the "D-word" is. Rep. Biggert has in the past run unopposed.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Looks like our four legged friends will be "campaign props":
I'm reminded of a mediocre movie in which Hugh Grant plays a New Yorker in witness protection with his estranged wife in rural Wyoming. He asks a grizzled Wilford Brimley whether any Democrats live in town....
The answer "Four......and we know who they are."
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
David, that was "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" Kind of funny movie, actually.
As far as "campaign props," I think it's gonna be hard to beat this:
The GOP candidates keep stepping in it. What a dumb thing to say---didn't he know the mocking that would take place after saying such a thing? I just wish "my" people would stick to the issues and teach people about conservatism and why it can get us out of the trench we're in. Incredibly frustrating to me.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I don't know about that Etch-a-Sketch thing. All I have ever been able to produce is a box with a road leading to it.
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195:
quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: As far as "campaign props," I think it's gonna be hard to beat this:
The GOP candidates keep stepping in it. What a dumb thing to say---didn't he know the mocking that would take place after saying such a thing? I just wish "my" people would stick to the issues and teach people about conservatism and why it can get us out of the trench we're in. Incredibly frustrating to me.
GOP's been done with conservatism for a long time; for just as long as that, they've been pandering instead.
Of course, over on the DNC side, you've got people like Axinemay Atersway who call people in the GOP "demons" (talk about literal demonization)...they should all last as long in office as Alanway Aysongray...
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Let's just call this one a political thread and all relax about how it relates to the normal purpose of the site.
The whole problem is that both sides of the political fence have made rail transportation a political issue rather than a transportation issue. The reality is that neither is going to do anything of major significance for passenger transportation by rail because the pro-rail people do not include any source of major political donations. There is no General Motors, Ford, Standard Oil, and such that have deep pocket to empty on both sides of the political equation to get the attention of those with real political clout.
Despite all the hand wringing about money spent on rail, it is not even pocket change compared to most of the "Sacred cow" government programs.
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Now that is hilarious. The construction workers' unions (with their communistic leadership) are going to take on all of these unemployed people, unskilled at heavy construction to boot, and train them all to do this kind of work?