-> On 17 Jul 09  23:56:28, Richard Webb got back to Dan Ceppa 
-> Re: Palin Scandal

 DC> speed  record, IIRC, was set over 100 yrs ago with a steam
 DC> locomotive.   

 RW> Sure was, main stumbling block for reliable high speed rail
 RW> is improved track.

Just a quibble:  It's the cheap road bed that is the problem.  Compare 
the base the traks are laid on to European and Japanese counterparts.  


 DC> If done right, the RRs could take over ld transportation from otr
 DC> trucks.   

 RW> Sure could, and a lot of shorter haul stuff from airlines.

Air shipping will probably end up being for very high priority items. 
Most things do not have to be there overnight.  

 
 DC> All you need to look around and see the crumbling going on right
 DC> before  your eyes.  

 RW> YEp, major systems that need work.  I think they'll have to
 RW> crumble more, and the petroleum economy melt down further
 RW> though before Americans are really put back to work.  I hate to say
 RW> it, but I think we're going to see another generation or more of
 RW> economically disenfranchised Americans before it shakes out.

Enery independence has been talked about for decades.  And nothing 
has changed over that period of time. Now, 

 
 RW> But hey we're diverted by the big screen circus, and we
 RW> lament the passing of MIchael Jackson, an entertainer who
 
 DC> I can't believe people actually  give a rat's ass about the scumbag.

 RW> I can't either, but they sure do.  HE's just one of several
 RW> circuses we have to watch while we consume our wonderbread.

Farah Fawcett, at least, had an interesting story behind her.  

More so is that now of Walter Cronkite.  

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