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Re: NASA blames motor vehicles for global warming
Author: Coal Slaw
Date: 02-27-2010 - 08:09
OldPoleBurner Wrote:
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>
> Funny - I've yet to hear any complaining about
> the same billions still going to Afghanistan -
There are many people whose views towards funding the war in Afghanistan range from misgivings to outright opposition. I don't know where you get your information about current events, but somehow I manage to learn this.
> Mark my words - you trashers of the aerospace
> program will rue the day! Already, the first
> 35,000 private sector layoffs are a fate accompli
> - with several hundred thousand more private
> sector jobs expected to follow within the next two
> years. So much for economic stimulus, and all
> those promised jobs!
Similar arguments can made about many, many domestic local, state & federal non-entitlement programs such as libraries, bridge maintenance & rehabilitation, road repair and mass transit.
> The fact is, that ever since John F. Kennedy
> created NASA in the midst of his own recession -
> it has been a prime engine of innovation,
> propelling this country well beyond any other in
> unprecedented wealth, economic power, and military
> might. In many respects, its consequence literally
> became the incarnation of America's soul.
And yet, other nations which don't have NASA whip our industrial butts in development of high-speed trains and mass transit.
>
> Much of the wealth we have enjoyed freely and take
> for granted, is rooted in and descendant from
> aerospace research and development, facilitated by
> NASA over the years. Indeed, NASA research into
> manned space flight was critical in discovering
> the cause of the heart attack epidemic of the
> 50's. Millions are alive now, that wouldn't have
> been. We all live longer as a result! It was the
> best "Stimulus" we have ever had - paid back its
> cost tens of thousands fold. But no more! We will
> become a third world entity.
Many other cutbacks threaten to make the USA a third world entity - reductions in spending for libraries, environmental protection, water and sewer systems, roads, bridges & public transit.
>
> And I'll bet that 10 years from now, when OBAMA'S
> mere $8 billion in capital passenger money is all
> long spent, we still will see few if any
> additional passenger train services. They will
> still be "rickety third world passenger trains".
>
> That $8 billion for passenger rail was spread over
> ten years. It won't even be a tenth of a down
> payment.
So what's your solution?
I agree, that $8 billion is a fraction of what is needed, but AT LEAST IT IS A START. However, for many politicians (especially those catering to the Tea Baggers), even this level of spending on trains represents the end of Western Civilization. Republican legislators in Ohio are threatening to block the funding for the 3C Corridor.
While that $8 billion may not be enough money to get a true network of high-speed intercity trains, I challenge you to name one president who has advanced a more ambitious agenda for passenger trains than Obama.
Its not just passenger rail that's the recipient of significant federal funds for improvements. On the freight side, the CREATE program in Chicago and a CSX route through Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia received major TIGER funding.
I think one has to go back to Abraham Lincoln to identify a more pro-railroad president.
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Funny - I've yet to hear any complaining about
> the same billions still going to Afghanistan -
There are many people whose views towards funding the war in Afghanistan range from misgivings to outright opposition. I don't know where you get your information about current events, but somehow I manage to learn this.
> Mark my words - you trashers of the aerospace
> program will rue the day! Already, the first
> 35,000 private sector layoffs are a fate accompli
> - with several hundred thousand more private
> sector jobs expected to follow within the next two
> years. So much for economic stimulus, and all
> those promised jobs!
Similar arguments can made about many, many domestic local, state & federal non-entitlement programs such as libraries, bridge maintenance & rehabilitation, road repair and mass transit.
> The fact is, that ever since John F. Kennedy
> created NASA in the midst of his own recession -
> it has been a prime engine of innovation,
> propelling this country well beyond any other in
> unprecedented wealth, economic power, and military
> might. In many respects, its consequence literally
> became the incarnation of America's soul.
And yet, other nations which don't have NASA whip our industrial butts in development of high-speed trains and mass transit.
>
> Much of the wealth we have enjoyed freely and take
> for granted, is rooted in and descendant from
> aerospace research and development, facilitated by
> NASA over the years. Indeed, NASA research into
> manned space flight was critical in discovering
> the cause of the heart attack epidemic of the
> 50's. Millions are alive now, that wouldn't have
> been. We all live longer as a result! It was the
> best "Stimulus" we have ever had - paid back its
> cost tens of thousands fold. But no more! We will
> become a third world entity.
Many other cutbacks threaten to make the USA a third world entity - reductions in spending for libraries, environmental protection, water and sewer systems, roads, bridges & public transit.
>
> And I'll bet that 10 years from now, when OBAMA'S
> mere $8 billion in capital passenger money is all
> long spent, we still will see few if any
> additional passenger train services. They will
> still be "rickety third world passenger trains".
>
> That $8 billion for passenger rail was spread over
> ten years. It won't even be a tenth of a down
> payment.
So what's your solution?
I agree, that $8 billion is a fraction of what is needed, but AT LEAST IT IS A START. However, for many politicians (especially those catering to the Tea Baggers), even this level of spending on trains represents the end of Western Civilization. Republican legislators in Ohio are threatening to block the funding for the 3C Corridor.
While that $8 billion may not be enough money to get a true network of high-speed intercity trains, I challenge you to name one president who has advanced a more ambitious agenda for passenger trains than Obama.
Its not just passenger rail that's the recipient of significant federal funds for improvements. On the freight side, the CREATE program in Chicago and a CSX route through Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia received major TIGER funding.
I think one has to go back to Abraham Lincoln to identify a more pro-railroad president.
