For all of the naysayers, most ridership estimates are bogus (BART, anyone?) costs are Defense Department standard, that is wildly low with huge cost overruns(BART, again, also the Bay Bridge, the maze at I 80-580). That said, we seem willing to burn BILLIONS to fund highways to nowhere, build bridges we won't maintain (and which fail early), miles of useless sound walls. Will CAHSR be "done right"? Not likely. However, even mediocre higher speed rail (electrified from huge solar installations) is still much better than wasting petroleum on airline trips. And for all of the free trickle market believers, remember every dollar stolen from taxpayers in these schemes goes to consultants, vendors, and contractors--capitalists one and all.