On a side tangent here, if you're into open hardware, check out this (free!) online documentary about the Arduino. It's worth a watch. http://arduinothedocumentary.org/
Sure. My question to you would be: how much is $53 billion compared to other federally-funded transit projects?
It sounds like a lot, yeah. But it's just a number. I'm sure we spend a great deal on interstate freeways and such as well.
As for the value of the project, the reports answering these questions are already in and done. You'd have to look at each one and gauge the value yourself.
Now there's another issue here, which I think you (partly?) touched on, and that's the lack of nationwide planning for HSR. Building a project here and project there does not make a true network of passenger transportation. If the federal funding could at least come with a mandate that projects meet a requirement for track gauge, power-delivery standards, switching, and automation control protocol, I think we'd be in a much better position than we are today. Building a network here or there is nice, and may be incredibly useful, but it's nowhere near as useful as a nationwide network. But that can only be built if we're willing to plan for the long-term.
You seem to be ignoring the fact that all the HSR projects have been through 5-10 years of detailed planning. All these questions have already been answered in excruciating detail.
Personally I'd much rather pay for something that improves America than another foreign war.
While the parent is flamebait, it does present an interesting point: if PC makers are so hard-up for cash that they will install anything with a bribe, why does Apple continue to do so well despite the fact that they don't engage in pay-to-play bloatware?
Sure, a Mac costs a bit more than a Windows box. But not substantially more.
Slashdot Mirror
On a side tangent here, if you're into open hardware, check out this (free!) online documentary about the Arduino. It's worth a watch.
http://arduinothedocumentary.org/
...but I only accept payments in Beenz or Flooz
That's the current design, yes. It was an unfortunate choice.
Because the internet should be free, not constrained by arbitrary borders.
Sure. My question to you would be: how much is $53 billion compared to other federally-funded transit projects?
It sounds like a lot, yeah. But it's just a number. I'm sure we spend a great deal on interstate freeways and such as well.
As for the value of the project, the reports answering these questions are already in and done. You'd have to look at each one and gauge the value yourself.
Now there's another issue here, which I think you (partly?) touched on, and that's the lack of nationwide planning for HSR. Building a project here and project there does not make a true network of passenger transportation. If the federal funding could at least come with a mandate that projects meet a requirement for track gauge, power-delivery standards, switching, and automation control protocol, I think we'd be in a much better position than we are today. Building a network here or there is nice, and may be incredibly useful, but it's nowhere near as useful as a nationwide network. But that can only be built if we're willing to plan for the long-term.
Were you also court-"martialed" for spelling-related offenses?
You seem to be ignoring the fact that all the HSR projects have been through 5-10 years of detailed planning. All these questions have already been answered in excruciating detail.
Personally I'd much rather pay for something that improves America than another foreign war.
As long as you never run IE, don't connect your computer to the internet, and never insert external media, then YES!
My taxes also pay for roads I'll never drive on, schools I'll never attend, medicine for people I'll never meet, etc. etc.
The right to only pay for what YOU will use in your taxes is not a civil liberty under any sane political philosophy.
Looks like you just demonstrated all three in a single post. Congrats!
Right -- because personal liberties and high speed trains are mutually exclusive!
Most people in jail? USA. Most expensive military? USA. Most obese? USA.
High Speed Rail contractors help you get from point A to point B in style. But they don't take American Express.
Visa. It's everywhere you want to be.
YOU DONE GOOFED
Sincerely,
- MPAA
Fine. In that case, I'll sit in the car, and whenever the driver takes a swig I'll give him a stern look and shout "NO!"
...it's a critical bug in an Adobe product. Then it's going to linger for months, if not years.
Martin Luther is spinning in his grave.
Pull the boards!
We can start by requiring alcohol manufacturers to make their bottles and cans an unusual shape that doesn't fit in any car's cup holders.
Problem Exists Between Steering Wheel And Chair
...to do drugs.
The faster we launch people into space for no particular reason, the quicker we can get rid of those annoying fossil fuels under the ground!
...once the oil-drilling platforms have depleted the undersea oil reserves, you have a platform that's ready to generate wind power.
Attach some windmills, lay down some cable, and you're good to go.
While the parent is flamebait, it does present an interesting point: if PC makers are so hard-up for cash that they will install anything with a bribe, why does Apple continue to do so well despite the fact that they don't engage in pay-to-play bloatware?
Sure, a Mac costs a bit more than a Windows box. But not substantially more.
Iran can always do what the Soviets did and make a clone of the US space shuttle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_(spacecraft)