natininja

It always seems to me that, as a general rule, people on the left are more willing to compromise (or is it be realistic) about which budget items to cut. Righties talk a lot of game on the issue, but when it comes to cutting the big ticket items, they draw a bold line. (Especially with police, locally, and defense, nationally.) Then there's the issue of order: cut services, then (if at all) cut the taxes that "paid" for the services (once you get below deficit levels). If the Bush years taught us anything about budgets and deficits, it's that the "starve the beast" method is a load of crap. Tame the budget, then consider cutting taxes. That's fiscal responsibility. Someone tell this to Kasich.

My lord, this thread got ridiculous. I agree that phenomeNON sounds better. Though EVD seems to have proven that the title as it exists is not incorrect. I agree Starbucks, etc., is a waste of money. So is gas station coffee. Make it yourself, and it's reasonable. Regularly, I drink juice (and maybe homemade espresso) in the morning, water throughout the day, and (maybe) beer or cocktail at night. I don't really get the concept of spending $1+ for any sort of beverage on a daily basis. Water's basically free, and it's the healthier option. If I want something flavored instead of water, I brew some tea. Another reason to prefer coffee to energy drinks is that it's healthier. It has antioxidants, and it doesn't come with a default @ssload of sugar.

Awesome work, jjakucyk!!! Really great. Although, another unfortunately incomplete rail project in Cincinnati. :( Scrabble, do you ever consider moving to Cincinnati? It seems like it might be a good fit for you...other than, Cincy doesn't need your votes. ;-)

Energy drinks are a very expensive habit. I like them for an occasional splurge. Particularly on road trips.

Yikes, I don't think I could stand living in the north of NL. Groningen would definitely be the most tolerable, due to youthful energy and open-mindedness, but as a whole I find Friesland and Groningen (province) quite provincial (pun not intended). Not to mention anti-buitenlander/allochtoon.

Oh shi-- Total deal-breaker, for me. Besides, your real opinions would (most?) likely be a deal breaker for her.

My feeling is that very few of the people who use the "too slow" objection would support a faster train. Stating this pbjection is just a political game. I also wonder if operational and estimated ticket costs would be more for a faster train. Oh, and then there's the issue of where the money comes from. If they won't take a no-strings $4m from the feds, how would Republicans react to a proposal which isn't fully funded by federal dollars?

I'm pretty sure any move forward would require approval by a super-majority on the Controlling Board. One of the three Republican members would have to go along with this plot of yours.

Detroit would probably be easiest for Cleveland to relate to. Kidding, kidding. Please don't throw things.

^ The lines you describe, terminating in Dayton and Akron/Canton would pretty much be dead-ends. Cincinnati and Cleveland have Amtrak connections currently, and have a lot more potential for future expansion. You shouldn't neglect that 3C is about being a part of a bigger network. Not to mention, 3C incorporates the Cincinnati-Dayton line which you advocate inside of it. It's a heavily traveled corridor, and that's a fact. Cars have the advantage in some situations; trains do in others. It's not fair to compare the two choices only using the metrics on which cars do better (e.g. door-to-door service, unscheduled departures). I trust studies by experts more than your anecdotal situation for predicting ridership. Sure, studies are sometimes wrong, but they are the best thing we have. You should have the humility to admit as much.

It would take a real hat trick on behalf of opponents to stop this thing now. I really don't see how it's doable.

This should be opened up to foreign cities. So long as the architecture is sufficiently unique to figure it out.

What's so mean about suggesting people make love??? All we're saying is "♥ for MTS & CDM!" Which is very consistent with "♥ for all!"

^^^ and ^^^^ I think the call for impeachment is a bit too firey. Sounds like extremism, and turns people off.

Agreed.

Cross-posted from what other states are doing with rail, due to potential parallels: Millburn officials seek to pass first resolution in N.J. supporting killed ARC tunnel MILLBURN – Gov. Chris Chistie may have killed the Hudson River rail tunnel, but some Millburn officials want to try and resuscitate it. Township Committee member Jim Suell wants the governing body to be the first town in the state to pass a resolution in support of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel. http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/11/millburn_wonders_can_the_tunne.html

Millburn officials seek to pass first resolution in N.J. supporting killed ARC tunnel MILLBURN – Gov. Chris Chistie may have killed the Hudson River rail tunnel, but some Millburn officials want to try and resuscitate it. Township Committee member Jim Suell wants the governing body to be the first town in the state to pass a resolution in support of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel. http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/11/millburn_wonders_can_the_tunne.html

I'm hoping to see some nice colors. Say, for holidays and things. Red, white, and blue for the 4th...or how about Orange stripes for a Bengals game? How sweet would it have been if they colored the thing red for the Reds' clinch for the post-season?

Only thing I can think of is we may have to pay back the $25 mil. which the controlling board approved for currently ongoing studies. KJP??

^ First thing for Kasich to cut. Except maybe the roads portion.

I know Kasich won HamCo, but considering the current climate and the relatively slim margin, it's yet another sign HamCo is shifting. It's not reliably red anymore. Thank Jebus. Let's keep up the transition!

^^ Maybe you should examine the real factors behind the election, rather than putting out the platitude that "Strickland wasn't getting the job done." Lots of people voted for Republican governors this year based on national issues out of the governors' control. In such a close race, you must admit there's a good possibility this was the determining factor, and out of Strickland's control. I agree with the general point that whining does no good, and acceptance is the way to go. But for chrissakes let people vent for a day or two.

Same here. Teddy and Jimmy deserved better. Oh, and I was really pulling for Prop 19 as well.

Nevermnd...My own idiot error looking at the interactive map. Boo, Kasich, boo.

RIP 3C