November 17, 201014 yr Apparently Kasich doesn't oppose all rail plans in Ohio funded at taxpayer expense, just the ones... oh hell, I can't even understand his reasoning enough to figure out how to make some joke about it: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/11/12/news/mj3656104.txt http://www.ridewestshore.com/
November 17, 201014 yr I've heard others refer to that Morning Journal article and say "see he supports some passenger rail." But where is there anything in that article that says that? All he apparently says is that 3C is not the same as West Shore. That doesn't mean he supports West Shore. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 17, 201014 yr The comments on that Morning Journal article are even worse than cleveland.com comments. I've noticed that the News Herald is like this as well.
November 17, 201014 yr Published November 17 2010 From Oberstar, a final take on transportation The 8th District congressman, defeated by Chip Cravaack on Election Day, uses a farewell news conference to push for funding of transportation infrastructure. By: John Myers, Duluth News Tribune Lame duck U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar gave what probably was his last news conference as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, touching on a potpourri of topics from gas taxes and French trains to his own future. The news conference with Washington transportation reporters came two weeks after Oberstar, D-Minn., lost his bid for a 19th straight term in Congress to political newcomer Chip Cravaack, a retired Northwest Airlines pilot and conservative Republican. Oberstar said he had just returned from a five-day vacation in France with his wife. He lamented the stagnant direction U.S. transportation policy seems to be headed in Washington in light of French trains that quickly speed residents and tourists to even small towns in the countryside cheaply and efficiently. Full story a: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/184181/
November 17, 201014 yr Is there hope for 3C if Obama pulls an Ike and federalizes the national HSR system? Would you support him doing so?
November 17, 201014 yr Is there hope for 3C if Obama pulls an Ike and federalizes the national HSR system? He could always do this.... http://www.theonion.com/video/obama-replaces-costly-highspeed-rail-plan-with-hig,18473/ As really funny as it is, the reality is more real than The Onion realizes. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 17, 201014 yr That high speed bus blowing by us is beginning to swerve the conversation off topic.
November 17, 201014 yr Ugh, this is reminding me of the holidays, sitting around listening to my dad make horrible jokes. :-D
November 17, 201014 yr Well, here's one Republican governor who wants Ohio's $400 million.... Schwarzenegger tells Obama administration: We'll take whatever money others don't want November 16, 2010 | 5:43 pm "It is with a certain sense of astonishment that we note recent announcements from some of our gubernatorial colleagues that they are uninterested in federal contributions to their high-speed rail systems," Schwarzenegger wrote. "You are more than welcome to redirect that money to California -– where we know how to use it to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and provide a clean, fast and low-cost way to travel." READ MORE AT: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/11/schwareznegger-tells-obama-administration-well-take-whatever-money-others-dont-want.html And another Republican governor who may be rethinking his position.... WI Gov.-Elect May Back Track On High-Speed Rail Wednesday November 17th, 2010, 10:38am Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker is reportedly reconsidering his opposition to federal funding for high-speed rail. Facing pressure from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Walker now says he may accept the funding to upgrade existing rail lines. Studies have shown that rail usage in Wisconsin has outpaced the national average. From FY 205 to FY 2009 every Wisconsin station's growth outpaced the national growth of 7.1 percent over the same period. READ MORE AT: http://progressillinois.com/news/content/2010/11/17/wi-may-back-track-high-speed-rail "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 17, 201014 yr ^ That is somewhat reassuring... maybe *other* republican governors will take notice.
November 17, 201014 yr Studies have shown that rail usage in Wisconsin has outpaced the national average. From FY 2005 to FY 2009 every Wisconsin station's growth outpaced the national growth of 7.1 percent over the same period. BTW, Ohio's Amtrak ridership grew 14 percent in FY2010 and 10 percent in FY2009. So there. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 201014 yr This is an e-mail being sent to Kasich supporters. A friend said he replied to it by writing "I responded to this message by emphasizing the importance of doing the 3C corridor. Perhaps more of us should. It can't hurt." Dear XXXXX, We want you to think about joining our team. As we build our team to bring jobs and prosperity back to Ohio, we are hoping that people from all over will consider submitting their resume to us at FixOhioNow.com. You will also be able to give us your ideas about how we can make Ohio great again. We look forward to hearing your ideas (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hhKRI5OHLdIOKcJ&s=giISJYOAJaLPK4OFLmG&m=ahLSI9MJLfKQLcL). These past few weeks since our victory on Election Day have been full of exciting announcements as we prepare for the January 10th Inauguration and a New Day in Ohio. Please see some of the highlights below: 1) In a recent position appointment, I named State Representative Jim Zehringer as the next Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. As a farmer from Mercer County, Jim has many years of experience with the wide range of issues that Ohio’s Agriculture industry faces every day. He will also work with our universities to open up research and development within Ohio’s most critical industry. 2) As Mary Taylor and I said during the campaign, it will not be business as usual in our administration. The Columbus Dispatch has an article covering our first public event after the election which I hope you will consider reading here. 3) The Columbus Dispatch’s Joe Hallett also had an Op-Ed article about the choices which need to be made for Ohio to be successful. You can read the piece here. Please remember to consider submitting your resume for us to review (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=mmK1JkM1IjJTJlL&s=giISJYOAJaLPK4OFLmG&m=ahLSI9MJLfKQLcL). Again, Mary Taylor and I appreciate all of your efforts. We will not let Ohio down. Sincerely, John Kasich Ohio Governor-Elect www.FixOhioNow.com P. S. Please forward this email to 10 of your friends and family so we can build the team that will fix Ohio. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 201014 yr Getting region on board rail plan Written by By PETER KUEBECK Sentinel Staff Writer Wednesday, 17 November 2010 08:55 TOLEDO - Getting passenger rail in Ohio on the right track was the topic at the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association's (NOPRA) Fall Forum held in the Toledo Club Monday. The event drew representatives from area governments, educational institutions and organizations. "There's probably nothing more timely" than being together for a passenger rail discussion, said Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak during her opening remarks. She noted that there had been concern about passenger rail in the state even before Governor-elect John Kasich's recent announcement that he would reject $400 million in federal dollars to support a passenger rail project in the state. READ MORE AT: http://www.sent-trib.com/front-page/getting-region-on-board-rail-plan "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 201014 yr Getting region on board rail plan Written by By PETER KUEBECK Sentinel Staff Writer Wednesday, 17 November 2010 08:55 TOLEDO - Getting passenger rail in Ohio on the right track was the topic at the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association's (NOPRA) Fall Forum held in the Toledo Club Monday. The event drew representatives from area governments, educational institutions and organizations. "There's probably nothing more timely" than being together for a passenger rail discussion, said Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak during her opening remarks. She noted that there had been concern about passenger rail in the state even before Governor-elect John Kasich's recent announcement that he would reject $400 million in federal dollars to support a passenger rail project in the state Full story at: http://www.sent-trib.com/front-page/getting-region-on-board-rail-plan
November 18, 201014 yr Yeesh.. Writer can't prove state needs 3C rail Thursday, November 18, 2010 03:03 AM The Columbus Dispatch I respond to the Nov. 10 letter 'Kasich off track on rail's value to Ohio' from John Broz, who contends that Ohio must have passenger-rail service or else. Broz said, "Passenger-rail service is critical to our state's economy." In what way? To what degree? Will our economy fail unless we have it? He also said, "Countless studies show that passenger-rail service creates jobs and businesses ... reduces pollution and reduces our dependency on fossil fuels." What studies? How much of a vested interest do their authors have in seeing passenger rail in Ohio? To what meaningful degree is passenger rail going to reduce pollution and our dependency on fossil fuels? What jobs will it create? How many? For how long? http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2010/11/18/writer-cant-prove-state-needs-3c-rail.html?sid%3D101
November 18, 201014 yr Editorial: If scrapping rail project, stop now Published: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 The questions surrounding Ohio's "3-C" high-speed rail project no longer appear to be "How fast will the trains go?" and "How will Ohio pay for it?" but "How quickly will the project be terminated?" and "Can the state keep the money and use it elsewhere?" Republican Gov.-elect John Kasich is sticking with plans to scrap high-speed rail, a decision the federal government said will cost the state millions of dollars. Kasich, who succeeds Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland in January, asked Strickland last week to immediately cancel all passenger rail contracts to save taxpayer money, according to The Associated Press. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Kasich wants the Ohio Department of Transportation to terminate contracts with two consultants at up to $25 million to study the environmental effects of the train service and to work with freight railroads on sharing tracks. http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/11/17/opinion/nh3301161.txt?viewmode=fullstory
November 18, 201014 yr Yeesh.. Writer can't prove state needs 3C rail Thursday, November 18, 2010 03:03 AM The Columbus Dispatch I respond to the Nov. 10 letter 'Kasich off track on rail's value to Ohio' from John Broz, who contends that Ohio must have passenger-rail service or else. Broz said, "Passenger-rail service is critical to our state's economy." In what way? To what degree? Will our economy fail unless we have it? He also said, "Countless studies show that passenger-rail service creates jobs and businesses ... reduces pollution and reduces our dependency on fossil fuels." What studies? How much of a vested interest do their authors have in seeing passenger rail in Ohio? To what meaningful degree is passenger rail going to reduce pollution and our dependency on fossil fuels? What jobs will it create? How many? For how long? http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2010/11/18/writer-cant-prove-state-needs-3c-rail.html?sid%3D101 Well that was absolutely pathetic. The answers to nearly all of that man's questions are out there he just chooses not to hear them. Blatant ignorance.
November 18, 201014 yr I keep reading that Kasich plans to give the money back to 'reduce the federal deficit'.... I wonder how he'll try to justify that position if the money does in fact go to another states rail program
November 18, 201014 yr I keep reading that Kasich plans to give the money back to 'reduce the federal deficit'.... I wonder how he'll try to justify that position if the money does in fact go to another states rail program He's really backed himself into a corner on this one. He's going to come out of this bruised no matter which way he goes. The Feds aren't going to let him wiggle his way into using the money for anything but passenger rail (with consequential freight improvements). If he gives the money back it will simply go to another state and about 80% of Ohio will be after his head. I'm starting to think he's going to take the path of the Wisconsin Governor and take the money with "a few modifications to make it fiscally sound." Or some nonsense like that.
November 18, 201014 yr ^I hope you're right, but I have a feeling he's going to go ahead and give the money back hoping that we won't remember it a few years from now when he's running for reelection. If he does kill it, the democratic party won't need help writing comercials about how he gave $400 Million of OUR money to New York/California/Illinois/etc.
November 18, 201014 yr I keep reading that Kasich plans to give the money back to 'reduce the federal deficit'.... I wonder how he'll try to justify that position if the money does in fact go to another states rail program It's not even an "if". The $$$ WILL go to another state for their passenger rail projects.
November 18, 201014 yr Not sure if this item from the Charlotte Business Journal has already been posted here. Apologies if it has. "North Carolina and Charlotte seem sure to gain from forthcoming high-speed rail grants. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today gave strong indications North Carolina would benefit from reallocation of $1.2 billion targeted for similar projects in Wisconsin and Ohio. Recent policy statements by newly elected Republican governors in those states made it clear they are opposed to high-speed rail lines. John Kasich and Scott Walker were elected earlier this month in Ohio and Wisconsin, respectively. LaHood, in Charlotte this week to discuss national transit policy, declined to offer additional details. He did say North Carolina stands a good chance of winning some of the reallocated money." http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2010/11/17/nc-could-see-new-funds-for-high-speed.html
November 19, 201014 yr This is mind boggling why Kasich is taking this stance. It's DO or DIE time for Ohio!
November 19, 201014 yr http://toledoblade.com/article/20101119/NEWS24/11180339 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article published November 19, 2010 Strickland pledges to keep high-speed rail project By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF COLUMBUS - Gov. Ted Strickland said Thursday he remains governor of Ohio and has no intention of backing away from his policies while he is. He will forge ahead with a $25 million study now under way of a planned passenger rail line despite Gov.-elect John Kasich's intention to kill the project. He called for the Republican-controlled Senate to explain each rejection of casino commission and other appointments he has placed before it.
November 19, 201014 yr From the National Association of Railroad Passengers. "An open letter from Cleveland resident Angie Schmitt to Ohio Governor-elect John Kasich, originally posted on Streetsblog Capitol Hill, has been making the rounds of alternative transportation advocacy blogs, but it is worth reprinting its key points here as it exemplifies how the 3C Corridor trains would improve the lives of ordinary people in ways that just building new or repairing old roads cannot. Here are some excerpts: Forgive my confusion, but I fail to see how returning $400 million in federal money is the right decision for a state with our record on unemployment. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, that infusion of cash would have immediately created 255 jobs. The U.S. Department of Commerce suggested it would result in a total of 8,000 spin-off jobs. ... ...[A]re you aware that at the time of the latest census, 374,000 Ohio households did not have a private vehicle available to them? This represents more than eight percent of the state’s households..... So, although it seems like your mind is made up on this issue, I still feel compelled to ask you: Please don’t kill 3C rail in Ohio. I was planning to use it to visit my parents in Columbus and, later, if the corridor were to expand as seemed likely, Toledo. It would have made it possible for me to get rid of my car. I’ve done the right thing. I’ve paid my taxes. I’ve tried to help contribute to the state’s future prosperity. When will my needs be considered? Or do I have to move to another state for that?" The original post can be found at http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/narpblog/letter_to_kasich/
November 19, 201014 yr From the National Association of Railroad Passengers. "An open letter from Cleveland resident Angie Schmitt to Ohio Governor-elect John Kasich, originally posted on Streetsblog Capitol Hill, has been making the rounds of alternative transportation advocacy blogs, but it is worth reprinting its key points here as it exemplifies how the 3C Corridor trains would improve the lives of ordinary people in ways that just building new or repairing old roads cannot. Here are some excerpts: Forgive my confusion, but I fail to see how returning $400 million in federal money is the right decision for a state with our record on unemployment. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, that infusion of cash would have immediately created 255 jobs. The U.S. Department of Commerce suggested it would result in a total of 8,000 spin-off jobs. ... ...[A]re you aware that at the time of the latest census, 374,000 Ohio households did not have a private vehicle available to them? This represents more than eight percent of the state’s households..... So, although it seems like your mind is made up on this issue, I still feel compelled to ask you: Please don’t kill 3C rail in Ohio. I was planning to use it to visit my parents in Columbus and, later, if the corridor were to expand as seemed likely, Toledo. It would have made it possible for me to get rid of my car. I’ve done the right thing. I’ve paid my taxes. I’ve tried to help contribute to the state’s future prosperity. When will my needs be considered? Or do I have to move to another state for that?" The original post can be found at http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/narpblog/letter_to_kasich/ Atta girl Angie !!!! You rock! :clap: :banger:
November 19, 201014 yr How about one of these along I-71, between downtown Columbus and I-270? But it should say "love, Michigan" instead.... http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Billboard_Mocks_Walkers_Stance_on_High-Speed_Rail_108412104.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 201014 yr How about one of these along I-71, between downtown Columbus and I-270? But it should say "love, Michigan" instead.... http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Billboard_Mocks_Walkers_Stance_on_High-Speed_Rail_108412104.html That would be amazing, I would love to help make that happen.
November 20, 201014 yr Now, Ohio loses a chance to create jobs. Plant plan might be derailed Ohio election results among key blows to local venture's goal of passenger-rail-car factory Saturday, November 20, 2010 02:55 AM By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Two weeks after the Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati passenger-rail plan was effectively halted by John Kasich's election as governor, plans for a Columbus-based passenger-rail manufacturing plant appear to be in jeopardy. Missouri-based manufacturer American Railcar Industries said in a regulatory filing this week that it has dissolved a joint venture with US Railcar of Columbus as "the result of current market conditions for . . . orders." The joint venture was announced in February. In an interview, US Railcar chief Barry Fromm said American Railcar will remain his manufacturing partner for any orders his company might get for its self-propelled, diesel-fueled rail cars. Seeing no orders coming through, though, American Railcar chose to pull the $250,000 equity investment it had made in the joint venture. Full story at: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/11/20/plant-plan-might-be-derailed.html?sid=101
November 20, 201014 yr How about one of these along I-71, between downtown Columbus and I-270? But it should say "love, Michigan" instead.... http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Billboard_Mocks_Walkers_Stance_on_High-Speed_Rail_108412104.html We should have one with a photo of a dump truck pouring bags of money into Michigan!
November 20, 201014 yr Now, Ohio loses a chance to create jobs. Plant plan might be derailed Ohio election results among key blows to local venture's goal of passenger-rail-car factory Saturday, November 20, 2010 02:55 AM By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Two weeks after the Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati passenger-rail plan was effectively halted by John Kasich's election as governor, plans for a Columbus-based passenger-rail manufacturing plant appear to be in jeopardy. Missouri-based manufacturer American Railcar Industries said in a regulatory filing this week that it has dissolved a joint venture with US Railcar of Columbus as "the result of current market conditions for . . . orders." The joint venture was announced in February. In an interview, US Railcar chief Barry Fromm said American Railcar will remain his manufacturing partner for any orders his company might get for its self-propelled, diesel-fueled rail cars. Seeing no orders coming through, though, American Railcar chose to pull the $250,000 equity investment it had made in the joint venture. Full story at: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/11/20/plant-plan-might-be-derailed.html?sid=101 Bye-bye jobs... on another note, did anyone notice that the last two articles concerning rail were not written by James Nash? Hmmmm...
November 20, 201014 yr Yes, I certainly did. Perhaps more people, other than just me, said they refused to talk with him anymore. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 201014 yr How about one of these along I-71, between downtown Columbus and I-270? But it should say "love, Michigan" instead.... http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Billboard_Mocks_Walkers_Stance_on_High-Speed_Rail_108412104.html We should have the same billboard as Illinois made it clear at the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's fall conference that they would apply to receive the $400 million Ohio will give up.
November 21, 201014 yr But, grrr, Michigan! I bet they can have it up by Monday -- start of Michigan Week!
November 21, 201014 yr How about one of these along I-71, between downtown Columbus and I-270? But it should say "love, Michigan" instead.... http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Billboard_Mocks_Walkers_Stance_on_High-Speed_Rail_108412104.html We should have the same billboard as Illinois made it clear at the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's fall conference that they would apply to receive the $400 million Ohio will give up. Yes, I think being factually accurate is more important than exploiting the rivalry. Don't stoop to their level of propaganda.
November 21, 201014 yr This is mind boggling why Kasich is taking this stance. It's DO or DIE time for Ohio! I hate to say it, but it's not all that mind-boggling. Kasich is an arrogant, closed-minded ideologue, and I'm afraid that this is a pretty clear indication of what his term is going to be like. Reason does not appear to be a word in his vocabulary. His way or the highway (no pun intended), facts be damned. I also get the feeling that he'll never admit when he's wrong or made a mistake. I've never been nervous about a new governor before-- whether "D" or "R". This time, I am. Kasich's unreasonable, intransigent behavior on this issue is, as I said above, becoming a strong indicator of how he is going to be running things. The last thing Ohio needs at this time is a leader who is so closed minded, unwilling to be reasonable, and consider that he may actually be wrong about something. I'm told that if US Railcar got the 3C contract for rolling stock, they would have to hire 400 people and the rail suppliers that he would be dealing with, many of which are in Ohio, would have to hire another 800 people. That's 1200 jobs, just for the rolling stock. Kasich says he's all about jobs, but he's totally dismissed, for no other reason than ego and ideology, what more than 12 other states have already proven to be strong job generators. I just wish Ohio's media would do a better job of picking up on this major mistake Kasich is already making. Atta girl Angie !!!! You rock! :clap: :banger: DITTO! I'm willing to consider whatever media stunts we can think of: Video of someone made up to look like John Kasich handcuffing someone wearing a costume in the shape of Ohio to a gas pump. A dummy made up to look like John Kasich hugging a gas pump with a sign that says something like: "I hate the 3C Corridor because I love the oil companies." Others with more creativity than me could come up with something better, but you get the idea.
November 21, 201014 yr And an example of jobs that could have been... US Railcar joint venture partner pulls out Business First - by Adrian Burns Date: Friday, November 19, 2010, 2:49pm EST The joint venture between a Columbus-based US Railcar Co. LLC and an out-of-state rail car maker has been dissolved, although US Railcar will continue with plans to build passenger rail cars and is still considering a site in Gahanna for a manufacturing plant, said US Railcar Principal Barry Fromm. US Railcar, a subsidiary of Columbus-based Value Recovery Group Inc., said in February it was joining with St. Charles, Mo.-based American Railcar Industries Inc. to enter the passenger rail market. Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2010/11/us-railcar-joint-venture-partner-pulls.html
November 21, 201014 yr ^ Well put. We are in for a rough four years with kasich and I think a lot of us will be headed for other states at the end of it all. He's now "outraged" that he can't arbitrarily take the $400 million for rail and use it for highways. He wants to leapfrog all the other states which played by the rules and have the money spent on more roads. This is what we can expect. Turn off the lights, the party's over.
November 21, 201014 yr ^ Well put. We are in for a rough four years with kasich and I think a lot of us will be headed for other states at the end of it all. He's now "outraged" that he can't arbitrarily take the $400 million for rail and use it for highways. He wants to leapfrog all the other states which played by the rules and have the money spent on more roads. This is what we can expect. Turn off the lights, the party's over. Personally, my love for Ohio trumps a train but you do what you feel you gotta do. This is about more than a train. Kasich is going to be controversial and could end up costing Ohio in a lot of ways, including jobs and that may force people to leave. Wait till he starts hacking away at other things.
November 21, 201014 yr Kasich also referred to rail advocates as a cult.... http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/21/copy/gop-governors-to-be-alike.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 Looks like immaturity and ignorance go hand in hand. I've met high school students with more maturity than this guy and his adies. And since Ohio is one of the few developed places on the planet without passenger rail or a rail project underway, who is the cult? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 21, 201014 yr Kasich also referred to rail advocates as a cult.... http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/21/copy/gop-governors-to-be-alike.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 Looks like immaturity and ignorance go hand in hand. I've met high school students with more maturity than this guy and his adies. And since Ohio is one of the few developed places on the planet without passenger rail or a rail project underway, who is the cult? Kasich is a fine one to talk about cults. He's an ideologue himself and has a fixation on more roads. :x
November 21, 201014 yr Kasich is a fine one to talk about cults. He's an ideologue himself and has a fixation on more roads. :x[ ...This is about more than a train. Kasich is going to be controversial and could end up costing Ohio in a lot of ways, including jobs and that may force people to leave. Wait till he starts hacking away at other things. Exactly BuckeyeB. This about more than just a train. This is an example of how he's going to run things... in an immature, ideological shoot-from-the-hip style. That means Ohio is going to suffer. I like Ohio too, but this state keeps shooting itself in the foot. Now we are going to have a governor who is more than happy to pull the trigger. If I were in a position to leave, I would have to give it serious consideration. I want to live somewhere where I don't have to drive every place. Or maybe it's time to consider splitting off several NE Ohio counties into its own state. There are a lot of good things going on up here at the grassroots level. Even the city of Cleveland gets it now with its Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative, but the Statehouse and Governor's office doesn't really understand and won't any time soon. I propose the State of Erie including the following counties: Erie, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit Stark, Geauga, Portage, Lake, Ashtabula, Wayne, Trumbull, Mahoning, Holmes, and maybe Medina and Columbiana too. But I'm digressing... back to trains... I think it probable that Kasich's stance on the 3C, and the attitude it illustrates about his governing style, will ultimately end up being his undoing. When you have the Pentagon getting concerned about oil prices over the next two years and global supplies after 2014, you need to start seriously thinking about developing alternatives to driving. His head is in the ideological sand.
November 22, 201014 yr At the risk of straying off topic and incurring the wrath of the moderator gods... Ohio as a state has been dominated by rural and suburban legislators at the State House for decades. Kasich is more of the same and I think it's high time the cities of Ohio band together to find solutions that bypass the state government. This isn't just about the trains, either. Nearly every urban issue has taken a back seat to rural and highway interests. Urban areas will have to find their own solutions in the face of inaction at the state level.
November 22, 201014 yr ^amen. the health of the urban areas directly corresponds to the health of the rural areas. For some reason in Ohio its one versus another, and the whole state suffers as a result. i think thats one thing that gets lost in this discussion; initiatives like the 3C will be a great help to those proponents of agriculture and 'rural character'.
November 22, 201014 yr Kasich's intransigence on rail could really haunt him. He's so visceral and vicious in his opposition that even beginning to listen to reason would be a sign of weakness. He has himself boxed into a position that does not allow him to even think about a compromise. Now, if the Democrats were smart ... oh, wait. Never mind. ... But we can be smart. Rallies, reaching out to newspapers, reaching out to Republican rail supporters, etc. -- if we do all these things, and keep doing them, we can keep discussion alive. And the more discussion of rail and 3-C, the more news reporting about it, the more unreasonable Kasich looks on this. 3-C rail may become an albatross around his neck.
November 22, 201014 yr There are a lot of parts of Ohio gov't that could use the approach Kasich is taking to the 3C - I'm thinking obscene number of school districts and local gov'ts, but a basic passenger rail system for a major urbanized state like Ohio is just such a no-brainer. Maybe Kasich thinks Polaris Parkway is too beautiful for words and that investment in rail would prevent more development like that in the rest of the state.
November 22, 201014 yr 3-C rail may become an albatross around his neck. At a scale he can't begin to imagine. When your captain won't turn the ship to avoid the iceberg, you either take back control of the ship or you get into the lifeboats before the masses do... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11781533 http://petrole.blog.lemonde.fr/2010/11/18/peak-oil-why-the-pentagon-is-pessimistic-exclusive/ http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/is-peak-oil-behind-us/ http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-27/us/alaska.oil.reserves_1_undiscovered-oil-national-petroleum-reserve-exploration-wells?_s=PM:US http://dailymessenger.com.pk/business/2010/10/15/goldman-sachs-predicts-oil-price-jump/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 22, 201014 yr "For some reason in Ohio its one versus another..." I am just amazed at the red/blue election results map. Prior to the Bush/Clinton election, the national media showed a simple red/blue map with each state going either red or blue. As I recall, the Bush/Clinton election was the first time that the map was publised at the county level. Even more recently the map has been fine-tuned, with varying shades of purple showing the margin, and a 3-D height showing the number of voters. The general trend is that residents in cities vote blue, while suburban and country areas vote red. It stands to reason, then, that a Republican governor is going to favor the suburban and country areas, because that is where his support is.
Create an account or sign in to comment