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French Set Rail Speed Record, US Largely Uninterested

If it’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s when a good technology exists and no one rushes to use it to their best ability. More on that in a minute, but for now, kudos to the French for achieving the world record for a rail-based train’s tthe op speed, at 357.2 MPH. This is more than double the fastest of the AmTrak Acela line which is capable of high speed (125mph or so) on only sections the Northeast Cooridor only, a set of track running from D.C. to Boston. This linked article describes the sensations of passengers on today’s train ride. More importantly, the French (and much of the world) realize that high speed trains are a great idea, and something that ought to be implemented. France, England, Germany, Japan, and China are only some of the countries actively researching and developing high-speed rail lines, be it MagLev or traditional rail.

For now, congrats to the French.

It’s time for us in the United States to realize that high-speed rail is one of the best methods of transportation for the future. Surely, it’s not ready now, but we need to be developing fast-rail or MagLev technology. While we aren’t doing much, we are doing a little something. Several localities in the U.S. are either thinking of developing high-speed rail, or are at the Environmental Impact Statement stage of design. For example, California has created the California High Speed Rail Authority. The Baltimore/Washington D.C. MagLev Project seems stalled and going nowhere.

The United States has 300 million people, and growing. Population estimates continue to climb through this century. We simply can not keep building more and more roads to accommodate more and more cars, causing more and more pollution. Granted, in the U.S. we have a much greater east/west and north/south than other countries. France is approximately 600 miles in both east/west and north/south directions. For comparison, France is slightly less than twice the size of Colorado. Given the United States is 3,200 miles east/west, we do have quite a lot of distance to cover. Our infrastructure does require significant investment. Without making this critical investment, we run the risk of falling behind other nations, and in the 22nd century we’ll still have a 20th century transportation system.

Time for us to get our shit together. Limit our driving, increase R&D into light rail for communities and MagLev for city-to-city stops; Boston to D.C., D.C. to Chicago, D.C. to Atlanta, Atlanta to Miami, Atlanta to Houston, Chicago to Houston, Houston to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to San Diego and up the coast to Portland. See, I already have the route planned. 😉

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Classless people at the Hockey Game

I somehow managed to fall ass-backwards into some good luck for a change, as I won really nice boxed seats to a home New York Islanders game. I don’t go to hockey games too much, as it is not my favorite sport. That being said, hockey is the only sport that I can say that I’d rather be there than watch it on TV. In my opinion, there are so many benefits of actually going to a hockey game compared to that of watching it on TV. Sure, for baseball it’s nice to be at the park for the view, but for me, TV at home is my choice when it comes to baseball, or football, or tennis even. Anyway, I went to the game last night, and it was the New York Islanders vs. the Ottowa Senators.

Ok, Ottowa won, and they are the better team. They played better, they passed better, and they more than doubled shots on goal that the Islanders had.

The thing that bothers me is the fans. Being that the Senators are from Canada, the national anthem was sung first, and then the U.S. national anthem. These white trash assholes in the audience are actually booing the Canadian anthem. Don’t do that. If you don’t like Ottowa or don’t like the Ottowa Senators, fine – boo them during the game. Show some respect, show some class and sportsmanship, and take off your hat and be quiet as the woman sings the anthem of both countries.

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British Sailors Captured by Iran

At this point, it seems pretty obvious that the British soldiers were in Iraqi waters, and that the Iranian military had captured them illegally. Even if the U.S. Military is gearing up for a summer attack on Iran, I am not quite sure why the Iranians would create a hostage situation first. Surely 13 odd soldiers wouldn’t stop an attack by the U.S. or England, and if anything, might incite an attack.

Another thing I question is why the British soldiers were captured to begin with. Nothing against them, but I’m sure the U.S. Navy or Marines would go down with a heck of a firefight. Everyone has a right to self-defense, and I’m sure self-preservation is a key goal of the military.

I hope these hostages are released soon, and if they are not released, I support covert military action to get them out.