Steel Wheel Interstate

A good project for America right now would be to invest in our shrinking and congested freight railway system.  

Our highways are not free; they cost roughly $32 million per mile. A large portion of this expense is caused by either expanding them to meet increased trucking needs, or repairing them due to the damage caused by trucks.

On the other hand, a single train can move as many containers as 280 trucks while using one-third as much energy.

A recent study found that an investment in improved rail infrastructure would get 85% of all long-haul trucks off the nation's highways.  Due to efficiencies and reduced fuel expenses, it would also leave the nation’s economy 13 percent larger by 2030.

So why don’t the railroads build the infrastructure they need?  America’s major railroad companies are publicly traded companies answerable to shareholders. So asking them to incur these new expenses would be like asking the trucking industry to entirely pay for our roads and highways.

So is nationalization the answer? Perhaps not (but other countries have successfully done it). 

What the government can do is make creative use of public/private partnerships. For example, it could provide loan guarantees to the railroad to improve its lines. Also, reduced capital gains taxes for investors in rail infrastructure could help direct capital to where it is needed. Flat-out grants, akin to federal highway money, would also be appropriate.

I'm not talking about bailing out a failing industry, but about helping an expanding, more energy-efficient one to grow fast enough to meet pressing public needs.

Moon River - Sungha Jung

The quite passion and calm with which he plays is amazing. Why wouldn't a tear escape from your eye when you see this child play?

What Do You Lose?

Thus said the Lord Buddha, "If beings knew as I know the results of sharing gifts, they would not enjoy their use without sharing them with others, nor would the taint of stinginess obsess the heart and stay there. Even if it were their last and final bit of food, they would not enjoy its use without sharing it, if there were anyone to receive it."

“Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matt 19:16) Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Matt 19:21, 22)

What is it you lose by clinging to your possessions?

High Speed Rail

I have posted previously about the necessity and advantages of high speed rail. The reduced energy required for rail travel, the lower CO2 emissions and the boost provided to the economy are all excellent reasons to undertake this now.

Fortunately, the White House announced that it wants to remake rail with a huge new federal investment in high-speed passenger trains.

The $787.2 billion economic recovery bill — to be signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday — dedicates $8 billion to high-speed rail.

It’s a sum that far surpasses anything before attempted in the United States — and more is coming. Administration officials indicates it will ask for $1 billion more for high-speed rail in each of the next five years.

As a candidate for president, Obama spoke of high-speed rail as part of his vision of “rebuilding America.” Campaigning in Indiana, he talked of revitalizing the Midwest by connecting cities with faster rail service to relieve congestion and improve energy conservation.

“The time is right now for us to start thinking about high-speed rail as an alternative to air transportation connecting all these cities,” he said. “And think about what a great project that would be in terms of rebuilding America.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is given 60 days to come up with a strategic plan for the funds.

Damien Rice - Delicate

Look for the crescendo around 3:30 and the phenomenal backup voice around 4:00.

On the Origin

This week marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of two men: one an observer, the other a visionary.

Here I will address the observer, Charles Darwin, and what the Buddha taught of the subject of origins.

Darwin was a mild-mannered Englishman who, through observation, revealed a way for scientists to explore the glorious complexity of life, rather than merely accepting it as an impenetrable mystery.

A recent survey indicates that 39% of Americans believe in evolution.

For some, Darwin's work seems to challenge their religion, morality and social tradition.

Why should that be the case?

Let's look at Buddha's view. His teachings have as a central role the concept of skillful and unskillful thoughts, words, and deeds.

He refused to address many metaphysical questions, such as the origins of the universe. He saw them as irrelevant or counterproductive to the task at hand: that of escaping from the stress and suffering inherent in all of our lives. This knowledge is not required for living a skillful life, nor leading a person to Awakening. (That's not to say that scientific discovery is irrelevant; it is very much so. It just isn't relevant to understanding the Four Noble Truths.)

Jesus provided the same general view, when He spoke of the two commandments.

If those of faith focus on these by bringing them into their daily life, how could any scientific pursuit be a threat?

Republicans Say the Darndest Things

I live in a Texas county which is 70% Republican. I'm one of the 30% percent.

For my daily commute to work, I ride the bus and train.

Since January 20, the Republicans have been in an apoplectic mood and even less coherent than before.

For example, as I was riding to work this week, two fellows were having a down with Democrats conversation.

One said that all the Democrats know how to do is tax everyone into the ground. The other was sure that the Bible said that Obama was a sign of the end times. Then he quoted Hezekiah 1:1 or some such.

I can't make this stuff up, sadly.

To the tax man, do you not see even the tiniest irony that you were riding to work in a bus 81% paid for the taxpayers? The way those who resent all taxes talk, a large chunk of their money is taken from them and thrown into a bonfire in the dead of night behind some government building; or worse still, it is showered upon undeserving minorities.

Seventy percent of my neighbors are oblivious to the benefits provided by paying taxes. Benefits like education, research, security and disaster relief, law enforcement, scientific exploration (think Hubble), aid to the poor or unemployed, support for those too feeble of mind or body to provide for themselves, or health insurance to those over 65.

To the end times man, how can you constantly quote from the Book of Hezekiah* and yet not see the lessons in the Bible for responsibility to a higher power, greater good, society and the less fortunate?

Honestly, I've given up on "educating" these folks. Their ideologies trump facts.

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* There is no Book of Hezekiah; but it is often quoted.

Mercy Like the Rain

May the mercy of the prayers that Allah answers fall on all the people in Iraq; their fathers and mothers, their sons and daughters.

Iraq's Shocking Human Toll

Our politicians talked about "victory" in Iraq; now they talk about departing with dignity.

There will be neither in the bloody mudhole in which the American citizens have been co-conspirators in creating.

What America has brought to Iraq is about 1 million killed, 4.5 million displaced, and 5 million Orphans. This is according to information gathered by the United Nations, Unicef and the NGO, Iraq Body Count.

Nearly six years after the invasion, the country remains riven by sectarian politics and major unresolved issues, like the status of Kirkuk.

The availability of healthcare, clean water, functioning schools, jobs and so forth remains elusive. According to Unicef, many provinces report that less than 40 percent of households have access to clean water. More than 40 percent of children in Basra, and more than 70 percent in Baghdad, cannot attend school.

By any sensible measure, it would be difficult to describe this as a victory of any kind. It speaks volumes about the repair work we must do for Iraqis, and it should caution us against the optional and savage wars we are prone to.

Americans are Hurting

In the last five months alone, employment fell by 2.5 million. Millions more have lost their health care, their homes, and the savings that families worked so hard to build.

A majority of leading economists favor a large stimulus plan because through it the government will step up spending at a time when private-sector spending has fallen off sharply. At the same time, they agree that tax cuts are not as effective a stimulus as is spending.

President Obama has said that if nothing (or too little) is done, the recession may linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs and unemployment will approach double digits.

Americans are hurting. Yet 100% of the House Republicans and 88% of the Senate Republicans voted against the stimulus.

They act as if we have all the time in the world. The party’s sole ambition is to play petty politics to gum up the works. As their leading spokesman has said, "I hope he (Obama) fails."

The crisis is at least as grave as any one that has recently confronted us. Which is why the antics among Republicans on Capitol Hill seem so surreal. These are the same politicians who only yesterday smeared the patriotism of any dissenters from Bush’s “war on terror.”

Americans are hurting. So where is the Republicans' patriotism now that economic terror is inflicting far more harm on their constituents than Saddam Hussein’s nonexistent W.M.D.?

What Americans expect from Washington is action that matches the urgency they feel in their daily lives -- action that's swift, bold and wise enough for us to climb out of this crisis.