** LIVE ** Anyone interested in High Speed Rail? President about to speak

[Jackeens]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

[Adelante]

1. Article from Reuters

U.S. readies plans for high-speed rail development

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration is expected to unveil its plans on Thursday for accelerating development of high-speed rail, a concept that in the past has had mixed political support and little public funding.

"It will be broad and strategic," Karen Rae, acting head of the Federal Railroad Administration, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday about the initiative described by officials as President Barack Obama's top transportation priority.

"It's going to talk about how we begin to create this new vision for high-speed and intercity rail," Rae said.

-snip

In February, Congress included $8 billion for rail development in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Obama has included another $5 billion for the efforts in the White House's proposed budget.

LaHood said the $8 billion in stimulus money will "jump-start" the process, but rail advocates and transportation officials agree that financing high-speed rail nationally will cost significantly more.

The plan to be released on Thursday is required by the stimulus act, but Rae said it will "reference the broader rail agenda that is out there."

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE53D78C20090414

[bdamomma]

7. we are so behind Europe, they have had high speed rail for a long time.

we need to get with it!!!

[Clio the Leo]

2. Kick!

Thank you! was running back to post the link!

[bdamomma]

3. I never get tired of hearing or looking at VP Biden.

:loveya:

[Clio the Leo]

5. Or listening to him for that matter. Cheers me up every time. NT

[Clio the Leo]

4. Joe the Hottie VP just thanked Rahm....

... for helping to get the high-speed rail funding into the bill.

[lamp_shade]

9. I wonder who got the dead fish this time.

[sampsonblk]

6. I am all about high-speed rail

This is great!

[Extend a Hand]

8. Thanks! n/t

[Soylent Brice]

10. kick

[Rambis]

11. Bravo!

I can't wait for the day where I can get on a train and go to work. Maybe even stay for a few pints with friends without having to drive a car home.
Cheers!

[Ganja Ninja]

12. About time!

Enough tea-bagging! Time to rebuild the country with an eye to the future.

[Festusss]

13. Thanks for the Heads-up!

Japan has a 40 year head-start on this.

It's about time!

[FrenchieCat]

14. I very much liked the message in this speech.....

Looks like it is going to be Full Steam ahead!