Presidential Playoffs
Posted by Fred Jandt
Editor, Mass Transit
It’s a week before the Super Bowl (next Tuesday) and the rhetoric is already flying fast and furious. On the NFC (Republican) side you have allegations of dirty tricks being leveled and on the AFC (Democrat) side you have a locker room that’s fallen apart as its two leaders take to sniping at each other. Meanwhile the Commissioner (President) stepped up to the mic and made his State of the Union Address.
I like having the State of the Union during that week off between the NFL Divisional Championship games and the Super Bowl. It gives you something to focus on other than the minutia that the sports media scrutinizes for five days. And really, how much like the NFL is the political spectrum these days.
The presidential election playoffs are in full swing with several teams dropping out in the last week and the remaining candidates are making their last minute game plans. So how is the league these days?
Well, when it comes to transit, it is like being the fan of a team in the playoffs. Take for example this line from President Bush:
“To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy….And my budget provides strong funding for leading-edge technology…”
(Waves pennant.) Whoo!
There you go, he’s talking about transit. What better way is there to showcase affordable, environmentally responsible energy? Think of the gas savings by riding transit! And the greenhouse gases that will be cut! And no other industry is leading the way with alternative fuels as much as transit!
“…from hydrogen-fueled cars, to clean coal, to renewable sources such as ethanol.”
(Lowers pennant.) Oh.
So I guess he’s still talking about cars. But what about last year’s whole discussion on America’s addiction to foreign oil. Remember this from last year:
“It is in our vital interest to diversify America’s energy supply — and the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power — by even greater use of clean coal technology…solar and wind energy…and clean, safe nuclear power. We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol — using everything from wood chips, to grasses, to agricultural wastes.”
Hrm. Hybrid vehicles? Check. Clean diesel? Check. Bidodiesel? Check.
Last year as I watched the State of the Union I was waiting for the President to mention public transit. So much of the speech revolved around America’s burgeoning energy crisis and transit seemed a logical part of the solution. Of course, he didn’t mention it.
Now think back since the last State of the Union and all that happened. The escalating gas prices. The I-35 bridge collapse. The National Surface Transportation Commission’s report that basically said we need infrastructure assistance at every level.
And this year’s State of the Union didn’t mention public transit … again.
It’s not a matter of why didn’t the President mention it; it’s more along the lines of how couldn’t he.
Thanks for reading the MT Position updated every Friday,
February 1st, 2008 at 10:22 am
THIS President” The Oil Bbaron President? Mention Transit? In any way other than his desire to kill Amtrak?
What are you smoking? And where can I get some?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
You forgot to mention the most obvious method to reduce the addiction to foreign oil — drill more of our own oil. There’s plenty available, and we know it works!!!
February 1st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Yes, America’s resources for its own oil supply is vast…and it’s beyond logical understanding as to why we have not tapped what is known to be there, at least to begin exploring in Alaska or other places. I am convinced of America’s blessings from its inception and in history…I don’t believe God would have mistakenly been amiss at providing this bit of ‘milk and honey’ in our land. McCain won’t go there, so be careful. We must be very, very careful this election. Be wise folks…
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 am
Mr Schoff:
United States domestic production of crude oil peaked in 1970. It has rapidly declined since, yet demand has not. For American oil companies and for national security it has been the United States priority to drill foreign oil before we tap into the oilfields that are under our control.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Nicholas — Responding to your comments, maybe it’s about time the US policy on drilling oil should change. The government, in its wisdom, got into the act by imposing the excess profits taxes on the oil industry, followed by the environmentalists, so the oil barons started looking for more economical sources of the oil. Can you blame them? I may be naive, but our oil industry leaders know a good bit more about supply and demand than the government does, and I would submit that they should be left to supply our needs at reasonable prices. After all, they didn’t do all that badly for the first half of the 20th century. And as a last thought, I don’t care of they make a fortune by producing oil — as a matter of fact, I’d encourage it.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Even if you drilled in Alaska it would be a drop in the bucket of our energy needs. That is a false hope. We need to find was to reduce consumption and better utilization of mass transit is one of the pieces of the puzzle.