Before and after...

In this story by CNN, we learn that some folks are concerned that the TSA -- those wonderful folks watching out for us at the nation's airports -- are now intruding on the privacy of folks traveling by rail.

Apparently, the worrywarts aren't focusing on the big problem: the train protection teams (Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response - VIPR) aren't looking for possible bombs...that is before they can be brought aboard trains.

The CNN story's key quote:

"A high-profile example of VIPR's growing pains, transit officials say, is a VIPR-assisted passenger screening a year ago at Amtrak's station in Savannah, Georgia. Instead of screening passengers as they boarded trains -- which is standard security procedure -- officers were screening passengers as they were getting off trains. Security experts know that makes no sense, because potential terrorists probably would be interested in bringing explosives onto trains, not taking them off."

That's some fine security work there, folks!

Going off the rails...

Just when you thought they couldn't spend our tax dollars any faster, they put them on a high-speed train to nowhere...

A lot has already been written about the multi-billion dollar folly that is the administration's national high-speed rail proposal (HSR). At a time when the nation is staggering under the attack of the twin cancers of budget deficits and debt, Team Obama suggests that pouring even more tax dollars down a rat hole (aka: HSR) is what will make America strong again.

Choo-Choo Charlie: Vice President Joe Biden (aka: Amtrak Joey) has led the charge for the administration...

Thankfully, numerous experts, citizens and leaders (such as Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who canceled his state's high-speed boondoggle but continues to get pressure from the Feds) are standing up to this ridiculous notion that a 19th century form of transportation is the best way to travel...especially because it can only survive with the help of ridiculous amounts of tax supported subsidies. The forces behind HSR are strong and well-financed, but the state of the economy - combined with the opposition's good sense - has this train Dead On Arrival....

The pipedream...

The following video, produced by Reason, is a terrific primer on why HSR is a train to nowhere...