Calling all HSR-experts for debunking Carbusters anti-HSR | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Point 2 (4.00 / 3)

Of course, here in California our plan to send the trains through city centers (something I strongly support) is criticized by some train buffs who want the straight lines. The usual example is idiots who suggest we send the trains along Interstate 5 in the Central Valley, bypassing the 2 million or so people who live along the Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield corridor that we're planning to serve.

Those three cities alone are going to be utterly transformed by this project, and in very positive ways. Each city has a lot of potential to thrive - they just need something to encourage greater development in the city centers, and need better connections to the Bay Area and LA. I wonder what might provide that...

And the world will live as one

by Montereyan (robert at calitics dot com) on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 at 02:40:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Point 2 (none / 0)

Everything I've heard about Fresno suggests you should sever all links to it, road and railway :-))

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 at 05:30:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Point 2 (4.00 / 2)

I've always heard it called the "armpit of California" and its politics resemble that of Mississippi. On the other hand, it has a large Latino population and a growing Democratic movement, and some beautiful and interesting neighborhoods where diverse cultures are flowering. Its LGBT community is particularly strong (and it has to be given its location).

However, the HSR system will be the demographic equivalent of putting Lenin on a sealed train bound for the Finland Station. It will make Fresno a desirable place to live for people currently priced out of LA or the Bay Area, producing over time a more Democratic electorate. This is what happened further north, when the Tracy area became home to folks priced out of the Bay Area who ousted a longtime Republican member of Congress in the 2006 election.

Fresno will be utterly transformed by HSR. If its right-wing residents understood the nature of that transformation they'd fight the train to the death. So far though, they have other things they're focused on...for now...

And the world will live as one

by Montereyan (robert at calitics dot com) on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 at 12:42:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Calling all HSR-experts for debunking Carbusters anti-HSR | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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