Enviromental News - Bush’s Pardons and the High-Speed Rail Act of 2008

Kate Sheppard, of Grist, Environmental News & Commentary, reports that three of George Bush’s recent Presidential pardons for people found guilty of crimes against nature. 

• Daniel Figh Pue III, of Conroe, Texas, who was convicted of illegal treatment, storage, and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.

• Leslie Owen Collier, of Charleston, Mo., who pleaded guilty in 1995 to unlawfully killing three bald eagles in southeast Missouri. Apparently he was putting pesticide in hamburger meat in order to kill coyotes, but that killed a bunch of other animals, like these three bald eagles. He was convicted of “unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.”

• Milton Kirk Cordes, of Rapid City, S.D., who was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act prohibiting importation into the country of wildlife taken in violation of conservation laws.

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Yesterday, I saw a local commercial on television that had to do with the cost of commuting. A father explains to his young son that times are tough, money is tight, and if they are going to be able to afford a family vacation, they are going to have to learn to save money.  The little boy is shown figuring math problems, making a plan, which he presents to his dad - if we ride the bus, we will save money for vacation. 

I loved the commercial. I enjoyed watching the little boy go from feeling helpless, to feeling helpful as he figured out a way to help his family.  Nothing warms my heart more than an opportunity for a child to be a hero. 

Riding the bus, for regular commuters, is a great option.  When I lived in Spokane Washington, in the late ’80s. I rode the bus to and from work every day. Not only did I save money on fuel, but I didn’t have to pay to park, either. 

I live in a big bike town now. Last Summer, when fuel costs were at their highest, the road was flooded with bikes.  Ladies in their skirts, men in their suits - these were people biking to work, not our for a pleasure ride (although any time on the bike is pleasure, in my opinion). 

Senators John Kerry (D-MASS) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), are looking at the issue of commuting on a larger scale.  They want to build a High-Speed Rail system that will cut down on commute time, help the environment by cutting down on fuel usage, and introduce new jobs at the same time - something our struggling economy could desperately use.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced a bill to create new jobs by updating the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 would transform America’s outdated and underfunded passenger rail system into a world class system.

“At a time when our economy desperately needs a jumpstart, we need an effective national investment that puts Americans back to work,” said Sen. Kerry. “A first-rate rail system would protect our environment, save families time and money, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and help get our economy moving again. The High-Speed Rail for America Act will help fix our crumbling infrastructure system, expand our economy, and match high-tech rail systems across the globe.”

“We must continue to focus our energies on building and maintaining a strong national passenger rail system in order to ease congestion of air and highway corridors connecting high-growth markets, as well as to meet energy and environmental goals,” said Sen. Specter. “The High-Speed Rail for America Act is an investment in our nation’s infrastructure and has the potential to provide tremendous economic opportunities throughout Pennsylvania and the nation.”

Do you commute?  If you do, how do you travel?  What do you think about a High-Speed Railway system? 

Image credit - Chase Your Bliss Photography