Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Development
Co-founder of Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Development, based in Palo Alto
PROFILE
Elizabeth Alexis
Guest
FROM Elizabeth Alexis
Which Way, L.A.?
Can the Bullet Train Get Back on Track? Governor Brown and other officials gave California's High-Speed Rail project a morale boost on Tuesday with a groundbreaking in Fresno. Critics say there's no way it'll ever reach expectations: a two-hour 40-minute ride from LA to San Francisco by 2028 at a cost of $68 billion. But, whatever it ends up costing, whatever the time required, Brown called it an obligation to future generations — like the cathedrals of Europe. There's no doubt it will be the most expensive public works project in state history — if it's ever completed.
Which Way, L.A.?
A 'Watershed Moment' for High-Speed Rail The ultimate cost of California's high-speed rail system has doubled from $43 billion to almost $100 billion, and the completion date has now been moved from 2020 to 2033. Those announcements came today from the High-Speed Rail Authority, which is taking its latest proposal to the state legislature under deadline pressure.
Recommended
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.