Given the current situation in the Gulf of Mexico, where thousands of barrels of crude oil are spewing from the ground on a daily basis, seemingly unchecked, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Completed in 1869, the transcontinental railroad was a monumental task that resulted in a continuous rail link across the United States from east to west. What, you ask, does that have to do with oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico? Well, I'm glad you brought that up. I can't help but wonder how this country might have been different if we had continued to invest in efficient regional and national railroads instead of embracing the
carfurious lifestyle. (Carfurious. I just made that word up.) Can you imagine the excitement and ease of a 'US Rail Pass' a-la Europe's 'Euro Pass?' I hate to knock cars because gosh knows I love them but if the last 70 years had not been so car-centric, we might not have gotten ourselves into so much trouble by being tempted to drill baby drill!
- Charlie
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