State Debate: Rail passenger service can play key role
a 7/8 roundup of editorials in state papers
Rail passenger service can play a key role in our transit system, says the La Crosse Tribune.
These days, train travel can play a role in helping people conserve energy. Rail already is an important part of the transportation system in the densely populated northeast corridor. But it also can play an important role in the rest of the country -- particularly in medium-length regional routes, such as between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
The House last month passed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which provides funding for Amtrak for the next five years -- $1.3 billion for capital costs, $606 million for operations and $345 million for debt service each year. Because the Senate passed a different version, a conference committee will have to resolve the differences.
In a time of high energy costs -- and high energy uncertainty -- we need rail passenger service as yet another resource and alternative.
Some restrictions on cell phones while driving make sense, but an outright ban is not a good idea, says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Wisconsin lags behind other states when it comes to restricting cell phone use by drivers. The problem in general can be addressed adequately with existing inattentive driving laws, which would apply to a driver talking on a cell phone, reaching for a CD or a map, or disciplining the kids in the back seat.
Sen. Alan Lasee is author of a bill that would ban drivers of any age from sending or receiving text messages. Rep. Jerry Petrowski is author of a bill banning young drivers from using a cell phone, which we endorsed last year. We hope both win legislative support in the next session.
But an outright ban? Not until there is more evidence that this poses an inordinate peril to the chatty driver and others.
Boycotting opening ceremonies in China wouldn't help anything, says the Kenosha News.
President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing next month. It's the right decision. There has been much talk about organizing a world leaders' boycott of the opening ceremonies to protest China's harsh crackdown on Tibet. But a U.S. boycott would be a totally gratuitous insult to the Chinese. It would have no effect on Beijing's policy toward Tibet and might even throw it into reverse.
The U.S. needs China on a number of diplomatic fronts. China is the heavyweight in the six-party North Korean talks, and, if it can be persuaded, it could exert similar pressure on the nasty junta in Myanmar.
File photo
Riding the rails is a key for the nation, the La Crosse Tribune says.
