TV just broadcast Amtrak's David Gunn fired...!!!!!!

[Modelcar]

...Oh so true....Once it stops, it {the system and what it takes to run it will be gone forever}....Then the opposition will be satisfied. And who knows where they will spend the money then....

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bbrant

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

Alright, First of all, What does Bush have to do with this guy getting fired? From what I have read, it sounds like the Board incharge of Amtrak did it.

My opinion - it's more angry liberal democrats venting their own frustrations. To them, Bush always has been and always will be evil. Whether it's Amtrak or those darn evil companies that turn a profit, they like to point their fingers. Blaming Bush for Gunns firing is no exception.

Brian

Liberal Democrats:

From Funk And Wagnalls:

Lib-er-al (we know how to pronounce it) Free from narrowness, bigotry, or bondage to authority or creed, as in religion; inclined to democratic or republican ideas, as opposed to monarchical or aristocratic, as in politics; broad; popular; progressive

So you're saying that we're being led by "monarchial or aristocratic" leaders not "inclined to democratic or republican ideas."

Couldn't agree more.

Or you mean like those "darn evil companies that turn a profit" from no-bid contracts to rebuild Iraq? It was just a coincidence that the VP used to be on the BOD of that company.

[TomDiehl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

At the risk of getting everybody in the forum upset with me...

If it's part of "The Plan" to fire Gunn and kill Amtrak, I say let it die. The coming energy crisis will force the issue when the time is right, and we'll see passenger trains on the tracks again. Perhaps at that time, it will be better received, and a man of Gunn's talents at the helm could truly bring the dream that we all have for passenger rail travel to fruition.

Stepping off the [soapbox] and putting on the asbestos suit!

Unfortunately, once the infrastructure is dismantled, and the agreements with the freight railroads is allowed to lapse, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, to reassemble Amtrak and it's agreements. Remember, the railroads only agreed to the useage by Amtrak in exchange for taking the passenger trains off their hands (and balance sheets). And such specialized shops facilities aren't just sitting around to subcontract the work, waiting for that day to come.

[cnw4001]

Don't know why all the anguish, now the private interests can step in and get a chance at running a profitable business.

Oh, they have some beachfront land in Arizona they have to sell first to raise their startup capital.

Dale

[jeaton]

Looking over a few of the 100's of news articles that a Google search turned up on the subject, I found that the questioning of the Amtrak Board's decision is bi-partisan and only his biggest critics flat out accused him of being incapable of "moving forward".

Two interesting things have happened since the announcement. In a nonbinding vote, the House of Representatives instructed House Conferees to go with the $250 million higher Amtrak appropriation passed by the Senate. A house committee has scheduled a hearing on Gunn's dismissal for next Wednesday.

When Gunn was hired, Don Phillips wondered how Gunn might work out having to deal with an administration looking to cut domestic government expenditures. Phillips suggested that no matter the outcome, when his term came to an end Gunn would be forthright in telling the story.

I think that we be learning more about this story as the days pass.

Jay

[Modelcar]

Brian....I know you and I have no agreement on this subject....and I want to keep it on the subject of the firing of Mr. Gunn and probably why and how was it done for what purpose.....We all have our opinions on the why's, etc....so no use to ha***hat back and forth...We get nowhere. Lots of facts out in front of us on this one.....President Bush..{not an angry Liberal}, simply wants to get rid of Amtrak as he has stated in so many ways...and by seeking to eliminate funding proves he meant what he implied...That didn't quite work as congress didn't completely go along with it....Mr. Gunn has been a dedicated to the task leader trying to do what he can with the system with what monies have been available and making it work for the most part and maybe just a bit better than the administration would like to see it working as that then makes it a bit more difficult to do away with it...hence he becomes a non team player in their eyes and it seems the board was convinced {in some way}, that this man had to go....so the agressive leader was canned...to get him out of there....
We'll watch to see just what kind of "agressive" leader is installed and then we'll get an updated idea just where all this is taking this rail passenger system....

[jchnhtfd]

Please refer to the new thread I'm creating; I'd really like some sober feedback!

[eolafan]

Did they fire him while standing on a grassy knoll?

[bbrant]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Brain,

It could be, however you have to realize that President Bush himself wants to eliminate Amtrak's subsidies, so Bush will be blamed. That's a given.

True. But from my take on some of the posts are that eliminating some, but not all, subsities and eliminating Amtrak are being considered the same thing. Bush is trying to make Amtrak stronger by getting them to generate revenue on their own rather than rely on Gov. funding. To me, that's not a bad thing.

That said, a lot of people think that no Gov. funding = no Amtrak and that's not the case. That's where a lot of people are thinking it's a case of Bush out to eliminate Amtrak and the finger pointing begins.

[AntonioFP45]

Brain,

It could be, however you have to realize that President Bush himself wants to eliminate Amtrak's subsidies, so Bush will be blamed. That's a given.

[bbrant]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

Alright, First of all, What does Bush have to do with this guy getting fired? From what I have read, it sounds like the Board incharge of Amtrak did it.

My opinion - it's more angry liberal democrats venting their own frustrations. To them, Bush always has been and always will be evil. Whether it's Amtrak or those darn evil companies that turn a profit, they like to point their fingers. Blaming Bush for Gunns firing is no exception.

Brian

[PNWRMNM]

Mr. Gunn was a rare bird in Washinton, someone who told the truth. I imagine that he went out with his head held high. I hope he enjoys the rest of his retirement.

Mac

[arbfbe]

The Bush administration has made no secret they want to dismantle, abandon, trash Amtrak. So they fire the guy who was making a serious effort to keep trains running and to meet the goals Congress has set for the agency. So now they need a new President of the railroad. Perhaps Brown the clown formerly the the disgraced director of FEMA can be called out to meet the challenge. He knows what total destruction looks like.

Miniwyo. Sure the AMTK board fired Mr. Gunn but who do you think appoints those directors to their jobs? Do you suppose Pres W has had a say in that?

[swknox]

Also I agree that high fuel prices will force the issue for a first rate transportation system that includes trains. With the high gas prices and all of the Airlines going bankrupt we need trains more than ever... for the fine people who read my post let me say im sorry for downing the republicans in my last few post but come on people wake up, they along with George W. are turning this country into a 3rd world country. Bill Clinton did something wrong with an intern in the oval office which was wrong... an got impeached for it, Bush and his "Friends" have been in scandals, in leauge with the oil companies, gotten us in a war for all the wrong reasons - which cost us billions and billoions of dollars and most importantly 2000+ troops that have been lost. Mr. Gunn has been fired for all the right reasons, he knew how to run amtrak, ran it right, knew what to do with amtrak and thats what scared Bush's appointed amtrak board the most. Now Bush will get his way (again) and Amtrak will be dead in a few years. To think they called President Reagan the Teflon president - Mr. Reagan had nothing Compared to Geroge W. Bush.

[miniwyo]

Alright, First of all, What does Bush have to do with this guy getting fired? From what I have read, it sounds like the Board incharge of Amtrak did it.

Second, Although it has been nice seeing Amtrak roll through here at 40 MPH, It would not bother me one bit if they went under. Of course I would like to ride it from here to somewhere else, but wait! They havent stopped here for probably about 10 years. No skin off my nose about this.

[swknox]

Just remember Mr. Bush is the puppettier controling all the strings.... I think the democrates are going to kick the republicans butt in a year in the next round of voting.

[Modelcar]

Thanks for all the response on the subject at hand and may I say again....Write, call, fax and of course email your Rep's. and Senators if you care about this subject....At least we will be letting the "board members" know what we think about such decisions....The'll get the word if enough of us put it out.....

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gfjwilmde

Although i didn't like Mr. Gunn because of his stance he took with us(unionized labor), some of us fear there are going to be harder times ahead. At least he(Mr. Gunn) was someone with a railroading background. Not like these 'other' pinheads that couldn't tell a train from a plane if one ran them down. Mr. Laney is as worthless as they come(along with Mr. Mineta and the rest of the board of directors). Animal manure has more of a purpose than anyone of them. These idiots are a waste of dna and space.



GLENN
A R E A L RAILROADER!!!!!
A R E A L AMTRAKER!!!!!
A T R U E L Y A N G R Y AND E M B A R R A S S E D AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!

Kind of like what is happening with the proposed rail line between Duluth and the Twin Cities. The people running it are IDIOTS!! Heck, I'm only 14, but I was burning people left and right at a meeting. "yea we are going to run 20 budd cars 70mph" I mean they are DUMB! They didnt even know what the SOO LINE was!

Sorry to detract from the subject.

[mshuster]

I suggest that all Trains readers (Trains editorial staff please take note) strongly urge their Senators and Congresional Representitives to hold hearings on this travesty and take a prominent public stand. This reaks of deliberately trying to derail Amtrak. We can not let this stand.

[gfjwilmde]

Although i didn't like Mr. Gunn because of his stance he took with us(unionized labor), some of us fear there are going to be harder times ahead. At least he(Mr. Gunn) was someone with a railroading background. Not like these 'other' pinheads that couldn't tell a train from a plane if one ran them down. Mr. Laney is as worthless as they come(along with Mr. Mineta and the rest of the board of directors). Animal manure has more of a purpose than anyone of them. These idiots are a waste of dna and space.



GLENN
A R E A L RAILROADER!!!!!
A R E A L AMTRAKER!!!!!
A T R U E L Y A N G R Y AND E M B A R R A S S E D AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!

[overall]

I USED to be a supporter of George Bush. No more. This underhanded manuver to destroy Amtrak is a new low. He was fired because he was doing too well with Amtrak. The Bush administration did not want it to do well. I guess they will install a little prostitute that will simply do what hs/she is told. I will call my congress people in the morning and voice my disapproval. Bush has ignored the people's will on this and other issues too much. He deserves his low poll numbers.

George

[Grinandbearit]

Amtraks loss will be someone elses gain unless he decides to retire again!

[Anonymous]

Truth be told, It sounds more like bad board room politics to me. It is common practice among the politically well connected in any company to tra***he one that has been responsible for the success of a pilot, venture or even the successful years of a company's growth and profitability. David Gunn is a highly respected person and, from what I have heard, a person of high personal integrity. Replaceing him with a person of similar respect and ability will not be easy. [2c]

[narig01]

The Bush administration doesn’t want competence in government. It wants the U.S. to become a 3rd world country, like maybe Somalia?

[Modelcar]

...Chris and everyone else are entitled to their opinions....I believe that as some others do, that there is more support for the system or a good system than just rail fans.
I personally dislike the spin in some press releases of needing an energetic, forward thinking leader...{or similar words}, to run the railroad....We all know what energy Mr. Gunn put into the system trying to improve all angles of it with limited money each year, etc....It just seems like a shady approach the Board..{administration} took....

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

Chris-

Your arguements have merit, but it is interesting that surveys suggest that 70% of the American public thinks that rail passenger service is a good thing to have. True, they don't vote the subject with their pocket books (buying tickets), but the preference to have the service is clear. Why? I don't know. Maybe the general public just feels that the nation with the world's leading economy should have top quality highways, airports AND railroad trains.

As for me, Friday I am going to Washington, DC on Amtrak. Not only is it cheaper than driving and flying, but at certain times enroute I'll be able to step off the train for a quick smoke. Try doing that when flying.

Jay

A while back the government, came up with an alternitive to Amtrak, if it were to go into real deep water. Part of that proposal was the breaking up of Amtrak into state controlled rail operations. However, the government would contiune to run the NEC, so if something like the dismantal of Amtrak were to happen I don't think you would have to worry too much about the NEC going bye bye. I do think the faires might to ride the NEC might go up a bit, because of the "new" funding system.

AS far as David Gunn goes, I think the Board of Directors for Amtrak made an terrible mistake, Gunn held Amtrak together for the past three years. He was a leader with a true vision, and I believed that Gunn would of eventually, brought Amtrak back on it's feet. Well, we'll just have to see how good this new CEO does runing Amtrak.

[coborn35]

"One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. "-Sir Winston Churchill

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."
-John F. Kennedy

"We need men who can dream of things that never were."
-John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
-George Washington

"Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties."
-Aesop

"Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction."
-Aesop


Mineta.......

R.I.P. AMTRAK 1973-2006

[SchemerBob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

Would I miss Amtrak? Of course I would. Do I think that Gunn had a lot going for Amtrak? Yes I did. Do I think that there's a place for rail travel in America? Yes I do. Do I realize that I live in a land where the majority rules (and in this case it's a huge majority)? Yup.

If it's part of "The Plan" to fire Gunn and kill Amtrak, I say let it die. The coming energy crisis will force the issue when the time is right, and we'll see passenger trains on the tracks again. Perhaps at that time, it will be better received, and a man of Gunn's talents at the helm could truly bring the dream that we all have for passenger rail travel to fruition.

I have thought the exact same thing.

[Train900]

Here's the press release from amtrak :

National Railroad Passenger Corporation
60 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
www.amtrak.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations [phone]
ATK-05-090


November 11, 2005
Amtrak Board Releases Gunn

Railroad Begins Search for Experienced Reform Leader; David Hughes will run Amtrak until Successor is found
WASHINGTON - Amtrak's Board of Directors today released its President, David Gunn, saying that the passenger rail service needed to intensify the pace and broaden the scope of its reforms. Amtrak said that David Hughes, Chief Engineer, has been named Acting President and CEO, and that its Board of Directors has launched a national search to find the railroad's next leader.

Announcing the Board's decision, Amtrak Chairman David M. Laney said: "David Gunn has helped Amtrak make important operational improvements over the past three years. Amtrak's future now requires a different type of leader who will aggressively tackle the company's financial, management and operational challenges. The need to bring fundamental change to Amtrak is greater and more urgent than ever before. The Board approved a strategic plan in April that provides a blueprint for a stronger and more sustainable Amtrak. Now we need a leader with vision and experience to get the job done."

Gunn came out of retirement in May 2002 to lead Amtrak after a career that included running transit systems in New York and Washington, D.C.

The strategic plan produced by Amtrak's Board and management calls for fundamental change with the goal of delivering better service for passengers and an improving financial performance. The plan calls for competition in U.S. rail passenger service, shared federal-state financial responsibility for passenger rail, as is the case with highways and aviation, and predictable multi-year federal funding.

A report released last week by the Government Accountability Office credited Amtrak's management with some positive changes in recent years, but also was uncharacteristically blunt in concluding that more far-reaching changes were needed along the lines of those proposed by Amtrak's Board.

[jeaton]

Chris-

Your arguements have merit, but it is interesting that surveys suggest that 70% of the American public thinks that rail passenger service is a good thing to have. True, they don't vote the subject with their pocket books (buying tickets), but the preference to have the service is clear. Why? I don't know. Maybe the general public just feels that the nation with the world's leading economy should have top quality highways, airports AND railroad trains.

As for me, Friday I am going to Washington, DC on Amtrak. Not only is it cheaper than driving and flying, but at certain times enroute I'll be able to step off the train for a quick smoke. Try doing that when flying.

Jay