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The Boston Globe and Amtrak Long Distance

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[quote user="schlimm"] sam1: Instead of dismissing the validity of the notion that Amtrak was designed to fail based merely on what I said, go look at Rush Loving's article in the March 2009 Trains.  I didn't make it up, only cited it, but as usual you devalue anyone who disputes your pronouncements based on one or another of your claims of expertise. I never claimed I have any edge on how DC or government works.  Your living in DC for several years gives you no special expertise either.  But it is naive to believe that only congressmen and the Nixon Administration had input into the beginnings of Amtrak.  Powerful interests and their lobbyists write much of the legislation passed by Congress.  There have been volumes written on the topic, easily available at your library. [/quote] I don't keep the back issues of Trains, and I don't plan to buy another copy to check Loving's article.  Is Loving quoting from source documents or is he relying on others or what he has heard.  Please cite the reference. Here is a simple question. Does Loving have any documents from any of the Administration and Congressional decision makers involved in the start-up of Amtrak stating that it was their intention to destroy it or cause it to fail?  This is different from saying that they thought the probability of its succeeding was low.  The documents would include personal diaries, memos, reports, statements entered into the Congressional Record, taped interviews, video tapes, etc.  If there are no documents, which I suspect is the case, then was Loving told by one of the key decision that it was his or her intention to destroy or help destroy Amtrak?  Who were they?  What was their role in the decision making processes?  Otherwise, he is reporting hearsay or quoting some else who is relying on hearsay. Do you have any prima facie evidence regarding the intent of the key Amtrak decision makers to destroy Amtrak or help ensure that it fails.  Undoubtedly, there are hundreds if not thousands of articles by conspiracy theorists claiming that was the intent of the decision makers.  Unfortunately, they have not provided any prima facie evidence to support their theory. Lets see if I have you perspective right.  If I disagree with you or anyone else, I am devaluing you or your point of view.  And although I worked in our Washington, D.C. legislative affairs office on special occasions, I am naive regarding the national government.  Is that about the size of it?
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