Now, in the wake of Philadelphia, the FRA is instructing railroads in how to operate safely (Ms. Feinberg again, TRAINS NEWS WIRE, June 9). How did we ever get as far as we did before the FRA?
Human mistakes and accidents seem beyond the ken of bureaucrats. Thus, a few years ago, an engineer texting while he should have been driving calls for PTC. (Where's PTC for airplanes, which kill hundreds with one human mistake -- or suicidal scheme -- instead of 8 or a couple of dozen?)
It's hard to see in this anything other than the desire of government to extend control, to tell other people what to do, whenever the occasion -- however flimsy -- presents itself.
Give bureaucrats the power, and they will use it, however unwisely or superfluously.
What was issued was a 'recommendation', not an Emergency Order - YET!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I'm reminded of Blazing Saddles, in which Mel Brooks played the Governor. In the midst of a crisis, he announced to his toadies something to the effect, "Gentlemen, we've got to do something! We've got to protect our phoney-baloney jobs!"
Tom
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