Drawn

LMAO…I just tried taking the Coast Starlight to the Bay Area from Los Angeles last weekend. Six hour delay = never again.

We ended up flying into Oakland Airport, arriving at about the same time our train should have–had it left on time. :P

LMAO…I just tried taking the Coast Starlight to the Bay Area from Los Angeles last weekend. Six hour delay = never again.

We ended up flying into Oakland Airport, arriving at about the same time our train should have–had it left on time. :P

Take a look at this brazilian artist’s blog… http://www.samuelcasal.blogger.com.br

Take a look at this brazilian artist’s blog… http://www.samuelcasal.blogger.com.br

I just saw the first issue of MADkids at some record store yesterday. An odd attempt to draw in a new audience, I suppose… but, anyway, there was tons of Pee Bagge stuff in it! I’ve also noticed some random Pee Bagge stuff in the childrens’ book section at Toys R Us too… his name wasn’t on it, but it was some knock off of the whole “Bratz” thing for girls. It was clearly his style and not just someone mimicking him. he gets around!

I just saw the first issue of MADkids at some record store yesterday. An odd attempt to draw in a new audience, I suppose… but, anyway, there was tons of Pee Bagge stuff in it! I’ve also noticed some random Pee Bagge stuff in the childrens’ book section at Toys R Us too… his name wasn’t on it, but it was some knock off of the whole “Bratz” thing for girls. It was clearly his style and not just someone mimicking him. he gets around!

I’d be interested in reading his cartoons on other (perhaps non-libertarian) topics. Clearly he’s got a great sense of humor. It’s a funny cartoon. But it’s misleading. I’m not even old, not a railroad “buff,” and I have suffered delays on Amtrak (26 hours from New York to Atlanta.)

Railroads are not profitable. Neither do they serve us well, when we don’t fund them. Amtrak gets about
1.2 billion dollars a year from the federal government.

The number is still being debated, but the federal government will spend between
240 and 290 billion dollars on highway and transit infrastructure next year.

I’m just sayin.

I’d be interested in reading his cartoons on other (perhaps non-libertarian) topics. Clearly he’s got a great sense of humor. It’s a funny cartoon. But it’s misleading. I’m not even old, not a railroad “buff,” and I have suffered delays on Amtrak (26 hours from New York to Atlanta.)

Railroads are not profitable. Neither do they serve us well, when we don’t fund them. Amtrak gets about
1.2 billion dollars a year from the federal government.

The number is still being debated, but the federal government will spend between
240 and 290 billion dollars on highway and transit infrastructure next year.

I’m just sayin.

What Stephen said. Hate to say it, but I’ve lost most of my respect for Mr. Bagge after reading this comic. I will be among the first to say that the rail system in the U.S. is a disgrace in its current state, but it is that way because of decades of deliberate efforts to kill it off. It’s like this with so many things here… starve public schools for funding and then bitch that public schools suck… make health care unaffordable (god forbid we have a national health care system) and then bitch about having to pay for people going to the emergency room to deal with problems that could have been prevented. On and on.

Other countries seem to be able to do decent passenger rail lines… why can’t we? Because we’ve been sold out to the auto and airline industries and their lobbyists.

Libertarian = all the freedom money can buy. Feh.

On another note, I LOVE this site. I drop by every day and have found more new favorites in the art world than I can count.

v

What Stephen said. Hate to say it, but I’ve lost most of my respect for Mr. Bagge after reading this comic. I will be among the first to say that the rail system in the U.S. is a disgrace in its current state, but it is that way because of decades of deliberate efforts to kill it off. It’s like this with so many things here… starve public schools for funding and then bitch that public schools suck… make health care unaffordable (god forbid we have a national health care system) and then bitch about having to pay for people going to the emergency room to deal with problems that could have been prevented. On and on.

Other countries seem to be able to do decent passenger rail lines… why can’t we? Because we’ve been sold out to the auto and airline industries and their lobbyists.

Libertarian = all the freedom money can buy. Feh.

On another note, I LOVE this site. I drop by every day and have found more new favorites in the art world than I can count.

v

Ah! If only the world were run by cartoonists and journalists, since they’re born experts in every subject of man and nature.

I especially like the frame “with the advent of airlines and highways” like the clouds parted and divine intervention deposited the billions of dollars in infrastructure that support those modes. Give me a break.

I’ve traveled Amtrak extensively, and had mostly positive experiences. My only complaint is on-time performance, but I understand the problems that cause delays and adjust my travel plans accordingly. I also understand that if people wait until the USA has world-class rail service before taking the train, it will never happen.

Perhaps if Mr. Bagge would take the enormous chip off his shoulder, he’d enjoy the experience more. Accepting people for who they are and not passing judgement would help too.

Ah! If only the world were run by cartoonists and journalists, since they’re born experts in every subject of man and nature.

I especially like the frame “with the advent of airlines and highways” like the clouds parted and divine intervention deposited the billions of dollars in infrastructure that support those modes. Give me a break.

I’ve traveled Amtrak extensively, and had mostly positive experiences. My only complaint is on-time performance, but I understand the problems that cause delays and adjust my travel plans accordingly. I also understand that if people wait until the USA has world-class rail service before taking the train, it will never happen.

Perhaps if Mr. Bagge would take the enormous chip off his shoulder, he’d enjoy the experience more. Accepting people for who they are and not passing judgement would help too.

Only take Amtrak if you have plenty of time. Like many people, i also wanted to have a train experience. I took Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. The entire trip should take only 35 hrs instead of 41.5 hrs. Several people were stranded in LA union station at 3:30am because they missed connecting trains or buses. Amtrak did not offer help to these people. Train attendants were rude and unprofessional. I will never take Amtrak again

Only take Amtrak if you have plenty of time. Like many people, i also wanted to have a train experience. I took Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. The entire trip should take only 35 hrs instead of 41.5 hrs. Several people were stranded in LA union station at 3:30am because they missed connecting trains or buses. Amtrak did not offer help to these people. Train attendants were rude and unprofessional. I will never take Amtrak again

Just travelled from Toronto to New York & the New York to Niagara.Never again.Too many problems

Just travelled from Toronto to New York & the New York to Niagara.Never again.Too many problems

Why do we spend billions of dollars going out into space? We have people here on earth we need to transport from place to place and we absolutely need our trains. Look at Japan, France and Germany…countries who are wise enough to up grade their trains and now have fast speed trains. We don’t even upgrade the tracks that we have, much less create a system that will move us across this great country of America at a fast speed. We don’t have enough money to buy new Amtrac window curtains, plumbing, computers, and repair the tracks that we have. Amtrac is moved over on the tracks and stopped so we can try to move long freight trains with material goods across the country…not people.
Now that we have such a huge need for gasoline, why won’t the government start upgrading our Amtrac train system? Quit paying so much for airlines, space and highways, and put a little money on our train system.

Why do we spend billions of dollars going out into space? We have people here on earth we need to transport from place to place and we absolutely need our trains. Look at Japan, France and Germany…countries who are wise enough to up grade their trains and now have fast speed trains. We don’t even upgrade the tracks that we have, much less create a system that will move us across this great country of America at a fast speed. We don’t have enough money to buy new Amtrac window curtains, plumbing, computers, and repair the tracks that we have. Amtrac is moved over on the tracks and stopped so we can try to move long freight trains with material goods across the country…not people.
Now that we have such a huge need for gasoline, why won’t the government start upgrading our Amtrac train system? Quit paying so much for airlines, space and highways, and put a little money on our train system.

Why do we spend billions of dollars going out into space? We have people here on earth we need to transport from place to place and we absolutely need our trains. Look at Japan, France and Germany…countries who are wise enough to up grade their trains and now have fast speed trains. We don’t even upgrade the tracks that we have, much less create a system that will move us across this great country of America at a fast speed. We don’t have enough money to buy new Amtrac window curtains, plumbing, computers, and repair the tracks that we have. Amtrac is moved over on the tracks and stopped so we can try to move long freight trains with material goods across the country…not people.
Now that we have such a huge need for gasoline, why won’t the government start upgrading our Amtrac train system? Quit paying so much for airlines, space and highways, and put a little money on our train system.

Why do we spend billions of dollars going out into space? We have people here on earth we need to transport from place to place and we absolutely need our trains. Look at Japan, France and Germany…countries who are wise enough to up grade their trains and now have fast speed trains. We don’t even upgrade the tracks that we have, much less create a system that will move us across this great country of America at a fast speed. We don’t have enough money to buy new Amtrac window curtains, plumbing, computers, and repair the tracks that we have. Amtrac is moved over on the tracks and stopped so we can try to move long freight trains with material goods across the country…not people.
Now that we have such a huge need for gasoline, why won’t the government start upgrading our Amtrac train system? Quit paying so much for airlines, space and highways, and put a little money on our train system.

I wish there were easier answers to the train situation. Having lived in Germany and Switzerland for almost 3 years, I can say that those countries have their stuff together with regards to public transportation.

Here in Switzerland, I purchase a “General Abonnement” or an annual ticket for all buses, trains, ships and cable cars. The cost? A mere 2900 swiss francs or about $2200. So, this sure beats a car payment and insurance costs! Plus, the service is outstanding and the train employees only get paid for those trains that leave and arrive on time. What a wonderful system!

Amtrak is broke. And it is broken because the government made it that way. It needs a better strategy – concentrate on connecting airports and points of interest to where people live and work, in addition to working up a network of buses to connect the train stations with other places where trains are not practical. It needs an infusion of cash – 20 billion the first year alone, according to the associate of civil engineers. And it needs schedules that make sense. And I dare think it wouldn’t hurt to privatize all or some of it.

Anyone with thoughts, please let me hear them. There is NO REASON why someone needs an AUTO to get around America. It wasn’t that way until the mid 1900′s.

I wish there were easier answers to the train situation. Having lived in Germany and Switzerland for almost 3 years, I can say that those countries have their stuff together with regards to public transportation.

Here in Switzerland, I purchase a “General Abonnement” or an annual ticket for all buses, trains, ships and cable cars. The cost? A mere 2900 swiss francs or about $2200. So, this sure beats a car payment and insurance costs! Plus, the service is outstanding and the train employees only get paid for those trains that leave and arrive on time. What a wonderful system!

Amtrak is broke. And it is broken because the government made it that way. It needs a better strategy – concentrate on connecting airports and points of interest to where people live and work, in addition to working up a network of buses to connect the train stations with other places where trains are not practical. It needs an infusion of cash – 20 billion the first year alone, according to the associate of civil engineers. And it needs schedules that make sense. And I dare think it wouldn’t hurt to privatize all or some of it.

Anyone with thoughts, please let me hear them. There is NO REASON why someone needs an AUTO to get around America. It wasn’t that way until the mid 1900′s.

I so believe in America stepping it up, (or should I say, chugging it up)!
My first experience with Amtrak was this week. It took My sister 37 hours for a 4 hour trip! Late 2 hours the first day, so they told her to “go get a cup of coffee and come back”. She wasn’t even gone 45 minutes, and she hears “choo chooo” going past her home, (she lived 2 minutes from the station). Only one train a day of course. This was in the Florida sun, with 2 small children in tow. So, she was bound and determined to get there and stay no matter what the next morning. This time they told her the delay would be LONGER than yesterday. She waited 7 hours in the sun with the boys. Ran out of water and food. By the time she got on the train they were exhausted. They shoved all the angry passengers into one car, and the employees were extremely rude. One was actually sleeping while my sister was asking for a pillow! Well, the fun didn’t stop there, as she expected to be droped off at my train station, they tell them that they are taking them to a different one an hour away, and then would be bused to our train station!
Needless to say, she won’t be riding again. Well, after her return tomarrow. Let’s pray it’s not as bad….(cough cough).

I so believe in America stepping it up, (or should I say, chugging it up)!
My first experience with Amtrak was this week. It took My sister 37 hours for a 4 hour trip! Late 2 hours the first day, so they told her to “go get a cup of coffee and come back”. She wasn’t even gone 45 minutes, and she hears “choo chooo” going past her home, (she lived 2 minutes from the station). Only one train a day of course. This was in the Florida sun, with 2 small children in tow. So, she was bound and determined to get there and stay no matter what the next morning. This time they told her the delay would be LONGER than yesterday. She waited 7 hours in the sun with the boys. Ran out of water and food. By the time she got on the train they were exhausted. They shoved all the angry passengers into one car, and the employees were extremely rude. One was actually sleeping while my sister was asking for a pillow! Well, the fun didn’t stop there, as she expected to be droped off at my train station, they tell them that they are taking them to a different one an hour away, and then would be bused to our train station!
Needless to say, she won’t be riding again. Well, after her return tomarrow. Let’s pray it’s not as bad….(cough cough).

Over 60 here. B.A. Fine Arts. I ride long haul, cross country Coast to Coast, down thru El Paso, San Antonio – up to St. Louis, Chicago. Across New Mexico. Definitely a must-do for any avid fan of misery and suffering. Not only will you sit on sidings for an hour and clean out the snack car, you’ll meet interesting people to draw (very interesting people), and the Amtrak employees will insult you for 5 days. Amtrak sucks because Congress is doesn’t represent you and me. They represent “their constituents” – the people in their peer group. Not ordinary people. Otherwise the Congressional representatives for places that are best served by good rail service, would get some rail service. My grandfather worked for the railroads. My uncle worked for the railroads. I always took the railroads before it was Amtrak. They busted passenger service during Viet Nam to accommodate freight. I don’t honestly know what Amtrak is because it certainly isn’t a passenger service. It’s the Twilight Zone every time you get on. But let’s not tell Congress because its the dirty laundry of America. As long as we have Amtrak, we still have some freedom to criticize the government.

Over 60 here. B.A. Fine Arts. I ride long haul, cross country Coast to Coast, down thru El Paso, San Antonio – up to St. Louis, Chicago. Across New Mexico. Definitely a must-do for any avid fan of misery and suffering. Not only will you sit on sidings for an hour and clean out the snack car, you’ll meet interesting people to draw (very interesting people), and the Amtrak employees will insult you for 5 days. Amtrak sucks because Congress is doesn’t represent you and me. They represent “their constituents” – the people in their peer group. Not ordinary people. Otherwise the Congressional representatives for places that are best served by good rail service, would get some rail service. My grandfather worked for the railroads. My uncle worked for the railroads. I always took the railroads before it was Amtrak. They busted passenger service during Viet Nam to accommodate freight. I don’t honestly know what Amtrak is because it certainly isn’t a passenger service. It’s the Twilight Zone every time you get on. But let’s not tell Congress because its the dirty laundry of America. As long as we have Amtrak, we still have some freedom to criticize the government.