China unveils 'world's fastest train link'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091226/wl_asia_afp/chinatransportrail

BEIJING (AFP) – China on Saturday unveiled what it billed as the fastest rail link in the world -- a train connecting the modern cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan at an average speed of 350 kilometres (217 miles) an hour.

Work on the project began in 2005 as part of plans to expand a high-speed network aimed at eventually linking Guangzhou, a business hub in southern China near Hong Kong, with the capital Beijing, Xinhua added

Beijing has an ambitious rail development programme aimed at increasing the national network from the current 86,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres, making it the most extensive rail system outside the United States.

In September, officials said they planned to build 42 high-speed lines by 2012 in a massive system overhaul as part of efforts to spur economic growth amid the global downturn.

The network uses technology developed in co-operation with foreign firms such as Siemens, Bombardier and Alstom.

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Wikipedia: High Speed Rail in the US
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_the_United_States

High-speed rail in the United States currently consists of one rail line described by the US Department of Transportation as a high-speed line:[1] Amtrak's Acela Express service, which runs the Northeast Corridor—from Boston via New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, to Washington, D.C.—at speeds averaging 68 mph (109 km/h) for the entire distance but briefly reaching 150 mph (240 km/h) at times.

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So America is not the first, the fastest, or the safest, but we have the largest rail system, at least for now.  Soon China will eclipse all that we have done, not because they are better, but because they are determined.  Here in America, we would rather debate an issue to death, rather than actually do it.  We have great excuses, then there is always the placating mantra "At least we are still the greatest country in the world".  I have a crazy idea, instead of just saying it, why don't we make it true?  Time to have our own real High-Speed Rail System, time to show the rest of the world how to do it right!  Let us bring true progress, innovation, and cutting edge technology back to America, why don't we make being the best, Job 1.  Let us return to our rightful place as the leader of all that is good in the world

For so many excellent reasons, my transportation plan is absolutely the best way to accomplish this in large part.  My plan ends congestion, pollution, and enviromental impact on the system.  It will reduce enviromental impact and virtually remove the ability or benefit of a terrorist attack on our transportation system.  All of this while giving us the largest and best HS Rail system in the world.

Texas can and should be the frontrunner in this innovation, we already outproduce every other state and most countries on renewable energy production.  We are big enough that a state-wide rail system would be a great benefit.  And just think of the jobs it would create, the boost to our economy, the increase in the health, wellfare, and safety of our citizens, and who should lead the way but Texas!

Let us not embrace the future, let us build the future!  Let the world sing praises to Texas for showing them the way.  We can do it, we should do it, and when I'm your Governor, we will do it!

High Speed Rail for Texas, it's not just a good idea, it is the inevitable future.  Let's get to it!