Obama train trip worries some

Of course there's an element of danger.

In case you've forgotten, Barack is a risk taker (in a good way).

You do get a good hard look at America on a long train ride.

Some of which isn't very pretty.

But much more meaningful than Bush's fly-overs.

THis would be an ideal time to consolidate Chicago's various rail systems into one large commuter system. One card, charge by the mile, or however you want to do it.

"President-elect Barack Obama's planned pre-inauguration train trip to Washington via Philadelphia, Wilmington, Del. and Baltimore has stoked concerns among some that he could be at risk from a terrorist attack"

Prez-elect Obama should be more worried about a domestic terrorist attack. The Rush and Hannity rightwing dittohead nutjobs all think the Presidents job should always be held by a Republican...because god told them so.

Very boring----

Nice post, Inky. No misspellings for a change. That really contributes a lot to the conversation. Thanks.
The Secret Service will hopefully cover all bases.

This is why no one with a brain takes "Friends of the Earth" or "Greenpeace" Seriously. I have an alternate suggestion. Instead of shutting down commerce in the middle of a recession have bambi take a plane if he is worried about his safety.

I like friends of earth and greenpeace. But if there are security problems--DOESN'T IT SHOW HOW WE'VE BEEN SCREWED FOR PAYING FOR OUR OWN LOSS OF CIVIL LIBERTIES THESE PAST 7 OR 8 YEARS?
If homeland insecurity doesn't have a clue--doesn't that tell us our tax dollars were wasted?
I like the Simpson's episode where the guys in the room erupt with glee "Hey! After five years, I've finally found a REAL criminal!"

Seriously, Greenpeace? You have a president who's willing to set an example and use the most efficient form of transportation we have instead of flying a 747 for a 140 mile trip, and while transportation is the second biggest contributor to carbon/greenhouse gas emissions in the US you can still find something wrong with it?

Get over yourselves.

Ornery wrote:"THis would be an ideal time to consolidate Chicago's various rail systems into one large commuter system. One card, charge by the mile, or however you want to do it."

What does this have to do with Obama's train ride and industrial chemicals?

Risk Taker? Long train ride?

This is a Hollywood PR extravaganza in the likes of an Oscar nominee. I'll wait to see if the president elect can equal the hype we've been fed for the last two years before I vote for best actor!

He didn't get my vote for Illinois Senator of the year. Maybe with the increased demands and pressure he'll change into a real accomplishing politician.

Greenpeace is so weird they'd complain about anything. They're more wacko that PETA!

Big Orange,
Actually, since Obama is continuing most of Bush's policies (Iraq, tax cuts, etc.) the Republicans are pleasantly surprised and happy with Obama right now. No worries there.He's turning into quite the right winger.

Greenpeace - Really? So the minute Obama's train goes by, I'm sure you wouldn't object to the chemicals coming back, right?

Let's get serious here. The real threats won't be terrorists, but the trip itself. How late will Amtrak be?, it's not unusual for them to be three or four hours late, particularly on such a long journey. Will they get seats?, will Joe and Barry wander from car to car, passing by sullen passengers pretending to be asleep while their bags sit beside them? This could be rough!

Time would be better spent in the interest of the citizens and the current situation facing the nation than grandstanding on some cross-country trip. When will this unaccomplished politician get down to business and actually do something of value?

He's already in Washington. There is absolutely no need for him to take this purely publicity seeking trip.

Unlike in the Midwest (5 hours to get from Chicago to Champaign), Amtrak trains going from Philly to DC run on time. I took the train for many years and was pleasantly surprised.

You choo-choo-choose me?

The train ride obviously is meant to recall Lincoln's progress to Washington in 1861.
But also to suggest how passenger rail could help retire the SUV.
Picking up on the latter, why not make Chicago a model for a consolidated unitary public transit system?
You put your paygo card, real or virtual, into a computer and your itenerary and fare for the desired date and time appear instantaneously?
Combine GPS, Iphone, internet.

Why does Obama insist on trying to hang on to Abraham Lincoln's coat tails?? Why is he using Lincoln's family Bible at the swearing ceremony...doesn't he have one of his own?? I am not racist, but everyone has turned this into a race issue by declaring Obama as the first African American president. Let us not forget that his mother was caucasian and he was raised by his caucasian grandparents. Also,when he attended school in Indonesia, he put on his application that he was a citizen of Indonesia. Just food for thought. Whatever works, right Barack??

"This would be an ideal time to consolidate Chicago's various rail systems into one large commuter system."

Ever heard of METRA?

Speaking of trains - Gov. Blagojevich has a soft spot in every Senior's heart - he opened up the horizon for them with the free RTA rides. No longer restricted by their meager resources, or their children's availability, they can travel and visit and shop or just enjoy the sights this great city has to offer. No matter his "political sins" (but then who among today's politicians can seriously be considered "clean"), he will be remembered with fondness by his grateful elderly constituents.

Speaking of trains - Gov. Blagojevich has a soft spot in every Senior's heart - he opened up the horizon for them with the free RTA rides. No longer restricted by their meager resources, or their children's availability, they can travel and visit and shop or just enjoy the sights this great city has to offer. No matter his "political sins" (but then who among today's politicians can seriously be considered "clean"), he will be remembered with fondness by his grateful elderly constituents.

Yes, why don't we shut down all manufacturing operations and infastructure while the Messiah (and his spare) passes by. Priceless comedy!

Obama is unfortunately a target because all of the bigots, racists and terrorists out there. The shoe should be on the other foot and each and everyone of all the bigots, racists, terrorists, hateful, intolerant and corrupt out there should be our targets and the ones to be weeded, rooted out and held accountable as the largest threat to peace and security.

If they are taking Amtrak they may get to Washington by the 20th.

When will this unaccomplished politician get down to business and actually do something of value?

Posted by: Pragmatic | January 7, 2009 10:31 AM

Well Brainiac, maybe when he gets inaugurated. Now Bush, on the other hand, will finally "do something of value" by getting his sorry arse out of the White House and letting Obama begin the long process of fixing all that Bush & the Sorry GOP have ruined. Duh!

when he attended school in Indonesia, he put on his application that he was a citizen of Indonesia. Just food for thought. Whatever works, right Barack??

Posted by: Come on | January 7, 2009 11:13 AM

Come on, Come on! He was a small child at the time. But you're probably right, he was actually setting himself up as the Manchurian Candidate even then. Now that is a scary smart individual whereas you looney reds are just scary. Duh again!

Self-serving BS/ploy by Mr Blackwelder and Mr Hind to support the political agenda of their radical organizations. They are bottom feeders. If I were the secret service I would be checking them out, especially their financial records. This trip represents one of the most positive (and much needed) passenger rail events in this country and these two enviro-clowns are trying to destroy it with their chickin little BS. Lets hope that their respective boards of directors help them to find new careers to explore.

Self-serving BS/ploy by Mr Blackwelder and Mr Hind to support the political agenda of their radical organizations. They are bottom feeders. If I were the secret service I would be checking them out, especially their financial records. This trip represents one of the most positive (and much needed) passenger rail events in this country and these two enviro-clowns are trying to destroy it with their chickin little BS. Lets hope that their respective boards of directors help them to find new careers to explore.

This train trip is a bad idea…a very bad idea.
It is just not necessary. The campaign is over, the election has been won and it is time to get down to work.
There will be many people lining the tracks and crowding around at any stops that the train makes, a lot of families with little children, hoping just to catch a glimpse of our new President and Vice President and their families. A lot of innocent people, who have faith in President Obama’s judgment and want to see him lead the team team that will get us out of this economic ditch and help solve some of the world’s long running problems. Remember, “Change America and Change the World”. This train trip is a bad idea.
This train trip is not necessary and it presents too much risk for both the President and Vice President and their families and those innocent people standing around, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. Trains move along predetermined routes at known and constant speeds, allow times of arrival at a specific points to be predicted with great accuracy. A bridge that a train passes over can be made to fall down…with the train on it and you do not have to actually be at the bridge to make it fall down.
If they know where the train is going and when it will get there, they can attack it. Air tight, armored, full of communications equipment…none of that matters, you can attack a target from miles away, because you know where it will be and when it will get there and a train on a bridge is a sitting duck, whether you actually hit the train or just the bridge. I’m sure the Secret Service knows all of this and has stated it in so many words to the President Elect, but here is something they might not have stated.
The safety of anyone traveling by training on a scheduled trip, that is public knowledge cannot be guaranteed. Like everyone else, the Secret Service does not like to say they cannot do something that has been assigned to them as their job, but the simple truth is; you can’t always get there, from here, at least not safely and by train. Finally, if any idiot, domestic or foreign tries to attack the train, in any manner and anyone, from the baggage handlers, to the child in the crowd waiting to see the President Elect, loses their life or even gets more than a minor injury, it will be said that this train trip was not necessary, people warned against it and in the end, it amounted to an exercise in vanity, that caused someone else to suffer.
This train trip is a bad idea, it is not necessary and do not stay this course. Please go straight to the inauguration, then go straight to work and help get us out of this mess.

With respect

John Q. Public

I used to think Obama was a risk taker. Now that he has hired Clinton's staff and is already being linked to corruption before being sworn in - He's more of the same ol.

Why don't they insist that he doesn't take the train, instead of closing down and moving tons of industry????

As a local - there are several potential tracks they could be using because both SEPTA (regional rail) and Amtrak PLUS freight lines run through that whole area.

I was trying to figure out which one they would use because I want to be one of the families waving to our new President. Even given the exact time of departure, I do think it's pretty difficult to determine exact location at any point.

This is a wonderful, see the real America (back alleys and all - I've taken some of these trains), connect with real people trip.

Usually a skeptic, now just really and truly hopeful for some intelligence in DC...

Know that the pathetic Misters Blackwelder and Hinds must be really disappointed that something really bad did not go down yesterday -- in order to say "there, we told you so." Like doomsday prophets that have failed over the centuries regarding the end times (and I believe that there will be an end times -- but no mortal will predict it) Blackwelder and Hinds have really destroyed their creditability. They should immediately resign from their respective organizations and go craw under their rocks.