DMN: "Perry blind to Texas' great potential"

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-mckenzie_0421edi.State.Edition1.23e7232.html


What really made Rick Perry's recent hints at secession sound asinine was that our governor came across looking so small. There he was rallying wanna-be members of the Republic of Texas, the group that gained notoriety in a previous century for its hunker-down secessionism. Meanwhile, the state he leads – or, I should say, was elected to lead – stands on the verge of becoming the next mega-state.


Houstonian Tory Gattis had a wonderful take on Texas' future in his recent essay at www.newgeography.com. The writer/blogger describes how each of America's "four great growth waves" contained an "attractive new frontier" that drew in people seeking opportunity. Those waves resulted in "large new bases of industry, wealth, and power," as well as "top-tier world cities."


(snip)

The fourth, as Gattis sees it, surrounds Texas and the New South. Cities like Atlanta are part of this wave, but he calls Texas the "800-pound gorilla."

The numbers confirm his assertion. Dallas-Fort Worth is America's fourth largest metropolitan area. Houston probably will stand fifth, after the 2010 census. Texas has more Fortune 500 headquarters than California or New York, and 18 million people live in the "Texas Triangle" between Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin-San Antonio and Houston.

[ret5hd]

1. DFW is americas 4th largest metro area, and a mass transit system for shit.

Think what a treasure a true mass transit system between DFW, Austin, San Antonio and Houston would be like.

(i know it's kinda off-topic, but one of my pet peeves)

[sonias]

3. I hear ya - Texas T-Bone trianlge line

That would be awesome.

The "Texas T-Bone"
David Crossley of Houston Tomorrow was recently interviewed by KTRH radio about the idea of a high-speed rail system for the Texas Triangle region along a proposed set of corridors that together are commonly known as the “Texas T-Bone.”

The Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corp., a nonprofit consortium of elected officials, city and county agencies, and businesses - including two airlines - are behind the well-publicized push to build high-speed rail between the cities of Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston by 2020, according to a recent story in the Houston Chronicle. Supporters of the current plan say that the project will work as a public-private partnership between local governments and agencies as well as regional business interests.

KTRH interviewers J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes asked David about the new plan, beginning with the question of whether a high-speed rail connection between Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio is a practical idea.

This would be the best thing for the Texas economy we could do.

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

4. I'd rather ride the rails to SA & beyond

than drive I 35. :boring:

dg

[sonias]

5. Me too

I love the trains. I wish we did have a rail system like Japan. It would be great. More people would just get on the train to visit the rest of the state. It would be great for tourism.

Obama's rail plan is slightly different and I hope it does come through Texas.


Sonia

[WolverineDG]

6. Or an integrated train/bus system like they have in Spain

In most towns (not all, but most) the train station is very close to the bus station, sometimes across the street. And unless it's a holiday weekend, you can simply walk up & purchase your ticket 5-10 minutes before the train or bus departs.

dg

[jobycom]

2. He's politically blind from too much political masturbation.

He's a cowboy trying to run a 21st century state.

Texas is a word leader in scientific research ranging from space exploration to medical science. We have an innovative high tech industry, lead America in alternative energy research such as wind, geothermal, and solar, have one of the most recognized cancer hospitals and research labs in the world, have universities whose graduates are sought after in all fields across the nation, make significant contributions to the arts at all levels, and are one of the most interesting fusions of culture and people of any place on Earth.

And fucking Goodhair makes us all look like a bunch of hicks. And fuck Kinky Friedman while we're at it, for playing Nader and helping Perry win with 39%of the vote.

Damn I loved Ann Richards.