We were just in Italy for a week and used the public train system to get around. It was amazing how easy, efficient, fast and affordable it was. Rome has an extensive subway and above ground trams that go most everywhere in the city. It was quite easy to figure out as most stations had English translations plus it was logical and user friendly. There are many options for tickets but we just bought a single ticket at a time that lasted 100 minutes no matter where you went in the city. Each ticket cost 1.5 Euros. There were also mutli-day passes that were cheaper per trip if you intended to use the system over a number of days. The trains were fast, frequent, and relatively clean and not too crowded during the times we used them.

What was even more amazing were the high-speed intercity trains. We traveled to both Florence and Milan on these trains and they were amazing. Incredibly fast, quiet, and affordable. We road the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow). They were the fastest, 190 MPH when at full speed. We purchased "standard class" which included reserved seats and comfortable seating. The cost was about 50 Euros per seat each way to Florence and back to Rome. Non-stop each way.

We also traveled to Milan from Rome on the same type of train, a bit more expensive since it is quite a bit longer trip. Milan also has a very nice city public train system and may even be better than Rome but we didnt stay there long.

What was also really nice abut the high-speed Frecciarossa trains was that many of the seats had groupings of 4 seats facing. So for us (fam of 3) we were able to sit together and talk and play games (we have a young kid). The trains we were on were never entirely full so we had an empty seat in our seating group.

I was also able to purchase tickets online with my smart phone in minutes. So simple and efficient. I dont think you even need a car.

I am sure other cities in Europe have similar systems. I just wish we had something like this in the US. Amtrack is no comparison.

So for example when a car is operating there is tremendous waste heat being generated along with CO2. This heat is given off into the air around the car and adds to the overall heat level of area. Its really noticeable when you park your car in your garage and shut the garage door. It's get incredibly hot. So considering there are over a billion cars on this planet, this effect would seem to be significant.

Then of course all the other uses of fossil fuels.. heating homes, generating electricity, powering all sorts of engines and equipment, etc. This all adds to the direct heating of the environment.

Is this level of heating insignificant in comparison to the effect of CO2?? I don't know for sure but I would think it would have a significant additive effect, a bit like operating a wood stove in a greenhouse.

We can also think of this like injecting heat into the environment that was captured from the sun eons ago. This energy has been stored in fossil fuels and we are now releasing it. It's like we are increasing the current sun's output.

I don't know what specifically can be done but seems its something that needs to be seriously considered.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/13/trump-finds-no-new-lawyers-mar-a-lago-documents-arraignment

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So I suppose this means the arraignment will not be delayed. Good news, I think.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2023/jun/02/trump-desantis-2024-election-republican-biden-debt-ceiling-live-updates

This is a bit weird. Anyone know what's going on here??

They are currently working through voting on 11 amendments which is supposed to take about 10 minutes per amendment. They are curently on the 3rd one (as of 8:40 pm) so 8 more to go so looks like around 10pm for the final vote.

Here are the list of amendments.

1. Paul 107 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
2. Braun 91 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
3. Marshall 110 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
4. Sullivan 125 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
5. Hawley 93 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
6. Kennedy 104 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
7. Cotton 106 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
8. Budd 134 (60 vote affirmative threshold)
9. Lee 98 (Majority)
10. Kennedy 102 (Majority)
11. Kaine 101 (Majority)

It will be followed by final passage of the debt ceiling bill:

HR 3746 (An Act to Provide for a Responsible Increase to the Debt Ceiling). Subject to a 60 vote affirmative threshold.

https://www.c-span.org/networks/?channel=c-span-2

They must defeat each amendment or it goes back to the House which is not what we want. Very unlikely any amendment will pass.

50+ Dems voting with 190 Rs.

This is good sign for the vote tonight.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/white-house-republicans-plan-convene-us-debt-ceiling-deadline-looms-2023-05-24/

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Looks like a deal is imminent. Thank goodness!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-arraignment-manhattan-district-attorney-alvin-bragg-holds-briefing-watch-live/

Great he is doing this so fast to beat the Idiot to the punch.

Trump and his lawyers will turn this into a wild shitshow bashing Cohen, Daniels and the NY DA office. It is my understanding the trial will be held in NYC so the jury wont likely have any Trumpers but who knows. It will be a spectacle for sure. Hope its televised.

Apparently they were totally caught off guard. Love it!!!