The Exercise of Vital Powers

The Brain Train would remove more than 5,000 cars from jammed highways and feeder roads during peak travel times – the equivalent of adding another lane to I-85.
…
Phase One encompasses $311 million in improvements along 36 miles of track between Atlanta and Dacula (paralleling Highway 316 north of Lawrenceville), a number that has become less realistic as time has passed. Phase II, budgeted at $72 million, covers improvements to existing CSX tracks from Lawrenceville to Athens. (source:Driving The Brain Train | GeorgiaTrend.com)

IIRC the cost per lane mile of an interstate is $1Million. The Brain Train would cost $383 Million. It is 35 miles from I85 to Athens on 316 and about 30 miles from 316 to midtown on I85.

383 / (30 + 35 ) = 5.8

So, the cost per mile for the brain train is 5.8 Million per mile. Only a UGA grad would think the Brain Train is more cost effective than lane expansions.

Saw this gem in the AJC:

House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) has been a leading proponents of a smaller, less intrusive government. But he calls the Sunday sales ban a “time-honored tradition.”(link)

Correct me if I’m wrong Mr. Speaker, but aren’t we currently debating an official apology for another “time-honored tradition” which is now generally viewed as one of the worst crimes against humanity ever permitted by the US Government?

“Often, the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it.” – Marc Twain

H/T Jason Pye

Update: Will over at Peach Pundit has a different take. He thinks the Speaker is reverting to Papism and the infallibity of the mortals in determining God’s will.

iowahawk: Let’s Tone It Down, People

From: UserFriendly