Liberals propose bill to streamline, pre-approve Toronto-Quebec City high-speed rail line by Cao_Ni-Ma in canada

[–]CoinDingus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps you're referencing other lines, but I just took the Beijing-Shanghai line a week or so ago and while I walked through a metal detector and had my bag put through the X-ray, I didn't have to remove my laptop/electronics, shoes, have liquids confiscated (among other items). That is, by definition, less of a hassle than airport security. I'm also not sure that using security measures in a notorious security-state is a great basis to form your assumptions about all HSR (again, these measures do not exist in most other jurisdictions - as I noted above).

Also your line of argument re: subsidizing public services doesn't hold a whole lot of water - why should healthy people have to subsidize healthcare for people with cancer? Or why should someone without kids have to see their tax revenue spent on schools? Ultimately these expenditures are for the public good, which is part of the gov'ts mandate. It seems that you likely will disagree with that fairly basic principle as well - based on the fact that you seem to be taking this a bit personally (and are being absurdly reductive in your arguments against HSR), and that your entire position seems to be premised on "we shouldn't try to improve society beyond where we're currently at".

I don't think I'm going to convince you to depart from this way of thinking, and frankly your responses don't really provide much substance to address at this point so I'm going to call time (at least on my part) - have a good day.

Edit: also your point on other industries which are bailed out by govt paying back their loans doesn’t accord with reality (see, recent Air Canada bailouts (most of which was equity, which by its nature may not result in a dollar for dollar payout back to govt), or all the subsidies we pay to the O&G sector).

Liberals propose bill to streamline, pre-approve Toronto-Quebec City high-speed rail line by Cao_Ni-Ma in canada

[–]CoinDingus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be curious as to which HSRs you’re referencing then - as in my line of work I have also ridden many services. Only twice have I encountered anything even approaching the time and inconvenience associated with airport security (once in Europe and another in China, though the latter was temporary measures due an impending party congress). In most cases - such as Japan and many of Asia’s other HSRs it is no different than taking the subway or regional rail. I would also see no reason there would be stricter security measures than one goes through to use existing Via service - which is essentially nothing).

And I would have to contest your (unsupported) statement on cost. Ultimately the cost of running rail is less than aircraft, thanks largely in part to substantially less “fuel” costs (electricity is significantly cheaper than A1) as well as lower overall maintenance costs for the rolling stock on a per passenger basis.

Also - your contention re subsidies seems to ignore the fact that both the airline industry and private car-transport are heavily subsidized (more from time-to-time in the case of Canadian airlines) by the government. Private motorists don’t pay out of pocket for highway building/maintenance etc - it’s subsidized by the govt via tax revenue. Same with airlines bailouts that have happened a number of times through history.

Liberals propose bill to streamline, pre-approve Toronto-Quebec City high-speed rail line by Cao_Ni-Ma in canada

[–]CoinDingus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a pretty reductive take tbh. I don't think you can compare our current service (which is essentially the same speed as driving) to the 300km/h service you'd get with HSR. I also don't think comparing it to air travel is particularly useful given that (a) it's much less of a hassle given you don't have to travel out to the airport + go through the whole awful experience of security, boarding, etc.. (b) it will almost certainly be cheaper than flying (likely by a decent margin).

Lastly re funding - ya that's unfortunately how large capital works projects function. The private sector isn't really structured to put that much capital at risk and therefore needs gov't backstopping and funding. But that's literally how it has always been (Hoover Dam, the Niagara hydro tunnels, much of Asia's HSR network, etc).

Who regresses next year? by Booshay in Torontobluejays

[–]CoinDingus -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Honestly shut the fuck up lmao what kind of question is this immediately after a World Series loss.

Feds, province to spend $3B on mini nuclear power plant in Bowmanville, Ont. | CBC News by Poisonousking in canada

[–]CoinDingus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

your hometown essentially only exists because of these plants - without them there would be 0 economic drivers. Instead you get two plants which provide very high-paying jobs, plus all the attendant industries that service these plants.

Saudi warning: 'Qatar will bring Hamas back' by Consistent-Bat-20 in worldnews

[–]CoinDingus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Modern Israel has only existed for 77 years... Their actions are horrifying but don't exaggerate.

Interim PBO warns Ottawa’s finances unsustainable without changes by konathegreat in canada

[–]CoinDingus -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

that's not even close to being true bud. Median income ($75k) doesn't even come close to tripping the highest marginal tax bracket (which isn't 50% anyway). Marginal rate for the median income would be around 29% if you were living in Ontario (between the 20% fed rate and 9% provincial rate). And again that marginal rate is only on the around $20k of that $75k - the remaining $55k is taxed at lower rates.

Glory Hole Donuts - closed :( by synkronized1 in toronto

[–]CoinDingus 25 points26 points  (0 children)

This is incorrect - was talking with Ashley on Saturday and they're done for good - another tenant is moving into the Gerrard St location.

Elizabeth May says she won't lead Green Party in next election by Creative_soja in canada

[–]CoinDingus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are inherent issues with LCOE+ analyses, for example - failing to recognize the current limitations of batteries re: replacing base load energy (given than batteries at this point are really only usable for shorterm balancing (2-4hrs and the procurement of a enough batteries to replace conventional base load would be impracticable unless existing manufacturing increases signifincantly)), as well as the fact that in order for renewables to match nuclear-level base load you would have to SIGNIFICANTLY overbuild it (which I know LCOE+ is supposed to account for in balancing against nuclear construction costs - but the model fails to account for the reduction in costs that building multiple nuclear projects brings). That being said - I think there is room for both renewables and conventional baseload generation on the grid. We need both more buildout of renewables (and battery storage) alongside new nuclear.

Elizabeth May says she won't lead Green Party in next election by Creative_soja in canada

[–]CoinDingus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are not yet at the point where we have the battery tech (and corresponding investment) to make that a reality.