Comments on: China Opens World’s Fastest Rail Link

By: gerry

gerry — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:29:34 +0000

America does not have the best of everything nor did it ever. What it has had is a vibrant populace who came from all corners of the earth that were given the opportunity to succeed at whatever they desired. As such their creativity has been the envy of the world.

WWII had much to do with a country that was not destroyed, but made much stronger due to its manufacturing capability. Much of that is going away with a stagnant population and a very mature society.

China will become the new America if only because of its population and their recent freedom in capitalism.

The wealth that the US has enjoyed has brought many good things to America. Yet there were always countries that had better this or better that.

But few if any, had better opportunity for an individual to work hard and succeed.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:12:01 +0000

By: gerry

gerry — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:57:27 +0000

Next time Tom try someplace other that Detroit.

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:07:23 +0000

"but high-speed rail development is still not cost-effective based on our current air and auto transportation systems."

Exactly, not to say that American airports and roads are the best maintained or most modern, but the system is quite extensive, which is why the US economy is so dependent on cheap oil. But, what will happen when oil is no longer cheap? Remember, 2.5$ a gallon seems high to American consumers, but it's dirt cheap when you compare it to other developed nations.

By: UpUpandAway

UpUpandAway — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:39:29 +0000

Tom, Korea has the KTX and a great airport but it is also the size of Illinois. There are only 4 countries in the world that have been blessed with land and don't face the sorry living conditions you face in Korea. Deagu, Busan, Ulsan, Daejeon, etc… are dirty cities and all of Korea will always be over crowded. When I travel to Japan I always ask myself why Korea can't get it togeher like the Japanese do, I mean, you both have similar land available but Japan is a far better country than Korea in terms of technolgy and living conditions. I see you posting a lot of negative comments about the States, I am sure all the American's reading your posts can see it is just envy on your part and who can blame you…. Korea will never be a place of paradise and honestly isn't even known to the rest of the world.

By: nankingcherry

nankingcherry — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:54:44 +0000

One thing the Chinese did not mention was that this super high speed train was built by Hitachi technology. The train can speed up to over 300k/h when the railroad stretches straight ahead without tunnels. The speed of the train is not entirely due to the train's technology. China's geography allows for these long stretches. Incidentally France also has wide plains on which straight tracks can be built. That is not the case in Korea and Japan.

By: Juchechosunmanse

Juchechosunmanse — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:59:44 +0000

Why does America have to have the best of everything? Not having them does not make America less great or capable. And it should be perfectly OK for the Americans to realize that the America doesn't have to be the best country in the world (a very subjective topic to begin with).

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:06:26 +0000

The U.S. freight train system leads the world, our commercial airline industry leads the world, and our sprawling, low-density automobile infrastructure leads the world despite the potholes and the occasional falling bridge. Our infrastructure bell curve may have peaked decades ago, but high-speed rail development is still not cost-effective based on our current air and auto transportation systems.

By: Japundit

Japundit — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:45:23 +0000

Story added…

Your story has been featured on Japundit!

Here is the link: http://www.japundit.com/Japan/China_Opens_World_s_Fastest_Rail_Link...

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:21:41 +0000

The funny thing is, most Americans haven't a clue how the rest of the world is passing them right by when it comes to infrastructure. I was in the states couple of years ago, and couldn't help noticing the rotting smelly old airports, bombed out shuttered buildings with graffities, and old roads and bridges in disrepair. Why Americans don't have this kind of train? What for, when they never fail to utter that they are the best country in the world?