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President Obama nominates former congresswoman to Amtrak board
I believe Ms. Burke was the first elected member of Congress to give birth.
great . more cronyism from the crook in charge of ruining the country . just what we dont need . somebody else that has no clue on how to run a railroad . I would expect nothing less from obama anymore . what a suprise .
Her check to the re-election of the worst president ever must have cleared. Now, she will kick back most of it to an assortment of PACs. She is of NO value to Amtrak, now just another Obama fundrasing tool.
Mr Brandley,
Do you have any reason for your accusation that this is cronyism?
This is a forum for discussions about railroading, not right-wing slanders of the President and others. I don’t know why Mr Brandley’s comment is considered “on-topic” or “respectful.”
I have the same question, what does she know about railroading? It doesn’t sound like she is qualified for the job!
It’s the Chicago way of doing things. Put your own corrupt political favorites in charge of things which are fully capable of being corrupted even more, while providing a cash flow under the table. Anybody familiar with Chicago politics knows this is not new and to be expected from somebody who was taught in the Saul Alinsky school of communist management.
In the future, provided the Marxist gets elected to a second term, which is very possible with fraud, you will no longer have the option of riding Amtrak. It will be mandatory. Never mind that the train doesn’t go anywhere near where you need to go. Never mind it never runs on time. One thing is certain. Amtrak is doomed to a future of financial disaster.
The real crooks would like to see Amtrak discontinued.
A member on Amtraks Board of Directors is not expected to run a Railroad but see to it that the best interests of Traveling by Train service are served.
Yvonne Burke has earned a reputation as a capable and intelligent leader. I haven’t always agreed with her, but she knows what she is doing. I think she is a good choice and will work for Amtrak’s survival.
Where did all the trolls come from? I was hoping this was one place I would be free from them. Has moderation been turned off?
There are better candidates out there who know how to get things done in the railroad industry. I’d start with Gene Skoroposki, who put the Sacramento-Oakland corridor together. (Please forgive me if I spelled his name wrong.) I’m sick and tired of “the payback buddy system”.
If Guse did not remark with his pen loaded with satirical ink, then I guess he is the object of the task of the “The Exorcist.”
Contorted body on a bed, green head fuming spinning, cursing when not spewing particularly disgusting vomit.
Guse, have you no decency?
Whatever happened to appointing people who know a little something about railroading? Ms. Burke is probably a very nice lady but is she the best person for this seat on the Amtrak board?
The tone of discussion on this topic sounds more like something one would find on Military.com, rather than what I assumed was a pro-passenger rail net. President Obama has “put his money where is mouth is”…all right “our money”…and funded many passenger rail projects. The leading Republican candidate (who’s daddy made his fortune in the auto industry), has openly spoke out against Amtrak and further funding…as for the other candidtates…it’s not even on their radar, but one can assume it is not highly favored…as for private rail passenger operations…we live in the world as it is…not as some might like it…private passenger rail on “public track” is still involving the “public”.
Not knowing anything further about Ms. Burke, I would say that she was appointed because: a) she’s a woman, and b) she’s black. However, I may be wrong and it could be because: a) she’s black and b) because she’s a woman.
I would expect nothing less from Obammy.
I am with Mr McCabe, my subscription to Trains is not so that I can read brainwashed political diatribe which can be obtained by the minute elsewhere. Where is the editorial oversight?
Dear Kalmbach: It would appear several of the comment on this string are in violation of “Please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments will be deleted.”
I suggest you follow through with the discipline or remove the parameters for comments.
Disastrous.
I want to go to California. Maybe I could get one of those appointments. But, wait, I don’t like fraud, government spending, political campaigns, and . . . oh, well?
Interesting, all these critical comments from the usual bunch of Amtrak-hating naysayers. Based on her career to date, I expect that former California U.S. Rep. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke will make a positive impact on the Amtrak Board.