The Big Dig

What else could be expected in Massachusetts. Just more of the same, but don't worry, Kerry and Kennedy will be re-re-re-elected again and the people will somehow expect things to change

I'm proud to live in Massachusetts. Where do you live? Oh that's right, you didn't take the time to register with the forum.

ya, I registered long ago, but cannot remember my password, so I can't log on.

So you're proud to live in Mass? Well, I live in Mass too (South Shore), so I have every right to comment on the place.

As proud as you are, politics has put so many restrictions and taxes on buisness that we are the only state in the nation losing population. How good could this state be if that is the case? If everyone is so proud to live here, why are they leaving? If I didn't have family here I'd be gone already.

Ps: Thank god that Jon Kerry isn't in charge of the country...what a typical lyin sack of Massachusetts ____.

Don't worry. You'll make a tidy profit when you sell your South Shore home and move to the Sun Belt. If Massachusetts is so terrible, then why are homes in the eastern part of the state so unaffordable? After all, who would want to live there.

P.S. Thank God that January 20th, 2009 gets a little closer each day.

BTW, here's a link you can use to recover your password.

http://cr4.globalspec.com/user/forgotpassword

Moose

Thx for the link,

Listen, all hostillities aside, why do you enjoy the state of mass so much? The politics are completely one sided and whenever that happens (either side) it is a bad thing. Democrocy was designed to work best when both parties are involved. Instead of duel leadership, we have a state which is completely run by libs, and crazy ones at that.

We are left with drunk driving laws which basically encourage the behavior. The taxes are through the roof. My own parents are being forced out of here because they cannot keep up with the property taxes. It's rediculous. We are both paying for illegal immigrants to come here and receive a cheaper education than someone from New Hampshire (If Deval has his way and many others).

How do you rationalize being soft on crime and soft in illegals. It's not in the nature of a scientist who should look at facts and decide on them instead of your feelings.

This went from a discussion on a pork barrel project to an examination of politics.

If Moose likes Mass. so be it. If you hate Mass, then don't live there.

Is there one of those Rotaries in this thing?

Amen, T Man! No, I don't think that there's one of those rotaries in this thing

Glad that we can discuss our differences. I agree with you that politics in Massachusetts can be one-sided and radicalized. At the same time, we've had Republican governors for many years now. The argument that a Republican executive can't work with a Democratic legislature falls apart when you consider the universal health care law that Gov. Romney achieved. Plus, reforms to the state college system also occurred under a "divided" government. As for property taxes, part of the reason that they're so high is that cities and towns are starved of revenue. At the national level, a Republican Congress continues to pass unfunded mandates (e.g., No Child Left Behind) while cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans.

Since CR4 is an engineering forum, Ill try to steer the conversation back to that sphere, if I can. One of the reasons that I'm a fan of Massachusetts is our educational system. We have hundred of colleges and universities and a public school system that has begun to demand accountability. Let's identify an area of focus - like Gov. Pataki has done with nanotechnology in the Albany, NY area - and make the most of our educational resources. Unfortunately, neither gubernatorial candidate is talking about jobs and taxes in a meaningful way. Fear - whether of drunk drivers, illegal immigrants, or criminals - is just plain easier for people to understand. It's sad, but that's human nature.

There are lots of reasons to criticize whatever place you happen to live. My hope is that you'll get involved with your community (if you're not involved already) and start holding our so-called "leaders" accountable. Rejoin CR4 while you're at it, too! I'd enjoy talking politics with you off-line via the messaging system, but can't do so while you're a guest.

Best,

Moose

As is the case in most catastrophic failures, corner-cutting and cost cutting interfered with sound engineering practices.A contractor was advised to use less bolts than was specified, and assured that it would work just fine.And it did for a while.The same thing happened on the Titanic.The accountant for the project said "Why do we need to bring the bulkheads all the way to the ceiling, the water will never get that deep?" so they stopped the walls short of the ceiling, defeating the purpose of the watertight doors."Why so we need enough life boats for everyone, it will never sink anyway?"So they did not have enough life boats when they were needed.The engineer, who was on board, went down with the ship, and regretted letting an accountant make an engineering decision.

When they get to the bottom of the overpass collapse in Canada, they will find cost-cutting or greed to be the real cause.

Obenay N. Pebvk

Is the project complete?

How much money has been spent?

The total cost is near $15 billion. This article from the Christian Science Monitor is a few years old, but still has some good info about the project.