Friday Five & Big Brown

Saturday, Jun. 07, 2008 - 12:25 a.m.

First, happy fiftieth birthday to Prince.

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Just to see if there were any news stories about Disneyland, because it looks as if I'm heading down there again before the end of the month, I put that word into the Google News search, and found the following interesting article:

Levitating train from L.A. to Las Vegas gets boost

WASHINGTON (AP) � Plans for a levitating train from Las Vegas to Disneyland can move forward under a transportation bill signed by President Bush on Friday that frees up $45 million for the futuristic project.

Derided by critics as pie in the sky, the train would use magnetic levitation technology to carry passengers from Disneyland to Las Vegas in well under two hours, traveling at speeds of up to 300 mph. It would be the first MagLev system in the U.S.

The money is the largest cash infusion in the project's nearly 20-year history. It will pay for environmental studies for the first leg of the project.

The money had been delayed by a drafting error in Congress' 2005 highway bill, which was corrected along with some other changes by the legislation signed Friday by Bush. The delay had allowed a competing and cheaper diesel-electric plan to emerge as an alternative, but with the money now freed up supporters hope to move forward with the MagLev plan.

The train is meant to ease traffic on increasingly clogged Interstate 15, the main route for the millions of Southern Californians who make the 250-plus-mile drive to Las Vegas each year. There is no train on the route � Amtrak's Desert Wind between Los Angeles and Las Vegas was canceled in 1997 because of low ridership.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., praised passage of the law, saying the MagLev project "will safely and efficiently move people between Southern California and Las Vegas."

This might be the right time for that sort of thing.

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I'd just like to say for the record that I've had a crush on Gina Gershon for many years now, especially after seeing her in Bound.

But if she's been stupid enough to pork Bubba or let him put his tongue in her mouth?

That crush is history. I just... I dunno. Ewww.

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Friday Five...

If you had to participate in one Olympic event what would it be and why?
I'd try the racewalk, because I think it's one of the few track and field events for women that doesn't shake their tits down to their navels before they turn fifty.

What is the one song you always sing along to?
There's an awful lot. Recently, probably the song Falling Slowly. Perpetually? Anything Keane.

Do you wear a seatbelt in the car?
Yes. It's against the law not to, and I've been in several major accidents.

Car, suv or truck and why?
NOYB.

Are you a good/bad driver? explain
I don't drive. I'm also occasionally a bad passenger.

Link to the left, etc.

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I made a mistake a few weeks back. TODAY is the Belmont Stakes.

My digits are firmly juxtaposed for Big Brown to win, but I'll just be glad to see all of the horses finish the race safely.

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Finally: The balm to ease your aching soul whenever you think you have had a bad day: FailBlog.

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That's it. Have a good Saturday.

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