Combo update: high MPG in trains, taxes and economic growth get along, discipline beats IQ

Freight trains have doubled fuel efficiency since 1980
Cars are the big news in fuel economy because of the recent increase in CAFE standards, but it's trains that really scoop the efficiency scores.  One ton of freight ( on a train moves 480 miles per gallon.  For comparison, and Honda Accord would have to get 320 MPG to match it).  That's probably why liberals love commuter rail, beneficiary of $9.3 billion in stimulus dollars.

High taxes don't cause growth, but they don't kill it either
A nice chart by Paul Krugman exploding the conservative-spread myth that high taxes and growth aren't good bedfellows.  Also note that the federal debt wasn't rising back then, either.

Hard work trumps natural ability
In the long run, it's hard work that matters, not innate IQ (and IQ can be increased through study).  A study of students found that "Students who were more self-disciplined and were able to delay gratification performed better than their peers who had higher IQs."  In other words, keep at it.

Things that make me pissed #5

Ignorant righteous indignation.

The commuters from a few south metropolitan exurbs (Lakeville and Farmington) of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area are up in arms about a new permit system at a closer-in suburban bus station. Area residents and commuters from Apple Valley and Burnsville pay a regional transit tax to supply bus service around the area and to the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. However, they've been frustrated by a lack of parking at one of the transit stations, caused by as many as 60% of the commuters being from areas outside the transit tax area. The city council recently passed an ordinance requiring permits for parking, available only to residents of the municipalities who pay the taxes supporting the transit.

The reaction from the freeloaders?

"If it's a public transit facility, it should be open and accessible to members of the public, and Farmington residents, last time I checked, were part of the public," said Farmington Mayor Kevan Soderberg, who said he's gotten calls from residents who said they would organize a boycott of Apple Valley businesses if the permit system goes into effect...

Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, called the permit plan unfair and said if Apple Valley moves ahead, he'll consider introducing a bill next session to prohibit cities from requiring permits at transit stations.

Let's check the logic here. These exurban residents elected "no new taxes" Republicans to the state legislature (and probably local office) with over 60% of the vote in 2006. And yet, when denied access to a desired public service that they do not pay for, they raise holy hell.

I've got two words for you, transit freeloaders: pay up!


Note: the boycott threat is particularly amusing. Checking the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce website shows seven listings for retail stores, all national chains. Oh no, don't boycott Wal-mart, they might go out of business!

Update: MSP Airport cabs will take passengers or queue up

In an interesting twist, the Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minnesota found a way out of its dilemma involving Muslim cab drivers refusing rides to people carrying alcohol. Any cab driver who refuses a passenger has to return to the start of the cab queue, a wait of as much as 3 hours for another passenger. I don't think Muslims should be punished for wanting to follow their faith, but neither should people seeking cab drivers be discriminated against for not following Muslim law.

Update 10/26/06: as one might expect, a few other bloggers are weighing in. This guy says we should let Muslims discriminate, but post signs to let people vote with their dollars. Another says that any preferential treatment for Muslims based on their religion clearly violates the establishment of religion and is unconstitutional. Interesting stuff.