Sadly, Mountain View City officials were missing from this event. High Speed rail through Mountain View will cost the City, and us, many millions of dollars for such 'extras' as parking for a station.

I would like to see the Council take a stronger stand on this issue.

I'd love to have good rail on the Peninsula; for a fraction of the cost of HSR, we can electrify, upgrade, and modernize our very own Caltrain. No need for new tracks, no need for eminent domain. Sure, it's not as sexy, but it would give us 95% or more of the benefits of HSR, at 1% of the cost.

Its so true. Once someone says "The Emperor has no clothes!" others begin to see everything more clearly.

I guess all these rich people don't want to see any advances in our public transportation because these folks can afford to drive a 4x4 luxury vehicle and a $4 a gallon gas, they don't seem to have the benefits of the ordinary folks like me would gain if there is a high speed train. These tea baggers don't want their million dollar homes right next to the track losing any value and want to keep their status quo.

@jupiterk: You are sounding like an angry communist.

First off, I think that people are against a wasteful and clearly poorly run project vs HSR in general (which I am personally against)

Secondly, I think that @likesrail's comments are apropos i.e. how about we fix local public transportation first?

I am really sick and tired of listening to people complaining about the wealthy and somehow thinking that society owes them a certain standard of living just because they breath the air and consume space.

Why should "rich folk" subsidize your standard of living? Most of them worked hard, made substantial sacrifices and took risks to earn their wealth. I don't see why they owe you or anyone else anything - let alone a High Speed Rail system.

We are fortunate to live in a country that provides almost limitless opportunity to those with the initiative and will to pursue their dreams. Does it have it's problems? Of course; however, you will not find another country that will afford you the same possibilities as you'll find here.

Take it from an immigrant who came here with almost nothing to his name.

High Speed Rail is needed and is a good transportation alternative. It can't be too expensive because funds are limited presently. However, if it's a success then funds will become available for more expensive options - such as a tunnel.

Are people aware that increasing our highways for half the transportation capacity would be multiple times more expensive? And don't get me started on the Costs of Airports. I suppose old expensive technology is better than a less expensive new technology.

Are ordinary folks asking "rich folk" for a handout, or are rich folk demanding this project be killed because they personally don't want it and they figure their opinion is greater than that of the average Californian?