I'm getting my butt kicked up here, but I'm alive and well enough to post this quick blurb about how the feds are now spending more on state rail projects.  Apparently, we're also avoiding driving more too.

...Americans, coping with high gasoline prices, drove 9.6 billion fewer miles in July 2008 than July 2007 — a 3.6 percent decline. July also marked the ninth consecutive monthly decrease in vehicle miles traveled, Peters said.

So, we're driving less, where we can, and that means less gas tax money for mass transit projects.  Ergo, the reason for more apparent direct spending on rail by the federal government. 

As for me, sit tight dear TR readers.  Things are going slowly for me but my attention to this site and all my others is the end game.