May 1--WASHINGTON--Dallas lawyer David Laney, former chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, was named Tuesday by President Bush to the Amtrak board of directors.

From Texas, Mr. Laney said he was looking forward to taking the position but had not yet had time to consider all the issues facing the financially strapped national passenger service.

"You've got a lot of folks circling the problem with many ideas," he said. "I've got a lot to learn."

DOH! Mr. President, is this really a good time to be appointing a rookie to this post? It looks like political favoritism (yet another Texan) took precedence over sound judgement. That board needs people who understand the Amtrak problem inside and out.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy