Feral Pigs to benefit from Gov. Perry's Trans-Texas Corridor
Creature features of the Trans-Texas Corridor
April 10, 2006
By Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 2006
Many endangered or threatened species living in the Trans-Texas Corridor study area have colorful names.
So colorful, in fact, that opposing sides in the debate over whether to build the toll road may be tempted to use the creatures as political fodder.
Take the American burying beetle. According to an environmental study released last week by the Federal Highway Administration, the black bug with orange markings lives in trees and pastures along the proposed toll road path from Gainesville to Laredo. It digs holes to hide its food.
Cintra Zachry, the private team planning the $6 billion road, is familiar with burying -- having refused to disclose its financial plans, despite a pending open-records lawsuit.
But it would be unfair to insinuate that the beetle is involved.
To ensure that cooler heads prevail in the discussion, Brake Time offers a sample of other creatures on the Trans-Texas list, along with slightly embellished descriptions:
Paddlefish. This little fellow feeds off floating organisms in Texas ' large, flowing rivers. It won't be of much use to drivers who can't afford the tolls -- and find themselves up a creek.
Blue sucker. A fish known to live in channels and pools in 11 counties along the study area. No, Trans-Texas opponents, there is no proof that one of these is born every minute.
Texas kangaroo rat. This nocturnal critter eats seeds and plants mostly in North Texas . It should not be confused with the kangaroo court that may form if public opinion turns against Trans-Texas.
Golden-cheeked warbler. A songbird that migrates to Texas between March and July. It's not to be confused with partisans who warble the same old party line about toll roads -- either pro or con -- without thinking through the issues themselves.
Blowing smoke
Don MacKenzie , an engineer with the Massachusetts -based Union of Concerned Scientists, offered a gem of a quote while arguing in a news release that the federal government's new fuel efficiency requirements aren't tough enough.
'Fighting America's oil addiction with these standards,' he said, 'is like fighting lung cancer by smoking 49 cigarettes a day instead of 50.'
Come on, Don. You expect America to quit cold turkey?
© 2006 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: www.dfw.com
April 10, 2006
By Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 2006
Many endangered or threatened species living in the Trans-Texas Corridor study area have colorful names.
So colorful, in fact, that opposing sides in the debate over whether to build the toll road may be tempted to use the creatures as political fodder.
Take the American burying beetle. According to an environmental study released last week by the Federal Highway Administration, the black bug with orange markings lives in trees and pastures along the proposed toll road path from Gainesville to Laredo. It digs holes to hide its food.
Cintra Zachry, the private team planning the $6 billion road, is familiar with burying -- having refused to disclose its financial plans, despite a pending open-records lawsuit.
But it would be unfair to insinuate that the beetle is involved.
To ensure that cooler heads prevail in the discussion, Brake Time offers a sample of other creatures on the Trans-Texas list, along with slightly embellished descriptions:
Paddlefish. This little fellow feeds off floating organisms in Texas ' large, flowing rivers. It won't be of much use to drivers who can't afford the tolls -- and find themselves up a creek.
Blue sucker. A fish known to live in channels and pools in 11 counties along the study area. No, Trans-Texas opponents, there is no proof that one of these is born every minute.
Texas kangaroo rat. This nocturnal critter eats seeds and plants mostly in North Texas . It should not be confused with the kangaroo court that may form if public opinion turns against Trans-Texas.
Golden-cheeked warbler. A songbird that migrates to Texas between March and July. It's not to be confused with partisans who warble the same old party line about toll roads -- either pro or con -- without thinking through the issues themselves.
Blowing smoke
Don MacKenzie , an engineer with the Massachusetts -based Union of Concerned Scientists, offered a gem of a quote while arguing in a news release that the federal government's new fuel efficiency requirements aren't tough enough.
'Fighting America's oil addiction with these standards,' he said, 'is like fighting lung cancer by smoking 49 cigarettes a day instead of 50.'
Come on, Don. You expect America to quit cold turkey?
© 2006 Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Monday, April 10, 2006
<< Home