I was asked to make OnTrac's rail transit presentation last Friday before the Tyner Cornbread and Beans luncheon, a monthly Cleveland County Democrats function. Before I got started, someone asked if I had seen the editorial in the Oklahoma the day before supporting continuation of the Heartland Flyer. I responded that I had not and gave little further thought to the matter, assuming it was probably a relatively minor, qualified endorsement.

So, I was completely shocked when I got online later that day and read the editorial piece for myself. Not only did the Oklahoman endorse continuation of the Heartland Flyer on the solid grounds of the importance of rail transit on quality of life, the editorial went to great lengths to present an argument against those opposed to rail transit on the basis that it must be subsidized, laying out the very same argument that I had made in my presentation on Friday that taxpayers heavily subsidize all transportation modes, including highways and air travel.

Here's the editorial for those who haven't had the opportunity to read it:

Loss of Amtrak would be blow to state

While the Gaylord family's sale of the Oklahoma to oil and business tycoon Philip Anschutz may not change many of the publications conservative views, the fact that Mr. Anschutz has significant business experience and investments in rail suggests that with regard to this issue, we finally have someone at the helm of the Oklahoman who understands the importance of rail transit for not only our quality of life, but also for our transportation and economic future.

Let's hope that support continues, and that it helps to educate those political and business leaders in this state who remain idealogically opposed to rail transit based on political dogma and illegitmate thinking.