New England states will be amping-up rail service under an ambitious plan that taps into federal stimulus cash to revitalize some sleepy burgs like Springfield, Worcester and Manchester.  New rail lines will connect communities both big and small – from Montreal, Boston and NYC to academic towns like Burlington Vermont and Amherst Massachesettes, in what is now called the ‘Knowledge Corridor.’  If you’ve ever taken Amtrak from Worcester to New York City via freight tracks, you know this rail upgrade is much needed.  Good stuff.

Is there a “Muck Monster” in the waters off West Palm Beach?  Speaking of Florida, judging by the state’s glut of foreclosures and short sales it would appear the industry that is ‘over development’ may have run its course.  Sometimes you have to actually make a product to create jobs, as opposed to attracting new residents with low taxes, cheap housing and destroyed wetlands.  Could Florida be ripe for a green jobs explosion?  The state does have plenty of wind, sun and waves…Is America getting dumber?  The ‘age of the Dufus’ – characterized by the popularity of clowns like Glen Beck and single note reactionaries like Lou Dobbs – makes meaningful change and consensus on almost any issue (global warming/health care) nearly impossible.  Speaking of climate change…perhaps the Red Sox can get something going against the Yankees…