Boy, if that isn't an over-simplification! Iraq War happened, ergo Parkfield project cancelled.

Instead, how about blaming it on the over half of the federal budget that is earmarked for federally-mandated "entitlement" programs -- programs we can't get rid of without an Act of Congress?

How about the Social Security program (the gorilla in the room) which is nothing but a pyramid scheme, a pyramid scheme that would be illegal in any other venue -- a Social Security system that Congress doesn't have the courage to fix?

Or how about blaming the War on Poverty started by LBJ in the 1960s instead of blaming the War in Iraq? It's worked so well that in some instances we have generation after generation of Welfare families. At least our government has some kind of exit strategy planned for the War in Iraq. What is the exit strategy for the 40-year old War on Poverty?

Or how about blaming the illegal immigration problem in the U.S. which depletes our state and federal government of finite tax dollars for health care, education, etc. -- precious funds that could be used elsewhere, e.g. Parkfield?

Yes, Glen, our priorities are screwed up, but don't be so quick as to point fingers at Iraq. I, for one, believe that we have done in Iraq was necessary and was right -- but history will be the real judge of that, not Glen or Barbara.

Sorry, Canie, for using this site for a non-earthquake related topic, but I just had to respond...