That doesn't change your concept of "facts".
HSR is a very expensive way to get around. (Don't confuse HSR with traditional rail, which is very efficient; most HSR fans like to tout traditional rail stats in place of real HSR figures)
Don't get me all wrong; I love to travel via rail and wish it did exist in the US. The problem is that the promoters of HSR rain here have to lie, cheat, and steal in order to sell it which tells me that it's wrong. If it was such a great deal, that wouldn't be the case.
Take the "public transportation" they are attempting to build in California from LA to SF; on a per-passenger basis it would be cheaper just to buy every person a first-class ticket on an airline, and get between the two places in a third of the time.
If "public transportation" didn't universally equate "inefficient" and "expensive boondoggle", I'd be more likely to agree with you.
