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the guy must have great hearing to hear all that while driving! I wonder if he saw a few pink elephants as well!
California's high-speed rail project continues to be a dumpster fire of incompetence and overspending. This week, the project's CEO, Ian Choudri, announced his resignation after the Los Angeles affiliate of CBS News pressed him with questions about consultants and travel spending.QuoteThe head of California high-speed rail has stepped down, casting new uncertainty over the troubled, $126 billion transportation megaproject.
Ian Choudri, who has served as the CEO of the state’s High-Speed Rail Authority since 2024, submitted his resignation late Wednesday, according to the authority’s board chair Steve Kawa. The move followed an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General which concluded that consultants have billed the authority nearly $600,000 for unauthorized expenses, including first-class flights and rides to gyms as well as an escape room.
After the inspector general published those findings, the authority opted to limit Choudri’s authority to manage contracts.
As mentioned, the High-Speed Rail Authority's OIG released a report last month about the "unallowable" travel spending. But as with many political scandals in a blue state, no one really cares until the media makes the story impossible to ignore. First, here's what the OIG report found:QuoteA report issued Tuesday by the authority's Office of the Inspector General said allegations that the CHSRA failed to comply with state regulations and contract requirements when reimbursing consultants' travel expenses were substantiated. Out of the more than $1 million of travel expenses reviewed between 2024 and 2026, the report states, 60%, or $680,500, did not comply with state regulations requiring advance approval, "indicating there was little to no upfront consideration of the need for or cost of the travel."...
Of the unapproved expenses, $592,000 were deemed to be unallowable, according to the report, under state travel regulations or under the contract with the consultants. The reimbursements included expenses for premium airfares, Uber Black and Lyft Black upgrades, trips to gyms, escape rooms, cigar lounges, tiki bars, and private residences with no documentation of a state business purpose.
CEO Choudri declined to answer questions about any of this, so CBS LA reporter Julie Watts showed up at a public meeting to hound him, along with another reporter from KCRA. This is the raw video of the encounter, not the polished final report. You don't have to watch all of this, but you'll quickly get the vibe of Choudry looking confused and ducking questions. It's painful to watch.
Jeanne (7,189) Posts
I'm an Israeli-American Jew. I Love Israel. I Voted for Abdul El-Sayed
Excellent opinion piece in Haaretz
So how can I, an IDF combat veteran of this war, an Israeli and Zionist Jew and also a Michigan voter, have cast a ballot for Abdul El-Sayed? In fact, I not only cast my ballot for him, but I am enthusiastic about my support for him, and specifically as a Zionist Israeli Jew.
My Zionism means that as a Jew, I love Israel as my home and believe in protecting the country's future as a democratic home for the Jewish people.
The word "democratic" is crucial here. A Jewish state that is not first and foremost a democracy is inherently a hilul hashem, a disgrace to the name of Jews in the world. For this reason, democratic Zionism demands upholding international law, ending the illegal occupation, and most importantly, holding our leaders accountable when Israel violates its commitments.
Just as an American "patriot" can and should be critical of the United States when necessary, the most patriotic and Zionist of actions are often those that demand accountability for injustices and change for a better future. With this in mind, El-Sayed's policy on Israel is not a threat to Zionism; it's what pro-democracy Zionism demands.
I bet all that adulation has PCInterns ears burning!!
s go but Ilsa wants to believe that a handful of conservative college (Baylor, in Waco?) students were hanging out at a polling place that may be near or far from the dorms shouting anti-Trump slogans at random voters and driversby.
, a car driver driving past, even at 25 mph, isn't going to hear as much as Ilsa claims. Either she or her friend made @#$% up.Jeanne (7,189) Posts
I'm an Israeli-American Jew. I Love Israel. I Voted for Abdul El-Sayed
Excellent opinion piece in Haaretz
So how can I, an IDF combat veteran of this war, an Israeli and Zionist Jew and also a Michigan voter, have cast a ballot for Abdul El-Sayed? In fact, I not only cast my ballot for him, but I am enthusiastic about my support for him, and specifically as a Zionist Israeli Jew.
My Zionism means that as a Jew, I love Israel as my home and believe in protecting the country's future as a democratic home for the Jewish people.
The word "democratic" is crucial here. A Jewish state that is not first and foremost a democracy is inherently a hilul hashem, a disgrace to the name of Jews in the world. For this reason, democratic Zionism demands upholding international law, ending the illegal occupation, and most importantly, holding our leaders accountable when Israel violates its commitments.
Just as an American "patriot" can and should be critical of the United States when necessary, the most patriotic and Zionist of actions are often those that demand accountability for injustices and change for a better future. With this in mind, El-Sayed's policy on Israel is not a threat to Zionism; it's what pro-democracy Zionism demands.
Read whole piece here
Gift link. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-10-30/ty-article-opinion/.premium/im-an-israeli-american-jew-i-love-israel-i-voted-for-abdul-el-sayed/000001a1-8c43-d125-a3b1-edc710e40000?gift=66a3c592ede7470bb5be8f9f3087771e]
Hlthe2b
1. Thanks for posting this Nanjeanne... I am reassured...
especially after seeing some comments here that really "recreated" El-Sayed as all but the ultimate Muslim "boogie man" (and sadly our beloved Nancy Pelosi's highly disparaging comments about him haven't helped). It is clear that his losing primary opponent,, Haley Stevens (and her billionaire donor Republican opposition supporting boyfriend) are doing everything possible to sabotage him. To do so she desperately needs to paint him as anti-Semitic and I find her beyond disingenuous--but absolutely disgusting. Unfortunately some are following her very disingenuous lead.
So, I do appreciate a measured and more unbiased assessment from this Haaretz opinion writer.
Nanjeanne
2. There's a lot of knee jerk reactions by some Jewish people Thats sad to see. As a Jew who has spent
much time in Israel there’s also a lot of American Jews with limited knowledge but saying any more is a signal for alerting so I let this man speak for me. And hopefully others.
Soul_of_Wit
7. Listen to El-Sayed and it is very transparent that there is no antisemitism
I worry about discrimination against my daughters and I worry about discrimination against your daughters.
https://democraticunderground.com/100221596838
The DUmbAss known as Ilsa should have began that fairy tale with "Once upon a time"...
