Swamp Buggy Racing

I remember there used to be broadcasts of races of amphibious vehicles know as “swamp buggies.” I never really understood the appeal, but then again, I’ve never needed to get through a swamp in hurry. I’m sure if I were in a swamp, I’d want to get out of it quickly. I suppose therein lies the appeal.

A Swamp Buggy Racing
A Swamp Buggy Racing

The premise is relatively simple. With the right equipment, and under the right circumstances, it is possible to propel a four-wheeled vehicle across the surface of water. Swamp buggy racing involves vehicles that have been purpose-built to do this. As you can see above, during operation only the foremost portion of the vehicle is visible. The remainder of the craft is obscured by the water plume created by its front wheels.

A stationary swamp buggy in all its glory
A stationary swamp buggy in all its glory

The sport seems to be confined to Florida, although the Wikiepdia article on swamp buggies is woefully inadequate.

More to come…

How did CA get into this mess?

Total Revenues and Transfers 2008-09
Total Revenues and Transfers 2008-09

Overlook the fact that it was published in The New Yorker. If you’ve ever wanted a “Why California-is-so-F%$#ed-Up for Beginners” look no further than The States We’re In.

It seems that this issue stopped getting any attention once the temporary budget was passed. It’s a shame, because this problem is going to keep cropping up. How do we fix it?

First we have to understand the nature of the problem and how we got here.

Our problem has a lot more to do with our legislative history than anything else. That, and the legacy of the influence of the Southern Pacific Railroad.