I caught an Amtrak train to Boston this evening for a talk I’m giving tomorrow at Harvard. We haven’t hit Providence yet but I am expecting a riot. It’s Friday night. The train is running about 80 minutes late. The cafe car is running low on everything — most significantly booze — though the stray Catholic may add to the uprising when he finds out the tuna’s gone too. Foremost in the minds of those of us whose batteries are running low though (and must finish writing!) are the dead power outlets. All this for $121!

There are certainly worse things, mind you. We’re at war, for Pete’s sake. But right now the question in the air here is:

What pol wants to take up the Privatize Amtrak cause? I’m there — and so is a whole train here in New England tonight!