metaphor

A columnist Jeff Pidot at the Kennebec Journal in Maine rolls out a lame cliche often hurled at tolls that they are "highway robbery." He doesn't actually compare Maine Turnpike toll rates with those elsewhere or with the costs of building and operating roads. That would be work. And the real data might undermine his case.

He just draws attention to the increase and not to the length of time tolls have been frozen while costs rise.

The Associated Press reports from Australia: "Officials said panic and the freight-train speed of the walls of flames probably accounted for the unusually high death toll."

Since when were freight trains a metaphor for speed? What's this AAR propaganda?

Freight trains are loud certainly, but fast?

US Rep John J Duncan top Republican on the House highways subcommittee of said in a press statement today toll roads "have their place in the national toolbox of financing alternatives."

Have any of the people who so glibly use this toolbox cliche ever handled real tools or had reason to assemble them in a toolbox? The suggestion that tolls or concessions are "just another financing tool" doesn't work as metaphor.