And I fully accept that point :)

But as long as it exists, New Orleans means something to America.

But why does "mean something" translate to "build non-ecomically viable HSR"?

Are we stipulating that it's less economically viable than a brand-new line somewhere else?

Yes. It's an area with AT BEST stagnant growth, and likely contraction, versus areas like the Triangle in NC that are poorly served by rail and rapidly growing.