With her constituents agitated about the San Francisco-to-LA faster-than-really-fast train going right through their backyards, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) has some predictably tough talk for the High Speed Rail Authority.

In an op-ed piece in today's San Francisco Chronicle, Eshoo writes that, “The High Speed Rail Authority has to hit the reset button, improve its reputation and assuage Peninsula residents, who have every reason to fear that this project will be a nightmare. Meanwhile, we have to state with one, clear voice that a lot will have to happen before - or if - high-speed rail is going to operate on the Peninsula.”

The Peninsula has become the epicenter for the revolt against the high speed rail plans. Small, wealthy towns like Menlo Park and Atherton aren't big fans of the plans, as Robert Cruickshank has written about on his High Speed Rail Blog.

Last night the High Speed Railers and Menlo Park folk got into a heated debate over the project, as the Daily News reported, noting how one Menlo Parker interrupted the presentation:

"'Why not a statement about the properties that need to be taken?' Menlo Park resident Steve Peckler blurted out as Williams gave her presentation. 'You're avoiding mentioning a major con.' He added that some homeowners near the tracks haven't been able to sell their houses because of uncertainties related to the high-speed rail project, with at least one property going into foreclosure as a result."

Eshoo obviously doesn't have a tin ear, though rail advocates might wonder if she is turning a blind eye when it comes to long-term transit plans for the state.