It's cheap, efficient, relatively quick and usually the best option. But don't label it enjoyable. In fact, D.C. metro can be "an unforgiving bitch." Crowded at certain times and uncompassionate at all times. The area's metropolitan transit system is NOT where you go to make friends. Its patrons act impatient, stare ghostly, and favor disdain. In short, they are disaffected beings crowded together on a public transport. As a friend once eloquently stated, "[D.C. Metro] is intimately close but emotionally distant."
I couldn't describe it any better. Indeed, you step on to the platform, waiting for a train to arrive, and realize people are minding their space. They glance at the schedule, fiddle with their lack-of-service cell phones or keep their heads down. It's a dark, gloomy and chilly place. People only gather in a social format when the train arrives. But instead of conversing they crowd and “accidentally” bump each other for space to ensure entrance and a seat.
Once on the train, riders scurry, not to the middle as requested by the engineer but to the nearest seat all the while looking for that one piece of reading material.
People sit next to each other only if they have to. There is little to no speak. The unfriendly and cold atmosphere from the platform quickly turns into personal glance sessions of who's who. Some stare at their shoes, some stare out the windows into the tunnels of darkness and others look around and size up fellow riders:
"There's the ass who grabbed the last paper!" "I wonder if that cute girl will get off at the same stop?" "What's up with that dude, why does he keep staring?" "Poor fellow, I wonder how long he's been passed out?" "What stop is this, are you kidding me?!"
This, my friends, is the D.C. metro experience. No smiles, no neighborly love and no polite consideration. In fact, it’s best to expect nothing more, otherwise you risk injury.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Abraham Lincoln was a Tyrant
That is the title of a Facebook group I recently stumbled upon. Dedicated to vilifying the 16th president and exposing “his true intentions,” the 300+ member group was founded by a Texas State University student. Curious to learn more, I joined the network and its like-minded discussion.
Immediately, I took to issue some of the points expressed. Many of the messages espouse an unusual bitterness, portraying the president and the Union as abusive foreign aggressors and even comparing Lincoln to Hitler. As one member excitedly stated, "Hell yes there is a smart group about Lincoln."
As I joined the discussion, I made it a priority to remind participants that Lincoln served during the Civil War – a war that began before he took the oath of office and a war that sliced our country through its middle. I strongly believe that had it not been for many of Lincoln's thoughts, words, and actions, the impact of American on American violence would have destroyed the United States and its declaration.
The responses I received were heated. I was labeled ignorant and disputed on all points. Soon after I realized the scope of this group:
“If there's one thing I’ve taken away from this group it's the lack of rationality and judgment. The 'truths' expressed here present only half and partial versions. No one here seems interested in stepping back and addressing the larger issues facing America and its survival. Furthermore, I wonder if any of you have ever even read the Gettysburg Address. In an era when the politics and ideologies were much more partisan than today, Lincoln was the one public figure preaching democratic principle and unification.”
In the week following my correspondence support for the group dropped from 308 members to 301. Since then however, the group has expanded to 311 members as of this writing. Its numbers will likely rise further as celebrations for Lincoln's Bicentennial continue.
********
"Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.
Immediately, I took to issue some of the points expressed. Many of the messages espouse an unusual bitterness, portraying the president and the Union as abusive foreign aggressors and even comparing Lincoln to Hitler. As one member excitedly stated, "Hell yes there is a smart group about Lincoln."
As I joined the discussion, I made it a priority to remind participants that Lincoln served during the Civil War – a war that began before he took the oath of office and a war that sliced our country through its middle. I strongly believe that had it not been for many of Lincoln's thoughts, words, and actions, the impact of American on American violence would have destroyed the United States and its declaration.
The responses I received were heated. I was labeled ignorant and disputed on all points. Soon after I realized the scope of this group:
“If there's one thing I’ve taken away from this group it's the lack of rationality and judgment. The 'truths' expressed here present only half and partial versions. No one here seems interested in stepping back and addressing the larger issues facing America and its survival. Furthermore, I wonder if any of you have ever even read the Gettysburg Address. In an era when the politics and ideologies were much more partisan than today, Lincoln was the one public figure preaching democratic principle and unification.”
In the week following my correspondence support for the group dropped from 308 members to 301. Since then however, the group has expanded to 311 members as of this writing. Its numbers will likely rise further as celebrations for Lincoln's Bicentennial continue.
********
"Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.
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