Man of the People Rides the Train

[nbs2]

Nothing controversial to report, just some venting.

As an easy thousand or more commuters attempted to go home today, Joe Biden decided that it would be an opportune time to shut down roads and the train station in DC. As commuters who had arrived with sufficient time to board their trains watched through closed doors, armed vehicles drove the VP directly to his private car on the train. Select commuters were then given one minute to rush to the train as it made it's delayed departue. How many were fortunate to be near the doors as opposed to stuck behind the throngs of commuters, I don't know. I was a lucky one. I will get to see my family an hour earlier than I would have otherwise. One more hour to be with my wife. One more to play with my daughter. Like I say, I was a lucky one.

I really hate him. And listening to the commuters waitng with me, I am not alone.

[bamaworks]

That was a slight bit sappy and overdramatic don't you think?

[.Andy]

Clearly Joe Biden hates families.

[Thomas Veil]

Same thing happened with Bush -- everything at Cleveland Hopkins ground to a halt whenever he visited.

It's a presidential/VP security thing. A pain in the ass, but getting upset about it is kind of pointless.

[abijnk]

Hmmm, maybe you should direct your anger at the fact that there are people willing to physically hurt those in authoritative positions, such as VP, rendering the use of heightened security absolutely necessary...

[BoyBach]

...


Diddums.

[FrankieTDouglas]

...one more hour to use for time on macrumors.

[barkomatic]

What are you complaining about--that you got home earlier? Or, you were upset your less fortunate fellow commuters were delayed? How big of you--a Man of The People. At least you had an interesting commute.

[macfan881]

That was a slight bit sappy and overdramatic don't you think?

what he said^^

[SactoGuy18]

Here's the problem: the President and Vice President should NOT be riding any form of public transit--including trains and commercial airline flights--without a lot of pre-planning. These two are among those that should get around the country on VC-25 or the smaller Gulfstreams based at Andrews AFB--if only for security reasons!

[Eraserhead]

Here's the problem: the President and Vice President should NOT be riding any form of public transit--including trains and commercial airline flights--without a lot of pre-planning. These two are among those that should get around the country on VC-25 or the smaller Gulfstreams based at Andrews AFB--if only for security reasons!

Agreed, but then they don't get to experience how the "rest of the world" commutes, but as they did this he still didn't experience the real world problems with the train.

[zap2]

:rolleyes:

I heard he kicks puppies too!


I'm not sure why you hate him...he might not be amazing, but he's not terrible.

[MacNut]

Hmmm, maybe you should direct your anger at the fact that there are people willing to physically hurt those in authoritative positions, such as VP, rendering the use of heightened security absolutely necessary...So why is he riding the train in the first place then?

[NT1440]

So why is he riding the train in the first place then?

Better question, why do some people feel like he shouldn't be allowed to?

I thought we enjoyed freedom here, but silly me, if you inconvenience anyone i guess you can't.

[MacNut]

Better question, why do some people feel like he shouldn't be allowed to?

I thought we enjoyed freedom here, but silly me, if you inconvenience anyone i guess you can't.OK lets let him drive himself everywhere, or go grocery shopping.

[NT1440]

OK lets let him drive himself everywhere, or go grocery shopping.

Uh, he can if he wants to....

What are you trying to say? The man enjoys the train, therefore he takes the train.

[MacNut]

Uh, he can if he wants to....

What are you trying to say? The man enjoys the train, therefore he takes the train.Not without hoards of secret service. Honestly, do you think he is the common man going out?

How much "freedom" does he have, not much.

[NT1440]

Not without hoards of secret service. Honestly, do you think he is the common man going out?

How much "freedom" does he have, not much.
Yet you wish to restrict it further because.....

[ntrigue]

Spend some time under a Monarch.

In Saudi Arabia they closed highways while a prince passed.

[MacNut]

Yet you wish to restrict it further because.....Im sure the SS would rather he not do half the stuff he does. Having to sweep a city before being allowed to travel, inconveniencing people for hours. Just for a photo op, what's the point.

[NT1440]

Im sure the SS would rather he not do half the stuff he does. Having to sweep a city before being allowed to travel, inconveniencing people for hours. Just for a photo op, what's the point.

The point is he should be able to have the same freedoms as any American.

[MacNut]

The point is he should be able to have the same freedoms as any American.He is not "any American", he is the second in command.

[NT1440]

He is not "any American", he is the second in command.

Therefore he shouldn't be free to live his life?

[PlaceofDis]

Spend some time under a Monarch.

In Saudi Arabia they closed highways while a prince passed.

they do that for the president too.:rolleyes:

[MacNut]

Therefore he shouldn't be free to live his life?How can he, he know that when elected his life would change. He won't be able to do what he did before. He can't just go for a walk or drive to the store. Not without major preparation.

[NT1440]

How can he, he know that when elected his life would change. He won't be able to do what he did before. He can't just go for a walk or drive to the store. Not without major preparation.
So your reasoning is that because he is VP, he should have less personal freedoms than another person?

[MacNut]

So your reasoning is that because he is VP, he should have less personal freedoms than another person?I think its been that way since JFK

Seriously, under 24/7 Secret Service protection, what kind of freedom do you really have?

[NT1440]

I think its been that way since JFK.

You're avoiding my question. YOU think that because of someones title, they should have less freedom's than you or I?

I think thats a sad way to look at the world.

[MacNut]

You're avoiding my question. YOU think that because of someones title, they should have less freedom's than you or I?

I think thats a sad way to look at the world.Ok how will you give him freedom, tell the secret service to take the night off?

[NT1440]

Ok how will you give him freedom, tell the secret service to take the night off?

He's free to do what he wants, the SS are there to protect him, thats it. No one can tell him he can't go out past 11 or anything like that

[Rodimus Prime]

You're avoiding my question. YOU think that because of someones title, they should have less freedom's than you or I?

I think thats a sad way to look at the world.

Honestly yes I think the VP should have to give up some of his freedom, it is not right that I have to give up my right to get on the train and home in time because of his extra security needs. His freedom to ride the train should not come at the cost of mine. Yes he is the VP. Heshould of worked it out that when he got on the train it be during a low vollume time and not during rush hour.
God forbid we ask our leaders not to screw is all over for their wants

[MacNut]

He's free to do what he wants, the SS are there to protect him, thats it. No one can tell him he can't go out past 11 or anything like thatI think he has restrictions for security reasons. He can't just do as he pleases.

[jknight8907]

You're avoiding my question. YOU think that because of someones title, they should have less freedom's than you or I?

I think thats a sad way to look at the world.

When he chose to become VP, his job became being a leader of this country. He cannot perform that duty if he is dead, and due to the unfortunate shape of the world, he is likely to be dead if he conducts himself as a normal person (that is, traveling as he wishes, in the same manner as anyone else). So in order to ensure that he can continue to fulfill his duties by staying alive, yes, he will have to have fewer freedoms of travel than Joe Popsicle-stick.

[Pocket lint]

When he chose to become VP, his job became being a leader of this country. He cannot perform that duty if he is dead, and due to the unfortunate shape of the world, he is likely to be dead if he conducts himself as a normal person (that is, traveling as he wishes, in the same manner as anyone else). So in order to ensure that he can continue to fulfill his duties by staying alive, yes, he will have to have fewer freedoms of travel than Joe Popsicle-stick.

http://www.everythingpromotional.net/main/uploads/images/templates/eptheme/products/Square%20globe.jpg

:p

[NT1440]

http://www.everythingpromotional.net/main/uploads/images/templates/eptheme/products/Square%20globe.jpg

:p

My my, that IS unfortunate. :p

[hulugu]

I think he has restrictions for security reasons. He can't just do as he pleases.

I agree and as such I think Biden gave up the right to ride the train on his daily commute.

Of course, it's been said that the VP position isn't worth a bucket of spit, but nonetheless the safety and security of the VP is an important consideration which trumps his desire to ride the train home.

I respect that he wants to be a "regular" guy, but he gave that up in January.

[nbs2]

Wow. All I was doing was venting after yet another Friday of being pressed like I was at a European soccer game instead of a train station.

To address sone points, I have seen the highway shut down for Bush. I was lucky to be going the opposite direction on the beltway and saw the waves of security. I was also stopped from walking down the street back to work so that Obama could go out to dinner. I didn't care for either one, but I realize that there are certain freedoms I give up to live in the DC area. Also, I understand that Biden may want to take the train, and that it is something he enjoys. I know that as a result he doesn't have to endure the "we will be delayed because of some trackwork, thank you for your patience" that commuters enjoy, but that's fine. I understand the need for security.

But, what on earth makes him think 4:51 is a good time to catch a train. He had been doing this long enough that he should have some idea of when the gaps in commuter trains occur. And don't tell me that it's not something he should be concerned with. After all these years, you'd have to be an idiot not to notice. He arrives during a lull, and nobody would notice or care.

Now, about freedoms. If you are going to tell ne that he enjoys the sane freedom that I do, tell me why I am not free to get on the train while he is. Why I cannot drive down the beltway dragging with Bush or waving as Obama passes by. Their are restrictions on my freedom to ensure the safety of our senior elected leaders, regardless of how I feel about them. It is something I agree to by participating in society. At the same time, their ar restrictions on their freedoms that they agree to by seeking those positions. If he wants to ride the train like a normal guy, he can resign.

Finally, why vent at Joe? Because I do have a beef with him. Has he ever targetted me personally? No. Does he manage to get in my way on a regular basis? Yes. I leave for work when it is still dark. I'm am on my way right now. In order to afford to live in and area with good schools, lower crime, and a good neighborhood, while utilizing public transit, I have a 2 hour commute (each way). I am not alone. There are plenty of people who get on and get off at the same stations I do. So yes, I begrudge those who through a sense of entitlement make my life and those of my cotravelers a little more difficult. I am not a Man of the People, I just know that some won't shove through a throng to catch their train (of the three lines that leave out of that area, they only were letting one through, meaning those waiting for other trains had to stand still while people passed through).

[.Andy]

So yes, I begrudge those who through a sense of entitlement
It's odd how often those people that admonish other's as having a sense of entitlement seem to have one of their own. It's especially suggestive when they do so in the middle of a passage about how hard they work.

[nbs2]

It's odd how often those people that admonish other's as having a sense of entitlement seem to have one of their own. It's especially suggestive when they do so in the middle of a passage about how hard they work.

What entitlement? That I be able to get home in peace? That I not suffer external delays beyond those associated with rail travel? Of so, then yes, I feel a sense of entitlement.

If I begin to demand special treatment to the detriment or delay of others, then assail me as well. If I get to the train station early, I wait. If I get there late and the train is pulling out without me, I wait. I don't expect others to put ther lives on hold for me, and I don't expect other to demand the same of me.

As for working hard, I never said I did. All I said was that I have a ling commute. Maybe it would have been easier for you if I had quoted the earlier post questioning why I would be so upset about getting home later than I would like. For not doing so, I apolgize. But I have always been taught that context can correct ignorance. Perhaps understanding my commute would explain why I was annoyed.

In th end, if folks really believe that senior elected officials should travel as they see ft and the public should stand by to accomodate them, that's fine. I can't force you to see things the same way as me.

[.Andy]

In th end, if folks really believe that senior elected officials should travel as they see ft and the public should stand by to accomodate them, that's fine. I can't force you to see things the same way as me.
It's peculiar that you'd come to this conclusion when I said nothing to the effect. If you'd like my opinion I think Biden is a knob. All I said is that it often seems that those that admonish others for a sense of entitlement have one of their own. Just an observation and a perspective of my own.

If it's any consolation I was home late too today because of a delay on the train through no fault of my own.

[nbs2]

It's peculiar that you'd come to this conclusion when I said nothing to the effect. If you'd like my opinion I think Biden is a knob. All I said is that it often seems that those that admonish others for a sense of entitlement have one of their own. Just an observation and a perspective of my own.

If it's any consolation I was home late too today because of a delay on the train through no fault of my own.

Sorry if it came off that way. I was trying to address the several other posts that do seem to think that it was ok. I mean, even though I think he is a tool, I always thought the train thing was something noble and should have been something for other local senators to consider. It was the shift to VP that he doesn't seem to get.

As for your delay, I can feel you pain. Don't you love the power that the freight lines have (understandable, I guess dice they own them, but another grain of sand in my commute). At least I'm going to guess it was freight.

[Eraserhead]

As for your delay, I can feel you pain. Don't you love the power that the freight lines have (understandable, I guess dice they own them, but another grain of sand in my commute). At least I'm going to guess it was freight.

Only in the USA...

[tofagerl]

The King of Norway rides the tram to go skiing:
http://img.nrk.no/img/438468.jpeg

This picture was taken in the gas rationing days of 1973, when he took the tram to go skiing instead of driving, to set an example.

I'm not going to say this would happen in Norway today, but it's a famous picture of a very beloved man who actually wanted to be of the people.

And yes, he had guards. They're seated further down the tram ;)

[nbs2]

Only in the USA...

I believe it's the biggest impediment to the development of effective commuter rail systems in the US. You will never get people out of their cars if you can't get the trains to run on time. And you will never get passenger trains to run on time if freight gets priority. And freight will always get priority as long as most lines are owned by the freight companies.

And this isn't even considering the intercity routes.