Culture Charts and other Random Bits

I'm reminded on fairly regular and disturbing basis of the Culture Charts we had to draw in 6th grade history class. These were huge, 6-foot charts made of butcher paper with eight different sections - Food, Clothing, Social, Transportation, Politics, etc. - that we had to research about the civilization we were discussing that week.
I don't remember all the different sections, but I imagine students in the future making these Culture Charts (if they are that lucky to have as great a teacher as Mrs. Ploog) about the U.S. in the late 20th, early 21st Centuries.
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Well, the Strike is On. This morning at 3 a.m. members of the ridiculously stupid TWU walked off the job, shutting the doors on New York City's subways and buses. I am working from home, which is both good (I didn't have to do my hair and I'm wearing my crappy but totally comfortable jeans) and bad (connection issues and my Berry is on the fritz). Tomorrow I get to walk 30 or so blocks to a major meeting. I should have beautiful hat-head (love the static cling, dudes!) all day, but I can't do without my skull cap and scarf. Especially with this frigging clod/sore throat coming on.
Not to discount my own bitch-fest, but I can't imagine what the impact to wage-slaves are. I heard on the news (NY1 All Day Long!) from this one guy who lost his job because he couldn't get to work today. Totally sucks.
When are these organizations going to wake up? You cannot punish your customers and hope to get what you want. Gangs like the TWU bank on the fact that people don't have viable alternative choice, but a word (or two) of warning here: There ARE private bus lines in New York City, folks. Maybe this will inspire them to increase service.
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Crazy man Vice President Cheney was just on CNN talking about eavesdropping. Er, I mean, Defending the Nation. Do you think eavesdropping is an impeachable offense? Let CNN know.
Read what your fellow citizens think here.
The White House wants this to be a question of bureaucracy. They say they need the ability to wire tap suspects without the time-consuming burden of getting a warrant. Uh... riiiiiiight. Not so much. I'm usually a big fan of deconstructing bullshit bureaucracy - I hate unnecessary process and cover-your-ass moves, but I'm also a big fan of due diligence. Getting an objective court to agree to your premise that so-and-so is a suspected bad guy should be the minimal constitutional gut-check required. Isn't this a fundamental right - freedom from state persecution?
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Intelligent Design was dealt a blow in a Pennsylvania court today. A judge ruled the creationist theory is religious in nature and therefore inappropriate for public school classrooms.
Does it strike anyone as ironic that the theory of evolution has morphed into intelligent design? Isn't this the whole point?
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I think the whole non-war on Christmas is a destructive diversionary tactic. I wish people would get all worked up about the non-exit Iraq strategy (well, I guess some people are...), or the non-existent energy policy, or the fact that my condo in Atlanta STILL hasn't sold. Um, I meant to say "the housing bubble bursting" on that last one.

Between Worlds

So I'm in Atlanta for the weekend... checking on my not-sold-yet loft, collecting another bundle of clothes and shoes and stuff to bring back to New York with me. I left NY just in time to avoid a possible transit strike. I also escaped the winter weather, but Atlanta isn't cooperating. It's damn COLD here.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority's strike preparedness plan is woefully negligent. And invisible. Well, they have the lawsuit-injunction thing down, but the Transport Workers Union is apparently led by complete nut jobs, who don't care if their members risk fines for honoring a walk out.
Let's review: We're talking about $40,000 - $60,000 a year people, who will lose 2 days of pay for every day not working, plus up to $25,000 in fines - for each person - if the City wins their injunction.
That doesn't even count the fines that could be levied against the TWU if the members walk. Your union dues at work.
The agreement will be reached. The union officials will sign on the dotted line and the membership will be left with tons of unfullfilled indignation. That's what happens when you've been played.