As to the transit strike. The NY Daily News -- my usual tabloid -- was mostly negative, especially the reactionary editorial staff putting their usual "you assholes" sensitive analysis on the issue. Seriously, the editorial board generally has a kneejerk tendency that is downright distasteful. Resident progressive, Juan Gonzalez [not the ballplayer] decided to actually note two important facts: the same law that banned the strike also banned the mayor/transit authority from altering the workers' pensions to the worse (and the money the city said it lost because of the strike makes the difference a pittance) and there was a serious claim that the MTA abused its disciplinary power.
The strike was not just some "f-u" to the City and even if I did not come from a union family, I would be troubled by the slanted feedback that resulted from it. Yes, it was a lousy time ... but this is when the contracts come up for renewal and darn if blame can be spread around -- oh look, Gov. Pataki is hard at work in New Hampshire -- clearly he was there in the final days before the strike began trying to stop such a disastrous state of affairs.
Oh look, it is billionaire Mayor Bloomberg using class warfare, saying those rich transit workers (many with pay grades circa 50K) not caring about all the people their strike -- which in the process means they themselves did not get paid at an expensive time of the year -- affected. We even have to hear about all the people walking in the "cold" ... it was in the 40s today ... some frigid weather!
[Bloomberg also went out of his way in the past to emphasize that he does not agree with those who call strikers and such "thugs" ... when the labor dispute involved police and firefighters, at least. When the transit workers were involved -- and the minority laden nature of this working class must be noted as well -- he was not so loathe to use divisive words.]
I was not really seriously affected, especially with the unaffected Metro North train supplying an alternate (if more expensive and inconvenient) means to get to the City, but I did notice that the resources provided to deal with the strike (as with Jefferson, I think it useful to have a threat like this now and again -- it reminds us of what is at stake and how fine we usually have it) was somewhat flawed. For instance, when helping someone figure out an alternate route (she too apparently was lucky enough to have one), we noted that NYC website supplying strike related information was somewhat lackluster, she noting it contained some errors. Anyway, and I realize some people were affected much more than I, we survived the three plus days.
Having the time, and the means to get there, I finally had a chance to go donate blood. I do not understand why there is no regular blood donation site in the Bronx. [My last donation was on a nifty roving donation bus ... I even was given a complimentary little bear.] Anyway, ever since I heard a speech about donating, I find it a pretty easy way to volunteer. This time of year is especially nice -- think of it as an extra gift (the gift of life ... hey, it's their line, not mine). And, making up for the delay, I was even asked to give a double dose (I have O-, a rarer, but useful, blood type). This went easy enough, though it took a bit longer, and I apparently have slow blood. Oh, they also did not have the better cookies. Oh well ... a nearby store did provide the second from last Xmas president.
I also stopped by the library ... unfortunately, it was especially LOUD. Local students decided to have a contest to determine who can say the most expletives in a library, one was apparently taking a sexual survey, and "shut-up" was screamed by the librarian a few too many times. The City was not halfway as loud.
Happy Holidays and Go Giants!