Post details: Wednesday Snippets... well, today, Wednesday Snippet
03/21/07
10:41:05 am, by 
, 963 words 
Categories: Wednesday Snippets, Day Tripping & Travel, Fixing Up The Bus, "Living" History - Historical Re-enactment
Wednesday Snippets... well, today, Wednesday Snippet
...singular today... because one item ticked me off that much.
Oh, don't get me wrong, between a HUGE hunk of gold being stolen from a museum in Japan (and you gotta wonder about the staff there...) and a poor deceased woman in economy being bumped to first-class post-mortem... and the poor bugger in first-class who got to sit beside the dead lady, there was MUCH fodder for me... man, I must have had fifteen bloody stories to mock...er... make comments about.
...but then, yesterday morning... I read this...
From The BBC...
London icon or 'bashed-up relic'?
More than 50 years since they appeared on London's streets, the Routemasters are still running - but not everyone is delighted.
The veteran vehicle with its curvy design and its open platform has been called "the last bus to be a proper bus".
Many Londoners remember fondly how they used to hop on and off them and pull the string to ring the bell.
But a Disability Rights Commission spokesman says it is "a bashed-up old relic from a bygone age" and the fact that it is still running on two central London heritage routes is "a disappointment".
Okay... let's work with this.
Now, obviously I'm very fond of the older, platform-loading buses... but allow me to stand back and be a little more neutral.
"...a bashed-up old relic from a bygone age..."
So, let's get rid of it, right?
Makes sense.
Despite being an icon synonymous with London, these old buses are NOT good for those with handicaps... and that's bad... so yeah, they gotta go.
Let's look at some other things...
St. Paul's Cathedral... it's old. That, and there are many areas at the venerable old church that are not fully accessible... tear it down.
Tower of London? Well, it's an ANCIENT relic of a LONG bygone era! There are MANY places that people in wheelchairs and even those on canes or crutches cannot see... it must be bulldozed.
...I could go on...
Yesterday, I whined about Ann Coulter... and her not understanding the difference between being politically correct and being simply decent...
I said that mocking tragedies, widows, people of different ethnic or sexual orientation was NOT breaking away from being politically correct... it was throwing away common decency.
Well, it goes both ways...
Here we have a TRUE icon... something everyone understands and sees as part of a vibrant tourist city... BUT... because it's not available to all, we must get rid of it... and over fifty-years of heritage and tradition... that hasn't hurt or bothered anyone EXCEPT YOU.
Think about that...
Are the lonely precious few buses running only a small amount of routes hurting you THAT MUCH that it's worth destroying an icon? Is your life THAT much more miserable?
As someone who has a minor injury that has incapacitated myself to crutches on several occasions... often for weeks at a time, and I do something that perhaps you haven't considered... I adjust my path to accommodate my needs... I DO NOT EXPECT OTHERS TO ACCOMODATE ME.
Sure, I don't want to be treated worse... and when possible (KEY WORDS, WHEN POSSIBLE!) I appreciate it when people do help me... but I'm not going to DEMAND massive (or even minor) changes to ACCOMODATE ME...
I mean, my knee literally locks... and has done so just before a mandatory visit to a War of 1812 fort... I didn't DEMAND the removal of the blockhouses (as they're two-stories and only have stairs)... I didn't say, "If I can't enjoy it, NO ONE CAN!" I sucked it up, and worked WITHIN my limitations.
Isn't that what being "ABLE" is all about? Finding one's OWN WAY and STRENGTHS?
I must have missed it when it also included ...finding one's own way by removing other people's things 'cuz they don't measure up to one's own specifications.
That's not equality... that's a BAD and STUPID attempt at "superiority".
To this spokesman... I say this... If you press forward with your stupidity... and that is what it is... I will press forward in mocking you VERY publicly with demands for the destruction of ALL historic buildings and vehicles that are not handi-capable with websites, press releases, and anything else I can do from THIS side of the pond... and I will ensure EVERYONE knows WHY I'm doing it. Hey, I'll tell the media people, I'm on THEIR side! I want to make EVERYTHING handi-capable... and eliminate EVERYTHING that isn't!
Yup, I'm calling you out...
So think, moron... are you being fair to EVERYONE... or just yourself and your group?
...and if the latter, then aren't you as bad as the people you're grumpy with?
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Comments:
Permalink
03/21/07 @ 11:55 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ Permalink
03/21/07 @ 14:26 Permalink
03/21/07 @ 22:26 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ Permalink
03/22/07 @ 07:11 http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/MsDemmie/FS1.jpg
The new double deckers are very sharp and very square - and the new double single deckers which are joined like and accordion in the middle are pretty damned ugly too!
Permalink
03/23/07 @ 15:56 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ I agree about the new double-deckers... To quote something I read on the BBC...
"As with all London buses up to and including the RM, they were designed for London and were always distinctive and had their own unique character," says Phil Willson, of the Routemaster Operators and Owners Association.
"This is something that does not exist with modern vehicles which tend to be just square boxes closely based on the very desirable shape of a brick."
We had the "articulated" (bendy) buses in Toronto... for about four months. They literally fell apart, were underpowered and couldn't negotiate hills in winter, and rusted like crazy... I heard the London ones tend to break down or burst into flames...
Hmmm... do you suppose the folks who hate the old buses would feel the same way when their NEW bus breaks in half due to rust while bursting into flames? Yup, they'll be glad they got rid of the nicer and more reliable old buses... that would have required a ramp installation.
Permalink
03/23/07 @ 19:11 And you feel that you can identify with being disabled because of a bum knee? Knee pain is terrible, I realize, but did you ride around in a wheelchair to get to work? While walking the dogs down the street, did you have any trouble getting up on the curb that has no wheelchair ramp?
Transportation is a necessity. If we want our disabled people (be they physically or mentally disabled) to work and lead full lives and contribute to the community, then WE have to contribute to the community.
I do get your argument, that just because the buses are old and not useful for people with handicaps, they should not be scrapped. But your rant after that paragraph kind of threw me for a loop. Maybe I read it wrong (10 times) but it sure made me think of my good friend in Montreal, who, at times, finds it very hard to get about, has to call for a special cab when he needs to go to the doctors or go shopping. Very inconvenient.
In my opinion, this is all about transportation. No, I do not think that the buses should be scrapped, but I think that greater consideration should be given to those who have more than a locking knee.
Love ya Matt, but I'm not seeing what you do in this case.
Permalink
03/24/07 @ 01:39 Permalink
03/24/07 @ 04:19 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ ...you are comparing buildings with the necessity of transportation?
Very much so...
"Routemasters" and the old double-deckers are historic vehicles and are synonymous with London. During the past week, Expedia has been running ads on the news-screens in the elevators at my office. They show a "toy" Eiffel Tower, a small Budha statue, a wee Colosseum and Italian flag, and a palm tree... then a toy Routemaster bus rolls in while the "script" (the verbiage) is running about their travel deals...
Aside from POSSIBLY Big Ben and Tower Bridge, when someone sees a double-decker bus, the average North American thinks "London Bus". Therefore, comparing them to St. Paul's Cathedral (which most North Americans know little about) or The Tower of London (which, again, I only showed the White Tower... which says something... is fine.
Also, in Toronto, they ARE closing (by law) certain old restaurants, buildings, and historic sites because they are not wheelchair accessible... and there are groups that are lobbying to have things like old Fort York closed because, indeed, the blockhouses are two stories and don't have wheelchair ramps... and to place elevators in them would destroy these buildings... which are the oldest buildings that remain standing in this city.
Ergo: Of course I feel for the plight of the Routemaster... and I agree with what London Transport did... They removed them from LITERALLY hundreds of routes... and left them on only two "heritage routes" (those travelled heaviest by tourists) that are also serviced by handi-capable buses.
That said, this twit wants them gone.
And you feel that you can identify with being disabled because of a bum knee? Knee pain is terrible, I realize, but did you ride around in a wheelchair to get to work?
Heather, my right kneecap is artificial... I spent months in a brace and on crutches... and was told, openly, it could be for life... Thankfully, for me, it wasn't.
While walking the dogs down the street, did you have any trouble getting up on the curb that has no wheelchair ramp?
Yes. I have. The last time I messed up my knee was literally stepping off a streetcar (which Toronto's streetcars are not handi-capable... but to make up for this, they made every subway station handi-capable and made every bus we're running "kneeling" with a ramp... but this is also because Toronto's ONLY "iconic"(?) transport vehicle is "The Red Rockets"... the streetcars...) anyway, I stepped off a streetcar and whammo... two weeks locked and many painful treatments at the doctors... and I still went to work... I just avoided the street cars which could be done.
Well, the last two Routemaster routes are EXTREMELY avoidable... but this doesn't matter. They must go by threat of law, apparently.
Transportation is a necessity. If we want our disabled people (be they physically or mentally disabled) to work and lead full lives and contribute to the community, then WE have to contribute to the community.
I agree... so does Transport for London... but they left TWO lousy "heritage routes"... that are STILL serviced by other buses that are fine for people with handicaps... and yet, this is not okay to these folks.
I'll be the first one to say that better transportation for all is a good thing... but when alternatives (RAPID AND WELL SERVICED ALTERNATIVES) are available, why go after a token iconic icon?
I have to look at this and think... it's because they don't like them.
In my opinion, this is all about transportation.
Normally, yes... but no double-deckers in London, England? Think about that... is this STRICTLY about public transport?
Also, again, as stated in the BBC article and on the TFL website, these routes ARE serviced by "bendi-buses" (articulated buses)... which are okay for wheelchairs...
Perhaps I should give you a VERY quick lesson on bus routes in London... it's not unusual for up to TEN different "routes" (and buses) to run the same stretch for literally miles on end... but then, at the end of a stretch or the beginning, they deviate slightly.
No, I do not think that the buses should be scrapped...
Too late, thousands already have been... that had new Scania engines in them making them greener buses than anything TFL was running saved "mini-buses".
...but I think that greater consideration should be given to those who have more than a locking knee.
Right! I agree! ...and since there are only two "tourist routes" running and limited buses on them that are Routemasters, this means that it MUST be unfair to hold back heritage things from the handicapped as it's the only logical thing to assume... Ergo: We must close and bulldoze all historic sites and old buildings and homes that are not handi-capable.
Love ya Matt, but I'm not seeing what you do in this case.
I have to assume I didn't communicate well enough... or that you truly believe that this is still a good idea to remove the "Heritage Route" buses... in which case, yes, the next step is to remove heritage buildings... it's only logical.
If you read the article... you'll see this bit...
Mr Edwards is not impressed with the argument that many disabled, elderly and frail people may have preferred Routemasters because they had conductors.
That is suggesting that disabled people can only get around London "with the goodwill and behest of a helping hand", he believes.
#1: So having a group that is planning to rip away two small heritage routes is not "the goodwill and behest of a helping hand"?
#2: Talk to your mother and father... think about having a daughter travelling on a bus late at night... do you feel the "the goodwill and behest of a helping hand" of an extra staff member on the bus (a conductor) is still an awful thing?
...and you wonder why I think this fellow is an idiot?
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03/24/07 @ 09:04 Permalink
03/24/07 @ 16:46 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ Actually, you weren't alone in your assessment of me... and you and one other person were much kinder than one e-mail I got... but none-the-less, I failed... so it spurred a blog-post that will be online on Sunday... kinda a "final word from me" on the matter.
I hate to say it, but perhaps Ann Coulter is right... despite the fact that I have several years under my belt working with people from the CNIB and have volunteered my services several times to teach computers to people with handicaps, AND have experienced, albeit thankfully not permanently, having to get around in a partially immobile state, I'm not allowed to question the words of this fellow as he's doing the "good work"... and the less than 1% of the bus fleet he wishes scrapped because, quite obviously, he doesn't like them... 'cuz there's no better reason he's given... must go because he's doing the good work.
...and I really hope you don't agree with his thoughts as to "conductors"!
...and, reading your original comment, you did disagree with a lot more... or maybe that's just me.
No harm nor foul... but I still believe this fellow and his comments are dumb.
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03/24/07 @ 17:27 hey, i think that people get what you are saying, I think what was weird was your title on the board, it was "Matthew gets mad at the disabled." Maybe that was where it was a little weird. I don't doubt you are an awesome guy and have done awesome things for people, because I know you have, but the first thought at the title was a little off putting, it is this guy you are mad at, not the disabled necessarily. At first glance it seemed like you were going to go off on the disabled. Having disabled people on the team, it seemed weird at first. I know you mean well, and i know what you were trying to say, it just really seemed odd.
Permalink
03/25/07 @ 00:36 · http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/ Like you said, I assumed people would get that... but three people (as of this morning) didn't.
One person did though... and you did... I think(?)
What's odd, however, is Heather and you (to the best of my knowledge) are the only two from the message board who seemed to wonder if I was "serious"... whereas a few people understood my meaning... and one would hope, with reading and understanding, that the disabled member of our team would most likely be on my side in this issue, as it were... because I know that he loves old architecture and probably hates this moron (Mr. Edwards) for being a radical voice where it's not needed... and will end up destroying a bit of history and heritage just because.
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03/25/07 @ 08:28 Leave a comment:
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