Why does SEPTA have a scrooge mentality?

[Anonymous]

I just read the Trains news wire about SEPTA not letting their subway workers decorate their booths without authorization? Why the Scrooge mentality? What is the harm in letting the workers decorate for the holidays?

[heavyd]

Sounds to me like yet again someone who might have been born somewhere else has a religion that doesn't believe in Christmas. They got insulted by the way we do things and have been doing so for years. They complained and now this is what you get!

[motor]

That's nothing compared to the drastic fare hikes and service cuts (including NO weekend train, bus, trolley, trackless trolley or subway service) planned by SEPTA by the end of January if Harrisburg doesn't come up with more moola. Why hasn't Trains reported on THAT?

motor

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by heavyd

Sounds to me like yet again someone who might have been born somewhere else has a religion that doesn't believe in Christmas. They got insulted by the way we do things and have been doing so for years. They complained and now this is what you get!

THe transit management is afraid of some wacko calling in and whining.[:(][:(]
It's not just foreign born persons, IMHO, there are many American Political Correctness Extremists that are on this sorry bandwagon. It frustrates me but this kind of stuff is why our country is slowly, but steadily flowing towards the sewer! No wonder so many of our kids today are so screwed up!!

Sorry to sound political, but many times I quietly listen to my liberal co-workers and acquaintences at school "tra***alk" anyone with solid old fashioned values as "Insensitive Right Wing Neanderthals". Their thoughts "Well, we must be sensitive and accommodate these other groups!" [:X] These are the same people that allow kids to curse at them, threaten or flip them off. They'll say "Well, little Johnny is venting and this is a good opportunity to provide a postive reinforcement venue so that he can channel negative energy and.....blah! blah! blah! If these same people today would have been around in the 1940s, the U.S would not ever had a chance in winning World War Two!!

Commercialism aside and regardless of Religious background or culture (and yes, The Lord Jesus Christ was not born December 25th) Christmas has been an American tradition that supports positive values, ethics, family and unity. So this includes everyone, not just Christians.

Peace out!

[Anonymous]

I tend to think common sense has gone out the window with the way "political correctness" has taken over and also no one takes responsibility for what they do anymore. I agree with you AntonioFP45 on everyone being sensitive and not offending other people. As my dad told me as a kid, "If you get mad, you can get glad." Some of the best advice I received in my life. But some people just carry their grudges for too long. Merry Christmas to everyone.

[Junctionfan]

Political Correctness is starting to fade out a bit in Canada with the "holiday tree" being too much for citizens to handle. I classify myself as a left-winger but I personally have no use for political correctness. I think it's stupid and obnoxious. Most people that I have talked to whether they are Christians, Atheists, Muslims or Jews; don't give a fig about something being called a "Christmas Tree" because what else is it. They basically all said that the tree doesn't have to do with religion really anymore so what is the big deal? Another thing is, if the U.S is a melting pot, what majority of folks believe in Christmas? Is it not a tradition to have Christmas decorations?

[railman]

Political correctness shouldn't be a left wing-right wing issue. Christmas is christmas, and so on. Does anyone really think you're out converting people by wishing them a merry christmas, or having a christmas parade? Not most. But there are some that look for trouble just for the sake of finding it, rocking the boat if you will, for no good reason.

Let's save our debate in this nation for things that matter-and let christmas be christmas!

[Anonymous]

Well...I'm Jewish and a little left of center. I think that the Christmas holiday season is the most spiritually moving, and beautiful time of the year. We have the tree to prove it. Since I'm an artist, and a sentimental American I tend to live my life in Norman Rockwell paintings. Folks that want to take away the root of the season are just downright selfish.
There's an old Andy Griffith Chrstmas episode that deals with this. Just giv some one a present and wi***hem well.
When I was in train and engine service it was me, and several other Jewi***rainmen that would be sure to mark up on Christmas so others wouldn't have to be out. We enjoyed it thoroughly. I remember one Christmas night going east from Fox Lake on a suburban job we picked up a slew of people at Round Lake. They were headed back home on the north side of Chicago. Around Libertyville they started to sing Christmas songs. Next thing ya know we're all singing with them. What a fabulous evening. there we were rocketing (oops, that's for the Rock Island gang,) Hiawathaing through the colored lights of the suburbs singing away. One would have to be an absolute clod to break that up.

So for now, and my next posts throughout the season, Merry Christmas and my best to all your families.
Warm regards,
Mitch

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by motor

That's nothing compared to the drastic fare hikes and service cuts (including NO weekend train, bus, trolley, trackless trolley or subway service) planned by SEPTA by the end of January if Harrisburg doesn't come up with more moola. Why hasn't Trains reported on THAT?

motor

Yes, I don't know whats worng w/ SEPTA. IT dosen't seem like them to be so strict about Christmas decorations, espully on the Subway system. That is weird. However, SEPTA does have more to worry about like what is mentioned above. Just last week my mayor John Street (Philadelphia) suggested to SEPTA that they wait alittle longer, continue to run it's transit the way it is now. This way Harrisburg will see that SEPTA is in deep trouble and will have to get bailed out by the state. Also there is a roomer about that Governor Rendell is going to raise PA's gas tax in order to save SEPTA but, this won't be able to be done until sometime in January. Is it true??? I wonder.

[espeefoamer]

Some years ago,I was in Trenton on vacation,and had picked up some NJT timetables. I asked for a SEPTA schedule and was told"We don't have any of those, that is one CHEAP company.(emphasis his).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the postings to all of you. This is my first topic posted to the Trains forum. I appreciate your thoughts on this subject. I'd like to add this thought. I grew up in the Chicago area. I know Metra is a very successful commuter operation. I do not know how much the Illinois state government subsidizes Metra, but I don't remember them having much trouble getting funding like SEPTA has. I know this is kind of off topic, but how big is the Philadelphia metro area? Is it as big as the Chicago Metro area? And why is it such a battle between commuters and SEPTA?

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by artmark

Well...I'm Jewish and a little left of center. I think that the Christmas holiday season is the most spiritually moving, and beautiful time of the year. We have the tree to prove it. Since I'm an artist, and a sentimental American I tend to live my life in Norman Rockwell paintings. Folks that want to take away the root of the season are just downright selfish.
There's an old Andy Griffith Chrstmas episode that deals with this. Just giv some one a present and wi***hem well.
When I was in train and engine service it was me, and several other Jewi***rainmen that would be sure to mark up on Christmas so others wouldn't have to be out. We enjoyed it thoroughly. I remember one Christmas night going east from Fox Lake on a suburban job we picked up a slew of people at Round Lake. They were headed back home on the north side of Chicago. Around Libertyville they started to sing Christmas songs. Next thing ya know we're all singing with them. What a fabulous evening. there we were rocketing (oops, that's for the Rock Island gang,) Hiawathaing through the colored lights of the suburbs singing away. One would have to be an absolute clod to break that up.

So for now, and my next posts throughout the season, Merry Christmas and my best to all your families.
Warm regards,
Mitch

Mitch,

Nice message. And, Happy Chanukah to you.

Michael

P.S. in case anyone is wondering, physics is my religion.

[bbrant]

AntonioFP45 hit the nail on the head. They're pandering to leftist political correct freaks and organizations (such as the ACLU). It's their idea of being "fair".

Brian

[motor]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Michael27

Thanks for the postings to all of you. This is my first topic posted to the Trains forum. I appreciate your thoughts on this subject. I'd like to add this thought. I grew up in the Chicago area. I know Metra is a very successful commuter operation. I do not know how much the Illinois state government subsidizes Metra, but I don't remember them having much trouble getting funding like SEPTA has. I know this is kind of off topic, but how big is the Philadelphia metro area? Is it as big as the Chicago Metro area? And why is it such a battle between commuters and SEPTA?

The Phila./Wilmington/Atlantic City consolidated metro area had just over 6 million people in 2000 per http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_P001&-CONTEXT=dt&-tree_id=4001&-all_geo_types=N&-geo_id=38000US6162&-format=&-_lang=en

Hope that answers your question, folks. Merry Christmas.

motor

[Anonymous]

I see that the Philiadelphia area is about the same size as the Chicago area. Why is it so hard foe SEPTA to get funding then?

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bbrant

AntonioFP45 hit the nail on the head. They're pandering to leftist political correct freaks and organizations (such as the ACLU). It's their idea of being "fair".

Brian

I myself as I'm sure most people including yourself, think political correctness should stay out of the holidays. As I said before, I am a left-winger but I think that being politically incorrect is rather obnoxious and there are too many major issues to address that actually make a difference in the world than to be politcally correct.

Waste of time and gives the left-wing school of thought a bad name.

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Michael27

I see that the Philiadelphia area is about the same size as the Chicago area. Why is it so hard foe SEPTA to get funding then?

Maybe the folks in Harrisburg are the real Scrooges, and won't give SEPTA enough money to operate. Do other transit systems in Pennsylvania have this much trouble getting State money to operate?
Merry Christmas![:D].
Take that, ACLU!

[Anonymous]

I saw that the govnernor of PA did fund the SEPTA with emergency funds? Anyone know if that is right?