Slog
News & ArtsSaturday, December 20, 2008
City Three Cities
Posted by Charles Mudede on Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 9:17 AM
What we learn from the end of this BBC report about the "winter storm sweeping across the US":
...Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick asked non-essential state employees to stay home in a bid to prevent traffic jams on Friday, but New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged people to get out of their houses and go shopping.In Seattle 11 people were hurt when two buses slid down an icy street, and broke through a guardrail above a motorway.
One dangled for several hours before being towed back from the brink.
The first piece of information tells me a lot about the center of Massachusetts, Boston. The second, about New York City. The third, about Seattle.
2
Who decides whether a state employee is essential or non-essential? Is this self determined? If someone declares him/herself nonessential in order to get a snow day is this remembered later when those who create the budget are looking for people to cut?
3
@2:
They most likely have already made these designations based on some sort of ranking system, so individual employees wouldn't be making this determination on their own. For example, first responders (police, fire, aid units) would definitely be classified as "essential"; the receptionist for the State/City Clerk's Office, probably "non-essential".
And Chaz, the only thing these three examples tell ME about the cities in question is that Bloomberg is a complete ASS.
But, I knew that already...
They most likely have already made these designations based on some sort of ranking system, so individual employees wouldn't be making this determination on their own. For example, first responders (police, fire, aid units) would definitely be classified as "essential"; the receptionist for the State/City Clerk's Office, probably "non-essential".
And Chaz, the only thing these three examples tell ME about the cities in question is that Bloomberg is a complete ASS.
But, I knew that already...
4
How are we supposed to read this? Is Boston smart or ruled by anxiety? Are New Yorkers tough or overly capitalistic? Do Seattle's roads suck or ... Do Seattle's roads suck?
6
I interpreted it as:
Boston - ruled by fear, as evident by the light boxes that people thought were bombs.
New York - Has a world class transportation system that allows you to get around the city, even in horrible weather.
Seattle - Transportation here is impossible, but people still attempt it. Is that brave or foolish?
Boston - ruled by fear, as evident by the light boxes that people thought were bombs.
New York - Has a world class transportation system that allows you to get around the city, even in horrible weather.
Seattle - Transportation here is impossible, but people still attempt it. Is that brave or foolish?
7
mass transit!!! Dumbasses!!!!!!!!! Geezus.
NYC has a fucking amazing subway Bostons is not that great and Seattle has NONE.Seattle can't deal with this weather which is sooooooooo SAD.
NYC has a fucking amazing subway Bostons is not that great and Seattle has NONE.Seattle can't deal with this weather which is sooooooooo SAD.
8
@6: that's exactly how I read it right down to the Aqua Teen Scare. It didn't seem like a very Slogian reading to me though, so I wanted some clarification.
9
@6: that's exactly how I read it right down to the Aqua Teen Scare. It didn't seem like a very Slogian reading to me though, so I wanted some clarification.
11
Charles should be forced by Dan, or whomever is in charge, to answer commenters questions. This is by far his most inscrutable post yet. He could have at least illustrated it with a half naked woman.
13
maybe it's more subtle - to wit: Massachusetts is run by one person; New York City is run by one person; Seattle apparently isn't run by anyone.
14
@6,
I missed out on any blizzards when I lived in NY, but I did see snowstorms on the same level as what we're dealing with in Seattle right now. Not only does the transit system make it possible to get around, but in Manhattan, at least, the streets are cleared and salted fast and all but the worst slumlords clear their sidewalks.
I missed out on any blizzards when I lived in NY, but I did see snowstorms on the same level as what we're dealing with in Seattle right now. Not only does the transit system make it possible to get around, but in Manhattan, at least, the streets are cleared and salted fast and all but the worst slumlords clear their sidewalks.
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