So fine! The racist rail passenger and the elderly black conductor who kept his cool

[DFW]

My wife and I were traveling from Philadelphia to New York City today.

We took our seats, and we heard some shouting behind us from some guy who didn't have a seat in our car. He called the elderly conductor a "N......." and barged into our car. He tossed down some property of an elderly lady from the overhead compartment, said he had paid for a seat, so he was taking one.

The conductor didn't react, but spoke into his shoulder radio. The train, already late, didn't move, and the doors stayed open. Two VERY large cops suddenly appeared in our car. The conductor pointed out the loudmouthed racist to the cops, who then escorted him and his pal, beer and all, out of the train for a "talk." The train then left shortly afterwords without them. All the conductor said was, "they ain't ridin' today."

In the words of Noel Redding, "so fine, so very very fine."

[cindyperry2010]

1. good for

him

[freshwest]

2. Aaack! But well resolved. Wise actions by the conductor. Thanks.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

3. Living in civilized society requires being civilized.

This is the kind of thing a conductor would do in Europe to an asshole.

[DFW]

5. Don't I wish!

I live in Europe most of the time, and this is NOT what they would do. The European conductors are unfortunately extremely reluctant to call the cops unless a full brawl breaks out, and even the cops avoid situations if they can. We've been in such situations, and the German authorities duck if they can. My wife, who is European, was absolutely delighted to see this, and wished it would happen more often at home.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. That's because cops here act like everybody who doesn't conform should go to jail.

[DFW]

17. If anyone went to jail today

It was the racist asshole, and maybe his beery buddy. Today, at least, the right one(s) got carted off by the cops, and the rest of us rode on in peace, thanks to the conductor and the cops (it probably helped that they were both about 6 foot five and built like Sherman tanks--"resistance is futile" was REALLY the case here).

[Spitfire of ATJ]

25. A bigger point I notice is how in "post racial America" how open racism is thrown out there.

Even ten years ago you didn't see this stuff. Some people are PROUD to show their racism and actually consider it to be patriotic.

Come to think of it, maybe the cops didn't overreact because they figured this guy was a right winger and they get a pass.

Those same cops would probably gleefully crack a billy club over the skull of someone from Occupy.

[Zalatix]

33. They'd go out of their way to crack a billy club over the head of an Occupy'er...

[whathehell]

64. "is thrown out there"

Where are you posting from?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

66. Anaheim, California, by Fullerton.

[whathehell]

70. Then why are you referring

to "post-racial America" as "there"?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

74. In this case "out there" meaning "the public sphere"

And it's true.

Since Obama got in the White Right is more than happy to express their racism publicly. Hell, they think it's patriotic.

[whathehell]

75. I see what you mean. n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

67. Or maybe the cops are the rule, not the exception you want them to be

Amazing how this story has somehow turned into "Someone said cop, let's find a way to shit on them."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

69. I've worked with cops. Some are okay and know who the ones are with the wrong attitude....

....they need someone to go to in order to express their concerns anonymously. Preferably a citizens commission.

Give those guys desk jobs filling out forms all day. Break up units if ya have to... Monitored partner rotation helps a LOT.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

18. So they should have let the out of control drunk

stay on the train?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. No. But if someone decked him the cops wouldn't have acted like...

....it required a full tactical response making sure EVERYONE is intimidated into submission.

That's the problem with America. You never know when the cops will become more of a problem than the incident.

[DFW]

26. He was not drunk.

He and his buddy had a case of beer with them, but they were quite precise with their words, and when confronted with the two cops, suddenly as docile as can be--not the sign of someone heavily soused or out of control.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

29. So they were bullies who backed down when confronted.

Better. Their day was ruined.

[DFW]

36. I'd say that is an accurate summation of what happened. n/t

[wake.up.america]

42. Absolutely agree with DFW.

The conductors whom I have observed do a little as possible.

[Skittles]

4. like that

yes INDEED

[Odin2005]

6. Karma!!!

[AnneD]

7. The fast food syndrome .....

Folks think that they can have it their way in under a minute because they are special and entitled.

Folks come into the hospital thinking my RN license means I am their waitress and am there at their beck and call and they are in a 5 star spa. If I could get away with it I would wear a piece of 'flair' that says I am here to save your ass not kiss it.

You put them on a cardiac AHA diet because their regular diet of a double bacon cheese burger with large fries an a gallon of soda put them in the hospital and we want that bypass to last for year. So what do they do after you have spent precious time trying to educate them.....they bitch about the diet, complain that you didn't bring them what they wanted when they wanted ( I am sure the family of the coded patient that I chose to wait on first was grateful) and numb nuts business manager reprimands you and sends you to a customer service charm school class because you get poor marks in waitressing 101. Well, excuse me, but I got my degree in Nursing and the fact that I kept you well enough to recover, infection free and relatively pain free means more to me than any customer service rubric!

Good for the conductor, abuse and bullying have no place in anyone's workplace.

[Fuddnik]

19. OK

Now go get my cheeseburger! With bacon.

[AnneD]

34. Don't make me....

Sic the kids on you! Once I tell them you taste like bacon- it's all over for you. Death by tongue.

[TeamPooka]

30. "this bedpan isn't going to empty itself"

my wife is an ER RN.

[AnneD]

35. I have never minded....

A Code Brown. That is a legitimate care issue.

But feeding every extended family member from our limited supply of juice, crackers, etc, that is for our other patients chaps my ass. The vending machine is in the waiting room if the cafeteria is closed.

The ice isn't cold enough for the patient, well let me interrupt my medication for all the patients on the floor to take care of that trivial matter...despite the fact that I have given instruction to the machine or told you (and it is clearly visible) that the overworked Nurse's Aid is making her rounds to take care of just that problem for you.

I wish I could say the part about the diet was just an exaggeration, but it is not. Our patients are sick, sometime weak from post op, and prone to infection. It is not the time for a family reunion replete with all the kids that you let run buck necked wild down the hallways.

It is even worse in the ER's. Gang members trying to finish their handiwork, accidents, fevers and other infectious diseases keep things hopping. My hats off to anyone working that uncontrolled chaos.

[OriginalGeek]

47. Code brown! lol

I work in a large building with several hundred employees at any one time and we periodically conduct fire/safety drills. They've decided to designate a bomb threat as a "Code Brown" and I'm pretty sure it's because if we hear there's a bomb in the building we gonna shit our pants.

[AnneD]

76. You can bet...

The person that named it knew a Nurse. Another funny phrase we used, when someone was about to die, they were going to Chiago, circling the drain, or had the sign of the Q (tongue out of the mouth). Sometimes, we used these euphemisms because we wanted to preserve the patient's privacy and not let these things slip out. This was pre HIPPA.

[coalition_unwilling]

31. Awesome rant. Wish I could rec your response and that more could read it. - n/t

[AnneD]

44. Thanks for the kind words...

I generally post in the Economy group, Stock Market Watch. But I sometimes venture in other areas, especially when I encounter rampant ignorance and massive misplaced righteous anger.

Yeah, 20 years as a Nurse has given me a very clear vision as to the human place in the scheme of things. I am to old to swallow BS any more and I don't tolerate fools. I frequently teach thing over and over and it doesn't bother me....I can deal with ignorance, it is stupidity that I can't abide.

[tavalon]

48. Amen, sister

24 years in the trenches here. Some things have gotten better, some not. I stay on the night shift because I just cannot tolerate fools or pretending that the emperor has clothes when he's buck ass naked. Unfortunately, many of those types congregate in the light.

[tavalon]

45. Fellow nurse here

And I fully hear what you're saying. That said, you sound pretty burned out. Have you considered moving to another area? My stress level when I gave up adults for premie infants, went way down. There's still a bit of that aspect you mentioned because I work at a hospital that likes to pretend they ARE a five star hotel, but it's much less.

Or even better, work in Surgery, patient's are asleep and the surgeons are getting less assholish by the years. All those years of pointing and laughing at them seems to have borne some fruit.

[Diclotican]

56. AnneD

AnneD

I don't think nurses are waitress, or anything near my personal server - the few times I have been in a hospital. I know the most of you do a wonderfully job - and have all to little time to sit down and say hey to us who lie in our beds sick... I am at least gratefully for the service You do when you help us getting well..

But then again, have not been sick in the US, just in Norway - where the hospital staff to many times is overworked, and understaffed - even if they do a job I doubt anyone else would do for a living... I know to many just think about nurses as a less educated doctor of sorts - but I have deep respect for your job - it could be because of what I got from home, respect for doctors, nurses and other medical educated people.. It stick to your bones, when you get that type of respect from home I guess...

Diclotican

[Historic NY]

8. Smart conductor, remove the problem.....

sometimes cops ride on trains for zip if the report in to the conductor, unfortunately they can't throw the morons out the door, but they will intervene if asked. A smart conductor will know if there is a cop on his train.

[DFW]

9. The 30th Street station in Philly is crawling with Law Enforcement

Not the smartest place to start abusing a conductor with a radio. But no one said these buffoons were smart.

[sarcasmo]

10. Classic. I would have stood up and clapped.

[DFW]

14. We practically did!

I don't think there was one person in our car who didn't give the conductor a few words of encouragement or gratitude.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. What a great story, my dear DFW!

Major congrats to the conductor who kept his cool! And major thumbs down to those buffoons.

[Zoeisright]

13. That happened TODAY?

Good god, I thought that was a story from the 1950s when I clicked on the link.

[DFW]

16. Sure did. August 11, 2012.

And, to reprise "In The Heat Of The Night," it was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, not Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Worse yet, the oaf who got himself tossed from the train had a strong eastern Massachusetts accent.

[Mooselini]

27. I'm not surprised it was in Philly.

I lived there for two years and frankly, it was the most hostile and racist place I've ever lived. This is saying something, because I've lived in 13 states, in every region, and in five major cities.

Philadelphia was the most stressful: anger everywhere. I was thrilled to leave!

[DFW]

37. Interesting. I lived there for five years

I went to school there (U. Penn.) and stayed on an extra year while trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I can't say I disagree with your assessment, although I am assured things are better now. I wouldn't know, as I was there for work. They have cleaned up Center City considerably, but whether or not that is only cosmetic, I couldn't say.

I would point out, though, that the lout who was the noisier of the two had a very pronounced eastern Massachusetts accent ("dawlaz" instead of "dollars" e.g.), and was not from Philly.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

68. Boston has plenty of bigoted a-holes

I lived there. Trust me. Many of them are talk show hosts.

[limpyhobbler]

15. cool story. nt

[ArchTeryx]

20. Outstanding.

I would have bought that conductor a beer, or at least a nice lunch. People like that need all the show of support that we can give them!

[LynneSin]

21. This kinda crap should NOT happen up in the Northeast

But it still does - shame.

[marmar]

22. There are plenty of racists in the Northeast.

I know. I used to live there.

[iamthebandfanman]

23. if theres one thing ive learned..

its racism itself doesnt discriminate..
it infects all colours and all types of people..

i

[Mooselini]

28. You're 100% correct. /nt

[Major Nikon]

32. Two of the biggest racists I've ever known were from the Northeast

I don't think New England can compete with the South in terms of racist volume, but there's definitely no shortage of hard core racists up there.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

38. South Jersey can hold its own with any racist enclave.

[tavalon]

46. Shouldn't happen anywhere

But it does. And that steams me to no end.

[Patiod]

39. I feel bad for black folks who have to work with elderly white people

When my dad was in ortho rehab two years ago, he had a roommate who kept complaining about the staff, and making a lot of nasty racist comments whether they were around or not.

I am constantly impressed by the amazing people of all races and ethnicities who continue to deal gently with clueless old people all day.

"A male nurse? You're a male nurse? Don't you want to be a doctor?" "You're from India? Can't I have someone who speaks English?" , all manner of nasty comments about black people, and on and on and on. .

[vaberella]

40. These guys aren't said to be elderly. The Black man was elderly.

However, you're point is valid.

[AnneD]

49. I saw lots of that....

When I worked PRN in Nursing Homes. I ask an aid once how she dealt with that. She said that the folks that age just grew up with that and were not in their right mind to change now. I admired her attitude about the whole thing and would think of that when I was a victim of an abusive elderly. I would try to redirect them but have had some that were so bad, we had to have discussions with their spouse and kids.

[nichomachus]

53. I'm elderly. I'm white. I'm not a racist. Same for all my elderly, white friends.

Please check the prejudice at the door.

[Patiod]

58. Good for you

I hear stuff coming out of the mouths of the elderly that I don't hear coming out of the mouths of younger people of the same class.

Many of my father's friends (mostly Italian and Irish) and the white people I listened to in hospital and rehab (whose ethnicity I don't know) said things that are absolutely taboo among their kids and grandkids. Hateful, ugly stuff I wouldn't repeat even on an anonymous board like this.

So I stand by the fact that it upsets me how many people from that generation think it's perfectly okay to say vile things and I stand by my admiration for the people who care for them and don't crack them upside the head.

[nichomachus]

59. Yes, but you implied all old white people were racists

Read your own headline on your post? It was a broad sweeping generalization about old, white people. Many are not racist.

[RebelOne]

60. I am a 73-year-old white woman and not racist.

Though at one time I was because I grew up during the racist years of the '50s
and '60s in the South, but as I grew older, my attitude changed.

[classof56]

62. I am 74 and while I was raised in the Pacific Northwest, my parents were raised in the south

(Oklahoma and Texas--Think Grapes of Wrath). Anyway, they were racist and didn't hold back on the rhetoric. My Mom used to say I couldn't "understand unless I was raised in the South". Wow... I clearly recall my first-hand exposure to blatant racism in 1950 when I visited my grandparents in Texas. Colored restrooms, colored water fountains, only coloreds sat in the back of the bus--the whole ball o' wax. While I hadn't considered myself a racist, that experience alone would have changed my attitude. I loved my parents, fine Christian souls they were, and took care of them in their later years, but had to set aside my reactions to their racist mindset. Just grateful it did not inculcate me and I can say I'm not a racist, though how one would prove that remains unclear. By words and actions, I suppose. It pains me that it is still so deep-rooted in our nation's psyche.

[whathehell]

72. I hear racists from EVERY generation saying such things

Skinheads and Neo-Nazis like the creep who shot up the Sikh Temple weren't

exactly of the "Greatest Generation".

[whathehell]

71. Thank you....Neither were either of my elderly parents who would be, respectively,

ninety two and ninety five were they now living.

I might add that they were blue collar union supporting democrats.

[elleng]

41. GREAT! Thanks for posting!

[tavalon]

43. Very fine, except

you said this happened today. That is not fine at all. I'm so sick of this. Racism, homophobia, femaphobia. It's all so very stupid.

I'm pleased that the conductor behaved like an adult while the man acted like a toddler. On the other hand, there are days when I wouldn't care one damn bit if that same conductor clocked the guy.

Just shows how tired I am of this shit. Trayvon was my last straw.

[heaven05]

50. 50's

this country reminds me of the 50's where racism ran rampant, except, the negro conductor, today, will get some help with racist IDIOTS I see. tis a mean season and this type of conduct I am observing more and more. It's like BUSH< CHENEY< ROVE< ROMNEY AND NOW THAT TEABAGGER RYAN have given license to these people who think they are superior to every other race. People better get one thing straight, this country, OBAMA, win or lose in November, WILL NEVER be the same or go back to the nostalgic lynching times of the fifties! Maybe if there is an Obama victory, most of these people will crawl back into their caves and under their rocks.

[darkangel218]

51. "negro conductor"?

[heaven05]

61. humor

Last edited Sun Aug 12, 2012, 08:09 PM - Edit history (1)

it was my pathetic attempt at humor. once I found what the word really meant, it always stuck in my craw. I also heard it used in public the other day, i almost choked on my food. These people were serious in their usage.

[datasuspect]

52. don't fuck with amtrak conductors or greyhound bus drivers

they always win.

[Liberal_in_LA]

54. lol

[allan01]

55. re:So fine! The racist rail passenger and the elderly black conductor who kept his cool

years past id get into a bullys face . now days it is not worth it as one dosent know if the bully is carring a weapon. esp on a train or bus. amtrak conductors are traind not to confront bullies but call the rr cops who will do it for them . they followd procedure . and yes , the conductor IS IN CHARGE OF THE TRAIN. period . and one cool cookie to boot . will somone please pm me what k and r means please . like the little robot , need input . thanks in advance allan 01

[Brickbat]

57. K&R means "kicked and recommended."

By responding, you kick it to the top. Then you click the "DU REC" button to "recommend" it.

[freshwest]

63. K & R means Kick by posting and R means Recommend, click on a small box at the lower left of the OP.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone had to learn.

And I've already Recommended so I'm going to Kick this with two smilies, the Democratic kicking and the moving donkey.

I type it in since it's not on the list anymore, to make it on your post, just compress : dem : and : donkey :

[jerseyjack]

65. "They ain't riding today."

Reads like a line from a Johnny Cash recording.

Great story.

[DFW]

73. Just to clarify one detail

The two oafs who got "escorted" from the train appeared to be in their early thirties.

The conductor looked like he was on the verge of retirement.

By the way, "they ain't ridin' today" DOES sound like Johnny Cash line. I'll have to see if The Freedom Toast ("Talking TSA Blues&quot wants to do a number about it.