Comments on: No guns, oh, and no free speech on public transit http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/ Seeking Wisdom, Washing Dishes Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:01:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Jen http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7263 Jen Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:12:45 +0000 http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7263 Kathleen & Jane, seems like much ado about nothing...it's really hard for me to believe that reading "anything" outloud would have gotten her ejected from the bus. Dana, the T claims that the driver asked Lutz to quiet down. However, Lutz says in an interview that absolutely was never the request - the driver simply said "stop reading." If that is the case, the T is in big trouble. Is it really credible to believe that if I were reading Winnie the Pooh to my kids, as I mentioned, that I would be thrown off? I really doubt it. The driver was offended by Bible reading. Fine. I'm offended by billboards, magazine covers, the conversation next to me about last night's drunken orgy. Remove a guy from the bus for cursing and the ACLU folks are all over it. Remove the gal for Bible reading and the same folks say, "Good, she's a nut!" Apparently there is selective freedom of speech. ladysown, I agree, there are two sides to a story. I think what's being left out is that the driver has zero tolerance for Bible reading. Have you ever ridden a public transit bus? There are some colorful characters, loud obnoxious rap music that one can hear through the headphones of other passengers, foul language, and much more. And just quiet folks minding their own business as well. For the driver to single out this lady, with NO COMPLAINTS from other passengers...unless she was screaming out Bible verses full volume, there's no excuse for what happened. Kathleen & Jane, seems like much ado about nothing…it’s really hard for me to believe that reading “anything” outloud would have gotten her ejected from the bus.

Dana, the T claims that the driver asked Lutz to quiet down. However, Lutz says in an interview that absolutely was never the request - the driver simply said “stop reading.” If that is the case, the T is in big trouble. Is it really credible to believe that if I were reading Winnie the Pooh to my kids, as I mentioned, that I would be thrown off? I really doubt it. The driver was offended by Bible reading. Fine. I’m offended by billboards, magazine covers, the conversation next to me about last night’s drunken orgy. Remove a guy from the bus for cursing and the ACLU folks are all over it. Remove the gal for Bible reading and the same folks say, “Good, she’s a nut!” Apparently there is selective freedom of speech.

ladysown, I agree, there are two sides to a story. I think what’s being left out is that the driver has zero tolerance for Bible reading. Have you ever ridden a public transit bus? There are some colorful characters, loud obnoxious rap music that one can hear through the headphones of other passengers, foul language, and much more. And just quiet folks minding their own business as well. For the driver to single out this lady, with NO COMPLAINTS from other passengers…unless she was screaming out Bible verses full volume, there’s no excuse for what happened.

]]> By: ladysown http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7260 ladysown Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:35:59 +0000 http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7260 I always keep in mind that there are always two sides to a the story. So I always wonder....what's being left out. Not sure if this lady was reading in a loud obnoxious manner OR if she gave the driver lots of attitude. But I have to wonder.... a lady, reading the bible to her children, on the way to church.... aren't there bigger things to deal with? Particularly on a transit bus fraught with problems? At least she got a ride the rest of the way to church, so that was cool. He didn't just drop her at the side of the road. I always keep in mind that there are always two sides to a the story. So I always wonder….what’s being left out. Not sure if this lady was reading in a loud obnoxious manner OR if she gave the driver lots of attitude. But I have to wonder…. a lady, reading the bible to her children, on the way to church…. aren’t there bigger things to deal with? Particularly on a transit bus fraught with problems?

At least she got a ride the rest of the way to church, so that was cool. He didn’t just drop her at the side of the road.

]]> By: Dana http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7259 Dana Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:36:43 +0000 http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7259 Hmm...I've been on some TX buses, although not in that area. Most people do sit rather quietly, but there are generally those who carry on conversations as if they thought everyone wanted to know their private lives. Most people just assume an air of indifference, with an occasional glance but pretending as if the loud speakers weren't there. And if she were being too loud, wouldn't she be asked to please read more quietly? Not just to stop? Unless there is a zero talking rule, I don't see how this could be handled in this way. Hmm…I’ve been on some TX buses, although not in that area. Most people do sit rather quietly, but there are generally those who carry on conversations as if they thought everyone wanted to know their private lives. Most people just assume an air of indifference, with an occasional glance but pretending as if the loud speakers weren’t there.

And if she were being too loud, wouldn’t she be asked to please read more quietly? Not just to stop? Unless there is a zero talking rule, I don’t see how this could be handled in this way.

]]> By: Jane http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7250 Jane Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:46:01 +0000 http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7250 I agree with you and Kathleen- there are bigger fish to fry than this poor woman! Craziness! I agree with you and Kathleen- there are bigger fish to fry than this poor woman! Craziness!

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7249 Kathleen Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:49:11 +0000 http://www.diaryof1.com/2008/01/01/no-guns-oh-and-no-free-speech-on-public-transit/#comment-7249 How ridiculous! I'm sure we are facing bigger problems in the world than those wacky disruptive Bible reading mothers :-) How ridiculous! I’m sure we are facing bigger problems in the world than those wacky disruptive Bible reading mothers :-)

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