I just happened to see a promo for what looked like some sad (as in 3rd rate) movie from the 1980's. I can't recall the whole advertisement for the TV show (mainly because I was instantly irritated by it and started talking over it), but it seemed to be about a bus driver who was a murderer.

The bus driver looked like some squeaky clean white guy, hair slicked back, big smile, beckoning the pretty young woman on to the bus. However, all the camera angles were shady and dark, the look of premature paranoia on the young woman's face was obvious, and the menacing tone of voice the announcer had was calculated to make you shout, "Don't get on the bus!"

Brought to You by the US Automotive Industry

As someone who grew up in a suburb of a very large city with excellent public transportation going back hundreds of years, I was seriously offended.

All I could think was this awful show was somehow paid for by the tire companies, or the automobile industry, or the oil industry.

Free Anti-Advertising From Mega-Monopoly Media

Do you think it's any wonder why every time there is a train accident, no matter how minor, it's reported with such drama on TV? Hm... do you think it has anything to do with the fact the automotive industry has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on TV advertising?

No doubt if Amtrack, and other train services, spent more than the car dealers on big media advertising, we'd hear about the tens of thousands of car accidents, and deaths, per year versus the 0.1 train accident per year.

But no, just open up the newspaper, or go to the local library and look at microfiche and microfilm of newspapers gone by, PAGES and PAGES of "double-truck" automotive advertising. Too bad they didn't spend anywhere near as much on developing fuel-efficient cars.

Am I a Conspiricist?

Maybe you're thinking I'm just a looney. Looking to blame what's convenient. Hmm, it seems you may not be aware of some aspects of history that have been like irritants of sand in the minds of many of us.

Have you heard of the National City Lines? Engaging in one of the awful practices that still goes on today? Exclusive deals?

You should probably also read this page.

This page points the finger at General Motors.

Even if these sources are wrong in their accusations, whatever. It seems clear there has long been, and even now, an under current of accusation against these "socialist" forms of transportation.

Three Cheers for Barack Obama and Joe Biden

Hip hip hooray for taking the train!
Hip hip hooray for taking the train!
Hip hip hooray for taking the train!

Have a happy inauguration!