wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

A sampling from our mailbag from the past several days:

Subject: New York moment
I thought it was hysterical when I went by the Marcy Avenue station
yesterday, which was blocked off with the yellow police tape. The funny
thing was, the police tape read "Crime Scene - Keep Out"... Only in
Brooklyn...
-KAH

Subject: Your show: Voice Of The People
I listen to your show almost everyday -- and enjoy it very much. However, i think your callers are quite extreme. Maybe those are the ones who have the time to call (and remain on hold for up to 30 minutes).

I did not hear anyone criticize the strike for what it is -- illegal and a humungus act of chutzpah! How can anyone think theses issues (and the issues are small) are worth paralyzing an entire city.

The union need not agree to the contract. They can continue to negotiate. But they cannot strike. They all knew that was the law when they started working for the MTA. The issue is as simple as that. To invoke Rosa Parks is an insult to the Civil Rights movement.
-A

+Can't hear the system announcements
+Rats are everywhere
+Booth clerks always on the phone or napping (SEE PHOTO COLLAGE)
+Clerks doing nothing to be on the lookout for
suspicious activity/riders

Subject: Kalikow certainly needs to go ...
He is the equivalent of Brownie (FEMA), and his lack of action and
knowledge and ability are criminal. That he is in charge of the most
important piece of infrastructure in NYC is beyond belief. PLEASE
KEEP INFORMING PEOPLE OF HIS LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS!
-SB

Subject: taylor law!
The Taylor Law includes CUNY faculty. I'm a member of the PSC and haven't received a raise in nearly 3 years. Not surprisingly one of the sticking points in our negotiations is the city's unwillingness to support our welfare fund.-DC

Subject: War of words AND images, war against unionization
The war of words has definitely escalated, but the war of images hasn't been mentioned much yet. The first night of the strike, I tuned into TV news to findToussaint and his multi-ethnic entourage making a press-statement, followed by a cut to Bloomberg beginning the 'thug' war, backed by his own white army in suits. The commonality: no women in either shot. I don't think this is coincidental.
-RH

Subject: The Strike
As a white collar professional who has been downsized and learned the need to negotiate for every economic benefit I receive, I am completely sympathetic to the TWU and its leader, Roger Toussaint.

The MTA is indistinguishable for all large, impersonal corporations who forget it is the people, their employees, who make the business. When I travel through the trains and subways it is the TWU, along with the police and national guard, who provide for my safety and security. Labeling any of these groups as 'thugs' is sad.
-R

Subject: strike story
I was rushing home from my appointment with my shrink in the west village, my kids were being wathced by a neighbor because my mother-in-law in the UWS couldnt make it to my home on the east side in the 20s. I decided to try to hail a cab, as I put my arm up a Mercedes pulled up and the woman driving motioned me to get in. I wasnt sure if she was a livery driver or what. It became clear that she was just doing a good deed. She drove me all the way home as we spoke about kids, NYC scools and the guilt all mothers - stay at home or working - feel about raising our children. When I got home, faster and more comfortably that I ever have in the past, I told my neighbor the story and she asked if I was worried about getting into a strangers car, I never was concerned and maybe that is because the moment I stepped into her car I heard the familiar sounds of WNYC on her radio.
-SB