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May 1st is almost here. It's time for All_Aboard members to get ready to celebrate! Celebrate what? Amtrak's 35th Birthday!
How can we celebrate Amtrak's birthday? On May 1st we should attempt to meet at least one train at each Amtrak station in the country and celebrate Amtrak's birthday with cake and coffee, or something similar. While there we can greet boarding passengers, share cake and coffee, make a small pitch for saving Amtrak and its trains at that station, and welcome arriving passengers with the same hospitality.
Why should we do this? To raise the public's awareness of the importance of Amtrak to their travel and the local community. Call the local mayor, Chamber, and media ahead of time. Invite them to the party and visit with them about the importance of Amtrak to their community.
Members of this list are from various states. Each of us knows others in our state who could help make this celebration a reality. Raising the profile of passenger rail, especially in "Red" states is very important, since 23 "Red" states would lose passenger service if the long distance trains are lost. "Red" state Congresspersons and Senators need to know that Amtrak is important to their states and communities.
I live about a 4 hour drive from the nearest Amtrak station (San Antonio), but I am willing to travel there or to other more isolated Amtrak stations in western Texas if that would help. Small towns are often the ones that would be hurt the most by loss of Amtrak service. Unfortunately, people in the community are often unaware of Amtrak's importance to their town, and even unaware that Amtrak is in trouble. So it is important for passenger rail supporters to get the message out.
Anyone willing to give this a try?
Henry Wulff
BNSF 1088 Member # 2400
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Save Our Trains Mississippi will have a Birthday Party for Amtrak at the Meridian MS Amtrak Station on April 29th 2006 which will be Saturday.
We will serve coffee and a Birthday cake the party will start at 10:30 am.
JONATHON Member # 2899
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What a Perfect day for to do it on- Because of the Protest, I wont be in school that day!
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Huh????? I'm confused by Jonathon's and Amtrak207's posts -- what "protest" are you talking about, Jonathon? I think you're WAY too young to get involved in that.......
Amtrak207 - what do the "first amendment rights" have to do with a birthday celebration at an AMTRAK station? Are you implying that the planned Mississippi celebration may be illegal?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From a review of the Amtrak.com material submitted by Mr. Amtrak 207, I believe it would be in the best interest of the Save Our Trains group to seek the necessary permits before engaging in a '35th Birthday" activity on Amtrak property.
While certainly such is a gesture being made in good faith, Amtrak may have concerns regarding both health and civil liability issues with an unlicensed and uninsured outside concern serving foodstuffs, even if complimentary, to passengers while on their premises.
BNSF 1088 Member # 2400
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I am already cleared for events like this.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I respect that, Mr. Marderosian.
That your organization (as well as you being employed in the industry) recognizes such matters are potentially on the table, unfortunately does not mean any others reading the material at All-Aboard and planning a similat "event' are like informed.
Best they be safe and not sorry.
BNSF 1088 Member # 2400
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Here is the thing as long as you don't force your self onto the passengers you will be all right.
And 2nd is that Amtrak owns a small part of the stations which in that case Amtrak has less control but then you get into city rules but it is always a catch 22 because Amtrak is public and the city is public.
The point that is coming out of this is as long as you don't make the passengers feel unsafe or they feel like your buging them you will be allright.
People can try to hand out fliers to people that want them but just don't force them as far as coffee and cake yes that would be a grey area.
JONATHON Member # 2899
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Huh????? I'm confused by Jonathon's and Amtrak207's posts -- what "protest" are you talking about, Jonathon? I think you're WAY too young to get involved in that.......
Amtrak207 - what do the "first amendment rights" have to do with a birthday celebration at an AMTRAK station? Are you implying that the planned Mississippi celebration may be illegal?
May first is the set date of protesting imagration reform
delvyrails Member # 4205
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May 1 is a date that gets tangled with all sorts of radicalism. Amtrak is not a radical issue; it's really a conservative and even a progressive one.
Why not observe support for rairoad passenger service on an appropriate anniversary nine days later, the wedding of the rails at Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869?
According to a WBBM 780 report, if you were a student in the Chicago Public School district, and chose to participate in imagration(sic) reform activities during school hours, you will be marked with an unexcused absence.
Kairho Member # 1567
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I'm holding out for May 5.....
Ira Slotkin Member # 81
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quote:Originally posted by JONATHON: [/qb]
May first is the set date of protesting imagration reform [/QB][/QUOTE]
We'll be with the marchers here in Denver, Jonathon. Worth an unexcused absence to stand up for what you think and believe is right. One way to change the world.
I hope you have a great train trip.
Ira
JONATHON Member # 2899
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Thanks!!! Ira Slotkin!!!
JONATHON Member # 2899
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: JONATHON--
According to a WBBM 780 report, if you were a student in the Chicago Public School district, and chose to participate in imagration(sic) reform activities during school hours, you will be marked with an unexcused absence.
not down here in Cali, Last time we had a walk-out, and were cited by police, This time my school is going into a lock-down and the Pomona Police Department will be on campus at all times, but I'm not worried about walking out, because I'm just not gonna go to school.
rY. Member # 3528
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With all due respect to Gilbert, we Californians do things a little differently out here. I still remember protesting the first gulf war while attending Middle School in Santa Monica.
(oops, I guess my age is showing here...)
Anyway, go for it Jonathan! Stay safe, but hold fast to your convictions!
Ira Slotkin Member # 81
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More like your youth is showing, I think rY, compared to some of us. I was 15 when I, along with dozens of others, traveled by bus in 1965 from St Louis to Montgomery AL on the anniversary of the Selma to Montgomerty civil rights march. Tens of thousands of people of all ages from across the country came. Many different ages and races. Common goal. If more people had stood up for their convictions I'd have lost fewer relatives in the Holocaust, and there'd be louder protests about the genocide in Africa. And perhaps more acknowledgement that all but the Native American have illegal immigrant roots here...
My son (8 1/2 and a veteran of political/social protests by the way)was recently singing a song with this chorus:
In fourteen hundred and ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue It was a courageous thing to do But someone was already here.
Ah, but I wax political on a train board.... Does "child of the sixties" heart good. Now if we could just muster something like a mass march on Washington to get adequate passenger rail funding. Wow...
Ira
notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: JONATHON--
According to a WBBM 780 report, if you were a student in the Chicago Public School district, and chose to participate in imagration(sic) reform activities during school hours, you will be marked with an unexcused absence.
I took an unexcused absence myself (being a faculty member!) last year to picket that federal boondoggle roadshow otherwise known as the Norm Minetta Amtrak Reform Press Conference when it came to Charlotte, NC last year.
The right to bear picket signs in peaceful protest is truly American.
rY. Member # 3528
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Right on, Ira! And I totally support a rail-on-Washington! I only hope that, given current time keeping, I'd be able to get there in time! (ha)
(Showing age, youth, lack thereof, or excess -- it's all relative!)
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