We're heading to Detroit after the show today, for a live broadcast tomorrow at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. (This is the 40th anniversary of the riots that swept the city during the summer of 1967. We'll also talk about the Motor City's connection with the car industry, and the troubles facing both.) Some of us flew out this morning, the rest of us leave this evening. And, I can't help but notice all the news articles calling this the "summer of hell" for airline travel. Planes are late and crowded, if they fly at all. Cancellations are up. Patience is wayyy down. (And I'm about to print my boarding pass.) It's a summer ritual for frequent fliers to complain about the surge of young kids on planes. But, rather than whine about it, I saw an interesting idea the other day... create a family section on airplanes. One suggestion was to put it in the back of the plane, since families with kids board first, and cap the eligible age at around 11 or 12. I probably don't fly enough to speak with any sort of authority on whether or not this would work, so I'll rely on the rest of you. Any chance a family section on planes would fly? If you have kids, would you want to have your own section for families?
I have three small kids and would LOVE a kids section. I flew recently and my kids were pretty good, but the guy in front of me was rolling his eyes and wincing at every little peep my almost 1 year old daughter made, even if she was laughing. I would have enjoyed being separated from his childish attitude--and I'm sure all of the grumps wouldn't mind a little more peace and quiet. (Although if it bothers you that much get some earphones pal!)
A kids section would be no better than a non smoking section in a four table restaurant. I suggest the airlines offer premium family romper room flights.
Today's TOTN featured a couple of comedians who were resolutely political and resolutely liberal. That's fine.
Here's a couple of observations.
1. Both routinely jabbed at Senator McCain or President Bush as if those men and their adherents were laughably out-of-touch or plain stupid. Yet, they also howled in pain and outrage at every sally from the Right as if they had been personally wronged.
2. Both affected the de rigeur referral to Sentaor McCain as "McCain" and President Bush as "Bush." God forbid they should extend minimal courtesies but the upshot of their disrespect is pretty amusing. They remind me of teenagers who run up and yell at a chained elephant and then retreat awash in sniggers. Craven. Infantile.
I was a fairly moderate type until President Bush visited our town during the 2004 campaign. I got a bellyfull of liberal hate and changed my reg to Republican and worked for the Republican campaign that year -- as I will this year.


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