The Cab Driver and Me

I had to go to a client in the city today. So I caught a cab outside the office. An older cabbie - I think African from Africa (maybe African from the Carribean) picked me up. Then he suddenly asks me, "Sir, who do you think will win the Democratic nomination for president, Hillary or Obama?" Call me a classist (is that a word?), but I did not think cab drivers, much less immigrant cab drivers, would be interested in politics. However, his question began a 10 minute political conversation that lasted until we reached the destination.

So I went in and did my thing at the client (about 10 minutes). I come back out and he's still sitting there, waiting for me (no charge). So we continue the discussion until we got back to my office. Here is what I learned from the cabbie:

(1) I should not assume every cab driver is politically unaware. I should not assume this based on the show "Heroes" which depicts two highly successful Indian scientists as cabbies in NYC (this is a joke people!).
(2) I should not assume every hardly able to speak English immigrant is politically unaware. I should already know this since my grandfather is an immigrant (been here for about 75 years) and barely speaks English, but has always been VERY politically aware.
(3) I should not assume every cab driver or every immigrant is a Democrat. This guy was (a) a Republican and (b) LOVED the President (although he did not like the way the war was going in Iraq; not that I blame him).
(4) I think my ability to understand accents (see the second sentence in #2, above) allowed me to stay with the guy through the conversation; I have a newfound appreciation for this talent of mine. Heretofore, it was useful in the context of translating our laundry lady's broken English to my wife.

Anyway, it was a breath of fresh air for me. No rhetoric was spewed from either of us. And he said, "I wish every passenger was like you." To which I replied, "I wish every cabbie was like you."

Italia

Thanks to my friend Joe who sent me a wondrous postcard from St. Peter's. As I do not know his home address, and he is a pioneering blogger, I thought he would read this. Anyway, thanks!

Something I Will Never Understand

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244058,00.html

Why do people feel they need to beat other people up? I understand self-defense... if someone hits you, hit them back and all that. But I do NOT understand the need to do that to the poor girl. She's already down... no need to keep hitting her. People like this need to go to prison forever. It reminds me of that scene in the move Kids (sick, sick, sick... we watched it all the time in high school). Anyway, the main characters and their friends beat the hell out of this skateboarder and didn't stop until he was mangled and unconscious on the ground. I will not understand that.

Thought I'd come back with a nice story and link. Have fun with that. Jeez.