I apologize in advance …
After a month-plus hiatus, for which I apologize profusely, I would like to make my trumphant return with some potentially insensitive comments about the unfortunate situation over in London.
As the U.S. government urges vigilance for America’s mass transit systems, this may be one of the few times that Atlanta’s underwhelming public transportation infrastructure is actually beneficial.
Terrorist #1: “How about Atlanta?”
Terrorist #2: “What? You mean Marta? You’re not falling for that ‘It’s Smarta’ nonsense are you? Step it up, rookie. Put them on the list right after Sacramento and Dayton.”
I wonder if the exurbanites who oppose funding transit with state dollars will use this as part of their argument going forward. “Oh, hell no! I’m not going to spend MY tax dollars on something that Al-Qaeda is just gonna to blow up anyway.”
So, how about this rainy weather?
All the same, MARTA has increased their security today (now featuring dogs!).
This is a great point, Tony. There goes any hope of modern, useful transit!
And let’s all keep our thoughts with London today… I feel really bad for all of them. (Jesus, understatement of the year, anyone?)
One point about much of MARTA versus the London Underground and Madrid’s system — a good deal of MARTA is above ground, making it much less appealing as a target. If you were going to hit MARTA, it would probably be Five Points, Peachtree Center, Lenox, or the airport.
But really, it would be more effective to load up a good-sized truck with explosives and do a suicide bombing in the midst of Spaghetti Junction or 285 during rush hour.
Excellent point, Jessica. The worst Atlanta traffic I can ever remember experiencing was back in 1999 or 2000 when that gas main broke underneath Spaghetti Junction at 4pm on a Friday.