Women in White part 4
A few days later, Mollie and I met for coffee. “Did he call you?” I asked.
“Yes, we’re getting together after work at Six Flags. He’s going to give me a tour of Six Flags and we’re going out to dinner afterward.” She broke out into a rousing chorus of:
Some enchanted evening
Someone may be laughin',
You may hear them laughin'
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of their laughter
Will haunt your dreams.
“Tell me, how do I look?”
“Well, when I suggested adding a little color to your outfit, I was thinking of something like a red scarf. I don’t know about that.” I pointed to her brooch. It was the letter ‘A’ outlined with red rhinestones. “You might want to reconsider the scarlet letter,” I said. “He might misunderstand. Where did you get it?”
“I won it in a contest at work. For making the most sales of automobile and bus insurance including that nightmare, CT Transit.” She seemed puzzled. “Why?”
“Well…it’s just that the ‘Scarlet Letter’ uh…has certain connotations.” I explained to her the origins of the ‘“Scarlet Letter.’”
Mortification flashed across her face. “So that’s why men keep staring at me. How embarrassing!” She hid her face in her hands.
“What does the ‘A’ stand for anyway?’
“Aggressive. I won the right to be called Ms. Aggressive Progressive. It’s considered an honor.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I caught it in time. Sammy may misunderstand,” I said wondering how long it had been for Sammy.
“What I want to know is why can’t I wear my rhinestone brooch.”
As she walked away both removing her rhinestone brooch and leaving me with the bill, she broke out in one of her inane songs.
Like a rhinestone cowgirl
Riding out on a bus in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowgirl
And I dream of the things I'll do
With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
letter to Chancellor Angela Merkel
6/28/2010
Chancellor Angela Merkel
Reichstag
Platz der Republik
Berlin, 11011
Dear Chancellor Merkel:
Guten morgen. Sprechen sie Duetsch nicht. I do not speak German very well so please forgive me.
I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory.
Because of the issues raised in the letter and because we all know that the German Transit system is one of the most efficient in the world, I am asking if you could help us in Connecticut to upgrade our inefficient transit system. Could you take time from your busy schedule to travel to Connecticut to help us in our hour of need?
As an incentive to travel to Connecticut, Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department has arranged for former President George W. Bush to continue his famous or as some might say infamous back rub.
I know that Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department of Transportation located at 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. (Telephone 00-1-860-594-2000) would be most appreciative. He is at his wits end trying to get the system functional.
Also Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, Connecticut Transit 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. (Telephone: 00-1-860-522-8101) is equally desperate.
Both of these men are anxiously waiting to hear from you.
Another option in lieu of visiting would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic-clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Rome.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
Cc:
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Rome, Italy
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Moscow, Russia
President Nicholas Sarkosy, Paris, France
Peter Hendy, Commissioner Transport for London
Mr. Richard Sarles, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Jay Walder, CEO, NY Metropolitan Transit Authority
Jeffery Mullen, CEO, Boston MBTA
Commissioner, Joseph Marie, Connecticut Department of Transportation
Capital Region Council of Governments
Connecticut Fund for the Environment
Transit for Connecticut
Mayor Eddie Perez, City of Hartford
MetroHartford International Business Center
Vicki Shotland, Greater Hartford Transit District
Business For Downtown
Capital City Economic Development Authority
State Transportation Committee
Secretary Ray LaHood, Secretary US Department of Transportation
Congressman John Larsen
Senators Chris Dodd & Joe Lieberman
Representative Jim O’Rourke
Various businesses that may be concerned about these issues
www.authorsden.com/mel
Chancellor Angela Merkel
Reichstag
Platz der Republik
Berlin, 11011
Dear Chancellor Merkel:
Guten morgen. Sprechen sie Duetsch nicht. I do not speak German very well so please forgive me.
I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory.
Because of the issues raised in the letter and because we all know that the German Transit system is one of the most efficient in the world, I am asking if you could help us in Connecticut to upgrade our inefficient transit system. Could you take time from your busy schedule to travel to Connecticut to help us in our hour of need?
As an incentive to travel to Connecticut, Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department has arranged for former President George W. Bush to continue his famous or as some might say infamous back rub.
I know that Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department of Transportation located at 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. (Telephone 00-1-860-594-2000) would be most appreciative. He is at his wits end trying to get the system functional.
Also Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, Connecticut Transit 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. (Telephone: 00-1-860-522-8101) is equally desperate.
Both of these men are anxiously waiting to hear from you.
Another option in lieu of visiting would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic-clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Rome.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
Cc:
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Rome, Italy
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Moscow, Russia
President Nicholas Sarkosy, Paris, France
Peter Hendy, Commissioner Transport for London
Mr. Richard Sarles, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Jay Walder, CEO, NY Metropolitan Transit Authority
Jeffery Mullen, CEO, Boston MBTA
Commissioner, Joseph Marie, Connecticut Department of Transportation
Capital Region Council of Governments
Connecticut Fund for the Environment
Transit for Connecticut
Mayor Eddie Perez, City of Hartford
MetroHartford International Business Center
Vicki Shotland, Greater Hartford Transit District
Business For Downtown
Capital City Economic Development Authority
State Transportation Committee
Secretary Ray LaHood, Secretary US Department of Transportation
Congressman John Larsen
Senators Chris Dodd & Joe Lieberman
Representative Jim O’Rourke
Various businesses that may be concerned about these issues
www.authorsden.com/mel
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Women in White Part 3
Women in White Part 3
Continued from Part 2
Mollie stared angrily at me. “I don’t appreciate your humor.”
“Look,” I said. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
“OK.” She glowered. ‘What’s his name?”
“Sammy. He works for Six Flags.”
“What’s he do?”
“He has a high position in advertising and promotion. In fact, he wears a dark suit to work.”
“What’s he look like?”
“Well, he’s tall; has a great personality. You’ll really like him. Plus, since he rides everywhere, he really needs to buy insurance and Progressive might just work for him.”
Mollie got excited. A new potential romance plus a sales conquest. This was perfect.
“What color hair does he have?”
“Actually,” I said hemming and hawing, “He’s kinda bald. But in a good way. He looks like Telly Salvalas. He has that same aura of hidden sexuality, the kind of bald head that women really go crazy over.”
“Oh Wow! I used to go crazy over Telly Salvalas when I was a kid. He was sooo sexy. When can I meet him?” She bounced up and down on her toes chirping in that annoying voice of hers. Then she hesitated. “He doesn’t use Connecticut Transit does he? I won’t go out with anyone who rides that blue-streaked nightmare.”
“Oh no! In fact, he hates Connecticut Transit. Seems like he had a traumatic experience several years ago when he was a kid.”
“That poor kid. What happened?”
“I’m not really free to discuss it. I’m sure you understand.”
“Well…OK.”
“Let me give him a call and see if he’s interested. I’ll let you know.”
As she walked away, I heard her singing,
“Give me a man who is a dark-suited man
Who will fight for the right to ride the rail.
A man who will ride, through the rain and the snow,
Through the sleet, through the slush, through the hail.
Oh! Doorway to doorway, it’s my way; it’s your way,
He’ll rides til he dies and he never will fail.
In that car he insures and he drives to the shore
Riding and riding and riding and riding forevermore.”
Shoulder to shoulder & bolder and bolder
He’ll glow as he rides to the fore!
Start me with one, a stouthearted man
And I’ll soon sell 10,000 more.”
Be careful Mollie, what you wish for, I thought.
Continued from Part 2
Mollie stared angrily at me. “I don’t appreciate your humor.”
“Look,” I said. “I have someone I want you to meet.”
“OK.” She glowered. ‘What’s his name?”
“Sammy. He works for Six Flags.”
“What’s he do?”
“He has a high position in advertising and promotion. In fact, he wears a dark suit to work.”
“What’s he look like?”
“Well, he’s tall; has a great personality. You’ll really like him. Plus, since he rides everywhere, he really needs to buy insurance and Progressive might just work for him.”
Mollie got excited. A new potential romance plus a sales conquest. This was perfect.
“What color hair does he have?”
“Actually,” I said hemming and hawing, “He’s kinda bald. But in a good way. He looks like Telly Salvalas. He has that same aura of hidden sexuality, the kind of bald head that women really go crazy over.”
“Oh Wow! I used to go crazy over Telly Salvalas when I was a kid. He was sooo sexy. When can I meet him?” She bounced up and down on her toes chirping in that annoying voice of hers. Then she hesitated. “He doesn’t use Connecticut Transit does he? I won’t go out with anyone who rides that blue-streaked nightmare.”
“Oh no! In fact, he hates Connecticut Transit. Seems like he had a traumatic experience several years ago when he was a kid.”
“That poor kid. What happened?”
“I’m not really free to discuss it. I’m sure you understand.”
“Well…OK.”
“Let me give him a call and see if he’s interested. I’ll let you know.”
As she walked away, I heard her singing,
“Give me a man who is a dark-suited man
Who will fight for the right to ride the rail.
A man who will ride, through the rain and the snow,
Through the sleet, through the slush, through the hail.
Oh! Doorway to doorway, it’s my way; it’s your way,
He’ll rides til he dies and he never will fail.
In that car he insures and he drives to the shore
Riding and riding and riding and riding forevermore.”
Shoulder to shoulder & bolder and bolder
He’ll glow as he rides to the fore!
Start me with one, a stouthearted man
And I’ll soon sell 10,000 more.”
Be careful Mollie, what you wish for, I thought.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
A letter to Silvio Berlusconi
6/17/2010
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
44, Via Cristoforo Colombo
00147 Rome
6/17/2010
Dear Prime Minister Berlusconi:
Buongiorno. I was sorry to read about your many difficulties over the past few months. You have had much on your plate. From your broken nose of a couple of months ago to your recent sex scandals, your life has been filled with troubles and travails. One suggestion I have is to confer with one of our former Presidents. He may be able to offer some advice.
Non parlo l'italiano. I do not speak Italian very well so please forgive me.
I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory.
Because of the issues raised in the letter and because we all know that you have continued to keep the trains running on time—a contribution from one of your predecessors—I suggest that it may help you to take time from your busy schedule to travel to Connecticut to help us in our hour of need? Your suggestions for making Connecticut Transit buses not only run on time, but also even to run at all would be most helpful.
I know that Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department of Transportation located at 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. (Telephone 00-1-860-594-2000) would be most appreciative. He is at his wit's end trying to get the system functional.
You could also try Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, Connecticut Transit 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. (Telephone: 00-1-860-522-8101)
Both of these men are anxiously waiting to hear from you.
Another option in lieu of visiting would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic-clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Rome.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
44, Via Cristoforo Colombo
00147 Rome
6/17/2010
Dear Prime Minister Berlusconi:
Buongiorno. I was sorry to read about your many difficulties over the past few months. You have had much on your plate. From your broken nose of a couple of months ago to your recent sex scandals, your life has been filled with troubles and travails. One suggestion I have is to confer with one of our former Presidents. He may be able to offer some advice.
Non parlo l'italiano. I do not speak Italian very well so please forgive me.
I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory.
Because of the issues raised in the letter and because we all know that you have continued to keep the trains running on time—a contribution from one of your predecessors—I suggest that it may help you to take time from your busy schedule to travel to Connecticut to help us in our hour of need? Your suggestions for making Connecticut Transit buses not only run on time, but also even to run at all would be most helpful.
I know that Commissioner Joseph Marie of the Connecticut Department of Transportation located at 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. (Telephone 00-1-860-594-2000) would be most appreciative. He is at his wit's end trying to get the system functional.
You could also try Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, Connecticut Transit 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. (Telephone: 00-1-860-522-8101)
Both of these men are anxiously waiting to hear from you.
Another option in lieu of visiting would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic-clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Rome.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
Friday, June 18, 2010
An Open Letter to Ted Turner, Rupert Murdock and other media moguls:
An Open Letter to Ted Turner, Rupert Murdock and other media moguls:
As I write this, there is great controversy over the Supreme Court Decision of a few months ago, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, legalizing corporate free speech. Although many have serious concerns about the damage to our free elections, I believe that it really makes no difference. So let the corporations buy as much time as they want before an election. For you see, no one believes you or them anyway!
You show the Tea Party yelling and screaming as if what they say has any logic or reason. You show questionable poll results that we all know are biased because they are dependent on whoever funds the poll, how the questions are structured and on may other variables that you refuse to reveal.
We recognize spin when powerful people either refuse to answer pointed questions and you let them slide, or your questions are so trite and meaningless that the answers are like sea foam, full of froth and bubbles.
The great reporters of the past, Edward R. Morrow, Walter Winchel, and Walter Cronkite are of another age and era. Now we have Entertainment TV and Inside Edition. Your reporters no longer dig for truth and the hidden story but focus on trite issues such as celebrity divorces, etc. Therefore, no one believes you!
Nobody believes you because you’ve already lost whatever bit of credibility you have had. You have traded whatever sense of ethics and responsibility you‘ve once had to provide honest reporting and quality programming for a quick buck. The swill that you feed us, Jerry Springer, Reality TV, etc., would not be fed to the hogs that produce my morning bacon. This swill is not fit for the swine of Gerasenes. Swill that the Prodigal Son would reject.
I suppose that there are a few unenlightened souls still chained to the back of Plato’s cave who continue to believe in the reality of your reflected shadows and illusions. But these few misguided souls are rapidly dwindling and soon all your profits and quick bucks will dwindle along with them. Because no one respects you!
So let the FCC relax media rules; it will not make any difference. Because we neither respect nor believe you!
As I write this, there is great controversy over the Supreme Court Decision of a few months ago, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, legalizing corporate free speech. Although many have serious concerns about the damage to our free elections, I believe that it really makes no difference. So let the corporations buy as much time as they want before an election. For you see, no one believes you or them anyway!
You show the Tea Party yelling and screaming as if what they say has any logic or reason. You show questionable poll results that we all know are biased because they are dependent on whoever funds the poll, how the questions are structured and on may other variables that you refuse to reveal.
We recognize spin when powerful people either refuse to answer pointed questions and you let them slide, or your questions are so trite and meaningless that the answers are like sea foam, full of froth and bubbles.
The great reporters of the past, Edward R. Morrow, Walter Winchel, and Walter Cronkite are of another age and era. Now we have Entertainment TV and Inside Edition. Your reporters no longer dig for truth and the hidden story but focus on trite issues such as celebrity divorces, etc. Therefore, no one believes you!
Nobody believes you because you’ve already lost whatever bit of credibility you have had. You have traded whatever sense of ethics and responsibility you‘ve once had to provide honest reporting and quality programming for a quick buck. The swill that you feed us, Jerry Springer, Reality TV, etc., would not be fed to the hogs that produce my morning bacon. This swill is not fit for the swine of Gerasenes. Swill that the Prodigal Son would reject.
I suppose that there are a few unenlightened souls still chained to the back of Plato’s cave who continue to believe in the reality of your reflected shadows and illusions. But these few misguided souls are rapidly dwindling and soon all your profits and quick bucks will dwindle along with them. Because no one respects you!
So let the FCC relax media rules; it will not make any difference. Because we neither respect nor believe you!
Woman in White Part 2
Women in White Part 2
Slowly, oh so slowly, I trudged up the hill to my home. After a day on the road, I wanted nothing more than to relax over a glass of wine. I rounded the corner and saw to my dismay her!
It was the woman in white, Mollie from Progressive Auto Insurance. She had been showing up sporadically at my front door. Oh No! I thought. Another hassle with Mollie.
I approached the door. Mollie stood outside holding a broom that I had been using to sweep the stoop earlier that day. She tapped the broom on the steps spreading the already worn-out bristles.
She glared and snarled. “I see you’ve been out all day with that blue-streaked hussy. I spend hours waiting for you and you’re gone all day spending time with her! How could you be with her when she sells her self. She even paints ads all over her.”
“But I …”
She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Mel,” she said, “I think it is time you made a commitment.” A beat.
Oh God! The C word.
“I don’t think I’ve had enough time yet to commit.,” I answered. “How can I commit? It’s too soon to buy Progressive Auto Insurance. I haven’t even gotten my car yet.”
“Well, if you weren’t so cheap, you’d get a car and than you wouldn’t have to spend all that time with that painted street-crawler, that Connecticut Transit bus. Than you could spend more time with Progressive.”
Being with this woman was like being in a Broadway musical. The devil made me do it. I couldn’t help it. I broke out into a song:
When the whippoorwills call, and evening is nigh,
I hurry to my blue heaven.
A turn to the right, and an ugly sight,
Will greet you in my blue heaven.
You’ll see a tattered rug, a frightening mug,
And a dreary room.
And a dizzy dame that wipes my frame,
With a worn-out broom.
Just Mollie and me, and Progressive makes three.
We’ll battle in my blue heaven.
I had to get Mollie off my back. But how? Then I had an idea.
To be continued…
Slowly, oh so slowly, I trudged up the hill to my home. After a day on the road, I wanted nothing more than to relax over a glass of wine. I rounded the corner and saw to my dismay her!
It was the woman in white, Mollie from Progressive Auto Insurance. She had been showing up sporadically at my front door. Oh No! I thought. Another hassle with Mollie.
I approached the door. Mollie stood outside holding a broom that I had been using to sweep the stoop earlier that day. She tapped the broom on the steps spreading the already worn-out bristles.
She glared and snarled. “I see you’ve been out all day with that blue-streaked hussy. I spend hours waiting for you and you’re gone all day spending time with her! How could you be with her when she sells her self. She even paints ads all over her.”
“But I …”
She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Mel,” she said, “I think it is time you made a commitment.” A beat.
Oh God! The C word.
“I don’t think I’ve had enough time yet to commit.,” I answered. “How can I commit? It’s too soon to buy Progressive Auto Insurance. I haven’t even gotten my car yet.”
“Well, if you weren’t so cheap, you’d get a car and than you wouldn’t have to spend all that time with that painted street-crawler, that Connecticut Transit bus. Than you could spend more time with Progressive.”
Being with this woman was like being in a Broadway musical. The devil made me do it. I couldn’t help it. I broke out into a song:
When the whippoorwills call, and evening is nigh,
I hurry to my blue heaven.
A turn to the right, and an ugly sight,
Will greet you in my blue heaven.
You’ll see a tattered rug, a frightening mug,
And a dreary room.
And a dizzy dame that wipes my frame,
With a worn-out broom.
Just Mollie and me, and Progressive makes three.
We’ll battle in my blue heaven.
I had to get Mollie off my back. But how? Then I had an idea.
To be continued…
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Letter to Vladimir Putin
6/17/2010
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
Kremlin,
Sobornaya Ploshad,
Moscow, Russia
Dear Prime Minister Putin:
Dobroe utro. In reading a novel recently, Stalin’s Ghost, by Martin Smith, I was reminded of the Moscow Metro system. In that story, Stalin’s Ghost haunts the Moscow Metro.
First, I want to compliment you on your excellent transportation system. I have traveled in Moscow and have been enthralled by the beautiful Moscow Metro system. Your stations are lined with black marble from Georgia, white marble from the Urals, and pink marble from Siberia. The Kropokin Station had beautiful golden and crystal chandeliers, mosaics, and frescos line the walls of many of your stations.
Jan e govorju po-Russki. I do not speak Russian very well so please forgive me. I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory. Because of the issues raised in the letter, I am contacting you and asking for one of the following:
1. Is it possible for one of your staff to contact either or both of the following men and invite them to come to Moscow and tour your excellent system? Perhaps they can imagine the possibilities. These persons are:
Commissioner Joseph Marie, Connecticut Department of Transportation. The address is 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. Telephone 8~10 860-594-2000
The other is Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. Telephone: 8~10 1-860-522-8101
2. Another option in lieu of tours would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is
reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Moscow.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
Kremlin,
Sobornaya Ploshad,
Moscow, Russia
Dear Prime Minister Putin:
Dobroe utro. In reading a novel recently, Stalin’s Ghost, by Martin Smith, I was reminded of the Moscow Metro system. In that story, Stalin’s Ghost haunts the Moscow Metro.
First, I want to compliment you on your excellent transportation system. I have traveled in Moscow and have been enthralled by the beautiful Moscow Metro system. Your stations are lined with black marble from Georgia, white marble from the Urals, and pink marble from Siberia. The Kropokin Station had beautiful golden and crystal chandeliers, mosaics, and frescos line the walls of many of your stations.
Jan e govorju po-Russki. I do not speak Russian very well so please forgive me. I have enclosed an open letter to Connecticut Transit located in Hartford, CT, USA that is self-explanatory. Because of the issues raised in the letter, I am contacting you and asking for one of the following:
1. Is it possible for one of your staff to contact either or both of the following men and invite them to come to Moscow and tour your excellent system? Perhaps they can imagine the possibilities. These persons are:
Commissioner Joseph Marie, Connecticut Department of Transportation. The address is 2800 Berlin turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, USA. Telephone 8~10 860-594-2000
The other is Arthur L. Handman, Executive Director, 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06141-0006. Telephone: 8~10 1-860-522-8101
2. Another option in lieu of tours would be to sponsor a series of “live-aid concerts.” These concerts would raise money to revamp and upgrade the CT transportation system. Imagine U-2—the band, not your metro line—performing.
Everyday, cars clog our highways spewing out noxious fumes. One is reminded of spice-laden camels raising clouds of dust and sand crossing the desert toward Cairo. One is
reminded of produce-laden and donkey-drawn carts braying and brawling traveling past traffic clogged cars.
One is also unfortunately reminded of the factory smokestacks of West Virginia and a coal-choked sky. Only instead of several large smokestacks, we in Connecticut face hundreds, if not thousands of tiny smokestacks from private vehicles. Fumes that if unchecked will surely drift to over the ocean to Moscow.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mel Hathorn
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