Bob Levey (Barbara Tyroler)

• Levey Live Archive • Column: Bob Levey • Metro Section • Talk: Metro message boards • Live Online Transcripts • Subscribe to washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters • mywashingtonpost. com -- customized news, traffic, weather and more

Levey Live: Speaking Freely
Washington Post Columnist
Friday, Jan. 18, 2002; 1 p.m. EST

"Levey Live: Speaking Freely," hosted by Washington Post columnist Bob Levey, appears every Friday. It is a live, open-agenda discussion offering washingtonpost.com users around the world the opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics of their choice with Bob.

Fearless Bob takes your questions about virtually everything, from sports and politics (there's a difference?) to world events, Metro area traffic and issues raised in Bob's columns.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Bob Levey: Good afternoon, snow-dreaders (you HAVE heard the forecast, haven't you?).
Let's begin with some old business.
Last week, I declared that one could NOT trade in Metrocheks for bus tokens. Many posters/readers wrote to say I was as wrong as I am fat. So I hereby offer a humble correction. Very sorry if I offended any Metrocheks in our vast listening audience.
Anyway, let's get straight to cases. Much in the news. Many different subjects in recent Levey columns. All of it fair game.....

Washington, D.C.: What's the story with this "preacher"-hating guy driving an old school bus around downtown streets this week, all the while spouting his venom from loudspeakers? Can't this be considered disturbing the peace?

Bob Levey: I caught his act Monday at 16th and K. He seems harmless enough--more or less at the same point on the venom-meter with that guy who has been outside the White House for about 20 years, decrying the "fact" that the CIA put radio transmitters in his teeth.

Peoples' Republic of Alexandria: Hi Bob, Do you happen to know any details about the program which (I believe) Congress approved not too long ago to give in-state tuition rates to D.C. students at any public university in the country? Am I right on this that it was approved? If so, how many students have taken advantage of this and where have they elected to study? Also, on a semi-related topic, how's your girl in NYC? Have a nice weekend and don't forget to elbow your way into the store on the way home tonight for bread, milk, kitty litter, and TP!

Bob Levey: Sure. If you live in D.C., and you are accepted by a land-grant state university elsewhere in the U.S. (for example, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida), you pay in-state rates there. If you paid outta-state rates, the tab would be about three times as great. Not sure how many students have taken advantage. Not as many as should have, for sure.
By the way, you still have to meet the entrance requirements of the school you attend. So, for example, if Michigan takes only applicants whose SAT scores are 1100 and up, you'll need to measure up.
This program has been in effect for about three years. I did a "Levey Live" show with its administrator about 18 months ago (cue moles at washingtonpost.com--can you fair souls dredge up that chat and post a link, please?).
My fair Emily is doing very well in NYC. Many thanks for asking.

Washington, D.C.: Hey Bob,

Anyway we can end the silly practice of naming any political scandal Blahblah-gate?

Is it because the media really thinks that without the "gate" suffix, people won't know it's a political scandal?

Or are they just trying to be cute?

Bob Levey: Cute. And unoriginal. Both, alas, are constants in this bizzzz.

Alexandria, Va.: When did the MCI Center revert back to being the Cap Center? A "news" piece this morning was touting the upcoming monster truck show at the "Cap Center."

Bob Levey: That's totally neanderthals-ville. Cap Centre became USAir Arena, and later became USAirways Arena. Then the Wizards and Capitals left that building behind. MCI Center has never had a blessed thing to do with The White Elephant of Landover--regardless of the elephant's name.

washingtonpost.com: Here's the link to the 2000 chat about the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/00/levey/bob0627.htm

Washington, D.C.: Bob, I know this isn't in your area of expertise -- the vicissitudes of Metro or Children's Hospital -- but I thought that as the parent of a 20-year-old you might venture an opinion. What do you make of the John Walker Lindh situation? Part of me says, jeez, he's a confused young man barely out of his teens. Goodness knows none of use would like to be tried for our various adolescent antics. But the other part of me says, this guy is of legal age and he want far beyond the scope of the usual adolescent histrionics and rebellion. He fought with the enemy and therefore should be tried as a traitor and sentenced to life. What say you?

Bob Levey: I think he's a super-confused young guy who deserves (and will probably get) fairly lenient treatment at the hands of American courts. I'd feel very differently if Walker had blown up buildings himself, or if there were any evidence that he had actually planned a major piece of terrorism.

Arlington, Va.: Good Luck on your last day. I hope you meet and exceed the goal.

I also want to say a thank you to The Post editorial staff for encouraging people to take the government's Sept. 11 Fund money. I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who lost someone in the terrorist attacks. However, we did not give a great deal of money to the workers in Oklahoma City, or in the Embassys. In addition, their loss is not greater than a family who has a member murdered under other circumstances.

I know it is very difficult time for these families, but the complaint about the amount just make me feel like the families are being greedy and hoping for a litigation-like windfall. I don't think it is the taxpayers responsibility to provide it.

Bob Levey: Thanks for the kind words. Lookin' good as far as meeting the Children's goal is concerned. But I must torture you until Monday's column, I'm afraid. We won't have a full accounting before then.
I agree completely about those who woiuld hope for (and shop for) a Sept. 11 windfall. Not only is it not the responsibility of Congress to iron out every piece of awful luck that befalls someone, but you have to consider these facts, too:
* 97 percent of the people who were killed on Sept. 11 had life insurance. The victims' families were never going to be bereft, no matter how the 911 victims had died.
* There is an enormous pot of money sitting there--nearly $2 billion worth--donated by wonderful, caring, generous Americans. The 3,000 families will get their slice of that money regardless of the size of the slice that they get from Congress. Do the math---even if a family gets "only" $250,000 from Congress, it stands to get an additional $667,000 from charity. And all of that money is tax free!

Philadelphia, Pa.: How are the people of Washington dealing with things post-Sept. 11? All we ever seem to hear about is New York.

Bob Levey: Fairly well, but less well than we might. The reason is the bunker mentality that still hangs heavy here. It took more than two months for tours at the Capitol to be resumed. The White House is still not open for tours. Jersey barriers sit everywhere. Cops stand guard everywhere. It's oppressive. Meanwhile, New York seems to have started the music again. Granted, Ground Zero is solemn and (to overkill and overkilled word) awesome. But hop a subway, go five minutes, and you'll find crowds, shoppers, music, theater, throbbing economics. New York's wounds seem to be more private than ours.

Bethesda, Md.: Thoughts on the new Redskins coach and do you think he will have a tough time in the NFL as opposed to college football?

Bob Levey: I don't love the guy, because he seems like a braggart, and I didn't like it when he ran up the score at Florida. I also think he's heading into a less-than-ideal situation if a GM is in charge of personnel. Spurrier won at Florida because he recruited his own QBs. Is Snyder (and/or a new GM) going to expect the guy to win with Tony Banks?

At work for the D.O.C.: Hi Bob,

I know that you're a big proponent of riding Metro, so I was hoping that maybe you would have an answer for me. I ride the train to and from work every day, starting at Glenmont on the Red Line. So here's my question: Why the heck do only half the Red Line trains go all the way to Glenmont (the other half only go to Silver Spring)? The same goes for the other side of the line: half the trains only go to Grosvenor, and not to Shady Grove.

Its amazing to me that Metro doesn't want to acknowledge the high number of people who commute on the rails from areas outside of the Beltway -- from Montgomery County and beyond. There are some evenings where more people get off with me at Glenmont then the rest of the previous stops (from Gallery Place) combined.

Thanks and good luck with the final tallies for the Children's Hospital campaign!

Bob Levey: Ridership and money. Metro knows that the great majority of all riders on the Red Line use trains only between Bethesda and Silver Spring. So the agency is looking to save a buck where it can.
By the way, I've long been a booster of express trains ervice on the Red Line. Impossible the ways things stand at present, because only a single track exists in each direction. But big dough solves a whole lot of things: Imagine a third track. Imagine an express that would go from, say, Bethesda to Farragut Nawth without stopping. Heaven!

Crystal City, Va.: Bob, you mentioned in previous discussions that you were going on a diet on April. I think you should do a challenge with the Lean Plate Club in the Health section. They did a great holiday challenge, where people were to maintain their weight throughout the holiday season, instead of gaining weight. Now they're doing another challenge, which is a sensible way to lose weight. You should check it out!

Bob Levey: I will check it out, although I'd be very reluctant to compete with my good pal, Sally Squires. She is a terrific journalist and she thunk up the Lean Plate Club long before I noticed that my gut was haning over my belt. The Bob Levey April Diet shall stand or fall on its own!!!

Rockville, Md.: What is the deal with these new airport security measures? When have we ever heard that a bomb was put in checked baggage by a passenger who never actually boarded the plane? The problem seems to be that our enemies are more than willing to go down with the planes they target.

And even if it -is- a problem - why wouldn't they just book a flight w/ connections and not board the connecting flight.

I don't mind travel inconveniences in the name of safety, but they really anger me when it's all window dressing.

Bob Levey: Without positive bag matching at every step in the process--including transfers--the bad guys still have an opening.
I agree that some airport security measures seem idiotic. At O'Hare Airport in Chicago the other night, the Argenbright brightie asked an 80-year-old woman to remove her shoes. Man, oh, man, she looked like a real desperado--the spitting image of Richard Reid!!
Can't we use the profiling techniques that law enforcement has long ago given us? Do we have to hassle every grandma?

Holding my purse on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Hi Bob,

I've heard the story about the group of citizens trying to catch the purse snatcher in D.C./Montgomery County and it comes back to a complaint I've had for a long time.

Why don't more sales clerks ask for photo ID when they take a check or credit card? Their lack of caution makes it easier for someone to use a stolen credit or debit card. I used to work at a chain store where we were required to ask for ID and it scares me how many places no longer ask for ID. My friend once found out that her roommate had been taking her credit card on regular trips to the grocery store for small purchases. Imagine actually asking for ID once in awhile.

I know that asking for ID won't stop everyone but why are we accommodating thieves by not trying in the first place?

Bob Levey: You should get your way--and you do when business is slow. But even a few seconds of delay worries the suits who run stores. They want to head 'em up and move 'em out. And truth be told, retail stores don't really give a damn about credit card theft. They have already included theft in their price structure, and their insurance.

Arlington, Va.: Hi Bob-

I just wanted to share a neologism contest idea with you. Actually, it's so obvious, you may have already done it.

When getting one's daily fix of The Post from the paperbox, people inevitably avoid the top copy. This phenomenon is called . . .

Bob Levey: I did a column about this about three years ago. I said it was a New York thing. Reason: Many New York plungers like to slide the sports section out of the top copy so they can obtain the late scratches at the local race tracks without buying the whole paper. So New Yawkuhs learn to dig down a few inches.
Good neologism question just the same. Thanks.

Alexandria, Va.: Did you see Ari Fleischer's press briefing the other day where he refused to answer yes or no if the White House was looking into all Enron contacts? One can question whether they should be doing it or not but not wanting to answer yes or no to whether they are doing it just seemed odd to me. Almost as odd as the president making it seem as if Mr. Lay was just another supporter. When you give answers to simple questions that appear you are hiding something it causes unnecessary suspicions... unless you really do have something to hide. Will they (politicians) never learn?

Bob Levey: You couldn't pay me enough green to do Ari Fleischer's job. He is supposed to facilitate press access, and all he ever does is to block it.
It's amazing to me that the White House press doesn't lose its collective temper much more often.
By the way, Fleischer is far from the first WH press secretary to play the game this way. You'll see all of his successors play the game the same way, too, I'm sure.
They all live in fear of saying something off the cuff that will come back to haunt them--for instance, Ron Ziegler's memorable remark that Watergate was just a "third rate burglary." I guarantee you that that quip will be in the first two grafs of Ziergler's obituary.

Checking ID: I used to work for a large retail chain and many people would write "SEE ID" on the back of their cards and then be shocked when I actually asked to see it!

Bob Levey: My point exactly. They are daring you to care. They know that even if you do, youre boss probably doesn't.
Besides, you signed up to be a retail clerk, not a cop. What if the card in front of your face DID turn out to be stolen? Would you grab the criminal by the arm and hold him/her until the cops could arrive? What if the criminal were 6-feet-3 and 250? Would you risk your hide for a rotten case of $15 fraud?

Bethedsa, Md.: Hi Bob,

Here's a good laugh for ya. Gloria Steinem on a discussion right now simultaneously with the author of the "Cathy" cartoon. All while Bob Levey is doing his commendable common sense approach to things. Who scheduled this paradox?

Have a great weekend.

Bob Levey: I'm deeply pleased by your kind words, but puzzled by them, too. Are you suggesting that Gloria and Cathy aren't senisble?

Kennewick, Wash.: Oh, now I just have to add this:

MA BARKER was a GRANDMA!

Bob Levey: There's one in every crowd. Thanks

In reference to...: ...federal funds for Sept. 11 victims. I'm all for the policy. But I do believe that the victims of Oklahoma have a point as well. Where is THEIR federal assistance? Was OK City any less tragic than the WTC/Pentagon?

Bob Levey: No and no. But no one in Oklahoma or on Capitol Hill ever took steps to lay big dough on the OKC victim families. Now, it would be too late--and it might touch off a flurry of lawsuits. How about the Pearl Harbor families? Capone's victims? Custer?

Virginia: submitting early . . .
wondered what your take is on the "pc-ing" of the planned firefighter memorial for NYC. Personally, I'm appalled that it would ever even occur to anyone to alter the races of the men who ACTUALLY RAISED THE FLAG, though I do kinda "get" the motivation behind it all.

Are we SO shallow that people think it more important to racially integrate a memorial (and thereby altering historical fact) than we are in racially integrating REAL PEOPLE, thereby creating new ways of relating?

Bob Levey: If the memorial is supposed to be a literal rendering of the men in that famous photo, there's no way their races should be altered.
If the memorial is supposed to be a generalized tribute to all the fallen firefighters, I see nothing wrong with one white, one black, one Hispanic.

Plano, Tex.: Steve Spurier has an ego the size of Alaska, but he is one hell of a coach. He always claimed and made a pretty good showing of making his offense less dependent on the QB than most passing based offenses are. Note the lack of performance of his former QBs in the NFL for an example. Since I am a big Tenn. fan, I am very glad to see the man go, and in the NFL running up the score is fine since its just a business anyway.

If the owners let Steve be Steve and run the show, Washington will be back in short order.

Bob Levey: One reason to think he might succeed: The prototypical NFL coach doesn't play to win. He plays not to lose.
Note the epidemic of field goals. Note the wusses and wimps who won't go for it on fourth and inches at midfield in the first quarter.
I used to think that only pro golf on TV could induce an instant nap. Now, the NFL is right there with the PGA Tour, in snoozeland.
So if Spurrier actually airs the ball out 15 times a game, not only will I stay awake, but he might win.
Then again, defenses in the NFL are tons better than defenses in college. This weekend's Pittsburgh-Balleymore game is a great example. That will be good old fashioned Bears-Packers-style football from the 1950s. I don't bet, but even if the over-under on that game were 18, I'd take the under.

Bowie, Md.: Are Rita Kempley and Phyllis Schlafly sensible?

Bob Levey: You're one for two. I'll let you figure out which half is which.

Dupont, Washington, D.C.: Whoa, bob! In today's column, you said you were up to $661,000 and change, but when i went to the website to help increase that total, it said

Goal: $750,000
Amount Left: $290,724
Ends: 01/31/02

What gives?! I hope your figure is correct!

Bob Levey: Mine is correct. Them's last year's numbers on the site!

Washington, D.C.: Here's one for you....on the Metro earlier this week during rush hour, a guy gets on at National Airport and is on his cell phone, talking in a loud voice. He proceeds to ask if "Visa" is okay and then dictates 16 numbers and an expiration date. I was speechless.

Bob Levey: Obviously, he was donating to my Children's Hospital campaign! Give thr guy a break....

oh metro guru!: A complaint (I know, shocking) about Metro. I had friends in town last weekend for an annual visit, and they all remarked about how messy Metro has gotten. places like l'enfant during rush hour are terrible- spilled food, discarded newspapers gum wrappers, I saw a cigarette butt- I realize I'd gotten inured to the mess, since it's been getting progressivly worse since 9/11, but can we PLEASE have trashcans back? this is getting absurd.

Bob Levey: It really really really really is getting bad. At Rosslyn the other day, someone's box lunch had been tossed all over the platform. Yes, I know the owner shouldn't have been eating it. But apparently he just threw it on the red tiles. Here was cole slaw over there, pickle juice over there..... Horrible.
In case Metroids are lurking on this chat (and they often are), can you give us a whiff of hope, gang? And a date certain, too?

When have we ever heard that a bomb was put in checked baggage by a passenger who never actually boarded the plane? : Um, we all have. It was called Lockerbie.

Bob Levey: Yes, and that's why passengers boarding in Europe and many other parts of the world have been subjected to positive bag matching ever since. High time we did it here, too.

Arlington, Va.: Bob, I couldn't disagree with you more about our city's reaction to Sept. 11. You're right that official Washington is still in a bunker mentality, with jersey barriers and cancelled tours abounding.

But the questioner asked how the PEOPLE of Washington are coping. From what I've seen, we've pretty much gone back to our pre-attack state of complacent denial. People don't jump when airplanes fly over, nervous looks aren't exchanged when the Metro train rolls through the Pentagon, people are going shopping and to movies, people are watching things other than CNN, and terrorism is no longer the primary topic of conversation. Terrorism is no longer the only thing, or even the main thing, on people's minds.

Bob Levey: You're right in the sense that I don't hear constant references to Sept. 11 in the aisles of the Giant, on the radio, at social events. But I think real uneasiness still lurks.

Laurel, Md.: Somehow DC has gone from not being a viable option for a baseball team to a prime candidate to get a relocated team. Can't wait for the Washington Expos to begin play! Do you hear the crack of the bat yet?

Bob Levey: I've heard so many cracks of so many bats over the last 31 years that I have to say (in self-defense) that I'll believe it when I see it.
Yet this does look like the most optimistic set of circumstances since 1974, when the San Diego Padres were rumored to be coming here. Of course, that was just clumsy blackmail to fatten their deal in SD. I fear the same scenario is playing out re the Marlins and/or the Expos.

Fairfax, Va.: Bob-

In regards to the Children's fund, how does a person know if their donation was received or not? Especially if they make it over the phone? I made a donation a week ago and my bank acount has not reflected the loss o' change.

Bob Levey: Sometimes there's a delay in submitting credit card pledges. The reason couldn't be better. We have tons of them! Please be patient. Regardless, you should receive an acknolwedgement postcard very soon. If you don't by, say, Feb. 1, yelp at me via 202-334-7276 or leveyb@washpost.com and I'll put the dogs on it.

Washington, D.C.: Bob-

Want to throw a Hax-ism at you here.

Fat you may or may not be, but you are beginning to get REALLY boring about it. Do something about it, or don't, as you wish, but really, we're SICK of hearing about it.

Ok, especially those of us who are at least as big as you and do not consider ourselves fat.

Bob Levey: Deal

Alexandria, Va.: Hi Bob. Something I read in Larry Lindsey's piece on keeping the tax cuts amused me. He used the example of a "farm family, small business person, or two career family with three children, earning between $200,000 and $250,000..." to illustrate how large the impact on a taxpayer could be. Um, how many families make 200K? Does Lindsey expect the average American to feel sorry about the tax burden of someone who makes a quarter of a million? And do farmers really make that much? If yes, why do we have to subsidize and protect them - spending more taxpayer money!?

Bob Levey: I believe that only two percent of Americans make more than $200 big ones.
The rich are different from you and me.

Laurel, Md.: Speaking of the president, can we please lay off the pretzel jokes? So the food went down the wrong tube, and he passed out. How many of us have never experienced food going down the wrong tube? And it's not just pretzels, mind you. Other food can go down the wrong tube also. Call me sour grapes, but Pretzelgate has ceased to be funny long ago.

Bob Levey: It never STARTED to be funny. If the president had not dislodged that piece of pretzel, or if it had not dislodged itself, he could have suffered brain damage, even died

Profiling: Glad you brought it up, Bob, because I have two comments:

(1) One reason to profile grammas and otherwise harmless-looking people: there's a chance that if someone asked them, "hey, could you give this to my friend who's already on the plane?" they just might do it out of kindness. Terrorists might be getting sneakier.

(2) I'm usually pretty liberal in my views, but the individuals of Arab descent who complain about being profiled are getting no sympathy from me. If you look at the attackers and would-be attackers from recent months, you see some common characteristics: They look Arabic and/or have Arab names, and they're male. Can you blame folks for being jumpy?

Bob Levey: 1) I suppose this scenario is possible, but how likely is it? Likely enough to delay hundreds and annoy a grandma? Before Sept. 11, there were considerable risks to considerable numbers of people--from drunken passengers, passengers who brought 200-pound pieces of luggage aboard, passengers who routinely carried Swiss Army knives. But we seem to have survived.
2) No question that Arabs (and all people with dark skin) are going to be treated much more harshly, forever and ever. That doesn't surprise me or dismay me. But I truly hope that we will use those law enforcement profiles to which I referred earlier. They say that Arab background is only one of the factors that should set off bells. There are many others (by the way, Reid scored a YES on just about every one). What we CANNOT permit--ever, ever, ever--is the blanket searching of and hassling of ALL Arabs, just because they're Arabs.

Alexandria, Virginia: Bob, I'm worried about how you've elevated April as Levey fitness month. You cannot revitalize your body in one month only. You must change your eating habits, exercise more, and do it for life. The safest amount of weight you should expect to lose is 2, maybe 2.5 pounds per week. That means 10 pounds maximum in one month if you do everything right. You need a long-term commitment, Bob. Everyone has months with social engagements that offer tempting treats. Be a big boy (bad pun) and learn to resist temptation for the long haul. That's the only key to weight loss success.

Bob Levey: You're 1000 percent right. The April Non-Binge will be only the beginning. The idea will be to draw attention to the problem, both in my life and in the lives of anyone else who would like to be more fit. But the willpower and virtue will have to continue, far beyond May.
By the way, I long ago changed my eating and exercise habits. I haven't touched ice cream in decades. I never use butter or drink milk. I avoid red meat 99 percent of the time. I'm extremely careful about desserts. I exercise for 30 minutes, quite hard, every single day.
And still I gain two pounds a year.
I have to say this puzzles and annoys me. I feel I'm already doing so much and denying myself so often--why the weight creep? Maybe, as one Levey Live poster said about a month ago, I'm not being as careful as I think.

Alexandria, Va.: Is it really necessary to pre-empt TV programming and put up the "Special Report" logo when a football coach has a press conference?

Bob Levey: If you're in the business of attracting eyeballs and dollars, you'd better believe it.

Neologism: I love learning new words, so when I saw this baby, I hopped to www.m-w.com, which defined it as

1 : a new word, usage, or expression
2 : a meaningless word coined by a psychotic

I'm sure you guys meant the first definition, but isn't that second one priceless?

Bob Levey: I've known about that for years. I make no apologies to neologists past, present or future--including those who now live in padded cells.

Reston, Va.: What other scenarios could have caused the President's injuries? Could he have been pushed onto the floor in a near-miss incident or domestic dispute? The abrasion on his face and cut (well below where his glasses rest on his face) look like he was forced to the floor with some energy and extra weight, not just with gravity.

Bob Levey: Major gossip scenario: He was refreshing himself with an alcoholic beverage, and it got the better of him.
No, no, no, I have no evidence.
But I do have ears.
This hypothesis was all over town with minutes

Re: College education for DC students:: Why land-grant universities, as opposed to any public school. And, what is a land grant university, anyhow?

Bob Levey: Land grant schools were founded by states in the late 19th century. The states granted the land on which to build them. Most of them grew to become behemoth state universities. I'm guessing here, but I suspect that the larger the public school, the more easily it can absorb both D.C. students and the financial hit that the D.C. program causes. That's why a Towson State, a Bridgewater State, a Northern Illinois U., can't manage this

Who do I tell my story to?: I had a horrific experience at the DMV in Springfield last night. Horrible horrible horrible. Who at the Post will care? Would love to expose this DMV supervisor for being completely unreasonable and unprofessional. Any ideas?

Bob Levey: Moi. 202-334-7276 or leveyb@washpost.com

Capitol Hill: Arlington may be over Sept. 11th but try living on the Hill. Guards everywhere, streets closed down, barriers everywhere. Its hard to forget something that stares you in the face everyday. -sigh- Although my neighborhood is now much safer, its definitely scarier in a overprotected way.

Similarly, yesterday I picked up a book I've been meaning to read, "Underworld" by Don Delillo, and almost died when I saw the cover. Its a photo of the World Trade Center towers with a church in the forefront and a white bird hovering in between the towers. Gave me the chills.

Bob Levey: Here's how bad it remains. I got a voice mail message last night. Woman who pores over the classifieds in The Post. She says she's worried by one in the Apartments for Rent section. It advertised a nice view of the river and the monuments, from Arlington, Clearly, she said, this was a place a terrorist would choose.

Pretzels and Energy: Bob, your right the pretzel could have caused brain damage, although based on the White House's unwillingness to tell the truth about the budget or their cozy relationship to Enron, its hard for me to see how Bush II could get any dumber.

Bob Levey: And you thought the 2004 campaign was still over the next mountain range......

Northern Illinois University alumnus: Hey you mentioned my alma mater! I never thought I'd hear my beloved NIU mentioned in a Bob Levey forum.

Bob Levey: Tell ya why:
I was slogging through O'Hare Airport the other night and here came the NIU basketball team in the opposite direction. I've been around college sports in one way or another for many eons, and I can tell you that many college hoopsters have manners that would get them time-outs in a day care center. Not the NIUs. Four of them actually stopped to help a proverbial little old lady with her luggage! Obviously, that act (and that school) stuck in my brain.....

Laurel, Md.: I'm in Weight Watchers, and one of the keys to losing weight is not only doing what you're doing (avoiding meat, ice cream, and all the other stuff you mentioned), but to drink more water. At least 6 glasses, maybe more, per day. Maybe you should try to increase your intake of water and see if you can lose the weight.

Bob Levey: Sigh. I already drink six glasses. Must I drink 10? I'd lose ten minutes a day getting to and through the bathroom.

Silver Spring, Md.: Re: "See ID" remarks on credit cards. I've had that written on all of my credit cards for years. Sales clerks and cashiers ask me for identification maybe one out of every 10 transactions. It's worse at the grocery stores, better during the holiday season.

Bob Levey: You should be going ten for ten. Maybe in some other life...

Arlington: PLEASE answer!

I live in Arlington but my future hubby and I are moving out to get a single family home (ideally, I would love it in or near the city but I need a yard and can't afford something in DC). So, I know I won't be close in to the District (and the yummy restaurants, and all the things to do there).

What do you know of the VRE? Is it reliable, clean, comfortable, etc? Also, what are your and your readers views about living out (say, Burke) and WAY out (say, Manassas)? The further out, the nicer houses and larger yards (i.e. more house for your money). I am SOOO torn!

Opinions? I need ones from people who don't know me and think that they know what is best for me.

Bob Levey: Wish we had more than six minutes left, but I'll toss this out just the same.
I think VRE is exceptional. It's comfortable, cheery, on-time and convenient. Its schedules have been expanded, and its cars have been modernized (the original fleet was right out of Lucy and Desi). It's especially useful for people in Burke, Dale City and Fredericksburg, where the car has long ago ceased to be a convenient option (or a reliable one--you might get to work in 45 minutes one day, 345 the next).
As for the yard, I have to play devil's advocate.....
Why? So you can feel guilty when you haven't mowed the grass in a month?
Have you considered a new condo (there are many) near a subway station in D.C. or Arlington? Might make much more sense. It certainly will in terms of commuting time.

Reston, Va.: Re: your discussions about gaining weight: Lots of people go through the same thing you are going through, so I think is of interest to many people. You are not being boring. Also, I started out 2 1/2 years ago just as you are planning to do, and am in far better shape than I have been for 20 years (I'm now 49). Suggestion - sounds like you are doing most of the right things, but have you put any real research into what foods you are eating? "Clean" foods may be the answer.

Bob Levey: What's a "clean" food?

Burke, Va.: Bob, here's why you gain weight. As you age, you lose x% of your muscle mass every year. Muscle burns more calories than fat. If you eat the same amount of calories per day, you gain. Supposedly you avoid this phenomenon by gaining muscle mass.

Bob Levey: Oh, Lord, you're not telling me I have to LIFT, are you?

WATER: You need to drink half your weight, in ounces, of water a day. So someone who weighs 150 lbs. needs to drink 75 ounces. And you need to increase that amount if you drink a lot of caffinated bevs.

Bob Levey: Done. In the meantime, I'm buying Kohler stock.

Burke, Va.: When the sales clerk actually checks your ID on the credit card, thank him/her. I do, and he/she always looks pleased and surprised that I appreciated the effort.

Bob Levey: Excellent advice. Thanks

Arlington, Va.: Bob, I live in one of those apartments probably being advertised. Don't worry--the helicopters patrol us regularly, probably looking for people with shoulder-fired missles hanging out on the roof of our buildings.

Bob Levey: Have you checked the laundry room? Might be a whole squadron of al-qaedas in there

Arlington, Va.: I'd like to sound off about a recent national event -- the Hockey Dad Trial.

I have to admit that I didn't pay too much attention to the details because whenever the media presented the story they would trot out some "expert" to warn us that this is what happens when fathers try to relive their athletic fantasies through their children. The impression this always gave was that the accused (now convicted) had gone crazy because of a bad call or some other nonsense. I think all the media coverage was influenced by this angle. When I finally read a little bit about the details, I learned that the cause of contention was that it was the victim who let a situation get out of control by allowing hitting in what was supposed to be a non-contact hockey game he was supervising. Sounds like he was the one living through the children. Moreover, I read today that he had been arrested at least 5 times, the last for assaulting a police officer. Wonder if the jury heard that? I know that this did not qualify him for a death sentence, but it made me give some more credence to the accused (now convicted) man's argument that the whole sorry affair started because he was trying to keep child's play just that.

Bob Levey: He was lucky he was never charged with Murder One

Chicago, Ill.: Are you really as handsome in person as in the picture? Yum!

washingtonpost.com: Oh geez. I'll never hear the end of this. -- Megan.

Bob Levey: Honesty compels me to answer in the affirmative.

McLean, Va.: Hi Bob,

I know that Metro doesn't like its drivers to ad lib -- but last night on the Orange Line to Vienna it was perfect. The trains were packed and people were getting grouchy, so the driver said please everyone work with me. Everyone standing in the doorways get out and let everyone off -- I promise I won't leave without you. He did this for several stations, and when the door openings flipped from the left to right side he said OK left side help them out with our system. And the best was "I don't want to pick sides, but the right side did it best."

Anyway -- quite a bit of ad libbing, but it was exactly what we all needed. It made people laugh (the volume was up and he spoke clearly so you didn't have to strain to hear him) -- made what looked to be an awful ride home much more enjoyable.

Bob Levey: Please see my 1/28 column, wherein I make the case for canned announcements aboard Metro

Bowie, Md.: Either Rita Kempley or Phyllis Schlafly is sensible, hmmm....

You're a movie-hater and a liberal-in-denial, so this is a tough one.

Bob Levey: Deal, as my kids would say

Lexington Park, Md.: Hi Bob. I have to submit early because I won't be around the computer tomorrow. I was wondering if you or maybe the head guru of these discussions could book Stephen Hawking, the famous theoretical physicist. He's an extremely interesting, funny, and down to earth guy. But, because of his disability, people would have to submit questions early, so that he has enough time to answer them. Thanks.

Bob Levey: We'll try. Thanks for a good suggestion

Winston-Salem, N.C.: Happy Friday All-Knowing Bob,

I've got a potential stumper for you--when does a "house" become a "compound"? I've read twice this week that Juanita Jordan is fighting to retain occupancy of her and Michael's compund. The word compound to me reminds me of Waco, not a sports star's home.

Better get to Giant right after this discussion! I remember the lines well.

Bob Levey: "Compound" is the kind of word the other side's attorney uses--in a divorce action.

Rockville, Md.: Hi Bob,

I saw a preview for a Denzel Washington movie the other day. (I think it was called John Q.)

The premise is that his son needs a heart transplant but he doesn't have insurance to cover it, and the hospital won't do the procedure w/o the insurance. He tries a lot of other avenues, nothing pans out, so he takes the hospital hostage.

Well...I've been reading your column for so long, so the whole time I was watching the preview, I was thinking, "Can't he just go to Children's Hospital?!"

Bob Levey: Yes, he could. Yes, he should

Bob Levey: Thanks, gang, for a lively one. We'll try to be just as lively--or better--a week from today

washingtonpost.com: Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay tuned to Live Online:

Rita Kempley on The Golden Globes at 2 p.m. EST
Roe vs. Wade: Phyllis Shlafly at 3 p.m. EST
Live Online Special Coverage: America At War

Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live Online transcripts.

Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters.

NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com. Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.

   |      |