Bob Levey (Barbara Tyroler)

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Levey Live: Speaking Freely
Washington Post Columnist
Friday, Feb. 22, 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: Hi, Levey Loyalists far and wide. A gloomy day, what with Pearl's murder, Tyson's imminent arrival and the depressing piece I just finished reading in the New York Times--about how June college grads can expect to find zero jobs.
The good news: Robert disappears on vacation for ten days, starting in just a few hours. So I am sunnier than I might be, and ready to start typing. Let's get at it......

Arlington, Va.: Dear Bob, Please teach the people at your newspaper the difference between "benefactor" and "beneficiary." If I see benefactor used in place of beneficiary one more time I will scream!

Bob Levey: Save your larynx. You'll need it for affect-effect and Capitol-capital.

Somewhere, USA: I don't mean for this to sound callous or insensitive, certainly I sympathize with the Pearl family.

However, will anyone agree that perhaps it was a little selfish, if not outright wrong, for Pearl to go to such a dangerous part of the world with his wife six months pregnant? Do Pearl, and his wife, not owe it to their unborn son to take every precaution to at least be alive before he is born?

Doctors advise pregnant women to restrict any sort of dangerous activity during pregnancy. Why couldn't this couple -- just three months away from being actual parents -- do the same?

Again, I am sorry for the loss the Pearl family has suffered, and I'm heartbroken for the boy that will never know his father, but I truly feel Pearl did his son a disservice.

Bob Levey: I see your point, but when you're a journalist, you don't look for ways to hide from The Big Story. By your reasoning, any journalist who's pregnant (or who caused that pregnancy) should spend all nine months living in a tin can. Sorry, the world (and the biz) just don't work that way

Mt. Lebanon, Pa.: I read that an ENRON name change is in the works. The word is that keeping its old name would give new clients the same dread that viewing heaps of dead bodies at creamotoria in northern Georgia would effect. The new name? Well, the insiders say that "Weasels Are Us" is the odds-on favorite. Your take on this? Thanks much.

Bob Levey: W. A. U. is far too truthful. They'll probably come up something like Blissfully Unaware. Or Fifth Amendment Enterprises

Alexandria, Va.: Amusing article about the death of Oldsmobile. It's worth noting that the Intrigue was rated very highly by most of the magazines and groups that rate that type of thing - in one instance, it beat the Camry in a comparison. Of course, GM's inept marketing and advertising killed the product.

Over the past few years, Buick has sold only about 100K more cars than Olds. Thin ice.

Bob Lutz certainly has a big job ahead of him.

Bob Levey: An overly big job. As I wrote this morning, I expect Buick, Cadillac and Pontiac all to die within a few years. You're dead on about inept marketing and advertising. GM never understood that safety and economy were what drove people to Camry (also reliability--mustn't forget that). Just look at Cadillac, as one example. GM really seems to believe that America is still full of 60-somethings who will buy Caddies because their rich uncles did. Sorry, but that share of the market swam over to Mercedes and BMW a long time ago.

Arlington, Va.: Here's a PFLN for you!
Dennis Dollar is the head of the National Credit Union Administration, the regulator for credit unions.

Bob Levey: Goes right into the file. And I don't mean the round one. Many thanks

Washington, D.C.: I know you probably don't consider it your place to pass judgment, but I couldn't believe that you glorified a marriage proposal between teenagers in Wednesday's column! Eighteen and 19 are way too young to get married. (I got married the first time at 22, and THAT was way too young.) Please, don't give people the idea that this proposal was a good thing.

Bob Levey: I'm a big, big fan of commitment. I'd rather see a 19-year-old and an 18-year-old take relationships seriously than bed-hop.
Still, I never considered marrying when I was that age, and I'd be suspicious of any teenager who thought it was "time." Why so soon? Why not get some more experience in the world--and I don't just mean additional dates?

Virginia: Re: The Pearl comment

People don't think cops or troops or anybody else whose profession can be dangerous is "selfish" for doing their job, even if a wife is pregnant.

Bob Levey: Well said. Sometimes the job just has to be done. Do you think Pearl really believed he'd be kidnapped and killed?

Rockville, Md.: Bob:

Somehow, the column on the elderly woman pulling the suspenders of a biker on the Metro -- with a completely normal explanation by the woman, a wonderfully understanding and gracious response by the biker and some wonderful, surreal entertainment for morning subway riders -- elicited a moving response from me and, I'm sure, from thousands of others. This unique little story is a case study in some of the more positive aspects of human behavior and it also provides several important life lessons, courtesy of the elderly woman and the biker: Take advantage of life's opportunities when you can, even if it's something as goofy as pulling some suspenders, and don't ever judge people by their appearances, in regards to the biker, who despite his gruff appearance sounds like a great guy and a teddy bear. Great story.

Bob Levey: Thanks much. I can tell you this: I won't be wearing suspenders any time soon. I figure someone will see me on the Metro and give me a taste of my own column-ic medicine

Arlington, Va.: Some thoughts on the NYT “fraudulent” report.

First of all, of course reporters should be accurate in their reporting. But I also see Mr. Finkel, and Janet Cooke before him, as victims of an immature newsreading public that automatically tunes out social problems but is ready to give it up, emotionally, for an individual. It sounds like he did a lot of sound, important research. But if he had turned in a story about the bleak life choices facing thousands (or millions) of young Africans, as opposed to the story of one such lad with a name to back it up, do you think it would have been published in the NYT Sunday magazine? I think not, no matter how important the story.

Bob Levey: Are you saying that a reporter has to personalize every story to get it published? I don't agree at all--and I hope I never do. "Juicing" is just that--a conscious manipulation of facts. Any reporter who does that has to know that he or she is tempting fate

12th Floor Metro Center: Bob, I'm a staunch supporter of Metro, but they surely dropped the ball on this one, saying that the woman who was dragged -- 200 feet, mind you, is partly responsible for getting stuck in the door. There were two technical errors AND the conductor didn't check to make sure that everyone was safely inside the doors. The guy deserved to be fired, and Metro owes this woman an apology.

On a brighter note, enjoy your vacation. I'm off to NYC this weekend so if I run into World's Greatest Daughter, i'll send her your love! Enjoy your well-deserved time off Bob!!

Bob Levey: Metro could certainly apologize to this woman without compromising its legal position. By the way, Bob Levey's Washington has reported on several incidents over the years when passengers tried to "bop" subway doors (the way you can with an elevator door). It is very, very dangerous. Yet Metro has never warned the public, as it should have (and should in the future).
Thanks for the kind words about World's Greatest Daughter. We'll be up in NYC ourselves in a few days, to see her in a student production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Can't wait!

Philadelphia, Pa.: Actually; Daniel Pearl turned down several stories/story ideas because his wife was pregnant. If I recall correctly, he stayed out of Afghanistan during that time.

I believe he felt it was safer in Karachi because it wasn't as "lawless" as, say, Khandahar.

Bob Levey: Correct. He did decline to go to Afghanistan. And he was very wise. What a strange war this is! Ten times as many scribes have been killed in Afghanistan as soldiers. That has never happened before

Beltsville, Md.: Since no-fighting is more your cup of tea, have you been able to catch any of the Olympic hockey games? Our team is doing really well this go-round (as opposed to the debacle in Nagano four years ago).

As an FYI, today is the 22nd anniversary - to the day - of the "Miracle On Ice". And, again, we are playing Russia on American soil.

Any predictions?

Bob Levey: I only wish I'd had time to watch ANY of the Olympics. I haven't seen one second of them. Sorry, Beltsville (and NBC)

Alexandria, Va.: I'm submitting early.

You have complained a number of times that the scribe profession is not the best-paid in the world. Be that as it may, you should surely have to pay The Post for the opportunity to write the suspenders column. That was such a wonderful story! The incident, small as it was, was just hysterical as it unfolded.

Bob Levey: You're very kind. Thanks very much.

Lorton, Va.: I notice a tendency that between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, the online version of your article jumps from Style to Metro. Are there multiple print editions where you article appears in Metro (I've only ever seen your wit and wisdom next to the comics you love oh so dearly)? Either way, why the mid-day jump?

Bob Levey: You are asking me to explain the inner workings of washingtonpost.com, a task that has broken the spirit of humans much greater than I. It all begins with the fundamental problem in the print Post: Bob writes a Metro column. He is carried on the Metro staff's roster. Yet his column runs in the Style section.
My guess: All of the piece in the print Style section are automatically transferred into the dot-com Style section. Then an editor goes in and transfers my column to the dot-com Metro section.
Yes, this problem would cease to be a problem if my column ran in the print Metro section. But to accomplish that, you'll have to drag me kicking and screaming. I ADORE being on the comics pages (even if it gives my detractors and easy shot to the body--"Now I know why they run your column on the comics page," the wise guys always say). Why wouldn't I want to be on a page that's super-well-read?

Philadelphia, Pa.: Bob;

You're up against the girl scout cookie chat today...

Time for you to 'fess up: When the co-workers come around with the boxes full of cookies, which brand do you immediately sign up for?

Bob Levey: If the Girl Scouts out-Nielsen "Levey Live: Speaking Freely," I'll hang up my cleats.
I wish I could say I never chomp GS Cookies. I have, dear Lord, I have. But I won't this year. There's just too much of Mrs. Levey's oldest boy already.

Vacation!!??: Didn't you just take one when Children's was over? And didn't you have it kind of easy during Children's since every other column was just a list of donors and a story by your researcher/assistant about a Children's kid? Jeez, Bob, some of us get one week per year vacation, max, and don't even have time to take that!! How many vacations per year do you have (how much total time?)

Bob Levey: I took three days off after Children's. THREE WHOLE DAYS!!!! Before that, I took a coupla weeks in August. So I went five months without any time off (that includes national holidays--just another workday for me).
I earn four weeks of vacation a year. That's pretty standard in any industry for a dude who has spent nearly 35 years ion the employ of the s ame company.
The answer here isn't to trash me as being a loafer. The answer is for you to get more than one week off!

Laurel, Md.: Another fitting name taken right from the pages of the Post sports section. The NFL's first black quarterback recently passed away. His name was Willie Thrower.

Bob Levey: I "did" Mr. Thrower years ago, in an early Perfect Fit Last Names column

Metro Ettiquette: Hi Bob, I’d like your advice please on a Metro etiquette question. This has happened twice in the last week:

I am boarding a crowded train, and a teenaged girl is camped out in the door, which slows the process considerably. I put a huge smile in my voice and ask the girl to “Please step in, we’re all trying to board.” The girl stares off into space, doesn’t move, and swears at me when I pass.

I’m 29—not exactly a geezer, but last time I checked that makes me an adult. And I was raised that teenagers do not swear at anybody, particularly adults. I have been tempted to make comments along the lines of “I just asked you politely to step in. Swearing is unnecessary and extremely rude.” Something tells me this wouldn’t do any good, though.

Your thoughts?

Bob Levey: You wouldn't change the teenager's behavior (or soul) on the spot, no. But it's very, very important to speak up, I believe--even at the risk of starting an incident.
For example, yesterday evening, I was driving out to Virginia for a speaking engagement, I turned from M Street onto southbound 19th, I had gone about 30 feet when a young woman jaywalked merrily in front of me. I came within three feet of killing her.
I beeped.
She shot me the bird.
Let it go?
Yeah, I could have.
But I rolled down the window and said, "Thanks very much for the editorial comment. Next time, try the crosswalk."
Truly, I want that woman to live to be a grandmother. That's why I said what I said. I don't believe that I'll change her attitude toward jaywalking because of what I said. But it might be a start

Charlotte, N.C.: To the poster who would have journalists about to become parents pass on dangerous assignments. A couple questions. What would you have these people do once they actually are parents? Do they then continue to refuse assignments? Do they stop driving a car, which is a statistically more likely way to die? Do they stop working in office buildings, since many children lost a parent on September 11? Life being the uncertain proposition it is, for all of us, the only way to be responsible to our children is to be sure we have provided for them in the event of any circumstance we can't predict. Know who will take care of your children, have financial plans made, whether your job is reporting from a war zone or accounting or waiting tables. Doesn't matter.

Bob Levey: Very, very right. It isn't just journalists who don't prepare a will, don't designate another adult to care for children in case of the parents' death, etc.

Fairfax, Va.: Hey Bob...

Gotta say... I'm a 32 year old female, and I ADORE my Oldsmobile. Maybe it's because, at 16, I was allowed to drive my Dad's 2 door Cutlass Supreme, and I thought I was hot stuff! Sure, after that I went through a series of little foreign sedans, but 3 years ago at the Washington Auto Show, I slid into a 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass and said, "now this ISN'T my father's Oldsmobile!" Next September, I bought that very model in that very color.

Of course, I really miss the El Camino too (dear old Dad drove those as well). Maybe that says something about my taste??

Bob Levey: You may be the only 32-year-old female in America whose blood runs hot when you slip behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile.
My blood barely runs.
A couple of years ago, I was squiring World's Greatest Daughter around the country to look at colleges. We flew into Cleveland and rented a car. Yup, an Olds. Unprompted, Emily said: "This has to be the most boring car in the history of the world." No argument from this corner.

Bloomington, Ind.: Re: Levey Residency:

I (almost) always read Levey in the Metro e-section first thing in the morning; but I have noticed that it is referenced in the Syle e-section also.

Bob Levey: More ways to find the Bobster! I'm all for that!

Capitol Hill, D.C.: Afternoon Bob,

Like you, I am a big fan of the Metro. One thing WMATA should consider changing, though, is the placement of poles close to doors in cars. Now the ones in the middle of the aisle, but close to doors become places where people congregate, with little regard for those trying to get in. If the poles were further towards the middle of a car, this problem might be less severe.

Bob Levey: Also, Metro MUST remove those plexiglass panels that separate the door area from the first set of seats.
Levey's Law: Give 'em a wall and they'll lean against it.
Corollary: Take away the wall, and they might decide to move into the body of the car

re: Vacation: not trashing you, Bob, just wishing you wouldn't kvetch quite so much about your low pay, too hard work schedule. They are all choices, you know, and many would consider you very very lucky to have them! Some of us work horrid hours for low pay and get almost no time off AND don't have what we consider to be "the world's greatest job". Also, your "low pay" and other's "low pay" most likely are quite different things!

Bob Levey: I have never said that I'm missing any meals. I know that my pay ranks way up there compared to most (I also know that Big Boss may be checking out this chat!)

Argh!: Carolyn just said that until the end of March she'll be doing two hour sessons - noon to 2pm.

I can't handle this toggling between windows.

Bob Levey: Why is she doing two hours a shot only through the end of March. Does love take a worse dive when the weather starts warming up?

RE: Young Marriage: Who's to say what age is too young to get married? I was married at 23 and am going on five years of marriage. I work with someone who has been married since she was 16 and is still married some 25 years later. Age is a number, not a measure of maturity.

Bob Levey: True, but please don't try to tell me that most teenagers are ready or able to handle a marriage. Most of them can't even handle a date (yeah, I know, an unprovable generalization--but I'll bet teens themselves would agree).

Washington, D.C.: You dodged the question Bob!

Thin Mints or Samoas?

Bob Levey: When I junk out, neither......
Chocolate chips!
yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

RE: Pearl comment: OH, come on. This week's People Mag has a picture of the 31 women and their babies born after their fathers died on 9/11. Many of those men were firefighters and police. Does your poster think those men should have stayed home until their children were 18 to assure that they had fathers? I mean, why stop at requiring it for 9 months?

Bob Levey: It's trite but true.
Nothing is promised.
Certainly not freedom from vengeful or accidental death.

Bethesda, Md.: Bob, the very first "pre-owned" car I ever purchased as a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero that I bought in late 2000.
Previously I had been locked into the hype that I needed to own a new car to ensure I had a good car. Well, financial reality set in and I went in search of something economical and reliable, but still a bit sporty.
I am hardly anybody's maiden aunt, but I found a love my Alero. It's the best car I've ever owned (and over the years I've had a Ford Escort, a Chevy Camaro, a Toyota Camry - and for a brief pricey time - a BMW.)
The gas mileage on the Alero is awesome and it handles better than the Camero ever did. I nearly dissolved into tears when I heard the Olds line was being discontinued.
I just hope I'll be able to get parts for it as it fades into automotive history. I love my Alero and I mourn the loss of the Olds line.

Bob Levey: You sound as if you don't care what people say or think when they slide up next to you at red lights. For that, I salute you.
For details, I unsalute you.
Any Toyota, Honda or Saturn will out-mileage your Alero.
Any bottom-of-the-line Ford or Chevy will cost less.
Any Taurus or Chrysler will handle better than your baby.
All you've got is a couch on wheels that may last a while--and may not. It is AT BEST equal to other makes. It is ON AVERAGE not equal to any of them.

Re: Vacation: Why must people always be in a "my job is worse than yours" match? Some jobs are good, some are bad. Get over it! Everybody has the right to complain once in a while without getting smacked down. And enjoy your vacation, Bob. I think you deserve it.

Bob Levey: I have to say: I think I do, too. Thanks!

Alexandria, Va.: I was picking up someone the other day at BWI and while waiting at the terminal I was informed (rudely) that there was no stopping allowed! When I tried to explain that I was there to pick someone up, the cop/security person just kept pointing to a sign that said "no parking or stopping" She then (rudely) told me that I could park in the lot and the first half hour would be free. I left the area and circled around once more and stopped to look for my friend. I was parked for less than a minute while I scanned the crowd. That was all the time I needed to get a $35 dollar ticket!!!!!

Will I ever use BWI again? Probably, but I'll try like hell to avoid it.

Is air travel just one hassle after another? (even for the non-traveler)? Yes!

Do I feel safer now vs. pre-Sept. 11? NO!

Have the terrorists won? Here and there, yes.

Bob Levey: Come on. Do you expect cops to make an exception for you and only you? Don't you realize that car and truck bombs are of great concern to police all over the country--especially at busy places like BWI? As for getting whacked for $35 in less than a minute, why does it matter how long you were parked illegally? A violation is a violation.
And if you think you'll find any more lenient rules (or enforcement) at any other airport.... you won't.

Richland, Wash.:

Hi. I'm a former DC area resident and am planning to fly out to BWI in a couple of weeks.

If you have any Metroniks on today, I'd like to ask a question:

A friend told me that Metro now runs a bus from BWI to the Greenbelt station. Is that true?

Thank you.

Bob Levey: Yup. Every 40 minutes. In each direction. Seven days a week. Costs $2, I believe. REALLYREALLYREALLYREALLY a great addition to the local transit scene. Full details available on the WMATA web site.

Married at 19....: and divorced at 24. The stats are real: young marriage brings a LOT of problems, and a very HIGH divorce rate. (check out a recent Census report on marriage and divorce that came out last week, I think).

Bob Levey: If I'm being too nosy, say so, but.......
It wasn't your youth alone that caused your divorce. I'm guessing here, but wasn't it job stress, money stress, sexual stress, emotional maturity (or lack of it)? Those are the same factors that torpedo marriages at any age, aren't they?

Ashley's Mom: Bob --

Just had to say that the sleepover was a success! No fights, no late night trips to take someone home.

On another matter, I was appalled when I read the chat with Marc Fischer yesterday and he encouraged people to jump into Metro doors as they were closing. Is he insane? Anyway ...

Bob Levey: Really glad to hear that you (and everyone else) had a good time. As for the Fisher-man and subway doors, he will change his tune the first time half of him ends up inside a car and the other half doesn't.
One more time, gang.
Metro doors DO NOT spring back like elevator doors.
Never did.
Probably never will (unless Metro spends three zillion bucks to retrofit them--highly doubtful).

BWI picker-upper:: Get over yourself. This is true at ALL airports, and for a good reason. The last thing I want to see while circling to pick up a friend is an idling U-Haul with nobody in it! Be happy that they let you park for 30 minutes free.

Bob Levey: Amen and a half

Arlington, Va.: My heart bleeds for poor Alexandria. After all, they were only blocking traffic for less than a minute. And, after all, most of those other people on the road were probably from Baltimore and so there's no way their time could be as valuable as an important Washingtonians. And the nerve of that cop! Enforcing the law!

Too bad the ticket was only $35.

Bob Levey: I could have suggested that Alexandria take the Greenbelt-to-BWI Metrobus next time, but hey, why pile on?

Beltsville, Md.: Greenbelt to BWI:

$2.10

Bob Levey: Less than $35, eh?

Olney, Md.: Anyone who is irked by your column "jumping" sections on the web site is going about it all wrong. You're at the top of my list at mywashingtonpost.com, where I can list up to 25 columns or columnists in any order I want.

Bob Levey: My gawsh!
I'll have to change my resume!
Bob Levey--Bookmark!

Bethesda, Md.: Hi Bob

A big thumbs-up to your column of two weeks back calling for ALL dogs to be leashed in public.

Now, when can we expect a similar piece on not letting cats roam free in urban areas? You're welcome to visit my back yard if you want--it's the neighborhood litterbox.

Bob Levey: Our back yard is literally dotted with the graves of Levey cats who were allowed to roam outside--and who contracted the feline form of AIDS.
If you love your kiddie, keep her/him indoors.
The cat will repay you handsometly, int wo ways.
1) A long life.
2) Nightly walks across your face at 3:14 a.m.

La Plata, Md.: Hi Bob. I just wanted to comment about the Wedding show proposal. I still don't think I like this kind of public display. This puts a lot of pressure on the woman (or man in this day) being asked. Would she really say no in front of everyone? I still think a nice quiet setting or at least where you can have some privacy is where it should happen.

Bob Levey: No, she wouldn't really say no in front of everyone. But in the case of this couple (and most), there isn't really any doubt. She knew that he'd pop the question sometime/somewhere. There was no real doubt about what she would say. And he surely knew this, too.

Capitol Hill: I used the Metro Bus from BWI to the Greenbelt station last Sunday. It was great.

It is $2 and while it looks like a regular Metro Bus from the outside, the seats are very comfy (think blue, soft and plush).

There's only one pick-stop at BWI. You have to go to Concourse E (the International arrivals/departures) for the bus.

I'll definitely use it in the future.

Bob Levey: The testimonials come romping in.......

Rockville, Md.: Bob: What, exactly, is wrong with a restaurant offering police officers free food? In the small town that I grew up in -- a small town where people know each other, talk to each other without attitude, where people are not rude, where people smile and offer a nice hello, etc. -- it was common courtesy and common practice for stores to politely offer police officers a sandwich, a pastry, a hot drink. All done in the spirit of community, of politeness, of thanking these folks for the job that they do. The simple practice -- one of, again, gratitude, mind you -- helped contribute to a sense of community. And if there is one thing that many areas of the D.C. metropolitan area need, it's a sense of community. So let stores be nice to police officers -- it helps the officers, the stores and the community. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Bob Levey: If it were just a q

Bob Levey: Sorry, hit the wrong button.....
If it were just a matter of niceness, you'd be right. But it's really a matter of discrimination.
If I provide free food to a cop, that cop will come to my establishment relatively more often. Therefore, he'll go to other places on his beat relatively less often. Isn't it therefore obvious that he who feeds a cop buys a break for himself?

Richland, Wash.: Cool! I just found the info, Bob. Thanks!

BTW...while I was looking, I happened upon the following site. It shows websites for EVERY mass transit agency in the WORLD!!!

http://www.apta.com/sites/

Bob Levey: Just for fun.....
Do subways in other cities have you-can't-bop-them doors?

Arlington, Va.: On what evidence do you base your assertions re: the Alero driver? I believe it is true that an Alero gets mileage just as good as a Honda, Toyota, Saturn. I will bet that it does indeed handle better than a Taurus! The Alero is a sporty car for an Olds, the Taurus will never be considered sporty by anyone. Furthermore, Camry's have very vague handling and steering. Have you driven all of these cars so you can actually make a comparison? This person has owned several cars and can make a relatively driect comparison. I think you've just bought into the traditional hype and "conventional wisdom".

Bob Levey: I've driven all of them, and I'd rank the Alero at the very, very bottom, in the categories (and for the reasons) I mentioned.
Please know that I don't just shoot from the hip on this discussion (or in the column, or on the radio, or on TV, or anywhere). I'll give opinions, sure. But I won't swing wildly, or without any basis

Kingstowne, Va.: Howdy Bob -- I'm flying tomorrow for the first time since Sept. 11. (I have always, even before the terrorist attacks, preferred driving.) But my wife and I are going to the Caribbean, and there's no highway there. So my question to you is: How early should I arrive for an 8:30 a.m. flight out of Reagan? How long should I be prepared to wait in line? What security measures should I be prepared for? Thanks in advance!

Bob Levey: I've "done" National Airport about five times since Sept. 11. I've never had to wait more than 25 minutes (from curb to gate).
A few factors for you to consider.
8:30 on a Saturday morning is anything but rush hour. You shouldn't see much of a crowd at all.
However, if you have a lot of baggage, you might want to allow extra time. Also if you are flying a popular airline (United, American and USAirways operate the largest numbers of flights from DCA), lines at the checkin counter sometimes form.

Metro doors: I always assumed Metro purposedly chose doors that wouldn't bounce back so that they could CLOSE them.

Can you imagine: rush hour on Metro...people running down the escalator...sticking out a hand to make the doors open, or holding them for a slower friend.

I'm glad the doors stay shut.

Bob Levey: Exactly right. If you could bop the doors, no train would ever leave a busy station

Metro Media Relations: Just so you know, we have apologized to the woman who was involved in the January 9th incident at our Gallery Place-Chinatown station, through the media and by phone to her and her attorneys. There were at least three contributing factors involved in the incident in question, two of which we dealt with immediately. The third, passenger education, is something we do but perhaps need to do better, and with more frequency and intensity. Thanks for giving us a voice today.

Bob Levey: From the mouth of the Metro horses..... Thanks, gang

Dupont Circle, D.C.: You should see the show in front of the Corner Bakery at 19th and L every morning about 8:00 AM. As many as seven cop motorcycles (with sidecars!) parked on the sidewalk! This while commuters navigate through crosswalks avoiding drivers who recognize the void in District traffic enforcement.

Bob Levey: Nothing could be better than the cop I once saw who stopped on Upper Connecticut Avenue during morning rush hour (in a clearly marked NO PARKING zone) so he could run up to the Potomac Video store and return a movie!
Yes, I wrote about it.
Believe it or not, the cop called to complain. He asked what else he was supposed to do.
ANYTHING else, I told him

Boston: The "T" up here has extremely boppable doors. With the result that during rush hour the train stands in the station for five minutes while a series of "just one more" passengers try to jump aboard. Drives me crazy!

Bob Levey: Exactly my point a minute ago. Thanks

Reston, Va.: Bob,

It seems the media treating the murder of Pearl differently since he was one of their own. I haven't seen a microphone shoved into his wife's face with the compulsory question "How does that make you feel?"

Bob Levey: The biggest difference is that Mrs. Pearl is a journalist herself. So she knows how and when not to say anything. Most of those "ambush" interviews ("How does it make you feel?") are visited by dumb-as-a-rock TV reporters upon dazed and grieving spouses who have never seen what happens when the lights go on.

Dupont: I know this is a pretty small issue in the scheme of things, but is there anything that can be done to stem the tide of Starbucks popping up all over my beloved District? I'm not one of those rabid anti-coffee people, I'm just getting so tired of seeing every charming, visible locale in this city (16th&U, 22nd&P, 15th&K...) being overtaken by a business model we're already over-saturated with.

Short of suggesting I buy up the properties myself and install creative, unique restaurants and shops (I've seen my paycheck, and I KNOW that's not going to happen...), in your great wisdom, what should I do, Mr. Bob?

Bob Levey: Well, I tried to stem the tide about a year ago with a spoof column about how Starbucks wanted to buy up all those hot dog carts down on the Mall and charge $8.95 for a bottle of water. Obviously, I need to go back to the drawing board....

Beltsville, Md.: Good luck to WGD in "Seven Brides". One of my all-time favorites!

Bob Levey: The barn-raising scene is one the greats! I'm going to be interested to see how the kids handle it. The version of 7B7B in which my daughter will appear is going to be staged in a classroom!

Bethesda, Md.: ARe we actually going to let Mike Tyson box in Washington? The fight hasn't even occured and there are already questionable things going on: the man who is in charge of the Boxing Commission is also deeply involved in promoting the fight. No conflict there. There has also been talk that the one night would bring in astronomical amounts of revenue. I doubt it. Why doesn't the District cut its losses and take Abe Polin's lead. He's waiting for Mayor Williams. Maybe this is one of those tests that will determine what type of mayor he is.

Bob Levey: Williams has SHOWN what kind of mayor he is. He understands that this is about race, period. Blacks want Tyson to fight here (for the most part). Williams has been accused since Day One of "not being black enough." Williams is running for re-election. Put two and two and two together

Washington, D.C.: Why did the Post feel compelled to run off-lede today the "admission" by Pentagon officials that U.S. defense forces accidentally killed 16 civilian casualties? What's the big deal? Off-lede? Sure, 16 civilian deaths is tragic. But we are AT WAR. We killed thousands of civilians in Dresden. And the terrorists have killed about 2,984 more civilian casualties than we have. Post editors made a stupid choice in making this story so prominent.

Bob Levey: It was Rumsfeld's argumentativeness that led to such play. Still, if I were the Big Boys last night, I would have done a little less with that story--and a whole lot more with Sharon's remarks on the future of Israel. What was that story doing on A16?

Caribbean traveler: I just went to Jamaica about a week ago, and we had to be at the airport (Dulles) 2 hrs early, since it was an international flight. I called the airline to confirm. Happy vacation!

Bob Levey: Not clear whether the previous poster is going to the islands by way of Miami or Houston (wouldn't he have to? -- I'm not sure you can fly directly to the Caribbean from National). Still, good advice. Thanks

Washington, DC: Why were you driving to your speaking engagement last night rather than taking Metro? As I recall, you've repeatedly said that no one should drive as a way of commuting, and that everyone should take Metro except on the weekends. You're a hypocrite. And to whom were you speaking? And how much were they paying you for your wisdom?

Bob Levey: The speaking engagement was in Gainesville, Va., Mr. Short Fuse. Metro doesn't go within 30 miles of there.

Annapolis, Md.: I've noticed an disturbing trend under this administration whereby officials avoid any real in-depth dialog.

Even in areas where there are strong substantive disagreements with Congress, the administration usually makes odd comments like "the President looks forward to working with Congress to resolve this issue in a by-partisan manner."

Is this my imagination or has the White House become much more guarded in interacting with the general public?

Bob Levey: This White House has played it so close to the vest that the vest is starting to become threadbare. They aren't the first to do this. But it almost always boomerangs, sooner or later.

Washington, D.C.: To Dupont:
Starbucks is a conspiracy!

Bob Levey: Starbucks is a headache!
Literally.
Do they inject caffeine into their java with a hypodermic needle? Man, is Starbucks' coffee "Jumpy juice!"

Kingstowne, Va.: Bob, you seem to share my lack of respect for, as you said "dumb as a rock" TV reporters. I am continually shocked at the level of ignorance displayed by eye-candy "journalists" who can barely fumble their way through reading a teleprompter. I mean, the mispronounciations are just cringe-inducing. How can people so stupid get such lucrative jobs at CNN/FOX/MCNBC etc.? Is it really just their pretty faces (men and women both)?

Bob Levey: Put it this way.
The last time I spoke to a junior high school class about journalism, the majority of kids said they wanted to be TV anchors when they grew up.
Not reporters.
Oh, no.
That takes too much work.
They just wanted all the "face time" (and all the money, of course).
Why do you think kids feel that way? Because of the moron level on the screen of today, of course.

Dupont, D.C.: Bob,
What is up with the singing/praying guy on the Metro in the mornings?

Bob Levey: I think it's Tyson. He's trying to turn over a new leaf

Jamaica: We formally protest the results of the 2 man Bobsled compettion, and demand we be given a gold medal. As one of the all time great "Bobs" we ask for your support!

Bob Levey: Another Web-ster who's been drinking too much Starbucks

Bob Levey: That be all we have time for, gang. Thanks for joining in. Even though I'll be on vacation next week (GRRRRRRRRRRRR to that guy who thinks I'm a slacker!), "Levey Live" will march on! I'll be online Tuesday at noon Eastern time and again on Friday (also at noon Eastern--an hour earlier than usual). Type atcha then...

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