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, Nov. 15, 2002; Noon ET

"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.

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, click-o-maniacs, and welcome to that great digital sluiceway known as cyberspace. My name is Bob and I'll be your server today (WHAT a pun!).
We're getting started an hour earlier than usual today because I have to hit the more conventional kind of road this afternoon--the kind made of concrete.
It's a major soccer weekend for World's Greatest Son and his papa. Son is playing in a big tournament in Raleigh, N.C. As you know, if you don't pass through Northern Virginia before 2 p.m., you'll spend the night there. Which we can't do.
So.....
To cases....
As veterans know, the next hour belongs to you. Any subject is fair game, although bonus points are awarded for questions about recent columns, recent news events and Bob Levey's fabulous looks.
Her-r-r-r-r-re we go........

Washington, D.C.: Howdy, Bob! Yesterday I finally got up the nerve to confront someone eating on Metro, as you recommend. It took place around noon at Farragut North. A gentleman on the platform began eating mints (he actually looked a little like you, though I know it couldn't have been you because you've been dieting and he was quite plump, and of course you wouldn't be eating on Metro!). I walked by him and said "No eating on Metro!" To which he replied, "Mints are permitted. I'm good with the Lord." Is this true? Are mints permitted on Metro? Thanks, Bob, and keep up the great work!

Bob Levey: It was me and it's true.

Vienna, Va.: Bob:

I'd like to share a story with you. As a lifelong resident of the Washington area, I am ocassionally surprised by the beauty of the city, which I've, for better or worse, come to take for granted. Mind you, not in the monuments so much as the people. Some aspects of the city can go either way; that is, better or worse. Take street vendors, for example. Yesterday I was delighted to purchase a piece of art from an artist in Chinatown. The man was "painting" people's names. He had exquisite technique and skill. He would use animals (e.g., birds, butterflies, dolphins) and other forms for the individual letters. Does this art form have a name? I have to say this man was truly talented, and my chance encounter with him was the highlight of my week and it more than compensated for the sometimes unpleasant experiences I have in the city.

Bob Levey: Thanks for one of those city-believing moments. UI have no idea what this form of art is called. Anyone else?

Washington, D.C.: Hi, Bob. I moved to the District from Chicago earlier this year. My question may seem silly, however I have asked people near my apartment as well as in my offices and no one has any answers. I'd just like to know why helicopters circle my neighborhood (Dupont) for approximately 20 minutes about once a week between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. I would understand if it were a police helicopter, but they don't have any search lights -- they simply circle about a half block radius for 20 minutes and then leave. They are low enough for the windows to vibrate and don't appear to be serving any purpose, but I'm sure they must have a reason. Any clues?

Bob Levey: I've chased this down several times and have always been told it's "national security." No one will ever be more specific.
My guess is that it relates to defense of the air corridors around the Hill and the White House. But that's just a guess.

Washington, D.C.: Is it true that yesterday at noon you were caught eating mints on the Farragut North Metro platform? Mon dieu, Ro-bert!

Bob Levey: Caught?
They're legal!

Washington, D.C.: Howdy Bob!
Did you manage to get Pat Conroy for a chat? Finish the book? Worth a read?

Bob Levey: Conroy is now doing a national tour for his new book, "My Losing Season." We expect to get him as a "Levey Live" guest sometime in January.
I did read the book and found it a bit uneven, although still very engaging most of the way. I'm not sure it'll beam through to women, because it seems at first blush to be about basketball (the only subject more certain to bring groans to a woman's lips is fishing). But for Conroy, hoops is only a point of departure. This is a book about being a young man, about ambition, about the tyranny of his coach, about rediscovering his teammates 30 years alter. Worth a read, for sure.

Baltimore, Md.: Why can't Sacagawea take the Metro? Bob, master of all things Metro, can you please explain why the golden dollars that the treasury department spent so much money promoting can't even be used to buy Metro cards here in the nation's capital? Seems to be a perfect use for these cool coins, and I got a bunch from my bank for this purpose but now it looks like I'll have to continue to find $1 bills or else count my dimes, nickles, and quarters. Color me discontented Baltomuter.

Bob Levey: It would sure seem sensible. Bu when you aleady own 5,485,745,826,836,475 Farecard machines, and you'd have to spend serious money to retrofit them, well, you're dreaming, Baltimore, I'm afraid.

Springfield, Va.: Hi Bob. Regarding your Amtrak column: I take Amtrak frequently, once a month or more, between D.C. and New York. Most of the time, I take the "cheap" train, which really isn't so cheap even with my triple AAA discount -- about $140 roundtrip. Still, it's the best way to travel. When I'm going for work-related trips, sometimes I'll take a Metroliner or the Acela. I wanted you to know that with rare exception, my experience is the opposite of yours: Three of the four times I've taken the Acela Express, the trains have been running at least a half hour late, and up to two hours late. Also, when I'm standing there in Penn Station, as I so often am, the boards frequently list the Acela as running late. I think you got lucky with your trip. More often than not, my "cheap" train is on time and perfectly comfortable -- though I wish more of them had footrests. Some do. I couldn't agree more about the miserable food. I bring power bars with me. Personally, I love to beat up on people and institutions that would put the interests of the monied class ahead of the rest of us, but in my experience on Amtrak, my cheap seats have gotten me to New York just as fast or faster than the expensive ones. Hope you'll keep encouraging people to take the train, no matter what class they're traveling.

Bob Levey: In one sense, I'm glad to hear that Amtrak doesn't beat up on those who take the cheaper trains (as I charged in my Wednesday column). I just wish that every train could be on time, regardless of class, as trains routinely are in Switzerland, France and most of the Middle East.
Don't worry about my continuing to urge people to take the train. I'm on board (TERRIBLE pun!).

12th Floor Metro Center: Bob, call me old-fashioned, but I prefer the look of the older metro cars. The new ones certainly run smoother, but I just don't like the look. Also, I'd swear there is less room between seats on the newer cars.

Bob Levey: The cranberry and blue decor just doesn't work on those new trains, if you ask me. The two colors just don't blend well. But if you're telling me that you SERIOUSLY like those two shades of burnt orange, those limp shades of light brown...... you must enjoy Smothers Brothers re-runs, too!

New York, N.Y.: Mr. Levey:

I wanted to address a comment you made in your Tuesday forum, where you stated: "At Harvard, Yale and Princeton, you'll never see a full professor deigning to teach a freshman." I was just wondering what facts you rely upon to support this assertion?

I ask because only a few years ago, I graduated from Princeton. I can assure you that every class in which I was enrolled was taught by a professor. In fact, classes were attended by students of all levels -- I shared all of my classrooms with freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Thus, it would be nigh impossible for a professor to withhold from teaching freshmen.

I would also like to add that the problem you attribute to such Ivy League institutions is more of an issue at state colleges (I am basing this on conversations with people who attended such schools.). State schools are generally large, while also lacking the endowment to pay for a huge faculty. As a result, state schools often use graduate students as a cheap alternative to professors. [Edited for space.]

Bob Levey: The no-professors story has been widely covered in the trade press, even including the Harvard press. It began to be a serious problem about 30 years ago, when Henry Kissinger (still supposedly active on the harvard faculty) spent every waking minute in D.C. advising Nixon on the war. Other Harvard pros were quick to follow, in every other discipline.
As for state schools, I agree entirely that the money pinch has produced an epidemic of under-tenured (and under-qualified?) teachers of undergrads. I heard from a math major at Virginia Tech a few days ago who told me that she has never taken a class with anyone other than a "24-year-old grad student who barely speaks English."

Washington, D.C.: I know this has been mentioned before and dismissed, but the "homeless hotel" at the McPherson Square Vermont Ave. exit is out of control. There are often 20 homeless men and women sitting, milling about, muttering loudly, drinking beer, etc. I know it must be a convenient place for them, but it's very unpleasant to dodge people both morning and night there. Does Metro not even care?

Bob Levey: Metro cares, but the legalities and practicalities of moving those people elsewhere are daunting. At least they don't threaten passengers, or curse them--not from what I've seen anyway. And I use that entrance/exit nearly every day.

Silver Spring, Md.: Howdy Bob --

Well, I like the new Metro car design, BUT -- I'm 4'11". There's no way I can reach the overhead handrail. I was hoping for more vertical rails on the new design, because I hate having to hold the handrails that are mounted on the back of the seats. It's too invasive of someone else's personal space, nor do I want strangers resting their heads on my hand!

Any chance the Powers That Be at WMATA can re-think the design a little for its petite clientele?

Bob Levey: This is obviously going to be a major issue for anyone your size, and anyone as large as 5-feet-4, I'd estimate. Prediction: Metro will bend and re-erect floor-to-ceiling poles near doors--not as many as infest that space right now, but some.

Washington, D.C.: Bob,

I hit a 7-inch pothole in the city which led to $1,700 in damage to my car. I know there were others. Can I be reimbursed by the city and how do I go about it?

Bob Levey: It's legally possible but very, very unlikely in the real world.
You'd have to sue in small claims court and prove that the pothole you hit caused the damage. That'll require more than your say-so. It'll require a witness, or three. If you don't have witnesses, take a deep breath and chalk this one up to life's unfairness.

Easton, Md.: Bob, you've written columns harping about the rules aboard planes entering National Airport (the no-get-up-30-minutes away, no-exceptions rule). I wanted to bring this to your attention too. National Airport is the only airport in America that does not allow civil air traffic to land or take off, ever. This is completely unfair. I used to be able to take my private plane, load up with friends and family, and fly into National, park and spend the day or weekend in the city. That means no car what-so-ever for us. However, now I can't do that and haven't been back to Washington,D.C. since.

I've been looking for another way, but the closest airport that will allow all civil aircraft seems to be in Charles County. Landing there means I still have to rent a car and drive into the city.

I just wanted to bring this fact of life up to you and your readers. It seems the federal government really doesn't care about Washington, D.C. tourism at all.

Bob Levey: I'm well aware of this, and well aware that Charles County is now closest. It used to be Bowie, which is only about 11 miles from the White House. But that arrangement bit the dust after Sept. 11. Closest Virginia airport that accepts private traffic is, I believe, Manassas, which is 30 miles from the White House at least.
Sure, this seems unfair in some ways. Your taxes built and maintain National Airport. But it reminds me of the HOV-lanes argument. Not every public works project can serve every citizen, or the public will actually be served worse (because of delays and crowding).

Ca.: This past election was my first since moving from D.C. last year. It was wonderful. Sure I voted, but out here politics aren't the all-encompassing, only-thing-people-talk-about event that it is out there. I was able to go to work without some knucklehead going on about who won or lost since politics simply aren’t that important to people west of the Beltway. Maybe if our politicians and government would take a similar attitude, Congress would actually serve the interests of the American people and our government wouldn’t be the incompetent mess -- re: FBI, INS, etc., etc. -- it is.

Bob Levey: In fact, west-of-the-Alleghenies is what gave Washington the Republican tide of 2002. So I'd say that lesson has already been learned, on both sides of the mountains. Thanks, California.

Washington, D.C.: Bob,

Did you get any feedback from people about this collective bargaining controversy that held up the homeland security bill? My take from being in civil service was that the civil service protections are so strong (protect your job, pay) that the collective bargaining rights are just window dressing. But, it's a union thing, so the Democrats were obligated. P.S. What brand of mints?

Bob Levey: Goevrnment employees are really outraged--and not just those who take an active part in their unions. Why wouldn't they be?
Bush's position on this is nonsense. Since when do basic employee protections mean that management can't manage? Does Bush want to destroy the civil service entirely? Sure sounds as if he wouldn't mind. But what would happen then? Savings? Efficiency? Neither of those is clearly in prospect.
Wintergreen.
The drug of choice!

Arlington, Va.: Bob, thank you for your tribute to the doctor today. My first "real" boss died last month due to complications from radical chemotherapy treatment as a result of treating lung cancer, and I feel as though I'll be mourning for a while. When I graduated from college and couldn't go into my chosen field (teaching), I managed to find a job with this man and he proved to be exactly what I needed to get my life back on track. It's been over 10 years since I worked for him, but the inner strength and work ethic I learned stays with me even now. He was a good person, and I'll miss him.

Bob Levey: Thanks for the kind words about today's column, and for your own memories

Silver Spring, Md: Bob,

In one of your columns you mentioned an artist who did paintings of the other Washington landmarks like the Krispy Kreme sign. I have misplaced the article and would like to know where I can purchase the paintings.

Thanks and I enjoy your articles. Have a great weekend.

Bob Levey: Go to www.enidromanek.com, and feast your eyes. Enid is REALLY talented.
Thanks for the kind words!

Arlington, Va.: Hi Bob- Do you know if Metro has taken any extra security precautions since Sept. 11? It seems to me that a subway system in the nations capital would be a perfect terrorist target -- a bomb set off in a tunnel, gassing a station, etc. Metro police don't strike me as the most efficient or safety-conscious bunch. I don't expect (and don't want) Metro to tell anyone what those security precautions actually are, I just want some reassurrance that they're there. What do you know?

Bob Levey: Metro tells me they've increased patrols, especially including plainclothes patrols (you think THOSE are the blockheads who won't stop blocking the doorways?). They've removed trash cans (not my favorite decision, although I understand it). They've done some bomb-sniffing with dogs. They've made it tougher to get into the system when it's shut down for the night. Perhaps more that we're unaware of.

Washington, D.C.: Bob, Major League Baseball is close to officially approving the Expos to play 20 "home" games in Puerto Rico next season. This is possibly the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Sure, try out a game or two at the beginning of the season to try to guage interest, but this is ridiculous! What ever happened to Washington, D.C.? Or Charlotte, or Portland, or Vegas, even? Am I losing it, or is this just plain wacko?

Bob Levey: Baseball has long ago retired the trophy for wacko management decisions. But never fear. I believe baseball is heading here very soon. Evidence? Let's start with a population base of nearly 5 million. It includes some of the richest jurisdictions in the world. It has shown (mostly, anyway) that it will support professional sports even when the local team loses (as our baseball team surely will, for a good long time).
So what else is there?
The hulking figure of Mr. Angelos.
And the likelihood that he would sue his hindquarters off if baseball invades what he perceives to be his market.

I was surprised that you didn't find the heart of Amtrak's problem. I know they made a big marketing decision to target the "business shuttle" customer with the Acela service; however, all that money that went into development, purchasing, marketing (and the subsequent "fixing" of that technical problem) should have gone to fixing the tracks the train travels. It's a fact the Acela's are pretty much useless and pointless between Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York, as they arrive not much quicker than the regular trains because the tracks are so dilapidated. What's your take on this?

Bob Levey: I'm not clear on how often major track repair needs to be undertaken. Didn't Amtrak fix its rails between DC and Boston just before Acela was launched? That was only about four years ago. Surely the rails haven't gone bad in that short a time.

Alexandria, Va.: Bob if you'd take a minute to investigate, you'd know that heading south through Northern Virginia, there's this nifty HOV lane that you and your son would be allowed to use and dash right past the mixing bowl congestion. No overnight stay required.

Bob Levey: I plan to be on it! Thanks

Rockville, Md.: Bob,

Now that federal workers' rights are being eroded by the new Homeland Security bill (and other bills to come) do you think that many people in Maryland's 8th district are regretting the fact that they did not re-elect Connie Morella -- a champion for federal workers' rights?

Bob Levey: Some surely have and surely will. But it's not as if Van Hollen will let this issue drop. And Morella is still sitting in the seat for two more months.

Laurel, Md.: Bob, my biggest complaint about Amtrak is the way they structure their fares in the North East Corridor that makes it difficult for a party of more than one person to use. In the rest of the country, Amtrak competes with Greyhound, while in the North East it competes with airlines and their prices reflect that.

I looked up the following regular, adult fares for the following one-way trips and compared to mileage from Rand McNally atlas:

Washington-New York 237 miles $72
San Antonio-Houston 195 miles $34
Chicago-St. Louis 297 miles $28
Portland-Seattle 175 miles $29

Amtrak is potentially a great saver of automobile congestion, but in this region of the country we're its cash cow.

Bob Levey: Excellent analysis, and thanks very much for it. Reminds me of Metro's fare structure. The subway whacks rdiers hardest at the time of day when the largest number of them want service. That seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? So does Amtrak's decision.

I Love Metro: I wanted to give you another "Metro is great" story. I live in south Arlington and work in Washinton, D.C. It used to be a bus-metro combo deal, which was fine but a bit crowded. The good people at WMATA added a new busline that whisks me from south Arlington to Washington, D.C. without ever having to change transporation modes and for a mere $1.10. They really do listen to customers.

Now, if only they could let me use my SmartTrip instead of having to buy all those darn bus tokens with my work-provided transportation voucher.

Bob Levey: SmarTrip is coming to ALL buses very soon, as I reported in a column this week. If your heart will break without reading it, check it out via washingtonpost.com.

Md.: Read the "new" Metro car piece today. Without doubt the number one problem with efficiency - I ride every day - is the doors. It doesn't matter what the interior layout is, there simply isn't enough entry/exit space in realtion to the a full car's capacity. Most other subways I've ever ridden have more/bigger doors plain and simple.

In response, Metro gives some bizarre excuses. One rationale was that adding a forth door would cause confusion. What? I think we'd adapt. Then another person said they thought of Metro more as a communter rail system than a big city subway? Huh. Well too bad, it is a big city subway, not matter how you fancy it. Who are these people and how did they get there?

Bob Levey: One answer: Dick White, the general managher, will be making a return visit to "Levey Live" (the Tuesday version of this program) very soon. If you don't ask him about this, I sure will.
Second answer: Metro is somehow afraid to make even the easiest refinements to its cars. What in the world is keping the agency from emoving those clear plastic panels near the doors--and removing them RIGHT NOW TODAY? People lean because they have something to lean against. Remove what they're leaning against and......
No-brain city.

For Easton: Fly to Manassas and take the VRE in!

Bob Levey: A multitasking public transit person after my own heart! Thanks

Washington, D.C.: Greetings!

Two questions for you Bob:

1. At L'Enfant Plaza on the Green/Yellow platform there is a sign on the Huntington/Branch Ave. side that glows either green or yellow depending on the next arriving train. Why isn't there one of these on the Mt. Vernon Square/Greenbelt side or at other stations.

2. For at least the last two weeks there has been a large amount of standing water at the intersection of Princess Garden Parkway Campus Rd. & Route 1 in College Park. Is this a major leak? I hate to think of all of that wasted water.

Thanks.

Bob Levey: No idea on either front. I'll check on both. Thanks

Forest Glen, Md.: These quotes from today's article have me concerned:

"Metro's team of engineers and consultants did not talk with passengers as they worked on the redesign, Pringle said."

"The image of our system is more of a commuter railroad rather than a New York City subway," said James Gallagher, Metro's deputy general manager for operations.

Ok, if the image is of a commuter railroad, why not talk to the commuters? I'm sure Metro employees take rides to test their customer service and operations. However, they don't always know what it's like to take the Metro 10 times a week, early and late, before and after a long day, etc.

I like the spirit behind these changes, but I don't think Metro has gone about it well. The vertical poles are important for a lot of people - short and tall. They just need to be moved towards the center of the cars. And if cars with benches along the sides can seat the same number of people and dramatically increase the number of people standing, why are we worried about how the cars LOOK?

I know there aren't easy answers when local governments have limited funds, ridership is close to capacity and passengers aren't usually willing to pay more, but none of the quotes from Metro sound very forward-thinking.

Bob Levey: I'm not sure Metro would have learned much by talking to its customers. The problem of crowding the doorways is obvious

Vienna, Va.: Bob, My guess on the circling choppers in the Dupont Circle area is that it may have to do with the fact that Chaney lives close to the area at the Observatory and that foreign embassies are nearby on Massachusetts Ave.

Bob Levey: Doubt it, because the Veep's mansion is a good two miles away as the copter flies. Why such a wide arc? Wouldn't they stay closer to "home?"

SmarTrip card: Please pass on to Metro that if they decide to go ahead and let you use SmarTrip cards on all buses, our workplace just announced that they'll make them available to us. I'm sure we're not alone.

Bob Levey: Extremely cool! Give your boss(es) a pat on the back from the Levey lad. Thanks

Rockville, Md.: I can report from the trenches, accurately and objectively, that the vaunted debut of the monstrous and ugly Comcast Center was a complete failure. First, the school changed the time of the game, which no one found out about. Second, only about 4,000 people were in the seats when the debacle started at 7 p.m. -- most people thought it was going to start at 8, its originally scheduled time. The school decided to change the time at the last minute to grab some television bucks. Third, the traffic and parking coming in was horrendous -- 30 and 45-minute waits just to get through the incoming lanes and parking lots, all the while passing empty spaces in the priviledged "permit" lots. Fourth, without a permit, it cost $5 to park -- we haven't had to pay for parking for a Maryland basketball game for 40 years. And there's no reason -- none -- to charge five bucks to park. Sixth, the ushers inside didn't have a clue where to seat people. Seventh, the sections were not clearly marked. Eighth, some elderly attendees complained loudly about the 50 stairs they had to climb to get into the place. And finally, the ticket windows are outside -- with no cover! Horrible! All in all, a mess, and many folks were not too happy.

Bob Levey: Please explain to me why retrofitting Cole wasn't the right answer. The university could have had their sky suites, they could have sold $6.25 sandwiches, and fans still would have felt they were part of history.
Try it this way:
Did they replace Yankee Stadium when they wanted a more modern park?
Heck, no.
They added to it.
A little at a time.
Clearly the right thing to have done at Cole--especially since its "pit" feel helps the Terps win games! Comcast will be like playing in a shopping mall--anyone's shopping mall.

Germantown, Md.: Higher fares at rush hour aren't counterintuitive at all. What costs more, tickets for an exhibition game or for the Super Bowl? The Kennedy Center at a Wednesday matinee or on a Saturday evening? The early bird or dinner at 8 p.m.?

Bob Levey: Have you never heard of the concept of volume business? The more slugheads want to pay for your services, the more of a discount you can (and should) give them. It works for Circuit City, it works for Giant Food. Why not for Metro and Amtrak?

Washington, D.C.: Why did they remove the penny from the metro bus? Isn't there enough room for the penny and the smartcard?

Bob Levey: See my column earlier this week. Metro is trying to institute two birds with one stone (if you'll pardon that AWFUL twist on the old phrase). They want pennies to go. They want SmarTrip to come. They're trying to force-fit the two steps together, at the same time.

Blacksburg, Va.: A couple comments about the professor situation at state school, especially Virginia Tech (because that'ss what I know best after six years and two degrees). First, at Virginia Tech teaching is only 25% of a professor's job description (except, of course, adjuncts who only teach). The reamining 75% is for research and finding more money. My advisor told me this when I mentioned becoming a professor when he was in the tenue application process.

Also, for the Math major, tell her to wait until her sophmore of junior year. My bachelor was in math at Tech (late 90's), and yes, there are quite a few non-english speaking graduate students, but you do get the professors (and once you get them, you may wish to go back). Although, it's probably become worse since recently given budget cuts and hiring freezes.

Bob Levey: Thanks to the clickster from the pretty mountain town of Blacksburg. I hope your guaranteed junior-year timetable holds up. With Richmond cutting every other budget in sight, who's to say that Tech's $$$$ won't go down even more than they have?

Washington, D.C.: Most likely this is the Marines' local airlift squadron (the one that provides transport for the President, Cabinet, and other key officials), and that's one of their holding-pattern areas. They do it over Alexandria,Va. too. Flights routinely are put into holding patterns in order to allow other aircraft to transit or clear flight paths, and depending on what and where, it can take a little bit before they get released.

Bob Levey: Holding patterns at 3 a.m.?
You think Bush is going out for secret late-night jogs around Dupont Circle?

Vienna, Va.: Bob, I think one of the things overlooked by the private plane owner complaing about not being able to use National is that his/her taxes do not directly support the airport. They support the FAA, whose job it is to determine who uses the airport, with what type of aircraft, and under what conditions. Why have a Federal Government and FAA if it doesn't do what it is supposed to do...govern?

Bob Levey: More or less what I was trying to say. You don't buy the right to use any and every airport just because you pay taxes. There's a larger good at work (at least we HOPE there is).

Flint, Mich.: I've been very surprised reading people's comments about attending prestigious schools and then complaining about the professors not actually teaching the students. Don’t these students research the schools before they apply? If my research had showed that I was likely to never take a class with anyone other than a "24-year-old graduate student who barely speaks English," I would have dropped that school off my list of possibilities then and there. If there are other reasons a student chooses to attend such a school, fine. But they should know what they are getting into before they enroll.

Bob Levey: They certainly should do the research, but it won't surprise either of us to learn that very few do. It's a label-conscious world, and kids are forever "buying" Harvard because it looks good when it's tattooed above their eyebrows.
Their parents are even more guilty of this, of course--and that's where the real negligence lies.
Not long ago, I bumped into a woman I know. I asked how her 20-year-old daughter is doing. Get that? How the kid is doing IN A GENERAL WAY. As a human being.
"She's doing great.... at Yale," the woman said.
Excuse me for not kissing your ring, lady.

Md.: Bob, last week you stated that "American elections are always fought between the 40-yard-lines." But too much American political rhetoric comes from the end zones. I've noticed that the extremists are usually the loudest voices in any debate. These people intimidate the centrist wings of the parties into silence. Their whole strategy is to manipulate people through fear.

This is why you don't hear much GOP criticism of groups like the American Family Association, because less extreme Republicans are afraid of being labeled anti-family or pro-homosexual (whatever the hell that means). It's why the more mainstream feminists don't criticize radicals like Andrea Dworkin, who is clearly nuturing a colossal grievance against some man and is taking it out on the entire male gender. It's why Democrats (with the occasional exception of Bill Clinton) are silent about the racial ambulance-chasing of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Bob Levey: The trouble with our system is that candidates (who are almost always grouped toward the middle) can't get nominated unless they appease the elements of their parties farthest to the fringes.
Is this a prescription for newer and smaller parties? I think it is.

Vienna, Va.: Bob, with your Metro connections,have you ever found out why Metro routinely dumps all of the riders off the train at the end of the lines when all the train does is turn around? Invariably the operator says "This train is out of service". These trains are NOT out of service. All they do is pull onto the middle track, reverse the controls and headlights, and head back downtown. True, most riders get off at the end points, but for those going back downtown, there is no reason why they have to get out in the heat or cold for just three minutes or so while the train reverses.

Bob Levey: In fact, more often that not, at turnarounds like Grosvenor and Silver Spring, someone falls asleep, and the driver doesn't notice, and that person stays aboard while the train turns around, and everyone loves to tell about it.

Supposedly, the rule is about cleanliness and safety. The driver is supposed to make a walk-through of the train before he turns it around and heads it the other way. He's supposed to pick up food wrappers, newspapers, etc. He's supposed to check for bombs. It's really a way to make us all more secure. But of course, many drivers do the walk-through in a very perfunctory way.

Fairfax, Va.: Voting: Bob, after voting I am always told by someone outside the polling place, "thank you for voting." This may be petty but this is offensive to me. It sounds patronizing, and I did not vote for that person (usually a regular citizen much younger than me). I voted because it is my duty and responsibility. The person who is thanking me did not ask me to vote; therefore, there is no reason for him to be acting like I did him a favor. So that is my rant for the week! Thanks.

Bob Levey: I hear you, although I think you're missing the implication of "thank you for voting." It's not a loaded or a coded message. It doesn't mean that this election official is surprised that lazy-old-you dragged yourself out of bed to cast a ballot. It simply means the emotional equivalent of "have a nice day."

Castle Shannon, Pa.: Miss Cleo, that wacky psychic lady, just got fined $5 million by the FCC for misleading customers. Bob, what kind of person actually calls up those numbers?

Bob Levey: The same people who do dial-a-porn, I suspect

Potholes: Being reimbursed for hitting one will take more than witnesses -- you have to be at least the second person to report it. If you're the first, the city or county or whoever is responsible for the road is on safe legal ground to say they didn't know a hazard existed until you brought it to their attention. Believe me, growing up in Buffalo, N.Y. where the winters routinely devour road surfaces, I know the drill.

Bob Levey: When Buffalo speaks about snow consequences, we'd better listen. Thanks!

Washington, D.C.: How come sometimes my garbage man and/or recycling truck are a day late? I'm not talking just holiday weeks, but occasionally they don't show on their appointed day. If they are going to be late, then they should change the law that says I can't put anything out until after 6 p.m. the night before.

Bob Levey: In case you've missed it, the city of Washington, D.C., does not always execute public services perfectly.
(Was that circumspect enough?).

Olney, Md.: Bob the Answer Man, I need your help with this one. I've been seeking an answer from Metroids, with no luck so far. And of course, I'd appreciate your $0.02 (as long as you don't need it for the bus).

I've tried to ask Metro, both in other online forums AND via e-mail, how a regular bus rider is supposed to replentish their SmarTrip card if they do not live or work near a Metro station. Does this mean that those who ride the bus exclusively are supposed to make a special trip to a Metro station every few weeks or so? There has been a lot of discussion about how bus riders may part with their pennies a bit more cautiously, so I think this expectation is unreasonable. I'm not exactly living hand-to-mouth, and I can't see visiting a Metro station JUST to add money to my card!

Don't get me wrong, I think the new fareboxes are long overdue. But how hard would it be to allow bus riders to swipe their card, feed a $20 into the farebox, and swipe their card again to add value, as we do in Metro stations? I realize that people stopping at the fareboxes cause a bit of a bottleneck when it comes to speeding up bus services, but would it really take that much longer than someone paying cash? Or pennies? I've also suggested that we be able to add value online, and then the next time you swipe your card, the computer system adds the value to the card. (If the system can calculate Metro fares based on where you swipe your card, it should be capable of adding value like that while finding the last digit of pi at the same time.)

So, am I off base here or what? Am I the only person who feels that only the people who regularly take the bus to get to the Metro will take advantage of the new fareboxes?

Bob Levey: You're on base, and for many of the same reasons I discussed earlier, it won't happen easily or quickly. All changes such as this require big bucks. Metro has little bucks. Simple as that.

Gaithersburg, Md.: Thank you so much for your column today on Dr. Pfister. He saved my Dad's life in September. Truly a great doctor, and one to whom I will forever be grateful. What a loss.

Bob Levey: You're very kind. Thanks for writing, and so glad that your father knows what's it like to buy additional years.
Every day that I get out of bed, I know my meter is running on "expired." I know that if I were born at any other time in human history, I'd be dead. But that's not chilling. It's exciting! Your Dad surely knows what I mean.

America the Beautiful: Dear Fairfax:

The more people inform themselves about civic affairs, the more people become involved in the democratic process, the more people get out and wield the influence our system has given them, the better off we all are.

Thank you for voting!

Bob Levey: We never say this enough.
Thanks so much, A the B

Alexandria, Va.: Hey Bob, seems you're being a little unfair to the woman who said her daughter was doing great, at Yale. If someone you hadn't seen for a while asked how your daughter was doing, wouldn't you say "doing great, in New York?" It's just part of the information. Daughters are where they are. Why not mention it?

Bob Levey: Not at all! I'd say, "She's doing great." I'd wait for the discussion to lead NATURALLY to a mention of New York. I wouldn't try to clobber my acquaintance across the nogging with my kid's status, or the status of the school she attends.

Alexandria, Va.: Bob, your column today really hit home with me. My father died earlier this year, and about a week after he passed away, a columnist in the local paper wrote a wonderful article about my dad. I treasure that article, and am glad I'll have something to pass onto my future children to show them what kind of man their grandfather was.

Why are all the good guys taken so young?

Bob Levey: I wish I knew. Pfister was one of the very, very best. Thanks for writing. Very sorry for your loss.

Silver Spring, Md.: Re Homeland Security bill: Morella didn't have the clout, and perhaps not even the inclination, to change the bill to delete its exclusion of civil service protection. This was a high priority for Bush, certainly no fan of collective bargaining, whether in government or baseball teams. There's no way she would have blocked Homeland Security. I am a government employee. I voted for Van Hollen. I don't regret it.

Bob Levey: Interesting that the pundits could find very few policy differences between Morella and Van Hollen. This was surely a way in which Morella was vulnerable. Why didn't VH whack her for this?

Fairfax, Va.: The big difference between Washington, D.C. and Buffalo, N.Y. is that in Buffalo the streets are torn up by severe winters and excessive freeze-thaw cycles. Here we have quite a different reason...Marion Barry.

Bob Levey: You mean it never snowed befroe the several Barry administrations? You mean it hasn't snowed since? In fact, snow removal and pothole repair have been hurting severely here for a long, long time. Marion didn't help at all, granted. But he was hardly the cause of the problem.

Bethesda, Md.: Hi Bob.

I hope you can help. My mail service stinks. I get someone else's mail almost every day (so Lord knows where my mail is going). Our mail comes at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. if it comes at all (we have days when it doesn't), and things take up to a week to get to me from local addresses. This has been going on for a year or so.

I've tried filing formal complaints with the USPS to no avail. I've tried yelling at the post office manager to no avail. We have a different mail carrier every few days (no lie), so fussing at him/her is pointless.

Any hints on getting this fixed? I'm gonna go postal!! (Just kidding. Sort of.)

Bob Levey: I'm on this, and also on the phenomenon of disappearing mailboxes. Thanks for the idea

Washington, D.C.: What happened to the big rollout of additional new cars on the Orange Line a few weeks ago? During the past two weeks, I've noticed more four-car trains (instead of six) and the spacing between trains has increased. What gives?

Bob Levey: Maintenance, and diversion to other lines where the crush is worse, belive it or not.
Green Line, for example. From L'Enfant Plaza to Branch Avenue at afternoon rush is a study in squash.

Fairfax, Va.: Bob, I notice that David Gunn is running Amtrak now. What did he do?Go there when he left Metro years ago? He didn't run Metro very well (though he did do a better job than Fady Bassily). Did Amtrak think he would do any better there?
Just to add a note of humor, Fady Bassily proved once and for all the old saying 'the squeaky wheel goes to Greece.'

Bob Levey: No, he ran some other major transit system for a while (New Jersey Transit?).

Bob Levey: Off to see raindrops and soccer balls in Carolina. Type atcha next Friday, same time.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay tuned to Live Online:

Bubble Economy Series: The Analysts at 1 p.m. ET
Night Watch: Eric Brace at 1 p.m. ET
Author Patricia Cornwell on Jack the Ripper at 1:30 p.m. ET

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.

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

   |      |