By CHARLES ANDREWS
OK, KIND OF A CLEVER HEADLINE, BUT INACCURATE
They’re here for more than a year, and “brutish” is far too mild a descriptive adjective. (Anyone remember parts of speech?)
I think many of us are having similar internal debates. Speak out, strongly, clearly draw the moral lines, or don’t poke the bear? Do we condemn so unequivocally that those stray sheep may never be coaxed back into the corral? – do we leave them out for the wolves they unleashed on all of us? All while knowing we are at this moment neck deep in existential danger, and that the first order of business is getting rid of the wolves.
Not trying to bring you down, really, but too many of us are ignoring reality, or at least procrastinating, which could be fatal. So, don’t turn out Saturday to stand up for mothers and nurses being murdered by our own government with no accountability, for children being sent to a prison with rotting food and dirty water, for pregnant children sent to a prison camp in Texas, where they will NOT get the healthcare they need and will be forced by state law to give birth to that baby. Don’t show up to protest Trump’s unprecedented corruption that is bleeding our wealthy nation dry while hungry children lack food and sick people lack healthcare, don’t fret about hundreds of billions being spent on Trump’s war of choice, not necessity.
“A REPUBLIC, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT”
At least for those two hours – celebrate! We have had so many brutal reminders from the Trump regime and the enabling Republican Party (NONE of this could have happened without their abject cowardice – we have a Constitution, but they have trashed it) of what we had and mostly took for granted for 250 years. I think we now understand Benjamin Franklin’s cautionary words from so long ago, when asked if this new government would be a monarchy or a republic – “A republic – if you can keep it.” And now, on this day, it is up to us. Our generation has been chosen for a noble task, to preserve our freedoms and democracy, and every one of us needs to step up and volunteer.
But that is a joyous invitation! We know what so many around the world have never experienced, the exhilaration of living free and proud. Oh sure, plenty of nations are free and proud, and we haven’t yet fulfilled the promise of our Constitution, but it remains a potent blueprint that we have inched closer to over the centuries. We shall not stand for anyone trashing it.
Let us celebrate what we have gained, the vision that still burns so bright that people from all over the world still sacrifice mightily to get here, and not let that be taken away by greed and lust for power. We Americans are far better than that, and we know that if we stand together, we can achieve anything. We have the numbers and can easily take the high moral ground. So much to take back, to gain, to celebrate. Let’s make this a party for the new US of A., linking hearts and moving forward. Who’s going to bring the pizza and cake to this party?
Yes, I am aware that I preach and sometimes get a bit sappy. But there is good reason for optimism, and happy warriors get more done than those who see only the darkness and mud. See you Saturday, Santa Monica!
MODE, LYFT – BEWARE!!
I’m sure a lot of Santa Monicans are not even aware of this service for seniors over 65, and the disabled over 18, that seems such a godsend. But I can tell you from too much really bad personal experience, at least a third of the time it is not. It can be a nightmare. It can get unexpectedly expensive when mistakes and charges are made that are virtually impossible to resolve with a human and very close to dangerous. I am currently trying to decide whether it is worth it.
Here is how it is presented. The City of Santa Monica has partnered with LYFT to provide rides within the borders of the city, and some medical and grocery locations just beyond, for $1.50 per ride. That rate can save you $20 or more per ride. There aren’t many requirements. You have to go in person to the Big Blue Bus office downtown and fill out a form, presenting proof of residency, like a utility bill. You present a credit card you want to use, and within a month, you are notified that you are accepted. The account automatically renews every month.
But it is almost impossible to resolve any issues, and there have been many for me.
The only time I was able to reach a human was twice, on the same day, when I was told inexplicably that my account (of eight months) had expired, and I would have to pay the full rate. Which would more than cancel out my two tiring hours of careful grocery shopping. No explanations (or apologies) offered, no ability of “customer service” to even order a ride for me, since all that nonsense had allowed my phone battery to expire. Meanwhile, my ice cream is melting.
KIDNAPPED
I think I figured out why my account had been terminated. Three weeks previously, I had ordered a 10-minute ride to an address on 2nd Street, and when the driver signaled for a turn south on Lincoln, I said no, no, no, and pointed the opposite direction. He replied, “Two stops,” and I took that to mean he had to pick up two other riders. I have only rarely had them pick up one other rider, but that is a condition of MODE: sharing a ride when necessary. However, when he kept going and going and not answering my questions – because he could not speak English – it took me until almost LAX to get him to pull over, and after considerable argument, head toward my actual Santa Monica destination. His GPS ordered him to take me to Manhattan Beach, a 45-minute detour that made me late for an appointment, and for which they billed me $39. It took me longer than two hours on the app to get SOMEone to promise a refund. I went through seven “supervisors,” most or all of whom were AI. To make up for it all, they offered to put me on “Silver Service” – better drivers who speak English, better cars… but when they did that, my MODE account was terminated, costing me a lot.
Twice when I called for a LYFT from the Apple store, they insisted I would find the car at 3rd and Colorado, not Santa Monica, where I asked for it. Since I was having problems with a knee, I was unable to go those two long blocks; they charged me for two missed pickups, and I had to limp over to 4th Street to catch a bus. Those charges were not straightened out.
I HAVE LOTS MORE STORIES I COULD TELL YOU
But here’s the biggest problem. The folks at Big Blue Bus overseeing this program don’t seem to think there are any problems, even when presented with evidence, or they simply don’t care. I went in person to fill out a complaint, and another time dictated it over the phone, and never heard anything back. When I finally had it and asked to speak with a supervisor, Luce, I was told I would need to come to the office to see if she was in. When I told them I was a member of the press and was preparing a column they would probably like to comment on, I was told I could leave a voicemail for Luce. “I’ve already done that,” I said. I need to speak to her; no more voicemails. After being told OK, I was rung through to… her voicemail. That was a week ago, and I have heard nothing back.
Charles Andrews has lived in Santa Monica for 40 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really. Send love and/or rebuke to him at therealmrmusic@gmail.com.
