We (still) got us a convoy
After a decade living and working in Washington, I've got protest fatigue.
Thoughts for the day
I have to admit I lost track of the People’s Convoy after it left its camp in nearby Hagerstown to do a couple of turns around D.C. last week. Well, save for an absurd image of Ted Cruz on a ride-along.
It just goes to show what happens if you don’t pay attention. I was surprised to learn the convoy was still in town when I got a traffic alert on my phone that said to prep for holdups in the region. Organizers have apparently said they plan to stay indefinitely. You’ve got to appreciate the ability to make that kind of commitment to protest. I couldn’t afford the time off.
Now, I understand the urge to make noise in Washington, in fact, I have participated in a couple of gatherings there myself. But, my perspective on D.C. protests changed significantly when I started a two-hour daily commute in and out of the city. On more than one occasion, I missed my train because of protests blocking traffic or clogging up the metro and train stations.
I’m glad I don’t have to do that anymore. Here’s the thing, from the outside, everyone thinks it’s funny. Look at those dumb people in D.C., aren’t they getting what they deserve? But who are you hurting? A lot of these people have the same complaints you do and don’t work for the people you are targeting. And you are losing them.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Nothing spurred hatred toward any people or cause — even one I may have otherwise supported — like making me late getting to work or getting home. Especially if I had an after-school activity to get to for the kid. There are other ways to make yourself heard without being a self-centered pain in the tookus.
The Six
No. 1
The latest on the convoy: Protesting truckers slowed traffic Monday afternoon in Washington, and officials prepping for more, NBC 4 Washington reports.
No. 2
Your daily Ukraine update: The Wall Street Journal reports on the scene Inside Chernobyl, where 200 exhausted staff members work round the clock at gunpoint to keep the abandoned nuclear plant safe from meltdown. They are “ill-fed, stressed and desperate for relief.” Marina Ovsyannikova, a producer for Kremlin-backed Channel One who burst onto a TV set with an antiwar poster was fined and could face additional charges. Reuters reports Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, long-time owner of Chelsea FC, flew to Moscow from Istanbul Tuesday — a source said he was not there to meet with Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Russia has barred Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a dozen top U.S. officials from entering the country.
No. 3
Remember the Ever Given? The Ever Given ran aground last March, blocking traffic in the Suez Canal. Guess what? Reuters reports the Ever Forward, another ship run by the same company, Evergreen Marine Corp Taiwan Ltd, is currently grounded in the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
No. 4
Reason highlights data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University showing the IRS audited wage earners with less than $25,000 in total gross receipts at five times the rate of all others during the 2021 fiscal year.
No. 5
Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Burt Lancaster or Orson Welles as Vito Corleone? Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen or Frank Langella as Michael? Tuesday Weld, Blythe Danner or Michelle Phillips as Kay? As The Godfather hits 50, NPR takes a look at the film that might have been, and thankfully wasn’t. Save Borgnine. I would have paid good money for that. Always Borgnine.
No. 6
Dolly Parton has withdrawn from consideration for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Fox News reports. My beef for years is the shrine to rock music has enshrined too many artists who, no matter how great, have nothing to do with the genre while ignoring others, like Warren Zevon, who should have been inducted years ago. And I say that as someone who has an eclectic view of rock. Kudos to Dolly Parton for recognizing that and making that statement in her usual, far-more polite way than I would.
Quote of the Day
"Dolly here! Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy." — Dolly Parton on Instagram
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About
Christopher Six is a passionate advocate of community journalism with more than 30 years in the media, corporate communications and marketing. An award-winning designer, columnist, illustrator, photographer and newsroom leader, he is a respected voice in journalism ethics. A veteran reporter, he has created and taught news writing seminars for community colleges and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
Editor’s Note
Pick Six is published most Mondays-Fridays. Sharing of stories does not equal endorsement, however, personal thoughts and commentary on those stories are 100 percent my own.