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« The Most Narcissistic People Are ... | Main | Linkage from DO »

July 14, 2008

Travel Advisory

Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

In their quest to make airline travel ever more pleasant and civilized, American Airlines charges transcontinental coach passengers 10 bucks for a lousy sandwich. Plus we now have this recent innovation to savor:

checked_baggage_fee01%20copy.jpg

It's almost as though the airlines want the government to re-commit to a sensible national train system, isn't it?

Best,

Michael

posted by Michael at July 14, 2008




Comments

I must say that the emergence of a bilingual America is one of the most sickening developments of recent years. Why you have allowed this to happen escapes me. Fools, fools, fools. Your grandchildren will curse your name. Why have you acceded to the coming into being of a poison that never needed to exist at all? Why have you squandered your precious cultural and linguistic unity? Cowardice? Why? Why have you done this?

If it is cowardice, then may your grandchildren curse you as cowards. I hope you live long enough to hear them condign you and your life with great imprecation as you lie on your deathbed, preparing to leave your descendants to live out their lives in a Balkanized, fractured bilingual America.

The curses will be in English only, of course. Yours will be the last generation able to be cursed without needing a Spanish translator. Your final gift.

Adios amigos.

Posted by: PatrickH on July 15, 2008 10:02 AM



What I was actually thinking about was the "charging extra for checked luggage" thang. But I'm with you where bilingualism is concerned too.

Posted by: Michael Blowhard on July 15, 2008 11:27 AM



Can't disagree with you there Patrick. History has very few examples of successful, strife-free bilingual or multi-lingual countries. There are even fewer where a dominant linguistic and cultural group has allowed another to come in, colonize their territory, start making demands and threats, and remain a prosperous, functional society. In fact, I can't think of even one. Guess we'll find out if we're the exception or not. I'm betting on "not."

Posted by: c.o. jones on July 15, 2008 2:15 PM



It costs money to haul and handle checked baggage. If I have just a carry-on, why should I subsidize your two large checked suitcases? Shouldn't the people who want food and drinks be the ones who pay for them? Now, you can complain that the prices are too high, but I think "a la carte" is okay in principle.

Posted by: Saint Russell on July 15, 2008 3:13 PM



I apologize for my rant. I lose my reason when I see America allowing its very own Quebec to grow within it. In the days when separatism was an issue up here, I was not an anti-separatist...I was an expulsionist. You must leave now, in other words.

But anyway, damn their eyes for charging extra for checked baggage! If bilingualism doesn't get you, that surely will.

Mark my words, America. Your grandchildren will curse your name for allowing extra charges for checked baggage...

As well they should.

Posted by: PatrickH on July 15, 2008 3:26 PM



To pay for checked baggage in English, press 1.

To pay for checked baggage in EspaƱol, press 2.

Posted by: Rick Darby on July 15, 2008 5:07 PM



"I must say that the emergence of a bilingual America is one of the most sickening developments of recent years. Why you have allowed this to happen escapes me."

It's called Hispandering and it's spreading like wildfire. Corporate greed.

Posted by: Mark on July 15, 2008 10:30 PM






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