My wife and I recently got an apartment in Staten Island. We tired of the long commute from our home in the Poconos to our jobs in New York City.
It's a one bedroom two blocks from the Staten Island ferry. We both get to our jobs now easily and without the hassle of driving 140 miles each day.
My son was born here 18 (almost 19) years ago, but now is in CUNY college. He favors Che t-shirts, activist groups at his college, and talks of the coming revolution. He doesn't think President Obama is any better than the other side. This latest from a phone conversation I had with him last night. Well.
I tried to defend President Obama, but he wasn't having any of it. Maybe I was edgy after having this discussion. Join me for how my edge bubbled to the surface a bit on my normally pleasant commute over New York Harbor.
I normally either listen to my music, or maybe read a little - or just look at the harbor scenery as the "boat" (as Staten Islanders call the ferry - as in "I'm making the 8 o'clock boat, honey") makes its way from Whitehall Slip to the St. George terminal on the North shore of Staten Island.
Tonight the weather was mild enough to sit outside - on the ferry boat John F. Kennedy - one of the older boats still in service.
I sit near the end of the Staten Island side, and after just gazing out on a warm Spring evening, I begin to hear some discussion from a person sitting next to me. What perks my political ears up is phrases like "Obama is not the President because both parents..." and also "Trump's house is bigger than the White House...." and what got me to my feet was..."the unions in Michigan are why Mercedes-Benz did not want to build a plant there..."
This former New York Newspaper Guild member could take no more.
As I got to my feet I led off with - "did I hear you say "Trump" would be a good Presidential candidate? - that birther! You can't be serious!" I then looked at the young man this older gentleman was talking to - he was African-American, but from his accent, I could tell that he must have been recently come to this country.
I then said to this older person - "I am sorry sir, but you are entitled to your opinions but not to your own facts." To the African-American (he may have been a tourist - don't know for sure) I said - "This man is not speaking the truth and wants to undermine the legitimacy of President Obama. He supports Trump, who can only be described as a "birther." He looked a little bewildered and did not say anything to my defense.
I had said my piece and the ferry was near docking. I felt better for having spoken up. I'm not sure if what I said will make a difference, but enough is enough.