A Netroots human interest story of the first magnitude (to me), after-the-jump ….
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My T/C colleague Brillig (and others) have already described many of the speakers and panels that were offered at the recently concluded Netroots Nation. Suffice-it-to-say: there were topics aplenty, including panels with state attorneys general and state secretaries of state that were outstanding.
But as I have noted in this space: besides the panels, sightseeing and meals with friends, it’s the chance encounters that truly make the experience transcendent … and I had one just seven blocks from our hotel.
Two weeks ago, one of the sights I recommended was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad museum. The B&O was the first common carrier railroad in the US (founded in 1827) and for a time, the world’s largest. After passenger rail service was transferred to the newly-formed Amtrak in 1971, the B&O continued as an independent freight line until 1987, and today is part of the major CSX line.
The museum is on the site of its Mount Clare station Roundhouse… and as soon as I walked by and saw numerous locomotives (including steam) I felt like a child again. (Indeed, my father had to break the news to me in the early 60’s that steam trains were no longer used). The B&O did not use slave labor in its build-out due to the fact that its founding president (Philip Thomas) was a Quaker, and saw this as a moral issue (though surely their supply chains did so).
In addition to the Roundhouse, there is a museum section with exhibits, historical signs explaining the past, photographs and even model railroad trains. And they have a wonderful exhibit on how at least thirty-one freedom seekers were able to use the B&O to escape to Pennsylvania (the southernmost state where slavery was illegal). They did so at some peril, and the National Park Service has designated this station as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
When I walked in, I saw about four dozen schoolchildren (waiting to take the 11:30 train ride) and most were milling about with their chaperones. Some had matching T-shirts, others not … but I heard a lot of “Hi, sir” greetings (awww). And then looking at one exhibit, a girl came up besides me and delved into a stream-of-consciousness that included these call-and-responses (among others):
“I’m in the third grade and am smarter than my brother!” (“Hmmm … you don’t say”)
“When you go swimming, do you do back-flips?” (“Umm .. at my age, it may not be wise”).
“Have you seen the cornerstone exhibit yet?” (“Not yet”) “Let me show you”
She took me to an exhibit, and on the way: I became nervous that a chaperone might be alarmed. But as she was explaining it to me, I caught the gaze of a chaperone and upon placing my hand-on-my-heart: she just smiled. I suspect they know very well how precocious this 8 year-old is (in fact, her photo ought to accompany that word in the dictionary).
I’m still in the clouds from that interaction … as noted, a gift to the human spirit.
On-that-note: let’s close with the late great singer from The Cranberries.
Now, on to Top Comments:
From blueoregon:
In my own diary on 2028 gamesmanship (here in 2024) — I'd like to nominate a comment made by Bring The Lions— because it sums up the problem their party is looking at.
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by Elwood Dowd— about the passing of Bob Newhart at age ninety-four — leftangler begins a wonderful thread on my Newhart favorites: Larry, Darryl and Darryl. Years ago, I saw three men (whom came into the office of my previous employer) yet only the one in the middle spoke … and I had to squelch a laugh.
And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
11) Democrats made their bed with big donors. … by justmy2 +11514) We need to have a talk with some folks abou … by PaulDem +10515) I regret I can only recommend this once. by scoopernicus +10220) Btw, beautiful woozle. by paintitblue +8922) I invite you all to read about Annieli. by 22 Trucks +8527) Trump family motto: … by stickman007 +77