Posted on 08/26/2004 8:31:31 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
Presidential candidate John Kerry noted on his web site last week he “completed one of the most incredible journeys of my life. In the fifteen days following the Democratic convention, on our “Believe in America Tour,” John Edwards and I traveled over 8,180 miles, through 22 states on 43 buses, 17 train cars, 7 helicopters, 3 airplanes, and even one boat” – but not everyone was happy.
Kerry’s visit to New Mexico left car and truck owners fuming.
The Santa Fe New Mexican and The AP reported on August 13 Kerry’s whistle-stop tour through New Mexico left Bill Carlis and other drivers wondering what happened to their vehicles.
Carlis’ truck, parked the previous week at the Amtrak lot in downtown Albuquerque, wasn’t there when he returned from a trip to Philadelphia on Monday evening (the 23rd).
He had no warning that the Secret Service had it towed when Kerry, John Edwards and their families arrived by train Saturday. The group spent the night before heading west the next day.
“The whole thing was unbelievably disconcerting,” said Carlis, who had no easy way to get home to Silver City after finding that his truck was gone. He had to make arrangements and pay $106 to get his truck back.
Eight to 10 cars were towed from the Amtrak lot, according to the company that moved the cars for Albuquerque police and the Secret Service.
Angelo Padilla, manager of the towing company, said “Just about everyone who walked in the door” was upset about getting back from vacation and finding their cars not there.
Carlis said he doesn’t blame the Kerry campaign but faults Amtrak. “They were totally nonchalant and indifferent to our turmoil… People were fuming,” he said.
Carlis had asked before parking his car last week whether it was okay to leave it there. He said Amtrak employees told him yes. A local Amtrak employee referred questions to a spokeswoman in Oakland, Calif., who couldn’t be reached for comment.
Carlis filed a complaint and said an Amtrak official planned to issue a voucher to make it up to him.
LOL Exactly!
-- lates
-- jrawk
Did you get to the rally in Las Cruces? The one here in Albuquerque was great!
A Marine Colonel on his way home from work at the Pentagon came to a dead halt in traffic and thought to himself, "Wow, this traffic seems worse than usual, nothing is moving."
He notices a police officer walking back and forth between the lines of cars, so he rolls down his window and asks, "Excuse me, Officer, what seems to be the hold up?"
The officer replies, "Senator Kerry is just so depressed that veterans are criticizing his medals and actions that he just stopped his motorcade in the middle of the Beltway, and he is threatening to douse himself in gasoline and set himself on fire.
He says it's breaking his campaign budget attacking back at the vets.
So I'm walking around taking up a collection for him."
"Oh really? How much have you collected so far?"
"So far about three hundred gallons, but I've got a lot of folks still siphoning."
>>There was one civil war battle fought at Glorietta in Northern New Mexico.
I use to work at that National Park (Pecos Nat Hist Park). There is a historical novel about it called "Glorieta Pass" by PG Nagle. Actually a pretty decent novel and for the most part (from what I remember) historically accurate.
Can't let the peons' property get in the way of his glorious procession, now can we?
I've read a lot of the Hillerman novels. They are lots of fun! I've not been able to catch the PBS shows, but was disappointed with the movie. It was OK, but it just seemed to miss the mark.
For Breakfast Have a Pile UP from the 66 diner for me.
For Lunch Tostadas Compuestas at Christina's on Wyoming for Me!
For Dinner Roberto's Special at Sadies.
Then send me some of Sadies salsa to me...
For I my brother am currently trapped in Austin TX.
-- lates
-- jrawk
Dang! I won't be able to move.
Sadies Salsa available here!
http://www.dagiftbasket.com/store/catalog/default.php?cPath=31
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.