Love
During dinner last Sunday I was joined by a taxi union organiser. First we discussed the long delay in bringing the accused murderer of cabbie, Robert Woodger, to trial. News of this received (some) press last week.
Inevitably the conversation turned to union matters and, once again, he invited me to join, blah, blah. This was my cue to head back to work. Rising from the table I told him, “Mate, it’s hard to take the union seriously whilst you have a media representative who proudly wears a T-shirt, I Love Osama."
Being a staunch union man and impervious to argument he had a ready retort. “So what, how about those churchs' with the billboard, Jesus Loves Osama ?”
All I could do was laugh and walk away, once again.
UPDATE: Martin, King of New York Hacks, posts a moving 911 pictorial of Ground Zero, then and now. Do visit this special tribute.
I'm at a loss for words Adrian,....20 years ago I was a clerk in one of the World Trade Center buildings,not the towers but the adjacent 4 WTC, which were colored brown and destroyed as well. So after my day job today I walked the route I used to take to that job back then and it was very emotional. Shirts and billboards "I love Osama" ? I'll be posting a special 9-11 post tomorrow and being a former fireman, Its a shame that you are witnessing such a disgrace. Thanks for posting the brave post brother, you are always welcome in my city and I'd be honored to chauffeur to any destination. I am The King of New York Hacks, New York City and anyone wearing shit like that won't be getting in my chariot.
Posted by: king of new york hacks | September 10, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Bravo, King of New York Hacks, Bravo.
Posted by: steve at the pub | September 10, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Who the hell are the taxi union? TWU, or is there a separate one?
Judging a union by one official might be a bit harsh, but you're right - hard to take them seriously. Much safer to wear a suit or a Bill-Kelty-Approved beige cardigan...
Posted by: NH | September 10, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Thanks, King, that's very kind of you. Send us a link when your 911 post is up.
NH, here I've used 'union' generically. In fact the organisaton is a taxi drivers association and not affiliated with the ACTU. For all intents and purposes, though, the association operates as a union.
Posted by: adrian | September 11, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Are you sure the T shirt said Osama, not Obama ?
If it is the later I have to assume that the organiser just came from the Bankstown base, he should have changed the slogan for the inner city.
Befitting to the times it could have read "I love a fare"
Posted by: Rainer the cabbie | September 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM
My 9-11 tribue is up Adrian, pass it on to any firefighters you know.Cheers mate.
The King.
Posted by: king of new york hacks | September 12, 2008 at 02:51 AM
Thanks for the update and link to my blog Adrian.
Be safe brother ,
the King
Posted by: king of new york hacks | September 12, 2008 at 07:36 AM
I just know you will have any number of reasons not to join a union (actually I presume you mean the TDA). Not that you are alone in that amongst cabbies or that any union has been able to get far against the mighty Mr Kermode.
Posted by: marcellous | September 12, 2008 at 11:11 PM
"I love Osama"? That wouldn't be Faruque Ahmed would it? Leading taxi activist and deranged Jew-hater who is convinced everything wrong in the Taxi industry (like the rest of the world) is the result of some arch-Zionist conspiracy.
In short: He's an idiot who's setting the cab industry back at least 500 years.
Posted by: Dan | September 13, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Dan, one and the same.
Posted by: adrian | September 15, 2008 at 04:20 AM
Aww Geez Adrian.
People unfamiliar with Faruque should check out the following collection of links.
Faruque was best summed up as an "Idiot Savant (without the savant)".
Posted by: Dan | September 18, 2008 at 03:35 PM