Unsuck DC Metro: "We will use our pride as a shield against any attack they wage against us."

Nita · 672 weeks ago

Guest he never disputed any of the facts the Washingtimes newspaper printed concerning the bias and harassment/bullying of white women to the degree numerous white women filed suit in Federal courts.

Perhaps Unsuck could find out what these lawsuits caused the Federal Taxpayers, and the 3 jurisdictions.

It is high time an outside appointed investigation be mandated. I believe from the evidence and court records I read online, their is bias, waste of federal funds and something is wrong with Human Resources.

Joolz · 672 weeks ago

WOW! That letter really is worth looking at. Ballard infantilizes Metro workers with his over-the-top praise and fatherly pats on the back. How about refuting the facts of the article instead? It wasn't an opinion piece; it was a three-part investigation.

ANON · 672 weeks ago

If u worked there you would hear that crap daily.

-28 Vote up Vote down

Seriously, you have to sign up for a random service and then download each page of the letter individually as a pdf? Does anyone want to read the letter that much?

14 replies · active 672 weeks ago

+9 Vote up Vote down

Guest2 · 672 weeks ago

Just click on the link on that page that says "View Document" - no downloading required.

-15 Vote up Vote down

That link wasn't there before...just a tiny icon of the document with the option to download. Now when I go to the site, the document shows up big enough to read.

-20 Vote up Vote down

...and now the second page just shows up as a broken link. For a new "feature," this doesn't seem to be working very well.

+30 Vote up Vote down

Nice tone.

That's a new "feature." The files are now available on ScribD.

You're welcome.

-44 Vote up Vote down

It's cute that you complain about tone, considering the website you run.

+43 Vote up Vote down

DC Denizen · 672 weeks ago

Hi Dan! Remember: One person's "tone" is another person's investigative journalism.

-23 Vote up Vote down

Um, was that comment in reply to me? Because I assure you that my name is not Dan.

+21 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 672 weeks ago

Oh, is that you /Stan?/ ::wink:: good cover.

+21 Vote up Vote down

DC Denizen · 672 weeks ago

I’m still on the fence on whether you’re trying to help or just love the attention.

-6 Vote up Vote down

@A_BrooklandHero · 672 weeks ago

Why does it matter? I don't care if the reason behind the criticism is to open up another Comfort One shoes in the District (however that would work). It is needed.

+14 Vote up Vote down

SammyDC · 672 weeks ago

You're new here, aren't you?

+17 Vote up Vote down

Ever n Anon · 672 weeks ago

I'll not even ask what you mean. It sounds as clear as a Metro press release.

As has been often said on this BLOG (not website), if you do not like it why are you visiting it? Thee are many other blogs out there that might interest you in a more pleasant manner.

I, for one, appreciate Unsuck's goals and the purpose of this blog.

-2 Vote up Vote down

I don't have a problem with the goals/purpose of the blog - that's why I read it. I just thought it was silly that he was complaining about my tone when a feature of his blog didn't work (and the second page still opens as a broken link for me). I guess we're only allowed to be snarky when we're criticizing wmata?

0 Vote up Vote down

bet · 672 weeks ago

No you don't just open it and send it in a link.

+23 Vote up Vote down

@ChrisHowdy · 672 weeks ago

...and in closing, here's an inspirational quote* from someone that died of a drug overdose.

*very likely not a quote

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

+15 Vote up Vote down

chikn good · 672 weeks ago

...and in closing, Whitney Houston once said "Bobby, pass me that crack pipe".

KEEP YOUR HEADS UP!

+27 Vote up Vote down

asdf · 672 weeks ago

Webster defines delusional as....

+38 Vote up Vote down

John Nobody · 672 weeks ago

I see Metro jerking off their employees, but I'm still looking for the information or facts that refute the Washington Times article.

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

Nita · 672 weeks ago

The Times had to use facts John to avoid liability issues.

+35 Vote up Vote down

Stan Dessel · 672 weeks ago

Dear riders,

Every one of you is a magnificent miracle child of God.

I love you.

^SD

+11 Vote up Vote down

jkuchen · 672 weeks ago

My son *LOVES* Captain America. If he saw that the Captain had joined Metro's legion, he'd be crying nonstop.

+19 Vote up Vote down

Arnaud · 672 weeks ago

"incredible, impressive, wondrous, stupendous, or amazing"... really?!? Tell me it's a fake, a joke... I can't believe it...
I'm very often speechless in front of metro incompetency... but apparently they don;t miss words to auto-congratulate themselves...

+17 Vote up Vote down

Ever n Anon · 672 weeks ago

Oh I am busting a gut over this one. oh Metro. oh my word!

Incredible, impressive, wondrous, stupendous, or amazing BULL hockey at best.

Why not add, "Yes, indeed, we can spin the crap faster than it can drop! We don't do it well, but who cares? We are Metro!"

And the BEST they can offer their own staff in kudos is the inauguration? Really? Nothing since? Now who's lookin' ignorant, Metro? Yes, that be you,

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

+10 Vote up Vote down

eed017 · 672 weeks ago

Metro tries not to focus on what it was cleaning up only 5 short months after the inauguration: the Fort Totten tragedy.

+9 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 672 weeks ago

That was the best laugh that I have had in awhile!

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

+5 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 672 weeks ago

Hercules was groomed by his friends at Metro. You should meet him.
This should have been avoided at any length.
Sad.
All these factual stories of bias are TRUE!

+37 Vote up Vote down

Arnaud · 672 weeks ago

Answer to Hercules letter:
FACT 1: You're not incredible, you're doing your job! There is nothing incredible about that... All of us are doing our jobs, and we don't claim we are "incredible"...
FACT 2: Snowstorm impacting the metro?! Are you kidding me? Your operating trains at that time were IN TUNNEL, Trains above ground were stopped! WTF?! How do you think snow can enter your tunnel?!?
FACT 3: You use the earthquake to glorify yourself? Really?
FACT 4: Let's talk about that this weekend, with your shitty track maintenance and the Nat's and Cap's games at the same time... With only one red line train every 24 minutes to leave downtown, it's gonna be a mess!
FACT 5: Congrats! You did a good job once in your life! Now it's time to do the same any other day of the year...

You say: "we should not focus on other people's failures but celebrate their success", I understand "We don't give a s##t about our metro problems/failures, let's just praise how awesome we think we are"...
Hercules: You're an idiot and a liar!

3 replies · active 672 weeks ago

+15 Vote up Vote down

John · 672 weeks ago

I was gonna say, didn't all the above ground stations close? If you lived in south arlington or alexandria, you had no way to get into the city. Huge lie by "Hercules"

+9 Vote up Vote down

Daily Rider · 672 weeks ago

I actually support unions, except when they practice violence. I am the product of an ATU household in another large city. However, there should be a dedication to excellence, or at least competence, that WMATA management and the union seem to lack.

I contend that competence knows no racial, ethnic, gender, or kinship bounds. All that is needed is the determination and discipline to put good people in the jobs, and to do the job right.

Is this any way to run a railroad!?I actually support unions, except when they practice violence. I am the product of an ATU household in another large city. However, there should be a dedication to excellence, or at least competence, that WMATA management and the union seem to lack.

I contend that competence knows no racial, ethnic, gender, or kinship bounds. All that is needed is the determination and discipline to put good people in the jobs, and to do the job right.

Is what e have now any way to run a railroad!?

ObserverDC · 672 weeks ago

Your fact 5 reminds me of the old football quote about endzone celebrations: stop crowing and act like you've been there before.

+18 Vote up Vote down

J. Jeter · 672 weeks ago

This! Letter! Is Absolutely! On the money!

+20 Vote up Vote down

DC Denizen · 672 weeks ago

I think the Washington Times should start a prompt investigation of Hercules Ballard.

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

Nita · 672 weeks ago

He was appointed with other blacks by Fadi Bassilli who was removed from Metro.
I believe F Bassilli was Iranian or Egyptian.
Rita Davis he appointed after she had a fatality driving a metro bus and now she is head of Rail after an appointment for Line Manager.
It gets better.

+12 Vote up Vote down

DMCinDC · 672 weeks ago

Two words... Malignant Narcissism. Sarles should go look them up, but I am happy to assist ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_narcissism

4 replies · active 672 weeks ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

DMCinDC · 672 weeks ago

Ah wells, I wrote Sarles instead of Ballard (cannot delete this)... but applies to both anyways. :)

-4 Vote up Vote down

jkuchen · 672 weeks ago

According to Wikipedia, malignant narcissism has been referred to as "the quintessence of evil" and the sign of a "sadistic psychopath." A bit strong, perhaps?

+5 Vote up Vote down

Ever n Anon · 672 weeks ago

Good point. Metro's not that smart. :D

DMCinDC · 672 weeks ago

Not a strong descriptor at all. Do more research into it other than the quick Wiki link. Narcissists are grandiose, liars, and build a facade of how wonderful and great they are. Sounds exactly like this letter.

+6 Vote up Vote down

DMCinDC · 672 weeks ago

Two words.. Malignant Narcissism. Hercules Ballard should go look it up, but I'm happy to assist..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_narcissism

3 replies · active 672 weeks ago

+27 Vote up Vote down

Landbound_Mammal · 672 weeks ago

+11 Vote up Vote down

ha!

+15 Vote up Vote down

The Anti-TB Guy · 672 weeks ago

Maybe just growing up with the name "Hercules" went to Mr. Ballard's head? The original Hercules did a lot of incredible, impressive, wondrous, stupendous and amazing things, including finally getting those Augean stables cleaned out...

BTW, as long as the boss thinks you're doing an incredible, impressive, wondrous, stupendous and amazing job, who cares what the customers think?

+26 Vote up Vote down

Daily Rider · 672 weeks ago

Some more facts

6 Track workers killed on the Red line due to failure to follow procedures
7 Track worker killed on the Yellow line due to failure to follow procedures
8 Nine Customers/Passengers killed on the Red line, if I understand the NTSB report correctly due to failure to install and test signal equipment correctly, and disregard of fault indicators for that equipment.
9 Blue and Yellow lines stopped for the evening because electrical equipment catches fire
10 Radio coverage nonexistent in parts of the system.
11 Brake parts (friction rings) fall off cars in revenue service (not that falling off in non-revenue service is ok).
12 Operator on duty stops bus, punches out McGruff, and is fired but reinstated.
13 Operator fails to complete run and puts Passenger/Customer off short of destination.
14 Theft of revenue detected only through complaint of convenience store operator.

I could go on, but this should be plenty to document a dysfunctional system.

+34 Vote up Vote down

John · 672 weeks ago

Because you're good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like you!

+21 Vote up Vote down

ANON · 672 weeks ago

What a toxic environment Metro is. What's with the us and them BS?

We pay you, you provide a service. You don't have to be over the top nice, just competent.

Sadly, many Metro employees are downright mean and do nothing.

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

Nita · 672 weeks ago

Amen on the "downright mean". This is out of hate for whites and Jeter and her huband do nothing to help these woman and probably want them gone Re-read the article she does not want more whites hired.

+13 Vote up Vote down

knows metro · 672 weeks ago

Hey Herc!

Your employees' self worth should be defined by their performance.

Using that metric, I don't see a lot of value, only high cost do nothings who know there are no consequences for their actions/inactions.

+10 Vote up Vote down

Need my car keys.. · 672 weeks ago

"If he did know you, he would be singing a different tune. His depiction of you would be changed from inept to incredible, impressive, wondrous, stupendous, or amazing."

BWHAAAHAAAAHAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAA!! (deep breath) HAAAHAAAAHAA!!!

This can't be real, can it?

+26 Vote up Vote down

former employee · 672 weeks ago

The Washington Times printed the truth. I think Mr. Sarles knows it is the truth but he has to say something. The Civil Rights and HR don't give a shit and has'nt for years. If the situation was reversed, the mega media would a field day for weeks and Sarles would be fired and in hiding. No, instead he blames the sourses. He should go "uncover boss" for a week.. just a week but I doubt he would make it

Metro's action speak the truth. So Sarles can take that "no documents or out dated data"' and stick it. Tell someone else who has not been through the living hell that I went through while employee there.

1 reply · active 672 weeks ago

+12 Vote up Vote down

Nita · 672 weeks ago

Former employee- you are correct. I heard from a white female that DC EEOC did not want to file a class action for white female years back even though there were only 8 or so. I miss the white female supervisor on the Red Line she was the only white female I have ever seen on all of metro rail

You don't see any white females operating trains anymore.

+19 Vote up Vote down

hrh king friday 13 · 672 weeks ago

Funny that he went with Merriam-Webster because when you look up "ignorant" in the Oxford dictionary there's a picture of Hercules Ballard.

Anonnnn · 672 weeks ago

Incredible, stupendous, wondrous, impressive, amazing?
I miss the days when children were thrilled to receive a gold star.

-3 Vote up Vote down

Sam · 672 weeks ago

Thomas Frank once rightly wrote of The Washington Times, "There is even a daily newspaper...published strictly for the [conservative] movement’s benefit, a propaganda sheet whose distortions are so obvious and so alien that it puts one in mind of those official party organs one encounters when traveling in authoritarian countries." It speaks volumes that Unsuck always cites it so credulously.

5 replies · active 671 weeks ago

+11 Vote up Vote down

Actually, I think the Washington Times is a POS, but that doesn't mean every article they publish is without merit.

In this case, about something I know quite a bit about myself, I think they're pretty spot on.

Some of the racial stuff could have been toned down though.

Guest · 672 weeks ago

'Think about this'

Tell that "....toned down" to those reports you hear in the news daily and Judges find for the mistreatment unless you are not those entitled.

Affirmative action and fairness goes hand in hand. One day you may find it hard to get an employer to hire or promote you because of your race. You may get the ax. At that time you will feel it personally and have a different view of how race plays an important role with certain employers. As a tax payer I feel citizens who are out of work in VA should have equivalent recruiting and appointments relative to the jurisdictions who pay to ride and who pay taxes to fund the 60% of Metro Rail.

Dart · 672 weeks ago

Didn't he leftly write that?

+7 Vote up Vote down

I should add that the Washington Post is rapidly approaching POSdom.

Guest · 671 weeks ago

Print on Washington Times printing the truth sometimes hurts!

+3 Vote up Vote down

ATP · 672 weeks ago

I wonder how much was wasted to cost to copy and distribute. Two-sided copies?