MORE Thoughts -- PRCo--2000 -- What Trolleycars Remain ed??

[Kenneth and Tracie Josephson]

brathke at juno.com wrote:

> > Perhaps traction/rail museums will someday have to fall under the
> > "protection" of the federal government and be made into 'national
> > historical
> > parks, with federal money for support.
>
> Like Steamtown?  I visited Steamtown in Scranton, PA last week, and wrote
> a brief summary of its operation (first rate) and funding (deep Federal
> pockets).

I am concerned about the "Political Correctness" movement, a trend that
appears to follow where the votes come from rather than righting any wrongs
within society.

Suppose a museum takes Federal grants for a restoration project and then
faces some sort of retroactive redefinition of historical events? The group
may be forced to accept a government approved, mythological interpretation of
the history of the trolley car in the United States, or be forced to take
non-interested people from government work programs to work on and operate
the equipment. Remember the idiot who ran a red flag in Dormont several years
ago? He rammed a standing car full of commuters, was suspended pending
termination and still got his job back. One of his bosses wound up fired and
another was punished. Would you want that clown operating the 1138 or the 832
at Arden (by government mandate?)

If this sounds a bit extreme or reactionary, so be it. I have seen the
effects of this sort of meddling in both the schools and public hospitals.
Ken J.