Reporter Files First-Hand News Story About Stuck Amtrak Train…Via Twitter
- Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:18pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Reporters will sometimes go to great lengths to report on a story. Sometimes the story comes them. And when it does, they have to be ready. Like this TV journalist, who got stuck for 10 hours on a broken-down Amtrak train and reported on it live via Twitter.
The “report” was composed of 42 tweets over a 12 hour period, as the train that was headed from Baltimore to Philadelphia lost power, electricity, and heat. Passengers got so angry they stormed the conductor and took over the intercom. The tweets include the reporter admitting he was close to crying and cuddling with the senior citizen next to him for warmth.
This is usually the part in the story where I include an excerpt from the report, but in this era of new journalism, I bring you all 42 tweets from D.C. reporter Stephen Tschida of ABC affiliate WJLA-TV:
(H/T: Gawker)
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ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 19, 2010 at 3:29pmFrankly I think this illustrates how people of the modern era will respond to hiccups of this magnitude. His language was definitely scared in nature and he was reporting just vaguely of frustrated people and hearing shouting. I would think more was actually going on but since he‘s no doubt a lib he felt it wouldn’t be prudent to comment exactly on how the people we’re really behaving. I’ve seen situations where Americans begin to boil over at the slightest inconvienance. Lucky for them they got the train moving ever so slowing because that gave the people hope that their ordeal would atleast be over at some point. They resolve to then just sit and wait it out instead of jumping out a window. This train illustrates how fragile we are as a poeple in this fast food, fast service, self entitled society. Satisfy me right now or I’ll throw a fit.
Some commented on the loss of freedom. I agree. Freedom for the Average American is really just and illusion thats why new freedoms of immorality must be invented to keep us distracted and off balance.
Since we are in the season of good cheer (I assume this happened recently) I wonder if any of the folks on any of these passengers cars took it upon themselves to maybe sing some Christmas carols or some of the talented to get up and do a comic/magic/dance act since this is how we are constantly entertained. Where was all the entertainment? Where were all of the dems/libs trying to get everybody together to pull through this thing? Are not these people the very people who tell greater society how good and upright they should be in times of suffering and challenge? Where were they? Why are their no stories about how they pulled together to get through this? Because what these people stand for has killed the American of true charity and good samaritainship (if thats a word). Why didn’t anybody demand atleast some entertainment since they were most definintely missing out on their favorite shows? Thousands of questions but no answers.
Report Post »bigdaddybernie
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 2:50pmI thought TWITTER was started to tell all your friends that your PIZZA is cold.
Report Post »xxxPatriot
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 8:17pmAnother shining example of waiting for the government to save you. Do you think this boy could make it through a natural disaster?
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 7:32pmWhat a wussy!!!! What a legacy to leave your family! Just think what he would have tweeted if he’d have been in that mine in Chilie! Holy cow! Can you just imagine?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:46pmAmTrack is the poster child for government STUPIDITY and DERANGEMENT! It’s the AFFIRMATIVE ACTION train to nowhere!
Report Post »inferno
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:45pmYes sir ! Why not spend a few billion on rapid transit? Get all those selfish people out of their cars.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:25pmAlthough I can understand the frustration of not knowing what was going on, this reporter is a WIMP. Can’t you read a good book? How about talk to people? Here’s an idea. How about reporting the NEWS like a good little reporter should? How about some invesigative journalism??? But instead, you sit there and whine like a mule!
Report Post »wianno94
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:38pmAMTRAK is a giant pimple on the ass of transportation. Putrid waste of money.
Report Post »Ben F
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:14pmI used this train and had similiar problems (not as severe), same area that made me late to Restoring Honor Rally. How long ago was that??? Many months ago – Also ride home was fairly precarious.
Report Post »This is our guvment at work.
Ben F
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:11pmAdd your comments
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:05pmThis is a classic example of sheep not knowing what to do and how to survive a disaster, and this wasn’t even close to a disaster. First you have the panic, what to do, what to do. Then you have the idiots who just want to do something no matter what it is, like get off the train in Perryville, with no plan after that. I read no report of anyone stepping up, calming people, checking on the old and ill, you know, the stuff someone with an actual head on their shoulder might do. These people are the people Glenn talks about as being the 90% who won’t know which way to turn when disaster strikes. Too bad there wasn’t one of the 10% who are leaders on board that train.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 19, 2010 at 3:35pmU so right!
Report Post »CaptGregg
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:42pmLooks like the smart ones got off at Perryville, where they could at least stay warm while waiting for another train. The reporter had that option, but CHOSE to stay in an adverse situation rather than face what he considered the unknown. No sympathy here.
Report Post »Rock_Thrower
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:18pmI guess Atlas is starting to Shrug
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:08pmGod, what a candy-ass! I can’t believe how weak many males are nowadays.
What kills me is this idiot is probably the first guy to back a failed policy like government backed transportation – and will continue to do so.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:34pmHank Williams Jr said it best
“A Country Boy can survive.”
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:43pmDidn’t he also argue, The South Will Rise Again???
Report Post »Bryan
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:51pmJust goes to show. Power goes out for a mere 12 hours and people turn on anyone around them. We all need to learn to make it on our own just in case the 3 cent transistor goes bad.
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 8:27amAmen brotha… I am actually looking forward to the day the power goes out for good! In the words of Hank, Jr.: “my Granpaw taught me how to live of the land…. I got a shotgun, a rifle and 4-wheel drive and country boy can survive!!
Report Post »iWonderWhy
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:42pmAnd yet these are the same people who probably just shrug off what brave men suffered at the “Frozen Chosin”. Leave them in a train that is dry, sheltered from wind, and with food for ten hours and all of a sudden it’s a “life changing event”.
Report Post »Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:50pmlol!
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:05pmIt has always amazed me how soldiers have survived sub zero temps in the worst conditions.
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:47pmPerhaps he will get a chance to participate as an embedded “journolist” in Korea Part 2 and participate in a full retreat from the Chinese (who our government says aren’t there) doing some hand-to hand fighting, running, hiding and eating canned fruit cocktail ( and damned glad to have it) for three days all the while receiving a Bronze Star. But, then, he could be captured and really, really relate to Dr. Zhivago.
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 8:24ambiggreenboo, That’s because only real men join the military… and the wussy guys either are booted out in Basic Training (my company lost 34 of the 70 we started with) OR the wussies “cowboy-up” and learn to be real men! I am sure the ones that drop-out end up in journalism school!
Report Post »Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:40pmumm, does this guy seem a little over dramatic?
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:40pmWhat a fruitcake… this guy would die if something really bad happened (10 hours on a frozen train is not bad)
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:53pmIs this, what the city turns men, into? Metro-sexuals?
Report Post »booger71
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:30pmIf this wimp wants to really really feel cold, he needs to work on an oil rig in North Dakota during winter.
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:46pmHave flown in to fargo several times (Grand parents in Pelican Rapids Minn.)… I don’t care how many seniors you cuddle with… it’s dam cold!!!
Report Post »Lydia
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:38pmROFLMAO guess if I take a trip on Amtrack better take a dog or two to keep me warm “just in case” and to protect me from the chaotic passengers too!
But seriously… human nature… we are beasts. It only takes a crisis to turn the most “civilized” and “respectable” among us into mad creatures.
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:36pmIf he is a journalist, he really needs to learn how to spell. And the liberal crowd wants us to all ride trains? Also, is the area between Baltimore and Philly a desert? Can’t they get out and walk or try to find a taxi, call someone to pick them up? These people are dead meat should the electrical grid get attacked.
Report Post »biggreenboo
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:47pmMost of those people are zombies without being the undead… need everything done for them. Every decision made for them. When something bad does happen most of America will be dead in the first month. If you are not prepared for tragedy, tragedy will befall you.
Prepare your mind, not just your bunker!
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:34pmTalk about a pansy. He should spend a few days with our troops in Afghanistan if he wants to feel some real stress.
Report Post »EngChina
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 6:38amNobody is suggesting that ‘all people should ride trains’ especially the current AMTRAK rolling stock which is in some cases 30 -40 years old.
Report Post »I love high speed trains -they are comfortable , clean and very reliable, it would be a great alternative on short trips such as DC -NYC – Boston to the current horrors of aging crowded airports, horrific security and overworked often very stressed airline staff and massive delays due to inclement weather
Sounds like most of you good ol boys and gals have never experienced high speed rail (ACELA is not high speed rail), and therefore can only rant about America’s poorly underfunded national rail system .As for HSTs performing well in snow – Japanese Bullet trains appear to fair well- that’s because the Japanese have revolutionized their power line structure so that problems such as broken power lines are extremely rare. However nothing in this world is fool proof.
Once again this holiday season you will see people stranded in airports all over the country, sometimes for days when nature and snow storms once again show mankind who is really in control.
johnnycatt
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 8:13amyes, they are the epitome of the “wussification” of America… ever Notice that liberal men are always tiny, skinny dudes with no heart and liberal women are usually “unattractive” … neither of which could survive a real calamity; both of which usually think the world has ended because the power goes out?
Report Post »tjdavid21444
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:27pmAnd people wonder why Amtrak keeps losing money? I wonder how many coats Joe Biden wears when he travels this way.
Report Post »Lincoln1
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:42pmDo you think that if Biden wasn’t delivering flowers to the Prince or doing some half ass CNN show and was on that train that DHS, FEMA, DOT, the Ravens or the Eagles along with the National Guard would have been called out……then this could have been the disaster he needs for Obama to prove his leadership….doubt it he has a plane to catch for Hawaii
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 9:42pmActually I think the tweets were really funny – reminds me of my trip from hell flying home from London once years ago!! It only takes once and you are jaded forever! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:27pmI love to see a liberal media guy going nuts. They talked about how Sarah Palin drives the liberal media last weekend at donsmithshow.com. That’s why I love Sarah.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:30pmThat is a great conservative site. I love the interviews and the humor section.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:24pmIf this were the “Beck train” he would be audited, shut down and never been able to operate again. The government can break its own laws and come out smelling like a rose. People, I honestly believe our freedom is a farce and it has been lost long ago. What do we actually own, operate, etc that can not be taken by the government.
Report Post »These people are crooks! Communists….thugs!
the_ancient
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:32pmIf this would have been “Beck Train” he would have had food insurance emergency kits, and other survival gear and they just would have left the train and hiked to the nearest town and called in some busses
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:51pmYou are soooo right! I have just came to that realization. We haven’t had freedom for a long time if ever!!!! It’s really sad when you figure it out. It’s like when you found out there was no Santa only 1000 times worse! Freedome is a complete farse! The government will send you to jail for years for tax evasion (Wesley Snipes) but they will go on like nothing happened…(Tim Geitner, Charles Rangle, et al.)
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:28pm@girlnurse,
Yup, I hate to think of it that way but my wife and I got on this conversation with some friends and it went something like this:
Friend: “we own our land and property”
Us: “What happens if you can’t pay your taxes even [after] your house is paid off? What about Eminent Domain”?
Friend: “I own my car..”
Us: “Well, what happens if you do not pay that lousy $150 DMV charge, Insurance or ticket…”?
This went on and on for a while and there was always a way for government to take your savings, gold, house, family, etc.”
Sad, but we have a long way to go before we are truly free again. When we are truly free we can own our house after paying it off. Walk around with a firearm to defend ourselves without silly fees and checks. Once we own something and government does not have a loophole to confiscate it… then we are free.
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:45pm@Cessna
Agree with you that it is going to take time in winning this country back; yet we also are going to make it happen. WE will WIN.
Keep pressing for the higher ground, and praying for the guidance, help and confidence of the Almighty above.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:54pm@snowleopard3200,
Right on! My wife and I are down on our knees praying almost every day!
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:22pmAnd your point is?
Report Post »cubber
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 2:30pmJust letting us know to BE PREPARED.
Report Post »clipper
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:49pmHe sure likes to tweet
Report Post »DisgruntledDemocrat
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 4:26pmOK, what’s the proper solution? People on train call friends. They come out and pick them and others up off the train and get them to somewhere warm or get them home. If the reporter’s station had been smart they would have sent a bus. In other words, instead of waiting for the authorities to take care of everything the problem could have been solved by citizen action. It’s a great example of dependence on government to solve problems and things going badly.
Report Post »rubberbandangle
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:38pmCan this guy come up with sayings other than ‘OMG’ and ‘Oh God’?….it gets old reading someone using the Lords name in vain for every opening statement. (as I use the Lords name in vain)
Report Post »nptden
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 6:18pmJust a NORMAL ride on Amtrak, a govt subsidized, union run company…..Get used to it, comrade…and Obama wants to expand it.
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 8:29amThe point is that we should NOT be giant wussies like this sad shell of a man! This is how sheep react… I am sure Obama has a “cold train-ride” in my future, but it’ll be in some kind of cattle car, not a real Amtrak luxury liner!
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 12:09pmI have a seat, err spot, reserved next to you, JC. (we all know it’s standing room only in those things. Already staked out my final resting place in a nearby prison. It’s abandoned atm, leased by FEMA.. has a rail line running through it.. convenient, nyet?
Report Post »-line