From the NY Times…

To the Editor:

I see little to celebrate in the 100-year anniversary of the New York subway system. We are still paying higher fares, and the train I ride most frequently, the F, is frequently rerouted on weekends and late nights for ostensible construction, while I haven't seen any discernible improvement in service in the last eight years.

The terrible shrieking brakes only become more shrill, the station platforms are often filthy with decades of caked chewing gum, the announcements are often undecipherable because of faulty audio equipment, various peddlers are permitted to roam the cars freely harassing passengers, and the newer trains run only on a few lines.

The subway systems in Paris and Toronto are far superior, as is the Metro in Washington. One might as well celebrate the precarious hundred-year-old plumbing or electrical wiring in one's brownstone.

Eric W. Kuns
Brooklyn, Oct. 27, 2004

***

In other news:

1. I recently dusted off the old Guns N' Roses "Use Your Illusion" albums, and dammit if Shannon Hoon and Axl Rose weren't the greatest vocal duo since the Righteous Brothers. Now, in a bit of cosmic alignment, Copy, Right has posted a cover of Mogwai doing "Don't Cry," from the beloved Peel Sessions. They get points for the effort.

2. Go try to make friends with Tara Reid's top-heavy sister. Here's her Friendster profile.

3. He's not in Maroon 5. But his name is Adam Levine. This is his story. (via Coolfer)

(Ed. Note: I'm the Governor, and I not only approve this message, I think it's awesome.)

We're not gonna be that blog and write up a crappy, bloated endorsement full of arguments we cribbed from The New Yorker, so we're just gonna give it straight to you (in case it wasn't already obvious): We're endorsing John Kerry for president.

Knowing that there are a good seven or eight readers who rely on Fresyes to make all their tough decisions for them, we don't take this endorsement lightly. But we do have this little guiding principle in life, in which we believe failure should not be rewarded. That includes failure to plan, failure to take responsibility for your mistakes and failure to be honest with your constituents.

So, it's time to give someone else a chance to screw everything up. Let's see what you've got, Johnny Boy. Do it. Do it.

Meanwhile, our favorite newspaper endorsement this week comes from the Denver Post, which endorses Bush with these reassuring words: "(Bush) squandered global good will by taking a 'my way or the highway' approach to matters of global warming, international law, Iraq weapons inspections and ultimately the Iraq invasion. He bows to corporate preference in matters of energy and environment, and his education funding levels leave far too many children behind." There ya have it, Bush-lovers! Get out there and vote Nov. 3!