So a driver on an OC Transpo bus went off on a passenger.  The driver yelled, swore and threatened a passenger.  The passenger, who deals with mild autism was reciting a play he had written for a screen writing class.  He was at the front of the bus and apparently, the driver didn’t like the play.  When the passenger wouldn’t stop reciting, the driver became progressively more abusive.

The driver yelled, swore including repeated use of the “F” word and culminated in threats of physical violence.  Unfortunately for the driver but fortunately for everyone else, another passenger recorded the incident on her phone and uploaded it to Youtube.  OC Transpo is investigating.

I’m not sure what there is to investigate.  The driver verbally abused and threatened a rider on his bus.  There is a video of the incident.  Thousands have seen it.  These are my tax dollars that pay this uber-jerk.  I don’t think that’s appropriate.  I’ve dealt with some really people over the years, and I’ve never pulled that sort of crap.  The other ninety-nine percent of the drivers at OC Transpo put up with everything he does, but they remain professional and courteous.  he doesn’t deserve to be part of that group.  Fire him now and restore some public faith in the cities decision making process.

Which brings me to Mayor Jim Watson.  After offering his pro-forma apology, he said he hopes OC Transpo will share the outcome of their investigation.  Wait a minute!  Who runs this place?  Apparently not  our elected officials.  Seems like the it’s actually the bureaucrats and unions.  Makes me want to vote next election.  Probably for someone willing to stand up for the people who pay the bills.  You know.  Us.

The other gem from Mayor Watson runs as follows.  “People should govern themselves accordingly knowing most people are carrying cameras.”  What the hell?  How about this?  People shouldn’t verbally abuse and threaten other people because it’s wrong whether you’re being filmed or not.  To figure.  It’s wrong.  Maybe I should mention this again.  It’s wrong!

The head of the driver’s union responded to the incident by saying the witness shouldn’t have filmed the incident.  He’s apparently on the same page as the Mayor.  The problem isn’t with the psycho driver.  Hell no, the only problem they see is that he shouldn’t have been filmed doing it.  Thank you ATU president Garry Queale.

By your reasoning, the police who beat Rodney King shouldn’t have been filmed and held to account.  No one should record or report abuses of power.  It seems he and Mayor Watson would be happier if there was some sort of blanket amnesty for their pet idiot.  Fortunately for the rest of us, there’s no such thing.

Cheers, Winston