30th Street Station- Mr. Levin Speaks

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

And deserves your attention:

http://pennsyrr.com/index.php/about/mus ... s-response

ekrwy2 · **Joined:** Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:12 pm **Posts:** 121

Well said sir!!!!

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

And Mr. Davis questions...

Mr. Levin’s initial point is valid, but his full argument undermines purity of intent.

I agree that there is no need to rename landmarks after politicians. I signed the petition (I also don’t like the “Moynihan Station” name in NY).

Mr. Levin rhetorically asks the city to, “pause and consider (with all due respect) the enormous challenges facing this nation this week and ask yourself; Do we really need to spend the time, money and energy to rename this iconic building after another politician?”

Had his argument ended there, it would have been awesome. The last thing we need is senseless waste on things like renaming train stations.

Hooray!

Unfortunately, he doesn’t stop there.

Instead, he offers an alternative plan of naming 30th Street Station after long deceased officers of the Pennsylvania Railroad. That sounds good to my Pennsy roots, but...

Wouldn’t that cost as much “time, money and energy” as naming it after a Congressman?

Of course it would.

He seems to think it would be less egregious if it is named after people he approves of.

One of those he approves of is J. Edgar Thomson.

In the current economy, is it really wise to suggest renaming the station after a businessman who convinced a crooked US senator (Simon Cameron) to make Thomson’s industry tax exempt?

I would love to see Mr. Levin use his well-earned reputation and Philly clout to come out against wasteful spending, no matter who is being honored.

Rob Davis

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

The point is to rename the edifice in the name of someone relevant, not impeccable, if it must be done.

Having heard no serious opposition...

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

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superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

Probably the same way that I knew if anybody would take issue with somebody of the unimpeachable public reputation and immense gravitas of Mr. Levin it would likely be you.

We are all creatures of habit.

By the way, please look up the words anonymous and pseudonymous and note the difference. More accurately, I am semi-pseudonymous. There's quite a few people on this board who know who I am.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

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superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

Let me put it this way.

There was a time a long, long ago, Mr. Levin wanted to share something with me-a copy of an address he gave at Penn State.

It came addressed to "Superheater's Grandmother".

Understand?

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

message deleted by poster

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

You missed the point.

Mr. Levin respects people's privacy, even that of some internet crank like me.

You have a business when you want people to know who you are-my profession is quite the opposite.

When you pay my salary, I'll answer to you and not until.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

Supe - I don't want to tick off the mods. I sent you a PM and am
deleting my off topic posts.

EDIT - well, not truly deleting as that functionality turns off once there is a response.

I have enjoyed the banter with Superheater over the years. I don't know him, but the back and forth has grown so much I feel like we both have to play our role. It's all in fun, and I made sure to clarify that with him tonight, but it is probably not a constructive use of RYPN space.

:-)

Rob

Dave Crosby · **Posted:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:13 am

Changing the name of 30th street is akin to changing the Governor's name on the "Welcome to Pennsylvania" signs every time there was a turnover.

Please. What a waste of money - be it changing the name to honor a historical figure or influential politician. And of course, everyone has their pick of who it should be named for, depending on their political affiliation, favorite railroad or childhood hero. Quite frankly, I think my cat Sam is above reproach, so I vote for the "Samuel L Catson Intermodal Terminal".

Say they change the name tomorrow, ten years from now people will still be calling it 30th Street. I'm in Chicago at least once a year and 10 to 1, people still call it the "Sears Tower".

Dave Crosby

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:28 am

I applaud Mr. Levin for his efforts and I both signed the petition and sent several letters.

Sadly, its all for nought as the Senate approved the bill and it's on the way to President Obama's desk for his signature.

Guess the best we can hope for is that it will get mostly ignored and this grand station will continue to be known as 30th. Street???

Ross Rowland