Fuck TransLink

So, for those of you that don't know, the latest and greatest in Vancouver is that a fare-evader was refused entry onto a train (after purchasing a ticket) forcibly, by a Sky Pig (aka Transit Security), because she was wearing a "fuck yoga" pin. And that's offensive. Apparently.

 Sacrilegious as far as most West End Yoga Moms are concerned, I guess, since everyone keeps going on about how "Children use public transit, too!!" Yes. Yes they do. And beyond having eyes they also have ears, which means they have guaranteed heard "Fuck" in passing. They also probably attend a school where I'm sure some "bad ass" class mate has said "Fuck" to get attention. So it shouldn't really matter that a pin/shirt/book/mouth say "Fuck".

Others say "that pin expresses hatred for a way of life." Well, sort of. Kind of. In a most, "whywon'tyouletmecuddleyouyoudon'tlovemeandyouneverhaveyoubitch" crazy ex that should have been on Zoloft kind of way. The sentiment it really expresses is "Yoga is not for me and this trend of self actualization through expensive pants and a tighter ass is silly." If the pin said "Fuck anyone that practices yoga, bomb an Ashram, they're full of Asholes," then yeah, maybe that would be hatred for a way of life. More pointedly it would be a hatred for a trendy vacation getaway for whiteys, but that's not really the point. By saying that, these same people also imply that wearing a "Fuck H8" shirt somehow expresses hatred for a bigots' way of life. Which I'm sure these "yoga is life" types wouldn't consider a "valid" way of life, and neither do I. But by this same logic, it's a way of life that bigots should be allowed to go about their merry ignorant way enjoying with the same freedom that mat-toting yuppies do as they embark on their Ohm filled, zen path of righteousness.

TransLink has tried to defend the actions of this SkyPig by saying that they are there to enforce the rules and regulations of transit use which include "customer courtesy", i.e. to regulate foul language use. If that's the case, shut down transit in Surrey. And the East End. Especially the DTES. And definitely the Granville area. Particularly on weekends. Discontinue the nightbus, because amid drunken slurs, the occasional "nnnsnfff ... he... hey fuuck-ayou mannnnn.. yerrrra... No! man.. I'msh just kidding, man I love you... shoo.. mumm.... cndjs...." can be heard, and that is just disgusting. Well. It is obnoxious. But I'm happier knowing that person isn't driving themselves home. But no more! That is far too vulgar behaviour for public space, and our Victorian moralistic sense is more important than public safety.

This entire issue has been turned into a circus of ridiculous, moralistic, slippery slope arguments made by individuals who feel that their perceived rights trump those of others. In particular an obviously "alternative" woman who chooses to express her views openly. How terrifying.

So if this is too much for you to take, I suggest you take her method of dealing with unpleasant circumstances. Walk home instead of taking transit, where you can only hope you will meet less assertive people. God help you if you run into any homeless people, panhandlers, sex-workers or drug addicts, though. Then you might have to face the reality that you live in a large metropolis in the twenty-first century. And that could really harsh your zen, maaaaan.



Namafuckyouste.