Date: Monday, September 29, 2008.
Trip: New York City to Cambridge, MA
Distance: approximately 200 miles
Time: some four hours on the road.
Left streets of Manhattan at 11 AM, assuming passage of the bailout bill by the House of Representatives in Washington. At our departure, the stock market stands at 10,900, down from Friday’s close of 11,143.13.
On first leg of homeward journey, close attention to route and signs pointing toward New England. Conversation focuses on events of our New York weekend, not yet on national happenings.
No rain or other weather in sight. Sun brings relief from difficult road conditions met on way down last Friday.
Stopping for lunch at Dunville’s in Westport, CT at 12 PM, missed media reports of trouble for the bailout bill on the Washington congressional horizon. Resolve to catch next broadcast if a clear NPR station can be found.
Before leaving town, filled 2009 Toyota Corolla’s gas tank, serving self and paying 34 dollars. This a way of avoiding highway stop, with likelihood of paying more. Later, discover the price of oil has fallen by some ten dollars that day.
On route 95 heading north again, locate NPR on our car radio. Reception good from station in Hartford.
At 1:28, vote begins in House. Bill looks likely to fail by some nine votes. Opposition mainly Republicans, but a sizeable number of Democrats don’t support the measure either.
Traffic typical, heavy trucks jockeying with cars for advantageous roadway positions. Me hoping to stay on cruise control. Aiming to keep a steady 70 m.p.h. so as to reduce time on road and ease painful pressure on arthritic right knee.
NPR runs interview with Robert Kuttner, who indicates mixed feelings about the legislation. Kuttner disavows “leave no banker behind” attitude, but feels some sympathy with populist criticisms.
More commentators lined up, among them Larry Summers, late of the U.S. Treasury and (less happily) the Harvard presidency.
Intrigued by station’s promise of upcoming interview with conservative columnist who suggests Sarah Palin should quit her bid for Vice President. Despite our rabid enthusiasm for that prospect, we judge it unlikely McCain will substitute Hillary or anyone else.
Announcer breaks into interview with news that at 2:09 House has rejected bailout. Consternation reigns in D.C. Rumors of reconsideration – later rejected as impossible.
Wife and I caught up with excitement but manage to stay on the roadway. Brings back memories of driving with a friend through South Dakota’s Badlands in 1973 when Alexander Butterfield revealed routine taping of Nixon’s conversations in White House. Friend and I then electrified by the news.
Three and a half decades later, while driving America’s highways, I’m bowled over again by startling news,
Taking a break, we pull into rest stop. I get out and stretch my hurting legs.
Tie-up of traffic, apparently due to spill of lumber from a truck. Moving to the far right lane (nothing political here), we get through this impasse in short order.
Line of trucks on our right, waiting to be weighed─the first time on record a highway weigh station has been seen in actual use.
Stock market plunges into territory that marks a new low. On the way to a record of an almost 800-point loss, the market stirs fantasies of a complete collapse.
We pass Hartford, though without noticing the city. Too engrossed in the radio news to pay attention to the surroundings. But enough in control to avoid staying on Route 91, and turning off on 84 heading northeast.
Waiting for a Boston NPR station to kick in without static. When it comes, it brings some repetition of material already heard on other stations.
Continued fascination with the events on Capitol Hill and Wall Street. What is happening to our country? How can things fall apart like this? We continue talking about what lies ahead for the nation and for us.
Other news breaks in. The Attorney General announces need for investigation of U.S. Attorneys firings under predecessor Alberto Gonzales. Given today’s events, what kind of traction will this other story have?
Buy M & Ms at a rest stop as emergency rations to hold us for the home stretch. Back on Mass Pike, we envision being home in short order. As always, taking comfort in the priority status accorded us by E-ZPass transponder.
At Newton Corner, however, almost collide with a speeding car that swoops menacingly toward us from the left (nothing political in this, either). Only my sudden serve away from that vehicle and its reckless driver saves us from disaster. What a coda that would have been to an already crazy day!
Even in these exciting times, not every day has quite the same resonance. This particular Monday, however, will hold a place among the memorable ones, as our country lurches toward an uncertain future.
Richard Griffin