The Red Line to Salvation

• We can still call him a poon, right? awesome!

• I think everyone is being a bit unfair to Jeff. Mentally ill people may be entertaining and "colorful", but they are suffering and, yes, they are probably more likely to cross a line due to a perceived threat. I should know; I've been there with mental illness. If this man is holding up his signs on the trains on his way to work or social engagements with others, that's his right. But if compulsion leads him to stand on a train instead of having a satisfying job and meaningful relationships with others, mental illness is robbing him of his one go-round in life. One could say the teens at Columbine in their black trench coats and obsession with violence were "colorful" until they crossed the line. I'm not saying this guy is going to get violent. I'm just saying that what he's doing isn't within the range of what most people do and so Jeff, and others, are right to take note. To do differently is just stupid; it is just ignoring God-given common sense. I have never felt unsafe on a DART train or on an NYC/Boston/Chicago/San Fran train, but I am alert and watchful of people who seem "colorful", regardless of their age, their skin color, or the religion they may be advocating. You may feel entertained by him and others like him; I see people who need and deserve help. I wish I could open a permanent home for the mentally ill and indigent so they could have a better life. Jeff did not deserve to be a called a racist wuss. How intolerant.

• Yeah, I remember the dark days of the past administration when Bush and Cheney would roam the DART trains after hours to trample free speech and waterboard passengers. But I don't want to get irrelevantly politcal, though.

• Yeah, I want those pants too. Hey, if he approaches you, you have the right to report him to DART security. Otherwise, you also have the right to say to your kid, "Son, that's what we call an a-hole." Or, "Son, I hope you recognize the right of free speech is not being abrogated in the Obama administration." Or, "Hey, is that Tom Leppert?"

• Jeff: Black people on the DART train are SOOOOO frightening, aren't they? There oughta be a law that makes all black people sit in the back so you and your racist family can sit safely in the front.

• Wow. I was too busy looking at the sign to notice his sweet threads. Where can I pick up a pair of those pants? I honestly wish I could ride DART more than I do, but we so rarely go to the same places.

• I'm pretty sure this is the guy who gave me a lecture about demon possession last week

• totally agree. I used to ride from the Cedars to St. Paul and occasionally elsewhere on the weekends. There truly is nothing more entertaining and "in the moment" than people watching on train. xenophobia is Dallas' biggest problem. If we had more opportunities to gather and share spaces with those who are different than us, it would not be an issue. DART is one of the few spaces in Dallas where you can actually do this. it certainly inspired a lot of introspection and caused me to take a good look at who I am and what I believe about people. everyone should take advantage of public transit at some point.

• That guy probably just went insane from wasting away in a traffic jam. And as to the safety of DART, I think the trains are safe, especially during the daylight hours. Sure, there's the occassional person who's a little wacko, but that just spices up the journey.

• I'm glad I live in East Dallas where 'characters' are celebrated and embraced. What sort of Collin County contagion causes you to be afraid of this man? Thanks for showing more of Justin's stellar photography.

• I often ride with perfectly sane individuals who go off their rocker for a moment or two while riding the train or bus that you would believe "Go Postal"dat any moment. So who are we to decide who our fellow passengers are? Give me a good church or temple going person any day. Heathens,"Go Strait To Hell".

• Jeff..... do you know Jesus Christ? Because there's a thing at First Baptist next week that I'd like to take you to.

• Woops, wrong link: http://bit.ly/ouoH9

• One of the best things about DART is that I'm safe from morons like Jeff. Also, <a href="http://bit.ly/3RCV3l">people-watching</a>.

• Jeff, are you actually afraid of this man? Please explain. I see soccer moms on the train with their kiddos <i>all the time.</i> Jeff, you're every bit as brave as you are urbane ... I hope for your sake you're married to a soccer mom who can tell you <i>There, there</i> whenever there's a "monster in the closet."

• That's a pretty small bubble you're living in, Jeff. Better hope it doesn't pop.

• Thank you Lakewooder. That gave me a good laugh.

• Oh, oh, oh! I want to play! This one of those game pictures where you find the hidden image of a knife or gun. Hmmm.... I'm not seeing it. Perhaps an exposed electrical cord or broken window glass? Hmmmm..... I'm just not seeing it. Help me out Jeff, which part of the picture was unsafe? Was it the religious sign or the black man?

• Aw, jeff don't be such a poon....this guy just adds flavor to the commute!

• Those perceptions of safety --- hey Jeff, tell me how many people died in traffic accidents in the Dart service area and then how many died in any connection with Dart. (I think the only ones are those who tried to beat the train at a crossing.)

• I can't even begin to tell you how backwards that statement is...on every level.

• This is why we all drive in Dallas. Is taking DART safe? I'd be afraid to take my kids on DART. So we all pack into the car whenever we go somewhere. Make DART safe and it'll get more use.

• Okay, so Jesus is doin' his Forever tour and we also have a new soccer team?

• That guy is on the train all the time. He has a clinical disorder of some kind. I'm not saying that because he has religious signs. His behavior, which I have witnessed much of, suggests that he has some kind of condition that manifests itself partly in that over the top religiosity.

• Did he buy the DART pass that covers "eternal zones"?

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