Avery's Campaign Journal

The Campaign In the USA

Aug 28 / 2004

Delegates preparing to whoop it up at the Republican National Convention might want to be careful about which cabs they flag to get to their strip clubs and other sordid drinking establishments.

Acting like they were some kind of a transportation super heroes, Cabbies Against Bush, a coalition of New York City cab drivers, have vowed to "Shine a light on Bush" and his policies by driving with their headlights on during the day and talking trash to Republicans by night. In a more provocative gesture, they're also offering coupons for free cab rides to Kennedy or Newark airports (the only two local airports with flights to Baghdad) for any Republican willing to fight in Iraq —- including Fox News' Bill O'Reilly. Here’s an excerpt of an interview with one of the group's founders, Queens cabbie John McDonagh.

What do you have against Bush?
John McDonagh: [ Laughs] Where do I start? Where do I start? No... Seriously, where do I start? I never done an interview before and I’m not sure if you want me to tell you a bit about myself and my wife –- who makes the best meatball sandwich by the—

Just answer the question, okay?

Okay. Jesus, you don’t have to get testy. What? Did somebody slap you on the head? Because sometimes a slap on the head...

Just answer the question!

Okay, okay. What was it again?

(Sigh) What have you got against Bush?

Umm, I guess my answer would be... Everything.

Nicely summed up.

(Burps) Thanks, I thought so.

What gave you the idea to protest this way?
This is how we work. We wanted to do something, but not like civil disobedience, where you get arrested or get a ticket. Even though it’s great fun to a punch guy’s head in and I’d love to kick George Bush in the balls. Man that would be sweet.

Why have you specifically targeted Bill O'Reilly?
(Breaks wind) ‘Scuse me.Michael Moore asked, "Would you send your kids to Iraq,"  [O'Reilly] said, "No, but I would sacrifice my life." We said that if the only problem he was having was getting to the airport, we'd give him a lift. We just walked into the  [Fox News] building and handed them a coupon. They haven't taken us up on the offer yet. [ Laughs manically. Gets lost in his thoughts] Man, it would be so sweet to kick O’Reilly’s wrinkly and splotchy ass.

On Friday, you were asked to appear on Fox News. How did that go?
First off they had me drive Rupert Murdoch to a bra store. Then he wanted to go the Museum of Modern Art. When we stopped outside of it, he told me, “one day I’ll own that building and I’ll burn every piece of left wing art in it.” Then he told me he could have me killed and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. True story. Then it was back to Fox for my interview. I got one minute and 52 seconds and I was outta there ... That whole Fox place is unbelievable ... Even the hairdresser was arguing with me. He called me a ‘bitch’ and hit me with his hairbrush.

What do cab drivers think about the plan?
Well, they love it! They’re really getting tired of getting stiffed on their fares by these Republicans who never have the 20 dollars for cab fare because they’re all ‘cash poor.’ And the stock tips they offer up in lieu of payment never pan out. Bastards...

Are there any pro-Bush cab drivers?
There’s one guy. Crazy old George Sr. You should meet him! He claims he’s George’s dad and used to be president. Looks a lot like him now that I think about it. I wonder...

One of my colleagues arrived in New York from Washington, and once his cab driver learned he was here for the convention, he refused to drive him.
Um, I suppose I should say legally, a cabbie has to drive a passenger. What they cabbie should have done was milked him. You know, drove him around in circles and built up a really large cab fare. That way you get to screw a Republican the way they’ve been screwing you. I think it’s called poetic justice. Cabbies have to make money. And there’s no law that says they can’t gouge like Conservatives and right-wing nut jobs. You're certainly not going to make that money throwing them out of the cab. That's crazy, man.

Crazy, huh?

Koo koo, man.

So, you'd pick up a delegate?
Sure. We'd have a discussion about why he's here, and why he supports the Bush agenda and I’d take him to Manhattan via the scenic route – through Queens and Brooklyn. And I’d tell him that if he feels strongly about the war then why isn't he going to Iraq and taking up arms? We had this silly retort from George Bush, that it's better to fight them over there than over here. But the East River looks like the Mekong Delta. The only thing that's missing is John Kerry in a Swift Boat. How can [Bush] say that the world's a safer place, and we still can't get around New York?  ... At the end of the day, it's all so silly.

Silly or crazy? Which is it?

Huh?

How do you think the Republican passengers will react to what you’re doing?

It depends on the sense of humor of the guy. I would hope some would take it in the way it's meant and not go completely crazy.

Again with the ‘crazy?’

Yeah. Okay, here we are, “Bertha’s House of Lust.” That’ll be $35.50, and thanks for the talk. It was great to – Hey! Come back here, you asshole! I want my money! God damn it. Lousy stinking ant! You’re no better than those freaking Republicans, or Michael Moore. Damn it!

Aug 27 / 2004
Aug 26 / 2004
Aug 25 / 2004
Aug 24 / 2004
Aug 23 / 2004
Aug 22 / 2004
USA Archives

The Campaign In the USA

The Campaign In Canada