John Clifford is the LIRR’s new “terrorist” or “hero” (depending on how you view things). Unless you’ve been under a rock the last couple of days, you would already know that John Clifford is a guy who likes a quiet train ride. He also wants people to have common courtesy. That means no loud talking on cellphones, no loud talking, and just being nice.

He’s also the guy who will kick your ass if you piss him off by not following any of the above. NICE! Where has this guy been? It’s about time someone started doing this. Many times I (as well as many others) have been on a train with some asshole who just don’t want to shut the fuck up on their goddamn cell phone. Is the conversation that important that it cannot wait or be carried on at a normal volume? Sometimes people complain that the blowers on the new M7’s are loud. Try sitting near one of these assholes, the blowers are whisper-quiet compared to them. “OHHHHHH MYYYY GAAWWWWWD! NOOOOO! HOLY SHIT! NOOO! HE DID NOT! NO WAY! WOW!”….ugggggggh! People like that deserve a smack in the teeth.

While I do not condone Mr. Clifford’s use of physical force (he tossed a cup of coffee on a woman who wouldn’t shut up) and he’s also got a lawsuit pending because of his “rage”, I salute him as a hero. He did what the rest of us are afraid to do (and what the Fail Road crews are too chickenshit to do)…which is tell these rude, arrogant, obnoxious, inconsiderate assholes to shut their holes and act like a human being.

Not many may agree with his methods, but you cannot argue with his message. Enough is enough. Do we all have to hear your conversation with your significant other about what you’ll be doing tonight? Or how your doctor’s appointment went and what he stuck where? Or about any problems you had at the office that day or what a slut so and so is? The train is not your living room or beauty salon or therapist couch or concert hall. IT’S A FUCKING TRAIN! SHUT UP AND STAY QUIET.

Don’t even get me started on the headphones. God created headphones so that NOBODY ELSE HAS TO LISTEN TO YOUR FUCKING REGGAE SHIT! Turn it down, Mr. Rasta-man (from the other day). Bob Marley sucks anyway.

In closing, I wish the attention being paid to Mr. Clifford does not continue to focus on his behavior. Instead, it should focus on his message. And, his message should be loud and clear, SHUT THE HELL UP AND ACT LIKE YOU HAVE MANNERS.

Here’s some media coverage on the “LIRR Train Terrorist”:

Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/transportation/ny-liclif165414416oct16,0,5115408.story
http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-liclif16,0,3201359.story
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-licond1016,0,5520141.story

New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10192007/news/regionalnews/l_i__rail_rogue.htm.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10192007/postopinion/letters/rage_a_holic_on_the_rr.htm