Snow Days

What is it with coworkers who use snow as an excuse for not coming to work? I don't know how much snow-induced absenteeism hurts the economy but it can't be good.

DC got about 5 inches last night and this morning. Yes, snow was thick and flying as fast as acrimony at a CPAC convention but if you drove slowly and kept your wits about you you could make it. I did.

And, two words: Public Transportation. If the buses and metro are running you can get to work. If you live walking distance from the office, two other words: Snow Boots. Yes, the snow and ice can make it tough but hey, we're descended from people who got on rickety, leaky boats and sailed across an unknown sea to an unknown land. And I don't think they were serving appletinis or lattes on the way over.

Okay, if you are a parent and you suddenly have day care issues I get that. But speaking of school closings...

DC schools opened two hours late. Normally, they would have closed like all the other schools in the area. But President Obama made fun of us DC types when schools closed for "a little ice." Not wanting another presidential ribbing (come on, if Obama hadn't said that, DC schools would have been as closed as a dittohead's mind) the Mayor kept em open...and you should hear the whining of the parents who called into a local radio station. "Oh, the mayor forced our kids out on the slippery streets...they had to walk on snow! And maybe ice!"

Okay, these are the same kids who, if they were off, would be out hurtling down hills on sleds or, once enough melting happened, would be making death-defying leaps down concrete steps on their skate boards. Acrobatics on concrete, okay, walking on snow, too dangerous.

We really do need to toughen up a bit, people.