20 Apr Is That Who I Think It Is?

Sometimes a morning commute is just a morning commute. But on special days the egalitarian nature of mass transit puts you front and center –right in front with those “special people” making the news. This morning I saw John Bolton, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, on the subway.

Washington is like Hollywood. You never know who you’re going to run into. And when you do nonchalance is required. No fawning or whispering is allowed. You know them but you must never acknowledge them, not until the celeb or politico is out of sight. If you disagree with their politics, extreme self-control is always required. I wanted to ask John if he still supported the President and most importantly did he have any reaction to Karl Rove’s and Scott McClellen’s White House departure. But I refrained. I know my place.

Many years ago, on this very train, I sat across from Senator William Proxmire. The good Senator created The Golden Fleece Award, presented to public officials whose projects were deemed self-serving and a waste of taxpayer dollars. This elevated him to hero status in my book, an almost impossible ascent for any politician. Yet, I pretended not to know him.

Ok, this wasn’t really John Bolton on my train. Just an incredible simulacrum –his dopplegänger. But you never know. On the way home I swore I saw Charles de Gaulle except I know he’s been dead for 26 years.

Some days are just more interesting than others. You never know who you’ll run into on the subway, dead or alive, politically relevant or not.

• [ John Bolton, Subway, Charles de Gaulle, William Proxmire, Golden Fleece Award,
  Karl Rove, Scott McClellen, Washington, DC ]