Something to celebrate about America today is public transit. Sure, it’s a time-consuming and not especially comfortable way to commute, but it would suck a lot more not to have it at all. Trimet, the public transit system in the Portland metro area, has actually won many awards (did you know there’s an International Bus “Roadeo”? I can’t decide if I’m more amused or horrified).

It’s 5 miles from my home to my job; I’d hate to have to walk or bike that far to and from work every day! Driving isn’t especially practical, since there are too many days where my work schedule and Geoffrey’s conflict (although I’ve contemplated getting a Vespa). So I ride Trimet, and take a book along so I can ignore my fellow passengers (although I can’t always ignore their nasty colognes, raucous noise, and general stupidity).

But for all its disadvantages, American public transit is pretty impressive.