RBBB Red Feb 1, 2010 Cola SC (From Hal Guyon)

RBBB Red Feb 1, 2010 Cola SC 010, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hey Guy`s, I went down yesterday and watched the Red Unit unload here in Columbia, and thought this picture might interest all of you. I got there before the train arrived and noticed more than the usual number of Police Officers, and being a retired city employee I new several of them. When I asked why so many cop`s, one of them told me that they were expecting some trouble from PETA. It was told to me that a couple of years ago some people from PETA had thrown broken glass, nails, and other sharp item`s on the ground where the stock cars are unloaded and have been for years. This was evidently done to prevent the unloading of the animals. PETA was denied, by The City of Columbia, a permit to place a elephant statue on the sidewalk in front of the Statehouse, that`s why the CPD was expecting trouble. Anyway, the photo shows the animal escorts combing the area for sharp objects and removing them. One of the officers, whom I cannot name, said in no short terms that " I would love to roll those PETA S O B`s around in the glass myself" ! PETA not only causes trouble, but cost the taxpayers of The City of Columbia for having to provide this extra security and law enforcement ! The walk went on as planned with no problems that I know of. A little side note: The animals are unloaded here in an area right next to some University of South Carolina student dorms. When the crowd started to gather I was asked by a young female student "What going on" ? I told her "They are unloading the elephants from the train". She asked me "Why"? I told her "Because the circus starts at the Arena on Thursday". She then said, and I quote " Circus, What`s that" ? And to think, This was a College Student ! Hal Guyon