In a burst of patriotism or profit, the government has given our subway stations new names. Many of these names were sponsored by commercial firms or government agencies, others rebadged in tribute to places of required culture, or to some foreign ally that had only recently been our sworn enemy. The stations on my own local line, for example, have been renamed “Glory to the Dutiful Republic”; “All Praise to the Lord / Macy’s Department Store Square”; “Museum of Unbelievable Delight;” and so … [Read more...]