More From the Road

Amazing how the thoughts can flow while behind the wheel. Been traveling a bit more recently, today on minimal sleep after overnight paving on the major Philadelphia border street in front of my house. Outside of obscene amounts of special-shift overtime for the participants, is there anything good that comes from this process, in which slumbering homeowners literally feel the earth shake while serenaded by a cacophony of heavy equipment?

Outside of waking next to my spouse and finally having the opportunity to say "I felt the earth move last night." Not a common occurrence for those of us who have been married twenty-odd years, who snicker when we drive by movie theatres whose signs announce "Corpse Bride" among their features. Er...yes, a friend told me this, really. I would never say such a thing.

Another thought: What is it with all these f*ing magnetic ribbons on cars? I traveled for awhile behind one today with SEVEN of them on its tailgate. Dedicate yourself to one or two causes and act like they mean something to you, OK? And how about a little truth? Don't give me this "Support the Troops" (should be "I Need More Cheap Oil") and "God Bless the USA" (as thoughtful people of faith know, "God Blesses Everyone -- No Exceptions.") crap. I would like to design a ribbon magnet saying "Stop The F*ing Ribbon Madness."

Clarification on supporting the troops: Bushies can't see beyond their Karl Rove Mind-Bending Goggles far enough to understand this, but it IS indeed possible to support our troops while disagreeing with the contrived reason why they are there. It is sad and horribly disingenuous to see a "Support Our Troops" ribbon on a 12-mpg behemoth taking up a lane-and-a-half on the highway. Coincidentally, I was at a lecture today with the Rev. Jim Wallis, from Sojourners magazine, and author of "God's Politics: Why The Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." During the Q&A that followed, a reservist just home from a year in Iraq made a similar comment -- how can those who support the troops but believe the reason is wrong (as he did) voice this sentiment without being demonized by the so-called Right? Can't dissent or speak one's mind at the risk of being called unpatriotic...sad that when supporting a morally unjustifiable position, the Roves, Limbaughs, O'Reillys et al can answer dissent only by attacking the dissenter...