Distracted driving an annoyance — a deadly one

Recently I was in a left turn lane, pondering the current to-do about distracted drivers. I was about five or six cars back. The green turn arrow lit, the first two cars turned and, as happens too often, the third one … sat there. Perhaps he too was pondering distracted drivers. I waited a decent interval, and then tapped my horn. The driver of the third car finally applied the gas, pulled through on the yellow light, and left everyone behind him at a red light, waiting for the next turn arrow.

Some questions: Why did the drivers between this car and me not honk? Were they similarly distracted, or are they just more polite than me? Was that third driver Representative John Pezold? When he turned, did the driver of the third car use only one hand because the other was clutching his phone? In Georgia, it is legal to drive one-handed while holding a phone.

Another question: What do drivers holding a phone do when they have something else that needs their attention, like a turn signal, wipers, or lights, a cigarette that needs to be lit, a nose that needs to be wiped? I can answer this one — they use a hands-free device, otherwise known as the steering wheel.

Here is where my pondering has left me: At best, distracted drivers, including those stopped at a light or stop sign, are an inconvenience; at worst, they can injure or kill. The police are right to stop and ticket them, and I hope they continue with their stings. As for me, I’m as guilty as the next person, but I’m trying to be better.

Humiliating

I am so disturbed over our country’s latest inaction I want to hang my head in shame. Mexico was harmed by a major earthquake. Our government’s reaction is a “Tweet” asking that “God bless Mexico!”

Mexico, when Katrina hit, sent 45 trucks with 200 soldiers who served 170,000 meals, delivered 45,000 tons of supplies and stood with us. When Harvey hit Houston they immediately sent paramedics and supplies. Yes, we have our own problems with Harvey and Irma, but we have such abundance, ability and manpower that not to offer assistance is downright cruel. But cruel is not the objective, the objective is to punish for not bowing to our government’s demands. Our child President should be concerned that God will no longer bless America.

It is hopeful that individual cities such as Los Angeles sent aid, on their own.

Fortunately for Mexico and unfortunately for us, China is stepping in and offering major assistance. We will soon have 125 million people on our border whose allegiance will be to a communist state.

Vulgarian spirit

President Trump’s use of vulgar and profane language in his public pronouncements leaves me speechless. The use of such crude and inappropriate words by someone who is supposed to be a world leader and an example to others shocks thoughts of decency and civility.

When I said something about this in my Sunday school class one of my fellow church members said this was just Trump’s way and should be overlooked.

I respectfully disagree. Speeches made by the President of the United States of America should not be vulgar nor profane.

My grandmother taught me that your language reflected your inner soul. President Trump has revealed his inner soul.

As usual, it’s about him

President Donald Trump spewed his radioactive ire against NFL players who’ve protested during the National Anthem. Energized by the raucous reception the Huntsville, Alabama, crowd lavished upon him, Trump detonated. He advocated NFL owners say, “Get that son of a b— off the field right now … He is fired.” In Trumpian style, he claimed the protests are a total disrespect of our heritage.

Wrong. Didn’t Patrick Henry thunder, “Give me liberty or give me death.”? Didn’t the Sons of Liberty dump 342 chests of British tea, worth about $1.7 million today, into the Boston Harbor? They felt marginalized and taxed, but not represented. Sound familiar?

Trump has taken a perverse delight that his tweets have contributed to Colin Kaepernick remaining unsigned. In March 2016 Trump gloated about NFL owners, “They don’t want to get a nasty tweet from Donald Trump. Do you believe that?”

Trump’s looks at the NFL players through a prism that’s distorted by his corrosive worldview. He fails to see a whole person, made in God’s image, but instead sees what Eldridge Cleaver described as Super Masculine Menials — individuals celebrated for their physicality and their power. Trump believes million-dollar contracts should emasculate them.

DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, tweeted: “We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports.” Amen.

This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Distracted driving an annoyance — a deadly one."