Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Second-best bumper sticker


Several years ago my daughter and I were shopping in Columbia, S.C. As we approached my car in the parking lot, a woman was loading her purchases into the trunk of her car. On the bumper of her car was this bumper sticker.
I motioned to it and asked my daughter to follow me as I approached the woman. I coughed to get her attention, said Hello and then asked her if she was one of those people who obeyed speed limits.
Well, I'll tell you - - her nostrils flared, and smoke started coming out of ears. But, before she could get up a head of steam and rip into me, I said, "Wait! Wait! So am I!"
She told me that she had had about 400 bumper stickers made up at her own expense, and she was passing them out to other drivers. She didn't have one with her, but she asked my address, and, true to her word, she did mail 3-4 to me.
I've thought about sticking one on my car, but around Chicagoland it would be too much like a bulls-eye.

4 comments:

Dave Labuz said...

GRRRRR!

You KNOW we disagree here Gus. However, I DO respect your opinion, as more than once you’ve firmly stated that you are routinely a right lane, outer-lane denizen whenever possible, so you ARE behaving honorably and correctly in this regard.

These days, ironically, the right-hand lane is the place to be for those who are determined to get where we’re going with panache and within a reasonable time frame. Even the re-enforcement of the law that slower drivers should bear right is not yet producing satisfactory progress in this regard. And I’m not a maniac – even discounting those driving on a multi-lane road or highway that end up turning left within a mile or so, it’s apparent that the left lane is continually blocked by those who are just plain lazy and slow drivers. Nowadays, the right lane is usually wide-open and will allow you to travel as quickly as is prudent and that you desire.

I base my understanding on this after having quizzed various family and friends who actually drive in this manner – hanging onto their inside or left-lane position with a death-grip. Their answers to my questioning their lane choice? It’s too inconvenient to either change lanes or slow down for those turning to the right in front of them, basically. OH – so driving is INCONVENIENT, is it? These are the same people who don’t know how to adjust their mirrors, often relying on the “Murray’s Auto” stick-on convex mirror as slapped on to their already perfectly useful and sufficient mirrors. Oh - so sorry if you’re only willing to hog the road and be completely unconscious and inconsiderate!

I’m surprised at you, Gus, as everything about your blog is otherwise geared to a demographic that screams, “question authority”! Yet on this issue, you cave like TP in the rain! Speed limits as currently enacted are for suckers. That most speed limits are set artificially low is without question by anyone who has even ONE brain cell. Many of us are already fighting the dictate of “civilization” as civilization seems to be geared for the “lowest denominator”.

It’s been 26 years since I’ve received a traffic ticket, yet I routinely drive 5-10 MPH over the limit at all times, plus routinely drive 75-80 MPH on the interstate if conditions allow. I DO NOT tailgate or intimidate the “sloths”, especially young and newer drivers or senior citizens – causing them to make a mistake that usually ends in tragedy, and is thus, avoidable. Utilizing this approach though, I can understand why you or they might take particular exception to my blowing past in the passing lane. My apparently sudden passing of your sorry butt may seem rather upsetting and dramatic, as up until that point, I had not imposed upon you the idea that I was in any way a “threat” to you while I hung back in your rearview mirrors.

Luv ya anyway, Gus,

DBTR

Dave Labuz said...

Oh, wait - according to Doug and Wendy whiner, I was Gus' best friend!

Oooops! Forgot my place!

DBTR

yagottabekidding said...

...the courage of your convictions.

Karen30036 said...

"cave like TP in the rain"

"Many of us are already fighting the dictate of “civilization” as civilization seems to be geared for the “lowest denominator”".


OMG DBTR ... I'm LOL'n!