Around and around and around we go! Once again, I’ve missed my chance to become a millionaire. Call them traffic circles; call them roundabouts; call them an intrusive way to annoy our day. Whatever you choose to call them, I call them a missed opportunity for me to get rich by buying into the company that lays down the cement/concrete for these circular obstacles. I’ll bet you somebody in the Department of Transportation (or whatever) is making a killing by cleaning up on cement.
Understand these round-and-round irritations are nothing new in our automotive universe. The first time I was confronted by one of these spherical beasts was in the mid-60s (1960s that is). It was on the main thoroughfare from Cambridge to London, England. My friend Joe and I were delighted by this newfound highway concoction. In the midst of a very heavy Midland fog, we circled that new driving experience several times. Frankly, we were waiting for the fog to lift so we could find London before disaster found us.
We made it to London, but that night left a profound memory. Stops signs work much better. With a four-way stop sign, you don’t have to play musical cars. There is always going to be someone who doesn’t understand what the yield sign means at the El Rondo. Perhaps that’s why — I’ve been told — there are states like Florida, Texas and California that are returning to the good old-fashioned stop sign. Of course, it does create problems. It forces cement companies to lay off employees. It also creates this terrible enigma known as “Who goes first at a four-way stop?” I think I’d prefer to take my chances at the “stop” stop (unless, of course, I can still get stock in that cement company).
But, it seems to me going in circles does not limit itself to my driving activities. Here’s another here-we-go-again on circular stupidity. Yes, it’s the political mud-slinging season. It seems to me every major election year, the mud gets thicker and dirtier. Tell me you aren’t as tired of the mud as I am. But, the bigger the stakes, the muddier the mud. And, around and around and around we go again.
We have Hillary, tattered past and all. We need not look further than an Arkansas real-estate venture that was inferred to be potentially criminal. We have a Benghazi venture that was so embarrassing, she elected to resign as Secretary of State. By the way, we all know to save face, the resignation was made so as not to tarnish her potential political future. So let’s add to that a (still ongoing) email episode. We won’t even approach the Madame Monica stigma that still hangs over the Oval Office. Is it any wonder her political competitor is running circles around her background? So, around and around and around we go with the mud that’s being slung to and fro.
Well, hey, we do have a presidential candidate who has NEVER made any major political errors and for good reason: He has never held ONE political office — not a senator, not a representative (state or congressional), not even a dog catcher. What the heck! I even got three votes as St. Wendel Township dog catcher, and I didn’t even run for the position. I’ll not forgive my almost-friend Marty and others for their write-in ballots. The only thing I can say about “Dashing Donald” is “You’re fired!” Come on, America! Trump’s rantings and ravings are the epitome of stupidity.
Mud? Well, get a pail and start pouring because that boy and that gal are unworthy of any political office. And there, do we sit with two of the worst presidential candidates to ever seek the highest office in our country since William Taft and good old what’s-his-face?
Now, let’s discuss the what’s-their-faces – you know, the two understudies to the presidential prank. Have you ever heard of either one of them prior to their being pulled by their noses to the V.P. candidacy?
So, go ahead and tell me what you know about their political backgrounds. Use a pen. That way you won’t waste much ink. But should whoever the next president is die in office (and they’re no spring puppies), one of those nobodies is going to be running our country. Now that I think about it, I don’t surmise either one of them would alter our political platform(s) all that much.
Of course, I’ve exploited my circular thoughts in order to discuss two distinctly different subjects under one roundabout forum. Call it “creative license.”
And before I round out this inky exchange, I would like to ask why I’m going around all sorts of detours on road construction projects that were started last spring — maybe early summer — and that have sat dormant for months. I mean, just how many summer/fall vacation days do these road-fixers get? If you have an answer (or more) let me know. I’ll be around.
Paul Ritzenthaler has spent most of his life working in broadcasting before retiring but still keeps himself busy by announcing baseball games at the Municipal Athletic Center in St. Cloud, golfing and trying to keep up with his two dogs Dani, a Sheltie, and Tucker, a Shi-Tzu, at his home in Sauk Rapids.
