A column by the Editor

Here's your card!

web posted March 2, 2006

COLUMN – I think I am going to print up some cards that say; “You’re a dummy, Here’s your card!”, and hand them out as I go through my busy schedule each day. Covering the county takes me to just about every corner of the county on a daily basis. It also brings me in contact with a lot of people I would not ordinarily encounter, some for the better, and some who may need a card.

A good example of someone in need of a card came when I stopped to help a woman jump start her car due to a dead battery. While she was sitting in her car, I began hooking up the jumper cables and a man walked up and asked, “Dead battery?” I just turned and smiled rather than say, “Nope, I just have too much electricity in my battery so I was sharing some with her.” In the future I can just say, “Here’s your card,” and move on.

Being a reporter, I get to witness colleagues in the media being in definite need of a card. One came after the brutal murder of a Gwendolyn Wilson last week. One of her two small children witnessed the murder, both were left with the body for an estimated 16 hours before being discovered, and the reporter asked Cpl. Robbie Harter of the Sheriff’s Office, “Do you think the children were traumatized?” I could have intervened and just handed them a card and moved on.

I find people in need of a card at restaurants too. Just yesterday, I was standing in line at a local eating establishment. When the slow moving line finally left me at the counter the woman asked, “Would you like to place an order?” I instantly thought, “No, I just like going to places and standing in line for no reason.” Next time I could just hand her a card and move on. The card would be handy for the annoying “would you like an apple pie with your order?” question you get at certain locations. I always think, “Did I say I wanted an apple pie with that?” Here’s your card.

Not too long ago I was at the scene of a horrid collision. Car parts were strewn about the scene, fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars were everywhere with emergency workers running about treating the injured. I kid you not; a man walked up and asked, “Anybody get hurt?” I wanted to say, “No, they are short of beds at the hospital so they brought all these injured people here for treatment.” Now I can just say, “Here’s your card” and move on.

The other day I went to a local store and took my Great Dane along for the ride. He goes nuts when he hears car keys jingle and demands a ride in my wife’s Tahoe every day. When I came out of the store and got into the truck a couple came up to me and asked, “Is that your dog?” I thought, “No, I’m stealing this car with a strange 175 pound monster in the back seat.” Next time I can just say, “Here’s your card,” and move on.

Sometimes I find I am in need of a card. Having three teenage children I found myself in a confrontation with one of them a while back. During our conversation I asked a question that deserved a card when I said, “Do you think I’m stupid?” A question that confuses the child and one you do not expect them to answer. I guess afterwards my wife could have just walked by and said, “Here’s your card” and moved on.
 
 

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