Driving Lessons from Sarge

Over the last couple of months while traversing the hiways and byways between the Command Post and the Grindstone, I have come to the realization that most people do NOT understand the concept of the MERGE.

Let me simplify for those that can not grasp this simple concept.  First a definition courtesy of dictionary.com

merge

verb, merged, merg⋅ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to cause to combine or coalesce; unite.

2.	to combine, blend, or unite gradually so as to blur the individuality or individual identity of: They voted to merge the two branch offices into a single unit.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to become combined, united, swallowed up, or absorbed; lose identity by uniting or blending (often fol. by in or into): This stream merges into the river up ahead.

4.	to combine or unite into a single enterprise, organization, body, etc.: The two firms merged last year.

Now, when it comes to merging into traffic. follow these steps.

1. GET THE DAMN CELL PHONE OUT OF YOUR EAR!
2. If you have the benefit of an acceleration lane, USE IT to match speeds with the traffic you wish to merge with.
3. TURN ON YOUR DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR FOR THE DIRECTION YOU WISH TO MERGE.

I will bet my next paycheck that if you do these things, 9 out of 10 times, someone will make an adjustment for you to smoothly merge into the traffic stream.  Give it a try and see how easy it is.  Soon you too will be merging with the ease and skill of a professional.

Sarge, Out

Random thoughts

Having the day off is a dangerous thing here at the Command Post. You never know what will pop into one’s head while relaxing on the sofa in front of the idiot box.

My mind raced back 233 years to another hot, humid locale where 55 men met to discuss issues important to them in their day and time. Some of those same issues are prevalent today and not just with the current administration. Over the past decades, we have seen our liberties taken or restricted in ways the Founding Fathers could only imagine. Maybe they did, I can’t really say.

As we get ready for the next election cycle, keep some of these items in mind:

Real ID
Patriot ACT
Immigration
Gun Control
National Security
National Defense
Health Care Reform

The list goes on and on.

As you contemplate your choices when you next visit the ballot box, keep in mind not only what is good for you, but what is good for your neighbors, your neighborhood, your city, county, state and the nation as a whole. Take the time to learn who the candidates are, and where they really stand on the issues. Look at the voting records of the incumbents ans ask yourself is how they voted the way you wanted them to? If not, have you voiced your concerns to them? If not, why not?

Recently, I saw some stats on communicating with members of Congress and found them interesting:
e-mail or other electronic forms of communication = 1 person
Telephone communication = 10 people
Written letter = 100 people
I’ll see if I can find the source for those numbers.

As a side note, on Wednesday, the price of a pack of cigarettes when up by the a dollar. Smokers in this area now pay $1.34 in state taxes per pack. I saw that a carton of Marlboro’s now costs in excess of $50.00. Glad I am a reformed smoker.

Sarge, Out