EVER WONDER WHY?

I must admit to a fascination with history and politics over the years, perhaps even a mild obsession, but I sometimes chuckle over the metaphors occasionally used by journalists and commentators.  I wonder why they seem almost frenzied when they get into grading debates and presidential candidates. Last night I heard references to it being “the bottom of the ninth.”  I know that baseball fever is in the air now with the playoffs, but a presidential election is quite a different game, with much higher stakes.

Another thing I wonder about is why about forty percent of the American electorate doesn’t vote in the presidential election.  It only occurs every four years and there are usually vast differences between the candidates.  A few days ago I listened to a discussion on Minnesota Public Radio with three news people from different countries.  One of them was from Australia; he found American politics fascinating, but mentioned that it’s mandatory to vote in Australia.  I found it interesting that there’s a fine or penalty for those who don’t vote.  I wonder how that would be accepted here; I have my suspicion that there might be a revolt about that idea.  Still, I wonder why so many people opt out of the whole concept of voting.

Putting politics aside, here are a number of other things I’ve pondered about.  I’ve lumped them together into the EVER WONDER WHY category.  These are just random thoughts-- things that have crossed my mind as I’ve been out and about. 

            EVER WONDER WHY car dealers and liquor stores often have an abundance of American flags outside their establishments?  Are they more patriotic than the rest of us, or. . .?

            EVER WONDER WHY the thought of jury duty has many people agonizing, including me, while others would relish the opportunity but never get called upon?

            EVER WONDER WHY there seems to be so little patience on America’s roadways, and at times it seems like there must be a “pedestrian feeding frenzy.” I see and feel distracted drivers everywhere, and have found myself guilty as well at times.

            When I become a driver rather than a pedestrian and park as far away as I can in a shopping center parking lot, invariably someone decides to park right next to me, inches away.  I do wonder what that’s all about.  At least I’m still getting in extra walking, even if my car has an equal chance of getting its door “dinged.”

            EVER WONDER WHY people sometimes walk around in heavy coats when it’s a warm, sunny fall day?  Just because the calendar says mid-October doesn’t mean that winter is upon us.  I guess that’s what years of living in Minnesota is like.  On the flip side, there are plenty of Midwesterners who walk around in shorts and t-shirts when it’s below zero.  Still wondering about that!

            And yes, I wonder frequently about people who drive into DO NOT ENTER areas around libraries, fast food places, businesses, etc.  I guess it seems to them like it’s no big deal.  Still makes me wonder!

            I wonder too about the elderly gentleman who recently entered the express lane ahead of me and just decided abruptly to come to a complete stop as people in the non-express lane motored on. Good that my father taught me about patience being an important virtue, along with being prepared for most anything.

            And of course, I wonder why chocolate is always so hard to resist.  Rationalization is the easy part.

            Just wondering what those thoughts are all about and what ponderings others have.  At this point in my life, I guess I should just be grateful for an active mind that's ever curious.  That little girl sure was!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!