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Food, Fuel and Fools, Next Exit Email Print

By boran2
05/28/2006 11:05:16 PM EST

Afternoon on the southbound Garden State Parkway, one of the New Jersey's main arteries.  We are on our way to the so-called exit 0, Cape May, the Victorian vestige at the tip of the state.  The roadway is crowded and we have spent considerable time sitting in stopped traffic.  The Toyota is in need of some fuel and so are we.  Dodging a lumbering SUV, we head off the highway onto the ramp for the next service center.

After some searching, we find a space in the vast and crowded parking lot and walk up to the building.  Once inside we are greeted by crowds and a choice of fast food menus.  After waiting in line and making our selections, we find an empty table amongst the many seated diners.

Once seated, a scan of the dining room reveals that mounted on brackets above the diners are two large TV monitors.  And many heads are turned in the direction of these monitors.  In fact, a number of people are actually standing so that they will be better able to see the broadcast.

But what could it be?  Perhaps some new revelations regarding the NSA?  Perhaps a new low in the administration's approval numbers?  (Maybe we should start calling them disapproval numbers.)  Or perhaps some entirely new and fascinating scandal?

But no, it is none of these.

Standing up to get a clear view, I can see an aerial view of cars on the screen.  It is a car chase out in Dallas.  Police are apparently attempting to apprehend an individual(s) for some undisclosed deed.  The camera, apparently mounted in a helicopter, is following the pursued vehicle down the roadway.

I was expecting much more.

Would a new NSA revelation have commanded the same attention?  I have my doubts.

Chicken/egg question.  Did infotainment come first, or the "need" for it?  I wonder how many of these people would know what the Downing Street Memo is?

Perhaps Don Henley was right, crap is king.  


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Food, Fuel and Fools, Next Exit | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
So true. (none / 1)
So painfully true.

And that is why GWB is our Prezident.

Nicely done!

by Embolden on 05/28/2006 11:03:43 PM EST

Argh! (none / 1)
point well made... and agreed.

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 05/28/2006 11:07:09 PM EST

Food, Fuel and Fools, Next Exit | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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