On Friday I turned 41 and as part of that right of passage I had to have my license renewed. I was going to be going through town on our way to celebrate with our daughter at Hendrix so it seemed like a time saver to just do it that day rather than driving 30 minutes to Berryville for no reason. Now, those that know me know that I don't love the revenue office, DMV, or hospital waiting rooms. I'm just not a fan of places where people can get overly upset, take out their gun and start shooting random strangers. Yep, odd fear, but I have it. So going to get this done is a bit of a challenge that I have to work myself up to.
It was a beautiful day and the office was only mildly busy. It is a small space with a counter at the back and the door to the side. You walk in and pick your number, sit in a chair and wait. Easy peasy. I made sure my hair was brushed before I got in and put on a nice shade of lipstick so I didn't look like the walking dead in my photo. Strolling through the door, I picked up my number (I was 36 and they were at 31) and sat down at the back of the room next to an older man who had a stack of registration papers.
We started chatting and at some point we meandered to the topic of seat belts. He didn't like the idea of the government regulating seat belts. If you didn't want to wear one that was your problem. I quietly shared that I didn't agree and that I thought that part of a civilized government was to take care of it's citizens. Not to mention that we save money when people don't die in accidents. He smiled and shared that he wore his and that he taught his four kids to wear theirs. We kept talking and although we didn't agree on much of anything I learned that he was retiring and going to travel the US in a motor home with his wife. An amiable conversation.
All of that changed as this little old lady sidled up to the old man and thanked him for his support of small government.
I laughed a little and said, "well, maybe it's generational."
She turned abruptly to me and said, "No, it's intelligence. You're stupid."
Stunned I said that she better stop there, it was my birthday and she should go.
She stopped talking, wished me happy birthday and blessed her god on me.
Jesus.
What is wrong with people.
Seriously, this was a little old lady with cataracts who was eavesdropping on our conversation in the revenue office. I wasn't expecting one of Glen Beck's Army to come strolling up. She wasn't standing in protest, talking to her buddies, or even talking to me - but she felt compelled to not only state her point loudly but to also tell me I was stupid.
Stupid. What do you say when someone says that?
I am afraid that what I witnessed was the unleashing of the Tea Party, Glen Beck's Brigade, or whatever form of insanity our country is going through. You know you aren't safe when an old lady is going to attack you for believing in seat belts.
Beware folks, the craziness has just started. The discourse will be brutal. And if that lady isn't careful she is going to get shoved.
