Heavens to Betsy! Have you heard that people die in car accidents? And did you know that some of these accidents are senseless, and even stupid? That some are caused by people talking on their cell phones or sending text messages while driving? Were you aware that life is more precious than taking a call?
Because I certainly had no clue about any of this until Oprah wrote about it in the New York Times.
On one hand, I'm a bit insulted that the New York Times thought this issue merited an Op-Ed merely because it was attached to the name of the most powerful woman person in television creation. After all, Google "text while driving" and, as of today, you'll get 9,980,000 listings; it's not as if this subject hasn't been prominent in the news lately. I'm offended that the Times believes I'd be more inclined to heed the message merely because it originates with Oprah, whose magazine I've read but whose show I've never watched.
Really. Never. I've just never been interested.
On the other hand, I'm impressed at the Times's strategy of turning this issue over to Oprah; she has such a hypnotic power over such a large part of the population (except for me) that, inevitably, many of her disciples will follow her call, made on her cell phone while pulled over to the side of the road, not to use cell phones while driving.
If they want to reach me, they're going to have to call in Robert Downey Jr.
__________________________________________________________________
In all seriousness, however, as much as I dismiss Oprah, I value her message. I merely give it no extra weight just because of its source.
