Your Grrrs have been compiled by FOX News Interns Marissa Levy and D.J. Shooter. And yes, we're still playing Spot the Oblivion ...
Smitty from Phoenix: Stop assuming Arizona's dry heat is somehow easier to deal with than your more humid heat wave. After living in Phoenix for over 15 years, my stock response to the statement "It's a dry heat" is, "Yeah, and so's a convection oven."
Guy in Baghdad: Your intern is right. I am in Baghdad and it's 120 degrees here on a daily basis. We are going to get hotter (as will Arizona) in August. The difference here is that we have young men and women wearing 40 pounds of armor over their uniforms. They are professionals. They drink plenty of water and carry out their duties with little concern for the heat. Great kids, every one of them. “Is it hot enough for you?” is a statement that might get you a really dirty look from someone who is armed to the teeth. It's not a phrase used around these parts. Love your column!
Wafuller in cyberspace: I love you, Straka. I'm not ready to pick out curtains or anything, but I now yell at the boneheads out there: "Hey! Obliviot!!!" Of course, they know not what I speak, because Obliviots don't read FOX News. Carry on, Dude!
Tim in Texas on Braking for Cops: As of September 2004, Texas law has required drivers to either vacate the lane closest to a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights or else slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. It's called the "Move Over Law," and it's designed to keep emergency personnel from getting run over by Obliviots zooming past, inches away, at 80 mph.
Dale in N.M.: While I agree with your point that there’s no need to slam on your brakes for the cop busy writing a ticket, it’s just basic courtesy to slow down if you can’t go to the inside lane. In at least two states, Texas and New Mexico, the law requires changing lanes if possible or slowing down if not. These rules are for the safety not only of the cop, but the driver he has pulled over and, yes, the Oblivion who thinks he can put the pedal down because the cop is busy.
Rick S. from Fort Wayne, Ind.: Here's a textbook example of a harmless Obliviot.
I had to let you know about a T-shirt I saw someone (an Obliviot) wearing during a visit to the Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, on July 25th. I'm a big fan of ironic and/or dry humor, so I thought it was really funny. An attractive, young, blonde girl was wearing a simple, solid-white T-shirt that was obviously her own creation. On the front was printed "THAT'S HOT" in very large, black text. It covered the whole front of her T-shirt. As I expected, the rest of the message was printed on the back of the shirt. In the same huge text on the rear of her T-shirt was printed,"YOUR NOT." She didn't realize the difference between "your" and "you're," and she proudly proclaimed it to everyone! The irony of her combined smugness and cluelessness still makes me laugh. It's hard to make up something so simple and so funny.
Kim B. from Ga.: My Grrr! goes to the Obliviot actress who, after a poor attempt at an apology/explanation for her behavior during the Vietnam war, is now going to Iraq to protest this war. And I'm sure she'll require the protection of the men whom she insulted years ago. I keep forgetting how many people enjoy taking advantage of our freedoms every year in order to insult the very people protecting those freedoms.
Bryan in Oklahoma City, Okla.: To Brad, who wants “dress codes” reinstated for restaurants: If you want to be someplace where there is a mandatory dress code for eating, join the military. I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you. If it bothers you so much that people aren’t as materialistic as you are and can’t afford dazzling clothes to go out and eat in, stay at home and order out.
Al in Springdale, Ariz.: To Elissa in Cyberspace concerning the flip-flop issue: I wonder how these girls would feel if someone in their wedding like a bridesmaid or best man showed up in flip-flops? You can't have it both ways. Respect for the occasion and the people in attendance is always to be honored.
Zack in cyberspace: I love the Grrr! articles. Great job and keep them coming! A Grrr! of my own: Why is it that young girls and trophy wives no longer feel the need to wear clothes? What passes for shirts, shorts or even skirts these days could hardly be called clothing. I see women working street corners who are dressed more modestly than some of these people. Do we need to post public signs that say; "If we can see your undies, butt crack or the bottom of you butt cheeks, then you aren't wearing clothes"? They may think it looks sexy, but it looks like they should be working a street corner.
Richelle in cyberspace: Grrr! to those responsible for airing horror movie commercials during family-oriented television shows. After 9:00 p.m., all is fair in network television, but not at 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday night when my 4-year-old and 9-year-old children are watching, you Obliviots! Thank you for the nightmares that woke up my youngest child two nights in a row. Your show was advertised and rated as family-friendly and passed the parental controls I have installed, so obviously I would expect a commercial for the latest horror movie with graphic images and sound bites. Get a clue. Not everyone has TIVO and can skip the commercials.
Marjorie in Kalamazoo, Mich.: This is for everyone who feels the need to stare at a young girl in a wheelchair. My 23-year-old daughter was recently in an accident and is recovering from a back injury. Therefore, when she has to go to the supermarket or anywhere else where a lot of walking is called for, we get her a wheelchair to ride in. Why is it people think it’s all right to stare or point at her and whisper behind their hands? She knows you’re talking about her; if you want to know about her injuries just ask her, she doesn’t mind answering. Also, when I wheel her to the checkout counter, clerks, please talk directly to her. She’s not deaf or incapable of answering for herself; she can pay for her groceries and answer your questions. A little respect, please. Perhaps some compassion.
Nathan in cyberspace: You go grocery shopping, and there are 30 people who need to check out and there is only ONE checkout line open. Grrr! the supermarket, and double-Grrr! the numerous supermarket managers just sitting on their butts watching the shoppers get frustrated without bothering to open up another check-out lane!
Roseanne G. in Peoria, Ariz.: Let's take the flip-flop flap one step further — people who wear them on airplanes and then proceed to take them off and put their disgusting feet on the armrest I am using. I have traveled by plane on four separate trips in the last four months and each time, there is inevitably some moron who feels the need to remove their shoes and either stick their bare feet in the aisle or put them on the arm rest of the person in front of them. Every flight I was on, I witnessed this. Three of those flights, I had a foot on my arm rest. What's worse, these people evidently do not take care of their tootsies, with their long, dirty nails, scaly calluses and such. Don't people understand how gross that is? One girl had her foot extended onto my son's arm rest and when I politely asked her to remove her foot, she got offended, saying she paid for her seat and she could put her feet wherever she wanted! I paid too, and I don't want your skeevy bare foot on my or my son's chair, you Obliviot! Thanks for letting me vent!
Scott D. in cyberspace: I have a major GRRR!. I just saw that the state of Illinois is going to try to pass a law that will restrict the sale of violent video games to minors. My GRRR! is not about the law, but the fact that even if it passes (several states have already tried and failed), it won’t work. Just the other day, right before the "Adults Only" rating got placed on the newest GTA game, I saw a mother buying it for her son. This kid had to be no more then 12 years old. What good is it for parents to call for a law to protect their precious children from the evil video game makers, when they buy the games for their children? There is too much of “Notmykid” for any of these laws to work.
Andrew in Baton Rouge, La.: Grrr!! from south Louisiana ... I drive a Cherry 1993 Mustang convertible that I love and adore. Now that it's summertime, my top is almost always down. However, these Obliviots driving down the road in front of me tossing their lit cigarettes out of their car windows don't seem to realize that there's someone behind them! GRRR!! Those lit smokes don't just vanish!! They bounce off of other people's windshields and go into their back seats!! I have two burns in my leather thanks to these Obliviots!!! Try the ashtray in the car ... that's what it's there for!!! GRR!!!
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Mike Straka is the director of operations and special projects for FOXNews.com, and covers entertainment and features on the Sunday program "FOX Magazine." He also writes the weekly Grrr! Column and hosts "The Real Deal" video segments on FOXNews.com.
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