This morning we heard of a case of “road rage” over a PARKING SPACE at a nearby eatery in a restaurant row on Biscayne Boulevard.  One driver who wanted the space occupied by another, had a gun and shot him dead.  A couple of problems are involved here.  One, you cannot squeeze two cars in the space provided for one.  Second, even though you may have had someone slip into your chosen space before you could act, first came and first served.  Third, why was there a gun available to murder someone over a parking space on Sunday, a holiday and probably following a full day of competitive shopping?  Fourth, why does this happen in Florida?

There should be a small still voice lurking somewhere around your head where your ears can tell you to chill out and don’t give in to murderous directions to take up a weapon and hit an unknown enemy hip and thigh as though he was coming at you with an AK  blazing away at you. He isn’t. He may have cheated but let the “I’ll get even with you!” die down and look elsewhere for a parking space.  There are too many such problems in life and I would suggest a leash in your hand if not in your head to pull up your inclination to do violence to a stranger.

We drove for an hour yesterday to by pass the motorcade of motorcyclists who were parading on I 95 for a good cause.  My rage was contained in trying to sit quietly in our car while Carol was angry mostly at me and not the gaudy fools who try to make nice and get toys for Christmas gifts despite their noise and weaving in and out of traffic most days to get where THEY want to go.

Of course I am too old to roll down my window and spout curses and threats against someone that young and agile who could run me off the road in a second or two.  I am also too knowledgeable with age and realize this too will pass.  The holidays are here for a week or two and a lot of anger will be stored up and some are unable to contain it and release it in ways dangerous to others.

There is also the end of the leash that can be held by someone else in a car and if your driver is out to kill someone, someone else in the back seat could easily use a purse, a shoe or even a bag of groceries to knock the gun down and jump him to contain his fury.  That sounds too easy doesn’t it?  However, consider the other cost of this fine angry person murdering someone while you watch.

My road rage today mostly consists of traveling rarely and early.  I try to observe the absurdly low speed limits while others go whizzing by.  I also let others who are straining to go first to actually wave them on.  It costs little and when you get a “thank you” wave, it is a fine pay off.  I also keep murderous thoughts to myself. It is sad to note that we live in a “gun” society.  That should change.