Saturday Soapbox

Dear Santa:

We've been really good this year and only have a few small wishes. Please give us drivers who are cautious in bad weather (or at least don't tailgate those who are); people who clean their car off before getting on the road so their snow doesn't blow on others; people who shovel their sidewalks; and people who don't shovel driveway snow into the street. And, if you have extra room in your sack, can you also put an improved economy under the tree this year?

Holiday mailings:

Kudos to the post office, at least the one in Elk Grove Village, for finally putting holiday stamps in the automated stamp machines! The line to the counter was about an hour long one day this week; buying them in the vending machine took five minutes. Thanks for the extra 55 minutes! And more props to the Mount Prospect Post Office and others with that convenient automated machine to weigh and send packages when the post office is closed.

Meeeouch!

According to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll released this week, two in three pet owners say they understand their critters' woofs, meows and other sounds. Our question is what's wrong with that third person? How can you not understand what your pet is telling you? Maybe you're just not paying attention. Here's a clue: When your dog turns his head and looks quizzically at you, he's really saying, "Duh!"

Imponderable:

Why is it that the sound of a lawn mower at 8 a.m. is annoying while the sound of a snowblower at 4 a.m. brings comfort?

Season of giving:

For those of you who are taking gifts to the toy drives or coats to clothing drives or food to restock the local pantry, we say thanks. Your good deed matters, as do they all whether you're shoveling for a senior citizen or dropping off groceries because they can't get out. You know who you are, and we thank you for the generosity of your time and spirit.

Do-it-yourself rankings:

On the newsmeter anger scale with 1 being the most irritating and 5 being the least irritating, what upsets you most:

A. That our governor hasn't resigned.

B. That Drew Peterson is engaged again.

C. That someone fell in love with Drew Peterson again.

D. That it could cost us tens of millions to elect a new senator.

E. That taxpayers would have to foot the bill to put Gov. Blagojevich on trial.

No right or wrong answer. Just asking.

A holiday inspiration:

We're not sure which is more admirable or inspirational: That more than 40 people turned up unannounced and unsolicited to help clean up the vandalized Cross & Crown Lutheran Church after we reported on the mess or that the pastor reminded his flock to pray for the teens accused. "They will need both healing and forgiveness," wrote Randy Thompson. "Praise God we know about forgiveness." Amen to both.

My elderly aunt is not a nitwit, OK?

Memo to clerks, pharmacists or anyone else whose patrons are often elderly people: My aunt may be 86 but she's an intelligent, vibrant person, perfectly capable of understanding you. When she asks you a question, please don't address your answer to me, even though I'm standing next to her. I know you don't mean to demean her, but it's really very rude.