Reunion, Michael, and Teen Drivers

BHS66
The 40th Reunion was outstanding ! So many people that I haven't seen in 40 years, and a few I had managed to stay in contact with though the years. The memories, good and bad, that came flooding back as we all squinted to see the class picture and names on the name tags were priceless. Add to that the realizations of how so many of us had changed (mostly for the better) as we lived our lives scattered across the country. I even managed to extend an apology to a lady whom I had "ditched" in a not very nice way oh so long ago; I am so happy that she has a wonderful family and found her calling as a teacher in WV.

F1 Circus
I was without the Speed Channel during the reunion, and didn't see Schumacher win in Italy, nor make his announcement that he will retire from F1 after this season. As much as I hate the red cars, one has to respect the man's achivements. I don't think there will be anyone who can come close to his numbers for wins, poles, and obviously the number of championships. Good machinery is critical of course, but the driver remains the most important piece of equipment in the car, and Michael has raised the standard to an impossible level for anyone to reach.

Teen Drivers
AutoWeek Magazine devoted nearly their entire Sept. 4th issue to the subject of teenage drivers, and how we as a nation have failed to provide adequate training for them. The issue also provides a telling statistic from Phil Beradelli, author of Safe Young Drivers: A Guide for Parents and Teens: "Since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, about 2600 American troops have been killed in war-related incidents. The count is well-known and updated regulary in news reports. Did you know during the same 41-month period, more than 22,000 teenagers, ages 15 to 19, died in traffic accidents on U.S. roads"?

The articles written on this subject in the issue are of great importance to all of us, not just those with offspring. I will confess to being as guilty as everyone else in not providing our daughter with the best training and understanding of a driver's responsibilities. But we must recognize our failure and begin the process to correct it.

PLEASE: go to the magazine's web site, or find a printed version to read all the related articles; and visit the web sites listed for additional information on how we can reduce the horrifying statistic with which I began this section. We as a nation so automobile dependent have an obligation to provide new (and current !) drivers the best training available.

Finally
I've added a link for my brother's web site to the template. He writes well, and the "musings" he provides will probably make you stop and think... not a bad thing, whether you agree with his positions or not.