Legislating from the Bench Seat

Yesterday, I pulled up to a four-way stop behind a lady who must be seeking appointment to the Supreme Court. She sat upon the bench seat of her car and, rather than observing the rules of the road, decided to direct traffic with her hand.

I believe Justice Gesture-You-Through was well-meaning. Rather than insist upon her own right to drive through the intersection first – she had arrived before the other car, after all – she was attempting to think of others before herself. Perhaps she was even meditating on the Golden Rule.

One thing is certain, however. She was not meditating on the Rules of the Road. So, her noble gesture created delay and frustration. When Our Lady of Justice failed to accelerate through the intersection as she should have, the other driver looked her way to see what was the matter. His look was somewhat less than benign when he perceived the Lady gesturing him through.

For my part, I placed my hand upon the horn and thought to administer a little justice of my own. But I relented. (The Golden Rule, you know.)

Instead, I waited my turn and drove through the intersection after Lady Justice, who was no doubt blind to all the frustration she had caused.

There are rules in this world, you see, both civic and spiritual. Life generally flows along better for you and those around you if you heed them. There is no sense – and generally no profit – in deciding to flout them temporarily for the good of your fellow-man.

Take the Habit of Gravity, for instance. You might wish very much to help your elderly neighbor reach her second floor apartment without having to use the steps. With the noblest of intentions, you might issue a temporary restraining order on the Habit of Gravity, grasp your neighbor by the waist, and toss her toward her balcony. I have no doubt the next restraining order will be issued against you.

You can't ignore civil statutes, the Habits of Nature, or the Rules of God without causing harm to yourself and others. Better to understand and abide by them.