Columnist can’t preach reform

By Gus Bode

Some people should just keep their mouths shut. But good old Josh Robison is at it again. First he alienated half the readership of the Daily Egyptian with his poorly constructed and weakly supported attacks on soccer and NASCAR racing (Cancel My Subscription, Oct. 22). Now he’s once again making a fool of himself by preaching about his reformed driving technique (Cancel My Subscription, Nov. 19).

I find Robison’s accident amusingly ironic. Just a couple of weeks ago, he was bragging about his own high-speed exploits like he could impersonate Tom Cruise from Days of Thunder and just go tearing around a racetrack setting records (Cancel My Subscription, Oct. 22). I was a little dubious of Josh’s skills apparently for good reason.

Let’s go over your accident, shall we, Josh? Following too closely? Looking at your radio and not the oh-so-close car in front of you? Your fault. At best, you had a momentary lapse of reason. At worst, you’re a careless driver. I tend to lean toward the latter explanation.

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But now you’re reformed. You drive like a monk and obey speed limits and stop twice at stop signs. Great. Now you’re one of those idiots who holds up traffic believing you’re doing a duty to all humankind by saving us from our deadly speeding ways.

I have news for you, Josh. Some of us actually pay attention when we drive and can zip along while posing less of an accident risk than the average Joe Schmoe who is too busy picking his nose to keep his eyes on the road.

But maybe you’re a courteous, careful slow driver, and won’t hog the left lane at 65 mph when everyone else wants to do 80 mph. But how long is that going to last? As your damaged pride heals itself, the need for speed is going to come back. Sooner or later you’re going to find your vehicle exchanging paint with some other poor soul’s car.

It’s a good thing the DE publishes its disclaimer next to your column. I only wonder how many dead journalists would be spinning in their graves if you represented the view of the paper’s staff.

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