The Gift That Keeps On Giving
The DMV’s decision to offer a cut to the head of the line card in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys For Tots campaign is talk radio’s latest gift from the genius decision makers we have as our leaders. This Thursday, the state Division of Motor Vehicles offers customers a special pass allowing them to go to the front of the line to renew a license or conduct any type of business at the DMV. The “Toys for Tots Return Ticket” is good for a full year.
The story had me shaking my head yesterday. Today it’s got me steamed.
First off, let’s take the Toys for Tots campaign which is run by the U.S. Marines out of the equation. Collecting donated toys for kids in need is a good thing. The U.S Marines, that’s a good thing. Santa Claus, he’s a good guy. Charity? Swell. We all on the same page here? Good. Let’s move on.
Is what the DMV’s doing discriminatory?One can argue yes because not everyone who needs to conduct business at the DMV has the extra cake to buy a new toy. But that’s not my biggest problem with this whole idea. One caller yesterday called the exchange no different than a tax deduction. Au contraire, mon frère. It’s anything but.
Providing an edge in any municipal service is flat out WRONG. You don’t get to land such favoritism by making a donation. You can’t pay for advantage for a public service. Why can’t people see this? It is inarguably WRONG. Still, there were folks within the walls of the Brine Shrine today who saw nothing off base here. What’s in THEIR egg nog?
If the DMV was simply a drop off point for the toys there would be no problem.Can you imagine the potential melee when someone goes to cash in his/her “Toys for Tots Return Ticket” and cuts in line at the cauldron of confusion we call the DMV? Think THAT action might add to the aggravation that percolates within those standing in those tedious DMV logjams?
If you’re going to donate to Toys for Tots, and you should if you have the means, do it out of the goodness of your heart and not for tangible reward. Go to a Cardi’s location and drop one off. Go to the Warwick Mall tonite between 5 and 9 where interconnect icon Bob Venturini is holding his 19th Toys for Tots telethon taping and drop one off…heck, go conduct business at the DMV Thursday if you have to and when they offer you the red card in exchange for the toy say “no thanks.”
I’d Like To Use a Lifeline
Actress/singer Rita Moreno turns 81 today. She is one of only 10 performers to win an Academy Award, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards in competitive categories known as the SHOWBIZ AWARD GRAND SLAM. Care to take a shot at the other nine? Answer at end of blog.
Yuletide Cheer
Some jabroni stole a collection box containing money and checks that Roger Williams Zoo patrons donated this holiday season to enhance the lives of animals at the park. The box contained about $200 bucks targeted to buy “enhancement items” for the animals that stimulate foraging experiences.
Answers
John Gielgud
Whoopi Goldberg
Helen Hayes
Audrey Hepburn
Marvin Hamlisch
Richard Rogers
Jonathan Tunick
Mel Brooks
Mike Nichols
Red Sox
Looks like there’s a good chance Kevin Youkilis will be wearing pinstripes in 2012. If that’s the case, do you think he’ll get booed as Johnny Damon did when he donned the Yankee uniform? The one difference is the Sox gave up on Yuke…Damon gave up on the Sox.
Patriots
If I’m a playoff bound team in the AFC, I’d take serious notice of what the Patriots did to the Texans last nite. Tom Brady’s ability to adjust his offense…or to slide as they say in pigskin parlance…..is unconscionable.
