This column has obviously been written prior to when you read it, and that said, any number of things could have changed by now.

But as of writing: I'm sick of this bloody war.

I will restrain myself from going off on a tangent regarding the war itself, or as "E!" Television is now calling it, "Pulling a Michael Moore at the Oscars." And don't get me wrong - I'm pro-Bush. After all, they are one hell of a good band.

Yet, I can't help but wonder if the media coverage hasn't gone to the depths of h….

Ooo!  Killer graphic on FOX News - that topped CNN's "At This Hour" introduction.

As everyone has begun to point out, the media has smothered this war in "unprecedented coverage," fancy graphics, and millions of dollars worth of plasma flat screens, military analysts, and cool on-screen drawing tools.

This, of course, excluding MSNBC's model planes.

It's nothing new, though. We're used to the media bombarding such big events as wars - but never before in the history of the world has there been this much "in-depth" reporting--embeds, as the industry calls them.

Never before have there been this many 24-hour news networks, so many news websites, and so many ways to access the "news" that is being reported.

Of course - if you're CBS you broadcast the basketball games over the news, which is all well and good, except for the fact that Dan Rather has become increasingly upset about having to be the second attraction.

And you never, ever upset Dan Rather, especially over a basketball game.

And yet, to some media (sans Rather), war has become a game. No longer are lives lost, children hurt, and wives left widowed… at least that is what some news agencies would have us think.

But some knights won't be returning to their wives in the suit of armor, certain children really will be without their role model, and many friends will fight to the end on the basis of protecting our country.

Reality television has finally met its match: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

Many can debate our presence being necessary, our force being useful, and our aid being pertinent. But, all things considered, those decisions are out of the general public's hands.

At this point, for whatever reason, it is time to put our differences aside. If it is not the first, this is certainly the most notable time since 9|11 that our united country has become so divided.

We have been given the constitutional right to openly protest our government, and for that we should be thankful.

But the Bill of Rights has never held a clause for ignorance.

We can argue the decisions of our nation's top brass all we want, but their decisions will not change at this point in time.

So, here's a suggestion: stop your bitching - you've made your point.

Instead, show your American spirit by hanging a flag out your car window, or by renaming finger food already fictitiously labeled, say, potatoes. (Please not that, depending on your political background, "potato" may be spelled completely different. Do not be alarmed: it is a spud no less.)

Not into food or flags? Try the best idea of them all: rally behind our troops.

 Like the ones who wanted nothing more than money for a college education, and signed up expecting to work one weekend a month, and are now somewhere in Kuwait loosing sleep.

Send a letter, dig up a web site to send email, or pray for their safe arrival.

Yah - I just say pray - okay?

They need it. After all - it could be your unpatriotic rear end over there instead of theirs.

The bottom line is that the war will go on, regardless of opposition, and Dubya has made that perfectly clear. All we can do is stand back and watch, meanwhile, and hope for the safe and speedy return of our nation's armed forces.

Now fellow patriots, everyone in the car! We're goin' to Hooters, err… McDonald's, for some all-American freedom fries.

 

Speaking of absurdities: Aboite is now one step closer to becoming downtown Fort Wayne.

Despite criticism from residents last year, county crews erected a lavish set of four-way stop blinkers at the intersection of Aboite Center and Homestead Roads. We argued that, inevitable, the area would need a full traffic light there, and not just eight red blinking bulbs.

Well, a year later - the country has learned their lesson.

Three traffic lights have since been installed around the area in hopes to relieve traffic congestion due to the Aboite Center/I-69 bridge expansion.

But, we've been screwed again.

To be truly effective, these lights would need two things: weight sensors and designated turn lanes.

Oh - they're designated, all right: with a sign. But, come green light - not one of the three signals feature a green turn arrow, giving the right-of-way to the turning vehicles.

To add insult to yielding, the signals lack any sort of traffic sensor. This means that if you miss a light - you'll be waiting for the light to run its course before you have the green again.

And although this may seem like a minor issue right now, keep in mind that in some way, shape, or form, this bridge could be out for quite a while, and only then will some people understand my point.

Some have heard that these lights are only temporary - which seems like an even bigger waste of cash and effort. I think we will come to find that the lights will serve us a great deal--if the county would just add the previously mentioned.

That…and a side order of freedom fries.