I thought (years ago) that answering machines were bad - I watched people "screen" their calls and make rude comments to the machine (not to the caller of course - they didn't have the nerve to do that) and make total idiots of themselves.

Then caller ID came out - same thing.

If you don't want to talk to someone - tell them - don't lead them on.

And then the first phones that plugged into the car cigarette lighter. I still have that phone too. Of course I did not drive and yak to impress the world. Once again - for emergencies only.

Then they came out with the portable battery pack - you could sling this heavy contraption over your shoulder and yak.

So enter the cell phone.

And texting.

Everywhere you go - they are on the phone. Can't live with out it. It's their lifeline. They cannot speak with a store clerk or an order taker - it's too rude of the clerk to be waiting on them while they are talking. They pump gas while yakking - boy I wish they would blow themselves up and get it over with. They buy cell phones for their kids. Next - they will make phones for dogs and cats.

Don't even get me started with driving and yakking or texting. Look at the idiots that are using their computers while driving - or - watching movies while driving.

Today's multi-tasking is: the ability to yak on your cell phone, listen to your Ipod, type on your computer, watch a movie, play a vidoe game and have the news on the car radio, eat your fast food lunch, drink your coffee and also finish it with your danish - all while driving your car and waiting for OnStar to come through the pipeline telling you that they will call the ambulance for you after you have crashed into some innocent victim, or a child on a bike, or a pregnant woman carrying bags of groceries home from the store so she can feed her kids.

Yeah - buy a headset so that you can still drive and talk. do you think you can handle it? It seems that they plug in their headset and the stupid button at the same time. They still cannot talk and drive.

What the h.e.l.l. are manners anyway? It seems that they have gone right down the tubes. And who gives a hoot about the next person in today's me-me-me society. All for personal satisfaction and gratification - screw the next person, their feelings or their time.

I wonder when or IF - as a society - we become human again?

(before you start - I'm not bashing everyone - I think you all know what I mean!)

Oh and get this - no more phones in the classrooms at school - the teachers use cell phones now.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

You all make some great comments on a topic that irks the crap outta me too.

I can't really add a thing to what you've offered except to say, I'm almost 42 years old, it's 2008 and I've never owned a cell phone. Wouldn't even know how to send or receive a call on one. I presume they don't have a rotary dial? That alone would flub-me-up! Hee-Hee!

Hey - I got a cell - for emergency only - I can make a call and answer a call - and I can delete a call - I have no desire to read a text, send a text or retrieve any call waiting. When I am out it is on - when I am home it is off. Period.

I've got messages just sitting there - and I don't care. those that have the number know I do not accept messages, texts, etc. If the phone is off - then call my house - DUH! You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out!

And when I'm home - I answer - I don't screen - cuz if I don't want your call - you''ll hear about it!

Kev,

I just got my 1st "cellie" on Christmas a year ago 'cause Eddie bought it as for a gift for me! I did not feel that I needed one, so I was 50 when I got my 1st cell phone! Then he's went and got Maddy one just this past Christmas, feels we should have 'em for emergencies . I will give him that but they are nothing I even use on even a semi-regular basis. I think they are over priced and way the heck over rated! I personally could care less about the darn things and consider them a nusience:mad: And I hear they do give you cancer according to the newest studies coming out, will there ever be alot of people with cancer of the ear this coming generation..LOL:D

That last part was just a joke;)

Cathy - there has been a lot of talk about brain cancer and cell phones. Then they say it's just talk and then they start up on it again.

Of course it is over-rated. There is no reason for the high price for a cell phone. there are no overhead wires to be connected to your home for maintenance, etc. like a land phone. I also think we are getting ripped for long-distance calls - I cannot see why those are not free.

And then there is cable tv - why the hell(o) do we have to pay to watch tv? And what's all this crap about the analog tv's not working anymore past February 2009 because of digital?????? BUT if you have cable - your safe.

Now what politicians got their pockets lined for allowing this to happen to us?

What about the poor, low-income, etc. that have nothing but analog and their local stations????

It's all crap - we're getting screwed left, right and center!