Who doesn't have a cell phone? I remember when my grandfather had a big old portable phone with its own battery pack that would rest on the transmission hump on the floor. You would have to broadcast a signal and then they would route your call. Basically only the frequencies have cahnged and been automated, but the process is much the same. In those days the receiver still actually looked like a phone and only a bit smaller than the portable military communications equipment that grew from WWII. People would stare at someone who was on the phone while in his car! Wow!

That implied status and stigma that was put on portable telephones still hasn't fully died even though now the cellular folks have been throwing phones at people for free for over a decade now just to sign them up. Movies of rich folks carrying their cellular phones have long since been absorbed into the consciousness and many folks see the users of cell phones in public places or in their cars as still "showing off."

Everyone has driven near idiots or kids who can't seem to talk and drive at the same time. However before it was cellphones it was make up application, map reading, radio-station tuning or family fights that made for erratic and dangerous drivers. Sure, the number of bad drivers has increased - but so have the sheer number of cars on the roads.

Blocking cell phone signals is fine. But if folks knew how many lives have been saved thanks to cellphones - they would think twice. Cel phones have located children, brought rescue services to the proper destination and transferred need medical information while en route to the hospital.

Think about that the next time you see someone talking or "showing off" on the phone. The jerk who is intimidated by someone on a cellphone has the real problem. Phones, cars, television...It's called technological progress and increasing personal freedom. Any conservative, freedom lover has to love the addition of portable on the spot global communication.

That's my take on it.