So I'm at the park. It's very hot and humid and everyone seems drained and grumpy. I'm sitting on a park bench talking politics with my wife when a woman walking her dog sits down on the end of the bench. The dog, a Lab mix, proceeds to squat and urinate on the walking path. Although annoying, we ignore it and just give the owner a dirty look. She, in turn, opens the latest issue of the National Review with a flourish and in a huff. OK, we can see where she's coming from and return to our conversation, this time with my back to the woman and her dog. Although not verbatim, the following exchange as recalled as best as I can takes place:
Me: (to my wife who by now is too hot and miserable to listen and just puts her head back with her eyes closed) You'd think this heat wave and drought might be a wake up call to the conservative climate change deniers. It's infuriating how they will risk our survival for campaign contributions.
From the end of the bench: "Ruff"
Me: (to the woman without looking at her) Yes, it is rough and will get rougher. And no need for your commentary on a private conversation. Go back to your conservative propaganda.
From the end of the bench: "Grrrr"
Me: (to the woman still with my back to her) And no need to get angry, although I understand that anger is a way of life for some.
From the end of the bench: "Bark"
Me: Hark? Hark? Yes, I'm speaking to you and I speak the truth. And what's this "hark" business? We're getting medieval? Man, that's really conservative.
The woman then slaps her magazine down on the bench. I turn around at the sound and watch her get up in another huff and walk away with her dog. Guess I showed her.