McGee: National humor has been whittled away

A few weeks ago a guy created a stir at the Miami airport. He was asked if he had any hazardous materials in his luggage. His answer was, "Dynamite." He was arrested. He said he was just joking.

It reminded me of my lesson that one doesn't kid around at entryways to U. S. Military installations either.

It was a few months after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. I was driving an 18-wheeler across these United States. I really never knew what I was hauling; it was my job to just get the trailer to where it belonged.

So when I was sent to an unnamed east coast Air Force base it was just another load.

After maneuvering my rig through a small maze of concrete barriers I was stopped by a young man with a military rifle wearing a Kevlar jacket and helmet and holding his hand high in the air. He was joined by two more similarly dressed fellows. They motioned for me to get out of the cab.

They wanted my trailer opened.

We walked around back, the seal on the latch was cut and the trailer door lifted.

I've seen pictures of America's second atomic bomb, Fat Man, and this thing in the trailer sure looked like it. I felt like I was suddenly thrust into a James Bond movie.

"Whoa," I said, "A thermonuclear device."

With those words the first guy quickly turned and faced me.

"Sir! That's not funny," he barked.

There was awkward silence as he stared at me.

My folks raised me to have manners so I said the only thing I knew to say.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm very sorry."

There was more awkward silence. Then the trailer door was shut and I was given directions to my destination on base.

I understand why our national sense of humor has been whittled away.

But there are times I miss it.

Grant McGee is a long-time broadcaster and former truck driver who rides bicycles and likes to talk about his many adventures on the road of life.

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