Modern life has become a daily circus. Here’s a few recent examples that belong in the center ring:

• A Montpelier, Vt., man who was upset about his recent arrest for resisting arrest and marijuana possession, took a tractor to several of the town’s police vehicles. His revenge was, of course, short-lived and he was arrested, yet again. Bail was set at $50,000.

• A Florida woman whose boyfriend said she was just trying to surprise him was arrested recently for speeding and eluding the police. She said she didn’t stop because she was topless. The sad part of this story? She’s a teacher’s assistant.

• Obama and Romney have slipped into name calling a little early in the campaign. Obama’s campaign is referring to Romney as Romney Hood, a take off from robbing the poor to give to the rich. Not to be outdone, Romney called Obama’s campaign claims Obamaloney. Can’t wait to see what they come up with in October.

• The satirical newspaper The Onion is attracting attention for a video on its website that shows an airliner with a Sears logo on the side about to crash into Chicago’s Willis Tower, the tallest building in the country. A voice over in the video says: ‘Sears extremists fly a plane into Willis Tower.’

The image generated more than 3,200 responses on The Onion’s Facebook page, many denouncing the use of an image reminiscent of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Responding to the criticism, The Onion marketing director wrote in an email: ‘9-11 must never be the fodder for jokes. Perhaps you didn’t see the news that humor died after 9-11.’

• How would you like to be seated on a plane, just above the wing, and see a note near a damaged flap that says: “We know about this”? A passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight from Burbank, Calif., to Seattle took a photo of the note.

The incident reverberated through social media. Airline mechanics posted the note to ward off additional reports about the damage to the wing. The airline has apologized, admitting that the note probably wasn’t the best way to handle the situation.

• A news alert that the alleged Aurora theater shooter James Holmes has been officially evicted from his booby-trapped apartment seems almost surreal, until you realize the apartment owner probably has to follow certain legal steps, no matter how inane.

• We’ve all heard the reports of folks calling 911 because a fast food restaurant messed up their order, but a Tennessee man called 911 to ask for a ride to the liquor store, because he’d run out of beer. Later, when he was confronted, he claimed he’d intended to call a friend, but since he placed several calls to 911, he was arrested and later released on $1,500 bail. Pretty expensive for a six-pack.

• Another troubling sign of the times: Convicted serial killer David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam, is speaking out against gun violence in America. This is so nonsensical it’s hard to process.

• Being found naked and probably drunk, lying in the road and then threatening the sheriff’s deputies who respond, is not a good way to end an evening.

Country singer Randy Travis is in hot water again after an incident in northern Texas, which resulted in his arrest and a state-issued paper outfit for the occasion.

Travis is known for his song “Forever and Ever, Amen,” which seems a fitting way to wrap up this installment of “What in the world is wrong with people?”. — Pula Davis, The Gazette