Normally, I would not condone violence. But, if I ever track down the person who created the infuriating system where you have to push various numbers to navigate through a telephone maze, he's going to need to "push one if you need the hospital."

This confusing telephone system is being used by a variety of businesses. They are all a variation of if you would like to do one thing push this number. But if you want to do something else push another. Often, after pushing 157 buttons, the whole process starts again. It is maddening. Toss in a battle with cable and it was not a good night.

The most recent encounter of the telephone kind came Friday. I got home and I had no cable service. You have to remember, not having cable for me is like telling the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" they can't have food for three days.

The only thing worse than having to navigate through the button pushing was having to deal with Comcast.

Many of you have called or sent an e-mail to complain about Comcast service. You are all correct. It is frustrating to try to get some help.

The telephone call started with the multiple "push button this to do that." Eventually, a person came on the line. After 10 minutes of explaining the problem, I was told that nothing could be done until Monday. Sorry. That was not an option. The smart thing would have been to just hung up. But, I asked to speak to a supervisor.

That resulted in another series of button pushings. Finally, another voice came on the line. I was told there was no information on my account in their system. That was impossible. I have been a Comcast subscriber for 10 years.

Then the truth was told. The guy I was now talking to was in Illinois. The telephone button pushing had sent me halfway across the country. There was no way to be transferred back. That meant another round of button pushing.

Finally, connected back to the call center that handles California, I was told there was nothing that could be done. It doesn't seem like good customer service to treat someone who loyally has paid for cable service for 10 years to be treated like a new customer. It didn't matter.

That meant a weekend without cable. All I can say to those Comcast call centers, push one if you would like an irate customer to scream at you. Push two if you would like your heritage questioned. Push three if you would like me to stick my foot .....