Why don't Italians like Jehovah's Witnesses? They don't like any witnesses. And they don't like testifying, either. So it was a surprise to us when we answered the phone at Car Talk Plaza last week and heard a gruff voice on the other end announce, "We want Tommy. To testify. Wednesday afternoon. At the Statehouse. Any questions?"

Visions of the inside of a Lincoln Town Car trunk danced in our heads. But, much to our collective relief, it was the Massachusetts Transportation Committee, not the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Committee. State Senator's James P. Jajuga wanted Tom to testify regarding possible "Drive Now, Talk Later" cell phone legislation in Our Fair State. Apparently, Jim Jajuga got several hundred e-mails about the subject from Car Talk fans, and he was finally calling a hearing to consider legislation.

Once we finally convinced Tom that it wasn't a sting operation, he agreed to go downtown and testify.

And so, on a recent Wednesday on Beacon Hill in Boston, Tommy took the stand. And spoke his mind on the matter of morons who order Chinese food on their cell phones when they should be watching the road.

Tommy acquitted himself quite nicely, in the humble opinion of the lackeys at Car Talk Plaza. (Though perhaps he would prefer we not use the verb "acquit.")

I'd like to read Tommy's letter to Senator Jajuga.