The Hobbit Hole VIII - Still round the corner we may meet...

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[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Money was already designated for other things...

[Wneighbor]

You are absolutely correct.

One thing that impressed me about that guy's posts was his lack of bitterness. Of course, it may be underlying or it may come later. But, to me, it is hard to not be bitter in a situation like his.

Dennis was hit by a drunk driver while on his bike on his way to work right after we started dating. The guy was completely unaware of what he'd done. He was turning left into the parking lot of a bar trying not to miss happy hour. All he knew was something stopped his car and he couldn't go any further. Dennis and the bike were pinned under it. He got out of the car yelling and cursing *whatever* it was keeping him from getting into that bar.

Turned out, the guy had already had his license revoked. That was his 8th DWI conviction. He'd already done time twice. The first day or so we didn't know if Dennis would make it. Turned out okay... there were injuries from which he never recovered and he never walked right again.. but won't get into that.

I was very bitter. EXTREMELY. The more I found out about the guy's past convictions etc. the madder I got. That guy spent a short time in jail again and then was back out. He was on the street again before Dennis could walk again.

I dunno.. I ranted.. and I'm over it all for a long time now.... but, stuff just ain't right.

[Wneighbor]

I understand that one.

Looks like I ain't gonna have work this summer. *sigh*

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Hmm... maybe some short-term contract work? Not with the company I'm contracting to right now, though...

[Wneighbor]

Thinkin' 'bout that. Wanna get this video project done and then see if I can do that in Waco!

[HairOfTheDog]

The truth of the matter is that there aren't any words to say about such a thing that will really do any good.

I think the thread will be a treasure for him in two weeks when people have stopped the parade of condolences and it is quiet.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Well, that would be cool!

[Wneighbor]

I think so!! PQ's mom has said I could stay with them... or I could stay at my Aunt Cheryl's house, depending on which side of town I found work. And I would have lots of nice visits with EVERYONE!

Not to mention being awefully close to Austin!!! :-)

[Ramius]

You ranted good.

There's alot wrong with the way we deal with DWI. First and foremost, we depend on the drunk to be the one to be making good and sensible decisions. The one person in the equation that already has admittedly bad judgement is the one we expect to exhibit good judgement. That's a good setup for failure, there.

Next, the penalties that can be imposed don't matter much to the class of folk that have nothing to lose. Assessing fines of thousands of dollars on people that don't see hundreds of dollars at any given time may feel good but it does nothing of substance. If somebody has $1,000 of fines that they can't afford it makes no difference to them if the fines are raised to $10,000 or $100,000.

Suspending a license doesn't keep somebody from driving, drunk, sober or otherwise.

I don't know how to fix it. I'm not sure that there *IS* a way to fix it. The measures it would take would mean taking the basic freedom to travel away from everybody. Is it worth having sobriety checkpoints every half mile on every road?

It's not an easy nut to crack.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Yeah! More moots!

[Wneighbor]

It's not an easy nut to crack.

No, it isn't. And for anything like checkpoints or restrictions on our personal freedoms, you and I both know we would be among the first to fight that. I think there is no answer really.

But, it is a significant problem. I think everyone in the country has had some friend or family killed by a senseless tragedy at some point. But, *fixing* is not going to eliminate all tragedy in life.

Nothing *fixes* tragedy. Only a new way for tragic things to happen may appear.

[Wneighbor]

That would be VEY nice wouldn't it?

Think I could talk ya'll into Threadgill's some night if I were to manage a little short term job that close?

There's a company in Temple that has contacted me several times about work.... but, I don't wanna go to Temple. I hate that place!

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Sure, we could give Threadgill's a try!

Lots of good movies coming up this summer at the Drafthouse, too...

[Wneighbor]

Lots of good movies coming up this summer at the Drafthouse, too...

Hey, if I go to work in Waco - I'm in! Ain't but an hours drive from home to Austin!

You'd only like Threadgills if you like good ol' southern cookin'!

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Mmm, well.. we went to Threadgill's once, a few years ago now. I thought the menu was kind of... bland. I like spice! But I'm willing to try it again.

[Wneighbor]

Well. Ya gotta like fried stuff. And good veggies. Lots of cholesteral. Stuff like that.

They cook like Grama. And there's always Tabasco. :-)

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

See, that's the problem, I don't like vegetables much. :)

[Wneighbor]

oh oh... Well, they got good fried stuff. And you don't like fried stuff much either do ya?

Maybe I just need to pick up Myranda and take her to Threadgills and meet you and Rose at Taco Cabana! :-)

[Ramius]

Hey howdy there... it's about time for me to circle the wagons...

[Wneighbor]

All right then cowboy. Keep away from the varmints and sleep well in your own bed tonight. (((Ramius)))