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Alcohol Nanny Breathalyzers
American Spectator ^ | 07 aug 07 | Eric Peters

Posted on 08/07/2007 4:59:35 PM PDT by rellimpank

"Pre-emptive war" got us into a real mess in Iraq. So maybe we ought to think twice before adopting similar measures when it comes to traffic law. Specifically, when it comes to an idea floated by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to require that all new cars be fitted with an ignition interlock that can detect alcohol in the driver's system -- and shut the car down if it does.

Several large automakers (including GM, Ford, Toyota and Honda) also support the idea -- and are working on ways to get these things into new cars, maybe within the next two or three years, if not sooner.

Sounds OK in principle -- sort of like the idea of liberating Iraq. The devil's in the details, though.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abuse; alc; alcohol; alcoholism; automakers; death; govwatch; hazard; madd; nannystate
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To: Eric Blair 2084

Hey, I was knocking, why the hell didn’t you answer the door?


361 posted on 08/08/2007 9:27:14 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Quix; Clam Digger
Quix, you won't believe who just broke down my front door looking for booze. I was right. My neighbor Bob is here in my den. I had no idea that he is a FReeper who posts under the moniker "Clam Digger". I recognized him from his comments but I wasn't sure.

He's just grabbed my last bottle of Jack Daniels from the liquor cabinet. I guess he was desperate, so I let him have it.

He only lives two houses over. He's not driving. Should I let him drink it?

I don't know what to do. I'm going to go out for a smoke on my deck, I'll let him log in to FR on my computer.

362 posted on 08/08/2007 9:33:28 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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To: Eric Blair 2084
He's not driving.

I rode my motorcycle. And I stole your smokes that were on the kitchen counter. Oh yeah, i took that mavis bacon typing tutor to see how well I do with each shot. I love drinking sports. (It's more than a game at my level!)

Damn, least you could have had a full bottle on hand.

363 posted on 08/08/2007 9:36:28 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Quix; Clam Digger; Eric Blair 2084
I didn’t what to go back and read all the posts, but it looks like Eric and Clam have no personal experience with alcoholics, otherwise they would quit trying to be comedians.They are fortunate not to know any alcoholics and what alcoholism does to them, their family and part-time friends.

If I'm misreading their attempt at humor, I apologize. I used to think that kind of humor was marginally funny, too.

364 posted on 08/08/2007 9:42:18 PM PDT by muleskinner
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To: Quix
I’ve never said that and I don’t think I’ve even implied it. Because I don’t believe that way, feel that way.

You have implied it extensively with your support of this device in everyone's vehicle.

I think it’s quite arguable whether society would benefit from your alcoholic hubby having such a device in his car and/or any car he routinely drove, including yours.

Someone else on this long thread commented upon your reading comprehension problems, I have to agree with them. I referred to my 1st husband and alcohol abuse and he is not someone I have EVER referred to as "hubby". Your broad brush comment insulted my husband, who, as I informed you, consumed no alcohol this evening because he was driving.

BTW - the first husband died more than a year ago. Nothing to do with alcohol, complications of MS.

But I REALLY HATE kids getting killed by drunk drivers . . . and worse . . . burned to death. And, if they were your kids or kids you loved, I’d think you’d really hate it, too.

I know of no one who would disagree with you.

My best friend's niece, a friend of my daughter's, a child who had been at my home on numerous occassions, was killed in a headon collission on New Year's Day. Her mother was at fault in that crash, which also killed the 2 people in the other car. SHE WAS STONE COLD SOBER.

10 people were injured and a 10 year old child was killed in a crash on Sunday, no alcohol was involved. 3 of the children including the child who died were in my daughter's karate class.

I know far more people that were killed in motor vehicle crashes that did NOT involve alcohol than I know, rather knew, who were killedin crashes that did involve alcohol.

I utterly abhor statistics. They do nothing more than help to push the agenda of those behind the creation of them.

365 posted on 08/08/2007 9:42:25 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: muleskinner

Where do you live, Eric only had half a bottle, and I’m out already.


366 posted on 08/08/2007 9:43:24 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Gabz

The vast majority of accidents on the highway do not have anything to do with alcohol, and of those that do, about half were caused by someone other than the impaired driver. They just happen to involve someone who had been drinking.


367 posted on 08/08/2007 9:45:52 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Clam Digger; Eric Blair 2084

Bring me some!!!!!

Just kidding, which I’m sure both of you know.

Yup, I drank 3 beers 2nite, it’s close to 100 degrees with humidity nearly that high and I spent 4 hours either over a deep fryer or washing bowls and pans.

I seriously doubt I was over the limit with the 3 beers, but I only drank them because I knew I wasn’t driving. My poor husband, who hadn’t had a beer, just wreaked of it when we left because the bartender knocked one over and a good bit of it landed in his lap before he could get up.


368 posted on 08/08/2007 9:53:20 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: muleskinner; Clam Digger

There is absolutely nothing funny about any of this. Bob (Clam Digger) is throwing up in my bathroom. He has broken all of the family heirlooms and his motorcycle is parked on the rose bushes in front of my house.

I’m not amused either. This society that tolerates boozing has to stop. We need a Gubmint social engineering experiment to reduce alcohol use. It’s worked with the smokers. We can follow the same blueprint.

Sue Anheuser Busch. Tax alcohol to within an inch of it’s life. Ban advertising. Reduce the number of places people can drink.

If you have any other ideas, I’m willing to listen.


369 posted on 08/08/2007 9:54:46 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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To: Gabz

I just got back from racing with my girls. Besides, I have to work tomorrow, and generally won’t drink on a “school” night, unless it’s a beer or two at our monthly open-bar safety dinners.

If I have any kind of impairment right now, it’s from a combination of adrenaline and being tired.


370 posted on 08/08/2007 9:55:51 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: muleskinner; Quix; Clam Digger; Eric Blair 2084

My first (now late) husband was an abusive drunk, a very abusive drunk - I have the scars to prove it. I find the posts of both Clam Digger and Eric Blair 2084 to be very funny.


371 posted on 08/08/2007 9:58:04 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: Eric Blair 2084

Alcohol monitors on every single refrigerator and cabinet in the country, because, you know, someone may want to have a drink at home and get in their car, or on their motorcycle, or lawn mower, or use their table saw or jet ski. C’mon, we have to nanny-ize the entire world to cover 100% of every possible scenario where someone could possibly consume a drop of alcohol.

Damnit, we need to put alcohol monitors on peoples showers, too, because, you know, they may take a shower drunk and fall and hurt themselvves, or someon they love who just may happen to be showering with them. You know how dangerous martini glasses and showers can be when mixed, i assume.


372 posted on 08/08/2007 9:59:18 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Gabz

I’m sorry yo had to put up with such a situation. Yeah, i know several alcoholics. They aren’t uptight nanny-staters. They are generally conservatives who understand the principle of personal responsibility, that’s why they are now sober.

They would find an idea that penalizes the entire driving populace as some here advocate a disgusting trampling of peoples civil liberties.


373 posted on 08/08/2007 10:02:10 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Clam Digger

If there is a passenger in the vehicle who had been drinking any crash will be classified as “alcohol involved.”

My dog is going nuts at the moment because of the big doe that is in the road. I’m hoping she finishes crossing before another tractor trailer of chickens comes along.

I feel for anyone that winds up hitting a deer, the first damned thing they are going to be asked is “have you been drinkin.”


374 posted on 08/08/2007 10:10:07 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: Gabz

I had no doubt that you would get the joke. We know each other.

I just wasn’t sure if others would get it (as if I cared anyway).

I have no respect for guys who hit women. Nobody does. If they want to prove how tough they are, they can walk up to a Hells Angel’s biker gang and tell them to put out their cigarettes because it bothers them.

If they survive, they have my respect.


375 posted on 08/08/2007 10:13:41 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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To: Gabz

You really are in the middle of purdue country, eh?

Yeah, because a few idiots don’t follow their responsibilities of not driving while drinking, we all suffer extra scrutiny. Now people want to add additional scrutiny at the expense of civil liberties. This sucks.

I would never get to work in the morning if my car had one of these. I use mouthwash every day that contains alcohol right before i leave. That would shut me down. Also, if anyone has even one sip of beer and burps, there will be a false high reading.

For the general populace, i really think ths idea blows, obviously, but I really don’t have much of a problem with it for people convicted of 2 or more DUI’s. I was in court a while back on an unrelated matter and the judge was letting everyone with a first time DUI go with a $135 fine. DAMN! I thought it was more than that, and I want it to be a lot more than that. It’s a damn crime, and people ar paying less for DUI than a speeding ticket? That ain’t right!


376 posted on 08/08/2007 10:17:40 PM PDT by Clam Digger (NO REAL THAN YOU ARE!)
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To: Clam Digger

Thanks, my friend. Amazingly the a-hole was a conservtive.

I learned my lesson and left him nearly 20 years ago. I lucked out and met the absolute love of my life shortly after that, although it took a while for either of us to realize it. We became target shooting and fishing budddies and then best friends, before any of the mushy gushy stuff :)

We celebrated our 10th wedding anniverasy this past February and our daughter turned 9 last month.

My “hubby” is so far to the right of me, it’s downright scary.

It’s now time for me to call it a night, FReep with you soon!!!!


377 posted on 08/08/2007 10:19:39 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: muleskinner

Bless you muleskinner.

Awareness has it’s own rewards. I just wish the tuition were not so costly.

But then, I guess the value of the lessons would be less precious, too.

Thanks for your wisdom and meeting up with you and your wisdom.

BTW, did you hear about the mule that foaled recently? I don’t recall if I heard it on—yes, I did hear it on Paul Harvey.

God’s best to you and yours.

BTW, I don’t think you are reading their poor humor wrongly. Such folks usually can’t restrain themselves . . . in more ways than one.


378 posted on 08/08/2007 10:21:18 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Gabz

Please show me each line where I’ve explicitly

ADVOCATED putting it in everyone’s vehicle.


379 posted on 08/08/2007 10:22:16 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Eric Blair 2084
If they want to prove how tough they are, they can walk up to a Hells Angel’s biker gang and tell them to put out their cigarettes because it bothers them.

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!

My ex do something like that? BWAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAAA

I had bigger ones than he did, if you get my drift!!!!

380 posted on 08/08/2007 10:24:11 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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