[Stone Mountain]

The issue isn't Mel driving drunk it's what he said to the cop.

I disagree. Both are the issue. Also, what he said to the policewoman. But out of those three, I consider drunk driving to be the most serious.

But he didn't ram his car into anything nor did he kill anyone.

Is that what you say when anyone else is arrested for drunk driving? I happen to think it's much more serious than that.

[John Lenin]

.12 is three drinks. That is not blind drunk.

[AFreeBird]

Oddly enough, in a lot of cases, the alcoholic can drive and function in other areas of society fairly well while drunk. Better than someone who just got drunk one night. I'm not excusing the practice, and over the years that functionality will fade, but you'd be surprised.

You can google "functioning alcoholic" for more info.