Posted on 12/28/2007 7:07:11 PM PST by elkfersupper
More Texas jurisdictions are turning to forced blood draws to convict those suspected of DUI.
Jurisdictions within Texas are expanding programs where police use force to draw blood from motorists accused of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Last week, El Paso announced it had joined Harris and Wilson Counties in a "no refusal" program specifically designed to streamline the blood drawing process.
It works as follows. An accused motorist is arrested and taken downtown. While being videotaped, he will be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test with officers specifically avoiding any mention that blood will be taken by force if the often inaccurate breathalyzer test is refused.
During key holiday weekends, a pre-assigned judge who agreed to wait by the phone will approve search warrants created from pre-written templates -- often within just thirty minutes. With warrant in hand, a nurse whose salary is often paid by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) will draw blood while police officers exert the required level of force. In some cases, this use of force can cause permanent damage. Montague, Archer and Clay counties have similar programs except that these departments do away with the nurse and have police officers perform the blood draw themselves, despite a state law banning the practice (view law).
Two of the twelve motorists subjected to the first blood draws in Harris County on Memorial Day weekend this year were later found to have blood alcohol levels below the .08 limit. The program will return on New Year's Eve.
I view the biggest issue as lack of enforcement. The cops do their job the best they can and the courts turn around and let the offenders go.
Yes, and then why not introduce the next absolute law, to clear up the next horrible problem afflicting mankind? Are you so blind that you can’t see where this leads? Are you?
Do you have any small children?
They would make a very fine small risk.
So, yes. You're right. You convinced me.
I'll be glad to risk your children.
I’d rather live in a country where I have to avoid an occasional drunk driver than live in a country where fascist thugs can stick a needle in my arm at will, with the blessing and consent of our beloved lawmakers.
That's a MADD source.
MADD is not concerned with facts.
Oh come on. That’s not as inane as you can be.
Go back to those murderous toilet fatalities you were warning us of.
THAT’s the pro-drunk driving elk we all know and love.
Damn, that’s going to leave a mark!!!
Same outfit, different names.
Don't drink. Problem solved...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
(BTW, the above does not mean that I agree with this this forced blood test madness -- in my beloved Texas, no less!)
How do you think that will go?
I'll try just once more.. then, I'm off to bed. Cause, even here, no one seems to care about the real problem.
Do you know the average BAC level of all drivers arrested with a measurable BAC? It's 0.16 %.
Do you know the level of BAC for drivers at which the driver has a greater chance, statistically, of being involved in a traffic fatality than someone with no BAC reading at all? It's more than 0.10%.
There IS a problem with drunk drivers on the road... and, it is MOSTLY older men, who are repeat offenders, driving with a BAC of > 0.15%. THIS is a problem than can be addressed... easily, with the laws I have previously proposed.
But.. that is NOT the purpose of most DUI laws today. They are aimed at complete prohibition and/or revenue generation.
Classic liberal argument.
If I have to do or give up one more thing "for the children", I'm going to start throttling the little trolls myself.
I don’t have an issue with that, but I don’t think there is that much of a problem. I’m sure it exists though.
I think my point is blowing over your head... Of course if everyone in town knows that a checkpoint is being conducted, most drunks will either not drive drunk that night or drive somewhere else. So yes, some IDIOTIC STUDY will conclude that the checkpoint "deduced" DUI's that night by 80% and checkpoint reduce drunk driving. But that's utterly meaningless when compared to the number of impaired drivers that those same officers would stop during routine patrols after seeing signs of impairment.
There are at least 3 detailed studies available on-line to prove this
Ok so produce the links.
That is the difference between "alcohol related" and "alcohol caused"
Nobody keeps the causation statistics because it doesn't fit the agenda.
There are every bit as many toddlers killed by mop buckets.
There is a 100% causal link between the dihydrogen monoxide content of blood and all accidents causing fatality. We must ban this dangerous substance as soon as possible!
Here are the facts:
Description/History:
Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage.
Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.
Dihydrogen monoxide is also known as hydroxl acid, and is the major component of acid rain; contributes to the "greenhouse effect."; may cause severe burns.; contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.; accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.; may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.; has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
Contamination Is Reaching Epidemic Proportions!
Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the Midwest, and recently California.
Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
as an industrial solvent and coolant; in nuclear power plants; in the production of styrofoam; as a fire retardant; in many forms of cruel animal research; in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical; as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.
Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!
The Horror Must Be Stopped!
The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.
From the NY Times
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Damn, that’s going to leave a mark!!!
I still have the marks (scars) of a time where I didn’t avoid a drunk driver.
Is that the kind of mark you were refering to?
That is the agenda.
As soon as that part is won, it will move on to other things.
Make it a proposed law and you will soon find a problem!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.