Society's Mixed Signals

[iowajournal]

I talked to the Iowa D.O.T. today. Refusing to submit to the breathalyzer on a 2nd OWI arrest is an automatic 2 year suspension of driving priviliges.

 

Not taking into account actual damages to society, life, limb, property etc.... which there were NONE!

 

For 2 years now I will have to walk, get rides, take the imaginary bus, pay taxi cabs because the police decided to pull over a guy 5 blocks from his house in the middle of the night...with no one around...and me driving just fine.

 

Where's the justice here? I still don't see it.

Edited February 25, 2008 by iowajournal

[Arch]

lol, police aren't out to "save society", or produce "justice" there out to make money, they have a use but I think all police forces should be cut to 1/10 of what they currently are.

[iowajournal]

At last I am beginning to understand why I was turned into the police by an informant convenience store employee for being suspected of driving while intoxicated. While I haven't confirmed this yet, a fairly reliable source has told me there is a new law that has gone into effect that gives the informant $100 for turning in Drinker/Drivers upon a successful conviction by Prosecution. The $100 is given to the informants out of the fine money the convicted must pay.

 

I was turned in Feb 13, 2008 by a convenience store employee which I was subsequently arrested for OWI second offense.

 

Then amazingly another convenience in the same chain of stores but at a different location called the cops on me because I had to go out to my car to find my wallet that I had misplaced. Luckily the car was turned off and they let me lock it up and a friend drove me home.

 

The informants are looking for money and this explains why in the last 3 weeks I have been informed upon twice by the same chain store employees at 2am in the morning when I stop in for some late night snacks before heading home to bed.

[RecordProducer]

I have a problem with binge drinking meaning once I start...I go all the way. But the nature of alcohol is that it is a mild euphoriant and anesthetic so I'm not really doing anything the nature of the drug isn't intending.

What is this supposed to mean? You basically admitted that the drug took charge of you and did to you what it intended to do! You binge and have no control over your actions. I bet that most of the time you don't even recall how you got home. It's YOU who is doing what you intend to do - to trash yourself to .11.

 

I am neither dangerous to society

You are very much dangerous for the society when you let an anesthetic invade your mind. This was at 2 AM, but I am sure you don't wait until the streets get empty to go home in order to prevent an accident. You are very irresponsible and you know it. Don't blame the police. Blame yourself. How would you like it if some drunken driver hit you and disabled you? According to you, driving while intoxicated is OK, so he should walk free, cuz he didn't intend to hurt you. He was just having a binge to heal his pain and the booze was doing "its job."

 

Society is a hypocritical beast.

No, YOU are! Because you don't like when other people take control over your body and life, but you think it's totally OK for YOU to drive under anesthesia and potentially kill someone. I don't understand you anarchists: you live in this society and use all the benefits of it while complaining about the system under which is functions. The government represents the people and most of us want safe roads. After all, how would you feel if you knew that 100% of drivers were completely drunk and driving around? How can you say that you were safe because there was no one on the road? Is the road yours? What if there was one more car on the road? If something is safe, it should be safe under ANY conditions. see, driving sober is safe at 8 AM and 5 Pm and when there are hundreds of cars on the road. That's why you deserve what you got.

 

one of them was there for attempted murder

You said that there's no crime if there is no victim. So since this guy's wife wasn't dead, he should have been free, right? Do you need to kill someone while driving drunk in order to go to jail?

 

The government must not be trusted.

It's funny that you trust yourself when you're completely wasted. perhaps you should scrutinize your own behavior more and the government's less. You know the rules and you drank despite of them. And you're surprised and offended.

 

The ability to omniscently hover over the situation and monitor my own punishent and treatment is a trait the present government dislikes about me. They know I look at the bigger picture and it annoys them. After all jailers, and police like to exercise absolute authority over people's bodies. It is why they got in the business, and a person like me who questions everything...they find the time to make things very difficult for me.

You look at the situation from all angles except from the self-critical and introspective one. And you look at the big picture through the prism of your own interests. That's not the big picture, that's your microworld in which they should let you do what you want. Only in your head you can be who you want and do what you want. In the macro-world (the big picture), you are just one crumb in the mass - and THAT is precisely what bothers you. Your tendency to seek freedom is nothing but selfishness, because you don't feel like putting anyone else's safety or interests above your own. It's more important for you to binge and heal your pain than for others to be safe.

 

 

No group of people shall have the right to call themselves captors and authoritators over other people unless those other people have expressly asked them to in the form of consensus, and direct voting in.

Trust me, the society WOULD vote for drunken drivers to be arrested. And if you're talking about "you personally get what you vote for," then I vote for NOT being arrested no matter what I do and even if I kill you. Deal?

 

What if you had hit a pole?

Yes, what if hit a pole and died? It'd be a shame for the pole to get knocked and leave some people without a phone for a day.

 

 

I should have had to walk home from that point and the police take my keys to the police dept.

Well, why would they take your keys or your car for a week if you did nothing wrong? make up your mind, you either did something wrong or you didn't. The only reason why you say that is because after a week you'd go straight back to the bar to binge again. Is that correct? or would it make you stop driving while intoxicated? See, again, you're just looking for ways to justify your own selfishness and have everything your way.

 

But the OWI charges in Iowa are devastating. $5000 in fines and court costs and losing your driving for 1-2 years. It is way too much...one year without driving? What logic is that? For a guy to lose his job and make things hard on friends and family? Winter time in Iowa requires you have a car. We don't have good public transit here. So the implications are far more devastating than you understand. It is a poverty death sentence for 2 years minimal.

I am so relieved to hear this. Not because I want revenge for you, but because now I know that there will be one less unsafe driver, at least for the next one year. You being poor sounds better than some innocent person being killed by your driving.

 

They're not going to take on big alcohol industries. They're going to take it out on the individual drinker.

And maybe you'd suggest that they don't arrest the man who attacked his wife with a hammer, but they should go after the factory that produced the hammer.

 

It's overkill man. I'm sorry you can't see that. But I can tell you probably don't drink by the reading of your posts.

You mean, only a good ole alcoholic can understand your frustration. Yes, I suppose that's true!

 

I used to drink heavily and stopped because it's sh*t that takes over your life and destroys you and everything that you touch. I've never been happier. If you could free yourself from its claws, perhaps you would realize that it's alcoholism that's evil. Ultimately, if you weren't an alcoholic, you wouldn't have lost your driver's license.

Edited March 6, 2008 by RecordProducer

[iowajournal]

I used to drink heavily and stopped because it's sh*t that takes over your life and destroys you and everything that you touch. I've never been happier. If you could free yourself from its claws, perhaps you would realize that it's alcoholism that's evil. Ultimately, if you weren't an alcoholic, you wouldn't have lost your driver's license.

 

 

I'm glad for you. I too am ending drinking, not because I don't like a good micro-brew buzz but because unfortunately the laws, and the systems set up around alcohol consumption are flawed, hypocritical, and ignorant.

 

The industry is set up in favor of the big mega-factories that churn out this shi(t) but then punish people who get swept away by its invetitable pharmacological effects. Look sister (RecordProducer), I've seen doctors, lawyers, the mayor, ladies, all get swept away from having too much to drink. Don't act like it's my problem and I alone can't handle the effects of it. The nature of the chemical is that it gets you intoxicated. So knowing this, a logical, and just person would conclude that Society should design better systems around the industry if they are going to keep it legal serving in bars.

 

How about passing a resolution that requires pubs to have busses that take the intoxicated patrons-the bar themselves were responsible for inebriating, home at night? How about making the bars install breathalyzers and PBT a customer who has been there awhile ordering beer after beer?

 

They won't do that will they? Why? Because it messes with the profits. They would much rather make 70-100$ dollars off you when your drunk and then turn you out into the streets for PART 2 of the wallet stomping when Johnny Law arrests your butt for trying to get to a warm safe spot to sleep--i.e. your home, and then hits you up for another $5000 more.

 

Go tell it over the mountain RecordProducer your arguments are weak and fail to grasp the gist of the arguments I am making. All this talk about killing and maiming people. I haven't done any such thing. I am a safe driver. For example I drive in the daytime without having drank beer 40 mph down the 55 highway because A. I like to save gas. B. I am a laid back guy who despises the rat race and C. I don't like how highways are setup with mega semi tractor trailers coming at you with less than 5 feet separating you on the highway.

 

Again Society is messed up and I am just trying to deal with the stupid decisions made by the predecessors.

Edited March 11, 2008 by iowajournal

[iowajournal]

I just talked to my lawyer yesterday. He told me Federal Laws state that OWI 2nd offense is an aggravated misdemeanor that is considered a Felony on the Federal level. So because of this I will not be able to own a firearm.

 

I personally am not into guns. But I am into keeping my rights to protect myself should the need ever arise. Now I am unable to do this.

 

Look at the absurdity of these laws people! I went out and had a good time singing Karaoke with my friends and drank some FAT TIRE and BOULEVARD PALE ALE at a fun sports bar and calmly drove myself home, stopped at a KUM AND GO convenience store, calmly got some microwave sandwhiches, was polite to the employee and was arrested about 5 blocks from my warm cozy house.

 

Now I am considered a Felon for that? I cannot own a gun to protect my house, family should the need ever arise? My 2nd Ammendment has been revoked because I had a good time at a bar?

 

I have no violent offenses on my record. Every charge I have ever had has been an alcohol or minor traffic related crime--resulting in no accident or injury to another. Victimless Crimes--my whole life I have been paying the state for these victimless crimes. I am fed up with this bull shi(t). I am tired of having the state tell me I am a bad person when I am one of the best people you'll find.

 

The State is not my state. This is not my Government. Either I change it, or I revoke it. But I will not let the state build up wrongful assessments on my body. KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY you old crippled up son of a bitch sitting at the State House.

 

Just like my DAD who was 40 years old when I was born. I have despised out of touch elders who inflict their ideas of the world on the young, the vibrant, those who want freedom and love and good things in the world.

 

(end of diatribe)

Edited March 12, 2008 by iowajournal

[mental_traveller]

I just talked to my lawyer yesterday. He told me Federal Laws state that OWI 2nd offense is an aggravated misdemeanor that is considered a Felony on the Federal level. So because of this I will not be able to own a firearm.

 

I personally am not into guns. But I am into keeping my rights to protect myself should the need ever arise. Now I am unable to do this.

 

Look at the absurdity of these laws people! I went out and had a good time singing Karaoke with my friends and drank some FAT TIRE and BOULEVARD PALE ALE at a fun sports bar and calmly drove myself home, stopped at a KUM AND GO convenience store, calmly got some microwave sandwhiches, was polite to the employee and was arrested about 5 blocks from my warm cozy house.

 

Now I am considered a Felon for that? I cannot own a gun to protect my house, family should the need ever arise? My 2nd Ammendment has been revoked because I had a good time at a bar?

 

I have no violent offenses on my record. Every charge I have ever had has been an alcohol or minor traffic related crime--resulting in no accident or injury to another. Victimless Crimes--my whole life I have been paying the state for these victimless crimes. I am fed up with this bull shi(t). I am tired of having the state tell me I am a bad person when I am one of the best people you'll find.

 

The State is not my state. This is not my Government. Either I change it, or I revoke it. But I will not let the state build up wrongful assessments on my body. KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY you old crippled up son of a bitch sitting at the State House.

 

Just like my DAD who was 40 years old when I was born. I have despised out of touch elders who inflict their ideas of the world on the young, the vibrant, those who want freedom and love and good things in the world.

 

(end of diatribe)

 

Your level of denial and rationalisation is frightening. You knew the drink drive laws. You've done this not just one, but twice. Drink-driving is not a victimless offence - people are killed or horribly injured, lives are eliminated, devastated, turned upside down by people doing just the same as you.

 

Example: http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/images/jacqui_poster.jpg

 

If you are going to drink, do not drive, and vice versa. IMO you are lucky to escape jail, and I am *very* glad that someone with such a reckless disregard for other people's safety is now no longer allowed to own a firearm.

[mental_traveller]

 

I told him that I would be looking at $5000-$7000 in fees. 7 days in jail minimum. losing my license for up to 3 years and no less than 1 year, and that my new delivery job at Pizza Hut that I was supposed to be starting is now no longer an option. I told him that I don't have any family in the area and most of my business is conducted in the next larger town over, and with the snow and ice and no good public transit system...my survival is seriously comprimised.

 

Those consequences are a storm in a teacup when compared to what happens to the victims of drunk drivers. $5000-7000 in fines, 7 days in jail, 3 years off the road, and no job; versus 6-7 figures in medical expenses leading to bankruptcy (assuming the victim lives), months in hospital, probably unable to drive for years if ever, and unable to work due to crippling injuries.

[iowajournal]

But you are convicting me for something that did not happen. All of you and other's arguments are based on fear and examples of death, maiming and tragedy. None of those things happened.

 

Again, I don't believe drinking and driving is right. I believe that bars should be held partially responsible for every conviction of a patron on OWI. They were the ones serving me to the point of illegality so they should spend jail and pay fines alongside me.

 

Also, 2 years without a license with no injury to property or person is Draconian. It is overkill. You won't convince me of this otherwise. I will lobby against this whenever I get the chance.

 

Reform the laws. And most importantly KEEP THEM OFF MY BODY.

 

And my revocation of the 2nd Amendment right is a violation of the Constitution. Unless you use violence against someone, the state should have no reason to bar you from your right to bear arms.

 

You have opinions against me...but that is all they are...opinions. They are not substantiated by any real logical or legal argument. Except of course the "bad legal laws" that are in place...but in my opinion those don't count.

[Teacher's Pet]

It should apply to help me the consumer pay off the hefty fines that the product I bought from them caused me.

 

Not wanting to sound like I'm bashing you, but it was your mis-use, or potential inability to responsibly use that product that caused your situation.

 

Alcohol, in small-moderate amounts, is a perfectly fine social thing.

 

When you are above the legal limit in your system, you should NOT be driving.

 

That's why there are cabs, busses, designated drivers, etc...

 

If you can't drink without going "over the limit", you should reconsider your use of the product.

 

Remember, getting behind the wheel when drunk puts YOUR life at risk, the lives of everyone else on the road, YOUR family, friends, employer and those who care about you, and YES, the livelihood of the bartender that served you.

 

It's not fair to mis-use a product and then blame everyone else for your inability to control your consumption.

 

It's an old cliche, but if someone is stabbed, do you go after the knife maker, or the one who used it for something other than it's intended purpose?

 

The purpose of alcohol is NOT to get drunk, that's a nasty side-effect of the product which must be taken into consideration before using it.

 

And yes, I AM an authority on the subject.

 

-TP

TIPS-Certified Bartender

[Teacher's Pet]

They're going to take it out on the individual drinker. He is a more helpless and easy target.

 

The AVERAGE "individual" drinker does not drink to excess and get behind the wheel of a car.

 

A person crossing the street when a drunk driver is barrelling through an intersection is a "helpless" target.

 

-TP

sorry, just being realistic.

[Teacher's Pet]

Why is that right ? What good is that doing to society? Where is the rehabilitation in such a scenario?

 

Its archaic, Its barbaric...and most importantly...its a flat out lie.

 

The state won't announce its true thoughts on the matter because honestly dictatorship,sadism and profiteering would be part of the confession.

 

Will you stop, or at least attempt to control your drinking going forward?

 

If a few days in jail will help you realize you *might* have a problem, those few days may save your life, or someone else's.

 

-TP

again, not bashing, just making a point.

[Teacher's Pet]

You don't know me how I drive.

 

Can you honestly say YOU know how you drive?

 

Unfortunately for you, the police do.

 

Anytime you get behind the wheel of a car, drunk or otherwise, there are great risks.

 

Any impairment that reduces your reaction time/judgement even a SMALL amount compounds those risks.

 

Society did not make you drink. Society gave you a stiff warning to prevent injury to yourself and others.

 

Now it's twice.

 

Please don't let the "third time be the charm". Evaluate your drinking. Evaluate YOU. Don't hold society responsible for your shortcomings.

 

Acceptance of a problem is the first step to beating it, and when you do, you can be a source of inspiration for others as well.

 

But first, you have to acknowledge YOUR responsibility, something so few in society ever do anymore.

 

-TP

we're really trying to help.

[Teacher's Pet]

Narcing someone off for something like this is despicable. This guy looked exactly as you might imagine a graveyard shift convenience store clerk might look in Iowa. He was short, fat, had a goatee / handlebar mustache and was bald with almost frustrated homosexual characteristics about him.

 

In short: A Putz.

 

And he has a job and a driver's license.

 

You can call people names, but you should be turning your attention on your OWN actions, not his.

 

-TP

it's OK to be angry at yourself!

[Teacher's Pet]

Of course I have issues as I'm sure you do to. Don't go there with me. I don't need your 5 cent psychoanalysis.

 

What if I create a law that says my friends have the right to tell a person that what they did seriously adversely affected their friends life?

 

Then what would you do legal eagle?

 

You see your basing all of what you know on the law as it exists...but in my world the law has yet to be drawn up.

 

Until you enter "your world" or conquer "ours", the law is the law.

 

It's here to protect everyone, even those who would disregard it.

 

-TP

hoping some of this is catching on.

[Teacher's Pet]

Where is the good in this? You don't think the state is Draconian huh? This to me reeks of elitism. All of my antagonists on this board are probably earning pretty good money and sitting well in life and don't understand what its like to recover from major depression / poverty / unemployment /. And this is further reason why this country has major problems...because there is very little empathy and compassion or understanding.

 

No offense to convenience store clerks everywhere, but I don't consider them to be among the "elite". Nor do I consider bartenders, of which I am one.

 

I SURVIVE off of the kindness of others (tips). I've been through major depression (anyone on LS who's known me for a while knows this).

 

I've lost friends.

I've lost relatives.

I've lost jobs.

I've lost a child, for crying out loud.

 

You are on a website where the vast majority of people have some sort of problems, whether relationships, personal, medical, etc.....

 

On LS, we all work together to help each person find their OWN answers, all within the confines of a society which ALLOWS for personal discovery and enlightenment.

 

It's not the society which is wrong when it comes to the vast majority of our problems, it is ourselves.

 

We are not perfect creatures. We hurt and kill sometimes without provocation. We take what is not ours. But... it is the collective wisdom based on the goodness which is inherent in ALL humans that helped us create a series of guidelines for us to live by, and many of those guidelines involve public safety.

 

It's one thing to protest how society treats different races, groups, etc., but those who may cause harm (ESPECIALLY unintentionally) to others NEED these laws for the promotion of the greater good and health of those around us.

 

It's easy to deal with those who intentionally cause harm to people. It's the people who cause/potentially cause harm to people through inappropriate behavior, substance abuse, etc., that are more difficult to deal with. That's why a "first offense" is usually a "slap on the wrist" - a gentle, yet firm reminder that your behavior is potentially dangerous.

 

When that behavior is repeated, the punishments MUST become more severe, as every repeat of that offense is another opportunity to bring harm to those who were NOT willing participants of this behavior. If a person cannot prove that they can control their behavior, punishment MUST be given out to protect the greater good.

 

Look, I've made many posts to this tonight, but only because I actually DO care.

 

I am in the business of serving alcohol, and the first thing I will say is, the bartenders that served you should NEVER have let you leave if they had the SLIGHTEST notion you might have been impaired.

 

I am state-certified "TIPS" in alcohol handling and awareness. It's a tough position to be in, because the more I get someone to drink, the more money I make (usually). But, at the same time, it's my responsibility to make sure that my clientele are within a reasonable level of usage of MY products. In my state (NJ), a FIRST OFFENSE for overserving someone that later gets into an accident where there is bodily injury or property damage is $1500 and/or jail.

 

So trust me, every time I pull that tap, pop open a bottle, or deftly (yes, I'm that good) shake, stir, blend, or build a cocktail, I'm putting YOUR life at risk, the lives of those who may potentially be on the road later at risk, as well as MY livelihood and potentially MY freedom.

 

I accept my responsibility as one who dispenses alcohol, and regard it as a "sacred trust", of sorts.

 

Am I perfect? No. Have I ever "over-served" someone? Of course I have. No one is perfect, and in a crowded bar, it's very hard to accurately "monitor" everyone who is drinking.

 

Do I worry that I'll get in trouble one day if someone gets into an accident after leaving my place? Of course I do.

 

Maybe it's "greed", but I'm afraid for MY ABILITY TO SUSTAIN MY LEVEL OF LIVING. Yes, in some ways I'm putting that ahead of the "health" of others, but if my being careful can protect my job, and also protect the lives of others, I'm happy to be so "greedy".

 

The OP should do the same. Don't worry about hurting other people. Just remember what your actions have done to your job and your right to drive, and how it feels to not have that.

 

If that doesn't wake you up to your need to re-evaluate your usage of alcohol, hopefully a stiff fine and/or punishment will, at least to prevent someone ELSE from losing life and limb.

 

I really, truly hope you get the help you need, but it starts from within.

 

We don't need to change the laws, just our attitudes.

 

-TP

bartenders always give the best advice.

[iowajournal]

The AVERAGE "individual" drinker does not drink to excess and get behind the wheel of a car.

 

A person crossing the street when a drunk driver is barrelling through an intersection is a "helpless" target.

 

-TP

sorry, just being realistic.

 

Ok again more assumptions based on false facts. I disagree. Many drinkers are going out every night and getting behind the wheel-over the legal limit. It happens every night in bars. If you choose not to believe it...like an ostrich...that is your prerogative.

 

The proverbial "Drunk Driver barrelling through the intersection". Most of your understanding of driving over the legal limit is based on Saturday afternoon Scott Baio television series that were aimed at children. Yes many immature people who get behind the wheel let it go to their head, and because of all the pressures from parents and schools, and peers, they let loose and go crazy when drunk.

 

But that is not your average person who consumes alcohol at a bar after work. I know many guys that come from the office, the theatre, the government who go in and catch a buzz on good micro-brews and then make it home, responsibly, safely, calmly, slowly every night. I could be lumped into that category. I am an artist. I am laid back. I am always thinking about things, and so I drive slow. I am paranoid about the person barrelling through the intersection like you describe and so buzzed or sober, I check the intersections even in the green lights because I have such little trust for my fellow mankind.

 

But this is just me. I am cool. I am probably an exception even though you all won't believe this. You like to think of out of control drunks, slobbering all over themselves, starting fights, weaving, etc. There are those I'm sure. But that is not me.

 

So like there are different Iraquis, Kurd, Shia, Sunni etc. So there are different users of alcohol.

 

The ultimate point I am making is: The law is not fair and consistant in its application. I am the fall guy on this and it is not fair for the private citizen to take the brunt of the punishment when A. The bar served me to the point of illegality and B. The alcohol producers know damn well that their product can "go to people's heads". C. The lawmakers understand this as well, but won't punish the alcohol industry, choosing to gather more money from the consumer of the products...the lowly citizen.

 

And the Second Ultimate point is: The police could shut down drinking and driving once and for all if they would go to the bars and enforce the law that is plainly and clearly being violated each and every night across America.

 

And Thirdly: Even if you are over the legal limit. Unless you caused real damage and harm...the laws should be less severe in punishment. They are way too harsh and do not adequately distinguish between the different degrees of intoxication and users. i.e. dangerous out of control drunks and people who are a bit over but can get themselves home just fine.

 

Sorry Folks, but there are so many problems on this issue on so many fronts...

 

You are clearly not going to see my point of view...until perhaps you are at TGIFridays on a Friday night at the bar and have one too many and get pulled over and arrested for .09 or .10 and are facing the same situation I am. Then you'll remember good ole' Iowajournal.

 

But then again Americans are so stupid they let Bush trample all over the world, they let GM disregard Hybrids and Hydrogen, they let innocent people get executed, they allowed slavery, they burned witches, they let the priests molest children.

 

This is really no different. Its just stupid Americans making stupid laws. You'll wise up to my point of view sooner or later.

Edited March 13, 2008 by iowajournal

[iowajournal]

Can you honestly say YOU know how you drive?Unfortunately for you' date=' the police do.Anytime you get behind the wheel of a car, drunk or otherwise, there are great risks.Any impairment that reduces your reaction time/judgement even a SMALL amount compounds those risks.Society did not make you drink. Society gave you a stiff warning to prevent injury to yourself and others.Now it's twice.Please don't let the "third time be the charm". Evaluate your drinking. Evaluate YOU. Don't hold society responsible for your shortcomings.Acceptance of a problem is the first step to beating it, and when you do, you can be a source of inspiration for others as well.But first, you have to acknowledge YOUR responsibility, something so few in society ever do anymore-TP we're really trying to help.[/quote']

 

I was pulled over because someone informed upon me at a convenience store. The police know they had no reason to pull me over otherwise because what they saw was: I maintained the speed limit. I came to a complete stop. I signaled right, and then signalled left and then bloop bloop they pulled me over. When the officer came to the window. He said quite plainly: "Have you been to the Kum and Go convenience store tonight" Nothing about: "Sir, I pulled you over because you failed to come to a complete stop, were speeding, or you didn't signal." Get the facts right.

 

I get what you are telling me TP and I appreciate it. Now do you think you could macroscopically wake up to understand the bigger picture here? Or are you going to keep on trying to get me to see the light of responsible social drinking? Because I don't believe there is any such a thing. Alcohol is alcohol. It goes to your brain. Why punish those who like to let it do what its supposed to do? Its like you are claiming that I have some flaw in my character for not being able to say: "Mr. Alcohol Molecule, you are taking away all my problems and making me feel good again, because my life and the world are such crap...but really I have to go now...I can't drink another of you."

 

Hey if you Legalize Cocaine, I won't have any problem telling Mr. Alcohol Molecule he is cut off for the night.

 

I don't know if you read my other posts, but I don't drink anymore. I quit. Not because I don't like a good micro-brew. I love them. But because the Gestapo is not right in the mind right now, and I have seen nothing but cop lights the last few nights at the bar...that I drove right on by. So wouldn't you think the STATE would want to do something to truly stop driving and drinking when we see so many Cop pullovers every night? Exactly...it's big money baby.

Edited March 13, 2008 by iowajournal

[Teacher's Pet]

And Thirdly: Even if you are over the legal limit. Unless you caused real damage and harm...the laws should be less severe in punishment. They are way too harsh and do not adequately distinguish between the different degrees of intoxication and users. i.e. dangerous out of control drunks and people who are a bit over but can get themselves home just fine.

 

The laws are less severe on those who don't cause harm to people.

 

You may get a few nights in jail and a loss of license for a while.

 

If you actually DID hurt someone, what you got would be a slap in the wrist compared to the sentence for vehicular assault and/or manslaughter.

 

So yes, the punishments ARE less on those who don't actually cause harm....that time around.

 

-TP

stop blaming everyone else!

[iowajournal]

I don't consider 2 years without a license to be a small or light punishment. That is a pretty severe proposition. Think about that for a moment before you play armchair judge. not one more winter spring, summer and fall but another winter spring summer or fall...In Iowa where freezing snow and ice are par for course and where public transportation facilities are lacking in small towns under 30,000 and 7,000 where I live 7 miles away from the 30,000 populated town. It is a serious situation and I will have to move back to Portland or Minneapolis because they have adequate buses and bicycle routes and bicycle lanes. So I will have to leave my home, what little friends I have managed to make and my family because I cannot survive without a license all because a Kum and Go employee decided to turn me in for smelling alcohol on my breath after I came home from a bar singing harmless Karaoke songs.

 

Do you think this is fair?

 

I'm sorry, but I don't. Like I said, I would rather be whipped for one month straight every day for 1-2 hours a day then I would face this long drawn out frustration. And yes, I probably would agree to testicular electrocution, stockade public humiliation, waterboarding, solitary confinement for one month straight with sleep deprivation torture. Maybe even the Iron Maiden. I will hang by my hands for hours on end, I will hang by my feet, I would like to be caned or even crucified like Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. Because I will know that, while I may suffer, an end will be in sight. Time is the worse kind of punishment in my opinion. I was prodigious in school, meaning I liked to work ahead at a quick pace, and the long drawn out school year was what frustrated me the most about school, and similarly I should like my punishment to be swift and severe so that I may learn quickly from it, have it really sink in, and then get on with my life.

 

Couldn't I have that option?

Pretty please.....????

[erika2610]

I do think it's fair. Especially because you didn't learn your lesson the first time. And I think what he was getting at is that it's a small punishment compared to the price that victims of drunk drivers have to pay.

[sb129]

I cant believe Iowa JOurnal still hasn't grown some balls and accepted responsibility for his behaviour and his punishment.

 

Change the record dude, this tune isn't going to change anyone elses.

[iowajournal]

Wanting to submit to the aforementioned tortures doesn't constitute a degree of toughness in your opinion? Hmmm. You must think I was kidding. I was not. And I don't like the State--Never have....Why?

 

Because of this core belief I hold:

 

I consider there to be a minority group of enlightened people that walk on the earth at any given time (myself one of them) and somehow during every era or generation we are phazed out or prevented from becoming the ruling class by the mediocre humans. These average ones are not sufficiently wise or good enough to govern, but because of their defilements (quest for power, greed, etc.) they always seem to get control of the system, ensuring the elimination of the wise ones in whatever eliminating traps they set. Examples being drug laws, mental illness eliminators, bad families, poverty etc. A new round of unsuspecting incoming souls fall prey to the laws and hence a buildup of criminal record begins. The negative file making continues throughout school, banks, credit agencies, companies until you are stopped from ascension to power or until your soul is beaten down enough to place you back into mediocrity and ignorance.

 

Any other enlightened people out there notice this?

I can't say what birth I am on...I don't really know...but I do have this gut feeling that tells me I have been on the underside of decision making / policy setting for at least the last 2-3 lifetimes.

 

I am often confused for being an Anarchist. I am at present. But not because I don't believe that a good system can be developed (I do believe one can because I am an eternal optimist) but because the one in place is not right...and if you are in this for the long haul like I am...one has to get used to the idea of denouncing flag,country, culture, parents, friends etc. to properly align your mind for the great victory and reward that is yet to come. Keeping sight of this goal however dark and obscure the horizon becomes is the only reward or sense of accomplishment one can hold on to. Someday though in terms of Maitreya Buddhism, I do believe the old dragons will retire and there will be an age of peace and illumination. I don't believe it will last forever but it will last a good long while on earth.

 

And we are on the verge of this shift right now.

Edited March 19, 2008 by iowajournal

[erika2610]

I don't think there are enough that I can use.

[iowajournal]

Enough what? You trying to call me crazy? Go ahead. I don't care...wouldn't be the first time.

 

KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY. The government has no right to keep files on me. I would gladly trade any protections the government claims to offer me for the chance at political independence. Freedom is more important to me than safety.

 

Ask yourself this...Why does the government only keep negative records about people? Why don't you read the positive things you have done alongside the negative when you look at someone's report on criminal history or police files?

 

Because they don't accurately represent the human condition. They are lacking the feminine aspects of life...incomplete. They only want the Patriarchial which I despise. I hate male authority figures so naturally I hate the Patriarchial Male dominated Government.