Meanwhile in Rome, er… D.C., you can arrested for a 0.01 BAC
A single glass of wine over dinner can send you to jail. You see, the legal limit in our fine capitol is 0.1, not 0.8 like the rest of the country.
It’s been pretty well documented that M.A.D.D. is out of control – basically, any alcohol-related offence is a perfect excuse to fire you, prosecute you, seize your car, etc.
The new prohibitionists are here, folks. As someone who would be quite happy with things going the other way, a well-funded group of zealots like MADD (what a very appropriate moniker, that) is more than a little concerning.
I’m waiting for them to come out in favor of re-instituing Blue Laws so we can’t buy Demon Rum on The Lords Day anymore. Not because they are actually devout Christians, but because it helps with their plan to make sure you can’t get a drink.
Update:
Minor typo corrections made.
October 30th, 2005 at 9:01 pm
I don’t drink, but I really don’t understand what the problem is. They make out all drunk drivers to be sociopathic monsters, insist that “society” (read: “The Children™”) has to be protected from them with insanely punitive jail sentences and STILL people drink. One is given to wonder why these people have nothing better to do.
I think it’s a symptom of our “safe at any costs” society. We see a “problem” which has hurt a tiny number of people (not trying to minimise that, either) and overreact. I think you’re right about the “blue” laws. They’re already prohibiting the sale of alcohol anywhere near a school (1 mile? not sure about that). Next they’ll prohibit the possession of alcohol anywhere near a school (you live next door and you drink? Better not do it at home!). Better yet, why not just ban the sale of alcohol during the week! But then the kiddies will drink on the weekend…well, there’s only one answer to that…
As if drinking was the worst possible thing a kid could do! Sheesh. Haven’t they heard of video games?