I could not believe my eyes !!
Aug 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM
#21
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Yeah, and I am still find it interesting that there are "dry counties" or towns in Texas. 
I guess that's why some Texans have to drive to other counties to visit the drive-thru liquor stores. 
I guess that's why some Texans have to drive to other counties to visit the drive-thru liquor stores.
Aug 27th, 2006, 06:51 AM
#22
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I think that's strange too. It encourages people to drive even further to reach a bar, where they might not be able to take a taxi home. And of course, there's always a bar and/or drive-thru liquor store just across the county line.
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:01 AM
#23
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<< Whatever the approach is here in the states, one thing is for certain, the laws are not strict enough. >>
I agree, assuming that you mean that the <i><u>penalties</u></i> are not strict enough. The statues, spelling out what is legal and not legal seem about right.
Fatal automobile accidents have killed so many more innocent victims than air travel terrorism ever could, even if we had a "9/11" every year.
I would propose the following penalty for drunk driving the first time:
Your car is confiscated, and provided to a local law enforcement office; when you want to drive, you pay $25/hr for a law enforcement officer to bring it to you; he performs a field sobriety test on you, and then handcuffs you to the steering wheel and accompanies you to wherever you need to go. First offence: a minimum of 30 days, or until you have paid $1000 for chauffeured rides, which ever takes longer. Second offense, or cause an accident on the first offense: one year / $10,000 in chauffered rides, same program. Third offense, or cause a fatality, or get caught driving some other vehicle "outside the program" before you have served your time: death penalty.
Driving while intoxicated is tantamount to premeditated murder, no different from Timothy McVeigh or Mohammed Atta.
I don't know why the US does not take these crimes more seriously. When I read the "America = Satan" rhetoric of the jihadists, I cringe at how I think, in one tiny respect, this atrocity gives it a grain of truth.
Best wishes,
Rex
I agree, assuming that you mean that the <i><u>penalties</u></i> are not strict enough. The statues, spelling out what is legal and not legal seem about right.
Fatal automobile accidents have killed so many more innocent victims than air travel terrorism ever could, even if we had a "9/11" every year.
I would propose the following penalty for drunk driving the first time:
Your car is confiscated, and provided to a local law enforcement office; when you want to drive, you pay $25/hr for a law enforcement officer to bring it to you; he performs a field sobriety test on you, and then handcuffs you to the steering wheel and accompanies you to wherever you need to go. First offence: a minimum of 30 days, or until you have paid $1000 for chauffeured rides, which ever takes longer. Second offense, or cause an accident on the first offense: one year / $10,000 in chauffered rides, same program. Third offense, or cause a fatality, or get caught driving some other vehicle "outside the program" before you have served your time: death penalty.
Driving while intoxicated is tantamount to premeditated murder, no different from Timothy McVeigh or Mohammed Atta.
I don't know why the US does not take these crimes more seriously. When I read the "America = Satan" rhetoric of the jihadists, I cringe at how I think, in one tiny respect, this atrocity gives it a grain of truth.
Best wishes,
Rex
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:07 AM
#24
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<i>"I don't know why the US does not take these crimes more seriously."</i>
I totally agree with what you said. As to your question, I believe the answer is there's very strong resistance from the restaurant owners and of course the national breweries, both of which have very strong political clout in the US.
I totally agree with what you said. As to your question, I believe the answer is there's very strong resistance from the restaurant owners and of course the national breweries, both of which have very strong political clout in the US.
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:09 AM
#25
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Here's a "filling station" in little ol' Charlottesville, Virginia:
http://www.klugeestateonline.com/html/fuel_main.html
http://www.klugeestateonline.com/html/fuel_main.html
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:14 AM
#27
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Getting totally away from the alcolhol and driving topic, I could not beleive my eyes when in the UK we were at a lovely little town in mid winter,[ near Whitby] no tourists really, and there was a archeological "dig" where they were uncovering old Roman chariot grooves in the road, household items from that period and they let my children hold the artifacts and ask questions etc...
My Gosh, that would never happen here. They probably would never be allowed anywhre near the sight much less hold in their bare hands precious items.
( I do realize that these kind of sights are probably very prevelant there, but still it was very exciting for my children!!)
My Gosh, that would never happen here. They probably would never be allowed anywhre near the sight much less hold in their bare hands precious items.
( I do realize that these kind of sights are probably very prevelant there, but still it was very exciting for my children!!)
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:15 AM
#28
Things are changing in Switzerland too. Our drinking ages are still low: (14-16 for beer and wine with 16 being more prevelant and 18 for spirits) but we now "card" to check ages (something new) because we are having more and more alcohol-related problems. Too many very young kids getting plastered. Not a pleasant sight.
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:29 AM
#29
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Our island's one and only gas station has a full service bar. It can actually become a local hotspot at night on occassion. 
I guess that is par for the Caribbean, though, since there is hardly a place where you "can't" get a drink day or night.
rkkwan, along the lines of drive-thru liquor stores in Texas, it was quite a giggle for me to see men go thru on horseback in Bandera. They even had a big pooper scooper in case the horse had to wait in line too long.
Also, seeing hitching posts to tie up your horse at the local nightclub. Guess that is a good way to make sure you have a designated driver of the equine variety.
That was my "can't believe my eyes" moment. I thought I'd stepped back in time.
I guess that is par for the Caribbean, though, since there is hardly a place where you "can't" get a drink day or night.rkkwan, along the lines of drive-thru liquor stores in Texas, it was quite a giggle for me to see men go thru on horseback in Bandera. They even had a big pooper scooper in case the horse had to wait in line too long.
Also, seeing hitching posts to tie up your horse at the local nightclub. Guess that is a good way to make sure you have a designated driver of the equine variety.
That was my "can't believe my eyes" moment. I thought I'd stepped back in time.
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:36 AM
#31
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P_M, I always lived in the city in Texas, too, and that's why seeing those things were so surprising to me.
Take a little trip to Bandera one of these days. "The Cowboy Capitol of the World." You might be surprised at what you see there.
http://www.banderacowboycapital.com/
Take a little trip to Bandera one of these days. "The Cowboy Capitol of the World." You might be surprised at what you see there.
http://www.banderacowboycapital.com/
Aug 27th, 2006, 07:50 AM
#34
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Something that surprised me(let's stick to Europe,because if I start talking about India,I'll be here all day!)
The espresso and cappuccino vending machines at the catacombs(can't remember which ones) outside Rome.Also the beautiful coffee bar at the McDonald's in Pisa.
The espresso and cappuccino vending machines at the catacombs(can't remember which ones) outside Rome.Also the beautiful coffee bar at the McDonald's in Pisa.
Aug 27th, 2006, 08:19 AM
#38
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Last time I heard, in Switzerland the penalty for drunk driving was suspension of your license AND a fine calculated based on your income - calculated to hurt, so the rich couldn't just shrug it off. If that isn't working as a deterrent, I am disappointed! In Italy your license gets taken away.
best regards,
Deirdré Straughan
beginningwithi.com
best regards,
Deirdré Straughan
beginningwithi.com
Aug 27th, 2006, 08:48 AM
#39
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Back to "I could not believe my eyes" experiences - mine occurred at Notre Dame.
There was a long line of people waiting to kiss a portrait or painting (not sure which, I couldn't see it - I'm guessing it was a picture of Jesus) held by a priest near the altar at Notre Dame. They would cross themselves, walk up to it, kiss it, and back away.
One guy crossed himself, walked up to it, kissed it, backed away, started to walk away - then he whipped around and took a photo of the priest holding the picture!
Evidently, this is fairly common as another priest just calmly walked up to this man, took a hold of his arm, and led him away.
Actually, I was pretty surprised to learn that they let people tour the inside of Notre Dame and other churches in Paris during services. I had assumed that they would be closed to tourists during services.
There was a long line of people waiting to kiss a portrait or painting (not sure which, I couldn't see it - I'm guessing it was a picture of Jesus) held by a priest near the altar at Notre Dame. They would cross themselves, walk up to it, kiss it, and back away.
One guy crossed himself, walked up to it, kissed it, backed away, started to walk away - then he whipped around and took a photo of the priest holding the picture!
Evidently, this is fairly common as another priest just calmly walked up to this man, took a hold of his arm, and led him away.
Actually, I was pretty surprised to learn that they let people tour the inside of Notre Dame and other churches in Paris during services. I had assumed that they would be closed to tourists during services.
Aug 27th, 2006, 09:05 AM
#40
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OK, on a totally different vein, when I first visited Paris, I couldn't believe my eyes at those "pissoirs" they had along the streets where a man could stand behind a partially blocked screed to pee while conversing with the passing crowds. Those are gone now, but in London they set out those portable "pissoirs" in Covent Garden at night, especially around the bars and clubs where a man stands totally in the open and answers the call of nature. They really are a great idea as it helps prevent the usual peeing in a doorway, but it still is culture shock to me.
